RP: "Adventures in Gunrunning" - Act 11 by FrauDirektor

Books Move

LOCATION - GALLEY

Book's brows draw together in worry. "So, you two are heading off together."

Book shakes his head, but knows that there isn't much he can say to make Simon change his mind. "Be careful, son."

With sudden insight, Book reaches into his pocket and pulls out his ident card. He motions Simon close to him, shows him the card and whispers. "Simon, if you need to, my name may help to get you out of trouble."

Book's worry is visible on his face. He turns away from Simon and Slight and says in a hoarse voice. "You two should go... before my senses return and I tell the captain what you're doing."

Book moves to the large wooden table and sits down, a cup of strong tea in hand. He sets down the cup and raises his hands to his head.

(EDIT)

After letting the smell of the tea sink into him, Book raises his head to see that the doctor and Slight have gone. The sound of the ship touching down snaps Book back into the other current situation. Wearily, he rises from the table and goes to the bridge.

Book looks out the front window of the ship as Thorne and Mal go to a nearby cliff overhang and apparently start to quibble. Book's surprise is evident, as he drops the cup he had taken with him, when a very large section of earth rises into a 15 ft tall storage shed.

Thorne leaves Mal and heads to some nearby ruins that Book hadn't noticed yet, and Mal starts yelling at the ship. Deciding he can perhaps do some good somewhere, Book leaves the bridge, passing back through the galley. He goes down the aft stairs to his room and retrieves his Bible, then out a side doorhatch of the ship, and through the underbrush to Thorne and the ruins.

LOCATION - RUINS

EM

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 10:45 AM

Damon's turn:
Location: CARGO BAY

Damon looks up as the captain, Zoe and Mr. Thorne cross the cargo bay and lower the ramp. They jump to the ground and walk over to a cliff wall.

Damon continues pulling out the rest of the cannon parts, placing them in organized piles on the floor. He looks up again with a puzzeled look on his face when Thorne starts singing. He stands up and walks over to the ramp, wondering what the hell they are doing. Just as he opens his mouth to ask, a large container begins to emerge from the ground. He folds his arms across his chest and watches as Thorn opens the huge container to reveal a wheeled conex and various other items: a field car, some motorbikes, additional weapons and supplies.

Damon grins as he realizes that he's landed himself on some kind of smuggeling ship and returns to his work.

Thorne:"Remember, just the conex. The rest stays. I got something else to take care of while you load it, but I'll be back by the time you're ready."

The captain stares at the equipment for a moment before turning back to the ship, followed closely by Zoe.

"Zoe, Janye, lets get this luh-suh in the hold. And get Damon started on that cannon. If Wash's right, we'll have purple-belly trouble sooner or later."

Apparently, the captain had been too preoccupied to notce that Damon was already working.

"Captain, how long are we going to be parked? and where do you want this cannon mounted?" Damon asks as Mal passes.

Edited to add Zoe and again to add paragraph breaks

here you go Capn

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

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 11:30 AM

BOOMERGOODHEART

Kaylee's Move
Location: Engine Room

Ok, maybe she shouldn't have snapped at that Damon fella. He seemed nice enough, and he DID call her "Miss Kaylee". Smothering a laugh, she drops down from the ceiling. In turning to work on the lower part of Serenity's engine, she notices that her wrench is just where she left, although it's now turned over.

"Least the guy listens," she thinks.

End Move

BoomerGoodheart
"I love my Captain."

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 12:52 PM

CAPNRAHN

LOCATION - GALLEY
As ...

Quote:
BOOK
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 BOOKs and SIMONs attention. BOOK rushes over to the stove and pulls off the ruined sauce.

BOOK
"I'm sorry, I know I'm asking too many questions. I'm just worried about you."

Before SIMON can answer, SLIGHT sidles in behind the doctor.

SLIGHT
cutting off any answer SIMON might have given
"I apologize, Shepherd, but time is of the essence. The doctor and I need to leave. Quickly. If he feels he has time, it's his choice. But I would suggest leaving it until we return."

BOOK
brows draw together in worry
"So, you two are heading off together."

shakes his head, but knows that there isn't much he can say to make Simon change his mind
"Be careful, son."

With sudden insight, Book reaches into his pocket and pulls out his ident card. He motions Simon close to him, shows him the card and whispers.

BOOK
"Simon, if you need to, my name may help to get you out of trouble."

Book's worry is visible on his face. He turns away from Simon and Slight.

BOOK
in a hoarse voice
"You two should go... before my senses return and I tell the captain what you're doing."

Book moves to the large wooden table and sits down, a cup of strong tea in hand. He sets down the cup and raises his hands to his head.

SIMON stands motionless, still holding the ident card and looking at BOOK. SIMON begins to question his own motives in this situation.
Why am I doing this, why is it so urgent to leave right now?

SLIGHT interrupts SIMONs thoughts with a polite cough and he heads for the rear hatch.

SIMON takes one last look at BOOK and follows SLIGHT into the AFT CORRIDOR. He places the card into his Handheld Personal Cortex pouch that is slung under his jacket.

LOCATION-AFT HALL
SIMON stops SLIGHT in the hall.

SIMON
with calm urgency
"I need to speak with Kaylee for a moment. I'll meet you in the Cargo Bay in a few minutes."

SLIGHT responds with a curt nod and moves off down the stairs to the COMMON AREA.

With conflicting thoughts spinning in his head, SIMON walks slowly down to the corridor to the ENGINE ROOM.

LOCATION - ENGINE ROOM
As ...
SIMON stands in the ENGINE ROOM door frame, hesitant to enter the empty room. Suddenly, KAYLEE drops down from the ceiling with her back to him.

TEMP EOM
Temporary EOM until I see what Boomer wants to do with this scene...

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

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 4:17 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move:

Location: Ruins of Thorne Farm

[Leaving behind the bustle of the crew, THORNE walks to the ruined building. All that remains of a substantial brick house are the foundation walls and the stone steps leading to the porch. Kneeling, THORNE removes the spray of flowers from his bag. He climbs the steps and places the flowers on the porch, in front of where the front door would have been. He stands silent for a moment, head bowed, and then returns to the steps. He sits on the top step, looking out at the desolate valley.]

Thorne:"Last time pays for all. After this load the Valley'll be clean again. No weapons left, just like I promised. Will you forgive me then? Can I finally leave? Father, can I finally leave?"

[There is no answer, and THORNE sits, head in hands.]

EOM.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 4:28 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

MAL's Move:

Location: Cargo bay

DAMON:"Captain, how long are we going to be parked? and where do you want this cannon mounted?"

[MAL stops at DAMON's question. He notices the components neatly laid out; the tools at hand. Maybe this will work.]

MAL:"THORNE said the pod would fit any standard sensor mount. There's one on the bridge roof an' one below. Pick the one as will give the best use against another ship in atmo or the black. Controls to go on the bridge. Check with WASH about where."

"You got about an hour. That time enough?"

EOM

...and off to bed

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 4:37 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MAL:"Thorne said the pod would fit any standard sensor mount. There's one on the bridge roof an' one below. Pick the one as will give the best use against another ship in atmo or the black. Controls to go on the bridge. Check with WASH about where. You got about an hour. That time enough?"

Damon thinks for a moment before answering.

"Well, if you want it mounted: yes. If you want it mounted and functional, I could use another pair of hands. Your mechanic seems to be the top of her class, but I think she's pissed at me... Anyway, mounting it under the bridge would be best. Harder for the Feds to spot or shoot at from under there. But I'm gonna need a ladder or something to get up there."

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

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 5:48 PM

LOCATION - SERENITY VALLEY to LOCATION - CARGO BAY
As ...

MERCEDES listens to the incoming engines and pulls back out of sight, to see who/what is arriving. The ship banks in to a landing near the ruined buildings across the valley. She had left those ruins alone, nothing there of interest to her. Perhaps she was mistaken there, for they appeared to be of interest to someone.

She watches the activity and scans the sounds for a time, deciding if this might be her way out of this place. Having found nothing to point a new path, a way off of this rock might be nice.

Carefully putting out her fire, and gathering up her belongings, MERZ prepares to approach the ship and bargain for passage. She has skills, possibly even something they need. If not, it's a long walk back into town - might as well start now.

The ship almost looks familiar. Mentally reviewing the sketch she found that she believes is, or will be Chimera, there is a distinct similarity to the vessel in front of her. It may or may not mean anything, but is worth investigating.

It is not too hard to sneak up closer, the crew has not apparently anticipated anyone else being around, and has too much else going on. She stays behind the main body of the ship for as long as possible and then slowly up one side - away from the direction of the ruins and the activity there. As she approaches the open cargo hatch however, she hears

Quote:
"Well, if you want it mounted: yes. If you want it mounted and functional, I could use another pair of hands. Your mechanic seems to be the top of her class, but I think she's pissed at me... Anyway, mounting it under the bridge would be best. Harder for the Feds to spot or shoot at from under there. But I'm gonna need a ladder or something to get up there."

Well", she thinks. "That is talk I understand. MERZ sets her bundles down and, holding her empty hands away from anything, steps into the open hatch and in sight. Clearing her throat she states in a firm voice "My hands are free at this time. Are you in need of an extra engineer?"

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Thursday, March 4, 2004 11:22 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - RUINS OF THORNE FARM

From a distance, Book stops to watch Thorne place flowers on the ruined doorstep of a old farmhouse. He assumes that this site belonged to Thorne's family or close friends.

As Book watches the pained look on Thorne's face as he sits and looks out over the valley, he has a cathartic moment, and grieves deeply remembering lost lives. He never wanted to have anything to do with the Battle for Serenity Valley.

Very slowly he approaches the ruined farmhouse, head low, watching the sticker-bushes and tumbleweeds at his feet where there should have been wheat or barley. As he nears Thorne, he stops, tucks his Bible under his arm, and wipes the tears from his eyes.

EM

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Friday, March 5, 2004 1:56 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's move:

Location: Ruins of Thorne Farm

As he (BOOK) nears Thorne, he stops, tucks his Bible under his arm, and wipes the tears from his eyes.

[THORNE senses the presence of someone near, and looks up.]

THORNE:"Hello, Preacher. Welcome to my home. Pull up a rock and sit. Sorry there's no Welcome Cup ready for you. Hospitality at Thorne Farm has declined these past few years."

[The two sit in silence for several minutes.]

THORNE:"Shepherd, it may be Providence that you came along. It's not in my creed, and I don't believe it's in yours, but I'd like you to hear my confession, if you would. I have things I need to say."

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Friday, March 5, 2004 2:42 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

MAL's Move:

Location: Cargo bay

MERZ:Clearing her throat she states in a firm voice "My hands are free at this time. Are you in need of an extra engineer?"

[Hearing a voice behind him, where no one should be, MAL turns, drawing his pistol. He finds himself aiming at an attractive young woman with long blond hair, somewhat unkempt. She is carrying the usual hitcher's collection of junk.]

MAL:[starting low and building in volume and intensity]"Ni ta ma de. Tian xia shuo you de ren dou gaisi Every Gorram time I turn around there's another. Momma told me 'Guan ni zi zi de shi qing, and I try. But every bun tien-shung de ee-duai-ro stray in creation has to show up and try to tai-kong suo-yo de shing-chiou doh sai-jin wu di pigu."

[MAL briefly entertains the fantasy of kneecapping this latest unwanted surprise and shoving her off the ramp.]

"So who the Hell are you, little missy, an' what's your sad story? I know you got one. Did Daddy make you do housework? Do the shops here not carry your brand of smellum-good? Do you crave adventure in far-away places? Why shouldn't I just leave you here as a snack for the dingoes?"

"No. Don't even answer. Don't talk at all. Just drop your crap over there an' get to work. I give up. I don't know why I even pretend to be Captain around here any more. Wuh de tyen. Gou zao de.."

[MAL holsters his pistol, somewhat regretfully, and heads out the ramp towards the conex, muttering a stream or curses in english and mandarin.]

EOM

Ni ta ma de. Tian xia shuo you de ren dou gaisi = Motherhumper! Everyone in the universe should die!

Guan ni zi zi de shi qing = Mind your own business.

Bun tien-shung de ee-duai-ro = Stupid inbred sack of meat

Tai-kong suo-yo de shing-chiou doh sai-jin wu di pigu = Stuff all the planets in the universe up my butt!

Wuh de tyen = Dear God in Heaven

Gou zao de = This can't get any worse.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Friday, March 5, 2004 6:27 AM

Slight makes his way to the port shuttle, opening the hatch with ease. 500 plat seems like a good salary to start with.
Feeling the red haze creep around the edges of his vision, Slight hurriedly grabs the inhaler, and breaths deeply through the filter, holding it for a few seconds before sighing with relief. This little bao bei is gonna come in handy, later on in life. And now maybe he can enjoy the regular cigarettes without them being so damn medicinal.
With a whince, Slight can suddenly see his father again.
"No, dammit, I said fifteen feet, not inches!"
Harold Helsing, First Power of the Blue Sun, was never one for kind words.
The four year old, tears running from his grey eyes, runs towards the wall again, teeth bared in anger. He can do it this time, he knows he can!
The boy falls on his back from ten feet. Helsing comes forward, and slaps the boy back to the ground as he struggles back up.

I'm talking about geese.

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Friday, March 5, 2004 8:58 AM

The boy continues to cry, but silently. He can never make much noise, never ever. "Boy, what do you think this is, summer camp? You think you get to go out and save the Core from Reavers?"
The boys eyes ache from all the tears. "I would never stop your creation, fath-"
The man kicks him across the ribs, sending him back against the wall so that the boy is standing. "That is never to be spoken," he hisses. "You think you can go blabbing the Suns true purpose? There's nothing you don't owe the Blue Sun, understand?"
"Yes, father."
The man bodily picks him up, and throws him a across the room. Despite the shock, the boy lands on his feet, hands up in a defensive position. He can feel something snap behind his eyes. "You are NOT my son! You refer to me only as 'Sir,' dong ma?" When the man comes closer, he stares at the boy, suddenly afraid. With another snapping position, the boy can see himself. His breathing, once racked from the exercise and crying, is now calm. His muscles are relaxed, not screaming with pain. And he can feel the fear, as blood pours from his own eyes, seeming to taint his iris's. With another snap, he returns to his own body.
The old mans breathing becomes rapid. "Yes," he whispers. "That would work."
He suddenly turns, striding with purpose towards the door. "Exercise is over for now. Injections will be in half an hour. And surgery will start immediately afterwords." He tosses this over his shoulder, suddenly utterly unaware of the human soul crumbling behind him.
The boy falls to his knees, sobbing uncontrollably. He doesn't care that they're bloody tears. He's having the first vacation in a month. Half an hour. . .a time of paradise.
The boy stands up, wiping his tears away.
He is unaware that it his birthday today. He will never know his birthday. But he has thirty minutes to himself, and that is enough to know today is special.

Another room away, Harold Helsing informs his doctors of the retinal surgery he has planned. Helsing leaves, adjusting his blue gloves. He whispers to the hallway.

"I'm sorry, Brink. . .my son. . ."

I'm talking about geese.

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Friday, March 5, 2004 9:46 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - RUINS OF THORNE FARM

Book feels the need in Thorne's voice.

"I will." he nods.

The air heavy with emotion, Book waits for Thorne to gather his words.

EM

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Friday, March 5, 2004 9:52 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MERZ:Clearing her throat she states in a firm voice "My hands are free at this time. Are you in need of an extra engineer?"

Damon turns to see a woman standing at the foot of the ramp with her hands slightly raised.

Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:

MAL:[starting low and building in volume and intensity]"Ni ta ma de. Tian xia shuo you de ren dou gaisi Every Gorram time I turn around there's another. Momma told me 'Guan ni zi zi de shi qing, and I try. But every bun tien-shung de ee-duai-ro stray in creation has to show up and try to tai-kong suo-yo de shing-chiou doh sai-jin wu di pigu."

"So who the Hell are you, little missy, an' what's your sad story? I know you got one. Did Daddy make you do housework? Do the shops here not carry your brand of smellum-good? Do you crave adventure in far-away places? Why shouldn't I just leave you here as a snack for the dingoes?"

"No. Don't even answer. Don't talk at all. Just drop your crap over there an' get to work. I give up. I don't know why I even pretend to be Captain around here any more. Wuh de tyen. Gou zao de.."

Damon glares at the captain angrily as Mal walks down the ramp toward the container. What the hell does he know about drifting? Sitting cozy on his little boat eating fresh vegtables and stew.

Gou zao de... The captains words echo in his mind, pulling memories forward unbidden.

Quote:

Damon was lying on his bed, listening to his favorite music, grinning from ear to ear when his mother opened his door. He pulled off his headphones.

“Your father’s home. He wants to see you,” she said.

Damon frowned and sat up. “See me? What the hell for? I didn’t do anything.”

“I don’t know, just get downstairs.” She paused at the door and turned back. “What’s with you these last couple weeks? You’ve been…”

“Happy?” he answered, jumping to his feet.

“Yes, happy. You’re not on something again are you?”

“No.” His smile widened. It’s my birthday in a few days, he wanted to scream. My eighteenth birthday. Freedom. Free to get the hell out of here, away from him. No more screaming, no more bruises, no more blood, no more broken bones. Sweet freedom to travel the ‘verse, get a job and a girl, make money. Live a life. Excitement boiled inside him until it exploded into uncontrollable laughter and then a long whoop of pure joy. He laughed all the harder at the sight of his mother’s confused look.

“Damon, I swear, if you are blowing money on drugs…”

“No, no I’m not,” he assured her. I’ll leave that to you and Dad when I’m gone, he thought. That shiong-mung duh kwong-run is always ranting about how useless his son is, how he’s a waist of money. “Never again,” he promised and strode down the hall grinning.

He entered the living room where his father and a very rich looking stranger stood waiting. Standing to the side were four more men who had ‘henchmen’ written all over them. Why did he feel like he had just walked into a trap? He stopped a good distance away from all six men and immediately frowned at his father’s appearance. “You’re sober.”

“Miracles do happen.”

“Yeah, they must.” Damon indulged in a careless sneer.

His father kept a straight face, but his gray eyes betrayed the glimmer of a smile that sent a shiver down Damon’s spine.

“You on drugs, boy?” the rich stranger asked.

Damon glared at him. “Gwon nee tze-jee duh shr.” He turned to his father and folded his arms. “What do you want?”

His father slowly raised a piece of paper, holding it for Damon to see. Damon’s gut twisted into a knot; it was his birth certificate. His brain raced for an explanation but for the life of him he couldn’t figure out what the hell his father would want with his birth certificate. Something wasn’t right and he suddenly felt a very strong urge to be out of the room.

“Know what this is?”

Damon didn’t answer. His father lowered the paper, still glaring at him.
“It’s a piece of paper with writing on it, nothing more. A worthless piece of luh-suh, a jing-(chang) mei yong duh scrap of fei-oo…”

Damon clenched his teeth but stood his ground. He wasn’t going to be baited into starting a fight. Fighting his father when he was drunk was one thing, but fighting him when he was sober with five friends in the room was another.

“I’m tired of dealing with it,” his father continued, “Not worth my time, or energy. Not worth anything. But you know what they say: one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” He lifted the certificate and handed it to the rich stranger.

Damon was quiet a moment and then laughed. “You putting me up for adoption?”

“No, Damon,” the stranger answered, pulling out a bag of coins, “he’s putting you up for sale.”

Damon’s heart leapt to his throat. He felt the blood drain from his face and icy fingers wrenching his insides.

“I’m to be your first buyer but certainly not your last.” The stranger handed the bag to Damon’s father and then nodded to his men.

Damon bolted for the door, but a strong arm caught his neck from behind. He rammed his elbow into the guy’s middle and tore free only to be grabbed again by someone else.

“No! You can’t do this!” A fist plowed into his stomach. He struggled ferociously, but by now there were too many hands holding him. They forced him to his knees, but still he fought. He felt cuffs being closed tightly on his wrists and grimaced as they dug painfully into his skin.

“Better get used to them,” the rich man said. “You’ll be wearing them for the entire trip to Oroboros and probably the rest of your life once you are bought.”

“NO!” Damon glared at his father, trying to pull free so he could pound his face in. “I’LL KILL YOU! MEH, TAH MAH DUH HWOON DAHN, I’LL KILL YOU!”

He felt a hard object make solid contact with his head, and knew no more.

"Things can always get worse, captain," he says turning back to his work. "And somehow they always do," he mutters.

Out of the corner of his eye, Damon spots Slight crossing the catwalk and enter the spare shuttle.

"You know anything about mounting laser cannons?" he asks Mercedes, still watching the shuttle.

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

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Friday, March 5, 2004 10:04 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move:

Location: Thorne Farm

THORNE:" Thank you, Shepherd.

This is where my family lived, for five generations. They’d be farming here yet…

I was on the command staff for the defense of Hera. I developed a strategy that would use the terrain to our advantage and minimize destruction of the farmland.

It was a good plan, my plan. We’d put up token resistance in the valley, then fake a panicked retreat through the pass. A low-intensity fight, and not much chance of collateral damage to the locals. When the Fed front-line force was well into the mountains, we’d drop my commandos back here, pick up the cached weapons, and plug the exit. Our main force would ambush the Feds up in the wild where there were no civilians to get hurt. My men would also capture rear echelon troops and hold them in the valley as hostages.

The commanders and execs of the decoy units were the only ones on the line that knew the real plan. It had to look convincing when they fell back. We never figured they’d all be lost before calling the retreat. That was when things started to go wrong. The units in the Valley decided to be big damn heroes and fight it out. All our reinforcements were in ambush positions back in the mountains and couldn’t get here. My troops couldn’t drop. The Feds were sitting right on the caches. Eventually, they got tired of losing men in a conventional fight, pulled their ground forces back, and just slagged the whole valley.

My father was all for Unification. He figured it was a good thing. But the Alliance flag flying in front of his house didn’t save him. I didn’t save him…or the rest of my family. Five thousand non-combatants lost in a few minutes. And the planet lost a week later. All because of my plan, and the ‘Heroes of Serenity Valley’. Hurrah."

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Friday, March 5, 2004 10:18 AM

Slight suddenly notices something outside. HIs abilities work, only just, but enough to tell him that Damon is talking to. . .no one.
Finished with the startup, he wanders back outside. With air blowing through the hatch, he figures no one will argue too much to his cigarettes. Placing his glasses on, he goes down to see Damon taking with a girl. With a shock, he realizes. . . There's no one there . Slight wandesr towards them, not speaking but listening to the conversation between Damon and the girl. His eyes sweeping up, he can see that the clothes have been worn down, broken in. The past few. . .days, looks like, have shown themselves on her face. But behind her eyes. . . is nothing. He lights a cigarette, wondering to himself. Did the First Power ever mean to design those 'ghosts,' people who were cloaked to the sensitives? WIth Davis in charge, who knew?
Slight edges in closer, curiousity sparking behind his mind. He might learn something, while he's waiting for Thorne. Reflexivly, he sends him a mental warning.

>Rosie. We have to move. Now.<

I'm talking about geese.

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Friday, March 5, 2004 10:35 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Damon watches Slight emerge from the recently started up shuttle and put on his glasses. He makes his way down from the catwalk watching the newcomer.

Damon glances at the shuttle, before returning his critical gaze back to Slight.

"Going somewhere?"

OOC: Is Slight taking the shuttle or one of Thorne's ships?

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

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Friday, March 5, 2004 10:51 AM

Book's Move

LOCATION - RUINS OF THORNE FARM

Book keeps his eyes out on the valley as he speaks.

"I've read as much as I could about that battle... what happened on both sides, the strategies involved. I'm sorry to say it, but I doubt your men would have even got the chance to fall back through that pass. The feds had dropped a half dozen garrisons into that mountain pass in a flanking maneuver. They were waiting for you."

Book takes the Bible into his hands and opens it to a worn passage about forgiveness. Suddenly, a wind picks up across the valley and rushes towards the seated men. It catches some loose pages tucked into the back of his Bible and scatters them across the dusty ground.

Book stands quickly before the wind can blow the pages further away and goes to the first. Kneeling down to gather the page, Book wonders for a brief moment if he should purge himself as well. Perhaps it's time to share his own role in the battle for Serenity Valley.

EM

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Friday, March 5, 2004 2:23 PM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY
As ...

MERZ stares down the barrel of the Captains gun, waiting to see if the *muji has decided to shoot her or not. He exercises his right of free speech for a time, finally ending up with.

Quote:
"No. Don't even answer. Don't talk at all. Just drop your crap over there an' get to work. I give up. I don't know why I even pretend to be Captain around here any more. Wuh de tyen. Gou zao de..."

Suits her, MERZ had no intention of telling him anything anyway. But a chance to put her hand in on a job again . . . well it was worth it.

She looks at the boy, well man really, kneeling by the dismantled gun. She admires the professional way he has laid out the work area, has real promise. He is glaring at the retreating captain and she waits for him to finish the thoughts that have taken him. It is only a short pause before he mutters

Quote:
"Things can always get worse, captain," he muttered,turning back to his work. "And somehow they always do."

It is a sentiment she can really get behind right now.

Quote:
"You know anything about mounting laser cannons?"

he says to her his attention still turned away.

"Yes. I also am capable of mounting the firing mechanism. But right now, I am reluctant to walk onto his bridge and start removing access plates. Which job do you want? We can move faster separate and I gather a certain amount of speed is called for."

MERZ cocks her head sideways and extends a hand toward her partner, for this job at least.

I am Mercedes Troy, you may call me Merz. If we are going to be working together I would rather not call you 'hey you'. What is your preference?"

While she speaks she has gathered her stuff and located a safe place to stash it. She removed her vest with the rods on the back and lays it on the zippered bag, placing her gun over that. Then she opens up the other bag and carefully removes a full toolbelt. The tools are well used and well cared for and the leather toolbelt oiled and supple. " Well, lets go."

EOM

*muji = Ass (Nepali)

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Friday, March 5, 2004 3:16 PM

Damon's turn:
Location: cargo bay

Damon's attention is pulled away from Slight when the newcomer speaks to him.

Merz: "Yes. I also am capable of mounting the firing mechanism. But right now, I am reluctant to walk onto his bridge and start removing access plates. Which job do you want? We can move faster separate and I gather a certain amount of speed is called for."

MERZ cocks her head sideways and extends a hand toward her partner, for this job at least.

I am Mercedes Troy, you may call me Merz. If we are going to be working together I would rather not call you 'hey you'. What is your preference?"

Damon looks at the hand extended to him for a moment and then stands up and gives it a firm shake. "Damon. I'd welcome you aboard but I just got here myself."

He looks outside at Mal for a moment and then turns back to the cannon. "I think he likes you. He was ready to throw me out the airlock a couple hours ago."

He kneels down beside the piles of parts and tools and starts assembling the cannon. "I haven't been on the bridge yet, but the captain said the pilot would tell us where to set up the controls. You can get started on that if you want, but most of the work will be putting this thing together and figuring out how we are going to get it up there."

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

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Friday, March 5, 2004 4:15 PM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MERZ kneels on the opposite side of the gun and parts, and assists in the assembly. It takes both of them to handle the increasingly akward burden and it eventually becomes a case of MERZ steadying, and turning the cannon to where DAMON has best access to where the next part goes. Together it does go rather quickly and with a minimum of fuss.

MERZ has been pondering the problem of mounting the beast in a sensor mount under the bridge, where DAMON let her know it was going.

"Is there anyone around here not involved in anything now? It would be too akward and time consuming trying to lift it on rope or chain and there is still the installation problem. I can walk this cannon up and hold it in place while you connect the leads and power source and fasten it to the brackets. But we need a place to stand and work. We need a ramp."

She dusts off her hands and stands up. "You got the rest of it, only 2 pieces left. I will see what I can find to get us up to the hull." She glances over at the tall, dark stranger who has been smoking some kind of noxious weed and watching from the shadows. "Have you got any suggestions? I do not know my way around enough yet to take liberties. But we need assistance. Get some," she pauses for a moment as though trying to remember something important, and then adds "please."

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Friday, March 5, 2004 5:08 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Damon picks up the last piece of the cannon and begins screwing it into place. He looks up when Merz starts talking to Slight.

Merz: "Have you got any suggestions? I do not know my way around enough yet to take liberties. But we need assistance. Get some," she pauses for a moment as though trying to remember something important, and then adds "please."

"Don't know how much help he can give us. He boarded at the same time I did." And I don't trust him, Damon thinks to himself, but decides not to say anything.

He looks around spotting Jayne sleeping against the wall on the other side of the room. He begins to wonder if anyone is much of a help on this ship.

"You know, what we should have done?" he says more to himself, "We should have mounted this thing out in the black where gravity wouldn't have been a problem."

Walking down the ramp, he looks up at the sensor array, letting his memory pull up the schematics he memorized almost seven years ago.

"There should be a maintenance hatch not far from the array," he calls to Merz. "I'm pretty sure it's in the bridge, under the floor paneling. But we'd have to find it cuz my memory is a bit fuzzy. Maybe their mechanic or pilot knows where it is."

He walks back up the ramp and looks at Merz. "What do you think?"

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

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Friday, March 5, 2004 5:15 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move:

Book keeps his eyes out on the valley as he speaks.

"I've read as much as I could about that battle... what happened on both sides, the strategies involved. I'm sorry to say it, but I doubt your men would have even got the chance to fall back through that pass. The feds had dropped a half dozen garrisons into that mountain pass in a flanking maneuver. They were waiting for you."

"No escape from the lies." THORNE thinks. "The Alliance maskirovka has become the official story. Didn't want to admit how close they came to getting trapped and blow their myth of invincibility, so they spread that tale about the flanking movement, and how they had us anyway. Like our scouts hadn't lived in those mountains all their lives. A rat couldn't have farted up there without us knowing. Hell, my HQ was right where one of the Blue-belly units supposedly landed, and I surely couldn't have overlooked a regiment of them."

"Guess the winners do write the history books, after all. Well, no point in arguing with the preacher. He's just trying to help. And I'm finally out of here for good, anyway."

[Noticing the Shepherd's pages scattering in the wind, THORNE rises.]

THORNE:"Can I help you round those up, preacher? I got a feeling we should get back to the ship."

[He grabs a nearby page and scans it, then looks up at BOOK with confusion and growing anger.]

EOM

Maskirovka = Deception (Russian).

OOC: Hah! You twist me storyline, I twist you storyline. Neener-Neener.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Friday, March 5, 2004 6:30 PM

Book's Move

---------
THORNE:"Can I help you round those up, preacher? I got a feeling we should get back to the ship."
---------

Book, seeing that Thorne is angered, quickly reflects on his statements and realizes that he should have had more tact. "I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Thorne. I never meant to show any disrespect for all the men you lost. Men I'm certain were your friends."

--------
[He (Thorne) grabs a nearby page and scans it, then looks up at BOOK with confusion and growing anger.]
--------

Book stands with a folded, dirty Bible page in hand and watches the wind pick up a few more and take them away. "Thank you, I'd accept any help collecting these pages."

EM

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Friday, March 5, 2004 9:49 PM

Slights move:

Slight shrugs at the newcomers question.
"To be frank, I'm only slightly less new than you. And to be utterly honest, you'd do better to ask yourself of one of the crew. 'Fraid I'm not high company right now."
No, definetly not Blue Sun, Slight decides. To direct, but not the cool, distant directness you expect from killers. And the Blue Sun were killers.
Slight turns to Damon. "I believe you made friends with the mechanic on board. Any ideas where she went to? I could track her down."

EOM

I'm talking about geese.

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 1:40 AM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY to - BRIDGE

MERZ just looks at the dark haired man and grunts. "If you are not crew, and DAMON is not crew, then apparently aside from the absent captain, I have not even seen any crew." She turns away from him, he is of no interest if he is of no help.

DAMON calls to her from where he has walked to the bottom of the ramp, "There should be a maintenance hatch not far from the array. I'm pretty sure it's in the bridge, under the floor paneling. But we'd have to find it cuz my memory is a bit fuzzy. Maybe their mechanic or pilot knows where it is."

He walks back up the ramp and looks at MERZ "What do you think?"

MERZ cocks her head at him. "If it is there, we can find it." She indicates Slight with a toss of her head. "He mentioned a mechanic too. When we see one, we can ask. Wager by then we will have found it ourselves."

She walks back to the completed cannon, and the small box to one side containing the firing controls. Picking up the box she tosses it to DAMON and not even bothering to see if he catches it, reaches down and gets both arms around the cannon. She muscles it up onto her right shoulder and then stands upright with the cannon balanced.

"Lead the way to the bridge. I can't hold this up all day." As they walk away she asks, "has anyone mentioned just where they want the controls installed? We have to mount them somewhere and we haven't a lot of time left.You are out of here soon. And I have a long walk back into town."

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

OOC this post has been edited to remove something I forgot I did not know yet. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 7:02 AM

CIARA

ooc been really busy with hubby's birthday weekend--not totally sure what my role is, but here we go

LOCATION - DINING ROOM to LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Inara's turn

WASH ON INTERCOM:
"Ok, folks, ETA is five minutes to Serenity Valley. Skies look clear, and this should be in and out"

Inara gazes up at the ceiling as Wash's voice fills her ears--she'd never noticed how godlike the intercoms made any proclaimation sound. Sighing inwardly, Inara sends a small prayer with the outbound breath.

Inara is making her way across the cargo bay when Thorne steps up beside her. In his eyes is the mischevious glint of a much younger man. Inara can't help but smile.

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.

INARA:
We may both need a bottle before this is all over, Mr. Thorne. And yes, Rowan is still unconcious, but on the mend, I'm sure of it.

[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.]

Inara flushes slightly, the cups of tea suddently feeling far too heavy to carry. If only they could stop waltzing around eachother...finally meet and take an honest moment together....but honesty had never seemed to interrupt the cold facade they both have in place.

Seeing her discomfort, Thorne makes a courtly bow and continues on his way.

Inara stands a moment, locked within her own thoughts. From deeper in the hold, she hears Jayne's soft grunt. Following the sound, she finds him stretched across a large cargo container, singing softly to himself. Rolling her eyes, Inara sets the cups aside and begins struggling to hoist Jayne into a sitting position.

A few moments later, as she has Jayne semi-upright, she feels a soft thump as Serenity touches down on the soft floor of the valley that is her namesake. With the small movement, Jayne falls from her arms and thumps back onto his back, laughing softly.

End Inara's turn

ooc SSon--dunno how drunk Jayne still is, lemme know

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 9:24 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY to - BRIDGE

Quote:
Originally posted by MercedesTroy:
MERZ cocks her head at him. "If it is there, we can find it." She indicates Slight with a toss of her head. "He mentioned a mechanic too. When we see one, we can ask. Wager by then we will have found it ourselves."

She walks back to the completed cannon, and the small box to one side containing the firing controls. Picking up the box she tosses it to DAMON and not even bothering to see if he catches it, reaches down and gets both arms around the cannon. She muscles it up onto her right shoulder and then stands upright with the cannon balanced.

Damon catches the box that she tosses to him and watches her pick up the heavy cannon. Definately a woman who can handel herself, Damon thinks. Like that other woman, Zoe, she has a cool air about her that promises trouble if anyone crosses the line.

"Lead the way to the bridge. I can't hold this up all day."

Damon nods and turns toward his pile of borrowed tools and puts them in the box with the controls. He looks around one last time, making sure he hadn't left anything.

"I need to stop for something real quick, its on the way."

As they walk away she asks, "has anyone mentioned just where they want the controls installed? We have to mount them somewhere and we haven't a lot of time left.You are out of here soon. And I have a long walk back into town."

Damon sets his box down and opens the door to the spare shuttle. He wonders where Slight is planning on going with it. He didn't think that the shuttles would be up for rent to bun tien-shung de ee-duai-ro strays.

"The captain said that the pilot will tell us where to put the controls he says." He steps inside and grabs his bag, slinging it over his shoulder. Then a thought occurs to him and he frowns as he steps back out.

"If you aren't looking for passage, then why are you working for these people?" He closes the door and picks up his box. He works his way past Merz and the cannon and continues on toward the bridge.

bun tien-shung de ee-duai-ro = stupid inbred sack of meat

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

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 11:23 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move:

Location: Throne Farm.

Book, seeing that Thorne is angered, quickly reflects on his statements and realizes that he should have had more tact. "I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Thorne. I never meant to show any disrespect for all the men you lost. Men I'm certain were your friends."

--------
[He (Thorne) grabs a nearby page and scans it, then looks up at BOOK with confusion and growing anger.]
--------

Book stands with a folded, dirty Bible page in hand and watches the wind pick up a few more and take them away. "Thank you, I'd accept any help collecting these pages."

[THORNE begins to walk toward BOOK. His face is cold and his voice low but laden with emotion. The sheet of paper is clutched tightly in his right hand.]

THORNE:"Where did you get this, preacher man? This is the recipe for my mother's chili...word for word right down to misspelling 'paprika'. There was only ever one copy, and it was here in this house. It had to have come from here."

[THORNE reaches BOOK, grabs him by the shirtfront, and lifts him completely off the ground, shaking him as he yells.]

THORNE:"WHERE...DID...YOU...GET...IT??

{He throws BOOK to the ground and stands over him, seething anger pouring off him like heat from molten metal.]

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 1:56 PM

Book's Move

LOCATION - RUINS OF THORNE FARM

Book sits up, shaken but unhurt and watches Thorne standing over him, seething. Looking at the page in Thorne's hand, Book holds out his own hand, gesturing to look at it.

Thorne shakes with anger, but slowly moves his hand, with the crumpled page, a few inches closer to Book. Taking this as a sign that Thorne may not pick him up and throw him down again, Book takes the page and uncrumples it.

Book glances at the page in his hand, then back up at Thorne, still quivering with rage. Book holds up the page to Thorne, and shows him the page that was torn from his Bible by River, still bearing the pen marks where she tried to rewrite it.

"There's no recipe on this page, Mr. Thorne."

EM

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 4:30 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move

Location: Thorne Farm

Book glances at the page in his hand, then back up at Thorne, still quivering with rage. Book holds up the page to Thorne, and shows him the page that was torn from his Bible by River, still bearing the pen marks where she tried to rewrite it.

"There's no recipe on this page, Mr. Thorne."

[THORNE looks...and sees only a Bible page covered with annotations. But the image of the recipe was so clear. He's not usually telepathic, just empathic. Sometimes though, if a person's emotions are strong enough, he can get a flash. He realizes that the recipe wasn't on the page, it was in the Shepherd's mind. How could BOOK have seen it, and why would the memory of it affect him so strongly?]

["I have to think on this."THORNE realizes. "I can't see any evil in this man, but he's got secrets I need to know. I have to calm things down, and maybe get him to open up...later."]

[His look of anger dissolves into one of embarrassment and apology.]

THORNE:"My Lord, Padre, I don't know what came over me. This place just makes me so sad and angry at the same time. I swear I didn't know it was going to come out like that."

[THORNE shamefacedly offers his hand to help BOOK up.]

THORNE:"You have no call to, but please forgive me. I'm not usually a crazy man...when I'm away from here."

[All the while THORNE is thinking, "Away frome here where I can pick your brain. When were you in the Valley, and why?"]

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 5:57 PM

Book's move

Book accepts Thorne's hand and allows himself to be helped up. "There's no need to ask, it's already given."

Standing and looking out over the valley, Book and Thorne watch the blue sky quickly change to red and orange. "So much evil happened here. I can't blame you for feeling how you do."

Book turns away from the valley and looks at the ruins of the Thorne farm again; the loose Bible pages forgotten for the moment, blowing haphazardly in the breeze.

EM

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 6:37 PM

LOCATION - CARGO BAY
to LOCATION - BRIDGE
As...

Quote:
DAMON "If you aren't looking for passage, then why are you working for these people?" He closes the door and picks up his box.

He works his way past Merz and the cannon and continues on toward the bridge.

She follows, slowly. "I was looking for passage. I was attempting to bargain for payment in the kind of assistance I could render. I . . . have difficulties dealing with . . people. Apparently I did not make myself understood." She is silent for a heartbeat, looking for words. "I can, I hope, get back to the port and hire out for passage with someone else. I have skills and time, well, it is not like I have somewhere to be right now."

She sighs, and then without warning when she speaks again, her voice has gone hard and cold and her eyes look like chips of ice. "I will tell you something, boy. Just between you and me. I was raised a soldier, and for 34 years it was it was all I had and all I was. But I had a gift. It was different and it was frowned apon, and eventually when they could not break me of it, they decided to let me expand my - well, skills to include something else. A warrier is what they made me, but what I think of when I think of myself is what I would be, a weapons tech, and an engineer."

She drops her eyes and her voice lowers. "I lost the A.P.E.s and I am out here alone in the black, looking for them. I will do what it takes." And in a whisper, "I would have installed his *wan jun gun for joy alone."

When she raises her eyes again the mask is back. "So, lets go find a pilot and mount this puppy."

EOM

*wan jun = damn

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Saturday, March 6, 2004 10:53 PM

Damon's turn:
to LOCATION - BRIDGE

Quote:
Originally posted by MercedesTroy:
She follows, slowly. "I was looking for passage. I was attempting to bargain for payment in the kind of assistance I could render. I . . . have difficulties dealing with . . people. Apparently I did not make myself understood." She is silent for a heartbeat, looking for words. "I can, I hope, get back to the port and hire out for passage with someone else. I have skills and time, well, it is not like I have somewhere to be right now."

She sighs, and then without warning when she speaks again, her voice has gone hard and cold and her eyes look like chips of ice. "I will tell you something, boy. Just between you and me. I was raised a soldier, and for 34 years it was it was all I had and all I was. But I had a gift. It was different and it was frowned apon, and eventually when they could not break me of it, they decided to let me expand my - well, skills to include something else. A warrier is what they made me, but what I think of when I think of myself is what I would be, a weapons tech, and an engineer."

She drops her eyes and her voice lowers. "I lost the A.P.E.s and I am out here alone in the black, looking for them. I will do what it takes." And in a whisper, "I would have installed his *wan jun gun for joy alone."

When she raises her eyes again the mask is back. "So, lets go find a pilot and mount this puppy."

Damon turns into the main hall, passing the crew's bunks as he makes his way toward the bridge.

"I missed the war," he says, "It started and ended without me. And now I'm traveling this verse, completely ignorant of what went on or why. The small part I did participate in only makes me more confused. I gave up trying to decide which side I was really on. So it's just one of those topics that I avoid so as to keep from getting beat up by Alliance and Independents."

"Not that the Feds need a reason to beat people up," he growls angrily, reffering to the dark bruises and a split lip currently decorating his face. "They do it simply because they enjoyed thrashing people."

He steps onto the bridge and immediately scans the floor for an access panel. After setting the box down near the wall, he looks at Wash, who is staring wide eyed at Merz with the large cannon on her shoulder.

"Merz, I believe this is Wash, though I could be wrong cuz I've only been formally introduced to one person on this ship. Wash, this is-" Damon stops short when his eye catches a familiar gun lying on the end of the consol.

"This is mine," he says snatching it up. He turns the safety on and puts it into his duffel bag. "Thing's worth more than I can spare."

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

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Sunday, March 7, 2004 6:16 AM

SERENITYSSON

Jaynes turn:

Jayne, still well into a two day drunk swings his bottle of tequila back and forth humming the chorus to "Hero of Canton" and occasionally belting out a slurred and out of tune word. He is bent over a crate in the cargo bay, just smiling to his own private jokes when Inara appears and hoists him upright. The sudden perspective change upsets his balance and as the ship jolts, he finds himself once again prone and giggling.

He smiles up at inara and says...

"Well aint u jush the purtiest thing I even done seen. Com'om darlin and havsh yurself a sit down heres beshide me"

Jayne cocks his head to one side with an ear spiltting grin, thrusts the bottle of tequila towards Inara and awaits her reply.

OOC: Yeah I know OMG he posted!

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

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Monday, March 8, 2004 6:25 AM

CHANNAIN

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move:

Rowan's Ruminations:
"I stand too close to see the sleight of hand - how she found this child inside the frightened man. Tonight I'm learning how to fly and I surrender."

The felt on the table turns from red to white, so starkly absent of color that the two balls remaining on the table seem dirty and discolored by comparison. Then beyond the table she sees the outline of a door. Shaped vaguely like an upside-down pear, she realizes it's a ship's hatchway. Soundlessly, the panel fades away and beyond it, silhouetted by brilliant light, is the figure of a girl. Lifting her hand, she offers it.

She has to choose.

Reaching down, Rowan picks up the nine ball and stares down at the yellow stripe. Looking up again, she focuses on that girl and drops her cue stick on the table as she moves around it, headed toward the hatchway.

I've travelled all this way for your embrace, enraptured by the recognition on your face. Hold me now while my old life dies tonight and I surrender. My mother cries beneath the open skies and I surrender.
-------------------------------------------
River is watching over Rowan in the infirmary. Rowan wakes up, and then sits up.

ROWAN: "Where is everybody?"

RIVER: "Shh. You need more rest."

River gently tries to make Rowan lie back down.
-------------------------------------------
Rowan presses her palm onto the girl's shoulder, and shakes her head, hoping that's enough to indicate that she's had all the "rest" she can handle.

Rowan becomes aware instantly that one eye is blocked. Lifting her hand, she tests the area and finds a protective medical covering. Recalling the mistake of drinking too much tequila, kissing Jayne - which as mistakes go, wasn't one of the worst - she realizes the young doctor has taken care of the injuries brought on by the senior citizen from hell.

ROWAN to RIVER: "I don't suppose he mentioned if I get to keep this?"

EOM

OOC: I'm back people. wrung out from too much fun and not enough sleep for three days

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

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Monday, March 8, 2004 9:05 AM

Slight sighs, and continues to smoke, heading out the hatch and following the visible signs of Thorne. He's surprised to pick up a sheet of the Bible, and starts chuckling dryly at the passage that leaps out at him.
"Though I walk in the valley of the Shadow of Death, I shall fear no evil. . ."
"Safe to say the valley has grown. Maybe it should be the valley of life, in a sea of death."
Laughing to himself, he continues up the hill, warning Thorne of his coming.
>Well, since whatever it is has your attention, I'll come and fetch you myself.<
The scene that greets him is one of almost comical tension. Book, lying on the ground, clutching a collapsing Bible. Thorne, standing above him, staring with eyes that aren't looking anywhere at the page. As he wanders into range, he can feel a bellow of untamed grief and guilt surging out of Thorne, tainted with confusion and curiosity. From Book, a single tendril seems to wrap itself into the heavens, a drowning man thrown a lifeline. Characteristic of all men of faith. Slight can't help but feel bound by it, and as a result, rejected it. "When I see God, I'll tell him you said, 'hi,'" he told anyone who asked him of his beliefs.
Clearing his throat, he assumes the distant look of professionalism. "Rosie. We are on the clock here. I understand that this is a part of you. Unfortuanetly, we have no time left. Shuttle is prepped and ready, armanents minimum."
He'll tell Rosie the truth later. There are only two weapons he has, one of which is the gun, the other, was a chain, that led only one way.
As his father had said, mortals could only go farther down.

Wash's move:
Wash stares at the scanner screen, keeping an eye outside at the preparations being made to haul in the booty.
From under his seat, he abruptly pulls out a tricorne pirate hat and a plastic hook. Glaring at the dinosaurs lining the console.
"Yar, old boy, we pirates never let the treasure be. You" Wash states, pointing the plastic hook at the Brontosaurus, "shall make a mighty fine seat cover, fer my backside is becomin a bit blubberous, and must be kept comfy and soft. You" he switches to the Tyrannasaur, "Shall make a good hammock, yes, and yer tooth shall be my letter opener," ignoring the fact that there are no envelopes. Wash continues to play, whittling down the moment of boredom.

EOM

I'm talking about geese.

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Monday, March 8, 2004 9:51 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Mal's Move:

Location: Hidden Warehouse

[MAL is checking over the conex, releasing brakes, prepping tie-downs, etc. in prepatation for loading. He's also eyeing the other equipment in the warehouse and wondering if THORNE would actually know some of it was gone. Looking out the door, he sees ZOE dragging the winch cable towards the hitch on the front of the conex. About this time he realizes he hasn't seen JAYNE doing any work.]

MAL:"Why ain't JAYNE doin' that? Where is that jing tzahng mei yong duh liou mahng anyway? Round him up, ZOE, an' get him workin'. I'll finish hookin' this up"

[MAL finishes connecting the cable, and browses a bit more in the warehouse, waiting for JAYNE and ZOE. Damn, there's even a light observation aircraft in there.]

EOM

Jing tzahng mei yong duh = Frequently useless
Liou mahng = Bastard

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Monday, March 8, 2004 10:16 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move

Location: Thorne Farm/ Walking back to Serenity.

[As THORNE stands with BOOK, looking at the ruins and the blowing pages, he hears a voice behind him, too low for the still shaken BOOK to understand.]

SLIGHT: "Rosie. We are on the clock here. I understand that this is a part of you. Unfortunately, we have no time left. Shuttle is prepped and ready, armanents minimum."

[Ignoring SLIGHT for the moment, THORNE speaks to the Shepherd.]

THORNE:"Shepherd, why don't you head back for the ship, and let me finish my business here. maybe we can talk about this later, when I'm calmed down?

[BOOK nods and turns away. As he departs, THORNE faces SLIGHT.]

THORNE:"I still think it's a bad idea to steal that shuttle. It's a big chunk of capital for these folk, as well as their lifeboat. They'll probably decide to go hunting it, and you, rather than leave. The captain especially doesn't seem the type to stand still for being robbed."

"Listen. There's a Gyrfalcon III observation craft in the warehouse. It flys just like a shuttle in atmo, and will get two people anywhere on the planet. I wish you'd take that instead. You're right about one thing, though. We should be getting back."

[With one final look at the ruins, THORNE truns away and strides quickly towards the ship.]

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Monday, March 8, 2004 3:45 PM

LOCATION - BRIDGE

MERZ nods absently at WASH while scanning the floor trying to spot an access to the crawlspace beneth the deck plates. DAMON is doing the same, and spots the access, midway between the two stations. Having freed his hands already Damon reaches down to start moving the panels. He moves enough flooring to make room for one person and one cannon and then looks over at MERZ.

"How does that look?"

MERZ nods. "That should do for now. Help me lower the gun down there and I will go under and find the mount for it. If I try to lower it alone, I am going to break either me or the gun. Not good either way. Now, I don't know this model ship, but most I have worked on before have provisions to bring the cradle inside for mounting when you are away from dry dock."

It takes both of them to carefully lower the cannon to the deck and then into the crawlspace. MERZ followed and DAMON could follow her movements by sound, banging knees, banging head and one very long series of sneezes. Yeah, he thought, probably is a bit on the dusty side down there.

A few minutes later, MERZ backs out, cap covered in dust, dragging the sensor mounting with her - DAMON can see the mounting brackets are nearly a perfect match.

Together they manage to lift the cannon, onto the mount and dog the fasteners. Then MERZ looks up at DAMON crouching on the deck above her head. "Your turn now, come on down. Take both of us to push it back out and then I need your help."

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Monday, March 8, 2004 4:01 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE

MERZ looks up at DAMON crouching on the deck above her head. "Your turn now, come on down. Take both of us to push it back out and then I need your help."

Damon pulls his long sleeves up to his elbows and drops down to join Merz. He looks around the cramped crawlspace and sees the opening behind Merz. This is going to be interesting.

They slowly scoot the unweildy cannon back to the rail system that would return it outside, secure the mounting wheels back onto the rail and slowly ease it back out of the hatch. It moves out without much protest and haltes perfectly against the mounting endpoint. The back of the cannon just cleares the outside of the hatch.

Damon sits back against the wall of the crawlspace with a grimce and realizes that the drugs Simon had given him had worn off, leaving him with the all too familiar pain of broken ribs and bullet wounds. He sighs and sits up as best he can in the cramped space to look at Merz.

"Now what?"

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

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Monday, March 8, 2004 4:05 PM

LOCATION - BRIDGE

"Now is the fun part." MERZ stuck her head outside, through the 12 inch gap between the side of the cannon and the outside rim of the hatch. "You see, the power leads from the gun get fastened to those sockets over there" - she points to a spot about a foot to the right of the hatch - "and then the armor is mounted over the wiring. I weigh the least, so I get to stick my head out and play with the wires. I can't fly and need both hands, so you get to make sure I don't fall." She looks at him, head cocked to one side.

"Are you up to it? You look terrible."

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Monday, March 8, 2004 4:15 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE

"I'm fine," he says, moving toward the opening. He smiles suddenly and chuckles to himself. "Better off than those Feds anyway. Must be close to a dozen funerals being planned right now."

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

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Monday, March 8, 2004 5:28 PM

LOCATION - BRIDGE

He doesn't smell fine. He smells of blood, and antiseptic and fatigue. Now that she is away from the smell of spilled liquor, it is apparent. And his business.

MERZ flattened out and let DAMON get her ankles and then eased out of the hatch. She opened the power panel and pulled out the three leads and then leaned out and over. DAMON held tight, bracing his feet on the rail. "This had better be fast," he muttered. "or I'm gonna drop her."

It was only a few minutes before she reached back to the power panel, unreeled the flexible wiring armor and started hunching back inside the hatch. DAMON quickly pulled her back inside, wincing. It was only a few seconds work to fold back the section of rail crossing the hatchway, slide the hatch closed and check the seals. And they were done.

"That's it. Now we just need the wires from the box to fasten on this end and run to whichever console gets the firing controls and it's done." MERZ scrubbed her face with both hands - but with both hands and face dirty it did not accomplish much. "Do you feel like climbing out for the wires?" She studied his face for a moment. "You are surely a stubborn *randi ko chhoro. Just how badly are you damaged?"

She swarmed out of the crawlspace before he could move and carefully lifted him out and set him back on the deck. "Sit down. I'll get the wiring finished and the deckplates moved back. You sit. She muttered something and then glanced over at DAMON.

"Do you suppose there is any chance I can get a cup of tea?" she asked? "And you too for that matter. I think we have earned it."

EOM

*randi ko chhoro = son of a bitch (Nepali)

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Monday, March 8, 2004 6:08 PM

Damon’s turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE
As...

Quote:
MERZ flattened out and let DAMON get her ankles and then eased out of the hatch. She opened the power panel and pulled out the 3 leads and then
leaned out and over. DAMON held tight, bracing his feet on the rail. "This had better be fast," he muttered. "or I'm gonna drop her."

He looks down at the captain and Zoe working below them and nods at Mal when he looks up at them. They look to be almost done down there.

Quote:
"That's it. Now we just need the wires from the box to fasten on this end and run to whichever console gets the firing controls and it's done." MERZ scrubbed her face with both hands - but with both hands and face dirty it did not accomplish much. "Do you feel like climbing out for the wires?"

She studied his face for a moment. "You are surely a stubborn *randi ko chhoro. Just how badly are you damaged?"

Damon shrugs, “Nothing I haven’t survived before.”

Quote:
She swarmed out of the crawlspace before he could move and carefully lifted him out and set him back on the deck.

Damon grimaces when Merz takes him by the upper arm, her fingers just missing his wound above his elbow. He instinctively tries to pull away from her but can’t get far while being pulled through the opening of the deck. As soon as she sets him down, he shrugs her hands off of him, stands up and steps back.

Merz: "Sit down. I'll get the wiring finished and the deckplates moved back. You sit."

"I'll stand," he says watching her warily.

She mutters something and then glances at him.
"Do you suppose there is any chance I can get a cup of tea around here?" she askes? "And you too for that matter. I think we have earned it."

Damon slowly relaxes and nods toward the doorway. "Galley's down the hall can't miss it, but I only drink that go se when it's cold. I'll take a beer if they have one and water if they don't."

He watches her disappear down the corridor and then picks up the box with the controls in it. He studies the consol in front of him for a moment and then looks up at Wash.

"Where do you want the controls to that thing?"

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

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Monday, March 8, 2004 8:18 PM

CIARA

Inara's turn

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

JAYNE

"Well aint u jush the purtiest thing I even done seen. Com'om darlin and havsh yurself a sit down heres beshide me"

Jayne grins widely and thrusts the mostly-empty bottle of tequila toward Inara, bringing with it a wash of acrid fumes from the alcohol. Inara wrinkles her nose, smiling gamely back at Jayne. Taking the bottle from him, Inara sits by Jayne, humoring him.

Jayne gazes at her drunkenly, looking more than a little disgruntled at the loss of his fine bottle of liquor.

INARA

Why, Mister Cobb--I'd be most pleased to keep you company--here, I've made you a nice drink--won't you have some with me?

Inara holds out the steaming cup of hot tea, waving it under Jayne's nose. Jayne reaches out an unsteady hand and grasps the cup.

Eyeing the cup as if it could contain poison, engine grease, or perhaps a mix of the two, Jayne ventures a tentative sip.

Looking a little greener than normal, he turns to her, she awaits his comment, hiding her smile behind her own cup.

End Inara's turn

EOM

Just a humble supplicant in service to all things Joss

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Monday, March 8, 2004 11:21 PM

Book's move

LOCATION - The fields surrounding Thorne Farm

Book walks slowly back towards the ship, gathering his Bible pages along the way. They've scatterd themselves over a considerable distance, but fortunately, the wind isn't rampant and the pages have stayed in a fairly straight line... all but one. Scanning the ground for the missing page, Book widens his search radius.

LOCATION - Edge of Serenity Valley

Standing on the very edge of Serenity Valley, he stops and looks over the still-blackened rocks and charred earth.

Book sinks to his knees on the hard earth. "Why did this have to happen?" Book prays "I never wanted to have anything to do with this place." [Book pauses and raises his eyes to the sky] "I know I'm not blameless for the deaths caused here." Book lowers his eyes back to the valley. "There's much I still need to do to make amends."

Behind him in the distance, Thorne and Slight pass by, unnoticed.

After a short time, Book stands and decides to retrace his steps and go back towards the Thorne farm... perhaps he missed the page along the way.

EM

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Tuesday, March 9, 2004 2:36 AM