Resonance: Cyber Overture, #3

By D. B. Goodin

Personal AIs are great… unless they are spying on you

 

Locked out of her bank accounts and kicked out of her apartment Alice doesn't think that her life could get any worse. Until it does.  A hacker bent on Alice's capture will stop at nothing before she is stopped. Soon men in suits are chasing her through the streets of New York who are several steps ahead. Miscreants from every corner of the city attempt to stop Alice's quest to liberate original music. 

 

The robots become invasive and assimilate further into human culture. As the new threats loom, Alice enlists the help of a skilled hacker and network defender to fend off new attacks. Can Alice stop the new wave of intruders? Will Alice overcome her technology problem? 

 

Find out in the latest episode of the Cyber Overture saga. Hook your copy of Resonance today!

 

If you like Snow Crash, Idoru, or Mr. Robot then you will love Resonance.

 

Author's Note: Readers should experience this volume of the Cyber Overture series in order. Please read Sonorous and Chromatic before enjoying Resonance. 

• Language: English
• Publisher: David Goodin Author
• Release date: Dec 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393885580

D. B. Goodin

D. B. Goodin has had a passion for writing since grade school. After publishing several non-fiction books, Mr. Goodin ventured into the craft of fiction to teach Cybersecurity concepts in a less intimidating fashion. Mr. Goodin works as a Principal Cybersecurity Analyst for a major software company based in Silicon Valley and holds a Masters in Digital Forensic Science from Champlain College.

Book preview

Preface

Thanks for sticking around for the third episode in the Cyber Overture series. As you may have noticed, I’m calling these short-form fiction books episodes now. This one is action packed and includes some more of my favorite locations in Manhattan such as Tribeca and Battery Park. Several years ago a friend took me to a club in the lower east side. We had an enjoyable steak dinner and got to see several live bands. I wanted to capture the essence of that feeling in this episode. There is nothing like watching your favorite band play live. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I did writing it. 

1

Alice looked out the window of the Manhattan-bound train as it departed from Newark Station. She was thankful for the window seat. It was midday.

With any luck, I should be at Penn Station in less than an hour, Alice thought.

Her phone chirped.

You have a call from an ‘M & D’—what a strange name, Doris, her AI personal assistant, said.

Sometimes I wonder why I upgraded my visor to Doris . . . but she has been helpful.

Alice’s visor was resting on her forehead. It wasn’t the latest model, but it got the job done. Technology wasn’t a priority for Alice, but she reasoned that she needed to at least keep up with it on a base level, anyway. She put on her heads-up display (HUD) and saw a photo of an older couple attached to the ‘M’ and ‘D’ contact info in the visor recent communications area. They looked happy. Alice’s heart beat rapidly as she examined the photo.

Do you wish to answer, madam? Doris said in a British-sounding voice.

Why is Doris’s voice changing so much? Alice wondered.

Yeah, put it through, she said.

Alice, honey, is that you? an older, annoyed-sounding woman’s voice asked.

Yes, Mother, it’s me.

What’s going on with you? You haven’t returned my calls in weeks. Don’t you want to talk with your mother?

That’s just like Mother, rubbing the salt in the wound for maximum pain!

Why are you calling now? Alice asked.

A man called me to collect on an overdue rent payment. By the time I called back, he said his men had already thrown you out of the apartment. Imagine, my daughter, thrown away like a common gutter rat! When you didn’t answer earlier, I called Lindsey.

Well, that’s what happens when you get fired. You can’t pay your rent.

Jonny fired you? You should have called me. I have your room—

No, Mother, Alice interrupted. I’m not living at home anymore.

I’m not suggesting that you stay here permanently.

Then what are you suggesting? I already have a new job, and I’m staying at Lindsey’s temporarily until I get a few paychecks.

It’s not right. Family needs to stick together.

Alice rolled her eyes. I knew I shouldn’t have accepted the call!

Stop it. You always do this, Alice said.

Well, I have no idea what you’re talking about, Alice’s mother said.

Ever since Dad . . . Alice trailed off.

I miss him too, dear. We should meet for brunch at St. Pierre’s this Sunday. I will make all of the arrangements. That is your favorite restaurant, if I’m not mistaken.

Alice didn’t say anything for a long time.

Okay, if we have brunch this Sunday, will you promise not to bring up the apartment, or me moving in with you again?

I know you want to live that exciting life in the city despite not being able to afford it. I will support your decision.

Thanks, Mother . . . I need to go now, Alice said as she ended the connection.

A sharp pain started from behind her left eye and seemed to work its way to the back of her head.

No—not the headaches again!

Alice held her head with one hand, gently massaging around her eye and then behind her head with the other.

Why are they coming back? It’s been years since I had one—must be the stress.

Alice tapped her visor and asked impatiently, Doris, can you get me the information for Watson Security Services again?

Certainly, but you could ask a little nicer next time.

Why is she being so sensitive?

Alice opened her mouth to say something, but Doris called Watson Security Services before she could.

Alice’s train arrived at Penn Station late. She had called Watson Security Services and made a 1:00 p.m. appointment while traveling. She looked at her watch; it was 12:38. Her train was more than thirty minutes late.

Aargh—I’m going to be late.

Watson Security Services was more than an eight-block trek through the streets of New York from Penn Station. Alice estimated it would take her twenty to thirty minutes to navigate the train station and city blocks to get there.

Might I suggest the 8th Avenue exit? Doris said as Alice deboarded the train.

She sounds way different this time—too formal. Has Doris undergone a personality change since I last checked?

Thanks, Doris, Alice said.

A few minutes later, Alice was leaving the station. She immediately noticed the pedestrian traffic at the corner of 34th Street and 8th Avenue was busier than normal; however, there weren’t any cars blocking the crosswalk like there usually were. She stepped onto the crosswalk, determined to make the light. A loud buzzing sound from