For the third time that night, Maximillian wondered how much this insane party had cost. The band, the hors d'oeuvres, hell, even the punch must have cost the family a small fortune. Thankfully everything was free, so Max didn't feel too bad about helping himself to the spiked punch. 

Max never felt comfortable around parties, or any social situation for that matter. The only reasoned he had been invited in the first place was because of his connections to the firm and his relation to Mr. Dorrsett. It felt strange not being here with his old friend, but it seemed rude to refuse the invitation. So, Maximilian Fischer, Airship Engineer and Pilot, dusted off his party suit and made himself presentable. As awkward as he was, he tried his best to enjoy himself. Who knows when he would get another chance.

After finishing his second glass of punch, Max noticed the heavy steps of Hubert Dorrsett coming up from behind him. He rolled his eyes and steeled himself for what was to come next.

"Fischer! I hope you are enjoying yourself." he said. His tone was polite, but Max and Hubert knew each other well enough to know what was really going on. Hubert had come to gloat. 

"Yes, thank you. I was surprised to receive the invite, considering my position." Max said, putting his now empty glass on a nearby table. 

"Come now, it's the least I can do. I couldn't think of a much better way to celebrating you leaving us." Hubert said.

[i]Celebrating my termination, you mean.[/i] Thought Max. Hubert turned the company upside-down even before Gregory's funeral, and one of his first orders of business was to sack many of the engineers who had disagreed, crossed or otherwise annoyed Hubert. It was a long list, and it included Max. After that, Hubert decided to downsize the workforce. Hundreds of manufacturers and airship crew-members were now out of jobs. All for the sake of the bottom line.

"Look at it this way, Fischer." Hubert began. In the years that Max had known him, he couldn't recall a single time where Hubert referred to him by Max or even Mr. Fischer. "Think of it as an opportunity to start fresh. You're not shackled to my father's company anymore, so know you can spread your own wings and seize your destiny."

"Far away from PAS, I assume." Max said dryly. No matter how Hubert tried to spin it, he only saw this as a chance to get rid of a troublesome rival. 

"Of course. Perhaps you can find work as a clerk? Or perhaps as a designer of tractors?" Hubert said, keeping obnoxiously chipper. It took nearly all of Max's willpower not to make Hubert eat the empty glass now on the table, but he wouldn't dare do something so shameful in Gregory's house. The man was more of a father to Max than his own father had been, and his work at PAS made him truly happy. 

Thanks to Hubert, it was all lost. All of his other projects would be passed on to engineers more to Hubert's liking. Perhaps he could sell one of the designs he had been working on in his spare time? Project Vulcan showed promise, for as radical as it was.

"We shall see." said Max. "If you will excuse me." he quickly bowed and walked away from Hubert, trying his best not to let his anger show.