The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) Brian Terenna (best novels to read to improve english txt) 📖

pass, and Nav says, “For freedom’s sake. They’re too good. They just broke through the first level.”

“Defend the second,” I say, barely conscious that I responded. Everything I do against their cybersecurity is thwarted with ease. I’m losing.

“I can’t stop them,” says Nav. “They’re on the third.”

Oh hell.

My program finds the location data they stole, and I send a shredding program at it.

“Your third firewall is down. Get out!”

I disconnect and fall back on the bed, breathing hard.

“What happened?” Nav asks, her body tense. “Did you destroy the file?”

After several long breaths, I say, “Yeah.”

She relaxes. “Thank God.”

“We could never breach Xyphotech from the outside. Check Infoworld to see if it’s the same.”

She does. “It looks like the same defensive systems. I’ll tell my dad.” She calls him on her q-link.

“Tell me good news,” he says.

“I have none. We’ll never be able to breach the systems from the outside. I’m sorry.”

“For freedom’s sake,” he says, then sighs. “We’ll have to infiltrate Xyphotech headquarters itself. We’ll plan for two days, then strike.”

My stomach flutters. Hell, that sounds dangerous. At least I won’t have to go.

☼☼☼

I hold the Torg nine-millimeter at my side and stand at the end of the gun range. Alexander lounges on the bench behind me, cleaning a gun. Sunny is in my room, hiding out so he’s not discovered for being a self-aware AI.

Nav and I spent two days reminiscing about Silent City, practicing hacking techniques, and creating a drone networking program in case we ever needed it. Americus, Alexander, Astrid, and Gabriel planned our attack, which is supposed to take place in a few hours.

“Why don’t you fire off fifteen rounds this time,” Alexander says behind me. “Ten in the chest and five in the head. Let’s see what you can do.”

“Can I try it from ten yards?”

“I like your style,” he says and rolls back the target nine more feet.

I get into my stance and take a few slow, deep breaths to relax. I aim, my hand perfectly stable and squeeze the trigger quickly but smoothly. The rounds pummel the target’s chest, and then I slide up to its head and fire off five more.

“Looked good,” says Alexander, standing close to me.

Closer than I’m usually comfortable with, but I don’t move away.

He rolls in the target and raises an eyebrow. “Boom. Tightly packed. I don’t even think you missed any. I’m proud to have you on the team.”

I look away to cover my smile. Am I really on the team? No, I’m just here for Nav. “Maybe I can even outshoot you.”

He puts out his hand. I look at it, then hand him the gun with the remaining seventeen rounds.

He rolls the target back to the furthest point and then stands back another ten feet. “This is about fifty yards. Come behind me here.”

I back up to the wall and stare at the tiny target at the end of the range.

He enters his stance and then fires off five rounds in quick succession. “Watch this.” He shuts his eyes and fires off another two.

I shake my head. He thinks he’s so great.

“Roll in the target,” he says, a big grin on his stupid face.

I do, and I can’t help but laugh. A smiley face is punched into the target’s head. “Pretty good. I guess.”

He laughs and holds out the pistol. “You’ve shot a lot of rounds through this Torg and have made steady progress. It’s a dangerous world out there, and whether you stay with us or not, I want you to have this gun.”

I meet his eyes, and while the humor is still in them, there’s something softer, kinder. I rarely feel anything but ambivalence or distrust toward people, but it’s different with Alexander. Even though he’s a buffoon, who’s full of himself, there’s something more to him. Something I can’t quite put my finger on. “Thanks. This means a lot to me.”

“It better. It’s my favorite nine-millimeter,” he says with a wink. “So the war’s over. Did you decide what you’re going to do?”

“I don’t like the risks, but I’m sticking around for now.”

He grins, showing off his perfect white teeth.

“Alexander,” says Americus from the range’s door. “I need to discuss something with you. Fae, you should come too.”

Why does he want me?

We enter an office to see Nav standing next to a metal desk. Americus sits behind it. Ron Paul hops off Americus’ shoulder to peck at some sunflower seeds. Above the desk hangs an oil painting of Navin Briggs battling government forces. Twenty or so soldiers lie dead around him as if he won the war by himself.

Americus sees me looking and motions to the painting. “A gift from Alexander.”

Alexander puffs out his chest and grins. “Like it? If you keep up your shooting practice, that will be us. Commander Luna and General Fiore.”

I laugh and shake my head. This guy is a nut. Commander Luna. I like the sound of that but certainly not the risk it would come with. Barbra would have loved that painting, though.

Nav whispers to me, “I’m surprised the painting isn’t of Alexander with his foot on Zeus’ head or something.”

I hold in a laugh.

“Where’s our Heavenly Father?” asks Alexander.

Americus’ face hardens, and he scratches his beard. “No one knows. He left unexpectedly and isn’t responding to his q-link.” He smacks the desk. “He should know better and give me a heads up. We have a mission today.”

“I’ve always admired his initiative,” says Alexander. “That and his heroic work in the Marines. He’s a remarkable guy.”

Americus nods, but his frown remains. “I have some concerning news.”

My stomach tightens at the words.

“I just heard from my NIA contact that the military is making it mandatory for