* * *
There were anxious faces all over the utilitarian command building and the sound of steel doors opening and shutting as people hurried from office to office.
"They're at the tower now", an airman said.
"That just means they'll be gone by lunch", Hornbreed countered calmly.
Hornbreed's office had pictures of aircraft, glossy pre-'22 images and simpler black-and-whites of younger versions of himself in a neat school uniform and flight suits standing in groups in front of various craft. Manila envelopes and folders were piled on his desk. Assorted pilots were gathered outside, seeking an opportunity to take their planes up. Hornbreed checked off flight card after flight card.
"Huff. We'll look busy today, that's for sure".
Hornbreed whistled tunelessly as he got out a clipped stack of paper titled "Basic Principles of Aviation" and handed it to Valentine. "Grab a pencil off my desk if you like. There's an empty classroom at the end of the hall, if you want somewhere quiet to work, but you should shut the curtains or it'll get hot".
"I'll just grab a chair in here".
"Be my guest".
Valentine dived into equations about lift. Some of them brought back memories of the book-walled little room in Father Max's house. He'd read some about flying in the lonely days after he lost his parents and siblings, suddenly wanting to know about his father only after he was cold in his grave.
Three times Circus personnel popped their heads into the office to tell him about the "purifiers". Each time Hornbreed waved them off.
"They said we lost too many ships in Colorado!" one nervous, pimpled young airman said. "They already took two out of the tower".
"We got the water flowing again", Hornbreed said. "Tell you what, I'm out of copier toner. I'll give you a warrant to run into Yuma and pick up some more. Grab a lunch while you're there, Daw".
"You know Ling's market?" Valentine said as the young man stood first on one foot, then the other, waiting for the purchase order and pass.
"Sure", the kid said.
"You need something?" Hornbreed asked.
"I might take up your milk habit. But give a message to this girl Gide. She lives above Ling's. Tell her Max would like to see her again".
"Max would like to see her again", the kid repeated.
"That oddball?" Hornbreed asked.
"I like the tattoos", Valentine said.
"This I have to hear. Let's take a coffee break".
"While the purifiers are here?" Daw squeaked. Hornbreed passed him the paperwork.
"Why not? Coming, Argent?"
They took some stairs down to a cafeteria, where the workers were frantically cooking, cleaning, and polishing. Valentine smelled cleanser and wet mops.
"Gide, huh", Hornbreed said, buying them some coffee with his ID. "I don't think she's all there. Though I'll admit what there is of her was expertly assembled".
"I like a challenge", Valentine said.
"If it'll plant you here, then I'm happy. Tumbleweeds have a way of disappearing. You could do a lot worse than the Circus, you know".
"I know", Valentine said, and meant it. He'd seen less comfortable cages.
A hubbub broke out in the hall, and a party entered.
"Huff. Oh hell", Hornbreed said. He stood and faced them.