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and technology by default. Regan didn't bother responding to the question instead addressing the shuttle opportunity.
    "We hope with that shared fleet of eighteen shuttles, all able to navigate the solar system, some serious work can be done to develop your presence in space. If you work together, it's possible. If everyone tries to go it alone well, you'll be left behind."
    "Left behind?" He let the question hang.
    "Well, we're not sitting still sir." She stayed neutral.
    "I see . . . it's like that - you know we can't compete with you."
    "We've talked about this sir. We're not even trying to compete with anyone, we're here to help. But we're not going to wait around while nations squabble in the space pit. Mr. President, with respect, I know you're not responsible for the squabbling or for the general problems of getting agreement on progress. But I'm just too impatient to sit around waiting for decisions by international committee. I would think you of all leaders would understand that." She stood and began to pace, knowing Hilary would track her on screen.
     
    "Sir, eighteen craft of this capability offers an unprecedented chance to leap into space and we've got to work together. Why not gather all the partners and agree to share resources, expertise, crews, I'd be interested to see what came out of that? In my view going down that path would be the best option and would enable you to make huge leaps. On the other hand, you could decide to use the shuttles to just work with us as partners on some projects; that will get you there even faster."
    "Hmm, I wish it were that easy. We would prefer to work directly with you but I'm sure if we did it on our own others would see that as a threat to them. I'd like to genuinely try and get this cooperation going but if that fails I'd appreciate working on ways we, that is STEIN and the US, might work together more." He paused, not waiting for a reply. "You mentioned eighteen of the power sources. What of the other two?" He tensed as he asked the question, clearly anticipating the response.
    "I'm holding two for the Russians sir, but you can be sure it won't be for long. Kevin is concerned that it might be safer to be working with them rather than have them become more desperate outside the camp. Having said that our problem is their leadership, after we told them Sokolov wasn't acceptable to us as President they tried to pull a shifty by having Sokolov move to Prime Minister and Popov to President. We're not stupid; the Russians won't participate as long as Sokolov or his supporters are in charge and that's an issue Kevin is sorting out now. Personally, I don't see a happy resolution but I want to give them the chance."
    President Johnston nodded sadly. "Regan, I'll talk with the other partners and you're right; it is time we worked together. In the meantime, please do give my thoughts about working directly with you some consideration. I'm a controlled action junkie myself, patience doesn't come easily to me, I have to work at it." He smiled.
     
    * * *
     
     
    "Where did lunch time go, did we have one?"
     
    As Regan and Marin walked up the pipe to the gym they munched on energy bars and sucked in water to hydrate. It wasn't a particularly satisfying replacement for lunch but they knew Hilary would go overboard with dinner so perhaps something light was a good idea. Anyway, they both knew the gym would be competitive and neither could afford to work out with a full stomach. Leah would be locked and loaded and she didn't like to lose. They entered the gym to see her already warming up by the mirrors with a small group of young men gathered around pretending to do the same. Same as gyms everywhere . . .
    When she saw them reflected in the mirror Leah broke into a smile and bounded over to them. The small group followed her run from behind and then reluctantly began dispersing; no one wanted to mess with 'the big guy'. Regan smiled, Leah seemed blissfully unaware, as if she hadn't