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

Yumi cracks up laughing.

“What?” asks Sunny, tilting his head.

“Oh, that wasn’t one of your jokes? Sorry,” she says, rubbing his head. “But it was funny.”

“It’s like saying she’s not worth seeing alone,” I tell him.

“Oh, I understand.”

“So, we haven’t told anyone else yet, but when the country is safe, Yumi and I decided we’re going to have a baby together,” says Astrid.

“That’s so great to hear,” says Nav.

I beam at them. “Good for you guys.”

“You’ll need sperm,” says Sunny.

Yumi explodes in laughter. Astrid chuckles, then Nav and I join in. Sunny looks between us, then shrugs.

“And I don’t want this to seem too forward,” says Yumi, “but we like your name, Fae. And because you saved Astrid, we want to name our baby after you.”

I’m floored. Hell, I never thought anything like this would happen.

Astrid pats my back. “I still can’t thank you enough. I hope this shows how much it meant to me.”

“I love it,” I say. “I hope we can all live near each other when this is over and keep doing our girl chats.”

The others agree.

“And, Nav. We’ll definitely need to start a new game then. Before this nightmare, I tested out the holographic relaunch of this old MMO called World of War…something. I can’t remember, but it seemed fun.”

“I can’t wait,” says Nav. “This is the longest I’ve gone without gaming.”

“Everyone, report to the command center,” says Americus through our q-links.

We all walk out to the main room. Americus stands in front of a few people while the rest trickle in from different hallways, each involved in their own conversations.

“So you really don’t believe in heaven?” Asher asks Alexander.

Alexander shrugs. “I don’t have to worry about that stuff.”

“Why?”

“I’ll never die.”

Asher shakes his head and pushes Alexander.

Alexander’s eyes land on mine, and he grins at me. I smile and look down. Yumi shoots me a knowing look, and Nav nudges me in the ribs.

I push back at them. “Come on. It’s nothing like that. I just respect him for teaching me how to shoot and for saving Sunny.”

“You should give it a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised,” says Astrid, sharing a look with Yumi.

I glance at Alexander again and then shake my head.

Weird Tom walks by him, shuffling three poker chips in one hand. I didn’t like Tom at first, but he’s been kind to Sunny lately. Maybe I should give him another chance.

A sharp smack on my butt makes me twist around.

“Nav! What are you doing?”

She giggles with Yumi. My face heats, and I scan the room to see if anyone noticed.

“Why did you hit her behind?” asks Sunny.

“It’s just a joke,” says Nav. “Come on, let’s stand closer.”

I roll my eyes.

“I don’t understand this one,” says Sunny.

“Trust me. It’s funny,” says Nav as we move up near Alexander.

“Is everyone here?” asks Americus.

People nod and look around.

Weird Tom scans the crowd. “Seventeen. That’s everyone.”

“Everyone, quiet down,” says Americus, his face serious. “I’ve brokered an arms deal with my black-market supplier.”

The Loyalists chat excitedly.

Americus motions his hands down to quiet the group. “The deal is for two acquisitions. The first is for a tracked drone with a surface-to-surface missile platform. It can fire two RX9 short-range missiles with point-defense countermeasures. They should have enough power to crack open the NIA’s fortress.”

Alexander grins like it’s Christmas. Astrid nods, looking determined, and Yumi beams.

“Second, we’re getting fifty Trexstar autonomous mobile machinegun turrets with armor-piercing explosive ammunition. They’re effective against infantry and light vehicles. We can use them to defend our base until we strike. With those and our troops from the other brigades, we should be able to crush the NIA’s forces.”

His raven caws in excitement. Loyalists clap and cheer, looking upbeat and hopeful.

Americus lowers his hands again. “This should be a routine exchange, but you never know with arms dealers. Everyone bring your weapons and vests. And Thomas, make sure you wear your q-link. I know you don’t like it, but it’s necessary. You got me?”

Weird Tom frowns but nods.

“Alexander and Brandon, take your anti-material snipers,” says Americus.

Alexander and Brandon glance at each other, animosity clear on their faces.

I slide over to Alexander and stand on my tiptoes to whisper, “How come Tom doesn’t like tech?”

He looks down at me as if surprised to see me there. “His mother had one of those early brain implants, the Hamalite Model Y.”

My eyes widen. “Oh.” It’s strange that he likes to hang out with Sunny then.

“She’s still suffering from the brain damage,” says Alexander, shaking his head.

I glance at Tom, suddenly identifying with him. His mother went through something similar to my own.

“Zill,” says Americus to his q-link. “Bring up saved map ten.”

A holographic map stretches out in front of him. Trees sprout, and soil domes into hills. “Here’s where we make the buy. I want the snipers here,” he says, pointing to a rocky area. “Silas, you’ll drive the tank, and Yumi, I want you as the gunner. You’ve proven to be the best in the simulator.”

Yumi jumps and pumps her fist, her straight black hair bouncing. Astrid squeezes her hand with a fond smile.

“What?” asks Alexander, sounding incredulous. “Better than me?”

“You did well, Alexander, but Yumi’s accuracy and reaction times were superior.”

Alexander squints at Yumi as if he doesn’t believe it.

“We’ll project a dump truck hologram on the tank so the sellers don’t get alarmed,” says Americus. “We can put the weapons in the trailer behind the SUV. I’ll do the talking. Everyone else, stay calm, stay back, and stay ready. If I call out Gabriel, it means we’re betrayed, and we fight.”

Hell, he’s bitter.

“Alexander. I’ve grown to respect your tactical knowledge and