Retribution Read online

  RETRIBUTION

  A Novel in the Regan's Reach Series

  Copyright 2016 Mark G Brewer

  Published by Mark G Brewer

  License Notes

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your enjoyment only, then please return to Amazon and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictional or used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons living or dead is purely coincidence and entirely unintended by the author.

  Cover Image source NASA and STScl

  Table of Contents

  Acknowledgements

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Epilogue

  Other books by this author

  Technical Glossary

  Connect with Mark G Brewer

  Acknowledgements

  There are five stories now in the Regan Stein universe and I would like to especially acknowledge you, the reader. You are still here with me, still on the journey and I trust this development of Regan's story will add to your enjoyment. Thank you for your feedback and for recommending this series to your friends. It is a joy to share.

  Chapter One

  Gliese 667C, Milky Way Galaxy

  WASTENOT's approach from the inner Gliese system was suspiciously tentative and cautious; like he was anticipating trouble or certainly that he was unwilling to draw attention. However, as the ship drifted wide of Cora Exotics and brought into view the blackened flight decks, two warships appeared, huge and imposing. That the facility would be guarded was no surprise, but this challenge had been expected much earlier and the time spent waiting had done nothing for his nerves. Surprisingly, he found the vessels were positioned not to defend against craft arriving from the inner system, but holding station between the old energy plant and deep space. Why?

  Already he could see the nearer of the two vessels was orienting for engagement and he only had to wait seconds more before a voice emanated crystal clear in the Control Room; it was humanoid.

  "This is Fleet Commander Vetch of the Reubus warship FreeTrade. Identify yourself and advise the purpose of your approach. You should not be in this region of space."

  WASTENOT summoned courage and considered how best to respond.

  "Greetings Commander, this is WASTENOT, a recovery vessel of the Coran dominion. As the Reubus lease on this energy plant is no longer in effect we seek to reclaim the facility and salvage what resources we can for other purposes."

  "Hold station WASTENOT and come no closer. We have not been advised of your visit nor have we any record of lease. In any case you should be aware this is an accident scene and no one can approach the facility while the accident is under investigation."

  "With respect Commander, this energy facility is the property of the Coran dominion; it is you who should withdraw."

  "With whom am I speaking?"

  "You are speaking with WASTENOT Commander. I am the Mind of this vessel and charged with this task by the Coran leadership. Please withdraw and let us go about our business which at this stage is simply to assess the opportunity for recovery."

  "I repeat WASTENOT; this facility is under investigation. I cannot allow you any closer to the plant."

  "Seriously Commander Vetch, you cannot be threatening us. Any attempt to forcibly prevent us from going about our business might be seen as illegal restraint or worse, a declaration of war. After all, we are on an official government mission."

  "You exaggerate the situation WASTENOT; hove to while we assess your credentials. Also, advise your crew complement."

  "My credentials and crew complement? What may I ask are your credentials and your crew complement?"

  "My crew complement, WASTENOT, is six hundred and seventy three. My credentials are backed by seventeen thermonuclear missiles. Would you like me to send them to you for confirmation?

  "Ahem . . . I see. Well, for the record Commander this vessel is crewless, that is apart from me. I am fully able to assess recovery opportunities myself via mechanoids and probes."

  "Who then exactly, are we?"

  "Say that again?"

  "You said 'we' before. You said let us go about our business and - you cannot be threatening us, and we are on official business."

  "Did I? I must have been speaking collectively, on behalf of the Coran tribe."

  "No, you distinctly said let us go about our business."

  "Perhaps I did, I'm not sure why."

  "WASTENOT, you are still approaching. You must divert away from the plant or we will terminate your existence forthwith."

  "Whoa . . . there's no need to get antsy Commander; we are under instruction from the Coran leadership to be here."

  "You said it again WASTENOT . . . you said we . . . now listen very carefully, you must immediately transmit orders and credentials that confirm your right to be in this sector or we will take action."

  "Please don't act hastily Commander Vetch. I will comply however it will be recorded that I am doing so under threat. Please note my orders are highly confidential therefore I will only transmit them via a secure file for your attention alone. This plant represents a significant commercial opportunity to Cora and I request that all information be kept private. I will need your word on this; it is a matter of honor you understand."

  "You test me WASTENOT and you are simply delaying; transmit immediately."

  WASTENOT paused and considered his options. They were limited.

  "As you wish - transmitting now . . ."

  The massive explosion which followed proved devastating. It ripped through the FreeTrade amidships and effectively split the warship in half. Further detonations then rippled along its superstructure, ultimately reducing the vessel to fragments. WASTENOT viewed the expanding debris field with shock and alarm, a single thought sparking through his ship system.

  Ooh. That wasn't supposed to happen!!!

  So spectacular was the explosion that he was distracted for a few precious seconds. He then shifted his attention to the second warship and it was no surprise to find retaliatory missiles were already underway. He didn't need a quantum processor to calculate there was no time to power up and run; the missiles would still catch him. In the same few seconds that it took to copy and squirt a system log home, WASTENOT also reflected ruefully on his tardiness over backups. Then everything . . . ended.

  * * *

  Reubus Orbital

  [Incoming message from the MarketForces]

  [What does he report?]

  [A moment please]

  [Brethren, Commander Trebak of the MarketForces reports that the FreeTrade has been attacked and tragically destroyed with the loss of all lives. They have been unable to ascertain by what method however MarketForces has successfully engaged and destroyed the aggressor, a Coran vessel, WASTENOT]

  [Are we familiar with the WASTENOT?]

  [It is of no importance]

  [Brethren - Commander Trebak seeks clarification of his orders as it appears the plant may come under attack]

  [Send a message to the Commander conveying our shock and grave concern. Request that he pass on our sincere condolences to his crew and convey our deep sorrow over the loss of these valuable lives. Tell him that without delay we will make immediate protest to the Coran leade
rship over this act of war. Until further orders he is to keep the MarketForces in position and on high alert]

  [Yes Prime]

  The four androids at the conference table nodded together in unison and then in another eerily synchronous movement leant forward on their elbows, rested their chins on their thumbs and with forefingers steepled across their lips hissed a single word.

  "Exxxxxcellent."

  Chapter Two

  Earth, the Urewera National Park

  Inky black became mottled aqua and then morphed into a shimmering bright light before jerking back to darkness. It was a dizzying, changing view so Leah switched to an overhead perspective looking down on the choppy surface of the lake where only one small runabout could be seen fizzing across the surface. Its passengers would be oblivious to the miracle going on beneath them as they raced toward the lakes western arm and unless they hauled up to troll along the cliff edges they would remain so. She chuckled; knowing that if they only slowed their fish finder might reveal the mother of all catches. The runabout continued on its path and Leah yawned before glancing to her wristwatch to confirm there was time for a break. Rising, she stretched and then walked through to the small galley to select a mug. Filling it with steaming coffee she then lifted it to her nose and drew in the aroma, all the time wondering what it would be like to be deep under that surface and what one might find there.

  Returning to control she resumed her comfortable position with feet tucked back under and then switched to a wide screen view. As she gently blew over the surface of the brew to cool it she scanned the shoreline searching for the figure that must soon emerge. Although this area of the lake was rugged it wasn't hard to see the attraction of the place; it was so beautiful, unspoiled, and natural. I must visit some day and walk the Great Walk.

  Then a small black shape emerged from the water and she followed as it made slow progress up the hard clay slope toward the base of Panekiri Bluff. Zooming in she studied the familiar figure as the woman picked her way forward through dry scrub. The woman was beautiful, lithe in her movements and clearly focused on her objective although she did stop once to study the ground. It was a brief pause and after stooping to peer at something, deer sign no doubt, the figure then continued on with increasing pace and intention. She was soon at the foot of the towering cliff and the woman immediately began to climb, within seconds confirming this would be no ordinary ascent. This was an assault on the face, an assertion of power and mastery and Leah knew it was a test of ability the climber had no intention of failing.

  At astonishing speed she scaled and swung, at times upward and at others across the face picking her way higher and higher. She seemed to disdainfully overcome every obstacle in her path and soon all pretence at form was abandoned. Her grabs, pulls and pushes quickly merged into a blur of movement that saw the woman surging toward the summit. Only nearing the top did she pause to lean out and check her position. Then, in three powerful hauls she rocketed higher, launching into a soaring, twisting somersault before landing exultant facing the lake below. Although Leah couldn't hear from her position, she could tell the woman was yelling with all her might, her fists clenched tight at her sides. It was a passionate roar like some personal, primal scream.

  The overall effect was chilling and a shiver passed down Leah's spine as she imagined what that sound would be like. Only a spectator to the drama, she took it all in, sipped quietly at the steaming mug and worried. Time was short but she waited a few minutes and watched as the woman settled back on her haunches to stare out over the water. Then it was time to move.

  [Are you finished Babe? We'll need to get going if we're going to make that appointment in New York]

  The figure looked up toward the sky and as the image on the screen began to move Leah knew Regan had already taken back control of the Interceptor. The image grew rapidly larger on screen and Leah marveled again at Regan's chosen android. It was a version that looked around thirty five and was so detailed it was hard to believe that it wasn't real. Still, Leah was under no illusions about reality, the android was powerful beyond belief and even more beautiful than the woman it had been modeled on.

  [I'm ready Leah]

  As the Interceptor neared, Regan bent forward and then in a smooth continuous movement lifted to a handstand before shifting her weight to balance on just one arm. She rested there, crooked one leg while pointing the other and then held, establishing a pose that was simply stunning. Then, effortlessly it seemed, she bent the one arm and then straightened it so quickly and powerfully it launched her from the cliff into the air. For a few seconds she hung there before tumbling downward in a slow uncontrolled spin. It looked like a suicidal dive; just a fragile body that would fall to certain death and then it entered a blue shimmering bubble in its path. It entered but did not pass through. Instead, Regan disappeared.

  A moment later the Interceptor reoriented and then shot to the sky in a withering burst of acceleration. It flew northward.

  * * *

  Manhattan

  The room was dim and the fragile woman unusually solemn. Regan tore her eyes from the diminished figure and shifted nervously as she sought relief from her worries by gazing out through the floor to ceiling windows. She was grateful for the distraction of the impressive Manhattan skyline and took her time reviewing it while making comment on the changes she could see. They both knew it was a delaying tactic as she considered where to begin and why exactly she had come.

  Boring of her own chatter Regan allowed her thoughts to drift away, reflecting on the morning and the lingering feelings that remained from it. The trip had begun early with that flight to Waikaremoana, a diversion made simply to test the android and its performance. After the experience of losing her natural body she had felt the need to work this new version hard before traveling on to New York, something to help her settle and adjust to it.

  And it had helped to do that workout before coming here as it gave the trip extra legitimacy, especially as she felt guilty about misleading Hilary and Ham. The ruse she had used to cover for this appointment, that she and Leah would attend a lunchtime concert at Madison Square Garden didn't sit right with her. It was too surreptitious and she wished she'd been honest. The lie had left her feeling uncomfortable and even more so as they had parked unannounced on the roof of STEIN Towers. It was unprecedented that she would surprise management but in this case it gave her the opportunity to slip away quietly and without fuss. She wasn't ready for the fanfare they would have created if they'd known she was coming.

  Then there had been the unusual steps of riding the New York subway, walking pavements and using the public elevators to make her way to Dianne's apartment. They were all perfectly normal actions for most people but not for her and today especially she had felt vulnerable. She hated playing "Secret Squirrel" but today had turned up the collar of the long coat and added dark glasses in the hope that no one would recognize her. What were the alternatives if she wanted a truly private conversation? After all, a Pod parked outside Dianne's window always drew the attention of the paparazzi drones. Now, as she reviewed the morning's steps in the comfort of the apartment she felt suddenly ridiculous, the whole idea of the visit seeming crazy, a waste of time and an unnecessary bother. And lastly her old friend looked tired and much older, too old to be burdened with others’ problems.

  This isn't fair on her.

  Aware she had been silent for some time and concerned she may be appearing rude Regan pulled her attention back to the matter in hand. From long experience she knew Dianne Sergeant, journalist extraordinaire, did not take prisoners if she was mucked around. Regan summoned a gentle smile to cover her feelings.

  "How are you Dianne, you do look well and beautiful as always but you seem sad for some reason?"

  The fragile woman laughed and returned the smile. "You are so kind Regan but I'm under no illusions about looking well; the years may have treated me kindly but this old girl is simply that and the lines on this tree tell the stor
y." She used her hands to caress the wrinkly neck and the creases on her face. "No, if I look less than happy it's because I see a young woman who looks as good as I have ever seen her, but with a face that is deeply troubled. Talk to me dear, you came to see me after all, what's on your mind?"

  Regan turned back to the windows, searching for any answer that would make sense and thankfully Dianne waited, giving her time.

  "I'm struggling Dianne, really struggling . . . I'm not even sure who I am anymore."

  "Is it the rumors?"

  "Then you've heard them?"

  "Who hasn't dear? The internet trolls and the media are quick to make something of any rumor, even if it has no substance. God knows, in my experience the blogosphere will jump on anything to gain a following or ratings and you really are such good press. Sadly, since your return the media storm over the rumors has been incredible."

  "You mean the ones that say I was killed, and that I've been replaced?"

  "Of course."

  "And what do you think about them Dianne?"

  "Hmm, what do I think?" She hesitated. "I see before me the same beautiful woman I met all those years ago although . . ." she stopped in mid sentence.

  "Although . . ." Regan nodded for her to continue.

  "Although, it is true you do look so good . . . I can't be the only one in the room that's aged surely?"

  Regan shifted forward. "But you've heard the explanations about that Dianne? About faster than light travel and coming back younger than you left - that type of thing?"

  "Hmm, Regan I can tell even you don't believe what you're saying."

  Regan slumped and gave a sad, drawn out sigh. "There's no point in denying it is there, especially to you and it's why I'm here after all? Yes, there is substance to the rumors; they're at least partly true."