Convention III-Yamato's practice flights

[childofrebellion]

They're on the edge of the city after hauling the ship in transport behind them. Now they're at a little used landing pad which one of Cassian's other connections told him about.

He sets up some lights as its late afternoon but night will be coming soon. The weather's clear and the city is a rosy glow on the horizon.

Comments

[childofrebellion]

"Yes, this ones closer to the actual course, look it over and see if you want to add anything."

Cassian projects the route up from the datapad.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Plenty of obstacles to deal with, plenty of straight shots to build up speed, and we've got the ascent to the upper atmosphere and descent," he says. "No way to practice the cave section of the course, I guess, but that was always going to be impossible to train for."

[childofrebellion]

"I looked for something comparable and haven't found it. We could always try in the sim as an option," Not the best one but it might be what they have.

"I'm also inviting Cisco and Barry to spend a day and maybe attend the race. If there are any improvements you want to approach them about, let me know."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"That's probably the point. It's one of the most dangerous parts of the race, they want people to go into it unprepared," Yamato says wryly.

He cocks his head, thinking for a moment. "I'll think about it. Improvements, I mean," he says. A little more guardedly: "I'd like it if they attended, though. It's a big step, after all, having them in the audience would be -- nice."

He realises he sounds a little like a little kid about to take part in his first school play, and he supposes he sort of is. It's not like his old man was around enough to watch him play Christmas Tree #3 when he was actually a kid and actually in school plays, so this is the next best thing.

[childofrebellion]

"I know they'll enjoy it and you need to have a cheering section."

Cassian says with a small smile, he can hear that hope in Yamato's voice and wants to create more of it.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Ah, well, I won't be able to hear it anyway, so nobody has to cheer for me," Yamato says, laughing awkwardly. He is smiling, though, even if it's an awkward smile.

[childofrebellion]

"But they will and if Cisco could find a way for you to hear them, I know he would."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"If he could find a way for me to hear you guys, then every time I had to do something risky, he'd go ..." Yamato waggles his fingers. "Full mongoose."

[childofrebellion]

"That would be too distracting, but funny."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Funny for you," Yamato mutters. "You wouldn't be the one getting mongoosed. The kid is the scariest person on Team Flash."

He's even scarier than Caitlin, even though Yamato is sure that Caitlin can smell his fear.

[childofrebellion]

"I don't know. Dr. Wells seemed scary in a different way, but then I've only met them briefly."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Wells is ..." Yamato frowns for a moment, folding his arms. "I couldn't get a read on him. I've got my blind spots, and some people are tougher to read than others, but usually I can get some kind of measure of a person, y'know? But by the end of the trip, I didn't understand him any better than when I arrived."

He cocks his head, thinking for a moment. "And -- egh, don't mention this to Barry or Cisco, but something about Wells sets off alarm bells for me. I just can't put my finger on what it is."

[childofrebellion]

"I do, he seemed like someone who was hiding something. And I agree, he's not the kind of person I would have chosen to lead them."

There's a mismatch of personalities and Wells is unsettling.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

Yamato makes an agreeing noise, rubbing the back of his neck.

"It's possible we're just paranoid. We both live the kind of lives where not being able to get a read on someone is dangerous, after all, we might just be having overactive fight-or-flight instincts," he admits. "And Barry and Cisco seem to both really admire him. So did Caitlin, from what I could see. All three of them are pretty good judges of character."

It's a plausible conclusion to come to, but Yamato's not quite sure he believes it. It really bothers him how he can't seem to get a fix on what Wells is like.

[childofrebellion]

"Yes, and from what they said he's a great scientist. That might skew their sense of him and Barry is very optimistic in all of his interactions."

Cassian worries about Barry trusting too far, he still doesn't think he's a good friend for Barry.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"It might. And he was apparently one of Barry's heroes even before he met, so maybe Barry is biased. I mean, he is, he is definitely biased," Yamato says. "But at the same time -- the guy's an optimist, but he's pretty perceptive. And Cisco and Caitlin both hold Wells in pretty high regard too."

[childofrebellion]

"They do. Hopefully we're both being paranoid. Ready to do another run?"

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Give me a couple of minutes to run over the data again, and then we can go," Yamato says, giving Cassian a nod.

[childofrebellion]

"Take all the time you need. I'll give the ship another check over."

To make sure everything's doing what it should be.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Thanks," Yamato says. "And thanks for all the work you've done on it. I know it's for a mission, and you need Pan as a contact, but -- I dunno, it's a big thing for me, I guess."

[childofrebellion]

"I know and I didn't plan on this but good to give you a safe and peaceful place to fly."

That's not easy to find in this galaxy.

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"Yeah, well, none of us gambled on Pan being a complete fucking moron," Yamato says. "But as far as making the best of an unexpected situation goes, I appreciate you making sure the ship actually functions well enough for the race."

[childofrebellion]

"I knew he wasn't the smartest of my informants just one who could get me into here. And maybe a few other places."

Cassian hates added complications and Pan's brought so many of them. "Its a good ship and I enjoy working on a ship that's new."

[angry_friendship_wolf]

"It is pretty nice, I admit," Yamato says, glancing towards the ship. "Especially now that you've straightened out some of its design flaws."

Like the unexpected acceleration problem, for one.

[childofrebellion]

"Yes, the main design is strong which helps. Now let's see what else you can make it do."