Sato, Shina, Kam and Oto

Sato, Shina, Kam and Oto

October 28th 2006

Karen looked at the two identical young women with misty eyes.

“I am so proud of both of you.” She said, the tears finally leaking out the corner of her eyes.

“Oh Aunt Karen, don't you dare start crying or we are never going to get on that bus.” One of them said, cracking a lopsided grin.

Karen said nothing and grabbed both girls in a bear hug as they all cried despite themselves.

“Sorry ladies.” Said the bus driver. “We gotta get going.”

“Ok,” Karen said, releasing the young women. “You have everything?”

“Yes Aunt Karen.” The girl who hadn't spoken yet rolled her eyes.

“You have your account cards and your ID's?” She asked.

“Yes Aunt Karen.” The twins said together.

“I'm sorry, just the past five years have been the best of my life.” Karen sniffled. “I feel like I am losing the last bit of your dad I have left.”

“You will never lose us Aunt Karen.” One of the girls said. “You have been the best and daddy's pension will take care us for a bit.”

The bus driver looked over at them frowning again. Karen wiped her eyes and shooed the girls toward the bus door. The driver closed the door and the bus took off, leaving Karen standing there.

She took a deep breath.

“What do I do now?” She whispered.

She turned and got into her car, a silver 1999 Saab 9-5 Turbo and put her hands on the wheel. For the first time since she went to college herself, Karen Pollack was free to do whatever she wanted. On impulse she drove to the Starbucks across the street and pulled into the drive through.

“What can I get you ma'am?” Asked the barista through the speaker.

“A venti iced mocha with extra syrup.” She replied on instinct.

That had been the go-to drink from her executive days.

“That will be four dollars and eighty five cents.” The barista said.

“What now?” Karen asked astonished. “Last time I ordered on it was almost a dollar less!”

The barista sighed. Clearly she had been getting this a lot recently.

“I don't set the prices lady.” The barista said.

Karen seethed internally but pulled out a five dollar bill. She just hoped the barista wouldn't spit in her coffee. She got her drink and pulled into the parking lot of the Raley's grocery store.

She sat there, thinking about how money was going to be the death of ever person in the world. She mused that greed and profits had replaced the desire to see humanity succeed as a whole. She sighed. There was nothing she could do about it.

“Hell.” She said as the metaphorical light bulb switched on. “I go the time now.”

She set her drink in her cup holder and drove to Sacramento City College, parking across campus and headed to the registrars office. After filling out the requisite forms, she was a student again.

She sat on the steps in front of the school , sucking down the last dregs of her drink as she again thought deep thoughts. She had no more responsibilities, a willingness to learn and the financial means to not have to work for the rest of her life.

“The world is my oyster.” She whispered as she took a sip.

She gagged. There had been some spit in the bottom of her cup.

“Goddamn it!” She shouted and threw the cup to the ground

August 18th 2008

Everything was going as planned.

The man who called himself Sato leaned back in his chair. He yawned and stretched. His computer was running the final calculations and the block seemed to be stable. He typed a short update to his network, letting the other three members know privately that the final diagnostics should be done in the next hour.

Gregorio Allsworth was an ex-NSA cryptographer and one of the more unpredictable geniuses to come out of that organization. He had been released from the NSA three years earlier, ostensibly because of his age. He knew it was because of his criticism of the central banks, politicians and his superiors.

“Guess who is laughing now.” He whispered with a grin.

Allsworth knew the NSA kept tabs on him, but his triple-layer protection of VPN's, firewalls and his own personal security software kept him relatively safe. He even checked his house regularly for bugs, taps and other physical intrusions. As far as the NSA knew, Greg was enjoying his retirement playing World of Warcraft.

They had no idea he could be the greatest threat to national security since 9/11. Allsworth chuckled to himself. He had never thrown his whole genius behind the NSA, keeping his true intelligence a secret.

The beep from his computer alerted him to the end of the diagnostic. He scrolled through the entire code, double checking as many lines as he could until his eyes blurred. He blinked and realized what time it was. He yawned. The rest of the checking could be done by his compatriots overnight and then he would double check the results in the morning.

He sent them the block chain code through their encoded email and lay down to sleep on the floor in front of his computer.

He woke about seven hours later to a half dozen emails from his team. Oto suggested they wait to release the open source version until they had mined the network for themselves first, even though he had already purchased the domain name. Kam wanted to declare a manifesto immediately.

“This will change the world.” Shina wrote.

“Idealistic little minx isn't she.” Sato said as he licked his lips.

He got to typing and after a flurry of emails across continents, they had their plan. They would release the manifesto to a cryptography mailing list they all subscribed to in October. Kam would write it as if she were living in the UK, where she had gone to school. Allsworth had doubts about the lesbian's ability to get the job done, but he would let her have her fun.

Sato grinned. This was how he would get back into the NSA, a work of complete genius that nobody could have foreseen. A digital currency completely independent of nations, banks or the rich and powerful. It was also discreet. So discreet it could not be traced. Perfect for funding certain black ops the NSA had been chomping at the bit to execute.

Sato sighed again. He had agreed to delaying the publishing of the software until 2009, but it was hard to not want to just put it up immediately. Oto really was wise for a twenty three year old kid. They would let the manifesto do it's work, building hype for them and their creation.

“I will get back in, whatever it takes.” Sato said grimly.

October 31st 2008

Kameron Voss looked at the paper she had just finished. The last two weeks had been more than draining for her. She had to make the paper interesting to the devoted cryptographers that would be the foundation of the movement as well as making it accessible enough to the average world citizen.

She rubbed her eyes and scanned the paper again, looking for grammar or logic errors. She had fought with the others to get her rhetoric in and had only succeeded in a few. Kam saw this whole Bitcoin thing as a way for her to fund her fight for queer rights. It might take years, but she was going to fund a movement of freedom and love if it killed her.

She sent the final draft off to the others via email. She stood and went to take a shower. The others would get back to her in their own time, but since they were all in the US, she shouldn't expect them to get back to her as quickly as she wanted.

As she stepped out of the shower, toweling off her hair, her phone buzzed and rang. She picked it up and smiled. Trina had started as a random hookup, but had quickly evolved into something so much more.

“I think I am in lesbians with you.” Trina had whispered into Kam's ear after their third hookup.

That had made both of them shriek with laughter.

“Hey gorgeous!” Kam said with a smile into the phone.

“Hey Kammy.” Trina said. “You up for Hilda's? It's Halloween!”

Kam looked at the time on her phone.

“Yeah, I can be persuaded.” Kam said coyly.

“Great, see you there in an hour?” Trina asked.

“You know it.” Kam said and hung up.

She never said goodbye to Trina. It brought up bad memories to do it. At first Trina was pissed, but eventually she came around. Kam knew it still rankled, but she couldn't help it.

When she was done getting dressed in her black dress and cat tail, she looked at herself in the mirror. She was a little overweight because of all the coding and writing she had been doing the last few years and grabbed at her tummy through her dress. Hell, she was sexy as anybody that would be at Hilda's. She put on a headband with cat ears and her costume was complete.

She put in her skull earrings and brushed back her cotton candy colored hair. She was not nervous because of going to Hilda's, but of what she knew that Trina was going to do. One of their mutual friends had spilled the beans the week before and it caused a fluttering in her stomach.

“I guess both of us have secrets.” She said.

She grinned at herself in the mirror.

“You are a bad ass bitch.” She said to her reflection and for the first time in her life, she believed it.

When the cab dropped her off in front of the club, she had talked herself into a near hysteria. Her insecurities and fears had grabbed a hold of her heart and squeezed them. She checked her make-up in her pocket mirror and after she saw that there was no running or smearing put it back into her purse.

She walked into the club with far more confidence than she felt. As always with Hilda's, the doorman checked her ID and let her inside. She was hit first by the noise. It was a club, so the pounding club music hit her like a physical force. The next was the erotic scene of about three dozen women dancing all over the floor with only a few men in sight.

She saw Trina over in the corner beckon to her from a table with some other women at it that Kam could not really see. As she made her way over, Kam could not help but reflect on her life before she had met Trina here only a short two years ago. It had been the happiest two years of her life, especially after she left home.

“Damn butterflies.” She whispered to herself as she bit her upper lip.

“Hey babe!” Trina said with exuberance and rushed up to her.

Kam gathered her girlfriend up in a big hug. Trina had no idea how much she needed this. To remind herself of all that she was working and fighting for. When they finally pulled apart, she saw her friends Haley, Katelyn and Karen all there.

“Hey girls.” She said, bewildered slightly. “What's up?'

Just then the music stopped and the lights came up. Trina looked shocked and confused and turned to the DJ to see what was going on. Kam turned to the DJ as well, starting to feel more confused by the minute.

“Ladies and the few gentlemen in attendance we have a bit of technical difficulties due to a pending announcement.” The DJ said over the loudspeaker.

Kam turned back to her friends. They each held up signs. Haley's said Marry. Katelyn's said Me. Karen's said Kam. Kam turned to Trina, who was down on one knee and holding a small box with a shiny ring in it. Her brows were furrowed and there was a look of concern on her face.

“Will you?” Trina whispered breathlessly.

It was dead silent.

“Say yes bitch!” Came a shout form the dance floor. “I ain't got all night to dance!”

Kam laughed and nodded her head for yes as tears ran down her face. Trina's beautiful face melted into a giant smile and she slipped the ring on Kam's outstretched finger. Kam helped Trina up and she kissed her newly minted fiance. The clapping was deafening in the club and nobody cared that Kam's make-up was running. More importantly, nobody cared that it was a queer proposal.

Kam had never felt so happy in her life.

The women danced the night away, safe in the walls of the club. Kam and Trina were treated to body shots by Hilda herself, a grand old queen as regal as any royalty. It was late when the five women stumbled out of the club. Karen called a cab.

As they waited it grew chilly and the five women huddled together for warmth.

“Hey there Sheilas.” Came a drawling voice from the dark.

Kam stiffened as the shapes of three men materialized form the darkness. Jim, the bouncer was up and off his seat the second he saw what was going on. The men were clearly drunk, but not as drunk as Trina.

“Wazzup bra.” She grumbled, flashing rock on with her fingers.

“Just wanted to take you ladies someplace nice for the night.” The tallest man said. “Free of charge of course.”

“We have a cab coming.” Katelyn said. “No need.”

“Now don't be like that!” The shortest one said. “We just wanna show you all a good time, right mates?”

The other two men nodded hungrily.

“These ladies are heading home guys, why don't you try the Irish pub up the street.” Jim said cordially.

“I think we found our after party fun, didn't we guys?” Said the shortest one again.

They all smiled stupidly. Kam was hyperventilating and now completely sober.

“Look studs, I don't think you get it.” Slurred Trina, poking the one who hadn't spoken yet in the chest. “We ain't interested.”

“Well we are.” The middle sized one said softly.

Kam felt the adrenaline surging. There was danger, even if Trina didn't see it yet. Fortunately Jim did.

“No really, guys, move along. These women aren't interested.” Jim said.

“I think they are. I like the one with pink hair.” The short one said.

Kam started shaking and Haley grabbed her to steady her.

“See, sweeping her up off her feet already.” The short one said with a feral grin.

“They are into other women.” Jim said, rolling his eyes.

The men stood there, not comprehending.

“This is an LGBTQ bar guys, you are barking up the wrong tree.” Jim said, reaching for his pepper spray.

“You mean they are lesbians?” The tall one said. “I thought they was all butch!”

Trina narrowed her eyes. Kam grabbed her arm with a fierce grip, recovering her strength in an instant.

“Don't.” Was all Kam had to say.

Trina backed down and the drunken men moved on. Grumbling to themselves all the way until they wee out of earshot. All of the women breathed a sigh of relief as the cab pulled up. The other three women were dropped off first. When it came to Kam's house, she took Trina by the hand.

“Forget the last stop.” Trina said to the cabby as she handed him a nice tip.

They pulled open the door awkwardly and went straight to the bed room.

“Not yet.” Trina said between kisses. “You need to cry.”

They laid down on the bed and Kam cried with her fiance holding her. Before she knew it, morning had come and she smelled breakfast cooking in her kitchen.

She went to her email and saw that Oto had already posted the white page she had written to the cryptography mail list. It was the ninth email he had sent.

“Couldn't reach you.” He wrote. “Hope it's ok I posted it as a combination of our screen names. Satoshi Nakamoto.”

“Yeah it's ok.” Kam whispered. “I am going to need a nest egg.”

Kam smiled. Despite the trauma of the previous night, she was happy, and for her, nothing was going to change that.

January 3rd 2009

Oto was alive with anticipation. It had been years in the making, but he and his co-coders were ready. The code worked. The paper was out there. All that was needed was to post the program up as open source and begin mining the block chain.

Oto wasn't kidding himself. He was doing it for the money. It was nice to change the way that currency was made and used, but in the end he just wanted a comfortable life. The free time to play his games, learn more of what he wanted and shove it all in his older brother's face.

Veyron Linton was an investment banker from their mother's first marriage. Aaron Walker was from her second, and Oto knew Veyron resented him for it. Aaron was proof he was never going to be good enough, no matter how much more successful the elder brother was.

Aaron just despised his older brother most days. They had their good ones too, but not very many. Aaron opened up the file containing the Bitcoin program and checked it for the thousandth time. It was ready to go. Oto was the one holding things up.

He took a deep breath and posted it.

“The world changes on it's axis with just a nudge.” He whispered.

He included an embedded message in the code earlier, posting after the publication of the London Times. Because he used a VPN, or virtual private network, people would assume he was a Japanese man living in the UK, especially thanks to the pseudonym of Satoshi Nakamoto. He smiled at that. Nobody would guess who Nakamoto was.

Aaron had been writing several different people as Nakamoto. Hal Finney was his biggest supporter and Aaron fully expected that he would download the software momentarily. He was on top of the world as it was changing and he loved it.

Aaron knew there were risks. He was the most public of his coders, with Kam and Sato doing most of the actual coding and Shina and Oto coming up with the fine tuning. If there was any trouble it would likely find Aaron first because of his outside contacts.

“No pain, no gain.” He said to himself.

He saw he had an email from Shina. He smiled. His conversations with Shina had gotten a little more personal of late. They had a lot in common and he could tell by her references that she was on the West Coast, probably even California. He had grown very close with all of his compatriots in the Bitcoin project. He found he was unable to connect to people outside of it. It was such a big secret that consumed his life that others just didn't understand.

He still went out with friends, went on blind dates and talked to women online. It just wasn't the same as before Bitcoin.

The was just one line with no subject. Her phone number. Aaron's heart skipped several beats. They avoided giving out too much personal information. It was protection for the rest of the group if someone nefarious or governmental got involved with the project. Even though he was sure it was a burner phone, he was hesitant to call her.

“What if she doesn't like me?” He asked himself.

He found himself unable to answer, but he grabbed his voice changer anyway. Then he thought she might be in trouble. He grabbed his disposable cell, linked to his neighbor's identity and dialed.

“Hello Oto.” Came the vaguely feminine voice on the other end.

“Shina?” Aaron asked.

“It sure isn't Santa Claus.” She said with a laugh. “You are really using a Darth Vader voice changer?”

“Yeah, best voice to be on the planet!” He said with a chuckle. “So what's up? Is this an emergency?”

“Our portion of doing Bitcoin is over.” Shina said simply.

“Yeah, but Sato and Kam will still need us.” Aaron said.

“You know they won't Oto.” Shina said. “I think we need to withdraw our portion soon and disappear.”

“Why, you seen anything dangerous?” Aaron asked, alarmed.

“Nothing from the outside.” Shina admitted. “Just that Sato is getting more reclusive and Kam more radical.”

“It's a good thing we are decentralizing this thing.” Aaron said. “They won't have control once we give the key to Gavin.”

“I know, just a bad feeling.” Shina said.

“Well, what do you want to do?” Aaron asked.

Shina was silent for a moment too long and Aaron was afraid that she had hung up.

“We could meet.” She said.

Aaron's heart jumped into his throat. He wanted nothing more than to meet Shina, but was he worthy? Would they even like each other? Did she feel the same? And there was the security of the project to consider.

“I don't even know where you are.” He stammered.

“I know where you are. We happen to be in the same city.”

“How did you find out?” He breathed.

“Not hard. I searched your screen name and found Oto's market in Sacramento. From your slang usage and online times I was pretty sure you were in California anyway.” She said.

“Wait, you have been in Sacramento this whole time?” He asked.

“And you just confirmed all my theories.” She laughed. “Let's just hope when you grow up you aren't a secret agent.”

Aaron laughed nervously. All of his dreams were about to come true, including the woman he was crushing on. It was all a little fortuitous.

“Where should we meet?” He asked.

“Do you know the Korean and Mexican fusion place on Alhambra? Tako?” She asked.

“I know it.” He said.

“Meet me there in an hour. You dress in a blue shirt and have one pocket hanging out. I will be in a red dress.” She said.

“Is this a date?” He blurted out.

Shina laughed.

“Of course.” And she hung up.

Aaron scrambled to get himself ready. He pulled on a blue shirt with a picture of Yoda on it and gobbed on some deodorant. He used a comb to tease his wild hair into some semblance of style. He said goodbye to his roommates and grabbed his bike outside.

He saw his other neighbor just pulling up in her silver car.

He waved. She waved back.

“Going out?” She asked.

“Yeah, hot date.” He shouted.

“Good luck!” She laughed and went inside, not really looking at him.

It took about half an hour for him to ride his bike to Tako. There was nobody in a red dress there, so he placed his order and waited. To pass the time, he spaced out and imagined what Shina would look like. He still had the adolescent dream of a buxom woman with legs for days.

“God, I am a pervert even in my thoughts.” He whispered and his face turned red.

When his food arrived, he began to grow concerned. He took his food to the outside seating and sat down where he would be obvious to anyone looking for him. He began to have thoughts that this all might have been a set up. He watched each new arrival to the restaurant cautiously. He munched on his burrito, but found he no longer had an appetite.

Then he saw a red car pull up and a woman in a red dress got out. She was an Asian woman in her thirties, maybe Korean. Could this be Shina? His pulse quickened and she blew past him and into the restaurant.

The tap to his shoulder startled him.

“Aaron?” Asked his neighbor.

“Ms. Pollack?” Aaron asked.

She was wearing a red dress.

“No goddamn way!” She exclaimed.

They both laughed hysterically.

“What are the odds that we were neighbors!” Karen said as she sat down.

“Like a trillion to one.” Aaron said.

“Sorry I am late, had to make myself look good, although I suppose I just am not attractive to you at all. I didn't know you were this young.” She seemed downcast.

“No, just surprised is all.” He stammered. “You look like a real MILF.”

“Yeah, not really a mom.” She said with a small grin.

“No I mean it. You look amazing.” Aaron said with a smile.

She did look amazing. She had curves in all the right places and the dress hugged them all just right. Her eyes were sparkling blue and her brown hair cascaded down her shoulders.

She smiled at him, genuinely happy to hear the compliment.

“What do we do now?” She asked. “ I have not been on a real date in years.”

“Well, typically we introduce ourselves.” He said with a kooky grin. “I am Aaron Walker.

“Karen Pollack.” She laughed and the sound was wind chimes.

They talked about their interests, the things they had in common despite the age gap. The both loved Hawaiian pizza. They both adored Star Wars. She was a dog person and he preferred cats. They talked in low tones about their work and their concerns about getting caught.

“We can still make it work even though you love cats.” She laughed and touched his leg.

The touch was electric, jolting from her hand to his spine and brain. He saw she felt it too. It took his breath away.

“You want to get out of here?” She breathed.

“Oh hell yes, but you haven't ordered.” He said.

“Not hungry for food.” She said, a fire in her eyes.

Without a word he gathered up his bike, left his food to be cleaned up by the staff and brought it over to her car.

“Not gonna fit.” He said disappointed.

“Bike to my house.” She said and kissed him on the cheek. “I will be waiting.”

She got in her car and drove off. Aaron never biked faster in his life and he made it back to his street in record time. He locked his bike up and went up to Karen's door. He was suddenly very nervous. She was beautiful and almost certainly experienced. He was neither. His hand hovered over the doorbell.

“Screw it.” He said

He rang the door bell.

“Come in.” Came the voice from inside. “Follow my voice.”

Aaron swallowed and opened the door, careful to close it behind him.

“In the bedroom.” She called out.

He followed her voice to what must have been the closed bedroom door. He breathed deep and opened it.

“Oh wow.” he breathed and closed the door behind him.

March 27th 2010

Karen walked into the Mel's Drive-In on Lombard with her head held high and a grin on her face. Aaron walked in a few minutes later and sat down next to her. Kam and Sato arrived a few minutes later almost simultaneously and sat down next to each other but across from Aaron and Karen.

“So this is everyone in the flesh.” Kam said simply.

“I guess so.” Aaron said.

They all looked each other over and sized them all up. Sato pulled out 4 envelopes and placed them on the table.

“I gave Gavin the key this morning and deleted my copy. He should change it later tonight” Kam said.

“Good.” Karen replied.

“Are we really doing this?” Kam asked. “I mean we made the damn thing, shouldn't we guide it into the future and reap the benefits?”

Sato snorted.

“Trust me, I used to work for the NSA. You don't want to get caught up in this. They will take you out or conscript you just to get you all off the street or working for the bad guys.” Sato said.

“I heard what happened to you.” Karen said. “You got railroaded for no reason. Publicly.”

“Do we all know who we all are?” Asked Aaron.

All of Satoshi Nakamoto nodded.

“Well that's a relief, I thought it was just me.” Sato said with a grin.

They all laughed and ordered a basket of fries.

“Those the keys?” Asked Karen, gesturing to the envelopes. As she stuffed some fries in her mouth.

Sato nodded.

“They are all linked to untraceable bank accounts in the Cayman Islands.” Aaron said. “All you do is go to the website, enter in the key and your share of the Bitcoin will be transferred in.”

They all nodded sagely.

“We're all rich.” Kam said simply.

“We think it is best if we all kind of disappear after this.” Aaron blurted out.

Karen glared at him and he turned red.

“No, it is best.” Said Sato, who grinned knowingly.

“Hope you two are happy.” Kam said with a smile.

“How did you know?” Karen and Aaron said together.

“You both are so clearly in love.” Kam said with a wink. “And I know love when I see it.”

They all sat there awkwardly.

“You two better get going or you will miss your flight.” Kam said, checking her phone.

Karen and Aaron both opened their mouths to ask how she knew, but just shook their heads instead.

“Don't worry, I won't reach out after this.” Kam said. “Fiji was a nice choice though.”

Sato stood up and extended his hand to Aaron.

“Your programming was unconventional, but genius.” He said.

Aaron took the offered hand.

“Yours was great too.” He replied.

Kam hugged Karen.

“Don't you let him go.” Kam whispered.

“Don't you let her go.” Karen whispered back.

They both grinned and hugged again. Then Karen and Aaron left after an awkward group hug.

Kam and Greg were silent at their booth for a while.

“You think they know what we did?” Kam asked.

“Not a chance.” Greg said. “They are both too naive.”

“Did we do the right thing?” She asked.

“Yes.” Greg said simply. “Before something new can grow, the old must be eliminated.”

“Good luck.” Kam said after a moment and left.

Greg sat and finished the fries and ordered a black coffee. He was grinning from ear to ear as he paid the check and left, heading back to his hotel. He had set up a secure laptop in his room and the room was dark with the curtains drawn. He checked the program for the dollar value of his share of 250,000 bitcoin

One bitcoin was currently $.08, which would change soon, Greg knew.

Just as he had logged off, the power went out in his room. He wasted no time in checking the cable, he knew it was secure. He stood up quickly and smashed the laptop on the desk, the force of the impact scattering delicate electronic components all over.

The NSA strike team was on him seconds after that as he tried to get out the window. He tried to scream, but a powerful hand clamped on his mouth. He felt the needle go into his neck and then felt nothing else.

He woke strapped to a chair in a concrete room, very groggy.

“Can we skip all this?” He called out thickly. “I saw people interrogated people in this room before.”

Brighter lights came on and two men entered the room from a door behind him.

“Hello Greg.” Asked one of them.

“Hello Percy.” Greg said with a grin. “Long time.”

“Not so long.” Agent Percy Pearson said.

“Who's your friend?” Greg asked

“Trainee.” Agent Pearson said. “Showing him what a traitor looks like.”

“Not a traitor.” Greg said, narrowing his eyes.

“Say what you want, but we have been watching you. You are a traitor for trying to keep this from us.” The trainee said.

“Is it for real?” Pearson asked.

“Is what?”

“Bitcoin. Is it for real?” Pearson asked earnestly. “We need to know.”

“Why? You looking to invest?” Greg joked.

Pearson was silent for a moment.

“Are you Satoshi Nakamoto?” Pearson asked.

“You guys needed an unregulated platform to issue payments, fund agents and buy new toys. I just gave that to you.” Greg said angrily, avoiding the question.

“Is it for real?” Pearson repeated his earlier question.

“Yeah it's for damn real and you better-”

Greg was interrupted by a bullet to his head, blowing his genius out on the floor.

Pearson sighed in relief.

“Let them know.” Pearson said.

The trainee nodded and pulled out his secure phone.

“Sorry my old friend.” Pearson said. “We needed to know. You just should have enjoyed your retirement.”

“They agree.” The trainee said. “All of our Black Ops assets will be moved to Bitcoin by the end of June.”

Pearson nodded grimly.

“I just wish there was another way.”

“You know there wasn't.” The trainee said.

Pearson sighed.

“On we go.” He said.

January 21st 2021

Kameron Voss was up earlier than normal. She was biting her lip and checking the balance of the Bitocin account she and her compatriots owned. Karen and Aaron had already transferred their shares. Sato would never withdraw his share as Kam was fairly sure the NSA had gotten him, so he was either dead or would never have access to a computer to claim his share anyway.

That meant his share of 250,000 Bitcoin was lost forever, because only he had the key. Kam shrugged. It was the risk of a secure transfer system.

She looked over in the early morning light at Trina, who was still snoring softly in bed. Kam grinned and transferred the Bitcoin to her account. She then went and checked the value. It was at $33,008.02. That meant her share of 250,000 Bitcoin was worth $8,252,005.00.

Kam breathed. She and her wife were Billionaires. She giggled furiously until Trina stirred. Kam moved over and kissed her neck.

“You awake?” Kam asked.

“No.” Murmured Trina.

“You wanna move to someplace tropical?” Kam asked.

“Sure.” Trina said as she fell asleep again.

Kam grinned. Bitcoin had reached critical mass and she had just cashed out.

“Time to bring it down.” She whispered.

Kam went to her computer and entered in the activation key for the code she and Sato had inserted into the block chain years earlier. Immediately it began to destabilize, emptying the wallets of those who had invested in Bitcoin.

“Change the world.” She whispered. “By bringing down the oppressive system.”

She snuggled in next to Trina. Her father was far away and not in her thoughts for the first time in a long time.