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

Nav enters the door, with Sunny at her heels.

“So this is it,” says Nav. “You guys are planning?”

“We’ve devised some tactical brilliancies,” says Alexander. “We’ll be remembered as two of the most gifted tacticians in history.”

“I’m sure Americus and Fae will get most of the praise,” says Nav.

He looks at her side-eyed and shakes his head as if he doesn’t believe her.

“What do you guys think about this mission?” I ask, trying to decide if I should voice my doubts.

“Yumi and Astrid gave their lives for this information, so it’s fitting that this will be the NIA’s end,” says Nav. “I may have differences with my father, but he made the right call here, and he has keen instincts.”

Sunny nods, and I sense determination in his brighter eyes.

“You’ll be with Americus,” says Alexander. “You can’t lose. He was one of the most decorated Marine Majors in history. He’s a hardened fighter and a resourceful leader. I’d trust my life to him over anyone.”

Diablo. How can I say something now? Two older, more experienced people have faith in Americus and the plan. Who am I compared to Americus? I’m a homeless seventeen-year-old orphan who didn’t even graduate high school. I killed Nav’s husband. I couldn’t save Barbra. And I created Sunny, who lead to Astrid and Yumi’s deaths. Americus has known Gerald for decades and trusts him.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” asks Nav. “If you have concerns, you should tell Americus. You’ve always made clever plans and had good intuition. Just because it was in-game, doesn’t mean it wasn’t real. Trust yourself.”

But I don’t trust myself. And Americus would probably flip out if I said anything. I pull at my tank top. “I’m sure it will work out.”

“If anyone can do this, it’s you, Fae,” says Sunny. “According to my brain scans, you’re significantly smarter than anyone here. It’s not even close.”

My jaw drops, and I look side to side as I process what he said. Yep. He really said it. My lips curl up, and then laughter spills out from me.

Alexander squints from Sunny to me, shaking his head, then chuckles.

Nav laughs, her cheeks full.

I pat Sunny’s head. “Did I ever tell you how smooth you are?”

He tilts his head, his mouth straight. “I do work hard to keep my metal polished. I appreciate you noticing.”

I roll my eyes. “How are you so self-assured all the time, Alexander?”

“I just believe in myself and tell myself to be confident.”

So it’s his belief that makes him confident? Nav changes her body language, and Alexander changes his thinking. Interesting.

“Didn’t you guys ever hear about the law of attraction?” he asks.

Nav and I shake our heads.

“I’m surprised that you haven’t, Naveha, since you’re into meditation. It’s based on this book my mom gave me, The Kybalion, and the Seven Hermetic Principles.”

She shrugs. “Sounds fascinating.”

“So the law of attraction is where you can change your vibration from negative to positive, and it brings more positivity. It’s what people started calling the third hermetic principle, Vibration. Nothing rests; everything moves; everything…what was it?” he asks and rubs his stubble. “Oh, yeah. Everything vibrates, duh.”

Hmm. I suppose that’s true. All atoms and particles vibrate.

“Anyway, the first principle, Mentalism, is where it’s at. At least from what I can tell so far. It says the All is mind. The universe is mental.”

Nav nods but looks confused.

He continues, “So the All is supposed to be everything in the universe, and if everything is just thought or mind, then you can create whatever reality you want through thought. But that takes a lot of practice.”

He probably tells himself he’s a god every day. I chuckle inwardly.

“So I tell myself I’m the best and a great hero, and now, I’m becoming a legend. You see?”

I meet Nav’s eyes as the corners of her lips pull up. I giggle, and she joins in.

“Seriously, it works. My mom became a pro soccer player with this,” he says, his long hair swaying with his energy. “You can remember it like this. Imagine it, believe it, do it.”

Nav looks at me mischievously. “I’m going to create a voluntarist society.” She snaps her fingers and swirls her metal hand, light twinkling off its surface.

“Impressive. I’m going to take back America,” I say. I snap my fingers and wave them up and down. “And it’s so.”

Nav raises her hand for a high-five, “You did it. Wow, that’s amazing. I knew you could.”

I slap her hand with a grin, enjoying the smooth touch of her skin.

Alexander chuckles and runs a hand through his long wavy hair. He steps up and puts his warm arms around our shoulders. He looks at Nav and then down at me. “What would I do without you?”

It looks like he’s talking to me when he says it, and I can’t help but melt at his closeness. I look up at his broad smile and wish he’d hold me closer or bend down and press his—

“Did you hear me?” he asks, waving a hand in front of my face.

Oops. “Wh—what?” I stammer.

He shakes his head, his grin wide. I pull away from his magnetic eyes, not wanting to get caught.

“I said, imagine what you want and a path to get there, then do it. You can make yourself and your life into whatever you wish.”

Could I finally be confident in myself? Very interesting. I’ll have to think more about this.

☼☼☼

We stand in the main hall with the other Loyalists. Americus and I wear our badges and guard uniforms, with vests and supplies hidden underneath them.

I ask Sunny to hand me my dad’s letter, then take out my mother’s picture. Wish me luck, Mom. I return it to him, and