The Daedalus Code Read Free Page B

really think I’d give up something like that for free? You know how closely guarded we keep that kind of information. If our PRs are even trackable.” He gave a slight knowing wink. It was clear the kid was running a hot unit.
    He was good, she’d give him that. But fine, she’d track this Mikos’s ID across the Net and see if she got a pickup. Scanning her eye across the tracker-bot program of her own unit, she sent it out to find any trace of Mikos. They had his regular personnel info on file from his employment record at the club. A couple of long seconds ticked by but nothing else came back. A weight sunk in her guts. “This is worse than I thought,” she said to no one in particular.
    “Wiped?” Mouse said, already one step ahead.
    “Yup.”
    “Okay, I’m not giving you his PR tracking number, but I’ll check it for you. I keep a couple of traces on hand for my friends and colleagues,” he said. “Just in case…you know, something like this happens, it’s handy to keep a track on things, ya know?” He winked again, and Phaedra found herself liking his roguish charm.
    “Don’t trust many people, do you?” Aegeus asked.
    Mouse turned to him. “With people like you out there, people can only trust themselves.”
    Aegeus placed his hand by his holster. Phaedra gave him a stern look. “Chill out, both of you. We’re on the same side here on this. Mouse, please would you mind checking Mikos’s last PR recorded location?”
    He went silent for a few seconds before saying, “Last known location was…”
    “What is it?” Aegeus asked.
    “Here,” Mouse said. “A few hours after meeting with Ariadne. Mikos’s entire records, PR database, log files, and interaction matrix has been completely wiped. I’ve only got a record of it because I…”
    “Go on, it’s okay,” Phaedra said.
    “I record them. Yeah, trust issues. I have them about everyone. Especially my colleagues.”
    Phaedra gave Aegeus a look. She knew what he meant.
    “There’s no way we’re getting anywhere near Metion,” Aegeus said. “We’d never get a warrant in a million years. Our hands are tied on this one.”
    “Agreed,” Phaedra said. “What we need is a…”
    She looked at Mouse, raised her eyebrows.
    “A what?” Mouse asked.
    “A hacker.” Phaedra flashed a smile at him.
    Mouse snorted, shook his head. “And why would I go and do that for the Agency? You realize we’re not exactly the best of buddies, right?”
    Aegeus cut in. “Think of the information at your disposal. If this Daedalus Project, and this data vault are as important as the rumor mill has it, you’d be a very powerful and rich person with the inside scoop. Especially with Metion’s competitors wanting to get in on the action.”
    “Look. I’m good. Really good, but we’re talking about AIs here. Whole sections of the Internet and even the DarkNet disappearing and owned by Metion. That’s a huge damned risk. And it seems you guys will be getting most of the rewards. I imagine your careers would take a huge leap with this case in the bag. Maybe you, lady, would be able to retire and take your FT with you, huh?”
    How the hell he did he know that? she thought. She wondered whether it was her demeanor, or whether he’d somehow seen her records, guessed that at agent like her, with her current circumstances would be looking to get out. It wasn’t as if she was the only one. Fifteen agents had retired since the turn of the year.
    Despite herself, Phaedra twitched at the truth of it, quickly turned away to hide it from Aegeus. The old bastard was too quick.
    “You’re thinking of retiring?”
    “No, of course not. Not yet anyway.”
    She knew it would be a huge bone of contention between them. No other agent would give him the time of day, let alone agree to partner with him. He only had his job because of her. And if she retired, he’d have no salary to pay for his lifestyle.
    “So you’re not even the slightest bit curious of what