—2—Exhaustive Search for an Informant

The key to efficient algorithms is information.” It was Professor Drecker’s mantra, barked at the cadets at the start of every Police Algorithms class, ferociously enough to sear itself permanently into Frank’s memory. “A good algorithm depends on finding the structure in the data and using it. It depends on information.”

Frank smiled to himself at the memory as he turned onto Three Bit Lane, a rutted dirt road lined with a combination of seedy bars and upscale coffee shops. He nodded politely to a pair of passing knights, who clanged as they jittered past in their armor, and made a mental note to grab a Triple-Bold Espresso before he left. First he needed information, something to help guide his search. ...

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