Complicated Conversation (Part 1)

Posted on Sun Jul 5th, 2026 @ 8:53am by Cassandra Lennox & Robert Skye & Nathan Crawford

3,090 words; about a 15 minute read

Mission: The Light House
Location: Europa
Timeline: 19th December 2012

Nathan led the way across the weather deck to the forward structure housing the bridge on the top level. There were only a few people aboard at the moment, as Captain Skye had granted first night liberty to most of the crew after the two-month cruise to the Mediterranean. He was unsure of how this conversation was going to go. Cassandra had never really talked a lot about her journey across England and had never mentioned her brief stopover in York. All he ever heard was that York was controlled by a warlord. Cassandra had given him a lot more information in the ten-minute walk from her house, which gave him tenfold the knowledge he had known prior to leaving the ship earlier that night.

The couple climbed the stairs several levels and arrived at the port side door to the bridge. Nathan saw Captain Skye and only a single watchstander on the bridge. He paused to look at Cassandra. "You ready?"

Cassandra shoved her hands into her pockets to avoid them freezing, as she had not thought to grab gloves as they walked on the ship. "Not in the slightest." She said as the door opened and the Captain appeared, looking at the pair.

"Do I dare ask what brings you both here at this time of night?" The man muttered and indicated for them to come in.

Nathan stepped in and came to attention before his Captain. "Sir. Thistledrift's radio operator recently received contact from Brigadier Felton and the 4h Mechanized Brigade." He glanced at Cassandra. "He is in York sir."

Cassandra said nothing as she closed the door slowly and glanced at the officer who looked intrigued before turning back to look out the window despite the snow and ocean making it hard to see. “Paul is in York?” The captain demanded as he looked to Cassandra.

Nathan nodded. "Aye sir. It seems that Lola McDowell has been hiding from him. She's is evidently his daughter."

“Well this does complicate matters doesn’t it Ms Lennox?” Robert demanded in his usual gruff tone but he used a title instead of just her surname so maybe she was growing on him. Cassandra nodded, it more than complicated matters for them all.

“Yes it does.” She agreed.

Nathan could usually get a read on Captain Skye. This time he had no clue what the man intended. "How should we proceed sir?"

Robert frowned and indicated for them to follow him deeper into the bridge. “What do we know of York Commander?” He asked directed the question to Nathan and held up his hand to stop Cassandra arguing. He knew she was going to have an opinion too. He knew she had been there in the early days.

Nathan gave the question some thought before answering. "Major population center in Northern England, prior to the Fall. About a dozen agricultural communities surrounding the city within a 20 kilometer radius. Home to the 19th Light Brigade Headquarters with a cadre of officers and soldiers providing administrative functions for the reserve brigade. We do know that Central Command had ordered the 4th Mechanized Brigade and additional battalions at Catterick Garrison to deploy and assist in securing the region. We have had no firm information since communications broke down with Central Command over two years ago. I'd have to research the communications logs for anymore information."

“Whilst I have firm information.” Cassandra said quietly as she undone her coat and lift up her stomach to show the captain the scars. “I was there one day and one night before I killed a man and escaped.” She said quietly. She shook her head and tucked her shirt back in. “Women are a commodity there.”

Nathan turned to Cassandra. She had told him she had passed through York during her journey from Bristol, but she had never gone into detail about what had occurred. He listened attentively.

Robert looked at the woman who looked so much like his own daughter there and then and frowned. “And they did that too you?” He asked softly trying to not soften but it was hard not to when the woman had done nothing wrong other than look like his daughter.

“Yes. I refused things they wanted to do and they took turns to cut me until a young woman who was training to be a solder was left to guard me. She was clueless and barely 15 or 16. I promised if she let me go I would bring her with me.” Cassandra explained sadly as she thought on the girl do the first time in a long time.

Nathan's expression changed drastically. He had seen many instances of similar things since the Fall. The collapse of many governments had allowed crime to become rampant and unchecked. Piracy, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and forced conscription were not only common place, but in some cases even sanctioned operations. If this were the case in York?

“She got me out and I left her with a group that were based in a museum way inland as she found girls her own age.” Cassandra explained. “But that is not why we came here contact has been made as we have his daughter in the village and he wants her.”

Robert raised an eyebrow as he thought through everything that had been said. “I see.” Was all he could think of to confirm that he had listened to what she had said while he was still thinking through what she had said. “How much did you know?” He asked, turning to look at Nathan.

"I only just found out sir, about Lola, Miss McDowell, Felton." His expression sincere. "It's possible the situation in York has changed. That things are not as they were when Cassandra was there."

"Myth?" He demanded knowing the girl's radio name as he heard it so often from communication. Cassandra nodded. "Of course it is."

"He found out about Lola at the same time as me and ... he never asked about York properly." Cassandra said quietly as she glanced at Nathan and then away again.

Nathan had seen her scars, but had declined to ask about them. He had first assumed they had been from a C-section and perhaps had lost a baby at childbirth. If he'd known she had been subjected to torture. He knew Captain Skye would disapprove, but Nathan hugged Cassandra. "Had I known...."

“But you did not.” Cassandra whispered as she was pulled against the man before a polite cough interrupted. Cassandra inclined her head and stepped back wrapping her arms around herself.

“So Ms McDowell is his kid and I am guessing she is hiding from him?!” Robert asked. This was complicated to say the least. They had been instructed by NATO to try and make contact with inland territory held by military.

“Yes.” Cassandra sighed.

"Perhaps...." Nathan had an idea forming in his head. "We make contact with York. Brigadier Felton may not know we use Thistledrift as a home port. We could tell them we are on a mission from NATO to contact surviving government and military. The charts we have will show us what tributary to follow. The launch should have no problem making it there. It would at least give us eyes on the situation in York."

“I approve but you do not go until after Christmas. I am not having anymore morale issues.” The captain said quietly as Cassandra raised an eyebrow.

“Is there anything I can help with?” Cassandra offered looking between the men.

Nathan turned and smiled at Cassandra. "Keep doing what you always do Cass. Protect those you care about."

The woman started between the men and frowned that neither seemed to want to tell her so rolled her eyes. “Fine. We will talk more about all of this another time?” Cassandra said starting to do up her coat to leave.

Nathan glanced at the Captain for a moment before turning to Cassandra. "Cass. We can't act rashly. You will be involved in the planning of whatever we decide to do because you are the only one that has been in York since the Fall. You're the only one who has an idea of what we may face."

“Which is why I am telling you to avoid like the plague.” Cassandra commented. Robert inclined his head, if that was an option he would agreed with her but things were playing against them.

“If that was an option I would agree with you M… Cassandra but we have time working against us now with Myth being discovered as Paul’s daughter. He has never been a good father from what I can reminder but he seems the type to parent with an iron fist. Most likely why his wife left him before the fall.” Robert revealed looking at Cassandra as she continued to do up her coat to leave.

Nathan grabbed his own coat, but only slung it over his shoulder. "I am going to check storage for a map or street guide of York." He turned to Cassandra. "Would you mind coming back tomorrow and help us plan a recce mission?"

Cassandra nodded. “I’ll come after guard watch.” She lied knowing that she did not have guard watch but she needed a bit longer to think about it all. Cassandra looked at the pair and went out the door. The captain coughed awkwardly.

“That did not go well for you Nath.” The Captain stated softly.

Nathan's eyes were still on the port side door as Cassandra's footsteps clattered on the ladder. He sighed. "No it did not." He wondered if things were now over between Cassandra and himself. He turned to the Captain. "I'll be in the archives unless you prefer I stay here and take watch."

Robert pursed his lips together for a moment before he frowned. “The archives can wait till morning Nathan. Why don’t you go do what you originally left the ship to do before things came out?” The man offered. He was not blind to the fact Nathan liked the woman, nor was he blind to the ma trying to do his duty but nothing could be achieve that night.

Nathan nodded. "Thank you Captain." He put on his coat and gloves as he headed out to catch up with Cassandra. He finally caught up with her on the dock. "Cassandra wait up, please."

Cassandra had heard jogging behind her but did not stop until Nathan called out to her. She stopped and turned to look at him. “Yes?” She asked quietly.

Nathan was breathing heavily by the time he'd caught up to Cassandra. He paused briefly to catch his breath. "I'm sorry about what I said and...the way I said it. I wasn't trying to sound condescending."

Cassandra was ready to argue but she was deflated by the apology. “I did not take it as condescending. You just did not listen to what I said.” Cassandra told him. “We both go into danger but you are wanting to head into somewhere that…” she shrugged and shook her head not wanting to say it again.

Nathan was slightly encouraged by her nonargumentative tone. He took a step closer. "We both know there's danger involved, but if we do this right. We can get a team into York under the guise of forming an alliance. If Brigadier Felton had any naval assets, we'd have discovered that in the last two years. He would have known about Kingston-on-the-Hull and secured that. He would have sent patrol boats and probably would have discovered Thistledrift long before know. We have the advantage at the moment."

“It’s not as simple as that. You are a man. You do not have to worry about … “ Cassandra sighed frustrated sweeping her damp hair out of her face. “They know my name. I will have a death warrant there.” She whispered.

Nathan suddenly realized what Cassandra was saying or rather, not saying. "Oh my God. Cass. They were going to...." He couldn't say it. The thought of Cassandra being subjected to such brutality was as unimaginable as it was unspeakable.

“Why they cut me as I refused and fought back.” Cassandra commented turning away to lean against the barrier. “Do not say any female crew.” She begged. “Leave Gema at home. Take Smith, he is capable.”

Nathan nodded. The Londoner was a capable fighter from what Cassandra had told him of the Dunsbrough and Lighthouse missions. "What about René? Is he really good with that sword he carries?"

“He isn’t bad. But he might not be able to control his sword if he find out what is going on there but that’s another thing for another day.” She sighed softly as she shook her head. She hated to think of any of them going into trouble there and then. “Bloody hell. I thought this was going to be a nice night.” She slammed her head against the barrier.

Nathan thought on Cassandra's words. He concluded that René was either a hot head or simply impulsive. "Probably best not to take him. Can't have a loose cannon on deck mucking things up." He thought about how worried the lad had been regarding Lola while standing on the porch and wondered if there was something more there. "He could serve better here keeping close to Lola perhaps."

“Most likely.” The woman whispered with a sigh as she took in several deep breaths and looked out across the ocean as she could see the pilot boats in the distance making more the zombie nets were back up to stop any coming in with the tides.

Nathan shook his head and sighed. "This was not how I imagined this night happening. Discovery a new threat. Reassuring a young woman we would protect her." He gazed at Cassandra fondly. "Arguing with the most beautiful woman in Thistledrift and thinking she was going to hate me for the rest of my days. I think I just want to get a drink and sort all this out in the morning."

“Just Thistledrift hmm? Knew you had another girl else where.” Cassandra teased a little as she rolled her eyes at him as he started at her in that way that spoke of him really not wanting to fight.

Nathan gazed into Cassandra's eyes. "There's only one woman in one port that I have a desire for. That woman is standing with me right now." He nodded to the ship. "The only other lady that garners my attention is the Europa and she has a man that loves her even more."

Cassandra shook her head at the man. “You sailors and your ships.” She smiled a little at him. “So where does that leave us then?” She wondered quietly as she stepped up to him.

Cassandra was close enough for him to detect her scent as he inhaled. He had wondered the same question over the last six months, almost five of which he'd spent out at sea while she was here in Thistledrift. He glanced at the ship before turning his gaze back to hers. "Where do you think it leaves us?"

“I do not know,” she admitted honestly. “I miss you when you are not here though Nathan. I have probably annoyed Lola with requests with contact from the Europa.” She blushed a little and shrugged. “What does it matter. You wanted to keep things casual,”

Nathan pursed his lips together. "I know. I thought I wouldn't miss you as much if...we kept our relationship casual. This last cruise though, you were all I could think about when I wasn't on watch. I dreamt about you every night." He didn't tell her that his most recent dreams had revolved around the two of them building a life together, raising a family together. He didn't tell her how he almost bought a ring for her during a port call in Sicily. "I want us to be a proper couple, but I don't want to pressure you into thinking we have to be."

“There is nothing you could ever pressure me into you silly man.” Cassandra commented softly. The brunette was surprised by his declaration that he missed her and had thought of her often.

Nathan tentatively reached out to embrace Cassandra. He held a concerned expression on his face. "You seem surprised." He glanced around at the ship and the into Thistledrift. His gaze returned to Cassandra. He leaned down and kissed her gently on the lips. "I want us to build something together. Like we did with this ship and town. Would you a least be open to discussing...our future?"

“I am a bit surprised.” Cassandra admitted with a smile at the gentle kiss. She had not expected that from him at all which made what she felt even harder after the camcorder and discussion with Juliet. She loved this man dearly and wanted that but she had unfinished business in Oxford that she will have to tell him about eventually.

"And my question about the future?" His expression held emotions that Cassandra had not seen on his face before. Admiration and respect had been commonplace since they'd first met. Desire a relative recent one. His current expression was one that could only be described as hopeful, even daresay, loving.

“Why I am surprised.” She admitted still looking at him a little surprised as she leaned up to stroke the snow off his shoulder. “Let’s get in out of the snow.” She suggested thinking that this conversation was going to be just as complicated as the conversation with the Captain.

Nathan looked in the direction of Cassandra’s cottage and back to the Europa. "Your place or mine?"

"Yours... unless you want to deal with my mother and Father James?" She questioned softly, knowing which one she would prefer.

Nathan wanted to oblige Cassandra's preference, but there was yet another person to be considered. Someone whose needs far outweighed Maureen's, Father James's, Cassandra's or himself. "We said we would be there for Lola. She might already be asleep, but in the morning she'll want assurance we have her side. As much as I would love a night alone with you and no distractions. I think we've gone way passed that."

Cassandra made a face but nodded, he was right in regards to that. "Okay then." The woman said quietly, took his hand, and led him back to the cottage they had left an hour ago. Their conversation could wait.

 

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