Regan's Reach 2: Orbital Envy (3 page)

Jarvis was conciliatory. He didn't like grandstanding and definitely didn't want to get offside with such important friends. "That's history Anne, don't worry about it, but it's worth remembering that Regan never lost faith then either. This stand isn't personal, but it is principled and she knows principles don't always make you right. I'll see what I can do."

They stood and shook hands. Bob hesitated respectfully, watching them leave as the young assistant guided them from the room.

Entering the main foyer he spied Regan stretched out by the windows. She stirred as he walked over. Not for the first time he stared, reflecting on her stunning looks, and then castigated himself.

She saw right through him. "Don't beat yourself up Bob," and she smiled, breaking the tension.

God was I that obvious!
He blushed, and then joined her on the seat, perching on the edge so that he could look at her as they talked. "Sorry to drag you all this way. It seems you won't be needed after all. The Russians had a hissy fit and left. There are still some things I'd like to discuss with you, but perhaps when we're at home?"
Why does she make me feel like a schoolboy!

"No problem, it was very . . . enlightening shall we say. I'll head back to Hillary; I could give you a lift if you like?" She stood, effortlessly.

"No, no, thank you, there are more meetings this evening." He found himself almost stammering.

She smiled again, disarmingly. "I'll be off then, and Bob, thank you, you were magnificent."

To his embarrassment he blushed again, speechless for a moment and then turned to walk away. Suddenly he stopped, wondering, how . . . ? He turned back, "Regan?"

But she was gone.

* * *

Base Camp Wairarapa was abuzz with excitement. A new flight of ADF's rested on the tarmac, thirty six of the delta drones all fitted out and ready for the Wellington Air Show in two days. A huge shuttle, Sherpa Tenzing, first in the Sherpa fleet sat almost fully laden and due for takeoff in an hour. But more importantly word had spread quickly that Regan was stopping in on the way back to Hillary Station. Most in the small crowd gathered at the empty pad had never seen the legend, except on screen. Hillary Station had consumed most of her time for the last two years and when on terra firma understandably she headed for home, Riverside in the Hutt Valley. The small black dot swinging in on a curving path from the southwest hardly would have drawn attention if they had not known it was due. The Interceptor came in slow and silent, well under the sound barrier drifting resistance free through the strong wind that had picked up during the day. A small pocket of protestors began chanting as the craft came to a hovering halt, banners appearing from nowhere and eggs raining down on the black surface.

It was a disturbing welcome and one that was becoming all to frequent. "What's the problem Ham and who are these people?" Regan watched arguments developing between supporters and protestors as she prepared to disembark. "Shit I was only planning on a short stop. What a welcoming committee!"

"Well at least you know you're not completely disregarded . . . will you look at those ADF's!" Ham's disinterest was obvious, joyriding the little fighters far exceeding any concern over a few eggs he would beat off through the atmosphere.

Regan concentrated for a moment, searching for the answer on line. Quickly it was there, news reports already covering the event.
Aaah, the moon graffiti objectors,
all rabidly opposed to her new 'Ring on the moon'. It wasn't something she had considered when choosing the position of Hillary Station. The Lagrange L1 point, balanced between Earth and Moon was a natural fit for her plans. That it would forever place a new image on the moon's surface from Earth's perspective didn't occur to her
. God,
she thought
, what will they think when they see the finished orbital?
Those plans resided in her and Ham's minds alone and there they would stay for the moment.

The rear doors slid open and she stepped out onto the tarmac. At the sight of her the volume of cheers and catcalls increased substantially and she made her way carefully forward, shaking hands, greeting the few familiar faces trying to make progress through to Hayden and Jenny Joyce. She could see them on the building steps and he looked excited, she looked nervous. Regan smiled,
first time in space for her, not quite, but almost a senior, I wonder what she's thinking? Mom will be so glad to have her there.

She pressed forward, eyes on the pair, struggling against the weight of bodies. The pressure seemed inappropriately forceful, her instincts screaming to her,
something's wrong!
And then she felt the blow, a painful jab to the stomach, sharp, delivered with full body weight behind it. Unable to penetrate the suit it was enough to drop her to her knees with in agony. [Ham!] Regan cried out silently and the field instantly snatched her, the sight of a large hand coming down on the head of her assailant triggering her last images. The head seemed to squat down on the shoulders with the force of the blow and at the same time, although out of her vision, it appeared some shove had propelled the body forward leaving the head behind. As she materialized in the Interceptor she knew the attacker would be dead.

Already she was communicating. [The big guy Ham, get him out of there] She was still on her knees, wiping tears from her face and rubbing the bruised rib as the form appeared beside her.

Ignoring the man for a moment she glanced up. Looking back through the screen she could see Hayden, ushering Jenny back through the doors, both shocked and alarmed. Things had turned ugly quickly and the protestors found themselves retreating from a hail of vitriol and rubbish. There was no sign of a body under the swirling crowd. She sank back into a cockpit chair and turned to her startled guest. He wasn't as tall as she had anticipated, but broad, powerful, Maori she guessed.

[Did you see that fist come down? It was like a sledge hammer! That guy was shorter by an inch before he dropped, wow!]

Regan ignored Hams commentary and tried to put the visitor at ease. He was controlled, taking in his surroundings, all contained aggression. "Thank you my friend," and for the moment she followed her instincts, ignoring any possible threat from the man, "He didn't penetrate my suit with that knife but one more slash at my neck and it could have been curtains." She extended her hand, "I'm Regan by the way."

"Fuck," He shook her hand as he looked around, "how did I get in here?" He seemed unnaturally calm considering his experience.

She considered how to answer. "Just a little secret tech I trust you will be discreet . . ." She hesitated, leaning forward hoping the man would fill in the gap.

"Brian." He said," Just call me Brian."

"Brian?" She sounded surprised.

"What, you don't like Brian's?"

"No, no, it's not that, I just kinda expected another name, like Manu, or Tane, or Piri, or . . ."

Ham couldn't bear it. [Keep digging sister, you're doing great]

The man intervened. "It's Brian, as in, The Life Of . . . , I like it. Now, how do I get out of here?"

"Brian, I don't think that's going to be wise at the moment. Ham . . . what's the status of the protestor please?"

"He's dead, and by the look of that blow he'll need only a very small coffin. Regan I've modified all the recorded visuals to remove Brian's blow, but there were witnesses. There may still be trouble."

"What were you doing there Brian?" She asked.

"I work there, new, I'm on security, just doing my job." He looked around the control room, alert, and poised. "Where's this other guy you're talking to?"

"All in good time Brian, indulge me for a moment, I really am thinking of you. Are you married, have a partner, kids?" She tried to look compassionate. It didn't work.

"No, and I'm not interested if that's what you're thinking."

"Brian, relax, it's not that, it's just sometimes, times like this for example, even when you've done the right thing you can end up in a power of shit. And this could be the mother lode! You say you're new?"

"I'm just back from the Middle East, SAS. This was my first job."

She smiled. "Brian, I have a proposition for you, it's in security too and double your pay here. You could think of it as a transfer, what you might call an out of this world opportunity."

He smiled, like a happy assassin. "Double my pay . . . Seriously?" He looked around as if it must be a joke . . . but he didn't hesitate. "I'm in." And he immediately walked over to the small galley area. "Can you get coffee here?"

Regan watched him, still massaging her side [Ham, we'd better let Hayden know we have another passenger and that we'll pick them up from the roof in fifteen minutes. We can't leave Hayden; he takes over at Hillary tomorrow. Perhaps put those writing skills to the test too and compose a short PR release for the staff. Let them know I'm Ok and will definitely be back soon to say hello.] [Oh, and in case he worries message Kev' to let him know all is well, he'll worry when he hears what happened]

[Is that it? You're sure there's nothing else on your list?]

[Actually, there is. See if he can pull our business meeting forward to tomorrow, at their place. I'll be staying at Riverside]

[Is that necessary?]

She ignored him, smiled and turned to the galley. [That's it, and Ham . . . I didn't miss it, thanks for pulling me out of there, you
are
a darling]

* * *

Dark comes early in the mid winter at Riverside in the Hutt Valley. Lights were blazing around the building as Regan prepared to head up to Kevin and Mary's home on the Western Hills for dinner. This would be her first visit since they married and she wanted it to be special. Not just because Mary was now family, in a new way, but because under their watch STEIN was thriving. She really didn't know if they appreciated how much their support meant to her. Still, due at eight she knew there was a little time to kill. She had an hour. She made the call to reception . . .

Ham couldn't contain his disgust at the ruse. [An alarm light problem . . . Really? You don't think that's a little obvious?]

"Shut up Ham, after all, that is the point, to be a little bit obvious." She consciously avoided subbing him choosing to talk instead. Subbing was becoming so habitual she'd sometimes forget to speak out loud. It could be embarrassing.
But not tonight!

She left the apartment door open and he took the invitation, calling from the door before carefully entering. Regan greeted him as he came into the lounge.

"I like the uniform Martin, very smart." It could have been patronizing but somehow she made it sound mischievous.

He smiled at the comment."Hi, I saw the door was open, I hope you don't mind me coming straight in. You said you needed something fixed?" He was a little shorter than Regan but in good shape. The uniform did look good
and he fills it well
.

"I might have wasted your time I'm sorry, it seems to have come right. I have a meeting at eight and was a little concerned."

For a moment he looked clearly disappointed, until Regan slumped back in her favorite chair, clearly in no hurry. There was a pause, exchanged looks, a flash of excitement charged by uncertainty.

"Are you armed?" she asked.

"This is New Zealand Ms Stein, of course not."

"How would I know?" She cocked her head to one side as if doubting him and as she did so pulled her feet up under her, settling in.

He paused, clearly taking the measure of the situation.

Be bold!
She thought.

"You could always . . . inspect me?" he said, and raised his arms as if inviting her.

"I'm comfortable here Martin, how about you just show me, take off your shirt."

The tension was palpable. He hesitated, then without taking his eyes off hers, slowly unbuttoned the shirt pulling it from his trousers. He peeled it away and after a slight hesitation moved to unbuckle his trousers, calling her bluff. She snuggled into the leather, an action so clear an invitation to proceed he did continue, item by item, a slow striptease, until finally he stood naked in front of her. His excitement was obvious.

"You liar Martin, that is clearly a gun."

He laughed nervously, the tremor in his voice giving away his anticipation. "And now?" he asked.

She paused, the mischievous look returning. "I've never seen a guy, you know, and she gestured rudely with her hand, laughing . . . go on, perform for me." She shifted again and he could see from her look she was excited too.

He hesitated . . .

"Come on," she encouraged him, "most people do it, certainly most men do, I do it and . . . I'd like to watch."

He was already holding himself gently stroking. "I will if you will."

"I would, but I'm dressed, and you know I have to go out, perhaps later," and she smiled a promise.

From the fold of the seat cushion she produced a tube and gestured for him to come nearer. He stepped forward and she eased out oil onto him as he began to stroke, his breathing already becoming ragged. Stepping back he continued slowly, watching her as she watched him. Soon, as he neared climax, his knees began to bend and she held out cupped hands for him. He shuffled forward groaning and ejaculated, directing it onto them. He was gasping and suddenly, acutely embarrassed.

"Well done!" She said, and then stood swiftly, all business moving off to the bathroom to clean her hands. She called over her shoulder, "I'm leaving now, I'll be back later," and then paused at the doorway. Looking back, her hands still cupped carefully together she saw he looked exhausted, still gasping. She made eye contact for a moment.

"Now," and she gave him a mischievous, wicked smile, "tell me that wasn't good!" And she was gone.

* * *

They sat at the large native wood table with the look of thoroughly satisfied diners. Wine was still flowing, the news had been great, and the company couldn't be doing better. Actually little time had been spent on business. It was unsaid but the days of needing to report in had long past. Kevin and Mary, STEIN CEO and CFO respectively, had been managing the company better than she could she knew, and truthfully that was the way she liked it. Being able to concentrate on Hillary and plans for the future was a blessing. It helped that both Kev and Mary were working in their respective elements. They loved what they did and they loved working, and playing, together.