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

“Go on,” says Americus.

“Give her a minute,” says Astrid. “Have some compassion.”

Americus lowers his eyebrows. “We’ve all been through a lot.”

Astrid looks down. “Right.”

“It’s fine,” I say, not wanting problems. “When Barbra killed herself, she wrote on the wall that she couldn’t face him and for me to run to the clouds. She also drew the Eye of Ra.”

Americus’ face scrunches up. “Who was she afraid of, and what does run to the clouds mean?”

“She was hallucinating,” says Alexander. “Maybe it doesn’t mean anything.”

“Maybe,” says Americus. “But she’s definitely tied into this. So, what in Navin’s name do you think all the insanity was today? It must be the Evo, but did anyone get confirmation?”

I look around, hoping someone else scanned the affected people. Alexander shrugs, Astrid shakes her head, and Nav looks at him blankly.

Hell, looks like I have to talk. “I scanned them, and it seemed to me that all the affected people had the Evo.”

Americus scowls. “That settles it then. There’s a mass problem with the Evo. I’ve always been wary of it. True libertarians know better than to put any computers in their bodies. It was bad enough when it was just the threat of tracking and privacy invasion. Now, it’s so much more.”

“I’m glad you taught me about it, Boss,” says Alexander.

“So, this is somehow tied to the Cardinal Post buyout, and a military analyst,” says Americus. “And Fae, you’re also accused of murder, right?”

Sweat trickles down my sides. “Yes.”

“Maybe it’s just because you were connected to Barbra. They thought you knew something, so they tried to get rid of you.”

That would make sense.

“It seems like a hack because people were targeted, but do you know for sure it’s not a malfunction?” Americus asks Nav.

“We don’t know for sure, but the first three Evo issues were local, and the Evo distribution in this area was part of a larger batch. We should check if this latest insanity was also local. That would make it nearly impossible that it was a malfunction.”

“Astrid,” says Americus, “contact the other brigades and ask them about the mass hysteria.”

Astrid steps away from the table and calls someone.

“Naveha, bring up the articles about Barbra, Sandra, and Anna,” says Americus. “Let’s see if we can learn anything else. Also, search for other articles about schizophrenia or hallucinations.”

“We searched for related articles before,” says Nav, “but I’ll check for new ones. Oh, but first, I need a q-link.”

Alexander hands her his, and she uploads her operating software.

It looked like there was a lot more than just hallucinations going on. I look to Nav, hoping she’ll say something.

She doesn’t.

Hell. I raise my hand.

Americus motions impatiently. “Spit it out.”

I breathe deeply as Nav showed me, taking a moment to compose myself. “We saw a variety of medical and emotional issues in the streets. I think we’ll have to look for more than just hallucinations.”

“Good observation,” he says.

Astrid sits down again, her exposed shoulder muscles flexing as she does. “The other brigade leaders say nothing unusual happened in their cities.”

“It’s hacking for sure then,” says Nav, “but I have no idea who would be good enough.” She taps the table while she scrolls through holograms. “I don’t see any new related articles. Let me bring up the old ones. Cube, open my saved articles from the Cardinal Post.”

“You have no saved articles,” says her q-link.

“Weird. I did. Cube, check the Cardinal Post for anything mentioning schizophrenia.”

“There are no articles,” says her q-link.

“What? Where did they go?” asks Americus.

Nav shrugs as she searches the news site. Holographic text appears before us. Americus leans forward to read it.

‘The Cardinal Post has been bought out by Candor News. All traffic will now route through the Candor News mesh-site.’

“Let me check their site,” says Nav. She does, then gasps. “They’re not there.”

Americus pounds the table, and his raven shifts its feet. “This must be a cover-up. It looks like they bought them to hide the articles and conceal whatever they’re doing with the Evo.”

“Now this is getting exciting,” says Alexander.

Is he crazy? This is terrible.

“It’s strange that no other media covered the stories,” says Americus. “I have a feeling there’s a reason for it. Naveha, check to see if Candor News has recently bought any other companies.”

Nav searches, then says, “They haven’t.”

“Wait...” Americus says as he rubs his beard. “Check to see if any other companies are buying media outlets.”

“You sure like to order me around like I’m one of your Loyalists,” says Nav. “You know you can use your q-link too.”

Americus’ eyebrows dip. “Just cooperate. I don’t need your attitude right now.”

Nav sighs. “Cube, bring up a list of all media companies that have been bought in the last year.”

A holographic list appears. There are hundreds of companies.

“In Navin’s name,” says Americus. “That must be nearly every media outlet in the country. Who’s buying them?”

“Looks like all sorts of different companies,” says Nav.

“Hmm. That doesn’t make sense,” says Americus. “Can you identify if the purchasing companies are connected somehow?”

Nav shrugs and looks at me. “I don’t know. Fae?”

I’m sure I could figure out a way to track payments or network connections, but it would take a while. “I bet we can find a program on the dark mesh. It’s risky to steal from them, though. Does anyone have money?”

“I got it,” says Alexander.

I find a program, Alexander pays, and I run the scan. The results pop up between us. Americus and Astrid gape, and Nav’s eyes go wide. Alexander seems to be studying the ceiling.

“Infoworld Media,” growls Americus. “For freedom’s sake. The largest media company is buying all the others. This is bad.”

“What’s the big deal?” asks Alexander.

“If you