Operation: Mutant of the Seas - Log 13

[xp-changeling.livejournal.com]

North and Jubilee board a smaller boat in order to shadow the cruise ship



The Miami Beach Marina was tucked up in Maloy Channel, directly next to where the channel joined the Main Channel and then out between two long isthmuses into the Atlantic Ocean. While tempting to simply steal the ship, they’d opted in the end to rent one; a deep ocean runner, designed for expensive multiple day fishing trips. It was robust, capable of carrying several dozen people if necessary, and was known for its most important feature; a combination radar/sonar dish.

They had rented it under entirely fake names, and had it loaded with supplies consistent with their cover as a vacationing financier of some success and his Asian companion. They’d passed at least three boats with virtually identical pairs on the dock.

"I think the fact that our disguise is so close to real life would depress the crap out of me if it wasn't working so well," Jubilee noted - her tone quiet so as not to carry beyond the two of them.

North patted the hand tucked into the crook of his elbow in a show of comfort, and did not disagree with her. "At least it is not an extended charade this time." If all went well, they would be out of the marina in ten minutes. "Do you have the cruise co-ordinates?"

Jubilee tapped the side of her head, smiling up at him as though completely besotted as she spoke through lips that barely moved.

"All in my head, dude. Just get me to this boat's navigation system."

She'd been taught long ago by Remy that leaving anything important on paper was a bad idea.

"As the lady demands," North replied with a grin that no one had to know did not reach his eyes behind the protection of his shades. He helped Jubilee up when they reached their rented vessel, and took one last lingering glance down the dock as she disappeared into the air-conditioned bridge.

"Give me six minutes to check the boat, sweetheart." He waved the metal detector 'app' at her, sticking his head through the door. "Then we can be off."

"Whatever you say, muffin-cakes!" Jubilee called from below - already doing a visual sweep for anything out of place or weird. She knew her job, and she knew she was good but that was never reason to be cocky - not on the job at the very least. "You want nachoes for dinner?"

"Only if we have jalapenos," he replied cheerfully, before disappearing out of range.

North returned six minutes later, shutting the door behind him and shoving his shades onto his head. "All clear. I assume you want to drive?" A quick dig around in his overnight bag produced a tablet, which he stuck a memory stick into and powered up. "Also, I do believe it is my turn to cook."