Confluence Point (31 page)

[I have Regan; and she appreciated your intentions. After all, you did come with the hope of liberating Dahlia. How could you have known that I would have already done all the hard work?]

The shuttle settled to the deck and in only moments a door folded down producing a short walkway from the vessel. Marin couldn't contain himself and jogged to the entrance, only stopping when Sindali, tall and lithesome, appeared in the doorway. She looked tired and strained but otherwise seemed much the same as Regan remembered, beautiful in the way of Dahlian  women, gracious like the queen she deserved to be and happy. The young Buela and Rhine behind her were almost unrecognizable. Six years had changed them both, now tall, looking like a young woman and man, not the brave children she remembered.
Of course they still are children really
, she reminded herself,
it's the height; I can't believe it, they're taller than me.

Regan held back with Leah as Marin stepped up the walkway. Remaining detached for the moment and simply watching him beside Sindali with fresh eyes it struck her how much he had changed too. Six years of hard workouts at Earth normal gravity had transformed him and she looked proudly at his muscled form, quite different from the thin Dahlian norm.

He deserves better than the grief I give him, always busy, and always some crisis. We all deserve better, Leah too.
What was it Ham once said, time to get back on to the Marin?
Just the memory was enough to bring a smile and a thrill of anticipation.
Where has my mind been?

A shake of the head and she refocused on Marin now embracing his sister; Sindali looked over his shoulder and made eye contact with Regan, breaking instantly into a huge smile. It was enough and Regan stepped up to join them in a welcoming embrace before turning to the two children, both slightly uncomfortable and scuffing nervously behind. Extending her hands, first Buela, and then Rhine stepped forward to take one each and with the ice broken she led them down to meet Jared, the normal superficial chatter feeling incongruous when they had shared so much all those years ago.

And then quickly it seemed they were all talking and laughing, introductions to the team helping to break down the barriers. Sindali, the consummate politician, was so warm and charming that she quickly had Leah, Jean and Aaron eating out of her hand. Jared, to Regan’s surprise quickly took command and the children disappeared off into the labyrinth of the ship.

Realizing she'd heard nothing from Ham or Hilary for some time she subbed him.

[Are you ok my friend?]  

[Just watching Regan, a little envious perhaps, you are the closest thing I have to an experience with the warmth of contact.]

[Not getting all soft on me are you?] She smiled, knowing he would see her.

He didn't reply, knowing she knew the answer.

Meanwhile Hilary was busy, organizing the party.

It was more a dinner than a birthday party, a 'getting to know you' get together. The STEIN Traveler’s stores were well stocked and with Jean a willing chef the spread was outstanding. Even the Dahlian guests seemed to enjoy the new flavors and textures, eating heartily as the conversation flowed freely. Regan sensed Sindali's eyes on her and readied herself even before the thought intrusion gently entered her consciousness.

[Are you nervous Regan?] She used a private channel.

[Nervous?] Regan looked at her and smiled. [I would think you are the one who might be nervous, you're the returning Queen.] and she winked.

Sindali returned the smile. [Yes, I am nervously excited, although I fear a fight. Ham is sure he has everything under control however even one person hurt as a result of this action would distress me. No Regan, it is you who I feel for the most. Do you know what Ham has been up to?]

[I think so.] She replied [I'm not comfortable being a celebrity, he tends to exaggerate my abilities somewhat.]

Sindali looked back, wide eyed and disbelieving. [A celebrity . . . oh Regan, you have no idea. He's made you the focus of everyone's hopes and dreams, much, much more than a celebrity. How the Council of Orbital Representatives will respond I don't know, but they will surely want to talk to you; I fear for you.]

[I'll be fine Sindali, a little talk can't hurt and Ham assures me he is operating very much behind the scenes. As long as we keep it that way we can exercise quiet influence in a positive way.] Regan paused, taking in the concerned look on Sindali's face. [Your worries about a fight concern me too Sindali, but sometimes it can't be avoided. While Beria is away is the perfect time. The Emperor had no right to take Dahlia, this will be liberation.]

[Regan, again, yes I am concerned about action but if you read concern in my expression it is for you. Prepare yourself, I have a feeling you will be shocked. For myself I don't like to push myself forward but lead I will; it is my calling. Once we have Dahlia back I will honor my promise to Ham and speak for both you and the Minds with the Orbital powers.]

They shared a smile of agreement just as Marin called for another toast, this time to the birthday boy. She saw Jared slip from his seat and disappear under the table and only a few seconds later she felt his hand on her knee as he popped up beside her.

"Mom . . . my present . . . you said you had something for me, to help my apprenticeship." He looked excited.

Regan hoped he wouldn't be disappointed, her own memories of opening Christmas presents in fancy wrapping only to find socks or a jigsaw puzzle had never left her. "Come on," she said, "let's go and have a look."

The two slipped away hand in hand, out into the corridor and down to her room.

[Are they ready Ham?]

[All ready, Hilary has done very well.]

[You should be there Ham, join us won’t you, don't hide away.]

She padded the door, ushering Jarred through and delighting to see the beautiful man sitting comfortably on the bunk, an impossible impression of weight on the cover completing the picture.

 Jarred looked around eagerly, "Where is it?"

"In the bathroom." Ham replied smiling broadly.

He darted through, quickly returning with two garments, ship suits, and a disappointed look.

Regan laughed at the look and hugged him, crushing the suits between them. "Don't look so sad," she said, "these are very special suits, suits for an assassin's apprentice. Choose one and put it on and I'll tell you what they can do."

Reluctantly he slipped back into the bathroom and shut the door, Regan smiling at his newly adopted modesty.

[He's growing up Ham . . . where did my little boy go?]

[All the years will be good Regan, and he's getting more and more useful every day.]

[Useful? I'm not sure that's an adjective I'd like to apply to him at this stage.]

Jared emerged from the bathroom in the black version,
hardly a surprise there
. Already tall for his age he had also inherited the Stein musculature; in the black he looked older and definitely more imposing.

[He's going to be a handful for anyone, that's for sure.]

[That's the plan.]

She looked at Ham and scowled before turning back to Jared. "OK," she said, "stand there, I'll be the director's assistant and Ham can explain the workings."

She reached out and tweaked the suit, stretching it out from his chest a little. "Fabric . . ."

"Projectile proof." Ham replied. "Nothing will get through it although you could have a very nasty bruise and the odd broken rib. I'd work hard to protect another area of your anatomy too as it won't protect you there."

Jared laughed and bent over holding his crotch.

Regan slipped one finger under the chinese collar, stroking Jared's neck as she did so.

"Collar," Ham explained, "just like your mom's, it becomes a head covering instantly in vacuum. It will keep you alive in an emergency, hopefully long enough for you to find a way out."

Jared ran his fingers around the slightly bulky edge and seemed to puff up like Superman.

"And," Regan added, "Something very special that you haven't had before. The collar has its own processor. A bit like me, Ham can be with you anywhere now so you don't have to be on the ship, or Hillary Station. He's truly like your invisible partner and can help you if you need it. Just whisper and he will hear you and of course your ear piece will function with it."

She sighed and reluctantly slid her hands down to the cuffs of the sleeves. Looking with resignation at the ceiling she simply said, "Cuffs . . ."

 "LASERS!" Ham blurted excitedly, jumping upright as he did so and looking so excited even Jared stepped back."

"Really . . ." Jared said, disbelieving. "How do they work?"

Ham stepped forward, somehow managing to screen Regan out, his only interest in the weaponry, it was as if Regan suddenly didn't exist. She shuffled sideways to watch.

Ham demonstrated with his arm. "You stretch out and point your arm with your wrist tilted down. The laser comes out just like with Spiderman, except what you fire from there, boy, will dissolve metal!" His look radiated a
can you believe it,
message.

"However . . ." Regan interrupted, "You can't have total control, not yet. Ham via the processor will control the actual shot and the intensity
-
but you can do the aiming."

"So no one else has control, just Ham?" Jared asked.

"That's right, maybe one day you can, but not yet."

"No problem Mom." Jared returned his attention to the cuffs and practiced pointing. It was clear he didn't see the firing limitation as a concern. Ham avoided her gaze.

[I trust you will be responsible?] She subbed.

[How could you doubt me?]

Jared turned back and hugged her, hard. "Thank you Mom, and you Ham," and to Regan's delight he looked up, "and thank you Hilary."

"It was our pleasure Jared." she replied warmly.

He turned back to Regan. "Mom, Ham and I need to practice, you understand don't you?"

She sighed again, but contentedly this time. "One more thing my young man . . ." and she reached to the desk, uncovering a pair of dark glasses. "You'll want these for your exploits. Ham will explain more. They'll give you a heads up display, so Ham can show you visuals when you need them."

"Or for sighting targets," Ham added, nodding pointedly.

"Or for better sighting," she agreed and finally laughed, their enthusiasm contagious.

And they were off, finally leaving her alone. She stood just looking at the door for a long time, thinking about lost years and the passage of time. Then, annoyed at her melancholy mood she made for her comfort place, the bathroom. 
A long hot indulgent shower . . . yes!

Leant against the wall, she heard the bathroom door open and Regan looked anxiously at her hands;
please god, not a wrinkled prune, not yet surely?
She'd been alone only fifteen minutes, enough time for Marin's radar to zero in on her location and, she was relieved to note, not long enough for the steaming hot water to add decades to her hands.

So it's true, I'm vain.

She didn't turn, continuing to lean on the wall, her face pressed to the surface, water streaming down her back and legs. He signaled his presence with his hands, grasping and kneading her buttocks gently. She allowed herself to press further against the wall, arching her back at his touch.

Leaning forward to steal the stream he whispered in her ear, "How did we all fail to recognize
your
birthday?" and he nuzzled in while reaching round to cup her breasts.

She writhed against him then lifted her hands above her head to swivel between his arms, facing him now and lifting his erection to rest nestled between them, allowing her to pull him close and embrace.

"It was Jared's day, and I loved it, but thank you for remembering. Anyway, who tells people that they're thirty?" She lifted her head to receive his kiss and smiled in satisfaction as he used the strong arms she had been admiring earlier to lift her in one smooth motion. She wrapped her legs around his slim waist and squeezed.

He knew better than to enter quickly and instead teasingly, selfishly used his strength to slide her body up and down over his length in small slow movements before gently lowering her back to the floor. She held his eyes as she grasped him soaping and stroking with her hands while he comically pretended disinterest before beginning to purr like a cat.

"Take me to bed, lover," she purred back.

He padded for the water to stop and took one of the huge white towels she kept, gently drying her then himself before taking her hand and leading her to the bunk. He made to turn her toward the wall but instead she put up her hand. "It's my birthday Marin," and she smiled, maneuvering him to the bed and encouraging him back against the wall so that he could sit there with his back supported. He looked puzzled for a moment before she generously lubricated him and then with amazing grace spun over, positioning so that her back was to him.

She paused a moment while she mentally accessed the ship system, adjusting gravity in the room, lowering it by percentages until it felt right then lifted and carefully lowered herself on to him, bringing her legs forward and to either side. Impaled now she laughed softly as he filled her, "It's my party and I'll ride if I want to," she chuckled, a slight moan escaping as she settled, making herself comfortable and resting there. Her legs spread wide she felt utterly exposed to the room and she sighed with satisfaction, finally resting back on Marin's chest. "Now you can give me my present, and make it slow."

He stretched around with one free arm, feeling for and then beginning to gently massage her. With the other arm he circled her waist to cradle one breast. Regan closed her eyes and moaned, concentrating on the exquisite feeling.

"There is one more thing that would make . . . this . . . purrfect." she panted.

He smiled knowingly. "Relax, she's coming."

As a distraction Regan sought the system feed and tracked Leah's path down the corridor, hoping she would hurry, anticipating her entrance and the picture they would make.