Confluence Point (16 page)

At that same moment, on the opposite wall, he saw to his immense surprise that words had appeared, seeming to be etched into the surface.

SHE'S A SPY!

In shock he pulled at her head causing her to release him with a loud smacking 'mmpop!' Already he was shrinking and she pulled him back to try and continue.

"I'm sorry . . . no." And he pushed her away.

"What's wrong Aaron; this is my pleasure to do this for you."

Flustered now, Aaron clumsily pulled his suit back up and secured it. "I'm sorry, I took advantage of you, and I shouldn't have, this won't happen again." He stumbled to the door, padding it open and left her there, the door sliding shut behind him.

She sat back against the wall, thoughtfully wiping her lips with one sleeve. With the other hand she then cupped herself and squeezed
-
It wouldn't have been so bad - still, it is progress
-
he is a male
-
I will have him.

Pushing herself up she took a second to arrange her suit, stretching it back into shape and then stepped forward reaching for the door pad.

It didn't open.

* * *

[Guys, helloo . . .] There followed a short pause before Ham continued.

[We have a minor Aaronic situation to deal with . . . the problem has been averted, but I think you should know about it.]

Jean, talking with Leah at the time could tell her attention wavered, Leah's eyes having glazed over briefly; she scowled, "I saw that Leah, what does he want?"

Then, realizing how abrupt she'd been Jean quickly smiled an apology, "Oh go on, who am I to hold up the march of ship progress?" She put down her coffee and waved Leah away.

[What is it Ham?]

[Meeting in Regan's room, it's about Aaron.]

Jean watched her leave and then turned back to the small 'Book Group' she had organized with some of the more intellectual Corans. No one there had anything remotely like a book but they told great stories. The attraction of meeting had been establishing similarities between Earth themes and those of the Tribes. Some of their older stories were so close to stories she knew from home it was beyond unlikely. It was another mystery and she knew even Leah had enjoyed every moment.

Leah made her way to the Command quarters Regan had made her own. She could see Marin coming up the corridor from the elevators and waited for him before going in.

[What's up big guy?]

[No idea
-
is Aaron all right?]

[Guess we'll find out.] She padded the door and they entered, finding Regan sprawled on the bunk.

A shrug from Regan said it all, she also knew nothing. "Ok Ham, spill it, what's the problem."

"Hmm, well, the heart of the problem is that Aaron's not getting any." Ham was typically obtuse.

Regan looked at the others and raised her eyebrows. "Ok Ham, I'll play your game, not getting any what?" She asked.

Ham didn't answer and both Leah and Marin looked at her strangely, they obviously got it straight away.

"Oh . . . you mean . . ."

They nodded in agreement.

"So you two were aware of this, how come I didn't know?"

Leah looked at Marin, "I don't know about the big guy," She nodded in Marin's direction, "But I've noticed Aaron's always on his own. It's sad really, he's a nice guy, it's not his fault he's so bright."

"I've noticed too." Marin agreed. "Apart from you two and Jean, the only females on this trip are from Cora and for a man who seems to have difficulty talking at all, engaging with a two meter stick figure must seem rather daunting; he's bound to be well, let's say lonely. "

"Ahem." Ham coughed pointedly. "There's the rub . . . unfortunately he
has
engaged, if only briefly and then only because he was drawn in by that viper pilot
-
and trust me; she hasn't given up the fight. She has no idea I'm watching her and there is no doubt she sees him as a prime vulnerable catch, she wants to know about his changes to the drives."

Regan groaned, "Are you sure Ham? Things have been going so well." She didn't want more trouble.

"I'm certain Regan. I wouldn't mention it if I wasn't sure. She's been sucking up to him, after information."

"We need to be certain Ham," Leah prompted, "there's been enough shaking up of the crew. How exactly has she been sucking up to him, are you sure she's not just being friendly?" She lay back on the bunk with Regan.

"I just told you, she's been sucking up to him . . . do I have to paint a picture?"

Regan rolled her eyes. "Ham, we're trying to understand, to get a feel for how serious this is."

"Uh-huh . . ." Ham didn't bother answering and began to play through the full scene from engineering on the screen.

They soaked up the conversation and it was obvious, the Coran's flattery was painful to hear, but not to Aaron it seemed.

Genius . . . no one understands you . . . those with important skills often forgotten . . . taken for granted . . . I have special skills Aaron.

"Hmm, I see what you mean by sucking up . . ." Regan looked concerned.

"No, no," Ham interrupted, "The sucking up was next." And he rolled the recording.

"Oh!"

"Oh my!" said Leah laughing.

Marin roared, "Ham you can be so delightfully literal when it suits you."

They watched like voyeurs through to the end, laughing hysterically at the warning on the wall and the 'pop!' as Aaron pulled out in alarm.

"Oh guys, we are awful." Leah was still smiling, but voiced their thoughts perfectly.

"So is she still there, Ham?" Marin asked.

"Yes, the door won't open. It hasn't been long but she is feeling very sorry for herself - what do I do with her?"

"If she can't do any damage leave her there for now." Regan answered. "Marin can escort her to private quarters and we'll keep her fed but locked up for the duration. It's only a few more weeks anyway." She paused for a few seconds. "Now, what do we do about Aaron?"

"Leave him to me?" Leah offered, "I can keep him happy."

"Whoa . . . no way, you're not doing that!" Regan protested.

"Regan, I'm not offering myself" and she laughed, "I have a Coran girl in mind that I've got to know in Jean’s book group, her name is Moriah. Ham can check her out but she seems the real deal to me, I like her and she's been supportive of us from the beginning."

"Is he going to respond to a Coran?" Regan asked.

"Helloo . . . were you not watching?" Leah smiled. "He seemed to respond in a rather healthy fashion to that pilot. Regan, there are six males on this voyage for every four females. He's not likely to find any other female company here, other than us. Hey, it's no hardship to introduce him but he may need some emboldening after that experience. Look, I'll just talk with him, give him some encouragement." She smiled mischievously.

Regan slumped back on the bed. "How is it that everyone else seems to be getting laid around here except me?"

Marin just looked at her blankly. "I don't know babe, why
is
that?" They exchanged frustrated looks.

"I'm sorry lover; I guess I've just had too much on my mind." and she screwed her mouth up in apology.

"So how sorry are you?" He smiled suggestively.

Regan felt a twinge of concern. Marin was much less promiscuous than in the past focusing his attentions more specifically in their direction, and as a result both she and Leah were kept more than satisfied . . . generally. Still his needs seemed less than fulfilled and it was obvious he was interested now. She gestured for him to join them on the bed and it was no surprise that he didn't hesitate.

* * *

After a satisfying half hour, Regan pulled her ship suit back on feeling just a little guilty; she normally preferred to be a giver and certainly not just a taker. Still, she hadn't argued when they'd both pounced. She smiled to herself as she stepped out of the room, intending to head for Control. Looking to her right she saw Marin already disappearing through the lift doors, off to deal with the Coran pilot. He was wasting no time and intrigued, she slipped back into the room to sit comfortably while tracking his progress through ship surveillance.

* * *

 The engineering room door opened to his touch and Marin hesitated, scanning the small room before stepping through. The viper sat slumped against the wall and as the door shut behind him she looked up and smiled.

"I'm glad someone found me, the door wouldn't open."

"What is your name?" He asked, staying neutral.

"You can call me Delvin." She answered, smiling again broadly. "It means passion in Tihan." She slid forward slightly toward him.

"I know what it means." He said, holding his ground as she inched even closer. "And what were you doing in here?"

"I was bored and went looking for the engineer; we have some problems with the doors in the mess." She looked up coyly, clearly trying to capture his interest. "And I hate being bored."

There was nothing shy about her actions, reaching out brazenly to stroke him through the fabric and quickly provoking a response. He let her lean forward to cover him with her mouth as she blew warm air through the fabric.

"In another time I would have gladly let you demean yourself in this way." He said it softly.

She looked up hopefully, "But not today?" Smiling seductively she continued to stroke.

"Those days are gone Delvin."

Marin only had to lean slightly forward to reach her and he did, grasping carefully around the neck with both hands, thumbs gripping under her chin. He then lifted her with frightening ease to dangle from his hands leaving her feet several centimeters off the floor.

Eyes wide in panic she grasped his arms for support and kicked out desperately without effect. Marin just looked at her for a few seconds before gently lowering her to her feet.

"Your stupidity knows no limits Delvin. Do you think we don't know what you're doing? Your brothers and sisters here have opened their minds, but you, you choose to remain in darkness. Regan never meant you harm. You came to attack her and these people, yet they had done nothing to you and despite this, even now she is ready to forgive. She offered to work with Cora, to help you find a way forward, but you Delvin, you have shown you cannot change."

Her demeanor hardened and she stood defiant until Marin shook his head in disgust.

"You will be confined to quarters for the duration of the journey."

He grabbed her arm and pushed her toward the door.

It was a stumbling walk rising two levels before Marin pushed Delvin into a small, but at least self contained bunk room.

"Sit." He shoved her back on the bunk and then called, "Ham?"

"Yes Marin." The voice filled the room, somehow tinged with malice.

"Delvin." He fixed her with a steely gaze. "Understand this. If you are to survive this trip there will be no more trouble, Ham will monitor your every move here. If he detects any attempt by you to cause trouble or even leave this room . . ."

"I will remove air privileges." Ham interrupted.

"Agreed," Marin added and looked at Delvin coldly, "Do you understand?"

"Stein won't let you," she sneered.

"We vote on these things Delvin, we already have two votes and that makes two against one even if she agrees with you. It's you who will lose if you're stupid; your future is in your own hands." He turned without another word and padded the door to open. It shut behind him with a satisfying thump.

[What about Leah's vote?] Ham subbed.

[She doesn't know about Leah.]

On the engineering deck, Leah stood outside the Chief Engineer’s bunkroom pondering her best approach. Aaron hadn't been seen by anyone for the last hour and she hadn't asked Ham, wanting to at least pretend the actions were her own and done privately. She decided on a knock but there was no response. She knocked again, several times and the door finally slid open with Aaron standing there, wrapped in a towel, the soiled suit bundled in his hand. He was clearly embarrassed.

"Aaron, have you got a moment to talk." She tried to look her most compassionate.

"I'm not really . . ." He looked down at his towel and tried to hide the suit.

She stepped through assertively. "I don't mind," and the door slid shut behind her.

"Aaron, I understand there was a problem with the pilot."

He seemed to deflate, dropping back onto the bed and shaking his head in disbelief.

"I messed up Leah, I messed up real bad."

She sat beside him and put a hand on his shoulder. "Come on, talk to me. How did you mess up?"

"I let that pilot get under my skin, and she's a spy! Can you believe it?" He shook his head again.

"Did you reveal anything to her?"

"No!"  He was adamant, and then seemed to hang his head in shame. "But I might have, she had me, and I know it, I'm an idiot."

"You're not an idiot, she just took advantage." She shifted to try to make eye contact.

"Aaron you need to get to know people, talk more. We all try to talk to you but you don't respond. It'll be better for you if you just get out more and make an effort, it might even help your work."

"I'm not much of a talker."

"That's just lazy rubbish. You're an interesting person, but you've got to put in an effort too."

He softened. "I made such a dick of myself . . . you wouldn't believe it."

She smiled but didn't comment on what she knew. "Aaron, we've all made dicks of ourselves at times, so forget it." She stood up. "Listen, I have a proposition, I can understand how you might feel at the moment but there is someone I'd like you to meet, she's one of the Coran crew and well, they tend to have a slightly more liberal view than most when it comes to partners. I'm sure you'd get on well."

"I don't know Leah. Seriously, I got such a shock I don't think I'd be any good to anyone for a while." He stood and gestured to the bathroom, "I need to get dressed."