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

partner lying face down, his back a bloody mess.

What am I now?

“Fae,” says Alexander.

I look at him, still in a daze.

“Are you all right?”

It takes me a second to respond. “I’m shaken.”

“That was rough. You saved us, though. Focus on that.”

I nod to him, wishing it never came to this.

“Damn. Astrid didn’t deserve this,” says Americus, then to me, he says, “When Naveha gets back, you’re both going to study the Evo. We need an edge.”

If she even gets back. The thought of that sours my stomach.

☼☼☼

After a short time, we arrive back at the warehouse. Groups of Loyalists and Knights mill about. Sunny sits across from Weird Tom, a chess game set up between them.

Tom moves his bishop and says, “I believe that aliens created the ancient Egyptian religion and others to control humans for some purpose.”

The Eye of Ra symbol Barbra drew pops into my head. I shake it, dismissing the thought.

“I see,” says Sunny. “It would be easier to control people with the idea of ever watching gods rather than trying to police people.”

“We see evidence of alien visitation in the Sumerian tablets. They wrote about the Anunnaki, which means those from heaven to earth came. The ancient Hopi people carved images of sky gods who helped them avoid two massive disasters. They called them the Ant People. Interestingly enough, the Hopi word for ant is anu, and the word naki means friends.”

“Do you think they could still be here?” asks Sunny.

Tom shrugs. “It’s possible. Maybe they’re cloaked or underground. Or maybe they can even shapeshift.”

I leave them to their conversation, but I’m not sure how much I like Sunny talking to this nut.

Americus waves over Brandon and points to the SUV. “Astrid is hurt. Help her out of the car.”

Brandon hustles to the SUV, glances at the zip-tied man, then helps Astrid up.

Sunny jogs to me. “Are you injured, Fae?”

“I’m fine,” I say but rub the lump on my head.

“Why are you rubbing your head and wincing then? Let me scan you.” Sunny runs his eyes over me. “A head contusion but no concussion. You also have some minor cuts.”

“I told you. I’m fine.” At least physically…

Yumi runs over to Astrid’s side and looks at her battered body in horror. “Oh my God.” She wheels on Americus. “How did you let this happen?”

Americus winces. “I’m sorry, Yumi. We were ambushed.”

“It wasn’t his fault,” says Astrid. “Help me to my room.”

Yumi scowls up at Americus for another second, then walks Astrid away.

“Alexander, help me get this man to the cell,” says Americus.

Cell? I follow their gaze and see the cage in the corner. That’s what it’s for.

The man starts to stir and mumble.

“Brandon, get me the sedative,” says Americus. “I want this scum silent.”

Brandon lifts his arm. His small drone unfolds and shoots toward the other side of the room. I shake my head, still impressed by the device.

They drag the man to the cage as if he’s one of the rice sacks we just stole. Americus rips off the man’s hood, then pulls out a knife. He cuts the hood into two strips. One he balls up and stuffs in the man’s mouth. The other he ties around the man’s head to hold in the gag.

Brandon’s drone flies over, and Americus grabs the syringe from it and jabs the man. Other Loyalists and Knights gather around, murmuring about the attack.

“This happened because of technology,” says Weird Tom. “We should rid the world of it.”

Gabriel walks over, shaking his head. “The beast that rises from the bottomless pit will make war on us.”

“We caught someone with the Evo,” says Americus to Gabriel. “We’re going to study it, and we’ll beat this.”

Gabriel’s eyes go wide, and he steps back with a gasp. “You brought an abomination here?” he asks in a growl. “He’s pledged to serve the beast. You know he can’t be redeemed. He has to die.”

“He’s right, Americus,” says Brandon. “We can’t let him live. He nearly beat Astrid to death.”

Americus holds his hands up to calm them. “We need intel. It’s only going to be for a few days. Besides, it wasn’t him that beat her.”

Brandon looks at Americus as if he’ll challenge him, but instead, he nods.

“But he has the Evo,” says Weird Tom. “Let’s just be rid of him.”

“I said no, Thomas,” Americus yells.

Weird Tom slinks off, back to his chess table.

Gabriel signs the cross and scowls. “He could bring the beast to our door. He needs to go now.”

Americus clenches his fists. “We can’t win this fight unless we have knowledge.”

“You must not eat from the tree of knowledge, for when you do, you will surely die,” says Gabriel.

Americus throws his hands up. “This isn’t a bible story. We can’t win unless we know what we’re dealing with.”

Gabriel steps closer, his face red with anger. “Everything is a bible story. We’re living out the end of days, and I’ll be damned if I don’t fight the beast’s influence.”

Loyalists group up behind Americus and Knights behind Gabriel. I back up a few more steps from the argument, worried about it spiraling out of control.

 “I’m in charge here, Gabriel. You will follow orders.”

Gabriel shakes his head. “You’re not my commanding officer anymore.”

I wonder what will happen if it comes to blows? Gabriel is a monster with his enormous chest and arms, but Americus isn’t a small man either, and with that beard, he looks dominant.

Americus shakes his head and deflates. “I’m asking you as my friend. Leave him alone until we study the Evo. Will you do that for me?”

Gabriel eyes the caged man and grits his teeth. He looks back and sighs. “Fine, but I don’t like