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

and shows me the bullets inside. They’re bigger than the guard’s assault rifle I stole.

“This is a ten shot semi-automatic,” he says. “So each trigger pull is one bullet.”

Who doesn’t know that? I want to roll my eyes but don’t since he’s helping me.

“Let me see your stance.”

I brace myself with my right foot back and my left foot forward.

“Put your one foot back a little more. Good. Now, raise the rifle.”

I raise it to my shoulder, my arms shaking.

“Hold it steady. Umm. A little steadier.”

My arm shakes even more. Hell, this thing is heavy.

“I guess you’re weaker than I thought,” he says with a smirk, then takes the gun back.

I frown at him. “I’m surprised you can carry it. You look so skinny.”

He barks out a laugh. “You have no idea. My ripped body would put Alexander the Great’s to shame.”

I eye him in his long-sleeve military shirt, trying to decide if it could be true. “Who’s Alexander the Great anyway?”

His jaw drops, and he shakes his head. “You don’t know?” he asks me incredulously.

I try to think of who it could be, already feeling stupid because of the earplugs. As much as I didn’t pay attention in history class, I feel like I remember the name from somewhere. Alexander likes shooting and guns. Maybe he was someone from the war. “Did he fight under Navin?”

Alexander throws back his head and laughs.

I look away, embarrassed. So much for not seeming dumb.

“He was an ancient king who carved out a huge empire with brilliant military tactics. He was probably the most brilliant tactician, but of course, you have Julius Caesar, and he’s Italian, so that’s extra points. And Navin Briggs, he’s incredible because he also freed us.”

I nod, not sure what to say.

“Do you know much about them?”

I should probably lie to save face. “No.” For some reason, I don’t.

“I’ll teach you about them and their tactics. You never know when you’ll need the knowledge.”

I loved devising my own tactics in Silent City, but it would be smart to study existing ideas. “I’m game.”

“In due time. But let’s get back to shooting for now. “Let’s try a pistol.” He walks back to the cabinet and pulls out a Torg forty-five APC with a reflex sight. It was one of TigerShadow’s favorites. He shakes his head, puts it away, and takes out a much smaller pistol.

I can’t blame him as I look at my scrawny arms.

“Torg nine-millimeter,” he says as he puts an extended magazine into the gun. “I prefer Torg to Trexstar for small arms and Corefense for more advanced weapons. They’re smaller than Trexstar. Less likely to hold sway over the government.”

I loved my Corefense B1 hypersonic rocket launcher and Armadillo Instant Armor. Both won me quite a few advanced weapon tournaments in Silent City.

He hands the gun to me. “Remember, it’s loaded. Always be careful with your gun safety.”

I position my hands on the gun.

“No. No, don’t put your finger on the trigger until you’re ready to fire.”

I frown at him, starting to get annoyed.

“So, get into your stance…. Hmm. That’s a weaver stance. It’s okay, but I think it would be better for you in a boxer stance.”

I didn’t have to worry about any of this in Silent City. It’s just aim and shoot.

“Put your one foot up a little bit…. No, your other foot.”

I sigh and move my other foot.

 “Good. Now, raise the gun…. Wait, wait.”

I freeze.

“I’m going to adjust your grip,” he says, but he looks at me questioningly instead of moving.

I study him, strong jaw, thin nose, and eyes that look like they can read your soul. It has always made me uncomfortable to be touched, but I nod.

He steps up, then takes my left thumb and moves it around to the gun’s left side. I freeze at his touch. His skin is rough but pleasant. His nearness makes me tingle, and I look away.

“There. You never cross your thumbs with a semi-automatic,” he says.

I step back from him. “Why not? It feels like a better grip.”

“When the gun fires, the slide rockets back and will tear open your thumb.”

Diablo, that’s important. I make a mental note to remember that.

“You’re set. We’ll start you at seven yards. Take the safety off, aim the gun, and pull the trigger when you’re ready. Fire three shots.”

I line up the sights on the human-shaped target and pull the trigger. Bang.

The gun rips out of my hands, the recoil much more than I expected. I gasp as the bullet goes high, hitting the cable that holds up the target. The target drifts to the ground. I jerk around to see where the gun went and smack right into Alexander. I stumble and nearly fall.

He catches me in strong arms. “Whoa. I got you.”

I don’t move, too shocked by the debacle. I glance up at his green eyes and suddenly feel my face heat. His earlier touch made me tingle, but this is on an entirely new level. It’s the closest I’ve ever been to a man…that wasn’t beating me, at least.

I pull away, flustered, and mumble an apology. Diablo. I’m a train wreck. Looks like I won’t shock him with my shooting prowess, after all.

“I bet you’re dangerous at a wine party.” He grins.

I roll my eyes but let myself relax.

He fixes the target and says, “Okay, let’s try that again, but keep a strong grip. I also noticed you jerked your hand and finger when you were firing. This time, slowly squeeze the trigger and consciously don’t move your hands. Fire three rounds.”

I get into position, a little reluctant to shoot again but force myself to fire off three shots. Bang, bang, bang.