"That we will, Jared Stein, welcome aboard."
"Thank you Lucas, I'm looking forward to getting to know you, Ham spoke very highly of you."
Charlotte watched him for a moment, marveling at how comfortable he was not only in the high tech control but with the Mind of the ship. Like putting on a familiar glove! She then settled down in her chair and focused on the ringed inkwell growing larger by the second.
Perhaps it was the easy confidence Jared exuded, or simply the unconscious knowledge that she had another ally in the know, but Charlotte settled into her seat with renewed excitement.
Oh yes, she thought, this is going to be veeery interesting.
* * *
The interstellar trader, Lazy Journey - Gliese Portal
Moriah settled Ruben into his bunk and then slipped out to the small cabin lounge; the boy was well settled and quite able to fall asleep alone. Aaron, she noticed as she entered, was still morose and slumped on the two seat divan.
"Aaron, it means so much to me that you decided to join us, this is your business too after all. That you chose to support me is such an encouragement."
"You know I'm here to protect Ruben, not to participate in any money making schemes; this is wrong Moriah, all wrong."
"Aaron, there are many ways to protect Ruben, and this is one, you are securing his future by doing this. And the boy deserves that security, just as much as your precious Regan does, don't you see that?"
"My precious Regan? You mean the Regan who offered me the chance to partner in all these developments? Who granted me opportunities beyond my wildest dreams, provided for us as a family, offers her support and protection. You mean that Regan?"
"Aaron, sometimes I think you love that woman more than me. Yes that Regan, the Regan who grows richer and richer by the hour on the back of the work of others. Aaron, I don't begrudge her the riches, but you deserve your proper share, and if you don't want that share then we should secure it for Ruben, and his future."
"Secure it for Ruben - or for you Moriah - who are you doing this for, really?" It was dangerous ground and he avoided her eyes as he said it.
She glared in response, but avoided answering directly. "In the end, it will always be Ruben who benefits; you know that and I won't hear any more about it. If you will not act in our son’s best interests then I will; I am his mother!"
"But Moriah, what if they charge us with something? What if they won't allow us to leave?"
"Darling, this is business, not crime. I'm sure nothing that you fear will come to pass. In any case once you hear what they have to offer, I'm sure you will be happy. Now then -" and she slid down beside him, "let's sit back and watch the passage through the portal together."
A flick of the hand and they could see the portal growing larger on the wall screen; Moriah squealed with delight. "Oh Aaron, I am so proud of you, you are a genius, they will worship you in the Gliese system." As she settled back to enjoy the jump, Aaron closed his eyes and quietly prayed, to whatever power might hear him, that Hilary had got word through to Regan.
* * *
At that moment on the Lazy Journey flight deck around one hundred and forty passengers and crew jogged in a military trot, some were carrying packs weighted down, others just dressed in light gym fitness gear. All tracked behind the gorgeous woman in front and the tall alien. Although the two latecomers had drawn some attention, it wasn't unusual for people to make late bookings, especially if they had the funds, and a Dahlian such as Marin could travel back and forth between systems as of right. That they came on their own craft was unusual and that vessel, a black saucer, now rested in the distance well down the deck. Even though the couple had slipped in quietly only just before departure, few questions had been asked; all the data work was in order after all.
Marin loped just behind Leah. It was far enough back to follow her with his eyes and enjoy every step, and the knowledge that for now she was his and his alone. At that thought a familiar, guilty, nervous tension gripped him, and today so strongly that he felt he could vomit. In response he pushed the thoughts to one side and picked up his pace, striding smoothly past her toward the field screen marking half way. The dark beyond was at once a beautiful yet menacing presence and he thought of Regan, also journeying somewhere out there in the black but in a quite different direction and his steps slowed. The hesitation allowed Leah to pass him, sprinting by with delight and she turned like the victor while waving to the training group as they continued on. The men whistled as they passed, distracting her attention as Marin stared out into space.
[Are you there babe?] Marin subbed hopelessly to Regan, the Behemoth being a good quarter orbit distant.
Of course no answer came and it was with some relief he turned to sweep Leah giggling into his arms and carried her toward the elevator.
This was a mission at Regan's request. They were to keep a low profile, to watch Aaron and his family, and to be ready. There would be little for them to do other than exercise during the three weeks of travel, especially as they wanted to avoid all the main passenger recreation areas. However they had judged this running group as safe since Moriah and Aaron would never join in exercise. For the rest of the time they would keep mostly to their honeymoon cabin and that would suit Marin juuust fine.
* * * * *
Chapter Seven
In Maynard's view the plan was simple, requiring only minimal collateral damage. As usual the Triennial meeting between leadership delegations would be held in space, and this year it would be in orbit over the planet Rexis. These inter-planet meetings were always be in orbit as the Rexis leadership would never allow any visitor from Regis to land in case they carried with them the ultimate viral weapon. This year would be no exception however on this occasion the meeting would not eventuate because if all went to plan the Regis ship would explode on first contact with their counterparts. It would be a devastating explosion with all of the Regis delegation lost, including the Senate Leader Darius. There would be little evidence left and what did remain would burn up on entry into the Rexis atmosphere, all that is, except a small escape pod carrying a young man on a mission.
Young Perin walked proudly from the Senate meeting, his head held high and his companions happy to bathe in his glory. The maiden speech he had just delivered had been moderate yet visionary, serious yet with humor, gracious yet at the same time challenging to the established order, and it had been well received.
Croye nearly stumbled in his attempts to get in front of Perin who had been pointedly ignoring him. Finally, abandoning all pretence, he positioned himself in front and held them up. "Well, come on Perin tell us, are you going or not?"
Perin smiled wickedly. "Yes! They cannot leave me out of the delegation, especially as there will not be another meeting for three cycles."
"And in that time you may well be the Senate Leader." Papal cooed, always the sycophant.
Perin gently pushed his friend to the side and they continued on. "The people will make their choice next cycle Croye; it may not be that election, perhaps the next but yes, perhaps it will be my time . . ." His voice trailed off and he hesitated in his steps causing his friends to draw slightly ahead. They turned together and could tell he was holding something back.
"Perin, what are you not telling us?" Papal asked.
"Yes Perin, you're holding out on us, I can tell."
Perin looked at his friends as if weighing up the situation, and then grasped their arms pulling them through a door into a small senate office.
"The Triennial meetings . . ." he looked at them as if calling on them to guess.
"Yes . . .?" they chorused together.
He was about to speak then suddenly Perin seemed to think better of it, annoyed with himself for letting pride get in the way. "I . . . I can't say anything . . . but something is up, it's going to be a very special meeting this year, and much will change." And without another word he ushered them back out into the corridor as they protested at his unhelpfuln
ess.
* * *
Maynard scowled at the young tech officer sweating profusely in front of him. The young man's discomfort was obvious and he knew why. Tech office personnel were practitioners of the dark arts, and they knew it and on this planet to be even associated with technology was the kiss of death to a meaningful relationship, especially with a family of influence. To fall foul of senior leadership, especially someone as senior as Maynard was something to be avoided at all costs and this man was desperate to please.
And yet young people such as this one were continually drawn to dabble in the technology arts, and to learn to master them. Rarely would such a senior figure as Maynard show an interest in their work, let alone fund a project and yet here he was in person; and the young officer was overwhelmed. Siebel mopped his brow again with the cuff of his garment and tried to simplify his message for the leader.
"The key to delivering the spy program and the Rexis systems accepting it will be the chip we recovered from those android remains. Our tests show that it is an identifier, and when activated it confirms the validity of the source. With this chip we can break through the technological gates, so to speak, and then your spy program will be received by them without resistance. We were planning on trying to fool their identifiers, now with the android remains, we don't need to as we have one."
"So what you are saying is that you have increased the chances of success?" Maynard still looked irritated and the young man squirmed.
"Err . . . yes. All we need is the spy program you mentioned."
"I have it here." And Maynard held up a data card of sorts, it was something new, nothing the young man recognized and he leant forward to peer at it closely.
"I'm not sure I've seen a card like that before, but I'm sure we will be able to access the program on it and combine the two."
"No - you must construct a device that will enable the identifier to drop the guards of the Rexis system, and then separately deliver the spy program."
"It would be far easier . . ."
"No! And further, you must take all steps to ensure the program is not activated here on Regis. This program must not be loaded on to any of our systems, understood; make sure it is isolated."
"Then how will we be able to test that it is operational?"
Maynard smiled. "Siebel, minds far greater than ours put this together, it will be devastatingly operational. Your job is simply to make sure it can be delivered without resistance or discovery."
"Yes sir, it will be a little more complex but we can have it done in three periods."
"You have two periods, and it must be done!"
"Two? But . . ."
"Two periods, no more - and report your progress to me daily." Without another word Maynard turned and stalked from the room.
Siebel looked at the card long and hard. It was clearly an early generation. In fact it looked positively ancient. He turned it in his hands and for some reason couldn't contain an involuntary shudder. Hmm, how to contain its contents without interacting with the office system proper? It was time to discuss the matter with his colleagues, together they might find a solution, and in fact they must.
Maynard proceeded immediately to his next engagement in engineering on the Regis flight deck. For a society that eschewed advanced technology the ships arrayed on the deck looked quite advanced although he pretended disinterest as he passed them, after all, it wouldn't do for a senior Senate leader to show too much interest in the tools of evil. In truth he knew the ships were generations behind the technology of Rexis and as a society they were so far behind their sister planet it didn't bear thinking about. He allowed himself a brief smile as the thought of the Rexis riches flitted through his mind and he couldn't resist stroking a hand along the flank of the final craft before slipping through the doors into engineering and making for the office of the site manager.
The office was empty as he approached but before he entered he could hear the sound of footsteps hurrying behind him. Deliberately he slipped in quickly to expose the manager's lateness and taking a seat he ignored the man as he darted in the door behind him.
"I am sorry my lord, I knew you would want the latest update and I personally saw to it." The man sidled around his desk giving Maynard a wide berth.
Maynard waited a few seconds before leaning forward and gesturing for him to continue. "And . . . the update is?"
The man leant forward conspiratorially, "The vessel is primed and ready M'lord. It will perform its function, as planned, on first contact with the Rexis ship. That should be close enough for it to appear that the Rexis vessel aggressively triggered the . . . reaction, and more importantly close enough for the escape pod to be drawn into the planet's atmosphere."
"Good, good. And the . . . reaction - it will look like an attack?"
"There will be very little remaining to suggest otherwise M'lord; it is unlikely anyone on Regis will see it any other way."
"And the escape pod?"
"Will be dispatched just prior M'lord; it will appear to be just another piece of debris. Once clear of our ship it is expected the explosion will assist in propelling it toward the planet."
"Expected? What is your degree of confidence?"
"Oh - fifty percent at least M'lord." The man nodded happily.
"Hmm, yes, that will do. At best our man will get through, at worst we will have reason to attack - I see no downside." He laughed evilly and the manager joined in with a nervous titter.
Maynard stood quickly and extended his hand. The two exchanged a complex handshake except Maynard held the grip and eye contact several seconds longer than necessary.
"I know M'lord, nothing will ever pass these lips, of that you can be sure."
"Have the vessel ready to leave at a moment's notice."
"Yes M'lord, do we have any idea when they will be leaving?"
"Yes." Maynard answered, and without elaborating he stalked from the room.
* * *
Control Room: The Behemoth, on the Orion Path, first Portal Exit
They gathered in the Behemoth control room as it allowed for the extra numbers required in this briefing. Still, it was only the leadership team, Regan, Ham, Hilary and Charlotte who had joined them by shuttle, Brian Timu and four of his lieutenants, plus Bob who had jumped in earlier and who like Hilary chose to manifest in his avatar form.
Regan chuckled to herself as she took Bob in, as always the dandy with winkle picker shoes. His look contrasted sharply with the rugged muscular builds of the soldiers while Ham's powerful android presence towered over them all.
Regan and Charlotte exchanged smiling glances, both aware of the testosterone leaking from every male pore in the room.
[How are you Charlie?] Regan subbed.
[Hilary and I are both good, and Jared is excellent.] She laughed, drawing admiring glances which did not escape her attention. She smiled at Regan. [Do you have that feeling we could be jumped at any moment?]
[These guys do tend to spend a lot of time in their own company.] Regan looked across at the soldiers, noting their sly glances, mainly at Charlotte she observed with frustration. Perhaps I'm getting too old, she reflected, late thirties and I'm already over the hill. At the same moment she turned to catch Ham's attention and found him standing so close it shocked her. His eyes were also fixed on the soldiers, his attitude radiating quiet threat. Don't even think of looking. She smiled to herself and then turned back to the troops.
"Well Brian, you seem happy with the plan. The intelligence identifies the key entrance points - however isn't it true we still have no idea where to find the likely repository of the genovirus; I understand you have something to add here Ham?"
"Yes, we know these people eschew technology, particularly artificial intelligence. However while we weren't able to confirm it in our reconnaissance, Bob and I did detect wireless signals and clearly high tech computer activity from one particular building in the palace; it was this one." He turned and gestured toward the screen
bringing up a visual of the palace. A dark three story building was highlighted and sprang up in their vision. "Nowhere else is there any evidence of computer wireless signal or data transfer. These people do not even have television, can you believe it? They live in something like the dark ages with mechanical ground and air transport. Communication is by basic wire telephone or runner, and yet we know they retain the ships that took them there and happily use them when it suits; and . . ." he paused for effect before pointing again at the screen, "that building shows every indication they continue to make use of technology behind closed doors. The genovirus is most likely housed there and that is the spot we will make for when we penetrate the palace."
"And when you get there?" Regan asked.
"Nuke it!" Bob responded.
Ham smiled, and was about to speak when Brian took over.
"Something like that Bob, but our role will be to empty the building first with a minimum of injury or loss of life. While doing that we will seek to establish confirmation of the genovirus presence, or whether it is held elsewhere. Then we continue the process of occupying the palace with the hope of negotiating once we have control."
"They will never negotiate." Bob lamented.
"We will try Bob." Regan turned to him sympathetically. "We will try to negotiate first but you can be sure if they will not cooperate we will ensure they are no threat to Rexis for several generations to come. Brian and his team, along with Ham will take out this building so that it is rubble. If they cannot confirm destruction of the genovirus they will also take out the space port along with the ships. The people of Regis will have no way of reaching your planet and even if they accomplish that ability in the next few generations, by then your planet will have repopulated."
Regan's Reach 4: Avarice Page 16
