The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) by Brian Terenna (motivational books for women TXT) 📕

I thought I could hack once and be done. I guess I’m officially a hacker again. I just hope I don’t cause any more tragedies.

I picture Nav smacking the wall of her cell, her teeth grinding with rage. I brought her into this mess, but she planned the Cardinal Post mission that got us caught. Hell, why did I listen? This is what happens when you trust someone. I let out a frustrated sigh.

Now, how do I escape? Let’s see what I’m working with first. I locate the prison network and firewall. The code is complicated, like some kind of military-grade protection. Hmm. It’s actually kind of like the Evo’s coding language.

I had planned on setting off the fire alarm to clear the guards, then shutting down the cameras, but as I look through the code, it’s just too risky. Not only is it protected by several firewalls, it’s also actively monitored. I might be able to do it without them finding me, but maybe there’s a safer way. I’ll still have no choice but to hack the doors, though.

Wait…invisibility. Maybe I could expand my q-link’s cloaking illusion. It would have to mimic the entire background and would probably take tons of power, but it’s possible.

My q-link’s battery level is at eighty-four percent. How long would the battery last if I do this? Hopefully, enough to get me outside. What if they have infrared sensors, though?

I scan the network, and they only have cameras. Maybe they didn’t install them yet. This could work as long as I’m quiet when passing the guards.

I peek through the window to make sure no guards are nearby, then whisper into my q-link to code the expansion of my cloaking program. Every few minutes, I watch for guards until I finish my work.

After that, I scan through their detainment records to discover Nav’s cell location. It only takes me a minute to find her file.

Hell, the location is blank. Looks like I’ll have to search for her. At least I know she’s here.

I locate the door lock code, but I’m reluctant to start hacking it without a distraction. Maybe there’s another system that’s less defended than the fire alarms.

“We’re here for Fae Luna and Naveha Jain,” someone says from around the corner. “The captain wants them somewhere more secure. This place doesn’t even have the visual scanners yet.”

Booooooom. A loud explosion resonates around me.

“What was that?” asks the same voice. “Over here, come on!”

More guards shout down the other way, then two run by my cell.

What the hell was that? Well, whatever it was, I have my distraction. “Chim. Access the network.” I pour through the code, trying to concentrate, but my pounding heart and intense fear, make it difficult.

The more I read the code, the more similarities I see with others. Yes, it’s like the Evo’s code, but it’s also kind of like Prime…or maybe more like C#. I scan through until I find a mistake they made. My hacking programs go to work on the weakness. In moments, I have access to all cell doors.

Now I just have to find my door. Here it is. “Chim change line ten in their code to unlock.”

The locks on my cell door pull back, and the door slides open.

“Chim, activate extended cloaking illusion.”

My hands fade away to nothing. Nice. Unfortunately, it only works from the front since q-links have limited hologram ports. If someone looks from behind, I’ll be seen.

I lean out of my cell and glance down both directions. There’s no one. I walk quickly but quietly down the hall, desperate to find Nav before my battery runs out.

One hallway is empty of rooms except for what looks like another conference room. The other way has a T intersection at the end. I go that way.

Two brief vibrations warn me that my q-link’s battery is half-depleted.

Diablo, it’s draining fast.

Although it was Nav’s decision that landed us here, I would never leave her. I’ve always thought of my safety first, but this is Blaze.

Finally, after another turn, I see what looks to be a row of cells.

My q-link vibrates three more times, indicating that my power is down to twenty percent. My heart beats even faster as I peek into the first cell.

No one.

Something metal and powerful bangs against the cell down the hall.

I reach the second cell and see the bars are bent slightly outward. It has to be her. I look inside to see Nav pacing back and forth, a scowl on her face. Her hair is a frizzy puff, and her jumpsuit’s shirtsleeve is torn.

I locate her cell in the code and unlock it. The door slides open, and she squints at it.

“Nav, it’s me.”

She jumps back. “You scared me. Wow, how did you program invisibility?”

“It doesn’t matter. Come quick. I can extend the illusion to you.”

I reach up and put my arm around her waist. Hell, she’s tall. We hurry forward, following exit signs and looking into cells as we pass them.

We turn a corner. The way is free of guards, but there’s another cell to our right. The exit doors are at the end of the hall. When we reach the one cell, I glance inside, then freeze.

Inside is a plump, white woman with a familiar face. Wait, no way. It’s Anna McCloud from the Cardinal Post. This is getting even weirder. I want to free her, but there’s no time since my battery is almost dead. I glance at the exit.

“We can’t leave her,” Nav whispers.

I grit my teeth and suppose she’s right. “We’re at five percent battery. We can take her, but I won’t be able to extend the illusion to her.” I open her cell and momentarily show my face. “We’re rescuing you. Come on.”

She stands there looking