[@Dartbored Fairy]

	While Victor huddles behind one of the last remaining crates to be loaded onto the Aurora, he can feel that dark, sinking fear tying a knot in his stomach. For a moment, but just for a moment, he feels a little dizzy as his mind races to find reasons to justify the doubts he was having about stowing away on this specific ship. Or was it more of a concern about wanting to leave the Capital at all?  He couldn’t be sure which… but one thing became certain very quickly, overriding that sickly knot in his stomach; he needed to find a better life for him and his friend. After all, a life on the streets was no life at all. Sure, running wasn’t much better, especially when running into unknown territory, but at least it would provide the [i]hope[/i] of a better life to come. 

Finally, he summons the final ounce of courage needed to make the next move onto the ship. With a deep breath, he speaks to his friend to ensure she is ready also, though hopes that his whisper isn’t too soft for her to hear.

“Laika…. Are you ready for this? There’s nobody watching. We have to do it now. Or never.” 

In a blur of movement, Victor pounces atop the crate and pivots as he reaches to the security camera on the wall above. As he grabs the camera, temporarily blocking its view with the palm of his hand, the distribution of his weight causes the camera to shift its line of sight. With that, and the final phase of their plan complete, he leaps down from the crate and starts walk. 

“Let’s go, quick!”  He whispers again, though his words are so very soft that he doesn’t expect Laika to hear him. 

In the hopes that his friend will follow without a problem, he walks in a casual but hasty manner along the remaining stretch of the walkway, around the corner, and into the passage that leads to the cargo bay of the Aurora. No personnel or security guards are present for now, but three more cameras are passed along the way. Victor however keeps his faith, knowing that he and Laika aren’t being detected. Still, after what the suspense made feel like an hour long walk, though was likely only just a minute or two, they arrive in the cargo bay. Victor then begins zig-zagging through numerous rows of storage containers until reaching the far corner of the room.  There, he hunkers down by an active data computer terminal and breathes a massive sigh of relief. Due to the lack of security alarms going off and the absence of any guards in pursuit, it was clear that there plan was a success. They had successfully arrived unseen and undetected on board the Aurora. 

Realizing for a moment that he had in his haste forgotten about his friend who was meant to have been following his lead, he turns his eyes frantically, desperately searching the dark shadows for her. 

“Laika…. Are you there? I can’t see you…. Is everything okay?”