The scream transferred to reality. Cog woke up with a soul-crushing screech that was loud enough to wake up any nearby sleepers. Sail, who had already woken up when Cog's nightmare first started, rushed over to console her.
She was an emotional wreck of memory and fear. It wasn't the first time she'd had the Cal and Ike dream, or dreamed of her first day on the Globetrotter, but the drill nightmare was a new recurring one.
I miss Cal, she reflected. And Ike.
She couldn't figure out where the name Marie came from, though. It didn't seem like her birth-name. Not that she had any way of knowing what that was. Either way, why on Earth would she have a dream with the name Marie in it?
She was still crying into her pillow while her alarm went off, so Sail got up to turn it off for her. Eventually, she was able to calm down and get herself moving. It was a slow climb out of bed, but it kept her momentum moving forward.
Sail had finished getting around by the time Cog was out of bed, so she rested on her own. Cog's a mess, she thought, I was woken up early, and we've got that practice Amp wanted us to work on. Her day hadn't even really started yet, and it already wasn't going very well.
Cog walked out of the bathroom, poised as if nothing had happened just a half an hour earlier. She wore a brown skirt and overalls over a white blouse with a puffed collar. Instead of her usual tall hat, she wore an ivy cap to match her skirt and overalls. The outfit was topped off with knee-high socks and brown heels with gold buckles.
"All fancied up today?" Sail poked, giving her a smirk.
"Well, today's the big day," Cog reasoned. "I figured I might as well dress to impress."
"And who exactly are you trying to impress?"
"Oh, you know. The world is all. Maybe a certain someone in particular, too." She tossed her hair as a joke, dramatically turning her head. "Do you think it will work?"
"I guarantee it will work," Sail said. Heck, it would probably work on me.
"Let's go," Cog chimed, smiling. They each grabbed their goggles from the hidden compartment and headed towards the mess hall, where they met with Gogs, Sprocket, and Torque.
"Welcome, ladies," Gogs said. "We pretty much knew you'd be late, but apparently Amp is later."
"Fashionably, of course," Amp said, walking in behind them, wearing his styled Victorian overcoat and shirt. He looked dressed to impress as well. His emerald goggles stuck out against his brown, vertical-striped attire, and he carried an old-fashioned cane.
"Yeah, sure," Gogs mocked, "you're totally in the zone right now. Looking fantastic."
"Sounds to me like you're jealous, Gogs," he joked, twirling the cane in his hand. "Now, let's get working on this script thing. All five of you have a speaking part and some sort of action, so you'll be standing up here on stage."
"All five of us?" Cog asked, confused.
"Hew hew hew!" Torque fake-laughed, coming up from behind them. He was once again wearing the mascot outfit. "How's it going, gang?"
-=[ ]=-
The stage was decorated for both Christmas and the presidential event. Green and red gears were linked together, hanging from the ceiling like garland. A tree—rather, an assortment of brass, pipes, and gears set up to resemble a tree—stood directly in the center of the stage, its red and green lights reflecting off the brass and illuminating the stage.
Sprocket's eyes weren't on the seasonal display, however. He stared at Cog, visibly awestruck. "You look great," he said, shaking the expression off of his face.
She turned to face him, and then blushed. Despite his best efforts, he did too. "Thanks," she replied.
Amp walked over with script copies, interrupting their moment.
"Here are your lines," he explained. "You four each have a few lines, and then Torque steals the mic from you, Sail, and says his part."
First up was Gogs with his part. "'Welcome, people of Earth,'" he read aloud, pausing to make a snarky comment. "'People of Earth?' What are we, aliens?"
"Just figured it would make someone laugh," Amp said, shrugging.
"Well, you'll make the nerds laugh," Sprocket commented.
"'Welcome, people of Earth, to the Globetrotter, our flying classroom. Here we study and experience the arts and science of aeronautics. My nickname here is Goggles, or Gogs, and these are some of my fellow aeronautics teammates.'"
He stopped reading again. "Wait, hold on. Teammates? Why not classmates?"
"Because 'teammates' makes it sound flashier," Amp explained. "Besides, you guys work together a lot anyway, so it kind of made sense."
"Doesn't that make us more friends than teammates at that point?" Sprocket interjected.
"Listen, I'm not the best at scriptwriting," Amp relented. "You don't have to say it word for word, but get the general idea out, okay?"
"Whatever," Gogs said. "'Together, our class of seventy-five kids is the future of flight in America. Take it away, Cog.'"
"'Hello to everyone that's still watching after he bored us to death. Here on the Globetrotter, we study some really advanced math, physics, and flight to ensure we know what we're doing.'"
"'Talk about a bore,'" Sprocket bantered, following his script. "'You make it sound like we have no fun, Cog. See, we don't just do calculations. We also practice flight and go on trips. Just a few days ago, we went to the Bahamas.'"
"'Yes, Sprocket, but we've also got a focus on learning and growth, not just on fun.'"
"'Don't forget the parts the parents want to hear!'"
"'Yes, I almost forgot! It's safe for your child here, as we have strict rules against any misconduct!'"
"'I think he meant that it's free,'" Sail narrated, the red and green light reflecting everywhere, drowning her eyes in the colors.
"Be sure to say it louder, dear," Amp said.
She raised her voice, continuing the script. "'It's absolutely free to take classes here, and all onboard expenses are paid, including food. During the summer, your kid can revisit you until the next year. To get the license and degree, you have to take four years here. Students will get to experience hands-on activities as well.'"
Torque "crashed" through a fake wall they had ready, and read from his script.
"'Yo, sorry Sail, but I've got to interrupt you right there. Now, of course, both parents and the child need to consent to coming here. Nobody can without both!'"
Oh, heck, Amp realized. Overlooked this part.
"Nobody," repeated Cog. "Not one single person."
"Cog, that's not what—" Amp started.
"Not one person was forced to go here, it was all their consent!"
"Cog, please don't do this. Most kids here—"
"So now it's most kids?! Like, all but one most?!"
"You're overreacting, Cog, now please—"
"Overreacting?! No, overreacting is getting fussy over not getting to watch a movie. Forgetting the child who has no family they can tie themselves to and then putting them on stage for this charade is—"
"COG! STOP!" Amp's face turned red as he yelled, blindsiding everyone. Cog recoiled away, shocked. The entire room fell silent, and any student getting or eating breakfast was now watching the scene. In the history of the Globetrotter, he had never yelled, yet here he was, yelling at one of his favorites in front of fifty others.
"Please," he begged, considerably quieter. He sounded almost hurt. "We can't account for your issues in this script. I did take into consideration the pain of what you've been through. Every day I do. But I am legally bound to not put your story in. And, as far as I knew, you wanted to go here."
"No," Cog managed to say between tears, "Ike wanted me to." The sound of her heels rhythmically stomped away as she turned around and ran off.
An awkward, painful silence hovered over them, breaking only when Amp talked again. "Well, I'm going to go deal with the mess I've made. Here's this checklist. You're in charge, Gogs." He ran off in the same direction Cog went, with the old, albeit fashionable, overcoat whipping behind him. Lukas entered as Amp whizzed by.
He tried thinking of where she would go. Logically, he checked her room first, but when it turned up empty, he turned to his second option. He rushed out on deck to find Cog sitting and staring at the helicopter pad, the wind blowing hair in her face and tears off of it. She held onto her hat, which was sitting in her lap.
He sat down right beside her. For a moment, neither of them did anything. Then, without warning, she turned and cried into his shoulder.
"I had the dream again," she whispered, soaking his overcoat.
-=[ ]=-
"Next, it says we need to test the microphone and camera connection to the TV." Gogs was reading an instruction manual that Amp had left behind. "He wrote that the test channel is twenty-six, but the actual broadcast will be on channel five. If it works on twenty-six, it will work on five. He also says to not switch to five. Apparently, it will override the currently running TV program."
They switched it over to the test channel, and the screen buzzed to life with static. On-screen text read, "Now testing: Globetrotter Cam1."
"Now, it says to turn on the camera and focus it."
The cameraman worked his magic. It was pointed directly at Sail, illuminating her eyes as the reflection hit.
"Hey, that's me!" she exclaimed, pointing at the television.
"Almost like that's how a camera works," Sprocket teased.
"Yeah, yeah," she jeered. "I know, dumb concept."
"Lastly," Gogs said, "anything you have for good luck, use it. I have a feeling we're going to need it."
You have no idea, Lukas mused as he walked by. He was watching the group as they tried figuring out the broadcast on their own, amused by the futility of it all. He was the only one on board that knew what was actually going to happen.
Gogs grabbed the deck of cards from his pocket and gave it a rub. Sail pulled out the abnormally large pearl she kept in her pocket and cradled it in both of her hands. Sprocket, having nothing, knocked on a nearby oak table.
"That's one big pearl," Gogs commented, noticing Sail's treasure.
"I know," she agreed.
"What do you think Cog's outburst was about?" Gogs wondered aloud. "It was really out of character. For both of them."
"I think she's just been on edge today," Sail suggested. "She woke up from a pretty bad nightmare, from the sounds of it. On top of today's stress, maybe she just couldn't handle it."
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"For some reason, I feel like there's more to this story than we're being led to believe," Sprocket observed, taking a seat nearby. "And I mean that with everything. Cog's situation, whatever Amp was talking about, and today's event."
"That's a good point," Gogs remarked, gears turning in his head. "Amp said that Cog's story legally couldn't be told..." He sat down on the edge of the stage, clearly thinking really hard. "Also, she mentioned an Ike..."
"Whatcha thinking, Gogs?" Sail asked. His face made an expression somewhere between pondering and having an idea.
For a moment, he didn't respond. Then, he turned to her, smiling. "Nothing. Just working out some conspiracy theories in my head."
"You know what they say," Lukas said, walking up behind Sprocket and making him jump a little, "secrets don't keep once they're airborne."
Sail shivered upon hearing the phrase a second time.
-=[ ]=-
"Today's been a dramatic day so far," Trotter said, running his fingers through his hair, "so we're not doing any note-taking today. However, we are still learning a little about the Japanese in World War II, from Pearl Harbor to the inevitable bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki."
"Thank you, sir," Gogs praised. "You have no idea how chaotic it's been today."
"Well, I do," he replied, "that's why I said it. Anyway, it all began December seventh, 1941, the day Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, throwing America into World War II. Everyone knows both the beginning and the end, but nobody knows about Japan's influence on the war even after they surrendered."
He pulled down a picture diagram of an older airship with the Japanese flag on it.
"They weren't over the war until it was completely over. Introducing the Japanese design of a 1949 airship, used by the Nazis four times. It turns out the Japanese weren't super good at making them, because seven of twelve went up in flames prior to ever reaching a battlefield."
"Nein, Dummkopf," Gogs whispered to Sprocket, "you're supposed to kamikaze on ze battlefield, not before!"
Sprocket laughed. "Sorry sir, it turns out fire isn't good for wood."
"Didn't you figure that out in Tokyo when you were firebombed?!"
"Are you two done over there?" Trotter asked, suppressing a grin. "As funny as that was, war isn't a joke. Especially in this classroom. Now, onto my next lesson: the television.
"I figure this is an appropriate topic, considering what's going on tonight. TVs were made in the 1940s but became popular in or around 1960. They were originally..."
Sail drifted to sleep, having fought the urge since Cog had woken her up super early. The practice in the mess hall and all the drama certainly didn't help very much. Thankfully, Trotter never noticed her drift off, or at least never commented on it. After sleeping for most of the class, the bell jarred her awake.
"Nice going there, Sail," Sprocket teased, grabbing his stuff.
"Sorry," she responded. "Like I said, I didn't get much sleep last night, what with my nightmare and all."
Sail departed, and Gogs and Sprocket headed towards their class, without Cog.
"What's your conspiracy theory, Gogs?"
"I don't think you actually want to hear it," Gogs admitted, hesitating. "I'm not even sure I can word it very well."
"Give it your best shot."
Gogs tossed the concept back and forth in his mind. It sounded crazy. He also couldn't legally tell Sprocket his whole theory. More than one person's life on this airship was a government secret, apparently. "What if... what if it's all tied together?"
"What do you mean? Of all the lead-ins to your idea, this was the worst way to do it."
"Okay, look. Other than I'm a nerd and you're an upstanding person, there's nothing really distinguishing about us. The only reason Amp likes us more than anyone else is because Cog is our friend."
"I mean, I guess. After all, he did introduce Cog at the beginning of our first year."
"And why is that?" Gogs posed to him, stopping in the middle of the hallway. "Nobody else gets that sort of treatment. Part two of the theory: Amp knows Cog's story but legally can't tell us. What's her story, and is it part of the reason that she's his favorite?"
"Wait, I think I'm getting it," Sprocket voiced, springing back into motion. "So, something happened in Cog's past, and the government knows about it. Amp knows about it, too. This event coming up involves her, Amp, and the president."
"Bingo. Something is going to be revealed tonight about the situation. And you wanna know what I think it is?"
"I'm listening."
"Brace yourself, we're going into a serious conspiracy zone."
"We already are."
"Okay. Here it is." He deeply inhaled. "Amp is Cog's government protector, like the secret service is for the president."
"You're right," Sprocket said. "It was serious conspiracy zone. There's absolutely no way that's true. Why would she even need a bodyguard?"
"I'll work on the theory some more," Gogs said as they walked into the classroom.
Cog was already sitting in the room, residue of tears still under her eyes and streaked down her face. Amp was standing up front, with Mr. Gates standing patiently to the side.
"Today, class," Amp announced, "Mr. Gates has requested that I teach on his behalf."
"I did?" Mr. Gates asked. It was clearly news to him, too.
"Yes, you did. What's the lesson for today?"
"Layouts for zeppelins and other airships."
There was a slight silence, until Amp said, "Have fun teaching, then."
"Today, class," Mr. Gates began, shaking his head as Amp walked out, "we'll be working on layouts of zeppelins and other airships, specifically engine layout and generator location." He passed out a detailed design drawing with each on either side, with spots to fill in labels for section and part names.
"Most ships will have some sort of engine and pipeline towards the back, like our own Globetrotter. Zeppelins usually have a second or third floor located near the heating and cooling. Generators, however, can be put pretty much anywhere in a ship. In a standard ship, they're on the main deck somewhere, but standardizing your warship makes you an easy target."
"Where exactly is the generator on our ship?" Lukas quizzed.
"Floor two, room thirteen, left corner near the door."
"Do you have oddly specific locations for everything on board?"
"Try me."
"Main breaker room."
"Floor one, room sixty-three. Restricted access. Now, please mark number one on the airship side with 'generator,' and we will begin creating a diagram of a ship."
-=[ ]=-
With another class down, the group packed their stuff up and went on their way to the lunchroom. The three were quiet until Gogs spoke again. "No homework two classes in a row. Sweet."
"Hopefully it stays that way," Cog said, staring down at the ground. "I'm sorry about earlier, guys. I kind of got out of control a little bit."
"Don't worry about it," Sprocket said. "I would've done the same. Also, Gogs totally has a conspiracy theory now."
"About what?"
"He thinks Amp is your Secret Service agent."
Cog felt her heartbeat rise. The theory hit a little too close to home. "What do I need a secret agent for?" she asked, more nervous than she should have been.
"I don't know," Gogs said, "but clearly there's some government secret going on."
"There's probably a more reasonable explanation for it all," Sprocket said, as they approached their table. Sail was already sitting down, shoveling food into her mouth.
Yes and no, Cog evaluated. Amp's not my government agent, but apparently, he is in the picture. The talk she had with Amp up on the deck of the ship was the only thing keeping her going at the moment. So many things fell into place and made sense now.
"So, guys," Sail began, ending Cog's thoughts and the conversation altogether, "I managed to stop thinking about the fact that this is going worldwide for a while." She glanced worriedly at all the cameras that had been set up. There were more than earlier, each with a different angle. "I'm really nervous now."
"Don't be," Gogs encouraged. "What could possibly go wrong?"
Everyone at the table gave him a glare.
"Not helping," Sail insisted.
"Okay, I have to tell you guys, otherwise it's going to eat away at me," Cog vocalized, super excited. "You just can't tell anybody. Especially Amp. I'll get in trouble."
"Uh oh," Gogs said. "The beans are finally being spilled." Sprocket rolled his eyes.
Cog tapped her fingers on the table for a drumroll. "Amp is—"
"Hello again, students, teachers, and newscasters alike," Amp announced on stage, his strangely fancy clothes still properly adjusted. "I've got a few messages before I leave you again in peace.
"First off, you may have noticed a lack of homework. That's no coincidence. All teachers unanimously agreed one hundred percent that no homework would be given today at all. Not a single assignment from a single teacher. Except for one. But I won't tell you it's Oak I'm talking about. Math, am I right?
"Secondly, if you're living under a rock or just haven't been paying attention, today is the president's speech to all the world. I know, I'm sure you're all shocked on such short notice. We will be having our part of the broadcast in here, so please show up if you want to.
"Last and probably least, the game room is now off-limits after word that a fight broke out in it. Those held responsible have been dealt with properly. That's all. Good day."
The Cogwheel table got a laugh out of that.
"Did they report the fight themselves, or was it..." Gogs wondered, in between laughs.
"I'll bet it was Lukas," Cog reasoned, in between mouthfuls of macaroni.
"Speak of the devil..." Sprocket mumbled, as Lukas walked over.
"No, the devil speaks of me," Lukas replied. "Cog, may I ask you a question?"
"Sure, what is it?"
"In the ten or fifteen minutes leading up to the whole broadcast thing happening, do you think you could help me with something?"
"Why should she?" Sprocket immediately asked, on the defensive.
"Shush, Sprocket," she said. "What do you need help with?"
"Well, I hear you're great with art, and—"
"Say no more. I love art. I can help you."
"Really? Great! I promise it won't take long. See you then! If you want, you can meet me in the study hall." He walked away, leaving Cog to the jealous wrath of Sprocket.
"Why did you say yes, Cog? We need that time to get ready!"
"Calm down, Sprocket. It won't take me that long to help critique an art project."
He was fuming, but he dropped the subject. It was hard for Cog to believe that he was so against Lukas talking and being nice to her. For the rest of lunch, the table sat in silent anticipation and introspection. In just a few more hours, they were going to be on television. They estimated that about two hundred million people were going to watch, along with three hundred million more on the radio. It was the most hyped speech in the world.
And Sail still couldn't understand why. Speeches like this happened all the time. Why was this one any different? Because it was almost Christmas? Because of the political climate? Also, why did they have to be part of the biggest speech? Why couldn't it have been a small speech? Or no speech at all?
By the time the bell rang, everybody had completely forgotten Cog had a secret to tell.
Cog and Sail walked to socials with completely different mindsets. Despite everything that had happened prior to lunch, Cog was unbelievably excited and happy, and Sail was filled with anxieties about presenting in front of half a billion people. Questions about both the presidential speech, their speech, and everything that had already happened today made for a messy brain.
"Welcome back, students," Springlock said with a wide gesture. "In anticipation of today's speech, we will talk about Germany for a little while. More specifically, today's relations with Germany.
"Germany, or New Germany, has somewhat laid low since World War II, not wanting much part of anything in fear of being yelled at and bullied by other countries. More recently, however, it seems they've put that behind them and are ready to rejoin the rest of the world.
"Unfortunately, that's what Nazis are doing, too. In many countries, and even in countries where the ideology is illegal, Nazism is back on a rise, and it's just a matter of time until action has to be taken. New Germany currently has the highest Nazi count, which is estimated to be about a million people. The second highest is Argentina, and the third is the United States, believe it or not.
"Last year, the United States signed a deal with New Germany to become their largest trade partner, boosting both of our economies. That could potentially allow for a long-standing relationship between us. In relation to the rest of the world, Germany is slowly regaining its name, and is set to host the next Summer Olympics. I've got magazines here showcasing New Germany, if anyone's interested. I'm going to work on other things now, so feel free to chat amongst yourselves."
Lukas was, of course, watching Cog and Sail in their seats, who were both distracted. Cog seemed happy about something, but Sail was pretty upset. A quick tap into her head showed that she was worried about two things: him and the speech. He could visibly see the tension on her face building, wanting to convince Cog to not help him. She let it keep building up until she couldn't stop herself anymore.
"So, Cog," Sail said, "about helping Lukas tonight with that art thing..."
"Don't tell me you're against me helping him, too," Cog responded, scanning one of the magazines.
"Well, I mean, I don't trust him. He didn't even say what he wanted done with the art."
"You're right," she agreed. "Here, why don't we go ask him?" She walked over to Lukas, grabbing Sail's hand and bringing her as well. "So, what am I doing with the art, Lukas?"
"I figured I needed a professional's opinion on it, just some suggestions and the likewise."
"All right, can do!"
"Thanks Cog, you're the best." Sail glared at him as Cog turned away and went back to her seat. Lukas acted confused.
Something clicked inside Cog's brain, suspicious that she was being artificially influenced. Sail wanted her to be more aware of people being overt with her. Were Sail and Sprocket purposefully trying to make her hate Lukas, when he was being nice, just because they didn't want her falling in love?
And if so, why Sprocket? Could he possibly be jealous of Lukas liking her? Does Lukas like her? Why would Sail interfere if she wanted Cog to pay more attention to...
Oh my goodness, she thought. Sprocket and Sail are working together to screw up my love life.
She wasn't about to have that.
Time to screw with them.
-=[ ]=-
Cog, Gogs, and Sprocket turned in yet another math packet, grinning at Einstein's blank, yet surprised, stare.
"I figured you'd turn that in on Monday," he sighed, "so I don't have your next assignment ready. There's no lesson for the day. You all can do whatever you want. I'm apparently going to work on a new assignment."
"Alright," Gogs cheered, pumping his fist in the air. Nobody else seemed very hurt by the day's plans, either.
"Hey, Cog," Sprocket began, "can I ask you a question?"
"Is it about Lukas again?"
"Yes. I really don't think you should help him."
"Why is that?"
"Think of how he behaved just the other day. Challenging you, attempting to correct you on your name, arguing with me, and—"
"I think you guys are putting too little faith in this situation. He wants me to check some art, not hijack a ship or rob a bank. Plus, he's done some good, too."
"I'm with Cog on this one," Gogs proclaimed. "His alibi pretty much checks out. Most likely, you and Sail are overreacting, you racists."
"It's not because he's German," Sprocket grumbled, gritting his teeth. "It's because of his behavior. We have already been over this, and I'm not gonna lose another point because you think I'm racist for it."
"Sounds to me like you're jealous," Cog teased, dramatically turning her head away.
"Of him? No ma'am, not jealous one bit."
"Sure you aren't. So, the blush on your face meant nothing, then?"
She turned around to face him again, smirking. Oh, Cog realized, he did blush. I was just making that up. Could it be...
"I'm not blushing," he denied. "The room is warm. It's from the heat." His facial expressions betrayed him, but she dropped the topic. She had the answer she needed. He was jealous, for some reason.
Even so, he didn't drop the other conversation. "I really don't think you can trust him, Cog. Not even Sail does, and she's super chill about everything. Don't forget, he even asked for exact locations of some important areas on the ship earlier!"
"To be fair, the teacher challenged him to do that."
"And he accepted."
"Wouldn't you?"
Over at his desk, Einstein faked filing his nails in order to lean closer to the drama, occasionally shaking his head as if he had something to interject with. Only Gogs noticed these sarcastic motions.
The PA system buzzed to life above them, and even though Sprocket was flustered and frustrated, they left the argument behind.
"Remember, if you're going to watch our broadcast in the lunchroom today, show some school colors for the cameras! The media eats that up!" Static came through more than his voice, but Amp's message was perfectly clear. The media wasn't requesting the uniform, it was him.
Maybe she's right, Sprocket let himself think. Maybe I am overreacting. Lukas could just be asking for help. He might just want people to talk to. I'm not winning any favors being rude to him, either.
Cog pulled out her heart drawing again. There was plenty of work to do.