GR RP "Adventures in Gunrunning" Act 20 by Channain

Book's Move
Location: en route to Mal's Quarters

Glad to be out of Merz's presence while she's again forgotten her clothes, Book lets out a heavy breath and walks through the door to the cargo bay. It's hard not to make her feel self conscious The heavy rasping sound coming from Jayne's welding in addition to his mask obscure Book from Jayne's view as he quickly crosses the cargo bay floor to the fore stairway. He rummages through his pockets as he goes. Where did my collar go? Book shakes his head critically. Why must I carry so many things in my pockets?

Reaching the top of the stairs, Book rounds the corner and notices Damon watching his approach. He receives a curteous nod from Damon as he walks resolutely to Mal's quarters and raps on the metal swinging door hanging over the laddered descent. "Captain. It's Shepherd Book."

EM

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Tuesday, August 31, 2004 7:19 PM

JAYNE'S move
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

Being snuck up on, intentionally or otherwise, is never a favourite way for Jayne to spend his time. With the noise and light from the torch, he doesn't notice Wash until he's a few yards off. He holds out another piece of rail to Jayne, and then hands over the memory stick.

Jayne contemplates the memory stick in his hand for a moment, and is about to ask what the heck it is when Wash turns to leave.

No big loss. Jayne turns down the torch and has a moment's rest. The heat from the torch was starting to build up. Jayne pats down his forehead with his handkerchief, then stuffs it back into his pocket and takes another look at the plastic device in his hand.

Well, it's got one of them eye scanner jobs on the end. Jayne flips the device end over end. It must be that thing Simon left with messages for the crew. Cause Simon's really gotta lot to say ta me. Well, right now Jayne has bigger fish to fry, like not getting tossed out the trash chute for failing to finish his work. Jayne stuffs the memory stick into his trouser pocket and reaches again for the welding torch.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2004 1:22 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - LAUNDRY AREA

RIVER
Everybody’s crazy now.

Tears are slowly dropping from RIVER’s eyes. MERZ gives in to a sudden impulse. Slowly reaching towards the child’s face, she carefully wipes tears from her face with her fingers, as gently as she can.

MERZ
To me bahini, you are all crazy.

MERZ contemplates the wetness on her fingers. She rubs her fingers together, smells the dampness, licks her fingertips and sighs.

MERZ
A secretion of the lachrymal gland. How wonderful for you, to have tears.

… all crazy but one. he was much less puzzling. he could explain things … i don’t even know if he survived … i could no more read him, than Brink can read me … need you …

She looks over at RIVER remembering Kara and Gi, remembering the ways of comfort. She does not understand really, but she does remember what to do … perhaps. MERZ holds out her arms to River and tries her best to smile with a mother’s face.

EOM

bahini = little sister

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Wednesday, September 1, 2004 7:54 AM

LOCATION - MALs DORM
As ...

Shepherd Book raps on the metal swinging door hanging over the laddered descent of Mal's room.
BOOK
"Captain. It's Shepherd Book."

Mal sighs and hits the unlock switch on his desk and then toggles the door comm.

MAL
weariness still quite evident in his voice
"Come on in Shepherd, please close the door behind ya."

Mal shuffles the finished paperwork into the file box under the desk. He swivels in his chair to await Book's entrance. Not really meaning too, he sits up straighter and tries to adopt a neutral expression -- he fails. His expression radiates unease and consternation.

EOM

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

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Wednesday, September 1, 2004 8:48 AM

River
LOCATION - LAUNDRY AREA

River considers Merz's invitation for a moment. She isn't mom, she isn't dad, Simon or even Book. River can't see who she is and that makes her a little uneasy but the rest of the crew are comfortable with her around and River decides that's good enough for her.

She climbs into Merz's lap letting the older woman hold her. It's not the same as being held by Simon but thinking of her brother puts a smile on her face.

After a few minutes of sitting quietly, River climbs to her feet and looks down at Merz. "They smell good now."

The laundry machine slowly spins to a stop and a quick buzz signals the clothes are finished.

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

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Wednesday, September 1, 2004 9:12 AM

DRAGONFLYDIRECTOR

THE DEATH OF BRINK "SLIGHT" HELSING
And the rising of the Pale Moon...

Interlude 3 Part IV
LOCATION - GYRFALCON and ALACHINA RANDI
Connected by umbilical walk through
2518 ~ Day 024/January 24th ~ 1802/ 6:02 PM
AS...

NISKA
“Corvair, you know za shell may change. It iz the spirit withzin that definez the soul. OR perhaps, you do not understand. Your range was limited. Zo sad, a waste of good manipulatable emotion.

CORVAIR is locked for an instant in conflict. This imitation Niska is raising hackles on CORVAIR's neck. What this young man is saying is not possible, cannot be possible. But the facts also cannot be ignored. This voice, regardless of its current register matches to several decimal places all points of inflection, phraseology and meter to the man he has always known as Adelai Niska. It is not unheard of; it is a method of deceiving the enemy taught early in ABEL training. Not a talent he could believe this young man would possess. Sorely tempted to pass back down the umbilical to his ship return to base, he pauses. Perhaps processing requires more data? While he is cogitating, the young man speaks again.

NISKA
“I zee the new implant seems to be functioning perfectly. I vas worried, your structure iz … difficult to predict zome times."

How odd. Even his minders and trainers are unaware of the extra communication implant NISKA had graced him with. Perhaps there is some truth.

CORVAIR pauses to sample the air, drawing in a deep breath and analyzing. He can pick up several different traces from this young man, and one is unmistakably the Adelai Niska that he knows. There are traces of blood, both Niska’s and one other source. And another person he has scented before. On his hunt for ‘her’ he ran across the track of one of the Blue Sun operatives. Actually it seems to be the one they call “the Blue Son” for whatever inane reason civilians bestow names. Now that scent is in his nostrils again. However, the important components signify NISKA. How can this be? He decides to simply ask.

CORVAIR
resolve flushing away any doubt
“How? You are NOT the man I knew.”

SIMON/NISKA
Laughing in a short sinister bark
“A fortuitous karmic happenstance with ... how vould you zay ... a malfunctioning cortical analyzer. I vill detail it to you later. But for now ve have much to do.

CORVAIR considers. It still appears to be a not-viable explanation, but he will accept this strange, young man as NISKA his employer … for now. However, he will watch him closely.

CORVAIR
“I comprehend. Your orders?

NISKA
“First there iz the baggage I had to bring along. He has zerved his purpose and now must be erased from the equation. Liberate him; but I want a zingle, clean blow if possible. Kindly avoid your usual vulgar technique.”

There is a certain amount of … disappointment there. The last several months have been extraordinarily frustrating. CORVAIR has become all too aware of the new ‘feelings’ that this time of trouble has introduced him to. Taking out some aggravation on an approved target might have provided some relief. But he knows better than to disagree with this master.

CORVAIR leaves ‘Niska’ in the front of the Gyrfalcon and moves towards the rear compartment to find his ‘loose end’. His target lies at the far end of the available space, moved as far from immediate danger as the nanites were able to drag him. Now the form is lying prone near the hatch to the engine, the nanites a shifting, dense cocoon of protection around their unconscious host. CORVAIR sneers. Such a pathetic reliance on technology, as if it has greater worth and ability than his own well-trained body could not protect this specimen. Well, what technology can build, other technology can break, and he has the perfect tool for this.

First the scene must be set. Noting the position of the body, CORVAIR decides that an ‘accident’ from the engine compartment could conceivably have caught the target in the chest with the hatch, had it blown open, and left the body in a close approximation of its current position. How convenient. He walks over and un-dogs the compartment door – damage must appear inside if this is to work. The engine has been shut down for a while, and the radiation is not great – just enough to give a warm prickling under the skin. He reaches inside and carefully wenches off a heavy, shielded component, giving it the appearance of having blown itself off.

Once the engine damage is accomplished, it is time to finish the scene and the nanites. CORVAIR draws his sidearm. This usage will render it useless until he replaces the isotopic fuel cell, but that is of little consequence. This illegal focal disruptor was only a tool, for when complete stealth is required. He spends a few moments changing a setting on the pistol, a fairly complicated process. He manufactured this function into the weapon himself with the possibility of accidental triggering fully in mind. Once finished, he raises the pistol, and backing up nearly to the front cabin, squeezes the trigger.

The effect is invisible and immediate. The electro-magnetic pulse generator worked as well as he expected. Inside the engine compartment, a multitude of electronic components sparked and slagged themselves. And around the prone body a rain of nanites patters to the floor, destroyed … useless. CORVAIR allows himself the tiniest brief flickering of a smile.

Behind him, in the cabin he can hear ‘Niska’ on the comm. He is speaking to someone, and the voice is no longer that of Adelai Niska. This voice rather more fits that strange body. CORVAIR consciously hears nothing except that ‘Niska’ is speaking. But as is usual, what is heard is stored in memory for later consideration. All input can prove useful. For now, the death scene must be completed.

It is time to finish, time to ‘liberate’ the target of its existence. It is good, the body lies face-up covered in the fine ash of the destroyed nanites. He will not need to shift the position. CORVAIR approaches the prone form and bends down to verify his current condition. How strange. He knows this man, this other scent present here. This is the killer he has seen before, the Blue Son. CORVAIR tilts his head, truly a bizarre coincidence within this incalculable series of events that will have to await further meditation.

There remains a life beat in the throat, but it is faint and very slow; it takes time to verify it is there at all. He reaches out a hand and lays it on the pale chest, and lets his gloved fingers test the target area. A sharp punch to the xyphoid process will break it free and penetrate both chambers of the heart. Swift and functional, a single blow exactly as ordered.

Something strange occurs, another scent here near this body, almost too faint to have any real presence. But however weak it may be it does exist, and there is something that wants to be hauntingly familiar about it. CORVAIR shakes his head – finish the job and stop brooding. There is only one last piece to put into place to complete the scene that is to be left here. He stands and walks back to the engine compartment door. Lifting it carefully to disengage the hinges he walks the heavy hatch over to the target. A few minutes spent eyeing the open hatch, the near area and the fallen man to triangulate on the correct angle of the blow. CORVAIR bends the latch out as it would have bent if the door had been blown open from the inside. Good.

Now the twisted latch is driven sharply into the sternum. The body spasms and goes still. CORVAIR frowns. Something did not separate correctly, did not break in the usual fashion. He has done this in the past, used this blow – he knows how that bone will break. This was just … wrong. He replaces the hatch back into its place. Pulling it almost shut he places one massive hand behind it and shoves it forward with as much strength as he can muster. The door flies around and crashes into the opposite wall, making the proper dents.

CORVAIR steps back into the doorway to the front and looks over his death scene. It appears to be correctly crafted and appropriately convincing. Niska should be pleased.

He makes one more check of the body. Already the body is cooling to his touch, and no pulse is now detected. Satisfactory.

CORVAIR goes forward to report his job is finished. ‘Niska’ is done with his wave and sits, patiently awaiting the completion of the necessary job.

CORVAIR
“Mission Complete.”

SIMON/NISKA
“Very good. I vish to inspect your excellent craftsmanship in this … endeavor.”

‘Niska’ walks back and glances over the area. There is approval on his face as turns back to his associate.

SIMON/NISKA
"Very restrained. You have completed this elimination with exemplary results."

Walking forward he removes BOOK’s card from his vest pocket and carefully tucks it into one of the body’s belt pouches.

SIMON/NISKA
"This has served its purpose and brought you to me. Now I think I vill leave it with him." ...SIMON/NISKA chuckles, raising the hackles on CORVAIRs flanks yet again... Iz now time for us to vacate this unfortunate scene of ‘accidental’ death.

Leaving the Gyrfalcon, one more thing almost convinces CORVAIR that this young stranger is his employer. They move towards the outer hatch, and ‘Niska’ steps to the front, leading the way. CORVAIR is impressed. Very few people put their backs to him – he has had trainers that would never take that chance. However, in the past months, it has ever been a trait of ‘Niska’ to show no fear in that fashion. In the doorway he turns back around to face CORVAIR, while stripping a pair of skin-tight transparent gloves off of his apparently bare hands. ‘Niska raises one eyebrow.

SIMON/NISKA
While carefully folding and placing the gloves into his breast pocket.
"Only leaving … Slight fingerprints."
‘Niska’ chuckles and waggles his eyebrows at CORVAIR.

Unfortunately, this joke is lost on CORVAIR. He finds himself involuntarily amazed – this ‘unconventional sense of humor’ is yet another indicator that this is truly, despite the improbability, Adelai Niska.

Moments later, the umbilicus is withdrawn and the Alachina Randi is gone.

Behind in the Gyrfalcon, SLIGHT’s body lies on the deck plates, cooling quickly. From the Atlas at the base of his skull, a minute sliver of deep chromium red begins to protrude. The DeepRED scans the area and notes that the host is in dire straits, and it’s complete brood has been totally eliminated. After a nanosecond of bio-scan and processing. The biologic it protected has limited viability, immediate action was required to insure full operational capibility. The DeepRED initiates the manufacturing process within it’s molecular factories.

EOM

"Observe Analyze & Respond"
Motto of the A.P.E.s
Alliance Protean Engineers

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Wednesday, September 1, 2004 3:56 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION – LAUNDRY AREA

RIVER looks calmly at her for a short time before standing and approaching her. MERZ almost holds her breath as the girl carefully lowers herself into the empty lap.

As RIVER almost gingerly nestles herself, MERZ slowly folds her arms around her. The sensation is quite … interesting. She had promised MAL loyalty, promised it to the crew even if they did not know this, promised it to the passengers as well.

While not entirely sure of RIVER’s status, she had been moved to defend her because of her own pledge. Now, with the shell of shared warmth surrounding them both, with the scent of her so close and the indescribable consciousness of the trust that RIVER has granted her, MERZ almost understands … family … in a way never demonstrated to her before. MERZ closes her eyes and lays her cheek against RIVER’s hair. She is afraid to speak, reluctant to change any part of the equation. So fragile …

… never allow another innocent to be harmed, neither by my actions, or by my inaction … i promise …

It is only a short time before River stirs and stands. Looking down she says,

RIVER
They smell good now.

The washer finishes the cycle, buzzes for attention and shuts off.

… interesting …

MERZ stands herself, blanket carefully attended to. She opens the machine and removes the warm, clean clothing. Time to go back to her room, to clean up and dress. If there is an appropriate way to take leave of River, she has no idea what it would be.

MERZ
I must go, bahini. Thank you.

She leaves the room and heads back to her own room. Juggling clothing and blanket makes entering the dorm just a bit tricky, but it is managed with a minimum of fuss.

Once inside her room, behind her own closed door, MERZ sets her clothing aside, neatly replaces the blanket on the bed and folds her clothing, setting it on the blanket.

Locating the sink in the room and extruding it for use, she fills it with a small bit of warm water, and washes herself in a thorough way that speaks of long practice in water discipline. She unbraids and briskly combs her hair and then dips into her bag for a shaker canister of powder, which she dusts onto her scalp and throughout her hair. Privately she considers the dry wash insufficient, but current circumstances do not provide adequate provisions for cleaning that long fall of hair in any other fashion. Brushing the cleaning powder out of her hair as much as possible into the sink she lets her wash water carry the powder away too.

Toweling herself off, she chooses the shipsuit as the most suitable of her limited choices and dresses again. Momentarly ignored, her hair flows down her back, unbound.

Time now to see what remains to be done before tomorrow. To find something that will keep her occupied and free of troublesome thoughts.

There were still the cargo rails to be set perhaps. They were unfinished the last time she looked, and Jayne nowhere to be seen. A good place to start.

She climbs the ladder and exits once again into the hallway, and turns towards the Cargo Bay.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Wednesday, September 1, 2004 5:56 PM

JAYNE'S move
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

Jayne is heating up fast. This is no small metal structure he's building, and it needs to be extra strong to handle the drops in low atmo. He isn't taking any chances or cutting any corners, since his life isn't worth the risk.

Over the past hour, the drop chute structure has built itself up from piles of metal on the floor to what is now a recognizable machine. Jayne turns down the torch and sits it down before starting the reinforcement beams.

JAYNE
"Far ta the East, is a land not man ner beast,
Has er' dared put a single foot er paw on,"

Jayne sings loud and proud. He grips the back on his T-shirt in one hand and peels it off in a single motion. He takes a deep breath and belts out,

JAYNE
"And that's the way we'll go, cause the goblins of the soul,
are heluva better 'n the buggers over here."

Jayne lets out an invigorated yell into his balled-up shirt and pulls it slowly down his face to mop up the sweat. He continues along his chest and armpits, and lets a smile crack onto his face.

He was feeling better. Good, honest work had a way of focusing you. Once he had the supports welded on, Jayne was looking forward to winding down a little.

But he still had to catch Rowan in the act somehow.

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Wednesday, September 1, 2004 7:37 PM

River
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

MERZ
I must go, bahini. Thank you.

River nods and watches Merz disappear into her room. For a moment she just stands there, her thoughts drifting, but it isn't long before a big grin spreads across her face. She turns and heads for the cargo bay.

Jayne is happily welding the last bit of railing on the other end of the room and doesn't see River standing in the doorway behind him. She smiles and starts walking toward him, her footsteps silent on the metal flooring.

Quote:
JAYNE
"Far ta the East, is a land not man ner beast,
Has er' dared put a single foot er paw on,"

Jayne sings loud and proud. He grips the back on his T-shirt in one hand and peels it off in a single motion. He takes a deep breath and belts out,

JAYNE
"And that's the way we'll go, cause the goblins of the soul,
are heluva better 'n the buggers over here."

Jayne lets out an invigorated yell into his balled-up shirt and pulls it slowly down his face to mop up the sweat. He continues along his chest and armpits, and lets a smile crack onto his face.

River grins, barely able to keep from laughing as she sneaks up behind the singing Jayne, who is completely unaware of her presence. He finishes. She waits a moment and leans toward him.

"BOO!"

River bursts into laughter as Jayne jumps out of his skin, nearly falling over. She holds her sides, laughing so hard she has trouble keeping her breath.

"Got you!"

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

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Thursday, September 2, 2004 2:33 AM

JAYNE'S move
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

RIVER
"BOO! Got you!"

The fiddles playing in Jayne's head stop as he looks down at River, unable to control her outpour of gleeful laughter. Jayne lets her get it out of her system and speaks:

JAYNE
"Hey, what'd you mean when you said I looked like a girl afore?" Jayne stands tall to face River. "Y'ever seen a girl with guns like this?" he says, tensing his arm muscles.

Maybe this means the preacher would be by to collect her. Good, Jayne still wanted to talk to him.

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Thursday, September 2, 2004 7:40 AM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Blue Sun Headquarters, Corporate District, Londinium.
Blue Sun First Power Harold Helsings Office/Home.
8:22 PM, local time.

Harold Helsing meditatively sits, the feedback sensors glowing as they crawl over his skin. They circle the neck once, disappear under the custom suit, reappear under the wrists of the blue gloves, then leap off and shut down, transmitting their findings to the central system of the building. Tomorrow, the data will be calculated to further his lifetime when he goes for his Davis Treatments, lengthening his life for yet another day.

He swivels his chair, turning from his desk to watch the last of the sunset. In the Corporate District, where the conglomerates housed they're headquarters, rain constantly fell. There were perhaps twenty sightings of the sun in a single year. If one was lucky. Ships pass back and forth beneath him, slowly humming as the last of the day shift go home to various apartment districts across the planet. He watches the sun fade from gold to pink, and leans forward to watch it turn to red.
A sharp chirp from his desk makes him remember, once again, that his entire lifes work required constant maintainence.
Helsing activates his desk, and four projectors rise smoothly, forming a holographic of the Blue Sun Logo. It is replaced by none other than Second Power Davis, who appears distraught.
"First Power Helsing, I-"
Helsing cuts him off with a wave of his hand. "We've known each other for eighty-five years, Carl. You are allowed to call me by my name." Every time, he had to say something.
"Sorry, Hal. It's just. . .The Alliance has sent us a transmission they received, asking if it checked with any of our products. They received it near Hera. I checked our tags, and it matches. . .it matches your sons Last Call signature."
Helsing, for a second, goes blank. He cannot think for that second. Davis appears nervous, unsure of what to say. Slowly, Helsings mind grinds back into action. It only can repeat one word, whispering it through his mind like a slow ricochet. No. No, it can't be. No.
"NO!" Davis looks taken aback, surprised at the emotion. He remember only two other times Helsing was angry. When The Son and when the Daughter left. "I made him PERFECT! FIND HIM! BRING MY SON BACK!" Neither match the rage he can see now. Suddenly, Helsing slumps forward, immobile. Sensors detected the death at the same time Davis knew.
Behind First Power of the Blue Sun Harold Helsing's body, the sun finally set, shining its last rays through the Blue Sun logo tinted onto the window.

EOM

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Thursday, September 2, 2004 9:28 AM

River
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

JAYNE
"Hey, what'd you mean when you said I looked like a girl afore?" Jayne stands tall to face River. "Y'ever seen a girl with guns like this?" he says, tensing his arm muscles.

River grins and continues giggling. "Y'ever seen a man where make up?" She starts laughing again. "You be careful, Jayne, chasing something that isn't there makes you crazy."

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

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Thursday, September 2, 2004 9:55 AM

Book's Move
Location: Mal's Quarters

Backing slowly down the ladder, Book hears papers shuffle and a heavy sigh precede him. Turning to face the captain when he reaches the bottom of the ladder, he notices the burden riding on his shoulders. "How long since you last slept, Captain?" Mal's expression changes from greater to lesser strength and his head slumps a bit as he sighs again.

Book walks over to Mal, sitting at his desk chair, and pulls out Damon's gun. Doing a quick movement, he turns the gun 180 degrees in his hand and offers the handle to Mal. "It's not loaded." Reaching into another pocket, Book pulls out the gun clip and hands it to Mal. As he does, his small comm, given back to him by River falls from his pocket to the floor at their feet... the purple light flashing once again.

EM

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Thursday, September 2, 2004 3:22 PM

KAYLEE’s move

LOCATION - ENGINE ROOM

She is progressing slower and slower, her concentration is being stolen away. There are thoughts creeping into the back of her mind, robbing her consciousness. Finally, without her even realizing it, the soldering iron is slipped back into its safe cradle, the light is turned off, and the magnifying lens carefully set aside. Her hands drop limply onto her lap, palms up, at rest. Still sitting, KAYLEE falls asleep

LOCATION – DREAMSTATE

First comes the voice. His voice as she heard it just before things … changed.

SIMON(softly and with a very slightly hesitant pace)

“Umm, I would very much like to talk with you. If you have the time”

and later -

“It is time for me to be honest...” “Around you, I lose my words …”

Next come sensations - feather touches on her very nerves. The caress of a hand on her cheek, the butterfly wing touch of his lips caressing hers. When he took her hand and the warmth of his touch was a fire in her veins.

And finally, held in each others arms, fulfilling the promise of that first kiss, the sharp, deep and final melding of two becoming one, like welded steel.

and now

The voice of the stranger

“Time to bleed”

“Easy this will not be, Doctor.”

“The Volcano, Doctor. Must face it, we all do.”

Simon, screaming

“THIS IS NOT HOW IT ENDED!!!”

Visions of blood and death, rage and fear. All things loved trampled underfoot, cast aside bleeding.

Last words spoken, no longer Simon …

Pale Moonlight

The retreating form, the beloved one dragged away from her, hands reaching, mind screaming. The connection between them, forged so quickly and so welcome, stretches … almost … to the breaking point. Too much distance. Too much pain. She is losing him before she had a opportunity to really encompass him. … Ah … anguish and fear fill her … come back, beloved.

He can no longer hear her. But something can. And it feeds on her hurt.

LOCATION - ENGINE ROOM

KAYLEE, awakened, surrenders to her tears.
softly
No Simon, please don’t go. I need you.

EOM

OOC: edited cause I forgot she was supposed to be asleep.

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Thursday, September 2, 2004 5:19 PM

LOCATION - MALs DORM
As ...

Quote:
Book walks over to Mal, sitting at his desk chair, and pulls out Damon's gun. Doing a quick movement, he turns the gun 180 degrees in his hand and offers the handle to Mal. "It's not loaded." Reaching into another pocket, Book pulls out the gun clip and hands it to Mal. As he does, his small comm, given back to him by River falls from his pocket to the floor at their feet ... the purple light flashing once again.

Before Book can react, Mal scoops up the purple flashing comm unit and inspects it briefly, yet thoroughly. Turning it over in his hand he notes the compact hi-tech details of the device. Stopping his inspection at the purple flashing diode, Mal's face falls into a carefully etched stony non-expression. He looks up and fixes onto Book's eyes, searching deep. After what seems like an eternity of uncomfortable nonverbal communication between the two, Mal extends the flashing unit with his right hand while extending his left for Damon's weapon and ammo. His demeanor is almost as if he is trading the comm for the pistol.

MAL
While maintaining a solid and unflinching eye-lock with Book, he says in a very tight, flat and nearly toneless voice...
"Shepherd, 'peers your old life is'a calling ya back to action."

EOM

OOC
How's dat fer a fharbot response Maniac?!

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

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Thursday, September 2, 2004 10:21 PM

River
LOCATION - CARGO BAY to ...

The connection is instantaneous.

River’s laughing stops as suddenly as it started. A rush of visions, memories and emotions flood her mind shadowing everything around her.

Fire, voices screaming. So much pain. Unbearable agony ripping through everything it touches. Blood and death, rage and fear. All things loved trampled underfoot, cast aside bleeding, broken.

“Coming… can’t…”

River’s breath comes in short gasps, her pulse quickening in rising distress. She backs into Jayne, but doesn’t acknowledge him, doesn’t notice him.

Love slipping away. Anguish and fear becoming one, joined like welded steel until all else is gone. Dreams are shattered, hope is lost, strength fading. Only darkness remains.

River buries her face in her hands as she breaks into tears, unaware of her knees hitting the deck. A wail of despair escapes her throat as her frail form sinks to the floor, sobbing inconsolably. She curls herself up, her arms covering her head, lost to her misery, the grief and suffering of those she cares for- much of which she feels is still to come.

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

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Friday, September 3, 2004 2:13 AM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

Thorne & Inara's Move
Location: Inara's shuttle

As he finishes the massage with a caressing touch…”Ding” A soft chime sounds from the control area.

______________________

Turning her head to one side on the pillow, Inara blinks dazedly at Thorne. "What was that?"

“Ah, Lovely One, a small surprise for you.” Inara gives him a wry look. “No, not that, I trust.”

Thorne straightens his robe and heads for the control area as Inara languidly dons her shift once again. He returns with an auto-steamer and his duffle bag. The music changes again, to ‘Dawn over Ariel’ by Werner Nguyen.

“Just a light repast to sustain us for the evening.”

With a flourish, he opens the steamer to reveal two huge, perfectly cooked artichokes. Next, he pulls from his bag a chilled bottle of white wine; Regent ’14, a rare vintage. Clasping the edges of her unbound shift in one hand to hold it closed, Inara gives a tiny squeak of delight at the sight of the artichokes.

“Oh Thorne...they're perfect!” Inara lightly touches the soft, lush green petal-like leaves of one of the artichokes. “Wherever did you get such fine specimens?! They're almost impossible to find, and once found, near-impossible to afford!”

“Oh, I have my sources. Nothing but the best for us, Dear One. Would you care to pour the wine while I make the sauce?”

Inara agrees, moving to retrieve a corkscrew. “What kind of sauce?” Artichokes! It's been so long! Inara is bubbling with childlike enthusiasm, a side of her that she seldom reveals. Her demure and elegant demeanor has slipped away, and she's beaming happily--her true age evident.

"You'll see." Thorne replies, as he removes a self-heating saucepan, eggs, butter, salt, and a lemon from the bag. Then a whisk and knife. In a few moments he’s creating Hollandaise sauce. Inara removes two long-stemmed goblets from a velvet box on her shelf, opens the wine with a practiced hand, pours a bit, sniffs and mmmmms in pleasure...very nice vintage.

Sauce finished and wine poured, cushions are rearranged so the pair can sit facing on the floor, reclining. The food is between them to allow each to feed the other. Thorne tears a petal from the ‘choke and dips it in the warm sauce. He offers the morsel to Inara. Her teeth close on the end of the leaf and he pulls the stem back, scraping the soft flesh and sauce into her mouth.

Inara closes her eyes, full mouth holding the morsel, savoring it. A soft smile spreads over her lips. Without opening her eyes, she says "Ahhh. I haven't had these in so many years...since...oh where was it? Ah! Petit Papillion on Sihnon!!! That was just after I graduated from the Academy.”

“Is Jean-Luc still the head chef there?” Thorne asks.

“Oh yes,” she replies “but he's married now, don't you know...the Maitre d’s ex-wife...it seems his steamed artichokes were more of a aphrodisiac than anyone could have guessed.”

They eat slowly, and talk of places and names familiar to both. Theatres, museums, restaurants, clubs. Politicians, entertainers, captains of business, society matrons. Each recollection brings another.

“I often long for the Core.” Thorne muses. “The Rim has it’s diversions, but I miss the elegance of the older worlds. Thank you, sweetling, for bringing it to me here in the wilderness.”

She nods in acknowledgment and replies, “It becomes harder with the passage of time out here...to remember what things were like in the Core. Don't misread me, I truly love Serenity, and all her crew, but...it's as you say, the chivalry, the elegance...I do miss it.”

Inara laughs, “I do go on, don't I?” She plucks a plump leaf from the artichoke, bathing it liberally in the sauce, and holds it out to Thorne. He smiles at her, his eyes holding complete understanding. She can't help but stare as strong white teeth take the leaf, almost nipping her fingers. She brings her finger to her own lips, licking away the remainder of the sauce.

They eat and drink in companionable silence for a while. Inara leans forward for another bite. Her unfastened robe gapes open and a dollop of sauce falls on her exposed collarbone, then trickles lower until it finds a point at which it can form a drip.

Thorne grins; a twinkle in his eye. "Oops, spilled some sauce on you, my love. Looks nice there, but let me get it before it stains your robe."

Inara's mouth curves in a lazy smile, eyes smoldering, and thinks, ”Yes, the time is right.” Thorne leans forward, intent on his prize. She reaches over and dims the lights.....

There is a soft rustle of silk on silk…

EOM

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Friday, September 3, 2004 4:53 AM

JAYNE'S move
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

Jayne's mind jumps with thoughts, defending himself against the make-up-wearing accusation. But, no, they would all just sound like feeble excuses; practically an admission.

RIVER
"You be careful, Jayne, chasing something that isn't there makes you crazy."

So what have you been chasing then? Jayne thinks.

JAYNE
"Well yer here!" Jayne takes a menacing step towards River, slamming his foot loud onto the floor grating, then leans over and picks up the welding torch.

River’s laughing stops as suddenly as it started. This gets Jayne's attention for a moment.

RIVER
"Coming... can't..."

JAYNE
"Don't let me keep you if you got somewhere you gotta be." He studies her face for a moment. For such a pretty little thing, she could certainly distort her face into the most agnonized shapes.

River twists about, eyes wild and hunting. She backs into Jayne, but doesn’t acknowledge him, doesn’t notice him.

JAYNE
"I'd rather be crazy and chasing than crazy and chased." Oh, that was good. his dad'd like that one. Jayne holds the torch far away from River's hair, but other than that doesn't budge. "Hey Book! You there?!"

River buries her face in her hands as she breaks into tears, unaware of her knees hitting the deck. A wail of despair escapes her throat as her frail form sinks to the floor, sobbing inconsolably.

JAYNE
Ah, crap. And you know this is gonna be my fault. "Hey. Hey! Ain't no call ta be acting like that." Jayne places the torch back down, and slides over to River to see if there's something wrong. "Sh sh sh sh... Sh sh sh sh..."

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Friday, September 3, 2004 7:09 AM

Book's Move
LOCATION - Mal's Quarters

"My life is right here, Captain." Book says, as he reaches out and trades Mal the gun and clip for the handheld comm. Clicking off the indicator light, Book slips it back into his pocket and walks a few steps backward to the ladder.

"Do you want me to send Damon down? I noticed him in the area on my way in. Doubtless, he knows why I'm here."

EM

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Friday, September 3, 2004 8:04 AM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Location: GyraFalcon

The DeepRED is blinking furiously. It has rarely detected such damage. Nanytes are churning out as quickly as possible. Some crawl over the skin, not quite charged enough for flight. Others crawl through the body, inspecting the extent of repair required. Soon, the DeepRED comes to a single conclusion, even as it continues its work-
This cannot be repaired on it's own.
Even at full capacity, the DR muses, this would be impossible without the host to receive feedback on the correct course of action.
The DR comes to a conclusion-the biologic must be revived. Mustering a charge, it extends probes into the body, and sends short bursts of electricity into the body. The body jolts, as muscles receive conflicting instructions. There is no response. . .

We can't all be heroes, since some of us have to sit at the curb and clap as they go by.

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Friday, September 3, 2004 9:21 AM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE

Damon is still cleaning away when Wash enters the bridge followed shortly by Zoe. Neither of them seem to notice him as they move over to the gunner’s seat, which is just as well as far as he’s concerned. The fast he gets this done, the faster he can get his talk with Mal over with. He continues working but a minute later his attention is pulled away again.

Quote:
“Still flying… nothing is better than flying, especially with you”. He goes back to work, Zoe looking on in amazement, as a series of bright yellow arrows starts to flash rapidly on the screen on the console, she slowly rubs Wash’s neck and back.

Damon watches them, almost fascinated. Eighteen years of living with his parents and never once did he see anything close to this kind of behavior. The difference is astounding. He knows his family was not normal, but seeing Zoe and Wash like this is just… strange.

Realizing he’s been staring, he pulls his gaze away and busies himself with his work.

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

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Friday, September 3, 2004 2:55 PM

JAYNE'S move
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

River continues to wail on the floor at Jayne's feet, her voice echoing throughout the ship. Fighting the urge to just slip away quietly, Jayne crouches over her to see if there's something he can do.

Her eyes are pinched tight, her face looking like a wrung towel dribbling off its excess water. And her nose starts to leak across her upper lip.

Well, that's as good a place as any to start. Jayne pulls the handkerchief from his pocket to clean her up with. Simon's memory stick is lifted up out of the pocket and falls from the piece of cloth to floor where it clatters, unheard over the woeful cries, and falls between the grating, down to the hull below.

JAYNE
"C'mon girl, quiet down!" Jayne coaxes as he attempts to mop up her face.

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Friday, September 3, 2004 5:49 PM

KAYLEE’s move

LOCATION - ENGINE ROOM As ...

KAYLEE sits slumped for a moment, willing herself back to reality. That’s what she gets, fallin’ asleep on the job. She lifts her hands and scrubs her face briskly, both to wake herself fully, and to get the tears out of her eyes.

Don’t know where my head is at. Gotta get this job done, keep my mind on it. Nothin’ else matters, right now.

She picks up her tools and returns to her labor, the Engineer replacing the Woman, the assignment foremost in her mind. A fleeting thought, the tiniest tingle in her lips, all pushed aside. No time for that kinda nonsense now. Serenity needs her. Her friends need her. No time to waste on … distractions.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Friday, September 3, 2004 6:02 PM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - FRONT STAIRWAY en route to LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Taking the hand-held, Rowan taps into the voice recorder. Her mouth curls into a wry smile as she begins her first outline since before the war ended.

ROWAN (into the hand-held): "Crewed on eight ships, traveled on more than need to be counted at this point. This one has to be the most unique. Crew's nothing to write home about. Seen a lot of this type--the usual rag-tag conglomeration of folk. It's the idiosyncrasies on this boat that are spicing things up. Ship called Serenity with a browncoat captain? Small wonder as to where that little inspiration came from. Better to be on a former browncoat ship than former Alliance though. Considerably less nerve-wracking. A lot less boozing too, unfortunately."

She pauses the recorder, gathering her thoughts on the most interesting tidbits as she reaches the landing.

ROWAN (into the hand-held): "He's fairly normal, though. Tetchier than usual lately, but no more than any other captain. His crew? Entirely different story. The Shepherd fights like someone trained up to it--no monastery taught him those moves. First impression was that he walks like a king. Supplemental impression is he walks like a commander. The girl has to be part of the Academy program, possibly one of the few who disappeared from the complex less than a year ago. Make a note to query Thal. Passengers are also proving interesting. Suspect Troy on board. Passenger, destination unknown, possibly fugitive. The employer seems normal enough, puts on a casual exterior. Something about him seems off. He's more intuitive than any male has a notion to be."

FLASHBACK:
He came up behind her. She didn't know he was there until his hands were on her shoulders. She jumped a bit, then settled when she caught his scent and realized who it was.

"You are working too hard," he murmured. His strong hands began working the stiff muscles on her shoulders and she began to relax instantly. Leaning back, she rested her head against him. One of his hands went to her hair, gently pulling out the sticks that were holding it piled on top of her head. It tumbled down around her shoulders as he threaded his fingers through it. She opened her eyes as she looked up at him. He smiled and bent down to kiss her, and all thought about work was forgotten. She let him draw her away from the work--as he'd known she wanted to be--and over to the bed.

END FLASHBACK

The pain hit her like white fire. Feeling as though someone has put an electrified steel stake into her right eye, Rowan doesn't even have time to shout out before the vertigo hits and her feet go out from under her. She hits the landing hard and lays there, one hand cupped over her eye. Only it isn't enough. The pain is raging, actually shrieking into her mind. Letting the hand-held go, she covers it with that hand too, but it doesn't help. Curling into a ball on the landing, she huddles there, and tosses a prayer of mercy to the Almighty. Her final coherent thought involves the doctor, wondering what the gorram hell he did to her before he left. After that, there is only the pain.

She hears River's voice at some point, piercing the agony. She can't make out the words. Book's voice is off in the distance, then Merz, then Jayne, then River. It's all jumbled together, unintelligible, and only serves to fuel the pain.

Finally, after what seems like excruciating hours, the pain subsides. She opens one eye tentatively to peer through her hair. The overhead lights seem ultra-bright, but endurable. Scraping her hair away, she lifts herself up, locates the hand-held and begins the arduous process of getting to her feet. Now she can hear River crying down in the cargo bay and witnesses Jayne's fumbling attempts to soothe.

JAYNE "C'mon girl, quiet down!" Jayne coaxes as he attempts to mop up her face.

Rowan finds it touching that he would bother to try. Shakily bracing herself on the rail, right eye slightly squinted, she continues downward into the cargo bay.

ROWAN: "Hey, shuai nan hai. You makin' the girls cry?"

EOM

shuai nan hai - pretty boy, if memory serves me correctly.

OOC: The shortest "where the heck has she been" post I ever wrote.

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

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Friday, September 3, 2004 8:04 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CATWALKS

MERZ emerges onto the upper stairs to the cargo catwalk, to check on Jayne’s location or the progress on the last portion of the day’s duties.

The drop chute seems quite far along. Obviously while MERZ was busy elsewhere, JAYNE has worked very hard, very acceptible. She cranes her head over the railing to inspect it, and catches a sound. Looking away from the structure she sees RIVER, on her knees in the middle of the Bay, weeping miserably. JAYNE stands over her, reaching towards her face, making nonsense sounds.

No thought required. MERZ backs up two steps across the catwalk and then springs forward, taking air over the railing and diving toward the floor. Approximately halfway between the rail and the deck she curls, rolls, pivots, and straightens up feet down like a cat. She lands, relatively quietly, barefooted on the deck, three feet to the right of JAYNE’s position and facing them both. Her bent knees take up most of the momentum, and she is moving forward almost at once.

As soon as she is down, it is apparent that JAYNE is not hurting the girl. Instead he is trying, in his own way, to comfort her. C'mon girl, quiet down!

MERZ … feels … something. Approximating ministering to one of her family/team perhaps, but it is far more intense. Protective. Yes, that is the word. Something MERZ privately doubts SHELBY will ever ‘comprehend’. Such being the difference between duty and desire … .

She moves quietly forward. All practice is useful. As she reached RIVER, she also hears Hey, shuai nan hai. You makin' the girls cry?

All must be well. ROWAN would not make light of a bad situation. what does that mean? when did you decide to trust civilians, Merzedes? Don’t be any more brainless than you can help.

Still her actions are not bound by convention or logic. They never were. That is her shame. She stalks forward relentlessly and scoops RIVER into the shelter of her arms.

MERZ
She is my burden now, Jayne. Leave her to me.

It is clearly not a request.

EOM

shuai nan hai - pretty boy

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 5:21 AM

LOCATION - MALs DORM
As ...

Quote:
"My life is right here, Captain." Book says, as he reaches out and trades Mal the gun and clip for the handheld comm. Clicking off the indicator light, Book slips it back into his pocket and walks a few steps backward to the ladder.

"Do you want me to send Damon down? I noticed him in the area on my way in. Doubtless, he knows why I'm here."

Mal looks dubious while placing Damons pistol and clip on his desk. ... Book has always been here for everybody on Serenity. He deserves the benefit of my trust, he has earned it ... leastwise till ... till ... but, that gorram card and now that techie comm ... Shaking his head, Mal tosses that thought away until he can build a better picture of the situation. Back to the current priorities and possibly dangerous situations that could endanger the crew in the next 24 hours.

MAL
easing up a mite, but still tense
"Good to know Shepherd, knowin' were a person stands is a valuable commodity in these harsh times." ... He pauses a moment, letting his eyes communicate his trust to Book ... "Not right yet, we'll get to Damon in a tick. Have a sit, I have a need of your professional observations."

Not really meaning to, Mal overstresses the Alliance laden implications of 'professional'. His sincere need for Book's assessment is written all over his expression.

MAL
Continuing with only a slight pause, almost embarrassed to be asking for an opinion
"What is your views and ideas about our client and hitchers?"

EOM

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

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 6:23 AM

JAYNE'S move
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

Jayne has tosses his goggles next to the stick welder, still glowing hot, and tries handing River the handkerchief but she won't take it.

ROWAN
"Hey, shuai nan hai. You makin' the girls cry?"

Jayne looks up momentarily to see Rowan walking down the steps to the cargo bay floor. River was freaking out like something was coming for here. Could it be Rowan? Ah, wo milu le. How 'bout I wait till somethin' really happens before I go off half cocked.

JAYNE
"Fine. She's fine. Does this all the time." Jayne lies. Now he sees Merz entering the cargo bay, heading straight for him and River. "Hey, you think you can get her outta here? Not safe ta be throwin' a fit with all this 'quiment 'round."

She stalks forward relentlessly and scoops RIVER into the shelter of her arms.

MERZ
"She is my burden now, Jayne. Leave her to me."

Good, now River's got a motherly type to look after her. Jayne thrusts the handkerchief back into his pocket and reaches for the welding equipment again.

Wo milu le - I'm lost

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 8:54 AM

Book's Move
LOCATION - Mal's Quarters

Heeding Mal's request, Book crosses back over the short space and sits on the edge of Mal's tiny metal bedframe. He adopts a serious look on his face, drawing his brows together and shaking his head slightly in disapproval at Mal's question. "They're a fairly heathen bunch Captain, but none are beyond salvation... even you."

A small smile starts to play across his lips. "If you like, I could hold a sermon tomorrow morning before the drop... time permitting. I'll expect you on the front row." Breaking into a full smile, trying to lighten Mal's cloudy mood, Book waits a moment to see if Mal will smile at his feeble joke. Book's smile fades as Mal doesn't change expression, and Book adopts a more serious and concerned attitude. "Who is it you're wondering about Captain, is there someone specific that's troubling you?"

EM

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 1:51 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - CARGO BAY

Relief is evident on his face, as JAYNE happily allows MERZ to take RIVER. He turns immediately back to his job. And now MERZ is at a loss, not at all knowing what she should do now. With the girl cradled in her arms, she turns toward ROWAN who has continued down the stairs and into the Bay.

MERZ
I do not know what is causing her this distress. We are going to the infirmary now.

She turns to go back to the stairs. MERZ has no idea what if anything to say to RIVER who is still sobbing and talking to herself. MERZ listens closely - perhaps something will make sense. While she is not moving at a dead run, MERZ is moving quickly, RIVER's weight is negligable at best.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 2:04 PM

KAYLEE's move

LOCATION - ENGINE ROOM As ...

... finally, that's done ...

KAYLEE puts her tools down once again, and drags one hand across her forehead. That was a job and a half, fer sure. One more inspection of all that has been done today, one final testing of connections and she is satisfied that the grav compensation unit is as good as she can make it, and better than factory specs. Carefully removing all of the shunts and restoring the unit to full functionality is the final step. She closes up the access hatch, and calls it good.

Now, for the pilot's station. Wasn't as bad as she wanted WASH to think, really just wanted to scare him into a bit of caution. Probly never happen though, just did not seem to be his style, somehow.

KAYLEE replaces the tools she has been using in her toolbox, most of them she will need again right now. Adding a small package of LED's and other assorted buttons and lights, she starts out the door towards the bridge. Passing the comm, she toggles it on.

KAYLEE
WASH, I'm headed for the bridge to get ya all fixed up. Best you get your sorry pigu up there and give me a hand. Dong Ma?

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 3:21 PM

DECOY

Wash's Move:
Location - On the Bridge, next to the Hot Seat...

KAYLEE:
WASH, I'm headed for the bridge to get ya all fixed up. Best you get your sorry pigu up there and give me a hand. Dong Ma?

(Wash, over the intercom, back to engineering): "Ok, boss lady... I'm already up here, doing what I'm supposed to be a doing... Dong Ma?"

(Zoe smials at Wash, and moves away from the Navigation console...)

Decoy, they make me go first.

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 3:25 PM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

JAYNE: "Fine. She's fine. Does this all the time."

How a fella could make a living as a mercenary with little to no ability to convincingly lie to anybody is entirely beyond Rowan's comprehension. Then again, maybe that's the whole idea. He'd never make a decent career out of being a confidence man. Jayne's more of a shoot-em up, rob-em blind, don't bother asking questions kind of fella.

ROWAN: "She's fine? And I'm a blond, blue-eyed governor's daughter.

She barely saw it in time. She heard it first, just the barest *woosh* of something passing through the air. If not for her heightened awareness of sound thanks to the gorram migraine, it's likely she would have missed it entirely.

Catching movement in her peripheral vision, Rowan automatically raises her handheld, just as something - no, someone literally drops from the sky. A quick touch puts it on video record and the delay causes her to miss most of it, except for that crucial moment that shows Merz landing with all the grace of a cat not three feet from Jayne.

ROWAN (to herself): Well. I will be gorramed. She is a Troy.

Watching Merz unceremoniously move in and scoop RIVER into the shelter of her arms with equal amounts of determination and grace, Rowan can't help but perceive the maternal instinct. Somewhere along the way, these two formed an attachment that resembled a mother lion and her cub.

MERZ: She is my burden now, Jayne. Leave her to me.

Hearing the tone, Rowan considers it wise that Jayne chooses not to argue. He's downright relieved, in fact, as well he should be. Rowan suspects if Merz thought he had been doing River a harm, she would have cheerfully rendered him limb from limb. He goes back to what he was doing, constructing the drop chute from the looks of it, recalling the captain's plan. Then Merz turns to face Rowan.

MERZ: I do not know what is causing her this distress. We are going to the infirmary now.

Although Merz didn't specifically phrase her order, Rowan decides not to take any chances and moves to follow. Still, she can't let Jayne off that easy.

ROWAN: "I got my eye on you, Cobb."

EOM

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

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 4:00 PM

JAYNE'S move
LOCATION – CARGO BAY

ROWAN
"I got my eye on you, Cobb."

Now what in blazes was that supposed to mean? Must be a woman thing. They come in here causing no end of trouble, walking around like they own the place, and thinking that they're going to protect River from him? He's known her for a whole year now. Sure, it was a shaky relationship to start, but they developed a healthy respect for each other, he thinks. What with his ability to kill a man in a hundred different ways, and her ability to kill a man in just that one terrifying way.

JAYNE
"What, now I'm the bad guy?" he shouts back at her, giving a sour look before he drops the heavy goggles onto his face.

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Saturday, September 4, 2004 4:27 PM

River
LOCATION - …

River is only dimly aware of movement and voices around her as she cries, still lost in a dark void of emotion. She feels herself being lifted from the floor and clings to her carrier as if holding on to life itself. She doesn’t know who it is, but she doesn’t care. It’s not Simon. When she catches her breath enough to speak, she starts mumbling to anyone who can hear her.

“Can’t escape… it’s coming… Too much pain, too much fear. Must face it, we all do.”

She clutches Merz tightly and continues to cry silently.

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

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Sunday, September 5, 2004 3:53 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - NEAR INFIRMARY As ...

RIVER is clinging to MERZ desperately, as if trying to anchor herself from being swept/taken away. MERZ had taken the girl from the bay for reasons unknown even to herself. Now she must determine what to do. She still feels that driving need/desire/obligation to protect this young civilian. How strange …

RIVER
Can’t escape… it’s coming… Too much pain, too much fear. Must face it, we all do.

MERZ
What is coming, bahini? What is it we must face?

… all data is useful. she may be aware of things i cannot see…

Vaguely aware of the person following and with her attention almost totally focused on the child MERZ addresses her companion. While speaking to RIVER her voice is gentle and projecting comfort. This speech is un-inflected to the point of seeming mechanical.

I will check her physicals. CORVAIR, analyze her mental state.

Upon hearing the almost inaudible intake of breath behind her, MERZ snaps back into focus, aware of what she has done. Merz sighs. … perhaps i see why we were raised as we were, fewer … distractions …

Thank you for coming along ROWAN. Do you have time to assist me?

What inflection may be in her voice is unintentional, MERZ is just speaking.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Sunday, September 5, 2004 6:31 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - CARGO BAY

JAYNE: "What, now I'm the bad guy?" he shouts back at her, giving a sour look before he drops the heavy goggles onto his face.

Rowan turns to see him back to his work like nothing happened. Only she'd seen the compassion on his mug that reflected the heart inside the cynical shell that was the man. She's known other fellas like him--most of them overly eager suitors back on Osiris--who didn't know how to rightly express their feelings. She figures Jayne Cobb is one of them, and the fact that those feelings seem to almost embarrass him is entirely endearing.

ROWAN: "There's a lot of bad and good in this 'verse." She smiles ruefully. "You've seen some of both, probably more of the bad, same as me. I find the side you end up on depends entirely on your heart, not your character."

Jayne turns to her, goggles still in place, scowling at her.

ROWAN: You can try to be as bad as you want to be, Jayne Cobb, but you and I both know when it comes down to it, you know where you stand. That is indeed a rare thing."

He continues to stare at her as the scowl smooths away from his brow. Holding her smile, Rowan turns to follow along behind Merz. As they're headed to the infirmary, she can find something to take care of the effects of the headache once River's situation is alleviated.

RIVER is clinging to MERZ desperately, as if trying to anchor herself from being swept/taken away. MERZ had taken the girl from the bay for reasons unknown even to herself. Now she must determine what to do. She still feels that driving need/desire/obligation to protect this young civilian. How strange …

RIVER: Can’t escape… it’s coming… Too much pain, too much fear. Must face it, we all do.

MERZ: What is coming, bahini? What is it we must face?

Speaking of compassion, this must be something entirely new for Merz, if what Rowan had managed to pick up on the Troys held any credence at all. Imagine being raised and trained entirely for one purpose.

FLASHBACK
"I was supposed to be their golden son," he said. "Their shining heir."

The cynicism in his voice was heartbreaking. She couldn't understand how anyone could speak so callously about their own parents, and it made her realize how lucky she was to have such a good relationship with her own. "Supposed to be?"

He gave a short, scoffing laugh and ran his hand lightly over her bare skin from the nape of her neck to the base of her spine. He had such gentle hands, yet the knowledge he imparted to his touch indicated he'd had some instruction. How much, she wondered, was his own impulse, and how much was companion influence?

"When I was sixteen, we went to the lawyer's office to open my joint trust. Qu was on my left, and Mai on my right. They did not make eye contact, and did not speak to each other. He kept one hand on my shoulder, and she held my hand. That was the extent of their mutual contact. It occurred to me then that we had arrived in the hover trans that way as well. Anything they had to say, they said to me, not to each other. Once the papers were signed, it was the same. That was the day I realized that my parents did not have a marriage, but a business arrangement. I was little more than the physical evidence of a merger to them. As we rode home, I made a vow that never, under any circumstances, would I marry for any reason other than love."

She turned over to look at him, seeing the pain of that teenage boy in his beautiful eyes. Taking that hand, she rested it on her chest between her breasts and felt his fingers spread so that his palm lay over her heart. He looked at her, meeting her gaze with a sheen of tears.

END FLASHBACK

Rowan pulled away from that memory herself, before she could remember the words she'd spoken to him. The pain was back, but not nearly as severe as before. Holding one hand to her temple, she forced herself to follow along behind Merz and River.

MERZ: I will check her physicals. CORVAIR, analyze her mental state.

Rowan gasped involuntary. Corvair? What in the world was that? Merz must have switched to some automated response training again, like she did when Rowan was teaching her how to play pool. Funny thing about being a fugitive and keeping secrets, it took a hell of a lot of practice and upkeep. Merz must be pretty unnerved to have let that slip out. When she spoke again, her voice was warmer and somewhat more normal, in human terms--downright effusive for a Troy.

MERZ: Thank you for coming along ROWAN. Do you have time to assist me?

ROWAN: "Of course. I don't think Jayne would've laid a hand on her--he's probably right, this kind of thing might happen to her a lot."

Following them inside, Rowan moved to the diagnostic system on the back wall of the infirmary and switched it on. Quickly assessing the system, she found her way in, only to shake her head.

ROWAN: "This is a physio-analysis system only, no psycho-assist ability. That means they don't have the hardware for it either. Right. That means we go back to the old fashioned way."

Turning around, she found River half on the bed, half wrapped up around Merz and didn't seem particularly inclined to let go. Merz seemed at a loss to determine how to extract the girl, and was looking to Rowan for assistance. Rowan gave Merz a reassuring smile, then touched River tentatively and lowered her voice to a soothing timbre.

ROWAN: "River, can you tell me your full name?"

EOM

OOC: Who are you, do you know where you are, squeeze my fingers - classic post concussion analysis.

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

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Sunday, September 5, 2004 12:42 PM

River
LOCATION - INFIRMARY

MERZ
What is coming, bahini? What is it we must face?

River’s mind slowly starts to surface, the voices around her become clearer, drawing her back. Her breathing starts to even out but she still doesn’t let go of Merz.

“Shadows, darkness. Strange voices, familiar faces.”

She feels Merz trying to put her down and tightens her grip. “No, Simon, please don’t go. I need you.”

ROWAN: "River, can you tell me your full name?"

River opens her eyes, tears still streaming down her face. She looks up at Rowan, silent for a moment, seeming to see past her face. She reaches up and lightly brushes her fingers over Rowan’s right eye, temple and eyebrow.

“Too much pain. Physical hurts emotionally. Emotion hurts physically. Minds are caught in the middle, afraid, trying to survive.”

She lowers her hand and clutches Merz again. Fresh tears adding to the drying ones.

“THIS IS NOT HOW IT ENDED!!!”

OOC: ok, that's everything I wanted to use, she will be calming down now. Thanks Debs and Chan for all the fun and inspiring material

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

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Sunday, September 5, 2004 2:13 PM

LOCATION - MALs DORM
As ...

BOOK
adopts a more serious and concerned attitude
"Who is it you're wondering about Captain, is there someone specific that's troubling you?"

Mal takes a deep extended breath and exhales slowly. His gaze wanders off from Books eyes as he thinks ... why am I doing this? ... Inara ... Mal quickly chops his feelings off and reroutes his thoughts to the other problems. Each linking to another, stuttering across his consciousness.

... Thorne acting like he owns us ... losing Zoe to his charisma ... Wash knee-jerkin' ... Jayne fulla conspiracy theories ... Did Rowan let Niska loose ... Kaylee closed off, runnin' away ... Simon actin' foolishly, tryin' to keep his sister safe and sane ... River drifting again ... Blue Sun flunky jus' showing up ... runway slave stray, so angry ... nude military human robot in Serenity Valley ... Book a possible spook ... Inara ... I'm losin' myself ... responsible, gotta protect my crew, my Family ...

To Mal all of the little problems seem to be blossoming into bigger ones. All these thoughts run naked across his normally stoic features.

Mal closes his eyes and rubs the bridge of his noes with his right forefinger and thumb, as if a headache was coming on. A true migraine which, in reality, had been with him for a few days. The rub extends to his eyes, then to sliding up and across his forehead. With a a start he realizes he has paused longer that he wanted to. His hand, almost involuntarily, scrubs through his hair to the back of his neck where it rests, massaging the iron tense muscles residing there. Mal stares at Book's feet.

MAL
with resignation
"Shepherd ... I ..."

He drifts off, not noticing he has quit speaking.

EOM

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

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Tuesday, September 7, 2004 3:14 AM

i DO aim to misbehave

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - INFIRMARY

River opens her eyes, tears still streaming down her face. She looks up at Rowan, silent for a moment, seeming to see past her face. She reaches up and lightly brushes her fingers over Rowan’s right eye, temple and eyebrow.

RIVER: “Too much pain. Physical hurts emotionally. Emotion hurts physically. Minds are caught in the middle, afraid, trying to survive.”

Rowan blinks, confused, but well aware that River's gift - for lack of a more Academy-accurate term - was focused on her for that tiny little bit of Haiku. She's right about too much pain. Sometimes it feels like she's been carrying the weight of a space cruiser on her soul, carting it with her through the 'verse her entire lifetime. Only letting go of it means letting go of Xiang. As long as she holds on to it, and the anger that goes along with it, there's still a chance - in her mind at least - that he's still out there, somewhere. Waiting.

River lowers her hand and clutches Merz again. Fresh tears adding to the drying ones.

RIVER: “THIS IS NOT HOW IT ENDED!!!”

She seems too far over the deep end to bring back. Still, Rowan has to try. This time she reaches out and curls her hand lightly around River's arm.

ROWAN: "River, honey, I need you to tell me your full name."

EOM

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

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Tuesday, September 7, 2004 7:21 AM

RAVENWHYTEWING

The DeepRED, for lack of a better term, becomes concerned. It increases the shock time and intensity, and still it elicits no response. The DR has never had this much damage reported, and is unsure how to continue. Within several seconds, it calculates approximately 10,100 possibilities of rejuvination of the biologic. Still churning out newer, stronger nanytes, minutely more resistant to the EMP it suffered, it begins to construct veins within the biologics body, nanyte "strings" reaching into the biologics heart, lungs and nervous system. Feeling the body begin to decompose, it begins to produce various enzymes and other chemicals, necessary to sustain a functioning host.

Location: BSHQ
First Power Davis' Office.
Carlson Davis lets his eyes wander around the room, taking in his friend and colleagues office. He can still remember Hal when he was speaking to the top heads of the Core, as though he was beneath that fool Gareth. And today, he'd had Gareth almost literally on a leash. Gareth didn't read a book without Helsings say-so.
At least, he hadn't, Davis reflects. Now, With Gareth's son, Louis, completely under their thumb, he supposes he shall have to control Louis just as much. But what of the grand vision of Harold Helsing? The army of psychics, spread into the 'Verse?
Davis smiles as he activates the desk. He would help the 'Verse to realise that dream.

We can't all be heroes, since some of us have to sit at the curb and clap as they go by.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2004 10:38 AM

Book's Move
Location: Mal's Room

Too much stress, not enough sleep. Does he only need a listening ear? He's seen men in this state before. Ready for confession. About to break down. Book makes a noise in his throat and twists his mouth to the side. "All the words you just said Captain... you forgot to say them out loud. I think I can help you, but you need to tell me how first."

Standing back up and moving to Mal's desk, Book picks up Damon's gun and clip again and slides the clip into the gun. Turning to look at Mal, Book gestures with the gun at the ship in general. "You have much on your mind. And you obviously haven't slept in far too long." Reaching down, Book opens a drawer and sets the gun inside. Perhaps he's not ready to talk yet. "Maybe you should put your thoughts away for a while, and rest."

Book raises his eyebrows and looks questioningly at Mal. "I'll have Inara bring you something for your head. She has quite a stockpile of soothing teas."

EM

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Tuesday, September 7, 2004 1:44 PM

KAYLEE’s move

LOCATION - BRIDGE

WASH
Ok, boss lady … I'm already up here, doing what I'm supposed to be a doing … Dong Ma?

Um. Wonder what that’s spoze ta mean? Mentally shrugging, KAYLEE hefts the toolbox and makes her way forward to the bridge. There is a low murmur of voices from MAL’s dorm, but nothing she could make out, even if she cared to.

DAMON is still on the bridge, cloth in hand, carefully wiping the inside of the console top. Looks like he has done a pretty good job and had a real job to do too. There was more fei-oo in there than she would have thought. Well, maybe some of it was before WASH signed on …

KAYLEE
That looks much better, DAMON. I surely do appreciate the assist. I think that’s all you need do here for now.

Turns to Wash:

WASH, I inspected both thrusters, and re-wired the gravity compensation unit and boosters. Everything is back online and green-lighted so far as I can tell. Once we get you wired up and repaired we can run fresh diagnostics on the whole shebang so’s I got time to address anything Serenity don’t like.

Turns and smiles at ZOË

ZOË, can I borrow your man for a time so he can do penance for his transgressions?

Without waiting for a response from anyone, she reaches into the toolbox for a package of console lights/buttons and tosses them to WASH.

Well, get that open and get on over here. Time’s a wastin’.

EOM

fei-oo = Junk

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Tuesday, September 7, 2004 2:42 PM

Damon's turn:
LOCATION - BRIDGE

Quote:
KAYLEE
That looks much better, DAMON. I surely do appreciate the assist. I think that’s all you need do here for now.

Damon looks up at Kaylee but she has already turned to Wash. Damon's not used to leaving jobs unfinished but he's not going to argue about it. He's got other things to do.

He pulls off his gloves and stands up, stretching his back.

"Kaylee, where d'you want me to put this stuff?"

He motions to the cleaning supplies when he gets her attention.

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

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Tuesday, September 7, 2004 2:46 PM

DECOY

Wash’s & Zoe’s move:
Location – Bridge

(Wash catches the package tossed by Kaylee; he opens it, and moves past Zoe and Damon… He winks to them both, and says to Kaylee): “The usual position then? Me on top?” (Wash spreads his legs wide, as Kaylee mimes a swift kick to Wash, and deftly slides under him and the Helm console. Wash finds a red bulb, and having popped out the first offensive dead bulb, drops it into place.)

(Zoe moves out of the way, and sits down at the abandoned Navigation console, saves the, the whatever Wash had been concentrating on, and starts up a practice gunnery program, just like the one that Merz had done previously, and so she begins to blast imaginary targets out of imaginary space.)

(Wash points to the tool bag, and asks Damon): “Hand her the soldering iron, please…”

(Wash digs back into the bag, looking for the next colored bulb to place.)
(To Kaylee): “Ok, now why did we go to pink alert, when I figured it was a red alertish type situation?”

Time is fluid, but can be frozen, chopped, shaved, flavored, and served to be consumed… but since it could have been measured out first: 17:45 AMT (05:45 pm). Oh, very good... Shiny! Grape!

EOM

Decoy, they make me go first.

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Tuesday, September 7, 2004 3:08 PM

Blended Post, River and Merzedes

LOCATION - INFIRMARY

MERZ is still trying to lower RIVER onto the infirmary bed, but the girl is still upset and refusing to let go. Helpless, completely out of her element and badly confused, MERZ can only hold her as gently as she is capable of and wait for inspiration.

RIVER is still crying and speaking, to herself mostly. However one remark is clearly directed to and for ROWAN, although no answer to ROWAN’s question. RIVER reaches and carefully slides her fingers over the older woman’s injured face.

RIVER
Too much pain. Physical hurts emotionally. Emotion hurts physically. Minds are caught in the middle, afraid, trying to survive.

And immediately afterward turns back to MERZ, crying harder than ever and holding on for dear life. THIS IS NOT HOW IT ENDED!!!

MERZ trys comforting her again, making the same sh, sh, sh, noises that JAYNE had seemed to feel appropriate, and stroking her hair softly.

ROWAN
River, honey, I need you to tell me your full name.

RIVER slowly starts to calm down again, taking comfort in the voice and touch that doesn’t overwhelm her with more emotion and visions. Once again, MERZ carefully attempts to disengage her grip, and lower her fully onto the bed. Please lie down bahini and talk to ROWAN for a minute. Can you do that for Aunty MERZ?

RIVER gradually releases MERZ allowing her to put her down on the table. She looks back up at ROWAN. Fa-Zhou Rowan, River Tam. It sounds like an introduction.

Seeing RIVER focused on ROWAN at last, MERZ begins her examination of the girl. MERZ gazes carefully into her eyes and inhales deeply, catching her exhalations. Finding nothing particularly troubling, except for indications of the stress she is clearly under, MERZ moves on. Carefully and slowly, beginning with her head, she runs light fingers over RIVER’s skin; feeling for warm spots or other discontinuities, gently moving the joints, pressing lightly on various junctions and nerve bundles. It is a methodical and apparently long practiced analysis of her physical condition.

River suddenly giggles, a smile spreading on her face as she tries to push MERZ’ hands away from her. Tickling is cheating …

MERZ hesitates, moving her hands back. Tickling? What is that? Is she hurting the child?

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Wednesday, September 8, 2004 1:37 AM

KAYLEE's move

LOCATION - BRIDGE

Already thinking mostly about the job in hand, KAYLEE nevertheless hears DAMON's question about the cleaning supplies.

KAYLEE
"Just set 'em in the Engine Room, thanks. I will put 'em up later."

She returns to her task, fumbling absently for a spool of wire that persists in being just slightly out of reach. Having not quite caught WASH's remark about the lighting, she does understand he has some comment about the color.
She smiles gently.

KAYLEE (to WASH)
"Yeah, I think pink is a much prettier and more restful color than red."

EOM

OOC {this is written at the office - will edit and clean-up later. But DECOY and SQUEE deserved not to be left up in the air. Debs

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

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Wednesday, September 8, 2004 3:24 AM