It took another 30 minutes before the airfield came into view. There was a small settlement attached; a number of houses, a diner and a fuel station being scattered around the strip. The residents ignored the car as it pulled up, coming to a stop outside the diner, only two other vehicles present in the car park. Entering the diner revealed them to belong to The New Dawners and-<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGunner Manford?\u201d Kate asked incredulously, \u201cWhat, did Annie swing back to pick you up or something?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cNah. News travels fast and I\u2019ve an eye for trouble. Got the hell out of dodge before anyone decided to check in with anyone you lot may have associated with whilst staying in Galmanoc,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe was waitin\u2019 for us when we arrived,\u201d Annie added. The five of them were tucked into a booth at the back of the diner, tucking into a selection of fast food when the mercs arrived. Mostly burgers, Tupper breaking the trend and chowing down on an ice-cream sundae. Doug and Kate joined the group in conversation, Gratin heading off to order some food for himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSeems a bit paranoid. Aren\u2019t you a vet or somethin\u2019?\u201d Doug asked, \u201cwouldn\u2019t have thought you would be in much danger.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHuh? I ain\u2019t a vet, who told you I was a vet? Nah, I\u2019m part of the same club these jokers are in,\u201d he indicated Annie and friends, \u201cI was their contact in Galmanoc. I was there to help \u2018em out wherever I could. They need a hideout, I find a pub landlady friendly to the cause. They need medical assistance, I step up to use my skills. They befriend an ex-PSF asshole, I run a background check to make sure he ain\u2019t about to give any of his old mates a call and give \u2018em a heads up about a supposedly dangerous terrorist cell…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It took a moment for Gunner\u2019s words to sink in, Doug using that moment to light up his cigarette. There was a pause as he took a few puffs and blew out a smoke ring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cUh-huh, that so? Find out anything interesting?\u201d He asked, playing it cool.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI can see why yer mistress was so worried about you gettin\u2019 recruited. You\u2019d make a half decent agent with a sob story like yours,\u201d Gunner replied.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOnly half decent?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWith your temper? Yeah,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cGood thing I didn\u2019t plan to get recruited then, huh?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOffer\u2019s on the table if you change your mind. You\u2019d make a useful addition to our squad,\u201d Annie cheekily said, causing Kate to give her a sharp look. Doug started to laugh, the others all following suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gunner disappeared to arrange the flights as the Mercs and New Dawners ate, Kate letting him know about her group\u2019s travel plans. Gratin had a small banquet to himself in a bid to build his energy reserves back up, the mage making his way through half the menu. The others finished up their food and chatted whilst they waited for him, before the seven left to find where Gunner had gotten to. He was on his way to meet them, already passing under the gates of the airfield as the group approached.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAlright, flight to the C.O.L is currently docked in hanger one, the rest of you arseholes need to get to hanger three. You\u2019ll be riding in \u201cThe Flying Hound\u201d.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cInteresting name, reliable pilot is he?\u201d Doug casually asked. Gunner shrugged.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the only one not tied up with other business right now. Not many people willing to go that far outta the way. You\u2019ll like him though; he\u2019s one of your people,\u201d a mere nod was Doug\u2019s response, the soldier pondering if that meant the pilot was a fellow bastard, if he also hailed from the City of Light or if there was something else that tied them together. He let the question slide, the conversation moving on as Annie started her goodbyes, the southern belle having swept Kate up in a tight hug, the blonde practically in tears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOh I\u2019m gonna miss ya, ya silly goose! Don\u2019t be afraid to drop us a line every now and again to let us know ya\u2019ll are still breathin\u2019, ya hear!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI\u2019ll try,\u201d Kate looked uncomfortable with the unsolicited contact but accepted the hug regardless, patting her old friend on the back awkwardly, \u201cgive Alex and Mi my regards,\u201d Annie let go of Kate and clasped her hands around the gunslinger\u2019s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAh will! You just remember that we\u2019ll all come a-runnin\u2019 if ya need us, sugah. Don\u2019t you dare fall outta touch with us again!\u201d Kate forced a smile, Annie taking it as genuine as she stepped away, rounding on Doug. He\u2019d put his arm back on before leaving the car. He\u2019d considered leaving it off as it was a particularly obvious identifying feature of his but had decided to reattach it as he had no other way to transport it, carrying it underarm both awkward and just as eye-catching if not more so than just wearing it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou better look after her! Ah swear ah\u2019ll hunt you down if ah hear anything\u2019s happened to her in my absence!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI don\u2019t doubt it!\u201d laughed Doug, bemused by the situation, \u201cwe\u2019ll look after each other, promise,\u201d Annie gave him a long stare before finally nodding and turning her attention back to Kate, the red head distracted by a small business card that had appeared in her hand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYa\u2019ll sure you don\u2019t wanna come back to the city with us? Polaris ain\u2019t exactly a tourist spot\u2026\u201d shaking herself out of her thoughts, Kate shoved the card into her pocket and refocused.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got business to get on with but I\u2019ll be sure to send word when we get back home. If we decide to go back to the City after this, anyway. It\u2019ll probably be for the best if we disappear for a while…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe power plant stuff ain\u2019t gonna blow over overnight so I won\u2019t blame ya if you find a rock to hide under. We\u2019ll be sure to report what you told us to Tanaka,\u201d this came from Thad, who embraced Annie from behind, \u201ckeeping all those mages secret is gotta be a big task, bet it\u2019s pretty damn difficult to keep it that way. Now we know what to look for, The Council\u2019s gonna be pretty damn eager to find that particular paper trail,\u201d he winked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou be careful,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t go worrying about us, Red, we\u2019ll be looked after. Good luck to you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Just as the two groups were readying to part ways, Doug was surprised to find Parkinson approaching him. The sniper coughed, attempted to form a sentence, gave up and presented a paper bag to the soldier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s this?\u201d Doug asked, brow raised in confusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSome stuff to help with your side. Got it from a pharmacy in the last town we passed through. Antibiotics, painkillers, that sorta thing…\u201d mumbled Parkinson in reply. He kept his eyes averted, this little social interaction too much for him. Doug jovially slapped him on the shoulder and beamed at him as earnestly as he could.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThanks mate, I appreciate it,\u201d Parkinson tried to meet Doug\u2019s gaze but was unable to hold it for more than a couple of seconds, the lanky man too embarrassed to do anything more than mumble a \u201cdon\u2019t mention it\u201d and make a hasty retreat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tupper\u2019s goodbye was far more enthusiastic, the big man embracing a perplexed Gratin before stepping back and raising a hand for a high-five.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLoved watching you work! We\u2019ll have to see who makes the bigger boom next time!\u201d Gratin, unsure, looked to his friends for support. Doug had approached Kate and had looped his human arm around her, the soldier looking highly amused as he not-so-subtly gestured for the mage to humour the bomber. Still unclear on this etiquette, Gratin tentatively gave Tupper the most half-hearted high-five anyone has ever received, his palm only lightly grazing the other man\u2019s. Tupper seemed satisfied regardless, looking like a kid that had just been given a brilliant prize for all their hard work. He jogged back over to Parkinson happily exclaiming about his cool new friend. Gratin stared down at his hand blankly, unaccustomed to such interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The two groups parted ways, the mage finding himself being flanked by his friends. Doug playfully punched his arm, chuckling at what he had just witnessed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cLook at you making friends! I\u2019m proud of you, buddy! You\u2019re practically a social butterfly now!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDon\u2019t patronise me, meatbag. I believe we have a plane to catch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they made their way through the air field, Gratin couldn\u2019t help but notice that the bubble of warmth he had sensed on the car ride here was still lingering around his compatriots. He had sensed something similar before when around his friends but never this strong. He began to pay close attention to the way his companions were behaving in order to better understand what it was he was sensing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their behaviour towards one another had drastically changed since the power plant. They were walking side by side a few paces in front of Gratin, the two idly chatting to one another as they went. Doug casually rested his human arm around Kate\u2019s shoulders as he drew her attention to various sights along the way; interesting art painted on the side of the various aircraft parked up, a pilot sitting outside one of the hangers that looked the spitting image of the Yorkshire Terrier lying at his feet and so forth. To Gratin\u2019s surprise, Kate didn\u2019t shake the arm off. Instead she leaned in towards the soldier to better comment on whatever drew their attention without drawing the ire of those they were speaking about, the red head giggling at Doug\u2019s jokes and causing Doug to laugh heartily at her responses. It was all very curious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That wasn\u2019t to say Doug and Blaise hadn\u2019t always been close to some degree; they had always been good friends, Doug able to put Blaise at ease in ways Gratin couldn\u2019t. This was something new though, a level of tension absent between Doug and Kate that had always remained between Doug and Blaise, keeping them at arms length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The important thing was that they were no longer fighting one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Therapeutic indeed\u2026 <\/em>the mage thought to himself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Flying Hound had seen better days. It wasn\u2019t a particularly large craft, it only being big enough to transport four passengers at a time. Patches of sheet metal had been added where the rampant rust had eaten away at the hull. The engines looked as though they were in dire need of replacing. The only part that Doug liked the look of as they approached the hanger was the mural of a large, red devil dog chewing on a chain that had been painted on the side. He was busy admiring it when the pilot made his presence known.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAhoy! You there! With the scar! Put that cigarette out immediately! Don\u2019t you know how dangerous it is to smoke around these craft?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Doug found himself sighing as he stamped out his smoke. He\u2019d only just lit that one up. He was preparing to argue with the man as he turned round, his annoyed expression mutating into one of recognition as he set his eyes on the pilot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n He was an eccentric elderly man in his seventies dressed in a tropical shirt, cargo shorts, socks paired with sandles and a fedora with little corks dangling from the brim via bits of twine. He was completely bold save for the bushy moustache that dominated the centre of his face. He was also beaming out at the world with enthusiastic innocence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOh fuck,\u201d Doug muttered flatly. To his friends, he looked like he had deflated slightly, Doug clearly troubled by this man\u2019s presence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cExcuse me?\u201d the pilot asked, \u201cthat\u2019s no language to speak in front of a lady!\u201d he removed his hat to bow to the group, the gunslinger and the mage exchanging confused glances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI am Major Stanley Morrison at your service! You may call me The Major, most do!\u201d he straightened up, eyes falling on Doug, who was now standing ridged, his human hand rubbing the bridge of his nose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cNot Major Stanley Morrison of the PSF? Officer of The Crimson Chests of the 89th<\/sup> fleet?\u201d asked the soldier tentatively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe very same my boy! Always good to meet someone who has heard of my exploits!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was there for a few, sir! Our retinue was placed under your command for a few weeks, sir!\u201d Doug had fully reverted back to his military ways, standing fully to attention. It was worrisome, Kate leaning in to check on him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cEverything alright?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMmmhmm,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This situation went over The Major\u2019s head, the old man beginning to shift through the paperwork he was carrying completely unfazed. As far as he was concerned, Doug was addressing him in a way befitting of a superior officer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cBefore we leave, I shall need to fill in a quick questionnaire. It\u2019s a standard security check, not to worry! You all seem upstanding enough so I\u2019m sure there\u2019ll be no issue!\u201d The elderly pilot smiled at them. Doug was still stood rigid, staring dead ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes Sir!\u201d he barked back, prompting a snigger from Kate, who quickly tried to disguise it by clearing her throat. This went unnoticed by The Major, who had finally found the page he needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlright then! Lets see here… What are your names?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…Trent Galvison, Sir!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh, yes, I vaguely remember that name. You were part of… that squad. Good boys, happy to have had them under my command, what. Served under me in the battle of… what was it? Blamris-\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGlamonis VII, Sir!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cGlamonis VII! Very successful campaign! One of my best!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201c…If you insist, Sir…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAlthough… you had a friend, didn\u2019t you? A chap named, what was it? Mckenzie? McIntyre? Mc something…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cMcCracken?\u201d Doug suggested apprehensively, The Major clicking his fingers upon hearing the name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat\u2019s the bunny! Didn\u2019t I court-martial him for something? Lewd behaviour?\u201d Doug coughed awkwardly, avoiding his friend\u2019s gazes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cYes Sir. Showed his captain his arse in the officer\u2019s mess Sir….and got into a brawl with some of the officers afterwards Sir,\u201d he could feel his friend\u2019s eyes on him and decided to add \u201c…to be fair, he got a bit turned around, Sir. Didn\u2019t realise it was the officer\u2019s mess, Sir.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh yes, that was right. I hear he\u2019s a damn terrorist now! Always knew he\u2019d land himself in hot water one day, what! Bit of a ne\u2019er-do-well, that one!\u201d Doug managed to keep a straight face but Kate could see he was so tense he was practically shaking. She began silently hoping he wouldn\u2019t decide to lash out and punch their only ride out of here\u2019s lights out. The Major remained in his own little world however.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAh well, what\u2019s past is past. At ease, soldier, we\u2019re all civilians here,\u201d he beamed an earnest smile at Doug, who allowed himself to relax, a long exhale escaping his lips.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd you, miss?\u201d The Major turned to Kate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAmelia McMahon,\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cAnd the quiet bloke\u2019s Archie,\u201d Doug interjected before Gratin had a chance to craft his own alias, the soldier never able to resist a chance to mess with his friends. Gratin\u2019s jaw clenched but he otherwise didn\u2019t react.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThat doesn\u2019t sound like a Dark Worlder name I\u2019ve heard of,\u201d began The Major suspiciously. Kate was the one to answer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cHis family moved here before the war and went native. Apparently they took a liking to Lusinian names and customs.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI see, jolly good of \u2018em. Do you have a last name, Mr Archie?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArchibald. And my last name is…\u201d a memory stirred in the furthest reaches of his mind, \u201c…Ard\u2019or,\u201d he nodded in satisfaction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cArchibald Ard\u2019or. Pleasure to meet you all. And what is your reason for flying with me today?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Clearly in a more playful mood now the opportunity to poke his companion\u2019s buttons had arisen, Doug interjected before the others had a chance to fashion their own answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI was hoping to romance the other half with a spur-of-the-moment trip to see the southern lights, Sir! I hear they\u2019re beautiful this time of year, Sir!\u201d his human arm snaked its way around Kate\u2019s waist and pulled her in closer to better sell the story. This prompted the red head to peer up at him, bewildered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n