Editing Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Part Five

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[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise| Part 1]]<br>
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Part Two| Part 2]]<br>
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Part Three| Part 3]]<br>
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Part Four| Part 4]]<br> 
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Special Features|Special Features]]<br><br>




Arden draws breath to protest.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' (hits mute) Dammit. (turns around) Arden, you can’t go with her.<br>
'''Nika:''' That’s fine.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Okay. (un-mutes comm) Yes. <br>
'''Chu:''' And she must be blindfolded.<br>
'''Arden:''' She’s ''blind!''<br>
'''Kiera:''' (to Chu) Honey, she can’t ''see''.<br>
'''Chu:''' Oh, she actually needs eyes.<br><br>

Oops. Kiera didn’t actually mention it to Chu til now. Behind her the crew erupts and Kiera has to mute the comm again. She turns in her chair and lays down the rules for them.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Okay, look. Criminals don’t tend to lay everything out and go, “Oh just lemme lay everything out and put all my cards on the table”, cuz when you do that, that’s called “I got 83 guys with guns and I’m about to screw you”.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah, but when you put the one card on the table, it was clear that it was a card.  Not like, say, like a screwdriver.  That’s why I’ll never fit in with the criminal element.<br>
'''Kiera:''' That whole “Why are you not honest with them!?  Are you insane?”<br>
'''Joshua:''' It’s not that. It’s the whole clear communication part. Even your lies are unclear.<br>
'''Rina:''' Wheels within wheels within wheels, Joshua.<br>
'''Kiera:''' (b’Duh!) Yeah.<br>
'''Arden:''' But none of the wheels actually spin.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Oh yeah. Actually, they do.<br>
'''Rina:''' That’s nothing a little axle grease won’t help.<br>
'''Arden:''' Or chap stick.<br>
'''Rina:''' Or ''money''.<br><br>

Kiera waves us to shut up and thumbs the comm live again.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Fountain. Agora. You got her.<br>
'''Chu:''' And you will not follow her.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Where are you going to drop her off at when she’s done? <br>
'''Chu:''' You won’t know. But she will be able to—<br>
'''Arden:''' What?!<br>
'''Kiera:''' Hold on a second.<br><br>

Too late, Kiera claps the comm to her chest and glares at Arden.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' But she will be able to find her way back?<br>
'''Chu:''' Easily.<br>
'''Arden:''' What?!<br>
'''Chu:''' And give her a bag with all the money. <br>
'''Nika:''' (to Kiera) He’s dropping me off on ''this'' planet?<br>
'''Kiera:''' (to Chu) Yeah, is she going to be on this planet? This ''city?''<br>
'''Chu:''' Oh yes. In the city.<br>
'''Kiera:''' In the city. On this planet.<br>
'''Chu:''' Nice place.<br>
'''Nika:''' (to Kiera) Okay.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Okay. (to Chu) Now, I’m trusting you.<br>
'''Chu:''' There’s no problem.  Safe place.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Okay.<br><br>

Off to the side, the crew is not so sure.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' Me don’t like this.<br>
'''Rina:''' I don’t like this either.<br>
'''Nika:''' It’s not your choice to make.<br>
'''Arden:''' I’m going to lo-jack Nika.<br><br>

Kiera keeps Chu on the line.<br><br>

'''Chu:''' I’ll wait for your instructions.<br>
'''Kiera:''' We’ll be there in an hour— (off Joshua’s look) … and a half. Talk to you later, Chu.  I’m trusting you on this one. ''Or I will hunt your ass down''.<br><br>

She cuts the channel and leans back.  Looks at the crew.  Looks at Nika.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Nika. <br>
'''Nika:''' What?<br>
'''Kiera:''' You can back out now …<br><br>

Nika purses her lips. Considers.  Firms her chin.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' My twitchy people are having conniptions. My good friends are having kittens. And my XO is … still mildly perturbed.<br>
'''Joshua:''' At what? All I—<br>
'''Nika:''' ''Yes''.<br>
'''Joshua:''' It’s your decision to make, Captain, in this regard. It’s your decision to make, Nika. <br>
'''Nika:''' Yes, it is. And I’ve already made it.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Then good. Cuz the clock is ticking. (points to Kiera) She gave me an hour.<br>
'''Kiera:''' And a half!<br>
'''Nika:''' And you’re still sittin’ here, I don’t know why.<br>
'''Joshua:''' All right. Let’s go. You’re coming with me.<br><br>

Joshua takes Kiera aside to give him more pointers on Chu’s mannerisms—how the man holds himself, little tells and ticks. She further refines the cosmetics job, tweaks it closer to Chu’s likeness.  While she’s doing that, the others ready Nika for departure.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' ''Irina''. Cease sighing in my direction.<br>
'''Rina:''' (sighs anyway) I don’t like this.<br>
'''Nika:''' (easily) I know that.<br>
'''Arden:''' I don’t like this either.<br>
'''Nika:''' I know that. (a beat) But you know what?<br>
'''Arden:''' You don’t care.<br>
'''Nika:''' ''I do care''. I don’t like being blind.<br>
'''Rina:''' It’s not our decision to make, Arden.<br>
'''Arden:''' Yeah.  I know. <br><br>

Kiera and Joshua rejoin the rest, Joshua following in Kiera’s footsteps with Chu’s characteristic stride.  Kiera’s talking as she walks in.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' (continuing) … Chu also knows that ''I am Kiera'' and I will hunt him down for a very long time.  And '''I''' know what he looks like.<br>
'''Joshua:''' All right. Let’s do this.<br>
'''Beglan:''' You know what he looks like ''now''.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Yeah. (phfft!) Like he’s going to meet somebody as good as me.<br>
'''Joshua:''' (as Chu) Somebody get me there.  Quickly!<br>
'''Rina:''' I just want to make one thing perfectly clear.  I’m shadowing ''him'', am I not?<br><br>

She points to Joshua as Chu.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' Yes.<br>
'''Rina:''' The ''entire'' way? (looks at Nika) After you—?<br>
'''Joshua/Chu:''' ''Quickly''.<br>
'''Rina:''' (sighing) Okay.<br>
'''Nika:''' Take care of him.<br>
'''Rina:''' (softly) Take care of yourself. I want my Captain back.<br>
'''Nika:''' See you later.<br>
'''Joshua/Chu:''' All this sympathy. We don’t have time for this.<br>
'''Nika:''' (grinning) You know, I kinda like you as a Chinese guy.<br>
'''Rina:''' See you on the other side.<br>
'''Nika:''' Let’s hope.<br>
'''Rina:''' All right.  Look out for pickpockets.<br>
'''Nika:''' (dryly) I’m supposed to ''see'' them?<br><br>

Because the streets are so crowded, instead of driving to the fountain Arden and Kiera will walk with Nika to it. Nika will carry the satchel with the money. It’ll take them a good part of the hour to get to the fountain, but they can make it. Joshua and Rina will leave for Chu’s ship, with yet another revision in the plan.  Joshua will walk like himself, with a hat pulled down low to hide his disguise and will openly enter Chu’s ship with Rina in tow, just like any other customer.  Once aboard and out of sight, he’ll throw off his coat and reveal his disguised self and exit as Chu, again with Rina in tow.  They’ll walk together for a distance and then Joshua will play aggravated doctor fed up with all the cloak-and-dagger crap and send Rina on her way, leaving Joshua to lead the watchers on a wild goose chase to give the real Chu a chance to bug out from the ship and pick up Nika. Rina will pull a fade and follow anyone who follows Joshua.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' Do not ''shoot'' him, Rina.<br>
'''Rina:''' Yes ma’am. I’ll get some trank patches from the Doctor.<br>
'''Nika:''' Just hit him over the head with the butt of a gun, I don’t care.  ''Just don’t shoot him''.<br>
'''Rina:''' Yes, ma’am. <br><br>

It goes off pretty much as planned.  Rina and Joshua get going for Chu’s ship.  As they approach, Rina mutters to herself.<br><br>

'''Rina:''' We need throat mikes.<br>
'''Joshua:''' We don’t have throat mikes.<br>
'''Rina:''' Yet.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Someday.<br><br>

Joshua keeps a sharp eye out and is pretty sure the watcher is still there outside Chu’s ship. He and Rina march up the airlock stairs and Chu lets them in quickly.  Joshua sheds his hooded jacket and straightens to Chu’s height.  The other man examines the disguise with a critical eye as Joshua fills him in on the plan.<br><br>

'''Chu:''' It’s not the best plan I’ve ever seen but … <br>
'''Joshua:''' This is actually top-notch for us, sir. (mimicking Chu)  Top notch.<br> 
'''Chu:''' If you can get them to go. (nods outside)<br>
'''Joshua:''' (choppily, as Chu) That can be done.<br><br>

Joshua tugs his clothing a little neater, a little fussier, becoming more and more like Chu with each passing second. He testily orders Rina to follow along and exits the ship, his stride clipped, his movements nervous and irritated. Underneath the act, he senses two people following them. He makes a show of being furtive, looking this way and that and when he’s gone a suitable distance, he straightens and puts more confidence in his walk, as if he’s convinced he’s lost the people tailing them. He turns to Rina and impatiently shoos her off.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' Get! Get going. (flaps his hands at her) I don’t need you here anymore.  Go. Go. Go.<br>
'''Rina:''' (sourly) All right … (looks, sees a bar)<br>
'''Joshua:''' Go. Go get drunk. Go.<br><br>

Rina leaves him on the sidewalk and crosses the street for the bar.  Joshua walks quickly away like a man who knows where he’s going and knows what he’s doing. He’s going to lead the man following him away from Chu’s ship and hopefully nowhere near Chu’s client. For a split-second when aboard Chu’s ship, Joshua considered Reading the man for more information about the client’s location, but decided being ignorant would make his goose chase easier to pull off. And so he does, leading his tail on quite the merry trail through Acropolis. He gains a lead on his tail, ducking out of sight for a moment or two. As he hides in the shadows, Joshua rips off his fake face—a wonderful make-up and prosthetics job by Kiera—and washes up in a watering trough. He readjusts his clothing to look more like himself and takes to the sidewalks again to pick up his tail from behind.  Now the tables are turned and the follower becomes the followed. Joshua shadows the man, hoping to find out where he’s based and how many people are after Chu and his client.<br><br>

Parting company with Joshua on the street as planned, Rina crosses the street for the bar. And sure enough, she’s being followed.  He’s a tall guy.  He’s dressed for the streets—meaning he’s not a flashy dresser—decked out in a longish coat that keeps the weather and prying eyes off him and whatever he’s carrying underneath. She gets the feeling he’s not a law man, so he’s not a Federal Marshall, but he does have a professional air about him that rules out street thug.  Hmm.  Professional hit man?  Bounty hunter, maybe?  Gunman?<br><br>

The bar a biker bar and the clientele are rather welcoming and surprisingly not that exclusive. So to speak.  Great.  With her short hair and butch dress, she fits right in. Rather than linger and possibly drag civilians into things, Rina presents herself to the barkeep as someone who just really needs to use their bathroom, please pretty please thank you, and makes a beeline for it. After all, her job is to follow anyone following Joshua, to keep him safe, and therefore she has to ditch her tail.  Rina ducks into the bathroom and squirms out the window to the alley beyond.  And runs straight into her tail—apparently the man anticipated her trick and headed her off.  He’s got a shotgun trained right at her.  She decides there’s no dodging the blast.<br><br> 

She decides to bluff her way out.<br><br>

'''Rina:''' Geez, you guys really reinforce the cover charge like aces. Damn.<br>
'''Gunman:''' Why don’t you put your hands in the air. At this range, I’m pretty sure this’ll sting a bit if I have to use it.<br><br>

His manner is unrushed, his tone self-assured, his aim dead on. Rina stalls.<br><br>

'''Rina:''' This … isn’t about the cover charge?<br>
'''Gunman:''' That’s okay. I like it when they play dumb.<br><br>

They both pause.  Then:<br><br>

'''Gunman:''' Are you armed? (a beat) If you prefer to be searched … <br>
'''Rina:''' All right, all right, all right …<br><br>

She pulls out her gun, dangling it from the trigger guard, and at his look, says:<br><br>

'''Rina:''' It’s a bad section of town. A gal’s gotta protect herself.<br> 
'''Gunman:''' Whyn’tcha put it down gently.<br>
'''Rina:''' Oh-kay ….<br><br>

Sensing the man is twitchy, Rina decides to comply, like any other civilian caught flatfooted.  It’ll buy her time to think of a way out of the situation. Down her pistol goes on the asphalt. He puts his finger on one of the shotgun’s triggers and gestures with the barrel.<br><br>

'''Gunman:''' So here’s my policy.  Any weapons we find on you other than that, we get to use on you.<br>
'''Rina:''' Do clips count?<br>
'''Gunman:''' You’ll have to use your imagination on that one.<br><br>

She pulls the clips and her knife and they join her gun.  She does it slowly, watching him all the while, looking for an opening to turn the tables on him.  As she watches, she sees his thumb flick something on the shotgun, then he pulls the trigger and fwoomp! the gun goes off with a muffled … ''spray''. <br><br> 

Oh, '''''tā mā de'''''. It’s Chempliant. It hits her face and she immediately feels groggy. It’s like she’s watching the world through water—her senses aren’t quite up to the task of keeping things sharp.  But she’s still up and conscious.  Which puzzles her shooter a bit. <br><br> 

She looks at him. He looks at her. She throws him a curveball.<br><br>

'''Rina:''' So … what? You want me to strip or something?<br>
'''Gunman:''' Um … Why don’t you put your hands behind your back and face the wall.<br>
'''Rina:''' Oh, from behind. This is gonna be great.<br><br>

Maybe she can use that to her advantage? Rina still has the trank patches on her. She slips one from her pocket as she turns around and palms it, planning to slap the man unconscious with it the second he lays a hand on her. With him out like a light, she could grab her weapons and find Joshua, follow Nika’s orders, and bring him home safe.  She faces the wall and nothing happens.  She’s going to have to goad him into coming closer.<br><br>

'''Rina:''' Oh, please. I’ve had people jump me faster than this. My grandmother’s faster than you. Are you gonna rape me or not?<br>
'''Gunman:''' The night’s still young.<br>
'''Rina:''' Not from where I’m standing. My God, you’re so slow. (a beat) Oh, don’t tell me you like ''boys'' …<br><br>

Sheesh.<br><br>

Meanwhile, Arden and Kiera deliver Nika to the fountain.  The fountain is broad and round.  Water splashes off its tiered basins and droplets spatter the pavement. Much like the agoras of ancient Greece, this Agora is jumping with people.  There are sidewalk cafes spilling light, sound, and delicious aromas into the street.  There are pushcart vendors selling hot and cold snacks.  There are people wherever you look, walking and hanging out with friends, eating and drinking, and through it all, talking.  Athens is a polyglot society and conversations take place in multiple languages.  Music and laughter fill the air, mingling with the liquid spill of the fountain.  The lip of the fountain’s pool is low and deep, perfect for sitting on and indeed, there are people doing that very thing, enjoying each other’s company and the night scene around them.  Arden and Kiera lead Nika to it, then withdraw and leave, following the plan as agreed upon.  They don’t go far. They find a spot where they can keep an eye on Nika but can’t be seen.  Nika takes a cautious seat and sits alone, her med packet and the satchel full of platinum in her lap.  She takes care to move her head as if she’s just chillin’ and lookin’ around, enjoying the scene like everyone else.<br><br> 

It’s not too long before she hears an odd clopping sound approach her position. Though she can’t see it, it’s a pedicab pulled by a man wearing movement-enhancing boots.  The clopping stops and there’s a squeak of springs and a man talks to her. His voice is low and his tone is terse.<br><br> 

'''Man:''' Get in the cab. (irritated) We don’t have much time.<br><br>

Nika stands and slings the strap of the bag over her shoulder and turns her face to the man’s voice.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' (softly) Could you lend me a quick hand? <br>
'''Man:''' Oh, help her in.<br><br>

Clomp-clomp-clomp, the pedi-cabbie clops over to help her into the cab.  She finds herself next to someone, presumably the man talking to her. He lifts Nika’s bag and gives it a little shake.  The platinum chimes inside. He drops it back into her lap.<br><br>

'''Man:''' All right.<br>
'''Nika:''' Dr. Hannibal, I presume?<br>
'''Chu:''' (yes) Let’s not speak.<br><br>

Chu barks directions to the cabbie, the cab tilts back, and clomp-clomp-clomp the pedicab takes off.<br><br>

Kiera and Arden are watching from their vantage point and they see Chu approach in the cab and see Nika get in. The cab has a partial cover over it, so once she’s inside, it’s a little hard to see what’s going on.  As they go off, Arden sees two figures separate from the crowd to follow the cab.  Chu has picked up a couple of tails, despite Joshua and Rina’s efforts. Luckily for Nika and Chu, the cabbie’s got those boots and his normal pace outstrips the followers on the ground.  Even so, the crowds in the square prevent the cabbie from making a fast getaway.  The two tails both have dusters on very like the man watching Chu’s ship.  Who the hell are these guys? Arden points them out to Kiera and together they both hustle through the crowd to intercept them. <br><br> 

Arden eyes the way the two goons move—like criminals? Or like law enforcement? Both classes have a distinctive flavor to their moves. As the goons get stuck in the press of the crowd, Kiera and Arden turn the tables on them and rush them in a pincer movement. Arden puts himself between the goons and the pedicab and Kiera comes in from the side. <br><br>

It’s over in two shakes. <br><br> 

Kiera does a full body shoulder check on her goon, who’s more intent on getting through the crowd than watching his six.  His partner, however, warns him in time and the check isn’t entirely successful.  The element of surprise completely blown, there’s no chance of doing anything fancy. Arden tries tackling the partner and fails.  However, Kiera and Arden recover beautifully from their blunders and while Kiera tackles and throws her man on the ground—totally KO-ing him—Arden disarms his goon and picks up the gun.<br><br>

Only now everyone in the crowd is looking at them mighty strange.  The cops’ll be here any minute.  Thinking fast, Arden and Kiera start yelling at the tails as if they were crooks in a deal gone wrong. <br><br> 

'''Kiera:''' (snarling) That’s what you get for stealin’ my stuff!<br><br>

Meanwhile, Joshua’s following his target.  He watches as the man talks into his collar, listens, and shakes his head. The man turns around and walks off.  Joshua fades back into the shadows, lets the man pass his position and follows him to a different berth, a different ship where a bald headed man who is clearly the boss is waiting. He’s dressed in a duster, too. Joshua’s man approaches his boss and ''swack!'' gets a whip-slap across the face for his trouble. A further beating is halted by a call, which the boss takes.<br><br>

Who ''are'' these guys? <br><br>

Back at the Agora, Arden and Kiera are drawing stares.  Arden’s got his goon’s shotgun and is holding it muzzle-up away from the crowd, but it’s still a big-assed gun and folk are looking uneasy around it. Arden’s goon stirs and Arden levels the gun at him quick as a flash. The goon rethinks his options a bit.<br><br> 

'''Arden:''' (half-drawl) That’s enough’a that. You’re not goin’ anywhere.  Kiera, whaddya gonna do with ’em?<br>
'''Kiera:''' That’s what ya get for stealin’ our guns.<br><br>

She stands over the goon on the ground and kicks him again for good measure.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Didn’t even pay for the sale. Gave us some counterfeit money. (to Arden) Get the stuff and let’s go.<br><br>

They get the impression that though people are hanging back and looking on, someone or several have called the cops already.  Time to go.  Arden gestures at the prone goon with the shotgun.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' Pick up your friend and git goin’.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Cheatin’ liars.<br><br>

The other goon slowly and carefully pulls his partner off the ground, eyeing Arden suspiciously.  There is nothing terribly hurried about his movements, just a measuring gaze .  Sirens wail in the distance.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' Cops’re gonna be here any minute. Run.<br><br>

The goon slaps his partner awake and they get out of there. Arden falls back into the crowd, covering the goon with his gun.  The crowd parts for him like the Red Sea before Moses and once he’s far enough, turns and gets out of there.  Kiera is right there with him.   Once they’re both around the corner, Arden breaks open the  shotgun and unloads the shells one by one into his pockets.  He sees they’re Chempliant rounds.<br><br>  

Ahhh, ''dìyù!''<br><br>

'''Arden:'''  I think these people were probably bounty hunters from the Alliance. Which gives me a very bad feeling.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Ohhh-kaaay…<br><br>

''Dìyù'', indeed. But first, they need to avoid getting nabbed by the cops. The Agora is a very easy place to get lost in—full of food vendors, shopping venues, and side streets. Their part in the plan done, they go back to ship to wait for the others to come back.<br><br>

Joshua is still at the other ship, watching and waiting for further developments.  A short while later, he sees the other tail arrive with a strangely subdued Rina in tow.  She doesn’t appear to be harmed but her demeanor is not at all like her.  She’s a bit unsteady on her feet, almost as if she’s … drunk?  If not drunk, then definitely drugged, given the way she just goes docilely where led.  Of all the words you can use to describe the engineer, docile just isn’t one of them. Something is definitely wrong. Joshua briefly sizes up the odds—he could probably take out the two goons, but not both of them ''and'' their Boss. There’s nothing Joshua can do at the moment but he doesn’t want to leave. He’s got no guarantee that these men won’t simply pick up and take off, taking Rina with them.  He hangs back and watches the men some more, hoping to glean something he can use to his advantage.<br><br>

Elsewhere, the pedicab sways through the night and Nika tries to stay aware of her surroundings.  There are too many turns and switchbacks for her to maintain a map of where she’s been and she gives up.  How long has she been riding this thing? There’s no way to tell.  After all, it’s not like she’s got a watch she can look at, much less see. Eventually the pedicab slows and stops. Chu alights from the cab and hands her down and leads her inside something.  It feels like a building.  From there, it’s a short trip into a smaller space, a room.  A few steps more and she finds herself standing next to something very like the exam chair Kiera had in her old container.  She gets on it. Not that she’s entirely sanguine about this whole business.  She’s a blind woman alone in a room with a stranger who’s going to cut into her with knives.  You’d have to be a moron not to be nervous.  But she did agree to this of her own free will and the need to get her sight back is pretty damned strong.<br><br>

'''Chu:''' Do you have any medical allergies?<br><br>

Wordlessly, Nika pulls the med pouch from the bag, making the platinum shift and jingle.  Chu takes both off her hands. Nika hears him setting them aside and more noises she assumes is Chu making ready.<br><br>

'''Chu:''' This is somewhat unusual circumstances.  I usually only work with one person at a time, but we’ll do you our best work.  Do you prefer to be conscious or unconscious?<br><br>

'''''Come again?''''' Nika’s too shocked by the question to answer.  Chu goes on as if nothing’s unusual with the question.  Perhaps for him, it isn’t.<br><br>

'''Chu:''' Most people find it a disturbing experience.<br> 
'''Nika:''' I was gonna say, am I gonna be doing a lot of screaming if I’m awake?<br>
'''Chu:''' I will give you a paralytic to prevent that. (a beat) I will give you painkillers as well.<br><br>

Oh lovely. So that means Nika can scream in her head all she wants?<br><br>

'''Nika:''' I’m thinking ''not awake'' is probably better?<br>
'''Chu:''' I recommend that to all my patients.<br>
'''Nika:''' Ohh-kay.<br><br>

All the while there are little sounds and rustles as Chu preps … whatever it is he uses for the procedure. Nika tries not to dwell on just what those instruments look like.<br><br> 

'''Chu:'''  When you wake up, you may find yourself hungry and thirsty.  Try to moderate your intake.<br><br>

Nika can hear something on wheels rattling closer.  A prep cart, maybe?<br><br>

'''Chu:''' You ''should'' be alone. If you are not, I urge you to … well.  You’ll have to work that out.<br><br> 

Work out what, exactly? Which side of the room to stay on? Turns with the remote control? Bathroom privileges? Not killing each other? What?<br><br>

'''Nika:''' (cautiously) Okay.<br>
'''Chu:''' You may suffer some light sensitivity and blurriness for a few weeks. <br>
'''Nika:''' You’re going to be able to correct this and I’m actually going to be able to see at the time that you’re finished?<br>
'''Chu:''' Ahhm …. by the time you wake up. It may take some training.  If you have access to a Core physician, you might be able to expedite your recovery.  It should take a few weeks to fully return to your previous acuity. If there’s an infection you should take some—<br>
'''Nika:'''''' What exactly are you going to do?<br>
'''Chu: I am going to replace your eyes. Trust me. The eyes that I have are quite good. Pretty healthy. No sign of disease. They’re really quite pretty.<br><br>

Chu starts rolling up her sleeve.<br><br>  

'''Chu:''' Based on the damage you have, I am not sure if they are the same color as your previous eyes. Perhaps not.  But you will be able to see. And if you go to the right specialist, you can get your eye color changed. It’s a pretty unpleasant experience, too, but not as half as bad as this.  (a beat)  The suite is paid off for a week, so you should have no problems with them.<br>
'''Nika:''' The what?<br>
'''Chu:''' You’re free to stay as long as you wish.<br>
'''Nika:''' Thank you. How long will I be unconscious?<br><br>

Paper rustles and tears.<br><br> 

'''Chu:''' It varies from patient to patient.<br>
'''Nika:''' Um, ballpark it?<br>
'''Chu:''' Hm.  48 to 72 hours?<br>
'''Nika:''' (softly) Okay.<br><br>

The sharp scent of alcohol stings her nostrils and something cold and wet swabs her inner elbow. Two pricks quickly follow.<br><br>

'''Chu:''' Oh, and I should probably tell you—<br><br>

The drugs kick in and the world goes away.<br><br>

Back on ''Equinox'', Arden has a chance to examine the shotgun a little closer in better lighting.  Inscribed discreetly on it are the words: ''Property of Alliance Marshalls''. Oh crap.  The Duster Brigade aren’t bounty hunters, they’re freakin’ Alliance Marshalls.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' Oh we are so screwed.<br>
'''Kiera:''' We are so melting this gun and spacing it.<br><br>

Joshua’s still out there at the other berth, keeping an eye on things.  He watches as Rina is led aboard the shuttle. Slapped Goon and Boss Man follow up the ramp in her footsteps. No one else is left outside.  Joshua grimaces.  He really would have liked to have Read one of them, find out who they are.  Absent anyone stupid enough to linger outside for him to ambush and Read, however, there’s nothing else he can do. He heads back to ''Equinox'' to get the others and plan a way to get his fiancée back.<br><br>  

Beglan is waiting with the others aboard and fairly pounces on him as he joins them.<br><br>

'''Beglan:''' So, how did it work? Where’s Rina?<br>
'''Joshua:''' They have her.<br>
'''Beglan:''' ‘They’?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Who’s ‘they’?<br>
'''Arden:''' The Alliance Marshalls.<br>
'''Joshua:''' (double-take) Wait, they’re ''Alliance Marshalls?'' (off their looks) God, you’ve got to be ''joking'' me.<br><br>

Arden shows him the gun as proof.  Kiera’s not entirely convinced.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' No, it means they may have stolen it from the Alliance Marshalls.<br>
'''Arden:''' ''Oh, please''.<br><br>

How hard can it be to steal a gun?  After all, we did it.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' Anyway, back to my point. They have her at Berth—.<br><br>  

He gives them the berth number and realizes something.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' Did she get off okay?  Nika, I mean?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Yes.<br>
'''Arden:''' Yeah, we took the gun off the guys that were following the cab that she was in.<br><br>

They describe what happened at the Agora.  Huh. Those goons don’t match the usual description of Alliance Marshalls. But then again, since we’re not in the Core, Alliance Marshalls may vary and your experience may be different.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' But under the laws of the simplest explanation, it’s the most probable they are Alliance Marshalls.<br>
'''Joshua:''' What Verse have you been living in? I don’t think I’ve ever run into anything where there’s a simplest explanation ever. (waves it off) Regardless of whether it’s Alliance Marshalls or not, what do we do?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Blow a ten on a clue-by-four?<br><br>

Joshua is saved from answering by a ''breep!'' from the comms—someone’s hailing us.  Arden puts the shotgun in the gun locker off the Conference Room and Joshua picks up on the bridge. He puts it on speaker.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' (firmly) This is the ''Equinox''. XO Drake, speaking. <br>
'''Caller:''' Mr. Drake. We have a … friend of yours.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yes, you do.<br>
'''Caller:''' Yes. She, ah, … is unharmed.  At the moment.<br>
'''Joshua:''' That’s a good starting point, yeah.<br>
'''Caller:''' You may have some information that we need.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Go on. (a beat) I haven’t heard any terms or bargaining points or even any openings to negotiation.<br>
'''Caller:''' If you have this … information … you should take it to us. If you impress me enough, she will remain unharmed and she will be returned to you safely.<br>
'''Joshua:''' All right.<br>
'''Caller:''' If you don’t impress me, it’s not likely that she will be.<br>
'''Joshua:''' We’ll need to meet somewhere, won’t we? I don’t have any proof that you got her alive. Other than your word.  Meet with her on hand, I’ll give you what information I have.<br> 
'''Caller:''' Yeah. (voice fades off mike) Talk to your … Mr. Drake.<br><br>

There’s a pause.  Then:<br><br>

'''Rina:''' Hello …?<br><br>

She sounds a little drunk.  Joshua swallows but keeps his voice steady.<br><br>

'''Joshua:'''  Are you okay?<br>
'''Rina:''' … yeah … ?<br>
'''Joshua:''' All right. Stay put. Please.<br>
'''Rina:''' Put ''where?''<br><br>

Yep. That’s our Rina. Joshua relaxes. <br><br>

'''Joshua:''' Don’t do anything typically Rina, please.<br>
'''Rina:''' … uhmm … but … then … who am I s’posed to be?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Rina. (louder) Okay.<br>
'''Rina:''' But you said I ''shouldn’t'' …<br><br>

Oh, yeah. That’s definitely her.<br><br>  

'''Joshua:''' Can you put the Backhander back on the line, please?<br>
'''Rina:''' (trailing off) … Um… it’s for you-uuu …<br><br>

There’s a rustle and Backhander comes back on.<br><br>

'''Backhander:''' Right. You’ve seen she’s all right. That’ll wear off in an hour or two. <br> 
'''Rina:''' (off mike) Oh, goody … Are we gonna party then … ?<br><br>

Joshua’s thumb hits the mute button just in time to cut off Kiera’s admonition.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Don’t say party with groups of guys that are holding you hostage.<br>
'''Arden:''' (falsetto) I’m still waiting for someone to rape me …<br>
'''Kiera:''' (Yeah, '''that'''.) Yes.<br><br>

With a quelling look in Arden’s direction, Joshua thumbs the comm live again.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' So what do you want from me?<br>
'''Backhander:''' Information that is worth her return. Find what I’m looking for and return it to me.<br>
'''Joshua:''' And how do I contact you once I have it? <br>
'''Backhander:''' You have my—I assume you have Caller ID?<br>
'''Joshua:''' (oops!) Well, understand, our ''last'' ship didn’t exactly have a lot of things. Still getting used to it.  We’ll be in touch.<br><br>

He cuts the channel, then sighs and scrubs his face.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' Kiera.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Sir.<br>
'''Joshua:''' How long is this going to take?  ''Hannibal''.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Just a matter of two to three hours.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Two to three ''hours?''<br>
'''Kiera:''' Uh-huh.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Whoa. I keep forgetting how quickly they can do these things.<br>
'''Arden:''' But that’s not how fast we’re gonna get her back.<br><br>

Nika. Not Rina. You know, the ''other'' missing woman.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' (agreeing) No. Well, hopefully he’ll set her up in a nice comfortable place so she can recover a little better.<br>
'''Arden:''' How long do you think it will be before she gets back?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Whenever she wants to contact us.<br>
'''Arden:''' Try again. ''Assuming she wants to contact us'', how long do you think we have to wait until we hear from her?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Two or three days. She’s gotta come up out of the anesthesia.<br>
'''Arden:''' (to Joshua) Is that the question you’re trying to ask?<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yeah, that’s part of it. Whoever they are, they want Hannibal. Or they want Hannibal’s ''client'', I’m guessing is more along the lines, here. If they really are the Feds.<br>
'''Arden:''' Did you recognize the guy who called? Was he one of the guys outside the ship?<br>
'''Joshua:''' No. Other than he was the guy in charge of the guys outside the ship. <br>
'''Arden:''' The guy on the comm.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Yes, he’s with the people who are interested in … ''He is the people'' interested in Hannibal and his client.<br><br>

The whereabouts of whom we haven’t a clue.  The information about which will get us our engineer and our captain back. Two or three days.  That’s how long we’ve got to get Rina and Nika clear and hopefully find a way to save Chu or his client.  But if it comes down to Chu or the members of our crew, we all know we’re going to save.<br><br>



<br> <br>
Jump to: <br>
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise| Part 1]]<br>
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Part Two| Part 2]]<br>
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Part Three| Part 3]]<br>
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Part Four| Part 4]]<br> 
[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise, Special Features|Special Features]]<br><br>

Go back to: '''''[[Episode 422: 375°(Season Finale)|375°(Season Four Finale)]]''''' | Go Foward to '''''[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions|Reacquisitions]]'''''<br>
Back to [[Mutineers Season Five | Season Five: Realignment]]<br>
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