Steal the Demon: A Science-Fiction Novella by Robert Roth (free novels to read txt) 📕

left. Kimiko took that as a sign he was checking something on the local Net. He was probably implanted, which made sense. Since the Net was where he made his living, he would want constant access to it. She was implanted too, but hers were just the standard Pilot and Nav interface, allowing her to directly interact with a ship’s Flight-Comp and Nav AI. He looked back down at her and nodded again. “Of course. To that end, I’ve prepared a device that should satisfy your needs.”

Paradox reached into a pocket and pulled out a compact, matte-black cube, approximately five cms long on each side. He set it down onto the table between them, and Kimiko picked it up and examined it. There was a standard access port along one side and a small input pad on the top. She tapped the input pad and was immediately notified that the device was requesting access to her P/N-interface. Surprised, she dropped it back onto the table.

“What the hell!” she exclaimed.

He shook his head and picked it up. “Do not be alarmed, Kimiko. This device contains a Quantum Entanglement Datastream node. All I need you to do is bring the QED node into the facility with you, and then sync it to their internal Net.” He set it back down onto the table between them. “Al-Zamani takes IP security very seriously. Their Net-sec is top of the line, with firewalls that are AI monitored and maintained, along with a dedicated AI solely tasked with intrusion countermeasures. While I’m confident that I could eventually tunnel into their internal Net from the outside, it would be highly impractical, especially given your timeline. With this,” he explained, tapping the device, “it will be as if I’m coming along with you inside the facility. Once this is connected to their internal Net, it will be easy for me to find the information you need and subvert any security systems you may encounter, including those at the dock. After all, it won’t do you much good to gain access to the craft if you can’t even exit the docking bay. Additionally, I can connect to your interface through it, so that we can remain in communication even once you’re past the firewall.”

A Quantum Entanglement Datastream node? That sort of thing wasn’t at all easy to come by. She thought back to some of the jobs she’d heard about Paradox pulling. She knew that he’d been successful, but just how successful? She picked up the QED node and looked at it again, silently revising her estimation of his monetary means significantly upward. “This seems like a great solution to the problem.” Then she set it back down and slid it closer to him. “I don’t really have the creds for something like this, though.”

“Ah, no, I don’t imagine you could afford to acquire one of these on your own.” Then he reached down and slid it back to her side of the table. “Thankfully, I brought this one for you.”

She shook her head. “How much more are you gonna charge me for this?”

Paradox laughed. He was either a master at negotiating, or terrible at it. Kimiko honestly wasn’t sure. “Charge you? I thought I’d already made it clear that I intended to help you, Kimiko. There will be no additional charge.”

No charge? What sort of game was he playing? “Okay, let’s say I accept that you don’t want any more money from me. You still want something from me, though, right?”

He sighed. “I thought I’d made that clear, as well. I want you to carry this device into the facility with you, and then connect it to the Al-Zamani Net inside their firewalls.”

And then she got it. Aside from their mutual desire for revenge, Kimiko had assumed that she was the only one with something to gain from her operation. But, it turned out, he also had something to gain from it, something he needed inside of Al-Zamani, too. She was tempted to agree, then and there. But she hadn’t earned her pilot’s reputation by being completely careless, either. She wanted to hear him say it. “And if I do that, what do you get out of it?”

He smiled. “I will gain access to an exceedingly secure Net full of highly sought-after, proprietary IP, among other things.”

That was fair. As long as everybody involved had something to gain, there was less risk of some joe deciding to cut and run when things got a little heated. Or, worse, coming down with a sudden case of sound, corporate citizenship, and calling in the CSG. “Okay, Joe.” She picked up the device and slid it into the pocket inside of her jacket. “Is there anything else?”

He nodded. “We need to talk about your gear.”

“My gear?” She’d planned to wear her old, well-used, but still serviceable jumpsuit, flight jacket, and pilot’s helmet. They weren’t the best that money could buy, but they’d always worked for her before.

“Yes, your gear. I’ve made some additional arrangements for you. You should return to the retail concourse and find a shop called Practical Utility. They will be expecting you.”

She’d heard of the shop before. It was a chain, with locations all over the system, including Motherlode. They offered some of the highest quality gear on and off the retail market, including custom, bespoke equipment. It was also, despite the name, outrageously expensive. “What sort of arrangements? I can’t afford anything they sell, and I’m certainly not about to start my thieving career with a little light shoplifting.”

Paradox laughed. “The thieving, in this case, is all mine, Kimiko. Go to the shop. Ask for Marek.” He pushed back his chair and stood up. “In the meantime, I will await your next contact.”

He started to walk away, but she reached out and grabbed one of his sleeves. He stiffened immediately but stopped.

“When I connect with this,” she asked, tapping her pocket, “I can communicate directly with you?”

He nodded. “Yes. The QED will allow us to communicate undetected,