The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1)

by Brian Terenna

  “I can’t protect your firewalls anymore, Nav. Power down.” Just before I disconnect, I record an image of the robot’s code. Maybe I can work on this later.

  Alexander leaps up and leans out, firing two more shots. The remaining two robots collapse.

  “Boom! That’s why they call me Alexander the Great.”

  I haven’t heard anyone call him that. But that was impressive.

  “Excellent hacking, Fae,” says Americus.

  “It was Nav.”

  He nods to her, clearly impressed. Nav smiles at him, surely happy that her distant dad complimented her.

  “Come on,” says Americus, motioning to us.

  We re-cloak and sprint down the stairs to the back door, which is still ajar. We’re going to make it.

  Red lights flash above us, and an alarm sounds. The back door slams shut.

  That makes it harder. I connect to their system to crack the door. Their attack will be swift, but I’ll only have to hold them off for a moment.

  Something round and metal flies down the hall and lands at our feet. Grenade? My heart leaps into my throat. The device detonates, sending a pulse through the air.

  Nothing seems to happen at first, but then my friends materialize around me. I look at my q-link in dismay. My battery is dead. So is my external one. Oh hell no. A battery-drainer.

  Another robot sprints around the corner. Alexander’s gun flashes, and the robot’s head explodes. Alexander blows the smoke from the barrel with a big grin.

  He’s enjoying this. What a lunatic.

  “As fun as this is,” he says, “if we can’t get out this door, I’ll eventually run out of ammo.”

  “Our q-links are dead,” I say. “I can’t hack it.”

  Nav steps up to the door and slams her metal hand into it like a jackhammer. Once, twice, three times. Her efforts dent the door, but it’s not nearly enough to free us.

  She screams and pounds the door again to no avail. “What were you thinking, Gabriel?” growls Nav.

  Gabriel frowns. “It’s in God’s hands now.”

  A large stomping sound comes from down the hall. Something big. Something dangerous. Something our ammo won’t hurt. Nav steps in front of us, her metal arm raised to defect bullets.

  I’m cornered with no way out. What can I do? I glance at the headless robot on the ground. Maybe I could rip off one of its weapons? No. It wouldn’t have power. Steal someone’s q-link? No. I won’t be able to get by the massive robot. Besides, I’m sure they all have the Evo anyway. I groan in frustration.

  “Any ideas?” Americus asks us.

  I shrug. I’m nothing without my q-link.

  Nav shakes her head.

  “I’ll gun us a path out of here. We just need to distract that big killer robot that’s coming,” says Alexander.

  “All the doors will be locked. It won’t matter,” says Americus.

  Nav looks around nervously.

  What the hell? I’m screwed again for being around people.

  “Fae?” someone asks from the other side of the door.

  “Sunny?”

  “Are you in trouble?”

  Of course, he didn’t stay where I asked him to…thankfully.

  “I saw the door shut and got worried,” he says.

  Americus squints at me.

  “They drained my q-link. I can’t hack the door,” I say.

  “I planned for this possibility,” says Sunny. “I upgraded myself after the last power issue you had.”

  Americus looks between Nav and me, his eyes wide.

  Alexander shoots another humanoid robot. The pounding footsteps of the other monstrosity continue to get louder.

  “I’m going to beam you power,” says Sunny.

  My q-link lights up, and the battery charges. Twenty, thirty, forty. I access the code and trip the lock.

  The door pops open.

  I glance back, and the stout ten-foot tall robot, with thick armored plates and imposing cannons, rounds the corner. Its unfeeling red eyes scan us. We sprint outside, slam the door, and flee to our vehicle.

  As soon as we’re inside, Americus activates the cloak, then says into his q-link, “We have him, Astrid. We’re heading back now.”

  “Thank, Navin,” says Astrid.

  My breath comes in ragged gasps, and I feel like my heart might explode. I force myself to take steady meditative breaths, deep into my stomach. After a few, my brain-gripping fear dims.

  “Thank you, Lord, for our safety,” says Gabriel. “I am yours.”

  Americus frowns, one hand still on his pistol as he starts to drive. Nav grabs my hand and glances at Sunny with a frown.

  “Boom,” says Alexander. “Did you see me? I destroyed those robots. One shot, done. Wasn’t I great, Americus?”

  Americus doesn’t respond.

  “It’s because my ancestors were Roman. Greatest empire of all time. We need more guns next time.”

  Next time? This guy is crazy.

  Americus’ frown deepens. “We’re safe, and that’s good,” he says to all of us as he stops the car.

  Xyphotech is in the distance now but still too close for comfort. Why is he stopping?

  He turns around and lifts his gun. “Now we need to dispose of this human-level AI,” he says, eyeing Sunny, his face hard as steel.

  CHAPTER 12

  REMARKABLE ALLY

  I wrap myself around Sunny to protect him from Americus. “You can’t kill him. He’s my friend.”

  “That thing can upgrade itself,” says Americus. “It could network and take over the world. Get away from it now.”

  Nav draws her gun and points it at Americus. Her hand is steady, but there’s a slight quiver in her lips. “Dad, put it down. He’s a conscious, thinking being, and he just saved us. Plus, he’s saved my life before.”

  Americus’ eyes go wide and then harden. Alexander glances from Americus to Nav, his jaw dropping.

  “You must know better, Naveha,” says Gabriel, his own gun drawn now. “AI and people who accept the mark of the beast are soulless abominations.”

  Americus takes one hand off the gun and holds it up. “Stand back, Naveha, and lower your gun.”

  “He’s not dangerous,” she says, her voice strong and courageous. “Lower your gun.”

  Americus growls, then turns on me. “Where did you get this thing?”

  I want to disappear, but I force myself to calm down and focus. “I made him. He’s self-aware, has memories and experiences, and is just as alive as you or anyone else. It’s murder if you kill him,” I say as clearly and firmly as I can.

  Gabriel gasps. “You think you can play God? Do it, Americus. End it.”

  Alexander rises, his blazing eyes drilling into Americus. “Enough. Put down your guns,” he says, punctuating the words with motions of his hands. “Sunny is a hero. He put his own life on the line for us. He’s part of the team now.”

  Americus’ eyebrows drop, shading his dark eyes. He grits his teeth as if he’s trying to chew iron. The muscles in his thick forearm tense and relax several times. He breathes out slowly, holding Alexander’s gaze, then he looks to the side, his knuckles pressing into his lips as he considers.

  “And Gabriel,” says Alexander. “Before you preach execution, ask yourself, would something without a soul save our lives?”

  Gabriel blinks, then tilts his head before staring off as if in prayer. Silence and tension hang in the air as we wait. His brow furrows, but then he nods and turns to Americus. “The bible tells us that there’s no greater love than someone who lays down their life for their friends.”

  Americus’ eyebrows dip even further as he looks from Nav to Sunny, and back to his friend.

  Gabriel rests a hand on Americus’ shoulder. “This is strange for me, and I don’t pretend to know God’s plan, but we couldn’t continue the fight against the Antichrist if the AI didn’t save us.”

  Americus’ hard face twists as if he’s wrestling with the idea, then
he sighs and lowers his gun. “You’re right, old friend.” He turns to me, his face serious. “I will accept Sunny. He saved us, and I recognize that he’s conscious. Still, the risk is great. He must always listen, and he can never network.”

  I open my mouth to respond, but he cuts me off.

  “Never. At the very least, he could be hacked and used against us. At worst, it’s goodbye to humanity. You got me?”

  He’s right about the hacking, at least. “Yes Sir,” I say to him, and then when he stops scrutinizing me, I whisper to Sunny, “You’re all right. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “I know,” he whispers, but his usually steady tone wavers with uncertainty.

  “And Alexander, just remember who’s in charge,” says Americus.

  “Of course, you’re the boss,” says Alexander holding his hands out deferentially. “It’s just that sometimes you need an advisor. That’s me.” He holds out his knuckles.

  Americus grunts in acceptance but doesn’t tap his fist. “I value your input. Same to you, Gabriel, but as long as the Knights are working with me, I’m in charge. No more pulling these stunts without my go ahead.”

  “It won’t happen again, Americus,” says Gabriel.

  There’s love in Gabriel’s eyes, love that comes from being a lifetime friend. It’s tinged with a hint of darkness, though, an underlying current of tension.

  Americus turns to Nav, and his face hardens again. “I don’t even know what to say to you.” He turns back and pushes the car into gear. It takes off with a jolt.

  Nav stares at the floor mats, a deep frown etched on her face. A few strands of hair poke from her headband, and a shadow seems to hang over her eyes. Her typical confidence is a melted puddle, just a memory of itself.

  I can’t imagine her inner conflict as she raised a gun on her dad. Although their relationship is strained, it must have been terrible. She cared enough about Sunny’s consciousness to do it, though. I owe her even more now.

  I inch closer and put my arm around her waist. She looks down at me and forces a smile before taking my other hand in hers.

  I gaze over at Alexander, my other hero. He rose, his long wavy hair rippling, his strong jaw tilted upwards, and his toned shoulders pressed back. His eyes were weapons that drilled through any defenses set before them. When he spoke, he did so with precision and certainty. Americus was tough to crack, but Alexander swayed him.

  The fire is gone from Alexander’s eyes now as he lounges back in his chair. He notices me looking, and with a sly smile, he holds out his closed fist. I lower my head to let my curls hide my smile, then bump his fist. When I do it, it feels like something changes as if I’ve joined a club.

  Who is this guy? He’s so calm and casual now as if we weren’t just in a gunfight with killer robots or holding pistols at each other. He stood up for Sunny even though he must have just realized he was conscious. Did he do that for me? Alexander brags a lot, and it’s mostly ridiculous, but right now, he’s a true hero.

  Red and blue lights flash up ahead.

  “What’s this?” asks Gabriel. “Damn, it’s a barricade. This is the only road back.”

  Alexander shrugs and points. “Take it off-road. We’re cloaked. Everyone just needs to be quiet.”

  Americus grunts. “Of course.”

  Our rugged SUV drives off-road, the suspension amazingly smooth. We pass by four cop cars, their lights flashing urgently. Several cops mill about, their guns drawn.

  Losers.

  We drive the rest of the way in silence, tension thick in the warm air. We reach the warehouse, and the metal gate opens. Knights and Loyalists gather round and cheer as we enter. When we exit the car, Knights surround Gabriel. A woman with short hair hands him some kind of drink with ice.

  “Gabriel, thank God,” says a chunky man.

  “I know you were a Marine, Deacon, but you have to bring some of us next time,” says someone else.

  Astrid walks up to Americus and grabs him in a tight hug. “Sir, we were worried sick about you.”

  He hesitantly hugs her back. “There’s no need to worry. You’d all be fine without me.”

  Astrid pulls back. “We’d be lost without you, sir.”

  A shirtless Brandon and other Loyalists chime in about how vital Americus is.

  Americus smiles. “I’m glad to be back also.”

  Nav eyes Brandon’s muscular chest.

  I squint at her. She likes him? Sure, he looks like someone’s in-game avatar, but can he be trusted?

  “Geez, Brandon. Put a shirt on. No one wants to see that,” says Alexander.

  It’s true.

  “Some people might,” he says with a mischievous smile as he looks at Nav.

  I can’t believe this creep. Alexander seems right about him.

  “Everyone, listen up,” says Americus.

  Conversations die down, and everyone turns their attention to Americus.

  “We successfully stole the Xyphotech data. Once we decrypt this, we’ll be able to prove their guilt.”

  Everyone cheers.

  He raises his hand. “There’s more. I’m sure you have all seen this robot,” he says, pointing to Sunny.

  My stomach drops. Is he going to try something? I slowly reach for my gun.

  “Fae has created a human-level AI,” he says.

  People gasp and go wide-eyed. Several Loyalists look at me with awe, but most of the Knights look horrified. Several of them put their hands on their guns.

  Oh hell no.

  “It’s an abomination,” shouts a female Knight with a birthmark on her cheek.

  “Gabriel, you can’t be okay with this,” says a thin Knight, clutching his cross.

  There’s no way I could take all of them. Maybe I could hack the lights to create confusion, then grab Sunny and run.

  Americus steps up, his face a mask of anger. “Silence, now!”

  Gabriel frowns at Americus but nods. “Knights, be calm. I know this is strange, but this AI has shown kindness, and he saved my life.”

  “But Deacon, it’s against God’s laws,” says a curly-haired Knight.

  “I can always count on you, Gregory. You’re a good man,” says Gabriel. “But I believe that God sent this AI so I can continue the fight against the beast.”

  Gregory’s eyes widen, but he nods. “Praise the Lord.”

  “Hallelujah,” say several of the Knights.

  Others seem less enthusiastic.

  I move my hand from my gun and release a long, shaky breath.

  “Loyalists,” says Americus. “I know that AI is extremely dangerous, but in this one case, I believe the risks to be contained. He’s under Fae’s control, and he’s not networked. He also saved my life.”

  Several of the Loyalists smile and nod to Sunny and me.

  “He’s now a part of this team,” says Americus. “He’ll be treated with all the same rights and privileges.”

  “Welcome to the team, Boss,” says Alexander.

  “Glad to have you aboard,” says Yumi.

  Weird Tom nods to Sunny.

  Astrid smiles at me. “Thank Navin your little friend was around. We need Americus if we’ll have any chance of figuring this mess out.”

  CHAPTER 13

  GREATER APPEAL

  Two days later, Nav, Sunny, and I sit on my bed, in the waning sunlight. Nav attempted to apologize to her father for standing up to him, but he waved her off, still clearly angry. Instead, he gave us a copy of the Xyphotech drive. He also sent one to his NIA contact, Gerald. Both days, Nav and I attempted to decrypt the drive with no success. The rest of the time, I hung out with Nav and Sunny or talked to Alexander while we trained. Despite his cockiness, he’s fun to talk to and knows tons about ancient and modern warfare.

  “So a decentralized government would eliminate corruption since there would be no politicians involved,” I say to Nav. “There would be a constitution, which would be programmed into the blockchain. It would have to be followed
, unlike how politicians don’t always follow the constitution now.”

  “What if people want to change a law or part of the constitution?” asks Nav.

  “It could be voted on. Laws would have a much lower threshold to pass than constitutional changes. They would need around seventy-five percent of votes.”

  “What if wealthy people manipulated votes through advertisements or other means?” asks Nav.

  “We’d have strict limits on advertisements and political spending and no way to buy people’s votes.” Another idea comes to me, and I nod excitedly, my curls bouncing. “Maybe laws can even be argued in court by constitutional lawyers. Then people would really understand what they’re voting for, and it would be hard to trick them.”

  Nav lights up. “That’s a great idea. How would the military work?”

  “I would put in the constitution that you can only defend, but if not, I suppose the top generals would recommend war, and then the people could enter their votes on the blockchain. Maybe the generals could even be elected. Why not?”

  Sunny nods, and a beam of sunlight reflects off his chrome head into my eyes. I blink and turn away.

  “Hmm,” says Nav. “I like it better than the current system, especially now that it’s gone to hell, but I still prefer voluntarism.”

  “I have plenty of time to convince you otherwise,” I say with a smirk.

  Nav grins at me and pulls out a bottle of wine. “In light of your brilliant ideas and our continued survival, I thought we should celebrate.

  It will be nice to have fun for once.

  “And thank you for saving us, Sunny,” says Nav.

  “I would never leave either of you to die.”

  “Good thinking with the power beaming upgrade,” I say.

  “When I saw how important it was, I didn’t want you to run out of power again.”

  I should have thought of it. The chaos must be getting to me. “This celebration should be for you too, Nav. You helped save Sunny.”

  “Yes, thank you, Naveha,” says Sunny.