Clarion Protocol by Jaxon Reed

Author:Jaxon Reed [Reed, Jaxon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-07T22:00:00+00:00

21

“Essentially, the numbers are encrypted with a one time use code,” Ben Fenzinni said.

The young man in charge of AOJ Forensics had a cowlick on top of his forehead that bounced when he moved. Right now he was explaining the code Metger brought in to the marshal and Assistant Director Gina Wilcox.

He said, “Ordinarily, that would mean our chances of deciphering the code, at least on our own, would be slim to none. We’d have to allocate several processing cycles from PLAIR, and devote an untold amount of time and resources to it. Since the war is technically over, gaining that much of the AI’s processing time would likely be problematic.”

Metger snorted. Clearly he did not think a request from the Marshal Service should be denied.

Fenzinni either did not notice or did not rise to the bait.

“Fortunately, RNI was able to retrieve vast amounts of data from the League during the war. One of these goldmines of info included all the SSI key codes.”

At this, Gina smiled because she had in fact been instrumental in the retrieval of SSI backup data stored on Sporades.

“So, it cuts our time to crack the code by geometric proportions.”

Metger finally interjected something, since Fenzinni did not appear to be slowing down.

He said, “Are you sure that’s proper terminology? Geometric proportions?”

Fenzinni stopped and stared at the man in disbelief. He opened his mouth to say something before Gina interrupted.

“Never mind him. Go on, Ben.”

“Right. So, to make a long story short, we were able to crack this code relatively quickly. Unfortunately, its message remains obscure. So obscure, in fact, I doubt it will help you in any investigations. Personally, I can’t make heads or tails of it. Here.”

He waved a hand and the numbers appeared floating in the air on a holo. They shimmered and changed into a sentence.

“HSY 307.”

Everyone stared at the message for a long moment.

“You see what I mean,” Fenzinni said, his hair bobbing up and down. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

Gina said, “Obviously it means something. Otherwise, why send it?”

Metger stared at it for a while longer. He scratched his head and raised his eyebrows.

“Gots to be an abbreviation. H-S-Y. What’s that short for? H-S-Y, three-oh-seven. Hm.”

He glanced at the other two, but they returned blank looks.

Then Gina raised an eyebrow.

She said, “Is it an address? PLAIR, are there any cities or streets with that abbreviation?”

The AI’s voice came down from the ceiling.

“None standard, Detective Wilcox.”

Metger said, “PLAIR . . .what hotels could H-S-Y refer to? Is there anything like that in Octavia or somewhere else on Diego?”

“The Halsey Hotel in Alexandria has the requisite letters.”

“The Halsey!” Metger snapped his fingers as if he had thought of the place, rather than PLAIR. “Of course.”

He smiled at Gina and said, “It’s a meeting location. Halsey Hotel, Room 307.”

“Well, it’s as good a guess as any,” Fenzinni said, shutting down the subroutine and clearing the room’s holos.

Metger glared at him, affronted.

“Want assistance in checking it out, Marshal?” Gina said, partly in an effort to head off any sharp words between the two before they were spoken.

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