A storage room in the art building opens and Kaity Klingbeil enters. She begins hunting the various shelves of art supplies for something, tucking hair away from her face. She triumphantly grabs a certain size of paintbrush and goes to exit when two men in black suits come to stand in front of the door.
She narrows her eyes, knowing exactly who they are. "Excuse me, but I do believe you don't have a pass to be in here. There's a whole safety course and such you need to take." Higgins, the second-in-command, enters between them and calmly stands in front of her.
He gives a polite nod. "Commander Lucas asked me to have a few words with you, Ms. Klingbeil. He was hoping you could help him with some information."
She takes a step back, crossing her arms and closed off. "Tell Commander Intense and Crazy he can shove it. I'm not interested. Now I have a class I need to return to."
She tries to find a way around him, but Higgins only chuckles to himself. "So that's what you all are calling him? Clever." He puts a hand on her shoulder, but she shakes it off. "Listen, Kaity, we need as much information on Lori Fitzgerald as possible- how she works, her habits, her fears- so that we can properly protect her from what is out there."
Kaity is now becoming agitated. "I'm not selling her out. Beat it before I call a professor over here."
"You mustn't think of it as that," he insists. "You should think of it as a fair trade." He holds up a white medical bottle. He can see she is now a little curious. "We have an excellent research and development division," he explains, shaking it to the sound of pills. "Have you ever wondered what your life would be like without your disorder- all the things that would open up to you?"
She is instantly put-off and angry. "I would never betray Lori, the one person who has believed in me, for a bullshit cure," she says with venom.
"Oh, I assure you this is very much real." He sets it on a shelf between them. "I would never lie about something that could be so important to you. This will open up so many possibilities you never believed you had before," he continues. She can't help but look at it, in thought. He builds off this. "You could have a steady job, a better family life, and even a relationship with the person you've been pining for. You can change your stars." This really seems to affect her and he smiles as she moves closer. "All we need is some information and your life can belong to you, and so could Ben Prescott." His smile grows larger- knowing he has her.
She stares at it a long moment lost in his words on the potential of the bottle before snatching and pocketing it. "I believe I have a meeting with Commander Lucas to get to. I imagine her can excuse me from class."
He snaps and the men move away from the door. He starts guiding her out, hand on her back. "This way, my darling. You made the right choice," he assures her. She nods, confidant as well.
XXX
So follow me down
Lori stands with the glowing Disney Encyclopedia. She sighs and pulls out her phone.
Where to?
Outta this town
Charlie examines his map and grabs his flashlight.
With you
Girl, you're movin way
Hannah is typing away at her computer.
Too slow
So follow me down
Michael grabs his first aid backpack and throws it on his shoulders.
Which way?
Down, down, down
Ben looks at his phone, adjusting his tie.
I'll show you around
Kaity is drawing pictures of the group absently in her dorm room.
Okay
There's a place we gotta go
Finch puts the two fingers to her temple and her eyes glaze over.
Follow me, follow me
Lori, Charlie, Hannah, Michael, Ben, Kaity, and Finch are running through the preserve, freezing once on each of their faces.
Fa la la la la
Follow me, follow me
Fa la la la la
Lori comes to a halt and the others crash into her, sending them all to the ground.
Lori Disney? (Not Likely!)
Episode Three: No Splash
XXX
After classes that day, Lori Fitzgerald is studying in the lounge of her dorm room, flat on her back with a book in her hand. She sits up and puts it on the table when Kaity comes running in, baffled and concerned at her hurry as she pants. "Kaity, what's-?"
Kaity pulls the bottle from her pocket and thrusts it into Lori's hand, taking another second to catch her breath. "Sorry for the panting. I went all over the place so they couldn't follow me," she explains in a rushed tone. "Commander Intense and Crazy sent his lap dog in to talk to me today. They offered me a cure to my bipolar disorder, what you're holding there, if I would tell them all sorts of things about you."
Lori takes this in, examining the bottle. A disappointed frown crosses her face. "But if you have this, then…"
Kaity shrugs that off, slowing down with a smirk on her face. "Oh, I told them everything. I told them how you're afraid of spiders to the point it sends you into hysterics," she announces proudly.
Lori's look becomes one of confusion as she stares at her friend. "But I'm not… bees are me…Hannah is…"
"I told them about how your biggest dream is to go to India," Kaity continues, smile growing wider.
Lori is again confused, but her eyebrows shoot up as she starts to catch on. "You…"
Kaity nods, but continues. "But most importantly I told them how Shawn was you fiancée," she snorts.
"You lied to them," Lori deduces, getting a smile to match hers.
"Oh, I fed them the biggest load of crap you could imagine. And they want me to continue to feed it to them because they're trying to make me a traitor." She gets serious, nodding towards the bottle Lori is clenching. "But I don't want it. I don't want those pills. For all we know they could be poison. I rushed to tell you first thing so there could be no misunderstanding."
"There isn't," Lori assures her, taking a step towards her. "You, Kaity Klingbeil, are amazingly brave and loyal and I can't begin to tell you how much that means to me. I'm so proud of you."
"I don't do hugs," Kaity says with a step back, hands out- though she is clearly flattered. "I'm just iterating because I feel that is what this conversation is building to and we all know what a softie you've become."
"Alright then. No hugs. But sincerely… thank you."
Kaity takes this in, very happy to have pleased her role model. But then she remembers something that upsets her. "Lori, he told me 'I could change my stars.' I'm worried about how much they know."
Lori takes this in, not liking it as well. "We'll just have to keep on our toes." Her phone goes off in the bedroom and she runs in to retrieve it from insider her desk. "It's been activated? I'll meet you to get it." She hangs up, serious, as Kaity enters. "Text the others. The book went off."
"Sure," Kaity says, a little lost. "Who has it that they had to call… you didn't," she whispers, realizing what happened as Lori grabs her coat. "That's what you had to trade."
"It's fine. This stays between us, though. And Charlie- I told him of course." She throws on her coat and grabs a hat and gloves. "Let's get going. I don't want to spend too much time out there. It's freezing." Kaity pulls out her phone. "Don't text the Doctor though. He's on his date with Jolene right now."
"Alright," she says with a smirk as she starts typing. "I will not text the love doctor." Lori can't help but snort at this.
XXX
Lori is walking through the preserve with the book under her arm. She is also being seemingly annoyed by three things. The first is an earpiece she wears that seems to constantly be talking to her. The second is the bulletproof vest she is wearing. The third and most obvious is the group of people in black that are literally surrounding her.
Her Companions-Hannah Frost, Charlie Prescott, Ben Prescott, Finch Hale, and Kaity- walk behind that wall, clearly not enjoying this as well. They can barely even see her through the group of people.
Charlie walks up to one of them politely. "Excuse me, can I possibly-?"
"No one is allowed inside the perimeter," he says harshly.
Charlie tries to peek around him, upset. "But, you see, usually when we do things like these I'm at her side so we can talk. I'm her best friend."
Finch comes up next to him. "I can vouch for him receiving clearance."
The man crosses his arms. "The only clearance we will accept is that of Commander Lucas."
Charlie looks at Lori's back. "Lori, I'm back here if you need me!" She doesn't respond and he falls back dejectedly with the others, falling into stride with Hannah.
"They gave her an earpiece," she reminds him comfortingly. "She's being forced to listen to Commander Lucas in her ear. It has nothing to do with you."
He nods, understanding but still upset. "That's why I wanted to be next to her. We always do this together."
Finch crosses her arms. "This is completely unnecessary. I can protect Lori Fitzgerald."
They all arrive at the clearing to hear the sound of loud snoring with teeth chattering in between. A figure is quickly spotted against the tree across from them- the one Lori remembers the Yeti throwing her into. She starts towards the figure, but Higgins holds her back with an outstretched arm.
"Hey!" she cries, before wincing at something in her ear.
"Ms. Fitzgerald, we will head in the two of us," Higgins commands. "Stay behind me." They start in, him with his gun drawn which is another things that makes Lori roll her eyes. The other men form a perimeter around the tree that the Companions are again outside of.
Charlie comes up to them, trying to seem more forceful. "Excuse us, but-"
The same man looks down at him. "This perimeter will be held until we have confirmation on the identity of the character."
"But-"
"Stand down, little guy." He backs up, crossing his arms. The others are equally upset and try to find a hole in the line or at least a way in somehow.
Higgins and Lori near the sleeping figure and she grabs her flashlight. "They appear to be unconscious. Sleeping Beauty?" he asks her.
"Been there. Done that." She shines the light on him and the both instantly recognize who it is. She moves in, looking at him over her shoulder. "Oh, you can stand aside. He is completely harmless. In fact, "she pulls out the earpiece and throws it at him, "you can all leave now." He barely catches it and the vest she throws right after. "I'm in no danger." She kneels next to the man and gently shakes him. "Mr. Smee."
"Protocol dictates-"
Lori gives him a look of annoyance. "Oh, and can you let my people through? There's no need for a perimeter." She shakes him again, more roughly this time. "Mr. Smee!"
He is instantly on his sandaled feet, saluting. "Yes Captain!" He then looks around wildly, recognizing nothing before shivering as he wraps his arms around his striped shirt. "Oh, I must have drunk more last night than I thought."
Lori adjusts his spectacle for him kindly. "Oh, I can explain everything."
Higgins cuts between the two. "I will take him in for briefing." He grabs a very confused Smee's arm and starts to roughly drag him away. "We will return him to your dorms shortly."
"But we should get him warm," Lori argues. "At least get him a jacket."
"Excuse me, but what exactly is going on?" Smee specifically asks Lori. "Where's the Captain? He'll be mighty cross if-"
Higgins gives a tug that silences him as Lori watches, upset. "Head back," he commands the others. They all start into the trees and the Companions all rush to Lori's side.
"We don't get to explain everything?" Ben asks.
Lori narrows her eyes. "Apparently not."
Ben sighs and kicks at the snow. "But that's my favorite part." Everyone looks at him. "I know you all are tired of it, but I feel I've worked it down to a breezy paragraph of information."
"Why'd you let them walk all over you?" Hannah questions harshly, completely honest about her observations.
Lori tries a few sentences, but nothing comes out. "I'm just… not in a position to argue with them right now," she settles with. "Let's head back," she changes the subject before anyone can say anything. "They said they'd drop him off later." They start walking, Charlie returning to his usual place at her side.
"Lori-"
"Can we… I'm sorry but can we do silence on the way back? I've just heard more than enough of random facts in my ear for one night," she asks politely.
He nods, burying his hurt. "Of course. Whatever you want."
"No hard feelings, right? I absolutely mean nothing personal," she tells him sincerely.
He shrugs, appearing nonchalant. "Oh, I know. It's fine."
Ben hangs towards the back with Hannah. "So we didn't do anything, did we?" he points out. "We might as well have all had dates tonight."
"It's all we can do," Hannah says back. "They're going to keep pushing and we just have to keep pushing back… for her sake."
"But she doesn't need us."
Hannah gives him a stern look, almost as if he doesn't get something that's obvious. "If you think that, than I don't know what to say to you."
XXX
The final Companion, Michael Harms, comes to a stop in front of a dorm door just down the hallway from Hannah and Lori's. Next to him is Jolene Dean. Both of them are laughing at a conversation they're in the middle of, gloved hands holding cups of hot chocolate.
"So that's how my cousin and I both ended up here," she finishes.
Michael catches his breath from laughing so hard. "Because your dog ate your acceptance later to your first choice?"
She nods, giggling to herself. "I thought they had rejected me so bad they didn't even send a letter. By the time everything was figured out I already committed to going here."
Michael takes a sip of his hot beverage. "Do you wish you had gone to the big bad medical school in the end though?" he asks seriously.
She shrugs, leaning against the door. "I think I was meant to be here in the end," she admits, removing her knitted frog hat. "Caleb, my cousin, and I have always gotten along so it's pretty cool living near him. The program's actually pretty great. And I'm finding other great things as well," she says with a smile and her eyes locked on him. "You?"
He reels from her last comment and tries to form a coherent sentence. "I… well I had a lot of offers, but this… this is where my dad and I had always talked about. And now… I could never regret that decision if I tried."
"You do have some pretty great friends. Everyone here on campus mummers about the Fitzgerald Posse," she informs him, making him blush. "You hardly ever see one without another they all say. There are rumors of a cult even."
"But there's nothing with any of them," he says firmly, though she is clearly not concerned with this. "I just want to clear that up because I want there to be something with us." He slaps his head at this, clearly now very nervous.
She smiles kindly. "I want that too. And I know. I'm not going to turn into one of those jealous types. I promise I have friends too and some of them are boys- like my cousin" She scrunches her face. "With the mentions of something's and my cousin I just had some mental pictures appear and they kind of made me want to throw up." She shakes her head clear. "So… does this mean I can expect a second date?" He tries to say something, but settles on nodding. She bites her lip, practically beaming. "Have a good night, Dr. Harms."
"You too Dr. Dean." She opens the door. "Wait!" She turns and her purposefully strides up to her so they are inches apart. She closes her eyes in anticipation. He leans in, but can't bring himself to do it. He takes a step back and she opens her eyes to see his apologetic face. Giving a hint of a sad smile, she quickly pecks him on the cheek and heads in.
He sputters, angry at himself, and knocks a few doors down. Lori expectantly throws it open, excited to see him. "Alright, I want every single detail," she says pulling him in and sitting next to him on the couch. "Before we start though, so there's no surprises, Smee is totally sleeping in your bed downstairs. Charlie said he was coming up here tonight and that you could have his." He leans back and groans loudly, flopping back on the couch in his frustration. Her looks becomes concerned. "Okay. I didn't know it would be such a big deal. Send him back up and we'll pull out the sleeping bag."
"No. No, Lores. I just… I went in to kiss her… and then I didn't. I chickened out," he laments as he covers his face with his hands.
Lori nods, deciding the best way to go about this. "So I take it the rest of the date went well to lead to that point?"
"It was so amazing," he gushes. "She makes you smile without even realizing it. She's cute and has this good head on her shoulders. We share a dream. I even secured a second date. But now she probably thinks I'm disgusted by her or something."
"So why did you hesitate?" she probes.
He sighs, voice lowering. "Between us, if I had kissed her she would be my first kiss. And I panicked on how I could screw it up… for the both of us."
"You've never kissed a girl?"
He sits up. "Lores, before you I could barely even speak to a girl. Now at least I'm up to five… and with her it's a barely."
"Well she probably isn't reading that much into it," Lori tries. "And if she is and asks then just be straight up with her. I guarantee it'll only make you more adorable to her."
"Or it'll make her think I'm pathetic," he moans, lying back down.
She leans so she's looking down on him. "I'm glad you were momentarily happy though. One of us deserved to be off having fun from Commander Intense and Crazy."
"Yeah, how'd that go?"
"Everything was alright. They're trying to alienate everyone and prove I don't need them, but that just succeeded in pissing me off. Everything almost seems to be even more stressful. So much for maybe getting a normal semester, I suppose."
Michael can see how much she doesn't like this train of conversation and decides to change it. "Speaking of, Jen keeps asking about that spot in the training room. I told her you were still thinking about it."
"I'm not sure," Lori admits, very hesitant. "I was hoping I would start getting more time to myself, but I almost seem to be getting less. I hardly see Shawn and I'm getting the feeling that's not sitting well with him. Plus he still thinks I'm a crazy liar he can't trust." He sighs and lies down so her head is on his stomach. "I hope your relationship ends up better than either of mine."
He smiles down at her. "I'll keep my eyes peeled for any rogue books, just in case."
XXX
The next afternoon, Friday, Ben Prescott is sitting at his security job examining the monitors. He notices one that shows the front of the café' go fuzzy and proceeds to smack it with his hand. When nothing happens he turns to a middle-aged man in a Security uniform about to leave.
"Hey, Don!" The man comes over and he gestures to the screen. "What's going on?" the screen suddenly becomes clear again and he sees Lori exit the café with Smee.
Don sighs, rubbing his hand son his temple. "Between us, kid, someone's set up camp in the Groote building." Ben tries to look surprised by this. "They apparently have the papers for President Timmerman's to let them do this and squat here for whatever reason. They've even upgraded things. Watch this." He types on some keys and suddenly sounds come over a speaker.
"I've never made anyone walk the plank on my ship," Lori laughs, coming in loud and clear.
Smee plays with his shirt, enamored. "Oh, I'd very much like to be part of your crew then. Though I'm not a very big fan of being on land," he admits his voice also crystal clear. "I've got quite the sea legs, you see. We've been in Neverland an awful long time."
Ben tries to distract from the conversation with his obvious question that has him baffled. "How… the cameras don't have sound."
"I don't know," Don admits. "They said they did some upgrades, but it's only at certain times," he tells his worker, clearly skeptical.
"I'm sure… "Lori continues as they are almost out of frame. Ringing then comes in. "Oh, it's the pier!" She picks up.
Ben leans over, examining it closely. "They're practically out of sight. How is it picking them up this well?" Don shrugs and turns the speaker off.
"Keep it in here though, kid. We don't want any trouble." Ben nods immediately and he heads out. Ben continues to watch as Lori and Smee walk off. Suddenly, something clicks. He turns his phone off beside him and then pulls out a flash drive from his coat pocket that has 'Property of Hannah Frost' printed on it.
He plugs it in and starts dragging folder upon folder over. "Let's see if I can some information for Hannah." He narrows his eyes at the DIZ Corporation folder, determined as he drags it. "I'm not going to let you best us, you can be sure of that."
XXX
Kaity sits in the biggest office of Groote Hall, back completely straight against her chair. Commander Lucas sits across from her, boot on the desk, with Higgins hovering behind him.
She plays her part well, appearing very nonchalant. "Oh, she's loving it," she coos. "It has given her so much more time to plan the wedding. She's thinking fall of next year when it's cold but not too cold."
Lucas smiles sincerely or at least a sincere as he can seem. "I'm glad she's making the best of our company and starting to warm up to us. She appears quite hostile on the surface. I heard rumors about someone named Commander Intense and Crazy.
"That's a joke between us because you're the complete opposite. She's just like that. We hardly ever get her to lighten up. In fact, yesterday a bee got in the room and she flipped out. You remember how I was telling you about her fear of bees?"
Lucas keeps his face neutral, but moves his legs off the desk so he can lean into her. "Yes, you did. I believe we're done for the day, Ms. Klingbeil," he concludes, handing her a bottle she snatches greedily. "I will see you back here tomorrow."
"Of course. Thank you." She exits and Lucas turns to face Higgins, face a tight frown.
"Did you hear that?"
Higgins nods. "Direct contradiction."
Lucas shakes his head. "And here I thought things were finally looking our way."
XXX
Saturday afternoon, Lori leads everyone down the pier at the local lake with Smee seeming to be the only one who has any idea where they're going. The Companions all shiver at the cold besides Finch of course despite only being in her usual shirt. Charlie frowns at the two of them.
Hannah is again next to Ben, and leans over to whisper with him. "So can I ask why you suggested we ditch our cell phones for this field trip we had no idea about until an hour ago?"
"I think that's how they're listening to us," he whispers back, making sure no one else is listening in. "Otherwise, I would never feel confident enough we weren't being watched to have this conversation. I got some stuff from security for you to look into it." He slips her the flash drive which she tucks in her coat. "You were right. Our job is nowhere close to done with them poking around."
"Hopefully this has the password we need so we can get to the bottom of this." They all arrive at a medium-sized sailboat. Lori and Smee scramble up the plank and hop onto the deck as the other just watch, various faces of disbelief.
"And this will be our adventure for today," she announces grandly.
"A boat?" Kaity voices everyone's sentiment.
"Mr. Smee has agreed to teach us all how to sail. I figured we could use some time away from everything just the group of us."
Hannah folds her arms. "It's January. You want us to sail the lake in January."
Lori sighs, but refuses to let her enthusiasm be dampened. "We have our winter coats. Come on. That's an order." They all climb aboard, taking a minute to adjust to the shifting of a boat on water. "Alright, where do we begin Mr. Smee?"
"Might I recommend first by plotting a course," he offers tentatively.
Lori looks out over the lake. "Done. We're going out there somewhere," she says with a dramatic point. Everyone chuckles, being pulled in by how excited she is.
Smee takes a beat before continuing. "Someone needs to be at the helm and then we need to unfurl the sails. I'll show someone how."
"I'll do it," Ben volunteers, climbing the mast with him.
"I'll take care of the anchor," Kaity offers.
Michael heads over to the helm. "I can steer." Lori watches as everyone starts working together to accomplish and figure things out about the ship with Hannah and Michael distinguishing port from starboard, Smee showing Ben a few knots, and Charlie trying to help Kaity with the anchor.
"That's the spirit," she tells everyone.
Smee finishes a knot and tugs it. "So then you tie it like this."
Ben copies him, smiling at his success. "I think I got it."
Hannah notices Kaity and Charlie struggling. "Let me help you with that." They all pull the anchor up and the wind catches the sails to set the boat adrift. Hannah and Kaity gather at the railing, feeling the wind in their hair. "This actually is really great."
Smee thinks of something else, offering information much more confidently. "We need someone to keep look-out."
"I'll do that as I do not require blinking," Finch volunteers. "I will coordinate with our helmsman properly." She climbs the sail just above Ben.
"Hello there," He smiles up at her, shouting over the wind. "It's pretty breezy up here, right?"
"Right?" Michael asks from the helm.
"No!" Finch shouts. "Straight and true!" Everyone laughs and it running around eagerly taking in views and swapping out jobs- Kaity grabbing the helm as Hannah switches with Ben at the sails.
Smee stands next to Lori, pretty amazed. "You didn't even need to give any orders. They're so eager to please you that-"
She shakes her head. "They're also having fun. This was a great idea. Thanks."
He clearly wasn't expecting that and goes red, playing with his hat. "That's not necessary m'am. I'm happy to serve. Especially when you said you needed to shake off those individuals," he says with a frown.
She elbows him. "I imagine you are, but it was sweet of you all the same." He blushes deeper as she looks around, noticing someone missing from all this as they slow at the middle of the lake. "Where's Charlie?"
XXX
Lori climbs below the boat down a ladder to find Charlie sitting on the bed of the very small cabin. She sits next to him, both of them barely fitting. She can instantly tell something's wrong. "Now, what're you doing down here all by yourself? I know a bunch of people up there who would desperately like to be in your company."
"Do you want me to leave?" he cuts right to the chase.
She looks around, lost. "We're on a boat in the middle of the lake," she pokes fun.
"If I left maybe you could keep the book," he continues. She instantly becomes serious. "With them you don't seem to need me much anyway. Because you don't have to worry about my feeling. Just say the word and… I'll go."
"But I believe a friend of mine named Charlie Prescott promised me he was in this to the bitter end," she reminds him. "We started it together and we'd end it together with every step in between."
He looks at her, tearing up. "But I'm pointless. Especially with DIZ around to talk in your ear and keep you sane like I used to. And you even have Smee."
Lori turns to face him, swinging her legs so she is cross-legged on the bed. "Now, listen to me because this is really important." He does the same and she puts a hand on his knee. "I need you so much, especially now. You are not just there because you are useful to me. You are there because I want no one more than my best friend by my side to get me through this. You have the biggest purpose of all. Smee is going home to his Captain. You're staying here because you're my Mr. Smee."
He brightens at this. "Really?"
She shakes her head at how oblivious he is. "It's silly that I even need to tell you this. You help me keep this entire thing afloat. And I'd much rather have your voice in my ear any day. So you'd better not go anywhere," she emphasizes. "Because every time I say I'd be lost without you I mean it. And every time I say you're my sounding board I mean it. It may seem like I use those terms liberally, but I mean it every single time. I don't know what's higher than best friend, but you're it."
"I feel the same way!" He tells her, his old self again. "It's like you're all the best friends I was supposed to have in my life. My kindergarten one, my grade school one, my high school one- I never had those. That's because it was all building up to you… so I could get all my best friends at once."
"Was I worth the wait?" He doesn't hesitate in throwing his arms around her.
"What do you think?" She ruffles his hair. "I love you," he says suddenly.
She hugs him back. "I love you too, kid," she says completely comfortable with the statement. "You're all my best friends too." He pulls away and looks up at her. "Feel better?"
"You couldn't get rid of me now if you wanted to!"
She rises. "Good. Let's head up." They head up to where everyone is relaxing and talking- Hannah with Finch and Smee while Ben and Kaity have gravitated to one side. Lori heads over and sits next to Michael who is by himself while Charlie bounds to the helm. "I can't take the job Doctor," she says after a moment of silence. "The time's not right yet. Maybe it never will be."
"But they all made it sound like-"
She shakes her head, looking every bit the leader. "I need to start putting my foot down, and that's going to cause tension. But at the end of the day I'm the one who has the book. I can afford to be unreasonable. They can't. So I need to be ready for the fight I'm picking."
"We'll be there."
"I know. I got lucky enough to receive a very loyal crew. Keep in line though or I'll consider getting a plank Doctor," she winks.
He salutes with a laugh. "Aye aye, Captain Lores." They see the sun is just beginning to set on the horizon. She rises, pulling the book from a bag she brought.
"I think it's about that time," she gathers everyone's attention.
Smee frowns at this. "Shouldn't I escort you back to shore, m'am?"
"I think we should be able to make our way back on our own. Thank you though, Mr. Smee." She goes to open the book, but he stops her.
"Are there perhaps, before I go back, any positions open on your crew? I could definitely see the benefits of working for someone without a plank… or a temper."
"Ah, but the Captain would be lost without you!" Lori exclaims, playing it up.
Smee reflects on this. "He would, wouldn't he?"
Lori nods. "Who else would take care of him when Pan gets the better of him?" she asks, grandiose. "Who else would he trust to boss the rest of the crew around? He needs you Smee. I wouldn't let go of my first mate, so I don't dare take away his." She salutes and he does back with a determined expression.
"Aye aye! I demand to return at once… m'am!"
She opens the book to a glowing poem. "If you insist. Give me a career as a buccaneer It's the pirate's life for me" He vanishes in a burst of light and she looks at her gathered Companions. She then pulls a few bottles from her pocket and deposits them in the water. Kaity smiles while the others just raise an eyebrow.
She takes in their expressions. "Well, let's shove off, me hearties!" she shouts, slamming the book shut. "Frost, take the helm!"
Hannah salutes and grabs it. "Aye aye!"
Lori continues her orders. "Harms and elder Prescott, the sails! Klingbeil, chart our journey. Hale keep lookout you scurvy dog!" Everyone scamper about and the boat starts moving again towards the pier. Lori sits and pats the spot next to her. "First Mate Prescott, you and I will simply enjoy a real sunset." He takes a seat beside her and the both stare off over the water, feet tucked up to their chins.
XXX
Lori enters her room that evening and after depositing the book in the filing cabinet dials up her phone. "Commander Lucas, the character has been sent home," she reports cold and detached. "No, actually I will not be returning the book. In fact, I will be taking my sword back as well." She makes it appear in her hand and cries result from over the phone. "No, you listen," she says in her strongest voice. "I refuse to let you intimidate me. Let's remember a key fact of our relationship. You need me. I need my Companions, but I sure as hell don't need all of you. I'd keep that in mind if you ever want to even look at the book again. I'll call you when I feel like it." She hangs up with a triumphant smile, sliding the sword under her bed.
XXX
About an hour later, Kaity arrives at the office of a very tense Commander Lucas. He appears very tense and anxious, leaning over the desk as she sits down. He places another bottle on the table. "So, the lot of you seemed to vanish for a while today. We got worried."
Kaity shrugs. "We were fine. We actually went dress shopping while the guys took Shawn-"
Lucas grits his teeth, bringing a fist down on the desk. She jumps to her feet. "Ms. Klingbeil, I have a suggestion. If you want to walk out of this office I recommend that no more lies come out of your mouth," he seethes.
She instantly drops the act, crossing her arms. "I knew I wouldn't be too good at this, but I was hoping I could string you along for a while longer."
Lucas puts his head in his hands. "I just don't understand where this is coming from. We offered you everything you could have dreamed of. In fact, I will give you pills right now if you tell me where all of you went."
Kaity leans over the desk, completely smug. "You're serious?!" she mocks. "Listen, we both know the game is over. So I'm just going to leave and you are left stumbling over if I gave you anything useful. I'm okay with that ending."
She starts leaving, but he desperately shouts after her. "We'll crack her eventually! There are four more of you!"
This makes her approach him again, fire in her eyes. "News flash: quit while you're ahead," she tells him stern and cold. "No one is going to do it. No Companion is going to turn on Lori Fitzgerald after everything she has done and we have been through together. The fact that you're even trying is almost insulting. We are not going to betray her and give you anything- not a word." She picks up the bottle and shakes it. "And especially not for some damn pills!" She throws them at his head and hastily exits. He rises, furious, as Higgins enters.
"I wasn't expecting you to let her go after that," he admits to his superior.
Lucas practically growls as he throws the bottle in the trash. "We can't afford her blood on our hands with the situation so critical." He looks at Lori's picture on the board, putting a hand over it. "She is slipping away from us, and we can guarantee she knows about this whole affair. Call DIZ v2.9 and request a meeting with her," he order suddenly.
"Request?"
"Play to her to get her to us," he explains. "Tell her we request she comes or we blow Lori's brains out. Then she has to answer our questions. It's literally in her code. Well, what are you waiting for?!"
"Of course, sir." He exits hastily, whispering to himself. "Sometimes I wish I had chosen the research department."
XXX
Hannah wraps a metal bracelet around Finch in her room and buckles it. Lori observes from her bed. "Alright, this should do to you what turning off our cell phone's does to us. It'll dampen you out a bit, though they still know pretty much everything in your head. They just can't use you as a speaker anymore which my sources say they are."
Finch examines it. "Thank you. I appreciate your help. Have you found anything useful?"
Hannah gestures to where her laptop is plugging away. "I'm still working on it. Even with the passwords it's an awful lot to push through. Plus I was busy programming that."
"I shall hide it when I go into the meeting tonight."
Lori jumps off the bed to approach the projection. "You're not going, Finch. I don't care if this was an ask instead of a command like you said. Something isn't right about this whole situation."
"I cannot ignore a threat on your life."
"Finch, they need me," Lori tries to calm her. "It was empty words and you know it."
"Still, they have picked up on Kaity but I can-"
"No one is going to them if we don't have to," Lori orders. "We'll take care of this."
Finch takes a beat before nodding. "Affirmative. I will take my leave. I have some homework-"
Lori blocks her from the door. "Finch, promise me."
Finch meets her eyes. "I promise you, Lori Fitzgerald. Have a great night."
Lori accepts this and steps out of the way. "You too."
Finch exits the dorm altogether before nodding to herself. "Promises can be overridden by my primary directive. I will protect Lori Fitzgerald." She heads down the hallway, burying the bracelet under her sleeve.
Inside, Hannah goes back to the laptop. "What she doesn't know it what else that bracelet does." She pulls up a screen of unusual vitals. "Her data's pretty weird to look at- some mix between heartbeats and code. She is locked onto all of us, but there was nothing if something happened to her. But it's here for me now to keep an eye on in case they try anything."
"I appreciate it," Lori approves.
Hannah starts typing away, sitting in her chair. "Anything for one of us, especially someone as invested as her."
"You don't worry about her turning," Lori probes. "They did build her. She is their robot."
"No. She's our friend," Hannah says without hesitation.
Lori can't help but smile proudly. "Hannah Frost, you have come an awful long way."
She smirks. "Don't you dare get sappy on me now."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
XXX
Finch arrives at library, unlocking the door and warily entering. She heads up the steps to where Commander Lucas is waiting for her with Higgins and about a dozen technicians. "DIZ v2.9, it seems you've been ignoring our calls," he tells her, almost sounding disappointed.
Finch holds her head high and speaks logically. "I have been occupied with my primary objective recently. And once again Commander I must request you address me by my proper title of Finch."
Lucas bangs a fist on a table, making her jump. "See, there's where you're wrong. DIZ v2.9 is your proper title. It is the one that was given to you by your creators in the lab," he says, voice building in venom. "I don't know what they've been feeding you but you are nothing but a tin can, and a tin can that works for us at that."
Finch holds her ground. "I will not argue semantics. I am confident in my identity. But I believe you requested my presence, sir? I was to come here for the safety of Lori Fitzgerald."
"Yes. I want all the information you've gathered on Lori Fitzgerald since being activated. Every piece." He waits but she doesn't move, let alone respond. "Well…"
"That data seems compromising to my primary objective: the protection of Lori Fitzgerald," Finch admits.
He bears down on her. "Your primary objective is to serve us! Now give me the information." She just stares at him. "I order you to tell me what I want to know!" She almost turns her look to one of defiance and it really sets him off. "You cannot ignore a direct order!"
She steps forward, emboldened. "Negative. You see, I believe I can. Because my primary objective is now of my choosing and not by force. Lori Fitzgerald granted me free will, and I am using it right now to protect her by telling you nothing."
"You stupid collection of one's and zero's! You will-"
"I will not!"
Lucas tries another route. "She's not-"
"That is also negative sir," Finch cuts him off, seeing where he is trying to go. "Lori Fitzgerald is where my loyalties do and always shall lie- no matter the bossiness of neither your tone nor your claimed authority."
He sighs, at his wit's end. "What is it about that group of misfits that inspires such loyalty in a robot?"
She takes offense at his wording, so she plows forward bluntly. "Trust and compassion. They provide it to me so I do the same right back. It is what is called friendship. Lori Fitzgerald would never betray me so I will never betray her. I will be leaving now." She turns but is barred from leaving. "I do not wish to resort to violence. Let me by."
Lucas takes in everything she has said and starts laughing hysterically, unnerving everyone around him. "You… you were created to take orders from us."
"There's a difference between what you were created for and what you were meant for," Finch explains, believing every word of it.
He keeps laughing. "You act like you have a conscience. You're not real!"
She clenches her fists. "I have come to terms with what I am, sir. You are off the mark."
Lucas flicks his wrist, done with this. "Force the information out of her." Two men advance with long rods that spark electricity. She turns every which way, desperate to escape without a violent struggle. "If 'she' can 'feel' this should hurt." Before she can react, one drives the rod into her side. She lets out a cry of pain that sounds both human and electronic. "Phase out, projection! They won't touch you if you don't let them!"
"No!" she shouts through gritted teeth.
Lucas nods at the other. "You don't have to put up with any of this!"
The second one drives the stick into her other side, causing her to pixilated before she forces it back. "No!" she cries in pure agony, buckling to her knees.
"You're just a robot! Nothing more! You were meant to serve us! And you will! Now phase out!" She fights back tears which Higgins notices. "Do it now!"
XXX
Tune in next week as the battle between Lori and her Companions and Commander Lucas and the DIZ Corporation truly begins- with a projection accepting her sacrifice in the matter.