Regan's Reach 2: Orbital Envy

by Mark G Brewer

  She continued, turning to gesture in Leah's direction. There a few secondary appointments. Leah Morgan is joining me as my PA, that's Personal Advisor, not assistant."

  Kevin put up his hand, drawing attention. "Regan, you haven't mentioned Ham, what's his role?"

  She smiled. "Ham, it goes without saying, is still my partner in crime." She laughed. "Ham will be taking on another important role as we move ahead. Amongst the myriad of his other interests he will assume a new role, and this is his choice, as Minister of Defense."

  Kutch instinctively turned to see the reaction of Secretary of State Marshall. She remained remarkably neutral. Now that will be a point of discussion for later he thought.

  In a show of good faith, at Ham's request, Rod Harmon will be working with him as liaison for the US and the South Pacific Alliance. They of course are also represented on the UN Security Council and so, I think, we have most bases covered. Are there any questions?"

  There was a long pause until Anne Marshall broke the silence. "Regan, I know we will be talking later but I'm sure others, like me are intrigued, two hundred and fifty thousand people?"

  Regan stepped back to expose the wall screen. "Of course . . . perhaps we might illustrate, Dahlia?"

  "Regan," Dahlia addressed her. "Before we move on, could I raise another small matter, as it's important to me going forward?"

  "Of course . . ."

  "Dahlia is no more. I will take a new name along with these new beginnings."

  "Hilary!" Jared's voice boomed from the doorway drawing everyone's attention.

  Surprised that he had even been following the conversation Regan took a moment to think. "Jared, Hillary is the station name," she explained patiently, "and in this case it's a surname."

  "Not Hillary . . . Hilary, with one L. That's a girl's name."

  Everyone stared at the four year old. There was a long pause.

  "Works for me . . ." The new Hilary responded.

  Smiling, Regan turned back to the group, "Then Hilary it is, and I like it. Now Hil', in answer to Secretary Marshalls question perhaps you could show our friends the scheme plan."

  On the wall a five fingered wagon wheel appeared, the starscape stretched out behind it. A sense of the massive scale only came as the visualization swept in to include ships coming and going from flight decks some of them obviously vast. The view zoomed in further so that they could see hotels and gardens, shops and offices and tube rail circulating at high speed. Gantries extended out from the overall structure to other massive ships stocking up for trips to who knows where. It was stunning.

  True to form Regan was suddenly all business. "Right then, thank you for coming, we do have a tight schedule, Anne, Bob, Marcus and Steve, we'll meet first in the office; Kevin and Leah if you could please join us?" And she walked from the room.

  As they filed away Rod couldn't help looking enviously across at Leah. I still don't get it, what have you got that I don't? Then his eyes were drawn back to the Orbital. And shit, what are the moon graffiti bunch gonna think of that!

  Once in Kevin's large office with Introductions and greetings aside they soon got down to business, the murder charges.

  "Before we begin," Regan focused on the two politicians, "There are things we take for granted here that may seem strange to you. One is the information flow. With Ham and now Hilary information is available in a second. If we seem to be steaming past something you want to discuss in more detail please stop us. Anne I particularly want to thank you for accepting our invitation to come. I've been accused of murder but frankly, I think we all know more is at stake here than me. This all stems from serious cases of orbital envy. The Coran's wanted Dahlia and they found a way to take it obviously. Now they're interested in Earth, you can believe it. I'm sorry to put this way but you, the Russians, the Chinese, you all wanted Hillary Station. I'm glad we managed to work something out with The USA Anne but the Russians are another story and I don't see them giving me a fair trial. They want to discredit me and make a grab for the station. I'm glad you're here, and you too Bob because I want you to know everything. Then you can decide where you stand in all this with confidence. So, that said, let's get into it. Marcus, you've been looking into this. Where do we stand?"

  Marcus didn't look comfortable. "Regan, on the face of it, it doesn't look good. The recordings they have, if they are real are unequivocal. If that's you kicking the man's head and throwing the spear, and their testimony that the men are dead is correct then there is a case to answer."

  "It is me and they're dead, and I'm happy about it, what's next?"

  "O . . . k, and the soldier?"

  "Dead too . . . and happy again . . . hmm, actually I'm not too happy about that one, but it was him or me, and probably the children as well so it was a no brainer."

  "Which . . . funnily, is how he ended up!" Ham offered the redundant information. The room fell silent. "Not helpful?"

  Marcus shook his head and continued. "Ok Regan, we've seen their edited recordings, and their summary of facts. The clips clearly record Premier Beria passing you into her sons 'care', whatever that means, but she did use the word. They also show Sarin, did I get that right?" She nodded. "They show Sarin clearly moving between you and his mother as you approached. He doesn't appear to be moving toward you aggressively and it could be argued he was simply moving to protect his mother. Then, apparently unprovoked, you leap, delivering an unbelievable kick to the head. It looks like an unprovoked attack on the evidence. The other clip shows Brun, running back and it does look like he's going to assist his sister struggling with soldiers. Then they show a clip from behind with you throwing a spear and piercing him. It's pretty clear. What more can you tell us?"

  Regan drew in a deep breath, clearly gathering herself. "First, the clips are real, but they don't tell the full story. Yes Beria used the word care, but they took me without my permission by force. The clips don't show them beating me unconscious, or raping me. And those clips in the conference room are carefully edited. The so called rebels are part of a people's revolt. The people support Sindali and those wrestling with her when Brun ran back with the knife were Beria's men not rebels. Brun was going to kill Sindali. I saved her life, you can ask her."

  "That would be great but of course we can't, unfortunately." Marcus kept to the facts. "And what about Sarin Regan, why did you kill him?"

  "Oh . . . he had it coming." She stood up in frustration. It was obvious where this was going. "I thought this would happen and there's only one way to do this. Ham, Hilary, show them the full recordings, from all relevant angles . . . I'll be outside." She walked out into the hall, shutting the door behind her. Sliding down the wall she sat on the floor. Despite her distaste for reviewing the experience she tracked the presentation next door. She wasn't afraid to see it . . . just not in front of others.

  Inside the group watched in shocked silence. The clubbing of Regan in the tube car, binding of her arms tight behind her back, the fall from the bed, the drunken brothers coming into the room, the ripping off of her suit, and the brutal rape with Brun masturbating. It was horrifying stuff. The perspective from the conference room also showed a different story, particularly of Brun running with the knife. It clearly showed he was aiming for Sindali, and would have reached her until the point of the spear appeared through his chest. The situation with the soldier was less clear. Cameras from across the way showed her dropping the children from a height and that alone did not look good, particularly when she shoved the girl's legs out from under her, something that was clearly a shock to the child. From the camera distance the soldier did look like he might have been trying to help; there was no way of knowing. What was clear was the moment Regan hauled up and pulled his head down onto the spike. Steve Ryman gagged at that point.

  [You might as well come back in Regan, they've seen enough]

  [I'm not sure I want to Ham] But she was already standing and padded the door. She walked straight in and up to Kevin, embracing him. "I'
m sorry Bro, no one should have to see their sister like that."

  "Sis, I'm absolutely gutted; you shouldn't have had to go through it. I'm so sorry."

  She could see everyone was concerned for her, especially Leah. "Hey . . . everyone, please I don't want to make light of this, I mean, how could I? But it was a long time ago now. I thought it was history until these guys turned up."

  Marcus stood and looked concerned. He turned to the two politicians. "Bob, Anne, thank you for coming. We wanted you here so that you could at least get another perspective to the one you have been given by the Russians. I think you can understand that there are things now that I need to discuss with my client.

  Kevin stood. "Yes, thanks for making your time available. We've prepared a tour of the Station for you if you're up to it after that disturbing experience. Hayden and Dahlia will show you around and answer your questions. I understand Anne that Hayden has the latest ADF's to show you. He's a great salesman so watch out." He remained standing and Hayden joined him. The two politicians looked reluctant to leave but politely followed Hayden out into the lounge.

  As the door shut behind them Marcus was already turning back to Regan. "Regan, this isn't going to be easy to say." He hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with his thoughts. "As your lawyer I'm bound to point out that while you have my support in every way, I'm concerned that the evidence you've presented might not help you, except as mitigation. It still looks like you took matters into your own hands. While a jury might sympathize and take the rape into account you still clearly went after Sarin at a later time. It could be seen as a revenge killing . . . And the soldier on the balcony? That doesn't look good. I believe you, but the court, with no jury and only a Judge presiding may see things differently, especially in Russia where they intend to try you. The whole thing feels to me like a set up but ultimately they do have a case. We simply can't let you be tried in Russia. Steve, what are your thoughts?"

  Steve stayed seated and he was clearly thinking deeply. "First, I agree with your assessment, but I'm not sure we can avoid it. Let's cover the extradition issues. New Zealand doesn't have an extradition treaty with Russia and the Russians know it. But it's not quite as simple as that. It is possible they could argue that New Zealand is bound as a successor state to the extradition treaties concluded by the United Kingdom prior to independence. It's more common than you might think and the UK does have extradition treaties with Russia. If they go down that path and you fight it, it still looks like you've got something to hide. Having said that, from what I've heard here today the more important issue is this moral argument. They will use your trying to hide to thoroughly discredit you Regan. Marcus is right. Their evidence, even if everything you say is true, indicates you are responsible for the deaths of three people. That's a matter that in any jurisdiction should be, and normally would be, decided by the courts. Hell, even our military are charged these days for not shooting the enemy in the right way. Why would you get off?"

  "Shit Steve, tell me what you really think!" Regan slumped into a chair.

  "Do these . . . Dahlian's even qualify as a murder?" Kutch asked. "Is it murder if it's an alien?"

  Regan looked askance. "Kutch, with respect, we're not going there. Marin is a man to me and these are people, yes people with rights just like us."

  "And that brings us back to the moral argument." Steve interjected. "The Russians are probably less concerned about the Coran's getting their way than they are about discrediting Regan and the Hillary vision. Using an argument that they are just aliens' and Regan appears even more heartless and irresponsible. Think about it. What is the real Russian objective? I guarantee you this. They won't be concerned if there isn't enough evidence to convict. They'll be happy with just enough evidence to send Regan back to the Dahlian system for trial."

  Marcus interrupted "Where is Marin? What if we were able to call on him to testify, and what about Ham, and Hilary? They have faultless testimony."

  "And we would never lie," said Hilary.

  "Of course not, no, never . . . we'd never lie . . . not at all." Ham seemed a lot less convincing.

  "It wouldn't help anyway," Regan spoke up angrily, "the Coran's would never accept the testimony of an AI. In their system they lobotomize any computer system that shows any sign of life."

  Leah now interrupted."But it's not their system Regan." There was a small pause so she continued. "Look, Earth has had four years to get used to Ham. Sure many in the corridors of power might still struggle to come to grips with such a sharp AI but he has huge popular support. Refusing to let Ham testify or Hilary for that matter would not go down well with the people. It may even be interpreted as the Coran/Russian bloc trying to hide the real truth. It turns the moral argument on its head"

  Regan smiled. "Did I mention that Leah Morgan is my new PA? And she does have an excellent point. What do you think Marcus, Steve?"

  "It might just make the difference. Marcus replied. "To be blunt Regan, on that video evidence, presented in the form they will present it, you could be convicted. And I'm not happy with the thought of you being called to testify. I know you, you're too truthful. They'll ask you all the right questions and I know you'll tell the truth, and doing that would hang you." He paused, thinking. "We need a more economical mind."

  "Economical?"

  "Economical with the truth . . ." Marcus let the thought hang, a little uncomfortable.

  "So . . . what are you saying?" she asked.

  "We need Ham."

  To Regan's surprise no one in the room looked confused. Everyone understood completely, Marcus was right.

  later that afternoon, a kilometer further up the pipe in the new commissioner's compound Ham was already deep in discussion over defense plans with Rod and Hayden. Hilary sat in as a casual observer and a small part of Regan's consciousness also monitored proceedings.

  Rod's frustration was showing. "I can fully understand the worth of expanding our flight of ADF's. We have only fifty and as I understand it The US want at least fifty if we can give them the remote pilots. What I don't understand is what our weaponry is."

  "Rod there are more ways to accomplish defense than having the biggest gun." Hayden smiled knowingly.

  "But the ADF's have nothing, not a dick, not a missile; they're impotent, flash Harry's, all push and no prod. At least give us a gun per ADF, this is madness. Are we building kamikaze jets or something?"

  "Rod," Ham answered, "as a wise man once said, it's only when you see a mosquito landing on your testicles that you realize there is always a way to solve a problem without violence."

  Despite her attempts, back in the Stein office Regan couldn't stifle a laugh. She attracted strange looks as the group continued to discuss next steps.

  Ham continued. "Hayden, we need another fifty ADF's and quickly. The question is can we produce them in the next two weeks?"

  "The simple answer is no, but we can give you forty, there are already twenty five on the assembly line. I can give you fifty in fourteen days and of course if, we keep going, another thirty perhaps over the following week. That's if we prioritize your work with the fabricator. Ham, the question really is how do we fly them? We don't have the remote pilots."

  "And they don't have guns!" Rod protested. They ignored him.

  "We don't need remotes Hayden," Ham sounded excited. "Now that my attentions are freed up, I'll fly them. Here's my plan. I copy versions of myself into every ADF. As long as they are in range they will be slaved to central control, me. If they are separated from central control they act independently. But it will still be me, Ham flying the ADF."

  "We could call them piglets." suggested a disgruntled Rod. Only Hilary was bold enough to laugh.

  "You do realize you and I will be sharing a cockpit Rod, as central control."

  "With Minjee I presume? I'll need a co-pilot."

  "You are not doing any of that while we are defending the realm."

  "Actually Ham, she is a top pilot," surprisingly Hay
den supported Rod, "and, it would be good to keep her in the loop, she's South Korean. It's good to have someone who gives us good PR in her home country while being the best at her job."

  Rod hadn't given up. "But we still don't have a weapon, shit. You're not listening. Who's going to give a fuck how well we fly?"

  "Rod, it's time to truly educate you. Grab Minjee and meet the ADF on the flight deck. Hayden, you can take that fifty ADF's as a firm order. It will give us six squadrons of twenty five and remember more would be great."

  Back in the office, alone now for the moment, Regan smiled wryly. She knew what was to come for Rod and Minjee. I hope they've got clean underwear!

  * * *

  As the Coran pod drifted back into the huge flight deck Officer Terrin positioned herself so they would have to pass her on the way to control for their debrief. Her nerves were too acute to keep avoiding him and that would be a mistake anyway she knew. Avoidance wasn't an option and would only draw attention to her continued failure. She needed to take action, to control the situation.

  Things on the ship were better . . . and they shouldn't be better! Even the normal system glitches seemed to be disappearing. Information requests entered now achieved responses faster than ever and with more accuracy. Breakdowns were almost nonexistent. That things were unnaturally improving bothered her more than the system actually failing. She knew the Commander was a deeply suspicious man and he would not be happy. Something had changed, she knew it, but she had no clue as to what. As the sole responsible officer she would be the incompetent he judged. At the back of her mind resided the fear that he would find out soon. For now, she was desperate to delay discovery, hoping for some insight, some miracle that would make her way clear and cover her ignorance.