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

“I thought Thomas was my friend,” says Sunny. “We spent a lot of time together.”

“Humans can be deceitful,” I say, knowing all too well.

“You can trust me, Boss,” Alexander says to Sunny, holding out his fists.

Sunny bumps it. “Thank you, Boss.”

I nearly smile at that, but the mood is too sour.

“You can trust me too, Sunny,” says Nav. “Tom is a scumbag for doing that.”

“So what do you think about Americus’ old army buddy?” asks Alexander. “Doesn’t look like much, does he?”

He sure doesn’t, but we don’t need warriors, just information.

“Gerald, here’s a q-link,” says Americus. “Get in touch with your contact and get us the information.”

Gerald puts in an earpiece and makes the call. “Are you serious? That’s not what you said before…. Fine. I’ll ask. He’s requesting payment for the info, sir.”

Americus growls. “How much?”

Gerald rubs his cheek and shakes his head. “Ten million.”

Americus smacks a wall. “Bah! This is extortion. We’re trying to save the country, and this person is trying to bleed us.”

“It’s ridiculous,” says Gerald, “but I don’t know what else to do. I’d say we could abduct him, but I don’t know where he is.”

“Alexander?” asks Americus.

“I only have two million left. Besides, that was for the weapons.”

Gerald holds up a finger while he calls back. “He’ll do it.”

Alexander is shaking his head. “Boss, there’s no way this is worth it. Machinegun turrets and a missile launcher for words. Navin would never have made this trade. He said information isn’t a substitute for weapons. Or something like that.”

Americus rubs his head and sighs. “He said, ‘The right information is worth a thousand guns.’ He would have made the trade if the information was worth it.”

“But how do we know it’s worth it?” asks Alexander.

“I’m with Alexander on this one,” says Asher. “Our base will be vulnerable without the turrets, and the missile launcher would be a huge benefit.”

“Let me try something,” says Gerald. He calls a third time and talks for a few minutes. “He’s agreed to execute a smart contract that will tell us the general information without the details. When we pay, it will execute the contract and send us the rest of the info.”

“Do it,” says Americus.

Gerald rubs his forehead and calls back. “Here it is. President Toscano and Vice President Garza are alive and are being held captive in a secret prison. They both have access to a biometric kill-switch at a secret facility that can permanently disable all Evos.”

  CHAPTER 18

∙ IT ENDS NOW ∙

“Wow,” says Nav. “That would be amazing. Think of how much suffering we could prevent.”

Alexander narrows his eyes at her.

Nav is right. We’d immediately take everyone out of the NIA’s control. The NIA would still have to be destroyed, but the military could do that.

“But what if it’s a lie?” asks Alexander. “I’m sure we could destroy the NIA with the new weapons. We don’t know if this information is credible.”

“The intelligence is trustworthy,” says Gerald. “I have multiple sources backing up my contact.”

Americus rests a hand on Alexander’s shoulder. “Besides, what about all the people with the Evo? If they kill the president while we’re destroying the NIA and even one operative escapes, who can hack the Evo, we’ll be sacrificing a third of our population.”

He has a point there.

Alexander’s eyes flare. “But—”

Nav steps between Alexander and Americus. “He’s right, Alexander. We can’t abandon so many people. That’s just wrong.”

Alexander’s eyes go flat, and he sighs. “If you think this is the way Americus, I’ll transfer the money.”

“Can’t win all the time, Alexander,” says Brandon.

Alexander looks like he’ll snap back but instead wanders away, deflated.

I hate to see him feeling this way. Even though he’s a bit much when he promises heroic feats, he’s been a valuable asset. And maybe he’s right. Obviously, the kill-switch sounds like a better solution, but it almost seems too easy. Sure, it’s possible, but why would the NIA keep the president and VP alive? Maybe for further legitimacy or something? And if you are keeping them alive, why not put the Evo in them?

I want to bring this up, but how could I after Americus thrashed me over Yumi and Astrid’s deaths? He must know what he’s doing anyway.

I look at Gerald as he rubs his chin with a grimace. Something about him creeps me out, but then so do most guys. He must be fine, though. He’s Americus’ old Army buddy.

“Execute the contract, Gerald,” says Americus. “As soon as you get the information, meet me in my office. Fae, Alexander, and Naveha, join us.”

Alexander looks at him and hesitates.

“I can’t do this without you, Alexander.”

Alexander lifts his chin and nods. We gather around Americus’ desk, and Gerald joins us a moment later.

“Here’s the report,” says Gerald. “There’s an infiltrated asset inside the president’s prison. He can deliver uniforms and entry cards for me and two others in about an hour.”

“We should just storm the compound in full force,” says Alexander. “We can’t lose with the tank. The most they’ll have defending the place are turrets and Defense Drones. I doubt they have Liberator Drones.”

We’ll probably kill the president in the process, though.

“We can’t risk setting off an alarm this time,” says Americus. “They could just kill the president, and this would be over.”

That too.

Alexander frowns but nods. “I’ll go then. This is a perfect mission for you and me. Two secret agents infiltrating an enemy compound.”

Gerald clears his throat. “I would suggest you bring a hacker if you have one. It would be invaluable.”

Oh hell.

Alexander scowls. “No, Americus. Don’t listen to him.”

“You’re right, Gerald,” Americus says, ignoring Alexander. “Fae, will you go on this mission with me?”

My stomach turns