Poppy (to Aiden): Oh good, you're back, honey. I hope you had a nice bit of R&R because you & Victor have a very busy week ahead of you.
Aiden (to Poppy): I did. Thank you. Should I head to the docks now or will Victor be meeting me here?
Poppy (to Aiden): Head to the docks, honey. But, before you go, please go see Fiona, she has a travel kit all set for you.
Aiden (to Poppy): Yes, ma'am.
A few moments later:
Aiden (to Fiona): Greetings, McGillivray! I was told that you have a travel kit ready and waiting for me.
Fiona (to Aiden): Alright, leam-leat! Who are you and how in the bloody hell did you find us? Answer quick before I open your neck up!
Aiden (to Fiona): Fiona!?! It's me, Wilkes... Are you alright?
Fiona (to Aiden): Prove it, sasannach.
Aiden (to Fiona): ... I have no idea how you expect me to prove it you. It seems a bit beneath me.
Fiona (to Aiden): Oh for... Only you would say proving your identity is beneath you when you've got a blade to your throat. You're going to get yourself killed, you know that? How was your time with your bonnie lad? What is his name again?
Aiden (to Fiona): His name is Nate... Why are you on edge, McGillivray?
Fiona (to Aiden): Alright. That proves it. Sorry, lovely. A longtime contact of mine in the highlands --and an old friend was rooted out and gutted by CLANNG. I don't know how or why they went after poor old McCamish, but it stinks like Carver himself was involved. Poor old bugger didn't deserve that. Of course, they never do, do they?
Aiden (to Fiona): I'm sorry, Fiona.
Fiona (to Aiden): You came in here all smiles and a good mood... Sorry. I've made myself twitchy. What was it you needed? Oh! Yes. Of course.
Aiden (to Fiona): ... Do you need a break?
Fiona (to Aiden): Me? A break? Just because I almost slit your throat? The idea! I'm alright, little lord. I'll survive, because I have to. It's the nature of this beast, isn't it? The bad guys are out there, and I can't take a sabbatical just because I'm sad. We can mourn after we're done. Have a travel kit for you and the Fluffy Lad.
Aiden (to Fiona): Thank you... You should really take some R&R, Fiona. I'm sure Miss Poppy would be happy to give you the time off.
Fiona (to Aiden): Are you concerned for me? Isn't that the sweetest! Hee hee. Don't fret, Wilkes. I'd take some R&R if I had anyone to visit. But, I don't. I was raised in the system, wasn't I? Don't worry. I'll take it as easy as I'm able. Watch your arse, Aiden.
Aiden (to Fiona): I will. I'll see you later.
A short time later, at Pier 27 of the airship docks, New London, Britannia:
Victor (to Aiden): Hello, Aiden! I've got everything sorted with the Falcon. Are you ready to set off?
Aiden (to Victor): Hello, Victor. I am indeed ready. What do you need me to do?
Victor (to Aiden): I think I've got everything under control at the moment. We're going to be heading to the colonies to get a bourbon shipment. Do you have a lot of experience with airships?
Aiden (to Victor): I wouldn't say a lot of experience, but I was stationed on a large passenger one during a mission last year. But, I didn't do much more than assist the Captain... I'm a fast learner. I should be able to pick things up.
Victor (to Aiden): Heh. Well, our gal is nothing like a large passenger airship. I'm sure you'll do fine. I've got our coordinates plugged in, so if you're ready, we'll be off.
Aiden (to Victor): I am as ready as I'll ever be.
A short time later, onboard the Maltese Falcon:
Victor (to Aiden): Heh. Starting the engines is the best part. Alright. We're off.
Aiden (to Victor): So, is there something that you would like me to do?
Victor (to Aiden): If everything continues to go as planned, I'm afraid there's not much to do until we reach the jump point. Do you have any questions so far?
Aiden (to Victor): No, it seems fairly straight-forward. I can't really imagine why your mother suggested that I come on this trip with you.
Victor (to Aiden): I'm sure a big part of it is that she didn't want me going alone. My parents can be a bit... The polite term is protective. The first term that comes to mind is paranoid. Besides, I'm sure *something* will go wrong. It always does.
Aiden (to Victor): Shall I keep my fingers crossed?
Victor (to Aiden): Oops. Looks like you won't have to. That's the proximity alarm. Check the display to your right. What are we dealing with?
Aiden (to Victor): Alright, then... Looks like a fairly large vessel is approaching from starboard.
Victor (to Aiden): Anything other than that? How large is fairly large? They haven't announced themselves, so it's either marauders or military.
Aiden (to Victor): Looks like a tern schooner class airship.
Victor (to Aiden): Fuck. Military. We're faster than it at least. Hold on... Based on our current speed, how long do we have until we reach that point marked in red on that chart?
Aiden (to Victor): Fifteen minutes by my calculations.
Victor (to Aiden): Hell... OK. Take the helm for a minute, please. Can you keep this speed up? We need to stay out of firing range.
Aiden (to Victor): I'll do my best… Is this just routine or do you think they mean business?
Victor (to Aiden): Radio silence, so I'm guessing if they catch us, they're going to want to blow us out of the sky. I'm going to drop a static charge bomb to make us hard to find.
Aiden (to Victor): ... Does this normally happen when you go on a run?
Victor (to Aiden): I wouldn't say it's normal... But I'm guessing my mom isn't the only one who's been put on a hitlist. When this goes off the ship is going to rock like hell! Just try to keep her steady? Ready? One! Two! ...
Aiden (to Victor): Damn it!
Victor (to Aiden): Jesus! Steady, Aiden. I've got it. How far are we from the jump point? AIDEN! Come on! We can freak out later.
Aiden (to Victor): I beg your pardon... We're about four minutes away from the jump point.
Victor (to Aiden): It's fine. We're good... Oops. Looks like we've got company part deux. Heh. Too little too late. Hold on. We're about to jump!
A moment later:
Aiden (to Victor): ... It looks like we made the jump successfully, Victor, and it's clear on this end.
Victor (to Aiden): Whew! Excellent! Heh heh. OK, we should just just off the shore of the Virginia settlement. Are we on course?
Aiden (to Victor): Looks that way... That was certainly exciting. I now see why your mother didn't want you on your own.
Victor (to Aiden): Heh. Well, now that we're out of British airspace, as long as we keep our heads down, we shouldn't attract as much attention.
Aiden (to Victor): Fair enough, then. Is there anything you'd like me to do now? Or would it be alright if I went and made some tea?
Victor (to Aiden): Of course! I'll shout if I need anything.
Aiden (to Victor): Sounds like a plan. No need to point out the right direction, I think I can figure it out.
Victor (to Aiden): If you can't find anything ask. I'm afraid we're down to the bare essentials. We can pick up supplies after this run.
Aiden (to Victor): Will do.
Several hours later, at Marlena & Yukiko's apartment, West Piedmont:
Marlena (to River): ... Have you fucking watched 'Say Anything' recently?
River (to Marlena): ... I'm not sure what you're talking about. Is that a TV show? You know I don't really watch television.
Marlena (to River): Seriously? John Cusack. Ione Skye. A boombox. Peter Gabriel's 'In Your Eyes' playing. Doesn't ring a bell, huh?
River (to Marlena): Is this one of those classic movies you like to watch & you're always referencing? I was just trying to get your attention. You wouldn't answer the door.
Marlena (to River): Fuck. Get your ass up here before one of my neighbors calls security... and we are totally watching Say Anything right now.
River (to Marlena): Heh... You're the boss.
Meanwhile, at Poppy & Vincent's apartment, West Piedmont:
Nathaniel (to Zoe): What? WHAT. Why are you staring at me grinning like that. You are starting to disturb my shit.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): ... I'm bored. I'm here, you're here. We should do something.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Why am I filled with sudden fear? What are you plotting, Shortie?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I am not plotting anything... Should I be plotting something? I mean, I could if you like.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Heh. Probably not. So. What do you wanna do?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): I don't know. How about ice cream & a movie?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Yeah. That sounds good. So, how's the play shit going?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Oh, I don't know. Jessica, the director hasn't announced the cast list, yet. All Colin would tell me is that he wasn't going to be the assistant director because she wanted me in the play, but that was all.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Uh oh. Heh heh...
Zoe (to Nathaniel): What's so fucking funny?
Nathaniel (to Zoe): You know you're gonna end up in one of the leads, right?
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Yeah, right.
Nathaniel (to Zoe): Bet me.
Zoe (to Nathaniel): Heh... If you say so. I don't even know what play they're doing. They've been keeping it very hush hush.
