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

I’m not as sure, but it would be nice to participate in a normal activity.

After a while, Alexander and Astrid leave to shower while I lift some more. Gabriel joins me for a few sets and gives me pointers on my form. It’s always crazy to see him lift his massive weights, and tips are always appreciated.

When I’m done, I shower, then stop in the main hall to find Americus in the kitchen buttering a roll. Nav stands next to him.

“Do you think we could spend some time together now that things have calmed down a bit?” Nav asks Americus. “I miss you.”

Americus looks uncomfortable. “There will be time for that. There’s still too much to do.”

Nav lowers her head. “Are you still mad?”

“It’s fine, Naveha. Things are just too busy now. I need you to pick up some q-links from my supplier anyway. Go with Asher and meet at these coordinates,” he says as he sends them to her.

She turns to leave and bumps into me. “Sorry, Fae.”

A gigantic handgun is holstered at her hip. I glance at the monstrosity.

She shrugs. “It’s a sixty-five caliber designed for enhanced people. Alexander gave it to me.”

Impressive. That could come in handy.

“I’m off. I’ll see you soon, Fae.” She grabs me in a tight hug, my face sandwiched between her boobs, then leaves.

“Alexander told me you were coming on the food run,” says Americus.

“Is that okay? It’s not going to be dangerous, is it?”

“It shouldn’t be,” he says. “Shortly after our Xyphotech rescue, the government took over all supermarkets and rebranded them as distribution centers. The loss of the free market disgusts me, but they’ll be guarded now. We’ll also use face-shift programs to hide our identities, and we’ll be armed.”

Not long after, Americus drives us to the distribution center. Alexander sits shotgun with his forty-four magnum on his lap. Astrid sits next to me, her face altered so that she looks like someone’s grandma.

Maybe not the best choice with those shoulders…

“Once we take back the republic, I’m getting back to marketing my own line of lab-grown protein with supplements,” Astrid says to me. “It’s called Humane Health. You know, because no animals are harmed.”

That’s good of her.

“I hate that I had to put it off. I sold five hundred units the month before this went down. The stuff sure pumps you up. I’ll be even more excited now, though. Yumi and I plan to rent a place together.”

“Congratulations,” I say, happy for her.

“It’s going to be great. So, I didn’t know you could do so many things with programming. Tell me more about your foster care blockchain.”

I tell her the details as we drive on. Alexander and Americus discuss Navin Briggs’ famous battle, the pentagon gambit, with animated expressions and reverent tones. There are no rioters during the day like there are at night, but things are far from normal. Most stores are boarded up and many of them are graffitied. The few people on the streets walk quickly, their eyes darting around.

We arrive and park. Astrid jumps out of the car and offers her hand to help me down.

“Let’s get a lot Americus. You know I can eat,” says Alexander. “What are your favorite foods, guys?”

“Rice, beans, and plantains,” I say, still remembering how good my mom would make them when I was a kid.

“Pasta for me. I’m tired of soup,” says Alexander.

“Protein,” says Astrid. “I don’t want to lose muscle mass. When this is over, I’m going right back to powerlifting competitions.”

Americus takes out a bunch of bags from the SUV. “Only buy organic. I don’t want any of that Nutrihealth GMO garbage. Get well-balanced foods for nutrition. Dried and canned foods, so they last. We don’t know how long the supply disruptions will be or if they’ll get worse.”

“Boring,” says Alexander.

“Alexander,” Astrid scolds.

“It may be boring, but it’s necessary,” says Americus. “Oh, and thanks for the capital, Alexander.”

He grins. “Just a small part of my eventual fortune.”

I eye the two military guards with automatic rifles outside of the distribution center. Even though Americus told me it would be guarded, my stomach sinks. Maybe I can wait in the car. I look back toward it.

“Fae?” asks Americus.

“Come on,” says Alexander. “If anything goes wrong, you have me.”

“Yite,” I mumble.

“What was that?” he asks.

“Nothing. Let’s go.”

We enter the small market. Rows of shelves hold bulk foods. People mill about the aisles, and an automated checkout station sits next to the door.

Americus and Alexander split off and chat as they select food. Astrid motions to me, and we grab our own cart. We walk the aisles, filling the cart with various types of food.

I pass by some coconut oil and smile as I think of Nav. I grab it for her. Astrid hefts another large bag of rice and places it into our almost full cart. We see the others near the entrance and walk over.

There’s quick movement in the corner of my eye.

I jerk my gaze toward the door. Four men wearing black masks and mismatched gear storm into the building.

One of the gangs?

“Everybody down on the ground. This is a robbery,” one of them yells.

Oh hell no.

Alexander rips his gun from its holster and fires. One of the men jolts backward. The others scatter.

Something small clinks near us.

My eyes widen, and I jump backward. “Grenade,” I yell.

Astrid is further back, but Americus and Alexander don’t have time to react.

A bright burst from the flashbang grenade fills the room, and its loud bang sends me sprawling.

I cough on thick, acrid smoke, trying to locate the Loyalists. My ears ring and throb with pain. The screams of frightened shoppers are muted as if I’m underwater, and the