Flash Lianna: Hey, um ... Captain, before we go, we don't really know much about you.
She stamps out a spark at her feet. Not far away, the rest of the band is waving off some of the other kids from the club.
Flash Lianna: But it doesn't matter. I didn't know anyone here at first either.
Regulus: Yeah? How did all of you end up together?
In the parking lot nearby, the engine of Riley's car revs up.
Flash Lianna: The way I heard it, Johnny just spotted her in a bar one night, walked right up to her, and said, "Hey, wanna start a band?"
Flash Lianna: He's like gum, sticks to whoever he chooses. Right, Johnny?
Johnny wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead while he loads up the truck.
Four-Finger Johnny: If you've got time to chitchat, you've got time to haul this gear!
Flash Lianna: Chitchat? Whatcha talking about? The captain and I are strategizing here.
Regulus: About the show, I sing too, don't I, APPLe?
APPLe: Ahem! cough
His response is politely noncommittal.
Flash Lianna: Oh, you wanna be a part of the show? I guess I thought you'd be off doing pirate-y things.
Flash Lianna: Y'know like grabbing a gun and storming the control room like a real badass.
Regulus: No ...
Regulus: I'm not the action and explosives sort of pirate, a few pyrotechnics excepted.
Regulus: But I do have my ways, I—
Regulus: Hey!
Riley: The car's ready. Are we all set up?
APPLe: The captain was discussing the crew's assignments with Lianna.
Riley: Right on! So, what am I doing?
Regulus: Hang about ... Aren't you singing?
Riley: ...
Riley: I ... just can't. Not now.
Regulus goes uncommonly silent for a passing instant before springing back to life.
Regulus: No worries, love! Then your rockin' pirate friend will take the mic and blow those goons away on your behalf!
Riley: Awesome. Count me in for whatever else I can do.
Riley: Hop in, Captain.
Flash Lianna: What gives, I'm not riding shotgun?
Riley: Nah. Someone needs to make sure Johnny doesn't crash the truck; we need our gear all in one piece for this show.
Riley: You know, I was a DJ too, once upon a time. Had my own show at nine every night. "Don't touch that dial! You're listening to the Hard Rock Hour with Riley."
Riley: But that was before the town got taken over by those crazies. At first, it was just some restrictions on what I could play, but eventually, they started writing the set lists themselves.
Riley: So, I gave them the finger and went back to my old job.
Riley: Then I met Johnny, and he convinced me to join his band. Fight the power with music.
Regulus: Radical, sister. I always knew we were two of a kind. Musical freedom fighters!
Riley: Too right, mate.
Regulus: Y'know I'm chuffed to be able to sing with your band. But, you ought to know, it should be you up there.
Regulus: But if you just want to be our wheelwoman and drive us around, that's still fab.
Regulus: End of the day. We're in this fight together. Just let'em try to stop us!
Riley: Hahaha, thanks, Regulus. You know, there's a story behind this car.
Riley: My boozehound dad used to run "deliveries" with it—call it smuggling if you like.
Riley: He loved music; can't remember a time there wasn't Charles Mingus, Elvis Presley ... even Freddie Mercury playing when he pulled in from work.
Regulus: So that's where you got your love of rock'n'roll, eh? Your dad?
Riley: Maybe, I guess I just started to connect the sound of that music with him coming home. Rock became the rhythm of my childhood, until ...
Her words fade out into the soft rumble of the engine as they drive toward their destination.
Riley: Maybe we should have all just piled into that truck. Would've been safer.
Regulus: You're safe as houses; you've got us two riding with you!
Regulus: This rockin' pirate captain held off the Foundation itself once, when they came a-knocking!
She brags further about her "glorious exploits"—her brave standoff in the forest.
Regulus: And that was far from even my greatest exploit, but I admit the recent ones were more of a team effort.
Regulus: Still, I'd say we've proved our punk credentials, haven't we, Mr. APPLe?
APPLe: Yes, I believe that would be an accurate use of the term "punk."
Riley: So, then this is far from your first rodeo.
Riley: But do you think we can really make a difference, or are we just making noise?
Regulus: Noise? Not a chance! Defiance against all odds. That's the true pirate way!
Riley: I'm starting to think you really are a pirate.
APPLe: As a matter of fact, the captain did own a ship engaged in illegal activities.
Regulus: Not just one, mate! Don't forget our dearly departed APPLe II!
Two generations of APPLe lost to the deep, one in battle and one battling through storms.
Riley: That must've been heartbreaking. I can't imagine what I'd feel like if I lost this old jalopy.
Regulus: It doesn't matter none. This rockin' pirate won't be stuck shoreside forever.
APPLe: We should consider making an application with the Foundation; I'm certain the Timekeeper would be happy to assist, though based on my understanding of the Foundation's current financial state, Captain ...
APPLe: I recommend we not hold our proverbial breath.
Riley: The Foundation? So, what are you, a licensed pirate now? Haha!
APPLe: Historically, this APPLe believes the term would be "privateer."
Their vessel bobs over potholes like waves on a choppy sea.
Whether it's the rocky road or their looming destination, Regulus notes the grip her helmsman has on the wheel.
And on land or sea, any captain worth her salt knows what calms nerves on the eve of battle.
Regulus: "Hey, pal, quit feeling so blue."♪
Regulus: "Sing away the sadness, let the joy shine through."♪
Riley: Bahahaha, I gotta say, Miss Regulus, if you're going to be the lead singer ...
Riley: You're definitely about to bring down the house.
Riley: It's just up ahead. Let's hop out here.
Regulus: Brill! Now to give these knuckle-dragging jackboots a real blowout show.
