As the barrel drew nearer she began to feel nervous. Her confidence in Ham was secure but she did wonder whether this attempt was all about trying to please her, doubts suddenly filling her mind.
"It's going to work." Marin reached out and gripped her upper arm encouragingly but he didn't sound confident.
The gesture caught her off guard and she shrugged him off, Marin pulling his arm away quickly. Immediately she regretted it and reached out to clasp his hand.
"Here we go - death or glory!" Ham warned them.
She peered at the barrel, noticing for the first time flailing objects on either side. "Ham." She asked, disturbed, "Are those arms?"
"I like to call them appendages." Ham replied offhandedly. The barrel was drawing quickly nearer and the 'appendages' really did appear to be flailing widely in panic, something to do with the momentum it carried as it was ejected from the ship. The effect was deeply unsettling.
"What is it?" she asked, appalled.
"It was all I could find; it's one of the cleaning units."
Regan put one hand to her mouth in shock. "This is too disturbing for words."
Marin laughed out loud and she thumped his arm.
"What?" he said, "You're feeling sorry for it, that's funny. Now this really is a machine, if it breaks we replace it with another, possibly an even better one."
Somehow this didn't seem right anymore and the feeling wasn't helped by the device waving as it got closer.
Whether she imagined it she wasn't sure but it did appear as if a shimmering something reached out just when the waving barrel had almost filled the screen. Then it disappeared and Regan let out a gasp, unaware that she had been holding her breath.
"I'm going to rear view." And there it was disappearing into the distance.
"I'll come about for another pass," said Ham, "We'll do it faster this time."
"How fast was that?" Marin asked.
"Only five thousand kilometers per hour," Ham was dismissive, "we need to try upwards of twenty five thousand."
"Let's go to fifteen thousand, and then work it up from there." Regan suggested.
"Ten," said Ham, "just to be relatively safe."
She laughed, "Well you haven't lost your sense of humor!"
Two hours later and confidence was high. Thirty five thousand kilometers per hour and Ham was convinced it could be done. They celebrated with a coffee.
"Now Ham, what do you think about part two of my cunning plan?" Regan was really excited now.
"You know," Ham replied, "I think it might just work. As suggested I've been lessening the power to the field and I'm confident there is enough for what we want to try."
The plan was to concentrate the strength of the field on opposite sides of the sphere, two bulges in effect. As the missile or object entered one side it would be displaced to the rear, only to be immediately displaced back. This required two very quick actions that Ham pointed out could only be accomplished by a genius, super powerful, amazingly dexterous, sentient computer. Did we know of one?
The idea had two extra complications. First, the object would need to be inverted during the second displacement so that it would be facing in the opposite direction otherwise it would still blast the ship! Second the first bulge would need to be turned off in the twinkling of an eye. Fortunately, Ham said, for someone of his skill this would not be difficult.
"Are there any downsides?" Regan asked.
"I can see we'll be vulnerable on the sides away from the bulges and I guess maneuverability will be hugely compromised, correct?" Marin asked.
"Correct," Ham answered, "but only for a second."
"Well, I can see another problem," Regan spoke her concern. "This won't work with a stationary object, to try this we need the object to be moving."
"I'm way ahead of you sweetheart," Ham said with a comical Brooklyn accent. "The Pod is underway."
On the screen a Pod appeared, quickly moving away from them. It seemed disturbingly large, much larger than the barrel.
"Ham . . . are you sure about this? Aren't we making a big leap here?" Regan felt suddenly alarmed at the prospect.
"Look," Ham replied, "a missile is pretty big, maybe as long as the Pod, this is the big test."
"I'll say!" In a comical waste of energy both she and Marin moved behind the chairs as if protecting themselves from the action on screen.
The Pod made its turn in the distance and grew alarmingly on screen as it accelerated toward their now stationary position. As it filled her vision Regan couldn't help squeezing her eyes shut, her hands gripping the back of the chair so tight that they hurt.
Then . . . nothing!
As she opened her eyes the sight of the Pod shooting away from them came as such a relief, to her embarrassment, she whimpered. Marin, normally a warm olive color, also looked ashen.
"What view is that Ham, did it work?" Regan was whispering.
Ham whispered back. "Is the Pope a Catholic?"
"Yesss!" She screamed with relief and excitement. "I love it, The Arteis Displacer!" She turned and hugged Marin, lifting him off the ground, it was a shock.
"Arteis?" Marin squeaked, pleased at her reaction.
"Arteis!" she said with a delighted laugh, "Return to Sender!"
*
The War Room, Riverside, NZ
"It's bad Kevin. Somebody's on a witch hunt and they've decided Regan's the witch." Mary poured a glass of Chardonnay and uncharacteristically took a long slug before continuing.
"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 mischiev
ous 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 abo
ut?" 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.
Regan's Reach Page 16