Regan's Reach 2: Orbital Envy (6 page)

She smiled at the references,
scroat and doozie?
"Ham, I just thought it was a crazy protestor."

"He may well have been but I doubt it. Someone local I could identify. No I think it was something more sinister. Regan, things have changed. You're rattling a lot of cages. We need to be more careful."

"What more can I do than we're already doing?" She finally got up from the chair and headed for the galley.

"For one thing we need to upgrade your suits. I have a few options in mind."

"Ok Ham, so now you're a dress designer. Do tell me more."

"Not so much a dress designer dear, more a constructer of functional filigree."

She was already pouring coffee, all thoughts of exotic couplings gone.
He's right, it's time to make my own party again
.

Ham could tell she was 'on the turn'.

"Ok, I have uncovered something and I'm sure it's important. I can't tell you how much it annoys me that I can't use this to identify the bastards but for what it's worth the call is a start and it sounds suspicious. It was made from an untraceable mobile in Wellington to another untraceable mobile in the Wairarapa."

She heard a male voice, British accent, cultured. "What went wrong?"

Then a second voice spoke, the accent hard to place. "I was standing close and I can't understand it. He got a full blow in. The knife was to the ribs and his full weight was behind it. Sure her security got to him but the stab was clean. She screamed and dropped, then the crowd surged and I lost sight. By the time I fought through she was gone. He . . . you know, was dead."

"Well that's not fucking good enough. Stay low until I call you again. This isn't the end of it."The call was disconnected.

Regan walked through with her coffee to the war room. She sat, disconsolate, a cold feeling settling over her. "So, it's not over."

"Did you really think it was?"

"Ham, with everything else going on, I don't think I wanted to even consider it."

"Well you must, you're a mother and my backup."

She laughed. "Thank you for putting my priorities in perspective, nothing there about the value of my own life for its own sake I notice."

"Well, think about it like this, you know if I'm alright, I'll be looking after you."

"Ok Ham, show me what you've got in mind for the suits."

"Well, they're not that different, just a little higher in the collar to protect the neck. Some would call it a Chinese collar, but I prefer to think of it as a plain old neck guard, and in this case it has a handy adaption a bit like an airbag without the air. It could be handy should you ever be spat out into deep space or someone tries to drown you. Also there's an incorporated utility belt for those important female bits and bobs you're always asking others to carry. Apart from that it has the same male hardening features as those you've been shamelessly wearing to date."

"You have such a way with words . . . Ok, let's have a look then."

* * *

Hayden Joyce, already well settled in to his new role as USDynamics Hillary Station CEO, led Regan and Kevin along the hangar deck at Hillary Step.

"The US seems happy with the orbit position of The Step where it is Regan and if it meets their needs, why go to the trouble of moving it?"

Kevin nodded, "I agree Regan, provided the Chinese agree too, and we've negotiated a great deal for a ten year lease with rights of renewal. We limited it to ten, not them, and there are strict limitations on the stations use. Absolutely no action will be permitted against Hillary Station and no aggressive action against Earth military targets. The understanding is that the US will be developing Space Fleet as a means of Earth defense and Solar System development. The Chinese have agreed to participate with them although they will delay occupation a few more months. Both hope to continue research through contracting the private firms on Hillary Station anyway. This will be strictly a shared Navy base as such."

"What if the Russians want space?" Regan sounded doubtful.

"The Americans understand they don't have exclusive use however they have committed to half the square meters available. China are less accommodating but they've only committed to thirty percent. That leaves twenty for the Russians and Hayden has plans to expand the Step anyway. He can tell you more. On top of that of course there is the USDynamics manufacturing space which they may not need as Hillary Station grows."

"They want more space Regan" Hayden explained, "but even they can't justify it budget wise or with the fleet available. And that's where it gets really exciting. We'll be expanding the landing area on their pads and be tendering for their new craft. This could be the opportunity to sell the two seated ADF!" Hayden was ecstatic.

"Sis' the US is already underway. The first shuttles with advance crew are expected tomorrow. They'll be working with Hayden's team on logistics and they hope to have operational shuttle squadrons flying back and forth within three months. I hate to say this but it will be like watching the Wright Brothers in the beginning. They don't have anything like our Sherpa's or the ADF's. I have a feeling that we'll have to address the technology gap issue pretty quickly." He paused.

"On that note," and he nervously paused again, "they want to post a couple of their flyers to Hillary, to spend time with you if possible. It's basically a shopping expedition. I said I'd talk to you about it, but no promises." He looked hopeful.

"Shit Kev, the last thing I want to be is a salesperson, or a tour guide. Couldn't you think of someone else?"

"So you're not opposed to the idea per se?" He made eye contact, questioning, his eyebrows lifting."

She stopped, put her hands on her hips and eyeballed him. "Kevin Stein, did you just cherry pick me?"

He laughed. "I knew you wouldn't be interested so I thought we could find someone else to show them around. Good use of a straw man I thought."

"Well, it seems it
is
a new age of cooperation. Kev, I still want to be careful. I don't want them getting any of the Field Bubble technology. They can enjoy it at the Step but they don't find out how it works ok. Same with the Grav Plates, they can use them, buy them, but they don't get the tech." She was adamant.

"I hear you babe, and don't think we're not savvy about these things too. We don't surrender up the jewels to anyone. I wouldn't just have you on my back I'd have Mary too."

Regan pondered that a moment. "Kevin, I love Mary and it's unqualified. Just to be clear though. No price would make it OK. Any decision on Tech go's through me. Are we agreed?"

"I hear you." And he turned to Hayden. "I guess you heard all that too my friend. USDynamics have access to a lot of hot stuff. Where do you stand?"

"Kev', do you really need to ask. We've left politics behind now. We have to work with it and we know who our friends are, but when it comes to this business I for one know where my loyalties lie. On my watch there will be no leaks, period. Our contract states that USDynamics are the station mangers and we will be as tight as a drum."

* * *

The Russian moon shuttle drifted slowly off its prearranged orbital path, the occasional irregular bursts from a left tail thruster developing spin that threatened to soon become a sickening whirl. After seven days on the surface, simply a token mission to establish presence and precedent, it appeared the return shuttle would soon be out of control. The five cosmonauts moon walking were about to find themselves very, very alone. On the Shuttle, pilot and engineer reportedly were working frantically to identify the fault. Preparing for pick up had become a disaster.

The little ADF observed the crafts irregular motion with casual interest. Ham reasoned he wasn't exactly spying, he was watching. There was a difference. It was none of his business but already he was calculating the rate of spin, the regularity of the bursts and the likelihood of survival.
Hmmm
, he thought as he prepared to report back to Hillary,
I hope that thing has barf bags
!

Meanwhile, on Hillary, the US 'spies' had arrived. Regan watched the welcoming ceremony with interest, staying on the fringe of the small group. She had said she wouldn't be there at all, but in the end couldn't resist. The USDynamics Liaison Officer had gathered a small welcoming group for Majors Leah Morgan and 'Butch' Harmon, Navigator and Pilot of the latest US Shuttle. The pair's arrival had drawn a lot of interest as the craft struggled to match spin approaching the pipe. Ham left them for a while then arrested their progress before any damage was done, a fact of which they remained blissfully unaware. They then managed a successful glide in to the flight deck in the USDynamics Shipyard, inner rim earthward end.

Regan had chosen this arrival pad for personal reasons. The USD flight decks hummed with activity and she knew it would be a shock to them.
No harm in letting them know they're not the Bee's knees,
she thought. Hayden had delegated a hand holder for the pair to spare her but she couldn't resist being there to observe the arrival. They were the first Military on Hillary.
Shit!

Watching them step down from the shuttle was almost comical. They did look flash but the bulky flight suits were a blast from the past she thought. To be fair she had become so accustomed to the apparent fail safe nature of Ham's systems that any thoughts of needing even a helmet hadn't occurred to her.

[Now,] Ham gently reminded her [you need to be reasonable. These are our friends, remember. Take a breath. They joined up for just this chance, to get into space, not to kill people. They're just like you] Ham could tell Regan was unreasonably touchy. [Do you need anything to calm down? Elephant tranquilizer perhaps?]

[I'm good Ham, but you know how I feel about this, it's not their fault but the military, they all come with this ingrained attitude of entitled power]

[One, that's a ridiculous generalization, and two, you won't have to deal with them anyway, remember?]

The two officers walked toward the obvious welcoming committee. Morgan was short but walked with a powerful grace. She looked like a gymnast. Harmon she guessed would be a little taller than herself. The pair walked straight toward Hayden who was clearly the oldest of the group and although dressed casually, every inch CEO material.

Major Harmon, the senior officer saluted. "Mr. Joyce?" Hayden smiled a welcome and extended his hand which Harmon shook with gusto.

"It's good to have you both here Major's, welcome to Hillary Station." Hayden glanced across at Regan but she quickly shook her head.

"Wow," Harmon blurted, "What a place you have here, unbelievable, I flew your planes sir, in training, who would have thought I would one day be standing on a USDynamics Orbital?"

[REGAN!] The voice boomed in her head, distracting her for a moment.

Hayden jumped in quickly. "Well Major, let's get it straight, it's our privilege to be here, we're partners in the building and we're learning all the time, but this is a STEIN project make no mistake about that." He looked uncomfortable.

"Oh sure, sure I know they've got the money but
we
sure know what to do with it eh?" and he laughed conspiratorially. Hayden actually recoiled and stepped away.

Regan found herself stepping forward, what she would say she didn't know. Major Leah Morgan took one look and broke into an immediate delighted smile.

"Shit, it's you . . . Sorry . . . Wow! I'm so pleased to meet you Ma'am."

It rather took the wind out of Regan's sails. She hesitated a second only for Major Harmon to turn and catch a woman standing there out of the corner of his eye.

"Oh," he said, "Thanks" and held out his bag while turning back to Hayden. He released the bag and Regan watched it drop to the floor.

"Hey, there are breakables in there." Harmon turned back sharply.

Hayden stepped forward and put one hand firmly on the Majors arm. "Major Harmon, I'd like you to meet Regan Stein. This is her station and you are here at her invitation."

Regan smiled icily and extended her hand. He took it and she held it, without releasing.

"Welcome Major Harmon . . . Now," and she leant forward, doubtful, 'Butch', that can't be your real name surely, a favorite dog perhaps?"

"Ma'am I've always been Butch."

Regan was quick. "Oh, well you'll feel comfortable here then, we don't judge people by their sexuality." Leah Morgan laughed out loud.

"No ma'am," he blushed, "It's my nickname, always has been."

"Well there must be a given name surely, what do your parents call you?"

"Rodney, Ma'am."

"Oh . . . Butch it is then."

She turned to include them both. "Well, we're going to be spending some time together I understand, in the meantime USD Liaison will guide you to your quarters. We can talk later."

"Ma'am, I just need to secure my ship." He looked annoyed, at himself more than anything.
Don't fuck up the diplomatics the General said. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

"Of course Major, no offense intended but you can rest easy, there's nothing in there we would want." Regan turned to walk away. She could clearly here him mutter,
bitch
!

[Regan, I love ya, but you
can
be a real ball breaker at times. Was that really necessary?]

[They just make me so angry at the moment!]

[Who, is 'they'?]

[MEN!]

[I notice you didn't leave the tour to the USD Liaison man?]

She didn't comment.

Although the first pipe tube was available she chose to walk and let off some steam. To her surprise she heard feet padding up behind her and turned to see Leah Morgan approaching at a jog.

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to interrupt you, could I have a word?" She was hardly puffing.

"Certainly Major, and its Regan, please, we don't stand on ceremony here." Regan took in the woman, taller than she first thought but she still towered over her, ten centimeters at least. She was slim under that suit, that much was obvious but she could also tell the major was a tough nut. The warm smile Morgan gave her could not hide the sense of calm control she radiated.
She'd be a handful in a scrap I bet.