[I'm sure she will meet you there soon, we're just discussing a few things with Ham.]
Regan stopped in mid stride, her antennae twitching. [What's that all about?]
[Oh nothing important dear, we can talk later.]
[Uh huh . . .] Regan resumed her walk not at all satisfied by the response; Ham was up to something, she knew it.
When Charlotte entered control five minutes after Regan the first thing Regan noticed was that she was rubbing the side of her head as if exploring.
"Problems Charlie?"
"Oh - god it's good to see you Regan - No, nothing in particular anyway, just some changes Ham made to the operation, future proofing apparently."
Regan rolled her eyes. [Ham, where are you?]
The beautiful man appeared to Charlotte's right, one hand on her shoulder as if they were sharing good news, conception or something like it. "Regan, you will be pleased I know, we made good use of the time during the operation and Charlie is very pleased at the enhancements I was able to include in the procedure, aren't you Charlie?"
"Err . . . I think so, although I'm not sure I know exactly what's happened."
"Of course you do, we discussed everything, as you were going under."
Ham turned back to Regan to find her glaring at him with arms tightly crossed.
"Babe," he appealed to her, "you know how extensive the operation is, and I'm so good at it now it would be criminal to not include all the potential for upgrade that is possible. And Charlie was quite definite that she wanted to continue to have Hilary working with her."
"So . . . Charlie now has the full fit out, is that what you're telling me?"
"Well not the full fit out, nothing like Jared, that's for sure."
"Oh, well that's a relief anyway." Regan's sarcasm was obvious.
Charlotte raised her hand like a schoolgirl. "Excuse me, Regan, perhaps you can put it in language I can understand." She sounded hopeful.
Regan sighed loudly. "Sit down Charlie." They both took seats.
"Ham, in his infinite wisdom, has taken it upon himself to not just give you the neural web Hilary discussed with you, but to also include a small processor. What this means is that you now have in your head a tiny computer and a shielded power source that will outlive you. From what Ham has indicated to me it means that Hilary can now reside in your head providing you instant access to more information than you can imagine and should rightly have access to. That makes me very nervous although you have shown nothing but loyalty and responsibility to date."
"And Regan," Hilary butted in, "you should know me by now; I know where my loyalties lie."
"I know that Hilary, which is another reason I haven't flown right off the handle." She turned her eyes on the beautiful man. "Ham." and she sighed knowingly "Why didn't you discuss this with me?" And then without waiting for an answer she threw her hands in the air. "Oh don't bother answering, it's because I would have said no. Right, let's get on with things I need to know all about the celebrations and progress on getting the colonists down to the planet. Then we need to get the Behemoth to Regis, pronto."
* * *
It was embarrassing; all the speeches extolling her virtues, vision and strength, the cheers from the ecstatic and happy colonists, the unwanted attention of the aging Rexis males who all seemed so confident of their prowess; it was too much and Regan just wanted to get away. Yet she could see humans would do well here, and with drive and determination humanity would thrive on the planet. Furthermore the technology flow in both directions offered opportunity for trade and development beyond her wildest dreams. Without question Gliese also offered opportunities, but the wide open trade and immigration possibilities here on Rexis were incredible.
Perhaps her greatest joy came with the speech from Bob on behalf of the Mind’s collective. His gratitude at working with Regan and her team shone through with every word. His hope for the future and belief that great things would result from this new start under Regan's leadership quite took her breath away, as did the fact that everyone applauded and no one seemed to question the proclamation. In fact, such was the expectation of her continued participation it became obvious she couldn't just up and leave. After consultation with Ham the decision was made; they would both copy themselves to androids and remain there for the time being. At the same time, they would also move. There was business to be done after all, on Regis first, then on to Gliese and the avaricious Reubus.
So, how to handle young Perin?
[He's ready.]
[Okay Ham, I'm on my way up now.]
Charlotte and Regan made their way across the Fair Passage flight deck and on into the elevator.
[Do you think he'll work with you Regan?]
[I don't know Charlie; I guess it depends on how persuasive Ham has been.]
The elevator took them straight to the liners control room, and they found it empty of crew for the moment with most choosing to attend the celebrations. As they entered they could see the avatars of Hilary and Lucas chatting in the background while Ham's powerful android dominated the relatively squat form of Perin who was waiting for them. The look on Perin’s face as they approached was one of hushed awe and he stepped forward nervously to take first Charlotte's, then Regan's hand in greeting. In Regan's case he held it as if it were magnetized and looked into her eyes as if searching for something before turning back to Ham.
"Can it really be true?"
"It is true Perin, she is everything I have told you, and you must take this message to your people if they are to thrive."
He shook his head doubtfully. "But how can I know for sure?"
Regan now looked confused. "Know what Ham? What is he talking about?"
Ham looked at her hopefully, wind milling his hands in appeal. "You need to do the thing, you know -" and he waved again, " - the thing!"
"I'm not doing that, what's this all about?"
"Regan, think about it. His whole society sees artificial intelligence, technology and especially highly developed Minds as something threatening and evil. They see a Mind as the antithesis of all that is good, something that is not remotely natural, which is what they worship. You are the proof that the natural and the technological can come together. Show him. He'll take the message to his people along with the truth about Maynard. Trust me, it's the only way."
Charlotte could see Regan was grinding her teeth as she stared at her android partner, weighing up his words. It was continually a mystery to her, listening to Ham and Regan talk, and most of the time having no idea what they were on about, and then she saw a shimmer developing from the side of Regan's body, a shimmer that took form as an avatar that then seemed to slide apart from her to stand beside them.
"Oh - my - god!" Charlotte exclaimed.
Perin dropped to his knees. "This isn't some trick?"
"Does it look like a trick you fooool?" Ham admonished him.
Regan's avatar walked forward and reached to rest the avatar hand over Perin's shoulder, an experience he found so moving he burst into tears.
"I will not let you down M'lady. I won't let you down; my uncle will pay for his crimes and I will do what I can to advance your cause on the planet. This I promise you, it may not happen immediately but the people are ready for change, of that I am sure. With your support we will certainly win them."
The avatar then walked back and merged smoothly again so that only the one Regan remained. She turned, smiling to an amazed Charlotte.
"Well Charlie, you've just about seen it all now and I know Hilary will inform you about any other stuff you need to know. Now, I'm going to leave you and I won't see you again in person for a while, probably not until you see me next on Hillary Station. My avatar and android forms will remain here and they are me too, if you know what I mean?" Charlotte's blank look spoke otherwise. "Look, My copy remaining here will handle the diplomatic stuff but I want you Charlie to handle the fleet. I'm making you overall Commander and I've already informed Lucas and Rubik o
f that fact. You will have all the resources of the fleet at your disposal and Hilary to work with in getting the job done. Do you accept?"
"Oh my god, do I accept? Yes!"
"Excellent, I thought you would. Now, we are going to be taking the Behemoth to Regis to sort the problems there first and the ship should be back in only a week or so. Until then oversee the settlement of your colonists, and when that's done I guess it will be time to go back and collect the next intake from Earth."
To her delight Charlotte was speechless and Regan smiled, turning next to Perin. "Perin, follow me, we'll catch a shuttle across to the Behemoth and then we'll be off. You have only a day to plan what you're going to say and how you will do it so you'd better get it right. I'm sure Ham will help you, he's always been a great director of fantasy epics."
With a nod to Charlotte and the smiling Hilary, they were gone.
* * *
Fifino Orbital, Gliese 667C
The Regan and Ham that remained in the Gliese system had not been idle. Busy as they had been however one part of Regan's mind was fixated on the new relational dynamics with Marin and Leah. As she watched the pair talk a fresh insight came to her and Regan found herself alert to their body language and positioning in the saucer control. Having noticed a pattern it took only a second for her to separate one part of her consciousness and review all of their movements covering the last hour's discussion. She tracked where the four of them had stood, where they walked and sat. And it was painful to notice Marin and Leah constantly drawn toward each other as if by some gravitational force despite it being plain they were trying to be discreet. That they were so obviously trying to hide things only made viewing the process worse and she quickly banished the visual to concentrate on the planning.
Quietly she reveled in the android body she had worn across from Dahlia Orbital. A glance across at Ham, also inhabiting one of the latest models distracted her from the personal ache she felt and a surge of confidence passed through her that they would get the job done. Even without Marin and Leah she felt confident Ham and she were a private army of virtually unstoppable force. But that wasn't really an option. If the support of this system’s people and Minds was to be won then this extraction of the Styles family would need to be carried out without force and done legally. She turned her attention back to the discussion.
"We need to know where they are in the compound." Leah was saying.
"We're certain all three are still in there," Marin added, "but so far the information Ham has been able to get out doesn't include anything about Ruben."
"Ham - are you able to identify the location of Aaron's room accurately?" Regan asked.
"Yes, he's still being housed with Moriah."
"So we only need to get Ruben together with them."
Marin looked doubtful. "Babe, we don't even know where he is, we can't communicate with them and clearly Leith wants to keep them apart anyway."
"True, but let's imagine we could get them together, Ham, could we displace them right out of there?"
"Not from here babe, we're pressed up against the hull of the Orbital but the compound is too far inside to reach with a field bubble."
"But what if we made a portable displacer, something we could transport within the Orbital, maybe even right up to the walls of the fortress so to speak; could that be done?" She was excited now, a plan forming in her mind.
"I guess so - yes, in theory it could be done. I'd need help from Tihan to gather the materials and as Orbital Mind he'd need to turn a blind eye to the energy signature as we transported it through the corridors, otherwise with the power required it would set off alarms throughout the area. But, to answer your question, yes it can be done."
"How long - to get the thing built I mean?"
"Probably a period at most, say ten days, that's with Marin and Leah helping to gather what we need, but can we afford for them to be seen?"
"No one knows us here Ham," Marin said, "only the Orbital mind would be likely to notice and if you have him on side, well, what's the problem?"
"Even if Ham can build a displacer, and even if we can get it outside it still doesn't solve the problem of getting Ruben together with them." Leah chipped in. "We simply can't take them out without that boy."
"I think I can handle that part, leave it with me." Regan said with a confident look.
"What are you going to do babe?" Marin asked.
"I'll just go in and talk to Aaron of course." And she smiled mischievously.
Of course it was impossible to eliminate risk; Ham's limited data on the compound was also historical. The delivery automatons only passed in and out once per day unless making an urgent courier delivery, however on each occasion Ham had step by step confirmed and mapped a good deal of the interior. He was now almost certain he knew the location of the night rooms for Aaron and Moriah and he assured Regan he could provide coordinates that would also be almost perfect. She glared at his typically noncommittal assurance but accepted it as it was certainly accurate enough for what she had in mind; provided Aaron hadn't been moved since the last report.
They waited until midnight and then jumped from the Saucer in a short deadly accurate hop right into the bedroom of Aaron and Moriah. Materializing together in the centre of the room Ham couldn't resist cyber punching Regan's shoulder at the accuracy of his floor plan. "Doubter!" He whispered.
The room being small, they emerged near to the bed and they could see the couple sleeping, spooned together, both looking drawn and haggard.
Regan leaned over and whispered to the softly snoring man. "Aaron - Aaron, it's me Regan."
He shuffled but didn't respond.
"Aaron – Aaron." She called a little louder, and then noticed Moriah's arm creeping toward a button on the wall. "DON’T!" She hissed loudly and the arm was pulled sharply back under the sheet. The action woke Aaron with a start and he sat up, pulling the sheet away as he did so. Moriah, exposed now, looked wide eyed and guiltily at the pair who were standing there shimmering in the darkness.
Aaron rubbed his eyes furiously, "My god Regan - and Ham, how did you find us?"
"Don't worry about that Aaron; it's not important, are you all right?"
"Yes, yes I'm - ," and then he looked sideways at Moriah, "we're both fine, but they won't let us see Ruben and it's been days and days, is he all right?"
"I'm sorry my friend, we don't know yet but I do have a plan to get you all out; the question I need to ask is - is that what you want?"
"Of course I want out but . . ." He let the words hang as he looked sideways at Moriah.
Regan sighed and sat at the foot of the bed; she could see Moriah was frightened.
"Moriah, there's no need to be concerned; babe, what is it that you want, I mean are you really happy with everything that's happened here?"
The Coran beauty shuffled uncomfortably. "I'm sure this is all just a misunderstanding Regan, Leith will be looking after Ruben and if Aaron wasn't so stubborn none of this would have happened."
"It's not about being stubborn." Aaron interjected.
"Never mind that," Regan continued, "Moriah, you haven't really answered my question; are you comfortable with what Leith has done, separating you from Ruben?"
At this tears welled in Moriah's eyes. "No, no of course I'm not happy. We don't know where he is or if he's all right . . . I just wanted for Aaron to get what he deserves from his work, for Ruben too, and now . . . now it's all gone wrong." She began to sob with grief as Aaron held her.
Regan stretched out her arm to hover a hand over Moriah's knee; her concern was obvious. "Babe, I can understand how you feel, the thought of Jared being taken from me or being hurt by someone is unthinkable, and I've done some unthinkable things because of that. But Moriah, this man Leith is not who you think he is, he may be your cousin but he's also an agent of others; we think some pretty unscrupulous others."
"There is no doubt about it," Ham added quickly, "Leith was an agent for the old Coran Emperor
, and he played a key part in the takeover of Dahlia so that alone makes him a criminal in my eyes, and now he's still acting for dubious bosses. The man's a slug, and he's not interested in Aaron or you; he may even be a killer."
Regan raised a hand to stay him. "Yes, thank you Ham, some of that is not particularly helpful, I'm sure no one is going to be killed here."
"Are you willing to take that chance? I'm not."
Aaron had already heard enough. "What do you want us to do Regan? I want to get out of here, no question, but not without Ruben - or Moriah." He hugged her tightly.
"Moriah." Regan appealed to her. "We can't do anything without your support too. If my plan is going to work, you have to play along."
Moriah hesitated before answering. "You can get us all out safe?"
"I think so, in fact I'm sure so."
"And you will look after Aaron and his breakthroughs, make sure he'll get what he deserves?"
Again Regan sighed. "Moriah, I thought we already were looking after both Aaron, and you. But yes, let us get you out of here and I promise we will sit down and discuss your concerns; I'm sure we can resolve them."
Moriah looked relieved. "Then yes, but first please just get Ruben out, even if you can't save us."
Regan looked much happier. "Babe, I'm sure we will get you all out, it could take us a week or so to get everything together but we will do it and in the meantime there are some things you need to do to help.
Aaron groaned with relief. "Anything Regan, we just want to get out with Ruben."
"Okay, now this is the plan, and it all starts with you Aaron; you need to agree to give them everything they want - provided . . ."
They talked for another hour, explaining and reassuring, until everything was clear.
Regan's Reach 4: Avarice Page 28
