Joe gives a big thumbs up as he meanders out the door, whistling a tune that drifts from the hallway. His escort gives the two a cold look before giving a curt nod and making his departure.
The days that follow are endless noise and hammering and the swarming of CSV's about the hull of the Dreadnaught. Endless fraternisation attempts by the Junker guests are made, peddling various (occasionally questionable) goods and more than a few invitations to drink and gamble. Progress of the repairs is slow, as these are hardly profession military technicians, but relatively steady. All major faults are corrected to run to a serviceable degree, albeit a little slap-dash. People begin to fall into routine as the construction drags on.
As things begin to wrap up, a weedy unshaven little man in dirty tweed and a threadbare bowler hat comes to visit the Captain, carrying a bottle of Liberty Ale and a couple of cigars. He knocks on the bulkhead before attempting to talk through it.
"Knock knock. I come bearin' gifts. The price you paid, we woulda rolled out a red carpet if there was somewhere ta put it. Thought we might 'ave a little chin wag before you boys shove off into the great dark unknown, eh? What'd'ya say?"
03-12-826 A.S, BATTLESHIP CONSTITUTION
Lucas was surprised that Tobias Banks, the man that answered to his communications was here, he didn't know how he got he, probably asked some crew member the way to the elevators. Lucas was writing something on his desk at the time when the young man came in to his quarters. "Oh, Mr. Banks. I see you are carrying Liberty Ale and some cigars." he stops for a moment and continues to write something on his desk, then stops and puts it away from desk, in front of the desk, two chairs. "Sure, I don't drink Liberty Ale much in these days, cigarettes are not a thing that I would at my age.. oh and, sit down on the chair, if you want."
The cocky cockney saunters up to the desk, placing the bottle and a cigar down in front of the Captain before draping himself over a chair, getting entirely too comfortable.
"If they ain't to ya tastes we can get somethin' else brought in. Still, I was always taught never ta show up empty handed, eh? Thought I'd pop in an' see 'ow you lads like the patch job we've done. Bet you'll be glad to finally get outta port though, eh? Must be itchin' ta get a move on. Where was it you said you were off to after this? Not 'round Liberty way, I hope."
As he speaks Tobias runs his cigar under his nose, enjoying the scent before slipping it into his suit pocket for later.
03-12-826 A.S, BATTLESHIP CONSTITUTION
Lucas looked at young man "Liberty Ale is fine, I wouldn't be angry or disappointed if you came empty handed." Lucas stopped for a moment "Anyway, I hope whatever your friends did on our little old Battleship, it is good so we won't explode into pieces by some sort of enemy fire or radiation." Lucas stops again for a moment, like last time, but continues: "Oh, and I'm afraid" he stops a moment, to take out two transparent lunettes "That you cannot know where we are going, and obviously, not around Liberty. Somewhere far, far away from it, certainly!"
"Can't say eh? I understand. Gotta watch ya back an' all. Still, I got a feelin' ya won't get far before someone notices ya. Big honkin' ship like this one. I'll keep an ear to the ground. So long as ya ain't runnin' off ta join Gallia, I don't mind where ya run off to. So long as it doesn't bring troubles back to me an' mine."
Tobias puts his hand up to decline the second glass.
"None for me thanks. I'm on the wagon. Its a poor salesman that drinks his own stock. But to be clear... you're not joinin' up with the Gallic forces, are ya?"
03-12-826 A.S, BATTLESHIP CONSTITUTION
Lucas was surprised, why would he even think about that? "Joining Gallia?" as he said that, he started to pour transparent lunette with Liberty Ale "I would have cutted my head, than join that idiot on the throne, he made such a mess in Sirius." Lucas stops for a moment to sip a bit of Liberty Ale "And still, he wants the control it, I would say it's a good joke from him, he doesn't have even a clue that there are nomads who can take over him or even his fleets and key military admirals!" Lucas stops for a moment "In recap: He doesn't have a clue what he's doing and entering to."
Tobias can't help but grin, leaning forward in his chair.
"An' that is all the answer I needed. Well Captain, its been a pleasure helpin' you folks out. I gave the order to pull outta your ship when I came up 'ere, so most o' my fellas should be on their way back to the station by now. You've got the all clear to bring your engines back online an' head out whenever the mood takes you. Once I'm back station-side, o' course."
The Bretonian swings himself up to his feet, smoothing out his worn tweed jacket.
"Now if anyone asks, I didn't tell you this, but if I were in your shoes? I'd take the Thuringia exit. Cut through Rhineland into the Omicrons. Ya just might find what ya lookin' for out that way, an' it gets ya away from Liberty. But that's just me."
03-12-826 A.S, BATTLESHIP CONSTITUTION
Lucas standed up from chair and takes out a hand "Alright then, thank you very much for repairing our Battleship, I won't forget it." Lucas stops for a moment "We have jumpdrive on the ship, but we can take the jumphole to the system that you call "Thuringia". I think I was there once with my battleship, maybe. But I don't know really."
"You fella's got a jump drive? Joe left that bit out, the cheeky bugger. Well, that'll make things smoother for you lot. Just don't go startin' any international incidents, eh? Heh."
Tobias shakes the mans hand a little too vigorously.
"If you run into more trouble out there, give us a shout. We'll see what we can do to help. For a modest fee, o' course."
03-12-826 A.S, BATTLESHIP CONSTITUTION
After some seconds, they stopped shaking hands "We'll be in-contact, for sure!" as the young man left the quarters, it was pretty late, Lucas couldn't order the ship after he drunk some Liberty Ale, he decided for best to stay until tomorrow in drydock, then leave into dark dangerous space. He went to doors and lock it, and then fall down on the bed to sleep on it.