Regan's Reach 4: Avarice (9 page)

While the ship was only leased from Reubus,
the Fair Passage crew all came from Hillary Station and they were among the
best. Nevertheless, none of the appointed crew had the gravitas required for
the role of Commander, which on a vessel largely run by the ship mind, called
more for people skills than piloting or engineering aptitude. Regan allowed her
mind to drift, pondering the problem.
Who does Hilary have in mind for
commander?

"Done!" With the sound of Mary's exclamation
Regan's eyes popped open, almost startled to find herself back in the lounge so
real was the cyber review of the meeting. She turned to see her friend’s ample
figure approaching and knowing the bubbly woman would not be rebuffed she quickly
stood for the usual all enveloping hug before they both took seats.

"Are you joining us Hilary?"
Regan asked the ever present Mind.

"Thank you Regan, I will." The
gracious lady materialized in flowing white dress sitting opposite them.

Regan settled back and waited, noting that
Mary and Hilary exchanged conspiratorial looks; it was Mary who took the lead.

"I understand you have a need for a
Commander on Fair Passage Regan." The hint of excitement in Mary's eyes
couldn't be missed.

"Yeeess," Regan looked at Hilary
and raised her eyebrows questioningly before turning back to Mary, "do you
have someone in mind . . . I didn't think Starship Command was an area of your
expertise?" And she smiled to soften the statement.

Mary ignored it anyway. "I do have
someone in mind actually, someone I think would be perfect, someone ready for a
change, and someone I think would grow in the role to be a real asset to
you."

Regan's interest was piqued and she sat up,
a cock of the head the only indication of doubt. "Okay, you have my
interest, who?"

"Charlotte."

"Charlotte . . . Charlotte who?"

"Charlotte Carson."

Regan looked startled. "Charlie . . .
your PA?"

"Regan - Charlie hasn't been my
assistant for six years, keep up girl. She's long moved on from that role, and
I miss her every day."

"Sooo - where is she now?"

"She manages Riverside for me, the
whole shebang, and does a damn good job of it."

Regan leant forward and patted Mary's knee,
"You do realize this is a starship role, in space, has she ever even been
in space?" Regan paused and then shook her head.  "I'm sorry babe,
it's just not on, I'm sure she's very good but we're looking for a Commander. There's
a mixed species crew of two hundred and fifty, not to mention the twelve
hundred passengers, oh, and did I mention it was in space?"

"Oh please," Mary pushed the hand
away, "look at me for god's sake, who would have thought I'd end up in
space and I work up here every day. I manage a company with thousands of
employees, the largest company by capital in the world, and all from
here."

"Really?"

"Yes, you know I do."

"No . . . I mean are we really the
largest company in the world?"

"Shit Regan you are so out of touch. Yes
of course, by market capitalization anyway, and by a long way, are you
so
uninterested in money? What - is - wrong with you?"

Hilary leant forward tentatively and
extended a hand between them, "Err . . . girls, aren't we getting a little
off the point here . . . Mary, you were saying . . . Charlotte? " and she
twirled her arm as if to say, continue, continue.

"Yes, yes of course, where was
I?"

"You were talking about even someone
like you being in space . . ." and Hilary twirled her arm again.

Mary looked at her. "What do you mean
- someone like me?"

"Nothing . . ." Hilary looked
like a rabbit caught in the headlights for a moment and then caved. "Oh
for goodness sake Mary, I thought you meant your . . . ample figure. You don't
exactly have the look of an astronaut."

"Oh, so we're addressing the elephant
in the room are we?"

Hilary looked crestfallen. "No, I
didn't mean that, I was trying to agree with you."

Mary smiled, "I know babe, and I'm
just messing with ya." She turned back to Regan who was trying to stay out
of the whole discussion. "Regan, the point is
I'm
here in space and
doing quite nicely thank you; the company is thriving."

"But Mary,
this
is an Orbital,
she would be commanding a Starship."

Mary now waved her hand dismissively.
"Oh please, tell me exactly; in what practical way is a Starship different
from an Orbital or from Riverside for that matter, in day to day people
management I mean?"

Regan laughed "Well, for one thing the
Starship moves, it can jump interstellar; it's a ship for goodness sake."

Again Hilary leant forward. "Err,
technically I could point out we can move the station too, and pretty damn
quick if we have to."

"We can?" The look of surprise on
Regan's face was priceless and Mary laughed out loud.

Hilary reached out to her friend.
"Regan, Mary's right. The ship is largely run by Lucas, the ship mind, and
he's has been sailing this vessel for fifteen of your years. He looks after
everything technical and the control crew are really only there for the unlikely
circumstance that something goes wrong or some paranoid Commander wants to fly
manual, which is never nowadays. The main role will be maintenance and support
for the passengers. What is needed is a people manager with adaptable skills; someone
who pays attention to detail, someone who likes solving problems . . . and
puzzles."

"Puzzles . . . ?"

Hilary just looked at her for a few
seconds. "Regan, we still have a death from unknown causes on our
hands."

And suddenly Hilary had Regan's full
attention.

* * *

Nevertheless, Regan wanted to meet Charlotte
first before committing. This would be a big call and it concerned her that
while Mary was a great champion, her judgment might have been clouded by the
personal relationship. However, Mary had been open and honest; explaining that
personal issues for Charlotte meant a new role, in a different place might be
good for her. They were not problems with Charlotte herself, Mary was quick to
point out.

Hmm, we shall see.

The flight down to Riverside in the morning
was a joy and a beautiful clear Wellington day in brilliant sunshine made the Interceptor
cruise up the valley a delight. Ham took them a little north to hover for a few
minutes over the rock groyne below the old house, the spot where she had
scattered Jean’s ashes only two years earlier.

Then, having paid respect to her mother they
smoothly lifted away from the fast gathering crowd and continued back to the Riverside
complex, settling to hover just off the roof of the apartment. Regan hesitated
before stepping down to the asphalt surface and looked across to the familiar
door, one she hadn't passed through for more than a year. A wistful feeling
swept over her and for some unaccountable reason feelings of guilt, even
betrayal.
How did I lose touch with these roots?

Ham's subbed encouragement accompanied by a
flood of warmth came quickly.

[You didn't lose touch babe, these are
still your roots; it's just that the tree is much bigger now.]

[Stick close with me Ham, I need you.]

[Always babe, now come on, we have an
interview to do.]

Regan stepped down and began the walk
across the tarmac, gaining confidence with every step. This was home after all,
her home and by the time she reached the door a feeling of joy was replacing
the sadness.
We all have to grow up, but it's good to be home.

She didn't linger in the apartment and much
had changed anyway with it often being used for functions and guests. Instead
she proceeded straight through to the stairway, ignoring the elevator and
leaning for a moment on the banister at the top.

Hilary's sub gently intruded on her
consciousness. [That's her Regan - at reception.]

Regan stepped back, taking her out of the
direct line of sight and allowing just enough view to watch the foyer below.
Of
course that's her.
Charlotte was older than she remembered, with a little
extra padding in all the right places, still attractive and with a look she
remembered suddenly and with fondness.
A hint of mischief and a take no
prisoners attitude.

But it was the receptionist and those passing
who drew her attention most. The receptionist looked so delighted at the
conversation they were having, and everyone passing either called a greeting or
tried to get Charlotte's attention. They were all young of course, but they
clearly looked up to her and joined her abandoned laughter which reached even
to the third floor.

Walking to the top of the stairway Regan
began the slow step process down the three flights, only drawing attention as
she neared the bottom. Even then only Charlotte recognized her at first and she
walked to greet Regan with a smile and a confident handshake, not at all
overawed.

"God, it's good to see you again
Regan, it's been years but I've followed you on the news, how are you?"

"I'm good thanks Charlie, and how are
you?"

She laughed. "Oh you know the saying,
what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, I'm good, and loving it here, what a
great bunch they are."

Behind her Regan could see the receptionist
literally swell with pride at the words and she couldn't hide a smile herself.

Charlotte laughed, "But you know that,
don't you, all that time you spent here yourself." She gestured to the
corridor beyond. "Hilary said you don't have much time and would like a
look around, shall we do the tour?"

They moved from work space to work space
with Charlotte continually being engaged by this one or that, everyone eager to
talk with her and win her attention. It was unusual. Much shorter than Regan,
the woman nevertheless had a presence that commanded respect and she got it,
and it was given willingly.

Approaching Special Projects a young man
exited the fortress and sighted them as they walked through the glass covered
walkway. He waved and sped up to greet them, glancing briefly at Regan before
nervously addressing Charlotte.

"I'm so sorry about the fuss Charlie,
it won't happen again, I promise."

"Steve it's fine, you don't brew a
good beer without breaking a few bottles eh?" She patted him on the
shoulder and he laughed with her then continued on his way.

Charlotte leaned in to Regan, "Just a
small explosion, it won't happen again, I'm sure."

Regan laughed, "Oh, I can understand,
a lot of competitive young people working together, there'll always be the odd
blow up."

Now Charlotte laughed. "No, I mean
exPLOSION, you know," and she waved her arms in wide circles, "BANG!
. . . bang . . . bang, bang, bang . . . BAAAANG!" There was a pause, and
then "BOOOOOOM!" She turned and gestured for Regan to follow her
through to the fortress. "We've had to replace one of the small theatres and
the tenth green on the neighboring golf course, and there'll be a new small
lake there now."

Regan had to speed up to keep close,
"Shit, really?"

She laughed, "No, it wasn't that bad
really, there's no lake - but we do have to replace the tenth green. Young
people eh? But we can't do without 'em."

[I think I've already seen enough Hil'.]

[She's good isn't she?]

[Oh, I already knew she'd be good, Mary
wouldn't push for this if she wasn't and when I knew you were behind her, well
- I trust you completely.]

[Thank you, that's very reassuring, and Charlie
is great fun to work with, we have a very satisfying banter.]

[Banter, what do you mean?]

[She doesn't hold back Regan, on anything, and
it can get very bawdy haha.]

Regan chuckled quietly. [Anyway Hil, I like
her but I still have one concern, this is a whole new field and she'll be on
her own on that ship, do you think she'll get on with Lucas?]

[Oh I'm sure she will and anyway, there's
something else I'd like to talk about.]

[Uh huh?]

[I'd like to go undercover with her, only
she and we would know.]

Regan smiled . . .
Oh yes, that will be perfect.

* * *

Hillary Station

Leah hesitated in her step as she neared
the Styles Compound, the home of Aaron and Moriah. As she approached she could
see a man at the door, tall, lean and earnest in whatever he was saying. Then
Moriah stepped out into the hallway and bowed her head respectfully before the
man turned and walked away in the opposite direction toward the next tube
entry. Moriah watched him go, clearly in a thoughtful mood and then began to
turn. Quickly renewing her stride Leah caught her friend's eye as she turned to
the door, and the Coran smiled warmly, waiting there for Leah as she
approached.