Regan's Reach 2: Orbital Envy Read Online Free PDF Page B

Looking around she was relieved to find she was alone. It had been fun, with Martin, but complications now she didn't need. Rolling on to her back she stretched and groaned then slipped off the bed heading for the shower.
    [What is it Ham?]
    [So . . . no 'good morning' for me then?]
    She laughed as she turned on the water, [Good morning my friend, and I feel wonderful. So, what's up?]
    [Don't take too long in there, the Saucers back]
    Regan stopped turning under the flow, [Aren't they early? is that good news or bad?]
    [I don't know. I'm updating as we speak so I'll know soon. They've also come out of warp hot so they'll make Hillary in about twelve hours. I thought you'd like to be there. There's also a request in the system for a Vid-Conference with Bob Jarvis. Perhaps you could take that on the way up?]
    [Sounds good Ham, I'll be ready soon] She found herself blushing at the mention of Bob Jarvis name, a memory of the night before. Remember, he wasn't really there!
    [Ham, Jared, is he Ok?]
    [Oh yes, he's up and about. We're down in the USDynamics section at the moment. Your mom is showing Jenny Joyce around. Jared and I are, well, up to no good]
    [Tell him I . . .] she searched for the words.
    [Don't worry; I tell him good things all the time, you'd be amazed what you say]
    Regan rested her head forward on the shower wall, letting the water run down her back, I'm going to be a better mother! I'm going to be a better mother!
    [I'll be on my way up in five minutes Ham] Then she rotated again and considered Marin's return. Better get ready . . . Ham knows I'll never be there in five.
    An hour later as they lifted from Riverside Ham connected her straight through to The Prime Minister's office. It was presumptuous she knew but with Ham able to bypass all system blocks it seemed such a waste of time waiting to go through the normal screens just to talk to people.
    Bob Jarvis was at his desk, surrounded by files. It looked like a marathon of reading and she didn't envy him.
    "Hi Bob, it's Regan." She launched straight in, to his surprise.
    He swung around in his chair and smiled as he moved across the room to get a better view of the wall screen. "Thanks for getting back to me, you've rescued me actually. If only I could take all this in by direct feed." he gestured at the files and laughed as he sat down more comfortably.
    "If only," and she laughed with him, "Although it may not be the blessing you imagine. What can I do for you Bob? Some issue following Stockholm I imagine."
    "You're not wrong, the President has asked me to speak with you, and Regan, before you say anything, I must say I do have some sympathy for their position."
    "Just give it to me straight Bob, you know I'm not just trying to be difficult and I do value them as friends."
    "OK, well the simple truth is they are in a bind. They want to be on Hillary and participating fully. But for decades their astronauts and engineers path into space has been via the military. All their top pilots are military, and many of them are brilliant. They can't see how they can build a viable space program without their most skilled people being able to participate. Frustrating as it may be, no doubt the Chinese and the Russians are in the same position. The President understands you're in a difficult position. Allowing the States in may set a precedent, but he would like you to think about it."
    [There's the Hillary Step] Ham subbed into her thoughts.
    "Just give me a moment Bob; I need to think about something."
    Jarvis settled back into his seat. On the screen he could see Regan sprawled in her control chair, one leg over the arm and her head resting on her hand on the other arm. Her eyes were closed, deep in thought. It wasn't an unpleasant view. "No problem, I can wait."
     
    [What are your thoughts Ham]
    [The Hillary Step, sure it was important to us in the early stages of the build, we needed it as a stop off point as we ferried sections into our present position. But now