Regan's Reach 2: Orbital Envy

by Mark G Brewer

  Dahlia continued. "There is more Kevin, a warning; the warship has come here on behalf of the Empress . . . for Regan."

  "The Empress?"

  "Marin's mother, the Empress Beria, of Coran."

  Rod and Minjee excused themselves after an hour of discussion. It was becoming distinctly administrative in nature and they were tired, the adrenalin long since having worn off. They proceeded back down the pipe toward the USD decks and their respective rooms. Stopping outside his door Rod padded it open then turned to Minjee.

  "You were great Minjee. I think we make a good team."

  She lifted her arm and prodded him in the chest, pushing him back into the room.

  She followed closely keeping him moving with small shoves and the door hissed shut behind her. "I thought we were going to die back there Rod, only for a bit, but I felt it . . . Rod, life is short."

  He reached the bunk and stumbled back on it. She climbed astride his legs and kissed him.

  He held her off for a moment, "Are you sure you want to do this?"

  "Rod baby, I'm still coming down from the adrenalin high of my life. Take advantage while you can. It's time for Chow."

  He swung her on to the bunk in one fluid motion finishing on top with her legs wrapped around his waist tightly. His hands reached for the zipper of her flight suit. "I did feel peckish."

  Taking his weight on his elbows he had her pinned and kissed her gently. He then stood stripping off his suit quickly as she shuffled hers down her body and kicked it away. He couldn't help pausing and drinking in the sight. Tiny yes, gorgeous absolutely! She parted and raised her legs in invitation, a wicked smile on her face. He wasn't prepared for this, licking his hand he reached down to massage her, then teasingly positioned himself before impaling her in one smooth motion.

  Later as they stood in the swirling shower mist, Minjee leant against the wall, her back to him as he soaped and marveled at her exquisite body. She arched her back and purred like a cat. It was impossible to resist and he grasped her hips, entering again and leaning forward to embrace her and massage her small breasts. For the moment, the station, the floating bodies, the future, all existed in some other dimension.

  * * *

  The STEIN Traveler

  Walking across the dunes at times she needed to jump from plant to plant so hot was the sand. From this vantage she could see well down the white sand beach and paused to watch long waves curving around the bay, building to curls then crashing, one after another toward the shallows. The foam patterns held her attention until her eyes were drawn to the small girl playing in the flotsam, running squealing from each incoming wave, allowing herself to be caught by the last ripples, then jumping with delight. The girl splashed through the shallows yelping to the sand.

  Diverting down to the flat she ran for a while in the girls direction, crossing the burning sands as if hopping over burning coals then slowed to a stroll on the damp edge, occasionally kicking at the foamy residue as she walked nearer to the bundle of joy.

  The girl spied her and ran over quickly, taking her hand. "Will you swim with me, please, please . . ." and she leant back pulling toward the water.

  "I don't think so; I don't like the salty water." And the woman . . . yes, she was a woman, pulled back.

  "Oh please!" The girl was insistent, "I'm not allowed to swim on my own . . . please swim with me." And she tugged on her hand pulling her toward the tide.

  And suddenly the mood did come on her, "Ok then, I'll race you." And she ran for the surf, quickly before she could reason it away. The little girl squealing with delight splashed after her, calling for her to wait.

  She turned and picked the girl up then together they waded out, jumping over the next wave, wading some more then crashing down into the curl of the next. They played for hours.

  Later, as they lay on their backs in the sun, salt tickling their skin as the water dried away, the blue sky seemed to dapple with clouds.

  "Some people see things in the clouds," The girl said solemnly, "can you?" and she reached up with her finger as if tracing something on the broad canvas above them.

  "They are beautiful," She replied, "Like big balls of cotton wool . . . can you see things?"

  "Oh yes!" The girl looked across at her with wide eyes, "Of course, I see islands . . . I want to live there, on an island in the sky."

  "I can help you do that." She propped herself on one elbow and looked down at the smiling child.

  "Could you do that, really?" the little girl was delighted.

  "Yes, why not, we could do it together."

  "Will it have a playground?"

  "Of course, it can have a playground, for fun."

  "And a bubble machine?"

  "A bubble machine?"

  "Yes, then we could blow a big bubble, that we could ride in, and be able to explore across the ocean, for other islands."

  She looked down at the girl, and couldn't help breaking into a delighted smile. She climbed to her feet and reached out her hand to the child. "You know, I think we could do that, it would be fun."

  She tenderly squeezed the small hand. "Come now Regan, It's time for an adventure . . . I think it's time to go home."

  She opened an eye and with it, scanned her surroundings, marveling at the feeling of movement as the eye rotated in the socket. It was a familiar room, but at first the word would not come to her . . . and then it was there . . . Medlab. A face appeared, young, pretty, worried . . . Leah.

  "Regan, can you hear me?"

  Regan . . . yes, Regan, of course . . . I, am Regan.

  "Can you hear me Regan?"

  Then, as if pieces of jigsaw were falling from the sky and ordering themselves one by one, a sense of awareness became appreciation, became understanding, then recollection, then completeness.

  "I hear you Leah."

  The woman burst into tears, "Oh thank the stars . . . oh shit . . . this is great, I'm so glad you're back."

  [Ham?]

  [I'm here babe]

  A flood of relief passed through her, overwhelming in its intensity and a tear trickled down her right cheek. The feeling didn't escape her. [I was right]

  [Yes you were, just the one eye to cry from, but you were never one to cry much anyway]

  "Can I move?"

  "I don't know Regan, take it easy, you've been lying down for a long time. Let me help you try to sit up." Leah leant over and with one arm around her back coaxed her into a sitting position. The gurney seemed to bend up behind her as support.

  She felt no sense of dizziness. It was as if some inner balance recalibrated instantly and her sense of self, position, attitude took substance. She was very much 'in the present'. A memory flashed back, of a similar moment and she went through the same steps. Move feet, hands, and head. Leah was watching her, fascinated, wide eyed. Regan smiled, and then broke into a happy laugh. Soon they were both laughing.

  "I know you're monitoring things Ham, how does it look?"

  "All you're vital signs are good. You seem to be speaking fine, you can sub, and balance seems good. I'd expect that it will take a few days for all the connections to develop fully. Can you walk?"

  Regan swung her legs to the side. They felt weak and sluggish but they responded. With Leah's support she eased herself on to the floor, immediately feeling the sense that they would give way. She grasped Leah, falling into a full embrace. Leah held her up, arms wrapped around her body, hands clasped behind Regan's buttocks.

  Face close to face, Leah smiled. "You know if it wasn't for that eye this could be quite a turn on."

  Regan returned the smile, "Terminator?" she suggested.

  "A bit . . . Ham will have that sorted out quickly, I hope."

  Regan tried again to take the weight on her legs and this time managed to hold her own weight while still leaning on Leah for support. Again the feeling of recalibration kicked in and she quickly gained her own balance, stepping away to arms length before walking with growing confidence around the
room. Completing a circuit she returned to Leah and embraced her. "Thank you so much Leah and thank you Ham . . . I'm back!" She turned and made for the door. "I need to see Jared."

  [Regan!] Ham brought her up short.

  "Clothes Regan," Leah held her arm, "they might be a good idea and I've got something for that . . . eye." She held up a ship suit . . . and a patch.

  Regan and Jared had been playing for an hour uninterrupted before Ham's first check in.

  [How are you feeling babe?]

  [A little disoriented . . . and I'm terrified that this cyborg thing is already suppressing the soft squishy bits, shit how would I know?]

  [How do you know it's not the soft squishy bit running the ship now?]

  [Hmm, I don't think so, I can tell it's not, but I also feel that it's Ok, I don't know why, but I do. I also feel like I'm more open, and I've decided on a new mantra, I just think it, and it works]

  [Show me]

  She drew in a long slow breath [Haaaaave] then as she exhaled [Funnnnn!]

  [Hmm, works for me too. Don't push yourself today Regan. You need to rest, at least for the next few days]

  [I agree, in fact I'd like a week before we go back. I want to get these legs moving again properly, get in the gym, and go for some runs]

  [I said rest!]

  [I heard you. I'll take it easy, and anyway this is how I rest. Where are we by the way?]

  [Just outside the Kuiper belt]

  [How long to get home?]

  [Depends how we travel, could be fast, hours?]

  [Sounds good then, we stay a week, then we rocket home, where's Leah?]

  [It seems you really are back. You could always check these facts yourself you know, but then why have a collie and bark yourself eh? She's in Control talking with Jean. Before you go in though, I'd get that patch back off Jared and wear it yourself . . . just a thought]

  Regan diverted into the control galley for coffee, still a little unsteady but gaining confidence all the time. She joined Jean and Leah who were talking in hushed tones. They looked up startled as she came in.

  "My ears were obviously burning, come on, let's have it, what's up." She took her usual chair and unconsciously moved to curl her legs up under her. It didn't work and they clipped the front of the chair causing her to fall forward spilling the coffee.

  "Regan I'm not going to tell you to get some rest because I know you won't listen," Jean came over and hugged her before busying herself mopping the spill with a wad of cloth she picked up off the floor. Leah couldn't help looking up to the stippled ceiling where several more wads seemed ready to plummet.

  Regan didn't seem to notice. Using her hand she pulled the feet up and tucked them in then savored her first sip of the rich brew for weeks. "I just wanted to check something with you both. I'd like to wait another week before going back, to build my strength back up and well, sort out my thinking. Is that ok?"

  "Of course Regan, I'm fine, for me this is the experience of a lifetime." Leah sounded like she meant it.

  "I'm fine too dear. I wish we could get word to Kevin though. They must be worried sick."

  "Good point Mom . . . Ham? Now that we know I'm at least compos mentis can we perhaps get within communication range?"

  "I'm not sure that would be a good idea for the patient." He spoke as if she wasn't there."She hasn't shown much ability to rein herself back in the past. But maybe we could cruise back quietly through the belt and make contact once through, maybe in two days?"

  Regan raised her eyes upwards in frustration, only to double take, diverted by the new decor. "What the . . ."

  They avoided her eyes.

  * * *

  From high up under the pines she scanned the beach, searching for the little girl. On spying her she felt a thrill of excitement. The girl was further down the shore than expected digging happily in the wet sand. Starting down the hot dune she looked carefully to place her feet securely on the steep slope then as her eyes panned back up she noticed a figure moving toward the child, a tall woman, in long robes, imperious. A feeling of dread came over her and a cry caught in her throat as she began to run toward them, the sand suddenly feeling like mire around her feet, quicksand that held her with every step. Screaming now she watched in horror as the woman led the smiling child out into the waves and then stopped, taking her by the shoulders and pushing . . .

  Regan sat bolt upright in bed, bathed in sweat, her heart thumping, hyperventilating.

  [Regan, its ok, its ok . . . you were dreaming]

  [Ham, she was there . . . or was that me? Oh shit . . . ]

  The door hissed open, and Leah entered. She walked quickly to the bunk and hugged her. "You were screaming, are you ok?"

  Still panting and shaking Regan tried to calm down. "It was just a nightmare, I'm sorry, my minds playing tricks on me."

  "Hey, give yourself a break; it's only been a day . . . My god you're soaking." Leah thought for a moment. "Come on," she helped Regan slide off the bunk, "you get in the shower and I'll change the sheets." Leah helped her into the bathroom and punched for the water, leaving her there while she attended to the wet bunk. Ten minutes later a fresh bed ready Leah returned to the shower to find Regan curled up on the floor under the stream. She stood there a moment considering what to do, then stripped off her own suit and entered the shower, joining Regan on the floor. Reaching up she took some soap and began to wash her friend's shoulders, slowly encouraging her to stand and then washing her gently, all the time offering soothing words. Turning off the flow she then took one of Regan's huge towels and dried first Regan, then herself before guiding her back to the bed. Leah helped her under the cover. "You ok now?" She squeezed Regan's shoulder.

  Regan looked up at her gratefully. "Stay please, will you?" And she turned away, curling up into a ball.

  Leah paused at the bedside, then lifted the sheet and joined her, molding herself to Regan's form, curling one arm around her.

  Regan snuggled back. "Just to be clear . . . I'm not gay."

  Leah replied with a brief chuckle. "I'm not gay either . . . but I'm happy."

  Regan fell quickly into a deep peaceful sleep while Leah lay restless and thoughtful for some time. She then drifted into her own troubled dreams.

  * * *

  The behemoth was alive again, once more directed and dangerous.

  "Congratulations Ryner, I see we are back under power."

  "Err . . . yes Commander, engineering report all drives are operational and reporting no damage. At this stage the crash is a mystery."

  "Keep looking at it Ryner, and you too Terrin. I want a full report soon, before we make Earth. We can't afford for that to happen if we need to go to Warp."

  "Do you think that's likely Sir?"

  "Who knows Ryner, but we will be ready, understood."

  "Commander, with the delay regaining power we will need to pass Earth now as we slow then make the turn and come back."

  "Make the calculations Ryner, you have control. Terrin . . . my quarters please."

  He marched from control with Terrin nervously following.

  Ryman glared at her as she passed, sneering under his breath.

  She ignored him, impotent fool.

  Merryl had already disappeared, he waited for no one. As she waited for the lift she considered the dilemma. I know nothing! I'm the tech officer and I have no idea what happened. Things were going so well. I'm lost.

  As the door to the Commanders room slid shut Merryl was already grabbing and hoisting her up to his waist then spinning to lower her onto the bunk. He rested his weight on her, pressing their hips together hard. Then he stopped, propped himself on his elbows, his face close to hers, his face hard to read. "What happened?" He continued to writhe gently against her.

  "We don't know sir, the systems . . ." She bit her lip and groaned quietly, "The systems are back up and working as well as ever, there is no sign . . ." her hands were working between them, feeling for him, "No . . . no sign sir. . . of anythi
ng wrong."

  But something was wrong, very wrong, he could feel it. Merryl rolled to the side and with better access she began to stroke him through the suit. But the moment had passed and he grasped her hand. "Not now," he stroked her head, "I need you to do a complete system check. If you feel a complete reboot is necessary we will make the time . . . understood?"

  She looked disappointed, sitting up and arranging her suit as he continued.

  "And keep an eye on Ryner, he's hopeless." His tone indicated she was dismissed.

  She made for the door only to be brought up again by his voice.

  "And Terrin . . . report to me later."

  She ducked out and made for control, already feeling better.

  * * *

  Hillary Station

  Only twenty four hours after the disaster and already things seemed back to normal. It disturbed Kevin that with fourteen lives lost business seemed to carry on as if nothing had happened. A pipe wide meeting with all members had gone well. Even though he already knew there was widespread support for Hillary Station still the strength of commitment surprised him. There seemed universal agreement that what happened on station stayed on station. These people are converts he thought.

  All lives that had been lost were from the USDynamics flight crew and he had visited that morning to express his condolences and regrets to the two hundred gathered and grieving colleagues. The real surprise was Dahlia's speech. It had been heartwarming and visionary. She had painted a beautiful picture of pioneers breaking new ground, ushering in the new and often at great risk to themselves. She talked about how valuable they were. It drew on history with references to wagon train settlers of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. And she had apologized for her part in the disaster, reminded them of the risks in space and committed herself to improving all safety systems while in her interim role. Her declaration of the value of every individual on Hillary to her was stirring stuff.