At the Longfellow bunker, The Tombs; New London, Britannia:
Eva (to Antony): There you are, Mr. Tobias! Come with me. It's time for your physical.
Antony (to Eva): What?! Oh. Yeah. Uh, lead the way miss...
Eva (to Antony): Yes, right this way. It won't take... Mr. Tobias? Wait! You bloody little... STOP! … I do believe I loathe children.
A little while later:
Eva (to Nathaniel): Ah! Mr. Jones! Very good. I hoped I would find you here.
Nathaniel (to Eva): Bwah! Back the fuck off...! Jesus butt-loving Christ! Eva. You scared the shit outta me. I was just, uh... Fuck it. I was visiting my husband. What do you want?
Eva (to Nathaniel): Do I still make you nervous, Mr. Jones? <tsk> I thought we were past all that... I need your help.
Nathaniel (to Eva): You don't make me nervous. You just startled me. Fucking sue me. What do you need?
Eva (to Nathaniel): One of the children has run off before his examination. Would you please be kind enough to help me find him? I've been told you have some talent for finding people.
Nathaniel (to Eva): ... I have a talent for finding sketchy places people like to hide. This is somethin' else. These kids're more slippery than eels coated in bacon grease. And if he's hiding in these tunnels... Fuck it. C'mon. Let's see if we can find him.
Meanwhile:
Kian (to Antony): Where pray tell are you running off to in such a hurry, my little lad? And, if you could point me in the direction of the maintenance bay I would be much obliged. I seem to have gotten a bit turned about in this maze.
Antony (to Kian): Oi! Get off me!
Kian (to Antony): Not until you calm the hell down and tell me where the bloody maintenance bay is. I'm losing my patience in this madhouse.
Antony (to Kian): I ain't showing you nuffin', you manky Irish bastard! Let go!
Kian (to Antony): Manky Irish bastard, is it? While I am Irish, I'm not a bastard and, I am hardly manky, boyo, I took a bath last week... Now show me to the maintenance bay so I can return to my airship or the rats will have a nice meal of street urchin. Git me?
Nathaniel (to Eva): Heh. Looks like someone did our job for us. (to Kian) Watch him! (to Antony) Gimme that! Goddamn these kids're sneaky.
Kian (to Antony, Eva & Nathaniel): Oh goodie, the cavalry has arrived… Looks like you're saved, kid. Lucky you.
Antony (to Kian, Eva & Nathaniel): Sod off! I am not! An' I don' need no doctorin! Why don' you go bother that poof always buggin' Mr. Turner? Bet 'e needs his noggin looked over.
Kian (to Antony): You've got a bit of a mouth on you, kid… (to Eva & Nathaniel) Want me to keelhaul him?
Nathaniel (to Eva): Heh heh. Maybe. (to Antony) You gotta problem with men who like other men, short stack?
Antony (to Nathaniel): ... That innit what poof means. Don't they teach you nuffin' in the colonies?
Nathaniel (to Antony): I have no fucking words... (to Eva) You got him?
Eva (to Nathaniel): Yes. Quite. Thank you for your help. (to Kian) Mr. O'Malley. (to Antony) March, child!
Antony (to Eva): Ouch! OUCH! That ear's bloody attached, miss!
Kian (to Eva): Goodbye, beautiful... (to Nathaniel) Now, would you be so kind as to show me to the maintenance bay so I can get out of here.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Heh. What? You don't wanna stay for dinner? Now... Where the fuck are we? Oh yeah! This way. You're nowhere near where you gotta be. You know that, right?
Kian (to Nathaniel): … I am not the best at navigating on the ground, let alone under it, me boyo. Give me the sky any day.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Boyo? There's no navigating these tunnels. It's all memorization. And even then you sometimes... Case in point. Double back about two tunnels... There we are. It's just a little ways further ahead.
Kian (to Nathaniel): So, you're the cousin I take it? Heh. I was expecting you to be much scarier being all ex-CLANNG and everything.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Yeah? You didn't know me then did ya?... Ha ha! Shit, I don't know how actual "scary" I was back in the day, either. Pissed off? Yeah. Unstable? Likely to stab someone in the guts? Fuck yeah! But scary? I dunno. Hard to compete with Hiiri or Carver you know? ...Who told you I was ex-CLANNG?
Kian (to Nathaniel): Your aunty during my "invitation" to participate in her great endeavor. She's gathering folks from all questionable walks of life to teach these little gits a few things. Apparently, she thinks some of us might want to make a difference towards the good. Heh. She gets kinda scary when she's got her dander up.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Aunt Poppy can be all KINDS of terrifying when she needs to be. She's usin' me as an example, is she? Huh. That's... Awww hell! That's What she fucking meant by wantin' to "discuss" my hair an' clothes.
Kian (to Nathaniel): Heh. Sorry, me boyo.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Fuck... Goodbye, comfortable shirts. Hello, scratchy military bullshit. Anyway, hangar's straight ahead. You know, I can't tell you what to do with your time, but Aunt Poppy's offer is worth considering. Someone's gotta give a shit.
Kian (to Nathaniel): … And, you just assume that I said no, huh? You're not that bright. I clearly wouldn't still be here if I had said no. Your aunt would have drugged me and dumped me in an alley like that moron, Moritz. She may not have swayed a lot of folks but she's got me and that Rotmensen bloke on her side.
Nathaniel (to Kian): ... Rotmensen said yes, huh? That's interesting... All your talk about getting outta here, can't imagine why I thought you might have said no. ...Heh. You're trying to get me riled up, aren't you? What? Don't believe I was in CLANNG?
Kian (to Nathaniel): It has nothing to do with you… Honestly, what don't you understand about airship pirates? We don't much like underground. Not to mention that I'm hungry, cranky and could use some sleep after the all-nighter.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Christ. You're as bad as Uncle Vincent... The hangar is down that tunnel. If you need a breather... Hold on. These stairs lead up to the house upstairs. If you're hungry, take the tunnel to the left, turn right twice. That's the kitchen.
Kian (to Nathaniel): Thanks.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Yeah. Whatever. Get yourself seen to, alright? You won't be able to stand these kids otherwise.
Kian (to Nathaniel): Yeah. I'm used to kids. There's always been a brood about the family compound.
Nathaniel (to Kian): Yeah? You are alone there, then. I know how to cope with barracks living, but kids're something else all together. 'Specially these little bastards. I'll leave you to it. I suppose I gotta face this "makeover" sooner or later.
An hour or so later:
Eva (to Antony): Well. That would explain why you didn't want to go through an examination. Would you like for me to continue to refer to you as Mr. Tobias?
Antony (to Eva): I never told no one I was a boy! ...Ev'ryone just figgered I was. An' it's easier t'be a boy in a gang, innit?
Eva (to Antony): I would imagine so. Would you like me to call you Mister or Miss from this point forward?
Antony (to Eva): I dunno! Who cares? You done yet, Miss? How much more could you wanna know?
Eva (to Antony): Good heavens! Stop squirming! Yes, you are finished. Go, for the love of everything, GO! Children.
A short time later:
George (to Eva): Eva? I brought you something to eat and tea. Una is finished with her group and is going to lay down for a bit.
Eva (to George): Oh! Thank you, George. I am starving. I had to skip lunch and tea to chase Ms Tobias all over the tunnels. I think I may be overdue for a nap myself as well.
George (to Eva): … Ms. Tobias? You mean Antony, right?
Eva (to George): Yes. Although, perhaps I should continue to refer to her as "mister." I'm not sure. She didn't express any preference.
George (to Eva): HAHAHA! Oh my god, Eva, you are marvelous! You know, what this means, don't you?
Eva (to George): ... No. Not particularly.
George (to Eva): It's simple. I can stay here or I'll rat out little Miss Tony Tobias for being a girl. I'll keep her secret if she keeps mine.
Eva (to George): Oh? What secret is it that Miss Tobias knows about you?
George (to Eva): Nothing yet… But, I'll offer her up something to get her on my side. I don't want to leave, Eva. This is where I belong.
Eva (to George): Miss Locklear is a clone, George, as is the child with her, and we think our parents had something to do with her creation. Una and I debated telling you this, but you deserve the truth. ...We think your father wanted to clone you. That's why we wanted to move you someplace away from Viola... But, if you want to stay, you can.
George (to Eva): … Oh… I don't know what to say.
Eva (to George): I wish I could say something to reassure you, but the more we learn about our families, the more distressing the news seems to become... Luc thinks Professor Maladori was on Vernian Industries' payroll as well.
George (to Eva): That makes sense… How are you & Una holding up with all this?
Eva (to George): I don't think we've decided yet. At least, I haven't. I believe we're both still trying to process your father's notes on us. Una didn't like being referred to as a "control subject." With good reason, of course. I was certainly rather disturbed to see my every childhood tantrum diagrammed as a potential marker for pathological behavior. It's hard to keep it all in your mind sometimes, isn't it?
George (to Eva): … I'm glad he's dead… Oh god, I can't believe I said that out loud… I-- I think I'm going to be sick...
Eva (to George): Oh! George! Um, there, there... It's quite alright. Good heavens! Sit down. You look faint. Would you like something to drink?
George (to Eva): Yes, please.
Eva (to George): I'll get you something. I do miss our Mother. Sometimes. But I do wonder if I should. Either way, I am immensely glad we don't live the life we once did.
George (to Eva): Me too... It was always better when you & Una were around, he would act doting and pleasant. I dreaded when you'd leave.
Eva (to George): ... I'm very sorry, George.
A short time later, in the kitchen:
Eva (to Charles): Mister Turner!
Charles (to Eva): ACK! M-miss Eva!
Eva (to Charles): Mr. Fitzroy has taken ill in my room. Please prep something for him. He'll need someone to watch him tonight, I fear.
Charles (to Eva): Oh! Oh dear. I'll, um... I'll get that together for him. Someone will need to see to the dishes...
Eva (to Charles): Yes, yes! I'm sure someone will see to it. Hurry along.
Charles (to Eva): Y-yes, of course!
Eva: ... Oh dear. Where on earth am I going to sleep tonight?
A little while later:
Charles (to George): Mr. Fitzroy? I brought you a tray. Are you ill?
George (to Charles): Charlie? What are you doing here? Eva went to get me something to drink… and she told you to come see me, didn't she? I'm fine. I just felt awful for a second… I'm going to go to my room.
Charles (to George): Yeah? Go on and pull the other one. You look like hell, Wildcat.
George (to Charles): Yeah? Well, you're not looking too good either, so bite me.
Charles (to George): ... I was doing dishes. What is it, George? I'm not ruddy moving, so stow the damn glare.
George (to Charles): My father wanted to clone me.
Charles (to George): Holy shit... C'mere, Wildcat.
George (to Charles): … On the plus side, I learned something interesting.
Charles (to George): Yeah? What's that?
George (to Charles): Tony is a girl.
Charles (to George): She is? Huh...
George (to Charles): Yep. Seems Eva discovered it during the physical. Ya think that info might come in handy?
Charles (to George): It might... Huh. I guess it's not all that surprising. Heh. It's not even the first time this has happened is it?
George (to Charles): I have no idea what you're talking about, Charlie.
Charles (to George): Heh. Course not... Did your father really wanna clone you?
George (to Charles): According to Eva, yeah.
Charles (to George): ... Ruddy wanker. Oh. I'm sorry. Heh. It's not like my father's any better. He'd murder me if he ever laid hands on me.
George (to Charles): That's not funny.
Charles (to George): Maybe not, but it's true, innit? I owe him money, went against his orders, an' I ran off. Wouldn't matter to him who I was... My mum was sweet though. She was, uh, she was a workin' girl, ya know. I fibbed a bit when I said we had our own place.
George (to Charles): … Will you come back to my room with me? I'm sure Eva would appreciate having her own bed.
Charles (to George): Yeah. I wouldn't blame her. C'mon. You know I'd go just about anywhere you asked me to go, Wildcat.
George (to Charles): Heehee. I bet you say that to all the girls dressed like boys. :-P
Charles (to George): Heh heh. Just the pretty ones.
George (to Charles): I'll keep that in mind.
Charles (to George): Heh. I love you, George.
George (to Charles): I love you too, Charles.
