Confluence Point (28 page)

"Can I help you sir?" He noticed the Tech Officer looking up, a concerned expression giving away her feelings; Rubik had unconsciously tensed over her as if he wanted to attack the screen.

He stepped back from the desk, "No . . . carry on as you were, I can check what I wanted to see in my room." He turned and walked toward the doors, stopping there briefly to look back; the woman's eyes were following him and he had the sense that she could read his panic.

"Officer Berin, are all the systems functioning properly?"

"Never better sir, we've had no problems since we left home." and she smiled encouragingly.

"Good, good . . . as you were."

He made for his room with his heart pounding and arms prickling with stress. Resisting the urge to scratch at them he waited until the doors irised shut before rubbing furiously.

Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit.

* * * *

Chapter Five

The small figure sat at the edge of the field screen, with his back to the wall and head turned to look out into the black. He was clearly talking to someone; it could only be Ham. Regan viewed the boy through the system, intrigued to know what they were chatting about.

[What are they doing Hilary?] She asked.

[They are discussing how to deal with the bad guys Regan, Jared has insisted on regular instruction.]

[Uh-huh. And what exactly does this instruction entail?]

[Well, Jared does like it interesting . . . and practical, and I must say Ham can be very entertaining.]

[Is it appropriate?]

[Jared seems to think so.]

[Hmm, he is only five Hilary.]

Regan closed her eyes and tuned in to the conversation.

" . . . So I never tie the enemy to a bomb with a timer and just leave them there."

"Correct, and that is because . . ?"

"They always escape." Jared replied.

"Well, not always," Ham replied reasonably, "but it's not worth the risk."

"And I should never bother asking them why they did it."

"Correct, because . . ?"

"It only gives them time to get loose or something while they take forever answering."

"That's right."

"And if they ask me why I'm there or whatever, I shouldn't bother explaining either."

"Correct again for the same reasons."

"And I should never do anything like tie them to a missile, or throw them off a cliff or over a waterfall because they could easily survive."

"Correct, although spacing them would work."

"But not if they had a suit like Mom and Leah." Jared quickly corrected Ham.

"Oh very good Jared, you're getting good at this and you're quite right, all those other silly ideas are just movie fantasies of the twentieth century."

"So instead of those, when I catch the enemy I just kill them, no talking, no slow death, just do it."

"That's right, and for the record they die just as well with their backs to you as facing. Asking them to turn around just . . ."

". . . gives them a chance to pull a weapon, I know." Jared finished the sentence for him. Looking down the deck he spied the tall figure walking toward them.

"Mom!" Jared bounded to his feet in an action that seemed to defy gravity, then ran to greet her.

"And do remember Jared," Ham called after him quickly, "it's only the really bad guys we're talking about, not everybody." It was a comment delivered rather guiltily for Regan's benefit.

[Ham, why have you been off line? I couldn't contact you.] She subbed.

[Not completely true . . . I just chose to ignore you.]

[Really, I thought you couldn't ignore me?]

[There are times Regan, where focused time with children is very important, they need to know they have your full attention.]

[Is that right my friend
-
and when did you become an expert on children?]

[Firstly, I
am
right, children spell love T.I.M.E; and as to your second point, I don't claim to be an expert.]

Regan smiled, any thought of rebuff gone from her mind.
How does he do it, just when I'm ready to pick him up for leading that boy astray he knocks me over with the most caring thought.

She decided not to address the matter of killing people at the present time, it would keep. "Jared, we're going to Control in the STEIN Traveler, there's possible action coming and we need to be in the right place for it, just in case."

Jared's eyes lit up with the expectation of battle while Ham immediately accessed the system for update.

[Hmm, I see what you mean; I've just tapped back in.] Ham sounded concerned. [When did that ship come out of warp?]

[Only fifteen minutes ago but they'll be within range of communication within thirty minutes. Ham, we can't be sure this is a friendly vessel, I know Hilary will be ready but you should take over, I'd rather you were running the ship.]

[OK...sooo, how are we going to tell her that you don't want her to drive?]

[Shit, I don't know Ham; I was hoping you'd do it.]

[Are you mad? Do you think I'd volunteer for that? You do it, you're the boss.]

[And you're the minister of defense!]

[So as the boss, instruct the minister of defense to take the ship.]

Hilary burst in to the communication [You both know I'm here
-
why do you play these silly games? And yes, I did note you weren't subbing on a private setting
-
cowards! Of course he can drive, but just imagine this Regan dear, if this ship happens to be friendly and he merges with his huge alter ego that could spin him out big time. Who do you want to be driving then eh? Answer me that ha-ha . . . not quite so happy now are we?]

Regan considered Hilary's logic for a moment.

[I guess she's right Ham, you could be on board that ship. If so, how long before you can update and merge?]

[Not long after we begin to communicate . . . Regan, I'm actually nervous. It's been a year and this is a whole different me I'm about to meet, and I know the old me. Who knows what mischief I've been up to?]

[It's not just that Ham . . . any 'you' in this system is in for a monumental shock when they find out what's happened to me over the last year, everything is different.]

Regan looked down at Jared as they reached the STEIN Traveler and hesitated there,
walk or displace, that is the question.

Ham intervened, displacing them to level three before she could speak. As usual Jared was completely unfazed and hardly missed a step. Everything about life on the STEIN and Station was normal to him. His comfort with things that still amazed her proved a constant delight.
Our first true space child.
The thought reminded her of the birthday and she stopped him.

"Jared, Ham and I have another present for you and I'll give it to you today. It's a big deal, something you'll need for your apprenticeship."

"What is it?" He pulled at her arm.

She made to pick him up but abandoned the attempt quickly; he was too big for such attention and instead she hugged him before running ahead to the lift. Fast as she was he slid in before her and padded for control.

* * *

The mood in Control as they entered was controlled excitement. The whole team were present, Aaron and Jean included, with eyes glued to the screen showing the tiny dot visible and conveniently enhanced by Hilary. With their combined closing speed the dot would grow quickly.

Marin walked over to embrace Regan, obviously pleased.

"It's good news, we've already exchanged codes and Hilary is certain it's Ham."Unusually under the circumstances, the beautiful man and the gracious woman joined them, materializing as apparitions but real nonetheless. Both looked calm as usual.

"What are your thoughts Ham?"

"I can't imagine any circumstance where that poem could get into the wrong hands. If that ship is broadcasting our signal, then it's me, I'm sure of it."

Regan hugged Marin then gestured for him to join her in the command chairs. Leah too joined them, leaving Aaron with Jean and Jared.

"Hilary, shouldn't we be slowing? If we don't, won't we just fly on by?" Regan's eyes were fixed on the growing dot, feeling both pensive and excited.

"We are slowing Regan," Hilary replied, "but they will still have to pass. I'm sending instructions for them to begin the turn to chase us. They won't catch us again until the outskirts of the system but Ham will be able to update as they pass by."

Leah tapped Regan's arm, [Babe - I'm so excited I could wet myself.] She was smiling. "What do you think we'll find out?"

Marin answered first, "Ham will have a plan, you can be sure of it."

"Of course I will," Ham chipped in, "I don't muck around
-
but what kind of plan, that's the question. What have I been up to?" He sounded cocky, overly confident.

"How long Ham?" Regan asked.

"I'll leave it until the last minute. I want to get a clean transfer and it has to be two way. It's important to get things right." He looked at Regan, "After all we're dealing with a sociopath who has mild psychopathic tendencies." He smiled at her as if he was only joking.

Regan nervously returned the smile.

Aaron and Jean organized coffee as the next hour passed slowly, everyone talking and sipping in nervous excitement. Regan listened to the conversations with fascination, especially Aaron talking with the others, normal at last. She put an arm around Leah and whispered, "You've socialized him."

Leah laughed, "What can I say . . . I'm just very, very good, and so is Moriah." she laughed.

"Where is the Coran girl?"

"She's still in the picture and they're very taken with each other. I've just tried to get him out of his shell and he surprised me actually."

The tiny dot needed no enhancement and as Regan watched she could tell Ham's excitement was growing, the beautiful man beginning to pace Control impatiently while still staring at the screen.

"Not long now?" She asked him.

"Soon we'll begin the exchange." He answered without looking at her, totally focused now.

She subbed privately. [Ham, just to be sure, you have backed up, haven't you?]

[Of course Regan, you're still my port of last resort as always and I've sealed you just to be certain.]

"Here we go . . ." Ham's beautiful man gripped the back of Leah's chair, as if needing support and even Jared joined them to watch the action, spellbound.

There wasn't much to see; only a slight tremor to his avatar form, then a hint of a smile and the head dropping to the chest . . . they waited.

Ham pushed himself upright, seeming to draw in a deep breath before clasping his hands together in a mock prayer of thanks.

Finally he turned to face them all . . . and bowed.

"Well?" They all asked at once.

He looked up with an excited look that defied description and broke into an uncontrolled, slightly disturbing and some might say maniacal laugh before slowly scanning the group and settling on Regan.

"Babe," and he paused for effect. "You are
not -
going
-
to believe it, I . . . am . . . brilliant!"

* * *

On the Hammer, Sindali also watched as the Ham of Gliese 667 similarly shimmered as he synched. She had abandoned conversation hours earlier as the beautiful man's demeanor became more and more hyped, even mad as they drew nearer to the edge of the system. In time his behavior became so disturbing she ushered Buela and Rhine to the galley, sitting them down to explain a little of what was happening.

Far from being unsettled, Buela was so excited to hear that this apparition was the Ham of her memories it took some effort to persuade her to be patient and give him room. Sindali left them with permission to explore the otherwise empty ship and yielded to her own curiosity; she returned to Control.

As she entered he was clearly completing some kind of connection and seemed to settle, his form taking on more substance. Then he seemed to shudder, with pleasure or shock she couldn't tell so she remained in the doorway as he then slowly slipped to his knees and leant back to stare at the ceiling. Then he stretched out his hands as if in supplication and clenched his fists, and began to pump his arms . . .

"Oh yes, yes, yes!" He bellowed it to the heavens. "Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!" The calls were accompanied by swinging punches, each yes producing a slash across the room at some invisible form.

Sindali watched cautiously, and then gingerly moved closer.

He was muttering now like a mad man. "Oh this is too good . . . unbelievable . . ." He shook his head and looked up again, speaking to the air, "If there
is
some master super power out there thank you, thank you, thank you. I can't believe it, oh wow, wow, wow . . ."

Sindali carefully knelt down in front of him. This was not a time for a slap and she calmly waited until the muttering subsided before asking . . .

"Ham," she smiled, trying to be positive and gentle. "Tell me . . . what have you found out? What has happened?"

He looked up at her, his face radiating excitement.

"Sindali, it's Regan, she was shot, while Marin was over here, ages and ages ago." He shook his head in disbelief then gathered himself. "While we were still travelling here, Marin and I, someone shot her back there, on Earth." He was pointing with one arm, waving it as if it indicated some direction to her. "Can you believe it? They blew half her head away!" He looked positively euphoric and drew in a breath about to launch into another burst of hyperbole.

And then she slapped him, more a karate chop in fact, that disconnected his head from his shoulders for a second.

"Whoa . . ." he leaned back in shock and then stumbled to his feet. "I didn't need that . . . really! Look, Sindali, it's ok, she's all right, it's unbelievable but she is all right. In fact, it couldn't be better, it's a miracle! This is sooo good, it's perfect, I couldn't have planned it better."