That was a shocker. Tommy knew full well how dangerous Cardamine that got out of control can be, but had no clue what effect would it be when it gets heated up. He replied to Lachlan's question: “Yeah, I remember, you said that despite your dislike for it, you'd rather have Cardamine then Stabiline in our warehouses for those who are addicted, and I agreed with you. Looks like we didn't account for Cardamine being dangerous not only as a drug, but as a chemical substance. Or maybe fire safety measures weren't up to par. But I understand now why you want to step down.”
Vaako will settle in one of the chairs close to Lachlan, then grab a drink and wait for the last person to arrive, which happens soon. He just nods to Mel when he greets them, ready to finally listen to the reason why Lachlan called them here so urgently.
He listens to Lachlan as he starts to explain the reason for this meeting, but he is totally surprised by the reason. He didn’t expect such an interesting turn of events, but he is sure Lachlan had his reasons to do so.
-The loss of cardamine is truly horrible, but are you sure this is our only option? Naturally, we accept if this is what you want, but it will be hard to go on without you. - Vaako understands perfectly that Lachlan does it not only to protect himself but the Irregulars too, but it is still hard to accept that he will be only on planetside from now on. In the last few months, Vaako started to like the way Lachlan led them.
-I know myself well enough, thanks to the experience of being over forty, and I am aware that I am a good transport captain, but that's all. I would not be viable as the leader of the whole Irregulars so I stand aside, only metaphorically, of course. -He ends his sentence with a smirk while sipping his sake, not even moving an inch from his chair. He is not that young anymore, and his old legs need recuperation.
Vaako has no idea what the future brings for him or the Irregulars but he has faith that together they can survive the hard times.
“...looks like we didn't account for Cardamine being dangerous not only as a drug, but as a chemical substance. Or maybe fire safety measures weren't up to par. But I understand now why you want to step down,” Tommy said.
"To be honest, we're not completely certain that the Cardamine was the reason for the intensity of the chemical burn in the warehouse. Although I am quite certain that it did not help," Lachlan said, "But the cause of the fire is immaterial when we are faced with your first point: how many of my workers are addicted to Cardamine. As you mentioned, I would much rather have pure Cardamine for our workers instead of that Stabiline sludge that Cryer pedals; but now we have nothing. So as soon as we conclude our business here, it will be imperative that we secure as much Cardamine as possible to make sure our Irregulars on New London do not start withdrawal...or worse."
Lachlan could feel himself becoming agitated, which simply would not do. He needed to remain calm and professional, especially at such a critical moment. Pausing to take another sip of wine to calm himself, he cleared his throat and continued:
"Regardless, leadership needs to be sorted and stable before we take on an operation of that size. So, I'll ask again: who's up for the task?" Lachlan asked.
The Frenchman piped up first: "The loss of cardamine is truly horrible, but are you sure this is our only option? Naturally, we accept if this is what you want, but it will be hard to go on without you."
Lachlan nodded. "I know it might seem sudden, but I am sure. And not to worry, I will still be here to help lead and guide as my time permits."
Vaako thought for a moment before responding again. "I know myself well enough, thanks to the experience of being over forty, and I am aware that I am a good transport captain, but that's all. I would not be viable as the leader of the whole Irregulars so I stand aside, only metaphorically, of course," he said before taking a sip of his own drink.
"And I completely respect that," Lachlan said before turning to Tommy and Mel. "How about it, you two? What do you say?"
Tommy wasn't a quick thinker, but here he knew the answer before question was even asked. “I never saw myself as a leader, or a diplomat, and that's what being Coordinator is about, or at least I see it this way. So I'll pass on that.”
Tommy looked at Mel: “Maybe you can take that position? If anything, I can assist with more background work, which doesn't require much diplomacy”
Mel felt three pairs of eyes settle on her as Tommy, Vaako, and Lachlan all turned to her... awaiting her response.
She was uncomfortable. But it was a new kind of discomfort. The men seated around her weren't questioning her ability to lead. They weren't gaulking. They weren't telling her to know her place...they were looking at her with expectant... what was it? Hope? Optimism? Concern?
They were actually looking at her to lead?
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait..." Mel said, waving both of her arms in front of her face in a criss-cross motion. "Me? What was it you said, Tommy? DIPLOMACY? I think yer confusin' me with someone else!" she said with a sarcastic edge in her voice.
"Y'all remember who almost cocked up the Detroit job, right?" Mel asked, looking at each man seated around the table in turn.
She finally locked eyes with Lachlan, almost begging him with her gaze to give her a way out of this. But at the same time almost daring to hope that someone was actually crazy enough, loyal enough to trust her. Despite that, she pressed on trying to self-sabatoge her own competency, still confused as to why no one else was doing it for her.
"Or accidentally leaking classified information? What about that, Lachlan? Why in the f*ck would y'all think I'm qualified to--"
Lachlan waved his hand, motioning for Mel to stop talking.
"You whip yourself over this nonsense one more time and I swear by my father that I will toss a glass of wine fully into your face," Lachlan said, completely deadpan.
But then his gaze softened a bit as he chuckled. "...and you know how much I hate wasting a good glass of wine."
He leaned back in his plush chair and swirled his glass and then drank it down, an attempt to prove it was an empty threat made in good humor only to prove a point.
"Haven't I told you to let this go, Mel?" he asked. She made no answer, but looked down sheepishly.
"And have I held this over you at all?"
"No..." Mel finally admitted.
"Exactly. And here you are, a member of the Irregulars' inner circle..." Lachlan paused one last time for effect, "and so I am asking you honestly, without guile, judgement, or reservation: are you up for the tast of leading the Irregulars in my stead?"
Mel opened her mouth to respond, but then promptly shut it again.
Best not to get ahead of myself...again, she thought.
Taking just a moment longer to think than she normally would, she finally responded to Lachlan's question: "Ok... I'll do it. But even growing up as a Junker I'm better with talkin' people's ear off than I am with management and maintinance. So I'd really prefer not'a be doin' this all on my lonesome. First time I'll ever be steppin' into a role like this, and I'd feel way more confident if I had back up..."
Mel stopped and turned to Tommy, a slight grin on her face.
"Hey Tommy, you meant what you said? You willin' to help a girl out with managing this ragtag group'a hoodlums?"
Slight smirk appeared on Tommy's face: “I'm in. As long as I won't have to show my face to some executive or pirate warlord”
Then he suddenly he remembered something, his eyes flickered, as some important information has appeared on his contact lenses: “What about our flagship? Drake's Fortune? Who will be her captain? Last I know, Finn was assigned for that role.”