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

“Leapfrog,” says Americus. He dashes forward with Alexander as the rest of his team lays down suppressing fire.

When Americus and Alexander are in position, they begin to fire at us. The rest of his team darts forward with military precision.

“We can’t get a shot in,” says Nav. “They’ll overwhelm us soon. Alexander is relentless.”

“We should use his aggressiveness against him,” I whisper. “Voice throw?”

She nods in excitement. “Let’s do it.”

We quickly whisper into Nav’s q-link, drop it behind our barrier, and sneak off to two separate walls on either side of our trap. I access her q-link with mine and play our recording at a normal voice level.

“They clipped my leg,” her q-link says, in her voice. “We’ll have to make a stand here.”

“No, Nav,” it says in my voice. “Come on. We’re sitting ducks here.”

“We’ve got them Americus,” says Alexander. “Let’s end this.” The sounds of his rushing footsteps approach.

“Wait,” says Americus. “Be cautious. It could be a trap.”

Alexander flies around a wall and swings his gun to the q-link lying on the floor. Bob surges up behind him. Nav and I open fire, shooting several laser blasts at both of them. They drop to the ground, paralyzed.

“Retreat, center peel,” shouts Americus. One of his team fires on our location, while the other two escape.

Nav darts around a barrier in pursuit. I let my laser rest on its strap and sprint toward them from the opposite side, determined to try something. The first time I tried it, I managed to trip and fall on my face, giving myself another bloody nose. But I’ve come a long way.

Silas retreats around a plywood wall, then freezes as he sees me. I take two quick steps, then smack his wrist and gun to tear it from his grip. His eyes widen, and he starts to turn away. I fire, and he falls to the ground with a curse.

Racer steps around the corner before he realizes what’s happening. I fire three shots into his chest. He groans and collapses next to Silas, his rifle clattering to the ground.

I sprint around the barrier to end Americus. There’s only empty air. A jolt of panic courses through me. I twist around, trying to locate him.

A clink sounds to my left behind another wall. My attention snaps to the location. I slide by my barricade, sneaking up to him. Right before the edge of the barrier, I can hear him breathing.

I zip around the wall, ready to fire. He’s not there. His q-link lays on the ground, playing breathing sounds. Hell.

A laser discharges behind me. My suit seizes, and I tumble to the ground. As I fall, I twist to see Nav on the floor next to a puffed-up Americus. I can’t believe he got me with the same trick.

“Victory for Team Americus,” says the base computer. “This brings your record to thirty-one and three.”

After a moment, my suit loosens, letting me move again.

Americus reaches down to help me up. “I saw you take Silas’ gun. Your hands are so fast. It’s uncanny. You’ve improved greatly in a short time.”

I smile at the compliment. He’s been very encouraging and motivating through our weeks of training.

Alexander bumps Americus’ fist. “Always a hero, Americus.”

The more reserved man cracks a smile. “Just remember to be more cautious.”

You thrashed us again, Dad,” says Nav.

“You almost won with that ambush. Well done.”

Nav nods, looking proud.

“There’s the boss I trained,” Alexander says to me. “I was completely surprised when you weren’t there. Nice maneuver. Then the way you stole Silas’ gun…” He whistles, shaking his head. “Very nice.”

“Keep up the good work soldiers,” Americus says to the group. “We’re a real army now. We’ll be ready if we need to strike.”

He sounds positive, but his bloodshot eyes diminish the effect. Maybe the loss of the Knights hit him harder than I realized. He’s right that we look good, though. We’re as sharp and deadly as my guild in Silent City was.

“So when is my initiation test?” I ask Alexander.

He looks at me blankly for a moment. “Ohh, I was joking about that. You’re plenty initiated.”

I shake my head with a laugh, then walk over and sit on a bench next to Sunny.

“When I watch you train, it reminds me of how unstoppable you were in Silent City,” he says.

I hope he’s right. I still feel pathetic compared to how I was in the game, but I’m certainly making progress. “Maybe you should start to train. I might need you.”

He nods gravely. “I’ll start immediately.”

“I was joking.”

“So was I,” he says, a hint of humor in his voice.

I shake my head, amused.

My q-link beeps with a triggered news alert. ‘Terrorist group known as the Knights of Christ claim responsibility for the heinous attack on Xyphotech’s Law firm, the Rogerson Group.’

Gabriel’s got some guts. First, he breaks into Xyphotech headquarters alone, and now this? I scan the article. It’s an all Evo workplace, and everyone is dead. Gabriel sure is sticking to his religious quest.

My q-link beeps again, and I expect some more news.

“Partial decryption of Xyphotech data drive,” says my q-link.

Finally. I scan through the report and gasp. “Everyone, come here. I have something.”

The Loyalists gather around me.

My nerves spike, but I ignore them. “Xyphotech has been bankrupt for half a year. They’ve been selling the Evo at a loss to increase adoption. The NIA has been bankrolling them this entire time. They’re the ones hacking the Evo, and they’re the masterminds behind the operation.”

☼☼☼

Loyalists gasp, curse, and groan, then the room erupts in angry conversations. I stagger, reeling from the turn of events. The NIA chased away my father, leading to my mom’s death and my torture in foster care. They caused