“I’ll do it again if need be.” She pours two mugs of the red liquid and hands me one. “No wine glasses, so mugs will have to do. I brought you one Sunny so you could toast with us.”
I look into the mug at the dark liquid and sniff its fruity aroma. “I’ve never had wine.”
“Live in the moment. Here’s to Sunny,” she says and raises her mug.
I shrug, and we all toast.
“Here’s to you Nav for helping Sunny and for helping me when I needed it most,” I say, meeting her kind, brown eyes.
Nav raises her glass. “And to you Fae. My brilliant friend who brought me back from the edge and gave me purpose again.”
I take another sip of the tart liquid, already feeling a tingly relaxation settle over me. “It’s tough to live under constant threat of danger. Doesn’t it bother you?”
“It does, of course, but this is too important,” says Nav. “If we don’t help, many people will suffer. We can prevent that.”
She’s right. And now that I’ve committed myself to making things up to her, I’ll have to forget about the risks.
“I can understand that,” says Sunny. “I don’t want to die either, but I do this for Fae. She’s more important to me than anything.”
“How about Alexander, though. He took charge for you, Sunny,” says Nav.
Sunny puts down his mug. “I’ve already thanked him.”
I squint at him. “When did you do that?”
“Last night, while you were asleep. He told me about his Olympic training and his late father. Alexander is impressive for a person.”
I nod absently as I remember Alexander’s appeal to save sunny. It brings a smile to my lips. He sure was impressive.
Sunny taps my hand. “You really seemed to admire him when you were staring at him in the car.”
My face flushes, and I take a deep swallow of wine to hide it.
Nav nudges me. “Somebody’s got a crush.”
“No,” I say more forcefully than I mean to. “I just appreciate what he did.” But I can’t forget the thrill I felt at his nearness when he caught me at the range.
“How about his shooting? Wow,” says Nav.
“Maybe we know a future gold medalist,” I say. “I guess I’ll have to return the favor at some point.”
Nav nudges me again. “A favor? Ooooo.”
I roll my eyes. “I’ve been meaning to ask you,” I say to change the subject. “Where did Americus get all the money for this warehouse and the military SUVs? It seems like it would be expensive.”
“Alexander, actually. His dad passed him down a lot of money. I heard he made most of it with huge endorsement deals.”
My eyebrow rises. “Alexander must really care about the cause.”
“Yes, that, and he said it was no big deal because he’d earn it all back after winning his first gold.”
I laugh. “Very fitting.”
Nav adjusts her green and white headband and fluffs her hair. Her jasmine scent drifts by me.
“Hey,” I say, “I’m sorry that you had to confront your dad.”
Nav frowns and looks out the window. She doesn’t speak for a long time. “It was hard to do, and I know it hurt him, but Sunny needed me.”
I reach over and squeeze her hand. I’m already lightheaded from the wine and generally happy, so I decide to change the subject. “Remember that Battle Royal Championship where I needed someone to sacrifice themselves in a bomb attack?”
“That was genius. There was no way we were going to win otherwise.” She pushes me in her enthusiasm.
I fall back and giggle at the unexpected push. Somehow, I keep my wine from spilling.
“Sorry.” She helps me back up.
“But remember what you did?” I ask.
She raises her mug. “I carried out your clever plan.”
I raise my mug to her and drink again. “You sacrificed yourself so we could win, even though you wouldn’t get any of the experience or rewards.”
Nav licks some wine off her lips and shrugs. “It was more important for me to see you guys win.”
“I admire how much you care about people. How much you care about me.”
She meets my eyes. “You mean a lot to me, Fae. I truly feel that we were meant to connect.”
Warmth spreads through me. Is this what life could be like? I’ve spent so much time worrying and waiting for things to get better, but at this moment, I feel relaxed, happy, and loved.
☼☼☼
The next morning, I head down to the main hall. Weird Tom plays poker with a few other Loyalists. A group of Knights sit in a circle and pray. A shirtless Brandon stands behind Nav, who sits in a chair. Hair clippings lie around them.
I enter the kitchen, grab two rolls, and coat them with hummus before devouring them.
“Hey, Fae.”
I flinch and turn. Astrid. “Hi…”
“All that lifting has been paying off. Check out those pipes,” she says, indicating my biceps. “If you’d like to kick it up a notch, I’d be happy to introduce you to powerlifting. That’s the way to go if you seriously want to bulk up.”
I give her a sweet smile. That’s nice of her.
“Unless you think this is going to intimidate you.” She flexes her bicep.
My eyes widen. Yep. Intimidated. “Impressive. I’d love some pointers.”
She smiles and walks off toward Yumi.
“Hello, child,” a deep voice says from behind me.
Gabriel. I reluctantly turn around and look up at the huge man.
“I wanted to tell you personally that I’ve accepted Sunny into my heart. Alexander made an excellent point. Do onto others as they do onto you. I truly believe Sunny was sent to us by God.”
At least that’s one issue resolved, assuming I can trust him. Now, I just have to fight in a revolution and not get killed while keeping Nav alive.
He rests his hand on my shoulder. Instinct tells me to get away. Instead, I lean into the touch, surprised by his gentleness.
“Something is troubling you. Give yourself over to God, and your suffering will vanish.”
I wish it were that easy. I’ve never been religious, but maybe it could help.
“Think about it. I’m around if you’d like to get anything off your chest.” After a pause, he adds, “Or if you prefer, you could try this method. He offers me his half-full glass of an amber liquid that smells like paint thinner.
I squint at it suspiciously.
“It’s the best scotch there is.”
I glance at the clock hanging in the kitchen. “It’s barely past noon.”
He smiles, his rough face transforming. “Exactly, it’s after noon.”
I hold up a hand and shake my head. “No thanks.”
He shrugs, then strolls away.
The liquor’s strong odor forces a dark memory to the forefront of my mind. I’m in my first hell, the Archfiend looming in front of me. His massive fist crashes into my face. I drop to the ground, my legs weak, my will gone.
Someone lies next to me, unmoving, her face blurred in my memory. I cry uncontrollably. The Archfiend demands that I stop, but I can’t. He slams me down with a clawed fist, then pours noxious liquid down my throat. I gag and swallow big gulps of the stuff. I gasp for air until oblivion takes me.
I force my mind back to the present to see Astrid and Yumi sitting on a chair in the corner of the room. Yumi pokes her and Astrid giggles. They gaze into each other’s eyes and then lean in for a slow kiss.
Awww. That’s awesome for them. I can’t help but be a little jealous, though.
I walk down the hall and peek inside Alexander’s room to see him standing at a desk and cleaning a disassembled rifle. The smell of gun oil envelops me immediately. Next to the rifle, lies his father’s gold medal, four toasted rolls, and a handful of butter packets.
That’s where all those rolls go. I guess he doesn’t want to eat the meal that Brandon made. “Hungry?” I ask.
&nb
sp; He twists around with a grin. “Hey, Sprite. You know I’m Italian. I’m used to heaping plates of pasta and unlimited garlic bread. I’m going to waste away here.”
“Looks like it’s already happening,” I say. “You’re so thin.”
“How about you?”
I shrug. It’s true.
“I’m not thin anyway, I’m lithe.” He grabs the bottom of his shirt and pulls it over his six-pack abs.
“Whoa, whoa. I believe you,” I say, putting my hands up. Diablo, I guess I was underestimating him. Of course, I can’t tell him that. That would go right to his head. “So…are you nervous?”
“About what?”
“Everything. Our attempt to expose Xyphotech, other missions we might have to go on, the battle to save America.”
“Having second thoughts?” he asks.
I shake my head. “No…I’m committed. Just cautious.”
“As long as I’m around, there are no risks. A real boss protects his friends.”
“Yite,” I say under my breath.
“What was that?”
“Nothing.” But I do doubt him. He couldn’t protect me at Xyphotech. If it weren’t for Sunny, we’d all be dead. “Thank you for what you did for Sunny. It means a lot to me.”
“It seemed like the right thing to do. I always stand up to injustice.” His intense eyes meet mine. “I’m glad you’re staying. Your skills are unlike anything I’ve seen.”
I smile at the praise.
The scar on his cheek draws my attention again. I wonder where he got that. It must be something tragic because I know he’d tell me if it was good. I think of my own scar. Hopefully, it’s not something like that.
“I am still worried, though,” I say.
“You’re a legendary hacker. Combined with my shooting skills and brilliant tactics, we can take back America and be heroes.”
Fae Luna, the Legendary Hacker. I imagine the praise I’d get. People would love me…finally. Then I’d be free to game and finish my foster care program, assuming I don’t die. I look up and examine Alexander. There’s something about him. Sure, he’s brash, but I certainly admire his confidence and sense of morality.
CHAPTER 14
∶ NO GMO’S FOR US ∶
I drop down into a pushup, then launch up to my feet and into the air. “Twenty,” I say between breaths.
“Well done,” says Astrid. “Just continue to use your full range of motion, and you’ll make progress faster.”
I pull at my sweat-soaked tank top, feeling uncomfortable. “Thanks for the tips,” I say with a smile. I’ve never had so many people in my life trying to help me. It’s strange.
Astrid pushes at Alexander’s shoulder. “Alexander might be the best shot, but he’s got nothing on me in the lifting department.”
Alexander feigns a hurt look. “Might be the best shot?”
Astrid shakes her head. “Fine. You’re the best shot. But you need to be more serious.”
“When this is over, I’ll be a serious Olympian with ten golds to my name, but you’ll have to accept me for now.”
She shakes her head and grabs a barbell filled with weights, then explodes upwards, lifting the bar over her head in a series of reps.
Yumi walks over to watch.
Alexander raises his eyebrows at her. “Is that what you’re going to do to me if I don’t get serious?”
Yumi giggles.
Astrid shoves him with a slight smile. “You always bounce back, Alexander.”
“You’ve noticed how resilient I am.”
“Yite,” I say with a smirk.
“You keep saying that. What does it mean?” he asks.
I shrug. “Nothing.”
“Fae, you should eat dinner with Yumi and me tonight. Us girls need to stick together,” says Astrid. “Tell Naveha to come too.”
A twinge of nervousness hits me. I’ve never socialized with a group. But it could be nice. “Sure.”
“Enough chit chat. Let’s get back to our workout,” says Alexander. “Run ten more laps.”
I sigh, but knowing how important running is, I set off. My arms pump as I sprint down the shooting range to the target at the back. Then I dart back to the end of the room, my hair bouncing with each stride.
When I first started training, I slowed way down after just three sprints. Now, even after the rest of my workout, my legs propel me forward just as fast on the tenth lap.
“You’re much faster than when we started,” says Alexander.
Astrid lowers her barbell from another set. “You’re the fastest sprinter I’ve seen.”
“And somehow you do it with those short legs,” says Alexander, with a wink. “You should come to the food distribution center with Astrid, Americus, and me.”
I squint at him.
“It will be perfectly safe,” he says as if reading my mind. “Especially since I’m going to be there.”
I’m not as sure, but it would be nice to participate in a normal activity.
After a while, Alexander and Astrid leave to shower while I lift some more. Gabriel joins me for a few sets and gives me pointers on my form. It’s always crazy to see him lift his massive weights, and tips are always appreciated.
When I’m done, I shower, then stop in the main hall to find Americus in the kitchen buttering a roll. Nav stands next to him.
“Do you think we could spend some time together now that things have calmed down a bit?” Nav asks Americus. “I miss you.”
Americus looks uncomfortable. “There will be time for that. There’s still too much to do.”
Nav lowers her head. “Are you still mad?”
“It’s fine, Naveha. Things are just too busy now. I need you to pick up some q-links from my supplier anyway. Go with Asher and meet at these coordinates,” he says as he sends them to her.
She turns to leave and bumps into me. “Sorry, Fae.”
A gigantic handgun is holstered at her hip. I glance at the monstrosity.
She shrugs. “It’s a sixty-five caliber designed for enhanced people. Alexander gave it to me.”
Impressive. That could come in handy.
“I’m off. I’ll see you soon, Fae.” She grabs me in a tight hug, my face sandwiched between her boobs, then leaves.
“Alexander told me you were coming on the food run,” says Americus.
“Is that okay? It’s not going to be dangerous, is it?”
“It shouldn’t be,” he says. “Shortly after our Xyphotech rescue, the government took over all supermarkets and rebranded them as distribution centers. The loss of the free market disgusts me, but they’ll be guarded now. We’ll also use face-shift programs to hide our identities, and we’ll be armed.”
Not long after, Americus drives us to the distribution center. Alexander sits shotgun with his forty-four magnum on his lap. Astrid sits next to me, her face altered so that she looks like someone’s grandma.
Maybe not the best choice with those shoulders…
“Once we take back the republic, I’m getting back to marketing my own line of lab-grown protein with supplements,” Astrid says to me. “It’s called Humane Health. You know, because no animals are harmed.”
That’s good of her.
“I hate that I had to put it off. I sold five hundred units the month before this went down. The stuff sure pumps you up. I’ll be even more excited now, though. Yumi and I plan to rent a place together.”
“Congratulations,” I say, happy for her.
“It’s going to be great. So, I didn’t know you could do so many things with programming. Tell me more about your foster care blockchain.”
I tell her the details as we drive on. Alexander and Americus discuss Navin Briggs’ famous battle, the pentagon gambit, with animated expressions and reverent tones. There are no rioters during the day like there are at night, but things are far from normal. Most stores are boarded up and many of them are graffitied. The few people on the streets walk quickly, their eyes darting a
round.
We arrive and park. Astrid jumps out of the car and offers her hand to help me down.
“Let’s get a lot Americus. You know I can eat,” says Alexander. “What are your favorite foods, guys?”
“Rice, beans, and plantains,” I say, still remembering how good my mom would make them when I was a kid.
“Pasta for me. I’m tired of soup,” says Alexander.
“Protein,” says Astrid. “I don’t want to lose muscle mass. When this is over, I’m going right back to powerlifting competitions.”
Americus takes out a bunch of bags from the SUV. “Only buy organic. I don’t want any of that Nutrihealth GMO garbage. Get well-balanced foods for nutrition. Dried and canned foods, so they last. We don’t know how long the supply disruptions will be or if they’ll get worse.”
“Boring,” says Alexander.
“Alexander,” Astrid scolds.
“It may be boring, but it’s necessary,” says Americus. “Oh, and thanks for the capital, Alexander.”
He grins. “Just a small part of my eventual fortune.”
I eye the two military guards with automatic rifles outside of the distribution center. Even though Americus told me it would be guarded, my stomach sinks. Maybe I can wait in the car. I look back toward it.
“Fae?” asks Americus.
“Come on,” says Alexander. “If anything goes wrong, you have me.”
“Yite,” I mumble.
“What was that?” he asks.
“Nothing. Let’s go.”
We enter the small market. Rows of shelves hold bulk foods. People mill about the aisles, and an automated checkout station sits next to the door.
Americus and Alexander split off and chat as they select food. Astrid motions to me, and we grab our own cart. We walk the aisles, filling the cart with various types of food.
I pass by some coconut oil and smile as I think of Nav. I grab it for her. Astrid hefts another large bag of rice and places it into our almost full cart. We see the others near the entrance and walk over.
There’s quick movement in the corner of my eye.
I jerk my gaze toward the door. Four men wearing black masks and mismatched gear storm into the building.
One of the gangs?
The Astral Hacker (Cryptopunk Revolution Book 1) Page 21