Inhumanity

Chapter 15

I rub my eyes and blink a few times, running in sync with a second engine has meant twice the amount of work and calculations. Bens trying to figure out what our fuel levels are looking like, big Alice is heavy so we're now consuming a lot more power. Javi enter the control room "were you up all night? How are you still running" he asks. I point to the cable I'm hooked up to "will cause a few problems in the long run but right now I'm fine" I pull back our speed a little. He lifts up my shirt to inspect the charging port on my side "a few problems? You're gonna kill the power capacity" he comments. Ben hands me the new numbers "but it keeps her running". Javi grabs Ben and drags him to the back of the engine, out of earshot. I roll my eyes, are we seriously going back to fighting. I hiss as our speed increases, "come on, give me a break" he's testing us or more likely trying to figure out who's in the drivers seat. Plus there's the added pressure, never too sure what he's gonna do. They return, javi still doesn't seem to pleased with the charging situation. I shake my head "he's messing with the speeds again" I state. Ben leans over, checking out the numbers "what's he playing at?" He asks no one in particular. I press a few buttons "trying to figure out who's driving, also just being a dick. Passes the time I suppose". Javi is still fixated on the cable, I roll my eyes and yank the cable out "67%, that'll last a few days. Happy now?" I snap. He nods "a lot happier" I nod and stand up "good, now someone else is driving cos I've been doing it all night and if I have to sit in that seat any longer I'm going to go nuts"

Ben hands me a few rolled up pieces of paper "What's this?" I unroll one to reveal a map. He smirks "well seeing as you're clearly desperate to see something other that the inside of this room you can go to a meeting with Layton" I raise an eyebrow "look I promised him a daily meeting on the running of the engine and our planned route". I snort "so what am I now, spokesperson? Please tell me this comes with a pay rise? An afternoon off?" He laughs "no such luck though you may get a smiley face sticker". I shrug "well as long as I get to take my time on the way back"

I don't have far to walk, Layton and his ex wife Zarah got a carriage in first: curtesy of Ruth. Layton looks a little surprised when I entered "Eve? Thought Ben would be coming?" He asks. I shake my head and lay out the maps and designs for the engine "sorry but Ben and javi are kinda busy and seeing as I've been working all night thought it'd be a good idea to get me out the engine". Roche enters "Roche here is giving me an overview of the mood" Layton explains. I nod "do you have any coffee... or tea?" I ask. He points to a pot of coffee on the minibar "help yourself". I grab a mug whilst Roche goes through the numbers in lockup, fights and crimes. They also notify me of the overview of their interrogation of Kevin. I perch on he couch listening carefully "so we have quite a few people over there, and they're hungry" I sum up. Layton nods "yeah, we'll need to use the hunger to our advantage." He says. I nod "when the poor have nothing to eat, they shall eat the rich" I quote. Layton indicates to my maps "so whereabouts are we?" He asks. I point to our spot on the map "well this stretch of track is good, pretty stable so-" the door opens and Ruth hurries in clutching a red velvet folder with the W embedding in gold "a communique" she states.

Layton nods for her to open it, she is eager to open the folder, quickly breaking the wax seal "It's in Wilford's own hand" she takes a deep breath "Ruth" Roche reminds her. She scans the latter "It's impeccable." I roll my eyes and examine my nails "Ruth." Layton snaps . She rolls her eyes "All right. Mr. Wilford suggests that we got off on the wrong foot, and he would like to meet you, Mr. Layton." She says "He suggests that that happens at a formal prisoner swap, Melanie for Kevin." She hands the actual letter over
"Okay, we have to make that happen." I state. Roche didn't seem too enthusiastic
"Yeah, might put a bullet in your head" he argues. I nod slowly "That's nonsense, Roche. Let's not assume bad faith. If we're stuck together, we're gonna have
to start talking." Ruth scolds. I lean back "to be honest as much as I'd rather never speak to him again Ruth's right. Right now we're having to run two engines in sync with him now." I glance to Ruth "doesn't help that he keeps messing with the speed". Layton glances around "Yeah, but why would he hand over Melanie? What's the play?" He asks. He's doing well following the advice I gave him, always question. Ruth obviously hasn't heard this advice "Mr. Wilford, unlike some, values hospitality." She says, Roche snorts "Laugh at me all you like, Mr. Roche, I'm telling you that Kevin is a bigger chip than you realize.". I bite my cheek more like a pawn in a very twisted chess game "Okay, well, if it's an even exchange, then what he really wants is to look at us" I nod "So we'll watch him too. We know that they number about 100 and that they're hungry. That's good leverage." He says. I nod "good game plan Layton, let's bring Melanie home." He nods "Tell 'em we have a deal."