In the library, at Tesla's Monastery; Colorado Springs, Colorado, American Colonies:
George (to Hiiri): ... Oh, I beg your pardon, Miss Zoe. I didn't realize anyone was in here... What are you doing?
Hiiri (to George): Oh... I'm just looking at some maps and a couple history books. You know, to familiarize myself with things, um... George.
George (to Hiiri): Really? Oh... Well, the best book for modern history is that big blue one on the bottom shelf, Jonson's Modern Times. The one you've got in your hand is pretty much just dates and military events.
Hiiri (to George): Good to know... Thank you. Can I ask you a strange question?
George (to Hiiri): ... Sure.
Hiiri (to George): Where is the safest place to skip around here? I can tell there's an inhibitor field up, but I'd kind of rather not shut it down. I'd like to go for a bit of jaunt. I'm tired of being cooped up in here. Any thoughts?
George (to Hiiri): I'm not really sure that would be a good idea, Miss Zoe. Besides, I think you have to walk out of here, first. The inhibitor field covers the whole monastery & grounds unless someone turns off a particular section.
Hiiri (to George): Well, phooey... I guess I have to go for a walk the old fashioned way. Thank you, anyway.
George (to Hiiri): You're welcome. Sorry I couldn't be more helpful.
A little while later:
Victor (to Hiiri): Bloody 'ell! Blimey... Whooo. You startled the life out of me. Whotcha need?
Hiiri (to Victor): I'm tired of being here in this place. Can I go wander about or am I prisoner? I need to find the person causing trouble. The more time we waste, the more likely that we're going to be too late. I want to go home & I'm sure you want your sister back.
Victor (to Hiiri): Any ideas on where we should start, then?
Hiiri (to Victor): ... Where did Franklin have his laboratory?
Victor (to Hiiri): I'm not sure. We'd have to ask George or Eva. Though, Nate might know. He was there once, I think.
Hiiri (to Victor): Well, that's where I would start looking first. Did he have any assistants? Often times those are the people who'd want to carry on a scientist's work after they died.
Victor (to Hiiri): Dunno... I don't know much about Franklin, honestly. He disappeared off the radar pretty much as soon as Hiiri took over Vernian Industries… Shite. I hope Una isn't involved.
Hiiri (to Victor): Una? Oh yes, the other clone Eva mentioned... She's the one that stabbed George & possibly betrayed everyone. She wouldn't be mad enough to carry out Franklin's scheme, would she?
Victor (to Hiiri): I can't imagine she would be. Course, I wouldn't have expected her to stab George or abandon her sister either. I know someone we might be able to ask, though. God help us.
Hiiri (to Victor): ... Well, that sounds curious. Is this person awful? Evil? Dead? Oooo, are we going to have a seance?
Victor (to Hiiri): A... No. He's got a very particular fetish. Last time I ran into him, he tried to get both me and my dad in bed. Together.
Hiiri (to Victor): Oh... Heh. He's clearly in the wrong timeline for that sort of thing. ;-P
Victor (to Hiiri): ... I seriously hope that's a joke, cuz if it's not, the other version of me is gross. Really, really gross...
Hiiri (to Victor): Yes, it's a joke... You'd just encourage the idea & then, probably get the guy to spend lots of money on you. And then, you'd leave on "important" business after being interrupted by a crewman... You are a pirate captain and your father's son, after all. You know all his techniques & then found some of your own.
Victor (to Hiiri): Heh. I could see me doing something like that. I used to have to do something similar to get someplace warm to sleep once upon a time, but Dad?! C'mon... Oh. Wait. No, he probably would.
Hiiri (to Victor): Heh. I don't know about your father, but our Vincent changed a lot after your mother left. I don't think he'd ever admit it but it is one of his biggest regrets. Second, only to not finding your aunt in time.
Victor (to Hiiri): When did he and Mum split? It's hard to fathom.
Hiiri (to Victor): It was shortly after he found us. He was so angry at himself for not even thinking that your aunt wasn't your aunt in West Piedmont that he stopped traveling over there at all. Emma was devastated. He started being reckless & got a nasty scar across his face to show for it. Which made your mom worried. But the worst came about when he got made "Pirate King". It was more an honorific title. He helped unite all the pirates under one banner & well, it went to his head a bit. She couldn't stand watching him self-destruct like that. She gave him an ultimatum, I'm not quite sure what it was. But, next thing we all knew Aunt Poppy had gone off to New London. Our Victor was pretty angry & hasn't spoken to her in a couple years.
Victor (to Hiiri): ... I'm not talkin' t'me own mum?! Huh. You can tell your Victor from me that he's actin' like a ruddy twat.
Hiiri (to Victor): And, in case, you're wondering, yes there is a Lucas... He's only a baby & looks very much like your family. Which makes me suspect that your parents at some point ran into each other & "argued"... Heh.
Victor (to Hiiri): That sound 'bout right. Cor we've got harder heads in this family than ruddy walnut farmers! We could get bleedin' an' you'd never know it 'cept for the blood... Oh sorry. Got a bit Tombsy there. Yuki hates it when I do that. Speaking of, we'll want her with us if we're going to be asking dangerous questions.
Hiiri (to Victor): Is she the scary but pretty mechanic? I'm still processing all the differences on this side. It's a lot to remember.
Victor (to Hiiri): Heh. Yeah, that would be her. She'd never forgive us if we started a fight without her. (to Yukiko) Would you?
Yukiko (to Victor): No... How'd you know I was there?
Victor (to Hiiri): Heh. Skills. I do have a few, you know.
Yukiko (to Victor): Hmmm...
Hiiri (to Victor & Yukiko): Can we please go now or would you rather continue with your weird flirting?
Yukiko (to Hiiri & Victor): I'm quite fine with the flirting.
Victor (to Hiiri & Yukiko): It's not weird. It's charming. The weird flirting will start if we can find that CLANNG bloke again.
Hiiri (to Victor & Yukiko): Can't wait.
Victor (to Hiiri): You say that now. (to Yukiko) Should we round up Nate, or are he and his mister still fighting?
Yukiko (to Victor): I believe they're at the quietly seething stage... They'll more than likely be having sex soon.
Victor (to Yukiko): Lord... They're as bad as my folks were. I suppose we should leave them to it, then.
Yukiko (to Victor): We could bring Fi with us, if you think we need another person for... muscle.
Hiiri (to Victor & Yukiko): You don't have to beat around the bush. I know you don't trust me & you want guards in case I go all evil.
Victor (to Hiiri): Fine. I'm sorry, Hiiri, nothing personal and all, but we've all got very good reasons to be suspicious. You were right about the chip, and I'm grateful for that. We ALL are. But if you were in our position, what would you be planning for?
Hiiri (to Victor): I would probably be doing the same thing but... just call it what it is. You want guards for me.
Victor (to Hiiri): We don't want guards. We want backup.
Hiiri (to Victor): Fine... But, you're going to be so disappointed when I don't do anything evil.
Victor (to Hiiri): Heh. Somehow I think I'll manage to survive the disappointment. (to Yukiko) If you round up the Scot, we'll interrupt Mr. and Mr. Wilkes.
Yukiko (to Victor): Alright. I'll meet you back here shortly.
Victor (to Yukiko): Aye aye. (to Hiiri) We'd better get going. The longer we wait, the more likely they'll get too involved to interrupt.
Hiiri (to Victor): Lead the way.
Victor (to Hiiri): Uhhhh... How about we go together? As in, not you behind me.
Hiiri (to Victor): ... Fine.
A little while later:
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I'm not telling you to "hide at home and stay safe!" ... Ok, maybe I am a little, but on the off chance Hiiri's involved, I don't want Lily anywhere near her... You're still pissed off I didn't tell you about those files, so you're not gonna listen to anything I say right now, are you?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): ... You are very perceptive. Would you rather that I just take Lily back to the house? Between Mrs. Esterly, Persephone & I, I am fairly certain we'll be safe... Of course, what would I bloody well know! Since, I'm only a former ISS agent.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... AGAIN, I'm sorry I didn't tell you, alright?! I thought you had enough to deal with, you know with your boyfriend showing up with a different personality and a whole shit-ton of crazy in his damn head... And I know what a fucking mess I was. Before. You said it yourself. I didn't think getting rid of a bunch of bad memories was the worst thing in the world, but I didn't wanna forget anything important, so files...
Aiden (to Nathaniel): We're supposed to be in this together, Nate.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... I didn't want you to know about them, cuz I didn't want you to read them, OK?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): To steal one of your idioms, that is a fucking bullshit reason.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Is it? Fine. Have at them. The ones in red are the CLANNG shit, and the ones in blue are from before that. I was gonna burn them in a couple of years if we didn't need them.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): I have no need to read the damn things. That wasn't at all the point... I'm going for a walk to clear my head.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... I don't know what the fuck to say, alright? I fucked up, and I know I fucked up, and there's no way to get around that! I jus'... Nevermind!
Victor (to Nathaniel & Aiden): Oi! Will you two quit your bloody shagging and answer the door?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes, you did... Now, answer the door. I think your cousins want you for something. I'll be out walking.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): ... I'll see you later then.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): You better... I love you, you big ass.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): I know. I love you too... I was afraid if you read that shit you might stop.
Victor (to Wilkes): Open the ruddy door, Wilkes! (to Hiiri) Wait. Do we want them to open the ruddy door?
Hiiri (to Victor): Hmmm, I'm not sure. Is it Wilkes the elder or younger?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Truly doubtful. (to Victor) Fuck right the hell off, Victor.
Nathaniel (to Aiden): You say that now... Ouch! I was just kidding. Dick! Heh. C'mere. My cousins can wait one more minute...
Victor (to Hiiri): Roland? Ewww!
Hiiri (to Victor): Well, in that case, let's go... That's probably hot. Are you sure your straight boy eyes can deal?
Victor (to Hiiri): No. They will melt out of my head.
Nathaniel (to Victor & Hiiri): Y'all done? Or do you need a few more minutes?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel & Victor): ... That's what he said. ;-p
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Heh. He's never had to say that.
Victor (to Nathaniel): She thought you were in there joining giblets with Roland.
Nathaniel (to Victor & Hiiri): Roland? Ewww! I do have some goddamn taste, you know.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel & Victor): Well, I don't know. I've never seen Roland & if our Aiden is an example of Wilkes' than DAMN.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri & Victor): Heh. Believe me. I got the better of the two. So whaddya want?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel & Victor): World peace?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): And yet here you are, making me wanna fucking shoot you. (to Victor) Quit your damn snickering.
Victor (to Nathaniel): Heh. Sorry. You're funny when you've been cockblocked.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel & Victor): ... Where's the chicken?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Fuck off with that. I see you trying to catch a glimpse. So, where are we going?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Heehee... We need to go to Franklin's laboratory. Victor here thought you might know where that is... So, any clue?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri & Victor): Scotland. Hold on... (to Aiden) Aide?
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Yes? ... You're going off with them, aren't you?
Nathaniel (to Aiden): Yeah. They're looking for Franklin's lab.
Aiden (to Nathaniel): Be careful... Take McGillivray & Kobayashi with you. Not Fox, he'll just whine.
Victor (to Aiden, Hiiri & Nathaniel): And that pervy CLANNG officer. Don't forget him.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Yes. THANK YOU,Victor.
Victor (to Aiden, Hiiri & Nathaniel): Yuki's grabbing the giant. We won't let anything happen to him, Wilkes.
Nathaniel (to Victor): Thank you, Victor! (to Aiden) I'll be back as soon as I can. I love you too. I promise I'll apologize to you properly later.
Aiden (to Victor): Good. (to Nathaniel) I'll be waiting for you, handsome.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): That is SO hot. Will there be pictures?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): ... How old are you?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): Oh... What!?! What does that matter? ... I'm old enough.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): You're like fucking 15, aren't you?
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): NO! ... I'm sixteen, not that it matters... I'm SO potentially evil... Beware my wrath... Um, grrrrrr?
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): When do you turn 16? Like in a month? (to Victor) We'd better go meet up with your girl.
Victor (to Nathaniel & Hiiri): Uh... wow.
Nathaniel (to Hiiri): Yeah. (to Victor) See? Told you.
Hiiri (to Nathaniel): ... No. I just turned 16... a week ago. You guys suck.
Victor (to Nathaniel & Hiiri): Ha ha ha!
Nathaniel (to Victor): Heh. Come on Captain Fancypants. Junior.
A couple minutes later, in the former wine cellar:
Yukiko (to Fiona): Yo, Fi! What the hell are you doing up there?
Fiona (to Yukiko): Nothing! Just don't touch that for a while... Or ever.
Yukiko (to Fiona): ... Damn it, Fi! You know that when you say that shit, I instantly want to do it... We've got a job.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Don't you dare! That's for Fox.
Yukiko (to Fiona): ... Oh? Is that wiring like the kind you used for the Goraya job? Heh. Is it somebody's birthday?
Fiona (to Yukiko): Didn't know I was a romantic at heart, did you? What are we doing?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Mostly, making sure that the Hiiri bint doesn't stab Victor or run off in Zoe's body.
Fiona (to Yukiko): Should I grab the big satchel then?
Yukiko (to Fiona): Probably.
Fiona (to Yukiko): God, I was hoping you were going to say that. Teaching wee ones is fine and all, but it doesn't exactly get the blood going.
Yukiko (to Fiona): Heh. C'mon, bruiser. We don't want to keep the rest of the "expedition" waiting.
Fiona (to Yukiko): On my way.
