Confluence Point Read Online Free Page B
Author: Mark G Brewer
it seems fortune favors you. You have by chance or fate come to the people most able to assist you in your quest." He leant forward conspiratorially, "As I said, I wonder how this quest and our assistance might work to mutual advantage."
Merryl's look was hard to read, but it seemed to Regan he was definitely taken aback. He hid it well.
"Major General, it is our expectation that fate will always work with us. It would be a great disappointment for your words to prove empty - however, should you be able to deliver on the promise of assistance, who knows what benefits might accrue for those who assist?" Merryl conceded a tight smile.
Lebedev remained calm. "Then we must work together to achieve our respective goals Commander. Might I suggest at your earliest convenience we meet with the leaders of our Federation, and develop a plan that will see your needs met and our own. You may yet have the bitch and her bastard son." The General’s excitement could hardly be contained.
Merryl's demeanor remained cold, chilling. " This is my earliest convenience General, we will leave at once."
[Enough Ham.] The picture faded away to nothing and Regan pursed her lips, squeezing them between her fingers, immediately troubled and thinking.
[Where's Brian?] She subbed.
[He's here on station by chance, looking after a small security matter for me. He's on the flight deck, why?]
[Could you get him up here pronto please, I'd like him to escort Commander Cora back to the ship.]
[Ahem! He might need time to . . . wash his hands, but I'm onto it.]
"Commander Cora, thank you again for bringing your thoughts to our attention, we would like to consider them and you will be escorted back to the ship." She smiled and stood.
He looked surprised. "I was hoping, Mistress, to perhaps see a little of your Orbital and also discuss other ways I might assist."
"Another time perhaps, I don't mean to be rude, but we have a lot on today." She held out her hand; clearly the meeting was over.
[Where is he Ham?]
[At the door in four minutes.]
Cora took Regan's hand and she used it to guide him slowly toward the garden. They walked casually to the door and waited, a little uncomfortably. To the officer's surprise it opened with Brian already standing there waiting. He looked somewhat disheveled.
"Commander Cora, this is Brian," She made the introduction. "Thank you for coming up so quickly Brian. Commander Cora has been most helpful and we need someone to guide him back to the ship. I understand my Interceptor is on the flight deck. Please could you take him there and wait for instructions - he might like to try our coffee."
She caught Brian's eyes and held them for a moment longer than necessary. The message; don't let him out of your sight.
Brian nodded, message sent and received. "Yes Ma'am," and he turned to the officer, "you'll love the coffee sir." He gently guided the officer earthward toward the decks and Cora didn't protest. As the door swooshed shut behind them the image of Brian stayed in her mind.
[Ham, what has Brian been up to?]
It was Hilary who replied [A small matter for me Regan dear.] [A case of sexual harassment and bullying that, well, needed the playing field leveled somewhat.]
[And was it sorted?]
[It was . . . leveled, yes.]
Returning to the lounge, she slumped into the chair and looked across at Marin, able to tell immediately from his dark look that he shared her thoughts.
He spoke quickly, "We've got to kill the bitch!"
"My thoughts exactly," she agreed. "Do you think she'll get to see that report?"
"What's that Earth saying? Is the Pope catholic or cathartic or something?" He looked resigned, "This whole trip was at her instigation; oh yes, she'll be among the first to see it."
Regan chewed her lip nervously. "You heard Lebedev; that comment he made about 'her bastard son'. What do you think Marin . . . Jared and Sarin, will she make the connection between the two?" Her concern was obvious.
"She's so
Merryl's look was hard to read, but it seemed to Regan he was definitely taken aback. He hid it well.
"Major General, it is our expectation that fate will always work with us. It would be a great disappointment for your words to prove empty - however, should you be able to deliver on the promise of assistance, who knows what benefits might accrue for those who assist?" Merryl conceded a tight smile.
Lebedev remained calm. "Then we must work together to achieve our respective goals Commander. Might I suggest at your earliest convenience we meet with the leaders of our Federation, and develop a plan that will see your needs met and our own. You may yet have the bitch and her bastard son." The General’s excitement could hardly be contained.
Merryl's demeanor remained cold, chilling. " This is my earliest convenience General, we will leave at once."
[Enough Ham.] The picture faded away to nothing and Regan pursed her lips, squeezing them between her fingers, immediately troubled and thinking.
[Where's Brian?] She subbed.
[He's here on station by chance, looking after a small security matter for me. He's on the flight deck, why?]
[Could you get him up here pronto please, I'd like him to escort Commander Cora back to the ship.]
[Ahem! He might need time to . . . wash his hands, but I'm onto it.]
"Commander Cora, thank you again for bringing your thoughts to our attention, we would like to consider them and you will be escorted back to the ship." She smiled and stood.
He looked surprised. "I was hoping, Mistress, to perhaps see a little of your Orbital and also discuss other ways I might assist."
"Another time perhaps, I don't mean to be rude, but we have a lot on today." She held out her hand; clearly the meeting was over.
[Where is he Ham?]
[At the door in four minutes.]
Cora took Regan's hand and she used it to guide him slowly toward the garden. They walked casually to the door and waited, a little uncomfortably. To the officer's surprise it opened with Brian already standing there waiting. He looked somewhat disheveled.
"Commander Cora, this is Brian," She made the introduction. "Thank you for coming up so quickly Brian. Commander Cora has been most helpful and we need someone to guide him back to the ship. I understand my Interceptor is on the flight deck. Please could you take him there and wait for instructions - he might like to try our coffee."
She caught Brian's eyes and held them for a moment longer than necessary. The message; don't let him out of your sight.
Brian nodded, message sent and received. "Yes Ma'am," and he turned to the officer, "you'll love the coffee sir." He gently guided the officer earthward toward the decks and Cora didn't protest. As the door swooshed shut behind them the image of Brian stayed in her mind.
[Ham, what has Brian been up to?]
It was Hilary who replied [A small matter for me Regan dear.] [A case of sexual harassment and bullying that, well, needed the playing field leveled somewhat.]
[And was it sorted?]
[It was . . . leveled, yes.]
Returning to the lounge, she slumped into the chair and looked across at Marin, able to tell immediately from his dark look that he shared her thoughts.
He spoke quickly, "We've got to kill the bitch!"
"My thoughts exactly," she agreed. "Do you think she'll get to see that report?"
"What's that Earth saying? Is the Pope catholic or cathartic or something?" He looked resigned, "This whole trip was at her instigation; oh yes, she'll be among the first to see it."
Regan chewed her lip nervously. "You heard Lebedev; that comment he made about 'her bastard son'. What do you think Marin . . . Jared and Sarin, will she make the connection between the two?" Her concern was obvious.
"She's so
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