GR RP 'Adventures In GunRunning' ACT 25

POSTED BY: CapnRahn
UPDATED: Monday, May 30, 2005 17:34
VIEWED: 27556
PAGE 1 of 1

CAPNRAHN

Thursday, December 23, 2004 6:05 PM

PREVIOUSLY ON FIREFLY:
ACT 24: http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=7848

CREDITS & BIOS:
http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3498

RPing TOOLS:
Tools and tricks for the hip RPer.
http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=4266

GREEN ROOM:
Storyline work and a place for the acKtors to hang out.
OOC 24 http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=7910&m=109779#109779109779

ARCHIVE:
Includes episode synopses and links to all the threads for prior acts
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=3681

MECHANICS OF RPing:
Tips and tricks and preferred RP methods, developed by the Gunrunners and Hitchers themselves
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=4266

DIRECTORIAL STAFF:
Guest DireKtor - DragonflyDireKtor { CapnRahn@aol.com AIM, MSN }
Guest Asst. DireKtor - MercedesTroy { tampa.cyberose@verizon.net AIM}
Co-Director - FrauDirektor { htempe@hotmail.com, MSN, AIM: MissAstriana, Yahoo!: MissAstriana, ICQ: 9592266}
Co-Director - Channain { channain@yahoo.com; AIM}

STUDIO OWNER & RP DISTRIBUTION:
FireflyFans.net produced by Haken

GENERAL POST GUIDELINES
None have been established yet. Each player has a unique style for posting a move that is consistent within itself. You'll catch on!

ACRONYM DEFINITIONS & TERMS
EOM = End of Move
OOC = Out Of Character
POV = Point Of View

Last but not least, the Gunrunners and Hitchers would like to extend a big THANK YOU to Joss Whedon for creating a whole new 'verse for us to play in, and to Haken for giving us a bright, shiny new sandbox theater!

JossGunrunners & Hitchers
HakenGunrunners & Hitchers

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

CAPNRAHN

Thursday, December 23, 2004 6:08 PM

JUST WHERE ARE THEY NOW???

Cap'n and Book - Book's quarters

Inara, Jayne, River, Merz, Rowan - Galley

Damon - in a makeshift slam onboard Serenity

Simon - Only Niska knows ...

Zoe and Wash - On the Bridge

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

DECOY

Friday, December 24, 2004 3:26 AM

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

Slight (Over the comm): "Hail, Serenity. I need to speak with the captain. And your shepherd, and your mechanic, and the little girl. I have no problems with you, but I have some news that I think all four will want to hear from me, firsthand. It's about your doctor..."

Wash (Still lounging in his chair) "Sure, let me see what I can do..." (pulling down his microphone, he flips a switch on the intercom panel over his head): "OK, Wash here... ahh, well, I'm almost always here right? Who would be flying this thing if I wern't? Oh, right... Mal, Slight's on the screen, and he want's to talk to you, Kaylee, River, and Book. Come on up, OK?"

(Wash replaces the mic, and glances back to Slight): "I called them, they'll be here when they get here... Where are you? The cortex seems to think that you're close to us, but (glancing down to the sensor scan screen) I'm not picking you up."

Not bothering to wait for a responce, Wash calmly scoots his chair back from the helm console, and lifts the lid to the top of the console. "Gorram chicken musta got a little too deep inside." Wash says to the underside of the lid.

EOM

21:05 AMT (09:05 pm) is displayed on the wave visual display... Good for keeping track of those long-distance calls... for out in the black, lies the land of the big roaming charge... "can you wave me now?" Indeed. Don't forget, you're on a spaceship... the sky's no longer the limit.

Decoy, they make me go first.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Friday, December 24, 2004 8:30 PM

Slights move:
Time Supplemental

Slight nods his thanks. Location is. . .undetermined at the moment. I do appreciate this, Mr. Warren.

Slight glances back towards Malachi, still fiddling with the weaponry. Mightn't you give me a moment?
He watches Malachi widen his eyes in anger, and then shrug. He understands the need for privacy in this situation. Slights thanks him silently as Malachi wanders off. Slight severely doubts his absense will mean anymore discretion-he's willing to bet he can't pee in this ship without someone looking up the bowl at him-but the significance of the act will make Malachi feel more at ease, in a better position of power.

It's a favor he's willing to grant.

EOM

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

MERCEDESTROY

Monday, December 27, 2004 2:36 AM

KAYLEEs move

LOCATION - BACK HALL

She never made it to the cargo bay, halfway through the hallway she hears–

WASH (over the intercom, shipwide)
"OK, Wash here... ah, well, I'm almost always here right? Who would be flying this thing if I weren’t? Oh, right ... Mal, Slight's on the screen, and he wants to talk to you, Kaylee, River, and Book. Come on up, OK?"

Kaylee pauses, not at all sure she wants to acknowledge she heard that message. Simon left with that Helsing person, and when he waved last he was … different. She sighs. ~… So go to the bridge and just ask him what he did to Simon…~

Not wanting to walk back through the busy cooking/dining area, Kaylee detours down into the cargo area and across the catwalk, and back up to the front hall, to get to the bridge. Once there, she hangs back in the hallway, to wait for others to arrive. She does not want to go face this alone; Kaylee fears what is to be revealed. Her own dark thoughts seem to foreshadow something she almost knows, something almost dancing within reach.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

DECOY

Monday, December 27, 2004 4:44 AM

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Slight from over the Cortex screen, with a nod): "Location is. . .undetermined at the moment. I do appreciate this, Mr. Warren."

(Wash drops the lid with a small bang, and says to Slight): "It's no problem, and call me Wash..."

EOM

In a quiet, quaint but still nice looking dwelling, somewhere in the black... an anchient, antique grandfather clock ticks thru 21:06 AMT (09:06 pm). An older, stern and confident lady sits knitting by the light of a full moon (and a stratigic spotlamp placed in deference to her aging but still all-seeing eye) streaming thru a window from over her shoulder, the chair placed just so in front of it. She is working on a pair of mittens, orange in hue, and a small box is seen, placed on the table next to her... 'Merry Christmas, from Mom' and the label "Serenity, SS#66..." addressed on top. Another layer of protection for someone's absent, but hopefully soon to return lost young man.

Decoy, they make me go first.

MERCEDESTROY

Monday, December 27, 2004 11:37 AM

RIVERs move

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

River had watched the creation of the bao with interest. That looked like fun – maybe next time she could play too. When it came time for the tasting she knew what to do – she had practiced that look many years ago to use on her brother. Funny how easily it came back to her.

River kept on eye on Jayne, who was actin’ peculiar, even for himself. But that’s OK too. The silly little tensions running around Serenity right now are nothing much, nothing really severe, nothing she need concern herself over at this time. Other things were far more important. Ignoring the bustling in the room, and the beginnings of the shindig, River stands motionless, head to one side as if listening to something only she can hear. Her lower lip sticks out a bit as she concentrates. Simon is too far away now; she cannot hear him. And something else is closer …

Wash’s voice over the intercom brings her back to Serenity. "OK, Wash here... ah, well, I'm almost always here right? Who would be flying this thing if I weren’t? Oh, right ... Mal, Slight's on the screen, and he wants to talk to you, Kaylee, River, and Book. Come on up, OK?"

Yes, almost here. In response to Wash request, she starts towards the door to the front hall, making eye contact one by one with Rowan, Merz and Jayne near the cask, and Inara in the kitchen. With a small smile on her lips she tells them:

RIVER “We are all tied to the spokes of the same, spinning wheel you know. And none of us are going to be able to get off until it stops. If we are all lucky it won't stop on double zero. House number; everyone loses... Place your bets now.”

Warning delivered, she drifts from the room towards the bridge.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

MANIACNUMBERONE

Monday, December 27, 2004 6:34 PM

Book's Move
Location: His Quarters

A serene smile crosses Book's face. "I've always been with you. From the first moment I talked with Kaylee outside Serenity." Book lets his hands fall to his lap and he gets a faraway look. "Twirling her multi-colored umbrella."

-----
Over the comm - "OK, Wash here... ah, well, I'm almost always here right? Who would be flying this thing if I weren’t? Oh, right ... Mal, Slight's on the screen, and he wants to talk to you, Kaylee, River, and Book. Come on up, OK?"
-----

Book's attention snaps back to the present as he and Mal share an identical look. Sliding the crystal into one of his pockets, he picks up his Bible and begins to pray as he and Mal move purposefuly towards the bridge.

EM

DECOY

Tuesday, December 28, 2004 1:05 AM

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Wash turns to Zoë, who has been loitering quietly in the back of the bridge, and says quietly): "Why don't you go to the galley and get all good and relaxed, honey-bunny?"

(Wash turns back to Slight's image on the screen): "We're throwing a shiny party down in the galley... whish you could make it... Wow, I just thought of something, I hope Kaylee left enough engine fuel to land tomorrow, I don't know how much rocket wash she's serving..."

EOM

In a decrepit bar, on a small dirty moon in a distant corner of the 'verse, a small group of dirty but (kempt?) people sit around a table in the front corner, by the slightly flickering holographic window. An old field hand under a dirty, but serviceable brown coat walks through the swinging doors and up to the bar. He looks at the clock on the wall (21:07 AMT (09:07 pm)), and casually lets his eyes wander across the dank room, and then to the bartender, who has doffed his marginally cleaner brown coat for an apron tied around his ample frame. A heavy glass soddenly comes sliding his way, the bartender sliding up right after it. "Who are the new bunch?" he asks, and the bartender replies: "Best bunch of scary looking people I never saw... quiet, and drinking hard water on the rocks for the last few hours". The two old-timers share a look, and simultaneously state quietly: "Teams of three, leave them be" The drinker tosses back his glass, and then gets up, tosses a coin on the bar, and walks back outside, and enters the building directly across the street. Life goes on, for the brown-coated people... even the ones who sneak away out the back.

Decoy, they make me go first.

CHANNAIN

Tuesday, December 28, 2004 9:38 PM

Rowan's Move
LOCATION: The Galley - Ambitiously involved in becoming as fuzzy as possible while providing food for the par-tay.

With the last of the bao rescued, Rowan makes a point to take the pan off the burner and turn off the stove before she's too far gone into the wind to remember and possibly be the cause of a galley explosion. Taking the three plates of finished bao - two on her right arm, one in her left hand - with the balance and expertise of a seasoned waitress (which she has been a time or two), she's on her way back to the table as the comm system clicks on.

WASH: "OK, Wash here... ahh, well, I'm almost always here right? Who would be flying this thing if I weren't? Oh, right... Mal, Slight's on the screen, and he wants to talk to you, Kaylee, River, and Book. Come on up, OK?"

ROWAN (smiling): "Pilots. Gotta love'em."

RIVER “We are all tied to the spokes of the same, spinning wheel you know. And none of us are going to be able to get off until it stops. If we are all lucky it won't stop on double zero. House number; everyone loses... Place your bets now.”

Frowning, Rowan pauses to watch the girl take the steps lightly up toward the bridge. That was an awfully eerie-ass thing to say, even for River. Bringing the bao to the table, she takes a bun from the freshest plate and bites into it. After chewing thoughtfully, she nods decisively and speaks around the exquisiteness to no one in particular.

ROWAN: "That girl could make herself a fine living as a family oracle back on one of the core worlds, if she ever gets tired of bumping around the black."

EOM

OOC: Ni haody and Happy Hogmanay Gunrunners! *darts away before co-workers are any the wiser that she's playing instead of working*

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am. http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
Minnesota Meetup - join us! http://firefly.meetup.com/45/

RAVENWHYTEWING

Wednesday, December 29, 2004 5:03 PM

Slights move:

Slight pulls out his glasses, starting to clean them as is his nervous habit.
Ah yes, the landing tomorrow. I assume you're sticking around for a while on New Hokkaido? Slight's mind races, trying to think-this Neon-class might be able to catch up with them. . .no. They've gotten too far.
Slight suddenly registers the last bit. . .about a party. The word triggers another memory cascade, and Slight does everything do control himself as the images and thoughts burst in his head, like an orchestrated explosion.

Slight closes his eyes, despite the four bottles of saki he's had. The sooner this ordeal is over, the sooner he can get off this mudball. There's an old saying for space-farers: "Sniff the air-don't kiss the dirt. Stay too long, your space-legs get hurt."
It's a party for the local thug-gang. Here on Persephone, Badger, one of the Three Critters runs the crime, and these are the Scorpions, an all-Asian group that wear black and red and are his strong-arm negotiators. Right now, they are insisting he stay and party with them and their family. One of them, Tai Tsoro, drops drunkenly next to him at the bar. "Enjoying yourself, Set-san?" His voice slurs the Egytpian name Slight selected for himself here. "Remindja of family, hai?"
Slight opens his eyes. The red glasses have never been taken off in front of these people. No need to scare them-or give them a description.
"No."
"What? You kidding? This is what a birthday is all about! When is your birthday?"
Slight opens his mouth, then closes it. How can he explain to this man how his body works, that every day was a gift, a month a surprise, a year a miracle? That the only family he had was a egomaniacal, sociopathic fool who never gave him a birthday? That he had no mother who gave him birth, that his mother was a biovat and his father a gene sequencer?
"It was. . .six months ago. Why?"
The man blinked. "Well, so's I can send you a wave!"
Across the room, one of the mothers yelled out in Japanese, "Tsoro, ready for a game of billiards?"
Tsoro nodded. "Yo!" He turned back to Slight. "Hey, Set-san, don't leave without givin me a date, alright? I want to make sure I wave ya, friend."
Slight nodded, forcing a smile. "Hai." he decided to get out as fast as he could. He found a knawing emptiness inside. What was wrong with him? His demon had an anser for him, as he ducked out into the windy night.
"Everything." It giggled, and with every step, it got louder. By the time he got to the waiting transport, it resounded through his skull like a war-drum, like a meteor impact that resonated into every part of his being, soulless and lost as it was. And when he sat down, it stopped, turned into a soft whisper that burned into his psyche.

Everything.

Yo-Ready (Japanese)
-San- A respectful prefix (such as Mister)

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

MERCEDESTROY

Thursday, December 30, 2004 2:19 AM

MERZ and JAYNE move

LOCATION - DINING ROOM

Merz is aware of River leaving the room, and cognizant of her words. But they are not to be comprehended at this time and she files them away, attention on other things. Once the burning of the drink passed, she can feel a certain, small warmth in its wake. It is an interesting sensation. Not unpleasant at all. She carefully pours herself a second dose and pulls up an empty chair near the barrel. Rowan comes out from the Galley, bearing the three plates of bao carefully balanced on her arms and distributes them on the table, before taking one herself and savoring it.

Merz also takes a piece and slowly sips and eats, comparing the tastes, together and separately. She is in no hurry – Merz has all night for her first shindig, and desires to make the most of the experience.

Suddenly Jayne seems to make some sort of decision. Never taking some of his attention away from Rowan, he none-the-less takes himself into the kitchen for a water glass-sized tumbler. Walking back to the table, he pours the remainder of his beer into the glass. Then taking up one of the filled shot glasses, he drops it into his beer. “Bottoms up.” he chuckles, drinking about half the glass at one go. “Yeah, that’s the stuff. Now, howza about that chocolate?” He gives a lopsided grin to Rowan.

Merz watches. From the scent, it seems all he has managed to do is dilute the drink – but that may have been his intention. She settles back to her own drink and waits for the rest of the crew to finish up and join them. She wants to share this evening, this first party, with all of her new friends. Who knows what the morrow will bring.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

DECOY

Saturday, January 1, 2005 10:46 PM

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Slight's Visage is still upon Serenities' cortex moniter, he begins to clean his glasses): "Ah yes, the landing tomorrow. I assume you're sticking around for a while on New Hokkaido?"

(Wash glances back at the moniter, and notices that Slight looks... under the weather?): "I don't know how long we're gonna stay... but it'll be a couple'a weeks until Zoe-baby and I will be able to come back, we've got reservations to New Hokkaido's best resourt. We'll be flying, just not in Serenity."

EOM

The time is: (21:08 AMT (09:08 pm) Nobody reads these things anyway.

Decoy, they make me go first.

KALENVOR

Sunday, January 2, 2005 8:21 AM

Bolo's Move
Location - Personal ship

He'd been tracking them awhile now, funny they hadn't noticed, he wasn't one to hide, but no complaints either..... by now it was easy to figure out their current path.... New Hokkaido.

Onward he would follow, silent and patient, he was moving in the right direction too. Everything now seemed to center around New Hokkaido, and soon enough he'd be there, and could finally finish his mission. Finally rid himself of the casket and the abomination inside to whom he owed so much.

EOM

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke, I collect stuffed penguins, if you don't tell I won't.

MERCEDESTROY

Sunday, January 2, 2005 1:27 PM

RIVERs move

LOCATION – OUTSIDE BRIDGE

She hums softly to herself as she moves quietly and slowly up the hallway.

RIVER
“Like a clock whose hands are sweeping
Past the minutes on its face
And the world is like an apple
Whirling silently in space
Like the circles that you find
In the windmills of your mind.”

River is still listening, feeling, trying to grasp what impressions are coming to her. But it is still too far away to be certain of more than it’s presence.

Kaylee is standing outside of the bridge, silent and pensive, one hand unconsciously rubbing the other. As River approaches she remembers – there was something she wanted to tell Kaylee. Something important. So she takes one of Kaylee’s hands and waits until she has her attention. Kaylee looks at her and smiles.

KAYLEE
“What is it mei mei?”

River smiles at her.

RIVER
“I love Simon. You are my friend. It’s OK if you love Simon too. I don’t mind.”

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

CAPNRAHN

Sunday, January 2, 2005 5:39 PM

Location - Book's Dorm

Mal eases up on clenching Books shoulders - but still holds his eye.

MAL
... back to his normal voice - slightly slurry ...
"I wonder what ole Red-Eye has gotten him and the Doc inta now ... best we sort it out, I suppoz."

Mal heads towards the slider and at the ver last second, he very unsteadly grabs the sports bottle filled with the premium hi-proof hootch.

MAL
... mumbling, ONLY just coherently ...
"Cann ... hee Canton ... fergit Jayne's prezzie..."

Mal wanders down the wrong end of the hall softly singing the "Hero of Canton" in a soused, slightly off key tenor.

MAL
... Almost running into the dead end and tumbling back down the incline ... mumbling yet again when he turns to BOOK ...
"When did Kaylee put in a bulkhead here? Did I auteriz ... author ... ah nutbunnies ..."

EOM

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

INARAESQUE

Monday, January 3, 2005 12:09 AM

OOC: Not much to add; just a little "I'm still here!" post

Inara's move.
LOCATION - GALLEY

The bao smelled delightful, she thought, watching Rowan dig in. Merz was quietly observing too, Jayne was getting in to the chocolate, and Kaylee had slipped off.

The Companion watched the shindig unfold around her, observing people with a quiet smile. They could all certainly do with blowing off some steam...

EOM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Monday, January 3, 2005 6:08 AM

Slights Move:

Slight shakes out of his memories. Past is past. He needs to focus. Maybe figure out some diplomacy?

Wash. . .While we have time. How attached are those four to the doctor? The news I have is troublesome, and will not be welcome. Seeing Wash's look of concern, Slight is quick to continue. He's not dead, but. . .well, there is a problem. A pretty big one. Crap. This is getting harder and harder.

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

MANIACNUMBERONE

Monday, January 3, 2005 5:23 PM

Book's Move
Location: Hallway

Book leans a shoulder underneath Mal's arm and leads him away from the bulkhead which he appears intent upon walking into. "Captain, we're needed on the bridge." Book says as he continues to walk Mal through the cargo bay and up the fore stairway.

As they reach the top of the stairs, Mal stumbles into Book heavily and they both tumble to the metal grating. Arms and legs in a tangle as Book tries to help them both to rise at once, trying to talk Mal through which leg should go where, the attempt to regain their feet fails and they both fall back to the floor again, laughing.

Up the hallway in the bridge, Wash turns around at the sound, notices their predicament and with an easy chuckle turns back around to what he was looking at.

EM

CHANNAIN

Monday, January 3, 2005 8:49 PM

Rowan's Move
LOCATION: The Galley Shindig.

Watching Jayne combine the Blue Sun brew and Kaylee's ever so potent elixir into one glass, Rowan about expects some manner of chemical reaction that results in noxious green gas and maybe even fireworks. She's pretty disappointed then when the two concoctions calmly combine, although it nearly turns her stomach to watch him drink it.

JAYNE (chuckles): “Bottoms up.”.

Da jia huo still has some mischief on his mind. Exactly what, she's entirely uncertain, but lifts her fourth shot anyway.

ROWAN: "Gan bei."

She downs it quickly and feels the fire in her stomach kick up a notch. Might have to ease off a bit, unless she wants to end up unconscious under the dining table.

JAYNE: “Yeah, that’s the stuff. Now, howza about that chocolate?”

Eyeing that lopsided grin, which he probably figures is charming - and very nearly is - Rowan grins at the prospect. She heads for the box again, opening the flaps to pull out a bar. She was right - it's Hsin Si, from the most exclusive chocolatiery on Sihnon.

Sighing, she removes the wrapper and takes a long, deep breath that ends in a small moan of extreme pleasure. Opening eyes that had gone closed of their own volition, she gives Jayne a look that would make any man sit up and take notice.

ROWAN: "Now this is the stuff."

Breaking off half, she holds it out to him as she runs her tongue over her upper lip

ROWAN (in Chinese): "Little boy want a piece of candy?"

EOM

OOC: Rowan's had TOO much to drink already... yup, far far far too much.

hsin si = delight; great pleasure; joy.
da jia huo = big fella
gan bei = Dry cup or Dry Glass - basically, "Bottom's up"

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am. http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
Minnesota Meetup - join us! http://firefly.meetup.com/45/

MERCEDESTROY

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 12:33 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - GALLEY SHINDIG As ...

Merz observed Rowan and Jayne, wanting to be correct in party attitude. It is difficult to grasp what is appropriate behavior. She ranges back through her database, to other persons, other like groupings she has witnessed from the sidelines. Two particular examples come to mind, instructional too, as they reflect two different attitudes and styles for the same thing.

Marovech and the A.P.E.S. are one example. While drink was served at their occasional relaxation shindig, there was also much food and a very relaxed, calm attitude. She had observed them first-hand and joined them to whatever degree she could (which mostly consisted of being in the same room.) She had stalked them off base occasionally too, wanting to observe them away from the command staff and herself. They were still calm, relaxed, and sedate in their enjoyment of good food, good drink and good company. That was one example.

Ah, but the second. She stalked Hlastoni off base one night to witness a do for the Bloody Taipan. There was a manic, frantic quality to their attitude that was wholly foreign to any concept Merz had. She had been fascinated and troubled by what she witnessed. There was a certain ... perhaps sensual appeal to the unrestrained behavior she had witnessed. But underneath it all, unlike the A.P.E.S. , the Taipan did not seem to be enjoying themselves. It was closer to lighting a bonfire to drive away the darkness, instead of a fire to warm you. She asked Maro about it once, puzzled by the difference. He had thought about it for a long time before responding. Finally he just shook his head. "They live fast and hard, because they experience death fast and hard. To understand how they do what they do is to realize this: Every second of life is precious, not just their own, but the ones that they are destined to end." Death is not something she is accustomed to think much about. Her family are not ... trained that way, and until that last battle - until Serenity Valley, she had seldom observed death in anyone for whom she had ... feelings. Her own death she never considers. She plays back Maro’s words once again. And once again she does not comprehend.

Simulation she understands. If she copies the attitude, the stance, maybe the understanding will come. Perhaps a blending of the two ... Merz fills her glass once more. She has been sitting bolt upright in her chair as is her normal position, not so much as even resting on the back of the chair. Well, that will just not do. Visibly, intentionally she relaxes all her muscles once again. She scoots forward in the chair, simultaneously moving it backwards from the table. Once the chair is positioned as she wants it, she shifts to sit slightly sideways in the chair, facing so she can see Rowan and Jayne. Her left hand, cradling the shot glass is carelessly propped on the chair back. One leg is propped on the rung of the chair, the other stretched out. She takes a deep breath and just ... shoots the drink. She manages to get down without either choking or losing her studied casual pose. It goes down easier this time, and more warmth spreads.

She grins; using Hlastoni's devil-may-care visage, and remembering Maro and Veila across a mess table, says to Rowan, “Spoze you could pass some of that chocolate this way?” Three drinks into the party, she never even realizes she is not using her own voice.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

CHANNAIN

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 1:50 AM

Rowan's Move
LOCATION: The Galley Shindig.

MERZ (Maro Voce): “Spoze you could pass some of that chocolate this way?”

Looking over at Merz, Rowan hears a completely different voice come out of the woman’s mouth, sees the wino-like posture and the glass in her hand.

ROWAN: “Whoa, girl. You better slow it down or you’ll end up with a quick flash instead of a slow burn. Here.”

Turning away from Jayne – who had nearly taken the chocolate – she whisks it out of his grasp and holds it out to Merz.

JAYNE: “HEY! At’s mine!”

ROWAN: “Hush up da ying erh. There’s more in the box.”

Turning back to Merz, she tries to hand her the bar again, only to have a square-featured hand streak under her arm from behind – brushing her breast along the way – to make a grab for the chocolate.

ROWAN: “Hey!”

Spinning around, she grabs the offending hand and puts all her weight behind it, leveraging herself just so and drops Jayne down face first onto the table.

ROWAN: “Hands on the chocolate – all other merchandise is hands off. Dong ma?”

EOM

da ying erh = big baby

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am. http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
Minnesota Meetup - join us! http://firefly.meetup.com/45/

DECOY

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 3:51 AM

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Wash sits at the helm console, thinking about how to phraze this... staring out into the black)

EOM

21:09 AMT (09:09 pm) Abort? Retry? Panic?
Panic kills... do something else.

Decoy, they make me go first.

DRAGONFLYDIRECTOR

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 7:00 AM

DIRECTION POST

LOCATION - BRIDGE MONITOR - SERENITY
AS ...

SLIGHT
...shakes his head...
"Wash. . .While we have time. How attached are those four to the doctor? The news I have is troublesome, and will not be welcome. He's not dead, but. . .well, there is a problem. A pretty big one.

The image of SLIGHT in front of WASH wavers and fluctuates like a transmission being affected by sunspots and then fuzzes out and blips to a black screen with a small fading spot of white in the center.

CONCURRENT LOCATION - GYRFALCON MONITOR

The grainy image of WASH is suddenly replaced by A crisp, obviously prerecoreded, vision of a dapper looking Dr. Tam. He is in better repair that the last time SLIGHT has seen him. As if Simon was readying himself for a board meeting.

NISKA/SIMON
...waving a finger in admonishment as he peers over his orange/red circular spectacles and in a Baltic accent...
"Ah-ah-ahhh, Mizter Slight! It appears that you are harder to ... liquidate, than previously understood. Your attempts at communication have betrayed you. I DO hope you enjoy the tiny gift I had Corvair leave you. ...winks... "Just in case of your potential ressurrection ...business-like once more..."Good night Mizter Slight. If survival is repeated, perhaps we shall fence again."

Within 2 seconds a shrill, more felt than heard, warble rises in pitch and erupts in a soundless explosion.

Nestled within SLIGHT the DeepRED recognizes the input sound from only hours before. In haste, DeepRED signals the nanites outside the factory sliver to attempt a defensive sporulation. Many of the nanites generate the EMP protective shells, but millions still terminate in the hyper-intense flash of Electromagnetic Flux.

Like the St.Elmos Fire of ancient lore, the Flux poured from the hidden detonator in the comm system. Flashing fingers of blue/white plasma lightning danced and sparked along the exposed circuits and conduits of the Gyrfalcon.

MALICHI has nestled himself in the airlock linkway, to give SLIGHT the pretense of privacy. At the sound of a new voice, he looks up in time to see the beginnings of the Flux enveloping SLIGHT. Tongues and embers of cobalt fire spark off, shooting toward his vantage. Moving at terrifying speed.

CONCURRENT LOCATION TWO - BOLO'S SHIP

On his EM sensors, Bolo sees a quick build up of energy on the two linked vessels and a tight and short insense spike of an electromagnatic pulse flares his screen.

EOD

OOC
Hee hee, howz that!

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

DECOY

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 4:37 PM

Wash and Zoë’s Move:
Location - Bridge

[OOC: Edited my previous post for continuity.]

(From over the wave link to Slight): "Wash. . .While we have time. How attached are those four to the doctor? The news I have is troublesome, and will not be welcome. (He catches Wash's look of concern, and is quick to continue): "He's not dead, but... well, there is a problem. A pretty big one."

(Wash rolls his eyes at this request... at least he's not got to worry about his course plotting for the next few hours...): “Where to begin...” (He leans back in his chair, and takes hold of Zoë’s hand, and stars out of the front windows) "Mal is easy, he's the captain, so he feels responsible for the crew, he also knew that the good doctor was a inner-planet kinda guy, so in his own way, tries to show him the ropes, so to speak. Book is our padre, and cares for us all equally well.”

(Wash grabs for Rex, and fidgets with him, still not letting go of Zoë, who has been watching Slight on the cortex monitor, with a measuring look, then of surprise as the transmission begins to fail, and slowly goes to flat black... not a lost transmission screen, but possibly a jamming signal? Wash continues, as Zoë lets go, and slides around Wash's chair to get to the cortex controls, which she clumsily begins to manipulate, as she learned long ago, in the military... was it a jammer signal?) "River is a strange girl, capable of anything I think, but with good intentions- probably learned from her brother. Now to Kaylee... She picked up Simon you know, and has looked after him very carefully. She's got a thing for him, for sure, and I'm happy for her... she's just as lucky as me.” (He reaches for Zoë, but he realizes that she's moved, so he spins the chair around in a 270-degree arc, until he stops behind Zoë, who is furiously attacking the cortex monitor. Standing up, he hugs her from behind, stares at the black monitor screen, and says): "I hope she is as happy with her catch as I am with mine."

(Wash does a double-take at the black monitor at that moment, and says to Zoë): "Why did you cut him off for? I was actually venting my feelings there; I don't usually do that you know... (Zoë gives him a pissed look, and turns her head back to the controls) "Oh, I get it, something's wrong with the wave, here let me look at it." (Zoë slides out of the way, and Wash sees quickly that the signal is being jammed... as he hears a bang outside the bridge, he sees the captain and Book as they reach the top of the stairs, Mal stumbles into Book heavily and they both tumble to the metal grating. Arms and legs in a tangle as Book tries to help them both to rise at once, trying to talk Mal through which leg should go where, the attempt to regain their feet fails and they both fall back to the floor again, laughing. Wash gives a laugh, and can smell the alcohol from 10 feet away.) "Our Captain Reynolds is almost here, but is a little wrapped up right now..." (he says to the screen...)

(Wash suddenly goes bolt upright... Sobriety suddenly belts Wash, as he realizes a great many things... he speaks in a completely monotone voice to the bridge at large, and tosses Rex back to the helm console): "Oh, Gorramit, Liou coe shuai du biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh ur-tze ... The wave from Slights' being jammed, just as he's about to give us info on Simon, and the captain and The shepherd is higher than Serenity, Zoë’s mad at me, because I was being so totally, totally ... blank. (He turns to Zoë, and asks): "Did Slight look hurt on the monitor to you too?" (and then quietly to himself): "What's wrong with me... what else am I missing?"

EOM

Liou coe shuai du biao-tze huh hoe-tze duh ur-tze = Salivating son of a bitch and a monkey!

Once upon a time, in a galaxy far, far away...
On a planet close and dear to the reader...
In a small bar called "Aqua's" near a beach...

Dedicated to Astriana & Friends...

A special band is pouring their hearts into the music that they are playing... telling a story about taking care of the business, and working overtime...

MERCEDESTROY

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 9:17 PM

RIVER and KAYLEE

LOCATION - FRONT HALL

Hearing the commotion, and the snorts of laughter, Kaylee and River turned. Mal and Book were sprawled in the steps, tangled up and laughing their heads off. Kaylee was happy to see Mal in so much brighter a mood. It perked her up. River was smiling too.

Together the two women walked back to assist them in getting to their feet.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

MERCEDESTROY

Wednesday, January 5, 2005 9:19 PM

MERZ Move

LOCATION - DINING ROOM As ...

Merz watched the byplay between Rowan and Jane with some interest. Did not look like Rowan needed her assistance in the slightest. While they were distracted with each other however, she took the opportunity to make a long arm and snatch the piece of chocolate from Jayne. She could have gotten her own from the box, but somehow taking her own place in the fracas seemed more ... appropriate.

It does have a strong smell, chocolate. It is not quite like anything else she has ever smelled, and outside of it's wrapper, it is even more potent. This is eaten, yes? She lays the confection on the table in front of her, and sets her glass next to it. She desires to taste this ... treat?... without the taste of anything else on her tongue. And that requires a glass of water to rinse her mouth, perhaps. She stands to move into the Galley and secure what she needs. (She hates to admit even to herself that for a time, she does not want any more of Kaylee's ... hooch? It is making her thirsty.)

Once standing, she is puzzled. The floor seems a bit more ... far away than is normal. Working her way around the slight discontinuity in her perceptions, she walks into the galley and finds a glass easily enough - having just watched Jayne fetch his own. Water from the sink tap and she is winding her way back into the dining room. Her perception errors seem to have worked themselves out and she is sure-footed as always on her way back.

Jayne and Rowan are still ... playing? Watching to verify there is no injury about to occur, Merz takes a short drink of water and swishes it about her mouth. Swallowing that and taking a longer drink she prepares herself for new input. From the reactions of all who have encountered this chocolate, she is expecting something rather profound. She seats herself once again, and adopts her chosen 'I am relaxed, really I am' pose before addressing her treat. The smell has already completely overwhelmed her nose - she can smell nothing else around it.

When Rowan tasted the bao, she made smaller pieces of it. That may be the correct way to address this. Merz breaks a small piece off of the larger block and notices how the block starts melting from her body heat almost at once. Interesting. She carefully lays the larger piece back on the table and the small piece on her tongue.

She cannot sort her initial impressions. That will come later, over many a long, dark night. What happens immediately is just ... pleasure. There is no denying that - it is a completely new, whole body sensation. Unconsciously, Merz moans, as simultaneously all of her already forced-into-relax mode muscles actually unclench for real. She inhales deeply through her open mouth, letting the fresh air mingle with the scent and taste there and pass it into her lungs. She does not fall - she is too well trained for that. But for the moment there is nothing she is scanning, except the incredible sensation/taste/feel of the chocolate.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

RAVENWHYTEWING

Thursday, January 6, 2005 6:43 AM

Slights Move:

Slight screams, as eternity envelopes him in a pain beyond hell.

His organs begin to shatter against themselves, as for the tiniest instant another memory cascade rushes into his brain.

The bright lights seemed to drive nails into his head. His thirst is extraoradinary, like he just came out of the desert after a mont. The doctors in blue scrubs look down at him, and for a moment, he can't hear. So instead, he reaches out with his mind and is surprised to "hear" his father speaking with another doctor. After a while, he pieces together the conversation.
"I hope you understand, Father Helsing, this sort of procedure. . .the lack of precedent makes it difficult to foresee any sort of complications he may have. If he is completely without protection, these upgrades will kill him if he is attacked with an EMP of the smallest type."
"I do, and my son is a hardy one. After all, not many would survive that bullet train hitting him."
Slight remembers. He was retrieving information. The informant had pushed him in front of the train as it was coming in to it's final stop. Even at eighth-speed, a train running sixty miles per hour was not something to be taken lightly.
"But sir. . .His heart, lungs and liver are completely electronic. His stomach, his spleen, several veins, and the DeepRED are monitored and controlled electronically. He is an android now. Even his ribcage. . ." The doctor trails off, for a moment, at a total loss for words. "His unique biology alone makes practical medicine nearly impossible. With this. He will never be the same. And I warn you again. . .if he's ever sent off-world, if a ship he's in come's under pirate attack. . .I say again. A low amp, low voltage EMP will kill him. Almost certainly. He could not survive a full-fledged attack. Not to mention, since nearly every bone in his body was shattered, we had to place pins in a few, mainly the humorous, feral and pelvis. Everything else is a honycomb-cibrilian alloy." He was referring to the metal most ships were made of by now, a metal found on a few asteroids, some moons. It was mined on many of the border planets. It was highly conductive. "He could fry easily. And he would be burned from the inside out. This is a risk, in all manners of the idea."
"Good. It will make him a little more cautious. Maybe he'll learn not to trust informants so well."

Slights scream echoes along the ship, the Flux unleashing a level of hell even Brink Helsing was unaware of. Today, if he survived, he was learning pain in it's purest form, pain from all quarters, pain from the inside and out. His skin was blackening from the burns, his eyes nearly curdling, his teeth cracking from the muscle spasms ricocheting through his body. His fingers locked, as the muscles there burned to nearly nothing.
Slight dropped to the ground, nearly a burned crisp. For a while, perhaps even a day, his body can do nothing but regenerate. The boy, the man, the ancient, can only sob uncontrollably. By the Void. . .what had he done to deserve this?

End of Move.

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

MANIACNUMBERONE

Thursday, January 6, 2005 8:02 AM

Malachi's Move
Location: His Ship

Locked into an ultra-perceptory mode, Malachi has been intensely monitoring everything he could from his position on the oppposite end of the ship. He wanted to give the impression of hubris and apathy... lulling people was highly effective.

Malachi hears the crackling sound before it flames to life. Standing quickly he focuses immediately on the source of the sound. There's no way he would be stupid enough to activate such a sequence, to kill himself and me... He reaches up to his helmet and faster than he ever imagined doing so in his preparatory dreams, and without even thinking about it, he lowers the holo-sensitive plexiplastic shield that composes his visor and switches on his life-support and anti-grav function. He immediately lifts his feet from the metal plating of the ship's floor, hovers and watches.

The screams from the man at the helm erupt into a cacophany such as he has never heard and he considers himself fortunate beyond belief as the blue sparks cascade toward him with a deafening rush and pass by him harmlessly. Malachi presses a small button on his glove and a jet of compressed gas rotates him around just as the last of the electricity fizzles aft and dissipates. Touching the jet control button again he continues his rotation, and to his dismay is just in time to see the steam pouring from the body of the man at the helm as he drops to the floor.

He disengages his suit's functions and lowers easily back to the decking. Walking forward to the helm and turning over the smoking man with his foot, he looks into the ship's monitor. "Looks like I'm back in charge again."

EM

KALENVOR

Thursday, January 6, 2005 8:03 AM

Bolo's move

Location - Bolo's ship

He frowned and winced.... the mere thought of that going through his implants made him hurt, funny though, what would cause them to fluctuate like that, time for a closer look, putting a little more burn into the engines he sailed closer and closer. He was so close to the target this was to odd not to be connected.

((there is no Irony, only coincedence))

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke, I collect stuffed penguins, if you don't tell I won't.

CAPNRAHN

Thursday, January 6, 2005 8:51 PM

LOCATION - FRONT HALL, JUST OUTSIDE THE BRIDGE
As ...

Book and Mal are still in a guffawing tangle at the base of the stairs up to the Bridge. Mal attempts to grab the railing and haul himself up. Problem was that Book had the selfsame idea. So it was a shock to both of them to have grabbed and yanked on a warm fleshy railing instead of cold hard iron one. The pizzled* shock ran comically across each of their features as, in slow-motion, both yanked each other into a pirouetting spiral back to a thudding clang on the deck.

Only a half-second rambled by before both attempted to scramble to their feet. Again, another problem decided to present itself is a spectacular manner: Their legs were an in a tangled knot. In the resultant flurry of motion, Mal ends up on his knees in front of Book, while Book has ALMOST made it to his feet. At that moment Mal tries to shove up to his feet. In full bore motion, he accidentally head-butts Book in the abdomen. With a WHOOOSH of air, Book doubles over Mal's back and in falling, nearly drives Mal's head back down into his boots.

Laughing like a loon, Mal unsteadily rotates Book off his back to the third step on the stairs. Mal than plops down with a booming rattle of deckplates in front of the wheezing Book.

Mal's laughing stops abruptly as he looks into Book's purpling face. As he leans forward in inebriated concern, Book erupts. Gales of laughter assail Mal's upturned face. The peals of laughter nearly blowing his hair back as if in a strong wind.

Squinting his eyes in the torrent of Bookish air, Mal begins to giggle and cackle. With a hearty hand offered to Book, he wobbly helps him up and they support each other as they ascend, bouncing off the rails, to the Bridge.

BOOK
...stuttering with gasping laughter...
"I ...heehee... think ...gasssssngk... I ...nheee... broke ...hoheehoheehee... my ...heeheeheeeeeeee... toe"

EOM

*Pizzled : yes pizzled, pished, frothed and any other euphemisms for being reallllllly wasted!

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

RAVENWHYTEWING

Thursday, January 6, 2005 10:14 PM

Slights Move:

It feels itself being turned over. It hears sound. Filled with suffer, it grabs at the other. The eyes open and stare at the other. It can only whisper word, not think out loud.

Help

EOM

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

CHANNAIN

Thursday, January 6, 2005 10:15 PM

Rowan's Move
LOCATION: The Galley Shindig – smishing Jayne’s face into the table

Hearing the uproar – clank, CRASH, shout, BANG, mumble, wap – from the hallway, Rowan freezes and looks around. It doesn’t sound like they’re coming her way, more like up by the bridge. Moving off of Jayne – who gives a disgruntled groan – and moves to the stairs to peer up the hallway.

Seeing the Shepherd and Reynolds in what looks like a tussle between two penguins on the ice – which she only actually saw on vid TV when she was a kid – she waits until the two men are in dual heaps of laughter. Mal’s high-pitched cackling gives her cause to smile. He sounds like a little boy who can’t get over an incessant giggle fit.

ROWAN: “’Scuse me fellas, but whatever it is you’ve been sharing, feel free to bring it on down. Bao’s done, and shindig’s starting!”

Turning around, she eyes Jayne again, who is rubbing the side of his face that impacted the table first. He’s giving her a fiercely leery look, like a man told to go into a dark forest while the werewolves are howling in the background.

She smiles and gives him the “come hither.”

ROWAN: “Now... where were we?”

EOM

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am. http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
Minnesota Meetup - join us! http://firefly.meetup.com/45/

DRAGONFLYDIRECTOR

Friday, January 7, 2005 4:31 AM

INTERLUDE 0 Part 2

LOCATION - HERA OUTBACK
As ...

A brisk predawn cirrico swirls a dense column of sand against what would loosely be called the mouth of a cave. Inside a diminutive figure in the tatters of an expensive suit lies motionless in a fetal position. Sheets of sand drift in and slowly commit layers upon layers of grit upon the body.

EOI

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

MERCEDESTROY

Friday, January 7, 2005 4:22 PM

MERZ move - Supplemental

Blindly, eyes still rolled back into her head, Merz reaches for the chocolate and breaks off another small piece.

She wants to experience that again, but fears too much at once ...

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

MERCEDESTROY

Saturday, January 8, 2005 2:08 PM

DAMONs move

LOCATION – MERZ DORM (lockdown)

His quiet musing is interrupted by muted thumping, crashing, and assorted giggling. His first thought ~ Well, glad someone is having fun.~ But he does not continue in that vein. He knows why he is here and cannot completely fault Captain Reynolds for it. Damon only hopes he is not … forgotten.

His quiet time has given him pause. He knows that something has to change. What … how … that eludes him. He has been on the run, been hunted too long.

Damon sighs into the darkness. If he could bring himself to show weakness he suspects there are persons aboard Serenity that would help him, like Xiang helped him. But who to ask and how. Captain Reynolds is too distracted right now, and besides he is ‘authority’. The Shepherd, maybe. Book would be sympathetic at least and possibly safe. The rest of the crew – well they all have their concerns right now. But he could have a place here, if he chose. If he could learn to trust them.

Rowan, now she tried to stand up for him, to Jayne even. That was impressive. Course she can take care of herself, Damon can see that. Maybe he could talk to her, get some advise. Merz … He shook his head. She showed her colors already, and besides she don’t understand the simple stuff. How’s she gonna understand what his life has been like. Still angry at her betrayal, he pushes aside the truth that some of what she has revealed of her life sounds so familiar to him. If she betrays him once, she will do it again. Best not to give her the chance.

He opens his eyes to the darkness, and speaks aloud. "Today is a turning point. I gotta make a decision now – where do I go from here. That’s all there is to it."

He turns his thoughts in that direction, weighing possibilities. And waiting for Reynolds, or someone to come and … free him.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

SAINT JAYNE

Saturday, January 8, 2005 8:55 PM

Jayne's move - The Galley Shindig

Blindly, eyes still rolled back into her head, Merz reaches for the chocolate and breaks off another small piece.

Jayne stretches out his shoulder as he turns his back on the retreating Rowan. A loud crack is emitted before he stops craning it about. Jayne's eyes find Merz at the table, making the most interesting facial expressions. He'd seen them on women before, but normally Jayne was a lot closer than this.

Jayne lays his hand on the back of a chair and drags it up next to Merz. "Good stuff, ain'it?" he asks, assuming a similar casual sitting pose to her own. From here, Jayne can still watch Rowan. She's coming back towards the table, eyeing him as he rubs his jaw. Jayne doesn't hesitate to give her a dark look, and she returns with a challenging smirk and the words, "Now... where were we?"

"I believe you was showin' us the fine art of theft and surprise attack." Jayne offers. He turns to Merz, who is still less than coherent. Funny how that happened just as she took food from Rowan... Jayne eyes the diminutive green-eyed girl suspiciously.

MERCEDESTROY

Sunday, January 9, 2005 3:07 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION - Uncertain. Maybe Serenity, maybe Nirvana …

The second piece is just as … interesting as the first. She is awash in the unfamiliar sensations brought on by that small piece of, oh, just what is IN this ‘chocolate’. She had not thought to question. There are things she has been warned about, not that it would have stopped her today. She takes in a deep breath and tries to pull herself together. Someone pulls up a chair next to her and gets comfortable. “Good stuff, ain'it?”

Merz makes a valiant effort to straighten out, and opens her eyes.

(HLASTONI VOICE) “Wuh duh ma huh ta duh fung-kwong duh wai-shung doh”. and then, “That is most … interesting.”

She is aware that her mouth is dry, and that her heart is … racing. She places one delicate hand over the pulse point under the right side of her jaw and feels the hard, fast beat. Also interesting and …unpleasant. Shaking her head she reaches for the water glass and drains the contents. Setting it back on the table she turns to Jayne.

MERZ “Is there a point to chocolate or is it only a drug? The effects are quite dramatic, if that is the correct word. The taste however is - , ” she struggles for a word. … nice.”

She picks up her empty shot glass and reaches for the barrel again. This is going to be an interesting night. Merz shrugs off a small sense of … foreboding. Tonight: no minders, no keepers, no siblings and no commander. To quote an old friend ~…Tonight I’m gonna sin my own sins, and tomorrow will take care of itself…~ Tomorrow, she will understand.

EOM

Wuh duh ma huh ta duh fung-kwong duh wai-shung doh = Holy mother of God and all her wacky nephews

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

SAINT JAYNE

Sunday, January 9, 2005 5:21 PM

Jayne's move - The Galley Shindig

Jayne jerks his head to look at Merz, sitting adjacent him, as another deep voice comes out of her, swearing like a Chinese teraformer. "That is most ... interesting."

"Ya been eating it or reading it?" Jayne snickers.

Merz returns with a blank, wide-eyed stare as she checks her pulse, which makes Jayne aware of his own hand coddling his jaw. He moves it away.

"Is there a point to chocolate or is it only a drug?"

Jayne's face suddenly congeals into anger and worry. His hands ball together and he shouts overtop of the rest of Merz's words. "Ta ma de! You been drugged, girl? Who dunnit? Can ya tell me who?" Jayne is standing now, casting his eyes between Merz and Rowan.

MANIACNUMBERONE

Sunday, January 9, 2005 6:49 PM

Book's Move
Location: Hallway

Rowan's head pops out the doorway and back in.

----
ROWAN -: “’Scuse me fellas, but whatever it is you’ve been sharing, feel free to bring it on down. Bao’s done, and shindig’s starting!”
----

Half leaning on Mal, half supporting him, Book weaves down the hallway towards the bridge. Kaylee and River appear from the Galley doorway to offer their assitance. "We're alright now, thank you ladies." Book says, covering his slight discomfort, hoping they will buy it.

They turn and continue down the hallway. Trying to look a little less drunk as they go up the short set of steps outside the bridge, Book tests his toe experimentally. "I don't think I broke it... It's bruised though, I bet." As they enter the bridge, Wash is seated at the comm, Zoe standing behind him in a characteristic pose. Zoe turns.

EM

KALENVOR

Monday, January 10, 2005 3:40 AM

Bolo's move

Location - Bolo's Ship

a series of thoughts were brought to mind, the last of which worked best.

Nothing is truly coincedence. With that he approached the now dead ship, opening comms.

"unknown ship, this is Blue Fury, looks like you're having some problems, would you care for assistance?"

He would leave it at that, with any luck the ship will request his assistance, then he can get a better idea of what lays ahead.

EOM

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke, I collect stuffed penguins, if you don't tell I won't.

ASTRIANA

Monday, January 10, 2005 5:06 AM

ZOE'S MOVE:
LOCATION - BRIDGE

WASH: "Did Slight look hurt on the monitor to you too?" (and then quietly to himself): "What's wrong with me... what else am I missing?"

ZOE opens her mouth to respond to WASH's questions, then hears the commotion in the hallway. She turns to see the tangled mass of arms and legs that are MAL and BOOK. Her lips turn up in a sardonic grin and ZOE wonders if MAL has opened his own cabinet a little early, just as KAYLEE and RIVER leave to offer the men assistance and ROWAN's voice wafts up from the galley:

ROWAN: "’Scuse me fellas, but whatever it is you’ve been sharing, feel free to bring it on down. Bao’s done, and shindig’s starting!"

ZOE's grin widens. She makes a mental note to spend time talking on a more intimate level with ROWAN as the night progresses.

ZOE (internally): "And to work up a little somethin' for the captain..."

Her smile takes on a positively devilish quality as she contemplates her revenge...

EOM

OOC: Yep, I'm alive! And I posted! And OMG - Decoy, that time-tick was, to quote the leader of that intrepid band, "F***ing CLASSIC!" Thanks, honey!

Next: A post for Kaylee!

~Astriana~
~Mostly-Invisible Long-Winded Goddess of Inter-Board Communication and Diplomacy a/k/a El Jefe Magnifico's Mistress... of Communications and Harems~

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

ASTRIANA

Monday, January 10, 2005 5:22 AM

KAYLEE'S MOVE
LOCATION - FORE HALL BETWEEN THE BRIDGE AND THE GALLEY

KAYLEE and RIVER emerge into the hall from the bridge, just in time to hear ROWAN's announcement:

ROWAN: "’Scuse me fellas, but whatever it is you’ve been sharing, feel free to bring it on down. Bao’s done, and shindig’s starting!"

KAYLEE's face brightens and she raises her hand to cover her giggles at the sight of MAL and BOOK leaning on each other for support, weaving down the hallway toward the bridge. She reaches to offer them support, but BOOK forestalls her with an upraised hand.

BOOK: "We're alright now, thank you ladies."

KAYLEE's not buyin', not after she seen 'em tryin' ta get up their own, but she knows that sometimes menfolk gotta have their pride, no matter what, so she hold her tongue and moves to one side as they turn and continue down the walkway.

She falls into step behind them, winking at RIVER conspiratorially.

BOOK: "I don't think I broke it... It's bruised though, I bet."

BOOK's comment reminds KAYLEE of the reason they're all heading for the bridge instead o' the party. She makes a Herculean effort to keep the smile fixed on her face, but anyone can see the pain written there.

EOM

OOC: I know! Two posts in one day! Amazing!! See you tomorrow, folks!

~Astriana~
~Mostly-Invisible Long-Winded Goddess of Inter-Board Communication and Diplomacy a/k/a El Jefe Magnifico's Mistress... of Communications and Harems~

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

MERCEDESTROY

Tuesday, January 11, 2005 12:04 AM

LOCATION – THE GALLEY SHINDIG

JAYNE "Ta ma de! You been drugged, girl? Who dunnit? Can ya tell me who?"

Merz did not comprehend Jayne's intensity. Obviously he has eaten this substance before. Surely he is aware of the effects. Then again ... She holds up one hand to halt him before he goes too far afield.

MERZ "Stand down, civilian. Let me explain. I can determine that this substance contains theobromine, and methyl-xanthine, which are stimulants, as well as phenylethylamine, which is a mood alterer of a specfic type. There are also biogenic amines and cannabinoid-like fatty acids, which potentially cause abnormal behavior and psychological sensations that parallel other addictive substances."

She separates off a other small piece and places it on the tip of her tongue. Once again she closes her eyes and sigh/moans softly before she can continue. She rubs the melted bit of chocolate against the roof of her mouth. "There are more than a hundred chemical compounds here too complex for me to identify, or outside my experience. But I know this - it alters moods, it stimulates the brain, it has the potential to be highly addictive. And it is ... pleasurable – thank you, I have a referent for that concept now. And, Jayne, the piece before me is unaltered from it's original format. It has not been tainted. For my database, that makes it a drug in it's own right."

She picks up her newly filled glass, delicately dips the tip of her tongue into the glass and then rubs it against the roof of her mouth again. "This reads as a neuro-toxin. I conclude that controlled sub-critical doses of either are ... permitted. And certainly interesting in their affects.

Merz looks at Jayne, steadily and speculatively. “It is not a matter of a who. What would cause you to jump to such a conclusion with no evidence apparent to me?”

Leaving him to formulate an answer she stands and goes to the kitchen area once more. Rummaging around she locates a pitcher and fills it with water. Bringing that back to the dining area she fills her glass once again and sets the pitcher near the plates of bao. Resisting the urge to take more before the rest of the crew arrive she seats herself once again, and takes another small sliver of chocolate from her piece. Ah, so interesting…

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

SAINT JAYNE

Tuesday, January 11, 2005 4:00 AM

Jayne's move - The Galley Shindig

"I can determine that this substance contains theobromine, and methyl-xanthine, which are stimulants, as well as phenylethylamine..." Jayne's eyes flicker a little. Whatever that drug was, it was starting to affect the way she talked. He couldn't understand anything she was saying.

"But I know this - it alters moods, it stimulates the brain, it has the potential to be highly addictive." Ah, English again. Well, it looks like a false alarm. Jayne relaxes and leans over to the counter, snagging his glass.

Merz keeps go on and on, almost like a computer. She certain is a talkative drunk! He leans in the other direction to the barrel and fills the glass half full. The fumes wash over him as he lifts it up to his face, puckers his lips and...

"What would cause you to jump to such a conclusion with no evidence apparent to me?" Jayne does a double-take at Merz. She's looking at him. What did she say? As he tries playing back the conversation in his head, Merz gets up and walks into the kitchen area. "Must be the booze", he says simply, and knocks back half the glass.

SAINT JAYNE

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 5:09 AM

Jayne's move - Suplimental

The alcohol sweeps through Jayne like a welcome thunder shower after a drought. Well, maybe not a drought, but certainly less rain than Jayne likes. It's nice to have so many luxuries on hand. He knows they won't last; that only makes him more appreciative of what he has.

Jayne settles back into the chair and breathes a slow sigh. This day seemed to go on for months.

CAPNRAHN

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 10:43 AM

LOCATION - BRIDGE
As...

BOOK and MAL nearly tumble over the sill of the Bridge airlock. As they straighten up, Mal looks owlishly at his empty hand and then to the other hand on Book's opposing shoulder. Again, owl-like he cranks his head around, vertebrae sounding like popcorn as they shift back into alignment. He peers questingly over the heads of both KAYLEE and RIVER. Finally spying the object of his search nestled under the 'lock of the Galley. Frowning at the apparent memory-loss of setting down the sports-bottle of Luxury Hi-Test hooch. Coming to a decision, he inhales VERY deeply.

MAL
... in an almost sing-song bellowing that is so hard as to cause Kaylee and River to squint at the gale - they can tell it would be deleterious to have any ignition source going in front of MAL's mighty exhale...
"JAYNE! Oooohhh JAYNE!!! Could'ja PLEASE git that bottle outs'de the Gal-eey hatch and brung it ta me?! I gots a val -U-able surprize fer ya if yaz do!!!

MAL stifles a mad cackling as he meanders over to the Gunner Chair and plops on it - at least TRYS to. He misses getting his whole rump on the seat by the barest of fractions. Overbalanced, he windmills his arms and nearly goes from perpendicular to the floor to being parallel to the floor. By sheer flailing, he manages to hook the underside of the console with his left hand and prevent himself from toppling over to the deck grating.

MAL
... Still MUCH overloud, but not the F5 tornado force it was...
" GORRAMIT WASH - quit yer Ivanin' my boat about! *Da xiang bao zha xing de la du zi just about went ballistic outta me *pi yan!!!"

As he pulls himself up the look on his face shows that he is puzzled as to why everyone wasn't affected by WASH's acrobatics. He gets a deeper confused look as he locks on to WASH and sees that WASH is not even holding the yoke, it is upside down in the autopilot position. He just stares at WASH.

MAL
... Softly - in other words in a stage whisper...
"Zat Andorra Platinum 198 jet-juice iz a real bloody rammer!"

EOM

*Da xiang bao zha xing de la du zi = Explosive diarrhea of an Elephant
*Pi yen = ArseCrack

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

RAVENWHYTEWING

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 7:44 PM

Abruptly, the skin crumbles around Slight, and he breaks out of the shell. His organs jump start, returning him to the living. An instant diagnostic tells him everythings really messed up, but he can function for now.
Slight tries to figure out what made him heal so fast. Nothing human could have done that. For a moment, he smiles to himself, starting to laugh like an idiot. Nothing human. Right. he's a poster child for the human race, allright.
Slight looks up at Malachi, shocked and bewildered by Slights seemingly instant recovery. He grins.

Don't think a puppet can be rebuilt, do you?

He can see the fear and frustration eminating from Malachi, and even the thought process. What does it take to kill this man? An act of God?
Slight shrugs. Could be. Don't think I've gotten his attention just yet.
Abruptly, the terminal chimes. The wave link he'd set up was already destroyed, no point in trying. He really is going to have to talk to Mal in person. He does not relish the idea. Then he hears the voice, asking if there is assistance required. Slight widens his eyes. That voice. . .It was the correct rythm timber and tone of a norm, but there is something. . .No. He shakes it off. No Power would be this far into the sticks.
He activates the audio, but no visual. Maybe this guy knows a little bit of Blue Sun language.
Hail, this is Blue Sun Assistant Director of Relations Brink Helsing. Assistance would be greatly appreciated. There. Once word got back, he was sure his father would be furious.

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

DRAGONFLYDIRECTOR

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 9:08 PM

LOCATION - HELLS VERY EDGE ABOARD THE GYRFALCON
As...

Brink 'Slight' Helsing, the Blue Son had died once again today. Truly a bitter ash shell of his former glory. But Destiny had further use for its ill-abused step-child, utlizing the machinations of the Blue Sun Corporation. Lady Fate would not allow Slight to be shuffled off the mortal coil - no matter the extent damage to his physical form nor the depths of the agony that stained his soul.

The Internal MicroVerse of Brink Helsing
After the initial flash flood of light velocity electrons from the EMP the DeepRED quickly opens ports the microscopic size of empty cell vacuoles and raises the auxiliary radio frequency sensitive membranes. As the local EMP static clears, the DeepRED senses a weak erraticly pulsed signal. In cyber-frustration, the DeepRED manufactures a nano-link to the charred shell of the biologic. Information comes at tidal wave force as soon as the nanite conduits drill and feather to the surface of Slight's charred flesh.

The signal begins in midcycle, a compelling directive looping into infinity ... NDROMDA STRAIN * BlueSonDeepRED ZERO ZERO, repeat: BSDR-00 ~ prime command line lAZURASwILDfIRE - INITIATE PROTOCOL ATLASblue

DeepREDs Operating System Kernel self-destructed in a flurry of digital gore. A tiny foul neon green substance shot from all orifices in the DeepRED and shattered into millions of minute globules. The brightly colored gel flew as fast as neutrinos dove through planetary cores across the surviving nanite network. As the blobs swarmed over the tiny machines, they changed reddish hue to the neon green. A single glob of the substance encountered the atlas vertebra. The key vertebra that lies just below the skull -- the very top of the spinal column.

It quested about nosing for an opening in the atlas. Appearing out of nowhere a maw snapped open in the atlas. And much like a striking snake, a tenderil from the depths of the atlas absorbed the green slime. In some unknown yet rapid manner, every torpedo of neon sludge shot towards the neck, all to finally be absorbed by the atlas. The seam of the maw healing instantaneously.

Darkening to a purple-blue hue, the newly minted ATLASblue noted the biologics current non-viability, lost functions and the imminent onset of permenent decay. Thus it initiated Bio-Nova. Fire again swept through the form the Slight - deep within his tissues. Sickly green nanites burst like ripe watermelons dropped from orbit. The tiny shower of intense blue sparklers invaded every cell in SLIGHTs body. In a pico-second, the cells mitochondria shoved their power production over the redline. It was a biological micro-version of The China Syndrome - full on nuclear inferno. Weakened cell simply imploded. Hearty ones began to divide at every pico-second - controlled hyper cancer.

In less that a tiny march of seconds, the biologic was whole again.

However, the ATLASblue was failing to decipher the Alpha Codex that was also sent with the protocol activation. Something about a Prime {...LOST DATA...} or First ... generator ... transformer ... something that had been a viable being, was no longer. First ... something ... Helsing was deactivated/scrapped/discorporate.

No matter, the ATLASblue set aside the bulk of its computation resources to flesh out the whole message. The rest was in observation mode - watching the biologics biometrics to determine the new baseline of this biologic called 'Slight'. The old biologic operating parameters no longer applied.

It would be soon enough to contact the host. ATLASblue knew that waiting was ... was ... was ... something. Inconsequential memory loss - switching back to Obs-Mode. Its OS kernel programmin

KALENVOR

Thursday, January 13, 2005 12:54 AM

Bolo's Move
Location - Bolo's Ship

He canted his head... Helsing? that was odd, but no matter, he turned audio on again.

"Very well I'll move in and hook a line for tow, Blue Fury out."

With that he moved the ship towards the floating lifeless hunk before him.

EOM

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke, I collect stuffed penguins, if you don't tell I won't.

BROKENCHILDE

Thursday, January 13, 2005 6:23 AM

RIVER'S MOVE
LOCATION: HALLWAY, PASSENGER DORMS

The retreat towards her room was easy. Kaylee distracted by the others, River turned away, Off and away from the noise and the-- if they only knew how loud one could be without using sound-- inevitable hangovers.

It was all going so well, too. A fresh meal, laughter. A nice sense of camaraderie.

Freezing in place, looking around the hall at the echoes of nothing, River narrowed her eyes. No, she was being paranoid. There were ghosts and sourceless voices, but they didn't explain everything disembodied in the 'verse.

Unfortunately. Settling into bed, the cold of the sheets reflecting the cold of space, she closed her eyes and willed herself to sleep.

Life, however, dictated otherwise. The daily doses were gone now. She adapted too quickly. The loss of tranquilisers in her blood left her vulnerable. The lack of anti-psychotics-- she'd not told Simon that she knew they were in the newest mix for the regret he had in using them-- opened up the emotional tide. And memories, given half the chance to breed and feed, did exactly that.

Some time had definitely passed, but to River, it was all the same. Needles. Straps and gags. Pain that defied a poet's description. Blue hands and face masks. A searing comprehension of the world that showed it to be neither kind nor merciful.

She knew she was screaming in her dream, fighting against the demons with their surgical stainless tools. What she didn't realise, however, was that she was also screaming-- rather bloodcurdlingly-- in the waking world.

EOM

"And I make my bed with the stars above my head / And dream of a place called home."

RAVENWHYTEWING

Thursday, January 13, 2005 8:25 PM

First Power Davis' Office.
Blue Sun Headquarters.

Davis walked into the office. Although he felt. . .wrong, about his promotion, he knew it was necessary.
First order of business. He wandered to the table, and activated the holo generator. The Blue Sun logo loaded, and went to the heart of the Cortex. Here, Davis was capable of literally anything. He contacted the resident A.I. This system was designed for tracking all operatives within the Core, and without. He had it run down Bolo. He sent a wave packet, with a video feed.
"Operative Bolo. As your AtlasBLUE has no doubt informed you, Father Helsing is dead. He experienced a stroke. As such, There is a opening with the Powers. My first decision as the First Power was to promote you upon your return. When you return, you shall be the first Nemesis warrior to become a Power.
To other business. Your return shall be longer than we expected. We have received a transmission packet from the DeepRED implanted within the Blue Son, Brink Helsing. As a fellow warrior, you knew him better as Slight Eyes. He was a Vampire-class warrior, and defected from the Blue Sun. The info packet told us that the Helsing traitor has died. From various extrapolations, we have calculated his location to be near you. When you find him, bring his body to us. This was the dying wish of our great Father Helsing. Bring him in, and the Blue Sun shall reward you in this life to the greatest extent possible."
Davis ended the message. The message wsa translated straight into binary. The binary was then keyed to an encryption designed for the Nemisis biology. he would not see the message on the Cortex-anyone who did would find a dmamged message, scrambled. The 512 key was unbreakable, nearly. Anyone who was capable of unscrambling the message would know better. owever, a Nemisis would hear the binary stream, and various chips within his brain would play out the message.

EOM

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

DECOY

Friday, January 14, 2005 1:18 AM

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Still looking like he has drank a gallon of coffee... wispering to himself): "What am I missing?" (Over the now blank screen, a final blip of visual white noise, a quiet murmur, and then the BlueSun Cortex Wave Transmission and Reception Station Logo pops up... Transmission Over. Just a last gasp from Slight, barly heard by Wash): "Help"?

(Then reality of a different sourt, comes crashing onto Serenity's bridge, via Mal): "Gorramit Wash! Quit yer ivanin' my boat about! Da xiang bao zha xing de la du zi just about went ballistic outta me pi yan!!!" (Mal's head moves around, nearly in synk with his eyes, then his gaze locks upon Wash who hears the quiet wisper): "Zat Andorra Platinum 198 jet-juice iz a real bloody rammer!"

(Wash groans, like he's the one with a hangover, then with a fixed stare at the captain, and in a stage wisper): "Can you take a report just yet about the fun I've been having in the last few minutes?" (Wash continues, turning is attention back to the helm, and looks at the controls, and in a totally normal tone of voice): "You know that I'm not able to do a crazy ivan without Kaylee in the engine room."

EOM

Da xiang bao zha xing de la du zi = Explosive diarrhea of an Elephant
Pi yen = ArseCrack

On a spacestation twirling in the neardark next to a planet... in a large office twords the middle- an antique analog clock flips a number down to indicate that it is: 21:14 AMT (09:14 PM) in this part of the 'verse. Obeying it's rather simple programming (a manual switch mechanism, set weeks before) the alarm begins it's chiming. From outside the room, a muffled curse is heard, then the door is opened... a large human male quickly stepps inside, and looks carefully around the room, glancing in all of the corners, walls, and ceiling. He wirls around as several more men appear, each one armed with a variety of weapons, ammunition based, as well as mearly sharpened. "You see what has happened, you know what must be done". And with that, he quickly leaves the room and goes into another room, oddly spherical, with an oddly free-form metal framework in the center of the room, and metallic chains hanging down from the ceiling at various places. He grabs a chainsaw from a cabinet that runs along one side of the chamber, and returns... pulling the starter coard, the miniature killing machine screams to life... The big man swings the rolling blade down into the clock, and as it's struck, a piece of dust is dislodged, allowing the stuck piece of plastic to drop down and reveil a '5': 21:15 AMT (09:15 PM) It's cut in two halves, both of wich rain down tiny parts, and a small avalanch of plastic cards with numbers painted on them- nearly 650 years of service, and it's first failure... but as the big man with the saw states to his comrades: "Mr. Niska has his reputation, and we have ours, and now all is in perfect harmony again." He turns to go and spits upon the twin mounds of junk... laying out, dirtying up the floor of Mr. Niska's office. To wait for it's owner's return to be fixed, and made whole again, or be tossed out and left for dead.

Decoy, they make me go first.

SAINT JAYNE

Friday, January 14, 2005 2:38 AM

Jayne's move - Galley to fore hall

Although it pains Jayne to hear his name sung like that, Mal is still captain. Although by the sounds of him, he won't be holding onto that post too much longer.

Jayne hoists himself out of his chair with exaggerated effort. Leaving his glass at the table, he Trudges towards the bridge, taking the long way around through the kitchen area to grab a whole chocolate bar from its box.

"Comin' through. No rest fer the wicked", he intones to clear a path. He strides up to the forward hatch, thinking how much fun it would be if he had a branch and a cup of mulled wine right now, when a startling sound stops Jayne in his tracks. A scream. A continuous scream.

He listens...

Ah, it's just River playing Let's Wake Up the Entire Ship again. Jayne leans down and scoops up the canteen lying before him. In a single sniff, he understands why the captain's acting all perculiar.

KALENVOR

Friday, January 14, 2005 6:33 PM

Bolo's move
Location - Bolo's ship

He canted his head as he felt it come on, his face never altering, he knew what he needed to know, thats what made him who he was, from there he would settle this as necessary. His eyes move to look at the ship he was approaching this was beyond coincedence or Irony. No matter. He would do what he must, and no one could stop him.

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke, I collect stuffed penguins, if you don't tell I won't.

MERCEDESTROY

Saturday, January 15, 2005 12:41 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - DINING ROOM (and points south)

A sip of Alcohol. A sliver of Chocolate. A bit of Bao. In rotation, together, separately, combined in various ways. Merz experimented fully with the tastes, textures and sensations provided for her. No matter that there were only a few – she has a lot of combinations to try. Periodically she rinses her mouth with the water, and drinks deeply to keep dehydration at bay. And listens. And thinks. Sooner or later more people would come, and more conversation, more opportunities to observe and learn. For now there was quiet and time enough to concentrate on and sort some of what she had already been absorbing.

Her eyes are half-closed and much of her attention is inwardly directed when the screams start. As is normal there is not much of a pause between thought and action, one might even contemplate that thought had nothing to do with it … Merz is on her feet, her chair falling on it’s back behind her. She turns towards the sound, towards the rear hatch and the passenger area and starts to sprint in that direction. And trips over a leg of the chair, sprawling on her face. Scrambling quickly to her feet she avoids the chair this time and reaches the hatch – striking the doorframe with her shoulder as she barrels through it. She bounces back a fraction and then is through the door and at the door to River’s room. Yes the screaming is coming from there. Merz fumbles for the handle at first, then slides the door open quickly and moves to the bed to gather River up once again into those small, strong arms. She takes River’s weak blows completely in stride as she tries to both wake and … comfort her. She makes the ‘sh sh sh’ noise she learned from Jayne, rocking and stroking River once again in the way she remembered from long before.

She never even realizes she put a finger completely through the thin door.

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

BROKENCHILDE

Saturday, January 15, 2005 2:21 AM

RIVER'S MOVE
LOCATION: PASSENGER DORMS

River feels the movement, shifted on the bed, the realisation that it's happening in the real world taking a moment to come across to her.

And when she does, her hands already restrained, the red haze of fear is replaced with...

The empty room. The darkness that cannot be broken.

Only one person she's met has that. The blank wall. The comfort amongst the cacophany. Merz.

But it's not Simon. The sounds and touches of comfort are there, but not the enthralling warmth that have whispered her fear into ease all her life.

These are not those whispers, the ones she want. "Simon?"

His silence like the cold void of space settles in around her. Nothing. Nothing at all.

A shudder, yelping at the bodily shift it earns, River shakes her head at herself.

The silence amidst the storm is the only thing she can feel. Merz, who means well when the others sigh and shake their heads.

It has to be enough for now.

Stilling enough, waiting until the pressure eases from her wrists, and River levels a stare-- she realises that her eyes probably betray the lingering nightmare-- at the other woman. The world is still half-asleep-- or is that her?-- and she searches for... something. Anything.

The longstanding whisper that drives away even Mara(*) is simply not there.

"Can't be gone. I would know. Would feel it. Everything is tipping out of balance..."

EOM

* Mara is a Demon Lord in Buddhist mythology.

-----
"And I make my bed with the stars above my head / And dream of a place called home."

SAINT JAYNE

Sunday, January 16, 2005 5:33 PM

Jayne's move - Fore hall to bridge

Jayne stops outside of Damon's newly acquired room and thumbs at the chocolate bar in his left hand. He has to share it with someone. And he kinda misses that nut of a kid.

As Jayne is contemplating this, his eyes fall onto the makeshift security system. A laser connection that sets off an alarm if interrupted. Easy enough to bypass - from the outside - but then again, who would be helping him escape? Jayne's eyes migrate back towards the galley where he can still see Rowan moving about. He jabs the candy bar into his back pocket and tromps into the bridge.

"Whatcha'll doin' in here?" Jayne asks the crowd in general with a quizzical look that is often mistaken for cross. "Ain't this s'posed ta be a party? Ya got one guest penned up an' the others all alone."

Stopping in the centre of the room like he owned the place, Jayne holds out Mal's precious bottle, playing a little as Mal reaches for it. "Now what'I win? Yer mag-naneemous presence?"

MERCEDESTROY

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 2:02 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION – RIVERs DORM

As the girl calms down and begins to pull away, Merz lets her go. All may not be well, but she does not appear to be in any more danger of damaging herself.

River looks up at her – and that is a far too familiar look – what ‘Ropa once called a ‘thousand-yard stare’. It fit. It is an unsettling look on this young girl, even to Merz. No civilian should have to look out on the world through such eyes. But all Merz can do is sit with her and listen to her words, with a complete lack of understanding.

RIVER
"Can't be gone. I would know. Would feel it. Everything is tipping out of balance..."

She has no response. She has no clue…

MERZ
“It is over now bahini, the dream is done. Perhaps you can explain to me what is causing you grief. Would you like to come back with me – join us. I would rather you were not … alone.” She searches her database for a rather foreign concept that seems appropriate. Unconsciously she reaches up and gently strokes the crystal at her throat. “Do you have a party dress? That might be … fun, to dress up, yes?”

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

INARAESQUE

Tuesday, January 18, 2005 11:30 PM

Inara's move

LOCATION - GALLEY , to
PASSENGER DORMS

Inara's quiet contemplation of her shipmates, of the events as they have unfolded to date, is shattered twice in short order. The Captain and Book have a rather dramatic entrance -- Mal's clearly as drunk as she's ever seen him... Book, she's not so sure of -- and head to the Bridge. She would have followed, maybe, given her penchant for mothering this ragtag band of rogues... if it weren't for the screaming.

Pained, piteous wails, the sound of suffering so acute that it tore at her heart to hear.

River, she thought.

Merz was off like a shot -- something else that was intriguing to see: the woman's developing loyalties to those on Serenity -- and Inara took the last bite of her piece of bao and rinsed the sauce from her fingers, taking the kitchen towel with her as she crossed the room, drying her hands. It was set down on the end of the table as she slipped from the galley, following the sound of the screams.

Down the stairs, along the cat-walk. To the Common Area...only to find no River. Infirmiry, not there. The screams cease as Inara makes her way to the passenger dorms. River's door is ajar, damaged, and inside Merz holds the Tam sister, speaking softly.

Inara waits in the doorway, offering a gentle smile when the two other women notice her.

EOM

MANIACNUMBERONE

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 4:48 PM

Malachi's Move
Location: His Ship

The unknown ship had just been floating, too far to do any damage from so far away, but now she was turning and maneuvering to a grappling/attack position. "What's all this about?" Malachi asks the empty bit of space in front of him.

He pushes Slight into an out-of-the-way corner then turns his attention fully onto the ship's formidable instrumentation at his disposal. "She thinks I'm floating lifeless." Malachi says outloud, continuing his conversation with himself. His eyes narrow and a look of evil malice creeps onto his face.

Settling down at the helm controls, he manipulates a few of the ship's functions and sits back in satisfaction, waiting. The polarity of the hull had been temporarily reversed, which should give him the advantage. If and when this new ship tries to attach a grapple or fire an attack shot, it would be met with a rebounding effect... but only the first shot. After that, well, we'll just have to wait and see.

EM

RAVENWHYTEWING

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 9:59 PM

Slights move:

Slicht feels himself get pushed. For a moment, he feels like using an open-handed slap. Why does this man have such a problem with authority?
Then he smiles to himself. For many years now, he'd been struggling against the largest corporation in history, with fanatical soldiers played with for the intent of killing, by himself. Of the people in the entire 'Verse, he had the biggest issue with authority. Thanks, Dad.
Slight watches from the corner, sliding his arms into a folded position with spider-like movement. His resent. . .ressurection has left him with a few kinks in his joints. Almost immediately, the nano's that are left respond by scuttling to his belt, and pick up enough drugs to dope Londinium, and give 'em all loose hips. They fly back to the joints, and inject it directly to the areas needed. No waste.
Slight is shocked. What. . .how? Were these things the means of his Lazarus act? Works for him.
Slight sees Malachis adjustment, and senses the change in polarity.
Nice. Let's hope he's not the over-achiever in the 'Verse. If he unloads everything. . .might be bad.

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

BROKENCHILDE

Friday, January 21, 2005 7:35 AM

RIVER'S MOVE
LOCATION - PASSENGER DORMS

“It is over now bahini, the dream is done. Perhaps you can explain to me what is causing you grief. Would you like to come back with me – join us. I would rather you were not ...alone."

The words aren't hollow. They wouldn't be, not when offered from the one source of quiet on Serenity.

And River really doesn't want to be alone. She never did before, and it never had the chance to change.

"Do you have a party dress? That might be ...fun, to dress up, yes?”

A half-hearted nod-- not a lie, more a distracted thought-- and she's about to agree, albeit reluctantly, when distant noise on the edge of dark silence is replaced with...

With the warmth of the summer Sihnon sun in a smile quietly beheld for them. "Fragile creatures," River murmurs, her head tipping even as Merz stares at the presence of Inara at the now broken door.

Looking between the two women, the world is clearer now. The burning in her blood-- usually tampered by chemicals-- still bothers her and she knows she has to fight it.

But perhaps not alone. Not with the question. Not with the missing whisper, and the hollow silence it leaves behind. She reaches a hand out, ever so carefully, to Inara, and waits.

EOM

---
"And I make my bed with the stars above my head / And dream of a place called home."

MANIACNUMBERONE

Saturday, January 22, 2005 6:08 PM

Book's Move
Location: Bridge

Book walks in between Jayne's outstretched hand and Mal's, and murmurs under his breath. "He doesn't need any more just now, Jayne." Book continues walking to the helm, stops next to Zoe, and peers at one of the monitors. "Why were we called here, Wash?"

SAINT JAYNE

Saturday, January 22, 2005 8:27 PM

Jayne's move - Bridge

"He doesn't need any more just now, Jayne."

Jayne's grin turns disappointed at the preacher's advice. Of course he was right, but the captain wants his bottle, so he turns and places it on top of Wash's console where the blue light from the sensor monitor dances on it.

"Why were we called here, Wash?" The preacher moves up between Zoe and Jayne. "Yeah, why we here?"

DECOY

Tuesday, January 25, 2005 2:05 AM

Wash's Move:
Location - Bridge

(Jayne enters the bridge): "Whatcha'll doin' in here?" (To the bridge in general) "Ain't this s'posed ta be a party? Ya got one guest penned up an' the others all alone." (Jayne holds out a bottle to Mal, who reaches for it. Jayne, now focoused on Mal): "Now what'I win? Yer mag-naneemous presence?"

(Book presses between Jayne and Mal, and quietly tells Mal): "He doesn't need any more just now, Jayne." (Book then procedes to the helm, next to Zoe, and stares at the blacked-out moniter on the cortex, and says to Wash): "Why were we called here, Wash?"

(Wash turns to Book): "Slight just called on the cortex, wanted to talk to you all, and just a minute ago, we lost the signal, I think it was jammed, but I can't prove it."

EOM

Excerpted from a recovered/stolen data recording -

Ship's Log:

S.S. Butter Cookie: Captain Gilbert Lockharte, Commanding

Time Stamp: 21:16 AMT (09:16 PM)

Location: Somewhere just past the frontier

Cargo: Simple Farming Equipment, 100 Passengers and Crew

Following was pieced together by forensics experts from varous 'classified' sourses (Blue Sun personelle):
A simple boarding and hijack, passengers and crew presumed lost.

The truth of the matter is placed in basic form here: The captain saw that it was simply the absolute worst minute he had ever known, in his 66 years of life. For the Reaver patrol ship, they knew the truth too... it would be but one more minute until they would have one sweet haul.

Decoy, they make me go first.

ASTRIANA

Tuesday, January 25, 2005 10:05 PM

ZOE'S MOVE:
LOCATION - BRIDGE

ZOE watches JAYNE place the alcohol on the console, and looks at MAL as WASH fills BOOK in.

WASH (to BOOK): "Slight just called on the cortex, wanted to talk to you all, and just a minute ago, we lost the signal, I think it was jammed, but I can't prove it."

While WASH speaks, ZOE leans forward and retrieves the bottle from the console. Knowing that MAL will want his full faculties available for dealing with SLIGHT and SIMON, ZOE tucks the bottle out of sight and leans forward to speak into MAL's ear.

ZOE (whispered, to MAL): "Sir, now might be a good time to sober up. Could be we got a situation here."

Straightening, she watches MAL for signs that he's heard and understood.

EOM - ZOE

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

KAYLEE'S MOVE:
LOCATION - BRIDGE

KAYLEE's worried, slightly frantic voice breaks into everyone's amusement at MAL's inebriated state.

KAYLEE (to WASH): "SLIGHT?!? WASH, did he say anything about SIMON? Where are they? What are they doing? Did you trace the signal at all?"

KAYLEE crosses to the console and stares at the screen, as if looking hard enough will tell her the answers to all her questions.

EOM - KAYLEE

~Astriana~

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

SAINT JAYNE

Wednesday, January 26, 2005 4:05 AM

Jayne's move - Bridge

Jayne is leaning forward and about to speak when Kaylee rushes in with her concerns. He turns and looks at her, the pretty face all drooping. Not like Kaylee at all.

"Them two's pro'ly just messin' round. Crank callin' er some such." His words seem to pass by unnoticed. And she already passed up chocolate and hooch. Sometimes Jayne just doesn't know how to deal with wimen.

MERCEDESTROY

Thursday, January 27, 2005 12:42 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION – RIVER’S DORM

Merz has heard/sensed Inara come into the doorway. Apparently so has River who half-turns to her direction and oh-so-carefully holds out one hand. Merz allows her the space to move, and turns her face to Inara.

Perhaps Inara has known her long enough, watched her long enough to see what might be a plea in her expressionless eyes. Merz has come to the end of her ability to cope with this situation. Damage has been averted and … comfort? given. Now what?

Merz looks at Inara and sighs deeply. “Please. What comes next?”

EOM

If Justice is the dish, then I am your waitress

INARAESQUE

Friday, January 28, 2005 2:52 AM

Inara's Move

LOCATION – River's room

The young Tam offers her hand and Inara takesk it, opening her arms to embrace the girl. Silently, Inara offers a prayer to the merciful Buddha that Simon -- wherever he was -- was safe and would return to them soon, whole. Kaylee misses him fiercely, and River needs him...

Merz looks at Inara and sighs deeply. “Please. What comes next?”

Inara smiles, pressing a gentle kiss to River's temple. "Now? Hm. Now we... go to my shuttle and have a cup of tea, and perhaps braid our hair and paint our nails?" she offered, little comforts to extend, but little luxuries out here in the Black...

EOM.

MERCEDESTROY

Friday, January 28, 2005 12:53 PM

MERZ move

LOCATION – RIVERs DORM

Inara has moved into the room, and taken River in hand, kissing her gently. Merz envies her the ease of knowing the appropriate action. Merz files her actions away for future use.

INARA
"Now? Hm. Now we... go to my shuttle and have a cup of tea, and perhaps braid our hair and paint our nails?"

Ah. Tea. Nails? Hair! NO, mustn’t. Merz shakes her head, standing suddenly. “Inara, thanks, but no. You take River, keep her safe. I … am not ready for such yet. I shall go back to the galley.” She starts off out of the room, to stop and stare puzzled for an instant at the small hole punched in River’s door. She had not seen that, going in. Turning back to River she says Bahini, go with Inara. Come to the party when you are dressed and ready. I will wait for you there. I can be no help to you now. I am not … trained.”

EOM

A man who loves you buys you flowers. A man who wants you buys you diamonds. But a man who trusts you, buys you weapons!

MANIACNUMBERONE

Friday, January 28, 2005 8:33 PM

Book's Move
Location: Bridge

Book presses his palms together with his fingertips up underneath his chin and leans against the railing to the belowdeck area of the bridge. He fans open his fingers, closes them again and repeats the motion for a few moments while Zoe leans down and whispers something unintelligible to Mal. He wouldn't have heard what she said anyway... his mind focused on other things. A buzz of words in the background catches his attention and he breaks back into the conversation. "Wash, maybe you and Kaylee can work together to find out if the transmission was jammed or not. In the meantime, can you recall exactly what Slight said before you lost the signal?"

EM

BROKENCHILDE

Saturday, January 29, 2005 2:57 AM

River's move

LOCATION – RIVER's DORM

River gladly accepts the hug from Inara, realising she craves the physical contact as much as the steel needle that sinks into her arm. The kiss almost goes missed, she's so momentarily overwhelmed by the hug. Merz is the silence that allows the echoes to stop, but can't fill the empty that's left behind.

The thought seals her acquiescence to being led off and away from both her room and the nightmare.

"Now? Hm. Now we... go to my shuttle and have a cup of tea, and perhaps braid our hair and paint our nails?"

Tipping her head up, River nods instinctively. Not the party with the drunkenness. Not the bridge. A quick slide out of the near-protective grip from the Companion but staying close, and she glances around the room.

The hole in the door earns a mild huff.

"Bahini, go with Inara. Come to the party when you are dressed and ready. I will wait for you there. I can be no help to you now. I am not... trained."

Like the nod to Inara, the response is out before she can censor herself-- not that she was good at that before the Academy-- offering Merz a mildly frustrated look. "There are more important things to do than play. Too many things to do. The family is broken."

EOM

---
"And I make my bed with the stars above my head / And dream of a place called home."

BROKENCHILDE
Monday, January 31, 2005 1:59 AM

RIVER'S MOVE

LOCATION – PASSENGER DORM AREA AND HALL

Merz's words have a tone River knows all too well. "The family has been broken for longer than you can imagine. Important? How can you understand what is important to me? You cannot imagine how important playing is to me. You know how..."

The chance is there to be sympathetic, to find some of the compassion humans need to keep their sanity. But then again, River's also been stripped of much of that. She knows what it's like to not have play anymore. To have childhood wrested away for a far grimmer fate.

And Merz probably knows that, despite the words. She huffs, unable see past the silent walls of the other woman, patience and her own wants knocked aside. "There is no real play without family. All else is illusion--"

Interrupted by the voice on the intercom, she frowns. "OK, Wash here... ahh, well, I'm almost always here right? Who would be flying this thing if I weren't? Oh, right... Mal, Slight's on the screen, and he wants to talk to you, Kaylee, River, and Book. Come on up, OK?"

Whatever she would have said before is gone, but River looks to both women before going into a run, savouring for that brief moment the look of concern and curiosity in Inara's eyes. "Ge-ge!"

EOM

---
"And I make my bed with the stars above my head / And dream of a place called home."

MANIACNUMBERONE

Monday, January 31, 2005 5:14 PM

Malachi's Move
Location: His Ship

How very... good. Malachi thinks to himself as the communicae from the blue fury ends. Turning to the lump on that floor that he now assumes is "Helsing," Malachi bends down to peer closely into the face of the man. "There are many people trying to get rid of you it seems... I wouldn't want to break with tradition." He turns away with a deep, gurgling chuckle.

Hailing the Blue Fury, Malachi speaks. "This is controller Malachi. Your terms are acceptable. Prepare for transport of your prisoner."

EM

CHANNAIN

Tuesday, February 1, 2005 9:33 PM

Rowan's Move
PHYSICAL LOCATION: Galley
PSYCHOLOGICAL LOCATION: Somewhere inside her very personal level of hell.

"Do you remember why you don't sleep, Baby Dragon?"

Rowan looks up at the question and sees her brother standing near the wall by the exit leading up to the bridge. He looks different from the first time. From that eerie dream she had while Dr. Tam worked on her eye. Dimly, Rowan recalls that she hasn't seen her brother in 20 years. At least not the brother she knew as a child, the brother she loved like no other.

Finding the world in the smallest of a grain of sand
And holding infinities in the palm of your hand.

He was dressed in black with a stark white shirt and a blue bow tie. In the palm of his left hand, he held a small, glistening mound of pure white sand in his left hand. Tipping his hand slightly caused the sand to drift downward, almost but not quite touching the galley floor.

"It's not too odd that you don't really, since it doesn't have as much to do with me, so much as with what you did."

And heaven's realm in the seedlings of this tiny flower.
And eternities in the space of a single hour.

In the distance, someone screams and Ru smiles. "But you were too late, Baby Dragon. The harm has already been done."

River. That's River screaming. Why this time? How much pain could one girl endure?

"Do you remember what you did, Baby Dragon?"

Now he's dressed in white again, as if for a funeral.

"Do you remember the blood? You cannot forget forever, you know."

A blotch of red appears on his left lapel and begins spreading outward. The color is ominously dark.

"You cannot forget…"

Another blotch appears in the center of his chest and that one spreads too.

Round like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel.

"You cannot forget…"

Never ending or beginning

"Cannot… cannot… "

On an ever spinning wheel.

"Forget."

Her brother fades into the dark still saying that word and in his place stands Xiang. Dressed as he might have been in life, in tweed and a black cardigan over a linen shirt, he gives her that enigmatic smile.

"I am here, Meili Long. I have never left."

Like a snowball down a mountain.

ROWAN: "That was his favorite line."

Realizing she's spoken out loud, Rowan comes back to herself and realizes that she's alone in the Galley. She'd gone into the kitchen for something right after she called up to the bridge to invite Reynolds and the Shepherd down to the shindig. Looking down, she finds her right hand half raised, three fingers curved as if to form around the handle of a pistol.

Glancing around again as she felt her cheeks turn warm from embarrassment, she's awfully glad no one else is around to have seen her mishap. They might all be looking at her the way they already look at River. She can't hear the girls screams anymore and chalks that whole business to the dream… hallucination…thing. She also comes to the conclusion that mixing bao constructed entirely of protein with Kaylee's moonshine might not be such a fantastical idea.

Since the shindig seems to have come to a quiet little pause, Rowan wonders if now might not be a good time to check up on Damon. That little tussle with Merz may have caused him some harm and even pulled stitches.

Moving to the exit leading up to the bridge, she takes a look and sees that everyone up there seems sufficiently occupied. They might not even notice her going in, particularly if she worked it right. The worst Reynolds could do is threaten to drop her off on the destination world of their current little caper. Wouldn't be the first

CHANNAIN

Wednesday, February 2, 2005 5:52 AM

Rowan and Damon Blended Post
LOCATION - FRONT HALL to MERZ DORM

Remembering suddenly that Damon may not get to eat for awhile, Rowan goes back to the kitchen and grabs a dish towel. Taking it to the table, she loads it with eight of the smaller bao and folds the corners tight around. Making a loop out of two of the corners, she hooks it around her wrist and then gets back to business. With the sourcepad link active, she begins working a little techno-magic. First is to get to the video feeds she showed Wash earlier and work it so that a continuous loop image of an empty hallway appears, should anyone think to be checking, which she doubts. Once that's done, she slips off her sandals and moves into the hallway. As she recalls, the crew bunk he's in isn't locked, but Reynolds did order a ping grid installed to safeguard it. Seems the Captain must have had some tunnel rats of some kind to deal with during the war if he has one of those on hand, or even some rudimentary knowledge of it. If that was the highest level of security on this boat, Rowan figures she might have to offer them an upgrade. At a significant discount, of course.

At the hatch to the crew bunk, Rowan is able to verify that the ping grid isn’t hooked in to the ship’s systems before she reaches down and flips the switch to deactivate it. As quietly as possible, she pushes the hatch open and descends the rung-ladder into the crew quarters. The tiny room is dark, but she can hear breathing near the back.

ROWAN (whispering): “Damon – it’s me. Are you okay?”

He is still lying on the bunk, hands behind his head, musing, when he hears the door engage. Damon does not speak, but only waits to see who is entering. He takes a deep breath, and prepares himself, although what for he is not sure. Rowan's voice is a complete surprise; he expected Captain Reynolds at worst and ... Shepherd Book at best.

Damon (whispering): “Rowan? What are you doing here? You're gonna get in trouble. I'm okay."

Ignoring him, she waits for her eyes to adjust - she always had pretty good night vision too, so that doesn't take long, thankfully.

Damon: "Rowan? Are you okay?"

Rowan "I'm fine - I'm more concerned about you. How are those stitches holding up?"

Leaving the ladder, she uses the light from the hatch to find her way to the bunk.

Damon: "Not too bad, but I think I mighta tore something a little. Nothin' I can't live with."

Rowan takes a deep calming breath at that.

Damon (quieter): "Not bein' no Iron man neither. Promise."

Rowan: "Good. Otherwise I'd have to kick your xiao jiay pigu. Look, I can't stay long. Reynolds doesn't know I'm down here."

Damon: "Wu de tien. I'm supposed to be the stupid one. Don't you start, I got enough guilt." He smiles into the darkness to take the sting off of his words, teasin' her. Forgetting she will not see it.

Rowan (smiling): "You are the stupid one. Here." She hands him the bundle. "I brought you something to eat. In case the da huai captain doesn't let you out till morning."

Damon: "Thanks!"

He takes the bundle he feels her hand him and smells ... bao? Oh man. He's eaten well today, perhaps better than he has in months - and his stomach still growls loudly at the smell. He digs into the package, and pulls out a piece - stuffing it eagerly into his mouth.

Hearing the telling rumble, Rowan grins.

Rowan: "That's gotta last you awhile, remember?"

She can almost see him now and the urge to lean forward and give him a quick sisterly peck is ridiculously compelling.

Damon: (Mumbling through a full mouth): "Wonderful. Thanks!"

Rowan (chuck

MERCEDESTROY

Thursday, February 3, 2005 2:26 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - BACK HALL

In a distracted sort of way, Merz watches River dash past her. She has no desire to follow the girl, she does not know what is going on. Not really. As she walks back to the dining area she considers Brink Helsing ... should she have concerns for him? Perhaps not now, not yet. Merz does not want to talk to him over a link. When she speaks to him again it will be face to face, where she can sense him, as well as his words.

And tonight, ah, tonight is for something else. Something new. Perhaps others will join her soon, teach her how to have a 'party'. For the moment she will return to her chair and analyze what has occurred so far. So very interesting ...

Reaching the dining room once again she takes her original chair, pours a glass of water and sips it. Once again she is upright in her chair, forgetting her relaxed pose while distracted by other thoughts. Troy thoughts. To be anything else will require much more time than she has already had...

EOM

A man who loves, you buys you flowers. A man who wants you, buys you diamonds. But a man who trusts you - buys you weapons!

CHANNAIN

Thursday, February 3, 2005 8:24 PM

Rowan's Move
LOCATION - FRONT HALL to GALLEY

Seeing no one in the corridor, Rowan climbs out and snugly closing the crew quarters hatch. Switching the ping grid back on, she heads silently back toward the galley. It's intriguing that the captain doesn't have the grid actually hooked up to anything. Could be that his notion was to just use a little psychology on Damon and no actual disciplinary measures. That would imply that Reynolds has a heightened level of compassion that he's been keeping under wraps. A rare thing to find in mercenaries these days.

Returning to the Galley, she finds that Merz is back. Contrary to her behavior before, Merz seems to be back in "Troy" mode somewhat. She's relaxed, but still maintaining a military posture in the chair. Actually, that attempted slouch had been more unnerving to Rowan's frame of mind - unnatural to the Merz she's come to know. Like she was trying to imitate a visualization without really being able to comprehend what she was doing. It's as if she's never seen people just being people.

And since no one else is around, this might be a good time to try another lesson in nine-ball.

ROWAN: "Hey, Merz. Feel like shooting some stick?"

As Merz contemplates her answer, Rowan picks up the bao platters again and moves them over to the counter. Discretely, she rearranges a few to cover for those she took down to Damon.

EOM

Fans come and fans go...but zealots are with you until the bitter black end.
I draw...therefore I am. http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=7922
Minnesota Meetup - join us! http://firefly.meetup.com/45/

MERCEDESTROY

Friday, February 4, 2005 12:42 AM

MERZ move

LOCATION - DINING ROOM As ...

ROWAN
“Hey, Merz. Feel like shooting some stick?”

She opens her eye, and watches a bit as Rowan prepares the room for another game. Yes, that will do nicely. She fills her water glass and her shot glass, and sets them both out of the way, and in reach. She sets her chocolate near. Glancing at Rowan and what she is doing Merz can see less of the bao than she remembers. She closes her eyes and tilts her head, thinking hard. Her perceptions are a bit, well … skewed tonight. Did she eat that much of the treat?

Merz pushes that thought aside. No matter, she honestly believes not. Standing out of Rowan’s way she prepares; relaxing her muscles and bringing to the forefront of her mind, such instruction as she has already received, the feel and balance of the stick, the concept of hard and gentle. Coupled with that are Merz’ observations of Rowan’s techniques, and … the feel of her hands. Odd. But helpful, the play of the muscles and the ebb and flow of her movements behind Merz.

As yet, Merz has not had sufficient practice to start deviating from her initial memorization of Rowan’s style and technique. So once again she assumes Rowan’s characteristics in preparation. Perhaps this time, she will go further …

It does not occur to her to speak to Rowan: beginning to feel her as family, she has forgotten that among civilians, words are both necessary and appreciated.

EOM

A man who loves, you buys you flowers. A man who wants you, buys you diamonds. But a man who trusts you - buys you weapons!

MANIACNUMBERONE

Sunday, February 6, 2005 8:23 AM

Book's Move
Locale: Same... Bridge

Book watches the fading white bulb of light on the monitor diminish into nothingness as Wash continues to vent. Then there is only black. The playback rang hollow in his ears. How attached are we to our doctor!!?? He thinks... What in the Hell is going on!? He wrenches himself away from the emptiness that awaits him in the blankness of the screen and turns to Mal. He needs Mal to be Mal. Something is very wrong.

EM

KALENVOR

Thursday, February 10, 2005 5:57 AM

Bolo's Move
Location - Bolo's ship

A smile curled over the Bolo's lips excellent.
"Thank you controller Malachi.. and for your assitance I will see to it you are rewarded for helping me in the capture of this renegade"

With that he begin the sequence to dock the ships to each other to allow the passing of the prisoner, he was excited, this had been easy and would hopefully continue to be so, and in a merefew days he could return and he would get what was rightfully his.

EOM

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke, I collect stuffed penguins, if you don't tell I won't.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Thursday, February 10, 2005 9:03 PM

Renegade?!

Slight leaps to his feet, as malachi gives his gurgling laugh again. With one punch, Malchi is slammed against a wall, his jaw practically spinnig around his face. He puts his hand to it, still grinning at Slight. Slight begins with a growl, and ends in a full roar, his smooth, aqualine voice holding the power of an approaching storm.
This is what you do for Ariel? This is how you repay my offer, by declaring me your prisoner?
I pray to the Void that it swallow you piece by piece if I find you alive again. You have made your final mistake.
Slight brings what nanytes are left into a short blade. As Malachi continues to try to smile, he stalks forward, keeping the blade hidden. Malachi brings his hands up, ready to fight. A swift kick beats him back against the bulkhead, with gives off a dull boom. Slight jabs the knife up into his his side, not a millimeter from the kidney. A small twitch, and Malachi will die in a few hours. Malachi's eyes widen at the cold sensation, the smile gone.
Promise made. . . Slights eyes narrow, as his lips curve into a absolutely sadistic smile.
Promise held.
He removes the blade, his smile disappearing. Malachi collapses against the bulkhead. Slight stalks away, digging around in the weapons locker. He looks around, but nothing seems to suit him.
What would you have me do?
Slight "hears" the plea from Malachi. He turns to Malachi, for a moment pensieve. He pulls off the trenchcoat, and begins to subconciously have various chemicals and bio-agents injected into him. Unaware, he only knows he's feeling. . .
Pumped.
Malachi has dragged himself into a sitting position, clutching the near-fatal wound. Slight walks towards the airlock, if only to wait. Finally, he looks over his shoulder at the location of his coat, thinking. After a while, he speaks.
I would have you run. Get out of the business of death. Earn as honest a living as you can. Out here. . .in the Black. . .you can't remember what you were after a while. You forget why you fight every day, forget why you try, every day, to scrape the bottom of the pot for a crumb to live on.
I would have you go home. Without me. . .there is no hope for your sister. At least go home and try to be with her. You'd be surprised at how simple a dying wish can be, and how disappointing it is when someone you care about isn't there.
Let me tell you about my father. He is the most twisted man in the 'Verse. He tortured me far more then you can imagine in your greatest nightmares. But he is my father, and I would give anything to know the word love. I would trade my immortal soul to believe I was anything more than a construct. But this is not to be. Slight finally locks eyes with Malachi. And for a moment. . .even Slight seems to have a heart. Broken, but true.
And for a moment, Brink Helsing can remember why he started to live again.

EOM

A pool of blood and tears is nothing if you never mattered.

CAPNRAHN

Friday, February 11, 2005 5:09 PM

Sitting in bleary contemplation Mal still hears the conversation going on around him. His attention, but not his eyes, are on the shadowy figure sitting behind him whispering.

A audio phantom of Tracy seems to be sitting behind Mal, asking "Why? Cap'n - you always save ever'body else. but not me..." Mal knows the answer, but the usual explanation fills his mouth like ashes.

Mal grabs a fat black marker from the console drawer and ignores the whisperings. Nabbing the sports bottle of spirits he marks very carefully this legend:

FOR HIS SERVICES, JAYNE COBB IS HERBY NAMED THE PATRON SAINT OF SERENITY SHINDIG
and on the other side in large letters:
ALL HAIL SAINT JAYNE!!!

On his hip, his talkie buzzes. Fuzzily remembering that ment somebody was breaking security Mal stands and pulls upon cache of sobriety to move quietly over to the hatch.

On his way he presses the full sports bottle into Jayne's hands with a wink and a nod. He mouths silently "ANDOR PLAT SHINE", hoping Jayne would remember the excellent Platinium Moonshine that the folks on the moon of Andor made.

As he gets to the hatch he sees Rowan descend into Damon's makeshift cell. Drawing back, yet still in the deep shadows of the hatch, Mal keeps an eye down the hall.

MAL
... sounding 'normal'...
"Doc and Slight will have to sort themselves out - we got our own problems. ...to Wash... If the signal dos'na trace - we just have to wait till they call again. Now the rest of ya - GET TA RELAXIN'! We got ta be loose for t'marrow."

Mal notices when Rowan exits Damon's cell - alone. This could prove to be interesting he muses muzzly.

EOM

"I've heard more intelligent sounds coming out of a pair of corduroys" - Herbert Phillip Lovecraft from *Cast A Deadly Spell*

MANIACNUMBERONE

Wednesday, February 16, 2005 10:19 AM

Malachi's Move
Location: Leaning against a small strapping of metal.

He leans forward and tries to stand, but the pain is inextricable... so instead Malachi falls forward onto his face. With effort, he pushes himself onto his hands and knees and again looks up at Slight. "Helsing... You stab me and then tell me to run, you want me to flee from you when I already told you I didn't care what happened any more." He begins to crawl, as he speaks, towards the med cabinet embedded into the side wall. Coughing up blood, he wipes his face on his sleeve and sneers contemptuously up at Slight. "I've dealt with folks much like you before... though not quite so resilient. Did your brain go off-line for a while? I was trying to help us both. My ship is not equipped to outmaneuver or outgun the Blue Fury. With him thinking you are incapacitated, you can board his ship and kill him, or we can both do it together when he is ready for the transfer." He stops in front of the cabinet and pulls himself up to open it. Doing so roughly, the contents on the shelves spill onto the floor in disarray. "Gorram shan ya iwa itsu-na! Besides, did you already forget that our deaths our linked together as long as you remain upon this ship?"

EM

-------------------------------------------
Inara: Who's winning?
Simon: I can't really tell, they don't seem to be playing by any civilized rules that I know.
-------------------------------------------

RAVENWHYTEWING

Tuesday, February 22, 2005 9:38 PM

Slights move:

Slight sighs, still at the door. What does he think he's dealing with.

Do you know what lies beyond this airlock? A supersoldier of the Blue Sun. If I was at top form, the chances of my incapacitating him would be nil. As it is, I would say that killing him will be impossible. That is the nature of a Nemesis.
The name was given to these. . .things because that is what they are-an enemy of human life.
Across the airlock, Bolo is sitting in a meditative position. His eyes, a fierce, laser-blue, are focused on the door. next to him, a sword lies. It is decorative and ornate, not a weapon but a symbol.
They have an operative life-span of four years, at the most. No more, because they are literally superhuman. Steel grafts make breaking bones impossible, or nearly. There are sensory enhancers for ever nerve cluster, focused on making ever detail and imput immediate and totally accurate. At every joint, there are strength inducements, making them capable of tearing apart human flesh like wet cloth. Slight doesn't even know where all this information is coming-they are wraithlike memories, hollow but real. They spend twenty years training-until they are at the physical limit of their abilities. In that time, they awaken, they train through every battle simulation, are taught to despise those that would oppose them with a hate that makes your indifference nothing. Where you are cold, they burn with rage and contempt.
Slight turns to Malachi, with an inkling of compassion.
Yes, I would have you run, and bury yourself before you would face this. This is not a soldier, or some mercenary looking for a quick plat. He is the essence of death. Right now, with all the knowledge and capabilities I have, I equal one limb of his. And if he uses Blackout. . .
Slight shudders, as the breath of wind touches his shoulder. Beyond that wind, as though the source, Bolos eyes begin to darken, his frosted-blue veins being ot take the hue of the endless space beyond.

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

KALENVOR

Wednesday, March 23, 2005 4:42 AM

Bolo's Move

As the feirce feeling of pure inexplicable wrath floods his every vein, consumes his every thought, his mouth dries and remoistens with a salavation tasting akin to copper, driving a pining for his target's very vitae. A lingering feeling of humanity dwindles to nothingness as the image of the one he will claim consumes him. His voice ringing in his mind picking at his every nerve, drawing the blood lust deeper from him, it may take everything, and yet it may take hardly anything, but the fire of ragin destruction is never truly stopped. These words hold forever true as the Blue Sun taught them.

And in this heart of darkness
Our hope lies lost and torn
All flame like love is fleeting
When there's no hope anymore

MANIACNUMBERONE

Wednesday, March 23, 2005 5:25 AM

Malachi's Move
Location: His Ship, standing next to Slight... at last.

"It's been long enough. I should contact him again." Malachi says while staring at Brink Helsing, aka Slight. He sniffs the ionized air. "Listen up. I have a plan... The airlocks on this ship aren't compatible with any other airlocks for easy access, so in order to transport your "body" to him, we'd need to set up a tubular access vestible." Malachi chuckles to himself at his choice of words. "So, when he steps into the access passage between the ships, we blow it into space. Simple, no mess, no fuss." A quick smile flits across his face and Malachi settles down into the pilot's chair. "Let's work out the fine details..."

EM

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Inara: Who's winning?
Simon: I can't really tell, they don't seem to be playing by any civilized rules that I know.
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RAVENWHYTEWING

Tuesday, April 5, 2005 2:42 PM

Slights Move:

Slight shakes his head.
Problem with that is, won't kill him. Don't you remember? Blue Sun supersoldiers have been biologically enhanced to survive long enough in a total vaccuum to be able to return to our ship. Besides, he already intends to kill you, so he won't want to bother with any access tube. Like yourself, he has no desire to leave any mess. I'll just prance over and incapacitate him. Who knows, maybe i can actually capture. Get wind of what my fathers company is trying right now, and what. . . for just a second, Slight pauses, wondering if he should tell Malachi about the cargo that was such a big deal. Nah. something like that is doing out here. Lotta great intelligence out there.
Suddenly, he can feel one of the hollow memories seem to drift away. Like sand out of his hands, he keeps. . .forgetting things. He doesn't know what-they're gone like mountain mist, too whispy to hold. Whatever the memory was, it triggered something. He can feel those little nanytes all prick him at once, and almost instantly, he feels. . .
Juiced.
Hardly able to stand still now. All the nanytes are clinking into armor. The guns are ready. He is ready. Time to go. Go. Go. Go. Go go go go go gogogogogogogogo,
GO!
With a scream, he lunches himself to the airlock, ready to take on the world.

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

KALENVOR

Tuesday, April 26, 2005 5:03 PM

Bolo's move

Still on his ship

He stands at the airlock himself with it open, he is actually holding the door as it was, he has no intention of allowing them to wait any longer and with a push he glides across quickly through the fluid vacuum and lands on the opposing ship, inside a resounding ring and a crunch as suddenly he plunges a metl hand in and grasps the hull.

Everyone has their weaknesses. Some people smoke, I collect stuffed penguins, if you don't tell I won't.

RAVENWHYTEWING

Wednesday, May 4, 2005 6:09 PM

Slights move:

Slight is stopped in his tracks as he hears the dull throb of the ship. This things to small. The ensuing gunfight is going to be too chaotic.
With a curse, he knows what he has to do. He unfocuses his eyes, and sees the other ship. It's a straight shot to the airlock. Better take his chances. His skin feels tight-he tries to remember if he was in a vacuum.
Not now. Gotta focus. Bring 'em down. Get him away from here.
He smiles and twitches his head to one side in a sort of shrug. Okay. Let's do that.
He pops open the airlock, and launches his body at the Blue Fury, twisting in mid-jump, firing at Bolo to get his attention. He grabs the other airlock. Then he realizes what's wrong.
This whole time, he could feel Malachi. When Bolo had been there, he'd felt him too. But like a pile of sand in the wind, he can't seem to feel him strongly anymore. Using every measure of his mental strength he clutches onto Bolo's evanescent essence, and tries to call him mockingly, giving him an insult on many different levels.
Blue Sun operative? More like a blue-balled little girl. You want what you're coming for? I'm right here. Can't you see me? Then come on! I want to die! Can't you manage that, holy man? I'm the grand prize, and your luh-suh performance is a shame to all the Powers. A decent Nemesis woulda ground me into a pulp by now. Sad little man, you are.
Slight jumps into the airlock, sliding it shut and letting the blessed heat wash over him. He feels the consant prick of that swarm, and his muscles are spasming once in a while in complaint. He dismisses it. Now's not the time.
He hustles from the airlock, turtling down at a nearby hatch. He does a tactical reload, sliding home an extended clip. Now all he can do is wait.
Live or die. That's all he knows right now.

Live or die.

Wizards Eighth Rule: Deserve Victory

CAPNRAHN

Monday, May 30, 2005 5:34 PM

HAITUS OVER - NEW ACT!!!

Find it here:
http://fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=17&t=10430&m=143290#143290

"I've heard more intelligent sounds coming out of a pair of corduroys" - Herbert Phillip Lovecraft from *Cast A Deadly Spell*