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Anton: I heard you attended a Summit.

Star: How did you hear that?

Anton: Have ears in many places.

Star: You do, hmm? Should I warn Conor?

Anton: No. They’re friendly to us both.

Star: Intriguing.

Anton: Hardly.

Star: Do you want to know what was said?

Anton: No. I wanted to talk to you.

Star: About?

Anton: Anything. Everything.

Star: Huh.

Anton: If you wish to talk to me in return, that is.

Star: I don’t not want to talk to you.

Anton: I suppose that’s something.

Star: It’s a lot of somethings. I don’t want to talk to many people.

Anton: Then I’m honored.

Star: Yes.

Star: I’m meeting up with an old soldier buddy of mine tomorrow.

Anton: That’s nice. You served together?

Star: We did. We play chess together. He always beats me.

Anton: The next time we meet, I shall teach you some tricks. Chess is my sport of choice.

Star: I’d like that. We could teach Kat? She doesn’t have much patience.

Anton: Yes, I should meet her.

Star: Troy says Lyra’s settling in, by the way.

Anton: She told me this too. You haven’t seen her?

Star: Not really. Been busy, plus Troy dances to the beat of her own drum.

Anton: Your daughter is well?

Star: She’s been having nightmares. Conor gave me a list of shrinks to look up but I’m wary about choosing one.

Anton: Why?

Star: I don’t trust them with her. I certainly don’t trust her past with them.

Anton: Understandable, I suppose. When I was a child, we didn’t have such things. That isn’t to say that the world isn’t a better place for having them, but perhaps you could talk to her? Get her to open up?

Star: I’m scared to make things worse.

Anton: Then don’t pressure her and, in a pinch, you have a list of someones you can call on if things do not turn out right.

Star: True. I could try, at least.

Anton: That is all any of us can do.

Star: Have you heard of Rachel Laker?

Anton: The attorney, of course.

Star: She and I and a few other women are starting a foundation.

Anton: I know. I saw the paperwork. Helped push it through.

Star: You and your ‘eyes.’ Now I know where I get it from.

Anton: You’re far more impressive. What you do, you do on your own. I have a collective working on my behalf.

Anton: It is good what you’re trying to do.

Star: I want to trust the department you’ve put together. I want to step back.

Anton: I’m surprised to hear this.

Star: I can’t let go entirely, but I can let go some. I need to live, Anton. I didn’t realize until Conor came and got me that what I was doing wasn’t living.

Anton: You’ve lost many years because of the Sparrows. I applaud you for making such a healthy decision for yourself.

Star: This way, I can help the people who matter—the victims. I was one of them.

Anton: You’ll never be one of them again.

Star: No. I won’t.

Anton: You are happy with Conor?

Star: I am.

Anton: You wear his ring.

Star: I do.

Anton: I’d like to attend your wedding whenever it may be. Do you think that would be possible?

Star: Yeah.

Anton: I’m glad to hear it. :)

Star: Conor told me that you asked Aidan to mobilize the ECD.

Anton: Not that I’m surprised he did, but he shouldn’t have told you that.

Star: What are your plans?

Anton: A weaker Britain.

Star: Why?

Anton: We all have our pet plans, don’t we?

Star: Hmm. That’s not an answer.

Anton: It is time for a revolution, my dear.

Star: Ah, crap. You don’t have illusions of grandeur, do you?

Anton: No, just a dream that Lyra’s and Katina’s grandchildren will still be able to inhabit this planet. I’m an old man but even I can see the writing on the wall.

Star: And dissembling, what, the old guard will do it?

Anton: No. Capitalism. But that’s a conversation for another day. Now that I’m without a council, thanks to you, I have more power than ever.

Anton: Time to use it for good.

Star: Just don’t turn into Stalin.

Anton: Your great-grandfather severely regretted not being able to assassinate him.

Star: He tried?

Anton: Many times. How do you think the Great Purge happened?

Star: ;/

Anton: And communism fell because he and I worked together to ensure that it did.

Anton: You may not like to hear it, but your family has always made kings and slayed them. Perhaps when it’s time, you’d be interested in helping me…

Star: I wouldn’t say no. Just not yet.

Anton: Fine. I understand you need closure. We shall work on that, and then we shall close that chapter of your past and focus on the future, da ?

Star: Da.

Star: Have you heard anything about the Sparrows harvesting organs?

Anton: How grim. No, I haven’t. You have?

Star: A whisper. From an untrustworthy source. But I had to ask.

Anton: Stepping back lasted all of 2 minutes?

Star: Curiosity killed the cat and only the answer brought it back. :)

Star: That aside, I need your help.

Anton: With?

Star: Katina.

Anton: You need help with the fact she’s a missing person in Ohio?

Star: I shouldn’t be surprised that you looked into us, should I?

Anton: No. You shouldn’t be surprised. You’re lucky that you’re not in a federal jail though.

Star: Nah. I was living on an MC compound lol. I was pretty damn safe.

Anton: What do you want? The kidnapping charge or her file in the social services’ registry to disappear?

Star: Could make the file disappear. Could probably make the kidnapping charge go away if I tried, but I’d prefer for things to be legal…

Anton: You wish to adopt her?

Star: Yeah.

Anton: I’ll make it happen. It will take time. These things do when you follow the rules…

Star: That’s why I rarely follow them lol.

Anton: I can see that. I'll make it work.

Star: Is this your rebellious phase?

Anton: It’s my ‘I’m an old man and I want to know my granddaughter’ phase. That means I’ll bend the rules for you.

Star: Not for the world?

Anton: Maybe. As Peter Parker’s uncle once told him, “With great power comes great responsibility.”

Star: That quote would impress Conor but I’m not a comic book nerd. Still, you get some points on his behalf.

Anton: Glad to hear it. I suffered through that movie.

Star: Why?

Anton: I helped a Brother make it happen.

Star: You’re into movies?

Anton: I’m into everything, dear. Most of which I wish I were in the dark about.

Anton: Okay, I shall speak with you when I have news on the adoption.

Star: Thank you, Anton. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.

Anton: If anyone understands the pull of family, Star, it is I. Now, try not to get into any trouble until we speak again, da?

Star: Da.