"You do know if he tries any of that sleazy lounge lizard stuff I'm going to castrate him?"
She laughed. "You have my permission to defend my honor - how far out of our way is this facility he suggests?"
"Not far at all really, it's virtually on the way at our speeds."
"Well, there you go, we may as well do it and we may come out with something good."
Jared wasn't convinced "I still think it could be a trap." She reached across to give him an encouraging pat but he pushed the hand away. "Mom, you're not listening to me; it's not worth the risk."
"Jared, we will be fine - Reubus would never be stupid enough to pull a stunt with Ham around, you know that." She shifted again in her seat and focused on the screen, her mind shifting to action mode. "Take us there Ham, and send a message in reply accepting the invitation."
* * *
As they drifted in Regan tried to picture the STEIN Traveler as it would appear from the Coran facility, if it could be seen at all. It would be a tiny matt black spherical shape hanging in space against a very dark background. The production facility by contrast was huge and disc shaped, much smaller than Hillary Station but significant nevertheless and much larger than the relatively tiny STEIN. How do we look from his perspective? She wondered. With the Saucer sliced off the base of the Sphere she somehow felt weaker, like a wounded bird.
Shaking such thoughts from her mind she considered how they would make the passage across. She didn't want to get too close with some intuitive thought prompting her to keep Jared and the STEIN Traveler away from the action. She instead decided on taking a Pod rather than displacment and rose from her chair with determination to get the job done.
[Jared, you will stay here on the ship; I need you to take control if things get ugly. We'll keep you informed don't worry, but if anything happens, you get to Marin and Leah, understand?]
[You're not putting me in control Mom, you're over protecting me. I'll be fine, just take me with you.]
[No Jared, you're staying here.] Ham's sub came quite firm and unequivocal and even Jared seemed surprised but he didn't question it or grumble, just pushed back into his chair with a sigh.
[So it's just you and I Ham, I suggest we hold off here at a distance and take a Pod.]
[Agreed . . . Regan, have you backed up?]
She looked surprised. [Shit, are you worried too? For the record I have, just now, so shall we do this thing?] She didn't wait for his reply, bending instead to peck Jared on the cheek before turning for the elevator doors. Ham joined her without a word.
The Pod slid effortlessly from the STEIN leaving its coin slot space and adding to the sphere’s incomplete and vulnerable look. As Jared watched them dart away his eyes shifted to the plants blue field screen and as he zoomed in he could just make out a figure standing there, tall and powerful. It was an android he was sure. Closing his eyes he connected with the STEIN's computer system and followed the data stream, eventually linking with Ham in the Pod and merging there, riding as a passenger on his thoughts. He no longer made distinctions between himself and Mori, such manifestations of one or the other now being simply displays of convenience to reassure others or make some convenient point more powerfully. Was it he or Mori who rode now with Ham, and was Ham even aware? It mattered not.
Regan zoomed in on the Reubus android as they neared the deck and she could see he seemed calm and assured.
[He's alone Ham.]
[It looks like it, now why would that be?]
[Maybe his other clones are off drumming up support?]
[Maybe - but be careful Regan, we are alone here too in a sense.]
She smiled nervously, doubts creeping into her mind for the first time. [Yes, we are alone but I am with you.] She turned to reach out and take the warm android hand, squeezing it gratefully. To her annoyance she realized Ham was deliberately taking the Pod ridiculously close to Reubus who didn't move, the android standing his ground defiantly. It was like a game of chicken and she squeezed the hand again, angrily now. [Ham don't be all macho, we're here to negotiate.]
He was unfazed. [Think of it as good cop, bad cop Regan, and we all know who the bad cop is here.]
Sliding past Reubus so close it must have brushed the surface of his android skin Ham deposited the Pod at the far side of the deck and near the elevator doors he could see. The position forced Reubus to cross the huge deck, which he did at a jog as Ham opened the rear doors of the Pod. He and Regan then exchanged a last look of encouragement before standing together; Ham gesturing for her to follow as he stepped to the opening.
Reubus couldn't hide the look of disappointment as Ham stepped from the Pod but he quickly lit up as Regan appeared. She saw the look, and it did not escape her that he appeared especially pleased, as if something dawned on him at just the sight of her.
Jared, watching through Ham's eyes from the STEIN, also saw the look.
"It's a trap Ham, I know it; he was pleased to see she's there in person, his look changed as soon as he confirmed it."
[I know Jared, but I'm on to it.] The reply came back quickly and radiated calm. Jared settled back to follow their progress, but he was no less concerned.
Reubus chatted as they took their time touring the plant, it was only superficial conversation but he was friendly as he described improvements they were aiming to make and showed areas of refurbishment. Nevertheless it was obvious to Regan that the plant was old, and if anything the improvements were more about stretching out its life than developing for the future. Ham, she noted, was showing admirable restraint in light of the obvious; Reubus was avoiding something.
The tour stretched on, the tedium not helped by Reubus's pontification; the Mind was a bore. It led them deeper and deeper into the plant, a fact that began to make her nervous, nervous enough to sub Ham.
[Are we secure?]
[Nothing can break our private channels babe, what's up?]
[I'm not happy with how far we are from the flight deck Ham, and I know you can't be happy with this, why aren't you saying something?]
[Perhaps now's the time babe, he listens to you.]
Regan gritted her teeth at the reply, not really what she was looking for in his response. She decided to take matters in her own hands. She stopped in mid corridor letting Reubus walk on a few paces still prattling until he noticed and turned.
"What's wrong Regan, are you tired?"
"Reubus, I am tired but not in body. Forgive me, but what is this all about, why have you brought me here?"
He looked affectedly hurt. "Why Regan, to show you the plant and to talk, this is, after all, what your visit to the system is about isn't it? And the reason for our discussion is revealed here too; I just wanted us to be open, and on the same screen so to speak."
She looked around pointedly. "Reubus, I fail to see the connection. This plant is old, it's refurbished yes but still old and it isn't even in active production, and why are there no technicians or other personnel here?"
He turned slowly and gave her a most patronizing look. "Ah, you noticed that of course, how observant."
Ham's fist drew back slowly in the corner of Regan's vision and without looking she reached to grip his arm in restraint. "Reubus, I'm giving you the benefit of the doubt here and assuming you have some relevant point to make from all this?"
He smiled, "Yes of course, you are quite right. The point, dear Regan, is that the plant, while refurbished, was only ever going to be useful for a few more years; there was no point in extra investment, that would be bad business."
She looked at him suspiciously, "And the reason for that is?"
"Exotic matter Regan, our supplies are dwindling within the system. Oh we will have sufficient for the foreseeable future but for any Mind short timescales are irrelevant, we need to plan much further ahead, don't you agree?"
"But why then are you taking such a risk of offending your clients, you're ripping them off." Her words trailed off as the realization hit her and Ham answered th
e question instead.
"Because the bastard is buying up the system before the energy source runs out. He's screwing everybody while he can."
"Simple supply and demand economics my dear Ham; the supply is dwindling, the price goes up while we . . ." and now he trailed off leaving the gap for Regan to fill.
She made the connections quickly. "While we develop alternative energy sources and technology . . . so - you were interested in Tihan's work after all?" She could see it now and the light showed in her expression.
Reubus's enthusiasm lifted. "Of course, just good business you understand and the potential is still there for us to work together to maximize this opportunity, but not if you go ahead with your plans for the Orbital Council. Regan - we should be working together, not against each other."
She shook her head. "Reubus, you go too far, even the two of us together is too few in control, and market dominance of that kind eventually works against development and improvement; I've seen it before. Dominate a market through development and technological strength yes and then let the consumer decide, but not through acquisition for unfair advantage."
[Babe, something just happened.] Ham subbed.
Reubus scowled. "So you won't see reason, you won't work with me?"
[Babe, are you hearing me?]
Regan was shaking her head sadly, but not to Ham - to Reubus. "I can't work with you Reubus, not the way you work. It may be legal to monopolize a market at the moment but I don't believe it's healthy for technological and product development in the long term. Competition keeps us sharp."
[Babe, why can't you hear me? Jared, are you there?] There was no reply and Ham quickly grabbed Regan's arm. "Babe, we need to talk, privately."
Reubus’s look was smug. "You have a problem Ham . . . would you like me to leave you for a moment?"
"Yes push off Reubus; I want to talk to my partner alone."
"Of course, I'll leave you then for a few minutes." He bowed and walked away, back the way they had come. Ham waited until Reubus turned a corner before speaking again.
"Babe, can you sub?"
"What?" She looked surprised and then concentrated. There was a moment's pause. "No, and I can't get Jared either, what's happening?"
"I don't know but I don't like it, we need to get out of here back to the deck."
She grabbed his arm, "Listen . . ."
In the direction of where Reubus had headed they could hear a distinctive ping, ping, ping, the sounds of impacts and they were getting faster with each note. She quickly recognized them as footsteps, and those feet were running - away from them.
Instinctively Regan turned to look the other way, down the corridor in the opposite direction where they had been heading only a moment earlier. She could see nothing but she could hear a different noise, a distant roaring that needed only a microseconds processing to register it was getting louder.
"Oh shit Ham, we need to run . . ." And already she was sprinting, cursing her forty year old body as Ham easily fell into stride beside her.
* * *
The Saucer emerged from warp and immediately commenced pouring enormous energies into slowing. Simultaneously they began signaling for the STEIN Traveler using the standard code, 'MHALL'.
The reply came back swiftly . . . IFWWAS and without further checks Marin subbed through for Regan as they were within range.
[Hey babe, it's so good you've arrived.]
It was Jared who replied. [Mom's not on the ship Marin, she and Ham went on to the energy plant to meet Reubus.] Even by sub they could tell he was concerned. [Marin, I can't talk with them, all sub communication was lost five minutes ago and I can't contact them.]
[Any idea what happened?]
[None, I was just considering going down.]
[No Jared, you stay there, we'll go in and find out what's happened. You can be the one to call for help if we need it.] There followed a pause without reply. [Jared - did you hear me?] Marin's tone was quite definite.
[Yes, I stay here.] That he was reluctant was obvious.
[Ham.] Marin bypassed the boy. [Make sure Jared doesn't get off that ship]
[Already decided Marin, I wouldn't have let him leave anyway. Marin, my android copy is in there with Regan so she may be fine, but we have no idea. Be careful in there - you know how you blunder into things.]
[At least I won't have you under my feet.]
[You just get there; and give me a minute I'm updating with the transport.]
The huge disc shape of the plant loomed into view on the control screen and they could see the STEIN Traveler in the distance but well in the clear. Ham, now fully updated, guided the Saucer toward the plant field screen and they held there for a minute while they considered the best approach.
[What do you think Leah?]
[Settle us just inside the screen Ham; we can suss out the situation then, before going in.]
Ham drifted the Saucer through the field screen, not bothering to alert the plant system of their presence, it would be registered anyway. He allowed the transport to rest just off the deck and powered down. Marin and Leah made for the doors.
"Do we need weapons?" Marin asked.
"We don't carry weapons." Leah chuckled back.
"I have a gun." He grinned and then stepped through the door and down to the deck. She laughed then stepped down to join him as they scanned the deck, empty except for the Pod which they could see in the distance and another shuttle off to the side.
Walking toward the distant craft they tried contacting Regan but there was still with no reply. Marin wasn't concerned and quickly checked back with the Saucer; surely Ham could establish contact from there?
[We're getting nothing from Regan Ham, how are you getting on?]
He waited for a reply but none came.
[Ham?] Marin paused in his steps and looked back toward the Saucer, hauling Leah to a halt also.
[Ham?]
"What's up babe?" Leah asked.
"I can't get Ham by sub, can you?"
She concentrated for a second. "No, and I can't get you either, Marin. I don't like this, what's happening?"
He hesitated for a moment considering what to do. "She's still in there somewhere Leah, we need to go in."
"But should we do that without contact with Ham?"
He shook his head and looked toward the doors in the distance. "What would she do if it were us?"
They shared a look of determination and then without another word recommenced the walk toward the Pod.
Meanwhile, as Regan and Ham retraced their steps at a run, it occurred to her all the corridors radiated out from the centre core and whatever was causing the roar building in strength behind them would also be radiating outwards. It sounded very ugly and there would be little left. A glance back as they neared the exit to the flight deck revealed a ball of flame several hundred meters away surging up the space behind her. It took only a small portion of her mind to picture the meltdown that must be driving it and she frantically redoubled her efforts wishing for Ham's android speed. He was ahead of her, already forcing the last doors open with brute strength and holding them so she could sprint straight through, out onto the deck with the Pod now only fifty meters away.
The doors slammed shut behind them and they quickly covered the remaining gap to the Pod; and then she saw them. Two figures, Marin and Leah, walking together almost half way across the deck. They spied her almost at the same time and immediately began to jog causing a flash of panic to course down her arms. Ham seemed not to have noticed and grabbed her, pulling her toward the Pod.
"No - Ham, look - it's Leah and Marin." Regan shook loose and screamed out to the pair while waving her arms frantically, "GO BACK . . . GO BACK . . . GO BACK!"
They didn't seem to hear and continued their run toward her.
"Regan, you can't do anything, get over here!"
"Ham, why isn't the Saucer displacing them?"
"I can't help from here, and you know I can't communica
te with the Saucer or the Pod - get in here!"
But she was running now, screaming at Marin and Leah to go back, and pointing behind her to the plant doors, swearing and waving, screaming over and over. Ham hesitated only a moment before darting toward the Pod, the only hope of a quick displacement and safety for them both - and then Reubus stepped out from behind it to confront him. Ham stopped and glanced quickly back to Regan who he could see was still running and in that millisecond he knew, if Reubus fights me it will be too late anyway. So he didn't try, and turning in one powerful motion he surged after Regan, accelerating to an incredible sprint across the deck.
The Reubus copy watched him go before turning its head toward the deck doors and contemplating the inferno building beyond them. A momentary glance back at the running figures revealed them still not midway across the deck and it gave him all the confidence he needed. They will never survive. He calmly commenced deleting himself from the android, leaving it to tip back and rest against the Pod hull. His final thoughts just before complete erasure? What is it that Regan says? Perfect planning prevents evidence remaining . . . He laughed . . . or something like that? And then things faded to black.
Out on the deck Marin finally grasped Regan's message and he slowed to a stop, hauling Leah back with him. They debated there for a second, both confused and reluctant as they looked toward Regan who was running but still a good two hundred meters away, and then beyond her they saw explosions as the doors to the flight deck burst outward with surging flame spilling out like a flood.
All hesitation gone, Marin roughly pulled Leah around and drove her toward the Saucer with his arm as he sprinted behind, urging her forward with every step and not daring to look back.
Regan slowed to a jog as she watched them go and then finally she succumbed, bending double with exhaustion and gasping from the effort. She glanced back up just in time to see the pair nearing safety and sobbed with relief.
Regan's Reach 4: Avarice Page 31
