[Not long after we begin to communicate . . . Regan, I'm actually nervous. It's been a year and this is a whole different me I'm about to meet, and I know the old me. Who knows what mischief I've been up to?]
[It's not just that Ham . . . any 'you' in this system is in for a monumental shock when they find out what's happened to me over the last year, everything is different.]
Regan looked down at Jared as they reached the STEIN Traveler and hesitated there, walk or displace, that is the question.
Ham intervened, displacing them to level three before she could speak. As usual Jared was completely unfazed and hardly missed a step. Everything about life on the STEIN and Station was normal to him. His comfort with things that still amazed her proved a constant delight. Our first true space child. The thought reminded her of the birthday and she stopped him.
"Jared, Ham and I have another present for you and I'll give it to you today. It's a big deal, something you'll need for your apprenticeship."
"What is it?" He pulled at her arm.
She made to pick him up but abandoned the attempt quickly; he was too big for such attention and instead she hugged him before running ahead to the lift. Fast as she was he slid in before her and padded for control.
* * *
The mood in Control as they entered was controlled excitement. The whole team were present, Aaron and Jean included, with eyes glued to the screen showing the tiny dot visible and conveniently enhanced by Hilary. With their combined closing speed the dot would grow quickly.
Marin walked over to embrace Regan, obviously pleased.
"It's good news, we've already exchanged codes and Hilary is certain it's Ham."Unusually under the circumstances, the beautiful man and the gracious woman joined them, materializing as apparitions but real nonetheless. Both looked calm as usual.
"What are your thoughts Ham?"
"I can't imagine any circumstance where that poem could get into the wrong hands. If that ship is broadcasting our signal, then it's me, I'm sure of it."
Regan hugged Marin then gestured for him to join her in the command chairs. Leah too joined them, leaving Aaron with Jean and Jared.
"Hilary, shouldn't we be slowing? If we don't, won't we just fly on by?" Regan's eyes were fixed on the growing dot, feeling both pensive and excited.
"We are slowing Regan," Hilary replied, "but they will still have to pass. I'm sending instructions for them to begin the turn to chase us. They won't catch us again until the outskirts of the system but Ham will be able to update as they pass by."
Leah tapped Regan's arm, [Babe - I'm so excited I could wet myself.] She was smiling. "What do you think we'll find out?"
Marin answered first, "Ham will have a plan, you can be sure of it."
"Of course I will," Ham chipped in, "I don't muck around - but what kind of plan, that's the question. What have I been up to?" He sounded cocky, overly confident.
"How long Ham?" Regan asked.
"I'll leave it until the last minute. I want to get a clean transfer and it has to be two way. It's important to get things right." He looked at Regan, "After all we're dealing with a sociopath who has mild psychopathic tendencies." He smiled at her as if he was only joking.
Regan nervously returned the smile.
Aaron and Jean organized coffee as the next hour passed slowly, everyone talking and sipping in nervous excitement. Regan listened to the conversations with fascination, especially Aaron talking with the others, normal at last. She put an arm around Leah and whispered, "You've socialized him."
Leah laughed, "What can I say . . . I'm just very, very good, and so is Moriah." she laughed.
"Where is the Coran girl?"
"She's still in the picture and they're very taken with each other. I've just tried to get him out of his shell and he surprised me actually."
The tiny dot needed no enhancement and as Regan watched she could tell Ham's excitement was growing, the beautiful man beginning to pace Control impatiently while still staring at the screen.
"Not long now?" She asked him.
"Soon we'll begin the exchange." He answered without looking at her, totally focused now.
She subbed privately. [Ham, just to be sure, you have backed up, haven't you?]
[Of course Regan, you're still my port of last resort as always and I've sealed you just to be certain.]
"Here we go . . ." Ham's beautiful man gripped the back of Leah's chair, as if needing support and even Jared joined them to watch the action, spellbound.
There wasn't much to see; only a slight tremor to his avatar form, then a hint of a smile and the head dropping to the chest . . . they waited.
Ham pushed himself upright, seeming to draw in a deep breath before clasping his hands together in a mock prayer of thanks.
Finally he turned to face them all . . . and bowed.
"Well?" They all asked at once.
He looked up with an excited look that defied description and broke into an uncontrolled, slightly disturbing and some might say maniacal laugh before slowly scanning the group and settling on Regan.
"Babe," and he paused for effect. "You are not - going - to believe it, I . . . am . . . brilliant!"
* * *
On the Hammer, Sindali also watched as the Ham of Gliese 667 similarly shimmered as he synched. She had abandoned conversation hours earlier as the beautiful man's demeanor became more and more hyped, even mad as they drew nearer to the edge of the system. In time his behavior became so disturbing she ushered Buela and Rhine to the galley, sitting them down to explain a little of what was happening.
Far from being unsettled, Buela was so excited to hear that this apparition was the Ham of her memories it took some effort to persuade her to be patient and give him room. Sindali left them with permission to explore the otherwise empty ship and yielded to her own curiosity; she returned to Control.
As she entered he was clearly completing some kind of connection and seemed to settle, his form taking on more substance. Then he seemed to shudder, with pleasure or shock she couldn't tell so she remained in the doorway as he then slowly slipped to his knees and leant back to stare at the ceiling. Then he stretched out his hands as if in supplication and clenched his fists, and began to pump his arms . . .
"Oh yes, yes, yes!" He bellowed it to the heavens. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!" The calls were accompanied by swinging punches, each yes producing a slash across the room at some invisible form.
Sindali watched cautiously, and then gingerly moved closer.
He was muttering now like a mad man. "Oh this is too good . . . unbelievable . . ." He shook his head and looked up again, speaking to the air, "If there is some master super power out there thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't believe it, oh wow, wow, wow . . ."
Sindali carefully knelt down in front of him. This was not a time for a slap and she calmly waited until the muttering subsided before asking . . .
"Ham," she smiled, trying to be positive and gentle. "Tell me . . . what have you found out? What has happened?"
He looked up at her, his face radiating excitement.
"Sindali, it's Regan, she was shot, while Marin was over here, ages and ages ago." He shook his head in disbelief then gathered himself. "While we were still travelling here, Marin and I, someone shot her back there, on Earth." He was pointing with one arm, waving it as if it indicated some direction to her. "Can you believe it? They blew half her head away!" He looked positively euphoric and drew in a breath about to launch into another burst of hyperbole.
And then she slapped him, more a karate chop in fact, that disconnected his head from his shoulders for a second.
"Whoa . . ." he leaned back in shock and then stumbled to his feet. "I didn't need that . . . really! Look, Sindali, it's ok, she's all right, it's unbelievable but she is all right. In fact, it couldn't be better, it's a miracle! This is sooo good, it's perfect, I couldn't have planned it better."
He seemed to be babbling again and she stood quickly causi
ng him to back away.
"Sindali - stop! Really, she's here, you'll see for yourself, and she has a son, and Marin is here, and her mom Jean and . . ." He seemed to be winding up again until she lifted her hand and he stopped himself, lifting his own hands in surrender.
"I apologize Sin." He stepped forward and placed his hands on her shoulders, a tingling sensation rushing down her arms. "I'm just so excited you understand, and what's happened is better than anything I could have imagined, you'll see."
"When will we get to see them?" She asked anxiously.
His demeanor was suddenly all business and his eyes turned to the screen showing the other vessel already disappearing into the far distance behind them.
"First we need to turn and chase them, especially as I came in a bit hot, you understand." He screwed up his mouth in apology. "We should be able to cruise back alongside them in about two days and then you can transfer over to their ship while we bring the Coran crew here."
A Coran crew? While Sindali looked shocked at the news in truth it barely registered, she was unable to shake the image Ham had imprinted in her mind, of Regan with her head blasted open and she shuddered.
* * *
On the Behemoth excitement was palpable, and there was no way Regan could leave anyone out so instead they all gathered in the STEIN war room. Jean bubbled at being included and busied herself carrying in snacks with coffee and tea.
All the bravado seemed to have leaked out of Ham as he stood alone at the end of the table wringing his hands nervously. He still had a touch of the cockiness that always pervaded his presence but Regan could tell he was uncomfortable about something.
"Ahem!" Ham called them to attention with a nervous cough. "If I could have everyone's attention we will begin."
Leah braced her feet on the arm of Marin's chair and settled back as if she were at the movies. "Looking at you Ham my man, I'm guessing this is gonna be one doozie of a story, do we need popcorn?"
Ham seemed to perk up at the thought. "Not today Leah m'dear, but do wait for the movie, I'm sure there'll be one and everyone will want to see it. Now," he looked pointedly at Regan, "shall we begin?"
She nodded.
"You already know about the events leading to my staying in this system. We had found Dahlia Orbital occupied by Cora at the invitation of the witch. They lured Marin and Steph from the ship and brutally killed her before capturing Marin." Ham paused to look at Marin and gestured toward him.
"Marin snapped the killer's neck like a twig," and with the words he gave Marin a double thumbs up, ". . . respect to you, man."
If the story wasn't so tragic Regan would have laughed at the accolade. Leah wasn't quite so controlled and struggled to stifle her laugh earning a glare from Ham. Regan looked across to smile agreement and noticed Jared looking at Marin the neck breaker, awestruck.
Oh my god, he's only five. What are we doing to that boy?
Ham continued. "In order to rescue Marin I had to dispatch the Coran AI and as a consequence took over management of the Orbital. I discovered that the Emperor, based on Beria's lies, had already sent the Behemoth to Earth to kill Regan. As soon as we found out, Marin and I didn't hesitate. We had to get back but that meant someone needed to run the Orbital or all Dahlia would suffer. Sooo . . . as you know, I copied myself and stayed on Dahlia while Marin and my other self raced back to help you at home; have I missed anything?" He looked at Marin.
"Only the mention of your overall brilliance and bravery." Marin smiled.
"True, true . . . it is hard to be humble," Ham was deadly serious, "and it did take a brilliant Mind to overcome the Coran invader."
"Huh?" Marin corrected him. "To be fair, at the time you said it was ridiculously easy!"
"Marin, Marin, Marin . . . as I've already said, one doesn't like to boast, and the thing about geniuses is that we make everything look easy."
Regan lightly cuffed the back of Marin's head, "Will you please just let him get on with it, we all know Ham well enough to filter out the self aggrandizements."
Ham looked at her with his most hurt expression, "Now that takes the cake, when have I been known to exaggerate?"
"Ham." Leah interrupted quickly before anyone could come up with examples, "We love you . . . don't we, Jean?"
Jean took on a 'who me?' look that didn't exactly inspire confidence so Leah quickly returned her attention to Ham. "Just go on Ham, we really want to hear this."
"Thank you Leah, a woman of discernment. Well, it won't surprise you that the task of running an Orbital requires a Mind of more . . ."
"Administrative ability, intelligence, orderliness, discipline, commitment, and patience . . . need I go on?" Hilary interrupted him again.
"Will we ever get to the end of this story?" Regan asked.
Ham turned to her. "Why is it that no one interrupts you when you're speaking? This could damage my self esteem you know." Everyone laughed.
Regan smiled an apology. "You're right Ham, I'm sorry; we won't interrupt again and this is rather important after all, just keep going."
"Well then, to cut a potentially long tedious administrative story short . . . I got bored." His comical nod, facial expression and gestures clearly conceded that boredom for him had always been a possibility.
"Bored . . . now there's a surprise." Marin couldn't resist asking. "So how long did it take?"
"A little over eight days and by then I was tempted to tear people's hair out." He turned to Hilary. "Really . . . how do you do it?"
"Please Ham, just go on will you, I'm starting to suspect you're delaying." Regan looked suspiciously at him.
"After eight days it occurred to me that there were plenty of trader ships cycling around the system and, well, I thought if I just liberated some of the less sentient AIs I could hitch a ride, and journey around the system having fun. Pretty soon I would be back on another trading cycle able to feed the Orbital me on the wonderful adventures I had, to keep the Orbital me going." He paused, long and tellingly.
"Go on . . ." Regan prompted.
"Well . . . it's like this. Pretty soon I started turning up back at Dahlia on all sorts of different ships." He looked at Regan guiltily.
"You mean they came back . . . like you said they would?" She leaned forward, drawing him out.
"Nooo . . . not exactly, I said all sorts of different ships, like ships I'd never seen on the Orbital before." He waited, as if waiting for the implications to sink in.
Regan didn't want to say it and Hilary broke the stalemate. "So, Ham dear, you started spreading your seed so to speak."
"What can I say? Far and wide it seemed," his eyes were still on Regan and he shrugged resignedly, "I must have seen the opportunities while I was travelling, and well . . . I couldn't keep my seed in my processors."
Regan stayed calm. "So, no great harm done, a few extra ships, what's the problem?" but even as she said it she suspected it was a forlorn hope.
He shrugged again. "At that time it was about half the fleet."
"And exactly what fleet are we talking about Ham?" Marin asked, getting more interested by the minute.
"Ahem!" He coughed nervously with the group already looking at him aghast. "Exactly what fleet . . . that's the system fleet . . . all the Orbital fleets . . . you understand what I mean?" He used his arms to illustrate the extent of the capture. "And . . . that was then."
There was silence for a few minutes, at times like this everyone deferring to Regan; she didn't disappoint.
"So let me get this straight. You were bored, so you went on holiday . . . and instead of just coming back with memories, you know, 'leave only footprints - take only pictures', instead you crushed every AI with half a brain under your boot and single handedly brought to reality the greatest fear of the people of this region, AI emergence, is that about it?"
Ham looked defensively offended. "Well there you go Regan, you see?" He looked around the group for support. "You're the one who exaggerates. It's not as if anyone
in the system who is blood bearing even knows about this yet."
"Ham," Leah asked, "You said half the fleet, and then you said, 'that was then'. Ham dear . . . what is it now?"
Ham looked away. "Now . . . now you ask . . . well," He looked distinctly uncomfortable. "well," and he shrugged. "You took soooo long to get back here; now the Ham's out of the bag isn't it?" He shrugged uncomfortably again, "And unfortunately it turns out this is just one of those things I'm . . . really, really, good at."
Regan sighed loudly. "So how many is it Ham?"
"At last count? Around seventy five percent of the AI fleet . . . and most of the rest of them are followers." At this point Ham suspiciously looked away and took on an unusual pose. Feet together, hands clasped over his crotch, head cocked slightly sideways, eyes looking at the ceiling and lips pursed guiltily. He was doing everything he could to avoid looking at Regan directly.
"Followers . . ." Leah prompted, looking at him intently, the word seeming to hang in the air doing loop de loops.
"Perhaps . . . I should start at the beginning." He replied, appearing to draw in another big breath.
Regan looked startled, "That wasn't the beginning?" She sounded even more concerned.
"Well, yes, but there's more." He could see Regan roll her eyes, and wrung his hands even more nervously.
"In my earlier travels . . . well, to be frank it was the very first trip; I took over a trader ship from Cora. It was so easy I saw the opportunity to take advantage of other ship processors where the AIs were really nothing more than high functioning computers . . . nobody at home, you know the sort of thing. I already had that experience of dispatching the enemy AI on Dahlia and it gave me the idea of taking the battle right to them. You've got to remember . . . I was bored." He said this as if it were a reasonable justification.
"And then . . ." He seemed to collapse and extended his arms to Regan appealing for understanding.
"Regan - the orbital AI on Cora was hopeless, it was no contest, and I hardly had to try. Next thing you know, I found myself running Cora Orbital too."
Confluence Point Page 20
