recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Currency

Simplest way to ﬁgure the worth of your credits or coins is to relate it to money you’re most like to understand. It’s useful not only to get a “feel” for how much your latest haul is worth, but also in determining the value of gear that’s not found in this chapter. (More on that later.) First, understand that one standard credit authorized and used by the Alliance relates to roughly $100 U.S. dollars on EarthThat-Was. Then take a gander at how credits and platinum coins equal out. For those who like their cash to make a pleasant jingling sound, look over the below chart for the rates of hard cash as they relate to credits and the ancient dollar—though I wouldn’t bet your ship on these rates being near a sure thing.

**Currency**

 ₡ 0.25

**Cash Equivalents**

 Gold

## Economics Of The 'Verse

The central planets—them as formed the Alliance—have a complex and sophisticated economic system. Financial institutions such as banks hold the money for their customers in interest-bearing accounts, investing it at the exchanges on Sihnon and Londinum. Most money transfer in the Core is done by computer, with data bytes and pixels replacing cold, hard cash. Currency exists in the Core, to be sure, in standard paper notes issued by the Alliance. The notes are printed on special paper by fancy printing systems to discourage counterfeiters. Tracers on each bill allow the money to be tracked as it moves about. Paper bills and credit transfer are the only legal tender on Core planets, and those with gold or platinum coins must go to a licensed money changer. Purchasing goods with “hard coin” is illegal and untraceable, which is why it’s preferred by black market merchants everywhere. The Border planets, lacking the fancy trappings of “civilized” life, rely on precious metal coinage. While different planets have different standards and mint coins in different ways, some basic standards have developed. The coins most often used are made from set weights of silver, gold, and platinum. ‘Course, coins aren’t the only things used for business dealings. Barter is common practice, especially in transactions in which both sides have something besides cash to offer. While simpler,  this economic system can also make prices and wages somewhat more ﬂuid out on the Rim, as there aren’t Cortexaccessible exchange rates to fall back on, thus making haggling an important skill to master. Debt is tracked with a signed I.O.U., and often collected at the end of a gun barrel.
Day 1 Afternoon - An offer

Henry had planned on this and this was the riskiest part of the plan. He couldn’t have her taking him to any religious figure on Santos affiliated with any Shepherds of any kind.

“If it’s all the same to you, mi-,” and he caught himself, “I mean lieutenant, I was hoping to get off planet. You see, I was raised in the abbey as an orphan and unbeknownst to me until just recently, I actually don’t ‘owe’ the abbey anything. All I’ve ever heard my whole life was that I had a debt I had to work off. Well, after thirty years of serving the abbey I was told I had thirty more until the debt was cleared. I’m 38 and can’t do another 30 there. While I know the last few hours have been fairly,” and he groaned a bit to adjust his seated position to re-emphasize his injury, “painful, I have to believe there’s a grander world out there full of some sort of goodness. You for instance… I laid in that alley all night and today until you found me. You were my Samaritan as it were. So if its all the same to you… if you’re part of a crew that will be leaving Santos, I’d like to depart with you. I can pay…,” he said and he reached into his shirt and pulled out a coin purse. He dumped the content onto the seat next to him. It was a small fortune (let’s say enough to buy one of those heat exchangers).

“I was given one day off each week and every week, week in and week out, I offered my services out as a day laborer taking whatever pay they offered. I can read and count, but I’ve no idea what this amount is worth. The head of the abbey forbade my formal education. Would it be enough buy passage off planet? And if not, and if you are need of parts for your ship – I have to assume that’s why you have this heftier cargo vehicle – I do know a good man who sells quality supplies for ships of all types. Perhaps I could help negotiate a good price on anything you need to make up the difference?”
Comfortably Numb

*Vas crunched on his protein bar cocking an eyebrow. “Dunno … they hiring?” Vas said with a boyish smile. He wasn’t picky; work was work after all. Besides even if they weren’t, Persephone would be a good place to find it. Vas wasn’t going to question the ‘falling’ onto a drug, it was a shitty situation so shenanigans were bound to happen.*

Aello pondered the thought for a moment then spoke up.

Aello: Even if they were....... I think we botched the interview. Considering its my fault this girl is high and I heard you had a Mexican stand off in the cockpit. I doubt we are their best choice for crew staff. Besides.............

Aello was then interrupted by Riley as she came in. Hoping to keep things peaceful she tried and introduction.

*There were two new faces in the medbay where Jacy lay looking worse for wear. New people.*

*"I am..." Aello said, standing up. Riley held up her hand.*

*"Don't care. Let's go." she said, gesturing with her hand. "Out, both of you. She needs rest. I need to fly this bird, and I ain't gonna be able to concentrate on that if you're down here with the opportunity to gank Loyd. I'll find a place for you both."*

Aello nodded as she stood up hoping she would get something resembling a bed to sleep in for a change. It had been a while since she slept thru the night since she was corrupted by the Alliance. She was almost comfortably numb inside as she complied knowing talk with this woman was pointless. Stubborn people were usually fixed in their ways till a life changing event forced them to change.

*Vas cleared his throat holding up his hand to show the new person he was still bound hand a foot. He really didn’t want to be hopping around the ship! Not that he could have busted out of the zip ties but there was no need to show off like that.*

Aello then remembered Vas was still bound on the floor.

Aello: So do I put him in a wheelchair and roll him out or cut his ties?
Day 1: Late Evening - The Pain of Knowing

Vas lumbered to his bunk, boots nearly scuffing the floor as the chatter of the dining area fading to a faraway place. Tucking his worn boots under his bed he laid down with a weary sigh blowing out a plume of smoke before smashing the cigarette in the ashtray and put what little worldly possessions he had on what could pass as a nightstand. Cigarettes, lighter and what little cash he had left.

She knew it was him. That wasn’t even in question. He felt it, the coldness from her, it been starling to him. He had thought it would have been different.

*She would hug him fiercely. Cool fingers brushing across his features, his mother seeing the child she lost so long ago. “I thought you died.” She would say the barest tremble in her voice.*

*“I’m sorry.” Imani said crisply cutting Vas short.*

The hope and image he had built around her fractured.

He would have lied. He wouldn’t have told her what really happened. He was just another war orphan at some temple on some lonely dusty planet at the edge of the galaxy, far away from the worst of the war that separated them. Nothing awful in that. Same thing he told Jacy.

*“You are here now.” She would have assured him. “We have all the time in the ‘verse now.” She would say pressing a soft cheek to his battle-worn hand. She would think him an honest boy whose hands worked for a living, not soak in blood and roughed in war*.

*“But you're mistaken.” She said.*

He hadn’t been.

She hadn’t looked at him. He mourned her for so long and kept her alive in his head, a warm memory reminding him he was human still and she … she hadn’t. Did she discard him when she had been saved from the bloody mud on Santo? Did she wonder what happened? Did she ever think what could have been?

No. He doubted she did.

She had, secretly or maybe not, been relived. He could almost see that relief shatter when she had paused for the long moment.

*“My son.” She would hum warmly. There would have been a joy in saying that again. Not sorrow. He had brought light back in her life she thought forever lost. “I love you so.”*

*“I never had a son.”*

She did. He had been standing right there.

Vas would have brimmed with a joy he hadn’t felt since he had been taken from Santo. Love. Real unconditional love. Someone in the cold ‘verse to forgive him, to love him and remind him he wasn’t alone and…

*… his heart ached …*

…and…

*… his heart broke …*

…and…

*“I never had a son.”*

That dream withered and died. For nothing other than wanting to see her. Vas took in a ragged breath.

*She didn’t love him.*

He wiped away the forming tears and rolled to his side.

*She didn’t want him.*

He closed his eyes. Still feeling the weight in his chest.

~“Réncí de fú qǐng dài wǒ líkāi, Bǎ wǒ dài zǒu, bì shàng wǒ de xīn … Ràng wǒ chéngwéi yīkuài shítou.(Merciful Buddha please take me away, take me away and close my heart ... make me a stone.) Don’t let me dream tonight.~ He though drifting to a place where he, for a moment, could forget his pain.
Day 1 Evening - Bobbles

“Okay … well, all we need is a gun and soon enough well have ourselves posse.” Vas said with a sardonic smile averting his eyes somewhere, anywhere else. Still, it was more ducklings tailing him than expected. “Well if ya’ll are coming, come along. Come along.” Vas said with a wave again making an effort not to linger to long at the prison Jacey created for her chest bobbles. Why did they WOBBLE so much!? It was like they WANTED attention and – No! Nononononono! Bad Vas!

“Let’s just go hm? I got myself an agenda.” Vas said shuffling off. He was suddenly feeling very uncomfortable in the room! Was it hot? Cool night air would be good about now! He would have lite up but yet and he had no light.
Busted

Vas looked around at the growing crowd. “Ain’t nobody got work to do on this ship?” He barked irritably not realizing yet that the Lieutenant was among them. When the young punk realized Riley was in the room he could help but give her a sheepish look. Vas gave the man’s wrist one last ‘goodbye’ twist before dutifully letting him go.

“Yes, Lieutenant. Sorry, Lieutenant.” Vas sighed looking down. The slimy jackass didn’t deserve an apology but an order was an order. So just to needled the man Vas step the Lyen first bowed and press in prayer position to his forehead as was befitting her station. “Ruguo wo maofanle ni, wo hen baoqian.” He said formally to the Buddhist nun.

Vas turned his head enough to side eye Henry. “Sorry.” He snorted without an ounce of sincerity in his voice. It was the most he could muster. ~Sorry I didn’t break your gorram arm clean in two.~ He griped inwardly.

Translations

Ruguo wo maofanle ni, wo hen baoqian
I am sorry if I offended you.
Day 1 Afternoon - Daddy Keller is the Boss

"Everyone say goodbye to Bob, here. May we never meet again." Jacy leaned in and gave *Bob* a peck on the cheek then fussed up his hair. She looked over to the Captain, "Sort out the tab, in advance, or they won't let him sit here long enough for us to get out the door. Dim and I will wait outside."

Jacy tugged on Dimiti's thick arm to urge him to follow her outside. "Come on, big boy. Let's go outside."
Catching up

Vas, who was helped up by Jacy, dusted himself off, but was quickly red face with her promise of ravaging. Her public promise of ravaging.

“Gill you think you can keep ‘em calm … I’ll get their food ready … Where's Haddie? Every time she’s alone something happens!” Said still red in the face the sway of Jacy’s hip as she left leaving the poor smitten punk distracted.

“Uh … put the ones you’re going to use over to the side there,” Vas motioned. “The rest we'll press ‘em to the wall over there, well strap ‘em down so they don’t move,” He said, trying to focus at the task at hand. Given he had been trapped under a pile of dogs he was still catching up to recent events. Like the strange lady who just walked in.

“Did Captain hire a new deckhand?” Vas asked Gill.
Captain's And Cat Ladies (Day 4 Evening)

Dishes were done. AGAIN. How hard was it for a passenger to stop eating after dinner was over? Serena inwardly groused. Every time she passed the galley, there were two or three dishes, a few glasses and mugs that materialized out of nowhere. She finished wiping her hands on the dish towel, folding it neatly next to the sink.

Keller’s hat was tossed onto the galley table, and a chair scraped across the floor. Serena unpacked her angry eyes, but the Captain’s hand on her arm stopped her from marching out. “Hold up, Pigtails,” he said, as if he didn’t even notice about her eyes. “Why don’t you pour a couple of bourbons, and we’ll have us a little chat.”

Serena pointed with both index fingers toward her eyes. “I see ‘em, I sees ‘em,” the captain replied, rolling his own. “Just pour.”

*Orders were orders,*regardless of how angry her eyes were, and the Crew Chief would be disappointed if she didn’t show respect for that. She poured him exactly three fingers, not a drop more and it wasn’t even her best pour. Nothing was added except disgust and anger. She poured herself half the amount and set both on the table.

“Sit, sit.” He said, folding himself into one of the chairs. Serena grumbled but complied as he continued. “Received a complaint today from one of the passengers, wanted to bring it to your attention.”

“Was it Mistah Wargrave? Stamps are a stupid thing to collect, and I told him that I needed to set his coffee down, it weren’t my fault that the ship took that moment to bounce around some.”

“No, he didn’t mention the stamps, this was more a complaint about some of your…. Activities.” Serena raised both eyebrows. “As of late.” He continued. “With that boy.”

“Gil? We haven't had sex since we left Beaumonde.”

“Not pint -- I mean -- what were you doing last night?” He asked, leaning forward on the table to take his glass of whiskey.

“Sleepin’, like I do everynight.” She shot back.

“With the rooster boy?”

“Naw, he made me go back to mah own bunk after, even though I had to stop by in the morning to get some more in ‘fore work. It’ll be a lot easier when he’s not confined to his room for somethin’ he didn’t do, that’s for sure.”

“So you two… are sleeping together?”

“No sir, like I *just*said, there was no sleeping. I went back to my *own* bunk for that.” She said, slowing her words down for him.

Keller took a sip and leaned back into his chair. “Confined to quarters is supposed to be a punishment. What kind of punishment is it if you go down there and well… go down, there.”

Serena raised her eyebrows, confused. “I don’t understand--”

“You don’t have to deny it, the crazy cat lady said she heard it, clear as day.”

“But I…”

Keller held up a hand, and stood up, grabbing his glass from the table. “The walls are thin, pigtails, passengers don’t want to hear you having sex. Crew might be interested, but try to be a little discreet, would ya? Please and thanks in advance.”

“But I use discretion!” She called after him as he left the galley. “And he doesn’t even like me *like that!* And these are still my angry eyes! ”
Day 1 Late Afternoon/Evening - Keller, Lyen, Devron, Riley, Henry

Captain Keller ushered the new passenger down the streets towards the Lunar Veil. "She don't look like much..." he pre-warned, "And as far as a destination, we're currently looking for one. We spend a fair amount of time on the outer rim, Core Planets we usually will pick up supplies or be dropping shi... stuff off. We're a cargo ship mainly but we do take on passengers, such as yourself. Did you have a destination in mind?" He gestured with his hand for her to go up the ramp of the ship, where he found Riley waiting.

"I need to speak with you." Riley and Keller said together, though there was a "Sir" tacked on to the Lieutenant's sentence.

"You see? You just ruin it," he said, shaking his head. "This here is Lyen, she's going to be a passenger on our ship. I thought I'd show you what it looks like when someone brought some class, some spiritual guidance to the El-Vee, rather than the riff raff you bring around. Lyen, this is Lieutenant Thorne, our pilot."

"Pleasure, ma'am. I'll get you squared away in a moment." To the captain, she added: "I brought a shepherd, or some sort of... I don't know, Abbey man."

"Abbey... normal?" The Captain asked, to which he received what he termed 'the look.' "You used to find me funny."

"You used to pay higher, Sir."

"Why don't you give our two new passengers the grand tour, after you give me your status report?"

"Aye, Sir. Our deck hands will be procuring supplies for the next leg of our trip, but I believe they are first heading into town for personal reasons. Most likely R&R. "

"We have bail money set?"

"Aye Sir. Dr. Adler I believe he's been soliciting for patients in town. I brought back a passenger, as well as being able to procure all of the parts for the ship, but I used the majority of his fare credits on the Heat Exchangers."

"Well that sucks, but was to be expected. "

"Aye Sir. Devron is working non-stop on the engines, but it will still be another 24-36 hours until we can lift off last I heard."

"Are you keeping an eye on him? I'm not sure I fully trust him yet."

"He's literally the only person getting paid who is working right now."

"You do make a fair point. I'll check in though. Anything else?"

"Aye Sir. The medic is no where to be found, I don't know where the kids went, and before you say it, I had nothing to do with it. Also, before you ask? As far as I know no one else on our ship's been stabbed."

"See? Progress. Okay, keep me informed, and please show Miss Lyen to her room."

"Ajahn Lyen." Riley said respectfully, leading the way to her cabin. "I know, you didn't spend countless years in the goram monastery to be called Miss."
Black Bart Jr. Makes a House Call (Day 1, Night)

Word travels fast on a ship - faster if you're good at *eavesdropping,* which Serena just happened to be. Her first clue in was the Crew Chief who came looking for her and Elle. Serena had just had a bout in the med bay and wasn't looking forward to more stitches, so she told him as such before darting off back into the ship. It wasn't until she made Esteban his tea that she *overheard* the Lieutenant and Captain in the med bay.

*Karma.* Serena thought. *See? Say something mean, and mean comes and finds you and apparently hits you in the head.* She wondered if Elle got stitches, and if so, who she snitched on. Still, a small part of her felt bad, she did leave Elle by herself in the Cargo Bay. If she insisted Elle come with her, it wouldn't have happened. It did suck to get hurt even if you did get to stay in the safest place on the boat. She was new and deserved a little slack. Not a lot, but a little.

Plus Serena had heard that the girl brought her some things from her bunk when she'd been shot. Time to repay the kindness.

A short while later, she knocked softly on the med bay door with a care package. Sister Lyen with the pretty eyes like hers softly opened the door.

"Sistah." Serena whispered using her best inside voice. "Ah brought Elle the pillow from her bunk, and a robe one of the passenger's gave me, on account of Mistah Doctah Adluh's hospital dresses don't have a back to cover your backside. And if she needs it... " She took a longing look at the bear in her arms, hugging it tightly to her before handing it over. "This is Black Bart Junior. He always makes me feel better. Will yah see that she gets it?"

"Amituofo," Ly replied to the materialized Serena. The young girl had a penchant for parroting Adler's Heran accent, and for a moment it gave her pause. To hear 'Sistah' from the child was endearing to say the least. Lyen collected the pillow and robe, admiring the gifts. With a gentle smile, the nun watched the teenager dispense of no other than *the* Black Bart Jr. "Wow, this is very generous of you, Serena. Elle's lucky to have a friend to look out for her," she squeezed the girl's shoulder in encouragement. "I'll definitely make sure she gets them. I know when I'm sick it always helps to have people who care around. Do you want to come in? She's sleeping, but I'm sure she'll know you're here," if not only for you 'inside' voice, the nun thought, smirking.

Elle lay on the exam table, currently set to be a bed with arm railings up for safety. At her side, the nun gingerly lifted the sleeping woman's head to replace the pillow there with her own. The robe she hung on a hook nearby for when Elle awoke. Black Bart Junior, however, earned a place front and center between Elle's sleeping arms.

The pair looked peaceful, and Lyen regarded Serena with a thoughtful look. "You haven't... heard anything about how Elle ended up here, have you?" The nun donned her most nonchalant tone.
Back to work again

Having located every potential weapon he could, Dillon put it all, along with the screwdriver he'd carefully wrinsed off and wrapped in plastic to avoid contaminating the eating utinsils, in the drawer and went looking for the crate the pilot has mentioned in storage. He located it without much trouble and locked the whole drawer inside.

Finally, he could return to the stove. He washed his hands once again, took a nice deep breath, and let it out before turning the stove back on. It took some time for everything to get back to where it was.

It had been a hell of a day, but at least things were winding down. Everyone else was off to their assigned place or task. He was alone. He tried to forget about everything while he focused on cooking.

The onions weren't quite ready yet... Another five minutes, maybe... And the broth would take awhile to get boiling. Now familiar with where everything was in the little kitchen, he turned to a cabinet to pull out bowls. There were only seven... How many people were there aboard? He counted in his head. Eleven. No, twelve. The officer counted. How long has it been since the man had eaten? He found some large mugs that would suffice.

Before long, he was pouring the onions into the broth, turning the stove off, and the broiler on. He spooned the soup into the twelve bowls and mugs and topped each with some broken up bread. He loaded each into the oven for just long enough to brown the bread a bit.

He took them out again and gave each a spoon from the counter. There they were. Twelve bowls of French Onion soup, produced from just about nothing. He let them cool just enough to handle before taking one in each hand. Who should he give them to first? Whoever he found, he reasoned. He'd head towards Gill and Haddie's quarters.
In For a Penny

s he stalked the back alleys and lesser streets on his roundabout way, Dorian had more questions on his mind than answers…and a growing adrenaline push right into the center of his gut.

“Take what you want. As much as you like…for a long journey.”

Hardly the sort of negotiation he’d ever heard from the likes of Jimmy Nguyen. And then to be left alone…in the Nguyen Brothers Mortuary casket display room…gazing down upon a coffin stuffed full of every pharmaceutical and basic medical supply he might want.

“*For a long journey…*”

Clearly, men as tight fisted as the Nguyens weren’t prone to such generosity. After discovering himself the sole living occupant of the funeral home, the message came through, loud and clear. This wasn’t friendship. This was going out of business.

“*For a long journey…*”

The Nguyens were compromised. As the next link of the chain, he might also be. After committing his cortex reader to the crematory fusion burner, he exited through the back way. “*It’s well there’s a boat to head for*,” he mused as he slipped about in the shadows. “*Perhaps I might persuade the captain to upthrust sooner, rather than later*.”

The medical bag hung in his left hand, permitting the much faster right the opportunity to draw a pistol from his now open greatcoat. He was getting close. A couple of blocks, a quick crossing at the quayside, and he’d be safely into the concealment of a ship’s medical bay. Considering recent developments, the injured girl now proved a right stroke of good luck…

Adler heard the ruckus before he actually put eyes to it.

A small crowd was gathering at the cargo bay ramp of a rough looking old Firefly. He noted a pair of speeders parked haphazardly, both adorned with the same markings Sun on yee preferred to brand its’ people. From within boiled out a cacophony of shouts and curses, punctuated by dull thuds and crashes of a large scale tussle taking place.

“Clearly, this is a mistake,” he muttered quietly to himself. Thus far, the gang’s unwelcome visit and the resulting inhospitality by the crew hadn’t drawn any official interest. With luck and healthy bribery system, perhaps it wouldn’t. Still, this was a circus whose clowns he needn’t join. He could melt into the crowd, perhaps rely upon the tender mercies of Mrs. Jenkins until suitable transport could be had. There were other opportunities, other ships…

A gang member flew through the air, coming down hard on a wooden chest. *His* wooden chest. Oliver the bartender had been uncharacteristically efficient in the clearing out of his room at the Lucky Cat. It was decided, then.

He threaded his way through the onlookers. At the foot of the ramp, Dorian Adler pulled back his coat to expose the right pistol. His index finger tapped the pearl handle as he casually strode upward, into the Lunar Veil. “*Yi fen qian,*” he whispered.
A new life

Henry Freeman had been dead when he found him. Poor shepherd didn't stand a chance against the likes that beat him this bad. Thankfully they were the same height and build and he knew enough how to transition from his old life as a slaver to take on the identity of a shepherd.

These last few years had been tough. He'd been a bodyguard for a companion, a galley cook on a prospecting ship, a musician at some tavern in the outer rim-that gig had been alright and he thought maybe it'd be the one but after the locals hit a big vein of the good stuff it brought more attention than he wanted. From there he'd been a slaver and was glad to cast that shame off him, so he supposed it was fitting he become a shepherd.

Now, to have his face match his attire... battered and bloody. It's funny how quickly you can get someone to beat you up for not much money. Thankfully the guy was too drunk to do any real damage. But he was paid and off to get even more drunk and now Henry Freeman was completed.

He stammered out of the back alley moaning and plopped himself down near the space port gates. Now he waited for some suckered to show some compassion...
Complications and Containment

*"Not to be insensitive, I'm afraid we're going to have to visibly inspect Mr. Schnabel's remains. I do hope Ms. Schnabel understands. You wouldn't believe the ways people try to smuggle things aboard a ship. That won't be a problem, will it?"*

A mildly pained expression rose to Garrison’s features. “Under most circumstances,” she replied, “there’d be no objection. However, the Schnabels are Jewish. Are you familiar with Jewish funerary tradition?”

As she was bade continue, Garrison explained. “Judaism permits only washing of the body after death. No embalming is permitted, nor are the draining of fluids, and so forth. Given that circumstance, the prudent measure was to seal the coffin in order to…contain…unpleasantness.” She paused for a moment, the silence filled immediately with the energetic barking from within. “We’ve been searching diligently for transport, and yours is the first vessel bound for Mr. Schnabel’s resting place. However, he passed away nearly eight days ago.”

Another awkward pause fell between them. This moment was nearly silent, as apparently the dogs were coming under control. Garrison spoke again. “I understand your concerns, but given the current rate of decomposition, I’d recommend against breaking the seal on this casket.”
Day 2 - T Minus 1 Hour - Alrighty Then...

Dillon: *"I'm not going back there. Whatever comes along with that decision, I'll take."*

Under normal circumstances, Dorian would renege on such an agreement. “Nineteen,” he thought, “gambling for a quality of life that may last forty-eight hours versus a much greater chance at some kind of life under better medical supervision.” But it was clear to him that Dillon had done the math on this. No one knew his pathology better than he…chances were he’d had it well stuffed down his throat by physicians and overly protective parents for some time. In the end, this was his decision entirely.

“Very well,” Dorian said, before turning to unlock and open the infirmary doors. “Let him on in, thanks. Y’all wait outside,’ he said to Dr. Merchante's escorts. “Doctah Mershawnt,” he welcomed the physician. “Ah’m Doctah Adler. Ah apologize fah the exuberance of mah associates. Dillon here has confirmed that he’d prefer tah remain aboard and under mah care. Ah have discussed the probable outcome of such a decision with him, and he reiterated that decision. It’s mah duty tah inform yah that from this moment forward Ah replace yah as Dillon Forst’s physician. Before yah leave this boat, Ah request that yah surrender his patient files and any prescription medications yah brought for his care. Also,” he continued, “Ah’d consider it a personal favor if we might take time tah discuss tha case.”
Day 1 Evening - Stuff and Things?

Vas rubbed the sleep from his eyes and went to splash his face with some cold water in an attempt to help banish and forget his unsettling dream.

Eager to forget, he rummaging in his rucksack which was pretty empty, to begin with for any remaining credit he had to his name. There wasn’t a lot (more than he expected), so he just counted his blessing they were there at all and not confiscated by the Captain or stolen by Shanky the Klepto. He pocketed what he had before it decided to walk away too.

After setting his clean but only a little bloody shirt to dry Vas made his way to the galley. Now the sun had set it would be the best time to wander about. Go out see, see his old stomping grounds … maybe … find his mom grave, if she had grave … Sweet Buddha that was a depressing line of thought. He was going to need flowers or something.

Vas entered the galley seeing the new deckhand performing some kind of kitchen wizardry. “Hey … I didn’t catch your name.” Vas admitted “If anyone asked I’m heading out for a spell. I shouldn’t be gone too long.” Vas said to … that guy.
22 and Counting down.

His Galley was compromised, taken over by women with sides of beef, hacksaws and axes, and not to be sexist, but Keller wanted absolutely no part of any of that. He wanted to kick back, finish off his bottle of Plum Wine and stumble himself back to his cabin.

Hell of a day. From the common area he watched the Pint and Half Pint set about a list of chores their crew chief gave them, he gave the boy credit, doing his job after just getting hired back and after the day he had. Rooster also gave a tour to the new deckhand they 'acquired' from the Skyhook.

He absently squeezed his hand around nothing in particular as he could still feel the gun he took from Rooster in the palm of it. Been how many years since the Gorram war and shit like that tends to stick with you. Then of course there was reavers. It was a good enough reason to find himself at the bottom of the bottle.

He puffed on the end of his unlit cigar, thinking he'd be happy when he finally offloaded the Drogs. 22 more days until New Kasmir. But for today? He took another pull from the bottle. He'd had enough thinking.
BEEUP…BEEUP…BEEUP…BEEUP…

"What are you grinning at?" Gill demanded as he watched Haddie scramble out of her bed and get dressed. He followed her example as the alarm continued to sound. Haddie grabbed her satchel and went to stand next to the door. Moments later it burst open and Vas came dashing to hustle them off towards the cargo bay. All the time Haddie continued to smile like it was her birthday. Gill was getting nervous and Haddie was taking her sweet time following Vas.

*“Up and at it … hustle to Shuttle two both of you asap!” Vas ordered, “NOW!” He urged nudging them into a fast walk.*

The shuttle looked like a prop room from an adult entertainment channel. Gill had "accidentally" logged in to once and had spent the next three weeks blushing at every woman he met. It had been an education. Cortex erotica however, did not carry the same... aroma. Both Gill and Haddie scrunched up their noses as they were shoved into the porn pit.

They were soon joined by Lyen and one of the passengers. The widow transporting her dead husband Gill thought. He tried to look elsewhere and the two women sprang into action trying to save the innocence of the two children. Haddie made the task more difficult by watching everything like a hawk. At least she had stopped grinning now, thought Gill.

*“There,” the widow told the two children in the shuttle. “Now you sit.”*
Day 1: Late Evening - Aside to Gill

Riley eyed Gil's treasure and pulled the boy aside to talk to him. She cuffed her hand behind his neck and led him to the landing area out of earshot of anyone who didn't follow.

"No." She said, regarding his offer. "Rule one. No unattended children. Rule two? No attended children. You may be able t'pass for an adult, your sister doesn't. So I ain't letting you buy passenger tickets. What we have ourselves is a quandary. You just gave me enough, more than enough to buy whatever passage you owed by stowing away on this ship. so if you want, name the destination, after Ezra, I will fly you there and send you packing and I won't spare no time dusting back off. That's your first option, and in my opinion, it's a fine one. Your second option is this. The Captain already told me he don't hate the idea of having a cabin boy. We're takin' on passengers, we need someone who makes sure they're comfortable, fixes 'em drinks and such. You're what, twelve? Thirteen? That's about the right age for that sorta work. He said that your sister would make a fine helper for that, helpin' you make beds and stuff, I think that's a shit idea. I don't want her near none of the passenger rooms on account of the girls' hands are so sticky I should call her marmalade. Planetside? She can take what she wants from who she wants but if one goram thing goes missing on this ship, she's my number one suspect and you know I got no problem with her living in a 10 X 10 when we're in space. Find something for her to do that doesn't involve stealing anything or annoying me. Anything you steal planetside goes to this ship and is distributed equally between crew members, which at that point you would officially be. I ain't planning on being nice to you. I don't feel bad for you and I don't feel bad for your one eyed mute sister. In fact the latter part of that is the only redeeming quality I find in her so far. Don't take it personal, You'd be here to do a job and as long as you do that job we'll coexist. Know this ain't my offer this is Captain Keller's offer because apparently he has a soft spot and it's right where his brain should be. I don't want your answer. You can give it to Keller come morning. If you think you have a better option anywhere in this verse, then I advise you, by all means decline, but I'm fairly convinced for you this is as good as it gets."

And with that, NOW Lieutenant Riley Thorne is up in the Bridge.
All work and no play, All play and no work

The Captain didn't know what the ruckus by the bar was, but something deep in the pit of his stomach told him it had to do with his new crew. He heaved a heavy sigh. In his left hand was a beautiful Casino escort who held his interest as well as his drink. She was willing to spend some time with him as long as his hot streak with the dice stayed above lukewarm. In his right hand, said dice. And then, said ruckus.

"Hold my place, Darlin', " he said to the escort who was obviously hired by the house as a distraction. "Cash Out." He added to the pit boss.

"What's your hurry?" She asked, giving him what she thought was a seductive pout, and what he thought was goofy looking. She was trying much too hard, and five, six drinks in, he may have fallen for it. But as it stood, his makeshift crew may have needed him, that's where he needed to be.

Sure as shit, there was the new kid with the funny hair cut, *I really need to learn names* , and two mooks lying on the ground. Weren't what he expected, but he knew enough that they shouldn't be there when they dusted themselves off. The Captain looked back towards the tables one last time, then headed to Vas.

"I was wondering where you got off too, boy. Still clumsy as an ox on ice, are you? I ought to box your ears for wandering off and bothering these here good citizens. Sorry, gents, next round for these twois on me." He told the bartender, setting down some of the credits he'd just won. He clasped his hand on the back of Vas' neck and led him away before anything could escalate further.

"For the record and future reference son, this is not how to properly keep an eye on things. This is the opposite of that. Looks like my business'll have to wait. Let's get La-Loyd back to the ship, and I'll find somethin' else for you to do."

\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_

Riley hadn't wanted to take Gill and Haddie to the seedy market, but she more so didn't want to leave them on the ship unattended, so she had hauled them along with the goods aboard the Mule. Maybe if she was lucky, they'd go and run off and become someone else's issue. They had managed to sneak on board while she was on watch, which wouldn't have happened if she wasn't scrounging and saving mach for flight times only.

(Note: Riley's opinion does not match that of the author! <3 Largehobbit!)

"Hot cakes! Really fucking hot hotcakes! High quality goods; you buy one, I give you two for the price of one."

Riley handed Gill a handful of credits, and a list.

"You got two choices. You take this list and use these credits to pick up what's on it, or you take these credits and I tell the Captain Little Miss Sunshine here stole a bunch of money and you ran off. With you, without you, the Veil leaves in the morning. Got it?"

With that bit of business squared away, Riley stepped up to the hotcake vendor.

"Hotcakes. I'm a fan of hotcakes, ever since I was a pilot with Alcott's 99th Division. You got what I'm looking for? Otherwise, 20 creds to point me to who does."
Day 1 - later afternoon

"No Lieutenant, this is all I have unless what I've given you for passage and been able to negotiate for goods offers some change? I suppose I could use a few things... I've seen some folks carry around small screens... tablets I think they call them. I was thinking one of those that could connect to things like people say theirs was, might help me in getting up to speed in how the world works."

"As far as the 'padre' thing... I'm no Shepherd, officially anyway, not even trained to offer anything formally but I do care for others as I saw my good hearted brethren do. I read the Bible in secret once I learned to read - a few times through - but also read writing by Buddhists and a few of the tech manuals Hans had in the shop to be a better help around the place with him. I'll leave it to you to decide what you think is best for the crew to know."

"I'm most keen on making a good impression, should the chance come up I can be of some long term service to everyone. You're my first 'friend' of sorts in this world outside of Hans and Brother Grimm at the Abbey - the one who taught me to read - but he died 12 years ago," Henry said. "Oh, and the name is Henry Freeman."
Cue the Alliance

“Just let me go, I won’t say anything I swear.” Walker said, trying to pull her arm free from the young punk in the cargo bay. Dressed in just her uniform pants and a tank top, she easily could have passed for a Deckhand on the crew.

“Sorry, ma’am.” Keller replied, tipping his hat. “No can do, they need to see 8 crew members, won’t take but a minute or two of your time.”

“I’ll scream.” She warned.

“You can try.” Vas shot back. The Captain didn’t have a lot of interaction with the young punk in the rooster haircut, but there was something in the boy's eyes that was serious enough to be almost sinister. Keller wasn’t sure exactly where the boy got the throwing knife, but he wielded it like an expert, holding it against the base of her spine. “We’re going to go up to the Galley, sit down and make like everything is fine. I see you so much as twitch?” Keller wasn’t sure what he did, but her eyes went wide and she nodded.

“Son--” Keller warned. “We best keep this on the QT.” He pointed between the two of them, and Vas nodded in understanding. There was no need to upset their sole passenger. The loud rattling on the outside of the ship let Keller know that time was up, and Jat led their reluctant 8th crew member up to the stairs to the Galley.

Keller lowered the liftgate to the Lunar Veil. “Evenin’!” He called out.

The Alliance Sergeant grunted and nodded to him in response. “We’re looking for this man.” The Sergeant said tartly holding out a image for Keller to examine.

“Don’t look especially familiar. He done something bad?” Keller drawled adjusting his hat some.

“I’m going to need to see the Cert Cards for each of your crew.” He said, motioning for the rest of the squad, a dozen or so to board the craft.

“Now see, that might be a little difficult….” The captain said, following the sergeant up the stairwell to the galley. “My crew, they’re indentured to me. Each of ‘em owe me - gambling debts, jobs completed but not paid for as such. So I leave their ident cards back on Persephone. You can check our manifest, we was there just recently. Carrying them on this ship historically speaking ain’t worked out so good - no ident card? No leaving. It’s how I guarantee that I get what I’m owed. 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.*
"We're going for a ride"

Vas: *“You can have the all the sushi on nekked ladies you want … after the doc’s clear you and that eye up. Cuz I like my balls firmly twix my legs Doc, so I have no plans on giving Riley any excuse to invoke grievous bodily harm to my person. Hospital first and then to your beloved Cleo’s.”*

Dorian followed slowly behind, though he did appear to be maintaining balance. "Mistah Vas," he replied, "Tha sense of adventure has drained right outta your soul. Ah blame Miss Jacy, fah makin' such a tea total man of yah."

Vas: *“Hop in Doc, I got the wagon hitched for a more cozy ride for ya.”*

Dorian eyed the stake sides and rust flaked interior of what they called 'the wagon.' "Thus is mah fate," he said as he negotiated the climb, followed by a rather unceremonious collapse into the bed. "Hauled away like tha trash." Placing two fingers to his temple in salute, he acknowledged the crew of Lunar Veil. "Adieu."
Day 1 evening - Pass on the Doctor

*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.”*

Thomas smiled at the Dentist.

Well, my eye doesn't need fixing. I felt the bone and it isn't broken, my vision isn't fuzzy and the cut has stopped bleeding. I will just put this ice pack on it and go to sleep like I always do. I also don't remember the Captain or the XO saying anything about you becoming our doctor. I apologize if you have officially been hired, I will ask next time for the Motrin. Now, if you will excuse me, I need to get some sleep so I can get to work on the #2 engine so we can leave this rock.”
Bycatch (Evening Day 1)

Riley whistled and started the wave. Right now it was heavy but deep, mostly unseen on the surface. When it combined with the one always present and frequently cresting in Vas it was sure to go rogue and wash everyone smaller'n both of them against the rocks. Elle moved, almost before the whistle faded. Boots clamped on either side of the ladder and she slid down, controlling the speed of her descent with how much pressure she squeezed her legs together. If the ship had rats they'd have been in awe of how quickly the deckhand cleared out. Even cockroaches would clap.

Knowing she'd just have to get up in a few hours anyway Elle didn't bother taking her boots off and only unzipped the top of her coverall to roll it down around her waist before getting in her hammock.

Hammock, not bunk. Hands long use to mending nets hadn't taken much time at all to knot one out of lengths of cord she'd found laying about and some longer strands of rope she'd unwound out of a thicker cable. Other than a few times in port, with someone even fewer times, she hadn't slept in anything else. Bunks felt wrong to her, like she was trapped. Elle lay with one hand behind her head, the other stretched out and idly pulling on a piece of rope she'd tied to the bulkhead, letting her sway the hammock side to side. It was as much like being at sea as Roose's food was tasty but both were enough to take the edge off.

Going to space hadn't been a mistake but it sure hadn't been a success either. The wages weren't all that much more she felt but wasn't exactly sure. She'd have to ask the Sister after enough time had passed that Lyen wouldn't feel bothered by Elle's dumbness.

Why couldn't she be smart? Like Serena? There was no love in her heart for the annoyingly beautiful chatterbox but you didn't have to love a barracuda hovering shiny and sleekly pretty in the water to know it would just love to turn the sea red 'round you. Worse Elle knew that Serena was only going to go from pretty to what men called gorgeous - when they had enough blood in their brains instead a' cocks to talk - and would keep getting smarter. Elle?

An angry tug on the cord swayed the hammock into rough seas. Some girls were barracudas. Others were just monkfish and bycatch.

*I should have slapped some ugly into her.*

It was a long time before the hammock finally stopped swaying.
Day 1 Evening - Keep up!

“I was, dunno but evening is a good a guess as any.” Vas answered pointing to the skylight. “Sure.” Vas shrugged. He didn’t see the harm in it, wasn’t like he planned on attracting trouble. Beside it was Santo and what could go wrong? If something did go sideways, which it shouldn’t, up he had someone, hopefully, watching his back. Win-win right?
Day 1 Evening - Running with scissors

Vas only had the barest of sympathy. Still, it was there. The fact was the pair seemed dead set on doing nothing but attaching the worst type of trouble. They didn’t seem to think that their trouble seemed to become everyone’s trouble!?

Vas took a patient breath and held out a hand. “Gun and anything else remotely weapon like you filched.” He said evenly. Vas wasn’t a moron and he didn’t need a half a brain and a spotlight to see how the bag wasn’t as empty as it should be. Firsts things first he didn’t trust either of them not to get funny with weapons on them. Vas was not keen on getting stabbed or chased about town and was unlikely to be so forgiving, children or not. They would NOT ruin this possible reunion for him!