American library books ยป Other ยป The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) by Brian Terenna (motivational books for women TXT) ๐Ÿ“•

Read book online ยซThe Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) by Brian Terenna (motivational books for women TXT) ๐Ÿ“•ยป.   Author   -   Brian Terenna



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rip and tear at my bonds to free myself, then choke Director Tempton until his eyes pop out of his head.

I think about Nav and all of our times together, in Silent City, and after when I saw how warm and caring she was. She took me in when I needed her most, fed me, clothed me, and lent me her ear. I felt a stronger connection to her than any other human, including Barbra.

I picture Nav, her large brown eyes, her toned muscles, and her puff of hair thatโ€™s held back by a colorful headband. I imagine weโ€™re together, researching a new game to play or brainstorming apps to create. Various holographic trees and exotic flowers of all colors fill the room. I try to feel her essence, her kindness, compassion, and confidence.

The scene morphs into another. She seems so close and lifelike as if I could reach out and feel her smooth skin. Sheโ€™s standing in a dimly lit empty room, wearing a spider-silk vest. She holsters her cannon-pistol like sheโ€™s gearing up to fight the NIAโ€ฆor to rescue me.

I want to be rescued more than anything, but Iโ€™d never want her to try. I glance at the menacing Liberator drone. Forget about me. Itโ€™s too dangerous.

Her gaze snaps up and seems to lock onto me. I gasp, and the image fades.

I shake my head and think of Alexander. He wanted to save the country for glory, of course, but also because he cared. I picture Sunny, my little buddy, who always wanted to protect me. Now I may never see them again.

Gusts of wind whip up around me, bringing the smell of a storm. I slump forward, and seconds later, the skies open up to pour down cool rain.

โ˜ผโ˜ผโ˜ผ

I jerk awake to see a bearded man a foot in front of my face. I gasp and try to protect myself, but my arms are trapped. I inhale sharply in alarm before I remember where I am. Tied to a pole, tricked and captured. Abused and used for bait.

I squint at the morning sun, and the agony of my battered body sends me reaching back for sleep I canโ€™t grasp. I grit my teeth against the pain and shake my head to clear my foggy mind.

โ€œCaptain Bosu wants you,โ€ says the muscular guard at the top of the ladder. โ€œIโ€™m going to untie you. Donโ€™t struggle.โ€

I blink my dry eyes, feeling a weariness that surpasses even the sleepless nights after Barbraโ€™s death. The night on the pole was the worst of my life. Wet, cold, and in pain, I desperately sought sleep. The hours felt like days. Finally, I must have passed out in my delirium.

I try to speak, but my mouth is dry, and the words come out as a garbled groan. I try again and manage to say, โ€œWater.โ€

The bearded manโ€™s stern look fades to pity. He peeks over his shoulder at Captain Bosu, who talks to some of his guards. The bearded man opens a canteen and holds it to my lips. I drink thirstily as I glare at Bosu.

โ€œThis will probably hurt,โ€ he says as he pulls the knot at my wrist.

The scraping of the rope burns against my abraded skin. He does my other wrist and then left upper arm. It leaves all of my weight on my right shoulder. I gasp at the strain.

He puts a hand under my arm and unties the last rope with his other hand. I collapse onto him and cringe at the feel of his bare hands on my skin, only protected by my bra and underwear. He doesnโ€™t seem to take pleasure in the task, though. He lowers me to two more guards, who grab hold and take me to the ground.

Theyโ€™re foolish to untie me. It increases the chances of escape infinitely. Iโ€™ll just have to wait for the right moment.

Bosu walks up, a few guards milling about in the courtyard behind him. โ€œAh, Fae. How was your night? Did you have sweet dreams?โ€

โ€œYes.โ€

Surprise flashes on his face.

โ€œI dreamed I was at your funeral, sipping champagne. But maybe it wasnโ€™t a dream. Maybe it was a prophecy of the future.โ€

โ€œI dislike you,โ€ he says. โ€œIf I had my way, youโ€™d hang from the pole until you starve to death. Director Tempton has other ideas, though.โ€

โ€œWhat ideas? Why did you take me down? Did your plan to kill the rest of my friends fail?โ€

โ€œNo. Weโ€™re still expecting them. But I have some good news. Rather than waiting, Director Tempton decided we should install the Evo in you now.โ€

A jolt of fear hits me. โ€œIf you install the Evo in me, Iโ€™ll take over your networked weapons instantly, and youโ€™ll all die. Youโ€™ve enslaved millions of minds, but you have no idea what I can do.โ€

โ€œWe were aware of that possibility, which is why the director sent me a new Evo with a backdoor installed. Weโ€™ll be able to cut through your defenses before you can do anything.โ€

Another wave of dread hits me. Noโ€ฆ. Theyโ€™ll turn me into a puppet, a zombie. I wonโ€™t exist anymore. โ€œIโ€™ll locate and patch the backdoor before you can use it. You canโ€™t win,โ€ I say, but who knows if itโ€™s true. At least, Iโ€™ll have a chance, no matter how small.

Bosu shakes his head with a mock frown. โ€œThe director thought of that too, so we decided not to risk it. Weโ€™re going to soften you up first. Iโ€™d like to see you beat us after this.โ€ He looks to the side as if heโ€™s mentally contacting someone through his Evo.

Thirty seconds later, several guards carry a reclined metal chair with clamps and wires.

Bosu gazes at it, his sociopathic smile growing. โ€œI wanted to use classic torture like I did for Americus, but I was overruled. This will hurt

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