RP: "Adventures in Gunrunning" - Act 10

POSTED BY: FrauDirektor
UPDATED: Thursday, March 4, 2004 20:12
VIEWED: 17870
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FRAUDIREKTOR

Thursday, February 19, 2004 5:06 PM

LAST TIME ON Firefly - ARCHIVE THREAD:
Includes episode synopses and links to all the threads for prior acts
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3681

GREEN ROOM (REAL-TIME):
Chat and storyline work
http://www.fireflyfans.net/fireflychat.asp

CURRENT GREEN ROOM (OOC) THREAD:
More in-depth conversations about character
development/storylines
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3713

STARRING:
Captain Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds - Geezer (fireflygeezer@cox.net)
Zoë Warren - Astriana (htempe@hotmail.com, MSN, AIM: MissAstriana, Yahoo!: MissAstriana, ICQ: 9592266)
Wash Warren - RavenWhyteWing (ravenwhytewing@yahoo.com)
Jayne Cobb - SerenitysSon (killianf@bellsouth.net)
Kaywinnit Lee 'Kaylee' Frye - BoomerGoodHeart (boomergoodheart@hotmail.com, MSN, AIM)
Simon Tam - CapnRahn (CapnRahn@aol.com, MSN, AIM)
River Tam - TeelaBrown (AIM: Teela Sera)
Inara Serra - Ciara (elenahope@yahoo.com; AIM)
Shepherd Book - ManiacNumberOne (magicbishop@comcast.net)

GUEST STARRING:
Adelai Niska - temporarily played by CapnRahn
Brink 'Slight' Helsing - RavenWhyteWing (ravenwhytewing@yahoo.com)
Damon - Squee (dm_squee@earthlink.net; AIM: Squee755)Jubal Early - Succatash
Mercedes 'Merz' Troy - Mercedes Troy
Roosevelt 'Rosie' Thorne - Geezer (fireflygeezer@cox.net)
Rowan - Channain (channain@yahoo.com; AIM)

DIRECTORIAL STAFF:
Geezer - GameMaster (fireflygeezer@cox.net)
FrauDirektor - Co-Director (htempe@hotmail.com, MSN, AIM: MissAstriana, Yahoo!: MissAstriana, ICQ: 9592266)
Channain - Co-Director (channain@yahoo.com; AIM)

PRODUCER:
Haken

GENERAL POST GUIDELINES
None have been established yet. Each player has a unique style for posting a move that is consistent within itself. You'll catch on!

ACRONYM DEFINITIONS & TERMS
EOM = End of Move
OOC = Out Of Character
POV = Point Of View

RESOURCES
Mechanics of RPing Workshop:
http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3640

Chinese for the RP Player:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3658

Last but not least, the Gunrunners would like to extend a big THANK YOU to Joss Whedon for creating a whole new 'verse for us to play in, and to Haken for giving us a bright, shiny new sandbox theater!

JossGunrunners
HakenGunrunners

Frau Direktor

Have fun stormink zee castle!

CHANNAIN

Thursday, February 19, 2004 5:13 PM

CDC - BRIEF RECAP:
Serenity is in the boonies on Hera while some things get sorted out, mainly the whereabouts of Niska who has just jumped ship. Simon's mind seems to be mostly his own again, and there are still four new passengers on board, current status as relating to Serenity relatively unknown, but close to some manner of resolution. More importantly, Mal has ordered that they finish up the first leg of the job - drop over in Serenity Valley to pick up the shipment - and break atmo.

And for once - at least at this point in the post - EVERYBODY is in the same place, various positions in the cargo bay. How's THAT for planning?

It's time to get flying.

Rowan’s Move:
Location: Cargo Bay
_________________________
ZOE notices ROWAN's pause. Taking in JAYNE's slight stagger/sway and the look on ROWAN's face, the corner of ZOE's mouth turns up as she knowingly quirks an eyebrow at them both.
_________________________
ROWAN to herself: Ai ya hwai leh - no fooling her for sure and for certain. Knows her crew too well.

________________________
[MAL looks at the bloody and crestfallen ROWAN, and rubs his left ear.]
MAL: "You ain't the first one been fooled by that little weasel. [to the group] I'd like to go after him, but we need to get movin' 'fore folks we dont want'a see show up. 'Least we're dumpin' him out here in the middle o' nowhere. Maybe a snake with no professional ethics'll bite him."
_________________________

The idea of the old man dancing around a poisonous reptile hell-bent on taking a chunk out of his ankle gives Rowan a sudden laugh that she immediately regrets. As the side of her head nearly blows off in a psychedelic flash of entirely too many colors, she opens one eye again (and just when did they go shut?) to peer up at Simon.

ROWAN: Doc, are you planning to do anything about all this, or just keep poking at it until I faint dead away from the pain?

EOM

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

RAVENWHYTEWING

Thursday, February 19, 2004 5:38 PM

Slight finishes the smoke, and puts it out against his hand. He sweeps up the ash and places it all in a small sack, which he returns to the pocket from which it came. No need to dirty this wreck any further than it already is.

His gaze sweeps over to the direction of the infirmiry, and realizes the good doctor has calmed a bit. Maybe now would be a good time to explain what was actually one that stick he gave Simon. The switch was very latent, and wouldn't surface for another month or so, but nonetheless, it better be switched off soon.
Taking a long sigh and adjusting his glasses, making sure his red eyes are completely covered, he begins the descent to the infirmiry.

EOM

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Thursday, February 19, 2004 5:45 PM

Washes move (wish me luck!)

Wash leans back into the chair, flipping the armrests down. What an odd flight.
Suddenly, wash notices the readout on one of the screens, and pulls down the com:
"Attention crew, we are arriving on Hera. For all you new folk out there, please keep your hands and arms inside the airlock until we come to a complete stop."
Wash smiles as he leans forward, and takes the wheel. Feeling much more whole, he starts adjusting the tradjectory for the smoothest landing he can make it. Gotta make up for that last near-crash.

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

ASTRIANA

Thursday, February 19, 2004 5:47 PM

Quote:
MAL: "Now let's get over to the valley, load up, and haul out'a atmo while we got the chance. WASH, here's the coordinates."

MAL hands over the paper THORNE had previously given him and continues.

MAL: "You can lift as soon as KAYLEE gets back to the engine room. DOC, looks like you got another patient. Wheel these two back to sickbay an' get 'em useful again. Take who you need to help. ZOE, JAYNE, get the bay configured to load a conex. SLIGHT can help you, now he's smelled the place up with his smokin'. THORNE, you go with WASH an' get him close as possible to your cargo."

MAL walks over to the hatch control and pushes the 'close' button. As the ramp grinds closed he turns back to the asembled crew.

MAL:"Well? You waitin' for a gorram invite? Time's a'wastin'. Jiu!*".

ZOE secures the Winchester in its holster and barely conceals a chuckle at JAYNE. ZOE looks at SLIGHT.

ZOE to JAYNE and SLIGHT: "You heard the Cap'n. We got a job to do, let's get to doin' it."

ZOE points to the crates in THORNE's "borrowed" truck.

"JAYNE, you and SLIGHT get those crates stowed, then we gotta get this truck outta the bay 'fore WASH takes us up. I'll start movin' this tequila."

End Move.

*Jiu = Move

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

CIARA

Thursday, February 19, 2004 6:15 PM

Inara's turn

Inara's brow furrows as she feels Damon's shoulder tense under her fingers. She take a long look at the man, his brown eyes locked to hers. Damon's gaze is intense and dark--within them she sees many shadows flitting across the surface only to flee again to their fathomless depths. Taking Damon's signal of discomfort, Inara takes a small step back as the man rises to his feet with a slight grimace.

The Companion in Inara wants to reach out to him, forge his depths of emotional pain and make him at peace in her wake. The Companion in her also notices his air of tense frigidity. This is a man who will not share his secrets lightly.

Inara nods to Damon--and hears from behind her a sudden laugh follwed by a pained pause--

ROWAN: Doc, are you planning to do anything about all this, or just keep poking at it until I faint dead away from the pain?

Inara chuckles inwardly at Rowan's banter, and speaks:

INARA: Simon, Rowan...Damon has graciously vacated his gurney if you'd like to use it...I'm sure after tangling with that she jiu lao, you could use a small rest.

With an amused glance at Jayne, who is still swaying slightly and wearing a more glazed expression than usual, Inara offers Rowan her hand.

End Inara's turn

she jiu lao=roughly translated: old snake

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

GEEZER

Thursday, February 19, 2004 6:39 PM

Mal's/Thorne's Move:

Location: Cargo Bay

ZOE:"JAYNE, you and SLIGHT get those crates stowed, then we gotta get this truck outta the bay 'fore WASH takes us up. I'll start movin' this tequila."

[MAL, noticing that the truck is still in the cargo bay, realizes that his grand gesture of closing the ramp looks pretty gorram silly, and presses the 'open' button.]

MAL:"Jus' testin' that the ramp works after that go-se landin'. Seems fine. Now dump that truck."

[THORNE leaves RIVER's side and moves to the truck.]

THORNE:"I'll move it. Gotta get some more stuff out anyway."

[He backs the truck out of the bay, removes a duffel bag and what looks like a gun case from the back, and then opens the hood and bangs around for a minute. He closes the hood, picks up the bag and case in one hand, and, holding various ignition parts in the other, climbs the ramp.]

THORNE:"Figgered I might as well disable that vehicle, so Niska can't use it...an' if he trys maybe 500 volts shorting through the ignition button when he presses it'll make him jump a bit. Cap'n, anywhere I can bed down once we clear the valley? I'd like to stash my gear."

MAL:"Just dump it in the common room right now. We'll get you settled later."

EOM

OOC: 'get you settled later' means my Firefly schematic is at home and I can't find whch thread it's in here.

Go-se: Dog crap.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

CHANNAIN

Thursday, February 19, 2004 6:43 PM

Rowan’s Move:
Location: Cargo Bay
_________________________
INARA: Simon, Rowan...Damon has graciously vacated his gurney if you'd like to use it...I'm sure after tangling with that she jiu lao, you could use a small rest.
_________________________

ROWAN: “SOLD!”

Not bothering to wait for a word one way or the other from Simon, she starts forward, only to discover she has a slight left-side list. Putting out a hand to steady herself, she’s about to fall when Simon catches her quick and helps her over to the gurney. Suddenly aware that she might be worse off than she figured, she accepts his assistance graciously, and takes Inara’s hand as they reach the gurney. Between the two of them she’s able to climb up and settles on the uninjured side with a sigh. Searching with one eye - the one that still works - she focuses on Mal.

ROWAN: “Next time a brown coat asks me to go after some other notorious yaoguài I’m tellin’ him to go to hell.”

EOM

OOC: Happiness is an active RP thread

yaoguài = monster

ASTRIANA

Thursday, February 19, 2004 8:50 PM

Zoe's Move:
Location: Cargo Bay

Quote:
THORNE:"Cap'n, anywhere I can bed down once we clear the valley? I'd like to stash my gear."

MAL:"Just dump it in the common room right now. We'll get you settled later."

ZOE looks up from moving cases of tequila to glances at MAL and THORNE.

ZOE: "Sir, I believe the Shepherd made up one of the passenger bunks for Mr. Thorne."

She glances at BOOK.

ZOE: "Shepherd, when you can spare a minute, would you show our guest to his bunk?"

She turns back to the work at hand.

Quote:
ROWAN: “Next time a brown coat asks me to go after some other notorious yaoguài* I’m tellin’ him to go to hell.”

Hearing this, ZOE stifles another chuckle and shakes her head.

End Move.

*yaoguài = monster

OOC: I have to agree with Channain! Happiness is an active RP thread!

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

MANIACNUMBERONE

Thursday, February 19, 2004 9:06 PM

Book's Move

Location--Cargo Bay

Book, who has been deep in thought about Niska, snaps back to the present situation as he's addressed by Zoe.

Book to Thorne

"Sorry, Yes, I was just, oh nevermind. As Zoe said, there's a place already prepared for you. Follow me, Mr Thorne. Is it Mr Thorne, or is Thorne a nickname?"

Book pauses and looks back to Thorne, who is loaded down with apparently everything.

"Can I give you a hand with anything?"

EM

SQUEE

Thursday, February 19, 2004 9:40 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Damon steps back as Simon and Inara approach with Rowan. She looks like she's going to be about as happy as he will be for the next couple of days.
He turns his attention to the captain's conversation about finding Thorne a bunk.
Zoe: ""Sir, I believe the Shepherd made up one of the passenger bunks for Mr. Thorne." She glances at Book. "Shepherd, when you can spare a minute, would you show our guest to his bunk?"
Damon wonders whether he belongs outside with the truck or in a passenger room. Probably somewhere in between. Looking at Zoe's belt, he notices his gun isn't there anymore. He lets out a frustrated sigh and watches as everyone goes about their jobs.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

GEEZER

Thursday, February 19, 2004 11:19 PM

Mal's move:

Location: Cargo Bay

[Seeing DAMON just standing around scratching himself, MAL decides he must be well enough to go to work.]

MAL:"Hey, DAMON. If you can scratch like that you're not so bad off. 'Les you wanna get out here, 'bout time you start pullin' your weight. Move them laser cannon crates off to the side. Maybe Kaylee can figger how to hook it up later on sometime."

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

GEEZER

Thursday, February 19, 2004 11:58 PM

Thorne's Move:

Location: His cabin, across the short hall from BOOK's

[Thanking BOOK for showing him the way to his cabin, THORNE closes the door and turns into the room. He sets the hard-side gun case on the bunk and snaps it open. Inside are a large semi-automatic rifle with a telescopic sight, and a bouquet of flowers. THORNE removes the flowers and recloses the case. He sits down, the flowers in his lap. After several minutes of stillness, he speaks, softly, as if to someone else in the room.]

THORNE:"Last time pays for all. The Valley will be clean after this, and maybe you can finally forgive me for what I brought down on you. Maybe I can finally forgive myself."

[Laying the flowers aside, THORNE heads for the bridge, to guide WASH to his cargo.]

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

SQUEE

Friday, February 20, 2004 12:11 AM

OOC: the laser gun is stolen Alliance right? well if it isn't then forget the referance to Alliance. ^_^

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MAL:"Hey, DAMON. If you can scratch like that you're not so bad off. 'Les you wanna get out here, 'bout time you start pullin' your weight. Move them laser cannon crates off to the side. Maybe Kaylee can figger how to hook it up later on sometime."
Damon looks at the crate of equipment and then picks up one of the parts. Typicall Alliance equipment: make it cheap, but works great. He looks up at Mal for a moment before continueing his inspection.
"This is a midbook transport, right? Standard accelerator core? If your mechanic is thinking of mounting them on the bow, I'd advise against it. Too much strain on the power lines, might bleed too much. Could maybe mount them under the extenders, though... they'd probably be less visible there too..."
He sets the part back down in the crate. Pushing the pains of his injuries aside with practiced skill, he closes the lid and pushes the heavy box toward the side of the room.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

CHANNAIN

Friday, February 20, 2004 1:08 AM

Rowan's Move:
Location: On the gurney in the cargo bay, hopefully headed for the infirmary.

With both eyes closed, Rowan can feel the contact lenses, particularly in the eye that seems to be fusing itself permanently shut. Feels like a giant slab of rock in each eye.

Rowan to herself: Made... they'll have to come out. They'll see...

ROWAN: "Oh please... I'm so tired."

EOM

Made = Fuck

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

TEELABROWN

Friday, February 20, 2004 1:13 AM

_______
River is seeing all the bustle around her, says:

There's no room for a ghost.

She starts to leave the Cargo bay.
_______

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of bad typing.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

CIARA

Friday, February 20, 2004 2:31 AM

Inara's turn

Inara helps Rowan slowly lower herself down onto the gurney. As she settles, Rowan lets out a low groan.

One of Rowan's eyes is covered with blood, and the lashes are clumped together, sealing her lid shut.

ROWAN: "Oh please... I'm so tired."

grimacing in sympathy, Inara places a hand on Rowan's head and smoothes bak her hair. Inara looks to Simon for help

he's concentrating on getting Rowan's head settled onto the gurney, he begins to slowly push it toward the infirmary, Inara striding along beside.

End Inara's turn

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

CAPNRAHN

Friday, February 20, 2004 2:48 AM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY
As ...

ROWAN
“SOLD!”

ROWAN starts forward, only to discover she has a slight left-side list. Putting out a hand to steady herself, she’s about to fall when SIMON catches her quick and helps her over to the gurney. ROWAN accepts his assistance graciously, and takes INARA’s hand as they reach the gurney. Between the two of them ROWAN is able to climb up and settles on the uninjured side with a sigh. Searching with one eye - the one that still works - she focuses on Mal.

ROWAN
"Next time a brown coat asks me to go after some other notorious yaoguài I’m tellin’ him to go to hell."

As SIMON helps ROWAN settle into the gurney, his thoughts dividing and splitting amongst various paths ...

NISKA ... as soon as SIMONs thoughts head this direction, other questions diverts his attention.

SLIGHT and his sister, RIVER - is the connection between them something more than just Blue Sun? Was SLIGHT not an operative, actually an experiment as well? So, the possibility that RIVER was to be an operative could substantiated with the information on the MEMORY STICK SLIGHT gave him. At that thought, SIMON unconsciously pats his pocket where he has stored the MEMORY STICK. Finding it still there, he resumes his work on helping ROWAN settle on the gurney.

SIMONs thoughts switch to his current state of perplexing behavior. What could be causing his strange gray-outs and fits of emotion? A thought suddenly occurs to SIMON - The encephlo-reader should not have shorted like that. As soon as things calm down ... SIMON chuckles inwardly ... as if it ever calms down on this ship named Serenity. SIMON is shaken from his brief reverie by ...

ROWAN
"Oh please... I'm so tired."

SIMON
Without thinking he softly brushes ROWANs hair from her wound and whispers...
It will be OK, mei-mei, I'm here.

EOM

BOOMERGOODHEART

Friday, February 20, 2004 4:32 AM

Kaylee's Move
Location: Cargo Bay

Kaylee looks up at Damon as he starts to lecture the Captain on where to mount the laser cannon.

"I know gorram well where they can 'n can't be mounted, thank ya very much."

Climbing to her feet, she shoots a look of loathing at Damon and continues out of the cargo bay to the engine room, steering clear of Simon.

Mumbling to self, "Damn passenger...thinks to tell me how to manage Serenity...he kin just stew in his room 'til the Cap'n boots his skinny ass off..."

End Move

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

SQUEE

Friday, February 20, 2004 5:29 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Damon turns to who he guesses must be Kaylee as she gets up with a glare. "I know gorram well where they can 'n can't be mounted, thank ya very much."
"I didn't say that you didn't know-" Damon sighs when she doesn't turn around. "I was just trying to help!" He calls after her, watching her leave the room. He kicks the crate in frustration, "Tzao gao, nothing is ever easy."
He notices that the doctor, shepard and Inara are on their way back to the infirmery and walks briskly across the cargo bay to follow them. He can worry about what to do with himself after he has his things somewhere safe.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

GEEZER

Friday, February 20, 2004 12:43 PM

Thorne's/Mal's move:

Location(s): Common Room/Bridge/Common room

[THORNE gets to the common area in time to see INARA closing the infirmary door. "Have to talk to that lady soon." he thinks. Hearing a muffled curse, he looks up to see DAMON enter from the cargo bay and pick up his bag, which has been resting against the wall.]

THORNE:"Lookin' for somewhere to stash your gear? You can leave it in my room 'til the Cap'n get's you some quarters assigned. Take the right passage and it's the door on the left."

[Leaving DAMON in the common area, THORNE heads for the bridge. As he arrives, he notices that the colorfully dressed pilot appears to be talking to a small plastic dinosaur. THORNE clears his throat, causing the pilot to sweep the dino into a box and start flipping switches at random.]

THORNE:"My favorite was named Steggy, but seems I outgrew them a bit earlier than you. Count your blessings, Boy. [a pause] About the pickup. When we get to the coordinates, you'll see a small round hill. Land due south of the hill, with the ramp facing it. That'll make the loading much easier."

[A voice comes booming in from the passage, the speaker getting closer as he talks]

MAL:" Alright WASH. Everythings buttoned up. Lets lift. I want to get there an' out soon's we can. Less time spent in the Valley the better."

[THORNE turns to the captain]

THRONE:"Cap'n, is there somewhere you can let DAMON bunk? Poor kid's wanderin' around down below, looks to be asleep on his feet."

MAL:"Yeah. Guess we can't jus' dump him in the Valley. 'sides, he seems to know somethin' about your laser cannon...might come in handy. If you see him tell him to settle in the port shuttle for now. All the bunks are full up."

THORNE:"Will do, Cap'n. I gave, uh, WASH is it? the landing scoop. We should be there in about an hour. I'll go get ready for the pickup now."

[Back in the common area, THORNE sees DAMON still standing were he left him, looking lost.]

THORNE:"Son, the Cap'n says you can bunk in the port shuttle for now. Might ought'a get your head down for an hour or so. You look 'bout used up. Know where it is?"

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

CHANNAIN

Friday, February 20, 2004 2:47 PM

Rowan’s Move:
Location: Cargo Bay, headed for the infirmary.
------------------------------------
Inara: Grimacing in sympathy, Inara places a hand on Rowan's head and smoothes back her hair. Inara looks to Simon for help
------------------------------------
Her mother used to do that when she was a child, soothing her through the occasional powerful migraine. Sit with her in the bed, stroke her hair and simply be. Sometimes she would hum old children’s songs, or tell stories. Her sister had done it from time to time with that innate sense of compassion that had eventually been considered valuable to the House Priestess on Sihnon. Rowan always liked the way her mother did it best.

------------------------------------
SIMON: Without thinking he softly brushes ROWANs hair from her wound and whispers...
It will be OK, mei-mei, I'm here.
------------------------------------
Rowan to herself: Ru? Could it be?

Opening her eye slowly once again, she focuses hard and sees a handsome stranger looking down on her with concern. No, not a stranger. That's Simon, ship’s doctor on Serenity, responding to the plea she thought she had sent up strictly for the ears of the Almighty.

ROWAN: Wode tìan - was that out loud?

EOM

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

SQUEE

Friday, February 20, 2004 3:03 PM

Damon's turn:
Location: common room to shuttle

Damon steps out of the infirmery with his bag of possessions and looks around. The couch against the wall was looking mighty friendly, but there was no way he was going to sleep out here.
He turns when Thorne approaches. "Son, the Cap'n says you can bunk in the port shuttle for now. Might ought'a get your head down for an hour or so. You look 'bout used up. Know where it is?"
Damon shakes his head and allows the older man to lead the way. At the shuttle, Damon opens the door and steps inside, looking arond the small room. The bed was small, but looked like the best thing he'd seen all day.
He sets his bag down and turns to Thorne, "Thanks."

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

CAPNRAHN

Friday, February 20, 2004 5:32 PM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY
As ...

ROWAN opens her good eye slowly once again and focuses hard on SIMON. Upon locking eyes with ROWAN a tiny frisson of connection shoots through SIMON. He looks deep into her eye, as if trying penetrate the veil that ROWAN keeps as her protective facade. Then SIMONs brow furrows in concern and perplexity as he tries to understand why he had briefly felt that ROWAN was his sister.

Suddenly, he notices that ROWANs iris seems to be offset and has a sliver of jade showing. SIMON leans down to inspect her eye closer.

SIMON
as a statement to Rowan
"You have contact lenses. I'll have to remove them immediately."
without breaking eye contact with ROWAN
"Inara, could you act as a surgical aide for me during the removal procedure?"

INARAs response is overshadowed by ...

KAYLEE
"I know gorram well where they can 'n can't be mounted, thank ya very much."

SIMON looks over to KAYLEE as she climbs to her feet. KAYLEE shoots a look of loathing at DAMON and continues out of the cargo bay to the engine room, steering clear of SIMON, INARA and ROWAN on the gurney.

KAYLEE
Mumbling to self
"Damn passenger...thinks to tell me how to manage Serenity...he kin just stew in his room 'til the Cap'n boots his skinny ass off..."

SIMONs thoughts shift paths over to reflect on KAYLEEs uncharacteristic show of temper. Was it SIMONs fault? What had really happened between he and Kaylee? It seemed that he finally did something right by being impulsive by kissing her. But something else had happened right after that wonderful moment the finally shared, but what was it? SIMON tries to pull up the memory fragment and replay it...

...Suddenly a sharp pain in and around his right upper sinus causes SIMON to stumble slightly and place his right palm over his right eye and brow.

SIMON
Trying to cover his pain and stumble... to INARA
"We will have to retract the gurney supports to get down her down the stairs"

INARA looks at SIMON with concern. She caught the brief hard flash of pain across his features. INARA thinks to herself This is something else to discuss when SIMON and I can talk., she nods mutely at his words and they both maneuver the ROWAN laden gurney down the stairs and into the INFIRMARY.

EOM

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

RAVENWHYTEWING

Friday, February 20, 2004 6:28 PM

Wash's move:

"K cap'n, we'll be gone pretty soon. We might have to pick up some fuel on the way back to Badger, though."

Slight's move:
Slight begins to hop down the stairs, heading towards the cargo. Turning around, he takes out a small sack of leather, and tosses it to the captain. "Five hundred plat for your troubles, Captain. I'll find my own way off Hera." Slight removes his glasses, and glances at Thorne. "And I think you and I should have that talk you were mentioning earlier. Seems we have a lot to discuss."

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Friday, February 20, 2004 6:32 PM

OOC, I think I need a recap, cuz I got lost. To many posts to catch up on!

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

MANIACNUMBERONE

Friday, February 20, 2004 7:25 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - BOOK'S ROOM

After seeing Thorne to his room, Book goes to his own room and cleans his hands and face in a washbasin. He turns on the lamp on his small desk and sits down to steal a few moments rejuvenating his soul by reading his Bible. Hearing someone in the hallway, and assuming it's Thorne, Book slides open the door panel. He sees no one, but leaves the panel open and goes back to his spot to read.

EM

GEEZER

Friday, February 20, 2004 7:36 PM

OOC: There's a recap posted in the OOC7 Thread.

Thorne's Move:

Location: Port Catwalk/cargo bay

[DAMON goes to sleep the instant his body hits the bunk. THORNE pushes the hatch closed and stands in thought a moment on the catwalk.]

THORNE:"Looks like that boy's had it rough for quite some time. Hope he can fit in here for a while. What'd that be like, I wonder?"

[Thorne is getting the 'need to talk' vibe from SLIGHT. It's amazing how much it feels like someone from his old unit. He heads down the cargo bay to find him.]

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

RAVENWHYTEWING

Friday, February 20, 2004 7:49 PM

Wash's move

Wash reaches up and flips the three switches. he picks up the com, and smiles a bit. "Okay, folks, now leaving atmo, so close up all open windows."

Slights move:

Slight notices Thorne making his way down, and casually reaches into his pocket, taking out his archaic cigarettes. Slight decides to dispense with the niceties. "You mentioned a base of operations. What did you have in mind?"

EOM

OOC, see you all tomorrow

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

SQUEE

Friday, February 20, 2004 8:00 PM

Damon's turn:
Location: spare shuttle

Damon sits down on the edge of the bed and quickly looks through his bag to make sure everything is there. He has about a year's worth of earnings with him and he wasn't about to loose it. Everything is there- except of coarse his gun that Zoe took, and the pair of pants that Simon cut up. The pants were easy enough to replace, but he didn't have the money to buy himself another gun. He'll have to see if he can get it back.
After pulling out his spare gun, he zips his bag and pushes it under the bunk. He slips his gun under his pillow as he lies down, and is asleep within seconds.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

CHANNAIN

Friday, February 20, 2004 9:30 PM

Rowan’s Move:
Location: Cargo Bay, headed for the infirmary.
------------------------------------
SIMON to Rowan: "You have contact lenses. I'll have to remove them immediately."
without breaking eye contact with ROWAN "Inara, could you act as a surgical aide for me during the removal procedure?"
------------------------------------
Mulling the words surgical procedure around, she feels the gurney tilt as they head down to the common area and Infirmary adjacent. Procedure usually means some form of anesthetic - anesthetic means some manner of slumber - sleep, a purely precious commodity for her these days. But would she actually dream? She can’t recollect how long it has been since she woke up from a long, refreshing night of REM activity, stretching every muscle from neck to toes while wondering if it was the garlic shrimp or the Thai noodles she ate the evening before that sent her brain on such wild flights of fancy.

She used to tell Ru about her dreams. He would laugh and shake his head at her in wonderment. Later she told Xiang. He liked to cuddle with her in bed, stroke her hair and watch the sun come up as she regaled him with incredible tales.

ROWAN: Hmm…maybe that’s how come I haven’t slept in more than three years. Nobody to share the dreams with.

Looking up again and realizing she's spoken aloud, she closes her eye, determined to keep her mouth shut. Except closing her eye hurts worse than leaving it open. It doesn't really matter now anyway, she can tell he’s already seen it.

EOM

EDIT: For exposition - too much, a little too much about Rowan's eyes. Will bring it back later. Promise.

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

BOOMERGOODHEART

Saturday, February 21, 2004 6:16 AM

Kaylee's Move
Location: Engine Room

Kaylee bangs around the engine room, still ticked off at that little dung-head for horning in on her territory.

"Well, ok," she thinks to herself, "maybe....maybe I was a bit outta line with the guy. But he shouldn't be tellin' me or the Cap'n how ta do somethin' with my girl. I knows her ins and outs, and there ain't no one else who should--or could--mess with 'er. Damn buttinsky."

Kaylee continues to tinker in the engine room, her mind a million miles away.

End Move

OOC: Thanks for the word, Geezer.

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

GEEZER

Saturday, February 21, 2004 2:49 PM

Thorne's move:

LOCATION - CARGO BAY or CATWALKS

SLIGHT:"You mentioned a base of operations. What did you have in mind?"

[THORNE notices ZOE's glare as she spots SLIGHT's cigarettes.]

THORNE:"Well, first you need to be mobile to do it, an' if you light one of them cancer sticks in here, that lady may put you on injured reserve for a bit.

But, yes. If you're still interested in breaking out some Academy 'graduates', let me make you an offer you can't refuse."

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

RAVENWHYTEWING

Saturday, February 21, 2004 5:43 PM

Slights move

Slight can't help but smile at the term, "cancer sticks."

"They're psuedobacco. Wouldn't make a ant cough, much less cause cancer. They're only chemical is a drug that helps to detract fromt the empath capability. Helps control the upgrades we got from the Academy. But alright, make the offer. I'd be interested in what you have to say. A ship, perhaps?"

EOM

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

ASTRIANA

Saturday, February 21, 2004 6:28 PM

Zoe's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Seeing SLIGHT on the catwalk about to light another cigarette, ZOE glares at him and THORNE, then hears THORNE's suggestion that SLIGHT not light up and SLIGHT's response. Her eyes narrow slightly and she pulls herself up to her full height, then slouches into a seemingly relaxed pose, one hand on her hip.

ZOE to SLIGHT: "Chemical or no, you light that thing up in here, won't be me you'll have to answer to. Much as I support the idea of suppressing your "empathic abilities," you'll take 'em somewhere the rest o' the crew and passengers won't have to be subjected to the smell, or you'll wait 'til you're off this boat to light up. Should be in the Valley in less'n an hour."

ZOE crosses her arms over her chest and waits.

End Move.

OOC: Thanks for the opening, guys!

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

GEEZER

Sunday, February 22, 2004 12:06 AM

Thorne's move:

LOCATION - CARGO BAY or CATWALKS

[Thorne smiles at ZOE's tirade, and turns back to SLIGHT]

THORNE:"A ship? No, not right at hand. What I have is resources, information, contacts, and friends. For the moment I have a place you can stay that's off this ship. I can't help but notice that although you've been the model of tact and decorum, your delicate behavior has somehow managed to piss off at least half the folks on board. I think you'd agree that in this instance absence would make the heart grow fonder.

If you're up for about a ten mile walk, there's a little hidey-hole of mine right outside the Valley. Plenty of anything you'd need for a little vacation, and wheeled transport if you need to move. Open your mind a second and let me give you a map."

[THORNE and SLIGHT lock eyes in concentration, for just a moment.]

THORNE:"Got it? Good. There's a ruined cabin there. Go in, stand in front of the fireplace and say 'Open Says Me, Nyuck Nyuck Nyuck'. You'll see the entrance as it opens. Right inside the door's a manual that'll tell you how everything works.

While you're there, I'll talk to some folks about that ship, what you can do with it,and maybe somewhere you can keep it, and the kids you rescue. I'll wave you in about a week, and we can get down to the details. Sound OK to you so far?"

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

RAVENWHYTEWING

Sunday, February 22, 2004 4:35 AM

Slight holds up his hands at Zoey's assualt. "Sorry. Didn't figure you'd like me prying into your mind on accident. I hate to point it out, but fantasies about your husband pop up frequently. So I apologive if I find it unsettling."
Slight glares at Thorne.
"I can't help but notice that although you've been the model of tact and decorum, your delicate behavior has somehow managed to piss off at least half the folks on board. I think you'd agree that in this instance absence would make the heart grow fonder."
Slight snorts. "I would have expected the border-hoppers to be pissed at me. Sha Nu would be hard pressed to be more hated then me." Slight holds his hands up at Thornes offer to give him the map. "Trust me, I already saw the cave through your eyes. So I've got it. But I'm thinking I might jump out just about a minute after we hit atmo. I've jumped out of plenty of my ships in 'the line of duty,'" a pained look crosses Slights face, "and trust me, I've got all the tricks of the trade under this coat, so I'll survive. But you're right. I don't think I'd get a fond farewell. In fact, I should probably keep to myself once we're on the way. But I think I should find the doctor and discuss the stick before I do."
Slight turns without waiting for response, pocketing his smokes.

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Sunday, February 22, 2004 4:35 AM

Slight holds up his hands at Zoey's assualt. "Sorry. Didn't figure you'd like me prying into your mind on accident. I hate to point it out, but fantasies about your husband pop up frequently. So I apologive if I find it unsettling."
Slight glares at Thorne.
"I can't help but notice that although you've been the model of tact and decorum, your delicate behavior has somehow managed to piss off at least half the folks on board. I think you'd agree that in this instance absence would make the heart grow fonder."
Slight snorts. "I would have expected the border-hoppers to be pissed at me. Sha Nu would be hard pressed to be more hated then me." Slight holds his hands up at Thornes offer to give him the map. "Trust me, I already saw the cave through your eyes. So I've got it. But I'm thinking I might jump out just about a minute after we hit atmo. I've jumped out of plenty of my ships in 'the line of duty,'" a pained look crosses Slights face, "and trust me, I've got all the tricks of the trade under this coat, so I'll survive. But you're right. I don't think I'd get a fond farewell. In fact, I should probably keep to myself once we're on the way. But I think I should find the doctor and discuss the stick before I do."
Slight turns without waiting for response, pocketing his smokes.

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Sunday, February 22, 2004 4:35 AM

Slight holds up his hands at Zoey's assualt. "Sorry. Didn't figure you'd like me prying into your mind on accident. I hate to point it out, but fantasies about your husband pop up frequently. So I apologive if I find it unsettling."
Slight glares at Thorne.
"I can't help but notice that although you've been the model of tact and decorum, your delicate behavior has somehow managed to piss off at least half the folks on board. I think you'd agree that in this instance absence would make the heart grow fonder."
Slight snorts. "I would have expected the border-hoppers to be pissed at me. Sha Nu would be hard pressed to be more hated then me." Slight holds his hands up at Thornes offer to give him the map. "Trust me, I already saw the cave through your eyes. So I've got it. But I'm thinking I might jump out just about a minute after we hit atmo. I've jumped out of plenty of my ships in 'the line of duty,'" a pained look crosses Slights face, "and trust me, I've got all the tricks of the trade under this coat, so I'll survive. But you're right. I don't think I'd get a fond farewell. In fact, I should probably keep to myself once we're on the way. But I think I should find the doctor and discuss the stick before I do."
Slight turns without waiting for response, pocketing his smokes.

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Sunday, February 22, 2004 4:35 AM

Slight holds up his hands at Zoey's assualt. "Sorry. Didn't figure you'd like me prying into your mind on accident. I hate to point it out, but fantasies about your husband pop up frequently. So I apologive if I find it unsettling."
Slight glares at Thorne.
"I can't help but notice that although you've been the model of tact and decorum, your delicate behavior has somehow managed to piss off at least half the folks on board. I think you'd agree that in this instance absence would make the heart grow fonder."
Slight snorts. "I would have expected the border-hoppers to be pissed at me. Sha Nu would be hard pressed to be more hated then me." Slight holds his hands up at Thornes offer to give him the map. "Trust me, I already saw the cave through your eyes. So I've got it. But I'm thinking I might jump out just about a minute after we hit atmo. I've jumped out of plenty of my ships in 'the line of duty,'" a pained look crosses Slights face, "and trust me, I've got all the tricks of the trade under this coat, so I'll survive. But you're right. I don't think I'd get a fond farewell. In fact, I should probably keep to myself once we're on the way. But I think I should find the doctor and discuss the stick before I do."
Slight turns without waiting for response, pocketing his smokes.

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Sunday, February 22, 2004 4:35 AM

OOC, sorry, I have no idea how this happened

SERENITYSSON

Sunday, February 22, 2004 5:27 AM

Jayne's Turn:

Jayne stumbles out from behind a pile of crates and mumbles...

"Whut the ruttin hell ish goin' on out here?"

"Las thing I 'member is going ta look fer Nik..., Ni..., ahh that there psycho, next thing I know I'm face down inna bottle a liquor. Somebody better point me towards a clue cause I got a powerful headache and a loaded gun..."

The Hero of Canton, the man they call... Meeeeee!

GEEZER

Sunday, February 22, 2004 7:58 PM

Thorne's move:

LOCATION - CARGO BAY or CATWALKS

Slight:"Trust me, I already saw the cave through your eyes. So I've got it. But I'm thinking I might jump out just about a minute after we hit atmo. I've jumped out of plenty of my ships in 'the line of duty,'" a pained look crosses Slights face, "and trust me, I've got all the tricks of the trade under this coat, so I'll survive. But you're right. I don't think I'd get a fond farewell. In fact, I should probably keep to myself once we're on the way. But I think I should find the doctor and discuss the stick before I do."

[THORNE steps in front of the departing SLIGHT]

THORNE;"Hold it a second, Boy. I got a lot of attitude, machismo, and self-pity out of that little speech of your's, but no answer. My friends work based on trust and cooperation. If I tell 'em, they'll trust and cooperate with you. I can't do that yet. All I've seen so far is a lone wolf super-hero wannabe, and that don't cut it.

If you belive you can do your mission all alone, you can take whatever you want from my hideout as lovely parting gifts. Then you can be on your way and our paths will never cross again. If you think that money, weapons, transportation, information, and backup might help, and are willing to start acting like a civilized being to get it, let me know before you get off.

OH. An' don't get in another fight with the doctor. RIVER'll end you in a heartbeat. She told me she would, and you know she can if she puts her mind to it."

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

ASTRIANA

Monday, February 23, 2004 5:28 AM

Zoe's Move:
Location: Cargo Bay

ZOE pointedly ignores SLIGHT's comment about her thoughts, although the look on her face suggests that she'd like to force-feed him the entire pack of cigarettes he'd just pocketed.

THORNE: "An' don't get in another fight with the doctor. RIVER'll end you in a heartbeat. She told me she would, and you know she can if she puts her mind to it."

Glances at JAYNE and see that he's still swaying on his feet. Looks meaningfully at THORNE.

ZOE: "On second thought, THORNE, since you know about how much space we're gonna need for this cargo of yours, maybe you wouldn't mind helpin' JAYNE get the cargo bay prepped while I see SLIGHT to the doctor.

Looks at SLIGHT.

ZOE: "Maybe he'll have something he can give you to inhibit your "abilities" 'til we land. Besides, seems he'd just as soon pound your head in as look at ya. Can't say as I blame him, incidentally, but he's got enough patients to last him for a spell."

ZOE turns toward the infirmary, then turns back to SLIGHT, full of menace.

ZOE: "Oh, and cigarettes or no, you get inside my head - or anyone else's on this ship - one more time, might be you'll be seeing landfall a might sooner than the rest of us."

ZOE turns again toward the infirmary, confident that SLIGHT's eagerness to talk with SIMON will have him right behind her.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

MANIACNUMBERONE

Monday, February 23, 2004 6:19 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - Book's Room

Book gets up and leaves his quarters, Bible in hand, and walks slowly through the passenger area checking on everything. Hearing Zoe's voice as he approaches the door to the cargo bay, he enters the bay and watches Zoe and an anxious Slight exit.

Book walks to where the spilled mess of the tequila used to be and turns to Jayne teetering across the bay, Thorne watching him with a wondering look. With a raised eyebrow, Book prepares a speech in his mind on the wickedness of drink.

EM

SQUEE

Monday, February 23, 2004 7:40 AM

Damon's turn
Location: fast asleep in the spare shuttle

Quote:
Damon’s eyes snapped open at the sound of a car door closing out front. He turned down the vid unit enough to be able to hear a stream of curses being yelled outside followed by: “HELEN! WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO MY SHUTTLE?”
Unsteady footsteps made their way to the door and stopped when it didn’t open. The thirteen year old jumped to his feet and hurried to unlock the door, but it was already being pounded on from the other side.
“Open the damn door!”
Damon unlocked the door and stepped back as it swung open and smacked the wall.
“Trying to lock me out my own house?”
“I didn’t…” A hand flew up and struck him across the face, knocking him to the floor. He tried to move out of reach but a boot made solid contact with his gut.
“You little piece of go-se, where’s your mother?”
When he didn’t answer in time, he received another blow to the face.
“John, stop, you’re hurting him!”
“SHUT UP!”
Damon heard the sound of fist hitting flesh, followed by a cry of pain and his mother hitting the wall. He forced himself to his feet and shoved the drunken man to the floor. Turning to his mother, he knelt down and tried to pull her to her feet.
“Now you’re gonna get it…” A pair of hands grabbed his arms from behind and yanked him off his feet.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

CIARA

Monday, February 23, 2004 1:55 PM

Inara's turn

LOCATION - CARGO BAY TOINFIRMARY
As ...

"Inara, could you act as a surgical aide for me during the removal procedure?"

INARA gives a soft reply: "of course, doctor. Whatever I can do, I'm happy to.

SIMON doesn't seem to hear her, he is watcing KAYLEE, his eyes track her hungrily as she begins to exit toward the engine room. Inara sees a brief shadow of pain in his eyes, and recalls their psuedo-clandestine kiss on the Infirmary room floor, and his following angry violence with Slight.

KAYLEE shoots a look of loathing at DAMON and continues out of the cargo bay to the engine room, steering clear of SIMON, INARA and ROWAN on the gurney.

INARA hasn't seen KAYLEE in several hours, since the girl left the Infirmary for the haven of her engine room after SIMON's outburst. Inara can see the mechanic's pain and confusion, the girl's eyes are wide and worried, a look of almost-fear in them.
"I should have gone after her--poor thing..." Inara begins to step toward KAYLEE, hoping to insist she follow them to the infirmary--maybe if she sees how calm Simon is now....suddenly Inara feels SIMON stumble, a slight shudder going through the gurney as he does so--he claps a hand to his right eye and forehead. Inara's brow knits in concern...first his violent outburst, acting so very out of character...now signs of pain and fatigue...

"I must get him alone, surely I can determine what this is all about."

SIMON straightens, his eyes meeting hers, begging her to have not seen his weakness. The rawness in his wide blue eyes is too much for her-she turns to see if Kaylee has gone--she is nowhere in sight.

SIMON to INARA
"We will have to retract the gurney supports to get down her down the stairs"

INARA turns back to SIMON and nods, they retract the wheels and forge the stairs.

Inara and Simon maneuver Rowan's gurney into the infirmary without too many jolts and bumps. At every soft thump of the gurney wheels on a deck plating seam, Rowan groans and seems to grow paler and has begun to shiver a bit.

Inara removes her overwrap and tucks it around Rowan's prone form.

she flashes Simon a worried look:

Inara to Simon:
"She doesn't look good, does she? She's so pale."

The garish bloom of blood on Rowan's forehead stands out in stark relief--Rowan's skin seems to have grown shades lighter.

Simon nods without speaking as they get ROWAN settled in the Infirmary.

End Inara's turn

phew....

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

RAVENWHYTEWING

Monday, February 23, 2004 5:53 PM

Slight rolls his neck, so very tired. Come on board with the best of attentions. Get laid out by a pasty little doctor he was trying to help, yelled at, and gorram denied one of the few therapies he has.
"Look, Rosie, I'm sorry. I don't intend to be lone flyer about this, but I've had just myself to worry about. This is the first time anyone has sincerely offered their help. You saw the doctor-his reaction to my help was about mild compared to others. As far as the attitude, can you honestly blame me? I've had nothing but hate and distrust screaming at me since we went skyward. Once we hit dirtside, I intend to take my time getting back into town. Or to your cave." Slight turns to follow Zoe, finishing his tirade with a parting shot. "And as far as goodwill, I don't take kindly to charity cases. And as for the doctor, he started the fight not me. I haven't done a damn thing to her, whatever anyone else says on this boat. As a matter of fact, I'm as much a victim as she. I understand better than anyone what she went through, and the fact that I alone hold the key to keeping her alive doesn't seem to make me very popular."

Slight sighs, rubbing his face. It has been a long day.

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

CHANNAIN

Monday, February 23, 2004 6:12 PM

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY to INFIRMARY

Rowan's Ruminations:
What's it all for, anyhow? All the ambition to keep moving, not get tagged by the Alliance. No real proof that they even know who I am, who I was connected with. Then again, who knows what they pulled out of Xiang before they...before...

Xiang. He never wanted to be a hero, or a leader of the new free 'verse. He did want to see to it there was a free 'verse, but that was all. If he could have kept on teaching history until the end of his days, it would have been all the same to him. But he couldn't just stand by, could he? He had to be part of it, to see it was done right.

And if he hadn't, where would I be now? Probably back home, married off to the best prospect from poppa's firm, raising 2.5 brats, maybe contracting systems analysis work from home as a distraction rather than an occupation. By the Almighty it sounds good. Sheltered, secure, maybe even peaceful. Sure, it would be under the heavy hand of the Alliance and would it have mattered?

Doubtful. The war would have come sooner or later and I would have chosen my own path regardless - I always do. The fact that it just happened to cross Xiang's was coincidence, although he preferred to think of it as fate. He was the one who believed we were meant for each other, that our souls had met countless times before. I was never so confident, at least not until it was too late.

She could still see as his face at the moment his body guard dragged her away under his own orders. The look in his eyes when their gazes meshed one final time. She could still hear the words in her mind, although he had never spoken, as if transmitted through some connection she hadn't been fully aware of until that awful day.

XIANG's voice:
My soul is eternally bound to yours. I will love you forever.

She could see it more clearly in her dreams - in the same dream that came every night for the next four years that followed. She can see it even now, just at the edge of consciousness. Feeling the gurney tilt erratically, keeping her from sleep, she shifts aside the cover Inara had laid over her, preferring the chill. Too warm and she would fall asleep and see him again - see herself being torn away from him. She can't bear it. Not anymore.

ROWAN (softly to no one):
I have to find him...finish this. Have to know...make it stop...

EOM

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

GEEZER

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 12:26 PM

THORNE's Turn:

Location: Cargo Bay

SLIGHT:"Once we hit dirtside, I intend to take my time getting back into town. Or to your cave. And as far as goodwill, I don't take kindly to charity cases. And as for the doctor, he started the fight not me. I haven't done a damn thing to her, whatever anyone else says on this boat. As a matter of fact, I'm as much a victim as she. I understand better than anyone what she went through, and the fact that I alone hold the key to keeping her alive doesn't seem to make me very popular."

[As SLIGHT heads for the infirmary, THORNE thinks:"It'd sure be nice if I could get a straight answer out'a that one. Still not sure if he wants to take me up on my offer. Yeah, he's had a rough life. Too bad. There's others here that have problems just as bad, but they learned to let folks help them.

I can tell he's a good kid at heart, but 'til he gets that poker out his ass and admits he can't go it alone, he's gonna be one sad puppy. Well, it's his decision."

[Remembering what ZOE said about setting up for the cargo load, THORNE walks past the still-swaying JAYNE to the tackle locker. He removes pulleys and tie-downs, and skillfully begins to arrange them for use.]

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

GEEZER

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 12:56 PM

MAL's Move:

Location: Bridge

[MAL's thumb hovers over the comm button for the engine room]

MAL:"WASH, you listen too."[Pushes button]"KAYLEE, when we're grounded in the Valley I wanna be ready to go jin kuai, so you stay in the engine room. If trouble comes I need you there. WASH'll be on the bridge with an eye to the scanners."

"Now don't get mad, darlin' , but I'm gonna ask that DAMON fella to hook up the laser cannon when we land, if he's up to it. I know you can do it, and better too, but I'd rather have you on the engines. They're more important if we need a quick getaway. Besides, if he screws the pooch, you can tease the livin' shiong mao niao out of him."

[MAL releases the comm button]"Get that, WASH? I'm goin' below to see how things are. Check out the scanners, an' let me know when we're 10 minutes from landin'."

[Exit bridge aft]

EOM

Jin kuai = as quickly as possible
Shiong mao niao = Panda piss

"Keep the Shiny side up"

BOOMERGOODHEART

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 3:24 PM

Kaylee's Move
Location: Engine Room

Kaylee cocks her head and listens to the Captain's instructions. When he gets to the part about that Damon fella installing the new cannons, she sticks her tongue out at the comm and proceeds to ignore everything else he's saying.

She continues to tinker with Serenity.

End Move

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

CAPNRAHN

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 1:11 AM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY As ...
The garish bloom of blood on ROWANs forehead stands out in stark relief--ROWANs skin seems to have grown shades lighter.

INARA
"She doesn't look good, does she? She's so pale."

Simon nods without speaking as they get ROWAN settled in the Infirmary.

ROWAN
softly to no one :
"I have to find him...finish this. Have to know...make it stop..."

SIMON, lost is thought, suddenly realizes he has not spoken in the several minutes since they moved ROWAN into the INFIRMARY.

SIMON
Shaking his head wearily
"My apologies, Inara. I seem to be rather lost today."

he turns to gather equipment

INARA
Smiles a gentle smile
"Simon, this has been a very difficult day."

As SIMON continues to collect equipment, INARA moves around the MED-CHAIR and places her left hand on SIMONs right forearm
"With so much going on, I am amazed any of has had the ability to cope. Things have been moving very, very fast."

SIMON stops and looks down at INARAs hand and then lets out a pent up sigh. He carefully sets the equipment down on the counter. He turns to face INARA as he places his left hand over hers on his right forearm. He raises his head to look into INARAs eyes.

INARA has seen many things in this young doctor, but to see total confusion in SIMONs eyes and countenance has been very rare. Portals behind SIMONs eyes seem to open and pour forth all the pain and frustration that has been building in him for the last 24 hours. This moment last less than a fraction of a second, but INARA attempts to absorb it all. The intensity therein nearly takes her breath away.

Concern for the o-so-young Doctor causes INARA to squeeze SIMONs forearm and allow a connection of understanding, however brief, to form as she says ...

INARA
Serious, yet softly
"We can only move one step at a time. We just have to discern the best path in this rocky wilderness we have put ourselves into."

SIMON
Nods with feeling and allows himself a small smile as he softly squeezes INARAs hand in return.
"Yes. No fate other than the one we make for ourselves."

After this all to brief moment of sharing, SIMON turns and gathers the equipment back up. INARA is slightly stunned that one so young would seem to understand the simple, yet hellishly complex idea of full responsibility of self. INARA had thought she had seen some sort of evil in SIMON much earlier, but now he seemed to be back in control. Had the abrupt appearance of SLIGHT loosed some demon in SIMON? Again, INARA vows to seek out the answers. River, Simon and Malc... INARA quickly stifles the deep, and sometimes painful, feelings she has for Mal ...the whole crew are much like the family that is denied her as a Companion. She wasn't about to loose ANY of them.

As SIMON arranges the tools on the surgery tray, INARA moves to the left side of the Med Chair and lays her cool hand on ROWANs slightly fevered brow.

INARA
"What do I need to do?"

SIMON
Looks up with determination and his normal medical resolve
"Please shut the door and then we'll scrub and glove. I suppose after that all I'll need is for you to assist with implements and the like."
Simon looks up to ROWANs vitals on the monitor
"Looks like the mild sedative I gave her is not working too well. It must be her metabolism or fatigue poisons in her blood. Since I am working on her eyes, I'll have to induce a deeper sleep."

As INARA nods and moves towards the door, SIMON checks the oxygen level in ROWANs blood stream. Satisfied, he withdraws a small sample of her blood and turns to inject it into a special rubber sealed test ampoule. The blood filters through a screen and yellowish serum drips into the of fluid in the bottom section. SIMON swirls the mixture together for a moment. The test i

RAVENWHYTEWING

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 5:15 PM

Wash calibrates the scanners. "Will do, cap'n. I wouldn't mind hoppin off as quick as possible either." Wash keeps a lookout through the bridge window.
Might be nice to take a break after this run.
EOM

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

CHANNAIN

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 6:15 PM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY

Rowan's Ruminations:

She's warm, comforted, down right cozy. On some baser level she realizes she's asleep. Dreams come in sleep - she's always had vivid dreams. This…this is something else.

The room is huge and utterly devoid of light. There's something unsettling about man-made blackness, and how complete it can be. At night on a planet, there's starlight to lend some depth and a modicum of illumination. In man-made black there's nothing. As if the very right to any manner of elucidation has been revoked.

Maybe she's meant to rest, but she can't bring herself to it. If she stops for any length of time, she'll start to think again, to remember, to return to the misery she wallowed in right after the war ended.

"Standing firm on this stony ground…The wind blows hard, pulls these clothes around…I harbour all the same worries as most - the temptations to leave or to give up the ghost"

Who is that? The voice sounds familiar. There's a light now, slowly coming to life and oddly enough in the shape of an overhead lamp for a billiards table.

"I wrestle with an outlook on life that shifts between darkness and shadowy light. I struggle with words for fear that they'll hear, but Orpheus sleeps on his back still dead to the world."

A table appears under the light - the felt cover is deep blue rather than the standard green. Then a nine-ball formation, still in the rack. Then the cue ball, poised exactly where she likes to make the first break. Before she realizes it, the cue stick is in her hand and she bends down to line up the break without even thinking about the how or the why. The tip of her cue strikes, and the cue ball is a blur as it separates the formation. Nine balls fly across the table, crashing into each other and the bumpers. Not one of them makes a single sound.

"Do you remember when we learned this game?"

It's the same voice, speaking softly. She still can't tell who, or where. Circling the table, she lines up the first shot. One ball in the side. Again the cue strikes soundlessly and the ball floats into the pocket.

"A rainy afternoon on the weekend. Poppa was working - again - Aislin was primping for her companion presentation. It was just you and me."

Couldn't be…brothers who disappear for twenty-one years don't just show up in your subconscious.

Two in the corner.

"I could never beat you," he admits. "It was the one thing in the 'verse I never completely mastered. Did you ever wonder why that was?"

"Honestly? I was just thrilled there was one thing I was better at than you."

Three in the side. It sailed in as if drawn on a string.

"It seems selfish now," she says and hears his light chuckle. Then he's there, on the edge of the light, just as she remembers him. Young, shuai and so confident in his superior intellect that he didn't feel the need to show it off.

"I still miss you, mei mei."

Meeting his eyes, she swallows slowly. "I never stopped missing you."

He nods, then steps back out of the light, vanished as if he never was.

Holding back tears, she returns to the game. Four in the side.

"I opened up the pathway of the heart. The flowers died embittered from the start. That night I crossed the bridge of sighs and I surrendered"

That was a different voice. The accent was more pronounced, as if the speaker had spent the larger part of his life speaking only Chinese. Lower, older, and strangely more familiar. Seeing the four glide away into the pocket, she watches as the felt on the table goes from blue to red.

As she leans into the next shot, she has to consciously keep her hands from shaking.

EOM

OOC: More to come...
Also, the prose is not my own, much as I might like. I have David Sylvian to thank for such excellent words to set a scene.

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

TEELABROWN

Wednesday, February 25, 2004 10:59 PM

This what you're talking about?
___________
River is wandering around the ship, just wandering. She goes to the infirmary.

Brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers. They all return sometime. When or where is the suprise.

She smiles to the sleeping Rowan.
____________

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of bad typing.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

CHANNAIN

Thursday, February 26, 2004 4:44 PM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY

Rowan's Ruminations:

The second voice continues, "I looked back and glimpsed the outline of a boy. His life of sorrows now collapsing into joy, and tonight the stars are all aligned and I surrender. My mother cries beneath a southern sky and I surrender."

Ordering her hand to remain steady, she focuses on the five ball. Side pocket.

"Do you remember what I said to you on our wedding day?"

The five rolls slowly across the table to vanish smartly into the pocket. She stands still to study the six ball, holding the cue stick tight in both hands. Simple bank on the angle into the side. She could do it blindfolded. If only she could get her hands to move. "The war started on our wedding day. I remember listening to the counterattack orders in an underground bunker."

"Before that." His hand moved into the light, gracefully running along the polished surface of the table edge. Square-featured but with slim fingers - artist's hands. The sleeve of his jacket is off white. He stops at the corner and she finds herself torn between needing to see him and a desperate wish that he would disappear.

She takes a deep breath and leans down to take the shot. The six sails away. "Something from the Word."

His hand begins moving slowly toward her as he recites, "Place me like a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot wash it away. If one were to give all the wealth of his house for love, it would be utterly scorned."

She lines up the seven ball and slams it in silence. She had wanted to hear the crack of the cue ball striking so solidly that the seven should have shattered to pieces, which sounds much more satisfying to her than the slamming of a door. Straightening, she marches around the table, handily avoiding him and begins a bitter recitation of her own.

"By night on my bed I sought the one I love; I sought him but did not find him. 'I will rise now,' I said, 'And go about the city. In the streets and in the squares I will seek the one I love.' I sought him but did not find him. The watchmen who go about the city found me; I said 'Have you seen the one I love?'"

The eight ball sinks much the same way as the seven, still without a sound, leaving two balls on the table; the white cue and the nine.

He asks her, "Do you remember how it ends?"

EOM

OOC: Again, thanks David Sylvian. The bits from the Word are from the Song of Solomon.

I'll finish the dream just before she wakes up.

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

MISTRESSSMUTBUNNY

Thursday, February 26, 2004 6:25 PM

*Ciara grumbles*

MISTRESSSMUTBUNNY

Thursday, February 26, 2004 6:25 PM

Inara's turn
LOCATION-INFIRMARY

ROWAN
softly to no one :
"I have to find him...finish this. Have to know...make it stop..."

Inara places her had on Rowan's shoulder--she looks down into Rowan's face--the woman's brow is knit, her full lips pulled into a slight grimace. Inara can see Rowan's eyelids twitching with the movement of her eyes under them. She runs her hand down Rowan's arm, clasping the woman's hand in hers. Rowan's face relaxes a bit, and she sighs softly.

Inara smiles down into Rowan's now-relaxed visage--"there, now...that's better."
As she gazes at Rowan, Inara feels a sudden surge of recognition--a flash of bright yellow sunlight and red brocade.....

*****
"yes, just like that, a long stroke, watch your pressure...and...you're done! Brilliant, Inara."
Inara gently sets her long-handled calligraphy brush down and beams up at her gongbi (detailed chinese painting) tutor, Aislin. Inara and Aislin are sitting at their favorite place beside the huge windows in the common room of the Academy. Bright yellow sunlight streams through the tall windows, bathing Aislin's beautiful asian face in gold. "You did my copy perfect justice, Inara"...Aislin picks up her picture from the wide stone table, and settles back onto her cushion, gazing at the image intently..."it looks just like her.."

Inara notices a slight look of sadness on her favorite tutor's face.."who is she, da jie*? You've had me copy the image three times, and every time, you look more morose." Aislin gives Inara a sad smile..."You see, mei mei--when you become a companion, you gain a whole world of adventure and satisfaction in pleasing your clients. But...."*Aislin looks sadly at the picture of her sister* "...you lose something else." Aislin turns her original copy of the painting around "Inara, meet my little sister--I miss her so often these days. She has just the most beautiful eyes."
*****

Inara returns to the present, Simon's voice ringing in her ears:

SIMON
Shaking his head wearily
"My apologies, Inara. I seem to be rather lost today."

Inara, emerging from her reverie, takes a deep breath and smiles down at Rowan one more time...

INARA
"I think we're all a little lost today, Simon, this has been a very difficult day."

Inara takes a moment to share a connection with Simon, to ease his troubled mind and allow him to continue with the work at hand.

She moves to the left side of the Med Chair and lays her cool hand on ROWANs slightly fevered brow.

INARA
"What do I need to do?"

Nodding at Simon's instructions, Inara closes the door, then returns to Simon's side, assisting him in gloving them both up.

Inara watches Simon clean the wound above Rowan's brow, his hands sure and swift. Simon instructs her to gently hold open Rowan's swollen eye as he removes the obvious contact lens there. Since the eye had been swollen, Inara hadn't noticed the bright flash of jade green peeking from behind the dark brown of the contact lens. Inara lets a knowing smile touch her lips--a phrase echoes in her head. "She has just the most beautiful eyes"

da jie=big sister
End Inara's turn

OOC I forgot I was logged in as MSB--just ignore it :P

TEELABROWN

Thursday, February 26, 2004 11:04 PM

_________
River is in the infirmary. She says, to no one in particular:

You know the words, but you want to forget. They still come, and come. And they don't leave you. Yet part of you still wants them to stay. And so stay they shall.

She looks up at Inara.

She still has the most beautiful eyes.
__________

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of bad typing.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

CAPNRAHN

Friday, February 27, 2004 12:09 AM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY
As ...
RIVER
"She still has the most beautiful eyes."

SIMON still in the middle of the procedure, notices RIVER standing nearby.

SIMON
with a light smile and much affection in his voice...
"Mei-mei, could you hand me the PermaLense Keratotomy tool over there on the sideboard?"

EOM

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

MANIACNUMBERONE

Friday, February 27, 2004 7:13 AM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Book's Move

Book's mind rolls over many different passages from many different versions of the Bible. He thinks to himself...
The Lord told many people in many places that the way to defeat their enemies was to wait until they were drunk, and then move in easily.

Book waits until Jayne's stumbling brings him nearby and says, "Jayne, you're going to fall down."

Book catches Jaynes wandering eyes and points him to a crate. "Sit, just sit."

EM

CHANNAIN

Friday, February 27, 2004 1:58 PM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY

Rowan's Ruminations:

"Recording angels and the poets of the night bring back the trophies of the battles that we fight. Searchlights fill the open skies and I surrender." He follows her around the table, pausing within four feet of her. She still can't see his face. She isn't looking, in point of fact, staring down at the nine ball instead.

This time when she sinks it - because it has never been a matter of IF - will things change, or stay the same? Will she go on as she has been, trying to forget, surviving from planet to planet, trying to lose herself in brief, meaningless throes of passion, playing game after game of nine-ball, or will she have to choose?

"Do you remember the last line of that passage?" he asks again.

She does choose - to ignore him for now - and leans down into the shot. Nine ball. Corner pocket.

She's about to take the shot when his hand comes down and covers the cue ball. Startled, she looks up and follows the line of the cream herringbone suit all the way up his arm to his shoulder and finds herself looking into his eyes.

Clear, deep brown to the point of being black, fathomless. There is such wisdom there, such depth of spirit that she feels she could easily be swallowed up by it. It was what made her fall in love with him in the first place. How he can say so much with just one look.

"Tell me the last line, mêilì long."

His voice, so easily able to touch her heartstring and to gently pluck. Only he had called her Beautiful Dragon. She will never allow it from anyone else and hearing it now only opened the chasm in her heart that much further.

"Scarcely," she whispers, stops, then starts again. "Scarcely had I passed by them, when I found the one I love. I held him and would not let him go."

She sees his smile, the one that made her aware that his feelings for her were not just a teacher's affection for a former student. God, how can she have ever thought that she could forget? Not him, but the connection they had shared. The sense of quiet unity that now, without him, left her feeling hollowed out and dead inside?

"Xiang." She reaches for him, nearly touches his face. His hand lifts away from the cue ball as if to cover it, just before he fades to smoke and vanishes like a character in one of the ancient stories. Frozen there, she lets her hand fall, and then her gaze. She stares again at the cue ball and the nine - the last ball. The last choice.

She hears the next line in her head and all around in the vacant space, half whispered, the voice unidentifiable. "Outrageous cries of love have called me back. Derailed the trains of thought, demolished wayward tracks. You tell me I've no need to wonder why I just surrender."

EOM

OOC: The David Sylvian lyrics are from the track "I Surrender" on the Dead Bees on Cake CD. The passage is still Song of Solomon. Sometimes you just gotta go with the greats.

She can wake up now...hello? Anybody out there?

We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922

GEEZER

Friday, February 27, 2004 9:19 PM

Thorne's Move:

Location: Cargo bay/His quarters

[THORNE completes setting up the cargo bay for the load. As he leaves he sees the Shepherd trying to keep JAYNE from falling over. To avoid the potential tension when SIMON and SLIGHT meet again, he goes up through the galley and down the aft stairs to his quarters.

He removes his soiled clothes and takes a quick sponge bath, then shaves and dresses in fresh clothes.]

"Keep the Shiny side up"

GEEZER

Friday, February 27, 2004 9:24 PM

Mal's Move:

Location: Bridge/Port Shuttle

[MAL nods at WASH's affirmation thet the scanners are on line]

MAL:"Guess I'll get down an' see if that DAMON fella really can get th' laser installed. Holler if anything happens."

[Heading across the catwalk, MAL sees THORNE heading for the galley, and BOOK minding the staggering JAYNE. He reached the shuttland and raps on the port.]

MAL:"Damon. Time to earn your keep. You awake in there?"

"Keep the Shiny side up"

SQUEE

Friday, February 27, 2004 9:47 PM

Damon's turn:
Location: spare shuttle

Damon wakes up with a start when he hears someone knocking.
MAL:"Damon. Time to earn your keep. You awake in there?"
He looks around the small shuttle and slowly remembers where he is.
"Yeah, I'm up," he calls. He stands up and checks the time. He had been sleeping for just under 30 minutes.
"Tzao gao," he mutters to himself. Somehow sleep was never a luxury that he could enjoy.
Walking over to the door, he opens it and sees the captain waiting for him.
"What's up?"

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

TEELABROWN

Friday, February 27, 2004 11:30 PM

I'm loving Rowan's dream Channain!
________
River obeys Simon's request, and grabs the PermaLense Keratotonomy tool, though she seems to be more fascinated with Rowan than anything else. She says:

Yes, you held him and you wouldn't let go. But someone did, and both are lost.

She hands Simon the tool.
_________

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of bad typing.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

CAPNRAHN

Sunday, February 29, 2004 7:23 AM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY
As ...

RIVER
"Yes, you held him and you wouldn't let go. But someone did, and both are lost."

RIVER hands Simon the tool.

As SIMON turns to accepts the implement, he sees a shocked expression flash across INARAs face, then her normal expression drop back into place.

SIMON accepts the tool and holds onto RIVERs hand for a moment. He gazes at her with a calm and easy expression of love. He seems to be fully enjoying this brief moment of quiet connection with her. But as in all things it must end, SIMON turns to finish flensing ROWANs damaged contact lens away from her cornea.

SIMON completes the procedure and checks ROWANs vitals. She will be in a deep comatose state for a short while.

SIMON decides that she needs the rest in order to recuperate fully. He then places a Rapiheal patch over ROWANs right eye.

With a bit of luck the swelling in her eye will be nearly nonexistent in a few hours.

SIMON shakes his head in a small silent and ironic laugh - ROWAN will have a small scar to commemorate her encounter with NISKA.

SIMON suddenly feels as if he is being watched. He quickly looks over his shoulder to the door. Framed in the doors window is ZOE and SLIGHT.

SIMON visibly sighs. It was time for him to apologize to SLIGHT in a proper manner.

The information on the memory stick SLIGHT gave SIMON was more than he had believed was possible.

But to fully understand what was done to RIVER, SIMON knew that he would really need the progress reports from the Academy butchers records.

SIMON briefly wonders if SLIGHT may have any leads in that direction.

Unbidden, a plan begins to form in SIMONs mind. The plan was somewhat reckless, but it just may work. SIMON decides to talk to SLIGHT privately and see if his plan was feasible in SLIGHTs opinion.

Yes, SIMON thinks, that is the right course. With that in mind, SIMON turns to see if his peace-offering project was complete. Totally lost in thought SIMON forgets he is not alone.

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

RAVENWHYTEWING

Monday, March 1, 2004 6:42 PM

SLIGHT pauses at the door, finding it locked. ZOE taps on the door, nodding at SIMON.

ZOE: "Whatever you have to say to the doc, be quick about it. Ain't no need to be makin' him lose his head and pummel you again. You say what you need to say, then get out."

SLIGHT: "You know, it seems to bear quite a bit of repetition-I underwent many of the similar treatments River had to go through. It was my father, and not me, who ordered these. . . upgrades. And no one seems to be interested in the fact that I am trying to save her."

ZOE: "Don't much matter what you're trying to do. What you are doin' is makin' folk a might uncomfortable. May have escaped your notice, but most folks 'round here got plenty o' reason to hate anything to do with Blue Sun. What with you bein' a Blue Sun assassin an' all, I don't think anyone here's like to take to you any time soon."

SLIGHT smiles sadly. "How'd you know?"

"I fought in the war." ZOE answers bitingly. "I've seen that look in Core operatives a hundred times. Tells me just what I can expect from you, and I ain't likely to subject that girl to anything you'd care to do."

SLIGHT sighs, and shrugs. "I left, didn't I?" He suddenly snarls. "I walked away from that. I knew the crimes I was commiting, but walking away didn't seem like an option. True believers in the Blue Sun. . . Tell me, if you betrayed the captain, how long would it take him to kill you?"
ZOE doesn't even blink. "Wouldn't happen. Not that I expect you to understand that, or that it's any o' your business."

"If you did, you would be dead before your next breath," SLIGHT finishes. "Well, death would be a blessing if I turned on Blue Sun. They would make the Reavers look like compassionate monks as far as the torture I would endure. The only way I even managed to turn off was in the middle of a mission."

ZOE locks eyes with him, not flinching as his bloodred gaze meets hers. "So you finally got it in your head to help folks. Don't mean you didn't crawl out o' a pit of blood lookin' to be a hero."

SLIGHT smiles, resembling a sorrowful demon. "You fought in the war. Didn't you?"

ZOE: "Damn right, and wasn't lookin' to be a hero 'bout it, neither." ZOE pauses for a beat, folding her arms over her chest. "You just say whatever you need to quick, then let the doc and his sister be. We'll be reachin' the Valley soon enough, and you can go be a hero to your heart's content."

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

MANIACNUMBERONE

Monday, March 1, 2004 7:07 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Book steers Jayne to a crate and thumps him down heavily. Jayne's eyes wander over the cargo bay. "What's he looking for now, Rowan or more tequila? Book thinks to himself. Jayne mumbles a tune under his breath, then bursts out loudly with the words, "...the man they call meee."

"Stay right there." Book says to Jayne

Book tries to give Jayne a withering look, but Jayne's eyes have closed as his singing lowers again. Book turns away and heads up the metal stairway in the cargo bay to the fore stairs and into the galley.

LOCATION - GALLEY

Rummaging through the boxes of supplies that Thorne brought aboard, Book finds what he was looking for. He rises from the box, and carries two small packets to the stove.

He sets some water to boil, then goes back to the boxes. He notes the fresh vegetables with a smile, and removes them from the box to a refrigerated cubby hole.

Down at the bottom of one of the boxes, he finds another case of tequila (undamaged) and smiling again, decides to hide it away before it gets consumed in a great gluttonous binge.

EM

CAPNRAHN

Monday, March 1, 2004 8:09 PM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY
As ...

SLIGHT and ZOE wait outside the INFIRMARY door.

SLIGHT
smiles, resembling a sorrowful demon
"You fought in the war. Didn't you?"

ZOE
"Damn right, and wasn't lookin' to be a hero 'bout it, neither."
ZOE pauses for a beat, folding her arms over her chest
"You just say whatever you need to quick, then let the doc and his sister be. We'll be reachin' the Valley soon enough, and you can go be a hero to your heart's content."

SIMON moves over to the door and opens it.

SIMON
with a serene expression
"Please come in, I have finished with Rowan and she is still sleeping.
nods to ZOE
"I suspect the captain would want to know. Could you pass it on for me?"
SIMON wats for ZOEs answer and then looks from ZOE to SLIGHT
I need to show you something.

SIMON turns and moves towards the sideboard. SLIGHT lags behind SIMON watching him with a careful eye. SIMON retrieves an item from the sideboard and turns to face SLIGHT.

SIMON
with a grim expression of contrite on his face
"Brink Helsing, I cannot adequately explain why I snapped and attacked you. That is not normally in my nature. No matter the level of stress I am under."

SIMON holds up the memory stick
"I can also never fully apologize or do anything for you that will truly pay for the information you have brought to Serenity. I can only offer this, based on the research that was in the memory"

SIMON hands SLIGHT the memory stick. He then turns and retrieves a small silver case
"You need an inhaliant to be able to control ... certain aspects, correct? SIMON waves off the answer "I know it is true, there other sections on the memory stick that were hidden and locked. They no longer are.

SIMON smiles slightly and raises both his eyebrows at SLIGHTs expression of disbelief
"I used a fractal cypher. I am my sister's brother, after all."

SIMONs expression reverts to the serious
"This ... SIMON offers SLIGHT the small silver case ...should help with the side effects of the upgrades. It is based on a smokeless nicotine inhaler, the dozen or so chemical cartridges can be recharged using the instructions I placed on the memory stick. Each cartridge should last around 2 weeks. The main body looks like a cigarette, as not to draw attention."

SIMON looks into SLIGHTs crimson eyes

"It is the only thing I can do as an atempt to apologize. Unless there is anything else you need. I will be glad to see what I can do."

EOM

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

GEEZER

Monday, March 1, 2004 8:16 PM

Mal's move:

Location: Port Shuttle

[DAMON opens the shuttle port]

DAMON:"What's up?"

MAL:"You said earlier you could get that laser cannon workin'. Now's the time. We'll be settin' down in a few minutes and I want everything ready to mount up by then. If you need help I can round somebody up. Let's get goin'."

[Without waiting for and answer, MAL turns and heads for the cargo bay.]

"Keep the Shiny side up"

SQUEE

Monday, March 1, 2004 8:21 PM

Damon's turn:
Location: spare shuttle

MAL:"You said earlier you could get that laser cannon workin'. Now's the time. We'll be settin' down in a few minutes and I want everything ready to mount up by then. If you need help I can round somebody up. Let's get goin'."
Without waiting for and answer, MAL turns and heads for the cargo bay.

"Hey," Damon calls as Mal turns to leave, "You mind telling me where we're going? or why? or your name for that matter? or you want me to call you captain like everyone else?"

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

ASTRIANA

Monday, March 1, 2004 9:27 PM

Zoe's Move:
LOCATION - INFIRMARY
SIMON: "Please come in, I have finished with Rowan and she is still sleeping."

Nods to ZOE.

SIMON: "I suspect the captain would want to know. Could you pass it on for me?"

ZOE gives SIMON an appraising look, nods, then moves to the doorway, pausing unobtrusively just inside, while SIMON's attention focuses on SLIGHT.

SIMON to SLIGHT: "I need to show you something."

SIMON turns and moves towards the sideboard. SLIGHT lags behind SIMON watching him with a careful eye. SIMON retrieves an item from the sideboard and turns to face SLIGHT.

With a grim expression of contrite on his face...

SIMON: "Brink Helsing, I cannot adequately explain why I snapped and attacked you. That is not normally in my nature. No matter the level of stress I am under."

SIMON holds up the memory stick.

SIMON: "I can also never fully apologize or do anything for you that will truly pay for the information you have brought to Serenity. I can only offer this, based on the research that was in the memory."

SIMON hands SLIGHT the memory stick. He then turns and retrieves a small silver case.

SIMON: "You need an inhaliant to be able to control ... certain aspects, correct?

SIMON waves off the answer.

SIMON: "I know it is true, there other sections on the memory stick that were hidden and locked. They no longer are."

SIMON smiles slightly and raises both his eyebrows at SLIGHTs expression of disbelief.

SIMON: "I used a fractal cypher. I am my sister's brother, after all."

SIMON's expression reverts to the serious. He offers SLIGHT the small silver case.

SIMON: "This should help with the side effects of the upgrades. It is based on a smokeless nicotine inhaler, the dozen or so chemical cartridges can be recharged using the instructions I placed on the memory stick. Each cartridge should last around 2 weeks. The main body looks like a cigarette, as not to draw attention."

SIMON looks into SLIGHTs crimson eyes.

SIMON: "It is the only thing I can do as an attempt to apologize. Unless there is anything else you need. I will be glad to see what I can do."

Seeing the the doctor apparently has control of himself, ZOE moves into the common area and touches the intercom, keying it for the bridge only.

ZOE: "Wash, is the Cap'n up there with you? We need to let him know that the doctor's finished with ROWAN an' it looks like she'll be out for a bit."

As she speaks, she keeps an eye on the activity in the infirmary through the door's window, alert to the possibility of conflict.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

CIARA

Monday, March 1, 2004 11:12 PM

Inara's turn

LOCATION-INFIRMARY

Inara rolls her head back onto her shoulders and arches her back, sighing. Every muscle in her neck and shoulders groans in protest. Simon seem utterly unfazed by the tedious work on Rowan's eye, however, and finishes his bandaging quickly and efficiently.

SIMON

"The abrasions are actually quite minor, and I've applied a numbing solution to the eye, so she should be in little pain when she awakes. The eye will recover in a few days, but I don't think she'll be wearing these again any time soon."

Simon swirls a small plastic container in one hand, the black discs of Rowan's contacts floating like blobs of oil in the slightly bloody water.

Simon glances up at Inara with an honest smile.

"Thank you, Inara...you were most helpful. I don't know what I'd do for assistance on this ship without you. During your training at the Academy, did they ever tutor you in the medical field?"

Inara laughs softly..."a first aid course hardly counts as medical training, Doctor...we were instructed about the best way to bandage a wound, treat poisoning, fainting...just the basics a woman needs to know. *Inara gives Simon a wry smile* We were more tutored on how to best comfort an ailing or injured person, what their needs would most likely be...

I'm glad my nursing skills are satisfactory

Inara turns and removes her now sligtly-pink gloves and discards them in the nearby waste receptacle. Watching the shed gloves settle into the receptacle like a pair of discarded and forgotten hands, Inara fights a slight wave of nausea.

Simon, I think I'll go to the kitchen and make some tea...unless you have further need of me?

Simon shakes his head in negation as a sharp tap comes at the door.

Please call for me when she wakes? Inara tosses over her shoulder as she leaves.

Inara exits as Zoe and Slight enter the infirmary.

Fully intending to go to her shuttle for the day's dosage, Inara instead is drawn to the kitchen by the savory smells drifting down the corridors, suddenly turning her nausea into hunger.

Inara enters the kitchen to find Book cheerily stirring a pot on the stove.

Well now, Shepherd...what have you there?

Inara beams at Shepherd Book as she rummages around in the cubby holes, looking for her favorite cup.

End Inara's turn

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

MANIACNUMBERONE

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 9:04 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

Book, very pleased with himself for finding what he thinks is a good hiding place for the tequila, turns from the stove with a look of mischievious goodwill on his face as Inara enters the Galley.

-----------------
"Well now, Shepherd...what have you there?" asks Inara.
-----------------

"I've got a few things going here. I thought perhaps a strong tea might help bring Jayne around a little, and I'm also preparing a sauce for some of those vegetables." says Book contentedly as he stirs the contents of the pan.

Looking up he notices Inara cleaning some smudges from her favorite cup. "Sorry that wasn't right where you left it, I've been moving a few things around in here to make room for everything that Mr. Thorne brought us. He appears to have thought of a great many things. There's quite a variety."

Book lifts the pot from the stove and pours Inara a cup.

EM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 6:10 PM

Wash's move.

Wash picks up the com. "Sorry, dear, Cap'n left a while back. Think he's going to the port shuttle, to get that weapon of Damons installed. everything allright down there? You sound tense." Wash abruptly remembers who he's married to, and where he lives. "Never mind, you can tell me later. We'll be settling on Serenity Valley in about twenty minutes."

Slight's move:
Slight stares at the cartridge, utterly shocked. He had sen it was against the doctors nture to be so violent, otherwise he never would have landed a punch. But no one, ever, had helped him control, or even tried to understand how difficult it was to keep his eyes covered, to keep his world level.
Slight abruptly offers his hand. "My sincerest thanks to you, doctor. Believe me when I say that no more apologies are needed. You have returned tenfold whatever hardships I have endured, trying to help others. With this. . .I can't say enough thanks any more than you feel you need to apologize. We have done each other a service-let's leave it at that."
For the first time in his life, Slight smiles a happy smile. To Simons shock, Slights eyes even begin to change, start to fade to grey a little.

Everyone Dies. Someone's carrying a bullet for you, doesn't even know it. The trick is, to die of old age before he finds you.

ASTRIANA

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 6:28 PM

Zoe's Move:
Location: Common Area

WASH: "Sorry, dear, Cap'n left a while back. Think he's going to the port shuttle, to get that weapon of Damons installed. everything allright down there? You sound tense... Never mind, you can tell me later. We'll be settling on Serenity Valley in about twenty minutes."

ZOE watches the SIMON and SLIGHT in the infirmary, noticing that the two men seem to have come to an understanding.

ZOE: "Everything's fine. I'll let the Cap'n know about touchdown, too, thanks."

ZOE turns off the intercom, gives a small sigh of relief, and heads out to the cargo bay in search of MAL. To herself, she thinks:

"Never thought I'd be anxious to see that place again. Boy will I be glad when this job is over."

End Move.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

CIARA

Tuesday, March 2, 2004 10:48 PM

Inara's turn

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

BOOK I thought perhaps a strong tea might help bring Jayne around a little, and I'm also preparing a sauce for some of those vegetables."

Inara nods and wipes the rim of her cup with a thumb, offering it to Book. "I'll have some of that tea, if there's enough." she says. "Today strong tea seems most appropriate."

Book smiles at her cup-tidying and apologizes for it's not being in her usual place.

BOOK I've been moving a few things around in here to make room for everything that Mr. Thorne brought us.

Inara runs a hand over the moderately large pile of fresh produce Book has placed on the counter.

INARA"Well, he's certainly endeared himself to me..look at all these vegetables!
Oh Shepherd, these are almost as nice as those strawberries you brought us when you first came aboard."

Inara admires a particluarly large turnip, rubbing her long fingers over the soft dusting of dirt on it's skin.

"Ah, I so often miss gardening, working out in the sunshine and fresh air...."

Inara sighs, her eyes losing focus as she remembers the past...but they always told us...clients don't want a tanned Companion--it speaks of outdoor work and bad upbringing...

Inara frows and shakes herself from her reverie

I must be more tired than I had realized...

Book lifts the pot from the stove and pours Inara a cup of tea.

Deeply inhaling the steam from her cup, Inara rests a hip against the counter and gently breathes on the hot tea.

Glancing at Book over the rim, Inara says:

I was on my way to my shuttle for a moment, Shepherd, and I can see you're busy here..if you'd like, I can bring Jayne his tea--is he still in the Cargo hold?

End Inara's turn

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

GEEZER

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 12:17 AM

Mal's Move:

Location: on the way to the cargo bay.

DAMON:""Hey. You mind telling me where we're going? or why? or your name for that matter? or you want me to call you captain like everyone else?"

[Without stopping, MAL replys over his shoulder]

MAL:"We're goin' to Hell. If we're lucky we might come back out. An' Captain will do fine for now. But if you get that laser workin' I may be callin' you Bao bei by day's end."

Darling = Bao bei

"Keep the Shiny side up"

MERCEDESTROY

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 1:15 AM

Mercedes Troy - Intro

LOCATION - SERENITY VALLEY
As ...

She sits before a small campfire, toasting some small, unidentifiable creature-on-a-stick. Behind her is a crashed vehicle, covered in years of windblown dirt and debris. It looks like many other ruins in this place, but to Merz it is different. This one has meaning. Merz remembers – everything. She eats without any interest or relish, merely fuel for the system. Her thoughts circle endlessly, like the scavenger birds overhead, who are waiting to see if she is going to live or die.

He told me once; if you get lost, or if the path gets tangled, go back to the beginning. Find an endpoint. Trace your path. Find where you went wrong and decide where to go from there. Back to the beginning . . . . This is where it began. This is where it ended. And Maro, I am so very lost.

Merz looks around at the campsite, her belongings tucked out of sight beneath the dead skiff . At the bag that might just hold her redemption. She reaches out and gently touches the rusted, crumpled metal of the ruined fighter.

This is the last place we were all together. This was where you lost your belief, and I clung to mine. Only to come back to this bhutt* infested place knowing you were correct. You were all correct. And I was a fool.

“I was wrong!” She does not know who she is talking to, may not even be aware she has spoken aloud. In her memory there is a sketch, a picture of a ship – and a name, Chimera. When she finds Chimera, she will find the APEs and maybe the ‘verse will make more sense than it does now.

Three days sitting here. No wiser and no clues. No transport, no destination, no funds.

And then, the sound of an engine coming in – and a small spark of hope is born.

*bhutt = ghost (Nepali)

OOC: have a picture supplied to me here, give you an idea what you see.

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

GEEZER

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 1:19 AM

Thorne's move:

Location: His Quarters/Common area/Infirmary

For the first time in his life, Slight smiles a happy smile. To Simons shock, Slights eyes even begin to change, start to fade to grey a little.

[THORNE can feel it happen. Someone has gotten through. This he has to see. He gently places the spray of flowers in a small zipper bag and carries it wit him through the common area to the Infirmary door. SLIGHT is standing inside, still smiling, THORNE returns a smile of his own.]

THORNE:"Well, I don't know how it happened, but I'm glad it did. Welcome to the human race, Son. You'll like it, mostly.

"Doctor, if you had anything to do with this, you're a healer indeed."

"SLIGHT, earlier I said I was hoping to find something in you that I couldn't see. Trust of your fellow man. Looks like you're well on the way to finding it, and that's good enough for me. Anything I can do to help you, consider it done. Maybe this is a good day after all."

"Keep the Shiny side up"

SQUEE

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 1:30 AM

Damon's turn:
Location: spare shuttle, on route to engine room.

Without stopping, MAL replys over his shoulder: "We're goin' to Hell. If we're lucky we might come back out. An' Captain will do fine for now. But if you get that laser workin' I may be callin' you Bao bei by day's end."

Damon watches the captain cross the catwalk and head up the stairs, and then turns back into the shuttle. The man hadn't really answered any of his questions but somehow, Damon didn't think it mattered too much. Captain No Name didn't seem interested in collecting any reward, and didn't seem to have any ties to the Alliance. But what didn't make sense was why he was captain. There appeared to be at least two people on board who were far richer than the captain, and if there was one thing he had learned over the years, it was that the rich people were always in charge.
Damon pulls his gun out from under his pillow and holsters it in his gun belt. Glancing around the room, he notices through the half covered window that they are now traveling through the black. He smiles, gazing at the distant stars. He didn't think he would ever grow tired of seeing them. It occurs to him how lucky he actually was to be on this ship. Remembering how close he had been to getting caught sends a shiver down his spine.
"Never again," he promises himself.
After making sure that his pocket knife is still in his pocket and that his bag is out of sight, he turns back toward the door- he has a laser cannon to install. He closes the shuttle door behind him and makes his way toward the engine room while making a mental list of the tools he would need.

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

CAPNRAHN

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 4:49 AM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY
As ...

Quote:
SLIGHT abruptly offers his hand to SIMON.
SLIGHT
"My sincerest thanks to you, doctor. Believe me when I say that no more apologies are needed. You have returned tenfold whatever hardships I have endured, trying to help others. With this. . .I can't say enough thanks any more than you feel you need to apologize. We have done each other a service-let's leave it at that."
For the first time in his life, SLIGHT smiles a happy smile. To SIMONs shock, SLIGHTs eyes even begin to change, start to fade to grey a little.

As SIMON and SLIGHT stand there, THORNE walks into the INFIRMARY.

THORNE
Looking appraisingly at both SLIGHT & SIMON. He notes the color of SLIGHTs eyes and then says with a smile
"Well, I don't know how it happened, but I'm glad it did. Welcome to the human race, Son. You'll like it, mostly."

"Doctor, if you had anything to do with this, you're a healer indeed."

"SLIGHT, earlier I said I was hoping to find something in you that I couldn't see. Trust of your fellow man. Looks like you're well on the way to finding it, and that's good enough for me. Anything I can do to help you, consider it done. Maybe this is a good day after all."

The brief shock of actually seeing the change in SLIGHTs scleral color, passes from SIMON. He then looks back at THORNE with an apprising look of his own. SIMON thinks for a moment and then says...

SIMON
"Gentlemen, I think I have something of interest to discuss with you."

SIMON turns to RIVER
"River, could you watch over Rowan for me? I need to show these men the procedures and treatments I have been using to help you."

SIMON waits for RIVERs response and then turns back to SLIGHT and THORNE
"If you could accompany me to my dorm room, the information is on a memory stick with my handheld."

Looks intently at both THORNE and SLIGHT
"And I have a few questions and perhaps a proposal to make."

SIMON moves off out of the INFIRMARY and towards his room. He waits a moment outside of the INFIRMARY a moment to see if THORNE and SLIGHT are following.

EOM
OOC
Geezer and Raven:
The converstaion in the dorm room is supposed to be "off-screen" and only take around 5 minutes - I'll email you Simon's part and you can respond in character so we'll have the interaction to use as a flashback later or so.
Ahem, Simon now has to get to his 'date' with a certain engineer before Serenity lands!

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

SQUEE

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:27 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - DINING ROOM
to ENGINE ROOM

Damon enters the galley on his way to the engine room and notices Book and Inara talking.

Book: "I thought perhaps a strong tea might help bring Jayne around a little, and I'm also preparing a sauce for some of those vegetables."
Inara nods and wipes the rim of her cup with a thumb, offering it to Book. "I'll have some of that tea, if there's enough." she says. "Today strong tea seems most appropriate."
Book smiles at her cup-tidying and apologizes for it's not being in her usual place. "I've been moving a few things around in here to make room..."

Their voices fade as Damon approaches the engine room humming with the familiar sound of running machinery. He pauses in the doorway and looks around. At first glance, everything seems to perfectly match the schematics he remembers. Of coarse it looks a whole lot bigger now that he's seeing the real thing. On closer inspection, he realizes that a bunch of things have been tinkered with, ranging from minor adjustments to methods that, according to everything he had been taught, should be impossible.
He folds his arms across his chest, admiring the electrical systems above him. They look to have been completely rewired through alternate systems to reduce the strain on the compression coil.
"Cool," he says, smiling in amazment, "Now that's not something you learn from those monkeys on the core planets..."

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

MANIACNUMBERONE

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:17 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

Book watches Inara inhale the aroma of the strong tea, and decides to devulge the contents to her. He takes the sauce off the stove for a moment and in a semi-hushed tone he says, "mint, peppermint, wild thyme, echinacea root extract, licorice root and elder flower."

Book pauses, and Inara looks up from staring into the contents of her cup. "It's a very healing tea." He says.

------------
"I was on my way to my shuttle for a moment, Shepherd, and I can see you're busy here..if you'd like, I can bring Jayne his tea--is he still in the Cargo hold?"
------------

Book nods and hands Inara a cup for Jayne as he asks, "Before you go, tell me, how is Rowan doing?"

EM

CIARA

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 6:01 PM

Inara's turn

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

BOOK
in a semi-hushed tone says, "mint, peppermint, wild thyme, echinacea root extract, licorice root and elder flower."

Inara inhales deeply again, then sips the strong brew, letting the flavors roll around in her mouth--the tastes melding and washing over one another on her tongue.

Inara sighs happily

INARA
"My goodness, Shepherd...even trained Companions oftentimes can't brew a tea this good--you truly have hidden talents"

Book gives her a mischevious look then turns back to the pot, preparing Jayne's cup.

"Before you go, tell me, how is Rowan doing?"

Inara shifts, making herself comfortable against the hard counter, and holds her cup in both hands as she speaks:

"The doctor seems to think she will recover fully, though after the medication wears off, her eye will be very sore. There seems to be no lasting damage or scarring. I, personally am adding this incident to my long list of reasons why I'd like to see Niska floating outside the port window with no support suit on."

Book glances at Inara a bit scoldingly

Inara laughs and picks up Jayne's cup in one hand, cradling her own against her chest--I'll try to think more forgiving thoughts, Shepherd, I promise...

Inara exits the dining room, heading toward the cargo bay.

End Inara's turn

ooc--heya Sson--email me if you get time about Inara/Jayne interaction

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

BOOMERGOODHEART

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 6:18 PM

Kaylee's Move
Location: Engine Room

Hearing someone standing in the doorway, Kaylee sticks her head out of an upper hatch, her ponytail coming loose around her face. Seeing Damon looking around at her work, she scowls down at him.

"Help you wit' sumthin'?"

Glancing up at her, Damon says that the Captain told him to come down here for some tools.

Scowling even harder, she disappears back into the ceiling of the engine room, telling him to take whatever he needs.

Popping her head back out, she says, "But don't--DO NOT--touch my wrench."

Muttering to herself, she continues to work on the upper insides of the engine.

End Move

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

RAVENWHYTEWING

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 6:36 PM

Washs move:

Wash picks up the com, keying it to broadcast through the ship. "Ok, folks, ETA is five minutes to Serenity Valley. Skies look clear, and this should be in and out. Not picking up any chatter. Sit tight, and we'll break atmo in a minute or so."
Wash takes a deep breath, reaching up and flipping three switches before pulling the wheel towards him, and taking control of the ship.

I'm talking about geese.

SQUEE

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:08 PM

OOC: *sigh* and here I thought his compliment would put her in a better mood... guess not.

"Help you wit' sumthin'?"
Damon looks up to see Kaylee's head poking out from the ceiling. "Yeah, Captain said the cannon needed to be installed, so I came down for some tools."
Scowling even harder, she disappears back into the ceiling of the engine room, telling him to take whatever he needs.
Popping her head back out, she says, "But don't--DO NOT--touch my wrench."
Muttering to herself, she continues to work on the upper insides of the engine.
Damon glares at the opening wondering why in the verse she was so upset with him.
Shaking his head, he turns toward a box of tools and begins to sift through them, pulling out the ones he needs. He picks up two wrenches and wonders which one was hers. Turning them over, he sees that one of them have hearts and flowers engraved into the handel. He puts it back and turns to look around for the last items on his list.
A voice comes over the com: "Ok, folks, ETA is five minutes to Serenity Valley. Skies look clear, and this should be in and out. Not picking up any chatter. Sit tight, and we'll break atmo in a minute or so."
Serenity Valley? Damon recognizes that name, but he can't remember where he heard it from. Something to do with the war. He shrugs it off and continues looking.
After a couple minutes of searching, he stops and frowns. Surely she's got some clamps. He's going to need at least four of them to hold that cannon in place while he's working on it.
"Hey, Miss Kaylee, where do you keep your clamps? I'm gonna need four 'em and I can't-"
Four clamps fall from the opening in the ceiling, just missing him and clatter to the floor. Damon jumps back a step and looks up. But Kaylee is nowhere in sight and goes back to work without a word.
"Tzao gao, woman, I'm sorry okay? Whatever it is I'm sorry." He bends down, shuffeling the items in his arms and picks up the clamps.

tzao gao = shit/damn it

I'm not broken, in my dream I win...

GEEZER

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:20 PM

Thorne's/Mal's Move:

Location: Simon's room/common area/cargo bay/bridge.

[THORNE emerges from SIMON's room, loking pleased and thoughtful. The bag containing the flowers still in his hand. As he enters the common area, the intercom clicks on.]

WASH:"Ok, folks, ETA is five minutes to Serenity Valley. Skies look clear, and this should be in and out. Not picking up any chatter. Sit tight, and we'll break atmo in a minute or so."

[THORNE heads for the bridge just in case WASH needs any final landing directions. Crossing the cargo bay, he meets INARA coming from the mess area, carrying a cup.]

THORNE:"Our lady stick-fighter must be on the mend if you're available to hand-deliver pick-me-ups to drunks. If I'd known that you were the angel of sobriety, I'd have downed a bottle or two myself. [ pause] I do hope to speak to you formally after we're off-planet, ma'am."

[THORNE bows slightly and continues to the bridge]

[MAL has heard WASH's announcement, and is heading for the bridge himself. He sees THORNE talking to INARA and hurries on, stomping unoffending deckplates.]

MAL:"Gorram it, WASH! I said let me know ten minutes before we land, not five! Can't nobody do nothin' right 'round here? And what you doin' on my bridge, old man?"

[Strangely subdued as he stares out the window, THORNE replys]

THORNE:"Just looking for something that's not there." [then more briskly, to WASH]"Pilot, you're right on the beam. Set her down due South of that little hill. That'll be perfect."

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

ASTRIANA

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:24 PM

Zoe's Move:
Location - Common Area to Bridge

WASH: "Ok, folks, ETA is five minutes to Serenity Valley. Skies look clear, and this should be in and out. Not picking up any chatter. Sit tight, and we'll break atmo in a minute or so."

ZOE starts at WASH's voice over the intercom.

ZOE (to herself): "Ai ya! Have I really been standin' here re-hashin' that battle for fifteen minutes?"

She squares her shoulders, mentally shoving aside all thoughts but those related to the job at hand. She leaves the common area and heads to the bridge, figuring MAL will go there first upon hearing their ETA.

End Move.

OOC Edit: Ack! We all posted at the same time again!

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 7:28 PM

Washs move:

Wash hold up his hands. "Hey, my wife was supposed to let you know fifteen minutes ago."

Wash adjusts one of the scanners, a confused look passing his face for an instant. "Huh. . ." He shakes his head as though to clear it, and checks the terrain map. "K, be there in two minutes."
Wash looks up for a second. "Everything ok, Cap'n? You said so yourself, this oughta be quick."

I'm talking about geese.

ASTRIANA

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 8:03 PM

Zoe's Move:
Location - Bridge

ZOE enters the bridge and stops short, hearing the tone of MAL's voice as he upbraids WASH and THORNE.

MAL: "Gorram it, WASH! I said let me know ten minutes before we land, not five! Can't nobody do nothin' right 'round here? And what you doin' on my bridge, old man?"

ZOE raises an eyebrow at the vehemence in MAL's voice; she discreetly checks to see if INARA is in the immediate vicinity - and the same mood.

WASH hold up his hands.

WASH to MAL: "Hey, my wife was supposed to let you know fifteen minutes ago."

THORNE seems strangely subdued as he stares out the window.

THORNE to MAL:"Just looking for something that's not there."

THORNE to WASH (briskly): "Pilot, you're right on the beam. Set her down due South of that little hill. That'll be perfect."

WASH adjusts one of the scanners, a confused look passing his face for an instant.

WASH: "Huh. . ."

He shakes his head as though to clear it, and checks the terrain map.

WASH: "K, be there in two minutes."
Wash looks up for a second. "Everything ok, Cap'n? You said so yourself, this oughta be quick."

ZOE figures this is as good a moment as any. With a telling glance at her husband, she faces MAL.

ZOE to MAL: "What WASH means is that he asked me to tell you fifteen minutes ago, Sir. I... got sidetracked. The doctor also asked me to let you know that ROWAN is doing well, and will probably be out for a bit."

ZOE steps toward the forward stairs near WASH's console and leans back against the rail. She crosses her arms over her chest and shifts her gaze between MAL and THORNE.

ZOE to MAL and THORNE: "So, what's the plan once we're down?"

End Move.

~A~

...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.

CAPNRAHN

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:03 PM

LOCATION - AFT HALL
As ...

SIMON climbs the rear stairs from the PASSENGER DORMs to the upper deck with an object closed within his hand. He is preoccupied with the results from his conversation with THORNE and SLIGHT. As SIMON reaches the juncture, He glances down towards the DINING ROOM and takes a deep breath of the enticing aromas issuing from within. After a moment of savoring the scents, SIMON begins to move towards the ENGINE ROOM.

SIMON stops abruptly as he hears DAMON and KAYLEE are in conversation. He listens and thinks for a moment, then turns and walks off towards the DINING ROOM.

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

As SIMON enters from the back hatch, he sees Inara just leave through the front hatch. Bad timing SIMON thinks. I really need to speak with Inara before I go

He notices that BOOK is now alone. BOOK continues to brew his tea, and prepare some sort of sauce and vegetables. SIMON walks over to BOOK in a hesitant fashion.

SIMON
Still with a pensive look on his face
"Hello Shepherd, That smells wonderful."
SIMON looks to BOOK with an expression of incredible reluctance
"There is something I need to talk to you about.

SIMON sighs
"And time is short. I would like you and Inara to watch over River for me."

SIMON waits for BOOKs response.

EOM

OOC
I kept the references to the conversation between Simon, Slight and Thorne deliberately vague. Just in case it doesn't play 'off-screen' the way I hope it will go.

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

MANIACNUMBERONE

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:45 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

Book looks up as Simon crosses the Galley.

-------------
"Hello Shepherd, That smells wonderful."
SIMON looks to BOOK with an expression of incredible reluctance
"There is something I need to talk to you about.
------------

Book pauses with a look of concern on his face.

------------

SIMON sighs
"And time is short. I would like you and Inara to watch over River for me."
-------------

"You know I'll always look after River." Book leaves the sauce pan on the stove and turns to face Simon directly. "You sound as though you're planning to go away for a long time, son. What's wrong?"

EM

CAPNRAHN

Wednesday, March 3, 2004 10:20 PM

LOCATION - GALLEY
As ...

SIMON
"The memory stick Mr. Helsing gave me had a hidden encoded section. I may be able to get all of the procedural and experiment data from River's ... SIMON pauses with a reflexive grimice ... operations at the Academy.

"I need to go as soon as possible, the information on the stick indicates that the Scientist I need to find should be in transistion from one facility to another. If I can catch her ..."

SIMON drifts off with a look of appeal to BOOK.

"I need to leave as quietly as possible - I am not sure how River is going to take me leaving her."

SIMON reaches into his breast pocket and holds out a blue memory stick to BOOK.

"I have recorded a vid-wave for River to play. I also have messages for each of the Serenity's crew on this stick as well. All the messages are encoded with the retina and DNA biometrics of the recipent, so only they can play it."
EOM

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

MANIACNUMBERONE

Thursday, March 4, 2004 9:04 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

Book reaches out to take the memory stick from Simon. "I understand how you feel son, but I'm not so sure it's the wisest thing to just disappear without telling the captain."

The memory stick weighs heavy in Book's hand and he tries not to look at it. He can't help but to think about all of the different things that Simon might have said to the crew.

Book pushes the thought down, pockets the memory stick, and immediately a tumble of questions pour out of him. "Are you leaving now? Where is this facility? What do you plan to do if you catch up with this scientist? And when do you expect to return?

Behind Book, the saucepan on the stove starts to smoke excessively, which catches both Book's and Simon's attention. Book rushes over to the stove and pulls off the ruined sauce. "I'm sorry, I know I'm asking too many questions. I'm just worried about you."

EM

GEEZER

Thursday, March 4, 2004 12:22 PM

Mal's/Thorne's Move:

Location: Bridge

ZOE to MAL and THORNE: "So, what's the plan once we're down?"

To MAL is seems that ZOE is looking as much to THORNE for an answer as to him. Who's captain here, anyways? He quickly responds to her question.

MAL:"The plan is we load up an' go, ma-shong. I got no love for this place. If we can get the laser installed, that's fine, but we won't wait to do it." He gestures vaguely at THORNE. "The old man can give you details on the cargo."

THORNE:"The container is in a concealed bunker. I'll open that for you. It has standard rollers and tow points, so you should be able to winch it into the hold and tie it down no trouble. There may be some other stuff in the bunker. Just leave it there. I may need it later.

While you're loading I have a couple of things to take care of. Shouldn't be long, and done by the time you're through. I don't want to spend time here any more than your captain."

EOM

Ma-Shong = On the double

"Keep the Shiny side up"

TEELABROWN

Thursday, March 4, 2004 12:49 PM

I know I haven't posted in a while. Just formulating and catching up...I hope it's okay if I wake Rowan up...
_______
River is watching over Rown in the infirmary. Rowan wakes up, and then sits up.

Rowan: "Where is everybody?"

"Shh. You need more rest."

River gently tries to make Rowan lie back down.
________

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2+2 makes 4. If that is granted, all else follws"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of bad typing.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

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