[Whether this will be a one-shot or short novel, I've got no clue. Finished Still Wakes the Deep and fell in love with the immersion. Needed more of the characters so I wanted to write a little prelude to the events. While It Still Sleeps? Maybe a decent title idea, I'm not sure. Then I made an OC. A French one. The Scots have met their match.]

Chapter 1: The Auld Alliance

The helicopter had a violent vibration as it flew against the winds above the North Sea. Caz and a few other men sat in their hoists, clasping onto the straps as if any moment they'd spring out. Archie yelled back, "Sorry for the choppy ride! We're almost there, lads!"

His thoughts were stained with Suze and the girls. How his leaving wasn't softened by a goodbye. How she was against the very idea from the start, but he left anyway. To be pulled from the consequences for four months at sea. A task he had no experience or place in. Among a pillar of metal in the ocean. No other company but Roy, his best mate, and the unknown crew of the Beira D Rig. Suze knew he'd be out of his element. He did, too. But facing the charges of the assault were not in his cards. Not even with Suze's demands. He was left to his own. Somehow, they secluded him in the sea.

The helicopter landed and the blaring engine cry started to whistle down. The propellers slowed. As the other on board started to unbuckle, Caz did, too. They grabbed for their belongings outside on the helipad with the help of Archie, the rig's designated pilot of the bird. As Archie helped set that last suitcase of Caz's on the platform, he turned back around to Caz to ask a question. "You're McLeary, right?"

"Aye. Just call me Caz."

"Caz. Rennick wanted to see you when you landed."

"Should I be worried?"

"A wee bit early to worry yet, Caz. Not saying he won't, but it'll be fine. Likely just wants to put you to work before you catch a minute."

Caz gestured to his items, "What about these?

"What cabin you in?"

"108."

"Aye, I'll take 'em for ya."

"Thanks, mate."

Caz looked over the vast architecture of the rig. Layered in modules, platforms and staircases and leading to winding entries that was making his head swim already. He asked a bit overwhelmed, "Where's Rennick's office?"

"Just down the flight of steps there. You see that module? The orange one? Says Installation Manager on it. Follow the steps and you'll get there no issues."

"Cheers." Caz started to walk to the steps.

"Aye, Caz!"

"What?"

Archie warned, "Knock first, eh? His nibs gives the shite if not."

"Aye. Right."

The sounds of the rig were louder than he was expecting. A hundred different kinds of machinery chiming and buzzing in an echo with the sea waves below throwing a power. The muffled raves and calls of men on the job, scattered laughter and yelling. It somehow was rejuvenating. Like the calls of a happy party with kind folk. He was surprised to be eager to get to work. Meet the crew. The smell of the sea mists and oil only adding to that kind of feeling.

Caz got to the manager's office and made a calm yet alerting knock. A few moments later a man's voice called, "Enter!"

Caz opened up and shined his best smile, trying to come off as chummy as he could. Rennick was an older man. His head balding and hair grey. His large glasses over a portion of his face. He had a few stress lines on his forehead and mouth. To Caz, he appeared as the typical Scotsman you'd see on a Sunday in Glasgow, enjoying coffee with his older mates on the avenue. Not an intimidating man, at all. (Or so he thought) He wore an orange worker jacket with a button up and tie, his shirt tucked into jeans. He stood when Caz came through, revealing black rubber boots.

"Ah, you must be Mr. McLeary. Come on in, have a seat."

Caz trotted in confidently after closing the door behind him. He strode over to his desk and held his hand out for a shake. "It's nice to meet you."

Rennick flicked his eyes up from his desk and his amicability rattled for only a moment. "Just sit, would you."

He disregarded the handshake, leaving Caz to dejectedly sit in the chair across from him.

"I'll shake your hand when I got a reason to. For now you gottae prove yourself. This is a job with high turnover because it's going to work you to the bone, you understand me? Best you know now in case you wannae hitch a ride back to shore."

"Nah, I'm good for it. Just tell me where you need me."

"I won't tolerate any slack. You want a chinwag with the mates you save it for the crew lounge. You prioritize your work to most important to least. If the gennies are acting up don't fuck about with a fuse box. And most importantly, if I tell you to do something you do it. We're on a schedule, you understand? Which means every minute of your clock in reflects on that. Don't make me regret taking you on, McLeary."

Caz impulsively said, "You must've had issues with this before."

"Anyone who had donnae work here anymore, that's for sure. Now do you understand?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good. You're still fresh so I'll have you with Cartier for the day."

"Where can I find them?"

"Canteen, likely. Fuck if I know, ask about and you'll be set right."

Caz left Rennick's office, maneuvering the rig like a maze. He did manage to find someone to help.

"Hey, lads! Know where I can find the canteen?"

Muir and Innes startled from their work on the deck and Innes said, "That module there, just follow the path, mate. You must be new."

"Aye, first day. Running around like a blue arsed fly."

Innes and Muir chuckled at the jest. Caz continued, "Rennick's got me turned around here."

"Eh, he's letting you drown rather than teaching you to swim. Don't worry, mate, he did it to all of us. You'll find your way, eventually. No time at all this place will be a second home." Muir smiled.

"When you get time, go find Trots. He'll get you assembled a sight better than Rennick." Innes added as he adjusted his work hat.

Caz gave thanks and made his way to the canteen in a swift jaunt. Maybe Roy is working? He's the chef, after all.

He reached the canteen finally to a few faces sitting at the tables eating their last specks of breakfast. The canteen smelt like any other Scotland greasy spoon. It was warming to come into it. A Brit said aloud, "The first sighting of the new recruits! Ello, mate. How you settlin'?"

Caz looked over to a bald man more rotund than the others. He had a silver chain along his neck and a sweaty beater under his uniform. "Just fine. Names Caz."

"Addair." He was a lot more welcoming to a handshake than Rennick. "What's your job?"

"Elecky."

"You don't say? You down in Engineering with Cartier, too?"

"Nah… well, I don't know. Do you know where I can find em'? I'm supposed to be trailing them today."

Addair chuckled, "I do my best to avoid that frog as much a bloke can. Sorry mate. Better luck asking someone else. Good luck, though. You're in for a ride."

"Caz! Me ol' mucker, I thought that was you!"

Roy came from the kitchen with a rag thrown over his shoulder. Roy's voice was a vocal hug, his swagger a feeling of hearth. Caz had a breath of relief when he saw his long-time friend stride over to him. The two had a small chuckle as they hugged – giving each other a comforting slap on the back.

"How's it been, mate? The fly alright? What about the crew, they being friendly?"

Caz replied, "Aye, fine. Not bad. Haven't really spoken to too many but they seem alright."

"Did you say goodbye to Suze?"

Caz's memories flickered back to the resentment in her tone. The dissociation as she lay in bed before he first left. He sighed, "I tried. I reckon she's still crossed."

"Give her time, lad. The lord works in mysterious ways. She'll write ya, I know she will."

A black male walked past the two on his way out the deck. Roy called to him, "Ey, Brodie! You off to the diving then?"

"Gotta train a new lad today. You must be one of the new ones we got shipped in. Names Brodie, you?"

"Caz. How do, pal?"

"Nice to meet ya, Caz. Welcome to the Beira. Wish I could say you'll have all the comforts of home here but the only comfort you'll find is in Roy's cooking."

Caz and Roy had a small laugh as Brodie made his way out. "I'll see you in the lounge tonight for darts. You game, Caz?"

"Ha, darts. Count me in."

"That's the spirit. Enjoy your first day, Caz. Don't let the boss man catch you slackin'."

As Brodie left out the hallway, Caz asked Roy, "I'm actually trying to find my own mentor, eh. Names Cartier or something. Rennick said they'd be here."

"Oh, Frenchie? Nah, mate, she went out to the deck a little while ago. You being saddled with her today, you're gonna have your work cut out for you."

Caz asked, "She?"

"Aye. Still no different than any other Frenchman. She'll bust your bullocks and call you a cunt and be your best friend all in one go. Best go find her before she vanishes in the rig's underbelly. I think I saw her leave with Gibbo. He's by the derrick."

Caz made a gruff sigh, "Fuck sakes, not even an hour in and I can't catch a break. I'm off to find her then. Catch you tonight, Roy."

"I'll see you then, mate."

After another tedious ten minutes searching the deck for his trainer, he happened across a gaggle of men laughing by the derrick. Caz called, "Hey, lads. One of you Gibbo?"

"That's me." A round man with brown hair and a comb moustache waved his hand up. "Are you one of the newbies?"

"You know where I can find Cartier? Been looking for her all morning."

"Oh, fuck. Rennick really gave you the short straw! Josie's up in Processing Quad doing a tune up. She should be down soon, though. You wait around a bit you'll see her."

"Will I know it's her?"

The boys laughed, exchanging looks to each other. Another crewmate, O'Connor, said smiling, "Oh, you'll know. She's hard to miss. You must be the new elecky guy if you're training with her."

Gibbo joked, "She's short but her chest makes up for it."

Another crewmate said, "Not many busty redheads on the Beira. Trust me, she stands out."

Gibbo pointed up the staircase behind Caz, "L'amour!" He joked, "Here she comes."

Caz looked back and could see the short glimpses of ginger hair hopping down the steps and back to the deck. She turned the corner of the rail and he was now starting to understand the other crew's jesting. She was a small woman, just over five feet. Bob red hair riddled in curls. It dangled carelessly to her face. She was an hourglass with a large bust reacting to her hip-swivelling swagger. She was young, likely in her early twenties. A face sightly and fair complete with big and blue doe eyes. A cigarette dangling from her plump red lips.

Caz asked, "That's Cartier?"

Gibbo teased, "Not what you were expecting?"

She had a blue Cadal uniform and a utility belt along her slim waist. She was making a confident jaunt to the men, her face vacant yet glaring.

"Oh, Josie," called Gibbo in singsong, "You got a charity case today, love."

She made a sound. Not really a word but a shrill squawk. As if she was saying 'huh' and 'what' at the same time.

"Hey, I'm Caz, I'm supposed to trail you today."

She stopped a few feet before him and crossed her arms, "Who said? Rennick?"

"Aye."

"Fucking bouffon." She had a thick French accent, a hiss in her speech. "First the Engineering shit and now ziss? I am not good teacher. What are you? Electrician?"

Caz nodded, "Yeah. You?"

"I am a mechanic. Not electrician. Even though I been acting as one. What are your credentials, monsieur?"

"My what?"

"Qualifications," she said in an impatient tone. "University? College? What shit hill am I climbing and where does it end."

Caz shrugged, "School? I'm just hired to fix elecky. Got some experience working on cars, though."

Her eyes dulled. "So, you handyman."

"Sure."

"Capitaine has thrown me into zee shit soup with you. Thinks just because I'm a woman I should be raising children. Connard."

Caz curved a somewhat amused smile. "Sorry to be a disappointment."

"A shred you learn from me will make you a damn good electrician. Not as good as me. But… better zan you are. Come, come! To Engineering we go, handyman. I could use zee extra hands, anyway."

Gibbo called as Josie and Caz left, "Be gentle with him, Jo!"

"Ferme ta gueule!" She shouted back, rushing Caz with her hands shortly after. Much like a scolding mother, an impatient matriarch. She was young but, in her demeanour and confidence, she had dominance. Caz was more amused than anything, certain to not offend. Hell hath no fury like an angry French woman. Even the way she walked was a statement she was not cut from any type of UK cloth. She was European, strictly. Her head held high and a swagger that was almost gliding. The typical elitism one would find in a French working with a bunch of roughneck Scots.

Caz asked in a friendly tone, "So, what brings a Frenchwoman to the UK? Aboard an oil rig full of Scots, no less?"

"Do not even sink about it, handyman." She hissed as they made way down the steps to the Under Rig.

"What?" Caz scoffed.

Josie ranted further, "I do not fuck where I eat, monsieur."

Caz gasped, "Whoa! That isn't it. No way. I'm married."

"Half the men on this rig are married. Doesn't stop zem. If you're loyal, good for you. I've had to deal with stares, questions and honey words since I started on zis shithole. Pardon me if I draw the line in zee sand now."

"You donnae have to worry with me."

"Good. Will make today much more enjoyable. For you." They crossed the open platform just under the waves below. Caz slowed his jaunt to appreciate it. It was several feet down into frigid cold waters that thrashed as unforgiving as the North Sea persists.

"Watch your step, handyman. Zose waters aren't for skinny dipping."

Caz hurried behind Josie, wincing at the creaking metal of the bridges. As if they were fixing to collapse any moment. "These even safe to walk on?"

"Zis whole rig is a piece of steaming shit. You can thank Capitaine for zat. Does he listen? No. He sends me down in Engineering to fix what the grunts should be fixing. Makes me tutor inept electricians and zen shafts me with overtime hours without good pay. Five years to become a mechanical engineer, and I'm a fucking run-of-the-mill mechanic. If I knew a bachelor's degree from Oxford would get me here, I would have become a fucking strip-teaseuse."

Caz rubbed his smile away. "You and Rennick don't get along I take it."

"You won't, either. Trust me. Fucking culé. He wants to fire me so badly, but he cannot. I was hired here by Cadal, themselves. Part of a program funded by Oxford for young and promising students to bolster the oil industry. If zey fire me, zey won't get Oxford's pretty penny. So… I make it a fond hobby to bite back."

"How's that going for you?"

"Connard, don't be smart! I'm a valuable ally. You do good today, zee Capitaine will have to mess with me if he wants to get to you."

Josie opened the vault to Engineering. It was almost completely in darkness if not for the flashlights on Caz and Josie's hats. She was spritely down the steps, as if she'd been doing it for a long time. Caz struggled to keep up with her. When they got to the catalyst, they were met to a gaggle of engineers already working at the drill. Josie stood a bit puzzled at the entrance at first, then her glower turned to a scowl.

Addair broke from ordering the others to bellow at the two, "Oi! You two can't be in here, we're testing the drill."

"We need to repair zee service board! I tell you zis morning! I say, 'no tests!' No test! Why do you never listen, connard?!"

Addair protested, "You can't work on the board, we're using it, for fuck sakes. We got a schedule."

"Oh, putain! Fuck your schedule. What about my schedule, huh? We're no where close to drill, anyway. You can wait an hour or two until zee board is fixed."

Finlay, the only other woman on the rig beside Josie, spoke up, "Addair just let em at it. We got an hour or two to spare, fuck, I could use a smoke, anyway."

"Naw! You're not fucking about the machine today. You did that yesterday, ya frog. Rennick wanted this test done today, so it's being done. Go take your apprentice to the fuse boxes up on deck."

Caz furrowed a brow. Cunt not nearly as chummy as he was in the canteen.

"Au diable ça! I was merciful enough to give you heads up at breakfast, you British prick, and you agreed! Me and apprentice work now! You all get zee fuck out!"

Addair broke into furious laughter, "Dream on, ya bitch. I never agreed to fuck all. You two can do your worst at the dash, but that won't be stopping us."

Josie stepped down the steps with a stomp, undaunted in her small stature to men six feet and taller. "You sink I will not go to war with you?"

Addair snapped back, "Go on, then! Spoken like a true frenchman." He stepped closer, towering over her with such smugness. Caz stepped forward, almost prepared to throw Josie out of the way. As if Addair was going to strike her. Try it, cunt.

Addair curdled his voice, "What are you gonna do, Cartier? Rennick gave the order. I'm sure he'll do anything to get you off the rig. So go on. Give him a reason."

Josie squished her lips, keeping her almost lethal, unblinking, blue-eyed glare up at Addair. Gibbo, O'Connor, Boyd and Finlay stared at the altercation in dead silence, with Caz preparing for some kind of scuffle. Would he hit a woman? Would she hit him? She would. She definitely would.

Then she huffed from her nose, stepped around Addair with a vicious curve and started for the upper level to the phone. Then Addair began to sputter, "No… Cartier for fuck sakes, don't get him involved."

"Too late for zat, pédé!"

Finlay grumbled under her breath, "Here we fucking go."

"You're just gonna piss him off. Josie!" Gibbo tried to implore, but Josie was pacing to that phone as if it had a cheekbone to punch.

Caz asked quieter, "What is she doing?"

"Bringing a gun to a knife fight…" Addair said in a whisper as he pinched at the bridge of his nose.

The phone rang a few times, and Josie's voice barked loud enough it echoed through Engineering. "Capitaine!"

Rennick impatiently asked on the other line, "Cartier, the fuck is the problem now?"

"Don't play fucking dumb with me, you see where I'm calling you from! Mind telling me why zee 'Jack-off Five' are in Engineering using drill when you know I fix today!"

"The drill needs to be tested, Cartier. It's scheduled. I've already told you not to be calling me about this shite, I'm fucking scunnered of it!"

"That's merde! Fucking merde! Connard oublieux! You scheduled me in here today! If you sink I'm working another double you can kiss my lily white ass cheek! Slovenly! You get zese pricks out now!"

"Did you not monopolize Engineering yesterday? Or Mud Handling the day before?! It's a fucking test, Cartier, it'll take an hour. Gies peace and get fucked out of there!"

Josie made an affronted gasp. "Putain! I work where I am needed, no? You tell me zat when I start! I am needed at zee dash! These fucking bouffons will fuck it up worse, then more of my time wasted in cleaning up shit! You have any idea how over worked I am?! You wanna know the last time I have more than two-hour sleep?! Do you enjoy fucking me, Rennick?! Cause let me tell you, would be nice if you at least bought me a rose and a fucking croissant!" Her voice carried more irate, likely grating on Rennick's phone receiving. Caz was in complete shock, unable to process Josie was actually speaking to Rennick that way. But for Gibbo, Addair, O'Connor and Finlay, it was just another regular annoyance. Despite the disbelief, he was thoroughly amused, almost fighting the urge to laugh.

"Oh, give a rest you mewling frog. No one forced you to take that scholarship. I'd sure be right as rain if you fucked off back to France!"

Josie stomped her foot to the floor petulantly. "Maybe I will! And take my grant money with me! Wouldn't your overlords love zat, you dog. You're stuck with me. Whether you like it or not. When I want something, you give it! And I want zee twats out of my way! C'est putain d'absurde!"

"Oh, go cry about it to someone who cares, ya dafty cunt!"

The phone clicked when Rennick hung up, making Josie gasp like it was her last breath. Josie screamed, "Putaaaaain!" She started to dial again.

O'Connor called up to her, "Oh, yer aff yer heid, lass!"

"Ferme ta gueule!"

O'Conner sighed down to his boots and sat down to the floor, as Gibbo leaned against the railing in grievance.

Addair said, "To hell with her. Let's do it."

"Not until she's done," warned Caz, stepping before the control room.

"She sounds pretty fucking done to me, lad. She's been done for a while now. Move on, would ya? We got work to do."

"I'm sure you do. But so do we. You can sit tight till she's done."

Addair sputtered, "Pretty soon for an ode of loyalty, mate. Let me guess… it's the norks on her, innit? They cast a fucking spell."

"Shut it, both of you." Finlay stepped between Caz and Addair suddenly.

Josie eventually got back on with Rennick (after three attempts). His answer was anything but content. "Cartier!"

"I am just getting started, Capitaine!"

"You're doin' my fucking nut in! You call me again and I'll…"

"And you'll what? Finish the sentence, connard. I fucking dare you!"

Finlay rubbed her hand back her head, "She doesn't give up that's for fucking sure."

"You tell me to go down to Engineering to fix dash! You saddle me with electrician when I am a rig mechanic! Zen you change plans and bring fucking Addair into my workplace! Get your head and dick out of zee mud and do your fucking job! All your managing is how your ass sits in zat comfy little office chair! I want Addair out! Now! Or I swear to you I will do it!"

"That's a load of shite."

"You think I won't? You think Cadal would be happy to hear zat zair manager a useless prick?! Merde! I've done worse!"

"Fuck you and fuck your fucking grant, you wee French cow!"

"Oui! L'amour! Talk dirty to me, monsieur!" She almost moaned suggestively, then reformed back to her vicious growl. "But it won't change my mind, you Scottish twat! Watch me! Ha!" She slammed the phone back to the hold. She whipped back around and started pacing angrily back through the rails.

Addair commented, "Didn't go well, did it? Maybe you should have called him a Scottish prick?"

Caz dejectedly leaned off the railing, preparing to leave Engineering with Josie. Then to their surprise, the phone rang. Josie stopped, listening to the phone jingle behind her. A slow and content smile curving to her face.

Addair moaned, "Oh, for fuck sakes…"

Josie answered the phone in her own time, taking neatly steps back without any fury. She brought the phone to her ear, and a far softer tone came from her rose lips, "Oui, capitaine?"

"You've got an hour." Rennick's voice was left deflated on the other end, but the roll at the end still a vindictive growl.

Josie's smile filled her face, "Merci, capitaine."

Before she could hang up, Rennick's voice rumbled in the speaker. "Cartier."

"Oui?"

"Never again. You understand me?"

"I make no promises I can't keep, capitaine." She hung up the phone and faced the others down the railing by the drill. A certain innocent smug on her face.

Addair groaned, knowing exactly the turn out, "You've got to be fucking with me."

"Surely not. Please kindly fuck off, all of you. You can crawl back in an hour. Handyman and I should be done by zen."

Caz wasn't sure if he should be surprised or scared that she actually got what she wanted. Addair cursed under his breath and angrily gathered his tools before leaving.

Finlay chuckled and called, "Good show, Cartier."

She waved condescendingly. "Au revoir!"