Regan's Reach 4: Avarice (41 page)

In an unprecedented breakdown one section
of the Fifino tube network was presently down. Helpfully, Tihan was keeping up
constant updates for those who cared to listen, advising that repairs were
underway and directing those who requested help to find alternative methods of
transport to their destinations. In effect, apart from some minor diversions,
so efficient was the process that the inconvenience was as usual, hardly
noticed.

Within the tube itself Marin was sweating
profusely after only six hundred meters of hard pedaling and embarrassed by a
constant stream of delighted ribbing from Regan and Leah. It occurred to Leah
that Ham's android would no doubt have performed this task far more efficiently
but he seemed either occupied or entertained, it was hard to tell. Regan's
android was back in the factory as with only limited room in the car they would
need the space for Aaron, Moriah and Ruben. Her avatar laughed again at Marin's
discomfort and Leah too smiled, not at Marin but to see Regan happy . . . four
hundred meters to go.

"Stop pedaling!" Ham's voice
broke the happy mood and they all paused to listen, the only sound now the
slight hiss of silicone bearings on rail as the car coasted forward. Then
suddenly they could feel Ham apply brakes and the car stopped.

He turned with a grin. "Aaaaand . . .
action!"

Regan smiled and winked, then disappeared
as Marin collapsed in sweaty exhaustion.

Materializing in the bedroom she was
surprised to find the family huddled on the bed, eyes already glued to her position
in the centre of the room. Ruben's eyes were wide and frightened but as soon as
he saw Regan the look changed to delight, a smile that she quickly returned.

"We're on guys; everything is ready,
are you?"

Aaron shuffled off the bed. "We are
Regan, how do we do this?"

"One at a time, so who's going to go
first?"

"Take Ruben first." Moriah
quickly replied and encouraged the boy forward.

Regan smiled at him. "Okay Ruben, this
is going to sound strange but Ham is going to home his signal in on me, so what
you have to do is step right into me and wait while I give him the word, can
you do that?"

The boy nodded confidently and stepped
forward without hesitation, and to Aaron's and Moriah's amazement Ruben seemed
to merge with Regan's avatar. Once in position there was no delay, a shimmering
bubble forming quickly around the pair and then Ruben was gone. She didn't
hesitate, gesturing for Moriah to now come forward and join her. The Coran
beauty was more reluctant and seemed to recoil at the prospect of stepping into
the avatar figure. Summoning her courage but not without a shudder she stepped
forward and seemed to be absorbed just as Ruben had been and then she too
disappeared instantly. Regan waited a moment, clearly communicating with
someone as Aaron waited anxiously. Then she broke into a smile.

"They're out and okay Aaron, now it's your
turn." He stepped forward much more confidently; this time straight into
her embrace and the two became one for that moment before he too disappeared.
Regan scanned the room and to her satisfaction saw nothing out of place. She
chuckled at the mystery Leith would need to explain and then disappeared; mission
complete.

Passage to the Fifino flight deck via tube
was swift and secure thanks to Tihan who opened the line as soon as Ham sent
the word. With the Saucer already parked for pickup the Styles family and the
incriminating tablet were on their way to Dahlia within the hour. For the
moment anyway Dahlia Orbital would likely be the only safe haven until they
were ready to return home.

Regan's thoughts quickly turned to the
coming Inter Orbital Council and the inevitable showdown with Reubus. He was
active, of that there was no doubt, and feedback from Sindali indicated he was using
considerable leverage to swing votes already. But she knew she held the main
trump card, her bodily appearance . . . as long as the STEIN Traveler made it
in time.

* * *

Edge of the Gliese system

Reubus strolled through the Cora energy
development stirring neither interest nor dust, his android being the only sign
of life in the fully automated production facility. He sniffed at the
uncompleted work, problems with supplies of materials having caused delays in
schedule that he found unacceptable under the market circumstances. Demand for the
insertion ready antimatter tubes was high and their manufacture required both continual
processing and a ready supply of the exotic raw materials, something that for
this plant had become more and more of a challenge. At any other time he would
have been angry at all the delays; he would have stewed over loss of profits,
and worried about the risk to existing business contracts; but not today.

Regan, if indeed she was coming, would
emerge in deep space outside the Gliese gravity well but on a path that would
bring her within easy reach of this place on her way through to Dahlia. Much
was gambled on this assumption but he felt the risk was worth taking. Hilary of
Dahlia was the key ally he reasoned and Regan would go there first, and yes, he
was sure he could draw her here instead. Her curiosity would tease her to talk
and perhaps he could yet persuade her to join him, and if not . . .?

The thought caused his mind to turn to the
second and perhaps most important matter of concern, his nemesis Ham. How could
he ensure Regan would be free of the old Mind’s accursed influence was the
question? Certainly he needed time until he knew the outcome of their
discussions; Reubus quietly ruminated on the problem. A full circuit of the
plant yielded no answer but at least some ideas and a swift process of
elimination drew him to the only possible compromise. It would not be possible
to exclude Ham from the plant, but it would be possible to restrict them in
communication. He would wait until they were in the plant, then an incident
could be triggered, something that would interfere with all wireless signals.
With luck Ham would have no android and if in avatar attendance the
interference would signal the end of his participation in discussions. If on
the other hand he did have an android he would still be restricted to speech
communication and neither he nor Regan would be able to access the plants
central computer system. If not perfect as a solution, it was close.

Feeling more confident by the second Reubus
strolled back to the flight deck and mused on this new lone role, unusual after
many months of working as a team. He took his time traversing the huge deck, which
was currently clear of the normal freighters and shuttles that would be in
attendance if the plant was in full production. Stopping at the edge of the
deck he meditated there, staring out through the blue field screen at the
distant starscape.

* * *

Dahlia Orbital

With Aaron, Moriah and Ruben well settled
in the care of Sindali, Marin and Leah again sat in wait with growing
frustration. As usual, Regan was absent, still jumping between the Orbitals
lobbying council members and the representative Minds. She seemed unwilling to
rest - or was it unwilling to engage with them - it was hard to tell. Marin
batted away Leah's concerns, certain that nothing could come between them.
"Don't worry babe," he had said, "once she is here in person
everything will be back to normal, you'll see." Her look said everything,
she wasn't so sure.

And then word came from the edge of the
system.

Hilary subbed the intelligence through to
them. [Reubus is signaling for the STEIN Traveler. It's a general message to
greet Regan and invite her to talk.]

[How does he even know she is coming?]
Marin subbed.

[Perhaps he's guessed. This is a message
being sent continuously on loop from a probe on the edge of the system. It's
been picked up from a freighter coming in from Earth and relayed to me. I've no
idea how long Reubus has been transmitting.]

Leah shared a concerned look with Marin.
[What does the message say?]

[A bit smarmy, he welcomes her back to the
system and craves her indulgence in a personal discussion before the Orbital
Council Meeting. He feels they have much to discuss and that agreement could
easily be reached on compromises that could please everybody.]

Leah looked doubtful. [Not very likely I
would have thought, what's his game do you think?]

[He's suggested they meet at the old Cora
energy production facility. It's being upgraded by Reubus, but there have been
delays. I hear the plant now has the latest technology, perhaps he wants to
impress her?]

[I doubt that too - Ham, are you there?]

[Always Leah, why do you doubt me?]

She smiled ruefully. [Not doubt exactly,
it's just that sometimes I prefer to forget, no offence intended.]

[And none taken, what do you have in mind?]

[I'm thinking we should get out there too,
to greet her and, you know, be the cavalry if we're needed.]

[You're bored.]

[That too, so - no joking Ham, what do you
think?]

[I say let's go, and now, it will take a
bit of time to get there.]

[We should assume she'll respond to Reubus,]
Leah was thinking ahead, [I reckon we head straight for that facility.]

[What about our Regan?] Marin asked.

Ham dismissed the concern. [She's on Tihan
at the moment, and anyway I can update her as soon as we're within signal range;
she can catch up later.]

Leah rolled her eyes at Marin; he knew
immediately what she was thinking, there were Regans everywhere - and yet none
for them.

[Hilary, could you let the flight deck
know, we'll take the Saucer naturally.]

[It's done; you know your displacer is
still not working?]

Again they exchanged looks before Marin
replied. [I guess if we need to displace then once we get there the STEIN Traveler’s
displacer will be sufficient.] He looked at Leah with a nod to the door; they
didn't hesitate.

* * * * *

Chapter Thirteen

The STEIN Traveler emerged from warp still
in interstellar space but within days of the outer Gliese system. An uneventful
journey incorporating three portal and four warp jumps had flashed by without
incident or collision, much to Regan's relief. Taking a fresh, unexplored line
between the Orion and Gliese Portals had been nerve wracking but in addition Ham
seemed to delight in leaving emergence until the last possible moment. He would
then coast toward the different portals at ludicrous speed before power drifting
in and sweeping through the gates like a boy racer. It was pointless
questioning his judgment or timing and although the obvious question had
occurred to her,
how are you timing this to coincide with the gates openings
and directions,
she didn't bother asking as such questions as it only
appealed to his pride. Ham loved to have secret knowledge and he would only
have dismissed the query with some flippant retort anyway. When instead she
made passing comment to Jared about it his reply was also Ham like, brief and
to the point.

"Mom, why do you need to ask, Ham
knows everything."

First reception of the looped Reubus
message came at the outer edge of the system and at Ham's call Regan and Jared came
pounding through to control from their jog on level six. Sweaty and keyed up
they listened several times before she switched off the message and settled
back in her seat.

"What do you think Ham?"

"Does he really think he can talk you
around?"

"Could it be a trap?" Jared
asked.

That gave Regan pause but she quickly
dismissed the thought with a shake of the head. "I can't see that, he
really does want to partner with me, and on top of that Ham still scares him
big time, I'm sure of it. More likely he wants to try to change my mind, get
the compromises he mentioned."

"I wouldn't give him the time of day
babe. We don't need him, let's just ignore him and cruise in to Dahlia, we'll
know more then."

"Hold on Ham, remember we're not sure
about a lot of this Reubus stuff. Maybe this is a chance to confirm a few
things too; I mean what have we got to lose?"

"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 the 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?"