Charlotte laughed, "But you know that, don't you, all that time you spent here yourself." She gestured to the corridor beyond. "Hilary said you don't have much time and would like a look around, shall we do the tour?"
They moved from work space to work space with Charlotte continually being engaged by this one or that, everyone eager to talk with her and win her attention. It was unusual. Much shorter than Regan, the woman nevertheless had a presence that commanded respect and she got it, and it was given willingly.
Approaching Special Projects a young man exited the fortress and sighted them as they walked through the glass covered walkway. He waved and sped up to greet them, glancing briefly at Regan before nervously addressing Charlotte.
"I'm so sorry about the fuss Charlie, it won't happen again, I promise."
"Steve it's fine, you don't brew a good beer without breaking a few bottles eh?" She patted him on the shoulder and he laughed with her then continued on his way.
Charlotte leaned in to Regan, "Just a small explosion, it won't happen again, I'm sure."
Regan laughed, "Oh, I can understand, a lot of competitive young people working together, there'll always be the odd blow up."
Now Charlotte laughed. "No, I mean exPLOSION, you know," and she waved her arms in wide circles, "BANG! . . . bang . . . bang, bang, bang . . . BAAAANG!" There was a pause, and then "BOOOOOOM!" She turned and gestured for Regan to follow her through to the fortress. "We've had to replace one of the small theatres and the tenth green on the neighboring golf course, and there'll be a new small lake there now."
Regan had to speed up to keep close, "Shit, really?"
She laughed, "No, it wasn't that bad really, there's no lake - but we do have to replace the tenth green. Young people eh? But we can't do without 'em."
[I think I've already seen enough Hil'.]
[She's good isn't she?]
[Oh, I already knew she'd be good, Mary wouldn't push for this if she wasn't and when I knew you were behind her, well - I trust you completely.]
[Thank you, that's very reassuring, and Charlie is great fun to work with, we have a very satisfying banter.]
[Banter, what do you mean?]
[She doesn't hold back Regan, on anything, and it can get very bawdy haha.]
Regan chuckled quietly. [Anyway Hil, I like her but I still have one concern, this is a whole new field and she'll be on her own on that ship, do you think she'll get on with Lucas?]
[Oh I'm sure she will and anyway, there's something else I'd like to talk about.]
[Uh huh?]
[I'd like to go undercover with her, only she and we would know.]
Regan smiled . . . Oh yes, that will be perfect.
* * *
Hillary Station
Leah hesitated in her step as she neared the Styles Compound, the home of Aaron and Moriah. As she approached she could see a man at the door, tall, lean and earnest in whatever he was saying. Then Moriah stepped out into the hallway and bowed her head respectfully before the man turned and walked away in the opposite direction toward the next tube entry. Moriah watched him go, clearly in a thoughtful mood and then began to turn. Quickly renewing her stride Leah caught her friend's eye as she turned to the door, and the Coran smiled warmly, waiting there for Leah as she approached.
They embraced and then Leah stepped back to pointedly look down the corridor after the man. "A visitor Moriah - that's nice, is he an old friend?"
"Yes," she said quickly, "a cousin in fact, Leith, he came as crew on the Fair Passage delivery voyage and then stayed to tour Earth before returning to Gliese. He leaves in a few days to go back." She turned and ushered Leah in through the door.
"Did he have news from Cora for you?"
"Yes and no; Leith is based on Fifino Orbital managing a business there. He purchased in the days of the Emperor and has done very well; he's trading throughout the whole system now."
They made themselves comfortable in the spacious yet modest lounge and Leah could see Ruben playing in the small garden.
"And yet he came here as crew on a passenger vessel - isn't that a little strange?" Leah continued to probe gently.
"Oh Leah, have you any idea how many from Gliese want to visit here? He jumped at the chance to come early and of course Aaron has opened up the possibility for traffic so regular that Earth could become a new tourist destination, an adventure trip." Her eyes seemed to glaze over at the mention of Aaron's name. She drifted for a moment then continued. ". . . And with Aaron's work establishing the link to Orion, well, people could eventually travel across the galaxy in weeks."
"Hmm, it is great," Leah smiled to encourage her, "and with the research Regan has been getting for him who knows where we will get to in time." She attempted to bring some perspective to Moriah, reminding her that Aaron wasn't operating in an information vacuum. It was to no avail and the Coran seemed not to hear.
Moriah shifted forward excitedly, "Aaron feels he can link up the galaxy, open up other systems, perhaps even undiscovered planets that will sustain life, the opportunities are endless."
Leah frowned, "And would your cousin be interested in such things?"
"Oh yes, who wouldn't, the possibilities for business are huge and Leith sees a great future for Aaron - he's right don't you think?"
"Of course, he has great opportunities now as well as in the future. Regan values him hugely Moriah, although I don't think business is Aaron's interest. He loves his research and development, put him in a lab, or an engineering workshop and he's as happy as a clam."
"I'm sorry; a clam?"
Leah chuckled. "It's a saying from home, when Aaron’s working in his workshop he's like a clam, a shellfish at high water, he's in his element; work is what makes him happy."
"Hmm, yes he's happy I agree, but perhaps sometimes he doesn't see the value of his work, I wish he did."
"Oh I'm sure he knows he's valued, Moriah, Regan thinks very highly of him, as do the people of the Regil star system."
"Oh, I'm sure they do . . ." Moriah hesitated before changing tack, "Would you like to eat something? I have some of your pancakes fresh?" And with that she stood and moved through to the kitchen, calling over her shoulder as she left. "My cousin Leith has recommended a patent lawyer from Reubus Orbital to me, he feels Aaron should be protecting himself and I tend to agree. He is so innocent and trusting don't you think?"
Leah shifted uncomfortably and leaned forward to call through the door. "Moriah, before you do anything, I think Aaron should talk to Regan, that would help I'm sure."
The muffled reply came back, difficult to read in terms of sincerity. "Oh, yes of course, I will think about it and talk with him."
Leah could sense Moriah's hesitation, and then the bustling signs of kitchen activity again filtered out to the room.
Hmm, I need to talk to Regan.
* * * * *
Chapter Three
Rigel star system in the Orion Belt
Both androids stretched uncomfortably in the tiny probe, traveling as they were lengthways and feet first in the direction of travel. They bickered as the missile soared into atmosphere and down through the bleak night sky.
"I don't like this; I don't like it at all."
"Bob, this kind of reconnaissance is essential so be a man, toughen up, what are you a wuss?"
"Ham, I have no idea what a wuss is, as you well know but I'm sure it's nothing remotely like me. We could be alerting them to our plans; it's a mistake to go in."
"And yet you are here, it's invigorating isn't it? This is real life my . . ." Ham shuffled uncomfortably as he clamped down on what he was about to say, then settled on ". . . my accomplice."
His companion laughed. "Ha - you were going to say friend, admit it, you like me."
Ham ignored him, concentrating on the data flow as they approached this small dense twin to Bob's home planet which likewise orbited the star Rigel. Both cycled a similar distance from their sun and chased each other continually as they h
ad for trillions of years, but not forever. This satellite planet Regis was slowly catching its brother Rexis and at some point tens of thousands of years in the future the gravitational influences would wreak havoc; but not now.
Ham grimaced. "I need to concentrate Bob. It wouldn't pay to make a mistake with the landing would it, and I want to make the drop at juuust the right spot." He drew out the word comically, winding Bob up with his casual attitude. It was deliberate.
Bob now shifted uncomfortably and Ham looked sideways at him, a look made with difficulty in the shared tube. "Ha! You've dialed down your pain settings haven't you?"
Bob shrugged uncomfortably. "It would be mad not to, this is going to hurt."
Ham grunted. "An old sage once said, make pain your friend, grasshopper." He smiled as he made the final small adjustment sending them into a steep dive. They were resting feet first now and both braced themselves for the jerk of the chute they knew would come soon . . .
The missile-like shape buried nose first into soft earth. The ground gave more than Ham expected and the door which was designed to ratchet outwards and down, was wedged shut with the weight of earth around them. The parachute, though dark in color, would still draw attention draped as it was over the few trees in the area and they needed to move fast. Consequently they would need to work together.
Dialing up power in the android limbs they painfully worked their arms up to the chest and then pressed outward simultaneously, a titanic effort that produced metallic pops and groans before the door cracked open with a sound like a rifle shot. Clambering quickly over the jagged edge, first Ham then Bob dropped to the earth and they began hauling in the chute. Ideally they wanted at least two days to accomplish their reconnaissance and to do that it was essential they not be discovered early. Bundling the fabric into the probe they commenced digging like moles, scooping away the earth in a blur of arms to create the shallow trench needed to hide the transport and bury it completely. It took an hour to dig, bury and disguise the craft and eventually only a slight mound betrayed the spot. It was six hours till dawn, time enough to quickly gain ground toward their objective, the celestial city. Once there they would need to find a place to settle through the daylight hours. Beginning a steady jog through the trees they moved quietly through the forest and then accelerated out onto a wide plateau, settling on a steady twenty five miles per hour run through pitch blackness. Neither bothered to look back; they would not be returning.
Sunrise found them laying face down on the main peak overlooking the city. Neither appeared tired; these android forms could have continued running for several more years, negotiating the planet without trouble either overland or under water. The one hundred and twenty mile overnight journey had melted away beneath their feet without incident, with no artificial light to expose their progress. Nearing the city they had slowed, taking more time and being much more cautious about their approach. Having deliberately taken the most difficult path to the peak they felt confident no one would be aware of their presence; the natives here would never have expected visitors. Dialing up their vision they now zoomed in, surveying the scene with grudging admiration.
Early dawn revealed the hustle and bustle of a surprisingly high tech city. Technological it may be but nevertheless as they watched, vehicle accidents confirmed what they already knew, high level technology did not extend to support from Artificial Intelligence. Ham already knew the fears of AI emergence had led both to the tribe's flight here from Rexis and their falling behind in development. Of more concern was that fears had evolved over the generations since into religious observance and commitment that Bob was cynical could be changed.
He reviewed for Ham the little intelligence they had. The planet had an estimated population of twenty five million with a median age of thirty two years and a male female split of roughly fifty/fifty. Those demographics combined with the Regis tribes social values meant they were ideally placed to thrive and grow in population, given the right environment. With nothing to curb growth rate in the ten generations since the tribe's departure from Rexis to this planet the population had roughly doubled every twenty years. The only problem they faced was that roughly seventy three percent of the Regis's surface was uninhabitable due to the orientation to the mother star and the planets minimal spin. Much of the surface was ocean, and much of the land was desert.
". . . and what will that mean for the future Ham?" Bob continued pessimistically, "It doesn't take an AI to work it out. They have a growing population, with limited space and resources. Conveniently just nearby rests the ideal potential home, one with an aging population who are soon to die out and it is a planet with which they share history. Many of the people of Regis consider our home planet their heritage and they have long waited for this opportunity to return. They are restless Ham; I don't believe they will wait for much longer and when they return they will seek to wipe us out, we Minds I mean."
"Bob, you let this happen, you know that." Ham's eyes were fixed on the Celestial Palace in the centre of the city.
Bob followed Ham’s gaze while still talking. "What could we do - nuke them before they became a threat? And what good would that do? The population on my planet Rexis is already in decline anyway. Even if we wiped their population out, which we would never do by the way, our people at home would still die out within two, maybe three generations and only we Minds would be left. No, this tribe, as much as they represent a threat to me they also represent the only hope of this humanoid species for many generations."
"And yet if you do open Rexis to them they will wipe out you and the other Minds because they're small minded and afraid."
"Correct." Bob became wistful, staring off into the distance.
"The stars protect us from mad religions eh?" Ham spat it out in disgust.
Bob shook his head in bewilderment. "Seriously, Ham the evangelist of Gliese is denigrating religion?"
"It was a tool Bob, and a damn useful one at that, but there is no doubt it can be a dangerous tool in the hands of blind zealots."
"Hold on - Reganism is still the fastest growing religion in the Gliese system and you started it!"
Ham nodded in agreement. "And therefore clearly I am in a unique position to comment on how dangerous religion can be, I don't see what you're getting at?"
Bob lay speechless for a few seconds before returning his attention to the palace. "If they have something to use against the Minds, it has to be in there."
Ham nodded. "Tomorrow we go in. We'll gather as much local knowledge as we can then hightail out of here until the troops arrive."
Bob still looked unconvinced and shuffled up on one elbow. "Ham, no one among our people fights. Even with this intelligence I fail to see what we can do; they are younger, better armed and very defensive."
"Bob, on our world we call what we are about to do a surgical strike, basically we excise the problem so that it doesn't develop. I'm almost certain no one will be hurt in the process . . . well, none of our people anyway."
* * *
Hillary Station, Sol System.
The women drew admiring looks and whispers from the passing throng as they strode toward the Stein family compound. Everyone on station knew Regan and Leah, and Charlotte could sense somehow she was bathing in reflected glow; she loved it, especially the looks of the men who seemed to have outnumbered women everywhere they had visited. At Regan's request, Leah had been watching the newcomer like a hawk, and she had been impressed.
[Isn't it great seeing things through fresh eyes again?] She subbed to Regan.
[You got it babe, it reminds me how much I take for granted up here now, Charlie's like a breath of fresh air.]
They guided Charlotte through into the Stein Compound after three hours of touring the station during which they had explored the flight decks, enjoyed a circuit of the tube that took in the whole helix spiral and then lunched at the Cafe Luna in Central Park. It would be fair to say Charlotte was initially overwhelmed with this bonus hol
iday on station and even more delighted to find the two women were her tour guides but her demeanor had changed as the day progressed. She was still relaxed but definitely in control of her emotions. Regan wondered what was going through the woman's mind, and how she would respond to the proposal they had in mind for her. The woman wasn't stupid, far from it, and with the tour coming to a close she had become a little cannier in Regan's estimation. She knows she's being wooed. Just the thought made her chuckle.
"Something funny, Regan?" Leah asked.
"I've just had a great afternoon babe," and she turned to their guest, "what about you Charlie, how do we stack up as an organization?"
"Ha!" She laughed, "I already knew you'd be top class - with Hilary running the ship everything had to look good." She stopped and turned to take Regan's hand. "Regan, thank you so much for this, and you too Leah, I'm the envy of the whole team down at Riverside. You know it would do so much for everyone to get a chance to come up here occasionally; I'd love to bring groups up as a reward. You've already won them over but you'd have them for life if they got up to the station."
"We might just do that Charlie, something for us to consider perhaps, but I'm not sure you will be the one bringing up the groups. Come on into the lounge, I have a proposal for you, and I hope you'll take it up."
Charlotte hardly seemed to bat an eyelid at the suggestion, following Regan's gesture and walking through to the spacious room with Leah behind.
As they entered Regan turned and exchanged looks with her partner, both clearly having the same thought.
Leah nodded agreement. [She's unflappable!]
[And she certainly knows how to stay neutral.]
They trailed after Charlotte into the lounge to find Mary already waiting for the customary embrace. Hilary was manifesting to the side, the gracious lady wearing a huge smile on her face and they could see coffee waiting on the table.
Regan's Reach 4: Avarice Page 7
