RP GR "Adventures in GunRunning" ACT 15
POSTED BY: DireKtorsSmeagol
UPDATED: Monday, May 3, 2004 06:49
VIEWED: 24091
PAGE 1 of 2
PREVIOUSLY ON FIREFLY:
ACT 14: http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=4599
CREDITS & BIOS:
{link to Cast and Bio thread}
coming soon!
RPing TOOLS:
Tools and tricks for the hip RPer.
http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3640
GREEN ROOM:
Storyline work and a place for the acKtors to hang out.
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=4844
ARCHIVE:
Includes episode synopses and links to all the threads for prior acts
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3681
DIRECTORIAL STAFF:
Guest DireKtor - DragonflyDireKtor { CapnRahn@aol.com AIM, MSN }
Guest Asst. DireKtor - MercedesTroy { tampa.cyberose@verizon.net AIM}
GameMaster - Geezer { fireflygeezer@cox.net }
Co-Director - FrauDirektor { htempe@hotmail.com, MSN, AIM: MissAstriana, Yahoo!: MissAstriana, ICQ: 9592266}
Co-Director - Channain { channain@yahoo.com; AIM}
Minion - DirektorsSmeagol { DirektorsSmeagol@aol.com } , MSN, AIM)
STUDIO OWNER & RP DISTRIBUTION:
FireflyFans.net produced by 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
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!
Joss
Gunrunners
HakenGunrunners
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Character Locations:
MAL & BOOK - Mal's Dorm, Discovering that there is trouble brewing on the horizon.
INARA & ROWAN - Inara's shuttle, doing something private. So keep yer nose outta it!
ZOE - On her way to the Bridge, to learn how to blow stuff up with the new cannon. Boy is SHE happy and still with an afterglow.
WASH,THORNE,DAMON & MERZ - Bridge, Merz has fallen and she canna get up...
SIMON - Waiting and pondering - Not quite on the sanity loop ...
RIVER - Her room, having a Mightmare...
JAYNE - passed out in his dorm?
SLIGHT - Visting Mr. Serling in the pit of man's fears?
NISKA - Hera{?} desert, eating a noon lunch of McCoyote.
NICOALLEZ - New Hokkaido: Ughigatana City outside the Reinact Faire telling parables of war.
JAX & HLASTONI - New Hokkaido: Ughigatana City: Sitting tight and waiting for a wave from Thorne.
TILDA - On the job - nuff said!
CORVAIR TROY - Flying fast in the Black to pick up Niska - so he thinks! Boy will he be surprised!
Oh yes and ...
YOSAFBRIDGE, EARLY - Somewhere over the Rim, where Reavers fly ... and YoSaf is having a nice flaming banannas Jubliee ...
"Observe Analyze & Respond"
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers
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INSERT : LOCAL COMMERCIAL HERE
MERZ is in the cargo bay – at the weight bench, lifting an impressive load. Suddenly aware of the camera, she lowers the weights, stands and walks towards it.
“Had a long day of working out? Beat up just one too many smart alec’s and evil persons. Well some days are just like that. But before you let sore muscles slow you down tomorrow, spend a little time with your friend – Blue Sun Balm.”
She brings her right hand out from behind her back with a small, bright blue jar, logo prominent. Slowly removing the lid, she carefully takes a generous dollop on her fingers and spreads it on her right arm.
“This stuff is just the last word. Makes them tired muscles just loosen up and go limp. I recommend you keep some on hand all the time.” She is facing the camera with a huge grin on her face as we fade to black.
But the audio does not cut out soon enough.
“Ow, HEY, OUCH. Hey YOU, you promised me – this jar was supposed to be cold cream . You get back here, I am talkin’ to you. Mutters ‘gorram agent gonna die for this one, that really HURTS’"
EOCommercial
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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________
River stis down on her bed, and looks directly at the memory stick.
Play time is over.
In her head, she remembers Simon doing work, while she tried to make him join. Also, the voice of Simon comes up: "No more games - this one is for keeps. Remember - I'll always love you" River drifts into sleep...
She's at the Academy. Looking in on her are people in white. All familiar voices, but she can't see them...
"What should we do now sir?" Female, strong. A fighter.
"Whatever has to be. What do those reports say she'll do next?" Male, leader. Hard life.
"She'll either kill them, or something about soup, maybe the computers busted." Male, takes orders, doesn't make them.
"We need to cut. She's highly volatile." The leader again.
"But cutting sir?" Female. Such a young person, and caring.
"This plan is startin' ta sound better." Male, rugged.
"But cutting, won't that damage her?" Female, educated and elegant.
"No, not damage. Improve. Make better." Male, low and fatherly. Calm.
Footsteps come. "Are we ready to begin the procedure? Playtime is just beginning..." Male, young. Too young. They all come into the light, and their faces appear. All of the crew, Zoe, Mal, Wash, Kaylee, Jayne, Inara, Book, and leading them was Simon...
A voice speaks out. Her own. "Ge-ge, please don't! You don't need to!"
Two of them grabbed her, and sat her down, and they all came closer...
She wakes up screaming-no, no sobbing. A lone voice on a lone ship. "Ge-ge..."
___________
Okay, that's my post! Made new line, please check.
_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2 plus 2 make 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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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE
Damon looks up from his work on Wash's chair to see Merz nearly collapse barley breathing. The first thought to cross his mind is that the poor hwoon dahn had better get up before the guards see him.
He metally kicks himself and moves around Wash to get a look at Merz. He squats in front of her, careful to not crowd her and tries to make eye contact.
"Hey, you okay? Don't you pass out on me, I ain't tearin' my stitches to carry you down to the infirmery," he says jokingly, "And I definately ain't putting my mouth anywhere near yours so you better keep breathing."
He continues to watch her carefully.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Interlude 2 Part IV
LOCATION - NEW HOKKAIDO / UCHIGATANA CITY DOCKS
Docking Bay 54, Cargo Tug Rubicon
2518 AD~Solor Day 024/Jan 24~1717hrs/5:17PM AMT
As ... On wave receiver monitor:
Quote:JAX
THORNE
"Squire, still as big a ponce as ever, I see. Afraid you'll never know how they're hangin', just that they don't swing your way. Looked over your list of prime real estate, and number three looks O.K. to me. Dry and empty as HLASTONI's heart. Not my idea of a pleasure palace either. Maybe after the deal's done you and I can hit Hokkaido City and have a good carouse before you head home. But don't bring your boss. All in all, he's just another brickhead in the wall. THORNE out."
Shaking his head ruefully
"That old dingo is NEVER going to let me forget the practical joke we played on him last Unification Eve. Wasn't that at that unlicensed bordello on ..."
HLASTONI
flatly
"Barberell's Pygar Saloon, Mhatmoz Central City. And I still say you should have shaved your mustache and goatee. It clashed with the pink hair band and grey feather boa-bra."
JAX
in mock defensivness
HEY! I was SUPPOSED to have a veil with that outfit. And further - Rosie knows how I swing, he just has to have the last bloody word and try to wind me up -mostly under his breath and with a tiny laugh- and he usually succeeds, the friggin' bastich."
HLASTONI
looking up, tilting his head to the left and raising both his eyebrows
"He probably feel that once a transvestite, always a transvestite. Not to mention - your very ...with a hint of disdain... touchy-feely."
JAX
"Pbbbpth ... oh, camel-buttberries! You two are just too wrapped up in your testosterone poisoned posturing. If I touch you, you gimboyds think I want to ram you. I may seem girlie-man to you seething gits -- but I prefer innies and not outies in the groinal area. And I despise hairy arses. -with a wicked grin- "Can't help it that I was born pretty"
HLASTONI
looking thoughtful for a moment and then says with no change in inflection
"Option 3, map co-ord 51n18 by 42w69, also called Groom Lake. OK, I figured he would like that one. Nice multichannel canyons with tri-corbormite ore to scramble sensors. Perfect natural overhang big enough for the Rubi and their shuttle or conex and with room to spare. -he pauses for a moment- and a few handy sniping positions. Best to use slugthrowers, tri-c is techy when it comes to sonics."
JAX
not quite under his breath
"Always changing the frippin' subject."
End Of Interlude 2 Part IV
"Observe Analyze & Respond"
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers
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Book's Move
LOCATION - MAL'S QUARTERS
Books face hardens unconsciously as he considers Mal's suggestion. "I wish it were as simple as you say captain, but I have a feeling that Simon's used the card for something other than his 'simple plan'." He is a good man, Book thinks, as he looks at the captain.
"There is something more I can do... though I don't much care to do it." Book says with grim resolution as he walks towards the ladder. He turns back to Mal as he puts his mostly healed hand on the ladder rung next to his shoulder.
Book looks over his shoulder at the captain and silently considers what he could tell him. He suspects much about me already. I'm only giving him more reason to question me by not telling him. I should tell him. NO. I can't. Yes. It's in the past. But... No. Book sighs again.
"Please give me some time captain. There are a few things I need to do. I will find you soon." Book turns back towards the ladder, climbs it and walks down the hallway in a fog. His mind consumed by what he must do. He avoids the galley, not wanting to gather more attention than needed and heads down the fore stairway, crossing the catwalk to the stairs at the back of the cargo bay and quickly down and into the common area. Book doesn't look directly at the few people he see's on his way, trying to concentrate on the proper words he's going to need to use. It's been such a long time.
He arrives at the closed panel door to this quarters, lowers his head and slides the door open with numb hands. I don't want to do this anymore. As the door slides open and he lifts his head, he see's the purple light flashing gently again in the very container he was thinking about. He walks to it.
As Book initiates the safe-open sequence on the comunicator, he walks to the door again, slides it shut and the communicator blooms into life.
[Voice of communicator operator] "Sir, we've been trying to re-establish a communication link with you. There's new information regarding that illegal transmission."
{Book} "Niska."
[Voice of communicator operator] "Yes. {pause} How did... {pause} never mind, sir. We should have expected you to deduce the situation."
{Book} "There's more to the situation. I cannot go into it. Do not attempt to hinder the man using the card. That is an order. {pause}
[Voice of communicator operator] "Confirmed."
{Book} "Where is the exact area that communication came from?"
EM
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Mal's Move
LOCATION - MALs DORM
12:21 PM AMT
As ...
BOOK
with a sigh
"Please give me some time captain. There are a few things I need to do. I will find you soon."
Book turns back towards the ladder and ascends out of sight. Mal stands and stares long after Book leaves. His mind trying to connect all of the puzzle pieces.
MAL
softly and with a grunt
"Too many rammin' variables in this gorram situation."
He turns back to finish his paperwork and inventory, pushing off thoughts of what he cannot control or plan for at this moment. Only time and more information will tell.
EOM
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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Double rammin' post!
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LOCATION - WAVE INTERCEPT STATION
1225hrs AMT {Alliance Mean Time}
As ...
OPERATIVE THX 1138
"Where is the exact area that communication came from?"
STATION 42 TECH
with a slight hesitation in her voice
"Sorry sir, but the NOC protocol was used. The holders of the NOC list are incommunicado at the moment, so no pin-point is possible. IntenSec reports that there is severe unrest in the Enclave. It is a powder keg and all statistic probability points to an eruption of a coup in the near future. -she pauses and nervously clears her throat- There are 4 list holders in the dozen that have infiltated the Enclave, all are past due on their 60 day reports. The entirety of active efforts are now focused on their eventual extraction. However, your status is to remain unchanged.
The Tech jitters a bit while waiting for THX 1138's response.
EOM
TechnoBabble explanation
*NOC - Nexus-Omega Communication - a protocol which utilizes a wave frequency hopping routine to mask the transmission message. The message is also broken up into disparate packets and then sent through multiple cortex nodes along with numerous 'herrings' {false packets} in complex patterns. These techniques, coupled with various others, aids in keeping the transmitter's location a secret.
Any NOC list holder can trace any NOC transmission location utilizing their portion of the NOC list in combination with two other NOC list holders.
"Observe Analyze & Respond"
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers
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ZOE'S MOVE:
LOCATION - GALLEY
ZOE raises her cup to her lips again and notices that her coffee is cold. Starting from her reverie, she looks around to see that she's alone.
ZOE (internal): "Bit of a good feelin', bein' able to take a little time off and such. Wonder if WASH wants his coffee now?
Smiling to herself, she gets up and dumps the contents of her cup down the drain, then washes and puts the cup away. That finished, she cleans out WASH's mug and pours him a fresh cup of the still-warm brew, again adding the perfect amount of sweetener and creamer. Smiling at the relative quiet and freedom of the day - cargo stowed, en route to the drop, not much to be done until they arrive at New Hokkaido - ZOE leaves the galley and makes her way down the aft corridor to the bridge. Expecting to see WASH arguing with DAMON and MERZ about the need for restraints on his chair, ZOE stops short upon seeing MERZ half-collapsed to the floor.
Smile instantly gone, ZOE's eyes rapidly flick around the room to assess the situation. Seeing that MERZ is in no immediate danger - in fact, she seems almost to be unaware of the others in the room - ZOE carefully steps around the woman and hands WASH his coffee, resting her hips in their accustomed place against the console.
Figuring MERZ will indicate if she needs help, ZOE seemingly casually crosses her arms over her chest and tosses a sardonic smile at her husband.
ZOE (to WASH): "You get upset when she tried to install them belts on your chair, dear?"
ZOE decides that's as close as she's gonna get to asking what the tien xiaode* happened - for now.
END MOVE. END LOCATION - BRIDGE
OOC: I'm baaaack! 
~A~
...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.
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Thorne's Move:
Location: Bridge
Thorne turns as MERZ suddenly straightens and speaks, discipline fighting with the emotion in her voice,
MERZ: “Pardon me, is that Dysseus Hlastoni, the pilot?”
At his affirmative reply, she drops like a puppet with its strings cut, barely catching herself in time to avoid going flat on the floor. DAMON moves to her side and check on her as ZOE enters. Her calm reaction and sardonic comment to Wash confirm THORNE's opinion that she's and old trooper who's seen it all.
Crossing the deck, he squats next to MERZ.
THORNE: "While Hlastoni might be considered ruggedly good looking by some, if they're near-sighted and they've had enough to drink, he's never to my knowledge been the type to make the ladies swoon with passion at the mere mention of his name. I take it then that you are familiar with our gallant space jockey? If so, you'll get to renew acquaintances tomorrow when we deliver my cargo to him and his band of Merry Men. And if you bear him a grudge, I ask that you please don't kill him until after he's paid me."
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - MAL'S DORM
12:22 PM AMT
Book turns back towards the ladder and ascends out of sight. Mal stands and stares long after Book leaves. The door to Mal's bunk fails to close, and from up above voices carry down to distract Mal and further shorten his fuse.
JAYNE
"Uh, hi there preacher. I wasn't eavesdropping or nuthin', I just gotta talk with the cap'n. Cap'n!"
Jayne clambers down the rungs and stops at the base. Letting the door close and keeping the ladder between him and Mal, he continues.
"This can't wait. I think that Rowan girl ya picked up is a spy!" Jayne looks absolutely out of breath and tense. "That's why I was actin' all funny yesterday. She kissed me, Mal, square on the lips an' took off. An' she gave me a drink, too. I jus know she drugged me up somehow, sure as I'm standin' here! Then Niska scampered off. She musta helped 'im!"
Jayne pauses to catch his breath.
EOM
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LOCATION - MALs DORM
As ...
JAYNE pauses to catch his breath.
MAL's shoulders tighten as he sits on his bench, the sound of rending paper is clearly heard. His head slowly pivots and he gives Jayne the ole cold fish eye stare.
MAL
grating, as if over sharp edged shale
"*Liou coe shuai du biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh ur-tze!!! Jayne this better be good or I'll have your ulgy carcass spinning in the Black so fast ... - it hits MAL what JAYNE has just said ... Rowan a spy!"
MAL stands and move over to confront Jayne through the rungs of the ladder. He leans in and sniffs at Jaynes breath and searches JAYNE's eyes for any sign of drunkenness.
MAL
with a distinct incredoulous irony
"Has Book been sharing some outta date communion spirits with you? First Book comes in all in a fret over Simon becoming Niska. Now you pop in with better news, Rowan is one of Niska's Nien ching duh."
MAL eyes flare with anger.
in a rough growl
"You people will be the hangin' of me. Ni ta ma de. Tian xia shuo you de ren dou gaisi!!
EOM
{*Liou coe shuai du biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh ur-tze: Salivating son of a bitch and a monkey!}
{*Nien ching duh: Little girls.
{*Ni ta ma de. Tian xia shuo you de ren dou gaisi: Motherhumper! Everyone in the universe should die!}
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - MAL'S DORM
12:22 PM AMT
MAL
in a rough growl
"You people will be the hangin' of me. Ni ta ma de. Tian xia shuo you de ren dou gaisi!!
JAYNE
Jayne stares at Mal through the metal bars of the ladder. "Well, ya gonna complain 'bout us or ya gonna do somethin'?" Jayne leans back as Mal flashes a disapproving glare. "Just, this ain't all my fault, all the sittin' round and sleepin' I been doin'. I was drugged, and ifin you hadn't pumped me with that popper, I'd be flat out like you was after Saffron kissed ya."
Jayne pauses to survey Mal's reaction. "You 'member that alright, doncha? This Rowan's a real purtty one; could have that evil Companion training just like Saffron. Give her time, an' she'll be Mrs Jayne Cobb I betcha."
EOM
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MERZ move
LOCATION - BRIDGE
Quote:
. . . you'll get to renew acquaintances tomorrow when we deliver my cargo to him and his band of Merry Men. And if you bear him a grudge, I ask that you please don't kill him until after he's paid me.
MERZ is aware of THORNE’s words, but the first thing she can see clearly is DAMON’s worried face. He is putting on a lighthearted mask, but his eyes speak of his concern.
“S’OK *mon ami , I think I am better now. Although I have no idea what just occurred.”
MERZ looks over at THORNE. She is still a bit blurry around the edges, but recovering. “Roosevelt, do you remember earlier I mentioned I was in the Valley for a reason that did not work out. I have been trying to track down some people. One of the people I have been trying to find is Dysseus. Serenity Valley was the last place I saw him, being loaded onto a medical transport, in as bad a shape as I have ever seen a living person. I am . . . glad to verify he survived. I must apologize to you. Had I been more willing to share information with you, I might not currently find myself in this ridiculous position.”
She starts to struggle to her feet and finds no lack of willing hands to help her up. Shaking her head, and a little pink-cheeked still, she looks around at all who are in the room. “It was never allowed for us . . . for me, to speak about where I come from and what I did. Now, it is hard to break that imposed silence. I ask you to have patience with me, while I sort out so many new things.”
When she smiles at THORNE this time, it looks real and even touches her eyes. “No, I most definitely do not wish to kill Hlas. But I hope he will speak to me. I have much catching up to do.”
MERZ turns to DAMON again. “Would you mind finishing up here? I need to work out a bit – get my equilibrium back. That was . . . very strange.”
EOM
*my friend (French)
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE
Quote:
Originally posted by MercedesTroy:
MERZ turns to DAMON again. “Would you mind finishing up here? I need to work out a bit – get my equilibrium back. That was . . . very strange.”
Already back on his feet, Damon nods and gestures with the tool he's still holding. "It's just about done anyway. Should only be another couple minutes. Then I'll have to find something to keep me occupied for day."
He turns back to Wash's chair and continues working on the strap. "As soon as it's convinient, I need you to get up so I can finish."
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Teela wants a reaction, needs a willing volunteer.
__________
River gets out of her bed, and starts to walk out of her room. Her steps are forced, and slow. She starts saying to herself in a low whisper:
A nightmare is a mind's way of staying awake. Alive. Nothing more, it can't hurt you.
She steps out of the hatch, and on to the walkway.
___________
_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2 plus 2 make 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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Thorne's Move:
Location: Bridge/Common Area
MERZ is still a black hole to THORNE's empathic sense, but her emotion on hearing of Hlastoni's continued existence is palpable.
MERZ: “No, I most definitely do not wish to kill Hlas. But I hope he will speak to me. I have much catching up to do.”
After she asks DAMON to finish up and leaves the bridge, THORNE comments, to no one in particular,
THORNE: "Ah, the Ice Queen has come to life. I find myself envious of Hlas, if he can stir emotion in one so controlled. Oh, well. Thanks for the message, WASH. Guess I'll get out of the way and let DAMON finish installing those belts. Good idea, by the way."
THORNE makes his way down the catwalk, sees MERZ begin another kata in the cargo bay and decides not to interrupt, descends the stairs, and enters the common area. RIVER is just leaving her room, mumbling to herself. No black hole here, just black feelings.
THORNE: "Hello, little one. Is there something I can help you with?"
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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Thanks Geezer! I do love reactions! (Me and my inprov. Oh well.)
_________
River bumps into Thorne, and jerks her head up. Her eyes shine, and she stares coldly into his eyes. She talks monotonously:
"They're out there. Looking. Waiting. Plotting. And they don't know it. They can't see."
She gives a worried laugh, a joke only she knows. Thorne is confused, but he doesn't show it.
"But one, his voice changed. His mind tried to come to life. He knows. He tries to rid himself of it."
River disengages herself, and continues walking naturally.
___________
_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2 plus 2 make 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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MERZ move
START LOCATION - BRIDGE
Her thoughts circling again, tomorrow, will see him tomorrow, who else will be there? ah, what if he . . . they have forgotten me . . . ? tomorrow . . . tomorrow . . .
She has reached the cargo bay without being aware of a single inch of the journey. It is empty, but MERZ would not have cared if a squad of purple-bellies had been present. Despite the rather too snug shipsuit she is wearing, she starts into her hand-to-hand kata without a thought or a pause the instant she has stepped through the door. She fights memory demons only some faceless. Her concentration is . . . almost . . . total. But too much has happened, too many changes, too many fears, too many revelations.
She cannot submerge herself completely in the safety and the calm of routine.
EOM
END LOCATION - CARGO BAY
OOC Edited - looks as if the end is no longer valid
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Thorne's Move:
Location: Common room/His Quarters
RIVER: "They're out there. Looking. Waiting. Plotting. And they don't know it. They can't see. But one, his voice changed. His mind tried to come to life. He knows. He tries to rid himself of it."
RIVER straightens up and walks out of the common room, leaving a puzzled THORNE to respond to the empty air.
THORNE: "Well, glad I could be of assistance. Any time... Poor child really needs help. Hope her brother can find something for her on this wild-goose chase of his."
Shaking his head, he enters his quarters and closes the door.
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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OOC: Decoy, I'm going to move Wash out of his chair so Damon can finish. Hope that's ok.
Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE
Damon turns Wash's chair around when he gets up and continues attaching the straps. After a few short minutes, he gestures for Wash to sit down again.
"Ok, I'm finished. All you need to do is adjust them to fit and you'll be good to go."
He starts picking up the tools from the floor and puts them back in the box that he assume they came in.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Wash gratefully takes the cup of coffee from Zoe. "More'n a bit. But if it's really the health of me she's concerned about, I got no qualms. Just wish they came in silk or sumthin."
Wash's ears perk up at Damons words. "Actually, if you really want something to do, I bet Kaylee wouldn't mind some help on the port 'burner. Maybe you could volunteer." He takes a swing of coffee, not seeing Damons reaction.
You see I cannot be forsaken/Because I'm not the only one.
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Wash's Move:
LOCATION - BRIDGE
(getting up and moving to the starboard (gunnery) console, looking at the screen with the cross-hairs on it)
"Zoe, how's about we practice shakeing the ship around while you test out your new chair? I promise to warn everybody"
Decoy, they make me go first.
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE to ENGINE ROOM
Quote:
Wash: "Actually, if you really want something to do, I bet Kaylee wouldn't mind some help on the port 'burner. Maybe you could volunteer."
Damon opens his mouth to reply, but Wash has already turned to Zoe and his coffee, so he picks up his box of tools and heads for the engine room instead.
Passing through the galley, his stomache reminds him that it's lunch time. He puts food on the top of his list of things to do after putting everything away and continues on to the engine room.
He steps inside and looks around for Kaylee. Working on the port burner sounded like a fun idea, though he isn't sure Kaylee would agree. He spots her tinkering with something, looking a little distant.
"I got your tools here. We finished puttin' the straps on the bridge chairs. Wash said that you might need help with the port burner. I was just going to grab a bite to eat, but I can come back when I'm done and help with somethin' if you'd like."
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Kaylee's Move
Location: Engine Room
Kaylee hears the voice from far away. Looking up, she sees that Damon has appeared in her doorway, saying something about the port burner.
"Sure, whatever...see what Wash wants ta do 'bout it..."
Turning back to her work, she sinks again into her reverie.
End Move
BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - ENGINE ROOM to CARGO BAY
Quote:
Originally posted by BoomerGoodheart:
"Sure, whatever...see what Wash wants ta do 'bout it..."
Turning back to her work, she sinks again into her reverie.
Damon watches her for a moment, realizing that whatever is bothering her, it isn't him. He sets the box of tools down out of the way and takes the bundle of remaining straps out to take down to the cargo bay.
When he gets down there, he sees Merz warming up for some excersize. He makes his way down to the floor of the big room and, staying well out of Merz's way, puts the straps back where they belong.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Book's Move
LOCATION - BOOK'S ROOM
Book listens to the background interference generated on the other end of the communicator and meant for multiple purposes; masking, anti-interception, and multi-wav scrambling to outside listeners. They are wasting time and resources. Book thinks. I should them to consider those operatives that are out of communication to be compromised. No. I can't get involved again. Book turns to the cracked mirror and the battered Bible sitting on the counter below.
{pause}
{Book} "Continue as previously instructed. Return communication when another of the NOC holders becomes available. The location of that transmission is very important, even if it's general. The man who made it has no doubt moved somewhere else by now, so an exact pin-point would be... pointless."
[Voice of communicator operator] "Confirmed. You will be contacted within 16 hours."
Book snaps the communicator shut and walks to the counter by the mirror. He picks up his Bible, holds it close to his chest and walks out of the room. Intending to finally find River, he crosses the small hallway and notices that her bed has been messed up since he last peeked in. "I'm chasing the girl in circles."
A sudden inspiration strikes Book as he walks by the infirmary and he enters it and begins opening drawers and cabinets. "Where is that thing? What was that thing?" Forgotten for the moment is his search for River, as Book tries to recall exactly what the machine was that Simon used to connect himself to Niska. Maybe there's some sort of information left on it that will help me know if what I think about Simon is right. he thinks.
EM
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ZOE'S MOVE:
LOCATION - BRIDGE
Quote:ZOE turns and looks at her husband for a moment, then shakes her head in amusement.
WASH: "ZOE, how's about we practice shakeing the ship around while you test out your new chair? I promise to warn everybody."
ZOE: "Dear, don't you think I outta learn how to shoot from the new chair before we go shakin' folks around? Gotta wait for MERZ to get herself together an' have her show me the ropes on this thing... Although I could get a head start..."
ZOE sits down in the gunner's chair and straps herself in, beginning the process of committing all the buttons and dials to memory, hands never actually touching any of them.
End Move.
~A~
...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.
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Inara & Rowan Blended Post:
LOCATION - INARAs SHUTTLE
Quote:COMMS OPERATOR (monotone): "One Moment please."
INARA: "I wish to be connected to Fa-Zhou Aislin, Please."
A screen comes up with "Selene" in glamorous gold animation that resembles rippling liquid platinum, but only for a brief second.
COMMS OPERATOR (monotone): "I'm sorry, but Fa-Zhou Aislin is currently engaged. Whom shall I say waved?"
It was a fifty-fifty chance that they would actually be able to talk to her in person, but Inara feels the disappointment keenly nonetheless. Rowan's hand stays on her shoulder, even giving hers a firm squeeze as if to say, it's all right.
INARA: "My name is Inara Sara. Could you have her return my wave at her convenience?"
COMMS OPERATOR (monotone): "Your wave is received and logged for delivery. Thank you for calling The Selene, stunning jewel of the Blue Sun Line."
The screen blinks back to the liner's entrance page just before Inara logs off and turns to Rowan, expressing her disappointment with a sigh.
INARA: "I'm sorry we couldn't reach her in person."
Rowan takes a long, steadying breath and gives the companion a smile that blends both delight and relief.
ROWAN: "It's okay, really. I'm not sure what I would have said if she did answer. Now maybe I'll be able to work up something that won't sound like I'm still eight years old."
Inara smiles and holds Rowan's slim hand in both of her own.
INARA: "Would you like me to finish your makeup now? Or perhaps before we land?"
ROWAN: "Before we land, I think. Come to think of it, I should be receiving my information packet on the tournament anytime now. I should go up and see if the pilot has received any waves for me."
Sensing that Rowan isn't in any hurry to leave, Inara recalls the advice Simon gave during Rowan's treatment. She's supposed to be getting rest, but the tension Inara can perceive in the her shoulders and her eyes indicates that Rowan likely hasn't let herself sleep or even so much as relax since the procedure.
INARA: "I wonder if I could interest you in a massage then? I imagine you could use one, and it would certainly be beneficial before starting a tournament. What do you say?"
EOM
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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Bolo's Intro
Location: unnamed port
They prepared to leave their ship, silent as always for they no longer need random conversation. An odd trio for an odd mission. All are dressed in tailored suits, wearing blue gloves. None smile, but then again, they never do.
They step out into the darkened and deserted port, an unimportant building before their faces. Old, desolate and unkempt, even the building is coated in layers of filth. The doorway is deep in drifted trash. Outward appearances suggest no one has been here in a long time.
The leader moves swiftly ahead, the other two falling in line behind him. The largest and most impressive of the trio takes up the rear. He has seen rough times or intentional mutilations – a curved metal plate covers half of his face, from neck to crown, inset with a cybernetic eye.
The code lock on the door is a minor obstacle, hardly a challenge at all. The door creaks open and they quickly slide inside, closing it behind the last one, leaving themselves in darkness. No question of not closing the door before showing a light, stealth is second nature to these three men. The leader feels about softly and quietly for a light switch, might as well see if it works, before bringing out the lesser illumination they are carrying. He is pleasantly surprised when the long dormant lights flicker briefly and then remain lit. Well, that was a piece of cake. I would have thought there would have been more – security, the leader thinks. Someone has been very lax. Their eyes recover quickly.
And they find that they are not, after all, alone.
Their objective is what looks like an oversized silver coffin, dim light reflecting from the intricate designs carved on the exterior. It is in the center of the room, resting on two very ordinary sawhorses. However between them and their target is a woman. Not just a woman but also a Warrior of female gender. She is not as large as their largest companion, but hardly average.
She stares at them as if her eyes could burn and speaks slowly, her voice rusty with disuse and full of venom. “You. Leave. Now!”
No consultation is necessary, this team has worked long together and reacts in an instant. The two in front pull their weapons, and while their companion in the rear dodges to one side they shift to the other, drawing her eyes, and the guns that rapidly fill her hands after them. The first flurry of gunfire is both swift and ineffective as all three gunfighters are abnormally fast and practiced. They dodge and fire in a weaving circular dance that leaves the third man out of the battle for the moment, if not safe from flying projectiles.
However he takes a running jump over most of the affected area and lands next to their target.
The gunfight continues and the men realize that she is good, possibly better than they are – without cover in the room the odds are going to catch up to them soon and if they do not bring her down, they are going to rapidly run out of ammo. They do not wish to go hand to hand with this one. But all that matters, in the long run, is recovering their objective and the leader makes a decision. He charges the woman and attempts to bring her down. As he does so the second man attempts to get behind her and the third begins the difficult task of moving the coffin. It had not been possible to bring anything to move it with – that was his job. He maneuvers his bulk under the box and between the sawhorses, puts one hand one either side for balance, and simply rises with it balanced on his back. It is a massive weight and his bones creak with the effort, like steel under pressure.
As he makes for the door as fast as he can manage, he can barely keep his balance. But he gets his center of balance at last and then the weight drives him forward – always almost but not quite falling forwards. He reaches the closed door and simply bulls right through it; he has no other choice. He is moving too much weight to be able to stop and open it.
The leader is dead, and the second
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Slight sits back, in the relative quiet of the Shuttle. The engines have been spinning, and he felt the quick moment of weightlessness as the ship left the gravity well of Hera.
Slight closes his eyes. What is he going to do now? Tam was the last one on the list. The Daughter is. . .or was, rather. . .in good hands. She still is, really. She's found a family.
Slight suddenly feels like retching. Family. That word has become a hell for him, worse than anything he's ever done or heard. He's tried so hard to understand it, to understand the feeling. But how do you explain the meaning of family to someone who's experienced only a false religion? How can you explain love and compassion to a man who know's only death, who's taken comfort in the quiet of a mind that is dead? How do you show a man loyalty who's had only himself, and been betrayed by his own father?
"You are alone, Brink. No one will ever understand you, will ever even try. You're pale skin, your eyes, are all the marks of a defect, of someone who is incomplete."
Harold Helsing was never one for beating about the bush. And a man who is twice your size, dressed impeccably in a suit with blue gloves knows the truth. Absolutely.
"And because you are alone, you must realize that you have to be strong enough for whoever crosses your path to know that. You must show to the world you have accepted that truth forever."
Helsing leaned forward, impressing this on the seven-year-old boy standing before him at perfect attention.
You see I cannot be forsaken/Because I'm not the only one.
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Book's Move
LOCATION - INFIRMARY
Whether it's all the different things pressing on his mind or his (shudder) age creeping up on him, none of the instruments Book rummages through look like the one Simon used with Niska.
Tucking the desire to search Simon's room beneath the surface, Book exits the Infirmary and goes around the corner to the aft stairway. He stops at the base of the stairs and glances down the port passenger hallway to River's still darkened room. She could have snuck back in while I was in the infirmary. he rationalizes and quickly walks down the hallway to her door.
It's exactly as he left it a few minutes ago. Book looks up above him to the ladders leading to some small, unused, mid-room height passenger dorms. Those doors never open. Resisting the urge to go into Simon's room, Book goes up the aft stairs to tell Mal that he must wait.
EM
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"You don't ever show weakness. You never show softness. Don't let you're enemy see your pain, your anguish. Walk tall, walk strong."
The Son never responds. Helsing launches a punch into the gut of the boy. His lips don't even flinch. He reachs, and blocks the punch. He doesn't counterattack, only defends. . .
The boy is fifteen, but because of his body, he looks and feels twenty. He is training with a "crush" team. Five Zealots and a priest. The priest watches dispassionetly as Slight breaks necks, crushes sternums and snaps leg and arm bones. The priest moves forward. Like any good soldier, he dismisses the deaths of five men. Of course, they aren't men. Not anymore.
"Congradulations, Slight."
Slight moves to the end of the room, breathing heavily and grabbing a towel. "Thank you, Lieutenant."
The man is a fit thirty at the moment. "You've just passed a test that thirty trained Feds would fail. Aren't you proud?"
Slight gives a sardonic grin. "That would include you, wouldn't it?" He lets the grin drop as he takes a drink of water. "But no, Lieutenant Thorne, I am not proud. Nor am I regretful." He clenches the towel around his neck, hanging his elbows loosely. The lieutenant watches him, shocked. "It's life, not an action, not anymore. It's not a job, or a passion. It is something I do, just like you breath air or take a piss. It's a function of mine." Slight shrugs. "No reason to feel anything, really. I'm just hoping for a little trim later, since I broke the record." Slight mops off his face.
"I think that deserves a reward, don't you?"
"You only care about the time it took to kill someone?" The lieutenant can't seem to understand. Moron.
"All I have is time. I'm going to die in less time it took you to reach puberty, Sir. Don't see why it matters that someone else is dead. We're headed to a war, you and I. Border planets are getting restless. And while we are going to destroy the backwater bagbirths, we are going to be required to kill. Sooner I get something done, sooner I can move on to the next thing."
Slight puts his face in his hands, tears running freely.
You see I cannot be forsaken/Because I'm not the only one.
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Inara & Rowan Blended Post:
LOCATION - INARAs SHUTTLE
A massage - to lie completely relaxed, warm and ideally naked under the knowing touch of a woman who understood the nuances of the human body and how to sooth most any ill. The idea was provocative and extremely compelling.
ROWAN (regretfully): "I would say it would be heavenly, but something tells me I better respectfully decline before you tempt me into a contract I can't afford."
Compassion draws Inara to her feet to stand before the taller woman and see the extreme degree of her fatigue up close. Tucking a strand of Rowan's glossy black hair behind her ear, she lets that hand rest on Rowan's shoulder.
INARA: "You need to rest, Rowan. You can't go on as you have – no one can."
Rowan is already shaking her head.
ROWAN: "I can't. I can rest, but you mean to help me to sleep and I can't do that."
INARA (softly urgent): "Rowan – "
ROWAN: "I can't. I dream when I sleep and lately all I can dream about is…"
Hearing the tremor in her own voice, she stops just in time.
XIANG's voice in ROWAN's Mind: For love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame.
Rowan breathes a long, steady sigh to bring her emotions back under some semblance of control.
ROWAN (stoically): "I can't." (She swallows hard to dispel the lump in her throat) "I... I should go see to that packet I'm expecting and I should get my dress out for the reception. You'll let me know when Aislin calls back?"
Inara lets go when Rowan gives a gentle tug and folds her hands together in front of her, resigned to let the matter rest, as it were. At least for now.
INARA (nodding): "I'll be sure to notify you."
ROWAN (nodding back): "Thank you. For everything – and for meaning well."
Turning, she tries not to feel like some manner of fugitive as she leaves Inara's little shipboard haven behind.
EOM
OOC: GEEZER! Batter UP
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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OOC: curses... my beautiful and ingenious chinese translation doesn't show up... 
Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY to GALLEY
Tools and straps put away, Damon heads back up the stairs to the galley. The galley is empty, which Damon finds strange seeing as it's lunch time with a dozen people on the ship.
He rumages through the pantry and pulls out an easy make meal package. Chicken and vegetable flavored protein. The instructions look easy and he's not picky enough to care what it tastes like. As long as it's warm and filling he's happy. Besides, he doesn't remember what real chicken tastes like anymore anyway.
He opens the package and dumps the contents into a small pot on the stove. Looking down at the box, he reads the instructions:
Add one cup of water. ????
He looks around at the cups on the counters. One thing he remembers being told is when it comes to cooking, things come in sizes just like wrenches and other tools, so you have to look for the one with the right lable.
Despite angry growling from his stomach, Damon starts looking through the cupboards.
???? = add one cup of water (just imagine chinese symbols 
)
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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LOCATION - MALs DORM
12:23 PM AMT
As ...
Jayne pauses to survey Mal's reaction.
JAYNE
"You 'member that alright, doncha? This Rowan's a real purtty one; could have that evil Companion training just like Saffron. Give her time, an' she'll be Mrs Jayne Cobb I betcha."
For nearly a minute MAL just stares at JAYNE. The internal struggle of emotions and rage play only in and around his eyes. JAYNE attempts to resist MALs stare, but fails. He has been here before, with the exact same stare hunting him. He fidgets and unconsciously slides back from the ladder into the short corner. He stops only when he hits the bulkhead. He looks pleadingly at MAL and begins to open his mouth. A BIG mistake.
Before JAYNE can utter a syllable, MAL has managed two lightning fast strides across the cabin, tipping his orange lounge chair over. His arms unfurl through the shoulder level rungs, flying right at JAYNE. MALs hands claw and grasps JAYNE's shirt front before JAYNE can even expel his breath in a yell. MAL yanks JAYNE forward with malicious intent. With an increadble resonating 'bong 'JAYNE finds the right side of his forehead and face squashed into he corner of the rung that is now above his head. He is pressed in so far, the right side of his lips are drawn back in a painful grimace.
MALs face looms in, eyes icy with chilling flame. JAYNE suddenly has the same wrenching-gut-drop he experanced when he had been in an uncontrolled groundcar heading for a very deep ravine at ridiculous speed. Jayne tries to pull back, but MAL's strength is at manic level. It is as if JAYNE's face has been welded to the ladder.
MAL continues to search JAYNE's eyes for a moment.
JAYNE
in tiny, strained and nearly incomprehensible voice
"Ughhhg, Malgh, dis kida hurbts..."
MAL's jaw clamps and the cold fire in his eyes roars higher. In another sudden smooth movement MAL slides JAYNE's face up and around until it is now the left side that is streched or compressed beyond reason.
MAL
In a soft, nearly friendly tone - but with a bedrock of wrought steel and edged in red.
"Better now? It best be, 'cause you better lissen up. And I do mean devote every little greasy thought to what I am going to say to you ... Dong Ma?!
JAYNE blinks frantcally in agreement, his eyes the only moving thing on his face that doesn't hurt. A thought pops off and flies around JAYNE's brain, 'what-n-th-hell has set Mal off on my kiester?!!.
MAL smiles a small predatory grin that JAYNE really believes belongs on a big ole croc.
MAL
still with the same scary voice of sanity and reason...
"Git yer ugly meatsac up to the cargo bay and get it all squared away for tomorrow. I swear by my boat, if this job comes up with so much as a squeak of a hitch ... I will take out every inch of it on you ... MAL's eyes glint like chips of diamond ... and I will be sure to take a few pages out of Niska's Shan Yu book when I do."
MAL nods once and then pauses to see if this is fully sinking in . JAYNE's panicked expression tells all, so MAL continues.
"You just let me worry about all the other impediments to our nice and quiet trek."
MAL releases JAYNE so quick, that JAYNE nearly cracks his head on the back wall. MAL stands erect, crosses his arms over his chest and simply says...
"Git."
EOM
*CHIME* - it is now 1226 hours Alliance Mean Time... *CHIME*
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge
(After looking at the gunnery console, walks over to the door, and closes it, then goes back to his console and chair, and looks at the straps... then sits down, and begins to fasten them, and then snugs them up some. He leans forward, and finds that, to his mock horror...)
(to Zoe): I've been flying Firefly's around the stars for probably fifteen years, and I have never had to strap in before... then again I've never really had to worry about getting in a shot at someone before either.
(takes a sip of coffee)
(to space): Oh, well... (reaching for his "relaxation items") Gorram it, I can't reach Rex... I need Rex, without Rex, who will cause the inevitable betrayal?
(takes another speculative sip of coffee)
Maybe I can just move Rex... Yes that's it. It really is just that simple. I can live with this change.
(back to Zoe): How's the chair feel to you? Why am I asking you about a chair? (playfully slapping head, then with a sly grin) I'm sorry, how's the weapon look to you? Sorry, I lost track there for a minute, these changes come hard to me, you know, it's been my chair for six years now, and we've been through a lot, (Imperiously, to Bridge at large) but I accept this change, because it's for the good of the ship.
(Unstrapping from chair, and flipping a few switches... a green light appears, as a small screen says "Autopilot Engaged". Gets up and goes over to Zoe, still at her console)
Serenity says it's 1230 on the display, I've got her on auto, let's do lunch, and maybe a little afternoon delight, before we go back to the bridge? (Classic leer, of course, and a small peck on Zoe's cheek)
(Wash walks to the door, and opens it, just as Jayne goes tearing out of Mal's room, and down the corridor)
(quietly to Zoe): What's eating him? He looks like he needs a nice vacation... maybe with a companion... help him to relax.
EOM
Decoy, they make me go first.
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - MAL'S DORM to CARGO BAY
12:28 PM
MAL
"Git."
Jayne is outside of the Captain's room before his mind even catches up with what his body is doing. His head swirls in confusion and surprise, and with every heart beat his face throbs where it was merged with the metal ladder.
Jayne hears Wash and Zoe on the bridge and sees people across the catwalk in the dining area. He
slips down the stairs to the cargo bay, not eager to meet up with anyone at the moment. The weight bench looks like a good idea to clear his head, so Jayne sits and proceeds to do arm curls.
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LOCATION - MALs DORM
Noon-Thirty AMT
As ...
MAL's door bangs shut, nearly on JAYNE's arse. MAL stands there a moment with a relaxed grin on his face.
MAL
in an ironicall tone
"Huh, pain IS scary ... can be fun too."
MAL starts at that thought. He unfolds his hands from his arms and stares at them.
MAL
whispers gruffly
"What in the ten hells of being drowned upside down is going on? I actually tried to strain Jayne thu my ladder ... Heh. Tho it did have certain bit'a humor to it."
Mal turns, sets the chair upright and then drops heavily into it. Has things been so rocky that he was losing his cool? With all the bustle and fuss on Serenity for the past few days, MAL felt like he was slipping down a mudslide towards a smeg pit. His key was wound so tight, he felt that he would surely snap and the shards of his anger would cut everyone to ribbons. Especially himself, control of himself is all he really felt had. Nothing else mattered - it all ends.
All the while there was something itchin' and annoyin' at the back of his mind urinating on his concentration. MAL tries to focus on that in an attempt not to thing about other things ... or people ... person ... Inar-. He switches tracks, not liking where this was heading. The thing irritating his memory -- it was something he had either heard or read. Something special, different -- even unique. But try as he might, MAL couldn't remember what it was. Suddenly very achy and tired he supports his head with his right hand. MAL closes his eyes, seeking a little peace in the darkness behind his eyes.
EOM
OOC : probably dos'na make much sense ... sorry! should not post while tired and brain ded. 
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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MERZ move – supplemental
TIME 12:28 AMT
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
She has not been at it long. Not long enough for the real world to fade completely from her conscious mind. So when JAYNE enters the cargo bay, and makes a beeline for the weight bench, it is easy enough to stay out of his way, and not include the intruder in the shadowfight.
Later on, that option would not prove so easy.
MERZ considers stopping while another person is present, and drops the thought almost immediately. they do not own me anymore. let him see what he likes. i do not give go-se anymore.
EOM
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Thorne's Move:
Location: His Quarters
Time - 12:30 PM
THORNE has rechecked his preparations for the evening, and, finding everything satisfactory, is stretched out on his bunk, musing on the new information he gathered on the bridge.
Thorne: "Looks like the drop will go as planned, although HLASTONI has managed to find the most remote place in the system to do it. The man just loves to do things the hard way. Wonder if that means he's expecting trouble? Probably be a good idea to get the crew together for a little pep talk...or at least suggest that to the captain. Remember, Rosie, it's not your ship."
"Interesting revelations from MERZ. She knows Hlas; very well, I'd guess, and she was at Serenity Valley during the battle. That makes her Alliance, or at least Alliance-connected. And she's obviously been schooled and controlled from a young age. It's likely she's completely devoid of the basic social skills because she never learned them in the first place. Plus the fact that my empathic sense can't read her at all. Hmm, could be that the Alliance had another human-enhancement project on a seperate track from the one that produced me and RIVER. Ended up just as nasty, it seems."
"What to do after the deal's finished? Spend some time on New Hokkaido? Head back home? Might drop by Persephone and pick up my yacht. Guess I'll just leave my options open and wait for a sign. Now about tonight..."
Thinking of the evening with INARA, THORNE drifts into a light sleep.
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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ZOE'S MOVE
LOCATION - BRIDGE TO GALLEY/DINING ROOM
Quote:
WASH: "Serenity says it's 1230 on the display, I've got her on auto, let's do lunch, and maybe a little afternoon delight, before we go back to the bridge?"
ZOE chuckles lightly at WASH's leer and leans in for his small peck on her cheek.
ZOE: "Sounds like a plan I can get behind, dear."
As she follows WASH to the door, ZOE sees JAYNE over WASH's shoulder, making a bee line for the cargo bay.
WASH: "What's eating him? He looks like he needs a nice vacation... maybe with a companion... help him to relax."
ZOE shakes her head at the image of JAYNE with a Companion.
ZOE (laughter in her voice): "That's a rather unsettlin' thought, husband. Do Inara a kindness and don't mention it to him. Matter of fact, I'd consider it a personal favor... Now, what about that lunch you were promisin'?"
Leaving unsaid the manner of payment for that favor, ZOE gives WASH a gentle shove out the bridge door and they walk down to the galley.
End Move.
~A~
...I'm still free,
You can't take the sky from me.
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:35 PM
Too many gorram people on this boat. Can't find me a speck of privacy. Jayne does his best to ignore the woman dancing in the cargo bay, and keeps his back to her so she doesn't get a look at his face.
Jayne mutters inaudibly to himself, grunting a few syllables out loud every time he hoists the 50lbs to his chin. "...shuh muh... ...I'm na... ...no ruttin'... ...son of... ...gorram... ...thinkin'..."
Sounds from the catwalk catch Jayne's attention. He tilts his head slightly and glances up to find Rowan, walking quickly away from Inara’s shuttle. Jayne lowers his arm and lets the dumbbell drop to the floor. 'Nara? he thinks, his eyes becoming wider as his mind conjures wicked scenarios of what Rowan has done to her. Jayne stands, no longer concerned about hiding his face. Just 'cause the Cap'n can't see what's goin' on don't mean I'm gonna sit on my thumbs an' ignore this!
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Rowan's Move:
LOCATION – From INARAs SHUTTLE to CATWALKS
12:35 PM
Rowan moves out quickly, before she can change her mind and rush back. It’s been an awfully long time since she’s been touched with any true tenderness, but as tempting as it is there is also the danger of losing herself to it. It’s one thing to let go in the midst of a meaningless tryst with a fella who won’t bother to think about waving after. To experience the kind of emotional stimulus a companion can render without half trying could very well be her undoing. The only way she’s been able to maintain her strength for so long is by avoiding even the hint of that kind of involvement, and that’s exactly what she’s telling herself as she makes her way aft across the catwalks.
Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Merz moving fluidly through some martial discipline disguised as a dance. Completely focused, her movements continue uninterrupted causing Rowan to wish briefly that she could find that level of concentration again. Been a long time since she found peace of mind, even on a superficial level.
As she descends the stairs near the common area, Rowan is surprised to see Jayne. Standing with arms folded, and a smug look on his handsome face, he certainly looks about ten times more alert than the last time she saw him.
ROWAN: "Ni hao da jia huo! Nice to see you making use of your boots for a change."
EOM
End Location: CARGO BAY
Ni hao da jia huo – basically "Hi there big fella"
OOC: My hand to The Great Whoever, http://www.formosa-translation.com/chinese/ had “fella” in its database.
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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Slight takes a deep breath. The empty bottle of whiskey lays testiment to the past hour he has spent. He slowly rises in the shuttle. Despite the rather large amount of alcohol in him, his movements are still assured as he sets down at the console.
Better at least tell Reynolds he's on his way.
Slight thinks better of it, and decides to wave Thorne instead. Might not want to aggravate that captain any time soon. From what he had seen, the man could use a break. From what little Slight knew of such situations, however, such breaks came rarely, if ever.
Slight starts up the Cortex, and then reconsiders. He's seen Thorne's mind, and knows his preferences. No reason he can't hack up the old messages received by Thorne.
Slight begins to type away at the Cortex. Hlastoni. Name means nothing. Spot three, previous mail, three options. Time and place.
Slight's sitting on the bird getting him there, so he doesn't have to worry about that. Slight sends a private message to Candy, informing her of thge dustoff that he needs to go to. She'll go there, and ask no questions about. Chances are she wants to help him. . .get as far away from her. She wants nothing more to with her past, and he can't blame her. Pity. He could use all the help he could get taking out the Academy.
Slight opens the door of the shuttle, and moves down to the catwalk, lighting a cigarette. No rest for wicked.
You see I cannot be forsaken/Because I'm not the only one.
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:39 PM
ROWAN
Ni hao da jia huo! Nice to see you making use of your boots for a change.
Nien ching duh's makin' fun of me now. Took me down real easy, didn't she? Jayne meets Rowan at the bottom of the stairs. As Rowan closes the gap between them, both notice something different about each other. The sides of Jayne's face and forehead are imprinted with red, linear marks.
JAYNE
Parroting Rowan's thoughts out loud
What the guai happened to your face?
Jayne stares at Rowan, his eyes shifting left and right. It is obvious he is just noticing her true eye colour for the first time, and he is certainly not showering her with more compliments. Far from it, he seems to be keeping his distance, his eyes locked on Rowan's and his expression one of... anger?
Nien ching duh = little girl
Guai = Devil
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Rowan's Move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:39 PM
As she approaches and gets a good look at him, Rowan decides he looks like someone smished his face against the deck plating. Or maybe one of the access ladders – only it’s fairly recent because it sure wasn’t there last night. Who did he manage to piss off enough to get strong-armed for it?
JAYNE What the guai happened to your face?
Took the words right out of her mouth.
ROWAN (frowning): "I got pounded on by that fafeng lâotou someone was dumb enough to let loose on this boat – but you..."
Gesturing to his face, she's about to tell him that the bruising he's going to end up with could be tricky to explain to the next whorehouse he might venture into. Then she realizes he's taking in her eyes for the first time, and if that scowl is any indication, his reaction to the god-awful color is going to be vastly different from the others she received that morning. Seems like his dander might be up about something else too, and it sets her hackles prickling.
ROWAN (acerbically): "You got something to say to me shuai nan hai?"
EOM
fafeng lâotou = crazy old geezer
Shuai nan hai = she just called him "pretty boy."
OOC: The Jayne quote is done using a font color instead of the *quote* html - I like it much bettahrer. Thanks for showing me the way SJ!
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - GALLEY
Damon looks up as Zoe and Wash enter the galley.
"Either of you know where a 'cup' is?" He points to the instructions on the box to clarify.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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MERZ move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY AND CATWALKS
One interruption was easy to ignore. The walkthrough was no problem. The sound of a 50-pound barbell hitting the deck is a tad more unusual. At the very least notice is taken – better care should be taken of equipment. He walked behind her towards the catwalk. Still not a problem, but her concentration is, well, lessened. JAYNE starts for the catwalk where other sounds are present, footsteps. MERZ continues her routine now fully aware of two persons on a collision course. Outwardly no change, but attention now divided between her actions and the actions of others. Never know where danger lies.
They are entirely ignoring her. Voices start low and while they do not rise much, they slowly grow tenser. Does not reach anger, but . . . the smells change. ROWAN in particular – MERZ has spent time with her and could pick her scent out of a crowd; the paints and unguents cannot hide her essential smell. And from ROWAN, MERZ can sense the beginning of worry and possibly fear.
JAYNE now, he does smell angry, and that is cause for concern. No matter that MERZ knows ROWAN can take care of herself. She spoke kindly to MERZ and will be defended, if necessary. MERZ pads closer to the pair, still involved in her routine, still apparently inwardly directed. She does not need eyes to see.
Close enough to react quickly. Wait for it . . .
EOM
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:40 PM
ROWAN
"You got something to say to me shuai nan hai?"
Jayne stands for a long moment, still staring into Rowan's eyes. His face relaxes and his body takes a more casual stance.
JAYNE
"I jus' seen what Niska done to ya, is all. Didn't get a good look afore. You really got more'n yer fair share of thumping. I was worried aboucha."
Green eyes? Part of some disguse, or retinal scan decoder maybe. She slipped up, but I can't let on that I noticed! Jayne knows Mal wouldn't take too kindly to him doing anything to upset the passengers. On more than one occasion that included leering at them. He needs proof that she's a spy before anything can happen. Right now, Jayne figures the best thing to do is just keep his knowledge of her secret. Just act like she's any other gorgeous gal.
Jayne smiles warmly.
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Rowan's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:40 PM
Something about that smile seems unsettling, but Rowan can't exactly pinpoint why. His body language and his expression work in tandem to back up his words of concern, but his eyes are definitely saying something else. Not to mention, whether as an insult or a compliment, no one has ever looked at the true color of her eyes without saying something.
Definitely something up with this tall drink of hard liquor - it was as plain as the goatee on his face.
ROWAN: "Worried, huh?"
Moving closer, she lifts one hand to his face to lightly touch one of the marks, intentionally drawing her fingertips down through his beard. Returning that warm smile, she leans in so that their bodies are nearly touching.
ROWAN (sweetly): "That's a load of gôu pì and you and I both know it."
EOM
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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Interlude 2 Part V
LOCATION - NEW HOKKAIDO / UCHIGATANA CITY DOCKS
Market Concourse
2518 AD~Solar Day 024/Jan 24~1730hrs/5:30PM AMT
As ...
TILDA LEON wends her way thorough the crowds thronging the Market Concourse. Her diminutive and slender form shrouded in a dark embroidered burka. Occasionally light would sparkle from the tiny silver-black hematite beads. They were sewn in scattered archaic Toltecah* patterns within the flowing and sharp script of the embroidery.
With a comedic ease, she flowed through the crowd. A skip and a angled slide here, sidestep there and then a sideways twirl to avoid a wheeled messenger's blindly erratic and high speed charge. Beneath the veil, TILDA's bronze face shone with calm happiness of simple joy. This easy rapture stemmed from her private dance, performed in order to avoid collisions. Most folk don't look down while wrapped in a crowded market. So, they don't see a teen sized body like TILDA's. Much less notice her moving through and between them like water coursing through a bed of stones.
If any of the travelers cared to observe, they could have noted a unique midnight black medium sized case. It was the only item TILDA carried than her belt of pouches, the dark leather flashing from beneath her outer robe with her movments. The case itself, was nearly indistinguishable from the burka. It's bulk swollowed in the fabric flowing around her arms, sweeping to and fro in the voluminous robe sleeves.
With the ease of practiced grace, TILDA skips and dances in an adrupt ninety degree course alteration. Her target is the south hub entrance of the Uchigatana docks - the legend DOCKS 42 - 54 broadly displayed in ideograms on the overhang.
EOI 2 PtV
{*Toltecs from 'Earth That Was' ancient South American continent.}
"Observe Analyze & Respond"
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers
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Book's Move
Location: Aft Stairs
Book stops short halfway up the stairs and suddenly misses his Bible. Where did I set it? He turns back around and goes down the stairs again into the infirmary. Sitting forgotten on a counter, with a few medical items he forgot to put back in their proper place, is the Bible. Guilt floods through him as he picks it up. "I shouldn't be forgetting this."
Book turns to a passage about helping his fellow man. "I know I'm going to look in Simon's room. I should just quit dancing around it." he thinks as he walks resolutely out of the infirmary and back down to Simon's room.
The room is dark as Book steps into it and he leaves it that way until he has slid the door closed behind him. Turning the illumination up only slightly, just enough to see, Book sets his Bible on Simon's small desk and begins to look for the illusive mind-machine again.
EM
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:41 PM
ROWAN
Sweetly
"Worried, huh? That's a load of gôu pì and you and I both know it."
Jayne stretches to his full height, even angling backwards slighty to make sure Rowan can't plant another kiss on him. Does she know? Does she know I know?
JAYNE
"God's honest truth. Been thinkin' boutcha all mornin'. I ain't likely to forget you anytime soon. But, the Cap'n don't like me gettin' ta know the passengers that well when there's work ta be done."
Jayne steps back from Rowan and turns to survey the disorganized crates stacked throughout the hold, sighing "yeah".
Not 20 feet away Merz moves fluidly and stealthily away from the two as her "dance" continues.
JAYNE
"Hey there! You might wanna take a bow an' scoot for a while so's I can get to work down here. Miss, uh..., miss."
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DireKtors response - BOOK "Observe Analyze & Respond"
LOCATION - SIMON's DORM
As ...
BOOK sets his Bible on Simon's small desk and begins to look for the illusive mind-machine again.
In the dim illumination, BOOK sees that the flip out worksurface has been left down. Considering it unusual for SIMON to leave anything untidy, Book moves from the desk over to it. Isolated in the right corner of the table is a small tan envelope. The only markings on it is a drawing on the front -- a cross. It is a hastily drawn Celtic knotwork affair, art with the hint of talent.
BOOK stands in front of the letter, hesitant & wondering.
EOD[/font]
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers
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Rowan's Move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:43 PM
JAYNE
"God's honest truth. Been thinkin' boutcha all mornin'. I ain't likely to forget you anytime soon. But, the Cap'n don't like me gettin' ta know the passengers that well when there's work ta be done."
Now what was that little measure of panic in his eyes? He certainly doesn't strike as the type who gets jittery around aggressive women. Provided he actually was thinking about her at all, Rowan can pretty well imagine exactly where that thought process was taking him. She also had the distinct feeling that his using the words "God's" and "honest" in the same breath just might be tantamount to heresy. Yet there was something awfully appealing about the big brute that seemed to be speaking pretty loudly to her own baser female instincts. At the same time, a little warning klaxon is also going off, getting marginally louder as he backs off and turns away.
JAYNE to Merz:
"Hey there! You might wanna take a bow an' scoot for a while so's I can get to work down here. Miss, uh..., miss."
Thinking again about the nice backside on the man, Rowan shakes her head and decides that flirting with the man called Jayne is going to be an engaging distraction. Follow through? Maybe not so much.
ROWAN
"Maybe when you're not so busy, we'll get to play a game of nine-ball."
When he twists around to scowl at her again, she gives him a smile.
ROWAN
"Be seeing you, da jia huo."
EOM
da jia huo = big guy
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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Wash's Move:
Location –Galley
Damon: "Either of you know where a 'cup' is?"
(Wash and Zoe looks at each other knowingly, as Zoe goes and gets one to show Damon.)
(Wash to Damon): She had to show me before too… I can fly a ship, but if I’m caught in the galley by myself again, Mal’s promised to space me. Let’s eat.
(Wash and Zoe fix a couple more Chicken and vegetable flavored protein packets, and join Damon at the table…eating ensues with a few subtle groans about the food substance. When done, a wave for Damon, then off to their quarters to relax until 5:00 AST, when it’s back to the bridge)
Location – Wash’s and Zoe’s Quarters
EOM
Decoy, they make me go first.
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INTERLUDE 3 Part II
LOCATION - SpeedSkiff ALACHINA RANDI*
OUTBOUND FROM OROBOROS
1745hrs/ 5:45 PM AMT
As ...
Merely one day from picking up NISKA, CORVAIR TROY relaxes by studying the parts of the coup he is privy to. Closing his eyes, he pulls up the POA* outline into his minds eye. It amazed even CORVAIR that this frail seeming Adelai Niska was as much a predator as any of the Troys. Further, the tactical intuition of this ancient Rakches Bhoksi was staggering.
To be present at the fruition of Adelia's decades long campaign caused CORVAIR to experience ... something. A warm feeling he had not had since the Troys were fractured by that ... that, no derogatory word really seemed to fit. Every time, a strange reaction shuddered through CORVAIR's massive frame, as it always did when he thought about ... 'her', the unholy itinerant whore that she was. Her name caused a foul bubbling of his stomach, which generated a blood and bile taste in the back of his throat.
What was it the phrase Adelai used ...
CORVAIR
whispers deeply and with blazingly intense venom
"Waiting is."
EOI 3 Pt II
Nepali Language
{*Alachina Randi = Unholy Whore}
{*Rakches Bhoksi = Demon Warlord}
Military'ese
{*POA - Plan Of Action}
"Observe Analyze & Respond"
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers
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OOC: Whoa, Decoy, you went to town with lunch... if it's all the same to you, I'm going to continue writing one piece at a time. I'll keep the interaction bewteen Damon, Zoe and Wash minimal to stay consistent.
Damon's turn:
LOCATION - DINING ROOM
Quote:
(Wash and Zoe looks at each other knowingly, as Zoe goes and gets one to show Damon.)
(Wash to Damon): "She had to show me before too… I can fly a ship, but if I’m caught in the galley by myself again, Mal’s promised to space me. Let’s eat."
Damon takes the measuring cup from Zoe and fills it with water at the sink. He dumps it into the pot and turns on the stove. After following the rest of the instructions and waiting for the food to cook, he spoons it onto a plate. He grabs a beer from the fridge on the way to the table and sits down.
Zoe and Wash join him after a few minutes, making a few negative comments about the food. But Damon has no complaints, he enjoys every bite of it.
It doesn't take long for him to forget that Zoe and Wash are even there. His thoughts wander off to New Hokkaido and what still needs to be done before he gets there. Would probably be best to ask the captain about that. Wash mentioned something about the port burner but ultimately, Mal's the one with the money.
Finished with his plate, he gets up for more.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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MERZ move
TIME 12:43 AMT
LOCATION - CARGO BAY or CATWALKS
JAYNE
"Hey there! You might wanna take a bow an' scoot for a while so's I can get to work down here. Miss, uh..., miss."
MERZ declines to answer him, or even acknowledge she has heard him speak. She moves off to the opposite side of the cargo bay, as far from his location as there is space for. As JAYNE works in the cargo space, wherever he moves she remains at the furthest place from him, seemingly oblivious to his existence.
At the top of the hour, her internal clock goes off, and MERZ drifts from the fighting kata into pure acrobatics. Finding the floor space to be somewhat confining she stops momentarily to remove the heavy boots she has been wearing and the socks beneath.
Carrying her footwear with the socks tucked inside and the laces tied together, MERZ pads over to the nearest set of stairs to the catwalks and springs lightly onto the handrail. She dances up the railing and drops her shoes across the rail at the top, out of anyone’s way and then drops softly to the catwalk.
MERZ returns to her acrobatics around and around the upper level, remaining always opposite JAYNE’s location below.
TIME tick 13:00 AMT and continuing.
EOM
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:50 PM
Jayne puts his back into a few heavy moves and secures the loads to the wall. He's sure Rowan has found something else to do by now, but that other woman is still sneaking around the cargo hold.
Jayne casually makes his way to the control console near the airlock. He glances around. It's all clear apart from the dancing lady, and she's at the opposite end of the bay. Jayne leans into the controls and pushes the comm button for Inara's shuttle.
JAYNE
Whispering
"'Nara. 'Nara, you there? Answer me if yer still alive."
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LOCATION - INARA'S SHUTTLE TO CARGO BAY
As ...
Inara finishes stowing away her makeup cases, removes the cups and saucers to their rightful places, and glances in the mirror hanging beside the shuttle door. Smiling at her own reflection, Inara tidies up her hair and wipes a bit of powder from the bridge of her nose with a smirk. She leaves her shuttle intent on a bit of food from the galley.
Gently closing the door behind her, Inara simultaneously hears Jayne's words from the comm behind her, and in the cavernous bay below her.
"'Nara. 'Nara, you there? Answer me if yer still alive."
Inara steps lightly along the catwalk and peeks down to see Jayne huddled in front of the intercomm, clutching it's sides as if he weren't only speaking to her, but straining to reach and touch her.
He says again, a bit more forcefully-- "'Nara. 'Nara, you there?"
Inara steps quietly onto the cargo bay floor, and walks slowly over to the airlock controls, her soft slippers making barely a sound. Engrossed as he is with the intercomm, Jayne doesn't hear her footfalls.
"I'm here, Jayne.." she says softly from just behind his left ear
**awaiting Jayne's response**
ooc:
I'm back, dearies....and trying to catch up!! forgive my cruddy posts at first ;P
Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss
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OOC: since a lot of us operative types are working out, guess I should too.
Slights move:
Slight finishes the cig, putting it out against his hand. With one hand, he launches over the railing. He lands silently. Standing up, he pulls off the trenchcoat. The armor explodes off of him, as he lowers his head, closing his eyes and cocking his elbows. His fists are clenched at his hips, as he breathes deeply. The armor forms several balls and disks. The disks are razor sharp-if they were instructed to, they could slice through the bulkhead and suck 'em all into the Void. The balls are the weight and solidity of lead, capable of smashing skulls.
Childsplay.
Two razors launch first, almost silent.
Slight twists to the side and falls to one knee, using his wrists to deflect both. Three balls now rush at him, as he backflips over them. four blades are twirling towards him even as he lands, and drops to his stomach. The first two blades now rush at him, as he does a push up into the air and locks them down with his feet. As programmed, they remain there, until the next session. In response, the nanytes combine tactics, two weights dropping down from above as blades arch towards him in a scissor pattern. He twirls, cating the wieghts by dropping his arm and absorbing the shock by swinging his arms down with the force as the bades miss him by inches. He programs the weights into gloves, and catches the last four in his fists.
The first session is over.
You see I cannot be forsaken/Because I'm not the only one.
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"A terrible display, Agent Slight. Such pointless bloodshed." The Power was enjoying his title, obviously.
Slight raised his eyebrow. "I snapped the kids neck, Tenth Power. There wasn't any blood."
The Power sneered. Definetly new, so low on the chain, and unaware of who Slight was exactly. "You cut yourself on the environment in the middle of the ritual, Agent. And show respect for your superior, or else-"
Slight was done playing. "Or else what, Power?" he whispered in a deadly tone.
He leaned forward, staring into the mans eyes with his red gaze. Show them your strength.
The man couldn't even resist a flinch. Sad. "Let me guess, Tenth Power. Son of another power, probably Seventh or Eighth. No faith structuring, since you would never think of betraying the Sun."
The Power gulped, scratching at his blue gloves a little.
"Nor any fieldwork. You ever seen a Blue Sun Power at work? They are surgical in what they do. No unnecessary words, no actions unintentional. They are machines. You will never see the outside of this building again acting like a spoiled child. Your pee goo will remain where it is. Behind this desk, and give agents a pat on the back and their ritual talismans." The Blue Sun didn't give medals. Counterproductive, gave them pride. But give them rights, such as a talisman for women or men, depending on the case, and they will beg. "But if you give them real trouble over nothing, such as getting clipped by a innercity train on their way out? Then you will become a zealot. Faith restructuring daily, Blackout drugs will be implanted into your skin. You will become the training toys of this place. Any idea how many zealots I have killed, just to get here? Imagine being the plaything of a Nemesis."
The Powers lip was trembling. Now he is scared.
The First Power slid in. "That is enough, Brink Helsing. Return to your quarters."
"Yes, sir." Slight makes sure to smirk at the Power as he leaves. Then he has a thought. "Sir, may I inform this man of my heritage?"
Harold Helsing shrugged. "Why not. May teach him the lesson further than you already have."
The mans eyes might leave his skull at any moment. Slight smiles. "I am the son of the Blue Sun. I am the child of Harold Helsing."
As the door shuts behind him, he can hear the mans scream.
You see I cannot be forsaken/Because I'm not the only one.
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - DINING ROOM
Damon finishes the last of his meal and stacks his dishes in the sink. Time to have another talk with the captain.
He asks Zoe and Wash as they decend into their bunk where he would find Mal and is directed to his bunk not far away. Standing near the entrence, he turns on the com to Mal's room.
He hesitates for a moment, still not really sure how he should address him or what to say.
"Uh, cap'n, could I speak to you?"
END LOCATION - FORWARD HALL
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:52 PM
INARA
"I'm here, Jayne.." she says softly from just behind his left ear
Jayne reels about in surprise, falling backward onto the three-foot high comm console and grabbing at it for support.
JAYNE
Yelping in surprise, but immediately catching himself and carrying on as normal
"Aaahh thought you was in yer shuttle."
Jayne's voice echoes throughout the cargo bay unnaturally. His face is pale and shocked, but that changes rapidly to a pained look as he realizes the comm is on. He steadies himself and turns to look down at the panel behind him. A dim green shimmers next to the label, "broadcast all". Jayne switches the comm off and turns back to Inara, his eyes closed and his mouth silently cursing. He gathers himself and speaks quietly to her.
JAYNE
"That girl Rowan was up in your shuttle. You know 'bout that?"
INARA
"Well, yes, I was there with her, why..."
JAYNE
"An' yer alright?" Jayne looks confused, his brow furrowed. Well, if Rowan wasn't there to kill Inara, maybe she was pushing her for information. "Was she askin' 'bout stuff? About Mal, or the ship? Maybe ya talked in yer sleep?"
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DireKtor Emphasis
12:52 PM AMT
Over the intercom through every speaker on Serenity, rebounding and echoing throughout the ship: Jayne's voice - distorted yelp then a too loud exclamation.
Jayne
"Aaahh thought you was in yer shuttle."
EODE
Quicky DireKtor post - will fix format and spelling later - gotta run!
OOC
Now edited... does this type of post work as intended? Now ya just gotta figger out my intentions!
"Observe Analyze & Respond"
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers
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Slight doesn't stretch or warm up as he prepares for the next traing session. What so few people realized was a hotzone rarely gave you time to prepare yourself physically. Sure, it kept you in top form. But when the bullets fly, you didn't go into a butterly position. You hit the deck, grabbed your peice, and you shot right the hell back.
The nanytes collect. They solidify, and form an opponent. His same form attacks before the body is complete.
You see I cannot be forsaken/Because I'm not the only one.
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Quote:
INARA
"I'm here, Jayne.." she says softly from just behind his left ear
Inara suppresses a laugh as the large mercenary leaps into the air, landing facing her, and reels backward, clutching the intercomm panel for support.
His suprised yelp echoes several times around the cavernous room before finally dying.
Inara leans away from the flailing giant, a look of pure innocence on her face. "for such a large man, he's certainly graceful, even when suprised!" Inara thinks to herself.
Jayne rights himself, and makes a grand attempt at carrying on as if nothing has happened.
Quote:
JAYNE
"Aaahh thought you was in yer shuttle."
Inara winces at another echo, and shakes her head as Jayne deftly reaches back and thumbs the comm off.
Quote:
JAYNE
"That girl Rowan was up in your shuttle. You know 'bout that?"
INARA
"Well, yes, I was there with her, why..."
Jayne interrupts her with a barrage of frenziedly concerned questions...
Inara holds up her hand..."Jayne, I'm fine...she and I had a nice conversation, as a matter of fact!" Realizing one of Jayne's questions implied she and Rowan had slept together, Inara straightens, dark eyes blazing.
INARA
"do I talk in my SLEEP?" Inara throws at Jayne. What's that to do with Rowan and I? Jayne, Rowan is a friend, not a client...not that it's your concern. As a matter of fact, you can keep your concern to yourself! I thought you were worried for my health, after helping me earlier....but you were just interested in my Companion'ing without your audience?
Inara crosses her arms across her chest, a hurt look on her face. She had hoped Jayne and she had become comrades of a sort after he'd helped her recover.
-----EOM------
yeah, Inara seems to be a bit easily-upset today!!
I'm assuming she hasn't had her meds yet.
Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss
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Rowan's Move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:52 PM
Hearing the yelp over the intercom stops her in her tracks and she's looking around frantically when Jayne's voice comes over the general.
JAYNE "Aaahh thought you was in yer shuttle."
A full smile feels pretty good, but she manages to hold in her laughter and head down to the passenger dorms at the same time. Wiping errant tears aside as she reaches her dorm, she crouches down once again and pulls out her duffle. First she checks the money pouch, testing the weight and decides that if anything has been pilfered in her absence, she could very easily make it up in one or two matches. Any less than the P2000 she needed for the high-stakes entrance fee for this tournament, and she'd have to go after someone's hide. Probably Jayne's, which actually would be some grand manner of mischief, come to think of it.
Setting the pouch aside, she lifts other tiny black items of clothing from the duffle and then a small packing box from the bottom. Unsnapping the latches, she lifts the cover as she sets the case down on the mattress and draws out a length of sheer silk. Reaching for the collapsible hangar secured under a pair of Velcro straps, she lets her hand brush across the deep red silk of the dress still lying inside the case. Folded so that a black dragon is grinning up at her, she runs her fingertips over his grinning visage. Aislin had sent the dress from Sihnon, thinking on it now, Rowan realizes that it represents Aislin's intention to make amends. Too bad the war started right after that or they may actually have made some headway.
Shaking herself from yet another melancholy reverie – at least the intensity of her memory flashes has tapered off somewhat – Rowan holds the black dress up by the spaghetti straps. She inspects for wrinkles – and is able to see the doorway through the fabric – before hanging it up so it can relax a bit before the reception at New Hokkaido. Running her fingers over the strategically placed sequins, she wonders absently who will be at this tournament, and what manner of competition she might be up against. If Andreas is there, at least there would be someone decent to shoot with, to drink with between matches and spend the night hours in more engaging distractions. That is, so long as Eleni wasn't still after getting her claws into him. Conniving little jien ren.
Speaking of that, Rowan remembers there's a packet on the way and she turns to put the dress case back into the bottom of her duffle. She's about to start repacking her clothes as well, when she stops, suddenly realizing that she's been allowed to stay on as crew, at least until New Hokkaido. Since the meeting with Niska, she hasn't had a chance to give much consideration to what that means. Once she won the tournament, she would have enough coin to buy Serenity if she had a mind to, and if Reynolds had a notion to sell which was highly doubtful. On the outside chance she doesn't win, she'll still need transport off planet.
To pack or not to pack - that is the question.
END LOCATION - PASSENGER DORMS
EOM
jien ren = bitch
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:55 PM
INARA
"Do I talk in my SLEEP?"
Jayne weathers the verbal storm, he himself only able to sputter out a few sounds. "B... Wh... I..." For each of Inara's angered words, he has one to calm her at the tip of his tongue, but he can't get them out.
INARA
"...but you were just interested in my Companion'ing without your audience?"
Now with a moment to react, Jayne's thoughts culminate into a single response to explain this misunderstanding and alleviate Inara's hurt feelings. He speaks forcefully and slowly, emphasizing each syllable.
JAYNE
"No..."
Inara crosses her arms across her chest, a hurt look on her face. Jayne hates that look. He wants to do something, but feels unable to handle the situation. Her eloquent words danced skillfully and violently into his ears. Wimen he thinks. Turn on ya faster than a weathercock.
JAYNE
"Ya wanna keep yer voice down? This is important, here."
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LOCATION - MALs DORM
1250 PM AMT
As ...
MAL wakes when the intercom goes off.
DAMON
Over comms
"Uh, cap'n, could I speak to you?"
MAL
Growls while shaking the grogginess from his short nap off
"Yeah, what ya got on your mind ... pauses to relate name with voice ... Damon? Egh, come on down."
EOM
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - MALs DORM
Quote:
Originally posted by CapnRahn:
"Yeah, what ya got on your mind ... pauses to relate name with voice ... Damon? Egh, come on down."
Damon opens the hatch to Mal's bunk and climbs down the ladder. He takes a quick look around, remembering the feeling of having a room to dominate. An even more distant memory was when he had a room of his own, not just a corner of a warehouse packed with slaves.
He stands under the door, leaning his shoulder against the ladder. "I finished- well, Merz and I finished settin' up those two bridge chairs with four point straps so your pilot and first will be good to go. Wash said the port engine might need some fixin' up but I thought I'd ask you if there was anything specific you needed done before tomorrow."
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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LOCATION - MALs DORM
1251 PM AMT
As ...
DAMON
"... but I thought I'd ask you if there was anything specific you needed done before tomorrow."
MAL
rubbing sleep out of his eyes
"Good job. I'll be inspectin' it in a bit. Has Jayne done anything in sorting out the cargo bay? There was still some Tequila sloshin around under my deck."
EOM
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - MALs DORM
Quote:
Originally posted by CapnRahn:
rubbing sleep out of his eyes
"Good job. I'll be inspectin' it in a bit. Has Jayne done anything in sorting out the cargo bay? There was still some Tequila sloshin around under my deck."
"Yeah, he's down in the cargo bay, I think, so I assume that's what he's doing."
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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MAL & DAMON's MOVE
Blended Post: Cap'n Rahn & Squee
LOCATION - MALs DORM
1252 PM AMT
As ...
MAL
Smiles easily
"You might git down there and give the big galoot a hand ... grins sardonically ... "And pay him no mind if he tells of a thrashing."
Damon nods, wondering how to ask what's really been on his mind.
DAMON
"Do you uh... know what kinda work they have on NH?"
MAL
pondering, looking off to the side, as if reminiscing
"Hummm ... dock work, warehouse and then there is that Renact Faire whoozits."
Mal waits till Damon goes through his options. Letting the boy have a moment or two.
He considers those possibilities but none of them sound like short term work, or at least work that would keep him moving at a safe pace.
DAMON
"Do you know if there will be any other ships there that might need a hire?"
MAL
"That you would have to check with the port authority or on the cortex listings."
Damon can't help but look unhappy about either or those options.
DAMON
"Feds and me don't get along to well. But thanks for the info, I'll see Jayne about the cargo bay and check the cortex later."
MAL
looks innocent
"Alrighty then." ... gestures toward the hatch. MAL waits till the despondent Damon starts to ascend the ladder.... "Wait."
Damon stops with one foot on the ladder and waits for Mal to continue.
MAL
"If that work on them straps is prime and I smell no tequila in my bay ... appears to ponder very seriously ... we'll just see if we can't find a place to store your skruffy behind."
DAMON
Damon smiles
"I think I like that idea."
MAL
"Excellent - now git! My bay stinks to high heaven and I want to have a meeting there at 3 PM - tell everybody else to be there on time or be ready to take a swim in the Black."
Suddenly a yelp is heard over the shipwide intercom followed by Jayne's voice....
JAYNE
"Aaahh ... thought you was in yer shuttle."
Damon gives the comm a questioning frown but shrugs it off.
DAMON
"I'll be in the cargo bay if you need me."
He starts climbing the ladder again, too happy to worry about his questions. Time enough to talk about their second contract later but for now, there was work to do.
MAL grins and shakes his head as DAMON departs and the clang of his hatch fades away. Sighing, MAL flips on the com to the Bridge.
MAL
"Wash, we got any dropsite plots from the pickup folk? ... scowls while waiting for an answer... Wash?!"
EOBM 1257 PM
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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OOC: This is assuming Damon took the forward stairs down, and he and Rowan miss each other by seconds.
Rowan's Move
LOCATION - PASSENGER DORMS
12:54 PM
To pack or not to pack. It's a little less than a day now before they reach New Hokkaido. No sense unpacking for that amount of time. Her things would barely get settled in before she packed them up to move to the hotel. So for the time being she moves everything back into her duffle and shoves it under the bunk. Reaching for the hand-held computer and her cue stick case, she heads back out and makes quick time up the aft stairs.
Glancing down the engineering corridor, she wonders absently what Kaylee is up to. Serenity seems to be running like a top, though, so the girl is definitely still on her game. The rest of the crew probably could go days without seeing her unless they made a point to go into the engine room. Only the best engineers ever slept with the beating hearts of their ships and there was some comfort in the fact that Serenity had herself one of the best.
Taking a right, Rowan heads into the galley and looks up as she passes by to find the holo-emitters are right where she left them, ready for further use. Although she could wile away a few hours on her own with practice shooting, Rowan holds some hope that one of the crew or passengers might venture up and be coaxed into a match. It's always more interesting when two play.
Down the crew quarters hall she notices that most hatchways are closed, but only Wash and Zoe's is showing secured. Smiling wistfully, she decides those two have the right idea.
Consequently, the bridge is empty when she arrives, with all controls set on autopilot. Locating the cortex interface easily, she sits down in the pilot's chair and switches it to active just as Mal's voice comes over the ship-board intercom.
MAL
"Wash, we got any dropsite plots from the pickup folk? (PAUSE) Wash?!"
Apparently their friendly neighborhood pilot forgot to mention to anyone he was taking a little afternoon delight with his wife. Shaking her head over the idiosyncrasies of pilots, Rowan reaches over to switch on the com.
ROWAN:
"Rowan here, Captain. Helm's locked down, autopilot is on and I believe your pilot is spending a little quality time with your first officer."
EOM 1257 PM
We have art so as not to die of truth ~ Neitzsche
http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
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OOC: Rowan would have seen Damon, so I'll just say that he was still climbing up from Mal's room when she passed.
Damon's turn:
LOCATION - FRONT HALL
12:57 PM
Damon is still smiling as he closes the hatch to Mal's bunk. Hasn't reached the end of their first contract and he's already signed on for a second. He's surprised that a crew of this size would need another hand, but he's not going to argue it with anyone.
He walks down to Zoe and Wash's bunk, wondering how long the captain intends to keep him on for this time. He turns on the com to their bunk.
Com to Zoe/Wash's bunk: "Captain says there's gonna be a meeting at 3 in the cargo hold."
Strange couple that. Would never have guessed that two opposites would get along so well. He takes a quick peek in the bridge and sees Rowan in the pilot chair.
To Rowan on the BRIDGE: "Hey, captain says there's gonna be a meeting at 3 in the cargo hold."
He grabs a muffin from the basket on the dinning table while passing through the galley on his way to the engin room.
LOCATION - ENGINE ROOM
12:58 PM
He knocks on the doorway of the engine room and looks around for Kaylee. "Captain says meeting at 3 in the cargo hold."
He waits for a nod, to make sure she heard him and then turns for the stairs.
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
12:59
Munching his muffin, he starts walking toward Inara's shuttle but stops when he sees her down below with Jayne. Merz is doing acrobatics across the railings and for a moment, Damon just stares at her. He shakes his head and turns back to the stairs.
"Cap'n wants a meeting here at 3," he announces to everyone, making his way down. "He also said I should help you here with the cargo and tequila, Jayne. I'll be back in a minute."
LOCATION - PASSENGER DORM
1:01 PM
He crosses the common room and enters the passenger dorm. Not really sure whose room is whose, he assumes they will hear him from where he is.
To Thorne, Book and River (if she's around): "Captain wants a meeting in the hold at 3."
He tosses his empty muffin wrapper in the infirmery's trash can and returns to the cargo bay.
END LOCATION - CARGO BAY
1:02 PM
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Inara's move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY or CATWALKS ]
time is relative
Inara makes her hands into small fists, the nails cutting pink crescents into her palms, as she watches Jayne's face fall...she is immediately sorry for her anger. Her furious words still echoing in her own ears, she waits for Jayne's response, at once fearful she's hurt him, and hoping he'll shrug her words off with his usual nonchalance.
"..No" Jayne says slowly, and with more composure than she herself can boast at the moment.
JAYNE
"Ya wanna keep yer voice down? This is important, here."
Inara's body relaxes, her anger forgotten in the face of Jayne's solemn words. She takes a hestiant step toward him, glancing around to see that no one is around to hear.
INARA
"Jayne, what's this about? Has Rowan done something I should know about? She was with me for quite some time, and seemed perfectly normal"
Inara hears footsteps on the overhead catwalk, and puts a hand upon one large shoulder. Inara pulls Jayne along with her, tucking them behind a large cargo container.
She turns to face him, and awaits his explanation.
1:02 PM
Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
1:02 PM
Inara pulls Jayne along with her, tucking them behind a large cargo container. Jayne really doesn't want to worry her - she's a paying passenger, not crew, plus she's got her own problems to worry about. Obviously. He decides to keep his questions general.
JAYNE
in a whisper
"You Companion types, y'all use them face paints an' pretty clothes 'n stuff. D'ya get trained to put on disguises, like fer fancy parties or guys with whacked out fantasies or sumtin'?"
As Inara answers him, Jayne cranes his head around to keep tabs on the footfalls moving around the cargo bay. Must be that Damon's back.
JAYNE
in a whisper
"Ya think Rowan might know sumtin' 'bout yer work? She's purtty and graceful 'nough, she could be a Companion, doncha think?"
The footfalls have been scattered and wandering, but now they are coming closer. Jayne realizes the jig may be up.
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
Damon walks into the cargo bay and looks around. Where'd they go? He walks across the room, looking for where they may have gone to and spots them standing behind the container.
"I'll be right over here when you're ready, Jayne."
He moves back out of sight, not wanting to intrude and watches Merz continued her artistic routine on the catwalks.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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Thorne's Move:
Location: His Quarters/Common Room/Cargo Bay/Mal's Door
1:04 PM
Thorne instantly awakens at DAMON's call. Meeting at 3:00. He should talk to the Captain now about the coordinates and the time for the exchange...and mention his concerns about HLASTONI's choice of meeting place and what it likely means.
Probably a good idea to get this out of the way now anyway. MAL doesn't know about his engagement with INARA tonight, but he'll probably hear about it tomorrow. He'd be less receptive to THORNE's information then. Too bad the boy's jealous about things that aren't important.
THORNE rises, automatically checks his weapons, and heads for MAL's cabin. He passes the Shepherd in the common room and nods. Entering the cargo bay he sees DAMON, and a second later INARA, talking to JAYNE. MERZ is still working out, now extreme gymnastics. He climbs to the crew bunk passage, and stops outside MAL's door. He thumbs the comm button.
"Captain, this is THORNE. May I speak to you for a moment?"
1:10 PM
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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Wash’s move:
LOCATION Wash & Zoe’s DORM
Wash (to Zoe in general, and world at large): Why is it that it’s quiet when Mal is taking a break, and everyone uses the intercom when we’re recharging? Gorram, I’m going back to the bridge and play with my toys.
(Wash gets up, dresses, goes to hatch and starts to climb up)
The time is currently 13:00 AMT
EOM
Decoy, they make me go first.
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LOCATION - MALs DORM
1257hrs/12:57 PM AMT
As ...
ROWAN
"Rowan here, Captain. Helm's locked down, autopilot is on and I believe your pilot is spending a little quality time with your first officer."
MAL shakes his head ruefully. Those two ... chuckles out loud ... like prairie ferrets in full blown season, even after all these years. 'If only ...' MAL abruptly turns his thoughts back to business and away from Inara.
MAL
with a hint of light humor
"Guess they deserve a little time. Speaking of that ... eh, hold on, I'll be up there in a tick."
MAL clicks off the link to the bridge and fairly zips up the ladder. 'A good nap does wonders for a fellas outlook.' MAL thinks. At the bridge gangway, he takes two and three stairs at a time and enters the Bridge as Rowan turns from Wash's board.
"As I was saying - time off. I think it may be time for this crew to have a little RnR after the drop. A little vacation for my crew on New Hokkaido. And I seem to remember hearing about you playing in a game tournament there dirtside or something like that. So I have ta ask - You conversant with all the ...waggles his eyebrows and grins... relaxin' like amenities at" ... pauses a half second to remember ... "Uchigatana?"
Before she can answer, Wash enters the bridge.
EOM 1301 hrs/1:01 PM AMT
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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Wash’s move:
LOCATION - BRIDGE
(Wash climbs out of the hatch, steps into the corridor, and trudges to the bridge… Sees Rowan in his chair, and mentally decides if Mal is in a good mood, why do I have to be in a bad one… Wash goes and sits in the gunnery chair… but does check to see if the autopilot is still engaged… and looks to see if the radar scope is clear…)
Wash: (under his breath) all clear, and on course. (checks the time on the console: 1301 AMT)
EOM
Decoy, they make me go first.
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
1:05 PM
DAMON
"I'll be right over here when you're ready, Jayne."
JAYNE
sticking his head out from behind the crate
"Yeah, why don't you head over to the other side of the bay and start movin' those containers to the wall. Whatever ya can manage. We'll use the mule fer the big ones."
Jayne turns back behind the crate. He moves close to Inara, encompassing her shoulder with one great hand wrapped in fresh white gauze. His face, marred by red bruises, moves inches away from her own. He whispers so as to barely be heard.
JAYNE
"Inara, ya gotta do one thing for me - I'll explain later. You can trust me, right? I'm gonna seal up the bay here for a half hour or so. I need you to make sure Rowan an' you are in yer shuttle while that happens, dong ma?"
Dong ma = got it?
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LOCATION - CARGO BAY or CATWALKS
As ...
Inara flinches at Damon's voice in the near-silent space between she and Jayne. Jayne's voice is muffled as he leans out and gives instructions to Damon, from her vantage behind him, she can see the tight set of his shoulders...whatever is on his mind has him very concerned.
Jayne leans back into the shadowed space behind the crate, and puts a hand upon her shoulder, pulling her closer. Inara notices a bandage wound around his palm, the same hand that bears a crescent of small teethmarks. Inara leans into Jayne's warmth, eyes searching his concerned face.
JAYNE
"Inara, ya gotta do one thing for me - I'll explain later. You can trust me, right?
Inara nods, the urgency in his words warning her to keep silent and let him finish.
I'm gonna seal up the bay here for a half hour or so. I need you to make sure Rowan an' you are in yer shuttle while that happens, dong ma?"
Inara gives Jayne a speculative look, trying to decide if the large man is suffering from some sort of tequila-and-drug induced insanity. Finding his blue eyes clear, she decides to give him the benefit of the doubt.
laying a small hand on the large one covering her shoulder Inara speaks:
INARA
"Jayne, I don't know what this is about, but I have come to trust you...I've not said it, I know...but I so appreciate what you did for me when I was ill. I'm sorry if I was any...trouble.
Inara gives the gauze over Jayne's hand a light pat, and brings her hand back down to her side.
"I'll go the galley, and decide on a reason to bring Rowan back into my shuttle...a half hour is all I can promise, and you'd better make it quiet...you wouldn't believe how Serenity carries sounds."
Jayne nods, giving her shoulder one last squeeze, and Inara turns, striding back into the main cargo area. Inara gives Damon a nonchalant smile, and a nod as she passes, and begins ascending the stairs to the upper catwalks.
Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
Quote:
Originally posted by Saint Jayne:
JAYNE
sticking his head out from behind the crate
"Yeah, why don't you head over to the other side of the bay and start movin' those containers to the wall. Whatever ya can manage. We'll use the mule fer the big ones."
Damon nods and heads for the containers, leaving them to their talk. There are a bunch of them, most of them standard size. He rotates one, getting ready to lift it
He moves at a quick, steady pace, despite the weight of the boxes, and it isn't long before he sinks into the monotonous routine of manual labor that he was so accustom to. No longer seeing the boxes or feeling their weight, he thinks of all the hassle he is saved now that he has another job so soon. Doesn't need to worry about getting food, or finding a place to sleep, or transportation, and more importantly: he'll be off New Hakkaido before the Feds will have time to track him.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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MERZ move
LOCATION - CATWALKS
TIME 13:02 AMT
MERZ is not far into her acrobatics, but moving well and contented with her body’s responses, after too many months on the run and without the luxury of regular exercise periods. These people have made it clear that whatever she was or is, she is welcome here and now. It is so much easier to relax and be herself. She knows she is still in for a fair bit of confusing and possibly offending people, but time and practice will help her to correct these lapses. Lack of patience is not one of her flaws.
There is an increase of activity below. MERZ can hear footsteps; conversation. But she is too far away to really hear anything and all she can smell up here is dust, machine oil, tequila, and the ozone tang that is part of the air of all enclosed craft. Nothing she can hear causes alarms to go off.
From below, she hears DAMON "Cap'n wants a meeting here at 3. He also said I should help you here with the cargo and tequila, Jayne. I'll be back in a minute."
MERZ ponders. Stop now, and help move cargo – that is exercise of a sort too? No, not just yet. Training too far behind now, really need to finish this – can’t afford to lose conditioning. Just because she has left her team, does not mean her skills will never again be needed. Her contribution to Serenity, as crew, will be to maintain her skills, to strive to be at her best. And that means, for now, to keep her physical abilities at peak.
She performs a series of back-flips terminating in a one-armed handstand, while pondering. Thirty more minutes of this, then break to assist with cargo, and clean up and change before meeting.
Sounds good.
She sets her internal clock for .30 and sinks back into the routine.
EOM
TIME 13:05 AMT
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
1:08 PM
Inara glides away from Jayne as he turns and marches in the other direction. Leaning over the comm stand, he fiddles with the controls and barks into it.
JAYNE
"Kaylee. Y'alright, girl? Haven't seen y'all day. I'm gonna be lockin' up the cargo bay afore we meets with the Cap'n, an' spacing this foul-smelling jiu. When I give the word, I wancha ta set the atmo-feed to pull the O2 and pump the fumes in here from the resta the ship."
Jayne looks up to see if that finally got the dancing lady's attention. Not so much as a funny look. She is engaged in an intense acrobatic workout, and Jayne can't help but watch her. He really feels badly not having paid for this, a display of unbelievable power for such a small frame; woman pushing herself beyond her own human limitations. Beautiful. Somehow that gets him all charged up.
Eyes still locked on the free show, Jayne leans back into the comm.
JAYNE
"Wash. I'm gonna need ta lock down the cargo bay in about an hour to space this mess. When I give the word, get the crew an' passengers what don't need ta be on the bridge ta meet in the galley or 'Nara's shuttle fer a head count. Then Kaylee sucks the O2 an' we open the airlock."
Jayne and Damon get down to work. Once Damon finishes with the manageable loads, Jayne gets him to restack them to his liking and secure them to the wall, ceiling and floor beams with the ample chain found in the room. Jayne himself positions several hydrolic-lift wheels under the larger loads and pushes them to the wall with the mule.
Jiu = booze
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LOCATION - BRIDGE
0101 hrs/1:01 PM AMT {Relatively speaking}
As ...
Wash meanders into the Bridge and flops into the newly minted gunners chair. He wriggles around unconsciously as if the chair isn't comfortable. After a second of adjusting, He does a quick glance at the instruments.
Mal looks back to Rowan and holds up a finger in pause.
MAL
in a congenial tone containing a whiff of humorous intent
"Hold on to that thought Miss, I got'ta talk to my poor over-worked, over-hormoned pilot for a sec."
Mal moves over to the other side of the Bridge. He stops and lays a hand on the opposite side of the gunners chair headrest. Crouching and facing Wash, Mal's positioning blocks Wash's view of Rowan. His left arm drapes across the back of the chair as if Mal had a companionable arm around Wash himself.
MAL
eyes flint hard and in a tight and almost pained whisper, his voice only carrying a couple feet
"Been needin' to ask you something. ... pauses to stare Wash straight in the eye... You and the crew lookin' to have a new captain on this here boat? If you and the rest have lost enough respect for me to allow a stranger to make orders on my bridge without my say-so, I can't but believe I need replacin'. If that is the situation, I do herby resign."
Wash's studied blank look dissolves into a dazed and confused expression as he assimilates exactly what Mal as said. Mal waits until Wash's shock wears off and he tries to speak.
MAL
eyes glittering with barely contained humor
"Naw, I paid good plat for this ship. ... shakes his head in a comically serious manner ... Instead, how 'bout we see if the new seat-belts work in a flat spin?"
Mal stands up and back in a snap. His left arm flinging the chair in a counter clockwise motion, spinning Wash like a top. Wash's form blurs with the chair's into a cyclone of blended color.
MAL
with feigned shock and wonder
"Whoa - good bearings! Durn, fergot to fasten the buckles. Ah well, we'll do it next time."
MAL turns back to Rowan, as he attempts to stifle a huge grin. Behind him Wash is still attempting to stay in the chair and slow the spin. Valiantly remaining seated, Wash's revolutions begin to slow. Mal notes Rowan's expression and explains with eyebrows raised and a tiny grin ...
MAL
lilt in voice
"Training exercise and seat bearing check. Viva the revolution."
EOM 0103hrs/1:03 PM
OOC
I am just putting in timeticks as a reference for me. As Ciara sez -- time is relative! So don't feel you have to get too hung up on time.
"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"
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MERZ move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
TIME 13:35
*Time Mercedes*
MERZ comes out of her last move upright, poised and focused. Calm even. JAYNE and DAMON are still below, shifting and securing cargo. MERZ trots down the stairway, collecting her footwear on the way by and slinging it back over her shoulder.
Easy enough to fall into the pattern of what the boys are doing, and lend a hand. She listens carefully to JAYNE’s stories and jokes. All input is useful.
EOM
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Jayne's Move:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
1:38 PM
As Merz approaches the two sweaty men, she finds Damon tightening chain with a hoist and Jayne positioning hydrolic-lift wheels under one few remaining boxes in the middle of the hold.
JAYNE
loudly finishing the punchline to a joke
"...an' the guy says, 'that ain't my pecker, he's better trained than that!'"
Jayne roars in laughter, slapping the side of the cargo container. Damon is a good worker who responds to Jayne's orders with immediate action. He doesn't talk much, but that doesn't stop Jayne, who really needs to feel good for a while. He hasn't laughed so hard since he conned Simon into getting into that space suit when he was new on board.
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Thorne's Move
Location: Upper passage/ Bridge:
1:05PM
THORNE gets no response from MAL's Comm, and understands why when he hears the Captain's voice coming from the bridge. He walks toward the bow and climbs the bridge stair. MAL is standing behind a queazy-looking WASH in the gunner's chair. ROWAN is sitting in the pilot's chair, smiling at some joke he just missed.
Thorne: "Captain, if you have a minute, I'd like to talk about the drop tomorrow. Based on where the coordinates will put us, I have a hunch that we might want to go in locked and loaded."
EOM
"Keep the Shiny side up"
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Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
Quote:
Originally posted by Saint Jayne:
JAYNE
loudly finishing the punchline to a joke
"...an' the guy says, that ain't my pecker, he's better trained than that!'"
Damon's grin breaks into laughter at Jayne's joke. Listening to Jayne laugh only makes him laugh harder. He shakes his head and leans against the container for a moment to catch his breath.
At first he was concerned that's Jayne's conversation would lead to questions that Damon didn't want to answer, but he was pleased to find that Jayne is more interested in keeping them entertained.
Damon wipes the tears and sweat from his face on the back of his sleeve still smiling. It felt good to laugh. He turns back to his work and sees Merz watching them.
"Hey, Merz, care to join us? We could use another heavy lifter."
JAYNE
"Why? She good at this kinda thing?"
Damon smiles. "Well, she handled the capn's cannon well enough."
Both of them burst into laughter again, their laughter rolling through the ship.
I'm not broken, in my dream I win...
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MERZ move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY
JAYNE. . . he's better trained than that!
MERZ looks at the laughing men, very confused. She has no idea what that means, or why it is amusing to DAMON and JAYNE. There has to be a joke there somewhere, but MERZ just has not gotten the hang of humor yet. DAMON notices her approach.
DAMON Hey, Merz, care to join us? We could use another heavy lifter.
JAYNE Why? She good at this kinda thing?
DAMON Well, she handled the capn's cannon well enough.
They go off laughing again, clutching their sides, heads rolled back. MERZ sighs. She knows she is missing something and has long associated other people’s laughter with something called enjoyment. Which is just a word to her. No one has really been able to explain to her how to ‘enjoy’ something. And there is something to their smell that leads her to believe this may actually be some form of a ‘dirty’ joke – another concept she does not comprehend. And possibly at her expense?
Does not matter. They seem friendly enough and she did come down to be of assistance. She nods and attempts to laugh with them. “Sure guys, what do you need me to do?”
EOM
If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress
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Wash is moving:
LOCATION - BRIDGE Rotating Fast, Bridge, Bridge Rotating Slower, Bbrriiddggee Stop
Wash: (at end of the discipline spin, quietly to self, possibly to Mal) Permission to hurl, sir... (To Mal, directly) This conversation could go round n' round, but it comes to this... I'm sorry, I reacted, instead of thinking... We as a team could have done that exercise with much more flash, sir... So…
(Bracing in the chair)
Wash: (With a look of slight mischief) Please don’t resign, sir it’s always Gorram hard to break in a new captain. I think it’s only appropriate to say:
Spin me sir, spin me hard... But can I have Rex first, I need a hug.
(Time tick: Afternoon, there are numbers here, but they could be anything)
EOM?
Decoy, they make me go first.
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As she enters the galley, Inara hears echoes of speech from the hallway adjacent to the bridge.
She rummages through a few cupboards, finally coming across a small packet proclaiming the contents give the diner "much well and smooth happiness!" Chuckling at the strange advertisement, Inara grabs a much-abused piece of fruit from the counter and heads toward the voices. The contents of the package turn out to be small blue-tinged crackers shaped like suns. Inara pops one into her mouth every few steps.
she emerges from the hallway, and enters the bridge. Thorne is standing just adjacent to the doorway, and Rowan is perched lightly on the second pilot's chair. Inara gives a demure nod to Thorne, who returns it.
Mal seems to be playing some odd sort of game with Wash, the pilot's toes skidding on the deckplates, his chair's spinning coming to a halt as she approaches the pilot's console.
MAL"Training exercise and seat bearing check. Viva the revolution."
Inara smirks: "if that squeaky old chair is all that stands between us and certain doom, I fear for us all."
Wash gives Inara one of his trademark silly grins, his blonde hair seeming to protrude from his head more than usual, and turns back to Mal
Wash: (With a look of slight mischief) Please don’t resign, sir it’s always Gorram hard to break in a new captain.
Inara, deciding not to dwell on the prospect of "breaking" Malcom Reynolds in, turns to Rowan, Jayne's directive echoing in her mind.
While the men are engrossed in what is certainly a very deep conversation involving revolutions and plastic dinosaurs, Inara stoops close to Rowan's ear.
INARA softly:
There has been a call for you in my shuttle, Rowan...you asked me to inform you when it came.
To make sure Rowan has no choice but to follow her lead, Inara straightens and says a bit louder: Why of course, Rowan..if you'd follow me back to my shuttle we can discuss it further.
Inara gives Rowan an encouraging smile and turns to exit the bridge.
Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss
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