GR RP "Adventures in GunRunning" ACT 18 by Channain

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Damon follows Jayne over to the air lock and gets to work on any job given to him. He's still not sure he fully understands what they are doing but can't be bothered with questions right now; he has other things on his mind.

Somehow the afternoon has slipped by and it seems like he hasn't gotten anything done- nothing productive anyway. There's work still to finish, info on New Hokkaido to look up and possibly an uncomfortable conversation with the captain to be had about the incident in the galley.

Damon's very tempted to try and forget about the whole thing but Book still has his gun. The darn thing is worth at least a month's earnings and he isn't about to loose it.

Money- that's what it boils down to. Money for food, money for cloths, money for a bed... money for freedom. Freedom is damn expensive too. It'll cost a fortune to get his brand properly removed and at this rate, he'll be on the run scraping for work for another ten years at least, assuming he doesn't get caught first.

He shakes his head and contines working. It won't happen. The verse is a big place and there's very little chance Crofton will find him... as long as he keeps moving, avoids Feds and keeps his identity a secret. One thing he definitely can't afford is mistakes.

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 7, 2004 11:01 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

Book's Move
Galley

After Damon speaks to Book, regarding God, Book sadly contemplates his words, closes his eyes and begins to pray again... but this time for the well-being and future of the crew. The sounds of pool balls and the talking of the others dwindle away as Book enters into a long, deep conversation with God. When he opens his eyes again, many of the crew has left and Rowan is fiddling with her holographic billiards-projector control unit. He remains silent in the corner as she starts a little music... he watches her break and then attack the billiards balls with a soldier-like focus. She's in her own when she plays. It's good to have something like that. Something to put yourself into. Knowing that work is being done, and that he's expected to help, Book ignores his his inner voice and continues to watch Rowan.

EM

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, July 8, 2004 4:48 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION: Galley

THORNE: I am a friend to anyone who follows the Golden Rule, and like a great man before me have sworn eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. I believe that you and I could be friends.

The 2 ends up as a bank shot on the six, sending it into the left corner at the head of the table. Rising, she takes a long assessment. There’s a possible combo shot on the 4, or she could sink the 2 on its own.

ROWAN: “I’m familiar with two versions of that Golden Rule, Mr. Thorne - the one I’ve seen used most prevalently in the ‘verse is the one who has the gold makes the rules. Then again, if you subscribe to the one that’s a bit less worn out these days, then you should be advised that I will do unto others as they would do unto me in whatever fashion it’s been done unto me first.”

She decides to go for the combination. The practice will do her good. Leaning in on the two again, she lines up the angle on the 4.

ROWAN: “We don’t really know each other, Mr. Thorne, so you can tell me you’ve sworn hostility against the Soristar Sisterhood and it really wouldn’t mean a hill of beans to me.”

A medium-soft strike sends the 4 exactly where she intended. Still in shooting position, she lifts her eyes to Thorne.

ROWAN: “Actions speak louder.”

EOM

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, July 8, 2004 6:42 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's move
Location: Galley

Thorne walks back into the galley to watch Rowan's play. Between shots, she replys to his remarks.

ROWAN: “I’m familiar with two versions of that Golden Rule, Mr. Thorne - the one I’ve seen used most prevalently in the ‘verse is the one who has the gold makes the rules. Then again, if you subscribe to the one that’s a bit less worn out these days, then you should be advised that I will do unto others as they would do unto me in whatever fashion it’s been done unto me first."

'Ah, Golden Rule version 1.01' Thorne thinks.

"We don’t really know each other, Mr. Thorne, so you can tell me you’ve sworn hostility against the Soristar Sisterhood and it really wouldn’t mean a hill of beans to me."

Thorne smiles, recalling a recanted Sister he once knew.

"Actions speak louder...”

Thorne considers a moment, then answers:

"Yes they surely do.

At this point I should probably note that my actions likely saved your life, and the lives of everyone else on the ship, when I took command of the fight off Hera. You might also recall that I've ensured, out of my own pocket, that you'll be getting a full crew share for the remainder of our journey to New Hokkaido.

But just because actions speak more loudly doesn't mean they tell the truth. I was fighting for my life as well, and I value it highly. Your pay is a pittance to me, and makes my voyage go smoother. So these actions really demonstrate nothing except my own self-interest.

The fact is you'll have to trust me, or not, based on all the actions and interactions in which you see me involved, not just a couple of macho gestures. Am I fair, honest, straightforward? Do I keep my word? Will I stand up for what I believe is right? I say that I meet these criteria, but it's your decision.

I would prefer to be trusted, and to be your friend. Mutual trust and friendship can serve our mutual self-interest, as well as being enjoyable for both of us. My observation of your actions tends me toward trusting you, and liking you as a person. I tend to go with such tendencies. I hope that you'll decide soon, and I will be glad to answer any questions you have that may speed your decision."

Thorne moves to the stove, dishes up a small portion of the leftover synthetic chicken dish, and begins to eat as he awaits Rowan's reply.

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, July 8, 2004 10:14 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

OOC: hand *smacked* Bad Channain! Bad Bad! I changed it back.

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

Speculatively, Rowan lowers the stick to the floor as she straightens, her fingers interlacing at the shooting end. As she listens to his self-proclamation, she catches herself smiling. Interesting fella, this Mr. Thorne, her benefactor. Earnest enough, to be certain and straightforward to boot.

FLASHBACK
“Make no mistake, whether there is a war tomorrow or not, I intend to marry you.”

Rumors had been flying that the Independents were planning the first strike on an Alliance outpost in retaliation for the obliteration of an entire planet. Robert Chang had just informed them that the strike would likely happen tomorrow. On the day of their wedding. She had said, jokingly, that the war waits for no wedding. Her fiancé didn’t think it was particularly funny.

Lifting a hand, he stroked her hair lovingly and looked into her eyes with passion and fury.

“I have waited a lifetime for you. I will not lose you now.”

END FLASHBACK

THORNE: I would prefer to be trusted, and to be your friend. Mutual trust and friendship can serve our mutual self-interest, as well as being enjoyable for both of us. My observation of your actions tends me toward trusting you, and liking you as a person. I tend to go with such tendencies. I hope that you'll decide soon, and I will be glad to answer any questions you have that may speed your decision."

There’s two, really, but she decides to start with the most obvious one first.

ROWAN: “If someone asked you right now if you were a gorram browncoat, how would you respond?”

EOM

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 9, 2004 1:23 AM

MANIACNUMBERONE

Book's move
Galley

-----
ROWAN: “If someone asked you right now if you were a gorram browncoat, how would you respond?”
-----

As Book leans forward to listen a little closer, his chair squeaks, making the only sound in the moment of silence after Rowan questions Thorne. Intrigued at what answer Thorne might give, Book does not look abashed at having overheard their conversation, instead his face becomes a little curious and his gaze settles on Thorne.

EM

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 9, 2004 7:59 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move

Location: Galley

ROWAN: “If someone asked you right now if you were a gorram browncoat, how would you respond?”

THORNE: "Depends. If it was the Captain or Zoe asking, I'd say 'Damn right! And proud of it'. To a customs guard I was trying to get something past, it'd be 'Just a citizen, sir'. To a loudmouth in a bar on Unification Day, if he was conscious after, I'd quote the words of an ancient fictional hero, 'When you call me that, smile!'."

EOM

OOC: I'm heading for the racetrack, and will be offline until Sunday after dark. Wish me luck.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 9, 2004 11:40 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

THORNE: 'When you call me that, smile!'"

Well now that is interesting. Wouldn’t have figured him for it. Most browncoats Rowan has the displeasure of encountering these days aren’t quite as entrepreneurial. Mostly they’re just bitter and broken down or disillusioned, or as in Reynold’s case, just trying to maintain some manner of livelihood as far from the long arm of the Alliance as he possibly can and still reach a fuel station. Or in her own case, the next pool hall. Mr. Thorne is definitely a horse of a different color, possibly several colors.

Picture him in tie-dye, Rowan decides she appreciates the image. She raises her stick again and bends down to line up her shot on the 2 on a long diagonal across the table.

ROWAN: “Mr. Thorne, I believe you just might be my kind of crazy.”

With a power strike that Merz might find nearly half formidable, Rowan sends the 4 into the corner.

EOM

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Sunday, July 11, 2004 2:37 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

JAYNE and DAMON are busy in the bay and do not so much as glance around when she enters. MERZ is surprised to see a plate full of ROWAN’s excellent meal sprayed over the splintered crate. no matter. housekeeping will handle it soon enough. waste of a good meal though … MERZ does not want to take either DAMON or JAYNE from their task. But hers needs to be done too, and she is not going to try to tackle it without assistance. She does not have hands enough.

She spends a moment in thought, and then having decided, walks to the comm in the cargo bay. She calls down to the engine room.

MERZ
KAYLEE, it’s Merz. I am going to take a walk outside, to move and then disguise your new cannon. I could really use some assistance with this job. Would you care to join me?

While waiting for a response she sets her toolkit down, open a pouch and withdraws her VAC tool belt – the one the engineers gave her for outside work. She selects the tools she wishes to take with her and begins attaching them to the other belt.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, July 12, 2004 2:11 PM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move
Location: Galley

ROWAN: “Mr. Thorne, I believe you just might be my kind of crazy.”

Interesting, and possibly accurate, way to put it, Thorne thinks.

Thorne: "I'm not sure either of us are crazy, exactly, but I believe that we both occasionally color outside the lines. Just makes life more fun.

Let me ask you a question now. If we do decide that I just me be the lunatic you're looking for, as a friend, is there anything which I might be able to do for you that could end up being mutually enlightening? Or profitable? I already have a couple of things in mind that you might be able to do which could make us both a few plat, but your needs might be more interesting, or more critical.

So if you have something I could assist in, let me know, and don't stint. A difficult challenge is usually more interesting, and offers more ways to make a buck."

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 9:53 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

THORNE: "I believe that we both occasionally color outside the lines. Just makes life more fun.

Fun, he says. Maybe in the beginning it was, when she was still young, idealistic and blatantly foolish. For her it was never so much about the cause as it was the sheer thrill of using her knowledge and skills to conduct clandestine activities under the nose of the allegedly all-knowing, all-seeing Alliance. Truth be told, coloring outside the lines was what the Independents asked her to do, they just forgot to mention she would end up paying dearly for the privilege.

THORNE: Let me ask you a question now. If we do decide that I just might be the lunatic you're looking for, as a friend, is there anything which I might be able to do for you that could end up being mutually enlightening? Or profitable?

Ru's name comes to mind immediately. During her conversation with Aislin, she learned that no one in the family has heard from him. It's been more than 20 years of silence now, with all inquiries official and otherwise going unanswered. She's learned a great deal since then, about the secret projects and the dark manner of activities going on at that "academy" of theirs. No, she's not ready to march down that road just yet and possibly find out what manner of monster her brother has been turned into.

The 6 is offering itself up in a combo to sink the 8. Moving to comply, Rowan leans down to line up the shot and sends the 8 into the side.

ROWAN: That's a mighty fine offer, Mr. Thorne. I haven't any pressing needs at the moment, but I'll admit you've piqued my curiosity." Glancing up from the table, she meets his gaze. "I do have to wonder just what sort of endeavor you might formulate that could include me."

EOM

OOC: Still on the table: 6, 7, 9

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 13, 2004 4:59 PM

Jayne's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Jayne's ears perk up to make out what Merz is saying on the comm. Space walk? With Kaylee? Well, Jayne has to smile at this. Never in all his time with the crew has he seen Kaylee in a spacesuit. He wonders if it's her first time, if she'll throw up, or even piss herself! Heh heh. Well, he'd never do anything mean to lil' Kaylee. He'd just screw around with her a little.

JAYNE
"Hey Damon, we're doin' alright; this'll work good. Why don't ya open the airlock doors here and maysure the distance 'tween the securing rings."

Jayne stands up from the skeletal drop arm they were assembling on the floor and walks over to Merz, smiling coy and confident. Sure this one seemed a little nuts, but Jayne liked her moves. That plus the other one, Rowan, had lost her appeal over the course of the trip. Just one day ago Jayne considered bedding her, but now... well, the idea of not waking up again put an end to that.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 2:55 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's move
Location: Galley

Thorne sees a question form in Rowan's mind, and then immediately be put aside. 'Still not quite ready to open up' he thinks. 'Probably take a while longer.'

Her mind settled again, she sinks the 8 and, while analyzing her next move, replys.

ROWAN: "That's a mighty fine offer, Mr. Thorne. I haven't any pressing needs at the moment, but I'll admit you've piqued my curiosity. I do have to wonder just what sort of endeavor you might formulate that could include me."

Thorne's plan could make them both some money, but he's more interested in Rowan's reaction to it. She'd be a fine addition to his informal network of friends and co-conspirators, so let's see which path she'll choose.

THORNE: "Well, it came to me as I watched your play, realized where we were headed, and pondered your appearance. I just need to know one thing first. How do you feel about scamming a scammer? There's a less than honest gambler on New Hokkaido who needs to be taught a lesson, and you're just the teacher I need to do it. We can take him for a bundle, and probably get him laughed off the planet as well. If that's against your ethics, we'll skip it and go to Plan B, which would set you up as the teaching pro at the Greentree Spa's billiards rooms."

Hoping she'll pick the right one, Thorne waits for an answer.

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 7:44 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY or CATWALKS

Quote:
JAYNE
"Hey Damon, we're doin' alright; this'll work good. Why don't ya open the airlock doors here and maysure the distance 'tween the securing rings."

Damon nods and watches Jayne move toward Merz with an anything but professional look on his face. He shakes his head wondering how Jayne could be thinking about women in the middle of an important job. He gives Jayne's end of the arm a quick glance to make sure his mind was where it should have been before getting up and moving toward the air lock control box. After watching Jayne and Merz for another moment, he opens the doors and goes back to work.

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 1:08 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Evidently, KAYLEE is either not in the engine room, or is not interested in a little EVA. All one to Merz, although she does need some help transporting and holding the cover and the cannon. Well, there are other people on this boat.

As she is still standing in front of the comm station, she flips the toggle for ship wide communication.

MERZ
Attention all personnel, this is Merzedes. Would someone not otherwise engaged, or having immediate duties care to accompany me for a walk outside? I need to attend to the Captain’s cannon and require at least one additional set of hands. No Wash, you are not included in this request, you are too crucial to tomorrows task to risk. Anyone else, please come to the cargo bay. Merzedes out.

She hears footsteps and turns around to find JAYNE approaching her. He has the most … peculiar grin on his face. …pretty? jayne? … hum …

Still fiddling with her tools, she starts to speak, then hesitates for an instant. … formal speak is not appropriate at this time or with this person. try something a bit friendlier …

MERZ
Somthin’ I can do for you, sport?

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 14, 2004 10:19 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Quote:
MERZ
Attention all personnel, this is Merzedes. Would someone not otherwise engaged, or having immediate duties care to accompany me for a walk outside? I need to attend to the Captain’s cannon and require at least one additional set of hands. No Wash, you are not included in this request, you are too crucial to tomorrows task to risk. Anyone else, please come to the cargo bay. Merzedes out.

Damon looks up from his work and over at Merz standing at the com station. Walk outside? He glances through the open air lock at the bay door sealing them off from space. He's always wondered what it would be like...

EDITED to remove the dialogue that no one responded to anyway

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, July 15, 2004 5:27 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

THORNE: How do you feel about scamming a scammer? There's a less than honest gambler on New Hokkaido who needs to be taught a lesson, and you're just the teacher I need to do it. We can take him for a bundle, and probably get him laughed off the planet as well. If that's against your ethics, we'll skip it and go to Plan B, which would set you up as the teaching pro at the Greentree Spa's billiards rooms."

Teaching pro? Rowan doesn't feel the least bit abashed at wrinkling her nose and giving him a nasty look at the very suggestion. He might just as well offer her retirement accommodations at the Greentree while he's at it. These days every player knows once you start teaching tourists, it's gorram hard to rebuild any manner of credibility in competition.

Scamming a scammer, however - now that does indeed hold some promise. He, of course, must be talking about the time-honored tradition of pool-sharking. Now Rowan has done it herself in the interests of making enough coin for food and lodging. She is also more than aware of three players who do it not because they need the money, but for the fiendish thrill.

ROWAN: "As I've no intention of settling anywhere anytime soon, I imagine you won't be surprised if I decline the teaching position. On the other hand, as to that scammer? I believe you're speaking my language."

Having moved to Thorne's side of the table, she pauses and turns her head to look at him over her shoulder. She lifts an eyebrow and licks her upper lip, eyes sparkling at the prospect.

ROWAN: "Shall we discuss the percentage, Mr. Thorne?"

EOM

Still on the Table: 6, 7, and 9

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, July 15, 2004 4:24 PM

DECOY

Wash's Move:
Location - Galley to Location – Front Hall to Location - Bridge

(Wash and Zoë stroll into the Galley, and Wash grabs a plate and begins to pile it high with the good smelling chicken flavored… ok, just think chicken. Zoë quietly sits down at the table. Wash, seeing this asks her): “Honey, do you want me to fix you a plate?” (Zoë simply nods her head at the request, and just stares at nothing until the lightly laden plate is set in front of her. Wash sits down and as he begins to zealously attack the small mountain of food on his plate, Zoë asks in a slightly dreamy, far-away voice): “Good food, but I think that a little nap would be better” (She takes a few bites, and briefly smiles at Rowan, in thanks. Wash looks at his plate, as Merz’ message echoes throughout Serenity.) “Ok, honey bunny, I’ll walk you to the Dorm, and I’ll finish this on the bridge… It’s too good to miss. (to Rowan) “They will need me on the bridge.”

(Wash and Zoë get up, and she bags her meal, and puts it in the refrigeration unit. They walk out, and on the way to the bridge, Wash opens their Dorm ladder-door for Zoë, and watches her climb down the ladder, and closes it after her. Wash makes for the bridge, where he drops his plate on top of the helm, and sits down, and looks at space for a minute, and then looks at a map he previously printed out for the meeting. He begins to eat, and of course, play with his food… He is making a canyon in his mound of chicken, and a piece of protein on the end of his steel chopsticks is doing mad twists and turns…)

(Back in the galley, the timer on the cooking surface reads: 16:40 AMT (04:40pm)

- EOM -

Decoy, they make me go first.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 16, 2004 2:30 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

THORNE's Move

Location: Galley

'Plan B strikes again.', THORNE thinks, as ROWAN flashes a brief look of disgust at the words "Teaching Pro." 'Now let's see if she'll go for the brass ring.'

ROWAN: "As I've no intention of settling anywhere anytime soon, I imagine you won't be surprised if I decline the teaching position.
On the other hand, as to that scammer? I believe you're speaking my language."

'Thought so!' THORNE congratulates himself. 'Guess I can still spot a kindred soul.'

ROWAN: "Shall we discuss the percentage, Mr. Thorne?"

Oh, even better. Right to the crux. This girl is a treasure.

THORNE: "No percentage involved. I'll stake you, enough to guarantee he'll want to play, and you can keep the stakes and whatever you win. I'll be taking my profit in...other ways.

You'll have to spend a couple of days at the Greentree after all, In a luxury suite posing as a poor little rich girl on the Grand Tour. You'll also need a chunk of 'Daddy's' money to throw around on clothes, jewelry, etc., and I'll provide that as well.

From this, I think you can get a general idea of how the deal should go down. We can cover more detail later, and I need to do some site prep as well. I would suggest that at some point we ask Inara's help with a slight makeover to make you look a bit more young, innocent, and...well...not so bright.

Sound like something you'd want to do?"

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 16, 2004 10:22 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

THORNE: You'll have to spend a couple of days at the Greentree after all, In a luxury suite posing as a poor little rich girl on the Grand Tour. You'll also need a chunk of 'Daddy's' money to throw around on clothes, jewelry, etc., and I'll provide that as well.

So it's some New Hokkaido yocal - a man, obviously - hustling the svelte tourists out on the frontier for kicks. Thinking of the lièzhì chûnrén she hustled back on Hera - but then any female with only half her talent could have - Rowan smiles slowly just as she sees Wash and Zoe come in.

Watching them and seeing a strong husband and wife dynamic at work causes her a little twinge. If she wasn't so determined to ignore the fact that, had it not been for the war, she would be celebrating her twelfth anniversary in about a week, she might indulge in a bit of envy. Then again, feeling anything in conjunction with her marriage and Xiang in general would probably begin the process of mending the broken pieces of her heart, which she figures has to be even more excruciating than having it shattered in the first place. It would also go against her personal mantra to avoid any and all reflection on that time in her life, which seems to be an endangered state of mind of late.

Turning her gaze down to the table, she firmly closes the blacker recesses of her mind around Xiang's face and puts him back where he belongs. Now if he could just stay there…

THORNE: Sound like something you'd want to do?"

Looking up, back on track, she gives the idea a nod of consideration.

ROWAN: My interest is piqued, no denying it, and that is the best offer I've had in some time. Playing dress-up could even be fun, within reason, but I should caution you, this would have to be someone very new to the game. No one on the regular circuit would ever take me as any manner of ingénue. I'm a dragon, and I play like one. No holds barred, no prisoners and although I may not always win, I never miss. So the question of whether we're working together or not lies in this fella's identity. Care to enlighten me?

EOM

lièzhì chûnrén = inferior idiot

Still on the table: 6, 7 and 9, possibly in different positions from where Rowan left them if Wash got a little whimsical while he was at the table.

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, July 19, 2004 8:56 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move

Location: Galley

ROWAN: "So the question of whether we're working together or not lies in this fella's identity. Care to enlighten me?"

THORNE's Move:" The man I’m talking about is called Samuel Merwin. He popped up on New Hokkaido about six months ago with a full poke and bought his way into the underworld there. Makes good money running gambling, loan sharking, and hiring out enforcers. Just likes to hustle billiards as a hobby. He’s taken big scores off some of my customers at the Greentree, so I ran a background check on him and came up empty. No trace at all until after he showed up on NH.

That piqued my curiosity, so I taped his play and ran a kinetographic compare. Seems his style is just like that of LeMaster Highland. You might remember he was a gambler, crook, and pretty good pool player back 20 years ago. He was involved with the daughter of a Core plutocrat, and when she dumped him he killed her, pretty messily, and made off with the family petty cash, a few million plat. Just dropped out of sight and was never found, despite huge rewards for his capture.

On a hunch, I checked freight manifests for the period around when he surfaced, and found that an ‘empty’ stasis box had arrived about a month before then. It had been in storage for 20 years on Ariel, with orders to ship to NH on a certain date. The recipient was a distant cousin of Highland’s, who, interestingly enough, hasn’t been seen since.

Now anything over a year in stasis gets risky, and at 20 years about one-in-five odds is as good as it gets. But the man was a gambler, and the payoff would be freedom instead of death by torture. A little illegal surgery to change his appearance and retinas, 20 years sleep, and he’s good to go. NH doesn’t even have an extradition treaty with the world he’s wanted on.

Did I mention he’s a misogynist when it comes to the table? Claims no woman could even give him an interesting game. Says he’ll leave the planet in shame if a “girlie-girl” ever beats him. And that’s what I want you to do; beat him and make him leave the planet. I'll make sure that the only ship going to a place safe for him will be one of mine, but it may make a slight unscheduled detour through the Core on its way. The rewards for him are still up, and even the best surgery can’t change his DNA sequences.

So, the Cliffs are: No, he couldn’t know you, unless you were on the circuit in the Core 20 years ago. He may have heard your name, even seen a picture, but we can take care of that. If you’re able to sandbag for a while, just play a bit less than your best, we can do it.

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, July 19, 2004 9:41 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION: Galley

Rowan can't help but be more than a little impressed over Thorne's investigative skills. Although she'd promised to keep her intuitions to herself, the question is still on her mind as to whether or not they had communicated before. Several of her contacts during the war were anonymous aliases, same as hers. It wasn't entirely beyond the realm of possibility.

ROWAN: LeMaster Highland. Now there's a name I have not heard in some time. And a good bit of investigation, Mr. Thorne, if I may say so. You might add to it that just about everyone will agree he was one of the best players of his day. Since there was that little problem he seemed to have with authority, though, he never bothered to apply for a UBA membership. I was just getting into it my self when that whole scandal came to light. I think I was 14 or 15 at the time. Always wondered what happened to him. Andreas Bergeron enlightened me once as to Highland's opinions on women players, only Andreas tells a different version - that Highland was never able to beat a "girlie-girl." He's why any man who balks at playing a woman is said to have Highland's syndrome. I was fairly glad I didn't meet him. I probably would have skewered him. I have absolutely no patience for the heishôudâng liúmáng of this 'verse."

Then she gives him another cheshire smile because the entire scenario is just too delicious.

ROWAN: "Mr. Thorne, I believe we can do business."

EOM

UBA = Universal Billiards Association
heishôudâng liúmáng = gangster asshole

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Monday, July 19, 2004 5:52 PM

Jayne's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MERZ
"Somthin' I can do for you, sport?" Merz's acknowledgement to Jayne flows fluidly into conversation.

JAYNE
"I heard yuz fixin' ta take a swim with Kaylee", Jayne grins, "Suits're in the orange locker there." He swings his finger back to where Damon is still toiling over their project, but raising his eyes to check up on them both frequently. The rounded, almost sporty, orange locker sits ten feet from the airlock doors.

MERZ
"Seems like your engineer is not interested. Don't care who goes, just need some helping hands. You about done?"

JAYNE
"Nah, not even close." Jayne turns seriously back to Merz and catches her gaze, then smiles again. "But it can wait till t'morra. I'll come out with ya."

Jayne puts the breaks on his charms right there. A couple of times, with more adventurous and naive ladies, that had continued on to embellish the thrill of weightlessness and the awesome beauty of a sea of stars. This always ended up with him and a cutie outside of the ship, a "slip" that would send her momentarily out of control and panicked, and then Jayne to the rescue with some comment like, "I'd never let anythin' happen to you", which turned them into putty.

Not with this one though. This one knew her way around a space ship.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 12:44 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

JAYNE
But it can wait till t'morra. I'll come out with ya

Merz considers that for a moment. Man’s got something on his mind. But give him the benefit of the doubt, it could just be the job at hand, and there is nothing frivolous about EVA. Not when there is so little between you and something to thin for even her to breathe. Could be he is just thinking about that.

MERZ
That would be appreciated. Are you rated to assist me in suit checks before we venture out?

She starts for the suit locker, brushing past JAYNE and snagging the cannon’s disguise and hardware on the way by it. She passes Damon, still hard at work, still watching them. Briefly, MERZ wonders what has his attention so divided. … we should be able to check out the VAC suits while he finishes up his job, stay out of each other’s way …

At the locker she carefully sets down her burdens; cover, hardware and tool belt, and turns to JAYNE.

MERZ
Ready?

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 2:40 AM

Jayne's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Merz brushes past him and heads to the lockers, Jayne following closely. She obviously wasn't in the mood for Jayne to be anything more than professional right now. It could just be the job at hand - even he used to get a little twitchy thinking of what would happen if a piece of space debris punched a hole into his suit too big for the repair foam to seal.

JAYNE
"Hell, yeah, I'm rated." The locker door swings upwards with a hydrolic moan. "I'm fixin' that one there right now", he points to the empty chamber next to the three suits.

MERZ
"Ready?"

JAYNE
He gives a single, serious nod and moves to the other side of the locker. Taking the suit there, Jayne starts the equipment check with efficiency and speed.

"I take it you been out in space before", Jayne comments as he notices Merz's own speedy and efficient equipment check.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 10:08 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Damon sets his tools down as Merz and Jayne open the locker near the bay door and walks over to them.

"You guys need another pair of hands?"

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 1:02 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MERZ glances up at Damon’s approach.

DAMON
You guys need another pair of hands?

She is puzzled. The question seems unnecessary – of course he is going along. Had he not expected to accompany her? She catches herself mid-thought. … ah, perhaps not. i may have been assuming …

MERZ
For the job outside, certainly. For the suit check, probably not. Nearly done now. Here, try this on.

One handed, she flings the Vacuum suit she has finished checking at him, and turns to finish the last one, without bothering to see if he catches it. She goes right on speaking, whether to DAMON, or JAYNE or both she is not sure.

You ever been out before? If not, and you have any questions best you ask them now. Better than after we suit up.

Now she turns to face him. Do you know how to put that on? The thought had never crossed her mind.

MERZ finally answers JAYNE's question, rather absently, while finishing up the last suit check. Zero-G acrobatics, years 4 to 6, followed by periodic refresher courses to present day. Does that count? she asks in her normal bland voice.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 5:31 PM

TEELABROWN

OOC: Posting. Don't feel like looking for the com message about food, so I'll just work around it...Oh yes. And the flashback is off the top of my head...
_______
River hears the com message, and keeps on walking. Silently she does some figures in her head on if she keeps walking, how soon will she turn around. She sees a wall up ahead, and turns around to the galley, where food is being served. When she enters, only Rowan and Thorne are in there (Teela believes. Maybe only Rowan). She grabs some food, and sees Rowan playing, and River looks at the angles. Then she smells the food, and is carried away...

Quote:
FLASHBACK: THE TAM'S HOUSE AND DINNER TABLE

River was 12. She was leaving her room, and the smell of chicken wafts down the hallway. She licked her lips, and closed her eyes, still slowly walking down the hallway. Suddenly, she is jolted from thinking about the dinner by someone running into her.

"Sorry mei-mei," Simon said. "I guess dinner just overwhlemed me." A funny though enters his head. He holds out his arm for River to take, and takes a slight bow, smiling. River does a slight curtsy, and takes it, with the smile on her face. A joking smile, having fun.

They walk down to the dinner table, and silently take their seats. Both brother and sister inhale deeply, look at each other and laugh. Laughing, laughing...

River is laughing as she looks at her chicken. She takes her untensils and carfully cuts the meat, still laughing.

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2 plus 2 make 4. If that is granted, all else follows"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of the delete key.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 5:51 PM

DECOY

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Wash is still listlessly staring at the map of the upcoming course, absentmindedly playing with a short model he has unconsciously made in this food. He suddenly leans back in his chair, and quietly says to himself): “Merz and friends are going outside to work on the cannon, I’d got to try to be more alert.” (With that statement, he gets out of his chair, food all but forgotten, and takes the few steps to the newly combined navigation/gunnery station. He leans over the console, and checks that the power to the firing circuit is off, and that power to the laser itself is off, and de-activated. He then uses a small joystick to point the cannon straight ahead, so that maybe it might be easier to deal with.)

(Meanwhile, on the piloting console, gravity has been working… Wash looks at the helm, as he hears a plastic clatter… yes, the faux chicken has… spilled on the console, but the console, which has been proofed against nearly anything from coffee to battery acid is unharmed. Wash swears in Chinese to himself, and grabs Rex from the console, now in danger, not from food, but from a washcloth, to clean the top of the console. He places Rex on the sloping navigation/gunnery console, and gets a cloth from a locker down by his feet. As he meticulously cleans the console, several very minute tremors go thru the ship, each time he lightly brushes the docking thruster controls… He also guiltily looks around at the door, and with his chopsticks, eats the last of his meal.)

(Rex, the loveable plastic toy dinosaur, is now making mischief all by himself… He is after all, Wash’s favorite fidget toy… for a reason. Each tiny tremor that goes thru the Serenity, Rex is rocked back and forth on the laser’s targeting system, making the cannon swing gently back and forth…)

(At the Greentree Spa, right at this moment in time, several plumbers are hard at work, watching the clock up on the wall of the sauna machinery room… it’s reading: 16:45 AMT (04:45pm)… One man says to the other: “Let’s say we left now, and grab dinner, we can get paid all day tomorrow fixing this little leaky plug…”

- EOM -

Decoy, they make me go first.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 7:14 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MERZ
For the job outside, certainly. For the suit check, probably not. Nearly done now. Here, try this on.

Damon catches the suit and turns it over in his hands until he finds the top.

MERZ: "You ever been out before? If not, and you have any questions best you ask them now. Better than after we suit up." Now she turns to face him. "Do you know how to put that on?"

He can’t help but be reminded of his first days in the factory.
“We need eight shuttle alternators assembled by the end of the day, kid. Start with the smaller parts and work your way up. You do know how to do this right?"

Yeah, sure, uh huh. What the diyu is an alternator?

Damon steps into the suit and pulls it up over a shoulder. Eyes trained on Jayne, he mimics the bigger man’s every action, committing the process to memory as he goes. Zip, tighten, adjust, tighten, seal. Definitely easier than learning the workings of a shuttle but where space is involved, there’s no room for mistakes. He looks up at Merz.

“Like this?”

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Tuesday, July 20, 2004 7:38 PM

Jayne's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

MERZ
"Here, try this on."

JAYNE
"Sure, the more the merrier," Jayne adds as he finishes with his own suit's checklist. He turns to see Damon staring down at the body of the spacesuit he held in both hands.

Jayne leaves Merz to prep the last suit. He takes his own down from its hooks and steps into it. He fastens straps and joint seals starting at the feet and working his way up. Damon keeps up the pace and after a minute both men have donned all but the gloves and helmet.

Jayne turns then and walks over to the comm station. He taps bridge on the console and speaks, "Wash, I'ma taking Merz an' Damon out to work on the cannon, so no screwin' around till we get back.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 21, 2004 12:54 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

DAMON is climbing into his suit, watching JAYNEs every move. He does a good job of picking up the technique of fitting the suit and finishes about the same time JAYNE does. He looks at her.

DAMON
Like this?

MERZ
Very good.

MERZ finishes the check on the last suit and finding it in sufficient status for a space walk, follows the men in suiting up. She realizes now, after watching DAMON watch JAYNE that DAMON has not worn a suit before. Therefore he has not been in vacuum before, in all likelihood. And probably not been weightless either.

He has not bothered to ask any questions. Probably does not know what to ask. MERZ decided a bit of instruction is necessary.

MERZ
Listen to me, DAMON. Out there is not going to look or feel like anything you have ever experienced. I would like to give you a bit of advice – just for today. You make a habit of this, and you will require a different perspective, but for now, remember this.

No matter what your eyes tell you, no matter what anything feels like, just keep telling yourself that where your feet are – what you are standing on is “down”. Your feet are on the ground, and all that far-away, empty space over your head is just a ceiling. That may help.

As she speaks she has walked over to DAMON and is checking the fitting and sealing of his suit in a most professional manner, suited hands running over him. She changes the adjustment on one strap and then rises to her feet.

MERZ
But if you feel dizzy, or if you have the slightest need to vomit, you get your pigu back inside pronto and get that helmet off. Unless you really want to sample the experience of drowning in your own vomitus. Dong ma, Bhaai?

While she is speaking to DAMON, the obviously more experienced JAYNE steps over to the comm.

JAYNE
Wash, I'ma taking Merz an' Damon out to work on the cannon, so no screwin' around till we get back.

When he turns back, MERZ holds up her helmet and address her companions Well, are we ready?

EOM

pigu = butt
Dong ma = understand
Bhaai = little brother (Nepali)

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 21, 2004 3:55 AM

DECOY

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Wash hears the grating voice of Jayne over the intercom)

Jayne – “Wash, I'm a taking Merz an' Damon out to work on the cannon, so no screwin' around till we get back.”

(He hits the intercom switch to the Cargo Bay): “Umm, no problem… (wipe, clatter) I’ll be up here if you need me.” (As Wash is wiping up the sauce on the console, which is only getting stickier by the minute, he is trying not to make noise, but he hits his steel chopsticks, and he winces as they clatter on the floor. He finishes his quick acknowledgement to Jayne, and kneels down on the deck in front of the console, to start cleaning up the mess on the floor.)

(In Jayne’s Dorm room, a fancy, garish olive green ammo box is sitting on the floor, next to his bed. It is a mercenary wannabe model that Jayne had picked up off some godforsaken person, in the black. It has a compass, a detachable portable radio, a waterproof map case, cup holder, and a digital clock, which reads: 16:47 AMT (04:47pm)

- EOM -

Decoy, they make me go first.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 21, 2004 7:45 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Damon watches the adjustments Merz makes on his suit, listening to her instructions. Other than 'bhaai', he has no problem understanding her and nods.

When Jayne turns back, MERZ holds up her helmet and addresses her companions "Well, are we ready?"

Damon picks up his helmet, giving the inside a quick glance to see how the seal works. When Merz and Jayne put their helmets on, he follows, locking it safely into place. He can't help but grin, feeling excited and nervous at the same time. Remembering the reason for their trip, he looks at Merz.

"You need me to bring any tools out, Merz?"

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Wednesday, July 21, 2004 1:07 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

DAMON
You need me to bring any tools out, Merz?

Merz reaches down for the tool belt she had just carried over. This one is not the same as the one she had earlier – this is her EVA kit. The belt is about 2 inches wide and almost ¾ of an inch thick, crafted of the same material as the suits. It is large enough to wear around the outside of her VAC suit. There are a couple of pouches in the back, easily accessed in gloves, and assorted tools dangling on either side of the fastener in front. She carefully fits it on and keys in the helmet radio.

MERZ
No, I should hope we have everything we need here. Both the tools and this belt are rated for outside work. And, watch this - She grabs one of the wrenches and pulls it gently. The hook it is fastened to reels out on a piece of braided wire. It looks thin but strong. Got 10 feet of reel on each of these, enough for any or all of us to work if need be, and if you drop one, it just comes back. A most useful piece of equipment.

She glances over at JAYNE The pouches in the back are fairly good size slap patches. Should not be needed, never go out without them. Just so you know.

She turns toward the airlock.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, July 22, 2004 1:46 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move
Location: Galley

Good, Thorne thinks, as he listens to ROWAN talk. She knows who Highland is, and is interested. She also knows now that I have better than average intelligence-gathering resources. Maybe that'll help her decide to ask for what she really wants at some point.

ROWAN: "Mr. Thorne, I believe we can do business."

THORNE: "Excellent. I foresee a happy outcome for our dealings. I'll wave ahead and start the arrangements for your cover story; reservations, travel documents, etc. You'll be traveling as Deladis Slocumb, daughter of a well-off family on Ariel.

Of course we can't get rolling on this until the current deal is over, and the Captain's rather complex delivery plan does pose an element of risk when you visit the Rockbottom. But Highland's persona non grata there since the fire, so if you keep a low profile it should be okay.

If you'll excuse me, I'll head for the bridge and make a few calls now. I'm really looking forward to this, and want to make sure everything runs smooth. "

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Thursday, July 22, 2004 3:55 PM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

THORNE: If you'll excuse me, I'll head for the bridge and make a few calls now. I'm really looking forward to this, and want to make sure everything runs smooth.

It makes Rowan laugh skeptically, to think that he could actually attempt to defy the universe, which pretty much makes it a priority to insure that nothing goes smooth. Ever. He's even a little cute when he's all enthusiastic--like a little boy with a whole new ballgame.

At the same time, River's delighted laugh from across the room has her giving the girl an odd look. What goes through a reader's mind? After all that mind warping, do they still have the capacity to dream, and when they do, what manner of nightmares come forth, waking or sleeping? Based on what little they were able to find out about the Alliance's most ambitious endeavor, it's a pure miracle the girl has any manner of normal human sensibilities left at all.

As Thorne makes for the bridge, Rowan turns back to the table to finish the game as she speaks.

ROWAN: I'll wish you luck with that, but keeping a low profile at the Edge won't work if there's already folk there that I know. And since this is the Edge we're talking about, there's bound to be people there that I know. Oh, and Mr. Thorne, if you think you're going to try handling me, you best put that notion to bed right now.

EOM

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 23, 2004 3:40 AM

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne's Move
Location: Galley/Bridge

ROWAN: "Oh, and Mr. Thorne, if you think you're going to try handling me, you best put that notion to bed right now."

Thorne's grinning head pops back around the doorframe.

THORNE: "My dear, I would never handle you, or put you to bed, without your consent. But seriously, we are partners in this endevour, and if you have any ideas that you think will improve our chances, convince me of their worth and we'll go with them."

Turning, Thorne walks forward to the bridge. As he climbs the short set of stairs, the first thing he sees is Wash's backside. The pilot is kneeling on the deck, muttering under his breath.

THORNE: "Err, Wash, I wanted to use the comm for a few minutes, but if you're busy with prayers or something..."

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 23, 2004 6:20 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

THORNE: "My dear, I would never handle you, or put you to bed, without your consent. But seriously, we are partners in this endevour, and if you have any ideas that you think will improve our chances, convince me of their worth and we'll go with them."

Partners…

FLASHBACK
He walked into the room with the darkest scowl she had ever seen, clearly not pleased about something. Robert, on the other hand, looked completely ecstatic.

"I'd like to introduce you to your new partner."

He turned to give Robert that glare. The last time she had seen it was mid-semester in his history class, when he let Hezekiah Walker know that boisterous interaction with his cohorts in the upper corner of the lecture hall would not be tolerated. He didn't have to utter a word, just stood on the main floor, glaring upward until Walker felt it. She couldn't remember ever seeing anyone straighten up and toe the line quite that quick.

Robert stared back at him, clearly reading the scowl, and wondering what he'd done.

Then he turned to look at her, and his entire expression changed. Obviously he remembered her, and at first she thought he might be reflecting on their final conversation at the end of the semester.

Then his expression changed. She wouldn't have said he was entirely happy necessarily, but he still wasn't as displeased as he had been when he first came in. Then he gave her a formal greeting in Chinese.

"Fa-Zhou Rowan. It is a pleasure to see you again."

He had the same great voice too. Since when were college professors allowed to exude sexy, anyhow?

END FLASHBACK

A sharp pain impacts Rowan's heart, hard enough to steal her breath away. Putting the heel of her hand over it, she spends several seconds trying to alleviate it. The memories are becoming more vivid as well as more frequent. Again she wonders what Simon gave her when he had to operate, and makes a note to check his pharmaceutical stores. Maybe she can even find something that would put her out entirely without causing eerie-ass dreams. She'll need some sleep before the tournament anyway. Iliera will make short work of her otherwise, and there was no way she is coming close to losing to that pofù again.

With quick motions, she dispenses of the 6, 7 and the 9, which are no-brainer shots that any moon-brain troglodyte could pull off. Taking the hand-held, she switches off the holo-billiards projectors and powers the entire system down. Seeing River finishing up her meal, Rowan tucks the hand-held away.

ROWAN: Well, those dishes won't do themselves. Feel like giving me a hand mei mei?

Heading for the kitchen, she starts gathering up pots and pans. After setting up a plate for herself, she tracks down a plastic container, moves the chicken into it and puts the rest of the rice into another. Setting the plate aside, she starts rinsing the pans.

EOM

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 23, 2004 8:15 AM

Jayne's turn:
LOCATION - THE BLACK

MERZ
"Well, are we ready?"

Jayne has already plugged a couple of buttons on the control panel causing the inner airlock doors to hiss open. He turns and walks towards in while he responds.

JAYNE
"Ready as we'll ever be."

Jayne waits there at the entrance while the others check their gear. As he watches, he thinks. He thinks about how this might be Damon's first time out in the black, though he's not making a big deal of it. Jayne also glimpses the pouches of repair pads located over her bumb. Funny place for them.

MERZ
"The pouches in the back are fairly good size slap patches. Should not be needed, never go out without them. Just so you know."

JAYNE
"Yeah, got mine in the arm compartments." Merz and Damon move into the airlock and Jayne closes the doors behind them.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 23, 2004 12:29 PM

MANIACNUMBERONE

Book's Move
Galley

Waiting until he hears Thorne muttering something to Wash far down the hallway, Book opens his eyes and rises from the semi-dark corner where he has been meditating (and eavesdropping on Rowan's and Thorne's conversation.) He looks at Rowan cleaning pots on the opposite side of the galley, her back to him and her thoughts, most likely, on Thorne and their prospective plan. Bible in hand, he crosses towards Rowan, not noticing the torn Shepherd's coller that slid from his pocket and got left behind on the seat.

Rowan turns slightly from her cleaning as she hears Book approach. Book stops as she turns and brings his Bible up to his chest protectively, a hand clasped to each side. "I really have no business saying this, but I couldn't help overhearing... you can obviously make your own decisions," Book hedges a bit and lowers his voice. "You have the talent to win that tournament. You don't need to play that other game. Why risk anything on a side game with a man known for making people disappear? ... and with an apparent disdain for women players."

Book shakes his head sadly and lowers the Bible to his side. "Seems to me..." Book glances quickly about the galley and lowers his voice even more. "this Samuel Merwin would be more than likely to kill you after losing to you, than to let his so-called reputation be "tarnished".

EM

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 23, 2004 3:03 PM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan’s Move
LOCATION - GALLEY

BOOK: "You have the talent to win that tournament. You don't need to play that other game. Why risk anything on a side game with a man known for making people disappear? ... and with an apparent disdain for women players. This Samuel Merwin would be more than likely to kill you after losing to you, than to let his so-called reputation be "tarnished"."

He means well, no doubt about it, and he has a point too. It's going to be risky, playing Highland, or Sam Merwin or whatever he's calling himself these days. He was a hell of a player in his day, and there's one or two trick shots with his name attached to them. Truly touched by the Shepherd's concern, she gives him a warm smile.

ROWAN: "Rest assured, Shepherd I am aware of what manner of man I'm dealing with, and that includes Thorne. I do appreciate the looking after, though. I've had a precious few take the time to make my well-being their own priority. It's an awfully rare thing in this verse."

Pausing, she unties the towel from around her waist and holds it out to Book.

ROWAN: "I'll wash, you dry and put away. I figure you'll know where and how everything goes."

EOM

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Friday, July 23, 2004 3:16 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - THE BLACK

MERZ readies herself for the job outside Serenity. No matter how many times she enters the big black, she retains a healthy respect for something so much bigger and more dangerous than she is.

JAYNE is waiting for them inside the open lock. They move inside to join him and he closes the door after them. MERZ moves ahead of DAMON where he can watch her.

MERZ
Your tether is right here. Fasten the hook to one of the rings inside the outside lock. Like this. She demonstrates the easiest way to manipulate the hook. With the magnetic boots, maybe this not particularly necessary. I choose not to take that chance. She fastens herself on, and watches to see if DAMON chooses to comply. JAYNE has experience enough, she believes, to make his own choices.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, July 24, 2004 8:10 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - THE BLACK

Quote:
MERZ
Your tether is right here. Fasten the hook to one of the rings inside the outside lock. Like this. She demonstrates the easiest way to manipulate the hook. With the magnetic boots, maybe this not particularly necessary. I choose not to take that chance.

Damon fastens his hook onto a ring like Merz showed him. The thought of going out without one doesn't even seem to enter his mind as a possibility.

He smiles as Merz walks over to the door to unlock it.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please note the seatbelt and no smoking signs have been turned on... we are not stopping for gas, therefore if you need to use the restroom, you should've gone before we left... please keep all hands, arms and air inside your suits at all times... stay life-like and enjoy your flight."

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

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, July 24, 2004 9:11 AM

TEELABROWN

Miss Shorty-Post strikes again!
_____

Quote:
ROWAN: Well, those dishes won't do themselves. Feel like giving me a hand mei mei?

River gets up, smiling, and goes over to the sink/cleaning area. She pauses, for reasons only known to her, and starts to clean.
_____

_____________
"Freedom is the Freedom to say that 2 plus 2 make 4. If that is granted, all else follows"-Winston, 1984
Teela Brown, keeper of the delete key.
"No one reads these things any way."- Bart on Blackboard

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, July 24, 2004 10:54 AM

Jayne's turn:
LOCATION - THE BLACK

DAMON
"Stay life-like and enjoy your flight."

JAYNE
"Just open the door, we ain't gettin' paid by the hour", Jayne says helpfully as Damon approaches the panel. He has already depressurized the room, attached his tether, and double checked the harness.

Why did Merz want this guy along? Jayne hopes this job isn't going to take all night. His mind starts to wander.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Saturday, July 24, 2004 6:23 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - THE BLACK

MERZ has tucked the hardware for the gun cover in an arm pouch, and has the cover in her left hand. She approaches the door a little ahead of DAMON and prepares to leave the airlock. She did not really comprehend what DAMON had said, but his tone of voice seemed eager and pleased, and that was good enough for now.

She moves forward as the door pulls out of the way, eager to get to the job at hand. Confident the males will follow her, she exits the door, planting her feet carefully outside of the lock and firmly on the hull, closing her eyes and enduring the momentary discomfort as she swings around outside and leaves the artificial gravity field inside. Once the moment of disorientation is passed, she starts around under the ship headed for the gun placement under the hull. Always an interesting sensation, walking on the underside of something. Reminds her of a rather remarkable picture she once saw, full of stairways that went directions that made no sense. That picture had given her vertigo, like zero-g never did.

As she approaches the gun, she can see it gently, gently swaying. Odd. She left everything locked down. MERZ keys in her comm to the ships frequency. “Wash, are you still on the bridge? What are you doing with that cannon?”

No reply.

MERZ
Wash, do you copy? Anyone?

Still no reply.

JAYNE and DAMON pull up along side of her. She turns to look at JAYNE, changing comm back to suit freq. "That is unacceptable. Someone either needs to go back inside, or up top and look in the view port – see what is going on. Volunteers?"

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Sunday, July 25, 2004 4:58 AM

Jayne's turn:
LOCATION - THE BLACK

MERZ
"That is unacceptable. Someone either needs to go back inside, or up top and look in the view port – see what is going on. Volunteers?"

JAYNE
"I'm on it." Jayne turns and walks up the side of the ship. It's slow moving over the uneven hull, and even though he is in fact walking up - towards the top of the ship - the hull curves away from him, making it feel like he is walking downhill.

Jayne's tether sways behind him in time to his footfalls. Jayne starts piecing together paranoid scenarios about why Wash isn't answering the comm. Prob'ly out or dead 'cause a that poison food. If there was a problem, Jayne would sneak in through the top airlock and grab some arms from his room.

Jayne hooks his secondary tether to a clamp on the side of the ship. If the ship did any sudden maneuvers, they could all be bucked off, magboots or no.

He finally clambers up to one of the side windows of the bridge and looks in.

NOTIFY: N | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | TOP | HOME

Sunday, July 25, 2004 9:59 PM