Regan's Reach (2 page)

"Bill, at least with this association
we can get on with our core business safer from threat than we've ever been. At
the same time we buy an opportunity to work with them and see what develops
from the inside. Some of their developments in defense systems could be
groundbreaking and right up our alley"

Bill nodded agreement. "What are they
doing up there in the Waira . . whata?"

"The Wairarapa," Joan corrected. "We
don't know what their plans are as it's not directly related to Arteis, not at
this stage anyway, but they're sure buying land. The talk up that way, not from
the STEIN people but from locals, is Regan's building a private runway! Maybe
it's a private airport?"

"Are you serious?" chipped in
Greg Jones. "Reminds me of that old joke, want to know how to become a
millionaire? Become a billionaire then buy an airline!"

"Well," Joan continued, "you
might be on to something there, but it's a personal Regan project from what I
understand. Her money, her risk, whatever it is."

"Another thing," she carried on
earnestly, "they generate a supply of young talent over there that is unbelievable!
They have a program called 'hothouse' running that produces results better than
anything I've come across around the world. It's run after school hours and
STEIN supply all the latest computer hardware and mentors. Young people stay
and participate in their own time playing games, creating games, doing
programming, and they work on real business problems while STEIN covers all
costs. The STEIN specialists watch, identify and coach, ultimately talent spotting
the cream. As a result they have this amazing flow of talent coming through and
I hear families are moving near the programs just to get their children
involved. There may only be one genius in ten thousand but they'll find them.
Regan told me they even support a program now in South Korea. All the kids know
they can have a future at the cutting edge of technology if they want it and if
they are prepared to work hard. It's amazing the freedom they're given and the
results . . . fantastic already, not just for STEIN but for industry generally.
Of course, if you're already a creative IT genius with a family, it's a pretty
attractive prospect to go and work there too."

Greg, the perennial devil's advocate cut
in. "It all sounds a bit socialist for my liking."

Exasperated, Mary shot back, "Greg, would
it surprise you to know that apart from the manager, the team who developed
Regan's ideas for Arteis came from the hothouse program and their average age
is only eighteen?"

"She's no Socialist." added
Hayden. "Nor a straight out capitalist. Regan's splitting the four hundred
million dollars she picked up in this sale. One hundred million is for her
staff I heard and two hundred million is going straight back into the business.
I'm not sure about the rest but whatever, she definitely deserves it. Think
about it, those eighteen year olds are going to do really well and Regan's
ensuring everyone gets a share."

Greg held up an article on Regan Stein his
assistant had found in Rolling Stone. "Have you seen this article? It says
she was in the Olympics . . . come on . . . really?"

Hayden laughed. "She was embarrassed
about that when I raised it, proud, but embarrassed for sure. Women's
Heptathlon. She was nineteen when she competed, didn't get near the medals, and
she's had no time for anything since. Honestly, most people would recognize that
just getting there is fantastic but ask her and she'll tell you she's just good
at a lot of things, master of none."

Mary pitched in too since they were on a
roll. "Regan is mentally and physically strong with stubborn determination
to get the job done. She told me inspiration for Arteis came from a form
of mixed martial arts she practices. It's all about using force pitted against
you and finding ways to turn it on itself."

The Board Chairman had been listening and hadn't
missed the growing enthusiasm. He was reflecting quietly. "You know, I
have a thought about our share price. . . . if it's falling . . . perhaps we
should be buying?"

Greg perked up. "A buy back - now
there's an idea!"

Bill stood. "Well, I'm comfortable
with what we've done. Four hundred million sounds a lot to mom and dad
investors sure, but the big institutions know it's just a small position taken
in a company with potential. In the scheme of things this is tiny. I'd like to
know what McCall's game is. Someone's pushing his buttons, I'm sure of it."

Feeling the meeting was over, several moved
to stand.

"Before we wind up," Mary
interrupted, "you have all
got
to see this!"

She hit play again and eyes turned back to
the screen as the program picked up where it left off. A short promo from the
Business Focus sponsor played through then the studio suddenly appeared back on
screen . . . with McCall stumbling backwards, over his chair and onto the
floor, blood pouring from a nose that looked sickeningly flat.

Mary paused the recording.

"Word is, during the break he asked to
see her tits."

*

The War Room, Stein Riverside, Hutt Valley, New
Zealand

Mention 'The War Room' at STEIN and anyone
would direct you to the lounge of Regan Stein's apartment, top floor western
side of the Riverside complex.

A large sprawling building, Riverside was
built in the seventies by New Zealand's Ministry of Works. That it was
described as utilitarian said it all. Thankfully back then someone did have
vision and the rectangular building of three stories with office space to burn
had several redeeming features.

First was location as far as Regan was
concerned. She loved that it was close to where she'd grown up and had a great
central valley position. Overlooking a golf course on one side and a park on
the other, Riverside was also situated close to the Hutt River. For Regan location
was the clincher as it offered close access to the running and cycle trails so
much a part of her regular fitness routine.

The second positive feature of Riverside
was the central pool and garden complex, ideal for a young company peopled by
youthful fun lovers who liked to party. Completely enclosed, the pool was
private and made a perfect area for the central cafe.

Third, it was ideally suited to the
business. Along with the abundant office space, small theatres extended out
from the sides of the buildings like fungal growths. They were ideal for group
planning with teams of programmers often working together focused on large
front screens, debating and experimenting to come up with truly new ideas.

On the eastern side, connected to the main
offices by a glassed walkway, the Film Unit had long ago constructed a huge
three story concrete building with no windows, sound proofed for filming.
Mostly a large empty space it was perfect for special projects. They now called
it The Fortress.

Riverside was Regan's first big cash
splurge. Since STEIN took possession the complex had responded well to
attentive owners unconcerned by expense and devoted to making work fun. The
large pool in the central garden was now covered and heated. It was much
appreciated for the staff's legendary parties in all weathers.

The complex now housed the Ezas team,
Arteis development, Special Projects and Marketing. It also included her
personal apartment and guest accommodation on the top floor western side. The
apartment unsurprisingly was a young person's dream space.

Lying back in the lounge Regan found
herself reflecting on all this. So much had been accomplished in five hectic
years from nothing.
Babe, you . . . are . . . good
.

Instantly she felt both proud and guilty in
equal measure. She hadn't done it on her own and the team members that would
soon meet in the room were outstanding. Regan knew full well how much their support
meant to the realization of her dreams.

They were more than stars in their own
fields; to her they were family now.

And what would I have done without
Kevin?
She thought,
He's more than a brother, he's
a friend; and in the company he's the glue, the guy who holds the pieces
together.

Reclining on the couch Regan cursed the
headache that had plagued her all day. She mentally reviewed the events of the
past three months, all complex, risky and emotionally draining.
I'm tapped
out
she thought;
the business is sorted, no worries there. Sales are
going up. We've even got Governments with Arteis protection now.

She continued churning things over in her
mind.
So why am I flat? We've done it! STEIN's a player, we're shaping the
future! We've made huge advances with big investment and sure, big risk. . . .
Is that my problem, risk? I'd risk everything again to keep making progress,
maybe even lose the lot.
She sighed sadly.

Shit, it seemed so easy when it was only
my risk, everything mine to lose . . . maybe I was even reckless. Now . . . three
hundred people! Real people with real families! And we can't just do it on our
own anymore. People don't realize how much we need the new partners and the
production capability. We need the expertise of corporations like USDynamics, that's
if we're going to take ideas to the next level. This isn't cheap - God I hope
USD hang in there.

Her hands went to her forehead and she
massaged furiously, while continuing the internal debate.
Shit I've never
had to think about share price, share drops or how wankers like McCall can
affect peoples’ investments.
Regan sighed again, rubbed her eyes and stood
to go through stretches before the meeting.

What was it that entrepreneur said
recently?
She twisted from side to side, touched
her toes, searching her mind for the quote. . . .
"Do it while you're
young if you can, because when you've got nothing, you've got nothing to lose."
She moved to the chin up bar.

"Pour everything into your dreams
while you can because with every year you get older, responsibilities increase.
You'll have relationships, dependants, debt, and a mortgage. As the years go by
you collect more and more to lose. Taking risks gets harder and harder to do."

Regan drew in a big breath and let it out
with an even longer sigh, visualizing the tension draining away.

Twelve weeks of flights, hotels, and taxis
and she knew she desperately needed a break, needed to be stretched with
something outside the business, needed to get the blood pumping, and refresh
her thinking.

Well girl,
she thought,
the business will go on without you. No one is indispensable.
You need this break so don't back out of it.

Settling back on the couch Regan looked
distantly out over the golf course. She could hear the guys as they chatted and
laughed, organizing lattés, macchiato, mochaccino, whatever else took their
fancy in the gourmet kitchen.

She loved the kitchen but she rarely
cooked, even though the area was usually the social hub of the apartment. It
was a geek pleasure to have all the kitchen gadgets imaginable and she
definitely had them. Every visitor here, especially her team, was usually a
geek and they loved doing their own thing in there.

The converted apartment was state of the
art. It had all the gizmos, little luxuries and high tech appliances along with
fiber connection to all divisions. It was her office, her gym, her home, and however
much she loved it, its close connection with everything happening at work was a
major reason she needed to get away.

She picked out the team as they chattered
in the background.

Mary Coleman, thirty seven, shortish,
plump, presently unattached and happy with it. Loud with a raucous laugh and a bawdy
sense of humor she was fantastic as STEIN’s CFO. Well qualified in accounts and
economics Regan knew Mary had the company's financials at her fingertips. With
her maneuverings she made almost as much for the company on Forex as some key
products in STEIN's range produced in profits. It was pure cream.

Kevin Stein, brother and champion all her
life. Six years her senior, Kevin had a B.com, MBA and was a great General
Manager.
Kev has his finger on the pulse of the business; not much goes
wrong on his watch and anything that does he'll handle it.

Mitchell Davies, twenty seven, Mitch to his
friends. A true geek, gamer and accounts software wizard - in the role of
Technical Director for Ezas he was perfect; a focused problem solver with great
creative instincts.
But he'll need Kev and Mary's support for sure and with
luck they'll keep him profitable!

Milo Kutcher, twenty five,
nearest to me
in age
. The ideal Tech Director for Arteis, he was an accountant, hobby
hacker and games wizard.
Is it me or is it Kutch producing the results with
his team? I give him an idea and he just makes it happen. He's unbelievable!
Regan paused, distracted for a moment thinking about Arteis and the USDynamics
deal. It was still sinking in.

WOW! Four hundred million dollars!
She lingered on every syllable and smiled, thinking of them all but
Kutch in particular
; he deserves all he's going to get.