well, as I said, it's a complicated story, but Archimedes has, uh, established a relationship, you might say,

with Mona, the hyperdimensional matrix computer in the service of General Hyperdynamics of Colorado

Springs. And Mona, very unofficially, of course, gives Archimedes access to anything he wants."

well, as I said, it's a complicated story, but Archimedes has, uh, established a relationship, you might say,

with Mona, the hyperdimensional matrix computer in the service of General Hyperdynamics of Colorado

Springs. And Mona, very unofficially, of course, gives Archimedes access to anything he wants."

"Well . . . not exactly," Wyrdrune replied. "We don't have any control over what Mona does. But she

likes Archimedes and if Archimedes asks her for something, she usually gives it to him."

"But . . .classified Bureau files? " asked Paul, deeply shocked.

"To Mona, it's a sort of game," said Wyrdrune. "See, the management at General Hyperdynamics is

apparently not above using Mona for a little corporate espionage in the form of data raiding, so it's not as

if Mona's doing anything she hasn't done before. Only the people at G.H. don't know she's also doing it

for us. Well, for Archimedes, actually, but it amounts to the same thing."

"There are a lot of possibilities in that relationship we haven't even begun to explore," said Kira with a

larcenous gleam in her eyes. "But it's not as if we need the money. Modred's got more money than we

could possibly spend. You can build up quite a little nest egg over two thousand years."

Paul shook his head in disbelief. "I've fallen in with a group of criminals," he said. "I used to be a

respectable, reputable, and ethical adept. And now I'm lying to the police, withholding information from

the Bureau, and aiding and abetting felons."

" 'Ey, but it's all in a good cause," said Billy with a lopsided grin.

"The question is, what are we going to do about this Bureau agent?" Kira asked.

"Wait a minute, what do you mean what are you going todo about her?" Paul said, looking worried.

"Surely, you're not planning to—to . . ." He shook his head helplessly. "Whatare you planning to do?"

"I don't know yet," Wyrdrune said. "We don't know anything about this sorceress. She could arrive at

any time. Her name ring any bells with you?"

"No," said Paul.

"We need that file," Wyrdrune said. "You've got a computer and modem in your office, don't you, Paul?"

"You're asking me to help you pirate Bureau files?"

"Paul . . ." said Kira. "Weneed that file."

Paul sighed. "You're asking me to break the law. I'm a Bureau agent, for God's sake! I'll wind up having

my license to practice thaumaturgy revoked," he said. "I'll be lucky if I don't end up in prison. Besides,

Loomis will be here soon."

"Okay," said Kira. "Never mind. You're right. We can't ask you to do something like this. It isn't fair."

"You understand, Iwant to help, but—"

"It's okay, Paul," Kira said. "I understand. You've done more than enough as it is. We shouldn't ask you