At the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs: New London, Britannia:
Victor (to Felix): <yawn> Yer turn on watch, Mr. Baldwin.
Felix (to Victor): Aye, Captain. Weren't you supposed to come fetch me before now?
Victor (to Felix): Yeah, but Dad didn't switch with me 'til late. He and Mum were probably up all night with worry...
Felix (to Victor): What is it?
Victor (to Felix): Nothin'. Probably nothing... I can ken someone making a grab for Lucas, but who'd know to look here? I was living on top of this ruddy place for three years an' didn't know about it. Everyone who does is... Shit. I've got to go check something. Tell anyone who might be lookin' I'll be back before lunch!
Felix (to Victor): Captain... Captain, wait! Good lord. There's no talking sense to any of them somedays.
Meanwhile, in the mess hall:
Zoe (to Poppy): Mom, what is with all the pot banging and swearing in here?
Poppy (to Zoe): Sorry, honey. I was trying to make crepes. I say trying, they are a disaster.
Zoe (to Poppy): Here. Sit down. Drink your tea. I'll do it... Are you alright? Did something happen?
Poppy (to Zoe): You don't remember, honey?
Zoe (to Poppy): ... No. Should I? Oh. Did I do the Cassandra thing again? Shit.
Poppy (to Zoe): It's alright, honey. We've got it under control. Don't worry your pretty little head over it... Those crepes look lovely.
At one of the bunker access points:
Yukiko (to Victor): Victor, where you running off to?
Victor (to Yukiko): To ask a few questions, be a bit threatening, perhaps commit a few vaguely criminal acts. Wanna come?
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes.
Victor (to Yukiko): Well, that didn't take much convincing, did it?
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. You had me at threatening. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh. Well, I know how to get your attention, then. We're off to find Amunet. We're missing the big picture of summit, and she's the piece that don't seem to fit quite right...
Yukiko (to Victor): Oh? How so?
Victor (to Yukiko): Someone messing with my mum's kids would have to be daft. Someone going to her *stronghold* to do it? Either he's suicidal, Or he's damned sure he can get in and out. She's the only one I can think of that knows about the Bunker, but isn't here.
Yukiko (to Victor): ... I AM going to kill her, if I found out she played us.
A few hours later, in an alley near the market; New London, Britannia:
Amunet (to Victor): Victor? What are you doing here?
Victor (to Amunet): There's something nasty brewing that involves my brother, and as of now, you're the only person I can ken that knows about him, that I'm not utterly sure I can trust... If you're not involved, don't worry. We're taking care of it. If you are... Well, this is fair warning, innit? We don't take kindly to people fucking with our own.
Amunet (to Victor): I'm not trying to hurt your brother, quite the opposite, in fact.
Victor (to Amunet): Yeah? What exactly are you trying to do then?
Amunet (to Victor): ... Sometime in the next two weeks, Hiiri kidnaps your brother or would have if Maladori didn't just kill her. But, I'm-- I'm fairly certain it's still going to happen, because I'm still here & I wouldn't be if that had changed.
Victor (to Amunet): And what? You're here to keep that from happening? Pull the other one.
Amunet (to Victor): Well yes, sort of... It's very complicated. I'm from your future, a possible future where Lucas was taken by Hiiri & given to some quite disreputable people to raise... It devastated your family. But, time is all wobbly right now & I'm worried it's going collapse like a flan in a cupboard.
Victor (to Amunet): Heh. You'd be surprised what time can endure. It'll be just fine... Right. I'm going to tell my mum what you told me.
Amunet (to Victor): Wait! There's more… We've already changed things & it seems inevitable. Zoe never aged in our timeline & you never switched with this timeline's Victor. I fear there's something else going on… Or I'm bloody stuck here.
Victor (to Amunet): Well, yeah. Welcome to being tangled up with the bloody Potters. Nothing EVER goes the way you thought. Or that you planned.
Amunet (to Victor): Heh… Yes, I believe I've been told that a few times before. Look, Professor Maladori is trying to figure out a solution… She's grown quite tired of Hiiri being obsessed about your family, but there's some concern that by changing this pivotal event, it's going to change everything once again splintering the timeline… Will you come and talk to her?
Victor (to Amunet): Go and talk to ruddy Maladori?!? Do I LOOK that soft headed? Fuck no! If she really wants to bloody talk, then we can meet someplace neutral. I'm not walking into her laboratory; I won't walk back out. I am not that stupid.
Amunet (to Victor): Fine… Where would you suggest?
Yukiko (to Luc): Not another step, pretty boy… (to Victor) Oi! Found a friend of hers with a very sharp sword, Victor.
Luc (to Yukiko): Could you please shift that knife just a few inches? I have need for those bits, later… Go ahead & take my sword. Damn. I had heard you were good in your prime but I should have known it wasn't an accurate description of your skills. It seems I got a bit cocky… We'll have to try this another time.
Yukiko (to Luc): … I have no idea what you mean. Come on.
Luc (to Amunet): Have you been making deals without me, sweetness?
Amunet (to Luc): Simply a meeting, handsome. They're not willing to go speak to Maladori at her home.
Victor (to Luc): You're lucky yer still breathing. (to Amunet) Padgett's. It's in the East Gardens on the edge of the Tombs. No use giving anyone a home court advantage, right?
Luc (to Victor): Oh? Afraid she's going to gut you & see what makes you tick, Victor? (to Yukiko) Whoa there, killer… I'm just making conversation. No need to poke… Your point is quite seriously made.
Victor (to Luc): ... Of COURSE I'm bloody well expecting her to try and dissect me. Have you got a reason I shouldn't, mate?
Yukiko (to Luc): … I don't think I like you very much.
Luc (to Yukiko): My heart is truly breaking, Miss Kobayashi.
Amunet (to Luc): Hush… (to Yukiko & Victor) I apologize for my friend's behavior. Padgett's will be just fine. Tonight at 9pm?
Victor (to Amunet): ... Alright. I won't waste my breath trying to threaten you, Amunet, but if you're lying, or if ANYTHING happens to my brother, I'll let my mum know where she can find you. (to Luc) Nice meeting you, I'm sure.
Amunet (to Victor): If something happens to your brother… I'll be waiting for her.
Luc (to Victor & Yukiko): Nice seeing you both. It was a real treat. (to Amunet) Heh. You're quite sexy when you say things like that… C'mere.
Amunet (to Luc): No… You almost blew it with your clumsiness. I told you she was better than what we had been told before. They all are... The disappearance of the youngest Potter really did a number on all of them… What aren't you telling me?
Luc (to Amunet): Nothing at all, sweetness.
Amunet (to Luc): Fine… Let's go tell the Professor.
Luc (to Amunet): Of course.
A few minutes later:
Victor (to Yukiko): ...So, on a scale of 1-10, how stupid is what we're about to do?
Yukiko (to Victor): I believe it would be an eleven, watashi no ai.
Victor (to Yukiko): Heh heh heh. Oh. Good. I was afraid we were hovering around 15. Think we should tell my folks or talk to the Professor first?
Yukiko (to Victor): I hate to say it but we may want to talk to Maladori, first. Your parents have enough worry, at the moment. And, they'd be too distracted worrying about Lucas if they came with us. Best to do it on our own. I'll watch your back, you watch mine.
Victor (to Yukiko): That's what I thought too, but I can be a bit ruddy stupid when it comes to dangerous situations. I come by it naturally. ;-) And you can bet I'll watch your back. I'm far too fond of you to let you go and get hurt on me.
Yukiko (to Victor): Heh. It's not me I'm worried about… What did he mean that he had been told about me? Who was he? Did you recognize him?
Victor (to Yukiko): Shhh. Lemme have my delusions ...I DO know him, I think. He feels familiar. Damned familiar. I just don't know why.
Yukiko (to Victor): … I think we might want to grab Nate and Aiden for backup, watashi no ai. Just in case you remember where you know him from because I doubt it's going to be pleasant. Also, I want someone to know what we're doing, in case it goes pear-shaped. Ok?
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah. It can't hurt to have a few more people there who don't want us dead or dissected. Hopefully, the girls at Padgett's still like my father, and we'll have a few friendly eyes on our side...
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes. And, Aiden is a very good shot… He learned from the best sniper in the business, Mrs. Esterly. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko): ...Mrs. Esterly was a sniper?! Ha ha! Why doesn't that surprise me? I'm sure Wilkes and I can endure one another long enough to keep us from being shot. ;-p
At Aiden's house; New London, Britannia:
Aiden (to Yukiko & Victor): Good evening, you two. I'm sorry I couldn't greet you earlier. Lily insisted we finish the book we were reading together before she would go to sleep. What's going on? Judging from the looks on your faces, it's serious.
Victor (to Aiden): … Heh. How do you and Nate fancy keeping us from getting slaughtered or dissected by Maladori?
Nathaniel (to Victor, Aiden & Yukiko): It's fucking stupid, is what it is.
Aiden (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): I have to agree with Nate. Why on earth would you want to go and do something like that?
Victor (to Aiden, Nathaniel & Yukiko): Because Hiiri, or someone that works for her, is going to try to kidnap Lucas.
Nathaniel (to Victor, Aiden & Yukiko): Shit. Why didn't you say so? Why does Maladori give a fuck about what happens to Lucas?
Victor (to Nathaniel, Aiden & Yukiko): Maladori, supposedly, wants no part, and wants to prevent it. Zoe had a vision about it too.
Nathaniel (to Victor, Aiden & Yukiko): Well shit...
Yukiko (to Aiden & Nathaniel): Aiden, I'd like it if you could act as sniper just in case. Nate, can you come with us? I think it would be best to have you on the ground with us. In case we need back up. And, if something happens, you & Aiden can go warn the Potters.
Victor (to Nathaniel, Aiden & Yukiko): She's got two of her agents with her, and I think Starling'll be tagging along.
Nathaniel (to Victor, Aiden & Yukiko): Yeah. Course. I'll go let Mrs. E know what we're doing and grab our shit. Gray satchel, right?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): That would be the one… And, the case next to it, if you please. (to Victor & Yukiko) While Nate is doing that, would you like a drink?
Yukiko (to Aiden): As a matter of fact, I would. Just a nip, though.
Victor (to Aiden): Uhhh... Sure. Heh. It'd be rude to refuse, right? ... Thank you for the help.
Aiden (to Victor): You are very welcome. Besides, we're practically family.
Victor (to Aiden): ... Heh heh. Yeah. I suppose we are.
Aiden (to Yukiko & Victor): Here you both are. Just enough to calm your nerves but not dull your senses.
Yukiko (to Aiden): Thank you, Wilkes.
Victor (to Yukiko & Aiden): Cheers.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko, Aiden & Victor): If y'all are done drinking all our whiskey. Here. Put this on, Victor.
Victor (to Nathaniel): What is it?
Nathaniel (to Victor): It's a... It's a thing. That Mars made. It kinda lessens the impact inhibitor fields have on skippers. I know you can get through 'em, ok and all, but this is fucking Maladori we're dealing with.
Victor (to Nathaniel): Thanks.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Here's your stuff, sexy. (to Yukiko, Victor & Aiden) We ready?
Aiden (to Nathaniel, Yukiko & Victor): I believe so.
Yukiko (to Aiden, Nathaniel & Victor): I believe I'm ready, just one thing before we go… (to Victor) Victor, c'mere… I love you & please, don't get yourself killed. I plan on marrying you someday. Okay?
Victor (to Yukiko): ...Wow. I love you too. Believe me, I'm not planning on going anywhere. I have SO much more flirting to do with you. Heh. Let's get back to Nate and Aiden before they think we're... Damn! We're doing that! (to Nathaniel & Aiden) Oi!
Yukiko (to Victor, Nathaniel & Aiden): Heh. Can't take them, anywhere.
Aiden (to Nathaniel, Yukiko & Victor): What? I thought we had time.
Victor (to Yukiko): Do that often, do they?
Yukiko (to Victor): Dear god, yes… They might be worse than your parents or a close second, at the very least. We're hardly that bad.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko): Bullshit. You're just sneakier.
Aiden (to Nathaniel, Yukiko & Victor): Kobayashi, where's the poetry in your soul?
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): Well, I would certainly hope so... Shall we go? (to Aiden) And, for your information, I never had any. :-P
Victor (to Yukiko, Nathaniel & Aiden): Was that a joke? Did Wilkes just make a joke? ...Am I in a coma? Is this a coma dream?
Yukiko (to Victor): No… He just does that, now. It's very disturbing.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Yeah, yeah. And you're not wearing a suit. It's a brave new fucking world. Let's get moving.
Victor (to Yukiko): Psst! I'm not ruling out a dream, head wound or an automaton. :-p
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Alright, handsome. I'll be on the roof of Padgett's, using the skylight to set my shot. Signal if there's trouble. (to Nathaniel, Yukiko & Victor) Be careful, all of you.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I will. I love you. (to Yukiko & Victor) Quit your snickering and c'mon.
Two hours later, at Padgett's, East Garden; New London, Britannia:
Amunet (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): Greetings. Care for a drink? I have tea, lemonade or wine.
Victor (to Amunet): Heh. No thank you.
Yukiko (to Amunet): Which is poisoned?
Nathaniel (to Yukiko, Victor & Amunet): We taking bets? Cuz knowing Maladori, I'm gonna say all three, but each one with different shit.
Amunet (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): They are not poisoned or tampered with… I'll drink a sip out of each one... There. Satisfied?
Yukiko (to Amunet): I'd still rather not… Where's the professor?
Amunet (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): She's having a little talk with Starling. Her pet rabbit was misbehaving.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko, Victor & Amunet): ... I dunno about you guys, but this is starting to fucking reek of setup to me.
Yukiko (to Nathaniel, Victor & Amunet): … You're not the only one.
Victor (to Yukiko, Nathaniel & Amunet): Likewise. And where's your overdresses friend?
Amunet (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): Oh, he's around here somewhere. Probably, flirting with the dancing girls.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko, Victor & Amunet): ...This is a fucking stalling tactic. Let's get the fuck outta here.
Amunet (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): She's coming. I swear.
Victor (to Amunet): And why exactly should we believe that?
Amunet (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): She's elderly, and it takes her a bit to get around & sometimes she forgets her surroundings… It's sad, really.
Nathaniel (to Yukiko, Victor & Amunet): Sad my fuckin' ass.
Professor Maladori (to Victor, Yukiko & Nathaniel): I told you I would be here and I am. Children have no patience these days. (to Amunet) And I certainly do NOT forget where I am. Tsk... Still mucking about with the drugged glasses, I see. You have strange hobbies.
Amunet (to Professor Maladori): I was trying to make sure they didn't leave. They were disturbed by your delay.
Professor Maladori (to Amunet): Mmm. As they should be. (to Victor, Nathaniel & Yukiko) Here is everything I know about the kidnapping of Lucas Walker Potter. I warn you, it isn't much, and I fear this action may be a singularity: a fixed point in time. Nothing we do may make a bit of difference.
Victor (to Amunet): You said you're from a future where my parents lost their kid? ...They were devastated, I'd imagine.
Amunet (to Victor): Yes. Your mother went a bit balmy, became obsessed with finding him... She left one day to look for him. Your dad was never quite the same after that. Zoe & Felix drifted apart due to her wanting to stay & take care of your dad... Bad all around.
Victor (to Professor Malador & Amunet): It's not a singularity. Thank you for the information. (to Nathaniel & Yukiko) Let's go.
Yukiko (to Victor): Yes, of course, watashi no ai... What does this mean?
Victor (to Yukiko): ...Huh? Sorry. I don't know what all this means, but we'll find out. I'll be buggered before I let any of that shit happen...
Yukiko (to Victor): It'll be alright. Let's get back.
Victor (to Yukiko): Yeah... Thanks for saying so.
Amunet (to Victor): … You're welcome. (to Professor Maladori) He doesn't trust us, does he?
Professor Maladori (to Amunet): He'd be a fool if he did.
Nathaniel (to Victor & Yukiko): Wait a minute. (to Professor Maladori) What're you gettin' outta this? You ain't helping us to make amends.
Professor Maladori (to Nathaniel): Me, boy? Isn't it obvious? I have no desire to continue being a cog in Hiiri's over complicated failures & petty vengeances. I have larger concerns than seeking revenge against a politically and socially unimportant family of reprobates.
Nathaniel (to Professor Maladori): ... Yeah. S'pose you do.
Professor Maladori (to Amunet): I don't think that one likes me at all. Shall we leave this disgusting filth hole?
Amunet (to Professor Maladori): Yes, ma'am. Should I go find Luc or let him stumble back on his own?
Professor Maladori (to Amunet): There are half-nude women strewn about. I don't expect we'll see him for a few hours. Let him find his own bloody way back. I'm tired, and have had enough of children for one day.
Amunet (to Professor Maladori): Alright.
Victor (to Nathaniel): Thank you, Nate, and please thank Aiden as well. I daresay you'll hear from us soon.
Nathaniel (to Victor & Yukiko): Yeah. I'd say so. Be careful. We'll see you soon, OK?
Yukiko (to Nathaniel): Yes... Give Aiden a kiss for me, Nate. if you feel the need. ;-)
Nathaniel (to Victor & Yukiko): Heh... Yeah, yeah.
