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nodded. "I haven't found any solid information, or even any leads so far. What we have done is write an extension of the search algorithm to include mentions of code names that were used for some of the projects he may have been associated with. Tio had surprising access to classified Federation data, so we've been able to pinpoint research details that fit Pulin's profile."
    "Do you have an example?"
    "Sure. Classified project PRFD-23451. A system for autonomous stream transmission. It's all technical jargon, but it appears to be work on a meshed network of jump-capable drones that would be able to synchronize to deliver long-range communications in less time. The goal was a four hundred percent improvement."
    Katherine had called the science that kept recursion stable the Mesh. He doubted it was related. "Did it pan out? That kind of capability would give the Federation a huge advantage over the Alliance."
    "The document is ten years old. They put together computer models, and there is a report about the AI systems required to handle the calculations and manage the pathways, but I don't think it has seen the light of day yet."
    "Interesting. What about Pulin? Was he involved?"
    "The data doesn't provide the names of the team members, sir. Only numeric designations. We're trying to match up the designations to other projects to see if we can identify any of the participants. Even then we'll only have a number."
    "Which can be traced back to the actual human being with data collected from a Black Hole," Mitchell said.
    Aiko nodded. "That is what I understood the situation to be, yes."
    "Raiding a Black Hole is a fallback option. Focus on finding him without it."
    Aiko turned to look at him. Her face was stone.
    "You want to say something?" he asked.
    Her cheeks were still red. She bit her lower lip and then nodded.  
    "Don't be shy. If you think you have anything that can help, say it."
    "Well, Colonel," she said, her voice soft. "From what I gathered we're in a bit of a race, both against time and against the Tetron, Watson. I understand why you're hesitant to consider the Black Hole option first - it's risky and very dangerous. I would agree with you on that, except I believe this approach will be significantly faster. We may be able to narrow the list of numeric identifiers down to less than fifty. Then all you would need to do is get the master list from a Black Hole, and we can identify Pulin. Once we have done that, finding his current location should be fairly straightforward."
    Mitchell stared down at her. Her lower lip quivered nervously while he considered her words. Going after secured data on a planet that he imagined would either be still in Federation control or occupied by the Tetron was a little more than what he would consider risky.
    "How much faster?" he asked.
    "We can probably make a strong, educated guess within three days."
    "Educated guess? I thought you would have his number?"
    She smiled meekly. "Well, of course, we can't be certain of Pulin's number without the master list. We can only make a strong guess. I would say the margin of error would be ten percent or so."
    "You make it sound worse the more we talk about it," Mitchell said.
    Aiko bowed her head. "My apologies, Colonel."
    "No, don't apologize. This is good work. How long do you think it would take to track Pulin down purely on the data we have?"
    "I don't know for sure."
    "Make an educated guess."
    She smiled. "Assuming we have the data we need, ten to fourteen days. But there is a good possibility we don't have the data, and then we'll be back to the other approach, anyway."
    Mitchell paused to think about it. He glanced at Davin and Maria. "What do you two think?"
    "I agree with Aiko, Colonel," Davin said. "Not that I want to see anyone else get hurt. This isn't going to be easy either way, and if we're still here when the Tetron come back, we'll all be hurt."
    "Good point," Mitchell said. "What about you?"
    Maria nodded. "I think that's