"Alright, I can Hotwire one of the Garrison jeeps and take us all wherever your hiding place for the puppy is." Veronica announced, walking into the Garrison garage. "And, with the access codes, should be able to open up all the gates leading outside."

"I feel like I should be worried that you have so much information." Shiro frowned, looking at her incredulously.

"Well, I don't actually have the access codes. That's where you come in." She pointed at Shiro, a mischievous look in her eye.

"…or I could hack them open…" Matt offered, grinning like a total geek. (Like he was.)

"No, no, we'll use the access codes. You just focus on…uh…changing the security codes."

Matt frowned slightly, looking at Shiro with a twinkle in his eye. "You know…I can't do it with a Garrison pad. And I couldn't help noticing that you're carrying one along with you…"

"Alright, but you'll have to return it after you're done." Shiro handed Matt the tablet, frowning. "I still don't like the idea of you two tagging along."

"I'd tell Dad if you didn't allow me to." Matt retorted, adjusting his glasses.

"You'd tell him anyway." Veronica grumbled, struggling to start up the car.

Matt shrugged simply, sighing. "Correction; I tell my sister. She tells my Dad."

"Can we just get going?" Keith grumbled, rolling his eyes. "I just want to get this over with."

"Just a minute, I'm not done hot wiring this. Shiro, don't you have a…"

"-master key that controls all the vehicles?"

"Yes! That!"

"That's a myth some cadets made several years back."

"Dang it."

Keith reached over and messed with the controls for a moment, and the car rumbled to life.

"Wow." Veronica blinked, beaming at Keith. "I have a feeling you'll be leading late night adventures for a while now." She leaned over and ruffled his hair, starting up the engines on the rover.

"Shotgun!" Matt called over his shoulder, running over to the passenger seat.

Veronica stuck out her leg, stopping him from sitting down on the seat beside her. "Nope. This is reserved for your senior officer, cadet." She smirked, jerking a thumb at Shiro.

"Aw, com'n, just because he went on a date with out last year doesn't mean-"

"Yes, it does. Now climb on back, kid."

"You're my same age!"

"Uh, no. I'm two days older."

Matt grumbled at her response, climbing into the back seat with Keith, who was stroking the rabid puppy like an evil overlord, probably without meaning too. (The kid was strange.)

"Veronica's older then you?"

"Yep. By, like she said, two days. July 8th, 2318, and I'm July 10th, 2318."

"Wait, Veronica went on a date with you, Shiro?" Keith asked, leaning across the back of the seat to blink at the older man.

"Um…" Shiro blushed slightly, rubbing the back of his neck. "…yes?"

"Three dates, actually." Veronica corrected. "Apparently I put the chopsticks in the rice with them pointing straight up, or something. It's like, spiritual in Japan or something?"

"Disrespect to the cook. I think. I haven't been in Japan for a really long time." Shiro frowned, thoughtful. "Also, you ate the sushi with a fork."

"See, kid? That's why we broke up, cultural differences."

"I would have been fine if we went to an American restaurant! You're the one who insisted on going to a Japan food place!"

"How 'bout some prep, next time? A little 'Hey, don't put her chopsticks in your rice' or a 'don't eat with a fork' woulda been nice. I don't see why how I eat food in my own country makes me bad girlfriend material."

"I thought you knew! You weren't the smartest in your class for nothing!"

"Can we just go, already?" Matt called, kicking Veronica's seat.

"Dude." Veronica turned around, sticking out her tongue. "Your kid sister kicks better then you."

"Hey!"

"Veronica, if we don't leave this instant, I'm going to drive myself." Keith barked, glaring.

"Fine, kid." Veronica sighed, turning back around and taking off. "Hey, Matt, when were you going to open the gates?"