Markesha learns more about the Pack while Audrey practices her English (and interpersonal) skills.

The Venting feature has been a standard function of the Pack’s design for each iteration. Exactly HOW the pack is vented changed from user to user. Part of the on-boarding process is Audrey and Orson working on the best possible multi use mechanism for the wearer. For each new recruit Audrey created a specific “vent” catered to their individual needs, fighting styles and, to some extent, personality.

Audrey gives Markesha an overdue formal introduction to the gravity pack, and some important rules to go along with it.

Given the number of times Audrey has had to introduce new recruits to her technology the “Rules Speech” (as Link likes to call it) has gone through some significant changes. Originally it was a 73 image slideshow with 18 key points, and it required 2 hours and 38 minutes to slog through. One recruit nearly bailed on the whole deal after the first 40 minutes. Over time, Audrey has learned that a simpler introduction is more effective, and has slowly and painfully slimmed down the presentation.

Markesha’s on board for the rescue mission, now there’s the minor matter of actually planning it.

Located high in the Halo along the Wall, the Lattice is situated on relatively prime real estate for a prison. Given the high profile, joint nature of the Halo Security Forces, this is perhaps not that surprising. After all the HSF needs someplace intimidating enough to detain miscreants, but polished enough to assure the leaders of Trinity that Justice is indeed Being Served. There are rumors of other less pleasant long term detention centers far lower in the the Halo. These jails are rumored to be the private dungeons of powerful Houses, who have the means and motive to make individuals disappear unpleasantly for long stretches of time. Given alleged location and ownership, it’s not surprising that there’s never really been any solid evidence uncovered to prove their existence.

Markesha has several dangerous options, but there’s a clear choice.

Let’s say that the proverbial shit has hit the fan and you’ve got to get out of town before daggers decorate your back. The tried and true way is finding room on a trade convoy to your safe destination with the help of a coyote, like Rio. If a coyote can’t be found, bribing a convoy worker to stow away is a viable option – until you’re found. Stowaways aren’t welcome travelers and you’d be dumped amid the wastes for the offense. Traveling thousands of miles by foot is difficult in the best of conditions, but in a world that’s turned into a dustbowl it’s a guaranteed death sentence. Happy trails!

The engineer’s returned, which means Markesha has to face her coworkers.

Whenever Markesha’s about to head out on a job, Toshi has a simple ritual she must follow: touch the pendant of the necklace worn around his wrist They’ve done this for 11 years. Toshi doesn’t think of himself as a superstitious man, but he can’t argue that when Markesha touches the pendant he manages to worry less, and she manages to stay out of trouble (for the most part). In fact, Toshi can remember the few times Markesha didn’t touch the necklace and how disastrous the consequences were – muggings, falls, fractures, broken ribs, a lacerated kidney, a stabbing. The list goes on. Toshi doesn’t mind Markesha’s grumblings as long as she’s safe, and in his mind this little ritual seems to keep her that way.

Orson gets returned back to the holding cell, definitely worse for wear.

Orson succeeds getting under Ifrit’s skin and pays the price for it.

As Commander of the HSF, one has the entire army of Trinity’s Halo Security Forces at their disposal. They report to and work directly under the Trinity Council, but have the freedom to do as they see fit to keep the last defense of the city protected form the outside world. While the role comes with plenty of power, the Inner City has had to add checks and balances to the role. In the 200 years of Trinity history, 23 HSF Commanders have been sentenced to exile or death due to Inner City paranoia of a coup. Wield your power too loosely and the role could cost you your life. Commanding the HSF is a job that requires a certain degree of political subtlety. David Ifrit has never been a subtle man.

Orson is taking the interrogation way off-script, and Ifrit’s frustration is starting to boil over.