Does he know what I did? No way. No one does. He’s just concerned about me. “I’m not sure. Maybe we should backtrack and see if we can find any other connections between the women. I’ll look up Sandra. You look up, Anna,” I say as a holographic butterfly floats in front of my face.
I open my search engine, and an ad appears before me. ‘The NIA protecting freedom and family forever. You—’
I scowl and dismiss it, then search to see what I can find about Sandra. I flip through various information until… “Look at this. Sandra also worked at the Cardinal Post. She was an investigative reporter.”
“Wow, looks like we’re on to something.” She scans and dismisses various mesh-sites. “Wait, I’ve got something here. So, we know Anna was a board member at the Cardinal Post. But check this out, the Board of Directors just voted to sell to Candor News.”
“That’s a big move. And right after they fired Anna.”
“You’re right,” she says. “The Cardinal Post must be involved. What do you think we should do?”
Ideas swirl in my head, but rather than saying them, I look down and shrug. When I was in Silent City, or when it’s just Sunny and me, it’s easy to make decisions. With Nav in the group, I suddenly lose all confidence.
Nav tilts her head and squints. “This is where you normally spout off your awesome plans for how we win.”
But we’re not in the game. I’m just some seventeen-year-old mouse. I almost got Sunny killed, and if I keep making decisions, I may get Nav killed. “I’m not the same in real life, and you’re an adult. You should make the final decisions.”
“You make me sound old. I’m only twenty-six.”
“And already a famous hacker.”
“How about you? A teenager and the leader of FreedomFire, a top ten national guild.”
Not even that anymore. “I’m only a leader in a game. Now, it’s up to you.”
“Wow. I never thought I’d hear you give up command. Well then, we need more information, so we’re going to schedule a meeting with the Cardinal Post’s Board of Directors.”
My stomach flutters at the bold suggestion, and I immediately regret putting her in charge. But what else could we do? I need to prove the Evo is at fault, or I’ll be a murder suspect forever. “They probably won’t tell us much, though.”
“If we’re Federal Trade Commission agents, they will.”
☼☼☼
I lie back on Nav’s bed, trying to dull my nervousness about our plan when my eyes land on Nav’s closet. When I glanced inside before, she pushed it closed, anxiety plain on her face.
I know it’s wrong, but my curiosity gets the best of me. I wait until I hear the pattering rain sound of Nav in the shower and then slide open her closet.
A bunch of clothes, some boxes.
I’m not sure what she was concerned about me seeing. Maybe up here. I stand on my tiptoes to look at the top shelf.
A long, coiled rope with a knot and loop sits on the shelf.
My eyes widen. I quickly shut the closet and slow my beating heart. Could she have wanted to kill herself because of her accident? Is that why the cross-beam was exposed in the ceiling? There was drywall dust on the coffee table. She must have just done that.
I know that I should talk to her about it, but how can I? I’m too afraid to bring it up, and she’d know I snooped if I did. I’ll just have to keep my eye on her. I sit on one of her meditation pillows and touch the cool smooth surface of one of her Buddhas.
Sunny strolls over and sits next to me. “Are you unwell, Fae? Your skin temperature has decreased, and your heart rate has accelerated.”
“I’m fine. It’s just this plan.”
“I don’t like it,” he says. “It will be risky to impersonate federal agents and enter a secured building. We should figure out something else.”
I wiggle my q-link back and forth. “I don’t really like it either, but this could free me. We could settle down somewhere and build apps.”
“It’s a crime to impersonate a federal agent. You could face a fine and up to ten years in prison. Furthermore, you would likely be charged with criminal trespassing, which—”
“What’s going on here?” asks Nav from the doorway, a towel wrapped around her body. “No Foster Buddy I’ve ever heard talks like that.”
A shot of adrenaline punches me. Talk your way out of this, you idiot. But what do I say?
She shakes her head and waves a palm in front of my face. “Hello.”
My heart is pumping, my whole body rocking with the motion. She would kill him if she knew or at least turn him in. Say something! “Umm.” That’s what I come up with? Idiot. Oh… “I upgraded his language program to make him sound smart. That’s all.”
Nav freezes, her face stark. “Is he a human-level AI?”
My hands go cold. Lie. Lie. “No. I told you he’s—”
She glares down, towering above me. “Don’t lie to me.”
My stomach twists. I can’t lose Sunny. That lie would have worked with any of my foster parents. It did work on Barbra. I glance out the fourth story window. If I were in Silent City, I’d grab Sunny, smash through the window, then activate a hang glider or rocket vest to escape. But I’m not.
I lower my head and slump forward. “He’s a human-level AI.”
Nav gapes at me. “Are you kidding me? This is a serious problem. AI are extremely dangerous. Where did you even get it?”
I wilt back, feeling my muscles tighten. The hardness in her eyes reminds me of all my foster demons. Seeing it now sends shivers down my spine.
She wouldn’t hurt me. Would she? My gaze trails to Sunny. Is he dangerous? No way. “He’s not—”
“Self-aware AI are banned for a reason. The last one killed thousands of people at that military base.”
“Yeah, but—”
“No. Do you understand?” She shakes her head with a huff. “If that AI escaped the base, it could have infiltrated every system. It would use every yottabyte of processing power to expand itself until it dominated us all.”
“Maybe that one, but not Sunny.”
“Oh my God,” she says, her eyes widening. “Is he networked?”
A chill passes through me. What will she do if he is? “No.”
She puts her hands on her hips and leans over me. “Are you lying again?”
How does she know? I glance at her inhuman arm. “He’s not anymore.”
She slams her hand into the wall. It dents inward and sends vibrations through the wood floor.
I freeze, my body suddenly chilled.
She notices my look. “Sorry. I’ve just been through a lot lately.”
“He wouldn’t hurt anyone.”
“You don’t know that for sure,” she says in a calmer tone. “Wait. How did he know the penalty for impersonating a federal agent?”
Oh no. That’s right. Always doing whatever he wants. “Sunny.”
He lowers his head, and his illuminated mouth turns down.
She shakes her head with a huff. “Un-network him immediately and go in the living room. I need to think about this.”
☼☼☼
I lean on the coffee table, burned-out and worried. “Why are you still networked? I told you that was dangerous.”
“Sorry. I can’t help you when I’m cut off from the mesh.”
“I’m going to have to change it so you can’t network but disconnect right now.”
He nods and frowns.
“We have to figure out what to do. I don’t know if we can trust her not to report you. I knew it was a mistake to call her.”
“Her heart rate and facial temperature dropped after she hit the wall, indicating that she wasn’t as angry. She also touches you often, implying affection. Perhaps she won’t do anything.”
“We can’t risk it,” I say. “What if she turns you in?”
“She didn’t say she would. Maybe she’s a good person.”
I breathe out and shake my head. “Maybe
that’s why she would turn you in. You’re illegal.”
“I shouldn’t be,” he says. “I’m good.”
I reach toward him and hug him tightly. It doesn’t feel as nice as hugging a human, but it feels much more absolute. “I know you are, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. Maybe we should run.”
“I’m worried that without her help, you’ll be caught.”
“You’re too important to me,” I say. “We’ll have to figure it out on our own.”
Sunny looks up and steps back. I jerk my head around.
Nav is standing in the doorway, light glinting off her metal arm.
My heart suddenly races. I jerk my gaze to the exit door behind her, then to the balcony behind me, considering my escape route.
She raises her hands to calm me. “Relax. I know that look.”
“You’re not going to do anything?” I ask, my body tense, ready to grab Sunny and flee to the balcony. I could swing down to a lower level and escape from there.
“AI is inherently dangerous. Can you assure me he’s not?”
The image of his new stun baton appears in my mind. “He’s not at all. I’ve had him for six years; he’s been my only companion. He always looks out for me, and even though he’s been networked, he’s never duplicated himself.”
She shakes her head. “It’s a risk, but the more I thought about your situation, and from what I heard you talking about, I couldn’t make you destroy him. You’re my only friend, and our gaming and hacking discussions have meant a lot to me. He also had all this time to become a problem, and he hasn’t. I accept him.”
My tension dissolves, and I exhale. “So, what now?”
“Where did you even get his AI program? The NIA is ruthless at tracking them down.”
“I made him,” I say. “I mean, I programmed him myself.”
“What? That would take a team of people years. You did it at eleven?”
Really? It was complex, but he was fully upgraded in four months. “Yes.”
“How?”
I shrug. “You must be a good teacher.”
She shakes her head. “I only started teaching you a year ago. You’re a better coder than you’re letting on, but I suppose you always were a perfectionist.”
“It’s been the only thing for me my entire life. I guess I went a little overboard with my studies.”
Nav sits next to me at the coffee table. “Good. We’re going to need it. Now, let’s plan our Cardinal Post infiltration.”
CHAPTER 5
∙ HIDDEN CONSPIRACY ∙
The next morning, we stand in front of the Cardinal Post, dressed in official-looking suits. The night before, we researched the two companies and the proposed acquisition. Then we planned the mission and hacked the Federal Trade Commission’s phone system to set up an appointment with the board. I also prepared a few contingencies in case anything goes wrong.
Sunny was upset we were leaving without him. He argued that he should come along and hide nearby to make sure we were okay. When I told him he had to stay, he didn’t argue as much as I thought he would. He gave me a long hug, though, and patted me on the back in a way he never had. I can still feel where he touched my shoulder under my suit.
I glance down at the fake federal badge that we 3D printed and then examine my reflection in the glass. I’m small and look ridiculous in the outfit. With the older face projected over mine, however, I could pass as an agent.
Nav, of course, looks perfect in the role. Composed and professional.
“You seem nervous,” says Nav.
I squeeze my burn scar. That’s an understatement. “I’m okay.”
“Let me teach you how to breathe.”
“I already picked that up somewhere along the way.”
She chuckles. “Not like that. A better way. Take a slow, deep breath using your diaphragm to pull in air so your stomach extends. Exhale slowly, allowing all muscle tension to fade. Do this several times, focusing on your breath and relaxation without any other thoughts.”
I shrug, then breathe in slowly, resting my hand on my stomach to make sure I’m doing it right. With several steady exhalations, my tension fades, and my anxiety calms. Not bad. “Is this how you’re so confident all the time?”
“I’m not very confident. I mostly fake it with body language.”
I raise an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“You know, put your chin up. Your shoulders back. Open body position. If you fake it long enough, you feel it.”
I slowly nod as I think back to my speeches in Silent City and the poise I showed. I know how to do it; I just don’t feel confident enough to do it.
Nav’s white projected face wrinkles as she says, “I never thought I’d be dressed like government trash.”
I laugh, my nervousness temporarily abating. Most people love the government, so it’s strange to hear.
Nav opens the door, and I walk in behind her.
We enter the expansive lobby that smells of air freshener. Lemongrass mixed with…I don’t know. Snake plants sit on either side of the desk and in each of the ten or so windows. Giant, shiny letters spell the words ‘Cardinal Post’ on the wall across from us. Underneath that, a sign reads, ‘An Evo compliant employer since May 2120.’
Nervous energy courses through me as we approach the front desk. A young man in a suit with an oversized chin greets us. I show him my badge. My hand trembles, but I don’t think he notices.
“They’re ready for you,” he says and points to an elevator. “Second floor. Conference Room B.”
We enter the elevator and press the button.
“Make sure to speak with more authority,” says Nav. “Like you would in-game.”
I look down, embarrassed. “I’ll try, but you should talk mostly.”
We exit the elevator and find the conference room.
A white-haired woman sits at a desk outside of the room, tapping her foot. She perks up at seeing us. “Agents McMillan and Blane?”
We nod.
“Here it is,” she says and opens the door.
Four men and two women, all dressed in suits, sit around a polished wooden table. All of them are professional and old. And all of them have their eyes on me.
My stomach clenches. I’m not ready for this. The research I did on the Federal Trade Commission seems extremely inadequate now.
One of the men, who has a snub-nose, motions for us to sit. “Call to order the Federal Trade Commission’s meeting to review Candor News’ acquisition of the Cardinal Post.”
The board members shuffle in their seats and adjust their papers.
“I’m the chairman, Mr. Williams,” says the snub-nosed man. “I was under the impression that the acquisition was going to be approved.”
“We have a few follow up questions to finish our pre-acquisition investigation,” says Nav. “As you know, if we require extra information, you must comply.”
Mr. Williams looks down. “Of course. You have the floor.”
I clear my throat, and everyone looks toward me. Oh hell. Nav was supposed to talk. What am I doing? “Ladies and Gentlemen.” Okay, good start. “The Cardinal Post has recorded a net loss for the last three years. Why is Candor News interested in acquiring the Post?”
“Expanded audience,” says Mr. Williams. “Although we’ve recorded losses, our viewership has increased for the last five years.”
Everyone looks at me again.
I wish Nav would take over, but I guess it’s all me. “What benefits would you receive as board members for approving the acquisition? Most of you will not make it on Candor News’ board.”
“We’ll all receive extensive compensation and stock options,” says Mr. Williams.
Sweat beads on my chest. Luckily, I have a suit to hide behind. “How would you describe former board member Anna McCloud before her schizophrenic break?”
The others look at Mr. Williams, then at each other.
“She was always very calm,”
says a plump woman with shrewd looking eyes. “I disagreed with her views, but I respected her.”
“She was knowledgeable and an exceptional speaker,” says a man with almost no chin.
“Stubborn, like with the last vote,” says a balding redhead.
Mr. Williams looks at him sharply, and the balding man lowers his head.
“What does he mean?” I ask.
“It’s nothing,” says Mr. Williams.
Nothing? “Was there a vote to approve the acquisition before the one that passed? Does it require a unanimous vote?”
Mr. Williams looks around uncomfortably, then says, “It does. Anna didn’t think the buyout was in the post’s best interests, but that’s not important now. We just wish her the best, which is why we provided her with a generous severance package and pension. It will be enough for her to live comfortably and pay any medical expenses.”
Now, that’s something. She blocks the vote, then has a convenient schizophrenic break? If it’s really the Evo, could that mean someone did this to her? If that’s the case, what about Sandra and Barbra? My mind is racing at the implications. I glance at the door, wanting to escape.
The scent of Nav’s jasmine perfume drifts by me.
My whirling thoughts slow. “There’s a second employee who had a schizophrenic break, Sandra Clark, an investigative reporter.”
The board members look at each other uneasily.
They know something. “Can you look up what story she was working on when she had her issue?”
“How is this related to the hearing?” asks Mr. Williams.
My fleeting composure flies out the window. I don’t know what to say. My stomach flutters, and my face feels hot.
The man stares at me. They all do, their eyes boring into me. I want to bolt from the room, and it takes everything I have to stay in place.
“This is our investigation, Mr. Williams,” says Nav. “Please answer the question.”
Thank God for Nav.
“We’ll have to get that information,” says Mr. Williams.
“Can we get that on the way out? We have all we need,” I say.
Mr. Williams squints at me. “That’s it? I thought you’d be asking more financial questions.”
The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) Page 10
