Chapter 20

F.O.B North

A dejected Kay rolled out through the coridoor as Naomi followed behind clutching the now empty donut box. A piercing scowl digging into the back of her head.

"Property of Naomi, it said Kay..." she huffed.

"I thought they may have been... poisoned?" Kay tried to counter, as the box crashed down on her head.

"Whatever..." Naomi scowled and pushed Kay into the briefing room.

"Ah Earl, Rosehip should be setup in the Lab, please go and visit her" Darjeeling said, poiting to a dimly lit door further down the coridor.

"Yes Ma'am" Earl shouted and walked to the door.

It left off a soft squeak as she opened it.

*BANG*

A loud explosion tore through a glass panneled section of the room, making Earl dive for cover, she caught the figure of Rukuriri flying through the air and landing with a thump against the far wall.

"EXCELLENT!" Rosehip squealed, "My boombox worked! HAH!" she scribbled notes onto a small notepad.

"What on earth is going on Rosehip!?" Earl said standing up and dusting herself off.

"Ah Mrs Grey! what a honour!" Rosehip beamed. "I'm working on some special weapons for the push, I am Q afterall!"

"Q?"

"Quatermistress!" Rosehip chuckled. Rukuriri staggered through the room and out the door rolling her eyes.

"So why did Darjeeling ask me to see you?" Earl said fiddling with a small watch and sending a grappling hook flying across the room, much to Rosehips disapproval.

"Stop messing!" Rosehip barked, slapping Earls hand, Earl jumped as she softly rubbed it better. "I have some new equipment for the front, made in partnership with InnyTech"

"InnyTech?"

"Our partners over in the western isles, shamrock I believe they used to go by..." Rosehip mulled "Anyway..." Rosehip pulled out a small black box, and began a slow and boring demonstration much to Earl Greys displeasure...

Briefing Room

"Ensure that Vanilla and the STS ladies get a reward please Assam" Darjeeling smiled, sipping a cup of tea.

"Yes Ma'am" Assam left the room carrying a stack of papers.

Naomi rolled Kay into the room, the box still firmly lodged around her neck.

"A new fashion statement?" Darjeeling chuckled.

Kay blushed heavily as Naomi chuntered "Or a scorned Vice President".

"What happens now?" Kay said through donut crumbs.

"We go for Katyusha" Darjeeling giggled at Kay's predicament. "Earl is being equipped with our latest tech. we're making a major push and she will fall" Darjeeling slammed her cup down sending tea everywhere. Pekoe rushing to the table to begin cleaning.

"O-okay..." Kay stammered "Can someone please get this box off of me?"

"No, you will stay like that until you've thought about what youve done" Naomi scowled, making Kay blush with embarrasment.

They turned and began to leave the room. each ocupied with thoughts of the battle to come and how the world would be forever changed.