Regan's Reach 4: Avarice

by Mark G Brewer

  In her view the matter was closed and she quickly rolled from the bed, gathering a sheet around her as she slinked from the room. Aaron slumped back on to the bed thinking . . .

  I need to talk to Regan.

  * * *

  Regan, the beautiful man and the gracious lady walked hand in hand along the Blue Bay beach, an especially beautiful cyber construction made for this occasion by Hilary, with the sun shining bright and the sea the most gorgeous aqua blue. Still, it was unsettling for Regan having spent so many years trapped in her own reconstruction of the bay.

  "I'm sorry." Regan apologized as she kept walking but was clearly distressed, "I'm not ready to regain this place; there are too many bad memories for me here now."

  The gracious lady didn't hesitate and in a blink, without them even needing to break stride she took them further up the coast to Wainui, a beautiful surf beach on the coast near Gisborne. Waves were now crashing in from the right as they continued to walk north.

  She apologized, "I'm sorry dear, I didn't think - perhaps we could also move on to some other business." Hilary shuffled uncomfortably, missing her own step as she seemed to consider something she wanted to say . . . and then she stopped completely, hauling them to a halt. "You know how important confidentiality is to me - and I do not share personal information gathered in my observations with anyone - period - unless it is particularly important."

  Regan took her hands. "Of course Hilary, we know you track everything and we have never known you to gossip. What is it?"

  Despite herself Regan smiled. Actually Hilary was known to gossip a little, but only between the three of them, oh, and with Mary, and Charlie as she had since found out. And to be fair if she did share something they would only be humorous snippets or stories, nothing deeply personal or anything that would break an important confidence. Hilary was ordinarily the picture of discretion, especially considering her knowledge of every single thing happening on Hillary Station and the Step. And of course Hilary also knew Ham missed nothing anyway.

  She turned to him first. "And I know you're aware of what I want to say so why haven't you said anything?"

  "I've been leaving you room to tell Regan yourself." He feigned innocence.

  "Ham, you know how hard this is for me, I swear, you are slowly trying to corrupt me."

  "Hilary - this is your area not mine; you know I don't like to cross boundaries of responsibility."

  At that statement both Hilary and Regan looked at him in amazement and shook their heads. Finally Hilary simply gestured with her hand and a screen appeared in front of them, with Aaron and Moriah locked together on the bed.

  "Regan, you need to hear this." And Hilary rolled the recording from the beginning.

  * * *

  The Senate Building, Planet Rexis, in the Orion Nebula

  The avatar waited, shimmering nervously. Bob's visage was typically dandy, with stove pipe trousers, winkle picker shoes and a brilliantly colorful shirt in blues, reds and yellow that while amazingly varied in pattern seemed to work just right, abounding with personality. He had picked it especially for this meeting and yet now, as he glanced down at the sleeve he had doubts, too cheerful?

  He looked at the lifeless androids stored in the locker, one male one female, and then again checked the time. As the seconds ticked down his tension seemed to increase and then he commenced what appeared to be a slow intake of breath . . . he held it . . .

  The android to his left, the woman, seemed to change in some way - life? The change would have been imperceptible to most but Bob saw it and despite his attempt to stay calm, he let out an anxious squeak. The eyes flicked open, and the face broke into a smile - a smile that quickly faded when Bob's distress became apparent.

  Regan stepped out into the room and looked around in alarm. She closed her eyes and concentrated . . . nothing . . . and then she turned slowly to focus on the dandy man.

  "Bob . . . where is Ham?"

  "I'm so sorry Regan - we . . . we lost him, we went on reconnaissance to Regis and we became trapped in the palace, and . . . and he didn't make it out."

  She wilted slightly at the knees and then recovered. "How could he not make it out, you're here; Bob - what happened?"

  He looked desolate and shook his head sadly. Then he stood and walked to her, reaching out a hand to touch her shoulder. He was determined he wouldn't shirk responsibility.

  "Regan, I hadn't backed up, I never back up; I was arrogant and thought nothing would happen to me. And then we became trapped because of an accident with a silly child." He looked away in embarrassment. "I had told Ham I had no back up and well - he didn't have to do it but he charged through first, so that I would have time to jump. There was no time for him, he was shredded, I'm so sorry."

  Regan looked stunned at the news. "You must have visuals, show me."

  "Regan, they're not pretty, and they don't help."

  "Show me!" She barked.

  Immediately the wall lit up with a visual and they turned together. She could see Ham's android from a back view with him charging at a wall and it appeared there was a dent there with a fine crack visible . . . metal? She winced at the impact and then continued to watch as Ham turned and walked back before bracing and charging again, and again, and again. With each return she could see the effects of the crushing impacts on the android’s soft tissue and she quietly hoped he had done the sensible thing and blocked all sense of pain, an ability she knew all the androids provided. Ham then stopped and leant forward to peer through the crack which had widened with the blows.

  Regan looked across at her colorful companion. "The sound please Bob, I want to hear what's happening." She chewed her lip anxiously as the room was suddenly filled with the sounds of weapons fire. What on earth are they doing? That's got to be weakening the door. Are they so afraid of what might come through?

  She tensed as with a final nod to Bob, Ham turned and charged the wall, clearly aiming for a particular spot, and he slammed into it with full force. This time the android seemed to part the metal, forcing on through as flesh peeled away with the impact on the sharp edges. She watched as Ham's form then juddered with the force of projectiles peppering the body but he stumbled on into the space outside absorbing the shots. Suddenly an enormous explosion erupted with the force enough to knock Bob off his feet as air rushed through the opening. Briefly the view from his eyes lurched upward to the stone ceiling and then he recovered, forcing his way through the gap out into the smoke and gloom. Screams from the wounded filled the air before the recording ended, he had clearly jumped leaving his android behind.

  "I'm so sorry Regan, he didn't have to do that, I didn't ask him to."

  She was still staring at the blank wall, digesting all that she had seen and then she turned to him with disappointment.

  "Bob, when you say that, you show that you don't know or understand Ham at all. Don't ever say he didn't have to do it; he wouldn't let it end like that for any friend, even you. You - should - always back up." And she yelled it so loudly that he backed up defensively. Then suddenly she was calm again, all business. "Now, Ham would have a backup here, where is it?"

  He looked extremely sheepish. "I don't know Regan, that's the thing, I've searched and scanned, I can't find anything." He looked at her imploringly, as if he expected her to have some suggestion; she did.

  "Bob, I need some time, you understand that I'm sure. Could you leave me for a moment, I'll call for you when I'm ready."

  He looked embarrassed, "Of course Regan, anything, I'll leave you then." And he was gone.

  Regan walked to the centre of the room and stopped there. She relaxed her mind and assumed a prayerful position, hands steepled in front, her eyes closed.

  [Are you here my love?]

  [Of course I'm in here - what a pillock!]

  She smiled warmly. [Him - or me?]

  [Was there ever any doubt? Seriously - what a dickhead, how could he have put me in that compromised position?]

 
[Never mind darling, just copy yourself in there and let's see if we can fill in the gaps, okay?] She nodded toward the cupboard and immediately felt a rush as Ham unpacked himself, copying quickly to the android. It took only a moment and she felt completely normal again. Ha! She laughed inwardly, normal, what's that now?

  The eyes of Ham's android snapped open and he stepped forward powerfully into the room. He didn't hesitate, sweeping her into his arms and then flipping her to face the broad conference table. It was an act almost brutal and his intent was clear.

  She ripped at her robe and stripped it from her shoulders to let it drop to the floor. "Bob said he has files - uh!" She grunted at his thrust. "You transferred them to him - uh!"

  "Later!" He was moving inside her now, slowly at first and then with increasing intensity. His hands gripped her hips firmly as she lay over the table with her hands clawing at the surface until, unable to hold back, she climaxed with a shudder and he too came in one last ecstatic thrust. Ham stepped back leaving her sprawled on the table top, still gasping and kneading the surface with her fingernails.

  He began to tidy himself immediately. "God, it's good to be alive! Now, let's call Bob, and find out what's in those files."

  Regan laughed out loud.

  * * *

  The Fair Passage, moored off Hillary Station

  Charlotte tugged at the neck of the suit, sliding one finger under the fabric to caress inside the Chinese collar. She squeezed at the fold, taking it lightly between thumb and forefinger and noted only a very slight thickness that might hint at the presence of something other than cloth. She marveled at what she'd been told. There is a processor there, Hilary is there . . . and a hood that should protect me in vacuum, gas, smoke or maybe even water . . . would it? Of course it would.

  She slid the fingers back to the central clasp at the front, and the clear crystal nub there that looked decorative but she knew doubled as a lens, Hilary's eye. This would do for now while Hilary's presence remained secret. Later, all the visuals available on ship would be accessible but not yet and that she had a secret partner was an advantage she wouldn't reveal to anyone.

  She ran her tongue over the tooth, drilled and implanted with a receiver days earlier by Ham. Practice had seen her develop the ability to communicate with Hilary so surreptitiously that only a most observant watcher would pick it up. She could whisper now with only a tiny gap between the lips, as if she were talking to herself. Only a few sounds were difficult to pronounce without being noticed; anything with an F sound for instance, or a B or a V, and yet none of these had proved problematic to Hilary who quickly became adjusted and caught the meaning without any hesitation. They now communicated almost constantly, like having an invisible friend, she chuckled.

  The contact lenses also worked outstandingly, with the ability to call for and display clear visuals proving simple, extremely handy and not too distracting. In fact, somehow Hilary seemed to be able to draw feedback from her reactions, perhaps the tone of her voice, and had noted where she was most comfortable with the overlays. They now seemed to appear in those parts of her vision perfect for her to continue walking or working without interruption.

  She stepped back from the mirror to regard her overall form and smiled with delight as she took in the image. While it was too early to see results from the exercise regime she had started, nevertheless the suit arranged things nicely in all the right places. You look gorgeous!

  Hesitating a moment she focused on the mouth in particular and parting her lips fractionally she whispered, "Are we ready Hilary?" The result pleased her, unnoticeable.

  "Locked and loaded girl, you look fantastic."

  Another smile, a last look and Charlotte walked from the dressing room out into the spacious lounge. Much larger than Regan's rooms on the Behemoth or her cabin on the STEIN Traveler, this Commander's suite was built for entertaining. The furnishings were sumptuous and the rooms included a small galley and a separate office. Swinging into a comfortable armchair she arranged herself and then glanced at the ceiling, a pointless habit when addressing the ship Mind but one that was hard to throw off.

  "I'm ready Lucas."

  "You most certainly are." The voice emanated throughout the room. It was male, warm as usual but nevertheless held a hint of something that was starting to annoy her.

  "Lucas, it does not escape me that there is something bothering you; get it out will you please? If we are to work together we need to be able to communicate openly and I prefer we do that with no editing of our thoughts; have I caused some offence?"

  "It seems not - the crew loves you."

  It was true, in only the first week on ship she had already met everyone personally and now addressed them by their first or preferred name. Of course it helped that as she walked the ship Hilary provided a continuous heads up display with the names of the crew members she passed along with tidbits of gossip and information. It meant she could greet them with a smile and with confidence. She considered Lucas's reply and how to respond.

  "Hmm, you say the crew loves me . . . but . . . I gather you have reservations?"

  There was a pause in the conversation - then he spoke carefully. "You have no training for this role - this is a Starship, what do you know that qualifies you to command a vessel like this? It is an insult."

  Charlotte smiled disarmingly, knowing he would be following her every action. "Lucas my friend - and I hope you will at some point consider me a friend - my skills are with people, in this case the crew and the passengers. Let's cut to the chase here. You could choose to take this appointment as a compliment, after all in the past you have had Commanders with considerable Starship experience but come on - they have never been more than a titular authority; this is your ship and there is no one, except perhaps another Mind, better able to operate this vessel. I certainly do not intend to try. I trust you Lucas - to fly, if that is the correct term, this ship well and keep us all safe. I will deal with the people aspect of this job and I trust when I need you, you will assist me in that and help me not to miss any important meetings or appointments." She laughed. "I make no claims to be able to fly anything."

  "It is not the correct term."

  "I beg your pardon?"

  "We do not fly, even in atmosphere, not in the sense your planes ride the air. We displace, we cruise, and surf, but we do not fly."

  "Uh huh . . . well darling, the principle still applies - whether I fly or flop in this relationship I expect you to catch me. That will be our dance on this trip, if it's going to work at all. So Lucas, will you dance with me?"

  There was a pause and she had the sense Lucas was thinking. His reply was perfect

  "Do you do the Dahlian Dip?"

  She laughed and Hilary's guffaw also boomed in her earpiece. "I'm not sure I've come across the Dahlian Dip but I would be open to learning. I take it that was a yes?" Charlotte moved on without waiting for a reply. "Now, I realize we have the inter vessel football match coming up on the flight deck but I have an hour or so free and I have a personal interest in the unfortunate demise of Commander Juno. I'd like to review whatever visuals you have before and after the discovery of his body, all cameras and all angles. Perhaps you could allocate some portion of yourself to work with me and I'll flick through as fast as I can for this first look."

  "You do know I have nothing covering the actual time of the event, whatever it was that happened. That fact is unacceptable and disturbing to me." He sounded troubled.

  "What is it that bothers you most about it?" She asked.

  "It bothers me that I have no record of it. It can only mean I have been compromised in some way, and that someone has tampered with the essence of me without my knowledge. That they could even do it amazes me and it must be another Mind, a cunning mind with abilities way beyond mine - I feel violated!"

  She nodded sympathetically. "Well, let's see what you do have, I understand the missing visuals are from the refuse area so let's look at the corridors going to and from
. Perhaps start thirty minutes before the event and then we'll take it up for thirty minutes after, double speed unless I call for something different or for another camera angle."

  "It shall be done."

  Charlotte smiled; I'll win you over yet, Lucas.

  An hour later she stretched achingly. Sixty minutes of real time footage, sped up yes, but with the odd replay, interruptions for different camera angles, and with moments simply to stop and think the time had flown by - for nothing. She could see this was a busy ship with not a single view revealing individuals alone. Every shot had people walking, usually quickly, to destinations unknown and all were going about their business with purpose. She had tried to relax, to let her unconscious pick up on something and perhaps let her instincts to alert her, yet apart from a vague niggling feeling of concern residing just on the edge of her consciousness the exercise had come up dry. Never mind, I can come back to it, and if there is something there it will come to me.

  "Did you get anything Hil'?" She whispered through parted lips.

  "Nothing," the voice came crystal clear to her tiny earpiece, "and it's so frustrating not being able to access these feeds directly, but this is good for now. I hate to say it Charlie, but everyone is still a suspect at this stage, including Lucas; we can't show my hand."

  "It's all good Hilary, we'll get there, and this game has only just begun."

  In fifteen minutes the football game would be underway, time enough to get down to the flight decks to secure a good viewing position. Charlotte twisted and stretched again, plucking at the suit to get comfortable and then, as she scanned the gorgeous room, she gave a long sigh of pleasure; what an assignment!

  The Fair Passage crew had accepted her authority without question and already her handling of several disputes had earned respect, all of them settled to general satisfaction. The crew she had found was made up mainly of Corans with a smattering of Dahlians and a few technicians from Reubus. Most had been working for STEIN for some years, all were experienced and they needed little attention from her with Lucas monitoring everything on the vessel.