RP: "Adventures in Gunrunning" - Act 10 by FrauDirektor

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

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

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

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

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

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

he turns to gather equipment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INARA
"What do I need to do?"

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

As INARA nods and moves towards the door, SIMON checks the oxygen level in ROWANs blood stream. Satisfied, he withdraws a small sample of her blood and turns to inject it into a special rubber sealed test ampoule. The blood filters through a screen and yellowish serum drips into the of fluid in the bottom section. SIMON swirls the mixture together for a moment. The test is positive, the serum turns clear. SIMON decides he will be able to use an unusual anesthetic on ROWAN that he would not normally be able to use because of its psychotropic side affect on most patients. ROWANs blood serum test proves she is capable of absorbing and eliminating the chemical responsible for the usual behavior modification.

SIMON and INARA clean up and assist each other in getting gloved. SIMON then sets up an intravenous glucose drip into ROWANs left arm and injects the anesthetic into the Y of the IV.

SIMON rechecks ROWANs vitals then turns and nods to INARA. They then begin the procedure of removing the splinters and blood from around ROWANs swollen and discolored right eye socket.

EOM

Whew, I thought I had it in me to finish the whole thing in one shot! Guess not ... I herby pass the INFIRMARY move on to Ciara or Channain for a bit.

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

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Wednesday, February 25, 2004 7:15 AM

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

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

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Wednesday, February 25, 2004 8:15 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

LOCATION - INFIRMARY

Rowan's Ruminations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Do you remember when we learned this game?"

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

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

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

Two in the corner.

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

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

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

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

"I still miss you, mei mei."

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

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

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

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

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

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

EOM

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

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

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Wednesday, February 25, 2004 12:59 PM

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

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

She smiles to the sleeping Rowan.
____________

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

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Thursday, February 26, 2004 6:44 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

LOCATION - INFIRMARY

Rowan's Ruminations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EOM

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

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

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

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Thursday, February 26, 2004 8:25 AM

MISTRESSSMUTBUNNY

*Ciara grumbles*

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Thursday, February 26, 2004 8:25 AM

MISTRESSSMUTBUNNY

Inara's turn
LOCATION-INFIRMARY

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INARA
"What do I need to do?"

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

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

da jie=big sister
End Inara's turn

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

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Thursday, February 26, 2004 1:04 PM

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

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

She looks up at Inara.

She still has the most beautiful eyes.
__________

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

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Thursday, February 26, 2004 2:09 PM

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

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

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

EOM

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

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Thursday, February 26, 2004 9:13 PM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Book's Move

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

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

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

EM

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Friday, February 27, 2004 3:58 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

LOCATION - INFIRMARY

Rowan's Ruminations:

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Tell me the last line, mêilì long."

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

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

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

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

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

EOM

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

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

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

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Friday, February 27, 2004 11:19 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move:

Location: Cargo bay/His quarters

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

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

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Friday, February 27, 2004 11:24 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Mal's Move:

Location: Bridge/Port Shuttle

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

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

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

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

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Friday, February 27, 2004 11:47 AM

Damon's turn:
Location: spare shuttle

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

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

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Friday, February 27, 2004 1:30 PM

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

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

She hands Simon the tool.
_________

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

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Saturday, February 28, 2004 9:23 PM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY
As ...

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

RIVER hands Simon the tool.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Monday, March 1, 2004 8:42 AM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Monday, March 1, 2004 9:07 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

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

"Stay right there." Book says to Jayne

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

LOCATION - GALLEY

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

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

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

EM

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Monday, March 1, 2004 10:09 AM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY
As ...

SLIGHT and ZOE wait outside the INFIRMARY door.

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

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

SIMON moves over to the door and opens it.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SIMON looks into SLIGHTs crimson eyes

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

EOM

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

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Monday, March 1, 2004 10:16 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Mal's move:

Location: Port Shuttle

[DAMON opens the shuttle port]

DAMON:"What's up?"

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

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

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Monday, March 1, 2004 10:21 AM

Damon's turn:
Location: spare shuttle

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

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

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

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Monday, March 1, 2004 11:27 AM

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

Nods to ZOE.

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

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

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

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

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

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

SIMON holds up the memory stick.

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

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

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

SIMON waves off the answer.

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

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

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

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

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

SIMON looks into SLIGHTs crimson eyes.

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

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

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

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

~A~

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

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Monday, March 1, 2004 1:12 PM

CIARA

Inara's turn

LOCATION-INFIRMARY

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

SIMON

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

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

Simon glances up at Inara with an honest smile.

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

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

I'm glad my nursing skills are satisfactory

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

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

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

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

Inara exits as Zoe and Slight enter the infirmary.

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

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

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

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

End Inara's turn

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

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Monday, March 1, 2004 11:04 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

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

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

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

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

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

EM

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 8:10 AM

Wash's move.

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

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

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

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 8:28 AM

Zoe's Move:
Location: Common Area

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

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

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

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

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

End Move.

~A~

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

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 12:48 PM

CIARA

Inara's turn

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Inara frows and shakes herself from her reverie

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

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

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

Glancing at Book over the rim, Inara says:

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

End Inara's turn

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 2:17 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

Mal's Move:

Location: on the way to the cargo bay.

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

[Without stopping, MAL replys over his shoulder]

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

Darling = Bao bei

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 3:15 PM

MERCEDESTROY

Mercedes Troy - Intro

LOCATION - SERENITY VALLEY
As ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

*bhutt = ghost (Nepali)

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

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 3:19 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's move:

Location: His Quarters/Common area/Infirmary

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

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

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

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

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

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 3:30 PM

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

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

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

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

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 6:49 PM

LOCATION - INFIRMARY
As ...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 9:27 PM

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

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

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

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

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

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Tuesday, March 2, 2004 11:17 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

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

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

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

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

EM

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 8:01 AM

CIARA

Inara's turn

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

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

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

Inara sighs happily

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

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

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

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

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

Book glances at Inara a bit scoldingly

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

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

End Inara's turn

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

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 8:18 AM

BOOMERGOODHEART

Kaylee's Move
Location: Engine Room

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

"Help you wit' sumthin'?"

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

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

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

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

End Move

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 8:36 AM

Washs move:

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

I'm talking about geese.

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:08 AM

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

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

tzao gao = shit/damn it

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

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:20 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's/Mal's Move:

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

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

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

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

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

[THORNE bows slightly and continues to the bridge]

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

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

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

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

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:24 AM

Zoe's Move:
Location - Common Area to Bridge

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

ZOE starts at WASH's voice over the intercom.

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

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

End Move.

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

~A~

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

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 9:28 AM

Washs move:

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

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

I'm talking about geese.

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 10:03 AM

Zoe's Move:
Location - Bridge

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

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

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

WASH hold up his hands.

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

THORNE seems strangely subdued as he stares out the window.

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

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

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

WASH: "Huh. . ."

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

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

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

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

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

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

End Move.

~A~

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

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 11:03 AM

LOCATION - AFT HALL
As ...

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

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

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

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

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

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

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

SIMON waits for BOOKs response.

EOM

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

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

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 11:45 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

Book looks up as Simon crosses the Galley.

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

Book pauses with a look of concern on his face.

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

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

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

EM

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 12:20 PM

LOCATION - GALLEY
As ...

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

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

SIMON drifts off with a look of appeal to BOOK.

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

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

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

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

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Wednesday, March 3, 2004 11:04 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

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

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

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

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

EM

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 2:22 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Mal's/Thorne's Move:

Location: Bridge

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

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

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

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

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

EOM

Ma-Shong = On the double

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 2:49 AM