Confluence Point (32 page)

You're an exhibitionist and you know it hussy,
she thought, and then abandoned herself to the excitement of the situation.

Leah didn't need to announce her arrival; she had automatic entrance. They hadn't subbed to say no and she knew she was more than welcome. As the door slid closed behind her she paused to take in the sight of her partners spread literally before her. Combined with the immediate sense of lightness in the room it told her all she needed to know and carefully she peeled away her suit, a slow striptease for them both. Finally, naked and enjoying their obvious pleasure at her arrival she stepped to the bed edge and knelt between Marin's legs, causing Regan's to spread even wider. She looked up at her friend and smiled with a teasing look and then spoke in her gorgeous slightly southern drawl.

"Shit - it's good to be young . . . happy birthday hon." Then she lowered her head to join Marin's fingers, taking over with her tongue and drawing a gasping Regan quickly over the edge.

Much later she lay quietly, gently twirling, releasing and then twirling again a strand of hair. Unusually Leah had stayed with her and she tried to stay still, letting her sleep. Marin, as was his usual custom, had retired to his room. Having stretched even his prodigious abilities to satisfy them both he had been happily exhausted and drained. She smiled and closed her eyes picturing again their pleasure.
He has got to be one happy camper, we sure as hell are.

Shifting to release one leg was enough to stir Leah. She woke and rolled from the bed in one easy motion, tweaking Regan's arm as she headed for the bathroom. Regan shifted onto her back and accessed the system, noting Jared already up and entertaining his cousins; he was a young boy with a talent to lead that was obvious. Watching Buela through the camera feed nevertheless made her smile; she could still see the young firebrand.
She's just biding her time, Jared Stein; she'll win you over soon.

"How's it going with Aaron?" she called through to the bathroom.

Leah appeared toothbrush in hand, bubbles still dripping from her mouth. "You're going to laugh," she frothed.

"He's a lovely but strange genius isn't he?" She was already smiling.

"Really . . . brace yourself. Aaron really does have a thing for the tall skinny Corans. Maybe that experience with the pilot left him with a fetish that needs to be satisfied. Moriah is keeping him happy but, and you'll love this, I noticed he seemed quite taken with Sindali." She waggled her eyebrows suggestively.

"Nooo . . ." Regan laughed.

"Hell yeah, and as you said I have socialized him. He's also learnt a few very useful tricks that Sindali might like. But he and I will just be friends; he's too expensive emotionally if you know what I mean."

"I think I do babe, that's why I love Marin, a man of simple needs with amazing consideration; makes me feel a bit selfish actually."

"Oh I think his needs are well met." and they both laughed.

[Regan, you might like to come to Control.] Hilary interrupted with a sub.

[I'm a bit busy at the moment.]

[What, with all that girl talk?] She seemed huffy. [And why don't you ever pull me in on some of that chat by the way, a girl
could
feel quite left out.]

Regan and Leah exchanged wide eyed looks.

"
Do
you feel left out?" Regan asked switching to speech.

"Well, no, not at the moment but I'm just saying . . ."

"Yes . . ." Regan waited.

"Well, it might be nice, that's all."

Regan shuddered, suddenly thinking of Mitch. "Hilary, let's make it official. You're one of the girls and you're welcome to join in any time you like, Ham certainly doesn't ask. Truly, I always just assumed you would if you wanted to."

"Oh . . . well, thank you, I'll do that in future. Now, you really
do
need to come to Control, I could show you what's up there but it would be better if you came here."

"What's Ham up to?"

"He's hiding."

"Hilary, Ham never hides, it's not in his nature
-
he just chooses to ignore us when it suits him."

Hilary's comment was enough to get them moving seriously and Regan made for the bathroom. "We'll be there in fifteen minutes Hil, better get Marin too."

"He's already here; see you soon."

A world within a world . . .
As they walked to the lift Regan reflected on the comfort she always felt on the STEIN Traveler. Even here, though parked in the womb of the huge Behemoth, she felt a confidence and strength like no other. It came from being aboard this, her ship, their fortress. She relaxed more here, slept better and made love here with more abandon. The thoughts produced a broad smile.
This is home, what a great place to be.

Striding into Control with Leah her first observation was of Marin's quick rise from his seat and the concerned look he exchanged with Sindali.
Something really is up!
Ignoring the unspoken tension she paused to ask, "Have I time to get a coffee?"

"You may like to see this first." Marin replied and gestured to the screen.

She hesitated, then nodded and moved to take her command chair. "Ok, you've got my attention, what's up?"

The screen lit up, filled with objects dotted across the visual from side to side. They were still far off, she presumed, as they were too small for detail, nevertheless if they were in the Behemoth’s path it was clear they would need to either hove to or divert to get around them.

"O . . . K. I can see there are objects in our path, what are they and what does it mean?" She left her eyes on the screen, scanning from side to side.

Marin sat beside her, "They're ships Regan; there are several hundred of them, and they're just waiting there." He turned to engage her more directly.

"Waiting . . . what does that mean? Are they friendly?" she looked puzzled.

"We think so."

The beautiful man materialized to their side, looking slightly sheepish. "They are friendly Regan, certainly not the enemy. Now look, I didn't plan this you understand, but it seems word got out - that you were coming, and . . . they've come to meet you."

"How exactly would word 'get out' without you knowing?" She asked.

"Well . . . I haven't been myself lately; perhaps I might have said something."

She swung off her chair to stand, all the better to feel in control. "So . . . which self haven't you been lately, there are so many of you now it must be hard to tell?"

"So you do understand then." and he looked relieved.

"No actually, I don't understand, unless the suspicion that you have some grand plan in operation here is correct . . . huh . . . huh?" She prodded his chest accompanied by a cyber shove that clearly had effect.

"Regan, I can't be held responsible for the actions of every 'me' in the universe and this could be good
-
they're just eager that's all. This is a chance for you to meet some of the key players before we go in, it could even be great." His excitement was obvious.

"You say there are several hundred, several hundred what exactly?"

"It looks like there are at least a few warships out there to me." Marin opined.

"There are three hundred and seventy seven ships out there, all substantial vessels by my reckoning." Hilary advised.

Ham stepped away to avoid their looks while glaring into nothingness, at Hilary no doubt.

"Ok, so yes, there
are
quite a few, and some of them are warships from Tihan and Reubus, but all are friendly I assure you. The warships are empty of course, but quite a few of the larger traders are manned and the air breathers are just as intrigued to meet you. And of course they're all large vessels; we are still well out in the system after all, none of the others could get here in time." He radiated positivity.

At the words Regan looked at him sideways, a doubtful expression adequately conveying her thoughts . . .
None of the others? What are you up to?

"So, does that mean we can expect more ships as we get nearer to Dahlia?" she asked suspiciously.

"It's possible, but certainly not this far out in the system." He moved on quickly, "Now, on a more important note we need to heave to and do it quickly; they want to meet you before they agree to support the crusade."

A cold shiver passed down Regan's spine and she turned back to him slowly.

 "Crusade . . ?"

"Did I say crusade? Sorry, of course I meant - before they agree to support our return of Sindali to Dahlia." He flashed his hand across and blanked the screen, "Now I suggest a meeting on the flight deck of the Hammer, there's plenty of space there. First meeting will be with the Minds and we can follow that with a meeting with the system traders, how does that sound?"

"It sounds like a fait accompli, that's what it sounds like." She was about to say more but felt Marin's hand on her arm; it was reassuring, however she could see he wanted to say something.

"Regan . . . I'm not one to say that the end justifies the means . . ." He hesitated.

"Go on . . ." she gestured impatiently for him to continue.

"Well, this could be good. I'm biased I know, I want to see Dahlia liberated and every day that I've thought about the Emperor sleeping in my home I've burned to get back here to do something about it. I don't know what Ham's up to but he seems to have gathered some significant support - perhaps this might be useful."

"Thank you Marin." Ham said quickly, "Your unconditional support means a lot to me."

"I didn't say uncon' . . ."

Ham cut across Marin's reply, "Now, the meeting, are we agreed?"

"I guess there's no harm in meeting them Regan, and it will give you a chance to assess things." Leah tried to be positive.

"There you go Regan, your advisor agrees." Ham moved to a side chair. "Hilary, please begin to haul us up before we shred that fleet."

Regan didn't attempt to argue with him, swinging instead to look at Sindali. "You seem strangely silent in all of this Sin." She raised her eyebrows questioningly.

"I'm sorry, I am grateful for this support. I'm only concerned about the method, effective as it may be. I fear . . . what is that saying I have heard you use? A tiger by the tail . . ."

"You fear Ham may have a tiger by the tail," Regan chuckled at the reference.

"No Regan dear, I fear Ham has tied you to the tigers tail."

"Oh come now Sindali," Ham quickly stepped in, "All will work out in the end, I can only see good coming out of this."

Regan stood, looking doubtful. "I need to think about this . . . I need a coffee." And she headed for the galley.

The two huge warships appeared to hang in space, still flashing inward toward 667C but much slower now and surrounded by a flotilla, gathered together like a pod of whales swimming. Communications were running hot between vessels, back and forth, with the excitement seeming almost tangible to Regan as she surfed on the network via the Hammer’s computers.

From the time they had arrived on the Hammer her disquiet had grown producing a constant feeling of nausea, so much so that she desperately wanted to throw up. Tapping into long forgotten performance techniques was useful and she channeled the nervous energy to prime her for action. Still, this was the unknown.
What will we find?
Tracking yet another burst of new age psychobabble from one ship to another she finally cracked.

[Shit Ham, you would think this was going to be a church meeting
-
and why
do
they keep referring to you as the evangelist?]

He ignored the question. [You're exaggerating again Regan, calm down, you'll need to be at your charismatic best for this.] and he said no more.

[Now that's encouraging, even you're nervous - I can tell.]

[Excited, that's the word and don't worry, they'll love you as I do, then we can really make our move.]

[Ham, what does that mean . . . really make our move?]

[No time for that, the meeting will be starting soon. We're just waiting for Reubus, he always likes to make a grand entrance. You know the type, he's full of that 'who's got the biggest Orbital thing' and he likes to parade it.] Ham paused and looked thoughtful, appearing to receive some message which he chose to keep to himself.

[I think you should go down now, best to walk I think.]

[Well how else would I do it?] Already she was standing and gestured for Marin, Leah and Sindali to join her,
my 'entourage'
she thought and shuddered, not at all comfortable with the turn of events.

They wasted no time and were soon in the lift with Regan leaning on Marin for support until the doors opened. It was remarkable. With the lift doors opening a surge of confidence and strength swept through her, so powerful she knew Ham had to be behind it and she gritted her teeth before stepping forward with the others following behind. It was only a short walk to the deck and she made the steps powerfully, her head held high. The hush that came over the gathering at their appearance was slightly off putting but still she didn't falter, walking purposefully toward the stage and the rostrum Ham had positioned earlier, a distance of about fifty meters.

[How will they know which is me?] She subbed.

[Don't worry, they'll know.] Ham replied.

[
Ham dear, you don't think that's a bit over the top?
] Hilary subbed.

[
I don't think so; she was concerned they might not know who she was, this can only help.
]

[
But Ham . . . a halo . . . really?
]

By some cunning contrivance with the lights there was indeed a slight circular glow above Regan's head, a fact which only Sindali, the rearmost of the group, was aware. She blushed at the audacity of it.

So focused had she been on the walk it was only on reaching the rostrum that Regan turned to take in the crowd. As she looked out over the hundreds of avatars it struck her how vulnerable they looked despite their chosen forms, some in uniform, some presenting as older, some younger, more male than female,
and why am I not surprised?
The one common factor was their look and demeanor. Almost universally they had a look of hopeful desperation, a look that indicated they hardly dared to believe change was possible. In that moment of realization she felt such a surge of compassion tears welled in her eye. She understood why Ham couldn't and wouldn't turn his back and she forgave him for all his scheming, disturbing as this might turn out to be.