Vatten Industries consisted of three stories of steel and glass situated well back from the street and protected by a living wall of cedars that hid an electrified fence. The entrance was through a single gate manned by an armed security guard droid and multiple surveillance cameras.

Arlen Downs paused long enough for the guard to open the electronic barrier and admit his hovercar onto the property, then headed for the yellow painted spot with a designation number emblazoned on the surface in black.

The main lobby was large and austere with moulded metal seats in several conversation areas. These were centred by a stainless steel island, housing a white blonde receptionist wearing the audio/visual headpiece that allowed her to both greet arrivals, correspond with her employer and video the visitors.

Arlen leaned on the counter and gave her a broad wink.

"Mr. Torrance wants to see you as soon as you get upstairs."

"Maybe I should hang around down here for a while then."

She pointed to her headset and gave him an 'I don't think so' smile.

The elevators were black and chrome with mirrored walls, brightly lit console buttons and purposely obvious cameras. Arlen pushed three and studied himself in the mirror, waving to the lens before stepping out onto the knee-deep pile of grey broadloom on the executive suite floor.

He greeted another receptionist, smiled at yet another camera tracking his movements then knocked and entered his employer's office.

"Good morning, Horace." Arlen folded himself comfortably into a soft leather armchair. "It's a treat to come in here and enjoy actual furnishings that aren't moulded out of some metal or plastic."

"Don't get too comfortable." Horace Torrance played with his data pen, adopting a contemplative composure. "What do you know about HEEP?"

"Thank you, I'm fine. And what's with all the extra cameras?"

"I don't have time for pleasantries. About HEEP."

"The literary Uriah or the scientific corporation?"

"Don't be a smartass, Downs, this is serious business."

"Habitat Exploration Evaluation Program. Yes I know about them. They hunt for potentially habitable planets. I haven't heard of any success in that venture yet though."

Horace set his pen down and pulled at a fleshy ear lobe. "No, no there hasn't been any good news has there . . ." His statement came out almost absently.

"Horace?"

"This is classified what I am about to tell you, Arlen. Not a word to anyone! Understood?"

"Understood."

"Vatten Industries has been working on a project, with behind the scenes Empirium blessing, on a research trip last month back to the Pirus system and Galapagos specifically."

"I thought the military went there and razed the place after that disaster."

"We uh- arranged to have that announced but it was put on hold. Learning what caused the disaster there could be extremely valuable, particularly in light of recent circumstances."

"Those being?"

"A sudden approach looking for financing of a special project." Horace raised a silencing hand indicating no questions.

"Okay, why have you told me this at all?"

Horace cleared his throat. "Our ship has been to Galapagos already and managed to collect samples - the same as those mentioned in the HEEP reports . . . and without incident."

"Wonderful, what has that got to do with me?"

"Have you ever heard of Dr. Winston Frost?"

"Some big name biologist or something?"

"Close enough. This financial request comes from him and it represents a very interesting opportunity that we- I- would like to investigate further. I want you to see if you can determine whom this Dr. Frost has been in contact with recently. You may have to be more direct if nothing is learned through watching. That is in your skill set I believe."

"Anyone special?"

"I suspect he has been talking to a surviving member of that HEEP incident. That's what I think the request for financing is about."

********

The man pointed to the dimly lit banquette against the far wall of the Decommissioned Officers Quarters mess.

"That's him in the corner there."

"That guy? That's Hunter Lewis?"

"It may be ex but it's Commander Hunter Lewis if you plan on talkin' to him."

The young man made his way to the table and asked if he could sit down. Receiving no answer he sat anyway and tried a smile, which also got no response. Cliff studied the man he had worked so hard and for so long to interview. He wasn't the romantic version of a spaceship commander, far from it.

An untidy grey blonde beard, not long enough to qualify as full but not so short either. Watery dull eyes and a mouth that resembled a slot. The midnight blue, uniform jacket was frayed at the collar and the one cuff he could see was as well.

A server arrived with a plate of food, the portions already cut bite size and the Commander ignore the visitor and began eating. When the food was gone he sat back relaxing with a drink and a black cigar.

"My name's Cliff Hargreave, I'm a research journalist with--"

"Whatta you want?"

"You are Commander Hunter Lewis late of the supply ship, Encounter?"

"I know who I am. Whatta you want?"

"I'd like to hear your real story behind the HEEP project on Galapagos."

The colour faded eyes squinted, seeking the young man's.

"Why, and what makes you think you haven't? It's been covered thoroughly in the news."

The young man leaned his arms on the table and lowered his voice. "Was it true - everything you said at the inquiry?"

"Why the hell would I lie about something like that?"

"I heard whispers of a secret project."

Hunter stared, his mind racing through all the possibilities of how that could happen.

"Don't know what you're talking about."

"Your executive officer Chesterton quit the company and sold his version to the media. There's even talk of a documentary."

"His version was the same as mine in case you didn't notice."

"C'mon, I'm not stupid its written all over your face that I hit a nerve."

"The only nerve you've hit, Kid is one that makes this whole conversation annoying and you doubly so."

"Look, I can make this worth your while financially. Tell me your story and we both make some credits."

Hunter held up his glass to the barman and stayed silent, thinking. If this kid knew something it might be in Diane's best interest if he found out how much. For some reason he felt a need to protect her . . . protect her work. He nodded a thank you when his drink arrived.

"Okay, Kid what whispers did you hear?"

"You first. Am I right?"

Hunter tasted his drink. "Can't say since I don't know what you think you're right about."

"C'mon, I'm trying to make us both some credits here."

"No - you want to use me to make us both some credits here." Hunter copied the pose and leaned on the table, his face inches away from Cliff's. "You tell me what you think you're buying and I'll tell you if I think you're right."

Cliff sat back, a little intimidated by the ex Commander's form. He signalled for his own drink and considered his options. After a moment or two of duelling eyes Cliff relented.

"Okay. My whispers told me that the group on Galapagos found some way to preserve samples without fear of contaminants and that it was kept very hush, hush."

Hunter sat back as well and worked his mouth around. "I can confirm your whisperer's information about whatever went on at the HEEP site on Galapagos was hush, hush."

"That's bullshit!" Cliff sank his drink and slammed the glass on the table.

"Then why are you asking me? I didn't work there, I just delivered supplies."

"You were in on the rescue and- and all that business about- about some alien organism."

Hunter shrugged. "That's all on record. Anybody can read that now. It's a hazard of visiting unknown planets."

"You're telling me that Dr. Sommers never told you about what they discovered there?"

"Dr. Sommers nearly died there with the rest of her team. She was in shock and all she ever said to us was thank you. You can read her testimony in the records too."

"I can't read the hush, hush stuff." Cliff bit back angrily."

"And neither can I."

Both men stayed silent, contemplating their empty glasses.

"Why don't you bring your whisperer around and he can tell us just where he got his information."

"Hah! Fat chance. My sources are just as classified as your HEEP material."

"It's not mine and I guess that ends our conversation." Hunter held up his hand when Cliff got his card out to pay for his drink. "It's on me, Kid. See you made some credit off me after all."

Cliff gave him a grudging nod and left the bar.