Regan's Reach (21 page)

"We've had cancellation of multiple contracts
along with apologies from seven major clients including the French government.
I don't know how they do it but the influence of the Chinese is incredible, I
guess no one wants to damage their trade prospects. The British have China
financing power plants, and even Russia seems to have some connection that ties
them to Chinese influence. They really are aiming to shut Arteis down
completely, no question about it."

"So what's the upside Mary? I can tell
you're not completely broken about this." Kevin smiled. "Tell me the
good news."

Mary seemed to always find a positive
angle, a way to look at things that still offered a profitable opportunity.

"Well," she continued, "All
the clients are embarrassed, and all are paying compensation for the early
cancellations." She leaned forward with a wicked grin. "We're talking
tens of millions, Kev. It won't be cash flow in the future but we're sure
cashed up for now."

"Kutch has hardly mentioned this,"
said Kevin. "He seems wrapped up with Steph working with Special Projects
but his team are still working well. I was down there yesterday and already
they're enthusing about some other software idea that has amazing potential
rah, rah, rah! It was beyond me but pretty encouraging I must say."

"And, Mitch has Ezas humming,"
added Mary. "Did you know they hit three hundred and fifty thousand small
business clients in the States last week and they're well into profit?"

"I heard, and it's a market of ten
million plus potential customers," he added enthusiastically.

"Here's the kicker," Mary said
growing more excited, "Our other major competitor has only one hundred
thousand clients and is growing more slowly than us. The point is that they are
publicly listed and already have a market capitalization of three billion. And
that's on hope alone; they're yet to make a single buck profit! Can you believe
that? What does it make Ezas worth?" She rubbed her hands together
gleefully.

She looks like a Rubanesque Shylock
he thought, drinking her in with his eyes and smiled.
It's going
to be alright.

At that moment Stephanie walked into the
room. "What am I missing?"

"Oh good and bad, the usual boring
stuff," said Kevin. "I'll wait until everyone gets here Steph . . . get
the update from all of us at once."

"Have you heard from Regan?" she
asked and their looks said it all. No answer was required so she headed for the
kitchen.

Mary watched her leave then paraded over to
Kevin and bent to pick up some paper from the floor. She took her time and
caught his eye with a mischievous grin drawing a delighted smile.

He laughed. "You are incorrigible!"

"You'll have to punish me later then?"
She smiled and sashayed away to join Steph getting coffee.

He stretched out and gave a long satisfied
sigh, on his face a look of eager anticipation.

*

FBC Newsroom, New York

" . . . . And that brings you up to
date Ladies and Gentlemen. A once proud company has been brought to its knees,
its CEO Hayden Joyce has been hung out to dry, Government investigations are
proceeding over concerns about cyber attacks, and in all this uncertainty the
share price continues to tank. Well, if you thought it couldn't get worse you'd
be wrong. It's been reported today that investigators are examining whether the
alleged cyber attacks against Chinese companies may have originated from
USDynamics.

Now let's be clear that is yet to be
confirmed. Nevertheless under the present chairman's watch this whole sad
episode has been a public relations disaster of epic proportions. What on earth
is going on there? Well, join us next Friday to find out. We'll have with us
USDynamics Board Chairman William Thomas and he has agreed to face the
blowtorch. See you then. This has been John McCall on Business Focus."

*

Washington

The young man leaning on the alley wall
looked concerned, mobile pressed to his ear and eyes scanning nervously.

". . . It looks like time is running
out. We need to bring things forward, is your friend still on?" The voice
sounded tense, uptight.

"He's not my friend! Yes, he's still
on but I need time to make contact, why the sudden hurry?"

"There's going to be an investigation
and they'll be in there Wednesday. It's earlier than ideal but there's no
choice. You've got three days. If we're going to make this stick it's got to
happen now. Make it happen."

". . . You have the money?"

"It's done, five hundred thousand
each."

"In advance!"

"Don't push it."

"It's our arses on the line here. It's
five hundred thousand each in advance, or nothing."

"You'd better get this right boy or I'll
be coming after you! Give me the details."

A flash of panic went through the young
man; he shuddered then pulled himself together.

"Get a pen. I'll give you an account
number and I'll be checking the account tonight. As long as the money's there I'll
look after the IT guy, it will happen!" Unseen by the caller his head
dropped.
I hope to God it does work,
he thought, then gathered himself
as the caller came back on line.

"OK, write this down . . .

*

An early Monday start drew no special
attention as IT Manager Nick Madden made his way through security in USDynamics’
Seattle plant. He actually felt excited, like a spy, and congratulated himself
on his foresight over the last two weeks building a pattern of early starts. He
made for the elevators.

Professional jealousy energized him. Nick's
slightly manic personality hadn't responded well to missing promotion in the
cyber defense division and the STEIN Arteis contract was the final straw.

Nick knows better!
His personal mantra repeated over and over in his mind as he walked
confidently into the middle elevator and punched the relevant number. On
exiting at the floor, one below his usual level, he made straight for the
research meeting room where he knew he had access to a console and the time to
complete the task . . .
provided everyone arrives on time,
he thought,
just a little nervous. The concerns didn't deter him, the nervousness just
increasing his buzz.

"Nothing like forbidden fruit."
he whispered to no one.

Logging on with a stolen password he paused
for a moment, stretching out his arms and flexing his fingers, like a pianist
before a performance. Then he went to work.

"Let me see," he whispered, "Arteissss
. . . ."

No one looked in on the room, just as he
expected. It was rarely used and it was very early for anyone in the research
team. Uninterrupted, he made good time, with his earlier preparation
identifying the relevant files and code paying dividends. It shocked him how
quickly he was able to accomplish the task so he went back, carefully reviewing
to check whether anything had been missed. There was nothing.

A search of all files would confirm his
analysis that nowhere in the entire USDynamics system was there any evidence of
a Chinese hacking attempt. All that remained was evidence of the opposite, and a
clear trail from Arteis leading to transmission of a virulent package to China
Air.

As Nick extricated himself from the system,
step by step erasing all evidence of his work, he reflected on the golf game he
had followed in the weekend. So much to learn, he thought, as he remembered the
caddy in a bunker slowly, carefully, perfectly raking the sand until when he
reached the edge he was able to step away with . . . no . . . sign . . . that
he . . . had ever . . . been there . . . before.

Nick exited the room and made for the elevator
and before he could even press a button the doors opened. He recognized two of
the research team and gestured with his bag. "I had a tough weekend,"
he smiled "can't even find my own floor this morning." and then
laughed with them. They clumsily exchanged places and he punched for the next
level. Minutes later at his desk he logged in for the day, his mind pleasantly
distracted.
Two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, sweet!

*

San Francisco International Airport

In the Air New Zealand Koru Lounge the
mature couple at the bar talked animatedly and seemed relaxed and comfortable.
No one was close enough to hear them but it was clear a happy holiday was about
to launch.

The woman leaned forward and put her hands
on the man's knees, looking him in the eye, suddenly quizzical; a small warm
smile coming to her lips.

"Hayden, I haven't seen you this
engaged, this passionate about something for a long time, you're like a young
man again, I love it."

He appeared to be thinking about her
comment and she continued. "Only a few weeks ago it seemed the world was
on your shoulders and I can tell you, I was really worried, but this
opportunity has energized you, no doubt about it. I'm grateful."

He looked up and met her eye. "I know
you were worried. But you know, everything that happened, well, that's just
business and Bill was great about it. When I took this job I did worry that
bitterness might be the driver, but it's not. This is like being reborn, and I'm
glad we can be in this together. Jenny, you're sure you're not just doing this
for me?"

"No way!" She replied quickly. "If
you think you're excited, I'm doubly so." Her face changed and took on a
more serious look. "We were happy Hayden, but we both needed a change and
being closer to Abby is such a bonus. Melbourne's only a few hours away now; we'll
see each other much more often. Her studies are going to keep her there for at
least the next two years and I'd rather be just across the Tasman than all the
way back home."

She poured another Sauvignon Blanc. "How's
the recruiting been going?"

He took a sip of his bourbon. "The rumor
mill has worked in my favor. People seem convinced they're going to either end
up facing redundancies or be working for the Chinese. Not that I was ever
interested in people who were worried about their job. For this to work they
had to be go getters with skills and passion, and they have to enjoy working in
a team. I've got them and I'm excited but I can't say I'm not nervous, five of
the twenty are uprooting their whole families for this."

"Are they young people?"

"Quite an age range actually. The
skills to head up this work, well, some of them require experience that can
only come from years of success and failure."

He turned to her and took both her hands,
suddenly excited. "Jenny, I'm going to make orbit! I know we'll do it.
These plans could bring space within reach of everyone, not just a few."
His enthusiasm was infectious.

"I'm?" She asked.

"What?" he replied, looking
blank.

"You said 'I'm' going to make orbit,
not 'we're', as in the team. What are you not telling me Hayden? You haven't
mentioned anything about going into space yourself. Is that what this is all
about?" and she smiled. "Don't bother; I know the boy in there still
dreams of being an astronaut and maybe she will get you there, I'd love
it."

He didn't need to say anything, she knew
him too well. He just smiled back and sipped again, his eyes glazing over for a
moment, off in his own thoughts.

"Thank you." she shrugged happily
and smiled again.

"For what?" and he looked
genuinely surprised.

"All your years of hard work have led
to this Hayden, you deserve this. I think work for you will be fun again, and
that's something I like. A happy Hayden is a good man to share a bed with!"

They clinked glasses and laughed.

*

The Stein Traveler, in transit

Three days of surfing, warp whatever . . .

This morning reflection time is becoming
a habit,
she thought
. I feel like I'm in a dream
.
As she rested in her favorite pose, on her back, one arm behind her head and
the other grazing her skin as if testing her senses, she thought about Marin.
He was frustratingly aloof. Sure, there had been plenty of laughs and they
could talk for hours with Ham. She felt no shortage of company but she did feel
Marin was holding back, she was always the initiator and it bothered her.
Unbidden, a memory flitted through her mind, Sam Harding at school;
will you
go with me to the dance?

Not if you were the last boy on the planet!
She had replied and she blushed at the memory, how cruel,
thoughtless.
I hope he's ok
, she thought.
And now, here am I, with
the last male available, an alien!
A shiver, not unpleasant, passed through
her.

Regan rose and dressed;
time for our
morning workout
.

Marin had grown more intense over the last
three days which she put down to nerves. In only two days they would come out of
warp and cruise into Dahlia, for her the start of a new phase of the adventure,
for him it meant possible censure and failed treatment. She personally felt no
threat despite Marin's unease but for Marin she sensed Dahlia tweaked personal
demons and his growing tension showed.

Passing his room on the way to the gym he
was standing there already, as if waiting. "Are you ready for a beating?"
she asked, smiling.

"Your confidence exceeds your height, oh
stocky one." Marin flexed his arms comically.

His strength had definitely improved and he
was getting back into good shape. After a month of inactivity it had taken him weeks
of hard work but he was now close to Regan in leg and arm strength. She knew
her strength bothered him but he had no idea of her background and hadn't
bothered to check. With the advantage of a lifetime in Earth's gravity Regan
suspected it was unlikely he would ever beat her in the strength department,
although having said that, he was certainly trying.

The circuit routine they had established
worked well and they chatted as they moved from machine to machine, building up
a sweat, muscles pumped. Regan changed machines again and paused for breath on
a device similar to her bench press at home.

Lying back on the bench, legs splayed, she reached
up to adjust the weights and realized Marin was watching her. She made as if to
struggle, "Marin, could you reach the weight for me please, just one more
notch."

He stepped over her making much of the
effort and reached for the lever, their bodies now only centimeters apart. She
looked up at him with a teasing smile and to his surprise gently squeezed his
crotch.

"Now I have you in my power." she
taunted.

A look passed between them and it felt to
her as if a shot of electricity went through her body. Marin stood with one leg
still on either side of the bench and without a word reached up to peel the
suit down off his shoulders so that it gathered around his waist. She found her
hands reaching to stroke his chest and then reached herself for her suit, with
his help pulling it down exposing her breasts to his gaze.

Their eyes locked in silent compact with
both still breathing heavily and sweat dripping from their foreheads. He
stepped aside and grasped her suit stripping it from her in one movement like a
second skin. Then, throwing hers to the side he gripped his own, pushing it to
his ankles and kicking it away. Still prone on the bench Regan felt a thrill of
tension as her eyes locked on him, already erect. He stepped across her once
more, his legs on either side of hers and she reached, taking him in both
hands.

She looked up and caught his eyes. "Marin,
under the bench, there's oil . . ."

He looked surprised, and then bent to the
side as she continued to stroke him. He came up with the tube smiling.

"Well." Regan said blushing, "A
girl scout should always be prepared." and they both laughed.

Marin squeezed a generous stream of oil on
to her hands and she gripped him, massaging nervously. He then shuffled back
slightly and pouring a last portion on to her used his hand to press himself
down to her opening. She wanted to raise her legs but trapped there could only
gasp as he toyed with her, flooded with the same feeling of wonderful erotic
tension she had felt in the Medlab except here she was the subject. He held
himself there, poised at her entrance, his eyes locked on her face and the
anticipation was unbearable.

"Oh . . . my . . . god." she
whispered, eyes closed, as he entered.

Several seconds passed . . . and then she
felt him begin to move inside, his pace slowly building. She groaned with
pleasure.

Later, they showered together in Marin's
room, still in the flush of satisfaction, soaping each other's bodies and
taking their time. She marveled at his ability to keep an erection, found it
flattering in fact, and rewarded him with her hands.

In a state of calm bliss they headed for
the galley and breakfast.

"Good workout?" said Ham, not
really expecting a reply.

They didn't answer, they knew none was
needed.

Brunch, as it turned out, was relaxed, warm
and friendly. They were three interesting personalities enjoying each other's
company and Marin's comfort with this new relationship made all the difference,
his sullenness all but gone. He seemed relaxed, joking with Ham and teasing him
like an old friend.

He's out of the closet,
thought Regan.

She took the lead in getting down to
business. "Guys, we need to talk about Dahlia and we need a strategy. I've
thought about this and while I don't want to jeopardize either of you, I
desperately want to experience the orbital. You can't imagine what this means
to me to be here, to have come this far and hide on the ship, well, it's just
unthinkable!"

"It wouldn't work anyway," said
Marin. "My niece and nephew will want to come on the ship, they always do,
and if I say no they'll be suspicious."

"And we need to resupply." added
Ham. "While there's no real reason for people to come into the crew area
they normally do anyway, these are friends after all. To lock them out will
raise suspicion."

"So." Regan asked, quickly moving
into planning mode, "How do we handle this?"

"I'll appeal to my mother." Marin
offered. "I'll confess that I was drawn to visit the planet, that it was
wrong but compelling. She will understand. I'll admit it was a monumental
blunder, I was hurt and you saved my life. We don't need to reveal I was
unconscious, just that I needed help to regain the Pod."

"So how do we explain that I'm still
here?" Regan asked.

"You don't explain anything!" Ham
interjected. "You can't reveal that you speak the language. It will give
everything away and Marin, your mother is the devil. She won't fall for this."

"She's my mother!" Marin said it
strongly but looked full of doubt himself. He turned back to her and took both
her arms.

"Regan, we'll make this work as long
as you stay silent. We will say that I couldn't walk, you didn't know what was
happening, that we . . . I, had to abduct you. I will say that I now owe you a
debt of honor, that I must return you." It was less than convincing.

Ham groaned. "I don't like this. Marin,
you're blinded by your feelings, and honor. Your mother - she's not reasonable .
. . this doesn't look good."

"What choice do we have?" Marin
sounded desperate.

"Ok, ok," Regan moved to calm
things. "We can make this work. I'll stay quiet, I can act dumb."

"Easily and convincingly" said
Ham, unable to resist the opportunity.

She didn't bite. "So, I stay quiet and
follow Marin's lead, no problem."

"Also, you can't sub vocalize with
Ham. They'll pick up the signal." Marin started to look more worried, there
were hooks all through this plan.

"Actually," said Ham, "I can
communicate with Regan, you can say it's just the ship trying to contact you,
an automatic thing."

"That could work." and Marin
looked more positive, "But you must resist the temptation to reply."
he waited for Regan to nod agreement.

"It'll be difficult while Marin is in
treatment," said Ham. "Marin, I don't like to say this but we don't even
know what the problem is, it might be easily fixed, it might take time. Regan
will be at the mercy of your mother and every other interested observer while
you're gone, she could end up a trophy."

"I'll appeal to my sister, she'll
support me and look after Regan, I'm sure of it. I won't leave Regan in my
mother's hands."

Regan decided to change the subject,
hopefully to reduce the tension.

"Tell me about your family Marin, who
will I meet there?" She reached out her arm and touched his shoulder
encouragingly.

He looked at her, hopeful but far from
confident. "My mother definitely will be there, she always greets me, her
name is Beria, it means sunset."

"In her case, the name's apt."
Ham added, clearly not a fan.

Marin ignored him and continued. "Probably
my younger sister Sindali will be there, and her twins, my niece Buela and
nephew Rhine. It's unlikely but one or both of my younger brothers Brun and
Sarin might come. Ours is an influential family as my father . . ."