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

“We’re second to none,” says Americus. “Do you think I’d let anyone take one of my men?”

“No, sir. I counted on you just like when you saved my butt during the peace-keeping mission in West Papua.”

Americus motions his arm toward Nav. “Remember my daughter, Naveha?”

“As I live and breathe. I haven’t seen you since you were four feet tall,” says Gerald.

“What has it been? Twenty, twenty-one years?” asks Americus.

“Must be. I remember you following your father around, and hanging on his every word,” Gerald says to Nav, then turns to Americus. “She adored you. You guys must be so close now.”

Nav shrugs. “Yeah, kind of.”

Americus clears his throat awkwardly. “Let me introduce you to some of the others, Gerald.”

Nav pulls me over to a corner in the main hall. “I can’t believe they’re gone, Fae.”

A wave of intense guilt passes through me. I stayed because I owed Nav, but now, I’m responsible for this. The look of horror and betrayal that Yumi gave Sunny and me will never leave my mind. I glance over at Sunny.

He stands against a wall, staring at the ground.

Nav lowers her head into her hands. “This is so sad. They were happy together, but it’s over now. Damn the NIA.”

“It’s horrible.” Cracks snap and weaken my resolve as more weight piles onto my shoulders.

Nav stares off for a moment, sadness plain on her face.

“Fae,” Sunny yells, alarm in his voice.

I whip around, my hair flying. Tom holds Sunny, his one arm wrapped around him and his other holding a gun to his head. I run over, whip out my Torg, and aim it at Tom’s face.

Americus raises a hand for me to hold. “What are you doing, Thomas?”

“What needs to be done,” says Tom. “He defied your orders and got Yumi and Astrid killed.”

Americus lowers his eyebrows. “That’s not how we deal with broken orders.”

“Listen to me, sir,” pleads Tom. “I’ve been studying his intelligence through questions and games of strategy. Besides this latest mistake, he’s too smart and getting smarter. He could destroy the world if he gets on the mesh. You heard him during our escape. He wanted to network.”

Oh hell no. You underhanded weasel. How dare you betray him like this? Adrenaline pumps through my body, and my arm trembles.

This is what Americus was worried about, an intelligent AI obliterating humanity. Sunny is different, though. He has to see that. I know that Sunny could shock Tom and escape his grip, but that would validate their fears. We need Americus to believe in Sunny, or all hell will break loose.

Alexander sneaks up behind Tom, looking like he’s about to grab the gun.

I put up a finger, wanting to see if Americus will side with us or not. Americus’ face is unreadable. Could he condone this? Sunny did disobey orders and caused the deaths of two people.

Tom’s finger tightens on the trigger, and I don’t doubt he’ll pull it with the go-ahead. Anyone who can pretend to be someone’s friend, then hold a gun to his head has no empathy.

“Put it down, Thomas,” says Americus, finally making his decision. “I already told you, he’s a part of the team. I’ll address this with him.”

Weird Tom grimaces and looks around for support. No one dares to defy Americus. “You’re all fools. He’ll be the end of us, and it’s her fault,” he says as he swings his gun toward me. “I’m going to end this.”

Alexander steps in and smacks Tom’s gun upward. The gun fires and hits the ceiling.

Tom drops Sunny and twists to strike Alexander with his pistol. Alexander ducks as Americus grabs Tom from behind. Tom struggles for a moment, but the lanky man is no match for Americus’ strength.

Americus rips the gun from his hand and pushes him away. “I told you no, Thomas!”

Tom lowers his head. “I was trying to save humanity.”

“You defied my direct order. You’re banished.”

Tom’s eyes widen, then his shoulders slump.

“Brandon, get him out of here,” orders Americus.

Brandon grabs Tom’s arm and pulls him toward the exit.

“I got you, Sunshine,” says Alexander as he helps him up.

I glare at Tom. He glances back and meets my eyes, pure hate in his. My hand tightens around my gun.

Americus steps in front of me and scowls down at Sunny. “If you want to be a part of this group, you will follow orders. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, sir,” says Sunny, his little mouth pulling into a frown.

“Fae saved our lives today, but your actions led to Yumi and Astrid’s deaths. Do you even care?”

Sunny’s frown deepens. “I do. They were my friends.”

“This is the last time. If either of you defies my orders, you’ll both be banished too.”

“He thought we might need help,” I say. “We did at Xyphotech. He also reminded me how to escape the drones.”

Americus wheels on me, looking like flames will burst from his eyes. “I don’t want to hear anything out of you. You said he’d follow orders. It’s your fault they’re dead. If you didn’t pull off that miracle, you’d be gone.”

It feels like every time my foster demons yelled at me.

“Enough, Dad,” says Nav.

He stares at her, his eyes cold, then waves a hand in her face. “Bah.” He storms off.

Sunny walks over to me, his face lowered.

I rub his dented head. “I’m sorry, Sunny. You didn’t deserve that.”

“I did. It’s my fault they’re dead,” he says, his voice muted and monotone. “I thought they might drain your batteries again, and you’d need me to beam you power. My new infrared shielding malfunctioned, though. Everyone must hate me.”

Nav kneels next to him. “It was an accident. Yes, it was terrible, but I don’t hate you.”