52 Book 3 - Chapter 110 (1/2)
Attendance at Fortescue Military Academy M1 Y:2142
Inter-Academy Round 2 Fortescue Points: 193, Rank: 6, PR: 0.4825
Tier 3 Daedo M-Rank: 140
Term: 3, Round: 3
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Daedalus Operating Capital: +2,600,000 bitcreds
”Are you going to see her tomorrow?” Mace asked as the pair jogged beside the Seine.
Daedo liked the thinking and downtime a long run provided, and Mace was good company, in that she didn't talk all that much. Barran or Vannier would insist he couldn't run alone, especially after they learned he and Mace were accosted by a local thug, albeit a kid.
Mace had to mean Master Nader. As they had discussed he would present her with the plans for the Eye of the Sahara, and she would provide feedback on security or anything else she wanted. He did not want his Master to send the plans to her friends for review and would not agree to that.
”Either tomorrow or Tuesday,” Daedo replied.
”I'll vote for the budget increase,” Mace stated. A spend as large as this one needed eighty percent shareholder agreement. Which meant he only needed Barran. Or two of the girls. Barran possessed close to twenty percent. Where the girls combined possessed was close to thirty.
”We're halfway,” Daedo said, ”Want to turn 'round or do a circuit?”
”I'd rather run along the river, let's cross at the bridge and run the other side,” Mace replied.
After another kilometre, Mace asked, ”What do you know about Master Nader that we don't?”
”I can't say,” Daedo replied. ”I'm sorry, but, it's better than lying.” Which he had been doing a lot particularly when it came to Master Nader.
”Is it along the lines of what happened to Master Ustinov?” Mace asked.
”No. But don't probe any more,” Daedo responded.
”Can I ask questions and you answer if you can?” Mace asked softly.
Daedo sighed, ”Ok. I owe you that much.”
”Has she threatened your life,” Mace asked.
Daedo thought for a moment. ”If she had that would have been a trick question. Because if I said I cannot say you would assume yes. No more of those or we stop playing this game.”
”Hmm, sorry,” Mace said.
”Is there a reason you need to know other than curiosity?” Daedo asked.
Mace took in a sharp intake of breath and spoke after a moment's pause, ”Not exactly. That is something I cannot talk about.”
They ran on for a few more minutes before Daedo added, ”How did we end up on different sides of the fence on this one?”
It was Mace's turn to think hard on her answer, ”I guess we're both doing what we have to. Even if we are friends, allies and part of Daedalus, there are other things in our lives.”
Daedo frowned, ”No. The reason I cannot divulge certain information is for Daedalus. It's not separate.”
It was Mace's turn to look confused, ”That makes no sense. If it's Daedalus business, we should be able to know.”
Daedo thought carefully before responding. ”Daedalus will receive something if I am able to keep my secrets and if not - it will get nothing. That is more than I should share.” It was not exactly true, he had already received the tech, but he had to change the information in order to protect it. Daedo felt guilty for saying too much.
It was Mace's turn to sigh, ”You need to be careful of Master Nader.” And after a pause for a minute, she added, ”Very careful.”
”I know,” Daedo said sadly.
The pair ran along the river for another twenty minutes in silence. Daedo's schedule had been shot to hell, he had to make certain he spent time on physical training each week. To increase efficiency the time he spent on it was also his deep thinking or mental downtime.
As they turned a bend, close to home, Mace said, ”This is where that street boy jumped us.” And she stopped, pulled out a tiny drone and threw it into the air.
Daedo stopped as well, ”What are you doing?”
”Taking a look,” She replied before donning her helmet which was attached to her back. After a moment she said, ”Put your helmet on and look.”
She shared the image to Daedo who watched as the drone hovered over a nearby lot. Mace highlighted a shabby structure made up of junk metal sheets and parts.
”They live there?” Daedo asked.
”I think so,” Mace replied before she began to run again.
”Surely they get enough bitcreds to afford somewhere to live,” Daedo stated.
”Not everyone is logical. There are many reasons that could explain why they don't have a home even if they received bitcreds. And they were all young. None of these kids would have qualified for the scheme unless they completed M3 cyber school.”
Daedo sighed.
”They aren't the worst situation you know,” Mace stated as they arrived back at the workshop.
Daedo merely gave her a questioning look.
”Most people are not like us. They simply take their five bitcreds a month and do nothing other than play games, socialise in VR and watch streams. Your Father, Cisse and you are different to how most people approach life.”
”A lot of people run their own streams, or do things like a spacebuild shops or are pro gamers,” Daedo replied citing his limited experience.
”That's only a tiny proportion of the population. Probably two percent,” Mace stated.
”What does your family do?” Daedo asked cheekily knowing it was a taboo question.
Mace grinned mischievously, ”We kill nosy people.”
”It's all good work honey, but it's circumstantial,” Adele Mace stated in the secure VR session with her daughter and husband. They were reviewing Ameline Mace's latest report also known as Cadet Mace.
”But it confirms the organisation's suspicions though, doesn't it?” Mace replied.
”No,” her Father said, ”It's not incongruous, but it confirms nothing. We need something concrete. The organisation doesn't like terminating innocents.”
”Ahem,” Adele said, ”They may in this case. She must be prepared for that.” Which she directed at her husband before addressing her daughter, ”Ameline dear, time is limited.”
”What should I do? I cannot betray Daedo we have come to an understanding. And in the end, he is one of the good guys,” Mace stated in a concerned tone.
”Darling. You have to do what needs doing. Feelings and personal entanglements cannot impede the mission. You know this,” Adele stated firmly.
”But Mother. You don't understand,” Mace protested.
”Tell me. Help me understand,” Adele offered.
”The organ..” She began and stopped. ”Daedalus…” Mace stuttered again.
”Darling this is serious. Are you saying your allegiance has changed?” Adele asked patiently.
”No Mother,” Mace said quietly. ”But I wish I could.”
”That's good Darling. You would put us all in danger if you changed allegiances.” Her Mother paused and stated seriously, ”Remember what's at stake here.”
”I know. I know,” Mace surrendered.
”Ameline,” her Father said softly, ”You're not betraying your friends. You are serving humanity. And when it comes down to it, that is also looking after them.”
Mace wanted to scream that they didn't understand, but it would only make them think she was wavering and untrustworthy which would precipitate them taking action to protect her and only make matters worse.
”The fact that Master Nader has been able to keep you out of her systems for over six months points to her possessing alien technology, or she is one of the top cybersecurity experts on the planet. I'm not sure what has a higher probability. And when it comes to something like this the organisation does not like to take chances. The time you have left to provide intel either way is down to days.” Adele Mace stated.
”The fact they have waited this long is only due to them hoping to gain access to her systems. Assuming she is an alien placement,” Gabe added.
”She is human,” Mace said. ”We know that.”
”She appears as a human biologically,” Adele said. ”That does not exclude an intrusion.”
”I better go,” Mace said.
”Yes, keep up appearances my dear,” Adele said.