Regan's Reach 4: Avarice (6 page)

[Ham, do you want to come through with me -
actively I mean, not just backed up?]

[Do you want me to?]

[I do Ham, it would be good to have an extra
set of eyes and ears there, just take a back seat though as we need to let him
talk.]

[I don't get why it's always a problem
anyway, why would my being there be a problem for anyone talking, and what are
they afraid of with me?]

[I don't think it’s fear babe, they just
feel a little intimidated by you over there and Tihan in particular always defers
to you. Anyway, let's not go there now okay, just come with me and sit in the
background. Clearly he has concerns, and we need to know why.]  

[Okay, no problem, you know it's always my
preference to be there with you anyway.]

[I know, and I appreciate you've been giving
me space alone lately. So, are we ready, it'll only be for the morning?]

[Let's do it.]

Regan smiled, going with Ham as an active
partner as opposed to a passive stored backup was always a confidence booster.
She slipped on her ship suit and headed for the small room off Control, now redesigned
for just this purpose. Without a word Hilary opened the various doors as she
walked and her passage there was swift. Entering she took the wide, comfortable
seat, and relaxed as it quickly molded around her body. She knew it would soon
begin massaging gently to keep her loose while she slept and she reflected on
the security she enjoyed knowing her complete self remained here safe whatever
she was doing on the other side of the galaxy. If the worst happened, some cyber
attack on her digital self perhaps, at least her body, processor and intact
right brain would still be here ready for a fresh download of her cyber back
up. There was little risk. 

Shuffling into the seat to make herself
comfortable she could feel the massage starting and she surrendered to the
ministrations, closing her eyes and readying for the transfer.

[Are we ready babe?] She checked with Ham again.

[Yo!] He replied.

And they were gone.

Hilary sighed with pleasure as she so enjoyed
this role. She adjusted the massage function of the chair in a gentle process
which she always lovingly managed and at the same time released a mild
narcotic. It was something pleasant and non addictive that would keep Regan's right
brain tired and happy for the next few hours. The suit would take care of any
wastes.

* * *

Gliese System, Tihan Orbital

It took only a moment for the transfer to
Gliese. As Regan's avatar opened her eyes she immediately smiled in recognition
of the scene and particularly her host. The conference room of Tihan Orbital Palace
was very familiar; however it had been some time since she had seen Tihan
present himself as an avatar sage. Whenever Ham was present Tihan would
normally choose the young soldier form in a mark of respect to the older Mind.
But not today, and Regan could sense the chosen form was partly for her but
also because in this visage Tihan felt most confident and comfortable. She
leant across the conference table and extended her hand which he reached for
and took gratefully; drawing something from her and sucking it in like a tonic.

She exuded love and confidence to the Orbital
Mind and he seemed to swell as she did so, finally taking what looked to all
appearances to be an impossible breath and exhaling whatever tension he had
felt. Regan sat back in her chair and waited.

"Thank you for coming Regan, I am
uncomfortable about this but I need advice from you, and urgently." Tihan
shuddered with embarrassment as he spoke.

"Yes, your message indicated problems
but you have no need to be embarrassed, if that is your concern."

The sage seemed to deflate for a second
before bracing his hands on the table and gathering strength.

"On the contrary mistress, I have
every reason for embarrassment and shame, I have gambled and lost, and now the
very independence of my Orbital is at stake. Regan, it is your business advice
I need, before everything is exposed to the system."

As he spoke Regan could sense Ham's
departure, a sliding sensation as he drifted away with Tihan completely
oblivious. She remained neutral about Ham's departure, instead radiating
concern to the sage. "My good friend, tell me - what has happened?"

His head sagged in despair. "What has
happened, dear Regan, is that I have found there are more ways to lose an Orbital
than by force of arms. On my recommendation we gambled heavily on alternative
forms of energy. Reubus has quite legitimately purchased all the main refiners
of exotic matter in this system, something he's been working on for some time. Although
I saw it happening I gambled that our own developments in alternative energy
would make that market redundant. Regan, we are making progress on our
developments but too slowly, and in the meantime we are drastically exposed. We
still need exotic insertion tubes but the price has soared and now we're
heavily in debt. Thankfully Reubus has been very generous, offering reasonable
credit for a share of our developments and trading debt for equity in Orbital
businesses. But the net result is we could end up owning nothing of note in our
own realm. Even business owners who owe nothing are tempted to sell out at the
prices Reubus is prepared and able to offer. Many are taking the funds and
planning on joining the rush to your system, or even trying to buy their way to
Rigel."

Regan frowned at that. "Well that's
not going to work; we're not selling tickets to Rigel, and it's not what going
there is all about." She hesitated while thinking about what he had said;
more talk here would be fruitless she knew.

"Tihan, do you want me to talk to Reubus
on your behalf, I'm sure he isn’t aiming to take over, why would he?"

"I agree Regan, he has only been
helpful and he assures me he has no such aims. Of course he would never actually
own Tihan Orbital, but Regan, if we don't control our own energy, or our key
industries, well," and his gestures indicated resignation, ". . .
then we don't control our own destiny."

Regan stood and began to pace the room.
Tihan followed her movements with a desperate look as if he hoped she would
produce some miracle. She stopped suddenly, a thought occurring to her.

 "Are the other Orbitals affected like
this?"

Tihan shrugged. "I manage Cora Orbital
as you know, they have less demand for the energy but in time, as they expand
those demands or need to replace exotic matter tubes of course they will face
the same issues. Acura and Fifino seem to have some arrangement with Reubus. I
don't know the details but I understand they are paying some kind of tax in
exchange for energy supplies. The new Fifino - the replacement since Ham . .
." and Tihan made a throat cutting action, apparently Ham's method of
despatch of the traitorous forebear, "well, Fifino is junior and easily
influenced. Dahlia is less worried. They have good supplies of insertion ready
tubes in reserve, plus a huge solar energy industry and I understand she took a
position in one of the plants Reubus was trying to buy. She held out while
others sold and although a minor player she certainly has the needs of the Orbital
covered."

Regan couldn't contain her smile at the
Dahlia news but quickly clamped down on it in light of Tihan's fragile
disposition. "Tihan, I will speak to Reubus but you must be aware his
moves seem quite legitimate and legal. All I can do is try to establish his
aims and get back to you. In the meantime, might I suggest you forward to me
the work you have done on alternative energy. We may be able to build on it and
help you that way, you never know."

He looked concerned at the suggestion.
"Well, we couldn't just give it to you."

Regan was speechless for a moment, her
exasperation obvious. "Tihan, you have just said you fear losing control
of your own Orbital. And if that process continues Reubus will eventually have
the technology anyway. Who would you rather be working with, Reubus or me?
Think about it carefully. I'll meet with Reubus as I said, and then I'm
returning home. If you want help from me Tihan, you will need to transfer that
data to me before we leave. I may not be back for quite a few periods."

"You are leaving for Rigel?"

"Yes, within two periods, around
fourteen days from now."

The sage nodded sadly. "I will confer
with the Premier and get back to you."

* * *

Reubus Orbital

Reubus responded with delight to Regan's
message; of course he would be available. She considered calling for Ham but he
was strangely silent so she made the jump to the Orbital anyway, her ability to
accurately direct the path of travel growing with each successive leap. The
physics of these jumps still escaped her but the process was so simple it
proved ridiculously easy to adapt.

If only it was this easy to physically
jump.
And that was the challenge, to get to Orion,
or Gliese, or wherever with ships and people faster, certainly trips reduced to
weeks or months, not generations.

Her avatar emerged in his large study and Regan
was relieved to find Reubus alone there, but not in the form expected. The
Orbital Mind chose to present in a stunningly handsome android and on her
appearance he bowed, gesturing to a female form reclined on a couch to the
side. It was clearly designed for her and he seemed wonderfully happy at the
visit.

"Regan, I'm so glad you came. It has
been weeks since you were here, please join me in a meal and wine, aren't these
androids wonderful?" He gestured again, hopefully, at the form on the
couch.

Regan shuddered at the obvious intentions
but smiled disarmingly. "Thank you Reubus, but no, another time perhaps, I
am under time pressure as always." The look of disappointment on the
android face spoke volumes and she immediately smiled again warmly. "My
friend, I will be back soon, and yes we will set aside some time then."

His demeanor at the concession picked up
considerably and he took the seat opposite, again offering her the couch and so
she sat, taking a place beside the quite attractive female android. Like her it
was also dressed she in a skintight suit and did look somewhat like her.
Quite
fetching,
she thought, but nevertheless she shuffled a little further to
the side, feeling better for the distance.

She then gave him her most engaging smile.
"I'm so pleased you were available my friend, I really just wanted to
connect with you, especially as I hear you have been doing so well; I
understand business is thriving?"

"Oh yes Regan, this freedom to do
business we all enjoy now, it offers such opportunities and I'm sure you'd be
pleased. There are so many inefficiencies around the various Orbitals; so much
time and effort wasted. With free trade and the ability now to merge inter Orbital
businesses I've been consolidating and expanding my interests." He slid
forward on his chair and leaned toward her as if trying to bridge the gap and
she had the impression he would leap on her if she had a physical form; it was
almost predatory.

Reubus took on a conspiratorial look. "You
know that we, you and I - we could establish a great business partnership if we
merged . . ." and he hesitated subtly while holding seductive eye contact.
"Together we would have the largest business in two systems, and who knows
where that could lead?"

Regan hesitated, considering how best to
reply.
Stay neutral, stay neutral.
 "Hmm, and what of the other Orbitals?
What of their independence and freedom to operate, how would they survive?"

He smiled reassuringly, "No one would
be taking away their independence Regan; in fact we're offering expertise to
help businesses thrive, for a share of the action of course, which is only
fair. And if the share they retain ends up worth more than the original whole
isn't that good for everyone? Honestly Regan, some people shouldn't even be in
business. Often I find things can be done so much better and at much lower
cost. The consumer will benefit with better pricing and it is good for the
business in terms of efficiencies and profitability. And yes, of course I, or
we . . ." he looked up again hopefully, ". . . we then benefit too.
Regan, you and I, we could be partners and it would yield such fruit; it might
be fun." His eyes were again drawn as if by magnet to the female android,
a longing lustful look that Regan did her best to ignore.

"I have partners, Reubus," she
replied.

"Ah, what you say so encourages me;
you don't dismiss the idea out of hand and that gives me hope." He smiled
again, quite the charmer.

Despite herself she couldn't help
responding in kind and smiling warmly. "Reubus, business is one thing,
personal life is another. You know that I am very happy with my partners."
It was shameless but Regan wasn't averse to using her own charms to flush out
extra information.