This warm and cozy room has a large table in the center surrounded by ten mis-matched chairs.  On the center of the table is a grouping of three candles.  Against the forward walls are a series of cabinets and counter space.  A sink is located on the left.  Against the back walls is a built in couch, comfy pillows are tossed on it in now particular order.
This message was last updated by the GM at 06:56, Sat 22 Apr 2006.

Kale sat in one of the mis-matched chairs circling the large table in the center of the dining hall.  The protien pack sitting on the smooth surface is barely touched.  He's sick of eating the bland meal, 'course there ain't anything he can do about improving the food situation, not 'til he could find his crew a decent job.  They could certainly use the money right about now.

Kale's father had always said: A man on an empty stomach is as good as worthless.  'Course his father also said if you got one finger pluggin' a granade and another plugged in a woman, you drop the grenade 'cause a fine woman is worth it.  . . . He didn't always have the most sound advice.  Kale grinned at the memory of it, and picked up the protien pack once more.

Ren meanders in from the bridge, and quickly surveys the cozy room. Sein' the captain he walks over to one of the couches and slumps down. "Hey 'cap, whats the deal?"

Kyoko walks in, moving gracefully as usual. She nods to Reiner as she looks to the Captain. The calm at ease look on her face seems almost serene as she moves to the counter and pulls out a kettle to make some tea.

"Captain, I wonder if you would tell me again why you refuse to discuss how long we will be planet side. I have to entertain clients to pay my rent." While it was technically true, her trust and the guild stipend would most assuredly keep that from happening. Still the captain didn't need to know it.

Startled by the consorts forewardness Ren sits straight up O, zhe zhen shi ge kuai le de jin zhan he said sarcastically, and then looks to the cap' to see his response.

"No deal yet, just some waitin' around.  S'posed to meet that ke wu de lao bao jun, Cortez at night fall.  Not lookin' forward to talking to him, but we need a decent job and Cortez always has an in." Kale runs a hand through his dark hair, and looks over at Ren

"We also got a passenger s'posed to be dropping by anytime now.  Not too sure about him, but he offered enough money for passage to some planet out on the border that I wasn't about to turn him down." He grinned at the other man.  "Money talks."

"I suppose then, denying me my clients will be enough to ask for you to give me a reduction in my rent?" Kyoko asks primly. "Or perhaps I could ask for some salaried compensation for the watches I stand, the aid I give the doctor and engineer in their duties underway? Kyoko says reminding him that she does pull her weight underway.

"Miss Monroe, I am not trying to deny you clients, just ain't got the time right now.  We all gotta make a living here and I believe the arrangement was you book clients when we stop off on planets ... for an extended period of time." he adds hastily, realizing that they are indeed stopped ... on a planet ... right now.  "And hold just one second, I don't see how it's my fault that it takes you longer to figure out a client and get work then it does for me an' my crew." Kale shook his finger at the lady before him.  "and as far as salary is concerned, if you ever truly stooped yourself to a life of petty crime, I'd be more then happy to give you a cut, as it is though as I might mention you have pointed out on numerous occasions, you got your business to attend to and I got mine.  Let's keep it that way.  I like you on this ship, but don't like ya that much." Kale says with a grin.

Ren looks around nervously Should I not be in here for this? I mean I could be plottin us a course for anywhere but this conversation up on the bridge if ya want.

Kyoko stares down at him, a hard task when she was half a head shorter than him, and shrugs. "I will remember that the NEXT time you need my .. clients to help you get suitable work."

Clearly deciding that the conversation is done for the moment she turns and heads back to her shuttle, many dialects being used as she mutter under her breath.

"Ah, relax Ren, there ain't no problem here." Kale says, smiling at the man now sitting completely upright on the couch.

So right then, we go talk to the crazy man about a job, yeah? Ren says gettin back to bein relaxed on the couch

"Yeh." Kale confirms, then he hears a voice from out in the cargo bay.  He looks at Ren.  "This may not be a problem, but that most certainly is."

He stands up and quickly exits the dining hall calling out as he does so: "That best not be someone stepping onto my gorram ship without permission!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:59, Mon 02 Jan 2006.

Ren get's up and unhooks the latch on his holster, not taking the pistol out, just makin sure it's ready. He looks cautiously over at Kale and shrugs.

Acacia strolled in lightly humming to herself.  She walks into the kitchen and grabs a protien packet and empties it into a bowl.  She looks out and see all sorts of comotion. Hey y'all, now doncha all get beat up, I will only have to sew things shut and reattach things   She came in and sat down in an open seat.

Walking into the Dining hall Ren notices Acacia and grins broadly Hey ya beautiful! It's just a fare not knowin how to walk on to a ship He then walks over to the couch and slumps himself back down comfortably.

Flips through a manual from some ship or another, just whiling away the time until somethin happens. Everyonce in awhile stealing a look at acacia.

Acacia looks up from her food smiles, good afternoot Reiner, is something bothering you?  Do you have an injury you need looked at?  I will be in the Infirmary later.   She looks around the room afternoon everyone how is your day goin

I'm doin well, me arms broke in two places but other than that, i'm fine as a feather Ren says, barely lookin up from over the manual he's been perusing.

Acacia grabs her bowl of protien and slumps down next to him, Poor baby she says lightly blowing on his ear when she sees the coast is clear.  She then smiles evily leans back and eats her protien.  I wouldn't want you to be in pain

Shivering from the playfull blow on his ear Ren say's Sometimes I think you ARE the pain Then, changing the subject So, the cap's hired an extra gun hand, think there might be some trouble instore?

Me the pain she reacts with mock innocence.  She turns to face him, don't forget my hippocratic oath, to do no harm   She smiles then she says extra guns, means I'm going to stichin people back together aren't I?

That is one of your two jobs ya know... but i don't know... just makes me nervous a bit Ren says, while shifting abit, just to feel acacia next to him at least there is something comforting on this ship he thinks with warmth.

She leans closer ready to spring back if someone walks in, and what would my other job be  She was going to love to see what he said to that one.  Only job she knew of was stichin people up.

Whispering now he says Bein the prettiest zhen de shi tian cai of a saw bones a man could ever call home and smiles intently into her eyes for just a moment before regaining a more guarded pose.

Acacia sighed, she was lucky, this life was hard she was lucky to not be alone.  so......when are we telling everyone?  Think the captain would approve?  I can't get a read  She leans over to his ear again cause I think I love you

I uhh... Ren looks away and blushes O, zhe zhen shi ge kuai le de jin zhan He fidgets alittle I love you too and puts his hand on hers But yeah, don't know how the cap' would take it though. He a good man, but he runs a strict ship...

Acacia looks again then straddles Reiner wraps her arms around him and plants her lips right on his. She then leans back to his ear, you definately need to be in my room later I can behave till then loverboy she pulls her leg back over and rests sitting on his lap.  yep someone should be walking in any minute now she thinks.

Ren absolutely melts I'll be anywhere ya want, sweet heart he holds her as close as he can Wow, she's never been this foreward in the ship before.... wait a minute I mean, i enjoy the attention, but isn't this, right here to sure fire way to get found out... unless you wanna get found out" He gives her a big grin, a kiss, and slaps her playfully on her bum.

Acacia smiles crinkling her nose up. I think I might be making you nervous, maybe I should leave my big strong ace pilot here alone to stew in his juices. that oughta get him riled up enough  so I guess, I should leave then okshe says that while she snuggles even closer.

Sweetheart, you make me alot of things. Crazy, happy, frustrated, amongst others... but nervous? Me? Nah... Honestly though, i should go check on the cap' he's been downthere awhile, startin to get alittle nervous With that he gives her another kiss, swings her though the air and sets her back down on the couch next to him and starts to get up.

Acacia grins, so then in about 2 hours in my room? She said standing up behind him, of course she only comes up about to his shoulder blades, Ni ta ma de tian xia suo you de ren dou gai si I hat being so short

Two hours then he pecks her playfully on the cheek and heads down to the cargo bay, bumping into the cap' along the way

"Ah, Ren, still aroun'.  This here is Geoff, new recruit I was tellin' about." Kale says as he bumps into Reiner in the doorway to the dining hall.  "Geoff, this is Ren, pilot.  And that little vixen is Dr. Acacia Keese." He moves aside ot allow Geoff entry into the room.

Little Vixen eh, I'll ignore that one captain, or at least I'll try to the next time you are needin some stichin up.  See you boys later.  She walks out and heads towards her bunk.

Bumping in to Kale Ren says, Hey ya cap' jus comin down to look for ya, thought there might be a problem with that hou zi de pi gu fare you brought on board He then looks to Geoff Nice to meet ya, you must be the new gun cap' was jawin on about yeah? Ren sticks his hand out in greetings to the new member of the crew.

Geoff shakes the pilot's hand and gives a nod to the lady doctor as she walks out of the room. "Pleased ta meetcha. Geoff Wolfe, like he said. And yeah, hired gun. That's me.", he remarked with a friendly tone. The pilot and the doctor were definitely two people Geoff wanted to be on good terms with. One made sure he stayed alive in the ship and the other made sure he stayed alive after he had been on a job off of it so it wouldn't do to be unfrriendly to either of them.

"Nice to see ya'll make friends." Kale says with a wry smile and walks over to the cabinets.

One big happy family here cap' But ship's gotta run, meanin we need some cred... You thinkin on goin up an' talkin to that Liu kou shui de biao zi he hou zi de ben er zi bastard? Ren says as he slumps himself back down on the couch Cause i'd be happy to go with ya, ya know, get off the ship for a spell

Geoff grinned lightly to the cap'n and shrugged as he took his hand back from shaking the pilot's and went to follow after the captain. "Well, Cap'n, I'm usually the friendly type....'less I'm paid to be otherwise, dong ma?", he said with a chuckle. He looked about the small room as he walked slowly across it, finding it a bit more comfortable than he expected and figured he'd probably be spending a lot of time in here if not in his bunk. It had a table to sit at and food so he'd be happy.

He then looked quite a bit interested when talk of business came up. He looked to the pilot and then the captain as he listened to what would be said.

Kale pulls a protien pack out of one of the cabinets and tosses it Geoff.  Then he looks to Ren.  "I ain't never taken you to see my good 'ol buddy Cortez, have I?" Kale says with a grin. "I was gonna take Rhaef with me, but Rhaef always gets to see all the action, this'll be in and out.  Why doncha' come."

Kale looks over at Geoff, "You might wanna come as well, I'm sure Rhaef can hold down the fort while we're gone.  Ain't quite time yet, but sun's almost down."

Oh but i've heard all the stories, he bein one of your more level headed friends. But, thanks cap' it'll be good to stretch the legs abit, nice fresh persephone air an all Ren gets up, and gives a long full body stretch When we leavin?

Geoff catches the protein pack and looks at it with a shrug. He didn't neccesarily like the bland mixture of the protien pack, but he wasn't choosy about things like that either. He shrugged and decided eating this would be better than nothing.

It is as he eats that he nods lightly to the captain's offer to accompany him on this meeting of Corrtez, whoever that was. "Sure, Cap'n. Sounds good. I could use a bit o' fresh air offa the boat.", he said with a light smile

"Good to hear, now we just wait 'til sundown." Kale says, taking a seat on the couch, "Ain't got long to wait."

Good then... I'll be right back, gotta hit the head Ren saunters out of the room for a moment.

------>To Acacia's Bunk------>

Geoff nodded lightly and threw the protien pack down on a table, already finished with the tasteless meal. He walked about the room and took in some of the details for later use. He also took the time to look through the cabinets idly to see if maybe somebody had a stash of liqour somewhere. He knew it was probably a long shot to find alcohol in great abundance onboard, knowing that the captain probably couldn't afford it in large quantities and that more than a few crew members would be running around drunk if there was liqour aboard. Himself, included most especially.

Kale waves nonchalantly at Ren as he leaves the room, "You got 'bout thirty minutes before showtime!" he calls after him, then amuses himself by taking his pistol out of the holster at his side.  He spins it with ease around his fingers, periodically catching it in his rough hand, before spinning it again.  He watches Geoff meander about the room, looking in all the cabinets.

"Ya 'ain't gonna find nothin' of interest in there, boy.  Unless you fancy some more protien.  We're runnin' a bit dry righ' now."

Geoff looks to Kale with a light grin and a resigned shrug before moving to sit at one of the chairs at the table. "Well, that's a damn sham, Cap'n. It's okay though. I brought my own fer the ride. It should tide me over fer a bit. So long as I drink nice and slow. Heh. Though I ain't one used ta takin' it easy with drinkin'. Heh. You know about that though, seein' as how you were there in that bar last night.", he said with a laugh.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Mon 02 Jan 2006.

"You take it easy with that stuff while on my boat.  Ain't nothin' wrong with a drink now an' again but I don't plan on havin' a ship all tied up in a fang zong feng kuang de jie." Kale says quite seriously.

Geoff just shrugged and nodded to the captain at that. "Fang xin, Cap'n. I know ta keep it in moderation when we're on a job. Business before pleasure and all that.", he said and then grinned wryly, "But it's nice ta have a bit of the stuff when we're deep in the black, dong ma? Otherwise, I may get a bit stir crazy. I don't get much action in the black, after all so it's natural ta get a bit antsy. That's what the liqour's fer."

Kales grins, he likes the kid.  And most of the time his instincts about people aren't wrong.  "Well, Destiny here sees a lotta action, I promise ya, you ain't gonna be bored ... even out in the black."

Kale and Geoff then amuse themselves for a while chatting back and forth.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Tue 03 Jan 2006.

Ren walks in from the stairs leading to the cargo bay looking alittle sour, see's the cap and geoff and says Hey guys, there is something i gotta grab, want ta share it with ya

Kale looks up as Ren walks through the door, he notices the mans hair is a bit touseled.  12. Looks like Kyoko won the bet, the crew had had a running bet on how many times Ren and Acacia would sneak off in the course of two weeks.  Today being the last day it looked like 12 was the lucky number. Kale grins slightly to himself.  He wasn't completely thrilled with the idea of two of his crew members becoming romantically involved, but he would be damned if someone had to follow an order the didn't sit well with their very being.  He knew first hand how bad that could be.  'Course, he didn't have to tell Ren and Acacia that, much more fun to let them think they had the whole thing underwraps.

"What is it, Ren?" he asks.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:11, Tue 03 Jan 2006.

Bad day... need a drink, gonna go grab some moonshine to consumate our new members.... membership Ren scoffs at himself and heads off to his bunk without waiting for a reply

------->To ren's bunk... and booze!------>

Ren heads back into the dining hall with a mason jar filled with an odd brown liquid in hand. He plops down on one of the seats around the table, opens the jar says Gon Beh with a mischevious smile on his face and takes a swig from the jar. He then has a full body shiver, sets the mason jar down and slides it across the table to Geoff Drink up puhn yoh

Kale grins as Ren pulls out the mason jar, takes a sip and then pushes it to Geoff.  The man was famous for his mason jar drinks.  "You ain't seen this kid in action yet, Ren.  You're lookin' at a pro, ain't even your stuff gonna take him down." Kale says still smiling.

sounds like he'll fit perfect ren then lets out a single HA! and waits for geoff to take a drink of the good ole' belarius engine grease

Geoff grins lightly at the praise, well deserved he would say, of his drinking skills. He looks to the mason jar with a grin and takes it in his hand gingerly. "Heh. Well, boys, I gotta tell ya. I'm good at three things. One is fightin' and two is drinkin'.", he said wryly and then chuckled lightly, "The third...heh, well that ain't meant ta be discussed in polite convesation unless I'm good and drunk. So let's see if this batch o' sauce ya got can do the trick!"

HE then smiles widely, raises the jar to the two men in a toast and then takes a deep drink. Geoff is not one to do things halfway, after all. He puts the jar down on the table with a lopsided grin on his face and a light cough. He blinks a bit and then laughs lightly as he looks to Ren with gleeful eyes. "Ai ya! Ya make this gorram stuff yerself!?", he exclaimed and then clapped a hand on the man's shoulder,"Ya know, ya might just be my new best friend 'round here, if ya can provide more o' this stuff!"

Kale laughs heartily with the two men. Then stands up.  "Alright gents, I think that's enough for now, we got us a job to go get."

Ren gives geoff a friendly nod and says "Allright boss, i think we're good an' warmed up, where we headin?" He caps the jar gets up and waits for his captains orders

"Ain't far, just off the Eaves Down Docks, seedy little tavern called the Lyin' Lair, but better known as Cortez's Lair to folks like us." He grabs his coat off the back of one of the chairs where he had left it earlier and pulls it on.  "You go put that away." he nods at Ren, "Oh and Ren, might wanna grab a pistol.  No big guns, these guys are business partners ... they don't always play nicely though.  Best be safe."

"Dang Ran cap'" Ren says as he pets his sidearm "I'm packed and ready, you shiny geoff?"

Geoff nods as he stands and stretches, grinning lazily. "Yep, all set. Never leave my bunk without them.", he remarked as he gestured to the pistols at his hips,"Ahh, ya know, a good drink is always a great warm up before a job. Let's get to it then!", he said with a laugh. He was indeed very anxious to get up and get on with whatever would be laid before him. He was the kind of guy who thrived on action, after all.

"Shiny." Kale says with a grin, and leads the other two men into the cargo bay.

Acacia walks into the room and jumps onto the couch.  Hey guys whatcha up to?  I was wondering what interesting things are going on.   She looks around the room seeing who is there.

"Just leavin doc, got crime to be done, be back full of holes shortly" Ren says with a nod and then heads to the cargo bay with Kale.

------>to the cargo bay------->

Geoff nods to the doctor and shrugs as he follows after the captain and Ren. "Yep. I'm the hired muscle so I go where they tell me. See ya later, ma'am.", he remarked as he left the room

--------->to the cargo bay

Acacia shrugged, she folded her legs under herself.  She decided to stay here where all the traffic went by.  She figured someone would come by to talk to.  She hummed to herself, a but I wish I played an instrament, I should learn, it would give me something to pass the slow time with.

Charlie walked into the dining hall, dropping her clothes in an empty chair to free up her hands, beginning to dig through the pantry.  She brushed a hand on the top of Acacia's head, flicking red hairs into her eyes as she passed.

"Hey you."  She gave a quick smile, not bothering for much more as she passed by.

Acacia flips her hair out of her eyes hey Charlie, what's up   She said lounging on the couch.  A good day in the engine room?

"Of course it's okay.  The day it's not is because I'm not here anymore."  She smiled, starting to poke around to find something that wasn't reprocessed garbage, but actually had some kind of substance to it.  It only takes a moment to decide that Rhaef won't miss any of his apples, taking one and rubbing the edge against her sleeve, somehow finding a clean spot that won't leave a dark mark on the red surface.

"Did they say how long they would be?"

Kyron strolls into the dining hall to find it already occupied. "Er, hello, I wasn't expecting... well of course there would be people about." Kyron straightens abit.  "Kyron Bates." he introduces himself.  "I suppose you are of the Captain's crew?"

Nah, no one ever tells me anything, but if I have to patch em all up I'm not going to be happy, Ren, better not get himself shot up She thought.  Acacia walks over and gets a glass of water.  Hi Kyron, I'm Acacia, Acacia Keese, She walks over to Kyron and holds out her hand.  you just come on board?

"What?  Oh, yeah...we are."  Charlie seems a bit taken aback by Kyron's introduction, holding the apple over her mouth as she speaks.  She manages a bit of a smile, brushing a lock of dark hair out of her face.  Being not only around Acacia, but a well-dressed man, she couldn't help but to feel like the ugly stepsister covered in grime and other things from the engine room.  "I'm Charlie..."  She muttered the phrase out, taking a bite out of the apple.

"Indeed." Kyron says, taking the womans hand and kissing it lightly. "I thought I'd come up here to find if there was anything decent about this ship, preferably in the form of food."

Mostly we have protien, protien, and when want something new and different we have......mmmmm, more protien. Acacia said laughing.  So enjoy those apples now, they won't last.   She sat back down on the couch with her glass of water.  So, ya like protien? She said.

"I can't say that I do, but I suppose it will suffice." Kyron says crisply.  So not the best accomadations.  The crew is friendly enough however, he mused.  He walks towards the cabinets.

When Kyron stepped up to the cabinets, Charlie took that as her cue to get out of the way, sliding back towared the doors that would lead her into the cargo bay.  "'Scuse me, I can be in the way...I need to go get some stuff, so..."  Charlie took a step out of the doorway, giving them all a little salute and a smile.  "You know where to find me."  And without much more of a goodbye, the mouse made it's way back to it's hole.


----->Cargo Bay

Aw, Charlie, why ya runnin off, Acacia said as the woman walked by.  So where you heading Kyoko  Acacia decided to strike up a conversation with the passenger.

"I have some business to attend to out on Beaumonde." Kyron says, taking a protien pack from the cupboard and handling it with disdain. "Your Captain said that it would be no problem to deliver me there in a timely fashion."

Walkin' in and lookin intent on his job, he sees Acacia and his faces softens for a moment "Hey doc, heal any good ones lately?"

I'm sure it will be, we have a top notch pilot, and an awesome mechanic, who you just met, and the crew works together very well, so I'm sure we will get you to your destination. She said.  She was proud of this motley bunch she worked with.  So don't worry, you should do what I do and when they are flyin' I just stay out of their way

Acacia blushed she didn't know they were coming back so soon, or she wouldn't have praised em so much, it took all her willpower not to pounce on Ren, she was so relieved he had no bullet holesheya ace, how ya doin, nope all the ones on this ship are all in one piece,  I'm assuming you aren't dragging someone in here who is all shot up  Acacia said, trying to hide her relief.

"Good to know i'm top notch" Ren laughed as he walked though... "Gotta go make the ship fly now... if i can remember how" Ren smirked as he grabbed a mason jar from the table and brought it with him as he walked through the room, lightly and seemingly accidently brushing acacia leg as he passed her

Acacia's eyes lingered on Ren just a bit too long, yeah ok have fun,   She turned back to Kyron, see, i knew we would be off soon.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:47, Tue 03 Jan 2006.

"Charmed." Kyron said, as the pilot walked up to the bridge with a jar of liquor in tow. Very reassuring.

"Oh and Kyron... if this is your first time on a transport, you may want to sit down during takeoff, or ya might take a nasty spill" And with that Ren headed off towards the bridge, his true home.

-------->To the bridge-------->

He ain't kiddin' I took a spill the first time I was on for a takeoff Acacia said.  She settled herself on the couch.  She loved takeoffs now,  She really wanted to be up on Ren's lap during the takeoff.  She remembered the time they had been able to sneak that once.  Nothing had gone wrong and it was such a sight.  But, with the passenger here, the rumours would surely start.

"I suppose I'll, er, take his advice then." Kyron said and sat beside the Acacia on the couch fiddling with the packaging of the protien pack.

I'll be back I got to go up to the bridge for a second   Acacia decided to be bold and to run up to the bridge, the worse that Renny could do, would be tell her to leave. Acacia gets up and walks up to the bridge.



[to the bridge]

Ah, Kyron thinks as Acacia leaves the room. just what our pilot needs, more distractions.

Kale stomps up the stairwell and trots into the dining hall where he's surprised to see Kyron sitting. "Came out of yer bunk, did ya?  Well that's nice, best be makin' friends." he says, pausing in the doorway.

"Er, yes." Kyron says, he sets the protien pack down and turns to the Captain. "Captain Galway, I believe I heard your pilot mention Valon.  That is not where we're headed now, is it?" he watched the Captain's face, hoping that this was not their destination, he had said Beaumonde, Kyron expected Beaumonde.

"Most certainly is." Kale says, "Don't worry it ain't much out of the way."

Geoff walks to the dining room, moving past the captain where he had paused in the doorway, and headed for the table with an expectant smile on his face. He curses lightly, though, as he notes that the jar of liqour that had ben there was no longer there. "Hmmm. I had hoped he had forgotten 'bout it. Ruttin' hell.", he mutters and takes a seat, lounging lazily in the chair as he gives the passenger in the room a nod in greetings.

Kyron looks at the Captain blankly. "It is a days ride in the opposite direction, explain to me how that is not out of the way?" Kyron says slightly bewildered, they could not possibly be going to some back water planet. "You said Beaumonde." he reminds the Captain.

Kale shrugs, "Guess I said wrong." taking in the other mans obviously worried look though he tries to adopt a more friendly approach. "Some business came up, we'll be quick and then we'll be on our way to Beaumonde in no time."

Kale nods at the man and heads to the bridge.

-------Bridge--------->

Kyoko sometime later comes in, once again well cleaned and dressed. While she had hoped to get clients on the world they had just left, she had to admit that she had made a mistake in her confrontation with the captain. Without finding out where they were going she had no way of planning ahead. Her duties required her to do more than simply secure clients she was out here learning the 'byroads' these ships ran so to advise the guild on how to expand out here as society expanded.

She mulled these thoughts over as she walked into the kitchen and set a kettle on to boil, fishing out another of her rare packs of seasoned tea. She had made arrangements to get regular deliveries of a variety of 'essentials' over time, but they hadn't had enough time for the one bound to the last landing to arrive.

Something to think on for later, retaining agents who are willing to set up offices closer to the landing

Geoff had been sitting at the table, having taken out the knife at his back and tossing it up and then catching it as it spun back down, when he noticed the arrival of somebody he had yet to meet. A very good looking woman, if he can believe his eyes. Considering he hasn't been in the black long enough to start seeing things, he figures the woman before him must be real. He grins as he snatches his knife out of the air once more before replacing it in it's sheath at his back. Heh. Well, now is as good as time as any to introduce myself...", he thinks as he stands up and makes a cursory attempt to brush himself off before approaching Kyoko from behind.

As he reached her, he slipped a hand low around her waist, pretty much placing a hand on her ass, and chuckles lightly. "Hello, there, pretty lady, I don't think we've met. Geoff Wolfe, at yer service. Now that we got the formalities outta the way, hows 'bout you and I go somewhere ta get better...'acquainted', eh?, he said in a light tone.

Kyoko spun in place, her right hand taking the stranger's by the thumb and with practiced ease she had it in a lock and pushing him downward with almost casual ease. Her left hand was an open palm strike poised over his face. She smiled as she looked down at him

"My name is Kyoko Monroe, I am a licensed companion and I am suspecting you're the new.. hand hired for the crew. That means I'm off limits to you, and even if I wasn't.. you do not engage in negotions with a companion in such a manner.. is that understood?" She asks politely with a smile

Geoff hadn't been expecting such a maneuver from the woman, but, even if he had been expecting it, he doubted he would've been able to do very much about it. As it is, he fell to his knees, grunting lightly with surprise and pain as he did so. He looked up to the woman with a nod. "Ugh...uh...I gotcha, ma'am. Quite a social blunder I made, in other words. Sorry 'bout that. Never happen again unless invited. Ya got my word on it.", he said and then smiled wryly, "So can I have my hand back now...unless yer plannin' on doin' somethin' of a pleasurable sort with it. That don't include breakin it, mind you...though I ain't really adverse to rough stuff, either..."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 19:30, Tue 03 Jan 2006.

"Good, I see you two have met.  Had I known you were dancing I would have brought my harmonica."  Rhaef says as he enters the room and sees Kyoko applying a wrist lock on the new hired hand.

"It seems like the Captain will need to rethink which jobs he gives to whom, now won't he."  He says as he coolly pours himself a glass of water.  "Perhaps you and the lady should exchange occupations, that is... since she's dishing out the pain and you're on your knees..."

Rhaef swallows the water smoothly, refills it and leans against the counter so he faces the man and woman as they continue their martial waltz.

Kale hears a bit a commotion in the dining hall as he makes his way to his bunk and changes course enroute.  Grinning as he hears Rhaef . . . well being Rhaef.

"I see you've met Kyoko." he says, grinning at Geoff, "I'm gonna have to ask ya to unhand him though, he ain't no use to me in a shootin' match if he can't use them hands a his."

Taking a sip of his water he continues to watch the dance between Geoff and Kyoko.

"I never got to ask you how it went with our contact?  Whats the plan?"

"Well, you know Cortez." Kale said, turning his attention to Rhaef.  The two of them had dealt with the man together more times then he could count, it was Rhaef actually who had saved his neck from the samauri sword incident last time.  "Xiong meng de kuang ren as usual." Kale kept his voice light hearted but he knew that Rhaef could read the look on his face that said: You and I gotta talk- now.  He turns back to the rest of the group, "Well, if ya'll 'cuse me, i'm off to my bunk for a bit a shut eye." he cast another meaningful glance at Rhaef and headed back into the hall to his bunk.

---------Kale's Bunk ----------->

"Don't worry." Kyoko says as she lets him go, letting gravity go to work. "I'm sure he can be his surly self without my aid." she adds primly as she collects her tea and retreats to a corner to sip it daintily.

Geoff feels himself fall down and catches himself quickly with outstretched hands, wincing slightly as the hand that had been in the lock impacts with the floor. He stands up with a grin, rubbing at his hand lightly with a neighborly nod to Kyoko. "That I can, ma'am.  No help needed for that...", he remarked and then chuckled lightly. He then looked to Rhaef with a bit of a cool glance and a wry grin. "Ya know, that's some sort o' record ya set there, friend. Only been in yer presence fer a few seconds and already I don't like ya. Nicely done. It takes real talent to be quite that big a hun dun.", he remarked with a chuckle.

He then shrugs and moves towards the doorway of the dining room that leads towards the cargo bay. "Now, it's been great meetin' ya, bein' much deservedly manhandled, and mocked, but I've gotta go find an isolated place to nurse my hand and my ego. I'll see y'all later then. Once again, a real pleasure.", he said with an amused tone and a wink as he then turned and left the room.

------->Cargo Bay

Rhaef watches the captain leave out of the corner of his eye before finishing the rest of his water, washing the glass, and returning it to its home in the cabinet.

Nodding to Kyoko, who was letting Geoff off the floor at the time, he slides from the dining room and into the passage leading to the crew's quarters.

<---to Kale's bunk--->

Ren walks in from the bridge looking thuroughly pleased with hims. He heads over to the couch, plops himself down on, puts his hands behind his head and closes his eyes.

Ren slowly opens eye's eh good, ship ain't crashed, done my job well again He drags himself of the couch stretches alittle and heads towards the sound of conversations in the cargo bay


-------->To Cargo Bay--------->
This message was last edited by the player at 06:45, Wed 04 Jan 2006.

Kyron sat quietly in the corner of the room on the couch for awhile, picking at his protien pack and watching the interactions of the crew members.  Eventually he had drifted out of the room and back to his bunk.

--------Kyron's Bunk--------------->

Geoff walked in and took a deep breath as he shook his head. "Stupid, Geoff. Stupid as hell", he muttered under his breath as he kicked lightly at the floor.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:29, Wed 04 Jan 2006.

Kale stomps into the dining hall and sees Geoff.  "What the hell is going on on my gorram ship!" he asks the man.

Geoff looks to the captain and curses under his breath. He sighed lightly as he shrugged and looked to the captain. "It was my fault, cap'n. I shoulda kept my mouth shut,  but I didn't and I may have riled up that passenger of yours. I tried ta smooth things over, but ya might wanna go in there and get Ren outta there 'fore a fight breaks out.", he said in a low tone.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 08:34, Wed 04 Jan 2006.

Kale rubs the sleep out of his eyes and scratches his head as he walks through the room.  "That liu kou shui de biao zi he hou zi de ben er zi, new rule, no riling up the passengers." he's almost out of the door, when he pauses and looks back at Geoff, "I'm angry cause I got woken up, so next time the prick acts up, you punch him.  Ya know, real quiet-like."

--------- Cargo Bay ----------->

Geoff grins to the captain and snaps off a salute. "Will do, cap'n. Nice and quiet like, griinin' all the while.", he remarked and chuckled lightly. The captain's comment now cemented his belief that he was going to like being a part of the crew. They were definitely his kind of people.

Ren walks throgh the room, nods at geoff and heads to his bunk

-------->To Ren's Bunk---->

Geoff returns Ren's nod as he passes by him and goes to his bunk. After he's got himself cooled down from the encounter in the cargo bay, he decides that it would probably be a good idea to go to his bunk to. Not only would some sleep sound good, but he figures that now is as good a time as any to drink up one of the bottles he had brought along. With that thought and a grin, he headed for his bunk.

----------->Geoff's Bunk

Geoff ambles into the dining room with a yawn, feeling a bit unfamiliar with the feeling of being up and not feeling the ill effects of a night of heavy drinking. He shrugs lightly and moves to go through the cabinets to get a protien pack. He whistles a light tune as he looks through the cabinets and takes one of the protien packs out. He grimaces lightly as he thinks about having to eat the bland meal, but he shrugs and figures it's better than nothing. So he takes a seat at the table and digs in a little less then enthusiastically, washing away the taste, or the lack thereof, with the half bottle of liqour he still holds in his hand.

"I see the breakfast of champions is taken... I guess I'll just have water."

Rhaef moves to the spigot, retrieves a glass and fills it.  Turning back around he moves to leave the room, but pauses first, ponders questioning the man, but thinks otherwise and continues on.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:33, Wed 04 Jan 2006.

Geoff just looks up to Rhaef with a lazy gaze and shrugs before going back to his meal. As Rhaef walks out, Geoff tosses the protein pack to the table and takes a final drink before placing the empty bottle onto the tabletop and sighs lightly. "What ta do, what ta do? Guess I could go check out that stash o' the captain's. It'd be good ta get myself acclimated with some o' that weaponry of his...", he muttered to himself, realizing that this talking to himslf is etting to be a habit. He shakes his head lightly as he stands up and heads for the cargo bay.


-------------->Cargo Bay

Passing through the Dining Hall a second time, Rhaef can no longer ignore his complaining stomach and soon finds himself rummaging through the cabinets for sustainence.  Removing a packet of dehydrated fruit and a cannister of dried meat, he sticks a strip of the cured meat into his cheek and chews it slowly.  He returns the cannister of meat back into the cabinet and sits at the table with his glass of water and packet of dehydrated fruit, taking whatever pleasure can be from such a meal.

Kale yawns as he enters the room and sees Rhaef already sitting at the table.  "How's the last supper comin'?" he asks the man without looking at him, he opens a cabinet and looks at its contents.  Protien, a hell of a lot of protien.  First thing they do with the money from this job was get some real food.

"My thoughts exactly.  Pull up a chair and join me."  Rhaef says through his teeth as he continues to draw whatever flavor and nutrients he can from the jerky in his teeth.

"When will this lovely vessel be docking on the exotic planet of Valon?

Kendra slowly walks into the Dinning room, smiling shyly in the direction of those present. She walks over to the cabinet, opens it looking for something to eat. Grabing a protein pack and bottle, sits at the table and begins to eat. Eyes down cast, seriously and quickly eating her meager meal.

"Soon, my friend.  I estimate an hour or so, although Ren would know better." Kale says, joining Rhaef at the table.  "Let's just hope it's as simple as Cortez seems to think."

"I think the chances are better for me having close personal relationships with everyone onboard this vessel."  He says, raising an eyebrow and glancing in the direction of the newcomer.

Rhaef had seen a lot of strange faces come and go over the last few years aboard Destiny, and he could list the names of most of them still from memory, but he couldn't remember ever having more than a three word conversation with any of them.

Kendra looks up and glances at Kale,in a hushed, nervous and anxious voice she asks "What is the purpose of stopping in Valor?"

"Oh, nothin' to worry 'bout.  Just a bit 'o business." Kale says, to the woman as she joins him and Rhaef at the table.  "Routine transport of goods, passengers ain't the only thing this here boat delivers."

Kendra, lips turn into a half smile almost smirk, "Yes, I see". Finished with her meal, she stands up, scoots in her chair(as much as possible), grabs the empty bowl and cup and heads over to the sink. Washes the dishes returns them to their proper place and looks for the kettle for tea, but can't find it. Kendra turns to the men and asks "Do you drink tea? If you'll tell me where the kettle is I will make some for all who would like." The nervousness gone from her voice.

Kale shakes his head, "Not for me.  You want tea you ask the Companion, she'd be the only one keepin' tea on board this vessel."

"The kettle should be in the cabinet to your right."  There that was more than a three word conversation.

Looking at Kale he shrugs, "Tea has many beneficial properties.  You should try it sometime."

I will do that, she murmers, tiding up the counter, washing any extra bowls left out, cups - putting food - the couple of protein packs left out back in the cabinet.

"See, now I don't understand why you and Kyoko ain't better friends.  You two could sit around having tea parties.  You do have a nice hat, righ'?" Kale remarks. "...beneficial properties ..." he mutters, taking a bite.

"What makes you think we aren't close friends... very close friends."  Rhaef asks, giving Kale a lazy eyed look.

Kale offers Rhaef a grin and turns to Kendra, "It ain't gonna be no problem for ya if we take a little stop?  I'm sorry for the inconvienence."

Kendra giggles, giggles some more-louder and finally starts into a full gale of laughter. ...laughing I forgot my hat at home and ..pointing to his mouth you have goup stuck to the side of your chin. She reaches for a napkin nearby and hands it to him. In the next moment she reaches for the kettle in the cabinet to her right.

Rhaef lifts himself out of the chair and walks to the sink, rinses the glass and returns it to the cupboard.  Without looking at the Captain he makes his way out of the Dining Hall and into the passage leading to his quarters.  As he leaves he says.

"I'll be ready by the time we touchdown."

Kendra fills the kettlw with water, turns on the cooktop, places the kettle on the lit burner and without further ado, briskly walks out of the dining hall.

"Wow, don' even have to open my mouth and I clear a room." Kale muses and takes another bite.

Several minutes later, Kendra returns with something in the palm of her hand. She quiets the whistling kettle, grabs a nearby mug, tosses the object in her hand into the mug, pours the hot steaming water in it. She takes the steaming hot mug, and her book to the table and sits down - gently blowing on the hot tea. Opens the book, props it up in her free hand and begins to read.

Kale glances at the woman as she sets about drinking her tea and reading her book.  He gets up, tosses the protien packs wrapper and starts to head to the cargo bay when he catches a whiff of something ... meaty.  Following his nose he walks through the shuttle bay towards Kyoko's room.

--------Kyoko's Shuttle------->

As kale leaves Kendra looks up, glances at Kale's exiting backside and mutters under her breath: Adios-Lao Buhn

Ren ambles in lookin quite sleepy, Noticing the new face unexpectedly in the dining room he says startledly"Ai ya! Umm... Hi... who are you... didn't know we had anyother passengers, i'm ren, the pilot."

Kendra glances up from her book, Hello, I'm Kendra and you are? she extends her hand out to shake with his.

"Ren, the pilot" he says chuckling and grabs her hand gladly. "So, where ya headed?"

She shakes his with a firm grip. I'm headed as far away as possible. I can't remember the name of the planet I'm headed to but, I understand it's about two-three weeks travel time. Aqua>How long have you been flying this contraption?</Aqua>

"Bout a year or so... So, what brings you on to this fine ship?"

Geoff stepped into the dining room, giving a nod to the people inside and took a seat on the couch. He realized that he had basically just traded one place to sit and be bored for another, but that thought hadn't exactly struck him until right now. Made him feel kind of stupid when he thought about it. So he decided not to think about it as he lounged lazily on the couch.

"Ah, just the man I wanted to see." Kale says as he emerges into the dining room, "What's the status on our where abouts?" he asks Ren, interrupting his conversation with Kendra.

Acacia walks into the dining room, As I thought there is people in here She says.  She looks around and sees the couch is occupied by the big guy that just had come onboard.  She couldn't remember his name, she leaned against the doorway frame, and noticed that the captain was in here talking to Ren.  So she decided to stand there quietly for the time being and not wanting to interupt or intrude further.

Geoff noted the entrance of the captain and thought idly about asking him how he felt about the idea of a dog, just to see how he'd react. Not to mention the fact that he wanted to ask if he could go and see about restocking his liqour cabinet...or liqour duffel bag to be more exact. Instead he only stayed silent as the captain talked to Ren. He also noted the entrance of the doctor soon after and gave her a lazy salute in greeting before putting his attention back to....well, nothing in particular.

"Should be there any hour now sir... depending on the weather" Ren said with a smile on his face. "Bout' to head up to the bridge and check the cortex for any alliance activity in the region"

"That's my man." Kale says, "you come up with anything suspicious, you tell me."

"Sure thing" ren says with a tip of his non-existant cap. He then wheels around and heads towards the bridge.

------->To the Bridge----->

Bye, nice to have met you... kendra calls out relieved she didn't have the opportunity to answer his question.

Kale looks around the room now and realizes that there is quite the crowd.  "Well, this certainly seems the place to be rights about now, now don' it?"

Geoff chuckles lightly and nods to the captain. "Well, it's got all the food, places ta sit and my bunk's right over there should I pass out drunk. What's not ta love'bout this place?", he said with a lifht grin.

"And 'all the food' ain't much at all.  Cabinets are lookin' pretty bare right about now and I have no way of reckonin' how long it'll be once we're through here that we stop off fer supplies." Kale looked around the room, and then back at Geoff, "Now I don' feel safe with anyone leaving this here boat but we gotta do somethin' about our food situation.  Seems unfittin' to have empty shelves when I got a box 'a money burnin' a hole in my pocket.  Reckon' you could handle yerself planetside, Geoff?  Pick us up what we be needin' and haul back?"  to be honest Kale was a bit worried that what Geoff saw as what they were needing and what he saw weren't quite the same vision, but he was the only one capable enough to handle himself and strong enough to carry back what he got.  An' if he was gonna be part of this boat, Kale had to give him the opportunity to earn trust.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:07, Fri 06 Jan 2006.

Geoff smiled lightly and nodded as he sat up on the couch, scratching his head lightly. "Hmmm. Well, I reckon I could be doin' that, Cap'n. If I do say so myself, I'm pretty ruttin' good at gettin' bargains. Though that may be more on account o' my size than anythin' else. Ya may want ta be givin' me a list o' stuff also. I ain't never been the best with makin' the right choices in buyin' things.", he said with a sheepish chuckle, "If'n I had a choice 'bout it, I'd be buyin' nothin' but liqour. So ya best be givin' me a list o' what we need....though, if'n we got some extra cash, ya mind if I buy some liqour? Just a little, dong ma?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 04:33, Fri 06 Jan 2006.

Kale grinned at the man, walked to shelf by the couch and swiped a piece of paper.  He sat at the table and started scrawling down what he knew they were out of.  "Now Harsdale's supposed to be real peaceful like, so don' be pickin' any fights, don' want to draw any unwanted attention." he chewed on the end of the pen for a moment thinking, then added a few more items, grabbed the paper and crossed the room to Geoff.  "You get all this... and you can grab a bottle, one bottle.  Also, get somethin' nice fer the crew.  Somethin' real if they got it, somethin' that don' taste like protien." he looked at Geoff seriously, "You get the goods, and you get back to Destiny, dong ma?"

"I'm going as well." Kyron said, stepping into the dining hall.

Kale looked up sharply as the high brow passenger stepped into the room. "Oh no you ain't.  No one's leaving this ship 'ceptin me, Rhaef, and Geoff."

"Captain Galway, I am not a member of your crew.  You cannot order me about.  Since you insist on delaying my trip to Beaumonde I have some neccessities that I require - I will purchase them here." Kyron said curtly.  The Captain was not going to hinder his mobility.

Geoff takes the list from the captain and nods to him. "Fang xin, Cap'n. I'll get it done without trouble. Nice and smooth and quiet like. Everythin' just right shiny.", he said , "Ya can count on it, Cap'n." He then heard Kyron and gave the man a hard glare before looking away, looking to the list as if he were studying it. He grinned as he heard the captain say that the man couldn't leave and then looked up as Kyron insisted on leaving. "Ya know, I could make sure he stays put if ya want, Cap'n...."

I also have some things to get, I would like to go too.

"I am a paying passenger, and Valon is an Alliance friendly planet, I see no need for being unable to step off this ship ... unless of course your business is less then reputable?" Kyron said with arched eyebrows.

"Well, ain't that somethin'.  Hell, why don' we all go, it'll be one nice big fun outtin'!" Kale said, narrowing his eyes at Kyron.  Then he looked apologetically at Geoff.  "Alrigh', you go with him, but I want you back here, in thirty minutes tops."

Kyron smiled snidely, "Why thank you, Captain.  Although, I was not asking permission." with that he did a slight bow and walked out of the dining hall and back to his quarters to gather what he needed.

---------Kyron's Bunk-------------->

If Harsdale is so peaceful, it should really be a problem.

Geoff looked like he was about to protest, but just grumbled lightly instead. "So I gotta be babysittin' now too. Ok. Great...", he muttered as he stood up and shook his head, buckling his gunbelt and putting his shirt on. He then nodded to the captain and shrugged. "Fine then. When do we ruttin' land so I can lead the gorram sightseein' tour on their souvenier run?", he remarked.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:48, Fri 06 Jan 2006.

Captain, what is it that we are here to do? Acacia asked looking to Kale.

Kale glowered at the mans back and waited til he was out of ear shot before turning to Geoff.  "You know what I said about not pickin' no fights?" he asked, and pointed in the direction that Kyron just left. "That one steps one toe out of line and I'd be mighty understandin' if you accidently shot him, things like that just can't be helped sometimes." Kale turned and started heading to the bridge, "It's a simple pick up Acacia, unless Ren has somethin' to tell me that I don' wanna hear.  I'm goin' to the bridge, see about landing this ship."

-----------Bridge-------------->

Don't worry Geoff, I'll be real quiet-you won't even know I'm there. With that she races out of the dining hall.

------> bunk

Geoff grins to the captain and nods in agreement. "Sure enough, Cap'n. I gotcha. Accidents happen all over in heated situations. Can't tell a ruttin' friend from somebody wants ta gut ya, sometimes. A bullet may find an accidental home in his brainpan. It happens...", he said and chuckled lightly.

He gave the passenger he hadn't met a nod as she left, hoping she could keep her word about being quiet. Even on a rather uneventful place like Valon, things could happen that nobod could foresee.

Hey um... Geoff right?  Who is going out on your little pickup as you put it? Acacia said, She wasn't dumb, there was something nefarious afoot.  She just hoped Ren wasn't going out to get shot up.  She walked over and sat on the couch next to him.  it is just, I'm guessing you talent is in the physical persuation field, so we haven't had need of someone in that field if thiis was just a simple pickup.  Just let me know so I can be prepared, are all you going out there going to be in need of sewing up when you get back?

Geoff looked to the doctor with a shrug. "As far as I know only the cap'n and Rhaef are goin' on the actual pick-up. I was just supposed ta be pickin' up some supplies, but now I gotta lead the ruttin' tour group inta town.", he said with a shake of his head before shrugging again,"As fer the actual pick up, we really don't know nothin' 'bout the details. It's a big mystery and that ain't good. No details 'bout cargo or anythin'. All we know is the place. So, if I was you, I'd get yerself ready fer some stitchin', just in case. Too much unknown leads ta trouble..."

...Kendra walks briskly back into the Dining Hall, a belt is strapped to her long peasant skirt, attached to that is a holstered handgun. She looks around smiles briefly and says for protection, that's all.

Geoff looks to Kendra with a light laugh and a nod. "Yeah. Protection. Same reason I carry these 'round. Nothin' more...", he says as he gestures to the two pistols holstered at his hips.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:09, Fri 06 Jan 2006.

Kendra snickers "You sure about that?"

Geoff puts on a mock shocked expression and shakes his head. "Well, now, of course! I mean, what do you think I am? Some sort o' drunken thug that goes 'round armed for any other reason 'sides protection? Why, I almost take offense ta that...", he remarked and then chuckled lightly with a light smirk on his face.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:20, Fri 06 Jan 2006.

With all this talk of protection, I am definately making sure I have gauze ready. Acacia said sigh with a sigh,  at least Ren isn't going so we will have some private time She thought

Kendra, smiles pertly, I don't know you, maybe you are a drunken thug that goes around bothern' people. She giggles.

Geoff grins amiably and shrugs to her. "Maybe I am at that.", he remarked  and then shrugged as he looks up at the sound of the comm, "Ah, yes. I'll so enjoy showin' the sights. I mean, ain't nothin' I'd rather do. Well, I'll be out in the cargo bay when yer ready, ma'am. Make sure ya grab hold o' the stuffed shirt on yer way if ya can." He nodded to her and the doctor before walking out of the dining hall and into the cargo bay.

-------------->Cargo Bay

Kendra straightens up, getting serious, one hand rests lightly on her holstered gun she walks tall and confidently towards the Cargo bay.

---> cargo bay

Acacia nodded to Geoff as he went by, she thought she would head up to the bridge, they were landed afterall, and that mesnt that Ren was free and alone, she felt some of her more primal insticts kick in.

[to the bridge]

Charlie breezed through the doorway, sighing as she wiped her hands off on the coveralls she wore again, still filthy with oil and grime.  Her hair was done up in an impromptu fashion to stay out of her face, hanging every which way but in her eyes, exactly how she needed it to be.  Landing was one of her more stressful times, as there was a lot of things that needed to be done...as well as instruments that needed work once they were on the ground.

Precisely the reason she was here, looking for Kale.  She had heard his declaration about no one leaving the ship...and that was something that she had best address before things get complicated on entry.  Kale would probably understand that she had work to do, but if he didn't agree and yelled at her, there's a good chance she might cry...

"Captain?"  She speaks up, standing in the doorway.  He might be in the bridge...which is one place she didn't like interrupting, as you never know what you're going to find up there.  Nontheless, if she had to...
This message was last edited by the player at 05:54, Fri 06 Jan 2006.

Kale walked briskly through the corridor leading to the dining hall, rapping on Rhaef's bunkroom door as he did so.  "We're getting ready to head out, I expect you in the cargo bay in 10!" he yelled through the door and continued into the dining hall where he saw Charlie.

"Hey, Charlie, you lookin' for someone?"

Charlie looked down the hall, seeing Kale down that way.  She took a few more steps into the kitchen, running the back of her arm across her forehead.  "I'm lookin' for you, Captain.  You on the intercom, you know, saying that no one else should be bothered lest they're on the mission.  Are we setting down at the port on Valon, or just some spot where no one'll find us?  I mean...Ren mentioned something about the gear being shaky on our last entry, and I want to look at it.  We were hardly on Persephone but an hour or so..."  There was a bit of concern as she spoke, watching the captain.

"You wanting off the boat, lil' Charlie?" Kale asked, sighing.

"Aww, don't act like I'm asking the world of ya, Captain.  I just want Destiny to stay in one piece, you know how it is.  I just-..."  Charlie stopped speaking as Ren's announcement came over the intercom, rolling her eyes as she set a hand on the doorframe, knowing the first entry was always the one you were unprepared for.

"Are we setting at any kind of port?  She could stand to be fuled, you know...unless you're planning a short hop or an extremely slow drift to our next destination, we could end up dead in the water.  I'm sure none of us want that, right?"  She managed another smile, trying to win the captain over on this one.  He was tired, she could see that, and the last thing she wanted was to be a bother...

Kale braced himself in the hallway.  "Yes, we're setting her down in Harsdale Landing." he rolled his eyes, "and you might as well go ahead and get off her, everyone else is.  Who am I ta stop ya, I'm just the Captain of this here ship." seeing Charlie look like she as about to say she'd stay, he smiled at her. "'Don worry about it. just be real careful-like.  You see anythin' suspicious you get back on board, dong ma?"  he pats her on the shoulder, and almost loses balance as the ship jolts as they hit atmo. "A little easier, Ren!" he yells, then turns back to Charlie, "You keep this 'ol girl nice an' healthy for me."

Her feet nearly skitter out from under her, and it takes both hands on either side of the door to keep her on her feet when it does.  She lets out a nervous laugh, looking around the exterior of the ship, and then back at the captain.

"Don't worry captain, I'm sure things are going to be okay...I'll just do my work real quick on the gear, a quick check on systems, all that.  When we set down, you tell me how much coin we have to fuel, and I'll make sure we get that as well...unless you got someone else staying behind on the boat."  She smiled again, raising an eyebrow.  "Is anyone staying behind, or am I going to be ship-sitting?"

"Nah, you got Ren an' Acacia, and Kyoko as far as I know.  Though," he leans in to Charlie and speaks lowly, "I don' know if Ren an' Acacia will be comin' out of the cockpit." he chuckles slightly, "they'll probably be busy bein' all stealth like."

"Captain!"  She speaks as if shocked, but playfully.  She smiles again, shaking her head.  "I think it's sweet, someone finding someone out here, things blooming.  They'll tell us when they're ready, just you wait."  She smiled again, stepping back out the doorway, leaning her head over her shoulder as she spoke.

"Be careful when you go out, captain.  Whoever you're dealing with, if they offer up engine parts by any chance...on the slim chance they do...we'll need to be replacing the fuel lines to the starboard engine sometime soon.  Not today, I'm tellin' ya...but sometime in the next few months, we're gonna need to land and give me half a day to do it.  Keep it in mind, if you find yourself, you know...shopping."  She lets out another smirk, popping out through the door.  She wasn't above asking the captain for things the ship needed, dropping them as hints here and there.  It was something they needed, and one way or another, they would end up getting.  It was really more a question of when, hypothetically....


---------->Cargo Bay

Kale smiled as Charlie left and knocked on Rhaef's door again. "Rhaef, now would be nice to get on out here so we can get our cargo and get the hell of this rock!" he yelled, and walked into the dining hall, sitting on the couch to wait.  A few minutes later he heard Geoff calling for the money.  Oh, ya, that might help, he thought, grabbed the box from his bedside table and headed out to the cargo bay.

-----------cargo bay------------->

Rhaef moves purposefully through the galley of the ship, pausing only to pick through the basket of aging fruit that lies on the counter.  Selecting a not so soft plum, which he places into his pocket, the First Mate continues to the Cargo Bay to meet up with the rest of those departing the Destiny.

Rhaef shuffles right through the Dining Hall and into the passage beyond.  There is only the slightest of pauses as he works the handle on his door and with a click he is within the confines of his own space.

Geoff entered the dining hall and placed the food stuffs he had gotten on the table. He made sure to separate the two remaining bottles of liqour from the rest of the stuff he had grabbed as those were his very own to have. He then started placing things in the cabinets as he thought they should go. Truth be told, he was going by guess, but he figured that, so long as stuff is in the cabinet, people will find it.

After finishing with that, he takes a seat on the couch with his apple and his knife, slowly cutting slices and eating them slowly. It had been awhile since he had eaten anything not dried or frozen or otherwise preserved. It was good to have real food every once in awhile.

Ren walked through on his way to the bridge not noticing much and lost in his own thoughts about the events of the day

----->To the bridge--->

Ren walked into the dining hall feeling absolutely famished "hmmm, wonder if we have any steak... hey wait, didn't they steal some good stuff from Valon?" he thought as he stopped himself from reaching for a protein pack and searched for something crunchy, juicy, and non-protein like. Finding an apple he chomped into it happily and slumped down on the couch.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:12, Sun 08 Jan 2006.

Geoff opened an eye slowly at the sound of somebody moving through the dining hall. He caught a glimpse of Ren entering the dining room and looking for food. He yawns and stretches lightly, realizing that, at some point, he had fallen asleep on the couch. He shrugged to himself as he stands up and walks over to where he had left the two bottles of liqour from the previous night. He picked them up and headed for his bunk.

----->Geoff's bunk
This message was last edited by the player at 04:15, Sun 08 Jan 2006.

Kale enters the dining hall to see Ren sitting comfortably on the couch eating an apple, "Well, looks like everything's back in order." he comments, standing by the table and looking around. He crosses to the cabinets and grins, "See this is what I like to see, fully stocked."

"Good sorta stock at that cap', shame the way we had to get it though" Ren said through a mouth full of apple. Nothing, not even the captain, was taking him away from his tasty right now.

"I'd say a bit unfortunate for the fine folks of Harsdale, but by the way you're eatin' that apple I take it there's no complaints?" Kale says with a bit of a chuckle and picks up one himself, "Now this is the real food." he takes a bite.

"Can't complain that much, when the way I hear it is twasn't really our fault to begin with, and this apple is to tasty to care dong ma?" Ren said with a chuckle... "Looks like smooth sailing between here and Londinium by the way"

"Well, I still feel uncomfortable about the trip, don't like bein' to close to the core, and Londinium is as core planet as you can get.  Don' know what we got on board so I don't want to take no chances of being stopped by the Feds." Kale said, sighing and taking a seat at the table.

Geoff strolls back into the dining hall, nodding lightly to the captain and Ren as he heads for the table. He takes a seat and picks up an apple for himself, taking out his knife and cutting into it. "Howdy, Cap'n. Howdy, Ren.", he said simply before lapsing into silence to eat.

"should keep pretty clear of everything cept' what i can't see... plotted a wide course 'round established bluebelly patrol routes and what not, so hopefully we'll get there all nice and quiet like" Ren said with an air of confidence, knowing that he could only control so much about a flight, but what he did do, he did to the best of his ability

"Well, let's hope it stays all nice and quiet-like." Kale says taking another bite, "I think I've had quite enough excitement ... at least for the next few hours." he nods to Geoff as he comes into the room.

"Oh hey geoff, how's yer gun hand? Itchy?" Ren said with a wide grin between bites of his apple. Ren of course meant no offence he was just testing the other man to see how he handled a little ribbin'.

Geoff grinned lightly between eating slices of apple. "No, I don't think so. I'm pretty sure I scratched that itch back planetside."he remarked lightly with a shrug.

"Well, best not be scratchin' no itches once we hit the core.  The Alliance doesn't tak to kindly to friendly shoot outs." Kale commented.

Ren just chuckled a little at the comment and continued enjoying his apple and the quiet flight.

Geoff nodded lightly to the captain and sighed a bit as he put down the apple. "Yeah, I know that pretty well. Don't be worryin' 'bout that. I'm nervous enough 'bout bein' on a core worldwithout lookin' fer trouble.", he remarked with a shake of his head, "Just fer the record though, I ain't likin' this job one bit. First the mystery and now a core world? Ain't nothin' goin' ta go right 'bout this job...."

Charlie stepped into the dining room, seeing the captain and tapping on the frame of the portal, leaning against it.  "Hey Captain, how ya doing.  I was just wondering, since amidst the gunfire'n account of you gettin' shot, I never really asked.  You, uh...what's in this crate, anyways?"  The whole thing came out as a long-winded question, biting her lower lip at the end, trying not to sound alarmed.  She'd been on this boat with enough people that stayed constantly armed to know better than to sound like things were wrong.  Everyone loves a hero, and there were a lot of men on this ship that simply needed some love.

Ren looked up at Charlie wondering what the hell she was talking about, the cap' didn't know, and it's bad form to ask... Ren, of course knew this from painful experience witha certain crate containing a not so pleasant form of monkey, so he had to ask himself what was Charlie getting at... but knowing when not to talk he stayed shut waiting for the Cap' to answer

Kale looked up as Charlie came into the room,"Don' know, an' frankly I don' care.  As long as it don' blow us up it can stay nice an' undisturbed til we get to Londinium." Kale said, then took in Charlie's appearance, she seemed nervous and fidgety ... never a good sign, it meant something was up, Charlie was never good at fooling anyone.  He narrows his eyes slightly, in suspicion and worry, "Why you ask?"

Geoff just shrugged, not knowing or caring to know what was in the crate. He just wanted it delivered and to get paid for delivering it. The captain had the right attitude about it, in his opinion. So he just stayed silent and picked up his apple to begin slicing off pieces again.

Charlie smiled, shaking her head.  "I know, silly me askin' and all.  I mean, all it is is just big, you know.  Black...four sides...you know, like all the other boxes we carry for people we don't know, right?  So, maybe I'm just noticing for the first time, bein' round the engines and all...do all the other boxes we have carry things that're screaming inside?"  It's hard to tell if she's being sarcastic or honest, but one thing is sure...she doesn't look like she's joking about it.

Geoff looked up quizzically to Charlie and then to the captain. "Ya see? Screamin' boxes are not good things. Just like I said. This job ain't gonna be right...", he remarked as he stood, still eating a slice of apple.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:36, Sun 08 Jan 2006.

Kale sits straight up in his seat, "Were you touchin' the cargo?" he asks.  "What'd you hear lil' Charlie?  Whattaya mean screamin'?"

Nearly falling off the couch but not even hesitating after hearing what charlie said, Ren sprang up from the floor and headed for the cargo bay apple in hand.

------>Cargo Bay------->

"I just...it's like there's somethin' in there, you know?  And I figured, I'd better ask you...I never come in town, so how'm I supposed to know what's actually in the box, right?"  Charlie's eyes have gone wide as the captain suddenly looks up at her, like she's done something wrong.  The first thing he asked was "were you touching the cargo."  Yeah, she's done something wrong.

"I'm...I'm sorry, I'm not meanin' to break things...I just was pickin' up my tools, and, you know...I heard it.

Geoff watched after Ren as he jumped from his seat to the cargo bay and looked to the captain with a shrug. "Uh....Cap'n? Maybe ya should be tellin' Ren that messin' with the screamin' box may not be a good idea. Just a suggestion.", he said before eating another slice of apple. Geoff isn't going to do anything about anything until the cptain says to.

Kale casts a glance at Geoff, then looks back at Charlie, she's dead serious. He immediately gets up and follows Ren out into the cargo bay.

------------Cargo Bay----------------->

Charlie follows Ren and the Captain into the Cargo Bay, signaling Geoff with her eyes.  come on...

Geoff sighs as he tosses the half finished apple to the table and follows after the others. Ta ma de. This will not end well. But it may be interestin' fer a bit...", he remarked as he wiped the knife pblade on his pants leg and sheathed it.

------>Cargo Bay

Kendra takes a few apples, sets them on the counter and cuts them up, one into tiny pieces and sets them on a plate. She covers the little plate of apple pieces and sticks it in the cold box-in case the children get hungery later. She cuts up an apple for herself. sits on the couch legs propped up on the bench, and eats, pondering about what she's gotten herself into.

Ren walked through on the way to bridge not really noticing kendra. Rens mood was getting worse, inevitable really, he thought i'd been to happy for to long, guess it's time to go and get all pissy again, I really wish there was a way i could stop this.

----->Bridge------->

"Enough thinking" Not much I can do now Kendra drops her long legs back on the floor, gets up begrudgingly and heads to the Passengers Quarters to hang out, and to wait to see what the captin was going to do about the children.

-----> Passengers quarters.

Kale looked briefly around the dining hall, ain't many places to hide in here, he checked under the table and even in the cabinets that were low to the ground before heading towards Kyoko's shuttle.

-------------Kyoko's Shuttle-------------->

Geoff entered the dining hall at a slow and relaxed pace and looked around. He saw nobody in the room at the moment and shrugged lightly as he looked over his shoulder to see if Lei was following after him. Seeing that she was staying a bit far from him he grinned and shrugged lightly, knowing that she didn't trust him any farther than she could throw him.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:12, Tue 10 Jan 2006.

   ((From: Passenger lounge, via cargo bay))

   Lei stops in the doorway from the cargo hold, waiting to see what Geoff does. After a quick glance around the room to see if there was anyone hiding in there, she goes back to watching what Geoff is doing. She's pretty certain that she'd hear someone if they tried to sneak up the metal steps behind her, so that wasn't a worry.

Geoff shrugged as he pulled out a chair from the table and gestured for her to sit as he went towards the cabinet. "Ok, well, ya got a preference? We got protein, some canned stuff, a few dried pieces of meat and fruit and such, uh...there's a bowl of apples there on the table too, if ya like.", he said before looking over to her, "So, anythin' ya like?"

   When Geoff was well away from the chair, Lei timidly entered the room and sat down. She was a little surprised at the huge list of foods that he named for her, the only thing she could ever remember bieng fed was some sort of paste that the other kids and her called "brown goop". She hesitantly reached across the table, and snached an apple. After putting it to her nose and sniffing, she hesitantly took a small bite out of it. It was definitely... different, to the brown goop.
   Remembering what she saw in the infirmary, she swallowed and looked sadly at Geoff, stating "Charlie's sick." as if that fact could have escaped him.

Geoff paused lightly in his searching through the cabinets at the sound of her words and sighed lightly before nodding slowly. "Yeah. Yeah, she is, ain't she?", he said in a low tone and said nothing more as he grabbed up two protien packs  as he headed over to the table, tossing them down onto the tabletop. He refrained from sitting down as he figured she wouldn't take kindly to it. "Yeah, well, lemme go get ya that shirt, all right? I'll be right back.", he said as he turned to head for his bunk.


--------->Geoff's Bunk

   Lei kept watching him as he went out the door. She then reached across the table and grabbed one of the protien packs, wondering what was actually packaged within. After working at the wrapper for half a minute, she managed to get into it. Breaking off a piece, she sniffed at it, and then ate it. This was more like what she was used to... Still, the apple held promise, and she decided to have another experimental bite of it, try to figure out exactly what it tasted like.

Geoff stepped back into the dining hall and tossed the large shirt onto the table in front of Lei. "There. That'll fit really big on ya but that would kinda be the point, wouldn't it? It'll cover everything and all. Just think of it as one o' those robes ya see shephards and companions wear.", he said as he grabbed up the unopened protien pack and an apple and sat at the table a bit away from Lei. He ripped open the protein pack and took a bite off of it before opening up the bottle of liqour he had brought with him to wash down the stuff.

   Lei jumps a little as the shirt lands in front of her, but when Geoff keeps his distance, she settles down again. She grabs the shirt, and holds it out to look at it. Moving her shoulders in a small shrug to dislodge the blanket, she lets it fall to the chair she is sitting on, and puts the shirt on. She doesn't bother buttoning it, but starts trying to knot it together in an effort to make it less loose. When she is finished, it's hanging almost all the way to her knees, and covering most of her body.
   She looks back up to see what the giant is doing. From here, she's just close enough to smell an almost familiar scent. What he's drinking smells almost like the liquid that they'd always dump the needles in when they'd finished with them... She suppresses a shudder, and with a wide eyed look asks "You drink that?"

Geoff had been keeping his eyes averted and focused on his food as she slipped off the sheet and put on his shirt. He had quickly wolfed down the protein pack and had grabbed the apple, about to draw his knife to cut slices from it when Lei spoke to him. He looked confused about what she was talking about before he noticed where her stare was and he grinned lightly, shaking his head to himself. First the boy with the guns and now this one with the liqour. where have these kids been all their lives?, he thought before shrugging and picking up the bottle.

"Yeah, I drink it. Not so much fer the taste, but fer the effect. Makes it easier to deal with things if there's some liqour takin' off the edge, dong ma?", he said and took a drink before chuckling lightly,"'Sides, ain't nothin' better 'board this boat ta drink. Never been a fan o' water 'less I'm dyin' o' thirst and there ain't nothin' else ta drink."

   Lei climbs up so that she's kneeling on the chair, and then starts slowly reaching across the table towards the bottle, still keeeping one eye on Geoff. She drags the bottle across the table towards her, and takes a sniff at the top. She screws up her nose at the smell. Still, he said it was the only thing to drink...
   She grabs the bottle around the neck, using her other hand to support it's bottom, and takes a gulp just like she saw the giant do earlier.
   Lei doubles over coughing as the rough liquid hits her throat, almost dropping the bottle.

((Geoff: If you want to grab the bottle first, and lecture Lei on the evils of kids drinking alcohol, feel free. I can edit this post later to suit, delete everything after the first paragraph.))

Geoff watches the girl as she moves to grab the bottle and thinks idly about grabbing it before she can. Instead, however, he just gives her a shrug and waves a hand in invitation. Who is he to stop somebody from drinking, anyway? Besides, the girl would learn the dangers of taking on too much too fast when she drank. The liqour he drank was the hard stuff and he really didn't think it would be suitable for a young girl like her.

Sure enough, she started coughing when she drank it and he shook his head lightly. "Too much too fast, little lady. That ain't stuff ya drink so deep if ya ain't used to it. Takes some gettin' used to, dong ma? You have ta sip at it 'til ya get used to it. Now, I know it may not seem like the best stuff right now, but, trust me, when ya get used to the burnin' sensation it can be yer best friend. Ain't nothin' that helps ta deal with yer troubles like liqour and the mind numbing haze it brings with it...", he remarks lightly as he holds out a hand for the bottle, should she want to give it back.


((Lecture on the evils of kids drinking alcohol? Geoff? The one who's been a legitimate drunk since he was 5? I think not. 'Sides, this is a bit more amusing...))

   When the coughing fit passes, she lifts the bottle from her lap, and pushes it onto the table a short distance. She lifts her hand to her mouth, and starts wiping it, as if she was trying to scrub the taste from her mouth. She pushes the bottle further across the table from her. "Yuck."
   She looks around the room quickly through watering eyes, and spots the sink. A couple of quick steps later and she's there. Not bothering to find a cup, she turns on the water, and ducks her head down to drink straight from the stream of water. She turns the tap off, and returns to kneel on her seat.
   Giving the bottle a look of distaste, she asks "It makes you forget?" If she didn't have to remember the white place, it would almost be worth the horrible taste...

Kale stepped into the dining hall, and paused. "Are you givin' her liquor?" he asked Geoff increduously.  The man and Lei were seated at the table and the small girls hands were wrapped around a huge bottle of alcohol.

Geoff smiles lightly and takes the bottle from where she had put it as she goes to wash out her mouth. He looks to her and shrugs at her question. "Heh. Yep. Ya drink enough of this ya could forget yer own name. Not ta mention there ain't nothin' that relaxes ya better. After the initial distaste, it puts a warm feelin' throughout everywhere in yer body and ya can't help but feel happy.", he said and then sighed lightly as he places the bottle back on the table, "Though it takes more and more once ya get used ta it..."

He then turns to the captain as he walks in and shrugs lightly. "Didn't give it to her. She took it herself. Who am I ta stop her if she needs a bit o' liqour? If anybody's been through the sorta thing she's been through, I'd think they need a drink anyway...", he said in an even tone. He honestly didn't see anything wrong with the girl drinking if she wanted to.

   Lei looks up, slightly startled when the captain talks. She shifts her legs a little, getting ready to run for the cargo hold if he comes too close. Unusual that she didn't hear him coming...

Kale just shook his head and took a deep breath. "Okay, fine.." he said somewhat distractedly.  "I need her to get back down on the lower level, we have to keep this thing contained.  Kendra just said the Doc and Ren are sick too - I think we got us an epidemic." he crossed to the intercom on the wall and paged the infirmary, "Acacia? How are things lookin' down there?  I want you to keep everyone calm, and send anyone who ain't feelin' under the weather up to the dining hall so we can figure out what's what." he clicked the intercomm off and turned back to Geoff and Lei, "I mean it, I need her out of here." he said and then headed toward the bridge.

-----------Bridge---------------->

Geoff nodded and threw a loose salute to the captain as he left. "Sure enough, Cap'n. I'll take her back to her room then.", he said as he stood up and looked to Lei,"Sorry, Little Lady. Looks like ya gotta go back to yer room and stay put fer awhile. Cap'n's orders and it's his boat." He took a few steps toward the door and gave Lei a wave to gesture for her to follow, waiting to see if she would.

   Lei stared at the captain's retreating back, until he disappeared into the bridge. She could tell that he was really angry that she was up here. Not wanting to be there when he came back, she grabbed the protien bar from the table, and bolted for the door, only deviating a slight bit to go around Geoff.

   ((To: Cargo bay -> Passenger lounge. Not stopping for anything in between...))

Geoff allowed the girl passage around him and then started to follow after her to make sure she got to her destination safely. Wouldn't want her to wander off just like Tate had before.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:17, Tue 10 Jan 2006.

Kale paused before he left the room hearing Ren's response on the comm.  Crossed back to it, "I'm seeing what we can do about that, for now, you keep an eye on them, leave the rest to me." he said.

Kendra walks in and see's Lei, trying to get around Geoff, She looks up at Geoff "The captain said those who aren't sick have to stay up on the second deck" Where's she going?

Geoff paused lightly before leaving as Kendra spoke to him. "Cap'n told me ta take her outta here so that's what I'm doin'. 'Scuse me.", he says shortly before walking out quickly to keep an eye on Lei.


--------->Passenger's Quarters
This message was last edited by the player at 05:18, Tue 10 Jan 2006.

Kendra shrugs, "Suit Yourself". Walks over to grab an apple and sees the bottle of booze on the table,grabs it by the neck and takes a looong swig. Grimicing at the bite and burn down her throat, she sets it back down and wipes her mouth with the edge of her skirt. Takes another quick sip for good measure, grabs her apple and heads for her bunk.

Rhaef lucked out it seemed the captain was in the dining hall.  Hey Captain, what is going on?  Anything I can do to help?   Rhaef came and stood over by the entrance into the kitchen area.

Kale turned, relieved to see Rhaef.  "I need you to send a wave to Cortez, we got trouble.  That crate we picked up, there were kids in there with a nice fun virus, half the crews in the infirmary, I want to know what the hell is going on on my gorram boat.  I think Cortez mighta known a bit more then he was letting on." Kale says through gritted teeth, and starts heading towards the bridge.

-------Bridge------------>

Ai ya wo men wan le!  Not only kids but a virus, this is not good sure thing   Rhaef shows some concern as he follows the captain onto the bridge.  He figures that is the best place to send the message from.


[to the bridge]

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 01:28, Sat 13 Oct 2007.

Kyron grumbles as he enters the dining hall.  He couldn't stand that giant of a man.  Had to be the worst one on this confounded ship.  And the way he'd just smugly grin at him - it pissed Kyron off.  He seemed to think that he was better then him just because he was a monster and shot the sheriff on Valon.  Kyron could have handled himself, he was quite capable when he needed to be - yes... quite.

He opened the cabinets and made himself up some soup.  Most of the crew looked as though they were going out for drinks tonight so the ship would be relatively empty, and Kyron preferred that.  He sat at the table and quickly ate his meal.

Rhaef wanders into the dining and begins rummaging around to see if he can find anything worth eating or drinking. Relatively unsuccessful, he looks around and says, "Hey Kale, you up and about yet?"

Kale stepped into the dining hall, still stretching.  He'd slept later then he had intended - but that tended to happen after a night out and a business deal in hand.  He opened one of the cabinets and pulled out a granola bar.  Peeling the wrapper away he leaned on the comm button.

"This is your Captain speaking, can I have all hands in the dining hall ... please?" he added at the end, and took a seat at the table to wait.  He'd have to have Charlie make sure the engine was in order and check the fuel levels, he'd go through and make sure the kitchen was stocked up, and then he'd double check with the Doc to make sure there wasn't anything vital that they were missing in the infirmary.  They didn't have much to spend, but enough to make sure they had the neccessities.

Kendra, wanders into the dining Hall, yawning and stretching. Walks to the cabinet and pulls down a kettle. She looks over at Rhaef "want some tea?" She fills the kettle with water, turns on the cook top and sets the kettle on it.

Rhaef went the cabinet and grabbed a bar for himself, and then looked over at the captain. "So Cap, what's the plan? We got a job now? If so, what do you need me to be doing?"

"That we do." Kale said to Rhaef, "And soon as everyone gets here, I'll let ya know what it is." he grinned at the other man, knowing that that probably annoyed him.  Rhaef prefered to be the first to know about the going ons in the ship.  Sometimes it was just funny to let him stew.

Geoff walked slowly into the dining hall, the shirt held in one hand by the sleeve and his knife in the other. He looked up and nodded a hello to everybody in the room as he took a seat at the table and stretched the shirt out before him on the tabletop. He then went to the work of removing the sleeves from the shirt, cutting carefully at the cloth with his knife. It only took him a few minutes to completely cut off the long pieces of cloth that were the sleeves of the shirt and he grinned lightly in approval as he slipped the shirt on and looked himself over, quite happy with how he looked. He then sat back at the table quietly,putting his feet up and taking the two dismembered sleeves in his hands and trying to figure out what to do with them.

Kendra turns off the whistling kettle. pours hot water into a mug, already filled with tea. Takes the mug, grabs an apple, cuts it up and sits down. She nods her head towards Geoff and Kale. "morning"

Kyron enters the room and stands in the doorway momentarily.  He glances around the room, nodding curtly to its occupants, and then chooses a seat on the couch.
"Dare I to hope that we will be leaving this stink-hole of a planet shortly? Perhaps, finally take me to my destination which I paid to be delivered to and as of yet have not seen?"

"Aw, c'mon now, friend. Ain't ya havin' a good time? I thought ya'd like this little tour o' the 'verse yer gettin'. I mean, not every core worlder can say they've been this far out and almost been shot. Hell, maybe ya'll be wantin' me ta give ya an autograph 'fore we drop ya off so people'll know who saved yer skin!", Geoff remarked with a mocking grin to Kyron. He then laughed lightly to himself and took an apple from the table, cutting slices from it and eating them slowly.

Acacia walked into the kitchen and got a glass of water.  Mornin' all, what is the big news today cap that you are draggin us all here   She tried to get her hair alittle less frazzled.  The pain in her head wasn't horrible but it was consistent.

Ren followed Acacia into the Dining Hall, "I second that, Doc says I'm doing better, was just in for a check up, but I would have been perfectly content to stay in bed." he said, hoping he sounded nonchanlant about the fact that Acacia was in his bunk.

Kyron just let the giant's comment slide, not wanting to deal with the brute this early in the morning.

Kale looked around the room, "Well, thought I'd let you all know that-" he cut off as he realized he was one head short, well two actually but Kyoko's shuttle was gone so she was most likely out entertaining clients but Charlie was missing.  "Anyone seen Charlie?"

Geoff looked about the room and noticed Charlie's absence also and shrugged lightly to the captain. "Ain't seen her since yesterday, Cap'n. Dunno where she could be.", he remarked lightly as he went back to eating his apple.

Nope, bet she is in the engine room want me to go check Cap? Acacia said after finishing her glass of water.  She hoped her friend wasn't still mad about what she had said last night. Course I haven't seen her since before I went to bed last night
This message was last edited by the player at 07:20, Tue 17 Jan 2006.

"Would you please?" Kale said, "I got some work need to be done by her."

Acacia nods and takes off to the engine room where Charlie normally sleeps.

[to cargo bay]

"You want me to go check and see if she's outside Captain? She might actually be working on one of the systems out there? Cause she would have heard the intercom, if she was board ship?" Rhaef replied as the doctor moved on.

As he did, Rhaef catalouged the look of Acacia in his mind. If she was in Ren's bunk, it wasn't a medical checkup she was working on, by the looks of things.

"Well since there are no complaints, I'll go take a look for Charlie outside." Rhaef replied heading toward the Cargo Bay.

---> To Cargo Bay

"Hey y'all...sorry I'm late.  There were, y'know, things t'be done."  Charlie smirked as she walked through the room, pulling out a chair to sit in, crossing her arms on the table.  "So what's the word, then?  Time we set sail?"

Sorry captain, CHarlie was hidinhg from me   She slipped into the room.  She came in a sat down on the couch and listened to what was happening.

Rhaef arrived in the room, as well and leaned against the doorframe. "Looks like the gang's all here now, Captain. So what's the deal?"

"Nice of you ta join us." Kale said, as Charlie, Rhaef, and Acacia entered the room.  He stood up from his seat at the table to better address the whole group.

"As you mighta guessed since I called ya all in here, we got us job.  Nothing too dangerous ... thought we might take a bit of a break after - well, after  the last one.  Woman on Paquin hired us to cart her around the 'verse for a bit, she's runnin' some low-grav/no-grav jewel operation - not precisely legal, but nothing to attract too much attention."  He set his hands on the edge of the table and leaned forward,

"So we're shippin' out.  We've been takin' it pretty easy here for the past few weeks but let's not forget that we got jobs ta do.  Charlie, I need you run a maintaince check, make sure our girl here is nice an' shiny - that means no starin' up at the clouds." he added with a slight eyebrow raise.  "I also need the fuel gauges double checked - we'll be out in the black for a space here so I don't want us runnin' out of gas while out there.  Ren, I'll be getting you the coordinates to where we'll be heading, I want you to check the cortex for anything that might hinder us and then start pre-flight checks.  Rhaef, you and Geoff are in charge of checkin' all other supplies on board and makin' sure we're set.  Doc, if you'd be so kind to give the infirmary a once over - if we're missin' anything vital, you let me know.  She's payin' half up front but that don't mean we got a lot to spare so we only need the neccessities, dong ma?"  He smiled then, "Let's get to work - this boat is just itchin' to be back in the black."

"I have a slight objection to this plan." Kyron said, sitting forward in his seat.   This could not be happening, "Did I miss the part where we head to Beaumonde?  Because I am quite sure that I paid passage there, and somehow I still have not arrived at my destination.  And as pleasant as traveling with all of you has been," he voice spoke volumes on how pleasant he had considered the experience, "I'd really rather that we part ways ... quickly."

Kale turned to the stuffy core-worlder, "Don't worry, Mr. Bates.  First chance we get we'll drop you off ... trust me." Kale probably had less of a desire to have the man on board his boat then the man had to be on there himself.

Charlie raised her hand a bit, looking at Kale.  "Maybe I missed it...when're we leavin'?  Tonight?  Tomorrow?  Now?  I mean, I'd check the fuel cells, but if we're leavin' in ten minutes, what's the point of so, y'know?"

I've got awhile before we get to where I'm going-let me know if there is anything I can do.

   ((From: Charlie's bunk, via Cargo bay.))

   Lei came up to the door of the dining hall, stopping suddenly before entering at seeing almost everyone on the ship crowded in there. She stood there quietly, looking past Rhaef's shoulder, and trying not to draw too much attention to herself. Maybe she'd learn what's happening just by listening in on the conversation, although right now it seemed to consist of Kyron complaining to the captain yet again.

"Tomorrow morning.  That gives us all a day to make sure Destiny is nice an' shiny." Kale said and then turned to Kendra, "I'm sure the Doc wouldn't mind a hand down in the infirmary gettin' everything all straightened up."  The woman was always eager to lend a hand - no point in not using it.

Sure.

Captain we are ok, all we could use is some pain killers, I used most of them during our outbreak.  Do you want me to get em, or do you want a list?   Acacia said.  She leaned back in the couch,  she shot a look to Ren when she noticed no one else looking.  She winked at him.

"Oh," Kale said lightly, shrugging to Kendra, "Good to see you're on top of everything, a list would be fine.  I'll probably head into town with a mule come this afternoon to get all the supplies we need at once."

Kendra pipes up "I'll come with you, I need a breath of fresh air before we head out into the black-seeing as I slept all of yesterday and gave myself nightmares reading about all these hiddieous disease you could get.

"Well, then I guess there's nothing left to do but, get moving. I'll start working on the supplies in the cargo bay, when you get a chance and feel like workin', feel free to join me Geoff." Rhaef said sarcastically, as he headed off toward the cargo bay.

"Aye aye, Cap'n."  Charlie smiled again, standing up.  Of course he knew what she had been doing on top of the ship...they probably all knew what she was doing.  She couldn't help but to wonder if maybe it's why they didn't spend too much time on nice systems like Paquin.  "Unless we've been tapped here, we should be okay on fuel cells...I'll double check, though.  Com you in a minute, Cap'n."

Charlie bound off, ready to go do her job and be useful...


------------>Engine Room 1

Acacia listened to most of what was said.  Then she gathered up anything she had there with her.  She realized probably she should get out of the clothing she had left at ren's who knew how long before.  She didn't want to run back to her bunk though that would be weird as to why she was changing clothes so fast.  She headed down to the infirmary just to make sure the supplies were good like she said and that everything was cleaned.

[to the infirmary]

Kendra turns to Kale, "I'll be right back" and runs off down towards her bunk.


 --------> Kendra's bunk

about five minutes later..Kendra comes running back into the dining hall and   She has changed into form fitting canvas pants, a new loose white shirt, with the sleeves rolled up half way(from the general store), dusty black work boots and her hair tied up in a long auburn pony tail. She's got her gun belt, strapped on. She sit's on the couch/bench and takes out her laser pistol one more time, looks through the sight,mocks taking a shot, ensures the safety latch is off and shoves it into it's holster sitting up against her hip. "I'm ready when you are Capt'n"

Rhaef walks in sweaty, grimmy and dusty from his work in the cargo bay and engine room.

"Hey, Captain. Checked the oxygen systems and aquifiers with Charlie. O2 ready to go, Charlie, and I, if necessary will have the aquifiers done by this evening. We're looking short on some basic foodstuffs and other general supplies, but I reckon you'll be picking those up this afternoon."

He paused, and added, "my biggest concern is some of the riggings looking pretty worn in the carbo bay, Cap, and I don't think they'll hold up too much longer. So if you can find some new rigging that would help us greatly, specially if the fare is hauling anything with her."

Geoff had already know that there was a job coming so he wasn't surprised by the captain's announcements. Nor was he surprised by Kyron's complaints about the job. It seemed the only thing the man was good at was complaining. He sighed lightly and had stood up to follow Rhaef when he noticed Lei at the doorway. He stopped and smiled lightly to the girl, noticing she was dressed in some of the clothes he had bought for her when they had landed.

He figured that he had to buy her clothes or else she would have been walking about in only his shirt and that wouldn't be proper. At least, that's what he had been told. So he had bought her some clothes. Really, the majority of them had just been smaller versions of what he himself would wear, simple shirts (sleeves intact though) and pants and a pair of boots. He had tried to buy her something feminine though and bought a dress that he thought would suit a girl's tastes. Of course, Geoff had never been much for picking things like that out so he had ended up getting a rather gaudy pink thing with frills, lace, ribbon and all the fancy stuff that he figured girls like.

"Hey there, Little Lady! Ya hear the cap'n's announcement? Looks like we're leavin' this here place tomorrow mornin'. Out in the black fer awhile, but the pay off may be good.", he said as he noticed Rhaef come back in. It looked like he may have taken too long to be of any help to Rhaef. He listened to what the first mate told the captain though and smiled lightly as he looked over to them. "I could be goin' ta get the supplies if ya want, Cap'n. It'll give me a chance ta go out and get some fresh air while I can and maybe take the little lady out to see the sights.", he said and then grinned lightly with a gestue towards Kyron, "'Sides, so long as certain core world hun duns aren't with me ta run off at the mouth, things should go smooth."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:38, Thu 19 Jan 2006.

Kale turned to Rhaef as he walked into the dining room having just done a quick look over the dining hall supplies and checking out the shuttle not occupied by their resident companion.

"Rigging's eh?" he said rubbing the back of his neck, "I'll have a look before I head out, we might be able to do somethin' about that, 'course that depends on what else we need.  If they'll hold up fer a bit longer we might just let them be til our next stop."

Then he glance over at Geoff, "We'll all go, although I think it might be best if Lei stay close by the ship for a bit, we'll be doin' some bargaining and the like and hauling heavy stuff - might not be able to keep the best of eyes on her."

"They'll probably hold for one more trip if we move some things around, only one or two are really frayed, but we can probably rig those up for one more trip." Rhaef replied to the captain. "So when we heading out then?"

"Tomorrow morning." Kale replied.  "Why don't we switch around what needs switchin' now, then we'll ready the mule and head out.  I got the Doc's list and I just checked the dining hall and the shuttle.  We'll check in once more with lil' Charlie before we go."  Kale started heading out with Rhaef, and then turned back, "Hey Geoff, we could use a hand."

---------Cargo Bay---------->

Rhaef followed the Captain into the cargo bay.

---> Cargo Bay

Geoff shrugged lightly and followed afte Rhaef and the captain. He gave Lei a pat on the head as he passed her by and an apologetic shrug. He had hoped he would be able to let her get out for a bit more before being stuck out in the black again for so long. But, whatever the captain ordered....


---------->Cargo Bay

   Lei looked up hopefully at the mention of going shopping, and seeing some of the town again. But when the Captain suggests that she stay near the ship, the dissapointment was clear on her face.
   Oh well...
   Seeing as the room had cleared somewhat of people, she crossed over to the food cupboard, and started searching through for something good to eat. Another meal, another protien bar... Grabbing a glass of water as well, she wandered out into the Cargo bay.
   Captain's orders. Stay near the ship.  But near the ship didn't have to mean in the ship.

   ((To: Cargo bay.))

Kyron still sat on the couch, watching the rest of the crew go about their business, a rather tart expression on his face.  So the crew got themselves something to do and yet getting him to his destination did not seem to be in the plan.  He was also not pleased at all to hear of the illegal nature of this new job.  Running into the Alliance would not be at all pleasant and the longer he stayed with this ship the more he felt like that was a growing possibility.

Kendra walks softly into the dining hall. As she wanders in she catches the scent of hot buns, her stomach growls louder at this. She wanders through the small cooking space and realizes the smell is not based here-Missing tast of real food she goes in search for the source of these sweet buns.

----------> downstairs towards cargo bay.

Kyoko slipped into the dining hall, her silk shod feet making little or noise on the deck as she slipped into the room quietly. She walked over to the storeage bins and selected two of them. She quietly slipped in a pair of sweet rolls into each, closing and labeling each bin for one specific person (Charelene Bourdain and Acacia Keese) with a smile.

"I'm sure these will make an impact." Kyoko says with a smile as she puts the case with the remaining rolls in place. She smiled as she pulled her tablet from her robe and tapped in a few commands, settling down in the alcove with a small glass of water and see what news updates are to be hand. She realized that Kendra was right and she had been a little too busy in her own personal business of late.

Geoff entered the dining hall from his bunk, showered, changed and looking somewhere between bored and relzxed. He strolls slowly through the dining hall, a bottle of liqour from his stash in his hand, and then moves to the table. He grabs an apple from their rapidly dwindling supply and tosses it up lightly before catching it in his hand and nodding in approval. He is about to sit down and see about having a nice quiet meal when he hears the sounds of voices and some sort of activity in the cargo bay. Curious and bored enough to want to investigate, he heads out to see what's going on.


------>Cargo Bay

   ((From: Cargo hold.))
   Lei walks in and goes straight over to the food cupboard. She fishes around in it for a short while before pulling a couple of standard ration packs out, and taking them over to the table. Leaving them there, she filled a glass of water up for herself at the sink... She knew Geoff wouldn't want one, but still didn't know where he hid his booze. Once she had the water, she returned to the table with it and sat on one of the chairs, curling her legs up under herself. She slid one of the ration packs over to Geoff, and tore into the other one.

Geoff walked in after Lei and smiled fondly at he as he saw her digging through the cabinets and get food for both of them. In truth, he wasn't that hungry. He just hadn't wanted to stay in the cargo bay around the captain for much longer, not completely trusting himself not to do something stupid. So he just moved quickly through the dining hall and headed for his bunk quickly.

He wasn't even gone more than a minute before he came out with two bottles of liqour and took a seat across from Lei. He took the ration packs she gave him with a grateful nod. He didn't open it, however, as he opened his bottle of liqour and took a deep drink, nearly draining half of it in the one swallow. He then fell into a bit of a contemplative silence, feeling the need to think things over now more than he ever has before.

   Lei noticed the two bottles bieng placed on the table. Geoff's special forgetting drink. Something must be bothering him again...
   Talking around the mouthful of protien and vitamins she was chewing on, she asked "Two? Are you trying to forget something?"

Geoff looked to Lei as he drained the first bottle of liqour quickly and opened up the next one. He looks confused about what she means before he remembers her first encounter with liqour and his explanation about it afterwards. The memory brough a small smile to his face, but it was shortlived as he sighed and shrugged to her. "Ferget? Naw, not quite. Takes a bit more than this ta make me ferget. No...now, I'm just tryin' ta get myself relaxed.", he said in a soft tone, smiling fondly to Lei before he looks away and goes back to his contemplation.

In truth, he thought that he might be trying to forget. Forget the fact that he had been stupid enough to think he would be trusted. Forget the fact that he had started considering Charlie's talk of "family" and all of that bullshit. Started considering that maybe it could be true for him. But, in Geoff's mind, one didn't need a spy to report about a member of one's family. No. Families trust. From what Lei told him, it seemed like maybe he was far from having anybody's trust. And he supposed it had been stupid to think otherwise.

That thought made him sigh again and then he looked to Lei with a fond smile. Well, least there's one person 'round here that trusts me. Heh. Guess that means I have a bit of family, after all. Which means I gotta make sure I don't do nothin' ta make her lose that trust. 'Cause, despite what I may have been startin' ta think, it looks like she may be all I got, in the end..., he thought wirh a nod as he took another drink.


((Post between classes. Don't try and talk to me because I won't be able to answer and you'll be stuck. Be back later. See ya.))

   Lei looked up when she heard someone coming up the stairs from the cargo hold. I hope it's not the captain. He's probably still angry...

Kale walked into the room and immediately frowned as he noticed Geoff sitting at the table with one already drunken bottle of liquor and the other one clutched in his hands.  Kale shook his head and came to stand at the head of the table.  "What'd I tell ya about drinkin' on the boat?" he said, not yelling - just talking.  "We're on a job right now and if we were ta get boarded or somethin' else were to go wrong yer no good to me drunk."

That wasn't what he wanted to talk about but hell, might as well start there, something was up and he aimed to find out just what it was.  And drinking on his boat after he expressed that there was no drinking on the job was just another act of defiance far as he was concerned.  He looked hard at Geoff, waiting for his response.

Geoff looked to the captain with a lazy gaze and a shrug. "So sorry, cap'n. Guess I'm just one o' those types that has a hard time with listenin'. But, lord knows, ya got plenty o' others that can listen just fine, right?", he remarked as he took anothe slow drink from the bottle, "See and hear plenty..."

   The captain was angry... Either still angry from before, or angry again...
   What's even worse was that he was in the door to the rest of the ship. Lei wanted to run, but the only direction left was back towards the bridge, and she was sure that the captain would be really angry at that... So she just sat there with eyes as wide as a startled rabbit, and tried her best to disappear on the spot.

Kale narrowed his eyes at the man, pulled the bottle of liquor out of his grasp and set it down on the table. "You're treadin' on some dangerous ground, boy." he said, not liking Geoff's attitude one bit.  "You want to tell me what the ruttin' hell has got yer panties in bunch?  Cause I'm tellin' you right now, this ain't how I run my boat - people goin' off sulkin' gettin' themselves drunk when we're on a job-"

Geoff grinned again, a less then friendly grin, and shook his head. "Yeah, that's right. I'm sorry. This ain't how ya run yer boat. Ya have yer own ideas 'bout how ta run yer boat. That's right.", he said and laughed shortly,"Ya know, the ways where I gotta be lookin' over my shoulder 'cause yer voyeuristic first mate may be watchin' me and goin' ta report ta ya 'bout how I'm...what was it again?...oh, yeah. 'Wrapped 'round her little finger', right?"

Kale's eye widened as he looked from Geoff to Lei and back to Geoff again.  Then he barked out a laugh.  "You have no gorram clue what yer talkin' about." he said, and then looked to Lei, "And you Miss would do well to stay outta people's business when it ain't any of yers."

Geoff shook his head lightly and shrugged. "Don't I? I ain't an idiot, Cap'n, despite what others may think o' me. I know that, if ya had wanted me watched, it woulda been done a lot sooner. I know Rhaef weren't there to watch me. He was there ta watch the lady with all the 'talents' of a thievin' sort. Right?", he said in a quiet tone,"That ain't what gets me. What gets me is that he deemed it worth mentionin'. That he, and apparently you, thought so little of me. Thought I would be a bit o' trouble to ya 'cause of a pretty face. Thought it may bite ya in the ass in the end. The fact that, if it had been anybody else onboard, it wouldn't have mattered. But, since it were me, Rhaef had ta tell ya 'bout it. That's what gets me..."

   Tha captain was yelling at her again. Lei just wanted to escape. It wasn't her fault she heard, they were just talking too loud! And if they didn't want her telling anyone what they said, they should have told her not to... How was she meant to know something was wrong if they didn't tell her!
   Lei stumbled out of her chair, and started running from the captain. Towards the bridge... She stopped just short, and turned around to stare at the captain like a deer staring at an oncoming train. He'd told her she wasn't allowed in there now...

"Yer right that Rhaef wasn't watchin' you - he was watchin' our nimble-fingered friend to make sure we don't find ourselves a whole lot lighter in the purse when this here jobs over.  But don't you go doin' any assumin' on what I'm thinkin'.  Yer part of my crew, Geoff, you got any notion what that means?" he looked down at the man who was staring evenly back at him.  "It means yer family.  We ain't got a whole lot up here but what we do got is each other.  Rhaef told me about Wei-Li an' you cause that's what we do.  We watch each others back's.  An' now we're watchin' yours right along with the rest o' the crew.  And that's somethin' you just can't seem to wrap yer head around - and I know you ain't a dull boy.  You wouldn't be here if I thought you were stupid."

Geoff looked to the captain, evenly meeting his gaze with his own. On the surface of his mind, he wanted to rebel and rage at the captain. Wanted to call him a liar and say that he had done it only out of mistrust. He wanted to fall back to his old ways of having to watch his back and trusting nobody. On the surface of his mind, all of these things seemed simmeing to come out and explode. All of them seemed on a hair trigger that was begging to be tripped.

But he didn't do any of those things. He didn't let his anger get the best of him. Because, deep inside, he believed the captain. Or, more accurately, he wanted so much to believe the captain. He wanted to believe that he was part of a family. That somebody was watching his back and trusted him. That he was considered more than just a dumb thug hired on for a few jobs before being dumped without warning on some backwater world. He wanted to believe this foriegn and strange prospect being placed before him....so he did.

It took all of his courage to do it, but he took the risk and decided to believe the captain. To trust him and his crew. So Geoff continued to look evenly at the captain for a moment before lowering his head slowly like an abashed child. ".......heh. Watchin' my back, eh? Heh. That's new. Ain't right in my head yet.... but it'll get there, I guess.", he said in a low tone,"....I'm sorry, Cap'n. I guess...I guess I just expected ya ta be like all the rest I've flown with and met in my life. I've learned to expect betrayal...and I had been startin' ta think it weren't comin' here so I guess I grasped on the first thing that seemed wrong to me. That was wrong o' me. So.....I'm sorry."

Kale stared evenly at the man, his face firm but not un-kind.  Watching, waiting for his response. They would be gettin' nowhere if Geoff couldn't learn that the whole gorram world wasn't against him. He meant what he said - he always did.

When the man finally spoke Kale nodded, a slight smile playing at the edge of his lips.  "Well, that's alright then.  Don't you worry about it, ain't nothin' to be sorry 'bout - all past." he said closing the topic then and there, no need to get all sentimental, he moved away from the table then. "We had our talk - although I will be sayin' that you be careful 'round that girl, we ain't sure about her yet - don't want you caught unawares with yer pants down" Kale caught a look in Geoff's eye at that and chuckled, "An' I know you wouldn't object ta that but I would - no crew/employer relations, ain't good fer business."

Then he looked over at Lei who was now huddled by the bridge, "As fer you," he said, "Why don' you come over here?  We need ta have a bit of a heart to heart."

   Lei took a couple of hesitant steps back towards dining room table before stopping and shaking her head. The captain had only yelled at her lately, she didn't want to talk with him, he'd just start yelling again. Lei got ready to bolt if the captain came near her.

Geoff smiled easily and shrugged. He was glad that the captain hadn't made a big deal about the situation and that fact only reinforced the rightness he felt at his decision to trust him. He smiled wryly and chuckled at his comment about getting caught with his pants down, but grimaces slightly at his order of no crew/employer relations. "Damn....uh..then can I have a one day pass that let's me off the crew fer a bit? Maybe even only half a day....no, a day.", he remarked lightly, his normal good humor back to him quickly.

He then looked to Lei and gave her a smile and a nod as he gestured for Lei to come closer. "It's okay, Little Lady. The captain ain't gonna hurt ya. 'Sides, I'll be right here the whole time, dong ma?", he said in an amused tone as he then gestured to the seat next to him, "Look, ya can come sit next ta me if it makes ya feel better. Use me as a shield. Hell, I'm big enough fer it..."

   At Geoff's urging, Lei hesitantly comes closer. When she's near the table again, she dashes around to where Geoff is sitting, and grabs him around the upper arm, hugging. She hides behind him, only looking around his bulk far enough to stare at the captain.

Geoff grinned lightly to Lei and then looked to the captain with an arched brow and a wry grin. "Looks like ya ain't exactly high on the popularity scale at the moment, don't it?", he said with an amused tone of voice and a light chuckle, "Dunno why. Ya seem like such a charmin' fella."

Rhaef wanders quietly into the dining hall, seeing the Captain talking to Lei and Geoff. Geoff appeared significantly calmed down, but Lei looked scared and was clutching to Geoff arm's. It was an amusing sight, Rhaef had to admit, this frail young girl clutching to the arm of the ship's hulking hired gun.

Rhaef made his way into the kitchen and grabbed an apple and protein back, and leaned against the counter, eating and listening to the conversation.

Kale allowed the girl to cling to Geoff and didn't step any closer, somehow he had managed to make the girl terrified of him ... he'd never been that great with children.  But if they were going to be co-existing on this ship him and the little lady would have to reach some sort of understanding of each other.

He crouched down by Geoff's chair was he wasn't towering over her and spoke in a gentle but firm voice.  "First off, I'm sorry I yelled at you on the bridge.  But what you have to know is that those controls, they run all of Destiny, you touch the wrong thing or mess somethin' up and we might all find ourselves crashin' into a moon or somethin'.  An' that wouldn't be much ta my likin', dong ma?  I know you didn't mean no harm - an' I know you might just know how to run them controls better then me but fer now I ask you not ta touch them unless you've asked permission and you got someone watchin' ya.  An' when I tell someone not to do somethin' - then that's an order and I expect you not to be doin' it." he watched the Lei carefully, hoping that she was understanding what he was saying before continuing.

"Also, I don' much appreciate bein' eavesdropped on, you caused a whole lotta drama today by listenin' in on conversations that were not meant for ya and goin' round repeatin' everything you heard.  On a boat like this - well we can't have ya doin' that.  End up bringing the whole gorram Alliance down on our heads.  You know what a secret is, Lei?  It's somethin' that you know that you don' tell anyone else.  What goes on on this boat - well most of it is secret.  Only fer me an' my crew ta know - so you don't tell anybody else.  Do you understand?"

Rhaef watched the interchange, well more exactly Kale's speech to Lei. He was impressed, he knew that the Captain wasn't the most comfortable with kids, but he was handling things pretty well. More than that, a part of him had started to take a shine to the kid, she was survivor, and a shadow, in many ways, she reminded him of him at her age. Begrudgingly he also he had to add, that Geoff might be the perfect person for her to hang around with. He was not going to crowd her or push her in directions, she had no desires to go. And that's all a kid could wish for, he thought whistfully to himself.

   Lei wilted under the captain's gaze. He was still angry at her for looking at the cortex. She wasn't about to make any stupid mistakes with it like some eight year old would, but the captain was treating her like she would. She tried to offer some defence, mumbling quietly. _{"Was only looking... Didn't change anything."}
   Then the cap started talking about secrets. Sure, she knew what a secret was, it was something you didn't tell to everyone.  But the captain had just said that it was ok for the crew to know the secrets onboard. And she'd only told this one to Geoff... Wasn't he part of the crew? It was okay to tell him, wasn't it? So why was the captain telling her off for telling one of the crew? And it wasn't like she'd listened in on purpose. She understood why she was bieng told off for the cortex, but now the captain was starting to contradict himself. With her eyes starting to water, she let out the loudest voice she'd used so far on board, trailing off as she continued. "I... I only told Geoff! ... He's crew! You said crew's 'lowed to know... Only told crew... _{Didn't mean to hear... You talk too loud...}"

Kale rubbed the back of his neck, "Well yeah, yeah Geoff's crew - an' he can know the boats goin' on's but ..." Kale trailed off.  They had talked too loud?  That girl had some good ears on her ... made him wonder even more about just how much he and his crew didn't know about her.  "Will you just be careful?  Don't change or play with anything that you see on this boat unless you've got one of the crew members with ya keepin' an' eye out.  An' just, just keep yer mouth shut 'bout what you hear."  He looked at Geoff then as he stood up, "Ah, ruttin' hell, I ain't know good with kids, you 'xplain to her."

Geoff had to arch a brow to Lei as she actually spoke up for once and he laughed loudly as she trailed off. He looked to the captain with a shake of his head. "Well, I'll be damned, C'apn! Looks like ya actually got a rise outta her. First time I heard her talk so loud and so sure. I gotta say, I approve.", he said with a light grin and a chuckle as he shrugged to the captain's response to Lei,"Plus, I do believe she had a point. Heh. But I'll take care o' it, c'apn. Ok? 'Splain things 'til she gets 'em."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:21, Wed 25 Jan 2006.

Acacia walks into the dining area, she walks into the kitchen by Rhaef and pulls out a protien pack.  She dumps it into a bowl and asks to anyone in particular. How is everyone?

   Lei nodded that she understood, and hugged tighter onto Geoff's arm. She understood. Don't touch anything without someone saying it was ok. Don't say anything. She was bieng told that she couldn't do a single thing that she wanted...

Geoff smiled sympathetically to Lei as she hugged his arm tighter. He figured she must be all sorts of confused and freaked out by now and he'd probably have to explain things to her a bit clearer. Most likely that would only happen out of the captain's presence, seeing as how he isn't her favorite person at the moment. He sighs and shrugs lightly as he looks to the doctor as she walks in. He really hadn't spoken to her much and part of him might have been avoiding her a bit. Firstly because of the fact that a guy in his position would not want to be spend too much time with the doctor. That denoted that he was getting hurt a lot and he didn't want that.

Secondly, and probably most prominent in his mind, he still had that rather risque picture of her and Charlie in the infirmary with the touching....and the other things...that wouldn't leave his head. But he grinned and shook the thought from his head as he gave Acacia a loose salute. "Oh, we're all just fine, Doc. Just the usual with the cap'n scaring children and all of that. How're ya?"

Acacia looked at Geoff like she wasn't sure if he was serious or not.  She looked from Kale to Geoff and back and forth.    Huh,  What are you talking about?  As far as I knew Cap only ate the small children not scared them.   She figured Geoff was making a joke, so decided to play along.

   Lei let out a small cry, and started to tremble. She held onto Geoff's arm in a deathgrip. Geoff wouldn't let anything happen to her... She'd just have to make sure he never left her alone... Ever.

Wei-li bounced into the room and looked around.

She paused realizing she'd come in in the middle of something, but it was also obvious that it didn't involve her.

"Sir," she said to Kale.  "I found the problem, but I need to work on it in a ventalated area... or in an enclosed system... "

She gave him a dubious look.  "Do you have some place like that where I can work?"

Kendra paused in the doorway, surprised to see so many people in the Dining room.

Rhaef pulled Acacia aside quickly behind a post and shook his head and whispered to her.

Kale cast an annoyed look at Acacia as Lei huddled closer to Geoff.  Great just what I need, now the Lei thinks I eat little kids ... "Ta shi suo you di yu de biao zi de ma." he said, and then looked up as Wei-Li came bounding into the room.

"Enclosed system, eh?  Well I suppose you can use shuttle two, right through there." he pointed in the direction of the shuttle.

Wei-Li tilted her head, looking in the direction indicated and nodded.  "Thanks."

Looking around she realized that leaving was probably a good idea.  She gave Geoff a shy smile and headed back out.

Acacia turns to Rheaf She says a little bit loudly WHat the hell are you talking about?  I make a joke and I'm getting jerked over. She didn't quite understand what was so wrong about it.

Rhaef shook his head, "Ain't no reason to be yelling Red. Just point out that the kid is freaked by the Captain, and Geoff wasn't joking for once." Rhaef said calmly, almost disinterestedly.

Yet deep down, he was laughing his gorram ass off at recent events, he might be the only one who found the humor in it, but that didn't change the fact that it was funny.

Acacia got a surprised look on her face, then she tried not to laugh.  Her mouth was agape and she put her hands to it.  She ran over near Goeff, careful not to startle the girl.  Aw honey, I was kidding, I thought we were all joking around.  Kal- I mean the captain is really a nice guy.  I've never seen him hurt or eat and children.  She turns her head for a second as the image of Kale with a big pot with little arms and legs pops into her mind.  She turns towards Rhaef and he can see she is trying hard not to laugh.

Kale frowned at the group joking at his expense and then looked up as he heard Ren come over the comm, he sighed, "Well, its been pleasant, I'm gonna see what's the matter with the engine though and tell Ren we can start moving out." he cast what he hoped was a friendly and reassuring smile at Lei and headed for the bridge.

--------------Bridge---------->

"You know maybe Geoff and Lei would like to continue their conversation in private. Why don't we give them some space?" As Acacia looked at him, he was starting to have some trouble not laughing either.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Wed 25 Jan 2006.

   Lei shied away from Acacia. She's heard everything. The doc was only apologising because she was told to... Why'd everyone always treat her like she'd only cause trouble, or just joke about her... Everyone except Geoff. Or maybe Charlie.
   _{"Not funny."} she sullenly whispered. _{"Only apologisin' 'coz you were told to. Go away."}

Geoff had to laugh lightly at Lei's reaction to Acacia's words and even more so as he thought over the whole situation. It was amusing as hell. Sure, he felt bad that Lei was frightened and he would try and make her feel better right away, but he couldn't help but be amused. When Wei-li entered and left, he had returned her smile before going about looking to LEi and trying to calm her down.

"The doc's right Lei. Cap'n ain't gonna be eatin' any kids. Yer perfectly safe. Just calm down.", he said with an easy grin, "'Sides, ya think I'd be friends with people who ate kids? That just ain't right in my book."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Wed 25 Jan 2006.

Rhaef knew the response the kid was giving and understood it. "Come on, Lei, she's trying. She did not know better, and she didn't mean no harm. Plus, ain't like anyone around here takes arounds from weirdo like me anyway." He said as he pulled off his glove to reveal his gray hand.

No, I'm apologizing cause I upset you, I was told because I didn't realize I upset you.   Acacia sighed, she hated this, all she had wanted was she wanted to eat some lunch.   I am really sorry   She did look legitimately upset.

Watching the drama unfold, Kendra gets up from her seat and walks over to the cook top, opens the cabinet pulls out a protein pack, examines it and gives the pack a dirty look-like it's got mold growing on it- opens it and pours it into a bowel. With enthusiasm she takes out the kettle, fills it with water and sets it to boil. She takes two mugs out of the cabinet and fills them each up with tea.

   _{"He told you to apologise... Leave me alone."} Lei threw herself across Geoff's knee, and buried her face under her arms. She just wanted them all to shut up and leave her alone. She trusted Geoff, and what he said, but she didn't like the way that the doc had to hold back the laughter. She might have been telling the truth about bieng sorry, but Lei just wanted her to go...

When the water boils Kendra fills each of them up and places a mug on the table in front of Lei. She takes her own mug and bowel of protein, sits down and begins to eat.

Acacia hung her head   Fine, She wandered back over into the kitchen and started stirring her food around with her spoon.  She was trying no to let it bother her, but it was obvious it was.

Kendra looks up at Acacia "Do you want's some tea? It's the good kind"

Geoff sighed lightly and placed a hand on Lei's head, stroking her hair in a soothing manner, and patted her shoulder. "C'mon, it's okay. Don't get all riled up now. They don't want nothin' but good fer ya. C'mon now.", he said in a soft tone as he looked towards Acacia with an apologetic shrug. He knew Lei couldn't help her mistrust. It was something ingrained in her and she just wasn't used to the doctor yet.

Sure let me grab a mug.   Acacia walked over to the cupboard to grab a mug.  It was then she noticed a box with her name on it.  She picked it up, she recognized Kyoko's writing.  She peeked in to see what it was.  A big smile came over her face.  She came over to get the tea from Kendra.  She caried the box with her.

"Ah, hell that can't be good," Rhaef replied to Kale's shout. "Kendra, I assume you got your gun, you come with me. Everyone else - stay here." Turning to Geoff, "I don't rightly know what's going down Geoff, but if anyone does anything funny, you shoot first and ask questions later. Got it."

With that Rhaef turned and ran toward the bridge.

---> To the Bridge, hopefully with Kendra in tow

Kendra stands up, drops the spoonfull of protein-pulls out her gun - ensures the safety is off and runs out behind Rhaef.

   The captain was yelling on the bridge. Apparently something else had made him real unhappy this time. Lei gripped Geoff's legs harder, and cringed away from the shouting. She wanted it all to stop now.

Geoff looked up from Lei to Rhaef and drew a gun slowly, lifting it up in his right hand and smiling lightly. "Oh, I most definitely got that down, Rhaef. No problem.", he said with a chuckle. He placed his gun on the table with his hand on it before looking down to Lei to try and get her calm and okay again. He really has no clue what's goig on, but this is exactly what he was hired for so he isn't going to question it.

Acacia figured she should get to her infirmary, cause talk of guns brings people to get hurt.  She wanders over to the table with her protien and bun and tea.  I'll just wait here then.   She sips the tea, and eats protien and really enjoys the sticky bun.