The airship was owned by a man wealthy and eccentric enough that he'd changed all records of his name to M. And now he spent his time flying around the world in an airship of his own design, conducting business and providing a luxurious neutral space where others might do the same. ~ M moved as though he had his own orbit. Power and influence flowed around him, with a constantly shifting medley of important people making themselves available for conversation in his immediate vicinity, but none of them were so crass as to impose upon his silence. He had the ability to wander alone through a crowded room. Scott Hoying knew how to navigate such social eddies. He placed himself so that when there was a momentary part in the crowd, it was just when the young man happened to look over. Their eyes locked. Scott lifted his glass to him in a silent toast. Then the crowd shifted, filling the space between them.