Camdyn dashed to Mad Dog's plane. This time around there wasn't any hesitation about what she was doing. She'd already managed to miss the rest of the group leaving and was determined to make time. The vulture was already moving full speed ahead, but it would take time before they got there. Camdyn finally climbed in and started the engine. The next thing she realized was that she'd cleared the vulture and was moving off instinctively following the sounds of the other planes.
Mina stood in the bridge looking out the window.
"I thought you told me that Mad Dog was grounded."
"He is. I just stopped by the kitchen and caught him snacking." Sophie said, looking confused.
"Well, if he's in there, who the hell is flying his plane?"
"What?"
"I'm serious. I could have sworn it was him."
"He's there. I swear. Unless he's got a double."
Mina turned and started toward the kitchen. She opened the door and found Mad Dog snacking on a sandwich with his feet propped on the table.
"Whatcha want?" he mumbled.
"Did you just send someone out in your plane?"
"Yeah."
"Who?"
"Camdyn."
"WHAT?!" Mina roared.
Mad Dog made a great show of chewing the bite of sandwich. He swallowed and then answered.
"I sent Camdyn out in my plane. She hasn't signed the articles, so she's not really a member of the crew. And I happen to know that she ain't really a prisoner." he took another bite of his snack.
"The captain is convinced that she's a washout. Apparently he found her in the hallway shivering like a whipped puppy." Mina said with a touch of bitterness.
"That vixen ain't no washout. She knows what she's doin'. The captain makes her nervous."
"How would you know anyway?" Mina leaned over the table, staring at the mutt. Mina had never really been that fond of the Mad Dog. He always seemed like he told only half of what he really knew.
"I know...stuff."
"So help me I'll...I'll...I'll-"
"Do something we'll both regret?"
"Spill it."
"Spill what?"
"Stop acting like an idiot and tell me what you know about Camdyn that I don't know."
Mad Dog abruptly shifted his feet off the table.
"What's it worth to ya'?"
"Either you tell me or I'll murder you right now."
"Don't sound fair to me. How about this, I tell ya' and you keep your mouth shut about how you found out. Deal?"
"Deal. Now tell me."
"Ok, her dad is some sort of smuggler, but she don't know it so don't go and tell 'er or she'll freak out same as she did about her granddad. Anyway, her dad decided to send her to some sorta women's school so's he could marry her off to one of his rivals and ensure their co-operation in his future operations."
"I know all that. Tell me something that I don't know."
"Oh sweet irony. Didn't ya know that the Karnage's are a total pain in her dad's ass? She was supposed to marry one of them so they'd leave him alone 'cause then he'd be 'family'."
"That's interesting. So who was she supposed to be married to?"
"Well, near as I can tell, they got it wrangled so that she'd end up with one of the few eligible bachelors left in the family."
"Are you tell me what I think your telling me?"
"What do you think?"
"You're telling me that I've been meddling around with teaching Camdyn Everly how to pirate and that she's going to be crew for her own HUSBAND?!"
"Bingo."
"Does Karnage know?"
"I don't think so. All I could get was that his intended was supposed to be a vixen with white fur who was cultured. Apparently the captain isn't too thrilled with the arrangement himself."
"Does she know?"
"Nope. Not a clue."
"What happens if she gets...you know...dead?"
"I'm not sure."
"How'd you find all this out?"
"I ever tell you I'm part terrier? They dig around alot."
"Mad Dog?"
"Yeah?"
"Have another sandwich."
Sophie looked at Mina and grinned.
"What are you smiling about?" Mina asked.
"Just wait until Camdyn finds out. Can you imagine her face?"
Mina considered for a moment. "Yes. She'll probably blow a fuse. Poor Camdyn. Poor Diego! They don't seem to be getting along at all."
Mad Dog looked at Mina appraisingly then mumbled, "Cats don't get along most of the time but there's always plenty of kittens."
"I suppose you're right, but I just hope she doesn't get herself into too much trouble out there." Mina said, flopping into a chair and starting to make a sandwich for herself.