Chapter 3: Awkward Introductions

Laurence's descent was less graceful and quick than Mr. Wellington's, and was closely observed by the ship's Security Officer, Gerard "Geri" Reynolds. His arms crossed over his expansive chest, he frowned as he spoke to Nigel in a low undertone. "Here's hoping the Captain's little project is better at navigating a chrono-engine than he is a stinkin' ladder." Nigel laughed quietly as he leaned against one of the hydraulic bars of the ramp to the ship's hold. His eyes glittered with amusement and excitement. "She didn't hire him for his agility on the monkey bars." A smirk plucked at his lips as his fingers laced themselves together loosely before his mid-section. "Give him a chance in the engine room. If he doesn't live up to the Captain's expectations, then I dare say our first port of call will be his final departure."

Laurence finished his descent and stumbled backward away from the ladder. His head was craned back so he could look back up to the catwalk. A quiet sound of astonishment huffed out of him as he felt a little lightheaded. It would have been impossible for him to have brought his cases down with him.

He was startled out of his reverie when a large hand gripped his shoulder, and the smell of sweat invaded his senses. Laurence turned to find himself face to chest with Mr. Reynolds. He raised his eyes to the brute, who pressed his lips together into a disapproving line before he gave the Horotech a push toward Mr. Wellington. Turning, the man proceeded to practically fly up the ladder to the catwalk. Laurence shuffled towards the Historian and felt more than a little intimidated and overwhelmed. Honestly! The man was a gorilla! Laurence huffed to himself.

Laurence turned to Mr. Wellington with an apologetic and weak smile on his face. "I'm afraid I am not making a very good first impression. I admit I get on better with machines than I do people, so I promise you a ride in the ship to be smoother than a conversation with me."

Nigel lifted from his lazy lean as he gave a friendly sound of amusement to his newest fellow crew member. He guided Laurence to the ramp with a casual touch of his hand to his shoulder. "Never fear, Mr. Kane." He smiled down to the little man. "Geri openly despises everyone with equal measure, save the Captain. If he does suddenly seem to like you then you need to start worrying and sleep with one eye open."

Laurence was not reassured.

The two entered The William's Hunt via her hold. Crates, barrels, shelves, chests and various other storage units were arranged strategically throughout the belly of the ship in a manner that allowed for space to hold cargo with maximum efficiency. Everything was anchored by ripstop cord nets, chains or braided metal. One entire wall of the hold was lined with unadorned oaken wardrobes that contained era after era of garb and accessories. They were staples for any retrieval team.

Laurence deduced their purpose immediately when he saw them. If each wardrobe signified an era, then the Captain and her crew were prepared for almost every fashion need. Obviously, Captain de Sade made off with more than just a chrono-ship when she left Naviwerks' employment. Laurence felt himself grow more impressed with the Captain and her temerity, but a nugget of apprehension took root as well. The corporation would be put out by the loss of the ship and their best captain, but to have lost goods and God knew what else...? Certain truths were beginning to take root in Laurence's mind. This pirating business is becoming a very real prospect, complete with all of the excitement and danger.

"This, of course, is the hold." Nigel looked somewhat disdainfully at their surroundings and gestured to the contents with an idle flap of his hand. "Nothing you and I need concern ourselves with. This tends to be the domain of Mr. Reynolds. He catalogs the inventory daily, I believe, so there will never be a worry about supplies, thank God."

'Thank Mr. Reynolds' would be more appropriate, thought Laurence, but he wasn't so bold as to say so out loud. He didn't understand Mr. Wellington's attitude towards the hold. The man looked as if he smelled something foul, perhaps as if he were giving Laurence a tour of a middens instead of a ship's hold. What did he expect would be here? Not that Laurence had much time to contemplate the matter since his guide moved them along to a lift in the far corner as quickly as possible.

Nigel let Laurence enter the lift first, and then pulled the dulled brass lattice gate shut after he stepped inside. The Horotech took notice of the Historian's well-manicured hand as it wrapped around the lever. His spider-like fingers depressed the grip before they deftly pushed the rod forward to activate the mechanism. Mr. Wellington was obviously a man of means. Not a callus or hangnail was to be seen, but it was the signet ring on his right middle finger that told Laurence of the man's family wealth. The stylized 'W' was a dead giveaway. Laurence wondered which Wellington family Nigel was attached to.

They began to rise and soon the hold disappeared. There was nothing clunky or jerky about the lift's movement. Laurence was again impressed with the condition in which their Captain kept her ship. It allowed his mind to drift towards his cases, and he hoped that Mr. Reynolds had retrieved them from outside the warehouse before someone had made off with them. It occurred to him a moment later that even if they had gone missing they were in a chrono-ship. All they needed to do to reclaim his effects would be to slip back to the moment he had entered the warehouse. Simple, really.

He was brought out of his musings by the lift coming to a stop. Nigel replaced the lever into the neutral position before he threw open the lattice gate. "Here we are." He gestured for Laurence to precede him out of the lift. A more genial smile returned to his face. "After you Mr. Kane."

Laurence returned the smile with a little more ease as he stepped out of the lift. The excitement of a new assignment overrode any discomfort he felt at the prospect of meeting new people. He looked around the passageway in which he found himself and admired the mahogany wainscoting with its thin brass detailing that accented the dark reddish wood. The dark tones were offset by soft rose-colored wallpaper above with scrolling gold and black leaf trim that ran parallel to the ceiling. Every five feet or so was a swath of fabric of a rich forest green damask that was gathered tightly and anchored into the wainscoting. Brass sconces were affixed at the curtains. Their electric lights flickered to give the illusion of gas flames. Their light was enough to see by but not so bright as to ruin the atmosphere that was created. All in all, it made for a quite warm and welcoming feel to the interior, one that Laurence approved.