Regan was speechless, struggling for words and quietly fuming at Ham's actions without consultation.
"And . . . what is this for!" She swept her hand in an angry wave up and down the boy's body. Ham completely ignored the emotional reaction and as usual it was as if he hadn't even noticed.
"Oh this is where it gets really good Regan; we've housed another power source under the ribs, you can see it there," and he pointed. "it's well shielded, don't worry about that, and from it there are the active strands you can seeee . . . now." and with another wave of the hand more strands did appear linking the brain with the rib power source and the limbs, then stretching further down to the fingertips and feet. Ham turned to the two women with a look of genuine excitement. "The boy will have incredible senses, and a power bolt touch that will stop an elephant in its tracks." He suddenly dropped the enthusiasm and became serious. "But only for use in defensive situations of course."
Leah could sense Regan was winding up for something, and she stepped back defensively. For a moment the air in the room seemed to freeze, and then, before Regan could speak . . .
[Mom . . . I'm going to be fine.]
In a move that could have been synchronized the three turned slowly to focus on the boy’s face. He was still comatose as far as they could see, and yet the subbed communication had come clear and strong to them all.
How could he do that?
And then it dawned.
Oh . . . my . . . god! He's already in the processor.
* * *
Tihan Orbital, Gliese 667C
Tihan had chosen to manifest as the sage for the meeting a move he was currently regretting. While it was his favored avatar, somehow in the presence of the macho business tycoon Reubus, this gentle sage look made him feel woefully inadequate. He quietly wished he had chosen a military look as even though that was hardly businesslike at least he wouldn't have felt so vulnerable. And at this moment, he felt particularly vulnerable.
Of particular concern to Tihan was the logic of his friend's arguments, and the awful feeling that if he resisted or turned down the generous offers of assistance then he would in some way be acting like a fool, hardly the wise Mind he perceived himself to be. Yet at the same time he had the sense that to agree to the offers would trap him, although he was unsure in what way.
"So that's agreed then?" Reubus was saying. "You agree to contract me to manage the Tihan Orbital primary businesses - under your titular oversight of course, and with a 999 year renewable lease. In return, out of friendship and for the good of the system we will set aside all your Orbital debts, and let's not forget, Regan herself asked me to assist with this, I promised her I would do what I could."
Tihan wrung his hands nervously. "I need to consult on this Reubus, you do understand that don't you?"
"Of course my friend and I hope you know I am so sad it has come to this; rest assured I will do my utmost to keep this matter private between us." The businessman avatar leaned forward engagingly, a poor attempt at expressing warmth. To Tihan it felt more predatory.
"Tihan - relax, this will go well - for both of us. I am good at this, after all, business is my area of expertise and yours is . . . well, you have your areas I'm sure. The research does show that the people of your Orbital are among the happiest in the system; you should be proud of that my friend."
Tihan appeared to swallow hard before replying. "I will consult Reubus and get back to you, this is not my decision alone."
Reubus leant back with a broad smile and laughed, unconcerned it seemed whether that was taken positively or negatively. "Of course Tihan - it is only wise that you consult, take your time. Now, on another business matter, when is the next interest payment due? I know you wouldn't like to miss it."
The sage seemed to go pale at the reminder and Reubus stood quickly, message sent and received. "I will leave you then my friend . . . to consult." He smiled again disingenuously. "You know I am always available to my friends." With that he bowed, and then disappeared.
There followed a cautious gap in case the businessman might have some final thought and reappear, then Tihan slumped in exhaustion to a chair. As he did so a new apparition began to emerge in the room; it was the gracious lady, white dress flowing, hair in a bun, tall and lithe. Tihan glanced up sadly and noticed Hilary appeared younger, more vital in some way, charged. He shook his head in despair.
"Well dear lady, what do you think?"
Hilary drifted across and took the chair opposite; the one Reubus had been seated on only minutes before. She seemed to wriggle into the surface and then realizing what she was doing she settled guiltily, focusing on the sage. His avatar began to transform as she watched, turning fluidly from one form to another, now the young soldier.
"What do I think?" She hesitated before taking on a concerned frown. "Dear Tihan, it seems Reubus has done nothing wrong except perhaps acting in a somewhat predatory way. My friend, we are not used to this type of approach in our system. Our unwritten norms have meant cross Orbital expansion has never happened and perhaps we were naive, all of us I mean. The inter-Orbital business landscape has changed and Reubus has been sharp enough to see the opportunity, he can't be blamed for that; the question is - how do we respond?"
Tihan looked up quickly, a pathetically grateful response. "You say we . . . so you will help me?"
"Yes of course Tihan, in whatever way I can, it might be fun to wrestle with the mighty Reubus." Her eyes seemed to glaze for a moment and she shivered visibly before pulling her presence together. "Tihan, we need to consider what you have that Reubus might want."
He shook his head sadly. "Nothing compares with the energy resource he controls, we have nothing like that."
"No, but that does not mean you are without bargaining power, and you just need time, time for Regan to do something with your alternative energy plans." She pursed her lips thinking, tapping one finger on them, with a low hum seeming to come from her throat. It was most engaging to Tihan.
"You are quite strategically placed in the system Tihan, the most central Orbital in fact; already the other orbitals use you for a stopping point in transit."
"Oh yes, the other tribes love to visit here and sample the delights of our happy people."
She considered for a moment. "No tihan, hasn't it occurred to you that they might also stop because it suits them, it breaks a journey, and it enables them to offload goods that they then consolidate to send to other Orbitals?"
"Well, yes, of course that happens, but I'm sure they come mainly for the deligh . . ."
"Yes, yes, yes . . ." she cut him off in mid flow, "and Reubus - he also uses the Tihan link in this way?"
"Why yes, of course." He laughed, "Reubus has even offered to manage our flight decks for free, he enjoys it you see, and he's even suggested expanding them himself at construction rates less than we could build ourselves, in return for management rights naturally."
Dahlia smiled. "Of course he has . . . naturally." She suddenly became most earnest. "Tihan, listen carefully, you must not agree. Your position in the system is critical to his trade. Thank him for his offer but tell him you have plans to develop the inter-Orbital hub yourself in partnership with others. Tell him demand on space is such that you see it as a growing area of business revenue. Hint to him that charges for use of the flight decks may in fact have to rise, substantially in fact, if demand continues as it is now."
"But I don't have a partner - what if he asks me?"
She sighed in exasperation. "Yes you do have a partner Tihan, your partner is me. Look, just tell him the corporations of Dahlia are expanding their business reach and you already have arrangements with us that in good faith you could not discuss earlier. Tell him we will be partnering with you in expansion of the Tihan decks turning them into a system hub." A small smile appeared on Hilary's face. "This may even mean he contacts me finally." Delighted with the plan she sat back, happily smug.
The young soldier however looked most concerned
. "You won't sell me out will you?"
She glared at him. "Tihan, I don't do sell out - and Regan would never forgive me anyway. No, this is what she would want, and we will do it. I will extend a line of credit to you to guarantee your payments for the next four hundred days. By the end of the forty periods we should have more clarity on how to proceed. Meantime, I suggest you begin recruiting from the people of Cora for construction of the expanded hub. If you don't get in quick, Regan will have them all servicing the needs of the Sol system." She paused and smiled again, gazing off into the distance. "Hmmm, let the dance begin, Reubus."
Tihan looked disappointed at her clear interest in Reubus. "Hilary, at the end of this period of extended credit, what happens if we can't pay?"
She turned her head slowly to engage him, a disconcerting action that made him shiver. "Then Tihan dear, I - will - own - you." And then she smiled. "But look at it this way, would you rather I owned your ass, or Reubus?"
He smiled. "Thank you," he replied, and then he paused, a concern coming to mind. "Hilary, before you go . . . how is it that Reubus wasn't aware of your presence here earlier?"
She smiled again, craftily. "Oh - I have my tricks, I learn from the master."
"Ham?"
"Is there another?"
He shook his head. "If he is that good, how do you know he isn't monitoring us even now?"
She laughed. "Tihan my friend, I find it is always safest to assume that he is always there, and then not worry about it; you would be wise to do the same. Until next time then . . ." And suddenly she was all business. "I will leave files summarizing our agreements, and if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me."
Hilary stood and with a swish of the long white dress, she was gone.
Tihan, left alone to his thoughts now stood slowly, morphing as he did so back into the sage. He thought of Ham and looked around the room slowly, nervously . . .
. . . and shuddered.
* * *
The Celestial City, planet Regis, in The Rigel system
Walking among the crowds Ham quietly complimented Bob on his choice of androids. To Ham they had looked conspicuous when he first saw them, quite different to the imposing figures he was used to, but here in the city they were indistinguishable from those around them. Even the quirky differences he had noticed between the two he could now see were appropriate. There was nothing that Ham could think of that would give them away, not visually anyway. Still, he could tell Bob was nervous.
[Relax Bob, this will go fine, we are simply scoping out the land.]
Bob glanced sideways doubtfully and then resumed his worrying. [We shouldn't have come, this is madness.]
[I'm actually surprised at you Bob; I'm completely relaxed about this and so should you be.]
[That's all right for you to say.] He looked away guiltily.
And then it dawned on Ham why his friend was so worried. He pulled Bob sharply into an alcove and stood there for a moment fuming quietly; hardly able to speak he was so angry. [You didn't back up, did you?]
Bob looked at the ground and refused to meet Ham's eyes. [I don't believe in backing up and I don't, there is just the one of me and there will always be only one.]
[My stars you idiot, you challenge me about religion and yet at least I know how to use it as a tool. I don't practice faith for goodness sake.]
[I'm not religious!]
[Well that sounds like some kind of faith to me . . . how could you do this to me Bob? I would never have brought you here if I'd known you had no backup.]
[What do you mean, how could I do this to you? I haven't done anything to you; I'm the one taking the risk here.] Bob pretended to look away.
Ham fumed, [You self absorbed prick. How can I even contemplate putting you in a position where you might be compromised? I now have to think about your safety, on top of everything else.]
The crowd of tourists that had been building since early morning was now quickly thinning, pouring in through the majestic gates which had just opened. Bob grabbed the diversion and pulled Ham out behind him. [Come on, we need to go through with the others.]
They joined the tail end of a trailing group and slipped in through the high walls, just another pair of travelers on a pilgrimage to the Palace.
Like tourists everywhere in the galaxy the people clustered in small groups, families and friends, couples and the occasional individual, each with their small maps and brochures detailing the history of the palace, the colonization of Regis, and myths about their shared heritage of originating on Rexis. And, Ham noted, in every brochure there was a story, some snippet of information that hinted at the day of promise when they would return to their birthplace planet.
More brochures warned about AI emergence, the 'Error' of Rexis and the commitment of the Regis leadership to the future deliverance of their ancestral home. Bob seemed to devour the material anxiously, nothing really a surprise to him but the act of confirming of his fears was like wiggling a lose tooth. He worked through them furiously, scrunching them as he read. Ham glanced at the proffered information only briefly before flicking most of brochures to a bin. He only retained the tourist maps which while revealing little did guide them to the central secure area, marked and highlighted in blue. He casually strolled in that direction while Bob trailed behind still reading. They drew no special attention and from time to time Ham would stop, turning on his heels to take in the surrounding sights while at the same time recording a three sixty degree visual of every courtyard. His progress was calm, considered, with everything recorded, stored and compressed. Internally he was mapping, measuring, every footstep, stride length and timing. His path appeared random, and at times he would retrace his steps, his progress around the palace looking no different to any other tourist except that with every pace recorded and every view digested he was slowly building a picture, a blueprint accurate to millimeters. Bob, while distracted, nevertheless played his part counting; guards, changes, people, cameras, everything that suggested a caution or offered an opportunity.
Above the central court in their small security room three uniformed technicians poured over various screens, analyzing every visitor, their groups and their progress looking for any suspicious behavior, anything that might hint at a threat to the senior hierarchy. All they saw was the usual rag tag groups and individuals, most looking lost and amazed in equal measure, circulating the courtyards chattering and laughing.
It was a happy scene until one man stood on a small child's foot. The two hundred kilo android jumped back immediately but not before the resulting horrendous scream had drawn all eyes to the spot. At the same time cameras swiveled to focus on the child who had collapsed to the ground clutching his ankle and bellowing loudly.
"Zoom in on that area Pero." The supervisor leant over him and pointed at the young man's screen, then tapped at the child's writhing form. He called out to no one in particular, "Get someone down there, now!" Two uniformed coworkers darted from the room as Supervisor Mendez scanned the various screens, considering the angles and possibilities. His eyes were drawn quickly to a figure, something about him drawing suspicion. It was Ham, moving surreptitiously away from the action, unlike the crowd who seemed to be gathering to see what was happening, and then he saw the other man, being jostled by several others. The crowd appeared to be pulling at the man's suit and he looked most uncomfortable, shuffling backwards and clearly apologizing. There was something about him Mendez could tell, the look, and the gestures, something . . . too solicitous . . . almost subservient.
"Lock the doors!" he barked.
Ham watched as Bob tried desperately to extricate himself from the throng, several men seeming to be glued to him, prodding and pushing as Bob shuffled backwards. A glance around revealed uniformed men moving towards the doors, the noose was tightening. Reaching into a fold of his garment he took out a small ball which he dropped and watched as it rolled toward the centre drain of the courtyard. There it burst into smoke and spar
ks and issued a high pitched screech that caused people to clutch at their ears, some even dropping to their knees with the pain. Darting toward his friend Ham grabbed Bob's arm and pulled him away through the rapidly expanding and fetid cloud toward the entrance archway. Almost completely obscured now the two progressed on perfect memory alone, slipping through the gap and lengthening their stride down the twenty meter tunnel, only to be brought up short by the slam of metal to stone as a huge plate dropped from the roof. They didn't even need to turn, an ear shattering clang from behind telling them all they needed to know; they were trapped.
"Ham, we need to jump now, escape to Rexis, we can destroy the androids by timer."
Ham didn't bother replying, they both simply exchanged a look and concentrated . . . and nothing happened. As if in synch they swiveled their heads in a slow motion scan of the archway, nothing apart from the heavy stone seeming to indicate any kind of technical barrier, certainly not a cyber barrier. Bob's android seemed to pale and he turned back to Ham who he could see was chewing the inside of one cheek, a look of frustration and anger there.
Ham looked him in the eyes and glared, "You - didn't - back – up." he said dully.
"No, I didn't, I should have." And suddenly Bob looked extremely sheepish.
Ham turned slowly back to face the door to the courtyard and muttered under his breath. "You perfect pain in the ass." Then he looked back, "Has this ever happened before, that you couldn't jump, from anywhere?"
"Never, I've no idea what is interfering, I can only think the palace is screened somehow in a way I don't understand."
Ham turned back to the door. "Okay, we need to get back to the open air, to the courtyard because that other way there are only more corridors, it's your only hope."
Regan's Reach 4: Avarice Page 9