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

my blimp hack mistake and drove Barbra insane. They’ll answer for all of it!

“My God,” says Nav, fire in her usually kind eyes. “They killed all these people for power. It’s disgusting.”

“Let’s destroy them,” shouts Silas.

Others cheer the idea.

Americus stands and raises his arms to quiet everyone. The bags under his eyes are even darker, making him look like a villain from a cartoon. He pauses for effect, and when he has everyone’s attention, he points to a hologram of a shrewd looking, white-haired man. “Director Tempton and the NIA are responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths during their orchestrated war and coup,” says Americus, passion in his voice. “They have hijacked our government and used it to enslave us. They helped spread the Xyphotech Evo, all with the insidious plan to turn our fellow citizens into mindless puppets at the flip of a switch. We’re going to erase this menace with every weapon we have. We’re going to take back our country.”

Alexander stands and pumps his fist. The other Loyalists clap and cheer. Nav nods grimly next to me.

“Everyone, listen up,” says Alexander, standing tall and confident. His vibrant eyes seem to glow with energy.

The room quiets, and everyone turns their attention to Alexander. Americus nods for him to continue.

“I know that some of you will preach caution and patience for the NIA assault,” says Alexander. “But before you do, let me say this. The enemy’s Evo army grows by tens of thousands every day we wait. I say we devise our strategy and attack tomorrow or at most the next day.”

“I agree with Alexander,” says Nav. “We can’t let more people become slaves. This is a humanitarian disaster of epic proportions. These psychopathic scumbags need to die.”

Nav’s anger is likely boosted by the fact that she thinks they killed her husband. They’re both right in a way, but also wrong. Each day does give us more enemies, but they are spread out and not an immediate threat.

And more people will be enslaved each day, but hopefully, they’re freed after we destroy the NIA. The NIA is the real enemy and likely won’t get more powerful if we delay to gather resources, weapons, and information. They’re a mighty foe, and we’ll only get one shot at this.

“I agree with Naveha,” says Brandon. “This can’t go on any longer. We’ll win with our tank and the support of the other brigades.”

Nav gives him a warm look.

“I want revenge,” says Yumi. “They nearly killed Astrid. I also vote we attack tomorrow.”

Astrid looks from Americus to Yumi, then squeezes her hand. “We should plan and attack within two days. We’ve been training for this for years. We will succeed.”

  Oh hell. This is getting out of hand. Don’t they see that if we take a little more time, we can make our attack more deadly?

“To ensure we win,” says Yumi, “we should invite Gabriel and his Knights into the attack. He has equipment that we don’t, and we’d have more troops.”

Americus’ eyebrows dip.

At least she’s thinking. It would be beneficial to have him, even though he’s reckless.

Weird Tom cuts a deck of cards with one hand and says, “I agree. He only screwed up once or twice. It would be a calculated risk.”

Americus pounds his fist, looking like he’s about to take Tom’s head off. Tom drops his cards, and they scatter on the floor.

“He’s not welcome here,” says Americus. “He’s more likely to get us killed than help.”

Weird Tom flinches back and puts his hands up. “Just a thought.”

“I agree with my father,” says Nav. “He’s dangerous.”

“And doesn’t follow orders,” says Astrid.

Many of the other Loyalists speak up to agree with them. Sunny twists his head to look at each one as they speak.

Gabriel should never have killed the evolved man, and we’d all still be together.

“Does anyone have more arguments for a swift attack?” asks Americus.

We should at least get more weapons before we strike. I look around the room at all of the angry intimidating people and feel small. I open my mouth and shut it, too nervous to speak. Nav gives me a look and motions her hand for me to speak.

She’s right. This is too important to remain silent. I put my hand on Sunny’s dented head to calm myself. “Sir.”

Everyone looks at me, and Americus inclines his head for me to proceed.

I swallow. “If we spend a week gathering critical information, getting more weapons, and studying their cybersecurity, we’re much more likely to win.”

Several people nod and comment to the people next to them. Others shake their heads.

“I agree with Fae,” says Sunny. “We should secure every advantage to maximize the probability of success.”

Alexander zeros in on Americus. “You know we can do this, Boss. How many times did we plan this very attack? The NIA is an office building, not a military base. Let me lead the charge. I’ll crush them so badly it will be like they never existed.”

“Yite,” I let slip.

Alexander tilts his head. “What is that? Why do you keep saying that?”

“Just a gamer term,” I say.

Sunny steps forward. “It’s a combination of the words yeah and right. She says it when she doesn’t believe people.”

Americus chuckles.

Sunny. What the hell? I laugh nervously. “He’s confused.”

“I’ve proven doubters wrong my entire life,” says Alexander.

“You’re a dominant solider, Alexander,” says Americus. “And there’s no doubt that we’re a deadly fighting force, but we don’t know how advanced the NIA’s defenses are. They’ve proven themselves a crafty, resourceful, and powerful foe. We’re going to take time to prepare as Fae suggests. I’ll be contacting my NIA asset after our discussion to share our discovery and see what he can provide.”

“Navin would be bolder,” says Alexander.

Americus shakes his head.