A.N. Mostly normal angst, with brief surges of high angst.

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CHAPTER 11

When Friday came, Mal, Jayne, and Caddock wove through the crowds collected on the main grounds, heading towards the main building. The convex arc of the windows captured and reflected the masses of people under the perfect blue sky. The cold, thin air took his breath, but affected Jayne and Caddock more severely – Jayne still limping from his injured leg, Caddock wheezing incessantly. It would be difficult to creep quietly with those two. Out in the midst of the air show it didn’t seem to matter -- though Mal was realizing that this event was more than a simple air show.

Cars had been tailgating since sunrise, horns blasting, accompanied by cheers of jubilee. The air was thick with the smoke from firecrackers, and a few more illegal pops whistled through the sky, waiting for the show to begin. Barely audible in the mix were the sirens of medics rushing to those already injured by the fervent festivities. The cacophony had persisted for hours already, and the grounds were littered with drunks painted in the town colors.

An announcer in a tinny voice blasted out of speakers hidden everywhere, requesting a cessation of the firecrackers so the first planes could safely take off, threatening bodily harm and jail time to those who disobeyed.

The doors to the main building were closed, with signs indicating that they did not have a public lavatory inside, though Mal noticed a few employees entering and exiting, taking advantage of their keys. As one man exited and rejoined the masses, Mal palmed his key and then he, Jayne, and Caddock entered the main building.

The doors ominously sealed out the noise from the celebration. For a moment, Mal thought he’d gone deaf, but soon enough the sound of Caddock’s wheezing filled the space. There was no receptionist, no security visible. Still, Mal motioned the others to take cover quickly behind the welcome desk. The room was built like a vase,