“It’s much bigger when you look at all the numbers.In 2025 spending totaled $60.7 billion.That was about a one-and-a-half percent increase.Doesn’t sound like a lot but there’s so much more.
“In 2024, it was roughly$58-$59 billion.Subscription services grew by more than twenty percent.This is where they get the kids.Once they subscribe, they’re locked in.Even if they turn off the auto-renew feature, they have access to your device now.You can delete the game, delete the app, whatever you want.But they’re in.”
“This is sophisticated shit,” said Tanner.“This can’t be a bunch kids doing this.”
“It’s not.I mean, there are some but really it’s a mix of U.S. and international gaming experts.In countries like Nigeria, India, the Philippines, hell anywhere really, they find tech-savvy people who have nothing to lose and everything to gain.People always think it’s the gaming gear, consoles, headsets, that shit that’s expensive.It’s not.Eighty-three-percent of the costs are the game itself.And why?”
“Because that’s where it gets sophisticated,” said AJ.“If the kid sees a game for ten bucks and one for fifty, he assumes the one for fifty is the better game and believe me, the gaming companies make their descriptions sound like the kids are getting real-world experiences.It’s stupid.”
“Bingo.”The man stood and pushed the stack of paper toward them.“I realize this is the digital age but we’d prefer not to send this digitally.It’s all I have for you.All the gaming companies, hackers, everything.It’s more than we could ever handle so believe me, I’m open to your help.”
The men nodded, putting the stacks of paper in their backpacks.
“We’ll be at the DOD and Pentagon tomorrow if you think of anything else or find anything,” said Wyatt.“We really appreciate your help.”
“Hey, it’s me that should thank you.If this problem would go away, my job would literally go back to a nine to five, or at least an eight to six,” he smirked.
As the men walked outside into the gorgeous spring air, the hint of humidity telling them that summer would soon be upon them, they stopped and looked at one another.
“This feels bigger than we can handle,” said Hiro.
“It might very well be,” said AJ, “but we’re going to find these bastards that got into our system and at the very least, we’re going to put them under.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The great thing about being in D.C. was that there was always someone they knew.An old teammate, someone from the government that they’d worked with, FBI or CIA agents they knew.Even the occasional Secret Service agent.
The horrible thing about being in D.C. was there was always someone who knew them.
The team always stayed away from popular restaurants or bars, opting to either order room service at their hotel or visit local, neighborhood restaurants where it was typically just the average person in attendance and not too crowded.
Tonight would not be that kind of night.Opting for a local neighborhood pub that served good pub food, they found their seats and waited to order.
“Hey,” frowned Tanner, “that’s Logan.Logan Anders.”
“Shit, you’re right,” said AJ.He walked over to the table in the corner and pulled out a chair.Logan never lifted his head.
“I’m not in the fucking mood,” he growled.
“Well, I’m not in the fucking mood either,” smirked AJ.Logan slowly lifted his head seeing the four familiar faces.Wyatt stared into his eyes and knew something was drastically wrong.
“Logan?Logan, brother what did you take?” he asked.He opened his lids, staring at the pupils, then began taking his vitals.
“What did he take?What the fuck are you saying?” asked Tanner.
“He’s taken something.His pupils are dilated, he’s sweating even though the air conditioning is blasting, and his nail beds are turning gray.”
AJ knelt beside him, gripping his jaw.He heard Tanner behind him calling for the Osprey.
“Logan?Logan, what did you take?” he asked.
“N-nothing.I was poisoned.Not my choice mind you.I would have preferred something else but here I am.Dying.”
“Poisoned?What the fuck dude?We need to get you to the hospital,” said AJ.Logan shook his head.
“They won’t know what to do.It’s top secret.Everything is fucking top secret.”
“Logan, what happened?” asked Wyatt.
