Chapter 6-6, A Skip, A Hop, and a Jumpship

[Seeya]

Early the next morning*, Ceelie calls her teammates together for a pow-wow.  "I doubt very seriously that I'm the only one getting twitchy while waiting for us to be called in on this escaped convicts situation.  Anyone want to go on a field trip?  I propose starting from their original destination, Arizona Flats, and working backwards.  Maybe we can trip over a contingency plan that was in place in case the jumpship wasn't taken down.  If we all go together, we'll be ready to deploy if the flag goes up."  She looks over at Will**.  "Do your folks live within 30 miles of the Flats, Will?  If they do, you could probably drop in for milk and cookies."




*after Provisions and A Fine Mess have concluded
** Will grew up near Eagle's Nest, right?  I can't remember how far that is supposed to be away from Arizona Flats.  I'll edit this part if I'm too wrong, because Ceelie would get it right.

[chefjeff]

"You know I'm good to go.  When do we leave?"

[Doc]

She looks over at Will**.  "Do your folks live within 30 miles of the Flats, Will?  If they do, you could probably drop in for milk and cookies."

"He could drop in even if they lived 500 miles away." Peter snickers. He hasn't much to say about Ceelie's offer, he's used to trust her. He just looks vaguely in Lily's direction, to see how she reacts. They were thinking of spending some time together, if they weren't called upon any soon.

[Seeya]

Ceelie rubs at her nose and glances over at Pete.  Between him and Lily, the elevated hormones in the air are somewhat distracting. She silently prays for a head cold.  Then she reminds Pete, "Yes, he could, but if he went from here he'd be outside of the 30 mile recall zone."  She looks around at the group, and says with just a hint of resignation to her voice.  "This isn't a mandatory action," she says.  "I'm not forcing it.  We can all wait here, or we can all go somewhere, but we can't split up too far apart whatever we do.  I prefer doing something as opposed to just sitting and waiting, but I suppose we can continue with our routine daily activities."

[BaboonBill]

Will's eyes light up at the suggestion. "That'd be great! We will have you all over for dinner. Mom will be thrilled!"

[cassbackward]

Lily doesn't seem to mind the idea.  "Your mom must be used to cooking for a crowd," she tells Will.

[BaboonBill]

Will smiles wistfully. "Yeah, though I was usually the crowd. I try not to use my powers too much on the days I intend to eat there. That way I don't eat them out of house and home. If I do use them enough, I get crabby and irritable if I don't eat enough. Zoe's parents always seemed to know when I'd show up and had plenty of food onlhand. Probably that old crow of his."

[cassbackward]

Will smiles wistfully. "Yeah, though I was usually the crowd. I try not to use my powers too much on the days I intend to eat there. That way I don't eat them out of house and home. If I do use them enough, I get crabby and irritable if I don't eat enough. Zoe's parents always seemed to know when I'd show up and had plenty of food onlhand. Probably that old crow of his."

"She wasn't that bad," Lily says.

[BaboonBill]

Will looks confused.

[chefjeff]

Booth raises an eyebrow and looks even more confused than Will...

[Doc]

"It looks like it's decided. When are we leaving? It'll be nice to visit the Nest again." Peter would be at ease anywhere.

[Seeya]

"We can leave if or when it is approved.  I'll put in a request."

Ceelie files a request with the powers that be to take the team to Arizona Flats and Eagles Nest.

[secretoracle]

The approval message comes in a couple of minutes later.  The Jump Ship is on the launch deck and Rawlings is at the controls as the teams makes their way on board.  The wind and the whine of the engines an all too familiar sound to all of you.  A few minutes later you're streaking out across the dessert heading for Arizona Flats.  "Ceelie, can you pop up here a minute?"  Rawlings says from the cockpit.  As she gets up past the troop compartment he urges her down closer, "I have a friend that works on the security detail.  He said if you ever want to skip the search line, he can take you into the visitor's area through the staff entrance.  It'll save you some time."

[Seeya]

Ceelie silently gazes at Rawlings' face for a moment, then nods.  "I didn't know you knew.  Its not exactly a secret, but I don't advertise either.  People sometimes feel the urge to be all sympathetic and helpful, by which I mean nosy as hell.  Thanks though.  I don't know how much time I'll have for this visit, so I'll take the shortcut if he's willing to let me in."  She punches him lightly on the shoulder as she turns to exit the cockpit.  "Looks like I'll owe you one."

[secretoracle]

"I'll have to think up a good way for you to repay me."  He says with a smile, and gets back to not crashing the plane.

About forty minutes later the team gets clearance to set down on the airfield, about three miles from the prison proper.  A member of the security force is there to meet them.  "Lieutenant Gage, nice to meet you all."  He looks at Ceelie, "Ma'am, the watch commander whould like to see you, I can give you a lift over to the main building."  He points to a jeep nearby.


Once on the road towards the prison he offers a hand for her to shake.  "I've seen you here before, to see your mom.  Blaire said you guys are on call, so I offered to take you in the side door when he said you were coming by."  He hands Ceelie a memory card.  "These are copies of the service records for the guys that were killed on the plane and some statements from other inmates that have known Prism or Volt over the years.  It's not much, but it'll give you an excuse for taking this ride."

It's not long before Gage takes Ceelie in through the security offices.  They drop weapons in the lock boxes and then he takes her to the visiting area.  Ceelie sees her mom sitting in the visiting area, just like any other Sunday.  "Just tap on the door when you're done, okay?"