Dialogue: With a Little Help from My Friends

Gillean Jordan

Hello and welcome to N54 News. We begin with distressing reports from the Badlands.

A Militech humanitarian convoy was attacked by a ruthless band of nomad outlaws.

Corporate security forces responded with force only as a last resort after their escape route had been cut off.

Although several Militech vehicles suffered damage, the nomads have failed to open them.

Reinforcements called to the attack site managed to repel the assailants and secure the transport's cargo.

Unfortunately, approximately a dozen employees were killed in the assault, including veteran of the Unification War and Crimson Heart recipient Linda Knopes. To the families of those who perished, we at N54 News offer our sincerest condolences.

With the NCPD's cooperation, Militech has already announced a relatiatory strike on nearby nomad camps.

We continue our coverage after the break.

Panam

V, do you have a moment?

V

Need to talk?

Panam

I mean a longer moment. Can you come by the camp?

I've a problem.

V

1AOn my way.

Panam

1APhew, thanks. That's good to hear.

V

1AGimme a little more intel? What's your grief?

Panam

1AWell, it would be better to…

V

1ALemme guess. Saul, right?

Panam

1AYou know me well.

V

1AMhm. See you soon.

1BCan't now.

Panam

1BI've heard that one before. You're so damned busy, so important.

V

1BListen, call you as soon as…

Panam

1BOh, save your breath.

1BOf course.

1BPlease be sure to let me know when you're free-er.

V

1CGot a problem and you're calling me?

1CThought you rejoined the family.

Panam

1CWell, I... Yes, I did, but I thought...

1CI suppose that means you're not willing to come, am I right?

V

Panam?

Panam

Finally. Are you coming? The problem hasn't solved itself – nor will it.

Voice

Sure, we can pack, we can ride, but what then?

Voice

The contract's dead. We've got no reason to stay.

Voice

You're the only ones breaking camp.

Voice

Because Saul doesn't know when to quit.

He's stubborn as a mule, yet everyone listens to him because…

Voice

Because he's head of the family?

Because the Aldecaldos stay together?

Voice

God dammit. Have it your way.

We'll stay.

Saul

No. The rest will stay here in camp.

I want patrols every half hour, reporting directly to me.

Mitch

Are we preparing for a visit from Biotechnica?

Or a Fourth Corporate War?

Saul

The Raffens could surprise us at any moment.

Mitch

You're not blowing this a little out of proportion...?

Saul

I don't want any more surprises.

Besides, we'll look good, aware, prepared.

Panam

V, you're here.

Saul

What is she doing here?

I forbade you from even breathing on that Militech convoy so you call in your friend?

To do it all behind my back, is that it?

The Biotechnica people will be here in an hour. Try not to cock anything else up before then.

Mitch

I can't believe it. There he goes, off to paint the grass green.

V

1AWhat's this Basilisk nonsense?

Panam

1AIt's an armored Militech cargo panzer – junk from back in 2060 or so.

1AThey want to peddle it off to a backwards country, somewhere it can still pass as a technological wonder.

Mitch

1AThe Militech convoy will take the one-oh-one, right past us.

1AShame not to say hello.

V

2AThis Basilisk worth another fight with Saul?

Panam

2AYes! A craft like that would finally put us back on the right path.

Mitch

2AThe family is falling apart. If we fall into this Biotechnica rut, no one will ever take us seriously again.

V

2AOK, so you do wanna go behind Saul's back, dragged me here specifically for that.

Panam

2ACassidy, Ted, Carol and Bob – also on board.

V

3AAnd you plan to grab the Basilisk how?

Panam

3AThanks, V.

V

3AHaven't said I'd help just yet.

Panam

3AOK, let's go talk to the rest.

V

4ASo, just the four vets on board with the plan, nobody else?

Panam

4AWe didn't bother asking the others.

Mitch

4AThere was too great a risk someone would take it to Saul.

Panam

4ABesides, only the vets understand what we stand to gain by having a Basilisk.

V

5ASounds pretty risky to me.

Mitch

5AOn the contrary, easy as pie. There won't even be much security on the convoy.

5APlus, we'll be doing our part towards furthering the cause of world peace.

5AWhy should this beast wind up being used in some little third world skirmish?

5AWe'll make better use of it right here in America.

Cassidy

3ADid you try to get Saul on board again? No luck, huh?

Panam

3ANo. OK, everyone listen. Militech will transport the Basilisk in parts distributed across two trucks.

Mitch

3AWait – do I sense a quiver in your voice?

Panam

3AFuck you.

3AThe convoy we'll halt at the railroad crossing on the one-oh-one.

3AWe'll attack from behind, then get the hell out and away.

3AQuestions, comments, motions?

Cassidy

3ANice job, sunshine.

Carol

3AMhm. Damn short, sweet and pertinent.

3ANone of that sad-sack bullshit Saul likes to tack on.

V

8AOK. I'm in.

Panam

8AHmm. OK. Thanks.

8AFirst, we'll ride to the station.

8AThe train engine we need to block the convoy's way is there.

8AAre you riding with us, or will we meet you there?

V

9ARidin' with you.

Panam

9AExcellent. Let's get going.

V

9BMeet you there.

Panam

9BNot a problem.

9BCome on, let's go.

V

8BTerrible idea, all this. Sorry, can't, won't get involved.

Panam

8BSuit yourself.

Mitch

8BBut if you change your mind...

Panam

8BFuck, Mitch. You heard her. She said this is not her concern.

V

8CIt's all too... easy. Convenient to arrange.

8CThe exact tech you need. Comin' your way almost served on a silver platter.

Panam

8CYes. Saul also claimed it stinks to high heaven.

V

8CIntel on the convoy – where'd you get it?

Panam

8CCarol hacked the Militech comms channel. Is that enough for you?

Mitch

7AI think I heard a little shake in that voice.

Panam

7AYou did not.

Mitch

7AAw, come on. Did your hands get clammy, too?

Panam

7AScrew you.

Bob

7ABut – are you sure you didn't leave any tracks? Militech won't notice a thing?

Carol

7AAre you trying to insult me, Bobby?

Bob

7AOK, OK. Forget I even asked.

V

7APanam's got a beef with Saul, I know. But you guys...?

Teddy

7AA few years back, nobody would have given corpo work a second thought.

Cassidy

7AWe want a good name, we just need good gear and good jobs.

7AAnd Saul would see that if he pulled his head out of his caboose once in a while.

V

3BWhy's Saul got his briefs in a bunch over this Basilisk?

Panam

3BHe's afraid Militech will destroy us if we pick a fight with it.

Mitch

3BHe thinks it safer to stick with the corporations. Like Biotechnica – what a joke!

V

3BAnd you guys'd rather...?

Mitch

3BWe would rather go back to plying the trade we know best – logistics.

V

3BMeanin' smugglin'.

Mitch

3BThat's what I said.

V

3C'Member, a while back, told me to give you a solid kick in the pants if I saw you divin' in the stupid pool again?

Panam

3CI do. Yet that was before our tandem raid on the Raffen camp.

3CI believe you lost your opportunity there.

V

3CNope, different, that – rescue mission. Someone from the family.

3CNow, you're out to plain trick him.

Panam

3CIf you plan to lecture me, you can damn well go right now.

V

3DThought you and Saul'd agreed to bury your carbines.

Panam

3DSo did I. But it seems that's only true when somebody is trying to kill us.

V

3D'Zactly. You saved his life. Wanna fuck things up all over again now?

Panam

3DI saved his life, yet somehow he still ignores everything I say.

3DSo I do believe we have come full circle.

V

2BLemme guess – whole thing's your idea?

Panam

2BHow did you know?

V

2BSaul wouldn't be quite so pissed if it weren't.

Mitch

2BI believe V is right. If this had been Saul's idea, he would've seen it as the greatest plan on God's green earth.

Panam

2BBull. Saul isn't that petty.

2BHe's simply a coward. He would rather play it safe, bide his time. For the family.

V

1BBein' unusually quiet. What's up?

Panam

1BI see no point in arguing with Saul. We can't win.

V

1BSo – givin' up?

Panam

1BOf course not. We'll take the Basilisk ourselves, then wait for Saul to admit we were right.

Mitch

1BEither that or to boot us out of the family.

V

14AThought the Biotechnica contract had withered and died.

Mitch

14ASaul insists we see it through to the end – to prove the Aldecaldos keep their word.

Panam

14ACrop protection! Who gives a damn about crop protection?!

14AAll Saul is going to prove is that a corp can walk all over us, and we'll say thank you and ask for more.

Uh-huh. That's exactly why I had V come and stand right in front of you. Do you think I'm that stupid?

Saul

I am starting to wonder.

Mitch

Dammit to hell, Saul!

Are you seriously considering letting that Basilisk slip through our fingers?

Saul

I am.

V

15AGet the sense this fight's grown stale. C'mon, put some feeling into it.

Saul

15ANo. This discussion ended long ago.

V

15BWow, seems a lot changed while I was away.

Saul

15BNo, nothing has changed at all.

Mitch

But a chance like this...

Saul

A chance at what? Rotting up the job we came here to do?

V

16AGot no fuckin' clue what's going on here.

16BYou really think you can "forbid" Panam from doing anything?

16BTrust me – no point. She'll do whatever she wants.

Saul

16BNo, she won't. Not if she plans to stay in this family.

Panam

V?

Let's go.

Saul

Or pissing Militech off so they hammer us into the dirt right here?

Mitch

Shit, Panam, can you please tell him…?

Panam

I've already tried. Let it go, Mitch.

V?

Is everything clear?

Are we going?

Well? V?

Mitch

If you don't want to, you don't need to drop into the middle of this.

But we could use your help – that's undeniable.

Panam

OK. The Militech convoy will be traveling from Night City to the base where they're due to meet the buyer.

We will stop it at the railroad crossing.

Mitch

All we have to do is shove this beauty in its way.

Panam

V – any questions?

V

1APlan to move this thing how, exactly?

1BSeems to be a lot of abandoned stations around.

Teddy

1BThis one belonged to a corporation that ran a cement factory. They used it as their reloading point.

V

1BDidn't take the train engine when they left?

Bob

1BThe engine's been here going on forty years. Since the Blackwall days.

Mitch

1BFor a time, everybody had to go back to the old ways. This engine ran on nuclear. Like submarines do.

V

1BAll the weirder they left it behind.

Cassidy

1BCorps. They probably listed it in a spreadsheet as "cost optimization."

Panam

It's old tech. Carol will have to hack it.

Carol

Then I'll somehow have to finagle authorization from the control tower to move it.

V

Tower looks inactive to me, too.

Mitch

We'll see to that. You and Panam just get the authorization code.

Panam

OK. Let's get to work.

You came after all.

Are we ready?

Cassidy

Big bastard.

Carol

If you like it so much, maybe we should just hijack the train?

Let the Basilisk go on its way?

Cassidy

Yep. Then just drive this beast to the one-oh-one, there and back.

Carol

Saul would be on board with that.

Panam

Hello, V!

Saul

Panam sent you now, to convince me?

V

1APanam's got no idea I'm here.

Saul

1AMhm. So?

1AWhat is it exactly you've come to tell me?

V

2APanam's swayed Cassidy, Carol and the others to... help her grab the Basilisk.

Saul

2AFuck! She will never learn!

2AHow many more have to die before she hangs it up, stops scheming?!

V

2APanam's got good inten--

Saul

2APanam has no idea what she's doing. The Raffens will not let up, and she wants to bring Militech down on our asses.

V

2ADoe'n't look great, no.

Saul

2AWhy have you come to me with this? I thought you'd be on her side.

V

3APanam's plan's schlock, makes no sense. Suicidal, in fact.

3AGot a handful of bodies, wants to raid a Militech convoy bristlin' with security.

Saul

3AJesus. And she's picked an optimal time, right when we cannot afford any weakening of the clan.

3AI appreciate you bringing this to me.

V

3APanam is gonna be pissed.

Saul

3AIt will pass. And down the line, she'll see and admit you were right.

3AI'll be in touch.

V

3BWorried about Panam, is all. Somehow... always ahead of her thoughts.

Saul

3BSo she doesn't see the consequences before it's too late.

3BI appreciate you bringing this to me.

V

3BPanam is gonna be pissed.

Saul

3BIt will pass. And down the line, she'll see and admit you were right.

3BI'll be in touch.

V

3CNo "sides" here. Good of the clan – that's what counts.

3CAnd this time 'round, just think you see it right – Panam's riskin' her own life, others' lives, unnecessarily.

Saul

3CThank you.

V

3CPanam is gonna be pissed.

Saul

3CI'll be in touch.

V

3DJust seemed like you'd wanna know.

Saul

3DUh-huh. I would.

3DBecause it seems to me, Panam wants to oust me.

V

3DPanam's got good intentions, I'm sure…

Saul

3DBreaking up the clan is never good.

3DI'll be in touch.

V

2BRather not drop in between you.

Saul

2BMaybe that's best.

2BYou're all right, V. I just hope you'll manage to keep Panam out of trouble.

V

2BRight.

Saul

2BIf there's any movement, let me know.

V

1BIdea with the Basilisk's shit. Ah, I don't like it.

Saul

1BNor do I, nor do the others, so join the clan – I don't mean that.

1BWhat is it exactly you've come to tell me?

V

1CSeem hell-bent on this Biotechnica contract – why?

Saul

1CIt's safe work, it's well-paid work.

V

1CPanam sees it as a little…

Saul

1CBeneath her? Well sure, I'd rather do something spectacular, too.

1CYet unlike Panam, I can see just how sorry a state this clan is in.

1CAnd when your car is on fire, you don't stop and think about upgrading the hubcaps.

V

Not all the others…

V

1ANobody's gonna notice you gone, back at camp?

Panam

1ASaul has no wish to see us there anyway.

1AThe better to make a good second impression on the Biotechnica suits.

V

1AYour sour faces wouldn't help much.

Panam

1AIndeed they would not.

V

2AAnd the Raffens – what about them? Expectin' any trouble?

Panam

2ASaul is. He's posted sentries all around the camp.

V

2AHow's that not right?

Panam

2AHe's wrong in continuing to fight the symptoms rather than the disease.

V

3ADon't miss life in Night City?

Panam

3AAt times, perhaps.

3AI miss the feeling of having a new beginning, of freedom…

3ABut I also haven't forgotten the emptiness.

3AThe feeling of realizing it means nothing if you're alone.

V

4AHad a hard time leaving my family, too.

4ABut was never been completely alone, either.

Panam

4AYou had someone?

V

4AA true friend. Jackie, by name.

4AYou woulda liked him, actually.

Panam

4AJackie. I'll remember that.

V

5AYeah, took adjustment on my part, too.

5AThough, never was completely alone.

V

6AWhy so quiet over there?

Panam

6ABecause I just talked your head off a minute ago.

V

6ANah, come on.

6AAlways in the mood to hear about your existential angst.

6AWhy I'm here.

Panam

6AYes. Thanks.

We have arrived.

Panam

Fuck, V! How could you?!

V

Uh, glad you called?

Panam

Do you seriously not know?!

Or did you pull some other shit thing besides ratting me out to Saul?

V

1AHow'd Saul react?

Panam

1AHe humiliated me in front of the clan! He made me look like an idiot!

1ACassidy, Mitch, Carol... we're all lepers. No one will talk to us.

1AAre you pleased?

V

2ADid it for your own good, Panam.

Panam

2AOh, bullshit, V.

2AYou know what – I can't believe how much of a hypocrite you are.

2AAnd here I thought... Fuck, to be so stupid!

V

2AMaybe I can--

Panam

2ANo, you cannot, not anything more! I never want to see you again!

V

2BSorry. That was dumb, turned out messy.

Panam

2BDumb? Messy? V, stop behaving as if you got some ketchup on my shirt.

V

2CSure you're not being a little dramatic?

Panam

2CDo you know what, V? Fuck you.

V

1BAll your fault.

1BCan't believe it, actually – to put the whole clan at risk just to prove to Saul that you were right?

1BPanam?

1CYa had a shit idea – told ya as much.

Panam

1CRight, yes, thank you for your impeccable advice.

1CYet you might have stopped there and fucked off instead of also planting a knife in my back!

Carol

Well, hello there. Have you come to make yourself useful?

V

1AUm, got a use for me?

Carol

1ANot particularly.

V

1BNope. Just here to talk.

1CNever seen oldtech like this. Know your way around it, how'd you learn?

Carol

1CFrom books. Just wait till you see what's inside the signal tower.

1CThey used punch cards. Punch cards! Can you believe it?

V

2AHonestly, prefer Panam to punch cards as a topic of conversation.

Carol

2AHeh. Let me guess.

V

2BWhat cards now?

Carol

2BAn old data storage method. When the net collapsed, we were thrown back to the twentieth century.

V

2BWhat's it even look like?

Carol

2BThey're cardboard cards with holes punched in them – as code in columns.

2BEach hole position, punched or not, represents a unit of data.

You don't really know why you're here, do you?

V

3ABingo. Not really, no.

3BPanam asked me for help.

Carol

Mhmm... She came back to the fold, sweet-talked Mitch and the rest over to her side…

But still, she calls you. Interesting, isn't it.

V

1AWhat're you two doin'?

Cassidy

1AI'm finding my inner peace before the storm. While Teddy is just being dead weight.

V

2ALove to join you.

Cassidy

2ARespect your efforts. Self-respect breeds self-discipline.

2AOnce you have both, you have real power.

V

3BHave fun, kids.

3CDrinkin' always breed deep thoughts?

Cassidy

3CI just feel like people expect some motivational bullshit from me.

V

3DA goal, a love and a dream are what breed a real man.

Cassidy

3DTruer words, sister.

V

2CStay outta your hair, then.

Any of this goes south, you know Panam'll be the one to pay.

Teddy

Do you see us hanging her out to dry?

Do you see Saul letting us off the hook while Panam takes the fall for everything?

Cassidy

I'm starting to like this kid, Ted.

She thinks she cares about Panam more than the girl's own family.

V

4AThink you wanna use Panam to get rid of Saul.

Cassidy

4AListen, V. Do you know what makes a good leader?

V

4ANot some clichéd adages, that's sure.

Cassidy

4AThe ability to overcome adversity, solve conflicts within the clan, trounce efforts to undermine your authority.

V

4AMeanin' you're puttin' Panam through the nomad school of hard knocks? Breedin' a good clan leader?

Cassidy

4APanam? I was thinking of Saul.

4APanam is a goddamn pain in the ass. It just happens that's exactly what Saul needs.

V

4BDidn't take her side last time she left the clan – why?

Cassidy

4BBecause last time Panam was acting a damned fool.

V

4BThinkin' she's learned somethin', she's smarter?

Cassidy

4BYes. She left, learned a few things, managed on her own – and knew when to come back.

Teddy

4BPeople like that are worth a lot more than those who plant their asses in one spot and do as they're told.

Cassidy

Read the opening line and you know you're in for a lovely thousand-page ride.

I mean, just listen.

"When Augustus came out on the porch the blue pigs were eating a rattlesnake – not a very big one."

Teddy

Did you learn the whole thing by heart?

Cassidy

No, just the first sentence.

But I liked all that stuff with the carrots, too.

Catch.

Bob

Even if we pull it off, Saul will be pissed.

I can see his face already.

V

1AHow's it goin' over here?

Bob

1AFantastic. We have everything hooked up and nothing works.

Mitch

1AIt works, though not reliably. V, could scan it?

1ABecause I am not open to the prospect of taking it all apart again.

V

1ACapacitor's damaged. Third from the right.

Bob

1AHm, indeed. Hold on, let me swap it out.

Mitch

1ATime to try it again.

Bob

1AHey, it works.

Mitch

1AThanks, V.

V

1B'Member when we first met? Almost had a pound in your pants at the thought of falling foul of Saul.

Mitch

1BI don't recall leaving Panam high and dry, though.

V

1BNow you're gonna stick it to 'im plain. Something change?

Mitch

1BUh-huh. I realized Panam is right.

Panam

Carol! What are we looking for?!

Carol

Punch cards!

Panam

What cards?

V

Cards punched with a bunch of holes. Lemme help look.

Panam

OK. Thank you.

V

1ANothin' here.

1ANot here.

1ANada.

V

9AGot somethin'.

Panam

9AGood job.

9ACarol! We have a card! What now?!

Carol

9AYou have to put it in the reader!

V

10AHere goes nothin'…

Johnny

10ALittle engine that could.

Panam

10AV... I wanted to speak with you.

V

11AWhat'd you wanna talk about?

Panam

11AI know this may sound foolish, because I asked you to help me. But…

11AWhy are you doing this?

V

12A'Cause it's important to you.

Panam

12ABut... is that all? I-- Sorry, that sounded worse than I intended.

12AListen, V... I...

12AI'm sorry. I'm not very good at this, speaking of my feelings and so forth.

12AAnd I would not want to cock this up.

V

12A'Cause it's important to you.

Panam

12ABut... is that all? I-- Sorry, that sounded worse than I intended.

V

12AAny more questions?

Panam

12ANo, ah – I know everything I need to, I believe.

12APerhaps I should send Rogue flowers, to thank her for introducing us.

V

12AMm. Not really your style, don't think.

Panam

12AI would add a card – "Thank you for giving me a true friend, you manipulative whore."

V

12AThat's my girl.

12BWanna to see how this plays out.

Panam

12BDo you mean what sort of trouble I'll land in? You would find that amusing?

V

12BMaybe a little, yeah. Plus, like to know you're still hangin' in there.

Panam

12BSo you plan to visit regularly, is that right?

V

12BMhm. Keep my eye on you.

12CNot doing this for free.

Panam

12CAh, you need another firearm?

V

13AYeah, for one.

Panam

13AI'm sure we'll find something to suit your taste.

V

13BSomething I said?

Panam

13BNo, it's just... I've just returned, yet I've already forgotten what it's like in Night City.

13BDirty deals, high stakes, tit for tat.

V

13CDidn't mean a gun. Meant you.

Panam

13CIf we're thinking of the same thing, then alas I must decline.

V

13CSeemed to me we been on the same wavelength for a while now.

Panam

13CYes. The same wavelength, different broadcast.

13CThat is not a currency I use to pay for favors.

V

12DUgh, trust issues, again? Thought we'd talked it all out.

Panam

12DV, I know I can count on you.

V

12DBut?

Panam

12DBut... no one has ever done something like this for me before, not without a catch.

V

14AOh, come on.

Panam

14AOK. But – thank you, V. I'm serious.

V

14BMeanin' nobody from outside the fam.

Panam

14BYes. We could both stand to think about what that means.

V

11BYou're happier out here. Can smell it a mile off.

Panam

11BSurely you joke. I'm about to put my family at risk, get a dressing-down from Saul, possibly be kicked out of the family – and you say I seem happy?

V

11BYeah. 'Cause you're doin' what you think's right for the Aldecaldos.

11BEven though it's hard, even though you're shitting your pants.

Panam

11BDear God, so you can see it, too.

V

15ABecause it's all for the family, right?

15ANot that you wanna kick Saul out, take his place as head of the clan?

Panam

15ANot another word from you!

15AAll right. And you – why are you doing this?

15AI know that I asked you for help myself, but... why did you agree?

V

15BWhat'd you wanna talk about?

Panam

15BI know this may sound foolish, because I asked you to help me. But…

15BWhy are you doing this?

V

11CGetting cold feet?

Panam

11CI am. But it has nothing to do with the convoy.

V

11CSo what is it?

Panam

11CI know this may sound foolish, because I asked you to help me. But…

11CWhy are you doing this?

V

11DMissed you, pretty bad.

Panam

11DOh, well... this means...

11DWait, just-just wait. This is not how we usually talk.

V

16ANo time like the present.

Panam

16AOK. Go ahead.

16AThat was a joke. Listen, V, I believe I know where this is going.

V

16AAnd, not to your liking?

Panam

16ANo, it's not that. I also wished to talk about it, just... not so openly.

16AMy plan was to tiptoe around, test the waters, then retreat back into my shell.

V

16BNot what you wanted to talk about?

Panam

16BI mean... perhaps I did. But not so openly.

16BMy plan was to tiptoe around, test the waters, then retreat back into my shell.

V

16CDon't have to if you don't wanna.

Panam

16CNo, it's not that. I also wished to talk about it, just... not so openly.

16CMy plan was to tiptoe around, test the waters, then retreat back into my shell.

V

17ASounds like a plan. What went wrong?

Panam

17AIt seems you saw right through me.

V

17ADidn't have a clue how you'd react. You're not the only one shootin' in the dark.

Panam

17AI would not want to cock this up.

V

17BDon't see a problem here.

Panam

17BI'm sorry. I'm not very good at this, speaking of my feelings and so forth.

17BAnd I would not want to cock this up.

V

17COK, but let's skip the tiptoeing. Where are we now?

Panam

17CI would not want to cock this up.

V

18AWell, that's a start.

Panam

18AThe thing is, I usually act before I think.

V

18AUh-huh, noticed.

Panam

18AI know. But I also need impulses to act upon.

18AWhen I do something spontaneously, I feel I'm being honest.

18AYet with you... I prefer to play it safe.

V

18BSo far, so good, champ.

Panam

18BBecause I've kept my mouth shut up to now.

18BThe thing is, I usually act before I think.

V

18BUh-huh, noticed.

Panam

18BI know. But I also need impulses to act upon.

18BWhen I do something spontaneously, I feel I'm being honest.

18BYet with you... I prefer to play it safe.

V

19ADon't feel any impulse at all right now? Shame, was hoping you did.

Panam

19AI do. But I fear I'll do or say something foolish – and be left alone in the desert.

19AI would rather keep you close. If only as a friend.

V

19BWhy's it any different with me?

Panam

19BBecause I truly care this time. Yet I fear I'll do or say something foolish – and be left alone in the desert.

19BI would rather keep you close. If only as a friend.

V

20ATry followin' the impulse next time.

Panam

20AOK. Well, in any case, you've been warned.

20AAll right. Let's rejoin the others.

V

20BThink you're overthinking it. I don't scare that easy.

Panam

20BOK. If you say so.

20BAll right. Let's rejoin the others.

V

10AConvoy – got eyes and ears on it?

Panam

10AYes. Carol checks their communication channels from time to time.

10AEverything is proceeding as planned – for now.

10AWe could still check--

Cassidy

10ASit your ass down a minute, honey, and breathe.

Bob

10AEverything's under control. The convoy is already heading our way.

Panam

10AIt worked! Come look.

V

9ASome sorta stone-age control panel.

Panam

9ALet's find the cards first?

9AWell, V? The card... in the reader?

9AOK, it must be here somewhere.

9AV, look thoroughly, please.

Carol

Oblong cards, holes in rows and columns!

Panam

Would you help me look?

V

Sure thing.

Panam

The stairs it is, then.

I've always been fond of trains.

And the stations where so many tracks converge.

V

Mh, junctions.

Panam

Yes, those. When you see them from above, you feel…

V

Free? Like you could set off on a thousand journeys all at once?

Panam

Perhaps more simply – hopeful.

OK. Here we are.

We have lights. Mitch and Bob must have managed to connect.

V

Got a little help from yours truly.

Panam

Mitch and Bob are already connected.

V

Got a little help from yours truly.

Bob

Do you need a light?

Panam

Well done! Thanks, boys.

V

22ANeed a hand?

Panam

22AOf course. But in your shoes, I would look for another way in first.

My, that was quick.

How did you weasel your way in there? And here I opened the damned door. Be right there.

I opened this one, so we'll call it a tie. Be right there.

That was impressive. Yet I prefer the door. Be right there, hold on.

V? Is this a bad time?

It will not take long.