Obviously a very lived in room as it has been Kale's home for the past two years.  Through a small door on the right hand wall a private toliet and sink (not neccessarily very clean either) are located.  The bed is covered in a handstiched quilt that was made by Kale's mother all those years ago. Most of the time you can find a firearms cleaning kit stowed away in the closet and a pistol lying on the small nightstand by the bed.
This message was last updated by the GM at 07:01, Sat 22 Apr 2006.

Kale enters his bunk and plops down on the bed with a sigh.  He bends over and starts un-buckling his heavy combat boots, mullihg over the events of the past hour or so in his head.  He half wished Rhaef had come with him to see Cortez, he could use the mans insight right now, he was a good reader of people, better then Kale truth be told and something about this whole job didn't sit exactly well with him.

Rhaef enters Kale's bunk and quietly closes the hatch behind him.  Moving into the room he nods to his captain lying in the bunk and looks for a place to sit in the unkempt room.  It was always somewhat of a surprise no matter how many times he came in here how the man's room looked perpetually like a 12 year olds.

"I'll stand."  Rhaef mumbles as he presses himself against the wall beside the door.

"What did Cortez have to say?"  the First Mate says, looking at his captain through furrowed brow.  He was studying the man as he spoke concentrating on the details of the conversation as well as the things on the fringes that didn't seem to important but often were.

Kale grins, "Wasn't gonna offer you a seat anyhow." he says.  Then he sits up, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed and leaning forward on his elbows.

"Sure you heard we're headin' to Valon.  You been there before if I recall correctly, ain't much to look at, not a likely place for a job.  Cortez was extra friendly 'bout it, we know Cortez ain't a friendly guy." he leans over and pulls the box of un-marked off of his bedside table and tosses it to Rhaef.  "Gave me this up front ... it's clean and everythin'.  He didn't give me no details either.  Said it was a simple trip, taking some crate from one planet to the next.  Too simple, yeh?" Kale looks up at Rhaef.

"What told you that?  The friendly criminal who freely gives away unmarked money, or the fact that he says 'Its a simple transport?'

Rhaef opens the box glancing at the money then lets the lid drop shut before tossing it back to Kale.

"I should have gone.  With the lumbering hulk and flyboy I felt another would make Cortez feel uncomfortable.  You know how he can be."

Kale smiles. "And you know, it seemed like it was startin' so well.  He threw a gorram sword at my head and I did the whole dark angry look.  Felt like real legit business deal til he started flashin' that gold tooth 'a his and givin' me pretty boxes." Kale shook his head, and set the box of money back on the table.

He looks seriously up at Rhaef, "You shoulda come." then he runs a hand through his hair.  "Deal is, when we get to Valon I don't want no one settin' foot off this boat, not one little toe over the airlock.  Kyoko won't be pleased but that's the deal.  You an' I go in, we get the goods, and we get the hell off that planet.  Don' know what to expect but I don' wanna take no chances with my crews life." he flashes a grin at Rhaef. "'Cept fer yours of course, you could die and it'd be no sweat off my back."  Kale laughs.

"The sooner I die, the sooner you and yours follow me.  Whose gonna keep you from running this... fine vessel into oblivion if I'm not watching over you?"  Rhaef can't help as the corner of his mouth turns in a small smirk.

"Fang xin, you ain't that irreplacable.  Wouldn't want you walkin' around with the delusion of self-worth." Kale says

"I don't think you have anything to worry about.  I think I'll be able to squeeze my head back through the hatch."

Rhaef reaches up and scratches the two day old scruff on his face.

"Any guesses whats waiting in the crate on Valon?"

"I've been thinkin' on it but don't have any real guesses.  Valon's got nothin' but rocks and minerals far as I knew.  An' carrying those is completely legit business, wouldn't be somethin' Cortez would be interested in, and certainly not enough to account for that box a' dough.  It's a clean planet Rhaef, can't imagine what'd they be trying to get off it that was worth so much." Kale leans back to rest against the wall.

"Clean planets don't make for clean business.  It looks clean, and therefore makes a good way lay planet for those looking to switch ships, packaging or disguises.  Easy to get lost amongst all the rocks and minerals... so to speak."

A deep sigh escapes Rhaef's lips as he ponders the situation.

"Were you given dimensions or status of the package?  Is it a reefer, a hotbox, a simple wooden crate?  Is it the size of your boot or your bay?"

"You're goin' ta love this one-" Kale says leaning forward. "I don't know." He scratches his head.  "Cortez kept trying to dance around the topic.  Grande secret he said.  Truth is, I don' think he knew either.  The only information he sent me was that we are to pull into Harsdale. Our contact is supposed to meet us there.  Then we're supposed to go with him, get the package - no questions asked - load it on our ship and take it ta where ever it is he tells us to take it to."

"And you agreed to this?"  Rhaef snorts.

"No details on size or contents.  Our contact knows us but we don't know them.  And we're supposed to blindly accept whatever they give us...  sounds like a simple mission."

Running his fingers through his hair he looks over to Kale.  "If I didn't know better, I'd think you WERE trying to get rid of me."

"200 up front did it, guess you can say I like shiny things." Kale said, "'side's I figure it ain't nothin' Destiny can't handle ... jus' gotta be cautious that's all." seeing the mans less then confident expression Kale says "Fang xin, this'll be fun."

"Yes, fun for all.  Horrah and whatnot."  Rhaef turns and reaches for the door latch.

Before he opens it he looks over his shoulder and says.  "I'll see you in a bit, right now I think I need to prepare my last will and testament."

(OOC:  Unfortunately it is getting to be bed time for me.  I hope we can continue this tomorrow.)

Kale waved off Rhaef's last comment, stretched out and fell asleep.

Kale woke up to the sounds of raised voices coming from the cargo bay.  Damn room echoes like all hell, he thought angrily getting to his feet and stomping out of his room.

Kale crawls back into bed and falls asleep almost immediately.

A loud buzzing sound awakes Kale, the sound reverberating through his head.  Without rolling over he reaches a hand out and starts slamming it down on the bedside table, aiming for the alarm clock ... and missing.

"Gorram, buzzing, le se ..." he mumbles, sitting up now and properly leaning over and shutting the blasted thing off.  He had set the clock to wake him up a few hours before they were supposed to arrive at Valon.  Plenty of sleeping time, even with the interruption of his crew, but Kale liked his sleep and was always grumpy when woken up.

He swings his feet over the edge of the bed and stretches his arms over his head before relieving himself, splashing some water on his face and throwing on some clean clothes.  Then he heads out to the dining hall for a bite to eat.

--------Dining hall------------>

Kale entered his bunk and collapsed on the bed, his leg still pained him but he didn't have time to think about that right now.  He didn't have time at all.  He trusted the Doc to look after Charlie ... but she wasn't looking good, and Kale had the feeling that it had something to do with those gorram kids.  Maybe there was a reason they were in them boxes.

Think, Kale, think. he told himself.  If it were those kids, that were getting Charlie sick then it might be only a matter a time before others started getting ill as well.  In which case he had to figure what it was those kids had so he could make his crew better.  And then what would he do with the kids?  He couldn't actually deliver them to Londinium, he couldn't send them back to some place where they'd be shoved in a box again ... who would do such a thing?

They were humped, they were humped good an' hard.  And the only person he could think of contacting now was Cortez.  The bastard probably knew a hell of a lot more then he had let on.

Kendra reaches Kale's bunk, slightly out of breath from running and pounds furiously on his door. "Kale, get out here! Kendra Yells.
Charlie and Acacia are sick, Reinier is with them, it's bad Captain!

Kale opened his door to find Kendra panting, "Hold on a sec there.  What's happenin'." his stomach was tying itself into a knot, if one more thing went wrong ... no use thinking of it, if one more thing went wrong then he'd just have one more thing to put right and that was that.  That was his job, keepin' his crew safe and sound.  He looked at the woman seriously, "What happened?"

Charlie got sick, the Doc gave her some medicine and then, in a hurried and strained voice "then as the doctor was trying the help her and the girl child, Ren caught her as she fell, she had tor crawl on the floor-Kendra not usually emotional - cries - then, then that's when I ran to find you - come on there in the infirmary!

So Kale had been right, it was spreading.  Now the Doc had it, and Ren would follow, he looked hard at Kendra, "I want you to stay up here, don't go below deck for any reason, we gotta make sure those of us that're healthy stay that way." then he walked past her and out into the dining hall.

---------Dining Hall-------------->

Kendra slides down the wall, backside down, and sits knees drawn close to her chest and mutters "Gao yang zhong de gu yang"

Not one to sit around, Kendra says to herself "Captain said to stay up here, well the dining hall was UP here and she stood up wiped, imaginary dirt off her backside and walked towards the dining hall.

 ---------->dining hall

Having precured the meds from Londinium all onboard Destiny have been vaccinated.  The recovering crew took refuge on the Gypsy planet Paquin where they buried the two children, Sephone and Tate, who were lost on their last mission.  Now that everyone is back on their feet Destiny is looking for work once more, while trying to avoid a very angry Cortez, Alliance patrols, and Bosik's men.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:32, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Kale stretched out on his bunk and then kicked off the covers.  There was work to be done today, and as much as he had been enjoying their brief vacation on Paquin he was eager to get back out into the black.  He never felt quite right sitting still.

He relieved himself, splashed some water on his face and the threw on a pair of pants and slipped a shirt on over his head.  Running a hand through his hair he left his bunk.  He'd need to call a meeting, let everyone know that it was back to work - there was some things needing doing before they could take off again.

-----------Dining Hall------------>

After getting their ship back the crew of Destiny began to pick up the pieces that Kyron had shattered.  Against most of the crews wishes Kyron was kept alive - although no official plans had yet been made for what to do with him when it became apparent that Wei-Li was falling into critical condition. Destiny needed medical help and fast.  They made way for the nearest planet at the time - Orisis.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

After the fire fight at the Grand Yacht Party Kale worked out an arrangement with the Caddigan's.  Conveniently, the crews good friend Kyron Bates footed the bill with his bank card that he accidently dropped during his hijack attempt and which Wei-Li luckily found.  So finally the crew returned home ... back to Destiny.  Although slightly worse for wear.

They had been out in the black for a few days when Kale recieved a wave from his good friend and old professor, Walton Squires.  It was a pleasant surprise to recieve an invitation to his home on Regina and also to hear that he had a job for them ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

[From Destiny: Bridge]

Kale stepped into his room and sat down on the chair he had situated in the corner, "So, you wanted ta talk in private, so talk." he said to Rhaef, almsot positive he knew what was coming and wondering whether this was a talk he was ready to have or not.

Rhaef came in and sat down, still wondering if this was the right thing to do our not. Finally he decided there was no way around the issues facing them. "Kale, I respect the Professor and all, and I know these people need help, but if it weren't for us, the Professor'd have to pay someone to do the job, so why are we doing it for free? Look I want to help, but sooner or later, we need to start taking some paying jobs again. Seems to me we're taking a lot of unnecessary risks with these mercy missions." 

Kale sighed, he'd been right in his assumption that this was exactly what Rhaef wanted to talk about, "It's not like I'm tryin' ta make a habit outta it or nothin', Rhaef.  I trust the professor though, and I guess ya can say I have a thing fer helpin' out the underdog.  I don' think that's neccessarily a bad trait - you'd do well I think ta be worryin' 'bout someone other then yerself every once in awhile as well."

Rhaef couldn't say he was surprised by Kale's reasoning, in fact, it was exactly what he expected. "Funny way not trying to make a habit of it, Kale. First you trust Cortez enough to even take a job from him, and then you let the kids out of the box, get the crew sick and half near dead, then you take another stray, but not a job to feed them. In case, you missed Kale, we're the underdog too." Rhaef paused and steamed, "Hey, I don't what happened to you during the war, but its over, and rushing off at every sob story of people needin' help, ain't bringing anybody back. At times you just got to cut bait. People be takin' 'vantage of your generosity, Kale. Destiny's takin' all the risks, but none of the benefit. That's a recipe for diaster." He paused and his mind ran to another thought, "And what happens when someone else gets hurt or worse killed on your mercy mission, can you tell me it'd be worth it?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:27, Tue 13 June 2006.

Kale cast an angry look in Rhaef's direction, fuming at his audacity, and blantant criticism of how he choose to run his ship ... and it didn't help none that most of what he was saying were thoughts he had had himself, "Trustin' Cortez was a mistake, but I don't regret gettin' them kids outta those boxes.  What would you have done, Rhaef, left them in there?  Shipped them off ta that place that scares them shitless?" he eyed Rhaef coldly, "Yeah, ya probably would have, wouldn't you?  Didn't concern us so just let them face their own misfortunes is that right?  Why don't I remind ya that you were one 'o them strays I picked up ta begin with.  I coulda very well tossed ya to the streets, but I didn't Rhaef.  I brought ya on with me, made ya my first mate.  We may be underdogs but there are a gorram lot of folk out in the 'Verse that got it worse."

Then Rhaef brought of up war and Kale's face hardened, "An' yer right, you don't know what happened back in the war, so don't go visitin' my motives when you know nothin' 'bout them.  I think it's better ta be a good man then a beast of a man." he spat.  "An' I don't take jobs that I don't know me an' mine can handle.  An' you know my crew comes first!  It's always come first ... can't really say the same fer you though.  I recall correctly you were willin' ta sacrafice the Doc, now that's somethin' I would never do."

Rhaef snarled back, letting loose his inner anger. "And you nearly got your whole crew killed for it. Red might have gotten killed, though I doubt it, but I could put down Kyron if you'd let me."

He fumed further, "Be honest, Kale, ain't about being a gorram good man, it about being the hero. Well let me tell you something about heroes, they're the people who get other people killed. I mean where were you guys while Wei and I were locked up in that hospital, with the Alliance licking its chops to get to us? I mean Kyoko springs you from the Detention center, and first you do is go back to her fancy apartment and kick back. Even cross your mind to come look for us?"

Rhaef sighed his anger abating, his voice become more cold, distant, and serious, Don't ever dare talk to me about hardships, or what could scare a kid. I saw more before I was 15, then you'll ever see, Kale. War included. I know what evil is, hell, I've shaken hands with it. Been embraced by it. I'm trying to get better. But at least, I ain't throwing my life away trying to be a gorram hero."

"It ain't about bein' a hero, it's about doin' what's right an' you seem ta not be able to grasp that fact." Kale said shortly.  "An' you think we were just sippin' tea at Kyoko's?  Destiny had been taken, an' as much as it may hurt yer little ego that was the first order of business.  Also we had a missin' little girl who has a hell of a lot less of a chance at defendin' herself then you and Wei.  Not ta mention the fact that we were comin' to get you, course you were already foolishly tryin' ta break yerself out."

Kale jabbed a finger at Rhaef, "You know what yer problem is Rhaef?  You don't trust no one.  No one an' nothin'.  You honestly thought we were gonna leave ya there?  You took it upon yerself to go trampin' round Capitol City,  taken an' injured girl along fer the ride an' ta shake hands with insane criminals that even you try ta avoid."

"An' I don't doubt you've seen things that no one should see, Rhaef, but from where I'm standin' you got a funny way 'o tryin' ta get better.  I'm damn proud ta be hero if the alternative is bein' whatever it is you'd call yerself.  Carin' about nobody, trustin' nobody, shuttin' everyone out.  And you say I'm throwin' my life away.  How do you get off callin' what you've been doin' living."

  "Funny Kale, you askin' me if I was worried about bein' left behind. Tell me again, where's Kendra? Oh right, you got your precious ship back, and then you left her behind. Left her to rot in an Alliance prison." Rhaef snngapped back.

"Kale, I trust the people who've earned my trust, and for awhile, I thought that included you. You think I'm proud of my life, well I ain't. But I ain't been given the luxury of choosin' either." He added coldly.

"You want to talk about the problems that came up. Well, here's how I see it. Lei got lost cause no kept an eye on her. And let me remind, despite everything else that happened, I walked by into the belly of the beast to save her, and if you don't believe me, ask Wei. And worrying about your ship,  I understand, but ship's just pile of metal without her crew. You told me that." Rhaef collapsed in the chair, his energy waning from this fight.

"You want me gone, Kale? Say the word, I walk off the ship when land on Athens. It'll even be my choice." Rhaef replied his empty of passion or emotion, like it had been drained from him.

"First off, Kendra wasn't crew, wasn't even named Kendra - she was a passenger we picked up that had lied ta us from the beginnin' and while she was a sweet girl she had herself in a world 'o trouble - which if you were payin' attention an' actually worryin' about her you'd know that we still got Kyoko's people workin' on gettin' her out even though her situation doesn't got nothin' to do with us.  She's up on military charges though and the Alliance ain't to friendly to deserters.  Kale bit back at Rhaef, if there was one thing he could not accuse Kale of it was caring about other people.  He may be right that that same trait led them to trouble at times but it was a trait he carried with him always.

"As to trustin', well if I can lose yer trust so damn quickly then I ain't really sure if I ever had it ta begin with." he said, "An' I'm all sorts 'o grateful that you managed ta get Lei back but don' you go blamin' me fer losin' her.  Things happen, an' the most ya can do after is try ta fix them."

Then Rhaef collapsed into his chair.  Kale watched him, angry still on his face, his breathing slightly ragged from the effort of the argument and the mess of emotions it had stirred up.  "Rhaef, you wouldn't be here if I didn't want ya here.  But if you don't think that you can manage ta be part of this crew ... well, I suppose that's somethin' you gotta decide fer yerself."

"Fair enough, Kale. I think I need some time to think about it. You want my gun you've got for this job. After we get done, I give you answer about stayin' on. Sound fair to you, Captain?" Rhaef said, ready to simply have to argument, he realized that much of what Kale had said was right, but more than that, he could not convince the Captain of any of his points. More than anything though, Rhaef wondered how this had deteriorated into a shouting match.

Kale didn't say anything just nodded his head and allowed Rhaef to let himself out.  Rhaef wasn't seriously considering leaving ... right?  Kale rested his head in his hands.  His whole body felt tense and his mind was racing.  He hadn't intended on saying half the things that had been said - hadn't been expecting to hear half the things Rhaef said either.  The whole thing had just somehow skyrocketed completely out of proportion and now here he was feeling both physically and emotionally exhausted.

Rhaef left the bunk and returned to his when the Captain nodded. He lit another cigarette and tried to relax and collect his thoughts. He could not believe some of the things he said, or the answers Kale gave. Despite what Walton had suggested, maybe his presence here was a risk to the others, especially now that the Hand knew he was alive.

Kale wasn't sure how long he had sat with his head in his hands, felt like hours but it was in all honesty probably only a few minutes.  He was feeling all manner of disturbed about his and Rhaef's spat and more then a little angry still.  He pushed these thoughts to the back of his mind for the time being though.  They had a job to do, it would do no good to be distracted.  He stood up, splashed some water on his face, threw on a fresh shirt and headed out of his bunk and onto the bridge.

[To Destiny: Bridge]

[From Destiny: Dining Hall]

Sophia had moved quickly into the hallway behind the dining area, it was the quickest exit out of the room and the easiest way not to be caught by the big man.  The hallway appeared to be crew quarters - four doors stood on either side of her and up ahead a few steps leading up to what she could only assume was the cockpit.  The pilot would be up there so she wasn't going to risk that.  Then something caught her eye - one of the doors had a plate set to the side, it was worn and barely readable - it said: Captain's Quarters.

"Well, well, well ... what do we have here?  Let's see who you are Captain Galway." she said quietly to herself as she slipped inside, closing the door behind her.

She entered a somewhat messy room, a pair of boots - exactly like the ones the man was currently wearing - were thrown on the floor.  A pistol cleaning kit lay open on the bed atop a hand stitched quilt ... Interesting ... Sophia mused, running her hand along it.  As cluttered as it was there was something distinctly ... homey about the room.  And for a moment Sophia felt a sting of jealously for this man.  She came to a small desk - really just a slat of wood with a little chair pushed up next to it.  On the back of the chair hung a brown duster, Sophia lifted the worn sleeve and noticed a patch on the front, it was a patch of an Independent Sergeant.   This man had been in the war ... explained a lot really.

She leaned forward, looking at the items lying atop his desk, a small smile playing at the corner of her lips as she noticed a photograph - not too old of him and a woman she had seen earlier back in the cargo bay and a man she didn't recognize standing out in front of this very ship.  Kale had this cocky grin on his face, his arms folded across his chest, pride lifting his shoulders - the paint on the side of the ship that read: DESTINY, still looked fresh and new.  Just another fool Captain thinking that he'd bought himself a life by buying himself a ship, she thought and wiped the smile from her face - setting the photograph back down.

She moved over towards the closet then, sliding the door open - it made a small sound and Sophia quickly stopped, her eyes darting to the door for a moment the turning her attention back to the half opened closet.  A few shirts hung up there - it was odd for her to notice but they actually smelled like Kale.  Sophia shook her head .... and hten she froze - the door had opened.

[From Destiny: Dining Hall]

Kale stepped into his bunk and shook his head.  There she was - rifling through his closet of all things.  Why that surprised him he didn't know, he should be used to the odd woman by now he figured, "Not as sly as ya thought ya were, are ya?" he said, stepping into the room, the door started to close slightly behind him.

Sophia turned to face the man with a small smile, "Don't get too cocky, Captain.  It's not like I didn't expect to get caught - it's your ship after all." she moved away from the closet, coming to stand towards the center of the room, "Have to say though - you took longer then I expected."

Kale gave a phony chuckle for a moment, looking away, when he turned back his face was dead pan, "Cute - get out." he said flatly.  He wasn't going to let this woman play her games with him ... oddly enough though he found himself making no motion to make her leave.  She smirked at him - noticing this as well, her eyes bored into his for a moment as she walked closer, her hips swaying.  Thats when he saw it - the stamp, she had it in her pant pocket.  Kale quickly took his eyes off it - hoping that she hadn't noticed him spot it in the first place.

Sophia walked closer to Kale, he wasn't making her leave ... and for some reason she didn't feel like going - not yet anyway, "You were in the war." she said, and Kale's eyes registered surprise at her knowing that, she chuckled lowly, "Don’t worry, I’m not a reader, I can see it in your eyes … all that death.  How do you live with yourself?” she stopped walking, keeping her eyes locked with his though.  She was toying with him.

Kale frowned as the woman kept talking - this wasn't really a conversation he was looking to get into right now.  And still her eyes were staring him down ... and still the stamp was there in her pocket ... "What are you tryin' ta get at?" he asked.

"Nothing." Sophia said with a grin, taking another step closer to him, "Just trying to get a rise out of you."

Kale rolled his eyes, this woman was too much, "You think you're clever." he said.  She thought that she'd get him upset, make him get sloppy, make him slip up again - why that would help her he didn't know but he wasn't intending on doing anything of the kind.

Sophia smirked, "Not at all." she could see he was trying to figure out what she was playing at - what she was trying to achieve.  He couldn't understand that she was just playing for the sake of the game.

"What do you think you are?" he asked then.  She was moving closer.  If he kept this up he'd be able to take the stamp right off her.

Sophia laughed, "I don't care to classify myself." she said with a wink.

"You're being clever again." Kale said dryly, he was finding it more and more dificult though to not watch the way the woman moved.  She was all sorts of beautiful and well ... it'd been a long time - a loooong time since anyone had been down in his bunk 'sides himself and perhaps a crew member or two.

"Not at all." she said, noticing the way Kale was watching her now.  It wasn't uncommon for men to look at her that way - it startled her slightly to realize she really didn't mind it from him though.  She looked down, and when she looked back up she had pushed the thought from her mind - replacing it with a smile on her lips.

Kale sighed, "Sophia - why don't you just tell me why we're havin' this here conversation." in all actuality he had no idea, he should have pulled out his gun and demanded the stamp and marched her out of here ages ago ... but for some reason ...

"No reason.  Just making small talk." she stepped closer again - and this time there was hardly any space between them at all.

"I hate small talk." Kale said lowly, not stepping back as she invaded his personal space.

Sophia leaned in closer, she could feel the heat of his body now against her own - they weren't touching though, "So do I." she said.

She was right where he wanted her now, her body so close that it would be a very small matter to slip his hand to the side and remove the stamp - the closeness though was causing him to lose focus.  He could feel her breath agains him, "Then what are we doin'?" he asked.

"Torturing ourselves." Sophia said, staring up at him seductively from beneath long lashes, "Self-mutliation's the only way to go these days." her hand reached up then and closed the gap between them, resting lightly on Kale's chest.

Kale felt his body tense for a second as she touched him, her hand resting gently on his chest.  Then he reached his own hand up, grabbing hers and moving it away as a distraction while his other hand snaked around and pulled the stamp from her pocket, slipping it into his own, "I think I'll pass." he said.

Sophia didn't notice his sleight of hand at all as she focused on the sensation of his hand touching her own, she knew she was losing him though.  He was about done playing her game - so she pulled out the big guns, "You say that but you were torturing yourself long before I came along.” she said.

Kale was about ready to pull out his gun and make her get out now that he had the stamp safetly in his possession when she spoke again.  His brow arched, "What makes you think that?" he asked.

Sophia smiled inwardly, he had taken the bait, "What makes you feel the need to deny it?" she asked, "It’s nothing to be ashamed about - we all have pasts ... yours just involves you being the cause of the deaths of a few thousand people." she noticed Kale's features hardened immediately and smirked, "... ooh, I touched a nerve.”

Kale's face hardened and he suddenly didn't know why he had allowed this woman to talk this much.  It was stupid of him.  He pulled out his gun and pointed it at her, "Get out of my bunk." she took a step back from him but didn't make any move for the door, "Get out of my bunk now." he said coldly.

Sophia was delighted, so this is what made this man tick, she mused.  She wasn't phased at all when he pulled the gun out - he wouldn't shoot her, and it wasn't the first time she'd had a gun pointed at her, after the twentieth time or so you stopped flinching and got used to it, "You don't mean that." she said to him, adopting her seductive voice again.

"Miss, I only say what I mean." Kale said, using his gun to motion with and get her towards the door.  He swallowed hard, he was done with this conversation - he was done with it right now.

Sophia pouted a little then sighed and began moving towards the door, but before she left she turned back around.  Kale tried to yell at her to keep walking but she cut him off, "Captain Kale Galway ... you named your ship Destiny.  How ironic considering you've been traveling the 'verse trying to avoid yours." she watched his face for a moment before sighing, "Don't try deciphering what I said - no one ever can." she walked right up to him then, pushing the gun aside as she came in close - Kale allowed her to.  She stared up into his eyes for a moment of silence before patting his cheek, "And don't flatter yourself Captain ... you won't be the one who does." she said and then walked out of the room and straight to the dining hall where she took a seat.

[To Destiny: Dining Hall]

Kale just stood there as she moved in closer, not sure what to do, not sure what to say.  He was furious and intrigued and by God the gorram woman was leaning right up close ... and then she was gone.  Kale stood there for a moment, staring at his now empty bunk.  Then he pulled the stamp out of his pocket - but he didn't grin as he said quietly, "Game over ... you lose." and stored the stamp in the safe in his bunk before heading back to the dining hall.

[To Destiny: Dining Hall]

After successfully delivering the stamp to the Professor and despite the loss of their first mate, the crew of Destiny headed back into the black.  Back to work.  A few jobs later has left them with a crate from Xiaygin to be delivered to Torrance Station.  They've just docked at the space station located on the rim.

Its now been almost a month since the museum job and Rhaef leaving - the wounds are healing but they haven't been forgotten yet.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:33, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

After their daring escape from Torrance Station the crew of Destiny was left broken and beaten ... and one crew member short.  The mourning had just begun for the crew but they had to press on.  They dropped the young boy which Kale, Geoff, and Wei-Li had saved off with his father and then turned to Paquin for Ren's funeral.  It was a short trip that left all of them with heavy hearts but Ren's death had effected no one as hard as Acacia.  So two weeks later found the crew of Destiny on Osiris saying goodbye to their doctor.

And although he was millions of miles away, as Destiny and her crew suffered ... so did Rhaef ...
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:34, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

[From Destiny: Dining Hall]

Kale stepped into his bunk, kicking the door shut behind him - he didn't give enough force to it however so it bumped against the frame and came to rest a few inches open.  Kale didn't notice.  He stood there in the middle of the small room - the cumulation of his entire life was here in this room.  The few scarce belongings and the ship whose walls contained them was what he had to show for himself.  That and a million and one regrets.  He didn't normally let himself think about them but now looking around the room everything he owned reminded him of something he'd lost.  Some stupid decision he'd made.

The brown duster hung over his chair reminded him of the war, of that night sitting up in the ship over Hera.  Battle of Serenity.  The ground troops had called for help.  They'd needed back-up and Kale had been there, ready to move in before he'd been given the 'no-go'.  He should have gone anyway - that thought haunted him everyday.  It could have been different if he'd just followed his gut.  Instead the 42nd had been massacred down there.  Only two had survived, guy named Malcolm Reynolds and his second Zoe Alleyn.  Now those were two folk he knew he could never face.

Kale's eyes moved from the brown coat to the top of the desk.  Sitting a top it was an old photo from back when he'd first gotten Destiny.  He, Charlie, and Rhaef stood outside of cargo bay squinting in the sunlight.  Just one more regret.  Rhaef had been with him from the beginning - he was probably the closest thing Kale really had to a good friend, even if their relationship was sometimes strained.  He'd been his number one and he'd driven him off.

Probably Kale's greatest regret of all however lay folded at the bottom of his closet.  He moved there now and retrieved the folded up bundle.  Holding it carefully he set it on the desk and took a seat.  Un-folding the thick fabric of Nate's old uniform he pulled out the small medal.  He was supposed to have given both the uniform and the medal to Nate's family but he hadn't.  He'd kept it all these years - and this was the first time he'd even looked at it.  The medal had been awarded Nate just a few months before his death, it had been awarded to him for saving Kale's sorry ass while on Athens.  Nate would never let him forget that, kept rubbing it in.  Kale smiled, "Nate 'ol boy - ya still won't let me ferget ..." he muttered.  He missed his old friend something fierce.  The two had been closer then brothers.  They'd done everything together - but it had been Kale's idea to join up with the Independents.  Nate hadn't even wanted to.  No one knew that.  To his family and their friends he sounded just as enthusiastic as any of the young recruits but Kale would never forget the night before they'd shipped off ...

They'd been sitting up on the roof, up underneath the sparkling stars.  They used to do that all the time, ever since they were little kids.  It was like a secret getaway.  He remembered the two of them snickering up there while Mrs. Collins came outside and hollered for them - never knowing that they were sitting right up out of sight.  But that night they hadn't been children anymore.  They had thought themselves men.  They had the whole live before them and the world was theirs.  The two of them had always been daring, and charismatic - everything they did always seemed to work out.  Everyone loved them and now they were heading off to be war heroes.

Kale could still feel the soft breeze washing over him and hear the crickets chirping in the distance.  He was laying on his back, the rough surface of the roof shingles making light imprints in his skin.  Nate was sitting beside him idly prying one of the shingles loose with his fingers.

"Ya know Kale, I been thinkin' ... we're big fish here.  We get away with murder, like when stole all them bottles from Mr. Marlin's liquor store -"

Kale laughed, "- an' then returned all the empty bottles.  Poor 'ol drunk was convinced he musta drank 'em all himself."

Nate laughed as well but it was a bit half-hearted.  He looked at Kale, "What I'm sayin' is that, we've been kinda lucky so far."

"Kinda lucky?  We're the luckiest gorram sonabitch's there ever was." Kale wasn't picking up on Nate's serious tone.

"Tha's just it though, Kale.  We've been lucky, but how long do ya think we can keep just bettin' on our luck an' hopin' it all just works itself out?  Think 'bout it.  We got a good thing here.  We're goin' ta school an' everyone in town likes us - you got pretty lil' Claire wrapped 'round yer finger.  I mean, we could really settle down here an' live.  I don't think it ain't so bad bein' on Santo."

Kale sat up and looked at Nate, "What're you sayin'?  What happened ta us goin' out an' livin' big?  Explorin' the 'verse some, instead 'o just wastin' away here in this little town?  Remember, we're gonna be war heroes, Nate.  You an' me.  They'll put our name in the history books.  Doncha want that?"

Nate looked over at Kale, "Ya, ya - I want that but ... aw hell Kale, I dunno.  Just havin' second thoughts, ya know?  We're big fish in this here pond but there's an ocean out there.  We don't know nothin' about it."

"That's half the fun 'o it.  It'll be an adventure.  Don' tell me yer gonna be a pussy on me." Kale said, knocking Nate on the shoulder, trying to joke with him, but Nate was serious.  Kale's smile disappeared, "Ya really don' want ta go, do ya?" he said.

Nate looked at him, met his eyes and just looked at him.  It felt like a really long time passed before they said anything, "I don' know ..."

"Well hell, Nate.  I can't do this without ya.  I mean, it's s'pose ta be you an' me.  I can't - I can't go on off an' join the war an' just leave ya here.  Ya gotta come too, Nate.  It's what we've always talked 'bout."

Nate swallowed hard, "If ya really need me to go with ya, if it has ta be you an' me ... then I'll go.  I'll go if ya ask me to."

"Go with me." Kale said and Nate nodded.  Kale would give just about anything now to take back those three words.

"Alrigh' Kale, I'll go with ya.  We'll go be war heroes an' give the Alliance hell." he grinned but it was forced, Kale didn't notice.  He leaned back.

"By this time tomorrow we'll be out in the black.  We'll actually be up there in the stars and finding our destiny."

Nate went back to prying the shingle loose - six months later he was dead.  He was dead it was all Kale's fault.  He couldn't face that, and he most certainly couldn't face Nate's family, least of all Dake.  And yet he had to.  Pretty soon Dake would be sittin' up in his dining hall, lookin' just like Nate, and reminding him of everything he wanted to forget.

Kale folded the uniform up and realized that his eyes were wet with unshed tears.  He wiped his hand across them and stood up, knocking his chair over with a loud clang, "Ruttin' hell!"

[From Destiny: Dining Hall]

Geoff moved down the corridor towards the Captain's bunk wonderin' what the hell he was supposed to say to the man.  The door was open a bit and Geoff was about to push his way in when he heard the clatter of Kale's chair hitting the ground followed shortly by his curses.  Maybe nows not the best time fer a talk ... Geoff thought, Ya, I think I'll just let him be alone fer now, talkin' can come later ... ya know, when he's not throwin' stuff ... Geoff moved on to his own bunk.

[To Destiny: Geoff's Bunk]

Kale wasn't entirely sure how much time had passed before he heard voices drifting down the hall from the dining hall.  His heart sank, he recognized Dake's voice immediately and the one small shred of hope that he'd decide to just not show up slipped away.  Kale paced his room again, each time almost making it out the door before turning back around.  Come on, Kale old boy, don' be a ruttin' child 'bout this, just go out there, play nice fer an' hour or so and send the kid on his way.  It's just a few hours ...

Kale stared his door, still slightly ajar and then swallowed and made his way towards it, this time throwing it open stepping through the threshold and out into the hall where the voices were louder.  He could here Kyoko speaking now as he moved toward the dining hall, bracing himself for the meal.

[To Destiny: Dining Hall]

With the bay doors shut and Dake's capable hands at the yoke Destiny left Osiris behind - if only they could leave the painful memories there with it ...

The black was a welcome change from the core world which always made the crew uneasy.  But they all knew that peril lay ahead.  Rhaef was in danger and it there job to go save him.  However this was the most divided the crew had been since the first day Destiny took to the sky.  There was a lot of patching up to do before they reached Beaumonde and had to once again work as a team.

(From Destiny: Kyoko's Shuttle)

Kyoko stood outside the door of Kale's bunk for a moment, collecting her thoughts before knocking. She was angry, and damned if she didn't have the right to be. However, her anger should be presented as dignified and wrathful, not random and barbaric. Guild training would not permit her to act baseless.

Besides, presenting a logical argument would most likely give her the better chance to back Kale into a corner first...

[From Destiny: Cargo Bay]

As Kale entered the corridor outside his bunk he found Kyoko already waiting there for him.  That woman wastes no time ... he thought, noticing that she had already taken the time to change her clothes and re-prettify herself.  It was actually rather impressive.  She looked livid though, Kale had half the mind to try and duck back into the dining hall and go hide.

He was the Captain though, "Miss Monroe." he said with a nod, as he opened his bunk door and offered her entrance first.  Following her in he took a deep breath - this would be interesting.

Kyoko nodded and entered first. Once she'd was in, she turned around, her arms crossed and looked at Kale.

"So...captain, would you care to explain why what happened, happened?"

Kale's eyes widened, she was blaming him for this, "Now wait here just one gorram second, I had nothin' to do with this.  You want to be pointing fingers I suggest you point them elsewhere.  I came to be civilized an' offer you an' apology for Dake's behavior - but I sure as hell ain't takin' the blame."

Kyoko looked at him incredulously.

"Captain, you hired that man, despite an opposition by none other than yourself. He's your pilot, therefore, the blame falls equally on you."

She cleared her throat.

"Because we've been through so much, I'm going to take your apology...and your assurance that something like this won't happen again."

She kept her face neutral.

"Oh, and Kale...if anything happens to me that happened today, I will be gone, and you'll find yourself and your ship on a black list..."

Kale sighed in frustration as Kyoko went on, "You think I don't know who's it is that hired him?" Kale sulked, "An' he ain't my pilot.  We were just needin' a lift to Beaumonde an' unless you think that you can fly this ship better then I'd not be complainin'.  Got no intention of keepin' him on for permanent.  No intention at all."

Kale grimaced at Kyoko's condescending tone as she accepted his apology but tried to keep his mouth shut.

He scoffed at Kyoko's last statement though, "Blacklist?  Well won't that be a damn pity." he said sarcastically.

Kyoko's eyes narrowed.

"Yes, captain, and all those planets you so enjoy going to would either become vastly more expensive, or cut off completely..."

She sighed frustratedly.

"Tell me, captain, can you recall the last time I was able to take a real job? Sure, Osiris was fine and dandy, but before that, how long had it been? Because while we may not keep track, the Guild does, and then they complain to me. Believe it or not, I'm quite attached to this ship, however, if my working capabilities aren't able to increase..."

She lapsed into silence for a moment.

"Perhaps I spoke rashly, or out of turn with the blacklist, but Kale...things need to change..."

Kale studied the woman across from him for a moment.  She was right, although Kale forbid anyone on board to partake in Kyoko's "services" and had no notion of needing a companions services in the even that she left - it was true that her connections and diplomacy, which the rest of the crew lacked, had come in useful on more then one occasion.

"Here's the deal, Kyoko," Kale said, completely on the level now, "We can't afford to lose you.  So you got me backed up against the wall - congratulations - you won.  But that don't mean that I can afford to be changin' my crews plans to fit your schedules.  One way or another this boats gotta keep flyin' and if keepin' her in the black means I gotta move from one place to the next, or take on dangerous jobs where you can't find respectable clients, well that's the way it is.  You knew this when you signed on.  This ain't no luxury cruiser."

Kyoko shook her head.

"That's fine Kale, and yes, I know that this ship needs the odd job to keep flying, but how many missions have you had where we've suddenly had to jet off before getting into a fight with the Alliance? The museum job wasn't a cake walk...and the station wasn't anyone's fault..."

She sighed.

"You know I'm here to chart out the outer rim worlds for the Guild...how can I do that when we never stay in one place long enough? I have no trouble finding clients, Kale, it's keeping the dates..."

"Well, we'll - we'll work on that." Kale said, then added firmly, "Once we get Rhaef back." his voice said that there was to be absolutely no arguing this point.

"Yeah ... once we get Rhaef back everything will go back to normal." he added more to himself then Kyoko now.

Kyoko looked at Kale for a moment, then nodded her head.

"That sounds fair to me."

She nodded to Kale, then made her way towards the door, pausing right before the steps.

"Kale...if you need anything from me for this mission, anything whatsoever, just let me know."

It was interesting really. Kyoko, for whatever reason, felt that the conversation had gone...better than expected. She gave a final look to Kale, and a slight smile before ascending the ladder and making her way back to her shuttle.

(Kyoko to Destiny: Dining Hall)
This message was last edited by the player at 05:42, Mon 22 Oct 2007.

Well that went well. was the dumbstruck thought that went through Kale's mind as the companion left the room.  Hadn't really been expecting that.  His usual discussion with Kyoko tended to lean more towards the argument side then anything.  Sometimes people surprise you though.

Kale moved towards his door then, there was still a lot to do before they touched down.

[To Destiny: Dining Hall]

The crew of Destiny has finally managed to get itself back on its feet.  After a trying past few months things are starting to go back to normal.  The absence of Ren and Acacia is still felt but the ships newest members have begun to find a home on board the old freighter.  Most relationships have been mended and although there are still some unanswered questions between members of the crew life has been peaceful.

However, after a few months of excitement and trials the crew has discovered that the cash flow has come to a sputtering halt.  The crew needs a job and soon.  First rule of the black is to keep flying.  Fortunately, one of Kale's contacts managed to put him in touch with the infamous Sin Twins.  The girls are probably the most ... unpredictable of contacts, one can never be quite certain what they're getting into when dealing with them.  But one thing is for certain, the pay-out is always good.  The crew has set up a meeting with the twins in a casino on Santo to get more details about the possible job.
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:44, Fri 25 Apr 2014.