Part 2: Hatched!

[andrav]

Anya gave XJ a hard blink. "That's... Wha--" Anya was speechless for a moment, confused. "XJ, when would three whole freight ships dock? And...even if they did, how would we..."

To XJ's surprise, Dolly put down her silverware and asked, "What... should I do?" XJ got the impression that Dolly would do just about anything XJ suggested in that moment. It was a potent sensation. XJ's eyes widened. Was she ready to lead in this way? She'd always been part of the team in a heist--not the one calling the shots. But everyone else here seemed content to keep doing this miserable grind. Eat, break rocks, sleep. Eat, get brainwashed, sleep. XJ couldn't do it, and if becoming a leader was what it took to get out of this place, then she would do it.

Both other girls looked at XJ expectantly. She kept her voice down as low as she dared.

"Right. Here's my thought. We jam one of the freight ships before it can leave. The guards think it's broken and call two more ships up--one to replace the old one and one to catch up on their latest shipment. But, we also need them to send some bigwig up here to inspect something. Or maybe just to commemorate it. Someone to boost morale." XJ did lower her voice, talking out of the corner of her mouth for just a moment. "Someone they can't afford to lose." XJ was worried that, if the people planet-side thought the prison was having an emergency, they might just vent the prisoners and the guards alike and wash their hands of the whole matter. No, if they were going to force an evacuation, they needed it to truly go by the book.

XJ really wished she had some dramatic papers to unfold as she detailed this next part, but that, obviously, would be too conspicuous.

She forced herself to take a bite of porridge, trying to look innocuous. She waved her hand and said with her mouth full, "I can probably suggest something like that to Gerald."

Talking faster and more excitedly now, XJ said, "I have the plans for the emergency evacuation. If there's an emergency," XJ said, stressing the word, hoping Anya would understand that they would need to cause an emergency, "the guards would take the escape pods and abandon the freight ships. Leaving them free to fly. We just need to find two other pilots."

XJ lifted her spoon ceremoniously, proud of herself. She knew it was elaborate, but if all the pieces fitted together just right, maybe they really could get out of this place.

((OOC: Laughing at imagining Gerald trying to convince Hamish to get a bigwig up in space.))

[Auryn]

Anya looked at XJ who appeared to be very serious. She shifted her eyes to Dolly who met hers. Dolly seemed to be looking to Anya for answers. It was all so specific, and yet so far-fetched. XJ having emergency plans and somehow convincing a guard... It was confusing until Anya pieced together that she must have simply not fully grasped XJ's sense of humor yet. She looked back at XJ and tried to stay serious.

"Okay, XJ. We'll suggest to Gerald... that... Pfffffft!" Anya couldn't contain it anymore and broke down laughing. Dolly smiled, but continued to look confused.

"Okay, okay," Anya said, "You had me going for a minute there! Jamming freight ships and manifesting bigwigs, I love it! It was the plans that tipped your hand, there's no way you'd get your hands on those; but you did have me going. Girl, we should play poker, I could use the extra side of potatoes every now and again."

Dolly timidly picked up her dulled silverware again and began fueling herself for the workday ahead.

"It would be nice to get out of here," Dolly offered, "It's nice to think about."

"It is, but at least I have you and this jokester to keep me company here!" Anya covered up her longing for freedom with a smile directed at XJ.