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

“But seriously. We’re on the same side,” says Alexander. “Navin said we need to put our small differences aside and unite over our large similarities.”

Americus nods, but his face is still hard. “That’s not the quote.” His face softens. “But point well made.”

Alexander smiles. “Navin was a wise man.”

Nav stalks away from them and slams her enhanced hand into a steel support beam with a growl. It rings, and the sound reverberates through the room. She paces around, mumbling under her breath, then wanders over to me. “Do you see how difficult he is? Now I’m going to have to meditate to calm down.”

I nod, fidgeting with the q-link on my wrist. That’s probably a good idea.

“I’m glad you’re easy to get along with. I really appreciate our time together,” she says.

Me too. I should say something nice.

Before I think of something, Nav sighs, looking despondent, and says, “I’ll be in the room.”

After she leaves, the main steel door to the warehouse rolls up, and everyone turns to it. A long van drives inside and parks next to the other vehicles.

The van door slides open, and twelve people who are clean-cut and wearing crosses exit. Two of them unload some large technological devices and other equipment. The others spread out and greet the rest of the group. It doesn’t seem like the same level of friendliness that we got when we returned, but amiable. I notice Brandon standing close to some woman, who smiles broadly at him.

A large man approaches us. He wears a black, short-sleeved shirt with a clergy collar around his neck. The veins in his bulging biceps stick out, making him look like he shoots up steroids. He’s got a few inches on Alexander, who’s the next tallest, and his chest and arms are three times as big around.

He takes a sip from a flask, then shakes Alexander’s hand and pats his back. “Good to see you, son.”

“You too, Boss,” says Alexander before wandering off to sit on the same bench he was on yesterday. He pulls out his gold medal and admires it. He notices me looking and winks at me.

I blush and turn away.

The ripped man walks up to Americus and wraps his arms around him, squeezing tight. They both pat each other’s backs.

Gabriel pulls back from Americus and grins. “You seem even smaller than when I left.”

Smaller than you but hardly small.

Americus chuckles, shaking his head. “Looks like your stomach grew by just as much.”

Gabriel laughs, his large belly shaking, and smacks Americus on the shoulder. Americus’ raven flies over to Alexander and lands on his arm. Alexander pets the bird.

“I’m glad to be back,” says Gabriel. He takes another swig of his flask, then passes it to Americus.

Americus sips the liquid and scrunches his face. “Good stuff,” he says, pointing to the flask. “I’m glad to have you back, old friend. How did your Knights of Christ fare at the protest?”

Gabriel grimaces. “It was a lot better before world war three started, or whatever in God’s name is going on. But we’re getting through to people. We got thousands to sign the anti mark of the beast pledge.”

Americus hands back the flask and nods grimly. “Good, good. That should help slow the spread of Evo adoption. I have some new intelligence for you. We need to figure out what to do next.”

“I told you. We need to find out who the Antichrist is and kill him. It’s all that matters. The fiery pits of hell await those who took the mark, but we can still save everyone else.”

Whoa. That’s one way to look at it.

Americus nods. “Navin is shaking in his grave at what they could do with this power.”

Gabriel takes another swig of his flask. “We should get to work.”

I leave to comfort Nav. That argument sure stressed her out.

She cries on the bed, her head lowered.

Hell, it was worse than I thought. I sit down gently to not disturb her and rub her back.

She looks up, and adjusts her yellow headband, then lowers her head again.

“Upset about your argument?”

“Yes, but it’s a lot more than that,” she says, her voice brittle. “I’ll never hold Ty’s framed picture again. He gave me it when we got engaged.”

“I’m sorry, Nav, but you were divorced, right?”

Her frown deepens. “He’s actually my late husband. It happened a few weeks before we met up.”

Late? What does—ohhh. Oh no. That’s terrible. I can’t imagine finally finding someone to love and then losing them. I guess that’s how fate works; some people get screwed. I wonder how it happened. Must have been an accident since he was young. I hope it wasn’t drugs. Hell, what if she had to see him die or wake up next to him? I’m curious but don’t dare ask. No wonder she’s sad and made that noose. I put my hand on hers, something that almost seems normal now.

“I just wish there was something I could do to bring him back,” she says. “Even if I had to trade places with him. Why did I survive and not him? He was so much better than me.”

This is why she had money problems and wanted to do the hack. “No, you’re a wonderful person. You deserve to live.”

She shakes her head. “I just wish… It doesn’t matter,” she says with a sigh. “He was just so perfect for me. He was a counselor and so caring.” She looks off with a frown. “It’s why we were going to open an agency. I still want to, after things get to normal.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s fine,” she says and manages a weak smile as she looks up.

Poor Nav. I wish I knew how to help her through it.

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