recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
All Hands on Deck

Jacy took the cup with a little nod and lifted it to her mouth, breathing in deeply the aroma before tipping the cup back for a sip. It had been a while since she’d stolen a moment to enjoy a relaxing cup of tea, ginger no less, which was hard to believe since she did absolutely nothing on board the ship, at least in the eyes of the rest of the crew. She actually kept quite busy, but that was neither here nor there.

“It’s good tea, Lyen, thank you.” Jacy walked around the table slowly, looking at the places and thinking on a seating arrangement. She chose a spot opposite the galley’s aft entry and sat the cup down next to a half empty whiskey bottle. “I’ll play here to keep an eye on the door. I think you’ll sit there,” she pointed to a spot two seats down from her own. “Would you mind assuming the role of dealer?”

Jacy lowered herself into the seat and leaned forward to wrap her hands around the tea cup. She looked down at her chest and readjusted herself. “I think this will have to do. We’ll just hope the Alliance troops haven’t been to any brothels lately or not had their fill at least. Have a seat please, Lyen? We can talk and get to know one another while we have the chance.”

[[There’s room here for an exchange between Lyen and Jacy if you want. I’m also going to assume that the following crew arrive shortly and are present when the rest of the post resumes. (Keller, Riley, Dimitri, Lyen, Dillon, Vas, Jacy & NPC Walker) If you aren’t present, please let us know right away and have a good reason for not reporting to the galley like you were emphatically told to. FYI, competing in an impromptu pit fight is not a valid excuse.]]

*“You’re more than welcome to look at our manifest, though.” They reached the galley and Keller took a brief look around. He counted the faces looking back at him, and took a deep breath. Showtime, people. Here we go.*

Jacy made a show of downing her now cold tea like it was a shot of whiskey; she grimaced and smacked it down on the table. “So then I grabbed him by the balls and told him he’d have to get up earlier than that to teabag me!” Jacy looked over at Keller and the Alliance troops that worked their way into the crowded galley. There were more troops spreading out to check the rest of the ship, one of them walking up the half flight of stairs to the shuttle above.
Coming Out

*Why are women so difficult?*

*Best way for you to look at it. We are not Pirates, Reavers or Alliance so your best chance for survival is to cooperate and trust me, I can fully believe she tripped into you.*

Aello was not to eager to trust a guy who could devalue his fellow crew members so easily. He reminded her of some of her ex classmates in spy school who only cared about themselves. Normally she would never trust a guy like him but sadly she was in no position to be picky. So she spoke up before she moved.

Aello: Okay. I am stand up now.

Aello slowly put her hands up and began rising up.

Aello: I would appreciate you not shooting me.

Aello was now standing up with her arms in the air.

Aello: I have clue who else is alive on this ship since the blast was loud and I was locked in here right away. The name is Aello and I am a medic and missionary so I am more useful alive.

Aello was playing it calmly as she hoped things would work out for her.
Bug Hunt

Vas was waging a war.

By all appearances, it was a war against dirt, grime and years of growing crud in the corners who may or may not have gain sentience and was plotting rebellion. Okay, maybe that was a bit dramatic but Vas didn’t like the idea of an infestation on what was becoming his home. It was supposed to be a haven, not a place where you were wondering who was listening to what. Honestly, he didn’t know why anyone WOULD plant bugs? To achieve what? Hear the gossip between the crew?

It didn’t make sense to him but that just made him like it even less. At the end of that day, people should be allowed to keep their secrets so long as it didn’t put the crew or ship in danger. No questions asked right?

He respected that! Hell, he himself enjoyed the privacy of keeping his own secrets as well! Others should too! Without fear or worry!

So he cleaned, fingers reaching into nooks and crannies, under the lips of counter and bottoms of tables, deep in the back of cabinets. No place was spared or left untouched. Sure it may have looked weird looking so OCD to be cleaning everything top to bottom but he needed to know how bad it was.

Serena had her hands full with the staterooms and he kept Gill and Haddie confined to the cargo bay taking care of puppies and Drogs. Busy hands kept them all out of trouble. Which was why he really didn’t suspect them of any wrongdoing regarding the bugs. But he kept them out of the way while he ‘cleaned’ the hot spots.

It wasn’t the most glorious of work but it had to be done and Vas did so with single-minded focus. However, there were only two places over the course of four days he did not or rather could not touch. The cockpit and the engine room.

The engine was a no-brainer the hum and noise would drown out any sound a bug might pick up plus bugs never did so well in places like that and if there was one it was a futile effort. Also not really his realm and he had no reason to be poking about there unless there Engineer needed him. Which she never did.

The cockpit he wouldn’t have access to till they landed. Again a futile effort to plant anything there but still worth a check once the bear of a pilot was done hibernating. Vas was just that type. Paranoid and protective but most of all thorough.

Four days of strait cleaning. By the end of it, Vas had mapped out most if not all the locations of there infestation. He sat in his little corner of the cargo bay, not unlike a barn cat, with smoke curling from his black cigarette. Eyes thoughtful, sharp and gears visibly turning in his head. The only thing missing was the idle flick of a tail to complete the image.

The real question Vas was trying to parse out was … What now?
Crude Awakenings

A sleepy hand ground the remaining bits of sleep from the Captain's eyes, the same hand that tried in vain to find a bottle on the stand which wasn't empty. The clink of empty glass as several tipped over made him all the more agitated.*Well, shit.* pinched the bridge of his nose as if that would somehow ward off the pounding headache he was battling. Hair of the dog would have been welcome, almost as welcome as the sound of the adult entertainment he didn't remember leaving on.

“Walls are papah thin. Engine room, lowah deck?”

“No way. I’ve still got creases in my ass from the deck grating last time.”

*Mmmm. Ass creases.*A sleepy eye turned towards the monitor, but he was met with the black mirror of the screen, the gorram thing was off. Perplexed, he squinted his eyes to try and hear better.

“Allow me tah investigate.” It was porn all right, but... from the PA? His eyes snapped open.

"Is that gorram rooster or his over-excitable companion friend broadcasting what I think they're broadcasting?"

“Dorian…” Marisol’s voice groaned.

"Dorian???" He sat up, swinging his feet over the side of his bunk, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Yah quarters,” his voice was a hoarse whisper. “Let’s go there.”

"Who the Rut is Dorian?" The captain asked no one.

“Just a mattress on the deck,” she gasped. “I haven’t rebuilt the bed since Haddie…”

Dorian’s quiet laugh could be heard. “Then it won’t squeak.”

“Good idea.”

There were young 'uns on board, the stabby little girl and drog pups that didn't need be exposed to ... he nodded his head and pursed his lips together, damn that sounded intense. "Later." He told little Keller as he slid a pair of trousers over his boxers. He sniffed a shirt which wasn't too offensive and slipped it on, sliding into a pair of house shoes and his Stetson before climbing up and out the hatch.

“Oh, Riley, Riley, Riley,” the concubine companion chortled. That was definitely Laloyd's voice. “So ‘by the bookl!’ Here’s something you didn’t learn while you were ‘surviving’ the academy, sweetie. There’s a big difference between what they tell you a thing will do, versus what it actually can do. Take Dorian, for instance...well, now I’m sure you won’t, Soo-rry! But don’t worry about the shuttle. I’m only borrowing it. I need to sign off now. It’s a long trip, and I need to save power. I soo enjoyed my time with all of you...especially my Sugarbear. But you know what they say about ‘all good things. Ciao!”

"I don't know what's going on," Keller groused, stumbling into the gallery, near being bowled over by the rooster who high tailed it towards the shuttles. "But somebody best start explaining!"

"I have a ship to fly," Riley retorted, keeping her eyes caged forward. "If you want a sit rep, I'll be on the bridge. Actually, you need a sit rep. Grab some coffee and meet me on the bridge."

"Aye -- Wait! I'm the gorram Captain! I'll call the gorram shots!... It just so happens that I want to grab some coffee, and then I'll meet you on the bridge."
Day 1 Evening - "The Doctor is in"

Devron: *"Should I close the door or do you like an audience?"*

“Let’s leave it open. Then we can talk about building a revolving door.” Dorian stood in the entrance, draped in his full length duster coat and broad brimmed hat. The medical bag hung from his left hand as he stepped into the medbay, casting a severe eye upon the numerous “practitioners.” He casually lifted the vial from which Riley had pulled her painkiller dosage. “Mmmm,” he noted, drawing his head back as if in surprise. “Ah like a woman who foregoes the house brands in favah of tha premium stock.” The bag landed on the counter next to his table. “Tell me, colleague,” Adler cocked an eyebrow as he regarded the pilot. “Care for a second opinion, or are yah takin’ matters inta hand? Either way, yah best get his trousers up. He’ll need a chair in about five minutes."

Catching sight of a pill bottle in the mechanic’s hand, Dorian nudged Thomas’ fingers apart for a closer inspection. “Motrin,” he announced. “Tha practical choice. Mistah Devron,” he said as he strolled toward the back, “Ah owe you an apology.” The hat landed on one hook, next to the coat. Dorian removed his gun belt before turning back toward the others. “When Ah redirected yah for care of that eye, Ah was unaware there’d been some professional turnovah.”

The room was dead silent; the expressions worn by Riley, Devron, and the newcomer all seemed a might…alarmed. “What?” Dorian asked, before glancing downward at his blood spattered shirt. “Oh, that,” he smirked. “House call. As Ah was sayin’,” he continued, “Ah’d like tah repair that damage. Ah also need tah discuss a project with yah while we do. Now then,” Adler flashed a grin at the absurd scene before him, “who’s first?”
Day 1 Evening - Finally supplies

Thomas had just finished cleaning off the work bench. All his tools were in their proper place, the vice was oiled and...

*"Devron! Merry Goram Christmas! Got everything on your list," she called, "Including your Heat Exchangers.*"

Thomas jumped up and ran into the cargo bay. looking at the Mule, he say everything he needed and wanted. Now he can do some proper work.

"Very nicely done. Now I can get to work on the number 2 engine. With all the luck possible, I should have it up and running within 36 hours. I will let you know if there are any delays."

Immediately, he took all the small parts and components into the engine room and put them away in their proper place. He knew he would be using them but, they still needed to be put away until he did. The 2 exchangers he brought into the engine room and started to attach the first one to the engine. This would be the longest and hardest part of the rebuild so he wanted to get them done first. Hopefully, he would have the first one done before he retired for the evening to get some sleep. Things were starting to look up for this old tub.
About That Revolving Door...

Lyen’s embrace came as a surprise, and he gladly returned the gesture. “Ah’ll remembah what yah did fah me,” Dorian whispered in the closeness of the moment. As they withdrew to arm’s length, he smiled, “and so will tha surgeons. They were all quite impressed with …”

The rude squeal of the intercom turned all heads in the galley. *“Paging Doctor Adler. Level 10 Code Platinum in the infirmary. I bumped my head severely, Doc.”*

Dorian tilted his head as the broadness of his smile downplayed to the more professional mask. “Duty calls,” he shrugged, before tapping the intercom. “Adler here. On mah way.”

Marisol had returned, carrying the unlikely butchering tools. “As a medic,” he smirked, “Ah don’t think Ah could bear tah watch whatcha ‘bout tah do.”

“You’ll eat those words,” she offered a wry smile.

“Sistah,” he turned once again toward Lyen, “Ah would enjoy further conversation at a time when this boat settles down. Until then,” he concluded with a proper nod. *But that is the question,*, a notion which amused the medic as he took the steps down. *Does this boat ever settle down?*

“Miss Jacy, now what…oww,” Dorian reacted to the sight of the Companion. The exam table was still in it’s “treatment chair” configuration. Jacy had hopped up, and was seated regally as Vas hovered about. The young woman sported a fairly conspicuous knot to her forehead, its’ size exaggerated by the disturbance to her hairline. “First thing’s first,” he produced a cold pack from the freezer. “Kindly tell me how this happened?” He folded his arms, nodding as he listened to her account.

“Yah said yah were knocked out?,” he observed. “Are we talkin’ just knocked senseless fah a moment, or were yah unconscious? Any idea how long?” He went for the little wireless contacts as Jacy and Vas offered their opinions. “Ah want tah get some vital signs,” he said, before explaining where he’d be attaching the tiny sensors. “While it’s most likely that there’s no real harm done, it won’t hurt tah have a good look.”
"A Picture is Worth..."

“The ship wins, hands down,” Adler responded to the doctor. “So long as it’s got worklights and a treatment chair. But before we go about spending the Captain’s money on unnecessary supplies, I’d suggest a quick pass or two with your sonogram...right now, please.”

He really didn’t wish to be too specific in front of either his patient, the nervous teenager, or the captain, for that matter. While terms like “anti-inflammatories” and “local anesthetic” might pass in their conversation with little notice, the moment he said “cadaver” in relation to needing potential bone for grafting would suddenly invite a whole new set of *wu yìyì de kongju fanmai*. Considering at least two of the young woman’s maxillary teeth had been forced out sideways, there’d be some significant grafting to occur.

After closing his bag, the dentist regarded the teenager.

“Excuse me, young man,” he said. “My name is Dorian. Your friend here could use a new compress. Please have the bartender wrap a fresh towel full of ice.”

He then bent toward his newest patient. She’d done as he requested, her head tilted to one side, wounds soaking in the filmy alcohol mixture. Dorian smiled as he caught her eye. “How’s the pain? Tolerable? The doctor’s gonna run a quick scan to get us a picture. Then your friends here will take you back to the ship. After the doctor and I stop to pick up some medical supplies, I’ll get started fixing your teeth. *Dohn ma*?” he asked gently.
Can You Keep A Secret?

Jacy knew Vas was pushing her chair because she’d seen him take hold of the handles to wheel her down the Veil’s access ramp. After that she never could get her eyes on him. She twisted and turned in her seat, but everytime she looked right he darted left and when she looked over her left shoulder he was ducking and dodging to the right. Either he thought she was in need of some hijinks to lift her spirits (she was not) or he was trying to remain unseen by those on the street at large. She finally gave up, all the moving was making her jaw hurt. She threw a dirty look Aello’s way, but regretted the pettiness of it right away. At least Aello hadn’t seen. It had been Jacy who fell on Aello, not the other way around. But holding out a spear and bracing it for impact then blaming the other party for impaling themselves on its tip seemed a bit disingenuous.

The last twelve hours had been eventful; most of those events transpiring entirely within the confines of Jacy’s mind. She tried to chalk it up to an out of control imagination, but that was an understatement. It was more like being dragged along for a ride through someone else's imagination; someone who envisioned some seriously twisted shit. She vaguely recalled defending herself with a poorly placed headbutt; she tried not to recall what she’d been defending herself against. Her entire face felt like she’d collided with a Mag-train, but she’d yet to see the damage for herself. Not for lack of trying, but Aello had shown some of her bedside manner by removing the mirror from Jacy’s hand at the last moment, telling her there was no need to see what would soon be fixed and restored. Soon couldn’t get here soon enough.

Jacy laid a gentle hand on Keller’s to indicate she could speak for herself, yet that stood to be seen. She pulled the compress away from her face and beckoned Dorian closer so she could whisper to him directly. She tried to move her jaw and lips and tongue as little as possible so she could not know for sure how much of it came out intelligibly, but what she said was, “I can pay you in Alliance credits or the Captain will pay you less in coin. He does not know who I am before we met.”

She moved away from his ear and pleaded with her eyes as only she could. Then she opened her mouth to his inspection as tears slowly ran down her cheek.
Bullet or Noose - POST RAID (Day 2 Early Morning, Alliance Cruiser)

She had no idea how many hours might’ve passed.

The room was lifeless grey, its’ nondescript furnishings and color intended to draw her attention toward either her own reflection in the wall sized two way mirror, or the person who would eventually occupy the chair at the table’s opposite edge. The rigid positioning of her chair before the table was obviously meant to accommodate Alliance visions of *the usual suspects,* not a diminutive Spanic woman. Ere go, the eye bolt which bound her cuffs would not permit her to rest her back against the chair. As if the mere act of being in this place wouldn’t suffice, Marisol was compelled to sit on the edge of her seat.

Her bootlaces were now among the missing, and most painful, the silver lion earrings given her by Lyen just the night before.

*How cruel,* Marisol thought of a life that perpetually gave one, before taking two in return. She’d gone to her bunk, obedient of Dorian’s order to get proper rest, when all she wished to do was to slip into Lyen’s room. Sleep hadn’t come easily, such was her excitement at the emotion they’d shared, the sweet affirmation of Lyen’s kiss. Marisol closed her eyes upon a world that suddenly seemed that much kinder, and a future shared.

Now, it all came crashing down. Though of course, Marisol couldn’t yet be certain as to just what the Alliance had on her, she wasn’t so naïve to think that they hadn’t put two and two together. She knew her past. She’d heeded Dorian’s warnings on Beaumonde. With luck, her children were free and clear…the skillful refiling, nicknamed ‘Plan D,’ would hopefully pass the hasty examination of Alliance auditors in their zeal to pinpoint her military and postwar partisanship efforts.

However, if those doings were what they had taken her in for, she knew too well the Alliance penalty. She could only hope they’d be kind enough to offer her the choice of the noose, or the firing squad.

*You’re getting ahead of yourself, girl,* she chided herself. *For all you know, this could be about a shuttle full of stolen meat.* Marisol allowed herself that one bolstering hope, before the door to her interrogation room opened.
Caught with your box up

"Dimitri!" The Captain called out. "What's with the box? Set it down and get in here, we got something to talk about. We're being followed, and I think someone on this ship knows why."

Dimitri had heard his name once but the second time he could not ignore. He turned and heaved the crate into the room and put a foot to rest on jt, leaning forward.
"Da, captain, is it?"
He looked between Riley and seemingly the owner of t
Bye Bye Valentine

The Captain removed his hat, and Riley stood in a relaxed stance as the coffin was loaded aboard. Both sets of eyes darted back and forth watching the activity, the new engineer having had Dorian sign the paperwork, Keller had a knack for disappearing and reappearing in instances which often helped prevent him signing for anything.

The supplies Vas procured were stored away, the crew - or what was left of them - would be happy at least that it would be actual food as well as protein pastes and bars due to the length of the trip. Keller spared no expense on food - that is - the food that the Drog-Kyri were to eat.

"We all on board?"

"Aye Sir. Dillon, Deveron and Dimitri won't be joining us, they'll be remaining on Valentine. "

"3D's, huh? Remind me again...."

"Sick boy with the drama, the fighting mechanic who picked one with the wrong pilot, and the big Russian."

"The guy with the piss jars?"

"Aye, Sir."

"Aww. I liked him. Made shit interestin'."

"No you didn't."

"No, I didn't," he relented and agreed.

Once the morticians had de-boarded, the pilot and Captain nodded silently to each other, one climbing up to the bridge, the other picking up the hand mic in the galley.

"Ladies and genltemen, this is your Captain Speaking..."

"Cactus 4141, requesting launch permission from Bay 27."

"We'd like to welcome you aboard the Lunar Veil. We'll be taking off here in just a few moments, so we ask that you prepare yourself for launch. This will be a ruttin' long space tour, but we will be stopping to refuel in about a week's time. "

"Copy Cactus 4141, you are clear for take off. "

"We'll be updating you on the conditions of New Kasmir as we get closer, but prepare yourselves for the words cold and as and rut to be used. I'd like to remind passengers and crew alike that the Drog-Kyri are not to be disturbed, taunted, or stressed in any manner during our journey. They are important gusts aboard our ship. Also, we ask that you be mindful of -- RILEY! WHAT'S THE WIDOW'S NAME?"

"MS. SCHNABEL, SIR."

"MS. OR MRS?"

"HER HUSBAND JUST DIED! MS. IS A SAFER BET. ALSO, THE COM IS ON! THE WHOLE SHIP CAN HEAR YOU." The captain released the mic button.

"NEXT TIME LEAD WITH THAT!" He hollered. Cueing the mic back up, he cleared his throat. "Sorry folks, we ask you to be mindful of Ms. Schnabel, who lost her dear husband recently, and she's not to be disturbed. Any questions, kindly see Lt. Thorne on the bridge. We'll be having a light supper of sandwiches this evening, an announcement will be made and all are welcome to join the crew in the galley. Please enjoy the journey, and crew - let's make this memorable."
Day 2, almost gone: Spectacle

Oh... So that's what it was about. Great. Now it was everybody's business.

He sighed, losing the composure he'd managed to regain in the last few hours or so. Suddenly, he felt all... Insecure in an almost childish way. He would answer though. He wanted whatever was about to happen over with. "I..." He tried to put it into words without taking too long. "Not much... I'd... I'd like to want to live, but..." he trailed off. "I'm willing to wait for a good enough reason to want to live to come, but I don't know how long I'm willing to hold out for it. I... Don't really care if something happens to me before I find a reason. I just... I know if it's anywhere, it's not back home."

"What... What did you hear, exactly?" He added, wondering if any details he hadn't included anywhere himself had somehow popped into existence.
Gao Ghun

Gill crawled back through the access ports. He had jammed the internal release of the hatch and crosswired it with the lighting loop meaning that if the hatch were forced it would trip the fuse and plunge the cargo bay and engine room into darkness. It would buy them some thinking time.

He found Haddie where he had left her, she was holding a small silver lighter from the verse knows where and was staring intently at something in the opposite duct.

"What's up?" He asked and pointed toward a silver crate fastened with leather straps.

"Looks like we got us some buried treasure." He said with a grin.

They crawled over to the container and Gill set about opening up the straps. Haddie peered over his shoulder holding up the lighter as they opened it up.

"Gao Ghun." Gill exclaimed, his eyes wide.

Muffled voices and footsteps sounded from above and Gill grabbed the boxes contents and gave it to Haddie. He then closed the box and they shuffled back into the air duct. The voices grew quiet and Gill reached over and doused the lighter his sister was holding just in case.
Day 1 Afternoon - If there ever was a time

Dimitri palmed the pill into the I'll fated feds mouth and made sure it's job was done before turning to the rest. He has been quiet for quite some time. He had not realized the fed had a tracker, he simply meant to move him from one place to another.
But that didn't matter.

"Captain, and uh, lady who falls on injured fed in box, I have something I need to say."

He looked ill as he uttered those seldom words. "I am sorry."
He stared at the ground. "I am a stupid mother facker, and I did not intend to endanger your crew." He glanced at the two of them then at the fed before returning his gaze to the ground.

"It is all my fault."
Everfull Shuriken Pouch

**Price** 10,350 gp Masterwork; **Slot** none; **CL** 5th; **Weight** 2 lbs.; **Aura** faint conjuration

DESCRIPTION

This pale leather pouch has a clasp that can be attached to a belt or bandolier or worn directly on an article of clothing without risk of falling off. No matter where it is worn, however, its effects can only be used by one of the wearer’s hands. The wearer can reach into the pouch to draw a masterwork shuriken as normal. As ammunition, the user can draw as many masterwork shuriken per round as he has attacks. The user can’t draw shuriken for off-hand attacks, however, unless he has a second everfull shuriken pouch for that hand. The pouch always feels as if it has a handful of shuriken in it, and if opened and counted, it seems to be about a dozen. However, the shifting and moving of the shuriken in the pouch make it hard to be sure. Shuriken taken from the pouch disappear after one round.

The pouch is treated as a masterwork projectile weapon for purposes of casting spells, and the shuriken drawn from the pouch take on the effect of the spell bestowed.

CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

**Cost** 5175 gp; **Feats** Craft Wondrous Item; **Spells** *Abundant Ammunition*
Intruders

“So any idea what caused it?” The captain asked while putting his feet up against the pilot's dash. She quickly swiped at his boots, knocking his legs away from resting atop the controls. Keller took the hint and sat up straighter in the pilot seat.

"No." Riley replied curtly. "Not until engineering gives a full report."

"You think that last mechanic did anything?" He held up his fists in a boxing gesture to show who he meant.

"I don't believe anyone on this Gorram ship does anything, ever," Slackers. "But no, not the guy who we hid from the alliance, who told us the story about how his wife died on a ship because of carelessness."

"You and he did get into a little bit of an altercation."

"He was being insubordinate. I sent him packing, he likey wasn't doing as good a job as he bragged."

"I'm just saying he picked a fight with you?"

"I believe I picked the fight. He was overstepping, I advised I wouldn't put up with that shit. Is there something you needed? Shouldn't you be helping the crew, smooching passenger ass, something?" She snapped.

"Probably." He said, not moving from where he sat. Taking off his cowboy hat, he fanned himself with it, missing the climate control already. "Stuffy in here, no?"

"I'll crack a window," she offered dryly. "Why don't you go do Captain shit, and I'll stay up here and do pilot shit, and I'll give you a full report once I have one." Seeing the look he gave her she rolled her eyes. "In 150 words or less." The captain made a face, but had yet to move. Riley's patience had come to a middle.

"Get off my bridge!"

"Technically that rule only is enforced while we're in flight, and as we're not currently in --" Riley looked around for something to throw, and the captain chuckled. "All right, all right, I'll go do my Captain shit, lieutenant." He said with a mock salute, standing up. "Full report when you have it. 140 words or less.."

Leo didn't mind the current situation. With other passengers filing out of the shuttle with the drogs, and the ruffian off cleaning drog shit or whatever else he was tasked with on board, it gave him his first opportunity to speak with the companion.

"It was hospitable for you to host us," he offered up, folding his arms behind him as he leaned against the shuttle's door frame. "Truly more comfortable than the medical bay. Myself, I was thinking of having a drink to help settle down after all this -- craziness. I don't suppose you'd want to join me?"
Getting Worked Over

“Oh yes, Mistress Lucretia and her staff know just where to poke a man to make him squeal. Is there anything more beautiful than a willing partner tied to a chair while they’re worked over by an impassioned playmate? I’ve watched them at it a time or two. But you know all about Mistress Lucretia and her administrations so it’s curious that you would be so jumpy to check your face for signs of abuse. Perhaps you feared they upgraded the bundle you signed on for? They certainly did a number on your arm.” And Jacy pointed to the bicep Dorian had exposed while administering his injection.

“We like each other; do we not? If you trust me and we establish a safe word in advance, I’d enjoy the opportunity to cultivate my own technique. Who knows, I might even learn a few of your most intimate secrets in the process. An occupational hazard for us both, but it could come in handy down the road.”
Headlights

Vas turned scarlet just from the sudden closeness and sudden the brush of her lips on his ear. The words made him turn redder and blink in disbelief he was like a deer in headlights. He was totally frozen and at her mercy.

Right, surrounded by ninjas in his undies with a pocket knife; cool as a cucumber and ready for action. Jacy so much as leaning in and giving him a wink … everything went into panic mode. He sometimes had no idea what the attraction was. Vas didn’t know why his priorities were so messed up.

Vas couldn’t help but yelp loudly at the firm squeeze. It left the boy speechless as she skipped away. Dillon followed after to see if the doc needed his help. The boy couldn’t help but watch a mix of shock and awe and Jacy and Dillon trounced off and looked to the passenger as if to say. ‘Did that really just happen or did I go a little insane?’

Oh. He needed the advice of an expert and he knew just the man …
Didn't Know There Was a Floor Show on This Boat...

Jacy: *“Thanks again, Dorian.”*

“Mah pleasure, darlin’,” he drawled, lifting his glass in salute of the young woman as she made her way to her bunk. The whiskey was just beginning to make its’ welcome arrival into his system…at precisely the moment Vas was cracking wise. “Rule him out,” the dentist thought of the assembled crew and just who among this lot deserved more than a harshly worded wave, let alone the trouble of a full out pursuit.

He’d already ruled himself out as well. The game he’d taken up in the aftermath of the now famous Miranda Broadwave was always played in discretion. No one would consider removing his piece from the board until he popped up in a location which might have suitable assets to handle the job. The Nguyen brothers’ sudden departure was much more likely to influence the next moves. For the time being, he considered himself “of no official interest,” and therefore, free to delight in the bizarre little show now taking place.

Dimitri: *"I only bring one trouble, and it is box. I get rid of box if you want. But fair warning, it reaks in there and you may not like what you see, captain."*

Keller: *"What in the hell...Is that.... You dumb sonuvabitch did you go an' kidnap someone and bring them on MY ship? In a crate? Fuck. Is it a girl? Did you kidnap yerself a wife…Open it. "*

*“Oh, this is just too good,”* Adler smiled to himself as he took to his feet for a better view. *“Come to think of it, another drink would suit just right,”* he mused.
Day 1 evening - further explanation

He sighed. The smile went away. "I won't give you much, but I'll give you this: It's... Complicated, to say the least.... It's not like I killed anyone, I didn't break any laws, it's just... Quite a bit of drama happened all at once. Long story short, I don't want to be found right now. Maybe I'll run back with my tail tucked between my legs eventually, but right now, I just need away from it. This is the last place anyone would look for me, and it's hardly a place, considering it moves around constantly.

"I know I'm not up for much physically, but I'm stable enough to get by. I can pull at least my own weight. There shouldn't be any sudden emergencies. If anything happens... Well, I came to terms with dying a long time ago."
Jacy's Got an Iron Stick

Jacy followed along behind Vas dutifully waiting to see if the downed goons would stay down. They would not. So she systematically whacked both stunned goon in the head with her crowbar once they'd retained their feet. The careful application of force seemed to do the trick and soon they were all getting along swimmingly with the exception of a fifth and sixth Sun-on-Yee (Vas' third & fourth) who Vas was now offering to let go. That didn't sound like smart business to Jacy, but Captain had commandeered her sidearm and she was no crowbar throwing lumberjack which meant she couldn't strike the gang members from a distance.

So she waved at them instead and literally beckoned the pair over with her free hand. All behind Vas' back.
Day 1 Evening - Agenda?

“Wong Dahn aren’t we a fine bunch.” Vas laughed at the absurdity of it all. It was kind of funny. All three either with no ID, hiding or running from something or … well … there could be tons of reasons. Vas wasn’t the type to pry being of the I’ll mind yours if you mind yours … unless your comes along and bites me.

“Right so my agenda is as follows …” Vas said walking to the cargo bay while explaining it to Dillion since Jacy already got the rundown. “ … get a new lighter, germ or cig, find some flowers … roses if I can get ‘em …” He explained as he walked through the cargo bay and out the bay door. “ … then Buddha willing fined my Ma’s grave and pay my respects. Maybe haunt my old stomping grounds after.”

“What are you guys looking for?” He asked the pair as they walked out into the cool air and bustle of the port city of Santo. Just so he could plan a proper route.

Translation

Wong Dahn
Done for or imminent doom, literally “ﬁnished (cooked) egg.”
Four corners

Dimitri deadeyed everyone around him for a few breif moments before slamming the box shut but not locking it.
"It is simple dilemma. We have a ship behind us for some reason, unknown to me, and we have our friend here."
He took a pause to kick the crate heavily
"And you are all smugglers, no? Then we hide the fed, then get rid of him in some capacity. Then I bake."
He smiled broadly at the conclusion of the plan and glanced about for approval, his gaze resting on Keller
Dog Duty

Gill set about medicating the dogs while Haddie looked after the mum and pups. After a few sniffs mummy drog had deemed Haddie safe to approach. Either sensing a kindred spirit or a possessing terrible judge of character. Gill could not quite decide.

The dogs were lapping up their water and Gill set about fussing them. He turned to look over to Doc feeling easier in the man's company after their little chat, manufactured though it had been.

"My Pa used to say that the average dog is a nicer person than the average person." He ruffled the ear of the nearest drog which released a low growl of pleasure.
Day 1 Afternoon - An offer I can't refuse

*"You kidnapped this man and put him in a box, yourself, no one on my crew said"hey, hey you, kidnap this guy. Against my better judgement I'm going to let you back on my ship, but you get rid of anything and everything that could hurt anyone on my crew. You do what I say, when I say. We need a little muscle to back us up. Do you think you can provide that? If yes? Then you're welcome to stay on my ship. If you don't like any of these terms or conditions, we part ways. But right now? I say we get the hell out of this bar 'fore this fed wakes up and starts asking questions ain't none of us wants to answer."*

"Now that's an offer I very well can't refuse." Dimitri stepped from the bar and stretched,
"I have a few things I intend to obtain in this port but no need to worry, I'll keep my nose clean..."

"I worry. You haven't earned my trust back yet, so you aren't going anywhere by yourself." Captain Keller snapped back. "Take the arm candy with you and don't be gone long. We've got work to do."

Dimitri was led outside by Jacy, and they stopped near the door long enough to look around at the bleak landscape of Santo.

'It looks bluer from above..... I wonder why I never look at the sky anymore. I get tired of glancing over my shoulder, but I guess I do it to myself really. Blin, I'm the only reason why I'm not back home right now, with my family, my babushka. But I chose this.' - Dimitri thought to himself.
I am Dimitri

"I am dimitri. I have many talents,"
He sat on the bed, puffing his pipe, as he surveyed his creation.
"I dabble in baking, I fancy myself a salesmen."
He rummaged through a bag and set aside a termite cluster that looked oddly like a form of cake with a cherry red indicator in the middle.
"I have some other skills, a rather particular set, but I prefer to handle things in a... Different way."
He paused as he squinted at the jumble of circuitry, wires, and metal.
He pulled out a small mask to his face as he pushed the soldering gun into a particular portion of the mess.

He looked at the boy
"what is it that you do, friend, if I may ask?"
Fermentation

Dimitri slipped into the cargo hold. He didn't bother to check for people,
'why, I might make eye contact with one'

He fumbled about searching for it but eventually found it. Sure enough it was rather near to where the mule had been when he first borded. After a brief bit of rummaging he finally managed to find a simple black crate with a cherry on the side, and he slid it out from it's place on top of the other crates. He popped the top and slid the tablet onto the top of the mess of wires and screens. So many mechanisms, normal now, but turn them on, and they'll make a grown man shit himself.
He chortled at the thought as he secured the lid and placed the crate back. One last check to make sure things were ok, and he was off to the kitchen.

He cracked his neck and muttered some lyrics under his breath.
'does this place have music? Blyat I should get some, next month.'

He nodded his head to a silent pumping beat as he sanitized his hands and washed his jars.
Hermetically sealed or not, the slightest fuck up and there will be no kvas.

He pulled a medium sized pot from the ships stores and set it next to the sink. He located the pitcher and filled it til he had 1.5 liters, then set it to boil.

"This is how we live,
Raz, dva, tri,
Red roubles what you have to give,
Nothing is for free,
Don't need a big expensive car,
I'll ride a fucking bike
Red roubles and some semechki
Exactly what i like"
He took two slices of extremely black bread from the lot he bought and tossed them into the toaster and set it to nine. Faint smoke filled the room as it cooked.
In the meantime he washed his raisins and double checked the jars to be safe. This is easy part after all.
The toaster sprang open, revealing toast blacker than fucking vacuum.
Dimitri pushed the pot off the burner and scooped up the raisins in one hand. With the other he snatched the burnt black toast, dropping them into the pot. quickly, Dimitri sliced up his lemon and plunked it after the bread and raisins, rind and all.

"Blood is pumping mama's kvass
Big red roubles - eto klass
No fast Lada in garage
Just my devochki and bass
From Zero to pizdez i go in half a second flat
Because in Soviet Russia
Hardbass play you, Blyataced the lid and sat back."

He placed the lid on the boiling mixture and brought a chair around to sit.
3 hours to go.
"Fuck what am I going to do now??"
Everyone Leaves

Haddie returned to find Gill in their new situation. It was a nice space, as nice a space as you could expect to get on a ship like this, but it was temporary. She had heard the adults talking about Gills injuries and was glad they had enough compassion to spare him the ladder climb to the deck below this side of recovery. Gill looked up as she entered and waved her over. There was a plate of food on the side and a small flask of water. She tucked in greedily.

"They seem like good people." Gill said as he watched her eat. His left eye was all puffed up from where one of the men had hit him and his lip had been split. She gave a nod of agreement.

"Sounds like we are going to Santo next." Gill continued and that got her attention. Santo had been the last place their parents had stopped before heading out into the black for the last time. They knew people on Santo... she was trying to decide if that were a good or bad thing. She remembered sitting near the aft port hole watching the blue grey planet disappear into the night.

As she sat there she spotted a tin mirror propped up on a nearby counter and scrambled over to take a look at it. She cocked her head sideways judging whether it would fit into her satchel.

"It's too big." Gill called over as if reading her mind. She turned and bobbed her tongue out before sharing a smile with her brother.

Looking at her reflection she frowned at the mess of flame red hair that framed her tiny face. Looking at it made her think of brushes and the pain of pulling out tangles. Her mother... she screwed up her nose and drove that thought away. She reached up and tapped the red glass over her bad eye. Carefully she removed the patch and stroked her fingers over the lid and around the eye socket. It was soothing and she breathed a sigh of relief. She could not see out of the bad eye, it was milky white and dead, but the light did hurt it. That was why she wore the patch. The alliance doctor had called it chemical damage and told her the glass on the patch would filter out the light that hurt her eye. He had been nice, but he was gone now. Everyone went eventually, everyone leaves. Except for Gill.

She placed the patch back where it belonged and returned to Gill to finish her meal.
Dear Diary

Dear diary,

I think my sister might be possessed. She hasn’t spoken since our parents died and sometimes she gets a far away look in her eye that scares me. She is always getting us into gorram trouble stealing things and stabbing people. I’m pretty sure that most nine year olds haven’t stabbed half so many people. I hadn’t stabbed anyone when I was nine. I know I chopped old Joes hand off but that was an emergency and it was Haddie that gave it to the dog. I still have nightmares remembering the crunching sound.

I wonder if Sister Lyen could perform an exorcism or something. I’m not sure if Buddhists or what ever she is do exorcisms but if they do then that would be great. I should ask her. Lyen is really nice. She has pretty eyes. Not as pretty as Serena though. She is perfect. We haven’t really had chance to speak yet, what with my wolf bite and all that trouble with the Roost. She’s been helping take care of me and I think... never mind. She talks a lot to everyone else, and I mean a lot.

I wonder if she likes me? I would ask Vas about it. He’d know what to do. He’s so cool and tough. I can’t believe Jacy dumped him. He’s been in real grump since then. I think the power has gone to his head a bit now he’s in charge and everything. He used to be a laugh. Perhaps if he gets a new girlfriend he’ll be nice again. I wonder if he would like Marisol? Shes old but Vas is nearly old and he can’t really be too fussy living on a ship like we do.

Not sure how I feel about Marisol being back. She did threaten to shoot me after all, but then Haddie seems to like her now for some reason. That’s something. One less person to worry about My sister stabbing in their sleep. One thing is for sure the ship runs better with Marisol on it.

Perhaps I should ask Dorian about Serena. All the women are gooey over the Doc and he has been real nice fixing me up and lending me his bunk. He’s even offered to help fix Haddie. Still can’t believe she laughed out loud. I would have loved to have heard that!

I’m a bit worried about my thing. It’s got bigger again and I’m a little worried about what will happen if it doesn’t stop. It’s getting real embarrassing. The Doc says it’s normal just like the muscles in my arms and legs getting stronger, but it don’t feel normal at all.

Can’t wait to get my leg sorted, I’m sooo bored.

Gill
I hope you have stronger drugs than that in your big black bag.

She’d experienced dread and severe anxiety a handful of times in her life, but the anticipation rarely materialized into anything as bad as she’d feared. The last major medical surgery she’d required was as a child when her ankles went to shit. Today she had suffered another major setback and it was worse than she’d feared. The gambler dentist had a pleasant demeanor, but that did little to make his words more palatable. He called for Mudder’s Milk and warned her not to swallow it which was completely unnecessary. Jacy had been born on Londinium; as core a planet as you could get and they didn’t drink Mudder’s Milk. They didn’t brew Mudder’s Milk. They didn’t like Mudder’s Milk. Still, Jacy was not about to resist any efforts aimed at lessening the pain in her jaw which had been increasing ever since she woke up.

She sat there like a fortunate invalid, trying not to drool the Mudder’s Milk all over herself while the others discussed the logistics of performing surgery onboard the Veil. Jacy was familiar with that infirmary; it was small and didn’t take much time to take it all in. It almost felt preferable to do the surgery anywhere other than the Veil. Maybe their medic would weigh in favorably, but somehow Jacy couldn’t count on that.