Daemon

someone or something.’
    ‘You conclude that from one intercept?’
    ‘This is one of dozens of intercepts, the transcripts of which you will find in your presentation binders.’
    ‘How much money are we talking about here?’
    Philips placed the laser pointer on the nearby podium. ‘We have an e-mail intercept from a Thai gang that mentions a ten percent gross payment.’
    ‘Ten percent of
gross
?’
    ‘All online transactions. The CIA estimates worldwide revenue from online gambling and pornography at approximately seventeen billion U.S. dollars per year. In truth, no one really knows. But if we use this as a baseline and extrapolate, assuming that the Daemon has—’
    ‘You’re talking about a couple
billion
dollars a year.’
    ‘There is anecdotal evidence that these payments represent an outsourcing of the IT security function of these criminal gangs to some unknown entity.’ She paused, either for effect or to gather her courage – even she wasn’t sure which. ‘We suspect that the entity is not a living person but a massively parallel logical construct. I believe it’s Sobol’s Daemon.’
    The room erupted in talk for several moments until someone in the back shouted over the din, ‘How do you know it’s not just another gang?’
    The noise died down to hear her response.
    Philips nodded. ‘Because that was the first thing the Russians thought. Quite a few hackers died at their hands in an effort to identify those responsible. At some point the Russians were presented with evidence that convinced them no living person was behind this attack. We don’t know yet what that evidencewas – but we have operatives attempting to get their hands on it.’
    The division chief just looked at her. ‘This is reckless conjecture. We’ve got Detective Sebeck convicted and on death row, Cheryl Lanthrop dead, and Jon Ross on the run. This situation is under control.’
    The most senior NSA suit spoke. ‘I disagree. Right now the media is stoking a panic on cyber crime. A public discovery that Sobol’s Daemon was preying on Internet business could spook the financial markets.’
    A visiting analyst from the FBI Cyber Division shook his head. ‘The facts don’t support the media panic, sir. Overall reported incidents of computer break-ins this year are down slightly – not up. In fact, we could spin the demise of gambling and pornography sites as a positive.’
    Philips regarded the FBI agent, then turned to the room in general. ‘Anyone have anything on the media’s current fascination with cyber security? Does anyone know what’s driving it?’
    ‘Sebeck’s trial?’
    The FBI analyst began to hold court on the topic. ‘The government has few real controls over either the Internet or private data networks. This manufactured panic is addressing an actual deficiency in the cyber infrastructure. It’s the invisible hand of the market in action.’
    Philips looked impassively at him. ‘Unless it’s already too late.’
    The NSA section chief raised an eyebrow. ‘Is your copycat Daemon up to something more than demanding tribute from pornographers, Dr Philips?’
    She revealed no emotion. ‘For one, I believe it
is
Sobol’s Daemon.’
    ‘Highly unlikely.’ The FBI analyst looked ready to disprove anything. He just needed fresh grist for his logic mill.
    Philips continued. ‘Gentlemen, there are loose ends all overthe Sobol case. There’s the poisoning death of Lionel Crawly – the voice-over artist for Sobol’s game
Over the Rhine
. What dialogue did he record that we have no knowledge of? The introduction of a strange edifice in Sobol’s online game
The Gate
at almost the instant of his death. And then there are the back doors in his games—’
    ‘There
are
no back doors in his games.’ The FBI analyst scanned the faces in the room. ‘It’s a fact.’
    The NSA chief kept his eyes on Philips. ‘Your Internet traffic analysis was interesting, Doctor, but if you have evidence linking Sobol’s Daemon with the Daemon attacking G/P sites, then where is it?’
    ‘In Sobol’s game maps.’
    ‘Steganography? Didn’t you explore that last year?’
    ‘Fleetingly – before Sebeck’s arrest. But let’s not forget that Sobol was an extraordinarily intelligent man. He was able to envision multiple axes simultaneously.’
    ‘Is that a polysyllabic way to say he thinks outside the box?’
    A senior cryptanalyst nearby removed his glasses and started cleaning them. ‘No offense, Dr