Wincing a little at having spectators for the prisoners, having wished them out of there for the safety of all, Yas makes certain to stay between the prisoners and the passengers just in case.

Once she confirms that the stateroom is secured she dismissed the others and wanders of to her own cabin, asking Trigger to deliver the remaining crystals to Jago once he is out of his suit.

The ex Marine captain herself removes her suit and washes of quickly before returning to her post at the gun control.

"Well, that was that.  Whereto now, Boss?" she asks over the intercom as she starts sweeping the space for anything out of the ordinary once more.

Shui checks in on the new 'passengers' once they have settled in.  By way of com-link, of course, rather than speaking to them from the doorway.  Best to keep temptation out of their hands, and besides, it's quite difficult going through that door, now.

+ Good day, sirs and madams. +  From anyone else, it might sound like sarcasm - Shui pulls it off with aplomb.  + This is the Steward speaking.  Should you so desire, I can provide coffee or tea - please let me know which. +  After she takes the orders, another flick of a holocontrol and she activates a different com-line.

+ Ship's personnel - if there are any crew aboard at the moment with non-essential tasks, I require an escort to give beverages to our guests.  Please let me know if you are available. +

Having stowed his suit and carbine Tylen washed quickly and donned a fresh T shirt. He buckled on his gun belt and sought out the Doctor.

"Good afternoon Doctor, I believe you called for an Escort?"

He winked broadly.

"Mr. Ogresh."  Shui gave the former scout a quick bow.  "Indeed, one is required that our passengers attempt no foolishness when I deliver to them their chosen beverages.  Alone, the Captain seemed entirely reasonable.  With his crew, some of them who may harbor the ridiculous idea that they might salvage something from this by way of force...he is a weak man, Mr. Ogresh.  Easily swayed, or ignored, despite his 'good intentions'."  A shadow of sadness passes across her face for an instant, then vanishes.  "I would certainly welcome the escort.  And the company."

Still in the galley, she moves to prepare the various beverages.  "I, of course, shall have my hands full carrying the tray."  Suddenly curious, the doctor turns to regard the ship's gunner.  "Were conditions so poor aboard the other ship?"

Tylen pulled a face.

"If I'd known that tub was such a lash up, I'd have hit her with the laser earlier rather than wasting those missiles. you wouldn't catch me taking a ship like that into space, hot engines or not."

He looked down at the petite woman.

"My gentlemanly instincts tell me I should be carrying the tray, but I guess you'd rather I had my hands free just in case."

He lifted the restraining thong off his right hand pistol and triggered the intercom to the makeshift brig.

+We're coming in with refreshments people, I'd like you all to move away from the door and up against the far wall.+

He gestured for the Doctor to stand behind him, activated the lock and drew his pistol. He stepped forward, the gun held closed to his chest in a two handed grip.

Shui makes a small face.  "After hearing their story...I am not entirely sympathetic to them.  They made choices, of course.  But I feel a modicum of pity for their circumstances."

She offers a quick smile in reply to his analysis of the situation.  "Indeed...it would do small good for myself to provide the escort, while you handed out the tea and coffee."  The smile grows by a hint as they approach the 'brig', by way of her quarters (to prime the lock for deactivation).  "In any case, I have the list of 'who wishes what'."

She notes his movements, how he keeps the gun close to his chest.  Wise - extending it might give a foolish person the idea they can take it.

Foolish people, or not, Profit Margin's reluctant passengers sit in their overcrowded quarters, on whichever horizontal surface looks to be most comfortable to any particular individual.

They do'nt seem to be even slightly inclined to grab for the gun, or anything else for that matter, waiting quietly and politely for their drinks.

All have removed their suits now, and are wearing a wide variety of jumpsuits, coveralls, and footwear.  Most of their clothes have the rumpled appearance common to aeticles which have been worn under a caccsuit for an extended time.  Somehow, though, Harper's shipsuit looks as though he has pressed it since removing the vaccsuit.  Straight seams and smooth panels seem to be standard for him...
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:50, Tue 10 Apr 2007.

Shui slowly moves around the room, distributing drinks - slowly, because she knows full-well Tylen will need to move simultaneously to keep a line-of-sight on those nearest to her.  Difficult job, Tylen has, and Shui trusts his priorities are straight.  Profit Margin first, her crew later.

"The fresher is available for use," she states quietly, "though we would prefer you keep any showers to a minimum of time.  Additionally, I will see what I can do about provisions - we certainly did not expect to take on so many people."  She avoids words like 'passangers' - it's incorrect, and might smack of sarcasm.  "I hope we can get this sorted out to everyone's satisfaction."  That much is true, though her hope is minimal - it doesn't seem likely.

"Should you desire pen and paper to write letters, I can certainly provide," Shui finishes, handing the last cup to Captain Harper.

“Good evening everybody,” the captain’s voice echoes round the ship, “just to keep you all in the picture, the guys we picked up from the ‘Harpers Dream’ are not the people we came looking for and we won’t involve the authorities, as long as they behave themselves, we’ll just be drop them off when we next make landfall. First though, there a ship out here, crashed on an asteroid, and we are going to take a look at that.”

Finished with the drinks, Shui leaves the cabin; once the door closes, the complex locking system she has deployed engages immediately.  Breathing a sigh of relief, she turns to Tylen, who obviously exited after her.

"Thank you, Mr. Ogresh.  A sorry bunch they are at present, but one can never tell with such people."  She makes a face.  "They made a decision not so long ago to turn to piracy to save their lives - one wonders what they might do if given an opportunity to escape."  She gives the gunner a rueful smile.  "Though I suspect the Captain's announcement of clemency likely removes any desire to 'rock the boat', so to speak."

"Should you wish refreshments yourself, Mr. Ogresh, please be sure to ask.  I will be busy, but not so busy that I cannot stop by with something.  I know very well your work is, at the moment, quite demanding."

Tylen smiled,

"Mighty kind of you Doc, but perhaps I can counter with a better offer. Outside of Combat and unloading Cargo, I don't have a whole heap to do. Can I help out at all with what you're doing until Jago finds something to use me for?"

Shui raises one eyebrow, considering.  "Well, you may find it terminally boring," she says, then waves one hand toward the door.  "I have the blood samples of our guests - I must do a more in-depth analysis of the data.  Additionally, if the data indicates any kind of disease or malnutrition, I must perform a physical examination of the subject in question."  She shakes her head.  "I fear it is hardly interesting work, and I am not certain how you might assist with the analysis of the data.  Do you have experience with such things?"  He's a scout, and even if he weren't, you never know.  People tend to pick things up.

Then she shrugs dismissively, offering a small smile.  "In any case, should you wish a cup of tea, it will give me an excuse to brew some while I work.  I fear I would be poor company, though - I do tend to get caught up in my work."

Tylen grinned,

"Well partof a scout's job is to take samples and use computer analyisis to determine the value of the Planet we were surveying, so I guess you could say I can use a similar machine. 'Sides, any company's better than none, and I can't imagine that you'd be as boring as you're making out."

He scratched his jaw, then continued.

"And if you gotta go back and examine one of the Pirates it'd be better if I went with you."

"I suspect you are in for a surprise, Mr. Ogresh," Shui replies, with a crook of her finger toward her 'office'.  "Your imagination does seem extremely fertile, if you believe that watching me study graphs and make notes will be any less than tedium."  She holds up a warning index finger as she strides down the hall.  "That was not an attempt to hook a compliment."

"However."  The doctor turns at the door to her quarters.  "I would be grateful for the assistance and the company both.  While I enjoy my work, pouring over charts, alone, is not my favourite part of it."

The door hisses open, and the doctor is in.  Here, in her niche, her bearing is slightly more relaxed - informal, that is, rather than 'not-tense'.  She moves immediately to the kettle and pours out the stale water for recycling, adding more before flicking it on.  "Choose either of the chairs, of course.  I doubt you'll wish the examination table, and I fear I must reserve the larger one at the desk.  May I get you a drink?"  She is the doctor, now - it isn't her usual 'taking of beverage orders' tone.

Tylen offers a slight bow as the Doctor cuts off his gallantry. He HAD been going to mention that it would be a pleasure watching the Doc under any circumstances, but he acknowledged her professionalism.

"OK Doc, you just show me what needs doing, and I'll help anyway I can. If wanna just use me as a spare pait o' hands that'd be fine."

He registers the offer of a drink,

"No thanks Doc, I'm jest fine."

The kettle on, Shui's hands busy themselves with working up the pot of tea.  She glances over her shoulder as they shuttle back and forth, spooning precise quantities of rather expensive, dried leaves into the vessel.  "A 'pair of hand'.  Mr. Ogresh, I doubt anyone would qualify you as such."  Her voice, at present, is low and almost absent-minded - stream of conciousness reaching her lips as she works.  "Setting aside the fact that I have given you an examination, I would think that even a casual glance would convince people otherwise."

Realization of how that might sound strikes, and Shui returns her gaze to the tea and brushes back her hair, a quick, embarassed motion.  "I speak, of course, of your bearing and obvious expertise."  She coughs, delicately.  "Possibly a poor attempt at humor mixed in, as well...Doctors find amusement in odd places."

Finished, the doctor turns back to face him full on, and leans against the small counter.  "As for where to begin...you are an experienced scout, Mr. Ogresh.  I would consider it a rather large favour if you give your personal observations, in detail, regarding the conditions of the ship."

One hand motions to the chair, just as the Quickboil^TM kettle pops behind her.  Shui turns, pours the boiling water, and then returns her attention to her guest.  One finger taps a complex series of commands on her dataglove's holocontrols, and the recorder function activates.  "Tag file Ogresh, Tylen - Harper's Dream."  She offers a small, apologetic smile to the scout.  "I do not plan on publishing, I fear - your name will not appear in a medical journal."  A small laugh.  "No doubt you are crushed," she finishes, her dark eyes lit from within with her amusement.

Tylen gave an uncharacteristc shy smile,

"I'd reckon it an honour just to appear in you notes Doc."

He said quietly, then began his account.

"My assesment of the Harpers Dream is that she was the most ramshackle scow I've ever had the misfortune to set foot upon. She's a complete lash up, technology from a dozen worlds held together with epoxy and hope. Her crew must ha' been desperate to even risk lifting her BEFORE they got into this fix. I their position I'd've abandoned the blasted ship and sent out an SOS. Better ta start a new life in debt than die in deep space in that bucket."

He paused a moment before continuing.

"I'd have thought the crew would have shown more spirit since coming aboard though. Takes more guts than brains to keep on trying in a deathtrap like that."

Internal clock having kept the time, Shui stands to remove the tea cozy from the pot, and pours herself a small cup.  She sits, cocks her head to the side, and offers a small nod.  "Consider yourself noted, Mr. Ogresh."  The tone is only a touch wry, as is the smile.  "Should I ever write a paper...."

She grows more serious, though, when Tylen begins.  The dataglove is recording, but Shui begins to type, rapidly, and words fill up her screen as Tylen speaks.  Her own notes, done as best she can, at the same time as the man speaks - first impressions, before she can overthink the problem.

"Tell me, Mr. Ogresh.  What kind of sanitation level did you observe aboard?  In your own words.  And how large was this ship, for the amount of people aboard?"  The questions continue, low voices back and forth in the dimly-lit office.

Tylen rubbed his jaw.

"Well the ship was fairly clean, just untidy if you know what I mean. The Captains cabin was spotless, I mean this guy files his underwear by coluor you know what I mean? Don't seem ta be the kinda a man who would run a lash up ship like that unless he had to. As for the size I guess she was a little like us, adjusted for Cargo hauling. Plenty of room, but just enough berths for the crew. The Crew were a little more sloppy with their quarters, but no worse than you'd find on any commercial freighter."

He grinned,

"I've not seen anyone else's Cabin aboard this ship, but I'll bet Yas's is either regulation immaculate or a Hell Hole! I'd actually go for the regulation style, service does that for most people. I'm so used to my Cabin being inspected I can't abide stuff being out of place, but I'm not like obsessed with it, I just find things easier to find if it's tidy."

Time passes...

Shui raises one eyebrow at the personal digression, but lets it pass with a smile.  She keeps her own office and room in order, but this isn't an 'official' recording - she's certainly not going to tell him not to talk more about himself.

"Clean, then," she notes.  "Just cramped, and ill-maintained.  Well, we should not see a problem with parasites and the like.  I suspect the appearance of the crew owes itself more to stresses - both physical, social, and mental."  A quick note of that in her own log.

"Somehow I am not surprised," she begins, again absently spoken during typing, "that a scout is neater than the norm.  Alone, in a small, cramped ship - one must be tidy to the point of obsession for security's sake, if nothing else."  She looks up.  "To the point of obsession, of course.  I am hardly casting aspirations upon your character."

Back to the screen.  "My parents trained me to be neat...it is a handy habit to have, especially when, as in my case, one lives where one works, and one works with people and samples prone to contamination."  The room is shadowed, with the single table lamp lit, but it is obviously also neat 'to the point of obsession'.  A small smile touches her lips, the screen light shining on the planes of her face, in her eyes.  "On the quarters of the other crew, I cannot begin to comment, as I have not surveyed them - though I am pleased I do not always have to clean the dishes in the galley."

She looks up.  "Well, then.  Noted and accounted for.  Perhaps we might continue with the analysis of my findings?"

Tylen nodded,

"That sounds sensible Doctor."

Now he is about to work he becomes a little less informal, as if concentration and responsibility brings out a more serious side of his character.

"Just tell me what you want done to speed things up for you."

After a quick, searching look, Shui returns to her screen.  She pushes a portable datapad across the desk.  "I will be linking this to my own computer...there.  What I'd like for you to do, to begin with, is examine the red blood cell counts and glucose levels of each person.  The expected lows and highs are...here."  Screens light up on the datapad.  "Please look for trends, and we'll see what we can find.  When you're done that, we'll move on to something else."

At the moment, she's doing her own trend-gathering of other parameters from the tests.

Shui and Tylen spend some time collating his observations of the other ship, with her own medical samples.

Eventually the work is completed, and Shui saves the final file.  She looks up from her monitor and adjusts her glasses slightly.  This much file-work puts strain on her eyes, and she feels it - she's not twenty any more.  "Mr. Ogresh - I must thank you for your assistance," she says, and means every word.  "You've cut the time taken to do this by a sizable fraction - best you be careful, or I will request the Captain find a new gunner, and take money out of the budget to hire you for the medical department."  A tired smile follows.  "The company has been more than welcome as well, poor host that I am."

In truth, Shui knows she isn't a good host - not now.  When she works, she works in silence, unless it is necessary to speak.  Comments here and there, of course - 'are you doing well?' 'Tea?' - but nothing more in the dim, silent room.  Hopefully Tylen hasn't been too bored.

"I shall present my findings to the Captain the moment I have them properly summed up."