WINCHESTER AND YOUNG

CHAPTER 5 – OF ROGUES AND WARRIORS

CHARACTERS: SAM AND DEAN WINCHESTER, TAMINICK, ALDEN SOLDAT, AND JADE YOUNG

DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN ANY OF THE SAILWEAVER AND SUPERNATURAL CHARACTERS, THEY BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CREATORS. DON'T SUE ME PLEASE.

"I don't like eating in the mess hall, I prefer my own berth. If you want to eat your meals in your berth, then be sure to speak to the staff. They can get you set up on meals that you pick up here, and take with you. The dishes they plate them in are recyclable." Jade said, as they sat down at a table she'd picked.

"You don't want anyone looking over your shoulder, and seeing things they shouldn't," Sam said, starting to eat the scrambled eggs on his plate.

"Very true. It is never good to release the news before learning all the facts," Jade agreed, cutting into her French toast with strawberry compote.

"But some things need a little additional help, and one should not be afraid to ask for it," an unfamiliar voice said, sitting down at their table without being invited. The speaker sounded very full of themselves. "Fortunately, the information was sent to me by a mutual friend of ours. So, here I am," the man explained. "Alden Soldat, I was second in the Warriors under Master Miri." He finished, letting that sink in.

The brothers had confused expressions, but Jade picked it up right away. This was one of the Battleship Gang, that had their maiden voyage on the Nutmeg. "An unexpected meeting," Jade said. Logic dictated, that it wouldn't be Darius, that had asked Alden to come. Darius was still indisposed with the Stars Plot cleanup. It must have been Taminick, since Jade gave her everything she knew up to this point. It also concerned Weavers, so it's logical that someone from the guild would be assigned as a consultant. She just hadn't expected the consultant to be this high up on the chain of command.

"Can you tell us anything?" Dean asked Alden.

"Very little. I have a name that I've heard recently, and a possible location to inquire about their whereabouts," Alden said. "Our mutual friend had their informants digging as well. That's another reason I'm involved, because the person we're looking for is a Rogue."

"That does make things a bit more complicated. Depending on the skill level they are at personally, does increase the amount of danger it puts us in. None of us would have the ability to defend against them," Jade said. "If they were Aether trained, they could create conditions that would cause us to suffocate.

Alden looked at her briefly. "You are well informed."

"I'm a journalist, it's what I do," Jade replied with a shrug. "If I wasn't informed, or knowledgeable about the structure of things, how could I report on them accurately? My superiors, wouldn't care for that."

"No, I suppose they wouldn't." Alden agreed. "If you have someplace more private, we can speak after we finish our breakfast, I will tell you what I know," Alden paused, and looked at Jade briefly. "As well as things you may not know about, unrelated to the current issue."

An hour later, where the brothers had asked Alden more about what a Warrior was. They had kept Jade's advice in mind, and did not mention anything about knowing Latin at all. Jade suspected that Taminick may have guessed the truth, given their origin, and profession. Thankfully none of that was brought up. They had moved to a place that Jade knew about, when she really wanted to be alone. Usually this happened when she was working on a really tough story, or when she'd had a really rotten day. Leading them to a secluded section of the compound, she unlocked a door to a private little office she'd claimed when she found it initially.

As the door shut behind them, the other three found it was set up similar to one of the berths in the compound, although, it was originally a storage shed. On express request from those that knew what Jade converted it to, no one came out this way. It was a pain to get to anyhow because you had to go through a maze of walkways to get here. "Make yourselves comfortable. If you want coffee, you'll have to fill the pot with the water from the sink to make it. I normally don't drink it myself, preferring to make tea, but I do keep it on hand." Jade said setting her stuff down, and turning on her old computer she'd brought with her when she moved to the compound. "Sometimes, I'm surprised this system still works. Compared to most of the tech in use on the compound, it's rather outdated. I keep it around because it's an old friend."

The office also had sleeping space built into it, it was suggested when they were doing some of the renovations. She went along with it, because it came in handy when she was working on a big project. "Alden, what can you tell us?" Jade asked, as she started bringing her case files up on the system.

"We feel that there's a Rogue Weaver involved. His name is Taylor McKay. Recently expelled from the Weavers due to some inappropriate actions he took, that went against Guild regulations. There are rumors he's back Earth side again, after making a trip to a rim colony. Intelligence thinks it might be related to this current case you are working on, but cannot prove it." Alden explained. "According to the information we've gathered, he's currently laying low in a living area next to some of the docking ports in the city."

"What's the name of this area?" Jade asked.

"Castiel Commons," Alden said, noticing the looks on the brother's faces. "Is there a problem?"

"No problem, it's just that we used to know a person by that name." Sam said without elaborating too much. "But that's where we came from, he wouldn't be alive here."

"Ah, that does clarify things a bit. If you are talking about an angel named Castiel, the Weaver Archives mentioned him, while I was looking for information about the two of you." Alden replied.

"Did you find anything interesting?" Dean asked, catching the look on Alden's face, knowing he wasn't going to like the answer.

"You two possess knowledge, that I'm sure Jade has already advised you, that you shouldn't have at all. I'm sure she's also told you that such knowledge is a death sentence here. That is, except for certain members of the Dragon's Guild and Dragon Corps," Alden added. "It's one of the reasons, that Taminick got you assigned to the Corps."

"Alden, I agree with you on your assessment. I told her everything about their origins. They were very good at what they did, back where they came from. I think she took my assessment into consideration before making the final decision," she said.

"I would advise that you not make that knowledge known to anyone, other than those with a need to know. Taminick has already advised those who need to know everything about your origins. In regards to Sam, his Sight is not quite Healing Magic. That would have placed him under the auspices of the Weaver's Guild for training." Alden paused taking a sip of his water before continuing. "However, it does seem more like a Psychic ability. I would suggest, that you keep that Gift under wraps as well. History seems to suggest that it is sporadic, and mostly situational."

"I will, you seem to have done your homework," Sam said.

"Tristan Weaver, who is currently recovering from his injuries caused by the Stars Plot explosion, was actually the bookish one." Alden admitted, "However, I'm also one of the few seniors that are functional at this time. Taminick felt I would be the best fit personality, and experience wise for your case."

"As for Castiel, he died, murdered by the demon Crowley, after you went through the portal he opened. After that, Crowley, and the servants of Hell let humanity as promised. Except for the day-to-day tormenting and torturing of deserving parties," Alden paused, before continuing. "I am sure you are already aware, that Castiel had a daughter. The decedents of that daughter are the reason you met guardsman Misha Castiel, for example."

"I really hated that angel," Dean muttered, as Sam chuckled at the comment. "I guess that means another of his decedents owns Castiel Commons?"

"No, a Melissa Collins does. I guess they just liked the name though," Alden said with a shrug. "Although, they don't seem to care for the upkeep of the property very much. Given the area of the city it's in, hasn't given much cause for the officials to get involved."

"How long can we count on the target being stationary?" Jade asked, using phrasing that a journalist wouldn't normally use. However, the question made perfect sense. The brothers, however, still looked at her suspiciously when she asked the question.

"As long as we don't spook him, I would say at least through the end of today, possibly tomorrow. This is based on the current records regarding short term rental. Melissa provided those records freely," Alden said.

"Don't you think that was just a little too easy?" Dean asked.

"It was definitely too easy, but I didn't want to follow that particular trail at this moment. If Taylor decides to spook before we visit him, then I will have a reason to follow up on that particular thread," Alden confirmed.

"Well then, we should make ourselves presentable and go and pay a visit to Mr. McKay," Jade said getting up from the table. "Or at least I will."

"You?" The three of them said together, clearly objecting to it.

"I'm the least conspicuous." She looked at the brothers, "Your old attire has been disposed of, given the state some of it was in upon your arrival. All you have are your new uniforms, and a Dragon Corps uniform would definitely spook a rogue Weaver." Jade then turned to Alden, "He is a rogue Weaver, what would he think if the only ranking Warrior beneath Master Miri showed up on his door step?" Jade pressed, as Alden, knew both counts were true.

"It has to be myself. I am a journalist, everyone from the Weaver's and Dragon's Guilds knows this. That's all I know, and I don't serve in any of the Military branches. I pose no threat to our target." Jade continued, "Yes, this is a stupid idea, but it's the only logical one," she glanced at them all. "Change my mind, if you can."

"We can't," Dean said, clearly displeased about the whole turn of events. "But you're right, but that doesn't mean we're not going to be close enough to bust in and clock the guy if he starts something."

"How would that look? We don't have a Warrant to break in and inspect the premises," Jade countered, causing Dean to grumble under his breath again.

"But I can be there, within striking distance." Alden said.

"How much cover is there in that area? Would he be able to sense you?" Jade pointed out. "Nope, that's not going to work. We're going to have to reprogram my camera drone, to provide an additional function."

"Additional," Sam caught on, "a tracking device, since none of us can be there."

"Correct, Alden can you get something arranged with Taminick regarding this? I'm going to need a camera drone that looks exactly like my older version model that I use. It needs to be able to function as a camera, as well as a recorder. It also needs to have a program installed to silently track my life signs and whereabouts." Jade asked Alden.

"It's going to take a little time, but I think something can be arranged," Alden said, nodding. "We're going to need your current drone model number so that we can get the appropriate blueprints for it."

Jade wrote down the model number on a piece of paper. "Here you go, let me know when it's ready, and we'll put everything into motion."

"I understand, you're being very brave volunteering for this," Alden said. "Thank you."

"I'm just doing what I was asked to do. Otherwise, I'd be reading or relaxing right now," Jade said, with a shrug.

"I'll be in touch, thank you all," Alden said, waving goodbye as he left.

The next four hours would be spent with the brothers trying to talk Jade out of this plan, while still supporting it.

"And so, it begins," Jade groaned, as the verbal onslaught started.

The brothers both asked her at the same time, "ARE YOU CRAZY?"