Confluence Point Read Online Free
Author: Mark G Brewer
new fabricators continued the process of pumping out sections, girders and gravitation plates.
From her position she watched a small group walk up from the flight decks. The surprisingly young Coran officer walked in the center beside Aaron and looked nervous. Leah and the now hirsute Marin walked on either side of the pair. Looking at Marin and his already shoulder length dark hair she unconsciously combed fingers through her own short crop, enjoying the feeling and the fresh look. Like Leah she had kept the cut short, not too dramatic a change and she liked it, very practical.
[Marin.] She subbed him privately.
[Hi babe.] He didn't break stride but she delighted to see his immediate smile.
[Forgive me, I know you're probably watching out for this but none of the Cora group is actually working with Aaron on the ship are they?]
[Don't worry, none of them are even allowed in engineering while he's there. No, it's a mystery to them that we have anyone who can even understand the drive, none of them can.]
[Hilary has lunch coming in here for our meeting but perhaps Aaron might prefer taking a break, maybe Leah could take him up to the cafe? The Coran business probably won't involve him anyway.]
[I'll check, see you soon.]
She didn't follow their conversation, her thoughts instead shifting to the afternoon call with President Johnston. She knew what it would be about, exotic matter, the magic bean as Ham had once called it and the limiting factor in their plans. Of course the Americans would need a power source for their shuttles, based as they were on the Coran drives and so would every other nation looking to establish a space presence. Thus far, however, they had been unable to establish a source of the elements required anywhere in the solar system. They didn't really need a special reason to return to Gliese but the shortage of insertion ready cores gave them compelling motivation to do it soon.
At the sound of doors opening she stood and waited for them to enter. Only Marin and the Coran officer appeared and she gestured, guiding them through to the lounge, noting Marin placed himself between them as they passed.
[He worries you?] She subbed.
[Just careful.] Marin smiled.
They took seats opposite each other and for a while just looked across the space, each waiting for the other to speak. Marin broke the impasse.
"Regan, this is Officer Cora, he was fourth in line to the Behemoth throne so to speak. He now finds himself the most senior officer following the unfortunate demise of his superiors."
She smiled across at the young man, disarmingly warm. "Cora? An interesting name . . . does that mean . . ." She hesitated, hoping he would fill the gap.
"Yes Mistress," he looked almost apologetic. "I am a Cora, of the founding family and I am here more by favor than ability. I am ashamed to say I'm just a junior in the hierarchy at home. Please be assured, I have no great influence, nor do I hold any grudge."
"You wished to speak with me, Cora. What can be so important that it could not be discussed with my partner Ham?" She became serious, her eyes boring into the man and he shifted uncomfortably. Marin, with lightning speed placed one hand firmly on his arm; the message was clear.
He looked down at the hand and swallowed. "Please accept my apologies Mistress; my nerves get the better of me. I simply wanted to meet you and share the feelings of the crew, and to pass on a warning."
"A warning - you must enlighten me." She shifted forward confidently.
"Not a warning about us Mistress, most of the crew are behind you and the son of Mariner." He looked at Marin and nodded in acknowledgement. "My warning is about Beria and what may come to pass." He was sitting forward, suddenly most earnest.
Marin bristled at just the mention of Beria's name and Regan lifted one hand, giving him pause. He sat back without speaking.
"Tell me more, Commander Cora."
"Beria has the ear of my uncle, the Emperor, and she is
From her position she watched a small group walk up from the flight decks. The surprisingly young Coran officer walked in the center beside Aaron and looked nervous. Leah and the now hirsute Marin walked on either side of the pair. Looking at Marin and his already shoulder length dark hair she unconsciously combed fingers through her own short crop, enjoying the feeling and the fresh look. Like Leah she had kept the cut short, not too dramatic a change and she liked it, very practical.
[Marin.] She subbed him privately.
[Hi babe.] He didn't break stride but she delighted to see his immediate smile.
[Forgive me, I know you're probably watching out for this but none of the Cora group is actually working with Aaron on the ship are they?]
[Don't worry, none of them are even allowed in engineering while he's there. No, it's a mystery to them that we have anyone who can even understand the drive, none of them can.]
[Hilary has lunch coming in here for our meeting but perhaps Aaron might prefer taking a break, maybe Leah could take him up to the cafe? The Coran business probably won't involve him anyway.]
[I'll check, see you soon.]
She didn't follow their conversation, her thoughts instead shifting to the afternoon call with President Johnston. She knew what it would be about, exotic matter, the magic bean as Ham had once called it and the limiting factor in their plans. Of course the Americans would need a power source for their shuttles, based as they were on the Coran drives and so would every other nation looking to establish a space presence. Thus far, however, they had been unable to establish a source of the elements required anywhere in the solar system. They didn't really need a special reason to return to Gliese but the shortage of insertion ready cores gave them compelling motivation to do it soon.
At the sound of doors opening she stood and waited for them to enter. Only Marin and the Coran officer appeared and she gestured, guiding them through to the lounge, noting Marin placed himself between them as they passed.
[He worries you?] She subbed.
[Just careful.] Marin smiled.
They took seats opposite each other and for a while just looked across the space, each waiting for the other to speak. Marin broke the impasse.
"Regan, this is Officer Cora, he was fourth in line to the Behemoth throne so to speak. He now finds himself the most senior officer following the unfortunate demise of his superiors."
She smiled across at the young man, disarmingly warm. "Cora? An interesting name . . . does that mean . . ." She hesitated, hoping he would fill the gap.
"Yes Mistress," he looked almost apologetic. "I am a Cora, of the founding family and I am here more by favor than ability. I am ashamed to say I'm just a junior in the hierarchy at home. Please be assured, I have no great influence, nor do I hold any grudge."
"You wished to speak with me, Cora. What can be so important that it could not be discussed with my partner Ham?" She became serious, her eyes boring into the man and he shifted uncomfortably. Marin, with lightning speed placed one hand firmly on his arm; the message was clear.
He looked down at the hand and swallowed. "Please accept my apologies Mistress; my nerves get the better of me. I simply wanted to meet you and share the feelings of the crew, and to pass on a warning."
"A warning - you must enlighten me." She shifted forward confidently.
"Not a warning about us Mistress, most of the crew are behind you and the son of Mariner." He looked at Marin and nodded in acknowledgement. "My warning is about Beria and what may come to pass." He was sitting forward, suddenly most earnest.
Marin bristled at just the mention of Beria's name and Regan lifted one hand, giving him pause. He sat back without speaking.
"Tell me more, Commander Cora."
"Beria has the ear of my uncle, the Emperor, and she is
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