"I ain't sayin' it won't be risky." Kale said looking to Rhaef, turning to him almost instinctually, knowing before the man spoke that he'd be the first to talk, "Whethter it's worth it or not ... I s'pose I have ta turn that question back at you all. These folks are dyin'.  An' you know the good 'ol Alliance - always known fer takin' care of them that needs it." he voice dripped of sarcasm, "Here we got us an oppotunity to steal what ain't even there's from right under their nose.  It's good works.  Might not be the most fruitful fer us ... but sometimes that's what you gotta do ..." Kale's voice trailed off.

He was back on Hera.  Stay out of Serenity and keep the lives of all his men - but leave all them that were already down there fighting, fighting the good fight, to die.  To be crushed under the heel of the Alliance.  He'd made the wrong choice back then by obeying orders to hold back and it had cost them the war ... he wasn't ever going to make that mistake again - not ever.  Sometimes you had to risk yourself for others, it was just the way of things.

Rhaef bit his tongue hard to keep from speaking, this was Kale's decision, and he would not question it here. Anyway, Kale had that look in his eye, like he was still paying on some cosmic debt and this was part of it, when he got that, there was not changing his mind.

"C'mon, Cap'n...you're actin' like you gotta ask.  Not much'f a choice, if'n we can help."  Charlie crossed her arms on the table, giving him a bit of a smile.  She grew up on a planet that was a bit more backwater, and knew how hard it could be to get things such as vaccines and supplies...even moreso when relying on the Alliance.  "Ah'm not sure what I can do t'be giving' all sorts'f help, but y'know that I'll b'there.  Y'just gotta tell me what I can be doin' n'all."

Wei-Li listened and smiled.  "Would this be the Athens Museum of Antiquity or the Athens Gallery d'arte?" she asked.

"Or one of the smaller Museums?"

She paused the tilted her head while looking at Kale.  "And how much information do you have on the museum's security..."

Acacia, being a doctor, knew more about Bowden's then anyone here.  "Cap, if this job can really help these people then of course I'm on board." she said.
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:02, Tue 30 May 2006.

Kale smiled at the rest of his crews response, nodding his head.  Then he turned to Wei-Li with a grin, "It's the D'arte." he said, not knowing why he was surprised that the woman knew of it.  After all she'd proved numerous times to have more then a few tricks up her sleeve.  "An' we got everything, includin' a contact on Athens, should be able to set us up with a nice clean job of robbin' the place."

Rhaef looked up, "Kale, when you ever known a robbery to be clean? I been doing this for too long to believe such a thing."

Rhaef sighed, and realized the crew was going to follow Kale to hell and back, and he couldn't really blame him. "So, if we're going to do this, Kale, how we going in? Thoughts on cover? Thoughts on how we're getting out? I'm gonna need some time on the 'Tex to get a feel for the planet's security patrols and ties to the Alliance. How long we got?"

Wei-Li nodded.  "When its time, would you mind me looking over the plans?" she asked a little selfconciously.

She shrugged sheepishly, knowing full well, that the crew had figured out a lot about her.

"I got some notions of my own but we'll be layin' down full plans once we hit Athens and meet up with Walton's pal there.  Man by Connor Sullivan, he's got the layouts, access codes, and all security systems mapped out fer us." Kale said, "Once we got a chance ta look them over we'll move from there."

Geoff had sat quietly as the captain laid out the job that was before them and the others began to discuss it. He, himself, had nothing to add at this point. As he often said to himself and others, he was muscle and not brains. The planning and such wasn't his department at all. No, he was the one who came in after said plans fell apart and the shooting started. So he wasn't looking to ask any questions or add anything to the planning right now or when they got to Athens.

  "Captain, I have no doubt that the professor's man is the top of his trade, but I really do think you should Wei take a look at those plans as soon as possible. She's got a kanck for catching flaws and potential problems in plans." Rhaef said, his voice even, despite the fact that he had not fully accepted the plan in his mind.

"That she does, an' I never said I wouldn't be lettin' her look them over, Rhaef," Kale said, "Just don't got the plans all set out yet, that's all."  He looked back up at the rest of the crew, "Athen's is just one hop over so shouldn't take us more then a few hours ta get there, right Ren?  We'll be leavin' here within the hour."

Ren smiled and nodded. "Not long at all, sir." he agreed giving Acacia's hand a gentle squeaze.

"Probably less if we let Lei plot the course," He added with a wink

Acacia returned Ren's squeeze, smiling at him, still marveling at how wonderful it felt to be able to sit here, holding hands around the table with everyone.  As Kale finished his speech Acacia leaned her head on Ren's shoulder, "Want some company while you're plotting course, Ace?  I hear it gets mighty lonely sitting alone in cockpits." she grinned up at him.

Ren's smile broadened and his eyes sparkled as he accepted her offer. "I'd love the company," he told her, then winked mischievously.

"Although... I think prepping might take a little longer if you're there..." he teased.

Acacia gave a Ren a mock of look of surprise, "Are you implying, mister, that I'm a distraction?" she said, but was unable to keep the smile from her lips.

Ren wrapped his arms around her, unable to contain his joy and love for her.  "That," he said kissing her.  "Is what"  another kiss.  "I'm saying,"

He sighed, taking in just how much that smile meant, that smile, and the fact that it was hers.

"But I assure you, I could take that distraction for the rest of my life."

Acacia playfully tried to bat away his first few kisses trying to be mad at him for calling her a distraction but soon was just enjoying them.  As he sighed and looked at her, her smile widened and she knew she had never been so happy in her life.

"You better believe it, Ace." then the two of them made way for the ship.  "Thank you for the meals and the hospitality." Acacia said to Walton as they passed by him, "It was great meeting you."

[To Destiny: Bridge]

"And you too, my dear." he said smiling at Acacia and Ren.  Happy to see the two of them so obviously in love.  It was wonderful to know that despite all odds two people could still come together and make a life for one another.

Ren smiled and shrugged.  "Good to see you sir," he said as he followed Acacia out.

"See you after the job."

---->To Destiny Bridge

As the meeting broke up, Wei-Li took the opportunity to slip into the kitchen and get to work on the morning's dishes.

Her mother had always taught her that a good guest was one who wasn't afraid to pitch in and help, and so she did.

Kale watched as everyone began to disperse from the table, glad to know that his crew stood behind his decision and hoping desperately that he had made the right one in helping Walton out.

"You worry too much." Walton said lowly to Kale as he passed by on his way to the kitchen, "You'll get wrinkles early." he smiled and moved his fingers to the edges of his lips indicating for Kale to smile as well.  Then winked and headed off into the kitchen after Wei-Li.

"Ah, my dear, don't worry about the dishes.  You are a guest, go rest, relax.  Let the old man do the housecleaning."

Wei-Li smiled.  "My mom would throttle me if I didn't at least help," she answered as she rinced a glass and put it in the dish rack.

"Two sets of hands make the work go faster?" she offered.

Rhaef stood up from the table after finishing a second helping of breakfast, he looked at Charlie, "Hey I'm heading out back for a bit, let me know when you head back up to the ship, and I'll help you carry the books the Professor gave you." With that Rhaef walked outside, lit a cigarette, and tried to sort his thoughts about Kale's new plan.