The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) by Brian Terenna (best ebook reader .txt) 📗

climbs out. A group of people crowds around, hugging and patting the backs of the ones who rescued us. Alexander receives the most attention.

I climb down from the SUV with Nav’s help, a dull ache in my legs, and a sharp pain in my shoulder.

After the celebration dies down, someone hands us all towels. We dry ourselves as Yumi and Astrid start chatting. Nearby, Asher, the big-eared man, flips around nunchucks.

When does he think he’s going to use them? I guess that’s why Alexander called him a ninja.

Weird Tom asks a few people to play poker, but no one seems interested. He slumps on a bench next to some kind of big cage with a frown. He takes out a deck of cards and shuffles them with practiced precision.

Alexander calls someone on his q-link. “The techniques in the book you recommended really work. I saved the day, and I’m back at base. I’ll tell you the details later.”

A dominant looking man with brown skin, similar to Nav’s, and a thick, peppered-gray beard steps in front of us. A raven that looks just like Navin’s did perches on a towel on the man’s shoulder.

I wilt back a few steps as I study the man. His bloodshot eyes are hard and unforgiving, and his military shirt tells me that he doesn’t mess around. Something about his face is familiar as if I’ve seen him somewhere, but I can’t remember where.

The man rests a thick hand on Alexander’s slimmer shoulder. “Thank Navin you were nearby. You’ve proven yourself again,” he says, his voice deep and powerful.

Alexander winks and holds out his fist. “Bump it.”

Americus grunts at him but taps his knuckles into Alexander’s. “Naveha, I’m glad you weren’t hurt.” He puts out his hand.

She looks down at it, sighs, and then shakes it. “Thanks for sending in the cavalry.”

“Are you still keeping it together after the accident?” he asks.

“I’m fine.”

Americus nods, then points at me. “And who’s this?”

I step in front of Sunny.

“This is Fae,” says Nav.

Americus frowns, the wrinkles around his eyes becoming deeper. “Can’t she talk?”

I cross my arms over my chest and slouch down.

“It doesn’t matter,” he says. “Let’s discuss what you’ve found out.” He turns away. “Alexander, come with us.”

“Your wish is my command,” says Alexander.

“You too, Astrid,” says Americus.

I start to follow.

“We don’t need you. Just take your toy,” says Americus, pointing at Sunny, “and go get some food. You’re safe now.”

I lower my head and stop.

Nav shoots me a sympathetic look. “Fae has firsthand knowledge, has had many valuable insights, and is a better hacker than me. We should include her.”

Americus casts me a doubtful glance. “Fine. Come.”

I lower my eyebrows behind his back. The old fool probably doesn’t even know how to use a q-link. I glance at his wrist, and I’m surprised to see a stylish, newer model. It’s probably for show. “Wait here, Sunny.” I follow them as we walk back to a small conference room.

We all sit, and everyone looks to Americus.

“First, an update. Gabriel and the Knights of Christ are okay and will be back from their protest tomorrow.” Americus sets his grim expression on Nav. “Update me on your infiltration of the Cardinal Post, then we’ll talk about this other insanity.”

She was talking to him? Not sure how I feel about her not telling me.

“We interviewed their Board of Directors,” says Nav. “We learned there’s a buyout offer from Candor News. Anna McCloud, a board woman at the Post, opposed the first vote and then conveniently had a schizophrenic break before the second. Since they needed a unanimous vote, it’s very suspect.”

Americus grunts. “Anything about the reporter?”

“Not exactly. Just that they were uncomfortable when we asked. Right, Fae?”

Everyone looks at me, including the hard-eyed Americus.

I glance up at his unforgiving face, then lower my gaze. “Yeah.”

Americus shakes his head as if annoyed at the distraction. “We’ll need to figure out what news story she was going to run. I wonder if there’s more or if it’s really just about the buyout going through.”

How would Barbra be tied to the buyout? She was a military analyst. And what about this latest mess? Are people this sick that they’d give others hallucinations to get what they want? I have no idea. I shouldn’t have copied all my work in history class to spend more time coding. But then maybe I wouldn’t have escaped the prison.

“There’s still Barbra Scavo, Fae’s foster mother,” says Nav. “She’s involved somehow but doesn’t seem connected to the buyout.”

“Right,” says Americus. “She’s the one who killed herself.”

I flinch at his blunt statement. How dare he?

“What you know about Barbra that might be relevant?” Americus asks me.

I open my mouth, but nothing comes out. I shut it and try to build up my courage.

Americus smacks the table, and his raven leaps up, flapping its wings. “What are you waiting for?”

“Come on,” says Nav. “She’s been through a lot.”

“Geez, Americus. You need to lighten up,” says Alexander. “She was shot, you know.”

Americus frowns at both of them, then turns back to me. “Sorry, go on.” His eyes seem even more bloodshot now, and the bags under them deeper.

Even though the last thing I want to do is talk to Americus, I force the words out. “Barbra suffered from untreatable schizophrenia just like the other two women. Also, like them, she had the Evo. When she quit her job as a military analyst, she said, ‘you hear distressing things.’ I didn’t know what to make about it at the time, but now I wonder what she heard.”

“Got it. Anything else?” asks Americus.

“When she killed herself…” A moment of sadness washes over me as I relive her death again.

Nav puts her hand