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Wyvern and Westminster

2022-11-30T21:15:51Z

Taimdala:

''Game Date: 18 Sep 2010'' 
''Present: Cindy, Kim, Maer, Andy, and Jim'' 

'''''August 15, 1867, Thursday''''' 
'''''Temple Bar and Westminster Abbey''''' 
'''''London, England''''' 
'''''4:00 A.M.''''' 

We are given our marching orders to find Rembecki and recover the abductees. Before we can leave Bow Street, Bertram and Flora show up in their evening finery, ostensibly to bail Lady Katherine out of jail. He’s rather surprised and somewhat deflated that no such assistance is necessary. He does have the carriage with him, however, and we commandeer it and him to drive us to the Temple Bar. 

When we get there we present a sealed letter to the desk attendant. He in turn produces a key and a ladder for Beignet to use. Beignet has a strapping employee assist him up the ladder to the gryphon statue in the courtyard. The key is inserted and turned, it starts to glow and comes to life, and Beignet offers it Rembecki’s dinner napkin. The animated statue sniffs mightily and inhales the cloth. Beignet and the employee slide very quickly down the ladder and the gryphon flies off to Rembecki’s current location. We pile back into the open carriage. The gryphon leaves a glowing trail discernible to anyone with magical ability and we follow it to Westminster Abbey. The gryphon flies mightily and is unexpectedly shot down. It falls into the Thames before the Abbey and the sharp-eyed in our party spots movement on one of the Abbey towers. 

Mindful of Ezekiel’s vision of the Russian flag flying over the Abbey, we quickly disembark and run inside the cathedral, looking to find a way to the tower. It’s dark inside. There are no guards. We are not stopped and questioned and this is strange—the cathedral is a national treasure and an important holy site. Surely there would be guards. We realize things must be worse than we thought and we start up the stairs to the tower Rembecki is on. Halfway there we encounter three small creatures—somewhat cute for their size, ferocious in temper, and very fast and hard to kill. They are imps, a first level demon, and summoned from Hell by human sacrifice. It’s highly likely that the Abbey guards were sacrificed to bring the imps over. We engage imps, all of us: Ezekiel, Bertram, Josephine, Lady Katherine, Flora, and Beignet. Within seconds it’s very clear that the imps are too fast for us to fight effectively and after the first few passes, we’re rapidly getting cut to ribbons. Beignet casts a confusion spell on the imps to slow them down and the tide turns in our favor. We take out the imp on Lady Katherine first, then the one on Josephine and lastly, the remaining one. Beignet runs ahead to the tower roof while the rest of us take stock. Josephine is the most hurt, as she has nothing in the way of armor, not even a ladies’ corset. Lady Katherine heals her with her magic, well enough that the other woman can go on to the roof to help Beignet. 

Meanwhile, Beignet has engaged Rembecki on the roof, interfering with her plans. It’s apparent that she is casting a spell to animate the double-headed eagle on the Russian flag, whereupon to fly away with her kidnapped charges. Beignet sets the flag on fire, ending her plans. Both Mortimer and his fiancée Dashwood are standing off to the side, catatonic, but alive throughout the magical battle that ensues. 

We just manage to haul ourselves through the hatch in the tower roof to help Beignet when Rembecki throws her Darkness spell. It’s a petty magic but highly effective to disguise her escape. Josephine barrels ahead on her hands and knees, hoping to catch hold of Mortimer much like she’d captured Nicolai earlier that evening. Her hand lands on a small foot—she’s caught Beignet. He demands she release him. She demands he point her in the direction of Mortimer. Beignet fumbles in the dark, unable to see exactly where Josephine is, and after an inappropriately placed hand lands on her person, he manages to push her toward her target. Josephine goes forward and finds Mortimer in the inky blackness but cannot find Selene Dashwood. The darkness disappears without warning and we’re chagrined to discover Rembecki gone with Dashwood likewise missing. The roof of the Abbey is also in danger of catching fire from the bits of burning flag. We quickly stamp it out as Josephine takes a still catatonic Mortimer in hand. 

We look over the roof for clues as to Rembecki’s plans or whereabouts and find a notebook. Inside are many pages of handwritten notes and two curious things. First is a page of handwritten manuscript in an old Medieval style, in a language that is neither Latin or Greek or any recognizable western European language. There are a few Latin words mixed in with what appears to be Slavic writing. Second, a diagram in red and white is found, with sunbursts and arrows and some sort of two by two array arranged on the page. Very curious. We take the notebook with us. 

Bertram, meanwhile, has chickened out of the battle on the roof, shouting he’s getting the constabulary. As we come down, the constabulary show up and we spend precious time explaining ourselves and the situation. Josephine also spends a minute going through the clothing donations left for the poor to find suitable coverhing: her shirtwaist and skirt are literally hanging off her in ribbons. She finds a sturdy soldier’s great coat in red and dons it. Thus covered from prying eyes, if not properly attired, she and the others take Mortimer back to Bow Street to deliver our reports to Sir John. Josephine and Beignet put aside their differences and deliver their report on the events at Westminster ably and concisely. He verifies that Selene Dashwood is the inventor of the device and we’re tasked to go to her residence to find any clues as to her whereabouts. Rembecki has the inventor of the steam innovation and our journey to the Continent is assured. 

Sir John arranges an account with funds for our use and Beignet takes control of it. Any purchases for the expedition will have to go through him. Plans are quickly made to travel. Flora is included in our party as a Lady in Waiting to Katherine while Josephine plays her personal maid. The menfolk need no cover to preserve their reputations and after we’re dismissed, we turn for home—home being in this case, Lady Katherine’s. Josephine asks for a detour to retrieve her trunk from the Guilford Hotel where she’d stashed it upon arrival in London. Beignet assures her he will dispatch a footman of Katherine’s for it. Her possessions thus assured, Josephine climbs back into the carriage with the others. 

What is also assured is some fallout on the personal front. In the inevitable declaration of sleeping arrangements once returned to Lady Katherine’s townhouse, Bertram is denied a room with his lover Flora. Beignet will not allow such openly scandalous behavior under his employer’s roof. Josephine is put up for the night in servants’ quarters in the attic. Despite Lady Katherine’s invitation, Ezekiel insists on leaving for his own home, there to sleep and prepare for departure. Beignet tells him to return early—they two have an appointment to see Col. Fleming at the Diogenes Club at 9:30 AM to explain the night’s events and the marriage proposal to his only child and daughter. Ezekiel agrees and bids us all a good night. 

Lady Katherine takes Flora upstairs with her and they ready for bed. Katherine leaves orders not to be disturbed until 11:30 AM, intending to catch up on her sleep. Josephine is shown to her room in the attic and falls asleep on her bed fully clothed. Beignet stays awake to write the Pre-Nuptial Agreement to present to Col. Fleming. 

Ezekiel shows up at the time specified and they’re taken to the Club. They are met at the door by a silent footman and shown to the Strangers’ Room. The Club is very strange, quite possibly the strangest gentlemen’s club in London, perhaps the Empire. No speaking is allowed outside the Strangers’ Room. No member speaks to or even acknowledges another member. The club is furnished throughout with comfortable chairs, newspapers, books, and cigars and it is redolent with the aromas of leather, tobacco and fine brandy. Ezekiel takes all of this in without a word and follows Beignet into the Colonel’s presence. The footman closes the Strangers’ Room door and the conversation begins. 

What have you to say for yourself, Beignet? 

Beignet tells his employer, in his own convoluted and detailed way, of the events of the previous evening, finishing his recitation by presenting the Pre-Nuptial agreement. The Colonel glances at it, asks Ezekiel if he’s sincere in his proposal and Ezekiel says yes. Can he support his daughter in the manner to which she is accustomed? Well, sir, on that matter …. 

The Colonel orders Beignet to the next room to copy the pre-nup by hand. No, now. Go. Beignet leaves and the Colonel and Ezekiel are left alone to discuss things frankly. To whit: Ezekiel is not rich enough to support Katherine in the standard she now enjoys. While normally this would be a deal breaker in any marriage proposal, the Colonel is somewhat anxious to see his daughter married off. Amongst the Eldren, red hair is seen as a curse and red hair in a female Eldren makes her fair undesirable. Getting her married off to a human might be lowering herself by some standards, but at least she’ll be married. Marrying into the Eldren, on the other hand, is a step up in status for a human, so Ezekiel may yet come out ahead. Not that social climbing matters one jot to him—he’s smitten with Katherine and desires to marry her regardless. 

The Colonel arranges for Ezekiel to work for his company to keep up appearances. Ezekiel accepts the employment, having little choice, and resolves to work out a way to keep his obligations to his old commitments even as he takes on his new ones. Beignet is called back in and the men wrap things up. Beignet and Ezekiel thank the Colonel for his time and return to Katherine’s townhouse, there to greet the ladies and have a late breakfast. 

Return to '''''[[The Blind Beak]]''''' | Go forward to '''''[[The Investigation Begins]]''''' 
Return to [[The_Dark_Corners_of_the_Earth:_The_Story_So_Far_... | '''''The Story So Far ...''''']] 
Return to [[The Dark Corners of the Earth | '''''The Dark Corners of the Earth''''' ]]

Equinox Description

2021-02-04T06:19:28Z

Taimdala: /* Storage Lockers */

== Hangar Deck ==
[[Image:HngrDk1a1b.jpg|650x650px|left|Hangar deck]] [[Image:HgrDkHtch.jpg|450x450px|right|Hangar Deck Hatch]] The ''Equinox's'' Hangar occupies 120 tons, and so is able to manage up to 60 tons of vehicles. A shuttle the size of [[Langiappe | Lagniappe]] (30 tons) can fit under the roof. 

There is also a hatch to port that leads up to the outer hull, where one can access the "roof" of ''Equinox'', and also leads down through all the decks—crew, passenger, and cargo—to the bottom hull that forms the "belly". At one time, a breakout kit and a gun kit had been stashed in the hatch area. They may still be undiscovered by the current owners of the ship. 

It has two storage rooms at port(1a) and starboard(1b) immediately aft of the landing pad. There is also a Utility Room (2) centered aft of the landing pad. 

'''[[Episode 510: St. Albans Secrets | Ep 510]]:''' The storage rooms each have concealed hatches to the Exeter's orginal weapons bays. The one to port was used as a pallet drop hangar, the one to starboard as a countermeasures deployment bay. Rina was injured in defusing one of the chaff bombs found inside.
*Contents of [[Equinox_Weapons_Bays|Weapons Bays]]
 
 

== Utility Room ==
[[Image:UT_RmDetReszd.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Utility Room]]
This room contains tools and supplies for repairing the shuttle. In addition it contains some of the charging apparatus for the ships Vacc Suits. Also there are access points to several key ship's systems including life support, and water systems.
 
 
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'''''CREW DECK'''''
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== Bridge ==
[[Image:Brdige_DetReszd.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
The spacious bridge contains five stations. One for the captain or pilot, two stations forward capable of serving as pilot, co-pilot or navigator. A tactical station, and a communications station.
*There is a pistol stash--unbagged--taped to the underside of the pilot's chair, as of Ep.702
 

== Captain's Quarters ==
[[Image:CptQtrs.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
The only cabin on board to include a walk-in closet, and bathroom. There is a small workstation as well near the main entrance. Another entrance leads to the bridge.
 

== Captain's Head ==
[[Image:CptQtrsHd.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
Rank hath its privileges. The only ''en suite'' bathroom aboard, it is fully equipped with a private shower in addition to a wash basin and head.
 

== Conference Room ==
[[Image:ConfRmDet01.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Conference room with holo table active]]Large table seats eight comfortably, more if needed. There is a large display in the room, and equipment for telepresence conferencing. The room opens to a small lounge/office that can used for expanded seating or prep. 

The conference table is a smart table, and nearly the entire surface is a touch screen monitor. Images can be transferred from the table to the wall-mounted flat screen with a drag of a finger or a tap of a button. 

 

== Storage Locker/Closet ==
[[Image:CnfRmStgLkr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
There is a storage closet/weapons locker here.
 

== Conference Room Head ==
[[Image:CnfRmHd.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
And a head. Just in case the conference runs long.
 

== Hatch to Hangar Deck/Passenger Deck ==
[[Image:PrtHtchCrwDk.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
This hatch allows travel to and from the Hangar Deck or the Passenger Deck
*During ''Equinox's'' shakedown cruise, Rina used this to go all the way down the cargo deck airlock during an automatic lockdown.
*Rina's got one of her repair kits stashed behind a light panel at floor level
 

== Storage Lockers ==
[[Image:MdShpStgLkrsReszd.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Storage Lockers]]
Are exactly as the name implies--they are lockers for storage. 
Contents of For'ard Lockers:
*Four Vacc Suits(one per locker)
*Zero-G Tools (2 sets both on Starboard)
*Air-Masks (2 per locker)
*One Airlock/Bullkhead Tool (super allen wrench)

 

Like the For'ard Storage Lockers, the Aft Lockers have been placed aft on the deck between the crew quarters.

Contents of Aft Lockers:
*Four Vacc Suits(one per locker)
*Zero-G Tools (2 sets both on Starboard)
*Air-Masks (2 per locker)
*One Airlock/Bulkhead Tool (super allen wrench)
 

== Hydroponics ==
[[Image:Hydpncs.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
Hidden behind what appears to be a water faucet on the port forward corner of the bay (behind some ferns) is a false wall leading to what appears to be a small vault.
 

== Portside Air Lock ==
[[Image:PrtAirLk.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
The main airlock on the Crew Deck, found to port.
 

== Starboard Cargo Bay ==
[[Image:StbdCrgHld.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Equinox Bridge]]
The ''Equinox'' is blessed with ample cargo space, including a decent cargo hold on the crew deck itself. It is accessed by a starboard airlock directly opposite the portside airlock, shotgun style. Meaning a body could fire a shotgun in one airlock and out the other without hittin' a thing.
*Hanging punching bag and 4 pairs boxing gloves can be found in the starboard aft corner--the nucleus of the crew gym.
 

== Med Bay ==
[[Image:MdBy.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Med Bay]]
The Med Bay is a nicely appointed one, nearly as large as a double cabin and partitioned into a separate exam room and recovery rooom.
 

== Crew Quarters ==

a) '''[[Plan Description, Detailed: Arden's Quarters|Arden's Quarters:]]''' being right next to Med bay, it's a logical choice. 
b) '''[[Plan Description, Detailed: Beglan's Quarters|Beglan's Quarters:]]''' aft, closer to the engine room. 
c) '''[[Plan Description, Detailed: Kiera's Quarters|Kiera's Quarters:]]''' forward to starboard, it's a little farther from the Engine room and the galley. Hopefully quieter for sleeping. 
d) '''[[Plan Description, Detailed: Joshua and Rina's Quarters|Joshua and Rina's Quarters:]]''' aft to starboard and closer to the engine room. 

== Crew Head ==
[[Image:CrwHd.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Crew Head]]
Equipped with a head, a shower, and a sink, it's conveniently located mid-ships between the starboard and port crew cabins. It's also conveniently equipped with one of Rina's gun stashes and break out kits. In an atmo vent. About yea high off the deck.
 

== Aft Auxiliary Locker ==
[[Image:AftAuxLkr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Aft Auxiliary Locker]]
At the moment it is unspecified storage space but given the heftier doors on it, it might not make a bad arms locker for the crew.
 

== Crew Shower Compartment ==
[[Image:CrwShwr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Crew Shower Compartment]]
Aft of the crew quarters and before the crew lounge to starboard, the Crew Shower compartment has a dry area for towels and disrobing safe from the wet and public view.
 

== Life Pods, Starboard and Port ==
[[Image:EscPdsReszd.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Starboard and Port Life Pods]] Four escape pods are found to port and starboard off the crew lounge. These Niagra-class pods are single person vehicles, designed for a long stay and single reentry. The pod has no piloting controls and operates automatically using the data from the ship's main computer at the time of launch. A single person can survive up to 6 days inside. It might be possible to fit two inside a pod but there is only one seat and the ride can get rough. The interior has little more than a well-padded chair equipped with a five-point harness and builto-in toilet. The pod also has basic controls for comms and sensors.
 

== Crew Lounge ==
[[Image:CrwLng.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Crew Lounge]] Cozy and comfortably furnished, the usual hard surfaces of the ship are softened with area rugs and upholstry. There is a large table for taking meals as a crew, as well as a smaller table opposite for smaller tasks or more intimate gatherings. A leather couch faces a flat screen stocked with a library of chips and vids. Books, puzzles, and games offer a variety of options to pass the time.
 

== Machine Shop ==
[[Image:MchShp.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Machine Shop]] This serves as the ship's repair shop, where items are repaired or fabricated. It's convenient to Engineering for those on-the-fly fixes.
 

== Galley ==
[[Image:Glly.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Galley]] Equipped with a large walk-in cold/freezer storage unit as well as free-standing refrigerators and a double-sink (spray faucet not shown for clarity) with dishwashing unit, the galley also boasts a generous prep counter with overhead shelves, a multiburner stove and grill, and a sizeable oven. Robust exhaust hoods over the cooking surface sends any odors and moisture to the proper systems for reclamation and disposal.
 

== Engine Room ==
[[Image:Engrg.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Engine Room]] The engine room allows direct access to drive core and the power system. A tools locker to starboard holds tools and protective gear. An entrance to the machine shop mirrors the locker position to port.
 
 
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'' '''PASSENGER DECK''' ''
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== Hatch to Upper Decks ==
[[Image:PxHtch.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Hatch to Upper Decks]] This is the tube access through all the decks. Going upward will bring you to crew deck. Going down will take you to the cargo deck. There is a breakout kit stashed behind the light panel at floor level.
 

== For'ard Storage Locker ==
[[Image:FwdStgLckr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Forward Storage Locker]] The narrow storage room at the fore end of the passenger deck also has engineering controls for some of the ship's power systems and back-up life support. It's also used to store luggage that might not fit comfortably in the passenger cabins.
 

== Passenger Cabins ==
[[Image:PxCbns.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Passenger Deck Cabins]]
Full 2nd class accomodations, the passenger cabins and the passenger deck is Kiera's responsibility as Ship's Steward.
*As of Summer/Fall 2522, 6 of the 2nd class cabins have been refitted to make 5 1st class cabins with attached baths.
 

== Passenger Head ==
[[Image:PxHdShwr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Passenger Head (#27)]] The passenger head is combined with a shower compartment for convenience.
 

== Passenger Shower ==
[[Image:PxHdShwr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Passenger Shower (#28)]] The passenger shower is equipped with a luxury showerhead with multiple settings for comfort.
 

== Air Lock, Port & Starboard ==
[[Image:PxDkAirLcks.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Passenger Deck Airlocks, Port and Starboard]] The passenger deck airlocks are found amidship at port and starboard.
 

== Aft Storage Locker ==
[[Image:AftStgLckr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Aft Storage Locker]] The aft storage locker makes a good place to store extra bed linens and towels for the passenger's use. It also has hook-ups for laundry equipment.
 

== Aft Passenger Shower ==
[[Image:AftPxShwr.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Aft Passsenger Shower]] The aft passenger shower comes in mighty handy when there's a line at the main shower. Like the aft shower on crew deck, it also has a dry area for disrobing, hanging towels, and for clothing.
 

== Passenger Lounge ==
[[Image: PxLnge.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Passenger Lounge]]
This area contains a casual seating area, wet bar, large view screen and formal dining table. The area is also served by a dumb waiter that goes to the kitchen upstairs. It can hold something 2 feet in diameter by 18 inches.
 
 
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'''''CARGO DECK'''''
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== Cargo Hatch to Upper Decks ==
[[Image: CrgoDeckHtch.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Cargo Deck Hatch]]
This hatch provides access to the Upper decks, and also exterior access via ventral hatch. This hatch is typically inaccessible when the ship has landed, but can be accessed in space. Note: as in the upper hatch, this will only unlock if the hatches to other decks are closed.
 

== Main Airlock ==
[[Image: CrgoMainAirLck.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Main Airlock]] The main airlock leads directly into the cargo hold and is quite high and wide to facilitate the loading and unloading of cargo. It is equipped with a double set of airlock doors for extra security against the vacuum of space. The cargo deck hatch to the upper decks lies between the two sets of doors. As with the deck hatches, the inner airlock doors will not open if the outer airlock doors are open. One must close the outer doors before the inner doors will open.
 

== Main Cargo Hold ==
[[Image: CrgoMainHld.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Main Cargo Hold]] The main cargo hold is equipped with twin force field generators at the portals to the aft cargo bay. It comes in handy when ''Exeter'' carries livestock that needs segregating. (Only please, no bees. Thank you.)
 

== Aft Cargo Lockers ==
[[Image: CrgoStgLckrs.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Aft Storage Lockers]]
Converted to use by Potemkin and Gordon into cold storage lockers for the Stitches, the cryo equipment has since been dismantled and sold prior to ''Equinox's'' shakedown cruise. They are now used for their original purpose as storage lockers.
 

== Aft Cargo Hold ==
[[Image: CrgoAuxHld.jpg|450x300px|left|thumb|Aft Cargo Hold]]
The aft hold can be separated from the main cargo area by Forcefield generators. These are designed for controlling the movement of prisoners. They can withstand small arms fire, and generate a small shock (reflecting back damage done to them that does not break them).
 
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'''Go to [[Equinox]]''' 
'''Go to [[Mutineers]]'''

Confessions and Redemptions

2019-11-09T16:10:03Z

Taimdala:

She went down the stairs more rapidly than normal; part with the urgent need to see him and part with the urgent need to confess. "May I steal Ezekiel from you a moment?" she asked Neecy and then to Ezekiel, "May I see you in the hall?" 

When Katherine came rushing down, Ezekiel was slightly surprised. He hadn't been sure when to expect to see again, but his heart leapt as she descended, a vision in blue. He nodded to Monsieur Beignet in acknowledgment of his role, and then said, "Of course, my treasure." 

He took her hand and walked with her into the hall. The conversation would have the semblance of privacy and Ezekiel doubted that Monsieur Beignet would be listening too hard. "You should not feel you need to steal me, Katherine. I am already yours in mind and soul." 

His response caught her unawares; she had formed what she was going to say as she had rushed down the stairs. And now ... now she could only stare into his eyes with her mouth parted slightly, her hand warm in his. She inhaled to start to speak and his scent almost made her dizzy. She closed her eyes to enjoy it, remembering the taste of his lips and the firm strength in his arms as he had held her and smiled. "I could hear you say that forever, dearest heart," she murmured and lay her forehead against his shoulder and then sighed. "I must confess to you what I've done. Before the truth sullies me forever in your eyes. I did not mean to do it. I still am not certain that she has forgiven me. But you must know that I've inadvertently accused Josephine of the worst behavior and I have hurt her." 

"Go on, Katherine," Ezekiel said calmly. "What is this behavior of which you accused Josephine?" He took her hands in his and patted them comfortingly. 

She lifted her head to his and it came out quickly, like a guilty child. "I presumed to apologize for you again to her upstairs, to reassure her that you would have never meant to offend her and that it was behaviour so unlike you. To take into account that we were all still tired. And it seemed to shake her. She told me of your response, the misunderstanding that had so undone her and how there should be limits that you both should obey." She took a long breath and continued, "I will admit that I was too direct about questioning her about limits to your friendship. Indeed, what right was it of mine to question your associations or what endangerment that could be to you and I?" Her eyes were wide, open and supplicating, and she spoke softly as if everyone were listening to her guilt. "I so undid her that she had to turn from me and then, Ezekiel, she fell upon my lap! I apologized to her, but there is no telling what damage I did." 

Her shoulders slumped and she finally looked to the floor. "I did not mean to make her uncomfortable. I do not know if she believed me when I asked for her forgiveness. I told her that I could teach her weapons work. That way there would not be unseemly contact between you and she. I know that she was only trying to protect us and I, in my suspicion, turned upon her. I am sorry." 

"The part of the conversation about love? It was brief and I did not mean it in any sort of familiar way. I meant it as a reminder that love enriches our lives, as it has newly enriched yours and mine. I am sorry if she misinterpreted what I had said. I had thought she had problems with a gentleman in her past." If Josephine had thought he has making inappropriate and unwanted advances, then it was no surprise why she had become upset. 

Katherine looked at him, her brows furrowing gently. "Then maybe there has been misunderstanding in all ways,' she said softly. "Do you think that she believes you too forward? She led me to believe that she had made the incorrect advance. Now I am confused." ''And not as sorry as I was'', she thought with a hidden frown. What was the detective woman hiding? She looked up to search Ezekiel's face and saw innocent concern. 

Ezekiel held her hands between his and looked up into those green cat eyes, their exotic beauty almost causing him to lose his train of thought. What was important, he thought, was ending this and reassuring Katherine that all was right. "This does indeed seem to be confusing," he agreed, "but I think, clearly, any blame in this matter is mine. I will apologize formally to Madame Arceneaux for the confusion and concern. And while I understand your wish to make sure my honor was kept intact, I need neither man nor woman to apologize in my place. When there is apology to be made, it is my duty and responsibility to make it. A man's word is only as good as his ability and the perception of his ability to stand by it." 

She nodded imperceptibly. "Yes, that is so, my love," she agreed in a whisper. "I overstepped. It seems I owe you apologies too." She freed a hand to pat the one still grasping her other hand with distracted unease. "As I told Josephine, what is between you is between you both and not I. I have no right to make either of you report to me." She pulled her other hand free to gesture back to the other room. "Shall we go back? The others surely wait. Thank you for indulging my silliness. Please assure Josephine that I meant no insult to her." Bowing her head, she stepped away to return to the parlor with a weak smile that she fought to make real. Up and down she was feeling, in and out as if what she knew was certain had spun out of control. Ezekiel was taller than she and taller still he seemed just now speaking to her. There was no reconciling what her instincts told her and what the words given to her meant. She could only chastise herself for being small-hearted, vicious and ugly and yet. . . with the deepest part of her heart, she knew that Josephine had not told her everything. Too many times she had spoken to the other side of the room and the detective was too independent and bold to have fallen prostrate on her lap. And despite her protestations to the contrary, Josephine had done nothing more than plant the seed of doubt in her mind. She found herself grasping the doorframe; she was shaking, her body expressing what her words could not. 

"Katherine," Ezekiel said, concern in his voice. "Are you well?" He rushed over to her side and took her by the arm. "Use me for support." Her arm was shaking in his grasp. How had he managed to upset yet another woman? Katherine had meant no harm in apologizing for him. Yet he had struck her with his words like a glove across the cheek. He had much to learn, it seemed. 

"Yes," she stated and then made the mistake of looking at him. He was so concerned and she was going mad like Alice. Her reassuring smile was twisted with mirth; she could only laugh at herself as she fell down the hole. "You do love me," she stated in a whisper, finally knowing it to be true beyond all mad doubt. Tears fell freely with relief and her soul sang, freed of its burdens. 

They were too near the opening where Josephine and Neecy could see them. She could not let Neecy see; she would not let Josephine see. She concentrated on breathing and gathered her words carefully. "Come hold me. . .they will forgive us and I must tell you something that I believe and you should be aware of." 

Ezekiel stepped in close to support her, to hold her. Confusion passed across his face as her words gave him new reason for concern. As he came in close, he took a finger and wiped a tear away from her cheek, softly caressing her with his touch. "What is of such concern to move you towards faintness?" 

Katherine leaned against him, a soft sigh like a happy child escaping her. "We have been friends for some time, my love," she breathed softly into his ear. "And I know that I am younger than you and sometimes seem quite flighty. But a woman knows when another woman pays attention to the male in her company and I know that Josephine is paying too much attention to you. Were I still more friend than lover to you, then I would find a cheerful amusement in your predicament. But I cannot find it to be merry at my own expense and laugh as this rabid circle of admiration chases me to madness." 

She was serious. His first instinct was to be surprised but when he went back in his head and reviewed the conversations with Josephine, he could begin to see what she was referring to. Had he encouraged it? He wasn't sure but he knew he needed to both reassure Katherine and in private attempt to politely discourage Josephine. 

She nuzzled his shoulder, enjoying the warmth, and then raised her face to his. Shock was quickly being replaced with decision and concern. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't want you to be burdened. I tried to ignore it, but I could not. I'm guilty of always assuming that you would be there with me and I depended on it. And now that there is a rival, I have acted poorly. I should be stronger. But Ezekiel, I cannot express the joy that I feel when you are near nor can I make you understand how very much I have grown used to you being there." She reached a hand up to cup his cheek. "I'm afraid that I am not the strong woman you believe. But I will try to be the better person that you believe me to be, the person that you deserve." 

"Katherine, you have nothing to fear. I am in love with you. If I am honest with myself, I have been in love with you for some time, but was too foolish to recognize it." He pressed his hand up to hers, feeling the warmth of it against both his hand and his face. "I am looking forward to discovering the woman you are as I hope you are excited to discover who I am. Until then, we must have faith in ourselves and each other. I believe in you, Katherine." 

"I cannot wait to know you, Ezekiel … in all ways," was her soft answer. She knew that she blushed but she relaxed finally, smiling at herself and their situation. "I suppose that I needed a push to be brought to my senses also." She glanced to each side of them and then planted a swift kiss on his lips. "Praise be to heaven for you, my love. I don't know what I did to deserve you." She studied his face, memorizing it, and then raised her eyebrows. "So what are we going to do about poor Josephine? Shall I continue to play ignorant as to not discomfit her? I do love her. How should we handle this so not to hurt her more?" 

The taste of her lips was sweet but all too tantalizing. What she had done to deserve him? It seemed to him the statement should be reversed. "If you kiss me again," he whispered, "I will be lost to you forever." He didn't know whether it was meant as a warning or an invitation. 

He brought his mind back to the problem at hand. "I would not have you lie to her. I would think a quick, even if briefly painful, end to the situation would be more favorable than something prolonged. But I have shown great ineptitude in even realizing the situation existed." He looked at the face of the woman he would have the privilege of marrying. "If you found yourself in her position, what would be your most ideal outcome?" 

Her eyes twinkled; her good humor was back and she felt the weight of the world lifted. Together she and Ezekiel could take on the world. "To have you," she countered as the answer and then grew solemn. "To be honest, I would want you to speak to me. Let me know why it could not be. But your kindness will hurt her more than anger, I must warn you. I would also like my rival to show kindness, but not condension. But the broken heart is still broken and wants what it wants. We will have to be gentle and give her time. It would be best if she were not forced to watch us and participate, but I am selfish enough to know that I want her with us and want to keep her as friend." She laughed softly, abrupt and merry. "She will watch out for you when I cannot., on our adventures on the Continent. I should be happy with that. I wouldn't have anything harm you and someone not be there to help you. Especially someone who is as in love with you as I." Her dancing eyes darted around the hall again and finding no one, she kissed him with willful passion, her chin up when she let him go. "It's my home," she announced with spoiled impishness. "We are practically surrounded with chaperones." 

The kiss filled every inch of his body with warmness and pleasure. As she let him go from the kiss, he took in and released a deep breath, focusing on everything but Katherine and her intoxicating presence. "I do not think you realize the full effect that you have upon me, my love. Each kiss is a temptation towards things which I cannot have now." He could resist the temptation to go further, but he could not make himself ask for her to be careful with her kisses. Because he wanted them very much. 

Not three days ago, he could stay focused with the best of his peers. Katherine played havoc with his concentration, it seemed. He once again forced his mind back to the matter of Josephine. "I feel we should tell her together in private. Do you agree?" 

"Yes." She fumbled for and found his hand. "Shall we go now?" 

Ezekiel nodded. "Best done and done quick. If you will ask Monsieur Beignet to give us a moment with Josephine..." And he led her back into the parlor, holding tight to her hand as they walked. 

"Neecy. . .if you would excuse us for a moment." The little Belgian nodded curtly and left the room. She looked at Ezekiel. "Shall you start or should I?" 

---

Josephine had followed Katherine down the stairs and into the drawing room, firmly in hand and playing the role of a dutiful ladies’ maid. The sight of Ezekiel made her heart lurch but she squelched any outward show. Katherine immediately drew him out to the hall and Josephine was grateful for the respite. It was too soon after telling Katherine, too soon after Ezekiel, for her to be comfortable in the gentleman’s presence. 

''It will fade. God help me, it '''must'''. I can’t afford the distraction on-mission. '''We''' can’t.'' 

She kept the thought running like a mantra in the background as she smiled politely at Beignet and offered to refresh his cup. Milk? Sugar? Lemon? Niceties observed, she dared pour herself a cup and took it with her to a side chair away from table. A maid could not be counted equal to the Head Butler of any household and as she hadn’t been expressly invited to join them at table, Josephine felt discretion was the better part of valor. 

''Valor? Try retreat. It’s closer to the truth.'' 

She sipped and sat in silence regaining her composure as she thought ahead to their coming excursion to Miss Dashwood’s, when the couple’s return smashed it to bits. Josephine caught the undercurrent running from the pair and knew her omission upstairs had been discovered. 

''Blindfold? Cigarette? No thank you. Get on with it.'' 

“Yes?” Gaze and voice steady, Josephine put her cup aside and rose. 

Katherine looked at Ezekiel and waited for him to begin. 

"We had hoped to have a word with you. Excuse me if I am but a blunt hammer when a delicate scalpel is needed." Ezekiel looked at Josephine, not unkindly, but with a small hint of sadness. He had originally thought to ask her if what Katherine said was true, but that would both create the illusion that he doubted Katherine and shame Madame Arceneaux by requiring her to confirm it. Instead, he decided for the straightforward approach. "It has come to my attention that you are perhaps harboring inappropriate feelings for me. If this is true, then the blame sits firmly at my feet for failing to understand this and bring a quicker halt to it. No shame or dishonor should come to you, Madame Arceneaux. But it must be made clear that while I respect you and wish your friendship, there can be nothing beyond that friendship between us. I am in love with Katherine and we will be wed. I do not wish for you to hold to hopes that cannot, will not be fulfilled. It can lead only to pain and I do not wish that upon you." 

Katherine squeezed his hand as she looked at Josephine. Sadness, that is what she felt, far from the triumphant joy that the penny novels spoke of; just a deep and empathetic sadness. She would have run to hold Josephine's hand, but knew that would be unwelcome. Instead, she looked to Ezekiel and then back to Josephine. 

“I am fully aware of the situation, Mr. Drake.” Josephine said evenly, her chin level and her back straight, her pride stung. ''As if it wasn’t stunningly clear to me from the first. Does he think me an idiot?'' “I see I have failed to make my cognizance of that fact clear to both of you and I apologize. Furthermore, now that the matter is in the open between us, let us not waste the opportunity to resolve it decisively. 

"Mr. Drake.” Josephine steeled herself and faced him square. “I promise I shall make every effort to comport myself with utmost professionalism. You need not fear to work and travel beside me. You are a business associate and nothing more. Lady Katherine, I promise I have no designs upon your intended husband and I have no desire whatsoever to hurt or undermine his affection for you. You are a sister to me and deserving of my support and loyalty. To the both of you, I pledge you my respect for your privacy and your commitment to each other and will not intrude upon either.” 

Josephine took a step forward and continued, her voice low, velvet over steel.“I would '''''never''''' willingly ruin your happiness for the sake of an infatuation, however strong or hurtful it might be for me to endure. That, make no mistake, is my burden to bear. Not yours. And I will make every effort to ensure it does not impinge on the both of you.” 

Another step. Another vow. 

“If this is acceptable, then by all means let us proceed with the task assigned us by the Crown. If this is not acceptable, I beg your forbearance until we either fulfill our duty to Queen and Country or until such suitable replacement can be found for myself in this endeavor. But whatever happens, let us get on with it.” 

Katherine's mouth quirked and she inclined her head with grave understanding. 

"Professionals, rather than friends. I understand why it must be that way, even if it pains me. Once again, if I have hurt you because I was too foolish to understand what was occurring, then I must take the blame. It is clear to me you are both more observant and more intelligent than I in these matters." Exekiel made a stiff half bow. 

She had wanted not to say anything, but at that, Katherine could not help but say gently, "Maybe with time things will be easier. We can only pray." She hurt for them both. 

"Of course," Josephine said, going brittle as she saw how her words had upset her friends. ''Friends? Perhaps not any longer. Certainly not with Ezekiel. He said it himself. ' Professionals, rather than friends'.'' Too late, Josephine realized what her temper and pride had cost her. ''You were right, Mr. Drake. I am an idiot.'' Aloud, she managed calmly, "All things are tempered in time. The heart learns, wounds heal. I meant nothing in malice though I realize my words were sharp. I only wished to be perfectly clear as to my intentions. In my extremity I could discern no other way to accomplish it. I'm sorry." 

Time...he had to remember that the passage of time since this all started had been measured in days, not years, even if it might seem the latter. "Time indeed. If these past few days are indicators of how much will occur while we are together, then we shall all be old friends before the week is up." 

Katherine could not stand it anymore. "Oh please tell me that we will be friends!" she cried out in distress. "I cannot stand the pain in this room. I cannot stand that my jealousy would deprive others of friendship." She looked from Ezekiel to Josephine and back. "What ties us is our affection for one another. Friendship is so precious. Josephine, you cannot withhold that from Ezekiel. Take it from me instead." 

Ezekiel's magnanimity flowed over her like honey, paradoxically soothing and torturing at once. Josephine could only stand rooted to the spot and let it wash over her as she clung to her composure tooth and toenail. Katherine, however, blew it all to a faretheewell and at her impassioned plea, Josephine broke. Sucking in a shuddering breath, she crossed the carpet in three strides and took the younger woman in her arms and held her tight, heart-stabbed at the hurt she'd dealt. 

"It's not your fault, Katherine. It's just another misunderstanding. Of course, we shall be friends. Don't cry, please don't cry," Josephine whispered, stroking Katherine's back like a mother would a child. "We'll be fine, all of us. We've been brought together for a purpose and of course we shall win through. Everything will turn out right. You'll see...." 

It was a whole new world Ezekiel was entering, and there had already been several occasions when he wondered if he was perhaps ill prepared for the rise and fall of emotions that would come with Katherine and with marriage. He stood and watched Josephine console Katherine and prayed for guidance from the Host. ''Help me walk this delicate path so that I do not hurt the people that walk it with me.'' 

Katherine sniffed, but held strong. "I know it will. Agape is what we share and I believe that we have been brought together also to fight a rising evil. We will have each other and I hope in time that you will be able to bring another into our circle, Josephine." She pulled free and gathered Ezekiel's arm in her own. "The Host works in mysterious ways. We are stronger together." Looking up at Ezekiel's eyes, she nodded so that he knew that there was a special part of her words for him.

 

 '''''You are reading an RP entry. Since any campaign is a collaborative effort, Journal and RP entries by our other players can be read''''' [[The Dark Corners of the Earth: The Story So Far ... | '''here.''']] 

Return to [[The Dark Corners of the Earth | '''''The Dark Corners of the Earth''''' ]]

Confessions and Redemptions

2019-11-09T15:55:06Z

Taimdala:

She went down the stairs more rapidly than normal; part with the urgent need to see him and part with the urgent need to confess. "May I steal Ezekiel from you a moment?" she asked Neecy and then to Ezekiel, "May I see you in the hall?" 

When Katherine came rushing down, Ezekiel was slightly surprised. He hadn't been sure when to expect to see again, but his heart leapt as she descended, a vision in blue. He nodded to Monsieur Beignet in acknowledgment of his role, and then said, "Of course, my treasure." 

He took her hand and walked with her into the hall. The conversation would have the semblance of privacy and Ezekiel doubted that Monsieur Beignet would be listening too hard. "You should not feel you need to steal me, Katherine. I am already yours in mind and soul." 

His response caught her unawares; she had formed what she was going to say as she had rushed down the stairs. And now ... now she could only stare into his eyes with her mouth parted slightly, her hand warm in his. She inhaled to start to speak and his scent almost made her dizzy. She closed her eyes to enjoy it, remembering the taste of his lips and the firm strength in his arms as he had held her and smiled. "I could hear you say that forever, dearest heart," she murmured and lay her forehead against his shoulder and then sighed. "I must confess to you what I've done. Before the truth sullies me forever in your eyes. I did not mean to do it. I still am not certain that she has forgiven me. But you must know that I've inadvertently accused Josephine of the worst behavior and I have hurt her." 

"Go on, Katherine," Ezekiel said calmly. "What is this behavior of which you accused Josephine?" He took her hands in his and patted them comfortingly. 

She lifted her head to his and it came out quickly, like a guilty child. "I presumed to apologize for you again to her upstairs, to reassure her that you would have never meant to offend her and that it was behaviour so unlike you. To take into account that we were all still tired. And it seemed to shake her. She told me of your response, the misunderstanding that had so undone her and how there should be limits that you both should obey." She took a long breath and continued, "I will admit that I was too direct about questioning her about limits to your friendship. Indeed, what right was it of mine to question your associations or what endangerment that could be to you and I?" Her eyes were wide, open and supplicating, and she spoke softly as if everyone were listening to her guilt. "I so undid her that she had to turn from me and then, Ezekiel, she fell upon my lap! I apologized to her, but there is no telling what damage I did." 

Her shoulders slumped and she finally looked to the floor. "I did not mean to make her uncomfortable. I do not know if she believed me when I asked for her forgiveness. I told her that I could teach her weapons work. That way there would not be unseemly contact between you and she. I know that she was only trying to protect us and I, in my suspicion, turned upon her. I am sorry." 

"The part of the conversation about love? It was brief and I did not mean it in any sort of familiar way. I meant it as a reminder that love enriches our lives, as it has newly enriched yours and mine. I am sorry if she misinterpreted what I had said. I had thought she had problems with a gentleman in her past." If Josephine had thought he has making inappropriate and unwanted advances, then it was no surprise why she had become upset. 

Katherine looked at him, her brows furrowing gently. "Then maybe there has been misunderstanding in all ways,' she said softly. "Do you think that she believes you too forward? She led me to believe that she had made the incorrect advance. Now I am confused." ''And not as sorry as I was'', she thought with a hidden frown. What was the detective woman hiding? She looked up to search Ezekiel's face and saw innocent concern. 

Ezekiel held her hands between his and looked up into those green cat eyes, their exotic beauty almost causing him to lose his train of thought. What was important, he thought, was ending this and reassuring Katherine that all was right. "This does indeed seem to be confusing," he agreed, "but I think, clearly, any blame in this matter is mine. I will apologize formally to Madame Arceneaux for the confusion and concern. And while I understand your wish to make sure my honor was kept intact, I need neither man nor woman to apologize in my place. When there is apology to be made, it is my duty and responsibility to make it. A man's word is only as good as his ability and the perception of his ability to stand by it." 

She nodded imperceptibly. "Yes, that is so, my love," she agreed in a whisper. "I overstepped. It seems I owe you apologies too." She freed a hand to pat the one still grasping her other hand with distracted unease. "As I told Josephine, what is between you is between you both and not I. I have no right to make either of you report to me." She pulled her other hand free to gesture back to the other room. "Shall we go back? The others surely wait. Thank you for indulging my silliness. Please assure Josephine that I meant no insult to her." Bowing her head, she stepped away to return to the parlor with a weak smile that she fought to make real. Up and down she was feeling, in and out as if what she knew was certain had spun out of control. Ezekiel was taller than she and taller still he seemed just now speaking to her. There was no reconciling what her instincts told her and what the words given to her meant. She could only chastise herself for being small-hearted, vicious and ugly and yet. . . with the deepest part of her heart, she knew that Josephine had not told her everything. Too many times she had spoken to the other side of the room and the detective was too independent and bold to have fallen prostrate on her lap. And despite her protestations to the contrary, Josephine had done nothing more than plant the seed of doubt in her mind. She found herself grasping the doorframe; she was shaking, her body expressing what her words could not. 

"Katherine," Ezekiel said, concern in his voice. "Are you well?" He rushed over to her side and took her by the arm. "Use me for support." Her arm was shaking in his grasp. How had he managed to upset yet another woman? Katherine had meant no harm in apologizing for him. Yet he had struck her with his words like a glove across the cheek. He had much to learn, it seemed. 

"Yes," she stated and then made the mistake of looking at him. He was so concerned and she was going mad like Alice. Her reassuring smile was twisted with mirth; she could only laugh at herself as she fell down the hole. "You do love me," she stated in a whisper, finally knowing it to be true beyond all mad doubt. Tears fell freely with relief and her soul sang, freed of its burdens. 

They were too near the opening where Josephine and Neecy could see them. She could not let Neecy see; she would not let Josephine see. She concentrated on breathing and gathered her words carefully. "Come hold me. . .they will forgive us and I must tell you something that I believe and you should be aware of." 

Ezekiel stepped in close to support her, to hold her. Confusion passed across his face as her words gave him new reason for concern. As he came in close, he took a finger and wiped a tear away from her cheek, softly caressing her with his touch. "What is of such concern to move you towards faintness?" 

Katherine leaned against him, a soft sigh like a happy child escaping her. "We have been friends for some time, my love," she breathed softly into his ear. "And I know that I am younger than you and sometimes seem quite flighty. But a woman knows when another woman pays attention to the male in her company and I know that Josephine is paying too much attention to you. Were I still more friend than lover to you, then I would find a cheerful amusement in your predicament. But I cannot find it to be merry at my own expense and laugh as this rabid circle of admiration chases me to madness." 

She was serious. His first instinct was to be surprised but when he went back in his head and reviewed the conversations with Josephine, he could begin to see what she was referring to. Had he encouraged it? He wasn't sure but he knew he needed to both reassure Katherine and in private attempt to politely discourage Josephine. 

She nuzzled his shoulder, enjoying the warmth, and then raised her face to his. Shock was quickly being replaced with decision and concern. "I'm sorry," she whispered. "I didn't want you to be burdened. I tried to ignore it, but I could not. I'm guilty of always assuming that you would be there with me and I depended on it. And now that there is a rival, I have acted poorly. I should be stronger. But Ezekiel, I cannot express the joy that I feel when you are near nor can I make you understand how very much I have grown used to you being there." She reached a hand up to cup his cheek. "I'm afraid that I am not the strong woman you believe. But I will try to be the better person that you believe me to be, the person that you deserve." 

"Katherine, you have nothing to fear. I am in love with you. If I am honest with myself, I have been in love with you for some time, but was too foolish to recognize it." He pressed his hand up to hers, feeling the warmth of it against both his hand and his face. "I am looking forward to discovering the woman you are as I hope you are excited to discover who I am. Until then, we must have faith in ourselves and each other. I believe in you, Katherine." 

"I cannot wait to know you, Ezekiel … in all ways," was her soft answer. She knew that she blushed but she relaxed finally, smiling at herself and their situation. "I suppose that I needed a push to be brought to my senses also." She glanced to each side of them and then planted a swift kiss on his lips. "Praise be to heaven for you, my love. I don't know what I did to deserve you." She studied his face, memorizing it, and then raised her eyebrows. "So what are we going to do about poor Josephine? Shall I continue to play ignorant as to not discomfit her? I do love her. How should we handle this so not to hurt her more?" 

The taste of her lips was sweet but all too tantalizing. What she had done to deserve him? It seemed to him the statement should be reversed. "If you kiss me again," he whispered, "I will be lost to you forever." He didn't know whether it was meant as a warning or an invitation. 

He brought his mind back to the problem at hand. "I would not have you lie to her. I would think a quick, even if briefly painful, end to the situation would be more favorable than something prolonged. But I have shown great ineptitude in even realizing the situation existed." He looked at the face of the woman he would have the privilege of marrying. "If you found yourself in her position, what would be your most ideal outcome?" 

Her eyes twinkled; her good humor was back and she felt the weight of the world lifted. Together she and Ezekiel could take on the world. "To have you," she countered as the answer and then grew solemn. "To be honest, I would want you to speak to me. Let me know why it could not be. But your kindness will hurt her more than anger, I must warn you. I would also like my rival to show kindness, but not condension. But the broken heart is still broken and wants what it wants. We will have to be gentle and give her time. It would be best if she were not forced to watch us and participate, but I am selfish enough to know that I want her with us and want to keep her as friend." She laughed softly, abrupt and merry. "She will watch out for you when I cannot., on our adventures on the Continent. I should be happy with that. I wouldn't have anything harm you and someone not be there to help you. Especially someone who is as in love with you as I." Her dancing eyes darted around the hall again and finding no one, she kissed him with willful passion, her chin up when she let him go. "It's my home," she announced with spoiled impishness. "We are practically surrounded with chaperones." 

The kiss filled every inch of his body with warmness and pleasure. As she let him go from the kiss, he took in and released a deep breath, focusing on everything but Katherine and her intoxicating presence. "I do not think you realize the full effect that you have upon me, my love. Each kiss is a temptation towards things which I cannot have now." He could resist the temptation to go further, but he could not make himself ask for her to be careful with her kisses. Because he wanted them very much. 

Not three days ago, he could stay focused with the best of his peers. Katherine played havoc with his concentration, it seemed. He once again forced his mind back to the matter of Josephine. "I feel we should tell her together in private. Do you agree?" 

"Yes." She fumbled for and found his hand. "Shall we go now?" 

Ezekiel nodded. "Best done and done quick. If you will ask Monsieur Beignet to give us a moment with Josephine..." And he led her back into the parlor, holding tight to her hand as they walked. 

"Neecy. . .if you would excuse us for a moment." The little Belgian nodded curtly and left the room. She looked at Ezekiel. "Shall you start or should I?" 

---

Josephine had followed Katherine down the stairs and into the drawing room, firmly in hand and playing the role of a dutiful ladies’ maid. The sight of Ezekiel made her heart lurch but she squelched any outward show. Katherine immediately drew him out to the hall and Josephine was grateful for the respite. It was too soon after telling Katherine, too soon after Ezekiel, for her to be comfortable in the gentleman’s presence. 

''It will fade. God help me, it '''must'''. I can’t afford the distraction on-mission. '''We''' can’t.'' 

She kept the thought running like a mantra in the background as she smiled politely at Beignet and offered to refresh his cup. Milk? Sugar? Lemon? Niceties observed, she dared pour herself a cup and took it with her to a side chair away from table. A maid could not be counted equal to the Head Butler of any household and as she hadn’t been expressly invited to join them at table, Josephine felt discretion was the better part of valor. 

''Valor? Try retreat. It’s closer to the truth.'' 

She sipped and sat in silence regaining her composure as she thought ahead to their coming excursion to Miss Dashwood’s, when the couple’s return smashed it to bits. Josephine caught the undercurrent running from the pair and knew her omission upstairs had been discovered. 

''Blindfold? Cigarette? No thank you. Get on with it.'' 

“Yes?” Gaze and voice steady, Josephine put her cup aside and rose. 

Katherine looked at Ezekiel and waited for him to begin. 

"We had hoped to have a word with you. Excuse me if I am but a blunt hammer when a delicate scalpel is needed." Ezekiel looked at Josephine, not unkindly, but with a small hint of sadness. He had originally thought to ask her if what Katherine said was true, but that would both create the illusion that he doubted Katherine and shame Madame Arceneaux by requiring her to confirm it. Instead, he decided for the straightforward approach. "It has come to my attention that you are perhaps harboring inappropriate feelings for me. If this is true, then the blame sits firmly at my feet for failing to understand this and bring a quicker halt to it. No shame or dishonor should come to you, Madame Arceneaux. But it must be made clear that while I respect you and wish your friendship, there can be nothing beyond that friendship between us. I am in love with Katherine and we will be wed. I do not wish for you to hold to hopes that cannot, will not be fulfilled. It can lead only to pain and I do not wish that upon you." 

Katherine squeezed his hand as she looked at Josephine. Sadness, that is what she felt, far from the triumphant joy that the penny novels spoke of; just a deep and empathetic sadness. She would have run to hold Josephine's hand, but knew that would be unwelcome. Instead, she looked to Ezekiel and then back to Josephine. 

“I am fully aware of the situation, Mr. Drake.” Josephine said evenly, her chin level and her back straight, her pride stung. ''As if it wasn’t stunningly clear to me from the first. Does he think me an idiot?'' “I see I have failed to make my cognizance of that fact clear to both of you and I apologize. Furthermore, now that the matter is in the open between us, let us not waste the opportunity to resolve it decisively. Mr. Drake,” Josephine steeled herself and faced him square. “I promise I shall make every effort to comport myself with utmost professionalism. You need not fear to work and travel beside me. You are a business associate and nothing more. Lady Katherine, I promise I have no designs upon your intended husband and I have no desire whatsoever to hurt or undermine his affection for you. You are a sister to me and deserving of my support and loyalty. To the both of you, I pledge you my respect for your privacy and your commitment to each other and will not intrude upon either.” 

Josephine took a step forward and continued, her voice low, velvet over steel.“I would '''''never''''' willingly ruin your happiness for the sake of an infatuation, however strong or hurtful it might be for me to endure. That, make no mistake, is my burden to bear. Not yours. And I will make every effort to ensure it does not impinge on the both of you.” 

Another step. Another vow. 

“If this is acceptable, then by all means let us proceed with the task assigned us by the Crown. If this is not acceptable, I beg your forbearance until we either fulfill our duty to Queen and Country or until such suitable replacement can be found for myself in this endeavor. But whatever happens, let us get on with it.” 

Katherine's mouth quirked and she inclined her head with grave understanding. 

"Professionals, rather than friends. I understand why it must be that way, even if it pains me. Once again, if I have hurt you because I was too foolish to understand what was occurring, then I must take the blame. It is clear to me you are both more observant and more intelligent than I in these matters." Exekiel made a stiff half bow. 

She had wanted not to say anything, but at that, Katherine could not help but say gently, "Maybe with time things will be easier. We can only pray." She hurt for them both. 

"Of course," Josephine said, going brittle as she saw how her words had upset her friends. ''Friends? Perhaps not any longer. Certainly not with Ezekiel. He said it himself. ' Professionals, rather than friends'.'' Too late, Josephine realized what her temper and pride had cost her. ''You were right, Mr. Drake. I am an idiot.'' Aloud, she managed calmly, "All things are tempered in time. The heart learns, wounds heal. I meant nothing in malice though I realize my words were sharp. I only wished to be perfectly clear as to my intentions. In my extremity I could discern no other way to accomplish it. I'm sorry." 

Time...he had to remember that the passage of time since this all started had been measured in days, not years, even if it might seem the latter. "Time indeed. If these past few days are indicators of how much will occur while we are together, then we shall all be old friends before the week is up." 

Katherine could not stand it anymore. "Oh please tell me that we will be friends!" she cried out in distress. "I cannot stand the pain in this room. I cannot stand that my jealousy would deprive others of friendship." She looked from Ezekiel to Josephine and back. "What ties us is our affection for one another. Friendship is so precious. Josephine, you cannot withhold that from Ezekiel. Take it from me instead." 

Ezekiel's magnanimity flowed over her like honey, paradoxically soothing and torturing at once. Josephine could only stand rooted to the spot and let it wash over her as she clung to her composure tooth and toenail. Katherine, however, blew it all to a faretheewell and at her impassioned plea, Josephine broke. Sucking in a shuddering breath, she crossed the carpet in three strides and took the younger woman in her arms and held her tight, heart-stabbed at the hurt she'd dealt. 

"It's not your fault, Katherine. It's just another misunderstanding. Of course, we shall be friends. Don't cry, please don't cry," Josephine whispered, stroking Katherine's back like a mother would a child. "We'll be fine, all of us. We've been brought together for a purpose and of course we shall win through. Everything will turn out right. You'll see...." 

It was a whole new world Ezekiel was entering, and there had already been several occasions when he wondered if he was perhaps ill prepared for the rise and fall of emotions that would come with Katherine and with marriage. He stood and watched Josephine console Katherine and prayed for guidance from the Host. ''Help me walk this delicate path so that I do not hurt the people that walk it with me.'' 

Katherine sniffed, but held strong. "I know it will. Agape is what we share and I believe that we have been brought together also to fight a rising evil. We will have each other and I hope in time that you will be able to bring another into our circle, Josephine." She pulled free and gathered Ezekiel's arm in her own. "The Host works in mysterious ways. We are stronger together." Looking up at Ezekiel's eyes, she nodded so that he knew that there was a special part of her words for him.

 

 '''''You are reading an RP entry. Since any campaign is a collaborative effort, Journal and RP entries by our other players can be read''''' [[The Dark Corners of the Earth: The Story So Far ... | '''here.''']] 

Return to [[The Dark Corners of the Earth | '''''The Dark Corners of the Earth''''' ]]

Episode 519: Spoils Of War

2019-10-08T20:01:05Z

Taimdala:

''Air Date: 07 Jun 2011'' 
''Present: Andy, Bobby, Kim, Maer, and Terri'' 

Jump to: 
[[Episode 519: Spoils Of War, Special Features| Special Features]] 

'''Friday, 24 Jul 2522''' 
'''Foster’s Folly, Regina''' 
'''Georgia (Huang Long) system''' 
'''1000hrs, ship’s time''' 

We’ve successfully extracted 6 Independent sleeper agents from Vandenberg, Boros. We lifted off at 0400hrs, local, from Nala’s ranch and ran the blockade around the planet that morning. We blasted off on a false trajectory and then came out of pulse en route to reset our course for Foster’s Folly, Regina. 

It’s a 5 to 6 hour journey to Regina and once we’re there, we find Foster’s Folly is a copper strip mine with a handful of miners ekeing out a living. Approximately 150 people live in the area. Our passengers gather up their gear and walk off our ship once the dust of our landing settles. We wish them well and when they’re clear we dust off for the coordinates on the landsat photo we’d found. 

Why not? It’s on Regina, we’re between jobs, and it’s a piece of the puzzle presented by the safe’s contents. Something from Potemkin’s past that he’d felt important enough to stash in a hidden safe. What’s out there? 

So of course, we’re going to look. However, we should know by now that poking into anything that Potemkin’s got his fingerprints on is a risky endeavor. 

We fly to the coordinates and of course, all we see is a big lot of nothing. Nika finds a place to land and we step off our ship. Yep. Nothing but rattlesnakes and roadrunners are out here. Undeterred, we spread out in a line and do a line search outward from the ship. 

As we search, Beglan talks about geology and terraforming. He psots a newly terraformed patch and we decide that this x marks the spot. 

“Got shovels?” asks Beglan. 

Ooops. Rina and Joshua make the walk back to ''Equinox'' and load up our hover pallet with digging tools, a bomb from our weapons bay should anything prove hard to dislodge, and water and tarp for shade. We’re working in a desert and the last two items will be important in our survival out here. 

While the rest of the crew are waiting for Rina and Joshua’s return, Beglan explains the terraforming process. 

Rina detonates the bomb to clear the soil from the rock formation we’d found. When the dust and debris settles we approach and find a metal panel with the words “New Earth Corp” on it. It’s a buried TF station. 

We dig and clear more of the soil away, until we have a fairly large hexagonal pyramid exposed. At first glance, we can find no way of egress and Rina’s sent back to the ship to fetch her cutting torch. However, she’s quickly called back when the door is spotted. It’s buried almost to the top of the opening. We dig and shift dirt until dark. By then we’re dirty, sweaty and tired. We decide to quit for the night and go back to Equinox to clean up, eat, and sleep. We’ll come back in the morning and finish the job. 

Even though we’re in the back of beyond and it’s unlikely anyone knows we’re here, much less what we’re doing, we set 2 hour watches through the night. Luckily, the night is uneventful and aside from waking crewmates for their turn on watch, nothing else happens. 

'''Saturday, 25 Jul 2522''' 

We get up and go back to work. Once the door is cleared of soil, Arden picks the locks. The door opens and we take a cautious look inside. It’s dark. 

Rina goes inside to find the power panel and sees a power coupling was removed. She goes back to Equinox for parts to make a coupling. Joshua goes with her. While they’re gone, Nika tries to pry open the central elevator door. I’s a nested-cylinder style door and it’s rotated shut. 

Rina and Joshua return with the parts and restore power to emergency level. Arden tries bypassing the elevator controls. An alarm goes off and Arden doesn’t evacuate but stays. 

Beglan and Rina are behind everyone else as we push out. Vibrations, tingling, and arcing from metal objects happens all around. 

It’s a microwave trap. 

We figure that the microwave transmitters must be incorporated or concealed by some ceiling mounted speakers in the room. Rina and Arden get on the hover pallet and raise it until they can reach the speakers to investigate. 

Was the trap triggered by a preprogrammed automatic response? Or are we being observed and it was triggered remotely? 

Joshua tries to Read the site for another person’s presence. Perhaps a residual psychic clue left behind. 

Meanwhile, Rina and Arden find a second set of speakers behind the 3 big ones mounted at the ceiling. We use scrappers gel to cut the conduit lines to all the M/W transmitters. It’s the safest way we know to kill the damned things without setting them off again. Kiera’s packed scrappers gel and passes up 2 yards’ worth. The job only takes a single yard and we lower the pallet and get the heck out of the chamber before we activate the stuff. 

Sizzle! Pop! Burn! 

Transmitters neutralized we go back inside and Arden gets the elevator locks working again. We file into the elevator and take it down. There are five levels to this place and we take it to the basement. 

Ding! 

The door opens. We jam it so it can’t close behind us. 

The room beyond is huge and circular, the full circumference of the silo. There are trunks both horizontal and vertical scattered across the room and there is a safe as well. 

Rina goes to a vertical trunk, opens it up and finds clothes. The clothes are pretty generic—jumpsuits, work clothes and work boots. 

Kiera opens a horizontal trunk, finds it filled with Russian MREs, canned caviar and jellied stuff. 

We also find a weapons cache. Rina and Kiera arm up with grenades and a gun and clips. 

At this point, we decide to split up the party. Beglan and Joshua go up the stairs at the far end of the room. The rest of the party take to the elevator again and get out on level 4. It’s living quarters. 

Joshua and Beglan take the stairs up and enter a different level. It’s level three and it’s fixed with a laser trap. 

Nika goes up the stairs on level 4 to shoot out the laser trap on level 3. The laser is motion activated and Joshua plays bait for it so Nika can shoot it. Nika hunkers down at the stairs and aims. 

Joshua breaks cover and runs, avoiding the first shot from the laser. He gets hit on the second shot. Nika shoots and nails that sucker solid with her pistol. 

Bam! 

When it’s all clear, Arden patches Joshua up and Nika cautiously peers around the elevator shaft in the center of the room to find 2 other lasers mounted at the ceiling past its curve. The first one had been set to cover the stairs up from the basement. The other two cover the main room and the stairs going up to level 2. Nika moves and trips the sensors on one and everybody ducks the shot. 

Nika comms the rest of the crew to come up but to stay on the stairs on the safe side of the room. She and Kiera tag team the remaining lasers. They both miss and shoot again. Kiera takes hers out. A third shot takes out Nika’s. Immediate threats removed, we investigate the room. 

It’s obviously living quarters. There’s some food, a kitchen area, some tables. Also there are control panels with screens, cameras, and comms gear. 

Two floating robots hover out of their hiding places. Kiera and Joshua notice them first. Arden and Rina notice them second. Rina shoots at the one closest and misses. It shoots at her in turn and she successfully dodges. The shot hits the deck and instead of ricocheting off it, it lands and hisses. 

Acid pellets. 

Oh great! 

Nika turns and sees the one next to Rina. She skins out of her coat and throws it over the bot at Rina. The coat blinds it and renders it unable to fire. 

Meanwhile, Joshua is trying to find the bot controls on the main control console. 

The covered bot pauses, rises to fifteen feet above the deck, and hisses. Nika’s jacket starts dissolving. 

Arden shoots at the second of the three bots. He hits. It explodes. 

Beglan stands stock still to avoid setting off the third bot. 

Rina shoots at bot #1 and misses. Nika does the same and misses. 

Arden moves over to join Kiera, tries to see what she’s looking at, fails. A shot misses him and hits the table behind him. More hissing. 

Rina shoots and misses again. The bot moves for her. Joshua decides to jump the bot and moves into position. 

Kiera shoots and misses the third bot, the one she’s been keeping her eye on. Nika dodges a shot from the bot and misses getting hit by acid. Rina shoots and misses a third time. 

Joshua jumps the bot and pulls a soccer/Kung Fu Panda move on it. He grabs it and throws it into a large closet. 

Rina chooses her target and steadies herself to aim properly. 

Beglan dives under the table closest to him. 

Nika shoots at the first bot and connects. It blows up. Both she and Arden turn and shoot at the remaining bot but both of their shots miss. The bot moves from its position over the second level stairs and edges into the room. It shoots and Kiera dodges nimbly out of the way. 

Joshua jumps up onto a rolling cart and Rina pushes it at a run. Joshua rides it like a surfboard and jumps off, spiking the remaining bot like a volleyball. Unfortunately he misses and falls hard, faceplanting on the deck. 

Ouch. 

Kiera and Arden shoot at the bot to give Joshua covering fire. Arden’s shot hits the mark and the bot blows up. When the dust settles and our ears stop ringing, Nika looks over at Joshua. 

'''Nika:''' Joshua! What did you touch?! 
'''Joshua:''' (points) That control panel. 

Arden and Rina go to the panel and check it out. The find the controls for the lasers on levels 2 and 1 and turn them off. They also find something labeled “Gravitic Earth Mover” and give it a wide berth. Not touching that one, nope. 

We make quick work checking out the rest of the levels. 

Level 2 is kitted out with guest quarters, likely for workers. 

Level 1 is broken down, filled with destroyed controls. Was it sabotage? There are radiation warning signs, caution tape, and so forth all over the place. Perhaps it’s a faked scene to scare people away? 

We split up again and search the levels more thoroughly. 

Nika, Rina, and Kiera do level 4 where the living quarters are. Beglan and Arden go back down to level 3, above them. Joshua goes all the way down to level 5 to see if he can crack the safe. 

On level 4, Kiera triggers a gas trap in a foot locker and takes some stun. Nika is okay and Rina makes it out of there in time, too. Kiera tries scrambling out of the way but gets fouled in some curtains. It delays Nika and Rina while they extricate her and the gas spreads out to reach all of them. Nika gets hit by the gas. Rina hauls on Kiera. The women make it to the stairs up and start climbing. 

The gas is heavier, however, and sinks down the stairs toward level 5. Joshua notices the stuff creeping down the stairs. He runs for the elevator but remembers seeing gas masks in a box. He grabs one, puts it on, and takes extras up the stairs through the gas to the women above. 

During that time, Rina takes a stun from the gas and when they get the masks, Joshua warns them of it. Well, yeah, hello. We know. We’re the ones who accidentally triggered it. Our bad. 

We have to wait for the gas to settle and Kiera goes back to the chest to see what the hell was in it that warranted a booby trap to guard it. There’s a data chip inside, the sort you can plug into a Cortex box. She puts it in her pocket for safekeeping and we go back to searching. 

We turn our attention to the safe. There’s an acid trap on it. Joshua argues with Arden who gets to crack it. Beglan suggests making a base solution and use it to counteract the acid trap. We look around and find what we need. We make a slurry of detergent and water and frost the safe like a cake. 

Joshua attempts to crack the safe … and just manages. We look inside and see what our efforts were worth. 

Quite a lot apparently. There’s platinum stacked neatly in trays. 1000 worth. There’s gold, too, about 500 credits worth. 

We find more things during our search, among them a forgery kit. Now that could come in useful if we need to forge papers for any more extraction jobs. 

We turn our attention to the data chip that Kiera found. We find a box and boot it up and plug that chip in. 

It’s a wave. Or rather, [[Ah-Toy-Potemkin-Wave|'''a covert recording of a wave''']]. It’s between Joseph Potemkin—there’s no mistaking that voice!—and a middle-aged and still-attractive Chinese woman. They talk. We listen. We find out a few things. 

Potemkin’s been selling slaves to none other than Director Ah Toy of Jing Jing Bei. And to put the cherry on the grisly sundae, he outs her as the infamous Devil of Dashan. She calls him on his indiscretion, citing her clients on Beaumonde would not appreciate knowing that about her. Potemkin says she has nothing to worry about. After all, this is a secure channel. The recording ends and we look at each other stunned. 

This is what we’ve been looking for. We have proof enough to take Ah Toy down. 

We pull out of there, hauling everything we can load up on our hover pallet, and make haste back to our ship. We dust off and plot a course for Beaumonde. It’s a two week trip to Kalidasa. Time enough to lick our wounds and to come up with a plan to put the ghosts of Jing Jing Bei to rest. 

----

Go back to: '''''[[Episode 518: Why We Fought | Why We Fought]]''''' | Go Foward to '''''[[Episode 520: Toy Story| Toy Story]]''''' 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Five | Season Five: Realignment]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] or [[Mutineers Timeline|TIMELINE]]

Episode 519: Spoils Of War

2019-10-08T19:53:17Z

Taimdala:

''Air Date: 07 Jun 2011'' 
''Present: Andy, Bobby, Kim, Maer, and Terri'' 

Jump to: 
[[Episode 519: Spoils Of War, Special Features| Special Features]] 

'''Friday, 24 Jul 2522''' 
'''Foster’s Folly, Regina''' 
'''Georgia (Huang Long) system''' 
'''1000hrs, ship’s time''' 

We’ve successfully extracted 6 Independent sleeper agents from Vandenberg, Boros. We lifted off at 0400hrs, local, from Nala’s ranch and ran the blockade around the planet that morning. We blasted off on a false trajectory and then came out of pulse en route to reset our course for Foster’s Folly, Regina. 

It’s a 5 to 6 hour journey to Regina and once we’re there, we find Foster’s Folly is a copper strip mine with a handful of miners ekeing out a living. Approximately 150 people live in the area. Our passengers gather up their gear and walk off our ship once the dust of our landing settles. We wish them well and when they’re clear we dust off for the coordinates on the landsat photo we’d found. 

Why not? It’s on Regina, we’re between jobs, and it’s a piece of the puzzle presented by the safe’s contents. Something from Potemkin’s past that he’d felt important enough to stash in a hidden safe. What’s out there? 

So of course, we’re going to look. However, we should know by now that poking into anything that Potemkin’s got his fingerprints on is a risky endeavor. 

We fly to the coordinates and of course, all we see is a big lot of nothing. Nika finds a place to land and we step off our ship. Yep. Nothing but rattlesnakes and roadrunners are out here. Undeterred, we spread out in a line and do a line search outward from the ship. 

As we search, Beglan talks about geology and terraforming. He psots a newly terraformed patch and we decide that this x marks the spot. 

“Got shovels?” asks Beglan. 

Ooops. Rina and Joshua make the walk back to ''Equinox'' and load up our hover pallet with digging tools, a bomb from our weapons bay should anything prove hard to dislodge, and water and tarp for shade. We’re working in a desert and the last two items will be important in our survival out here. 

While the rest of the crew are waiting for Rina and Joshua’s return, Beglan explains the terraforming process. 

Rina detonates the bomb to clear the soil from the rock formation we’d found. When the dust and debris settles we approach and find a metal panel with the words “New Earth Corp” on it. It’s a buried TF station. 

We dig and clear more of the soil away, until we have a fairly large hexagonal pyramid exposed. At first glance, we can find no way of egress and Rina’s sent back to the ship to fetch her cutting torch. However, she’s quickly called back when the door is spotted. It’s buried almost to the top of the opening. We dig and shift dirt until dark. By then we’re dirty, sweaty and tired. We decide to quit for the night and go back to Equinox to clean up, eat, and sleep. We’ll come back in the morning and finish the job. 

Even though we’re in the back of beyond and it’s unlikely anyone knows we’re here, much less what we’re doing, we set 2 hour watches through the night. Luckily, the night is uneventful and aside from waking crewmates for their turn on watch, nothing else happens. 

'''Saturday, 25 Jul 2522''' 

We get up and go back to work. Once the door is cleared of soil, Arden picks the locks. The door opens and we take a cautious look inside. It’s dark. 

Rina goes inside to find the power panel and sees a power coupling was removed. She goes back to Equinox for parts to make a coupling. Joshua goes with her. While they’re gone, Nika tries to pry open the central elevator door. I’s a nested-cylinder style door and it’s rotated shut. 

Rina and Joshua return with the parts and restore power to emergency level. Arden tries bypassing the elevator controls. An alarm goes off and Arden doesn’t evacuate but stays. 

Beglan and Rina are behind everyone else as we push out. Vibrations, tingling, and arcing from metal objects happens all around. 

It’s a microwave trap. 

We figure that the microwave transmitters must be incorporated or concealed by some ceiling mounted speakers in the room. Rina and Arden get on the hover pallet and raise it until they can reach the speakers to investigate. 

Was the trap triggered by a preprogrammed automatic response? Or are we being observed and it was triggered remotely? 

Joshua tries to Read the site for another person’s presence. Perhaps a residual psychic clue left behind. 

Meanwhile, Rina and Arden find a second set of speakers behind the 3 big ones mounted at the ceiling. We use scrappers gel to cut the conduit lines to all the M/W transmitters. It’s the safest way we know to kill the damned things without setting them off again. Kiera’s packed scrappers gel and passes up 2 yards’ worth. The job only takes a single yard and we lower the pallet and get the heck out of the chamber before we activate the stuff. 

Sizzle! Pop! Burn! 

Transmitters neutralized we go back inside and Arden gets the elevator locks working again. We file into the elevator and take it down. There are five levels to this place and we take it to the basement. 

Ding! 

The door opens. We jam it so it can’t close behind us. 

The room beyond is huge and circular, the full circumference of the silo. There are trunks both horizontal and vertical scattered across the room and there is a safe as well. 

Rina goes to a vertical trunk, opens it up and finds clothes. The clothes are pretty generic—jumpsuits, work clothes and work boots. 

Kiera opens a horizontal trunk, finds it filled with Russian MREs, canned caviar and jellied stuff. 

We also find a weapons cache. Rina and Kiera arm up with grenades and a gun and clips. 

At this point, we decide to split up the party. Beglan and Joshua go up the stairs at the far end of the room. The rest of the party take to the elevator again and get out on level 4. It’s living quarters. 

Joshua and Beglan take the stairs up and enter a different level. It’s level three and it’s fixed with a laser trap. 

Nika goes up the stairs on level 4 to shoot out the laser trap on level 3. The laser is motion activated and Joshua plays bait for it so Nika can shoot it. Nika hunkers down at the stairs and aims. 

Joshua breaks cover and runs, avoiding the first shot from the laser. He gets hit on the second shot. Nika shoots and nails that sucker solid with her pistol. 

Bam! 

When it’s all clear, Arden patches Joshua up and Nika cautiously peers around the elevator shaft in the center of the room to find 2 other lasers mounted at the ceiling past its curve. The first one had been set to cover the stairs up from the basement. The other two cover the main room and the stairs going up to level 2. Nika moves and trips the sensors on one and everybody ducks the shot. 

Nika comms the rest of the crew to come up but to stay on the stairs on the safe side of the room. She and Kiera tag team the remaining lasers. They both miss and shoot again. Kiera takes hers out. A third shot takes out Nika’s. Immediate threats removed, we investigate the room. 

It’s obviously living quarters. There’s some food, a kitchen area, some tables. Also there are control panels with screens, cameras, and comms gear. 

Two floating robots hover out of their hiding places. Kiera and Joshua notice them first. Arden and Rina notice them second. Rina shoots at the one closest and misses. It shoots at her in turn and she successfully dodges. The shot hits the deck and instead of ricocheting off it, it lands and hisses. 

Acid pellets. 

Oh great! 

Nika turns and sees the one next to Rina. She skins out of her coat and throws it over the bot at Rina. The coat blinds it and renders it unable to fire. 

Meanwhile, Joshua is trying to find the bot controls on the main control console. 

The covered bot pauses, rises to fifteen feet above the deck, and hisses. Nika’s jacket starts dissolving. 

Arden shoots at the second of the three bots. He hits. It explodes. 

Beglan stands stock still to avoid setting off the third bot. 

Rina shoots at bot #1 and misses. Nika does the same and misses. 

Arden moves over to join Kiera, tries to see what she’s looking at, fails. A shot misses him and hits the table behind him. More hissing. 

Rina shoots and misses again. The bot moves for her. Joshua decides to jump the bot and moves into position. 

Kiera shoots and misses the third bot, the one she’s been keeping her eye on. Nika dodges a shot from the bot and misses getting hit by acid. Rina shoots and misses a third time. 

Joshua jumps the bot and pulls a soccer/Kung Fu Panda move on it. He grabs it and throws it into a large closet. 

Rina chooses her target and steadies herself to aim properly. 

Beglan dives under the table closest to him. 

Nika shoots at the first bot and connects. It blows up. Both she and Arden turn and shoot at the remaining bot but both of their shots miss. The bot moves from its position over the second level stairs and edges into the room. It shoots and Kiera dodges nimbly out of the way. 

Joshua jumps up onto a rolling cart and Rina pushes it at a run. Joshua rides it like a surfboard and jumps off, spiking the remaining bot like a volleyball. Unfortunately he misses and falls hard, faceplanting on the deck. 

Ouch. 

Kiera and Arden shoot at the bot to give Joshua covering fire. Arden’s shot hits the mark and the bot blows up. When the dust settles and our ears stop ringing, Nika looks over at Joshua. 

'''Nika:''' Joshua! What did you touch?! 
'''Joshua:''' (points) That control panel. 

Arden and Rina go to the panel and check it out. The find the controls for the lasers on levels 2 and 1 and turn them off. They also find something labeled “Gravitic Earth Mover” and give it a wide berth. Not touching that one, nope. 

We make quick work checking out the rest of the levels. 

Level 2 is kitted out with guest quarters, likely for workers. 

Level 1 is broken down, filled with destroyed controls. Was it sabotage? There are radiation warning signs, caution tape, and so forth all over the place. Perhaps it’s a faked scene to scare people away? 

We split up again and search the levels more thoroughly. 

Nika, Rina, and Kiera do level 4 where the living quarters are. Beglan and Arden go back down to level 3, above them. Joshua goes all the way down to level 5 to see if he can crack the safe. 

On level 4, Kiera triggers a gas trap in a foot locker and takes some stun. Nika is okay and Rina makes it out of there in time, too. Kiera tries scrambling out of the way but gets fouled in some curtains. It delays Nika and Rina while they extricate her and the gas spreads out to reach all of them. Nika gets hit by the gas. Rina hauls on Kiera. The women make it to the stairs up and start climbing. 

The gas is heavier, however, and sinks down the stairs toward level 5. Joshua notices the stuff creeping down the stairs. He runs for the elevator but remembers seeing gas masks in a box. He grabs one, puts it on, and takes extras up the stairs through the gas to the women above. 

During that time, Rina takes a stun from the gas and when they get the masks, Joshua warns them of it. Well, yeah, hello. We know. We’re the ones who accidentally triggered it. Our bad. 

We have to wait for the gas to settle and Kiera goes back to the chest to see what the hell was in it that warranted a booby trap to guard it. There’s a data chip inside, the sort you can plug into a Cortex box. She puts it in her pocket for safekeeping and we go back to searching. 

We turn our attention to the safe. There’s an acid trap on it. Joshua argues with Arden who gets to crack it. Beglan suggests making a base solution and use it to counteract the acid trap. We look around and find what we need. We make a slurry of detergent and water and frost the safe like a cake. 

Joshua attempts to crack the safe … and just manages. We look inside and see what our efforts were worth. 

Quite a lot apparently. There’s platinum stacked neatly in trays. 1000 worth. There’s gold, too, about 500 credits worth. 

We find more things during our search, among them a forgery kit. Now that could come in useful if we need to forge papers for any more extraction jobs. 

We turn our attention to the data chip that Kiera found. We find a box and boot it up and plug that chip in. 

It’s a wave. Or rather, a covert recording of a wave. It’s between Joseph Potemkin—there’s no mistaking that voice!—and a middle-aged and still-attractive Chinese woman. They talk. We listen. We find out a few things. 

Potemkin’s been selling slaves to none other than Director Ah Toy of Jing Jing Bei. And to put the cherry on the grisly sundae, he outs her as the infamous Devil of Dashan. She calls him on his indiscretion, citing her clients on Beaumonde would not appreciate knowing that about her. Potemkin says she has nothing to worry about. After all, this is a secure channel. The recording ends and we look at each other stunned. 

This is what we’ve been looking for. We have proof enough to take Ah Toy down. 

We pull out of there, hauling everything we can load up on our hover pallet, and make haste back to our ship. We dust off and plot a course for Beaumonde. It’s a two week trip to Kalidasa. Time enough to lick our wounds and to come up with a plan to put the ghosts of Jing Jing Bei to rest. 

----

Go back to: '''''[[Episode 518: Why We Fought | Why We Fought]]''''' | Go Foward to '''''[[Episode 520: Toy Story| Toy Story]]''''' 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Five | Season Five: Realignment]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] or [[Mutineers Timeline|TIMELINE]]

Talk:Rina's Russian Glossary

2019-09-03T03:57:05Z

Taimdala: Blanked the page

Zephrine Carter

2019-08-26T21:50:18Z

Taimdala: /* Background */

{{MMChar|
CrewPosition=Zephrine M. Carter|
Image=[[Image:ZMCarter.jpg|350x450px]]|
First=Game 01|
Theme=TBD|
actor=Sophie Marceau|
Concept=Investigative Reporter|
Full Name=Zephrine M. Carter|
Identity=Caitiff|
Aliases= Z. M. Carter (byline)|
Age=25|
Birthplace=Chicago, Illinois, USA|
FavoredWeapon=Her pen|
}}

=='''Background'''==
Born 23 Mar 1900, Zephrine is the only daughter of Jeanne-Marie Duplantier, of the French New Orleans family Duplantier, and American businessman Joseph William Carter, a printer and newsman from the Midwest. 

Jeanne-Marie fell in love with the man, much to her family's horror, and eloped with him to Chicago. The Duplantiers promptly disowned her for having the bad taste to fall in love with a foreigner. Zephrine was born ten months later. Jeann-Marie's family thawed somewhat after Zephrine's birth and while Joseph Carter was never fully accepted into the fold, relations at long-distance were established for the sake of the new baby. Through regular family correspondence and her own life stories, Jeanne-Marie taught her daughter her French background even as she raised her in the American ways of her father. Joseph was a good provider, working tirelessly running a small-time press and newspaper. He died on the printing floor of his business when Zephrine was ten, in what the police determined to be an accident. (Rumor held it wasn't, but no proof could be produced to back up those claims.) Joseph had a provision in his will to provide for his wife and daughter, giving his wife the controlling share in his business as well as passing on to her all his assets. 

It sounded good on paper but in reality it meant Jeanne-Marie was constantly fighting for control against her adversarial business partners, who were understandably put-off by having a woman at the head of the business. Jean-Marie, however, was made of stern stuff, facing her opponents down and giving back as good as she got. She possessed a good head for business and she knew to hire canny lawyers and financial advisers to safeguard her assets. Under her guidance the press and newspaper did not decline as the others feared but kept up a modest yet steady growth under her leadership, doubling in size and profits over the next decade. It did well enough to keep Zephrine in a good school and send her to college, where she pursued studies in Literature and wrote for the campus newspaper. When she graduated, Zephrine declined a reporting position in her family's paper, choosing instead to strike out on her own with another paper. 

Two years later Zephrine was solidly installed as one of the junior investigative reporters in the bullpen. She earned the postion by tackling any assignment, chasing down any lead, and writing under the byline of Z. M. Carter. Her star was on the rise when Jeanne-Marie died suddenly and Zephrine was left everything her parents had built--the business, the money, everything. Before she could take up the business her mother had passed on to her, she was tasked to take Jeanne-Marie's remains home to New Orleans to be buried with her family. Zephrine arranged a leave of absence and traveled south by train to see it done, never suspecting what lay ahead.

 

=='''Psychological Profile'''==
Zephrine is energetic and inquisitive, a thoroughly independent and modern woman, and not always so nuanced in sticking her nose in other people's business. So of course she gravitated to journalism and it's no surprise she chose investigative reporting as her career. She works for one of the smaller Chicago newspapers and she's always on the look-out for that one big story that will send her fledgeling career skyrocketing to the top. She has a hard time standing still and doing nothing. She'd rather be out there doing something, like digging up stories and writing them. Once she gets a lead, she sticks to it like glue, following it wherever it goes. Friends (and she actually has a few) are worried that her inquisitive streak will prove her undoing. Zephrine is determined to prove them wrong.
 

=='''Character Sheet'''==

'''Character Name:''' Zephrine M. Carter 
'''Campaign:''' The Big Easy 
'''Nature:''' Survivor 
'''Demeanor:''' Seeker 
'''Concept:''' Investigative Reporter. 

'''Physical Description:''' 
Zephrine looks the part of the Fresh Young Thing/Flapper, which she wasn't above using to her benefit as a hungry investigative reporter in Chicago. Now as a newly-minted vampire, she's paler than her breathing healthy-looking self, but otherwise the details haven't really changed: short dark hair, brown-green eyes, and a lithe body of average height with enough curves to keep it interesting. Not fussy about her clothes but can dress the part, whatever that part might be, neither is she fussy about putting her back into anything to get it done. 

==='''''Attributes:'''''===
'''Physical (5)''' 
'''Str:''' 2 
'''Dex:''' 2 
'''Sta:''' 3 

'''Social (3)''' 
'''Cha:''' 2 
'''Man:''' 2 
'''App:''' 2 

'''Mental (7)''' 
'''Per:''' 4 
'''Int:''' 3 
'''Wit:''' 3 

==='''''Abilities:'''''===

'''''Talents (13 + 4 FP):''''' 
Alertness: 2 
Athletics: - 
Brawl: 2 
Dodge: 2 
Empathy: 2 
Expression: 2 
Intimidation: - 
Leadership: - 
Streetwise: 2 
Subterfuge: 3
 

'''''Skills (9 + 4 FP):''''' 
Animal Ken: - 
Crafts: - 
Drive: 1 
Firearms: 2 
Etiquette: - 
Melee: 1 
Performance: 2 
Security: 3 
Stealth: 3 
Survival: -
 

'''''Knowledges (5 + 2 FP):''''' 
Academics: 2 
Computer: - 
Investigation: 3 
Law: - 
Linguistics: 1 
Medicine: - 
Occult: - 
Politics: - 
Finance: - 
Science: -
 

==='''''Disciplines, Background, Virtues, & Finishing Touches'''''===
'''''Disciplines (3):''''' 
Celerity: 2 
Auspex: 1 
Presence: -
 

'''''Background (5):''''' 
Allies: Duplantier Family - 1 
Contacts: - 
Gen: 2 
Resources: 2
 

'''''Virtues (7 + 2 FP):''''' 
Conscience: 3 
Self Control: 3 
Courage: 4
 

'''''Finishing Touches:''''' 
Humanity (Self Control + Conscience): 6 
Willpower (Courage + 3 FP): 7
 

==='''''Merits and Flaws'''''===
'''''Merits (2):''''' 
Medium - 2 - Zephrine has the natural ability to sense ghosts and spirits. She can communicate with them. Making deals with them, however, is not to be taken lightly.
 

'''''Flaws (2):''''' 
Incomplete Understanding - 1 - Zephrine is still a bit fuzzy on how the Camarilla or the Masquerade works, leading to potential mistakes and relevant consequences. 

Deep Sleeper - 1 - Zephrine finds it difficult to wake up during the day. If she does, she tends to be groggy. 

(More Flaws witheld by GM for story/play purposes.) 

=='''''Experience Points'''''==
{| border="2"
|-
|- style="background:#021077; color:#FFFFFF"
| ''' ''Game'' ''' || ''' ''Date'' ''' || ''' ''XP'' ''' || ''' ''Bonus XP'' '''||''' ''Thing Learned'' '''|| '''''XP Balance'''''
|-
| 01 || 03 Nov 2012 || 2 || 3 || Zephrine could become a raging bloodoholic. || 05
|-
| 02 || 17 Nov 2012 || 2 || 2 || Unlife comes at you fast. Brace yourself. || 09
|-
| 03 || 01 Dec 2012 || 2 || 5 || (Of the Sabbat Knights) They know what side their neck is buttered on. || 16
|-
| 04 || 15 Dec 2012 || 2 || 6 || [Zephrine's] the wolf staked out for the sheep. || 24
|-
|}
 

=='''''[http://www.timeanddate.com/calendar/?year=1925&country=1| Story Calendar]'''''==
{| border="2"
|-
|- style="background:#021077; color:#FFFFFF"
| ''' ''Game'' ''' || ''' ''Start'' ''' || ''' ''End'' '''
|-
| 01 || 17 Jun 1925, Wed || *18 Jun 1925, Thu
|-
| 02 || *18 Jun 1925, Thu || *20 Jun 1925, Sat
|-
| 03 || 27 Jun 1925, Sat || *29 Jun 1925, Mon
|-
| 04 || 11 Jul 1925, Sat || *13 Jun 1925, Sun
|-
| 05 || --- || ---
|-
|- style="background:#021077; color:#FFFFFF"
| ||*Denotes Predawn Hours ||
|-
|}
 

=='''''Nav Links'''''==
Return to '''''[[Vampire: The Big Easy]]'''''

Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr

2019-06-15T07:38:05Z

Taimdala:

''Air date: 17 Jan 2012'' 
''Present: Andy, Bobby, Kim, Maer, and Terri'' 

Part [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr|1]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Two|2]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Three|3]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Four|4]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Five|5]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features|Special Features]] 

'''''… In the previous episode …''''' 

We splashed down on a sandbar 20 miles from Jibril on 15 Jun 2523. A few days after mopping up and licking our wounds, we see Rina and Joshua married. Two days later they take off down the coast for a two-week honeymoon, clearing the deck for the Independent army to make repairs without Rina in attendance. Three weeks from touchdown sees ''Equinox'' newly repaired, newly stocked with a short range shuttle, supplies and arms, and rechristened as ''Exeter''. 

'''Monday, 12 July 2523''' 
'''Sandbar on the coast''' 
'''Twenty Miles outside Jibril, Angel''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 

Made as ready as we'll ever be, we pick up our first mission flying under the Independent flag: we are to deliver food and supplies to Sheikh Al Tabr on Dephi. Once there we will diplomatically approach Al Tabr and try to get him to join the Independent side, allowing us favored access to a strategically important Thorium mine that he owns. 

Delphi is in a bit of a proxy war. The Califate has lost its centralized authority on Delphi and rather than invest ships and personnel to fight for possession of the territory, the Alliance and the Independents have been utilizing the locals to do the fighting for them. Sheikh Ali Al Tabr had very early on declared his neutrality in the conflict and oh, by the way, he's also rigged his mine with explosives to self-destruct if anyone attacks him. Everyone's free to do business with him but the second they try to take him over the mine and everything on top of it is history. 

We take off at noon on the 12th. Dephi is the next world over from Angel, about a day's flight away.

 

'''Tuesday, 13 Jul 2523''' 
'''Airspace over Delphi''' 

Delphi is something of a hot zone. Independent flagged ships are of course targeted by Alliance ships and/or other defenses they've installed in the area, but ships not flagged by either side are targeted by either side … so … 

'''Joshua:''' If we're gonna be targeted, I'd rather be targeted by the Alliance. 
'''Nika:''' Here's the thing. I'd rather only one side at a time shooting us at this point. Which is why I allowed the flagging. 
'''Joshua:''' That's fair. Rock on. Smooth as silk. Oh, hey … truffles. 

Kiera's brought treats for the folk on bridge duty and today she comes bearing truffles. Joshua turns from the sensors to sample them. Dark chocolate, milk chocolate … Not liking the white chocolate, but hey! chocolate! Yummmm….. 

'''Joshua:''' Man, this is really ''good''— 

The sensors start yarking. 

Sensors: ''Warning! Missile lock detected.'' [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features#HOW TO SPEAK CHINESE|''Jǐnggào! Dǎodàn suǒdìng jiǎncè.'']] ''Warning! Missile lock detected.''[[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features#HOW TO SPEAK CHINESE|''Jǐnggào! Dǎodàn suǒdìng jiǎncè.'']] 

'''Joshua:''' Oh crap! Three truffle locks—I mean three missile locks. You might want to evade those. (Off her look) If I can't joke about missile locks, what can I joke about? 
'''Nika:''' At what range? 
'''Joshua:''' Incoming. 

The missiles are from an automated orbital platform. 

'''Nika:''' (on all-ship) Guys, we got missile lock. ''Brace!'' 
'''Rina:''' (comms) [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features#HOW TO SPEAK RUSSIAN|''Yebani v'rot'']], do you owe them money? 
'''Nika:''' ''Yes!'' 

We're actually getting kinda good at this sort of thing. Rina and Beglan stand by in the engine room, ready to deliver more power for evasive maneuvers, Joshua and Nika take up their favored positions on the bridge. Arden and Kiera strap in and start mentally cataloguing the med supplies: Arden from his jump seat in med bay, Kiera from hers on the bridge. 

'''Joshua:''' By the way, Kiera, excellent truffles. 
'''Nika:''' (affectionately to Joshua) I hate you. 

Three missiles are incoming, streaking right for us. Swooping and rolling our ship, Nika flies evasive maneuvers while the rest of us help her do it—engineering, sensors, cheering section. All three of the missiles pass us and spend out. Where they eventually land we don't know. Hopefully it's nowhere with people. We hit atmo and start our descent. 

We have our destination's coordinates and they lead us to an oasis in the desert of Delphi. Dar Al Tabr it's called and they've rolled out the unwelcome mat. 

'''Air Control:''' This is air control for Dar Al Tabr. This is protected airspace. Turn around and move away. 

Joshua looks at Nika. 

'''Joshua:''' We're here to deliver something, right? 
'''Nika:''' Yeah. It's a gift. 
'''Joshua:''' Well I'm not going to tell them ''that''. (to Air Control) We're here to make a delivery to Sheik Al Tabr. Please advise. 
'''Air Control:''' Get in a holding pattern over the area. Approach no closer than 50 kilometers. 
'''Joshua:''' Will do. (cuts channel) 
'''Nika:''' Okay. Pack 'em, stack 'em, rack 'em. 
'''Joshua:''' We'll see how long that lasts. See if they actually land us at some point. Like, before we run out of fuel. 

Not much chance of that—Delphi was only one world away and we've plenty of fuel left. We could circle for days. But still, what's with the cold shoulder? Eventually the word comes through: land 20 kliks from the compound. They'll come out and meet us. 

'''Nika:''' They're taking no chances. 
'''Joshua:''' Whatever works for them. 
'''Kiera:''' Wow. They'll be carrying this stuff a long way. 

Nika has Joshua take control and us on the sand, which he does with gusto. 

'''Joshua:''' That's some excellent dirt they got there. Makes for a smooth landing. 
'''Nika:''' Did you just bounce my ship? 
'''Arden:''' I guess he's used to having all four on the floor. 
'''Joshua:''' It's no good landing without a single bounce. It's, like, for luck. 
'''Arden:''' Ohhhh, there's so many things I could do with that statement right now. 
'''Joshua:''' I am perfectly innocent in this matter. Moving on … 

Teasing the newlyweds with off-color remarks is the current pastime of choice for the rest of the crew. Even so, we take our places as we wait for the Sheikh's people to show. 

'''Rina:''' Do you want me to cover you with the machine gun? 
'''Nika:''' (What?!) No, I do not. 
'''Rina:''' You're the Captain. 
'''Arden:''' Ask them to identify themselves before you meet them face-to-face. 
'''Rina:''' You meeting them in front of the ship? 
'''Nika:''' Yes. We're not opening the cargo bay or anything like that, but no, I'm not going to sit in the ship and demand 'Identify yourself!' We'll go down the airlock ladder. 
'''Rina:''' Kiera? Man the airlock they go out of. I'll watch from the bridge. 
'''Nika:''' Fair enough. I don't like that whole we're-gonna-cower-on-our-ship scenario. 
'''Arden:''' It's not a cowering thing. 
'''Nika:''' It's just unlikely it's anybody else. 
'''Rina:''' Yeah, that's what we thought on Ghost. 

Nothing but sand all around Al Tabr's compound on our fly-by. No one else is likely to show up to meet us out in the middle of nowhere. And no one shows for a couple of hours. Eventually men on horseback appear. They are wearing traditional Arab garb, complete with assault rifles across their backs. There are about a dozen in total and they take up position along the crest of the erg that surrounds our ship, putting them at medium rifle range away from our ship and our Captain. Some of the riders have RPGs with them too. Three of the riders continue down the erg and come to a stop in front of our ship. The leader is easy to pick out. He's riding an absolutely beautiful white Arabian. 

He dismounts and approaches. He is dressed in the desert Arab fashion—flowing robes cut for riding, a headdress and a face veil to shield his head from the sand and the sun. He bows at Nika and Joshua and then walks around them, observing them, his eyes keen over the line of his veil. He sees Nika and Joshua are unarmed and not wearing uniforms of any kind. Hmmmm. 

Up on the bridge, Rina kicks herself for neglecting to put surveillance cameras on the shopping list she'd handed over to the Independents who repaired our girl. A bow-mounted camera would come in very handy right now—Nika and Joshua are standing under the bridge instead of in front of it, and the bulk of our ship is hiding them from view. Ditto for Kiera at the airlock. The only thing Rina can do is open the comm channel at the outer cargo bay doors, so as to listen in. It's not perfect but at least she can hear what's going on. 

'''Leader:''' You are here to see the Sheikh. 
'''Nika:''' Yes indeed. I'm afraid I didn't catch your name. 
'''Leader:''' I didn't throw it. 
'''Joshua:''' Very clever. 
'''Leader:''' I am El Sahir. I am an assistant to the Sheik. 
'''Nika:''' I understand. I am Captain Earhart. This is my First Officer Drake. 
'''Joshua:''' (low) Should we open the cargo bay doors, Captain? 
'''Nika:''' Yes. 
'''Joshua:''' (comms) Open the cargo bay doors please. 
'''Rina:''' (over comms) Seriously? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. Do it. 
'''Rina:''' All right. (softer) I'm getting my grenades. 
'''Joshua:''' No. Do not. 
'''Nika:''' (breaking in) Just lock down the level. 
'''Rina:''' Yes, Ma'am. 

Rina lowers the ramp using the bridge controls and locks the access to the upper decks. 

'''El Sahir:''' Is there any trouble? 
'''Joshua:''' No. Nothing that's not unusual. We're happy to make this delivery. 
'''Nika:''' You of course may inspect it. 

She walks with El Sahir. 

'''Nika:''' Beautiful horse you have. 
'''El Sahir:''' Are you an aficionado of horses? 
'''Nika:''' I was raised around them. 
'''El Sahir:''' Where was that? 
'''Nika:''' Boros. 
'''El Sahir:''' Yes, they have decent horses I'm sure. 
'''Nika:''' They do. I don't know that I've ever had one quite as fine as the one that you possess. He is absolutely beautiful. 

El Sahir inspects the cargo and Nika gives him all the time he needs. Two of his men accompany him and they go through the cargo carefully. He seems very businesslike about it. One of his men has a datapad and he's busy taking notes while the other two inspect the delivery. El Sahir's expression and manner is neither impressed nor unimpressed. It's hard to get a read off the man. He eventually pulls aside his veil to reveal a rather handsome man with a neatly trimmed beard. Dark eyes, dark hair, clear olive skin, nice sculpted lines. Handsome. 

'''El Sahir:''' You will provide water for our horses? 
'''Nika:''' Absolutely. 

El Sahir turns and makes a hand signal to one of his men, who immediately relays the word via hand com. 

'''Nika:''' Kiera. I need you to come down and bring down enough water for the horses and the men, please. 

Kiera rigs up pots to put the water in and fills them from the utility hose. 

'''El Sahir:''' I take it you represent the Independent faction? 
'''Nika:''' I do. 
'''El Sahir:''' What are you offering? What is you wish apart from our alliance—perhaps that is a bad term. 

Joshua chuckles over that one. Nika mentally reviews our briefing: the Independents want the Sheikh to stop selling to the Alliance and sell the thorium only to them as part of an exclusive contract. 

'''Nika:''' I'm sure your Sheikh is approached semi-regularly with such offers but we are hoping that this meager offering and the promise of far more lucrative contracts would perhaps sway him to assist in the cause. 
'''El Sahir:''' And when the Alliance Navy shows up, what protection are you offering? There will be a fleet of equal size to defend us from the Alliance war machine? I assume. Is this under construction? Do you have pictures of the ships you will send to us? 
'''Nika:''' I'm afraid you know as well as I do that a fleet of that size is certainly not going to be soon. 
'''El Sahir:''' I see. 
'''Nika:''' What I can tell you there are enough ships and people to fight to back you up if that becomes necessary. 
'''El Sahir:''' If we … from the Alliance view, if we ally with you, the Alliance has no reason to not aerial bombard us for it. Since we haven't been giving them the thorium anyway. 
'''Nika:''' Dlo you think you'll be able to remain entirely neutral for the duration of this conflict? 
'''El Sahir:''' I don't know. Does your ship have aerial bombardment capabilities? 
'''Joshua:''' No, we do not. 

Joshua suppresses a laugh, thinking: ''Does our engineer count? The woman can go ballistic''. 

'''Nika:''' Touche. It does not. 
'''El Sahir:''' Well, then. For at least a day. (a beat) The Sheikh would like me to extend jis hand that you may stay with us for a little while and attempt to convince us of your cause. 
'''Joshua:''' Very good. We appreciate it. 
'''El Sahir:''' Two of my men will be on your bridge as you fly to the compound. If you deviate from the course, they are prepared to meet Allah. 
'''Nika:''' I understand. 
'''El Sahir:''' Very good. 
'''Joshua:''' Allah's grace. 
'''El Sahir:''' Thank you for the water. 

El Sahir covers his face with his head dress and walks back to his horse, taking his two men with him. A few moment later, he returns with two other men and Nika escorts them up to the bridge without demur. Both carry a device between them. It has buttons and a light. It's a standard mining charg attached to some kind of detonator. Which Rina eyes sharply when they step onto the bridge. Joshua follows behind Nika and the two men and he doesn't miss the expression on his wife's face. He moves quickly to intercept. He gives her The Look: ''Don't say it. Zip it.'' 

'''Joshua:''' Thanks for opening the cargo bay doors earlier, Irina. 
'''Rina:''' (evenly) Because you told me to. 
'''Joshua:''' Nice to have someone who listens to me. 
'''Arden:''' Don't get used to that. 
'''Nika:''' Go head and spin up the engines. We’re going to be staying a day or two at the compound. 
'''Rina:''' Yes, Ma'am. (eyes men narrowly) Gentlemen. 

Rina zips her lip on whatever else she clearly wants to say and heads aft for engineering. El Sahir's men mumble something to each other in Arabic and Joshua translates in his head: ''She looks like the kind of girl the Sheikh likes.'' Joshua lets it slide. 

'''Arden:''' (of Rina) This should be fun. 

Nika lifts off and follows their directions. We pass over the mine and its extensive ore processing facility. We land where we're directed and we touch down without getting blown up. As the dust settles, we make ready to disembark. The entire crew is invited and so the entire crew leaves. We make our way over from the landing pad to the Sheikh's compound. It's half palace and half fortress. There isn't the full-blown ornate decoration customary on Old Earth but it still has distinctive Arabic features. Minarets grace one corner, presumably indicating the direction toward Mecca. The compound is also relatively high tech once we pass through its gates, indicating that the Sheikh is well off. 

For instance, once inside the perimeter, the quality of the air changes. The familiar pressure differential hits our faces when we pass through the doors and instead of the bone-searing heat and aridity of the desert, the air is cooler and more humid, despite the main courtyard being open to the sky. Fountains splash and run here. Graceful arches form colonnaded walkways and every walkway has a narrow stream of water running alongside. Rina looks for and doesn't find a dome over the place and knows that the Sheik is therefore expending a tremendous amount of energy just keeping the place moist. Even with the oasis nearby, such expenditure is impressive. Just what one would expect from a Sheikh. 

Wow. 

Eventually we're escorted to our own suites of room—women separated from the men. When it's discovered that Joshua and Rina are a married couple, they are given a third suite to themselves. All have attached bathing facilities. Nika quickly offers our assistance in transferring the cargo. She's assured it will be done all in good time. There are certain things that must be done first, like inspecting the cargo for bombs. We are given time to freshen up before dinner. Dressing up is left to us to decide, and are eventually led to a dining room. 

On the way, we notice a few things. There aren't a lot of men here. There are a lot of women, ranging from their late teens to their early forties. They are dressed provocatively. 

'''Nika:''' (quietly) He's got a [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features#HOW TO SPEAK PERSIAN|''zenana.'']] 
'''Rina:''' (ditto) A what? 
'''Nika:''' A harem. 
'''Arden:''' Looks like a good place to live. 
'''Joshua:''' Maybe it's the power structure. 

We are ushered into the dining room and stop talking to take it in. It's huge. There's a long u-shaped table, easily seating a couple hundred to a side. At the far end, on the transverse section, a paunchy turbaned man is already making inroads on his repast. There are a couple of guards casually standing at the corners and the doorways. Places have been set for us and El Sahir stands next to them. He graciously waves us over. 

'''El Sahir:''' His Eminence will be here shortly. (waves again) Please, make yourself comfortable. 
'''Arden:''' (nodding at Paunchy) And who is this illustrious guest? 
'''Paunchy:''' Oh I am just an accountant. I will take the accounting. Try the figs. They are delicious. 
'''Arden:''' Thank you. I will. 

The Accountant passes the bowl to Arden. A few moments pass while we settle on the cushions and afterward two lines of women enter the room. Some are carrying food, others are carrying vases of water and yet others are carrying vases of some other liquid. They do a circuit around the room and serve us food and drink and then busy themselves with setting up the rest of the table. They all sit at the table when they are done. We estimate there are about 12 or 13 dozen. Arden amuses himself by counting up the blondes, redheads, and brunettes. A dozen more show up when they sit, followed by the Sheikh Al Tabr. He sits opposite Nika. 

'''Al Tabr:''' [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features#HOW TO SPEAK ARABIC|''Salaam'']]. You have brought gifts I am told. And you represent the Independent War Council? 
'''Nika:''' Yes. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Very good. Eat. Where did you fly from? 
'''Nika:''' Angel. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Ah! [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features#HOW TO SPEAK ARABIC|''Malak'']]. So you know our traditions and laws. I'm afraid you'll find there is no alcohol here but there are beverages you may not have tried before that are equally interesting. 

We all eat and drink a moment and Al Tabr speaks again. 

'''Al Tabr:''' Did you have any difficulty flying here? 
'''Arden:''' The three missile locks. 
'''Rina:''' Shhh-hhh! 
'''Al Tabr:''' You were attacked by missiles? 
'''Nika:''' (easily) It was a watch satellite. But it wasn't too big a problem. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Hm. They should do a better job. 
'''Nika:''' (smiles) They should. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Perhaps I will send them a missive to that effect. 

Great. So the next time we come by they won't miss? We smile and eat and drink on. 

'''Al Tabr:''' We are always happy to receive visitors, especially those bringing gifts, but I hardly see that our position's changed much since the last gift that was sent—I don't remember if it was the Alliance or the Independents who sent the last set of gifts. It was a while ago. 
'''Nika:''' I'm quite sure you're being courted on any number of occasions. 
'''Al Tabr:''' It is a difficult position to … inspire belief. 
'''Nika:''' Neutrality is difficult to maintain. And as the conflict gets bigger, there's always the chance that we might be able to persuade you, so we must keep trying. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Perhaps I should show you the devices we have placed in the mines so you can tell your superiors that this is no joke. 
'''Nika:''' No, I don't believe they think it's any kind of joke, sir. Though if you would like to give us a tour, that would be fine. 
'''Al Tabr:''' I'll send someone. I don't travel much in mines. 
'''Arden:''' It's awfully dirty down there. 

Nika pauses a beat and continues. 

'''Nika:''' I don't think anyone in the system really prefers the situation that any of us are in. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Which situation is that? 
'''Nika:''' The conflict is going to continue to get bigger. There will come a point where you are targeted simply for the fact that you are sitting on this Thorium mine. As your advisor—(nods at El Sahir)—mentioned on the way in, we are not in a position to orbitally bombard you to force you to make any decision nor would we even try. However, that is a tactic the Alliance eventually will use on you as they become more desparate. 
'''Al Tabr:''' But the Independents would never do such a thing. 

His tone makes it clear he believes otherwise. 

'''Nika:''' I would like to say no, they would never ever do such a thing but I will not lie to you. 
'''Al Tabr:''' So if we were to ally with the Alliance, then you would attack us from orbit? You or your people? 
'''Nika:''' I can't say for sure. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Hm. 
'''Nika:''' I'm not the person who will give that order. 
'''Al Tabr:''' It's hardly a mark in your honor then, if you're no different than your enemy. 
'''Nika:''' We come to you to ''ask'' your assistance. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Well I have had visitors from the Alliance as well. 
'''Nika:''' Yes, but I sincerely doubt that any of our people will come and bomb you simply for the fact you've said no. The Alliance on the other hand ''will'' come and do that eventually. I think we would only bomb you if you opted to entirely turn your alliance—turn your allegiance to the Alliance and become a threat to us. 

The Sheikh thinks for a beat. 

'''Al Tabr:''' Hm. Very well. I'll consider that. So if I … go with you, I risk bombardment with the Alliance. Is that what you're saying? 
'''Nika:''' You risk bombardment by the Alliance anyway because you're sitting on something that they want. 
'''Al Tabr:''' For the moment they want what I have more than me. 
'''Joshua:''' I think that the 'for the moment' is the key phrase there, sir. If you can think long term, the Independents are much more likely to let you be as you will, with your resources and your people and your compound. Whereas the Alliance long term, if they are to win, then they are much less likely to let you be. The Alliance prefers to control things the way … they want to control things. 
'''Al Tabr:''' They have been fairly hands-off since I have been in power. 
'''Joshua:''' Of course they have been. They are short on resources. 
'''Al Tabr:''' I mean before the war. 
'''Joshua:''' No, but even then they were short on resources. The Alliance has been struggling in their own system for some time. If the Alliance was at full strength and the Independent force were weaker, I have no doubt in my mind that you would be finding Alliance soldiers making their way here, telling you how to do things, how to run things, how to live your life. Because that's what the Alliance does. 

Joshua's not being over the top with it, but you can definitely tell he's speaking from experience. 

'''Al Tabr:''' Hm. 
'''Nika:''' If I may ask, I know that you are at this time keeping your neutrality and doing quite well at it. Is there anything we can an offer you to make our position more attractive? 
'''Al Tabr:''' Hm. I like to be on the winning side. Are you winning? 

He smiles as he says it, but without malice. Nika smiles back with a chuckle. 

'''Nika:''' Again, I won't lie to you. It's too early in the conflict to tell. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Then perhaps it is too early then, perhaps, for me to throw in my lot to one side or the other. But we shall see. Perhaps there is something you can offer me. At this stage, I am doing fairly well. Because as you say, you never know when someone gets in their mind to bomb my facility or … or if I were to go over to one side, then there would be no reason for someone else not to bomb my facility. So that is a further danger. 
'''Nika:''' I understand that. 
'''Al Tabr:''' What protections could the Independents offer me? 

Now here Nika has to go carefully. While we're effectively emissaries of the Independent movement, we weren't given any powers to make that kind of promise. At the moment, we're more like goodwill ambassadors with gifts, than policy makers and shakers. We are here basically to maintain what good relations the Independents already have with Al Tabr. 

'''Nika:''' At this point, we can only offer you what we have. 
'''Al Tabr:''' And that is …? 
'''Nika:''' The more people who decide that the yoke of the Alliance is too heavy and try to throw it off, the more people we will have on our side. And I think that will continue to go on because the last war was … 
'''Al Tabr:''' Yes, and how did that work out? 
'''Nika:''' (continuing) … Not as organized as this one. And certainly not as widespread. All of the systems are fighting back now. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Well, the Alliance forces are not as developed as they were. 
'''Nika:''' Not even close. And they've been greatly hampered by the loss of several capital ships. 
'''Al Tabr:''' That is true. (sighs) Well … 
'''Nika:''' If nothing else, the least that we would like to do is to remain on good terms. 
'''Al Tabr:''' (smiling) As long as you continue to bribe me … 

Nika laughs. 

'''Al Tabr:''' (continuing) You will remain on my good terms. But for now, I am offering you some hospitality, a little respite from your humdrum daily lives. There may be another visitor coming. I received a wave from … some sort of Alliance captain, I don't know exactly. I assume you'll all be on good behavior? 
'''Arden:''' Of course. 
'''Nika:''' Yes. I'm assuming you enforce neutrality on your compound. 
'''Al Tabr:''' What's that? 
'''Nika:''' I'm assuming you enforce neutrality on this ground. 
'''Al Tabr:''' Yes. I am making sure that you are as well. 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. Of course. 

Al Tabr looks at Rina as he talks, has in fact been eyeing her throughout dinner. For her part, Rina's doing her best to play the perfect little wife—says nothing unless spoken to, serves her husband as she's able, keeps herself from staring at anyone. Joshua's not dumb—he knows it's Rina's way of saying she's already taken without getting ugly or starting a fight. Which is a stretch for her. He keeps an eye on her and Al Tabr, and catches the Sheikh looking at his wife again. Joshua's not the only one who notices either. Nika has caught the glances, too. 

'''Al Tabr:''' We have a few days to discuss what you offer. But now, let's eat and drink. 
'''Nika:''' Are all of these lovely ladies your wives? 
'''Al Tabr:''' Yes. Well, these aren't all my wives. These are my favorite hundred and twenty. 
'''Joshua:''' You're a very virile man. 
'''Al Tabr:''' I have a hundred and sixty five wives. So far. 
'''Nika:''' That is quite impressive. 
'''Rina:''' (faintly) Yes. 
'''Joshua:''' How many days are on this planet for a year? Actually .. one for every day, then? 
'''Al Tabr:''' Well, that would need more, wouldn't it? Perhaps one day, if God is willing. 

Kiera trades a look with Nika and begins to laugh. 

'''Joshua:''' God is … (fails) 
'''Al Tabr:''' Try some of that lamb. It is succulent. 
'''Joshua:''' Actually, I'll try a little bit of everything. 

He does and has been, actually, steadily making his way through all the offerings, taking little pieces of this and little puddles of that. Who knows when he'll ever see a meal like this again. For her part, Kiera's been watching the Sheikh watching Rina and counting the number of times he's looked at her. He's been glancing her way frequently, more so than at Kiera or Nika, and through the rest of the meal he cracks the dirty-old-man sorts of jokes. 

Oh yeah. That's really going to win Rina over. Kiera files it all away, sending looks at Nika as if to ask if she's noticed this going on. Nika's making a point of ignoring all of it. Yes, she's caught it but she's totally ignoring it. Joshua's watching everything as he eats. Rina refuses to make eye contact with the Sheikh. Why encourage him? 

At last we've reached a point for conversation again. El Sahir leans to the Sheikh and says: 

'''El Sahir:''' Earlier, the Captain was admiring your horses, my Sheik. 
'''Al Tabr:''' You like horses? 
'''Nika:''' I do. I was raised on a ranch. 
'''Al Tabr:''' El Sahir, you should take her out and take her to the oasis. It's a good run. You can give her the— 

He names a horse. [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features#HOW TO SPEAK ARABIC|''Fatima'']], he calls it. 

'''El Sahir:''' As you wish. 
'''Al Tabr:''' In the morning. Give them a chance to rest. 

The dinner goes on. We pretty much have the chance to get everyone pigeonholed. There is the stoic assistant (El Sahir), the typical rich guy (Al Tabr), and the fat slob accountant who is thrilled to be at the table and eating all the food in sight. Rina leans over to Joshua during a course change and whispers. 

'''Rina:''' Where's the Vizier and his daughter? 
'''Nika:''' I'm wondering if the accountant is skimming off the top, too. 
'''Kiera:''' Always. 
'''Joshua:''' I want to say fat accountants would make good secret service, so to speak. 
'''Nika:''' Mm-hm. 
'''Rina:''' Actually, he'd be the guy to talk to. Because ''everything'' goes through billing. Follow the money. 
'''Nika:''' (laughing) That's true. 
'''Kiera:''' Yeah. Never piss off the accountant. 

Dinner eventually ends. We go back to our suites. We're not closely watched but … every time we poke our heads out there's a guard in the hallway outside. We find ways to occupy ourselves before bedtime. Joshua eyes Rina pacing the rooms, going in and out of the private and the common areas the crew has been assigned. 

'''Joshua:''' Are you looking for escape routes? 
'''Rina:''' (distracted) Mm-hm. 
'''Joshua:''' Go ahead, get it out of your system. 

Rina scopes out the windows and possible exits from the rooms should we need to leave in a hurry. We're on the ground floor, so height above the ground is not a deterrent, but the windows are small and set high on the walls. Getting to them would require standing on the furniture. 

'''Rina:''' All right. (snaps her fingers) Escape routes planned. 
'''Kiera:''' Escape …? 
'''Joshua:''' This is what she does. 
'''Rina:''' Everywhere new. 
'''Joshua:''' And sometimes to places we've been before. 
'''Kiera:''' Ah, ha. 
'''Arden:''' Just making sure we're safe? 
'''Joshua:''' She doesn't believe we're safe anywhere. 

Nika shakes her head and turns in early. Can't take any more of this nonsense, nope. Kiera has brought her guitar along, so she's quite happily occupied til she's sleepy. Joshua finds a way to take Rina's mind off ambushes and exit strategies, to their mutual enjoyment. 

Arden inquires about a library and he's told that there is one. However, it's mostly in Arabic. There is also an electronic library if he would wish to peruse that. He would, thank you. He's also interested in offering his services as a doctor, as is his usual habit wherever he goes, but is unsure how to say it politely. Arab cultural norms are different from ours with respect to modesty and women. But there are over a hundred fifty women who might be in need of care … it would be more interesting than staying up all night browsing an electronic library. Arden decides to refrain from asking and browses the library. 

The rest of the evening passes uneventfully. 

Part [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr|1]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Two|2]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Three|3]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Four|4]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Part Five|5]], [[Episode 703: Dar Al Tabr, Special Features|Special Features]] 

 
----
Go back to: '''''[[Episode 702: Brand New Day| Brand New Day]]''''' | Go Foward to '''''[[Episode 704: Mind Games|Mind Games]]''''' 
Go back to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Seven | Season Seven, May 2523 - Feb 2504 ]]''' 
Back to [[EPISODES]] or [[Mutineers Timeline|TIMELINE]]

Put Paid, Packed Away

2019-06-15T07:29:23Z

Taimdala:

'''No one says goodbye overnight to someone they've loved for years and while I didn't think the table was the proper place to bring them up, some details needed addressing. So I brought them here.--Maer''' 

Excerpt from ''Peripatetica'', by M. K. Sebastien, Engr. ret. 

'''Monday 21 Jun 2523''' 
'''Cottage on the coast, Angel''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''Sometime before dawn''' 

Joshua and I had spent the hours before midnight getting acquainted with our bed, almost double on a side than either of us was tall, and the murmur of the surf had finally lulled us to sleep. The sound of it met me as I woke with a start and for a second, I couldn't remember where I was. Joshua slept beside me, unconsciously sprawling with abandon thanks to the size of the bed, and it was easy to slip away without jostling him awake. Our hosts had thought of everything. I pulled on the bathrobe they'd provided and padded barefoot off the platform for the veranda. Zephyr was nearly full and hung low on the horizon, a fingertip above the ocean, and by her aqua glow I was able to find my way easily. 

The sky was strewn with stars, too many to take in at once. Their hard diamond glitter reminded me of another night filled with stars and the man who stood under them with me. Mike was gone. As many close calls and scrapes as he'd managed to overcome through the years, Mike could not have survived after Joshua let him go. I knew of no way it could be done, could not imagine a solution without descending into madness, devising one impossible scenario after another. Something I was aware I could do and I resisted it. I had people who loved me and a life to live. Both required I remain sane. 

Mike had people who loved him and despite the conditions of his exile on Miranda, he too had a life to live. I thought back on what he'd said, of how Valerie's cure had changed him once exposed to the Pax. How it had made him smarter, stronger, faster. Had it driven him mad? Or had he made the best of a hideous situation and found a way to make it work for him and what he believed in? I will never know what he truly intended to do with me had Joshua lost. Arden's fate, I had pretty much mapped out—he'd be a captive doctor making more copies of Mike, replicating the process by which he'd been changed. 

But what purpose would I serve on that ship? Engineer? First Mate? Lover? Bed Toy? Snack? All those positions held mortal risk, some more than others. And if Mike had actually gone through with his threat and changed me into something like him, would there have been anything of my old self left? And if so, would I have wanted to live with the loss? Would I even have cared? Or would I, like Mike, have come to grips with the change and tried to make it work for me, changed consciousness and all? Was that state so … elevated, evolved, exalted … that Mike would rather risk the death of my personhood to give me a chance at it? Had his love become so twisted and bitter? Or was he, like Shelley's monster, a desperately lonely creation in need of a companion to make his existence bearable? Had I turned my back on him yet again, when he laid everything he had and was and could be at my feet, to no avail? 

''Stop. You're doing it again. Driving yourself crazy to no purpose''. 

All the what-ifs in the Universe would not bring him back. I would never get to say goodbye or explain the choices I made that left him outside the life he'd hoped to build with me. He wasn't blameless, but neither was I. And no matter his true intentions at the end, the fact remained that I had already given myself to another against his reasonable expectations otherwise, and he had fought to get me back. And lying on the marriage bed behind me was the man who had won. 

''So pull your head out of your ass and turn that around. How do you think Joshua feels? He's had to deal with Mike always looking over his shoulder. Dogging his footsteps. Always being better. Always being '''first'''. Knowing he'll never have all of me but only whatever Mike's left behind.'' 

Furthermore, Joshua had never killed before. Killing is a life changer. It divides your existence into a Before and an After. For all the years I'd known him, Joshua held off stepping into that territory by any means he could. And now there would be no washing the blood off his hands. How would he live with that? And how would he live knowing he did it, in part, for me? 

So ran my thoughts and they were the reason I left our bed. Joshua made a point of never fully Reading me without explicit invitation, even my dreams when we slept, but I knew that strong emotion had a way of making it past his defenses. Our bed wasn't the place for this sort of thing. Neither was our marriage. If I was to go forward with it, I had to make room for it. With Mike gone, he could no longer occupy the same territory in my heart and head he once had, not when I had Joshua waiting to take his place as was his right, earned by love and contest. 

I thought back to the morning on Sihnon when I'd reconciled myself to losing Nikolai. It had hurt but it had been a sharp sudden loss, an unexpected kick to the head. Losing Mike had been an ongoing process that had begun years ago, but not one bit less painful. Shifting the love and weight of years would not be easy and like Rome, not dismantled in a day. Like a widow sorting through her departed's belongings, I ran through my memories of Mike and as the night drifted inexorably toward sunrise, carefully began to pack them away. 

----
'''Go back to: ''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Seven | Season Seven, May 2523 - Feb 2524]]''''' 
'''Go to [[EPISODES]]''' or '''[[MTimeline#2511-2518|TIMELINE]]'''

Episode 715: Big Damn Heroes

2019-06-15T07:14:58Z

Taimdala:

Episode will be coming. Can't yet say when.--Campaign Archivist

----
Go back to: '''[[Episode 714: Business as Usual| Episode 714: Business as Usual]]''' | Go back to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Seven | Season Seven, May 2523 to Feb 2524]]''' 
Back to [[EPISODES]] or [[Mutineers Timeline|TIMELINE]]

Episode 715: Big Damn Heroes

2019-06-15T07:14:34Z

Taimdala:

Episode will be coming. Can't yet say when.--Campaign Archivist

----
Go back to: '''''[[Episode 714: Business as Usual| Episode 714: Business as Usual]]''''' | Go back to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Seven | Season Seven, May 2523 to Feb 2524]]''' 
Back to [[EPISODES]] or [[Mutineers Timeline|TIMELINE]]

Episode 715: Big Damn Heroes

2019-06-15T07:13:08Z

Taimdala: Created page with "Episode will be coming. Can't yet say when.--Campaign Archivist ---- Go back to: ''''' Episode 714: Business as Usual''''' | Go back to..."

Episode will be coming. Can't yet say when.--Campaign Archivist

----
Go back to: '''''[[Episode 714: Business as Usual| Episode 714: Business as Usual]]''''' | Go back to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Seven | Season Seven, May 2523 to -- ]]''' 
Back to [[EPISODES]] or [[Mutineers Timeline|TIMELINE]]

Mutineers Season Four

2019-06-15T07:00:06Z

Taimdala:

[[Image:S04Hdr01b.jpg|700x300px||center]]

== Trials and Errors ==
Battered by finances, fate and system politics, the crew of ''Summer's Gift'' tries to lay low and live simple. However, with the dissolution of the Alliance, the silencing of the Cortex, and political autonomy being granted to all the planets outside the Core, 'simple' may no longer exist.

Episode # and Title: 
'''''401.''''' '''[[Episode 401: Hot Cargo, Cold Cash | Hot Cargo, Cold Cash]]''' ––– We come off two months of rest and repairs to do a simple delivery job which quickly turns complicated. 
'''''402.''''' '''[[Episode 402: Shepherd's Hope | Shepherd's Hope]]''' ––– Our job to run humanitarian supplies to a remote Kerry village takes a gruesome turn. 
'''''403.''''' '''[[Episode 403: Catalysts and Contraints| Catalysts and Constraints]]''' ––– In which we revisit Vladimir Byshek on Newhope and gather a passenger and a cargo to take us post-haste to Blue Sun. 

'''''404.''''' '''[[Episode 404: Crucible | Crucible ]]''' ––– We finally get to see Mike Carter in prison where Rina and Joshua are both hit with something unanticipated and unpleasant. 
'''''405.''''' '''[[Episode 405: Precipitate | Precipitate ]]''' ––– The trial of Mike Carter ensues and so does trouble in the form of a surprise rescue. 
'''''406.''''' '''[[Episode 406: Salvage | Salvage ]]''' ––– The trial ends, Mike Carter goes into exile, and we take a chance on a salvage job. 
'''''407.''''' '''[[Episode 407: Brisbane Ghosts | Brisbane Ghosts]]''' ––– We fly to Meridian with hope of selling our medical salvage to Dr. Fong of Brisbane. 
'''''408.''''' '''[[Episode 408: Resin | Resin]]''' ––– In which we get captured, forced to labor at the camp, and survive. 
'''''409.''''' '''[[Episode 409: Deadwood BBQ | Deadwood BBQ]]''' ––– We follow a lead on Dyson's missing son and find out the lead has been kidnapped by local thugs. We rescue the man and he tells us a secret that people have killed to possess. 
'''''410.''''' '''[[Episode 410: Search and Rescue | Search and Rescue]]''' ––– We hunt for Collings's treasure and rescue a yachting party from dangerous waters ... only to land Arden in some heavy seas. 
'''''411.''''' '''[[Episode 411: Humanity | Humanity]]''' ––– We deliver von Braun to his ship only to land Arden in a fight for his life as a species purist targets him for termination. 
'''''412.''''' '''[[Episode 412: Borrow and Steal | Borrow and Steal]]''' ––– Arden is saved and we make our way to Pericles Station to get Collings his money and Dyson his son. 
'''''413.''''' '''[[Episode 413: Frankie Goes To Pericles| Frankie Goes To Pericles]]''' ––– In wich Arden gets a gun, gets scanned, and stumbles on an operation that ultimately leads to bloodshed. 
'''''414.''''' '''[[Episode 414: Insomnia | Insomnia]]''' ––– We take on two dozen religious pilgrims bound for Miranda and on the way discover how far their religious faith will take them. 
'''''415.''''' '''[[Episode 415: Entanglements | Entanglements ]]''' ––– We go from one crisis to another on our flight to Miranda, risking life and limb against booby traps and Reavers. 
'''''416.''''' '''[[Episode 416: Miranda Calling| Miranda Calling]]''' ––– We win free of the Reavers and deliver our passengers to their destination, only to suffer the effects of the Pax. 
'''''417.''''' '''[[Episode 417: Siege | Siege]]''' ––– A tour of You Go corporate offices goes south as Lex Talionis operatives take the facility hostage. 
'''''418.''''' '''[[Episode 418: Mouse Trap|Mouse Trap]]''' ––– We leave Yan Wo and land on Newhope only to be betrayed, waking up aboard the sabotaged ''Gift'' and racing the clock to regain control before we all perish. 
'''''419.''''' '''[[Episode 419: Dodging The Hammer | Dodging The Hammer]]''' ––– We manage to regain control of our ship and avert the destruction of a city as we crash into the trackless taiga/tundra of Meadow. 
'''''420.''''' '''[[Episode 420: GULag | GULag]]''' ––– We are rescued from death by exposure and disease by the inmates of a GULag and find ourselves pawns in a power struggle inside its walls. 
'''''421.''''' '''[[Episode 421: Jailbreak | Jailbreak]]''' ––– We win free of the GULag and find ourselves in a position to face Potemkin. 
'''''422.''''' '''[[Episode 422: 375°(Season Finale)|375°(Season Finale)]]''' ––– The battle for supremacy and survival plays out on the frozen taiga of Novaya Rodina. Choices are made and for some, the ultimate price is paid. 

 
Go back to [[Mutineers Season One| ''' ''Season One: Foundations'' ''']] 
Go back to [[Mutineers Season Two| ''' ''Season Two: Hitting our Stride'' ''']] 
Go back to [[Mutineers Season Three| ''' ''Season Three: Things Fall Apart'' ''']] 
Go to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season One| Timeline: Season One, May 2518 to Aug 2519]]''' 
Go to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Two| Timeline: Season Two, Dec 2519 to Sep 2520 ]]''' 
Go to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Three| Timeline: Season Three, Sep 2520 to Jan 2521 ]]''' 
Go to '''[[Mutineers Timeline, Season Four | Timeline: Season Four, April 2521 to Dec 2521 ]]''' 
Go back to '''[[Mutineers| MUTINEERS]]''' homepage or '''[[EPISODES]]'''

File:Ghost.jpg

2019-01-01T06:37:35Z

Taimdala: Taimdala uploaded a new version of File:Ghost.jpg

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-12-28T16:23:17Z

Taimdala: /* Game Calendar */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game '''03</s>''': '''06 Oct Cancelled'''
*Game '''04</s>''': '''20 Oct Cancelled'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 02: '''03 Nov Game Renumbered'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game '''06</s>''': '''01 Dec Cancelled'''
*Game '''<s>07</s>''': '''15 Dec Cancelled'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*'''For the time being, our games will continue as an RP campaign and will be posted as the RPs are completed'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-12-28T16:15:46Z

Taimdala: /* Game Calendar */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game '''<s>03</s>''': '''06 Oct Cancelled'''
*Game '''<s>04</s>''': '''20 Oct Cancelled'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 02: '''03 Nov Game Renumbered'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game '''<s>06</s>''': '''01 Dec Cancelled'''
*Game '''<s>07</s>''': '''15 Dec Cancelled'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*'''For the time being, our games will continue as an RP campaign and will be posted as the RPs are completed'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-12-28T16:07:25Z

Taimdala: /* Game Calendar */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game <s>03</s>: '''06 Oct Cancelled'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct Cancelled'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec Diverted'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec Diverted'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-12-28T16:05:21Z

Taimdala: /* Game Calendar */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game 03: '''06 Oct Cancelled'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct Cancelled'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec Diverted'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec Diverted'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-12-04T01:21:08Z

Taimdala: /* Game Calendar */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game 03: '''06 Oct Cancelled'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct Cancelled'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec Diverted'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-10-19T17:13:39Z

Taimdala: /* Game Calendar */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game 03: '''06 Oct Cancelled'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct Cancelled'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Episode 219: Rendezvous

2018-09-25T05:29:33Z

Taimdala:

'''Episode 219.0 Rendezvous -- 08 Dec 2009''' 
Present: Maer, Terri, Andy, Bobby, and Rick

We show up at the Gift under cover of darkness and eyeball her from the outside. Our ship looks quiet, no one moving on the outside…and then we see something on the top of the hull. A shaft of light shoots up into the sky as one of the aft hatches opens up and the Lenore crew eel out and slide down the far side of the hull. A few minutes later, they show up at the crest of the circular earthen berm that surrounds our ship. They are armed and their body language tells us they are suspicious.

They know we’re here.

''Mi Tian Gohn.''

We’re on the other side of the berm from them and that gives us some cover. Rick decides to climb up the hull to the topside hatch, get inside that way while Rina and Arden go up the airlock stairs. Rick has a tense moment when he slips, but manages to catch himself. Joshua and Nika go around the berm to the Lenore crew, to hail them and parlay.

Rina has her vest on, so she takes point with her pistol at the ready and Arden brings up the rear. The airlock is empty. Rina does a quick peek up the treads and sees someone at the top of the stairs. She fires a warning shot up, aiming for the ceiling to make whoever is up there duck, and runs up the stairs. A shot from above hits her square, her vest takes the damage, she staggers and keeps moving. She meets the person at the top of the stairs. It’s Fei Li Kahn and he has a gun. So does Rina. He puts his gun down and assumes a martial arts stance. Rina holsters hers and puts her dukes up.

Rick gains the top of the hull and slips down into the aft transverse corridor. He’s got a choice—he can take the portside corridor or the starboard corridor to get to the fore of the ship. He takes starboard, it being closest to his hatch.

A pity.

Had he chosen port, he would have come up on Fei Wu Ling from behind.

The hand-to-hand between Fei Li Kahn and Rina is short, brutal and bloody. Hits are traded but neither refuses to back down and the punishment gets dished out in turn. Fei Li Kahn has martial arts experience over Rina, and Rina has two weeks of frustration and captivity to work out of her system. She lands a solid blow that practically plants her fist inside Fei Li Kahn’s gut and he goes down. Filled with blood rage, Rina ignores the obvious threat of Fei Wu Ling and considers for a moment whether she should ensure that Fei Li Kahn is dead. The feeling of blood trickling down her back causes her to flashback to her days in the War when covert operations meant no witnesses could survive. Never mind that Li Kahn holstered his gun to fight her. The idea of a fight with survivors doesn't even cross Rina's mind. She draws her pistol and prepares to shoot the man, ensuring he doesn’t get up…and hesitates, thinks the better of it, and before she can do more than holster her gun a knife flies right into her shoulder from behind.

Fei Wu Ling saw everything while coming up the portside corridor. And now she is armed and dangerous and at the moment, intent on felling the bitch that put her brother down on the deck. Rina pulls the knife from her shoulder and holds it left handed while drawing the gun with her right.

Bring it!

Rick hears the screams of Wu Ling from the lower deck and moves to another aft hatch dropping down into the lower deck. Rick runs down the hall to intercept the fighters.

Rina takes a wild pot shot at Wu Ling and attempts to dodge her knives. She takes a hit and pauses to catch her second wind. Arden joins her in the fray, they both take shots, and miss as Wu Ling flips away from them. Despite the engineer being the one bringing the gun to the knife fight, four more knives find their way into Rina before she can gain the cover of the upperdeck stairs. And the shock from the damage puts her on the deck, much like Wu Ling’s brother. Out for the count and fading fast.

--

Outside the rest of the Lenore crew approach the ship guns drawn. Joshua, unarmed, bravely stands in their way.

'''Joshua:''' Let me tell you why you are not going to kill me. 

Nika, from the shadows, keeps her gun aimed at Cooper waiting for anything.

--

Rina remains conscious though bleeding, at the base of the stairs.

'''Rick:''' Arden, Rina is down and she looks bad! 

As Rick arrives on the scene, the Fei sister runs. Rick gives chase. Arden races to Rina's side and provides first-aid. He succeeds in staunching her wounds.

--

Meanwhile outside the ship...

'''Cooper:''' You better talk fast. 
'''Joshua:''' For one thing, the ship is already under our control… And.. for another thing, starting a fight is only going to end badly for you whether you win or lose. I know about the Unified Reclamations Folk, I know about the Buttercup, I know about Vane, and there's a reason why I know about all this. And the reason is why you're not going to kill me. 
'''Mary:''' Come forward. 

Tom holds his gun towards Joshua in his trembling hand. Mary seems a bit more together, her gun out but lowered. Annie and Cooper scramble up the berm to provide a crossfire. Nika takes a warning shot towards Annie kicking up dirt a few feet from her.

'''Nika:''' (Shouting) Mary, call 'em back! 

Tom is mumbling to his gun trying to enchant his bullets to seek out his enemies.

'''Nika:''' (Shouting) Mary, call 'em back, or this will turn bloody! 
'''Joshua:''' I would prefer for it not to be bloody. 

Nika slips closer keeping Annie in her sights, doing her best to keep out of the sights of Cooper. 

'''Joshua:''' I'm Blue Sun property, I might as well have it stamped to my forehead. There are only three ways that this can go: a fight where everyone can die, most likely I will die, in which case Blue Sun will hunt you down, they don't like people destroying their property; or you can take me hostage, and Blue Sun will hunt you down and kill you, and probably me … 
'''Mary:''' You talking about the cola company? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes, the cola company. But they're not just a cola company, do you really not know what they are? It doesn't matter what you think, the point is, I belong to somebody else, they will come after me sooner or later. 
'''Mary:''' Call off your crew mates, and I'll call off mine. 

--

Rick en route to the bridge, finds Wu Ling in Arden’s med bay with a hypo to her neck and her finger on the plunger. 

'''Wu Ling:''' Not again (distraught, in Chinese) Not again. 
'''Rick:''' I'm not here to hurt you. 

She seems in a semi-crazed state, but Rick just tries to be calm and gentle. He just repeats his mantra "I'm not here to hurt you." She doesn't seem to hear him, she is somewhere else. 

--

Outside everyone’s on edge and at first, it’s the classic John Woo stand-off: guns up and no one budging an inch.

'''Mary:''' So you going to call off your people? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't see your people stepping out. 
'''Mary:''' You're the ones a shootin'. 
'''Joshua:''' I'm pretty sure that's a warning shot. 

The standoff doesn't feel any less tense.

'''Joshua:''' Count of three, everyone steps out? 
'''Mary:''' Soon as I see your people walkin out guns down, I'll... 
'''Joshua:''' No, no. I don't want this to end bloody and violent, but I am not putting anybody at risk. 

Joshua can faintly hear through the buzz on Mary's headset, or is he reading her mind? Cooper's voice, saying "I've got'em."

'''Mary:''' Hold your fire Coop, we're gonna try to work this out all peaceful like. 
'''Joshua:''' You've got us, we've got you. There's no way that is going to end well. Remember we've got the ship. 
'''Mary:''' No you don't. 
'''Joshua:''' No I don't? Why would that be? I'm pretty sure most of our group is on the ship. 
'''Mary:''' You're inside the ship, but you ain't got the ship… We took a little bit with us. 
'''Joshua:''' Alright, so we're gonna talk then? 

Mary looks a bit resigned, Then she holsters her pistol.

'''Mary:''' Okay.. There's my show, you give me something. 

Nika steps out from the berm, gun at her shoulder.

'''Mary:''' Tom, put the gun away, you're gonna hurt yourself. 
'''Joshua:''' Cooper? Annie? 
'''Mary:''' Cooper. We’ve been here before. You did it for me, now let me do it for you. 

Cooper stands up and makes himself visible.

'''Mary:''' Where are the rest of your people? 
'''Nika:''' They've already taken the ship, they're aboard. 

Mary taps her comm, but speaks aloud.

'''Mary:''' Annie, what's that thing called? (Pause) We got the Teaser Chip.(Thruster Synchronizer Regulator—TSR--Essential component for stable flight) 
'''Joshua:''' Okay, you've got the chip, now what? 
'''Mary:''' I reckon we ought to talk about it. Who speaks for your crew? 
'''Nika:''' (somewhat uncertainly) I can do it. 

Mary hands her gun to Tom and turns to Nika.

'''Mary:''' Hang up your weapon and we'll talk.

Nika hands the weapon to Joshua who holds it like a dead rat, far from himself. Then Mary leads Nika under the ship out of ear shot, and gun shot, of the rest.

'''Mary: ''' We appear to be at a stand off, what do you offer? 
'''Nika:''' (Menacingly) I offer your people on board, if you want's. What do you want? 
'''Mary:''' I'll settle for the ship… 

Nika throws up a hand in frustration.

'''Mary:''' You're asking me what I want, that's what I want. 
'''Nika:''' No. What you want is to go after your little buried treasure. 
'''Mary:''' So what are you offering? 
'''Nika:''' Passage, with some conditions attached. 
'''Mary:''' There'd have to be some conditions, because… 
'''Nika:''' Oh, there would definitely be some conditions. My ship. You don't have weapons. you stay… 
'''Mary:''' No one has weapons. 
'''Nika:''' That's fine, we can lock all the weapons in the weapons locker. And that would be just fine by me. 
'''Mary:''' Two codes, so no one person could get'em. 
'''Nika:''' I could probably sell that. It would probably require a discussion with the rest of them. 
'''Mary:''' Well, yeah, my people won't be happy with the no weapons thing. 
'''Nika:''' Why don't you tell me exactly what it is that has you so spooked about your old captain? Who took the other vessel without you. 
'''Mary:''' That was just your actor friend pulling one over on ol' Tom, which ain't exactly hard. That man has some serious leakage. 
'''Nika:''' No. Your captain took the blackbird and went off on his own. 
'''Mary:''' Now how do you know that? 
'''Nika:''' Because my little actor friend is not an actor… It ain't important. I don't care about your buried treasure, don't want it. All I want is fair pay for passage and no shit on board my ship I don't want no fights between our crews, I don't want anybody trying to take over my bridge. I will even potentially concede that on the last leg of the trip Tom can take over and fly. 
'''Mary:''' So what you're offering, if I understand correctly... We all go together to Blue Sun. All weapons are locked away. No hiding no gorram knives in the secret places. Everyone has the same access to the ship. 
'''Nika:''' Within limits yeah. 
'''Mary:''' So no one's gassing us in our sleep. 
'''Nika:''' There'd be none of that goin on. I'll have to put a tight leash on Rina, but no one will gas you in your sleep. 
'''Nika:''' And we have to everyone in agreement that there will be no foul play, no one is going to try to take over MY ship again, because if it happens again, somebody's gettin spaced. 
'''Mary:''' Right, were that to happen again, that would be the end of our agreement. 
'''Nika:''' I'm not entirely sure of your word here. So I am warning you ahead of time. I'm not going to fight about it, If you want to go to Blue Sun, I've got no issues taking you there… and bein' as we're in sort of standoff point here, I got not issues taking you. I will run the blockade, I will take you in. I will even concede and let Tom fly the last leg. No one has weapons. No one is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Mary:''' There'd be no need, since we'd all be in this like partners. 
'''Nika:''' And you pay us fair passage. 
'''Mary:''' Well we ain't got nothing to pay you with right now, not until we get to Blue Sun. 
'''Nika:''' So long as you don't mind us pickin' up cargo long the way. 
'''Mary:''' I don't think we want to perpetuate this relationship any longer than necessary. 
'''Nika:''' We don't have enough fuel to get to Blue Sun. 
'''Mary:''' We have enough money to fill your tanks and get us some food. 
'''Nika:''' If you can manage fuel and food all the way to Blue Sun, without having to pick up cargo. And then at the end of the trip you pay us for passage... 
'''Mary:''' Assuming that works out. 
'''Nika:''' Fine. 
'''Mary:''' But I need to know how you know about Jack. 
'''Nika:''' I told you. 
'''Mary:''' You didn't tell me anything, you told me a fairy tale. Let's talk to your magic mind reader, if you won't talk. 
'''Nika:''' Talk to my magic mind reader, knock yourself out. 

--

Wu Ling is looking bad as though she were living through something in her past, perhaps Li Kahn had been injured before, or she faced interrogation. Or just watching her brother getting bludgeoned to death may have affected her. Rick can't tell, but he knows she isn't there any more. 

Meanwhile on the deck below, Arden renders enough first aid to keep Rina shuffling off this mortal coil and he brings Li Kahn up to MedBay to see what he can for him, When Wu Ling sees him she screams out his real name, falters and throws the hypo away from her. With Wu Ling and Rick to help him, Arden gets both the injured up to med bay and he starts working to save Li Kahn. Rina’s in better shape, despite the five holes in her, and stabilized in the ward room. Arden will get to her when he can. 

This will take some time, so once his presence is no longer needed in Med Bay, Rick goes and brings Rina up to the Wardroom to act as second surgery. 

'''Rick:''' Since I am saving your life for the second time, I am really hoping you won't try to stab me as I carry up stairs. (He brings her up there) 
'''Rina:''' Okay. Put me down, anyone on the bridge? Do we need to secure the weapons? 
'''Rick:''' Rina, I mean this in whatever way it will keep me from getting killed. You are staying here, and that's an order. If that's okay with you. 

--

Meanwhile back outside. 

'''Mary:''' So we are in agreement to talk to our crews about this. 

Joshua considers reading Tom, but looking at the man, he decides better of it. Mary returns to her group and they retreat to the edge of the berm and begin to discuss the offer. Joshua heads into the ship and visits MedBay and goes to figure out what is happening.

--

Joshua watches Arden in surgery and begins to 'borrow' some medical talent and goes to help Rina. He explains the situation to Rina, and attempts to convince her that he needs to take care of her. Meanwhile, Nika tries to organize a plan, and tries to secure the ship. 

Both crews wait nervously as their respective crew members are in surgery. Joshua works feverishly until Arden finishes with Li Kahn, he moves to take off with Rina (and the two people work together). 

--

Mary and Cooper return to the ship.

'''Mary:''' This might work, but we need to know what happened to the Fei twins. 
'''Nika:''' That's what we've been looking into. 
'''Rick:''' Wu Ling is fine, and her brother is currently in surgery as is currently one of our crew members. 
'''Mary:''' I guess we are agreeable as long we all agree that everyone is on equal footing. 
'''Nika:''' Obviously I can't speak for the one in surgery, but everyone else has agreed that that is acceptable. 
'''Mary:''' If the Fei twins decide they don't like this, we can drop them off. 
'''Cooper:''' No big loss. 

So the two crews go through the steps of the armistice. The two do a sweep of the ship from aft to fore checking every room, every nook and cranny for weapons and anything else that might be a problem (locks, etc.) They both grudgingly take their weapons to the locker (which is now bursting with armaments) and code the locks to two separate codes (Annie and Nika know theirs respectively). Then Annie replaces the Teaser chip in the engine room. Rick notices that they seem too quick to surrender their one trump card (the Teaser) and calls them out on it. 

'''Rick:''' Is there anything else you have on the ship that we should know about 
'''Cooper:''' "Well, as we were acting as pirates, there might have been some, err looting and such previous to our friendly reconciliating, as such. 

Sure enough the crew finds that the agents of redistribution has lightened their wallets considerably. No one has more than €20, and those with less than that, find the same €20 there.

Eventually they finish up sweeping the ship, recoding the locks and the various surgeries. Nika briefs Rina on the agreement and warns her against spoiling the negotiations. The lot of them gather around the big table in the lounge, including wheeling Rina in on a rolling bed, to discuss their pasts and futures. Only Li Kahn is absent, as he is still unconscious from his surgery.

'''Mary:''' I don't know how it is you know all that you claim to know. But I want to say that we appreciate what you are doing. And that we have been in a situation like this before, and it didn't turn out so good. And that set us on a course doing what we've been doing. 
'''Joshua:''' The ''Kingston''. 
'''Mary:''' That's right, the ''Kingston''… So we talked about it, and agreed that you folks sounded reasonable so we were hoping to avoid doing that again. Blood was spilled, but we stopped. We stopped it from going further. So we're letting you know that we're sincere about this, now whether you believe us or not. 
'''Arden:''' I'd like to say that even though I am not 100% certain about all this, I am willing to let bygones be bygones, as long as nothing else goes sour. 
'''Joshua:''' I think we can both get what we want out of this. You can get whatever it is your looking for in Blue Sun, we can get our ship back and be on our way. And no blood has to be spilled, and all's good. 
'''Mary:''' It will take some time for wounds to heal, but I appreciate that, you (Arden) seem like a straight up fellow. 
'''Arden:'''You mean I can't lie worth ''Mi Tian Gohn''." 
'''Rina:''' Me neither. 
'''Mary:''' Well, I don't know about that, maybe you're just that good. Now, when Tom said that he was talking to Captain Jack. He seemed might convinced, but we knew something weren't right about it, which is why we left the Feis in the ship to protect it. And took some precautions on our way out. Now you say you've got some kinda way of sensing the Captain's thoughts? This all sounds pretty crazy. 
'''Joshua:''' I can see how it might sound that way. But since you took my drugs away, I started dreaming, and what did I start dreaming about? The Kingston? And why was I dreaming about the Kingston? I dunno. Maybe because it was on your minds. I saw you standing around your former captain deciding what would be done. Turning to Mary, and asking if she was okay with it. Now whether you believe it or not, that is up to you. But I heard it well enough, dreamed it well enough, to do his voice. (He makes a passable imitation). 
'''Annie:''' How do you do this? 
'''Joshua:''' The dreaming or the voices? 
'''Nika:''' How are you so good with engines? 
'''Annie:''' I ain't that good. (Nods from around her crew) 
'''Nika:''' Alright, how does Tom fly as well as he does? It's instinct, it's something hardwired in him. Certain people have a talent. It's just like music, just like medicine.

The Lenore crew looks dubious.

'''Joshua:''' Let's just say a lot of money went into this, and there are a lot of things outside my control. 
'''Annie:''' I am confused...it sounds like you were reading this from us, not from Jack. 
'''Joshua:''' Right, not from Jack. 
'''Annie:''' So what makes you think Jack is alive? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know he is, but Tom thinks he is. 

All eyes look to Tom. For some of them, the mystery is over what with Tom being a complete loon For others, they are still perplexed. 

'''Rick:''' Calico Jack can't die... 
'''Nika:''' Let me ask you this, was there another ship in the belly of Lenore? 
'''Mary:''' We had three ship's boats, but they were all destroyed in the explosion. 
'''Nika:''' Possibly, possibly. 
'''Joshua:''' The hangar was intact. 
'''Mary:''' But it was open. And the Raven was out by the other ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Let's put it this way, once you are out in the Black anything can happen, we can't really know. Maybe it got destroyed, maybe Jack took it and left. They are equally likely. 
'''Annie:''' Jack wouldn't leave '''me'''. 
'''Mary:''' If Jack were to have abandoned you for some reason, it means he has days and days of a head start. 
'''Joshua:''' Let's think positive and imagine that he is dead. Well, I guess that isn't exactly positive. Let's just say that is the case, and there isn't much we can do about it if we are wrong. It doesn't matter if he is five, ten or twenty days ahead of us, it doesn't matter to what we do, does it? 
'''Nika:''' What Jack would or did you is really your concern, not ours. Frankly we don't want to worry about it. None of our business. and we don't want to give you reason for turning on us and killing us later. 
'''Joshua:''' Whoa whoa whoa, let's not talk about killing us later. The less we know, the better for us and you. We don't know whatever is at the coordinates, and if Tom is flying we don't need to know. 
'''Mary:''' Well...we don't exactly have the coordinates either. 
'''Nika:''' Well that is going to be problematic. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have any sort of idea? You just planning on looking around all of Blue Sun? Last I checked, it is a pretty big place, spec. 
'''Mary:''' It ain't all of Blue Sun. It is in the Oroborus... somewhere. 
'''Joshua:''' When you get there, do you have some way of figuring it out? 
'''Nika:''' Landmarks? 
'''Rina:''' Buoys? 

''They all look over to Tom.''

'''Mary:''' It's all up to him. 
'''Tom:''' It's all up here. (Pointing to his head) 
'''Nika:''' That's going to be helpful." 
'''Rick:''' Oh so Tom knows? You know what the thing looks like? 
'''Tom:''' Looks like?.. more.. feels like. I could spot it on the sensors. 
'''Joshua:''' More importantly if we get to Blue Sun, you think you can find it? 
'''Tom:''' It would… help.. to have Jack if he really is alive… (A little crestfallen) Yeah Jack, he helps me, he gets me to see things better. When I do it, it's all confused. 
'''Joshua:''' We can talk about it, I might be able to help. I'm not Jack but I might be able to help. 
'''Cooper:''' (Speaking up) Listen, since we're all coming clean here. I don't want to make anyone here (looking at his crew mates) but Jack had spoken to me once or twice about possibly, um, reducing the number of 'shares' in the treasure once we got closer. 
'''Arden:''' That doesn't sound very friendly like. 
'''Cooper:''' Well it's a big crew. Even a lot of money gets split six ways. 
'''Arden:''' It's still a lot of money. 
'''Cooper:''' And hey! This is nothing personal. (looking at Wu Ling) We figured we'd set you and your brother down somewhere. I'm sure things would work out okay. We'd get you something, maybe not the full share the captain had talked to you about. 

Wu Ling just stares without surprise or emotion at her crew mates. 

'''Arden:''' Well, once we get there, if we get there, I want it perfectly clear that there will be no further redivision of shares. I don't want anyone dead. 
'''Joshua:''' Nobody is going to kill anybody else. 
'''Arden:''' I just want it perfectly clear. I'm not talking about us, I'm talking about them. 
'''Joshua:''' The trick is that one of the Feis is not exactly mobile, isn't that right Arden? 
'''Rina:''' Wheel me over there, and I can make sure he never is. 
'''Nika:''' Rina! 
'''Cooper:''' Well, hmm, um, it weren't just the.. uh Bobbsy Twins over there. Is was.. yeah. Girls… Jack weren't exactly quite as dedicated as he may have made it seem. 

''Both Mary and Annie look at each other, and then at Cooper. Mouths agog.'' 

'''Annie:''' No Coop, you've got it backwards. Jack and I we had something. You're just muscle. Once we get the money, we wouldn't need muscle like you. 

The room bursts into murmuring and whispering, most of the Summer's Gift Crew claiming they did not want to be part of the drama. 

'''Mary:''' Jack's gone. Either he left voluntarily, or his life were taken from him. So I'm captain now… Co-captain. (pointing to Nika) I think we have a stop to make before we make it to Blue Sun. I think we need to go back to the Lenore. 
'''Nika:''' Why? 
'''Mary:''' If what you've read is correct,a nod he's pulled something, he may have left a clue as to where he was going back on the ship we might be able to find. And the ship is mostly intact. 
'''Annie:''' When the Navy ship showed up, Jack told me to erase the computers, sensor logs, communications logs, that sort of thing. 
'''Joshua:''' Not that I am justifying going back to the Lenore, but there were two lifepods that didn't show life signs, so we didn't check, so we can.. 
'''Nika:''' Verify whether he is on one or not. 
'''Joshua:''' If he's on it, he's dead. If he's not, we can't verify what happened, but we can make some guesses. 
'''Rick:''' I'm fine with going back, but we need to drop off the Abergs' stuff and refuel here, get food, medical supplies. 
'''Nika:''' We need to let our handler know we are going to be off the books for a while. 
'''Mary:''' Alright we'll go to Malmo. We're okay. (looking at Annie). And then we'll go check out the Lenore. 
'''Rick:''' We can make the Malmo trip short, we just need to check in with our people there and drop off their stuff. It shouldn't take long. 
'''Arden:''' I'll make a list of medical supplies we need. Does anyone have any special needs? 
'''Cooper:''' Uh yeah. I'm sort of like your boy Josh here. If I don't get the right amount of booze and drugs, I ain't right. Har har. 

The crew goes into action planning repairs and resupplying the ship in preparation for journeying to the Lenore and then on to Kalidasa (and from there on to White Sun). When the get to Malmo, Fei Wu Ling says she is going to take her brother to the local hospital, she has no desire to travel with the crew. There is no love, no loyalty. They allow her to take her brother and go. 

''During the trip to the Lenore...''

Joshua tries to befriend and put the Lenore crew at ease, releasing tension. He also tries to figure out from Tom what Jack was like. Apparently Tom believes that he taps into the cloud computing network of the resistance to help his navigation (perhaps via implant). He believes a bunch of conspiracy theories as well. 
Rina has no interest in friendship and keeps her distance from the Lenore crew. 
Rick is friendly to everyone, especially Marie, but he is keeping a cautious eye on them. 
Nika is casual, reasonably friendly, watchful, but not standoffish. She gives special attention to Tom. 
Arden is a bit competitive wanting to spar with Mary, play cards with Cooper, etc.. 

'''''Fast forward to the Lenore.''''' 
There is enough mass in the wreckage, to speak of another ship.

The Lenore crew only found manufactured goods, when they were hoping to find crates and crates of alcohol. That doesn't jibe with sensor readings which suggest much denser materials, perhaps consistent with yet another ship, probably a small military craft. However, looking through the sensor logs, there is evidence of large quantity of powerful solvent. Very unusual. Even aerosolized it is dangerous, and probably dangerous to remain here too long. Odd because usually this sort of thing is carried by specialized tanker ships. It would explain why the Darkstar exploded so thoroughly. They will need to keep it short here with all the solvent.

*Lifepods show no sign of life, but damaged (no bodies)
*NavComputers data has been deleted.
**Arden recovers a subject line message from 'El Raton Re:Darkstar'
**Mary claims Jack may have spoken of an El Raton from his days in the war.
**Rina finds a fragment from a Naval vessel dated a few days before the Lenore met its doom. From the ''IAV Alabama''.
*Nika thinks it is far more likely the Darkstar was destroyed by explosives, not a missile hit.

'''Nika:''' Somebody sabotaged that ship. the blast pattern is too evenly spread to be a missile hit, it had to be explosives. 

The crew decides to go from Lenore to Aberdeen. They leave the caustic environment of space near the Lenore, the remains of the Darkstar and whatever other ship was there, and pulses for Aberdeen.

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 218:Captive Audience | '''Captive Audience''']] | Forward to: [[Season Two Finale: Aberdeen| '''Season Two Finale: Aberdeen''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 219: Rendezvous

2018-09-25T05:24:08Z

Taimdala:

'''Episode 219.0 Rendezvous -- 08 Dec 2009''' 
Present: Maer, Terri, Andy, Bobby, and Rick

We show up at the Gift under cover of darkness and eyeball her from the outside. Our ship looks quiet, no one moving on the outside…and then we see something on the top of the hull. A shaft of light shoots up into the sky as one of the aft hatches opens up and the Lenore crew eel out and slide down the far side of the hull. A few minutes later, they show up at the crest of the circular earthen berm that surrounds our ship. They are armed and their body language tells us they are suspicious.

They know we’re here.

''Mi Tian Gohn.''

We’re on the other side of the berm from them and that gives us some cover. Rick decides to climb up the hull to the topside hatch, get inside that way while Rina and Arden go up the airlock stairs. Rick has a tense moment when he slips, but manages to catch himself. Joshua and Nika go around the berm to the Lenore crew, to hail them and parlay.

Rina has her vest on, so she takes point with her pistol at the ready and Arden brings up the rear. The airlock is empty. Rina does a quick peek up the treads and sees someone at the top of the stairs. She fires a warning shot up, aiming for the ceiling to make whoever is up there duck, and runs up the stairs. A shot from above hits her square, her vest takes the damage, she staggers and keeps moving. She meets the person at the top of the stairs. It’s Fei Li Kahn and he has a gun. So does Rina. He puts his gun down and assumes a martial arts stance. Rina holsters hers and puts her dukes up.

Rick gains the top of the hull and slips down into the aft transverse corridor. He’s got a choice—he can take the portside corridor or the starboard corridor to get to the fore of the ship. He takes starboard, it being closest to his hatch.

A pity.

Had he chosen port, he would have come up on Fei Wu Ling from behind.

The hand-to-hand between Fei Li Kahn and Rina is short, brutal and bloody. Hits are traded but neither refuses to back down and the punishment gets dished out in turn. Fei Li Kahn has martial arts experience over Rina, and Rina has two weeks of frustration and captivity to work out of her system. She lands a solid blow that practically plants her fist inside Fei Li Kahn’s gut and he goes down. Filled with blood rage, Rina ignores the obvious threat of Fei Wu Ling and considers for a moment whether she should ensure that Fei Li Kahn is dead. The feeling of blood trickling down her back causes her to flashback to her days in the War when covert operations meant no witnesses could survive. Never mind that Li Kahn holstered his gun to fight her. The idea of a fight with survivors doesn't even cross Rina's mind. She draws her pistol and prepares to shoot the man, ensuring he doesn’t get up…and hesitates, thinks the better of it, and before she can do more than holster her gun a knife flies right into her shoulder from behind.

Fei Wu Ling saw everything while coming up the portside corridor. And now she is armed and dangerous and at the moment, intent on felling the bitch that put her brother down on the deck. Rina pulls the knife from her shoulder and holds it left handed while drawing the gun with her right.

Bring it!

Rick hears the screams of Wu Ling from the lower deck and moves to another aft hatch dropping down into the lower deck. Rick runs down the hall to intercept the fighters.

Rina takes a wild pot shot at Wu Ling and attempts to dodge her knives. She takes a hit and pauses to catch her second wind. Arden joins her in the fray, they both take shots, and miss as Wu Ling flips away from them. Despite the engineer being the one bringing the gun to the knife fight, four more knives find their way into Rina before she can gain the cover of the upperdeck stairs. And the shock from the damage puts her on the deck, much like Wu Ling’s brother. Out for the count and fading fast.

--

Outside the rest of the Lenore crew approach the ship guns drawn. Joshua, unarmed, bravely stands in their way.

'''Joshua:''' Let me tell you why you are not going to kill me. 

Nika, from the shadows, keeps her gun aimed at Cooper waiting for anything.

--

Rina remains conscious though bleeding, at the base of the stairs.

'''Rick:''' Arden, Rina is down and she looks bad! 

As Rick arrives on the scene, the Fei sister runs. Rick gives chase. Arden races to Rina's side and provides first-aid. He succeeds in staunching her wounds.

--

Meanwhile outside the ship...

'''Cooper:''' You better talk fast. 
'''Joshua:''' For one thing, the ship is already under our control… And.. for another thing, starting a fight is only going to end badly for you whether you win or lose. I know about the Unified Reclamations Folk, I know about the Buttercup, I know about Vane, and there's a reason why I know about all this. And the reason is why you're not going to kill me. 
'''Mary:''' Come forward. 

Tom holds his gun towards Joshua in his trembling hand. Mary seems a bit more together, her gun out but lowered. Annie and Cooper scramble up the berm to provide a crossfire. Nika takes a warning shot towards Annie kicking up dirt a few feet from her.

'''Nika:''' (Shouting) Mary, call 'em back! 

Tom is mumbling to his gun trying to enchant his bullets to seek out his enemies.

'''Nika:''' (Shouting) Mary, call 'em back, or this will turn bloody! 
'''Joshua:''' I would prefer for it not to be bloody. 

Nika slips closer keeping Annie in her sights, doing her best to keep out of the sights of Cooper. 

'''Joshua:''' I'm Blue Sun property, I might as well have it stamped to my forehead. There are only three ways that this can go: a fight where everyone can die, most likely I will die, in which case Blue Sun will hunt you down, they don't like people destroying their property; or you can take me hostage, and Blue Sun will hunt you down and kill you, and probably me … 
'''Mary:''' You talking about the cola company? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes, the cola company. But they're not just a cola company, do you really not know what they are? It doesn't matter what you think, the point is, I belong to somebody else, they will come after me sooner or later. 
'''Mary:''' Call off your crew mates, and I'll call off mine. 

--

Rick en route to the bridge, finds Wu Ling in Arden’s med bay with a hypo to her neck and her finger on the plunger. 

'''Wu Ling:''' Not again (distraught, in Chinese) Not again. 
'''Rick:''' I'm not here to hurt you. 

She seems in a semi-crazed state, but Rick just tries to be calm and gentle. He just repeats his mantra "I'm not here to hurt you." She doesn't seem to hear him, she is somewhere else. 

--

Outside everyone’s on edge and at first, it’s the classic John Woo stand-off: guns up and no one budging an inch.

'''Mary:''' So you going to call off your people? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't see your people stepping out. 
'''Mary:''' You're the ones a shootin'. 
'''Joshua:''' I'm pretty sure that's a warning shot. 

The standoff doesn't feel any less tense.

'''Joshua:''' Count of three, everyone steps out? 
'''Mary:''' Soon as I see your people walkin out guns down, I'll... 
'''Joshua:''' No, no. I don't want this to end bloody and violent, but I am not putting anybody at risk. 

Joshua can faintly hear through the buzz on Mary's headset, or is he reading her mind? Cooper's voice, saying "I've got'em."

'''Mary:''' Hold your fire Coop, we're gonna try to work this out all peaceful like. 
'''Joshua:''' You've got us, we've got you. There's no way that is going to end well. Remember we've got the ship. 
'''Mary:''' No you don't. 
'''Joshua:''' No I don't? Why would that be? I'm pretty sure most of our group is on the ship. 
'''Mary:''' You're inside the ship, but you ain't got the ship… We took a little bit with us. 
'''Joshua:''' Alright, so we're gonna talk then? 

Mary looks a bit resigned, Then she holsters her pistol.

'''Mary:''' Okay.. There's my show, you give me something. 

Nika steps out from the berm, gun at her shoulder.

'''Mary:''' Tom, put the gun away, you're gonna hurt yourself. 
'''Joshua:''' Cooper? Annie? 
'''Mary:''' Cooper. We’ve been here before. You did it for me, now let me do it for you. 

Cooper stands up and makes himself visible.

'''Mary:''' Where are the rest of your people? 
'''Nika:''' They've already taken the ship, they're aboard. 

Mary taps her comm, but speaks aloud.

'''Mary:''' Annie, what's that thing called? (Pause) We got the Teaser Chip.(Thruster Synchronizer Regulator—TSR--Essential component for stable flight) 
'''Joshua:''' Okay, you've got the chip, now what? 
'''Mary:''' I reckon we ought to talk about it. Who speaks for your crew? 
'''Nika:''' (somewhat uncertainly) I can do it. 

Mary hands her gun to Tom and turns to Nika.

'''Mary:''' Hang up your weapon and we'll talk.

Nika hands the weapon to Joshua who holds it like a dead rat, far from himself. Then Mary leads Nika under the ship out of ear shot, and gun shot, of the rest.

'''Mary: ''' We appear to be at a stand off, what do you offer? 
'''Nika:''' (Menacingly) I offer your people on board, if you want's. What do you want? 
'''Mary:''' I'll settle for the ship… 

Nika throws up a hand in frustration.

'''Mary:''' You're asking me what I want, that's what I want. 
'''Nika:''' No. What you want is to go after your little buried treasure. 
'''Mary:''' So what are you offering? 
'''Nika:''' Passage, with some conditions attached. 
'''Mary:''' There'd have to be some conditions, because… 
'''Nika:''' Oh, there would definitely be some conditions. My ship. You don't have weapons. you stay… 
'''Mary:''' No one has weapons. 
'''Nika:''' That's fine, we can lock all the weapons in the weapons locker. And that would be just fine by me. 
'''Mary:''' Two codes, so no one person could get'em. 
'''Nika:''' I could probably sell that. It would probably require a discussion with the rest of them. 
'''Mary:''' Well, yeah, my people won't be happy with the no weapons thing. 
'''Nika:''' Why don't you tell me exactly what it is that has you so spooked about your old captain? Who took the other vessel without you. 
'''Mary:''' That was just your actor friend pulling one over on ol' Tom, which ain't exactly hard. That man has some serious leakage. 
'''Nika:''' No. Your captain took the blackbird and went off on his own. 
'''Mary:''' Now how do you know that? 
'''Nika:''' Because my little actor friend is not an actor… It ain't important. I don't care about your buried treasure, don't want it. All I want is fair pay for passage and no shit on board my ship I don't want no fights between our crews, I don't want anybody trying to take over my bridge. I will even potentially concede that on the last leg of the trip Tom can take over and fly. 
'''Mary:''' So what you're offering, if I understand correctly... We all go together to Blue Sun. All weapons are locked away. No hiding no gorram knives in the secret places. Everyone has the same access to the ship. 
'''Nika:''' Within limits yeah. 
'''Mary:''' So no one's gassing us in our sleep. 
'''Nika:''' There'd be none of that goin on. I'll have to put a tight leash on Rina, but no one will gas you in your sleep. 
'''Nika:''' And we have to everyone in agreement that there will be no foul play, no one is going to try to take over MY ship again, because if it happens again, somebody's gettin spaced. 
'''Mary:''' Right, were that to happen again, that would be the end of our agreement. 
'''Nika:''' I'm not entirely sure of your word here. So I am warning you ahead of time. I'm not going to fight about it, If you want to go to Blue Sun, I've got no issues taking you there… and bein' as we're in sort of standoff point here, I got not issues taking you. I will run the blockade, I will take you in. I will even concede and let Tom fly the last leg. No one has weapons. No one is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Mary:''' There'd be no need, since we'd all be in this like partners. 
'''Nika:''' And you pay us fair passage. 
'''Mary:''' Well we ain't got nothing to pay you with right now, not until we get to Blue Sun. 
'''Nika:''' So long as you don't mind us pickin' up cargo long the way. 
'''Mary:''' I don't think we want to perpetuate this relationship any longer than necessary. 
'''Nika:''' We don't have enough fuel to get to Blue Sun. 
'''Mary:''' We have enough money to fill your tanks and get us some food. 
'''Nika:''' If you can manage fuel and food all the way to Blue Sun, without having to pick up cargo. And then at the end of the trip you pay us for passage... 
'''Mary:''' Assuming that works out. 
'''Nika:''' Fine. 
'''Mary:''' But I need to know how you know about Jack. 
'''Nika:''' I told you. 
'''Mary:''' You didn't tell me anything, you told me a fairy tale. Let's talk to your magic mind reader, if you won't talk. 
'''Nika:''' Talk to my magic mind reader, knock yourself out. 

--

Wu Ling is looking bad as though she were living through something in her past, perhaps Li Kahn had been injured before, or she faced interrogation. Or just watching her brother getting bludgeoned to death may have affected her. Rick can't tell, but he knows she isn't there any more. 

Meanwhile on the deck below, Arden renders enough first aid to keep Rina shuffling off this mortal coil and he brings Li Kahn up to MedBay to see what he can for him, When Wu Ling sees him she screams out his real name, falters and throws the hypo away from her. With Wu Ling and Rick to help him, Arden gets both the injured up to med bay and he starts working to save Li Kahn. Rina’s in better shape, despite the five holes in her, and stabilized in the ward room. Arden will get to her when he can. 

This will take some time, so once his presence is no longer needed in Med Bay, Rick goes and brings Rina up to the Wardroom to act as second surgery. 

'''Rick:''' Since I am saving your life for the second time, I am really hoping you won't try to stab me as I carry up stairs. (He brings her up there) 
'''Rina:''' Okay. Put me down, anyone on the bridge? Do we need to secure the weapons? 
'''Rick:''' Rina, I mean this in whatever way it will keep me from getting killed. You are staying here, and that's an order. If that's okay with you. 

--

Meanwhile back outside. 

'''Mary:''' So we are in agreement to talk to our crews about this. 

Joshua considers reading Tom, but looking at the man, he decides better of it. Mary returns to her group and they retreat to the edge of the berm and begin to discuss the offer. Joshua heads into the ship and visits MedBay and goes to figure out what is happening.

--

Joshua watches Arden in surgery and begins to 'borrow' some medical talent and goes to help Rina. He explains the situation to Rina, and attempts to convince her that he needs to take care of her. Meanwhile, Nika tries to organize a plan, and tries to secure the ship. 

Both crews wait nervously as their respective crew members are in surgery. Joshua works feverishly until Arden finishes with Li Kahn, he moves to take off with Rina (and the two people work together). 

--

Mary and Cooper return to the ship.

'''Mary:''' This might work, but we need to know what happened to the Fei twins. 
'''Nika:''' That's what we've been looking into. 
'''Rick:''' Wu Ling is fine, and her brother is currently in surgery as is currently one of our crew members. 
'''Mary:''' I guess we are agreeable as long we all agree that everyone is on equal footing. 
'''Nika:''' Obviously I can't speak for the one in surgery, but everyone else has agreed that that is acceptable. 
'''Mary:''' If the Fei twins decide they don't like this, we can drop them off. 
'''Cooper:''' No big loss. 

So the two crews go through the steps of the armistice. The two do a sweep of the ship from aft to fore checking every room, every nook and cranny for weapons and anything else that might be a problem (locks, etc.) They both grudgingly take their weapons to the locker (which is now bursting with armaments) and code the locks to two separate codes (Annie and Nika know theirs respectively). Then Annie replaces the Teaser chip in the engine room. Rick notices that they seem too quick to surrender their one trump card (the Teaser) and calls them out on it. 

'''Rick:''' Is there anything else you have on the ship that we should know about 
'''Cooper:''' "Well, as we were acting as pirates, there might have been some, err looting and such previous to our friendly reconciliating, as such. 

Sure enough the crew finds that the agents of redistribution has lightened their wallets considerably. No one has more than €20, and those with less than that, find the same €20 there.

Eventually they finish up sweeping the ship, recoding the locks and the various surgeries. Nika briefs Rina on the agreement and warns her against spoiling the negotiations. The lot of them gather around the big table in the lounge, including wheeling Rina in on a rolling bed, to discuss their pasts and futures. Only Li Kahn is absent, as he is still unconscious from his surgery.

'''Mary:''' I don't know how it is you know all that you claim to know. But I want to say that we appreciate what you are doing. And that we have been in a situation like this before, and it didn't turn out so good. And that set us on a course doing what we've been doing. 
'''Joshua:''' The ''Kingston''. 
'''Mary:''' That's right, the ''Kingston''… So we talked about it, and agreed that you folks sounded reasonable so we were hoping to avoid doing that again. Blood was spilled, but we stopped. We stopped it from going further. So we're letting you know that we're sincere about this, now whether you believe us or not. 
'''Arden:''' I'd like to say that even though I am not 100% certain about all this, I am willing to let bygones be bygones, as long as nothing else goes sour. 
'''Joshua:''' I think we can both get what we want out of this. You can get whatever it is your looking for in Blue Sun, we can get our ship back and be on our way. And no blood has to be spilled, and all's good. 
'''Mary:''' It will take some time for wounds to heal, but I appreciate that, you (Arden) seem like a straight up fellow. 
'''Arden:'''You mean I can't lie worth ''Mi Tian Gohn''." 
'''Rina:''' Me neither. 
'''Mary:''' Well, I don't know about that, maybe you're just that good. Now, when Tom said that he was talking to Captain Jack. He seemed might convinced, but we knew something weren't right about it, which is why we left the Feis in the ship to protect it. And took some precautions on our way out. Now you say you've got some kinda way of sensing the Captain's thoughts? This all sounds pretty crazy. 
'''Joshua:''' I can see how it might sound that way. But since you took my drugs away, I started dreaming, and what did I start dreaming about? The Kingston? And why was I dreaming about the Kingston? I dunno. Maybe because it was on your minds. I saw you standing around your former captain deciding what would be done. Turning to Mary, and asking if she was okay with it. Now whether you believe it or not, that is up to you. But I heard it well enough, dreamed it well enough, to do his voice. (He makes a passable imitation). 
'''Annie:''' How do you do this? 
'''Joshua:''' The dreaming or the voices? 
'''Nika:''' How are you so good with engines? 
'''Annie:''' I ain't that good. (Nods from around her crew) 
'''Nika:''' Alright, how does Tom fly as well as he does? It's instinct, it's something hardwired in him. Certain people have a talent. It's just like music, just like medicine.

The Lenore crew looks dubious.

'''Joshua:''' Let's just say a lot of money went into this, and there are a lot of things outside my control. 
'''Annie:''' I am confused...it sounds like you were reading this from us, not from Jack. 
'''Joshua:''' Right, not from Jack. 
'''Annie:''' So what makes you think Jack is alive? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know he is, but Tom thinks he is. 

All eyes look to Tom. For some of them, the mystery is over what with Tom being a complete loon For others, they are still perplexed. 

'''Rick:''' Calico Jack can't die... 
'''Nika:''' Let me ask you this, was there another ship in the belly of Lenore? 
'''Mary:''' We had three ship's boats, but they were all destroyed in the explosion. 
'''Nika:''' Possibly, possibly. 
'''Joshua:''' The hangar was intact. 
'''Mary:''' But it was open. And the Raven was out by the other ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Let's put it this way, once you are out in the Black anything can happen, we can't really know. Maybe it got destroyed, maybe Jack took it and left. They are equally likely. 
'''Annie:''' Jack wouldn't leave '''me'''. 
'''Mary:''' If Jack were to have abandoned you for some reason, it means he has days and days of a head start. 
'''Joshua:''' Let's think positive and imagine that he is dead. Well, I guess that isn't exactly positive. Let's just say that is the case, and there isn't much we can do about it if we are wrong. It doesn't matter if he is five, ten or twenty days ahead of us, it doesn't matter to what we do, does it? 
'''Nika:''' What Jack would or did you is really your concern, not ours. Frankly we don't want to worry about it. None of our business. and we don't want to give you reason for turning on us and killing us later. 
'''Joshua:''' Whoa whoa whoa, let's not talk about killing us later. The less we know, the better for us and you. We don't know whatever is at the coordinates, and if Tom is flying we don't need to know. 
'''Mary:''' Well...we don't exactly have the coordinates either. 
'''Nika:''' Well that is going to be problematic. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have any sort of idea? You just planning on looking around all of Blue Sun? Last I checked, it is a pretty big place, spec. 
'''Mary:''' It ain't all of Blue Sun. It is in the Oroborus... somewhere. 
'''Joshua:''' When you get there, do you have some way of figuring it out? 
'''Nika:''' Landmarks? 
'''Rina:''' Buoys? 

''They all look over to Tom.''

'''Mary:''' It's all up to him. 
'''Tom:''' It's all up here. (Pointing to his head) 
'''Nika:''' That's going to be helpful." 
'''Rick:''' Oh so Tom knows? You know what the thing looks like? 
'''Tom:''' Looks like?.. more.. feels like. I could spot it on the sensors. 
'''Joshua:''' More importantly if we get to Blue Sun, you think you can find it? 
'''Tom:''' It would… help.. to have Jack if he really is alive… (A little crestfallen) Yeah Jack, he helps me, he gets me to see things better. When I do it, it's all confused. 
'''Joshua:''' We can talk about it, I might be able to help. I'm not Jack but I might be able to help. 
'''Cooper:''' (Speaking up) Listen, since we're all coming clean here. I don't want to make anyone here (looking at his crew mates) but Jack had spoken to me once or twice about possibly, um, reducing the number of 'shares' in the treasure once we got closer. 
'''Arden:''' That doesn't sound very friendly like. 
'''Cooper:''' Well it's a big crew. Even a lot of money gets split six ways. 
'''Arden:''' It's still a lot of money. 
'''Cooper:''' And hey! This is nothing personal. (looking at Wu Ling) We figured we'd set you and your brother down somewhere. I'm sure things would work out okay. We'd get you something, maybe not the full share the captain had talked to you about. 

Wu Ling just stares without surprise or emotion at her crew mates. 

'''Arden:''' Well, once we get there, if we get there, I want it perfectly clear that there will be no further redivision of shares. I don't want anyone dead. 
'''Joshua:''' Nobody is going to kill anybody else. 
'''Arden:''' I just want it perfectly clear. I'm not talking about us, I'm talking about them. 
'''Joshua:''' The trick is that one of the Feis is not exactly mobile, isn't that right Arden? 
'''Rina:''' Wheel me over there, and I can make sure he never is. 
'''Nika:''' Rina! 
'''Cooper:''' Well, hmm, um, it weren't just the.. uh Bobbsy Twins over there. Is was.. yeah. Girls… Jack weren't exactly quite as dedicated as he may have made it seem. 

''Both Mary and Annie look at each other, and then at Cooper. Mouths agog.'' 

'''Annie:''' No Coop, you've got it backwards. Jack and I we had something. You're just muscle. Once we get the money, we wouldn't need muscle like you. 

The room bursts into murmuring and whispering, most of the Summer's Gift Crew claiming they did not want to be part of the drama. 

'''Mary:''' Jack's gone. Either he left voluntarily, or his life were taken from him. So I'm captain now… Co-captain. (pointing to Nika) I think we have a stop to make before we make it to Blue Sun. I think we need to go back to the Lenore. 
'''Nika:''' Why? 
'''Mary:''' If what you've read is correct,a nod he's pulled something, he may have left a clue as to where he was going back on the ship we might be able to find. And the ship is mostly intact. 
'''Annie:''' When the Navy ship showed up, Jack told me to erase the computers, sensor logs, communications logs, that sort of thing. 
'''Joshua:''' Not that I am justifying going back to the Lenore, but there were two lifepods that didn't show life signs, so we didn't check, so we can.. 
'''Nika:''' Verify whether he is on one or not. 
'''Joshua:''' If he's on it, he's dead. If he's not, we can't verify what happened, but we can make some guesses. 
'''Rick:''' I'm fine with going back, but we need to drop off the Abergs' stuff and refuel here, get food, medical supplies. 
'''Nika:''' We need to let our handler know we are going to be off the books for a while. 
'''Mary:''' Alright we'll go to Malmo. We're okay. (looking at Annie). And then we'll go check out the Lenore. 
'''Rick:''' We can make the Malmo trip short, we just need to check in with our people there and drop off their stuff. It shouldn't take long. 
'''Arden:''' I'll make a list of medical supplies we need. Does anyone have any special needs? 
'''Cooper:''' Uh yeah. I'm sort of like your boy Josh here. If I don't get the right amount of booze and drugs, I ain't right. Har har. 

The crew goes into action planning repairs and resupplying the ship in preparation for journeying to the Lenore and then on to Kalidasa (and from there on to White Sun). When the get to Malmo, Fei Wu Ling says she is going to take her brother to the local hospital, she has no desire to travel with the crew. There is no love, no loyalty. They allow her to take her brother and go. 

''During the trip to the Lenore...''

Joshua tries to befriend and put the Lenore crew at ease, releasing tension. He also tries to figure out from Tom what Jack was like. Apparently Tom believes that he taps into the cloud computing network of the resistance to help his navigation (perhaps via implant). He believes a bunch of conspiracy theories as well. 
Rina has no interest in friendship and keeps her distance from the Lenore crew. 
Rick is friendly to everyone, especially Marie, but he is keeping a cautious eye on them. 
Nika is casual, reasonably friendly, watchful, but not standoffish. She gives special attention to Tom. 
Arden is a bit competitive wanting to spar with Mary, play cards with Cooper, etc.. 

'''''Fast forward to the Lenore.''''' 
There is enough mass in the wreckage, to speak of another ship.

The Lenore crew only found manufactured goods, when they were hoping to find crates and crates of alcohol. That doesn't jibe with sensor readings which suggest much denser materials, perhaps consistent with yet another ship, probably a small military craft. However, looking through the sensor logs, there is evidence of large quantity of powerful solvent. Very unusual. Even aerosolized it is dangerous, and probably dangerous to remain here too long. Odd because usually this sort of thing is carried by specialized tanker ships. It would explain why the Darkstar exploded so thoroughly. They will need to keep it short here with all the solvent.

*Lifepods show no sign of life, but damaged (no bodies)
*NavComputers data has been deleted.
**Arden recovers a subject line message from 'El Raton Re:Darkstar'
**Mary claims Jack may have spoken of an El Raton from his days in the war.
**Rina finds a fragment from a Naval vessel dated a few days before the Lenore met its doom. From the ''IAV Alabama''.
*Nika thinks it is far more likely the Darkstar was destroyed by explosives, not a missile hit.

'''Nika:''' Somebody sabotaged that ship. the blast pattern is to evenly spread to be a missile hit, it had to be explosives. 

The crew decides to go from Lenore to Aberdeen. They leave the caustic environment of space near the Lenore, the remains of the Darkstar and whatever other ship was there, and pulses for Aberdeen.

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 218:Captive Audience | '''Captive Audience''']] | Forward to: [[Season Two Finale: Aberdeen| '''Season Two Finale: Aberdeen''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 219: Rendezvous

2018-09-25T05:23:06Z

Taimdala:

'''Episode 219.0 Rendezvous -- 08 Dec 2009''' 
Present: Maer, Terri, Andy, Bobby, and Rick

We show up at the Gift under cover of darkness and eyeball her from the outside. Our ship looks quiet, no one moving on the outside…and then we see something on the top of the hull. A shaft of light shoots up into the sky as one of the aft hatches opens up and the Lenore crew eel out and slide down the far side of the hull. A few minutes later, they show up at the crest of the circular earthen berm that surrounds our ship. They are armed and their body language tells us they are suspicious.

They know we’re here.

''Mi Tian Gohn.''

We’re on the other side of the berm from them and that gives us some cover. Rick decides to climb up the hull to the topside hatch, get inside that way while Rina and Arden go up the airlock stairs. Rick has a tense moment when he slips, but manages to catch himself. Joshua and Nika go around the berm to the Lenore crew, to hail them and parlay.

Rina has her vest on, so she takes point with her pistol at the ready and Arden brings up the rear. The airlock is empty. Rina does a quick peek up the treads and sees someone at the top of the stairs. She fires a warning shot up, aiming for the ceiling to make whoever is up there duck, and runs up the stairs. A shot from above hits her square, her vest takes the damage, she staggers and keeps moving. She meets the person at the top of the stairs. It’s Fei Li Kahn and he has a gun. So does Rina. He puts his gun down and assumes a martial arts stance. Rina holsters hers and puts her dukes up.

Rick gains the top of the hull and slips down into the aft transverse corridor. He’s got a choice—he can take the portside corridor or the starboard corridor to get to the fore of the ship. He takes starboard, it being closest to his hatch.

A pity.

Had he chosen port, he would have come up on Fei Wu Ling from behind.

The hand-to-hand between Fei Li Kahn and Rina is short, brutal and bloody. Hits are traded but neither refuses to back down and the punishment gets dished out in turn. Fei Li Kahn has martial arts experience over Rina, and Rina has two weeks of frustration and captivity to work out of her system. She lands a solid blow that practically plants her fist inside Fei Li Kahn’s gut and he goes down. Filled with blood rage, Rina ignores the obvious threat of Fei Wu Ling and considers for a moment whether she should ensure that Fei Li Kahn is dead. The feeling of blood trickling down her back causes her to flashback to her days in the War when covert operations meant no witnesses could survive. Never mind that Li Kahn holstered his gun to fight her. The idea of a fight with survivors doesn't even cross Rina's mind. She draws her pistol and prepares to shoot the man, ensuring he doesn’t get up…and hesitates, thinks the better of it, and before she can do more than holster her gun a knife flies right into her shoulder from behind.

Fei Wu Ling saw everything while coming up the portside corridor. And now she is armed and dangerous and at the moment, intent on felling the bitch that put her brother down on the deck. Rina pulls the knife from her shoulder and holds it left handed while drawing the gun with her right.

Bring it!

Rick hears the screams of Wu Ling from the lower deck and moves to another aft hatch dropping down into the lower deck. Rick runs down the hall to intercept the fighters.

Rina takes a wild pot shot at Wu Ling and attempts to dodge her knives. She takes a hit and pauses to catch her second wind. Arden joins her in the fray, they both take shots, and miss as Wu Ling flips away from them. Despite the engineer being the one bringing the gun to the knife fight, four more knives find their way into Rina before she can gain the cover of the upperdeck stairs. And the shock from the damage puts her on the deck, much like Wu Ling’s brother. Out for the count and fading fast.

--

Outside the rest of the Lenore crew approach the ship guns drawn. Joshua, unarmed, bravely stands in their way.

'''Joshua:''' Let me tell you why you are not going to kill me. 

Nika, from the shadows, keeps her gun aimed at Cooper waiting for anything.

--

Rina remains conscious though bleeding, at the base of the stairs.

'''Rick:''' Arden, Rina is down and she looks bad! 

As Rick arrives on the scene, the Fei sister runs. Rick gives chase. Arden races to Rina's side and provides first-aid. He succeeds in staunching her wounds.

--

Meanwhile outside the ship...

'''Cooper:''' You better talk fast. 
'''Joshua:''' For one thing, the ship is already under our control… And.. for another thing, starting a fight is only going to end badly for you whether you win or lose. I know about the Unified Reclamations Folk, I know about the Buttercup, I know about Vane, and there's a reason why I know about all this. And the reason is why you're not going to kill me. 
'''Mary:''' Come forward. 

Tom holds his gun towards Joshua in his trembling hand. Mary seems a bit more together, her gun out but lowered. Annie and Cooper scramble up the berm to provide a crossfire. Nika takes a warning shot towards Annie kicking up dirt a few feet from her.

'''Nika:''' (Shouting) Mary, call 'em back! 

Tom is mumbling to his gun trying to enchant his bullets to seek out his enemies.

'''Nika:''' (Shouting) Mary, call 'em back, or this will turn bloody! 
'''Joshua:''' I would prefer for it not to be bloody. 

Nika slips closer keeping Annie in her sights, doing her best to keep out of the sights of Cooper. 

'''Joshua:''' I'm Blue Sun property, I might as well have it stamped to my forehead. There are only three ways that this can go: a fight where everyone can die, most likely I will die, in which case Blue Sun will hunt you down, they don't like people destroying their property; or you can take me hostage, and Blue Sun will hunt you down and kill you, and probably me … 
'''Mary:''' You talking about the cola company? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes, the cola company. But they're not just a cola company, do you really not know what they are? It doesn't matter what you think, the point is, I belong to somebody else, they will come after me sooner or later. 
'''Mary:''' Call off your crew mates, and I'll call off mine. 

--

Rick en route to the bridge, finds Wu Ling in Arden’s med bay with a hypo to her neck and her finger on the plunger. 

'''Wu Ling:''' Not again (distraught, in Chinese) Not again. 
'''Rick:''' I'm not here to hurt you. 

She seems in a semi-crazed state, but Rick just tries to be calm and gentle. He just repeats his mantra "I'm not here to hurt you." She doesn't seem to hear him, she is somewhere else. 

--

Outside everyone’s on edge and at first, it’s the classic John Woo stand-off: guns up and no one budging an inch.

'''Mary:''' So you going to call off your people? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't see your people stepping out. 
'''Mary:''' You're the ones a shootin'. 
'''Joshua:''' I'm pretty sure that's a warning shot. 

The standoff doesn't feel any less tense.

'''Joshua:''' Count of three, everyone steps out? 
'''Mary:''' Soon as I see your people walkin out guns down, I'll... 
'''Joshua:''' No, no. I don't want this to end bloody and violent, but I am not putting anybody at risk. 

Joshua can faintly hear through the buzz on Mary's headset, or is he reading her mind? Cooper's voice, saying "I've got'em."

'''Mary:''' Hold your fire Coop, we're gonna try to work this out all peaceful like. 
'''Joshua:''' You've got us, we've got you. There's no way that is going to end well. Remember we've got the ship. 
'''Mary:''' No you don't. 
'''Joshua:''' No I don't? Why would that be? I'm pretty sure most of our group is on the ship. 
'''Mary:''' You're inside the ship, but you ain't got the ship… We took a little bit with us. 
'''Joshua:''' Alright, so we're gonna talk then? 

Mary looks a bit resigned, Then she holsters her pistol.

'''Mary:''' Okay.. There's my show, you give me something. 

Nika steps out from the berm, gun at her shoulder.

'''Mary:''' Tom, put the gun away, you're gonna hurt yourself. 
'''Joshua:''' Cooper? Annie? 
'''Mary:''' Cooper. We’ve been here before. You did it for me, now let me do it for you. 

Cooper stands up and makes himself visible.

'''Mary:''' Where are the rest of your people? 
'''Nika:''' They've already taken the ship, they're aboard. 

Mary taps her comm, but speaks aloud.

'''Mary:''' Annie, what's that thing called? (Pause) We got the Teaser Chip.(Thruster Synchronizer Regulator—TSR--Essential component for stable flight) 
'''Joshua:''' Okay, you've got the chip, now what? 
'''Mary:''' I reckon we ought to talk about it. Who speaks for your crew? 
'''Nika:''' (somewhat uncertainly) I can do it. 

Mary hands her gun to Tom and turns to Nika.

'''Mary:''' Hang up your weapon and we'll talk.

Nika hands the weapon to Joshua who holds it like a dead rat, far from himself. Then Mary leads Nika under the ship out of ear shot, and gun shot, of the rest.

'''Mary: ''' We appear to be at a stand off, what do you offer? 
'''Nika:''' (Menacingly) I offer your people on board, if you want's. What do you want? 
'''Mary:''' I'll settle for the ship… 

Nika throws up a hand in frustration.

'''Mary:''' You're asking me what I want, that's what I want. 
'''Nika:''' No. What you want is to go after your little buried treasure. 
'''Mary:''' So what are you offering? 
'''Nika:''' Passage, with some conditions attached. 
'''Mary:''' There'd have to be some conditions, because… 
'''Nika:''' Oh, there would definitely be some conditions. My ship. You don't have weapons. you stay… 
'''Mary:''' No one has weapons. 
'''Nika:''' That's fine, we can lock all the weapons in the weapons locker. And that would be just fine by me. 
'''Mary:''' Two codes, so no one person could get'em. 
'''Nika:''' I could probably sell that. It would probably require a discussion with the rest of them. 
'''Mary:''' Well, yeah, my people won't be happy with the no weapons thing. 
'''Nika:''' Why don't you tell me exactly what it is that has you so spooked about your old captain? Who took the other vessel without you. 
'''Mary:''' That was just your actor friend pulling one over on ol' Tom, which ain't exactly hard. That man has some serious leakage. 
'''Nika:''' No. Your captain took the blackbird and went off on his own. 
'''Mary:''' Now how do you know that? 
'''Nika:''' Because my little actor friend is not an actor… It ain't important. I don't care about your buried treasure, don't want it. All I want is fair pay for passage and no shit on board my ship I don't want no fights between our crews, I don't want anybody trying to take over my bridge. I will even potentially concede that on the last leg of the trip Tom can take over and fly. 
'''Mary:''' So what you're offering, if I understand correctly... We all go together to Blue Sun. All weapons are locked away. No hiding no gorram knives in the secret places. Everyone has the same access to the ship. 
'''Nika:''' Within limits yeah. 
'''Mary:''' So no one's gassing us in our sleep. 
'''Nika:''' There'd be none of that goin on. I'll have to put a tight leash on Rina, but no one will gas you in your sleep. 
'''Nika:''' And we have to everyone in agreement that there will be no foul play, no one is going to try to take over MY ship again, because if it happens again, somebody's gettin spaced. 
'''Mary:''' Right, were that to happen again, that would be the end of our agreement. 
'''Nika:''' I'm not entirely sure of your word here. So I am warning you ahead of time. I'm not going to fight about it, If you want to go to Blue Sun, I've got no issues taking you there… and bein' as we're in sort of standoff point here, I got not issues taking you. I will run the blockade, I will take you in. I will even concede and let Tom fly the last leg. No one has weapons. No one is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Mary:''' There'd be no need, since we'd all be in this like partners. 
'''Nika:''' And you pay us fair passage. 
'''Mary:''' Well we ain't got nothing to pay you with right now, not until we get to Blue Sun. 
'''Nika:''' So long as you don't mind us pickin' up cargo long the way. 
'''Mary:''' I don't think we want to perpetuate this relationship any longer than necessary. 
'''Nika:''' We don't have enough fuel to get to Blue Sun. 
'''Mary:''' We have enough money to fill your tanks and get us some food. 
'''Nika:''' If you can manage fuel and food all the way to Blue Sun, without having to pick up cargo. And then at the end of the trip you pay us for passage... 
'''Mary:''' Assuming that works out. 
'''Nika:''' Fine. 
'''Mary:''' But I need to know how you know about Jack. 
'''Nika:''' I told you. 
'''Mary:''' You didn't tell me anything, you told me a fairy tale. Let's talk to your magic mind reader, if you won't talk. 
'''Nika:''' Talk to my magic mind reader, knock yourself out. 

--

Wu Ling is looking bad as though she were living through something in her past, perhaps Li Kahn had been injured before, or she faced interrogation. Or just watching her brother getting bludgeoned to death may have affected her. Rick can't tell, but he knows she isn't there any more. 

Meanwhile on the deck below, Arden renders enough first aid to keep Rina shuffling off this mortal coil and he brings Li Kahn up to MedBay to see what he can for him, When Wu Ling sees him she screams out his real name, falters and throws the hypo away from her. With Wu Ling and Rick to help him, Arden gets both the injured up to med bay and he starts working to save Li Kahn. Rina’s in better shape, despite the five holes in her, and stabilized in the ward room. Arden will get to her when he can. 

This will take some time, so once his presence is no longer needed in Med Bay, Rick goes and brings Rina up to the Wardroom to act as second surgery. 

'''Rick:''' Since I am saving your life for the second time, I am really hoping you won't try to stab me as I carry up stairs. (He brings her up there) 
'''Rina:''' Okay. Put me down, anyone on the bridge? Do we need to secure the weapons? 
'''Rick:''' Rina, I mean this in whatever way it will keep me from getting killed. You are staying here, and that's an order. If that's okay with you. 

--

Meanwhile back outside. 

'''Mary:''' So we are in agreement to talk to our crews about this. 

Joshua considers reading Tom, but looking at the man, he decides better of it. Mary returns to her group and they retreat to the edge of the berm and begin to discuss the offer. Joshua heads into the ship and visits MedBay and goes to figure out what is happening.

--

Joshua watches Arden in surgery and begins to 'borrow' some medical talent and goes to help Rina. He explains the situation to Rina, and attempts to convince her that he needs to take care of her. Meanwhile, Nika tries to organize a plan, and tries to secure the ship. 

Both crews wait nervously as their respective crew members are in surgery. Joshua works feverishly until Arden finishes with Li Kahn, he moves to take off with Rina (and the two people work together). 

--

Mary and Cooper return to the ship.

'''Mary:''' This might work, but we need to know what happened to the Fei twins. 
'''Nika:''' That's what we've been looking into. 
'''Rick:''' Wu Ling is fine, and her brother is currently in surgery as is currently one of our crew members. 
'''Mary:''' I guess we are agreeable as long we all agree that everyone is on equal footing. 
'''Nika:''' Obviously I can't speak for the one in surgery, but everyone else has agreed that that is acceptable. 
'''Mary:''' If the Fei twins decide they don't like this, we can drop them off. 
'''Cooper:''' No big loss. 

So the two crews go through the steps of the armistice. The two do a sweep of the ship from aft to fore checking every room, every nook and cranny for weapons and anything else that might be a problem (locks, etc.) They both grudgingly take their weapons to the locker (which is now bursting with armaments) and code the locks to two separate codes (Annie and Nika know theirs respectively). Then Annie replaces the Teaser chip in the engine room. Rick notices that they seem too quick to surrender their one trump card (the Teaser) and calls them out on it. 

'''Rick:''' Is there anything else you have on the ship that we should know about 
'''Cooper:''' "Well, as we were acting as pirates, there might have been some, err looting and such previous to our friendly reconciliating, as such. 

Sure enough the crew finds that the agents of redistribution has lightened their wallets considerably. No one has more than €20, and those with less than that, find the same €20 there.

Eventually they finish up sweeping the ship, recoding the locks and the various surgeries. Nika briefs Rina on the agreement and warns her against spoiling the negotiations. The lot of them gather around the big table in the lounge, including wheeling Rina in on a rolling bed, to discuss their pasts and futures. Only Li Kahn is absent, as he is still unconscious from his surgery.

'''Mary:''' I don't know how it is you know all that you claim to know. But I want to say that we appreciate what you are doing. And that we have been in a situation like this before, and it didn't turn out so good. And that set us on a course doing what we've been doing. 
'''Joshua:''' The ''Kingston''. 
'''Mary:''' That's right, the ''Kingston''… So we talked about it, and agreed that you folks sounded reasonable so we were hoping to avoid doing that again. Blood was spilled, but we stopped. We stopped it from going further. So we're letting you know that we're sincere about this, now whether you believe us or not. 
'''Arden:''' I'd like to say that even though I am not 100% certain about all this, I am willing to let bygones be bygones, as long as nothing else goes sour. 
'''Joshua:''' I think we can both get what we want out of this. You can get whatever it is your looking for in Blue Sun, we can get our ship back and be on our way. And no blood has to be spilled, and all's good. 
'''Mary:''' It will take some time for wounds to heal, but I appreciate that, you (Arden) seem like a straight up fellow. 
'''Arden:'''You mean I can't lie worth ''Mi Tian Gohn''." 
'''Rina:''' Me neither. 
'''Mary:''' Well, I don't know about that, maybe you're just that good. Now, when Tom said that he was talking to Captain Jack. He seemed might convinced, but we knew something weren't right about it, which is why we left the Feis in the ship to protect it. And took some precautions on our way out. Now you say you've got some kinda way of sensing the Captain's thoughts? This all sounds pretty crazy. 
'''Joshua:''' I can see how it might sound that way. But since you took my drugs away, I started dreaming, and what did I start dreaming about? The Kingston? And why was I dreaming about the Kingston? I dunno. Maybe because it was on your minds. I saw you standing around your former captain deciding what would be done. Turning to Mary, and asking if she was okay with it. Now whether you believe it or not, that is up to you. But I heard it well enough, dreamed it well enough, to do his voice. (He makes a passable imitation). 
'''Annie:''' How do you do this? 
'''Joshua:''' The dreaming or the voices? 
''Nika:''' How are you so good with engines? 
'''Annie:''' I ain't that good. (Nods from around her crew) 
'''Nika:''' Alright, how does Tom fly as well as he does? It's instinct, it's something hardwired in him. Certain people have a talent. It's just like music, just like medicine.

The Lenore crew looks dubious.

'''Joshua:''' Let's just say a lot of money went into this, and there are a lot of things outside my control. 
'''Annie:''' I am confused...it sounds like you were reading this from us, not from Jack. 
'''Joshua:''' Right, not from Jack. 
'''Annie:''' So what makes you think Jack is alive? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know he is, but Tom thinks he is. 

All eyes look to Tom. For some of them, the mystery is over what with Tom being a complete loon For others, they are still perplexed. 

'''Rick:''' Calico Jack can't die... 
'''Nika:''' Let me ask you this, was there another ship in the belly of Lenore? 
'''Mary:''' We had three ship's boats, but they were all destroyed in the explosion. 
'''Nika:''' Possibly, possibly. 
'''Joshua:''' The hangar was intact. 
'''Mary:''' But it was open. And the Raven was out by the other ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Let's put it this way, once you are out in the Black anything can happen, we can't really know. Maybe it got destroyed, maybe Jack took it and left. They are equally likely. 
'''Annie:''' Jack wouldn't leave '''me'''. 
'''Mary:''' If Jack were to have abandoned you for some reason, it means he has days and days of a head start. 
'''Joshua:''' Let's think positive and imagine that he is dead. Well, I guess that isn't exactly positive. Let's just say that is the case, and there isn't much we can do about it if we are wrong. It doesn't matter if he is five, ten or twenty days ahead of us, it doesn't matter to what we do, does it? 
'''Nika:''' What Jack would or did you is really your concern, not ours. Frankly we don't want to worry about it. None of our business. and we don't want to give you reason for turning on us and killing us later. 
'''Joshua:''' Whoa whoa whoa, let's not talk about killing us later. The less we know, the better for us and you. We don't know whatever is at the coordinates, and if Tom is flying we don't need to know. 
'''Mary:''' Well...we don't exactly have the coordinates either. 
'''Nika:''' Well that is going to be problematic. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have any sort of idea? You just planning on looking around all of Blue Sun? Last I checked, it is a pretty big place, spec. 
'''Mary:''' It ain't all of Blue Sun. It is in the Oroborus... somewhere. 
'''Joshua:''' When you get there, do you have some way of figuring it out? 
'''Nika:''' Landmarks? 
'''Rina:''' Buoys? 

''They all look over to Tom.''

'''Mary:''' It's all up to him. 
'''Tom:''' It's all up here. (Pointing to his head) 
'''Nika:''' That's going to be helpful." 
'''Rick:''' Oh so Tom knows? You know what the thing looks like? 
'''Tom:''' Looks like?.. more.. feels like. I could spot it on the sensors. 
'''Joshua:''' More importantly if we get to Blue Sun, you think you can find it? 
'''Tom:''' It would… help.. to have Jack if he really is alive… (A little crestfallen) Yeah Jack, he helps me, he gets me to see things better. When I do it, it's all confused. 
'''Joshua:''' We can talk about it, I might be able to help. I'm not Jack but I might be able to help. 
'''Cooper:''' (Speaking up) Listen, since we're all coming clean here. I don't want to make anyone here (looking at his crew mates) but Jack had spoken to me once or twice about possibly, um, reducing the number of 'shares' in the treasure once we got closer. 
'''Arden:''' That doesn't sound very friendly like. 
'''Cooper:''' Well it's a big crew. Even a lot of money gets split six ways. 
'''Arden:''' It's still a lot of money. 
'''Cooper:''' And hey! This is nothing personal. (looking at Wu Ling) We figured we'd set you and your brother down somewhere. I'm sure things would work out okay. We'd get you something, maybe not the full share the captain had talked to you about. 

Wu Ling just stares without surprise or emotion at her crew mates. 

'''Arden:''' Well, once we get there, if we get there, I want it perfectly clear that there will be no further redivision of shares. I don't want anyone dead. 
'''Joshua:''' Nobody is going to kill anybody else. 
'''Arden:''' I just want it perfectly clear. I'm not talking about us, I'm talking about them. 
'''Joshua:''' The trick is that one of the Feis is not exactly mobile, isn't that right Arden? 
'''Rina:''' Wheel me over there, and I can make sure he never is. 
'''Nika:''' Rina! 
'''Cooper:''' Well, hmm, um, it weren't just the.. uh Bobbsy Twins over there. Is was.. yeah. Girls… Jack weren't exactly quite as dedicated as he may have made it seem. 

''Both Mary and Annie look at each other, and then at Cooper. Mouths agog.'' 

'''Annie:''' No Coop, you've got it backwards. Jack and I we had something. You're just muscle. Once we get the money, we wouldn't need muscle like you. 

The room bursts into murmuring and whispering, most of the Summer's Gift Crew claiming they did not want to be part of the drama. 

'''Mary:''' Jack's gone. Either he left voluntarily, or his life were taken from him. So I'm captain now… Co-captain. (pointing to Nika) I think we have a stop to make before we make it to Blue Sun. I think we need to go back to the Lenore. 
'''Nika:''' Why? 
'''Mary:''' If what you've read is correct,a nod he's pulled something, he may have left a clue as to where he was going back on the ship we might be able to find. And the ship is mostly intact. 
'''Annie:''' When the Navy ship showed up, Jack told me to erase the computers, sensor logs, communications logs, that sort of thing. 
'''Joshua:''' Not that I am justifying going back to the Lenore, but there were two lifepods that didn't show life signs, so we didn't check, so we can.. 
'''Nika:''' Verify whether he is on one or not. 
'''Joshua:''' If he's on it, he's dead. If he's not, we can't verify what happened, but we can make some guesses. 
'''Rick:''' I'm fine with going back, but we need to drop off the Abergs' stuff and refuel here, get food, medical supplies. 
'''Nika:''' We need to let our handler know we are going to be off the books for a while. 
'''Mary:''' Alright we'll go to Malmo. We're okay. (looking at Annie). And then we'll go check out the Lenore. 
'''Rick:''' We can make the Malmo trip short, we just need to check in with our people there and drop off their stuff. It shouldn't take long. 
'''Arden:''' I'll make a list of medical supplies we need. Does anyone have any special needs? 
'''Cooper:''' Uh yeah. I'm sort of like your boy Josh here. If I don't get the right amount of booze and drugs, I ain't right. Har har. 

The crew goes into action planning repairs and resupplying the ship in preparation for journeying to the Lenore and then on to Kalidasa (and from there on to White Sun). When the get to Malmo, Fei Wu Ling says she is going to take her brother to the local hospital, she has no desire to travel with the crew. There is no love, no loyalty. They allow her to take her brother and go. 

''During the trip to the Lenore...''

Joshua tries to befriend and put the Lenore crew at ease, releasing tension. He also tries to figure out from Tom what Jack was like. Apparently Tom believes that he taps into the cloud computing network of the resistance to help his navigation (perhaps via implant). He believes a bunch of conspiracy theories as well. 
Rina has no interest in friendship and keeps her distance from the Lenore crew. 
Rick is friendly to everyone, especially Marie, but he is keeping a cautious eye on them. 
Nika is casual, reasonably friendly, watchful, but not standoffish. She gives special attention to Tom. 
Arden is a bit competitive wanting to spar with Mary, play cards with Cooper, etc.. 

'''''Fast forward to the Lenore.''''' 
There is enough mass in the wreckage, to speak of another ship.

The Lenore crew only found manufactured goods, when they were hoping to find crates and crates of alcohol. That doesn't jibe with sensor readings which suggest much denser materials, perhaps consistent with yet another ship, probably a small military craft. However, looking through the sensor logs, there is evidence of large quantity of powerful solvent. Very unusual. Even aerosolized it is dangerous, and probably dangerous to remain here too long. Odd because usually this sort of thing is carried by specialized tanker ships. It would explain why the Darkstar exploded so thoroughly. They will need to keep it short here with all the solvent.

*Lifepods show no sign of life, but damaged (no bodies)
*NavComputers data has been deleted.
**Arden recovers a subject line message from 'El Raton Re:Darkstar'
**Mary claims Jack may have spoken of an El Raton from his days in the war.
**Rina finds a fragment from a Naval vessel dated a few days before the Lenore met its doom. From the ''IAV Alabama''.
*Nika thinks it is far more likely the Darkstar was destroyed by explosives, not a missile hit.

'''Nika:''' Somebody sabotaged that ship. the blast pattern is to evenly spread to be a missile hit, it had to be explosives. 

The crew decides to go from Lenore to Aberdeen. They leave the caustic environment of space near the Lenore, the remains of the Darkstar and whatever other ship was there, and pulses for Aberdeen.

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 218:Captive Audience | '''Captive Audience''']] | Forward to: [[Season Two Finale: Aberdeen| '''Season Two Finale: Aberdeen''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 218: Captive Audience, Part 2

2018-09-25T05:07:23Z

Taimdala:

Jump to: 
[[Episode 218:Captive Audience | '''Captive Audience, part 1''']] 
 

'''Day Three:''' On our suggestion, Joshua’s focusing on imitating the voices of the pirate crew. He’s starting to feel the effects of withdrawal from his meds and it helps take his mind off things. He comes up with a voice we haven’t heard before.

'''Joshua:''' “Just leave this to Jack. I’m gonna to take care of this. I’m gonna make it all go away, but I gotta have your trust. We can make this go away. We can make this work for us.”

Leave what? Make what go away? What’s going to work for whom? And who’s Jack?

Nika hears this through Joshua’s open door and sticks her head in to check on him. Joshua’s huddled up tight and rocking back and forth.

'''Nika:''' Joshua, can you do that one again? 
'''Joshua:''' What one? The one about the Senator’s aide…the one about ‘fifteen and two for the Senator, too’? 
'''Nika:''' No, the one about Jack. 
'''Joshua:''' Which one about Jack,…um….Did I say something about…Jack? I don’t remember that particular punchline. 
'''Nika:''' You said something that caught my interest and I was wondering if you could do it again. 
'''Joshua:''' (cringing, waving hands, shaking head) No..no,no,no..nope. No. Don’t remember it. Sorry. 
'''Nika:''' It’s okay. Stay calm. 
'''Joshua:''' No I’m calm…. I’m calm…. I’m very calm. Very calm. 

Not really, but managing.

'''Joshua:''' I’m going to sleep now, for a little bit. My head hurts. 
'''Nika:''' Okay. 

She leaves him to it and tells the rest of us about it. This is beyond weird and it prompts Nika to ask Tom when he brings us our meal if he could talk to Mary. We need to get Arden to see Joshua. Tom says the ship is still pulling to the right, but it’s okay, he can rewire it. Nika persists in her petition, saying Joshua is looking rocky and needs his meds. He’s getting really ill.

'''Tom:''' Yeah. I know what that’s like. But I’m all better now that I’m off my medication. You should go off. Then you can see the real world. 
'''Joshua:''' I see the real world. The real world is: I see through everything. 
'''Tom:''' You can see through me, too? 
'''Joshua:''' Yeah. 
'''Tom:''' (eager) What do you see? 
'''Joshua:''' Shells. 
'''Tom:''' (puzzled but excited) Shells? 
'''Joshua:''' Shells of people. And nothing. 
'''Tom:''' What kind of shells? 
'''Joshua:''' I’m going back to my room now. 
'''Tom:''' That guy might be the smartest man on this spaceship. 
'''Nika:''' He might be. 
'''Tom:''' OR….a craaaaazy fool. 
'''Nika:''' (tell me about it) Yeah. 
'''Tom:''' Crazier than….YOU folks….(laughs) I’ll talk to her. Enjoy your cruise. 
'''Nika:''' Thank you. I appreciate it, Tom. 

Rina pipes up when the door closes.

'''Rina:''' Did I hear him correctly? Did I hear him say he’s rewiring shit? 
'''Nika:''' The ship does in fact pull to the right. He’s fuckin’ insane but he actually knows what he’s talking about when it comes to piloting. We’re gonna leave that alone. 

Tom says he’ll see what he can do. some time later, Mary comes to our door.

'''Nika:''' I am really really sorry to bother you but Joshua is not doing well. He really needs to see Arden or he needs his medication right now. 
'''Mary:''' What kind of drugs are these? They’re not like…Our medic said they were like, recreational drugs? 
'''Nika:''' No. They’re not. 
'''Mary:''' Well, you know. People… get addicted. 

She’s just not hearing us. She says she can get Joshua a sedative that could make him feel better. Would that be all right? We agree—anything is better than nothing because Joshua is not doing well, but we’d really rather have an actual doctor take a look at him.

Mary demurs, saying Arden’s been a confusing case. Going back and forth between being strangely cooperative to uncooperative. They had to fight him to take his gun away. The rest of the crew does’t trust him, to be quite honest, and she doesn’t really either.

'''Joshua:''' Trust is a valuable commodity. 
'''Rick:''' Do you trust any of us? 
'''Mary:''' Well….I mean, you look like you’re suffering so I’ll see if I can give you something. 
'''Joshua:''' Thank you. 

She leaves. The next person to walk through the door isn’t Arden but Cooper, and he has a bag of marijuana and another filled with Rick’s mushrooms. No meds.

'''Cooper:''' (to Rina) Hey, Bombmaker.

He tosses Rina a lighter. She catches it.

'''Cooper:''' Maybe you can make something explode with that. Have at it. It’s your ship.

He leaves. She scowls, but keeps the lighter. It could come in handy. If only to light Joshua’s joints. There are rolling papers included with the MJ and Rick shows Joshua how to roll a joint and toke. It’s not Joshua’s meds but it should help him sleep. Joshua’s never smoked one before and the rest of us hold our breath as best we can, to avoid getting a contact high. Joshua shuts himself in his room to keep the smoke contained.

Under the influence of the MJ, Joshua sees of a luxury liner’s cargo hold. There are a couple of fancy cars in the hold amongst the more regular cargo boxes, there are steamer trunks, that sort of thing. A voice seems to come from behind him, saying:

'''Voice:''' I believe our mission has changed. From rescue to salvage.

'''Night Three:''' Joshua dreams of the liner again. He sees familiar faces, and he knows their names: Mary. Sandra. Leslie. Marx. The Fei siblings. And Jack. No one’s wearing the grey jumpsuits. Up against the corner is another guy. He’s a dark haired fellow, older, in his late forties. He doesn’t look so good.

Jack is looking at them all.

'''Jack:''' All right. The people on the —

His mouth moves, but the word that comes out doesn’t match the movement.

'''Jack:''' — 'Kingston', the people on the ''Kingston'' can ID us. So…. anyone dissent?

Everyone looks at Mary. She looks across the room to the dark haired man.

'''Mary:''' (very quietly) Do what you have to do.

Watching this through his dream haze, Joshua whimpers.

'''Joshua:''' Ohhh….not good….I don’t like these dreams anymore….

'''Day Four:'''

Over our morning meal, Joshua admits he thinks he’s mentally accessing the pirate crew through his dreams. He tells us of his latest one.

'''Joshua:''' It felt real but it wasn’t, thankfully. They were all there, in this big ship, there was a guy in the corner….And they said something about people on the Kingston….it was weird, totally weird, like he was saying something but “Kingston” popped out. It’s like the brain is accessing that part of the brain where the brain has got the Kingston stored. But they shot him. They said the people on the Kingston could ID us and they looked at her and then they looked at the guy and then they shot him. Or…well, I mean I think they shot him. I didn’t see it, but I mean it sounded like it was what they were gonna do. 
'''Nika:''' I don’t suppose you can draw, do you? Like, draw faces? 
'''Joshua:''' Yeah, I can draw….draw decently. 

Rina sacrifices a tightly rolled card from her deck to her lighter, charring it to make an improvised pencil. Nika asks him to draw the people from the dream she’d overhead him dreaming the day before, the one where someone is saying they could make it all go away. It's not the best set of tools or situation, but Joshua clearly has some talent and manages to sketch his portraits on the deck in one of the rooms, out of sight of our captors. They're done well enough that we can ascertain that Jack is no one we’ve seen before.

Joshua looks at his work and asks Rick to give him the mushrooms, hoping they prevent the dreams, maybe, because they are really distressing. Besides, he could die at any minute—it’s Day Four. Nika declares she’s not happy with that state of affairs, she doesn’t want him to die. Joshua quickly adds he doesn’t feel like he’s going to die, but…well…he’s hurting and it’s all very weird.

'''Nika:''' Okay, who told you you were going to die? 
'''Joshua:''' They did. The….the…people in charge. Like the… 
'''Nika:''' Like the crazy school people? 
'''Joshua:''' I wouldn’t say they were crazy but…yeah. I mean, they were creepy, now that I look back at it… 
'''Nika:''' Now there’s one good way of keeping someone addicted to a substance they want you on. 
'''Joshua:''' I guess. 

What better way to control someone but gaslight them into believing an addictive drug means life or death? Which may not be true, but the withdrawal symptoms would be mighty unpleasant and a convincing argument for the lie. After all, the pirates’ medic looked Joshua’s meds over and declared them recreational. Absent his meds, Joshua apologizing for bogarting the mushrooms from Rick. Rick waves it off. No worries, man.

Mary brings us our lunch later that day and she looks at Joshua, who’s by now acting kinda strange thanks to his symptoms. Are those the drugs? she asks. Drugs? What drugs? Joshua asks back. He’s not on his drugs because they won’t let him have the—oh, you mean the other drugs? Not that he’s under the influence of any right now…because the MJ was…and he hasn’t eaten any mushrooms yet today and…..

Yeah. Not quite right.

Rick sidles up to Mary and asks if our situation has changed. She says no, she thinks everyone’s okay with the current status quo. We’re just all gonna play nice and nobody has to get hurt. It should work out well. Rick asks if it’s working a little bit better for her since she’s Captain, now? Yeah, she says. Everything’s all right. Well, they don’t know who they’re dealing with (that would be us) and they’re all a little tense (that would be them) but since we (us) aren’t doing anything crazy, they (them) wont’ do anything crazy. Everything will work out fine.

Seeing Mary looks inclined to linger and talk, Nika asks her what happened aboard the Kingston. Upon hearing the word, Joshua tries to get a reading off Mary, get a look at her first thought before she hides it. He hopes he can get verification that his dreams are real…or not, considering how upsetting they are to him.

Mary pauses for a second and her voice is very soft when she speaks.

'''Mary:''' That’s…where my father died. I don’t like to talk about it.

Joshua gets the feeling she’s telling us the truth. He gets an image on the heels of that confession. It’s an image, several images of the unidentified man that he saw in his vision, the man in the corner with Jack and Mary and the crew looking on. The vision where she delivers the verdict: do what you have to do.

'''Joshua:''' Wow. 
'''Mary:''' I don’t want to talk about it. 
'''Joshua:''' You really don’t have that Captain-control thing going, do you? 

Mary leaves. Joshua turns to Rick.

'''Joshua:''' I need the shrooms now. I’d rather not think about it. (to the rest of us) Oh, and…I’m reasonably certain they killed him. 
'''Rina:''' They killed their own Captain. 
'''Joshua:''' Yeah, she agreed to kill her own father. 
'''Nika:''' What?! 
'''Joshua:''' She agreed to it. Like, they asked her and ..in that dream, when they all…the people from the Kingston could ID us, and they all looked at….like, does anyone disagree? And they all looked at her, like … the only reason they’d all look at her is if it was something significant. Like she wasn’t the Captain but Jack was standing there. He was standing right there— 
'''Nika:''' But Jack wasn’t her father. 
'''Joshua:''' No, but Jack was standing there right next to her. The guy on the floor, like, they all so….. (sketches the scene on the deck)… And they all look around at her and she says ‘No, do what must be done’ and the dream faded away before the guy got the gun to the head. 
'''Nika:''' So…her dad’s on the floor? 
'''Joshua:''' Uh-huh. 
'''Nika:''' Mostly dead? 
'''Joshua:''' Mostly dead and….and involved with the Kingston and can identify them for whatever they did, whatever that was, and they had to….eliminate him. 

Joshua mimes a throat slitting, drawing a finger across his throat and lolling his tongue out. And exits for his bunk to shroom himself up.

Forty minutes later we have our hands full holding down a weeping, sobbing and at times raging Joshua in the throes of a fairly bad mushroom trip. We take it in turns and somehow get through it.

He’s talking, crying, screaming about blood, so much blood, dear God it’s everywhere….they’re people, dammit!... Raving. Just freakin’ raving in a wide variety of voices along with his own.

The last thing we hear is Joshua saying:

'''Joshua:''' (softly) Daddy…daddy….

And he finally passes out. Blessed quiet. We all ease back and breathe.

'''Nika:''' (to Rick) No more mushrooms. 
'''Rick:''' Til the morning. 
'''Nika:''' Why would you subject him to that again? 
'''Rick:''' How else are we going to get to hear what else he’s read from them, based on that? 
'''Nika:''' I don’t know if that’s good for him. 
'''Rick:''' If what we learn from it can save us from this juncture— 
'''Nika:''' How is anything we learn from the Kingston going to save us? 
'''Rina:''' Psychological leverage. 
'''Rick:''' Anything we can learn about their group dynamic. 

Group dynamic? We know they have an insane pilot and there’s seriously something wrong with that man. No, there’s got to be a better way to learn more about the pirates.

'''Night Four:''' Cooper makes a surprise appearance during the night and during Rina’s watch. He’s got a bottle of booze and a leer in his eye and he hinks Rina right the hell out.

Yob tvoyu mat!

She keeps at least half the length of the container between them and he seems inclined not to chase her but stay at the door, leaning, leering and drinking.

'''Cooper:''' (slurring) Hey, there. 
'''Rina:''' (whispers to self) Just my luck. 
'''Cooper:''' Y’know wha’ I like abou’ you, Renal? Y’know wha’ I like abou’ you? 

Rina glares but says nothing.

'''Cooper:''' Y’ don’ take crap. I like dat. It’s good stuff. (holds out bottle) Y’wan’ sumpin’ t’drink? 
'''Rina:''' (brusque) No thanks. 

She shifts her stance to something more like a fighter’s, keeping her arms loose and her fists not quite up, but ready. And keeps her eye on him.

'''Cooper:''' Yeh, it’s prolly jus’ as well….more for me….(gulps down more) So, um…you ever, ah…kill a man? You like like a person who’s killed a man. 
'''Rina:''' (a beat) Have you? 
'''Cooper:''' (nothin’ doin’!) Yep. 
'''Rina:''' (ditto) Fair enough. 
'''Cooper:''' Whaddya think abou’ that? 

Rina says nothing.

'''Cooper:''' I mean, it’s a pretty serious thing. T’killa man. Kill somebody…it’s not jus’ like fightin’ somebody…or even jus’ shootin’ at somebody…you c’n shoot at lotsa people—you might even kill somebody—but it’s not like killin’ a man.

Rina still says nothing. Not a lick of trust there, nope. He’s six-four or five. She’s five-nothing. She’s keeping her distance, running the knuckles of one fist across the cupped palm of her other hand. Nothing too threatening, but staying prepared nonetheless.

'''Cooper:''' Yeh, I know. Yer th’ quiet type. Well….(shrugs)…I think it changes you. When you really do it. Y’know….it’s…it’s not all that bad. Maybe it makes you more…y’know, ah, what’s that word that Boo-dists use…?...uhhh….. 
'''Rina:''' ‘Stupid’? 
'''Cooper:''' Yeah, yeah…Nah…. 

Rina’s drawn even with Nika’s door and she gives it a discreet double-tap. That wakes the blonde up and she pokes her head out, sees Cooper and wakes all the way up. Cooper hails her to join their party, he shares the booze and asks her the same question: has she killed anyone? Nika admits she has, in defense of herself and her crew.

It gets a bit philosophical after that, with Cooper saying killing changes a person. You just can’t kill a person and be the same afterward. He rambles on and we let him, hoping to avoid any unpleasantness and when Cooper is ordered to go by one of the Feis, Rina asks Cooper to leave the bottle behind. He does, saying he doesn’t figure she could make a Molotov cocktail out of it and she squirrels it away. It could be useful as a weapon, if only as a broken-bottle knife.

Cooper is there and some of the pirate crew and they seem to be discussing something.

'''Day Five:''' Joshua isn’t feeling very good, obviously.

He has a vision of a Captain Vane being shot by people wearing grey Unified Reclamation jumpsuits. Are these the pirates, disguised as UR crew, taking over another ship? It would explain how the Lenore is a salvage class vessel. The previous dream of huddled UR crew being shot by Cooper starts to make sense. Did the pirates steal a UR vessel and under its guise attack the luxury liner? Is Captain Vane the captain of the luxury liner or of another ship?

Joshua cannot be sure.

He has another vision to go with the first. Everything’s blurry. The POV is near the floor looking up and Joshua gets the sense that Vane is injured and dying. Just before the pirate crew shoot him, his last thought is “Protect Mary…”

'''''Bang.'''''

'''Day Seven:''' Joshua’s getting really rocky now. He’s seven days off his meds and things just aren’t right with him anymore. He mumbles and talks to himself, gestures to things that aren’t there. Under his mattress we find a ton of scratches, graffiti-like, a mishmash of the United Reclamation logo, words like ‘blood’ and ‘blood bond’ and “Vane”, “Wyrm’s Tongue”, “Remember”, and “Kingston” and “distress call”, “MURDER” and “MASS MURDER” being prominent. How the scratched writing/drawings came to be under his mattress he cannot say. His fingers are bruised, but there’s nothing to explain how he could have scratched the words into the metal platform holding the mattress off the floor.

Mary and Fei Wu Ling show up that evening with Joshua’s meds and administer a small dose. After being off his meds for so long, Joshua isn’t sure he can believe that relief is coming. It’s a little easier to believe when they leave a small supply with Joshua and shut us in again.

As they leave, they take Rina out to fix the parallax array. It seems to be coming under some kind of interference and the pirate crew decides that Rina’s the best qualified to fix it. Annie Bonnie accompanies her in the avionics crawlspace and points out the neutrino detector we’d installed on Miranda. She asks what it is and Rina makes like she’s never seen it before. Luckily she manages not to give the game away by protesting too much and fixes the array under Annie’s watchful eye. Rina manages to slip a small Phillips head screwdriver into her boot nonetheless. She gets escorted back to the container.

And the days pass and run into each other.

Rick continues to chat up Mary whenever he’s let out to take care of his fish. His charm is working on her and she unbends enough to reminisce about another ship she’s been on, the Buttercup. Rick draws her out on it and she says Buttercup came before Lenore and that they’d acquired Lenore around December 2518. And as for where we found Lenore, she says the Navy Ship just showed up out of nowhere, it didn’t show up on the sensors.

And given how beefed up their sensors are, that is a bit odd.

Could they have been betrayed to the Navy by one of their crew, Rick asks. Mary refuses to believe it. No. Never. Rick shines Mary on and they get cozy. Very cozy.

Yay for Rick. Not so yay for the rest of us. But we’re still alive. And we’re heartened by the intel Rick brings us when he comes back. Buttercup, then Lenore. Things are beginning to come into focus.

Joshua has another dream/vision. In it Cooper is dragging a UR employee across the floor like a sack of potatoes while Vane and Jack are discussing changing the registry of the Buttercup.

Does this mean the Lenore is the Buttercup? Or were they two different ships? There’s no telling. It’s not like we can ask our captors to clarify the details for us. At least Joshua has his meds and knows that the envelope of off-med time has been pushed a little farther.

'''Friday, 16 Aug 2520'''

Eleven days after our capture we feel the ship drop out of pulse. Rina feels it immediately as does Nika and Nika mutters it’s too early for us to be at Aesir. We must have come out of pulse farther out…and Rina starts thinking the worst. Thanks to Tom’s piloting and rewiring of things, he’s managed to shave a day off our travel time and it is indeed Aesir.

Our captors allow us out of the container and we’re given time to pack up our belongings before they strand us on the dirt. Some fast talking convinces them to leave us the Gator, the better to transport Jake’s body to his folks and no sooner have the pirates left us in the dust than we get on the horn to Jake’s family. They agree to send someone out in a small craft to meet us. We drive the Gator aboard and are flown to Malmo, there to do one last favor for our fallen friend, and bring him home.

In the balance of the day that follows, we get our bearings, see Jake properly off down the fjord in a Viking funeral….and explain to Mother Aberg what happened to her son. And we beg a favor of her—can we borrow a shuttle of hers to chase down the Gift? We know she has cargo she must deliver and we are pretty sure the pirates will want to honor that contract. We know where the cargo is supposed to go. Our ship must not be too far from it. We have a chance to steal her back, but only if we leave now.

We get that shuttle and rifles for good measure.

The Gift had to fly to the southern continent to deliver that cargo and there are some storms ravaging the landscape there, requiring a lengthy detour. It slows us down, but it’s also slowed down the Gift, letting us make up for lost time. We find her still on the dirt at the cargo’s destination, a small village and we land our shuttle some distance away. We lock her up and continue on foot.

The Gift looks empty in the evening light, with only one person in evidence. It’s Tom and he’s apparently changing the lock on the airlock access. Looks like the pirates are making the ship theirs. There seems to be only one person guarding the ship and we are armed…what if we stormed the ship and took her back?

Joshua comes up with a different idea. Standing in the shadow of the tree line, he mimicks Jack’s voice and calls out to Tom on the airlock ladder: Leaving me? Like the Kingston all over again?

It’s a risk, based on nothing more than the fact that of all the people Joshua saw killed in his visions, Jack was never one of them. If Jack is known to be dead, however…..

We wait.

Tom turns at Joshua’s call and buys it. They parlay—Tom too paranoid to allow ‘Jack’ to come close, and Joshua all to happy to keep his face hidden—and come to an agreement: Jack will share what he knows if Mary’s crew will agree to rendezvous with him at a neutral location. Say…forty minutes? Tom agrees.

We pull back and plan to take the ship when the crew vacates the Gift, to arrive at a rendezvous that doesn’t have us in it. We have half an hour to see if our plan will actually work and as the night settles deeper around us, we lock and load.

Jump to: 
[[Episode 218:Captive Audience | '''Captive Audience, part 1''' ]] 
 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] | Foward to: [[Episode 219: Rendezvous | '''Rendezvous''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 218:Captive Audience

2018-09-25T04:46:55Z

Taimdala:

Air Date: 01 Dec 2009 
Present: Maer, Terri, Andy and Rick 

Jump to: 
[[Episode 218: Captive Audience, Part 2 | '''Part 2''' ]] 
 

'''Monday, 05 Aug 2520''' 
'''Kuiper II class Summer’s Gift'''
'''En Route to Aesir''' 
'''13:00 hrs, ship’s time''' 

We’ve been captured by pirates en route to Aesir and against common practice, they let us live. We’re corralled in the 2nd class passenger container and kept there under guard. When we’re asked to give up our tools and weapons, Rina unzips her coveralls with all her pocket contents and throws them at our captors rather than suffer a frisking. She’s just that twitchy. Arden was unsuccessful in getting Joshua his meds and the next five days are tense, as both we and Joshua wait for the symptoms to manifest and decide the issue: will he die? Or just go crazy? Arden put up some resistance upon capture and got separated out from the rest of our crew. He’s being held elsewhere on the Gift. His doctor’s skills may make him too valuable to harm…so Joshua, Nika, Rick, and Rina don’t press the issue but pick their bunks and try to make the best of it.

'''Day One of captivity:''' Our jailers agree to bring us three meals a day and Mary goes so far as to inquire of Rick if his fish need taking care of. He instructs her how to feed them. As a show of good faith in exchange for their solicitude, we collectively agree amongst ourselves not to jump our jailers. No, not even seduce them and then jump them, not even when Rina offers up herself for the ruse. Which gets a horrified reaction out of Nika. Rina withdraws the offer. When Mary brings us our food, it’s protein paste and Rina refuses to touch it, saying anything could be done to it, how would we know? Nika barks at her to shut up and eat it, we can’t afford to have Rina starving herself sick. Or worse. Rina grumbles but she chokes the crap down.

Joshua asks Mary if he can get his Flumoxapan. Mary tells him she’ll ask her medic first. She reassures us that she’s going to hold to her promise to us—that she’ll take us to Aesir so we can drop off Jake’s body with his family. She may have to leave us there, however. She continues in a hushed tone.

'''Mary:''' That’s the best I can do. 
'''Joshua:''' No, I’m pretty sure you can do better. Seriously. 
'''Mary:''' There’s some that don’t think you should go all the way to Aesir. 
'''Joshua:''' I’m sure that’s true but if you can’t keep control of a situation like this, how are you going to manage the voyage to Blue Sun? 
'''Mary:''' It’s about compromise. 
'''Joshua:''' (forcefully, for him) No it’s not. Aren’t you the Captain? It’s not about compromise. It’s about saying ‘This is the way it is. Shut up and get in line.’ 
'''Mary:''' (sternly) If you want to live, shut up and get in line. 
'''Joshua:''' See? That’s good practice. Keep working on that. 

Nika sighs.

'''Nika:''' Must you antagonize her? 
'''Joshua:''' No, I just want her to grow a spine. She’s gonna have to. 
'''Rick:''' (To Mary) You’re gonna need it if you’re gonna run the blockades. 
'''Mary:''' We’re not afraid of blockades. 

Mary turns around and stomps out, locking up behind her.

'''Joshua:''' I like her, actually, as these things go, but she’s already weakening. 
'''Nika:''' If her crew kills her, that’s her own problem. 
'''Joshua:''' No, it’s our problem. 
'''Nika:''' Well, fair enough. That happens, it could go bad for us. 
'''Joshua:''' She’s already getting weaker and weaker. She’s gone from ‘we’re gonna get your ship and you’ll drive us to Blue Sun’ to ‘we’re gonna drop you off on Aesir and take your ship there’ to ‘maybe we’ll just have to kill you when we get five days in’ and next thing you know, we’re gonna wake up and there’s gonna be a knife in our throat. Okay, we might not wake up at that point—(mimes a throat slitting with a finger across his neck, sticks his tongue out)—but… Okay. I’m gonna ramble now. 
'''Nika:''' Good job. 
'''Joshua:''' I’m a little nervous. 
'''Nika:''' As long as we can get to Aesir, I think we’re fine. 
'''Rick:''' I don’t care. I just wanna get my knives back. 
'''Joshua:''' I don’t think that’s gonna happen. Except the in-the-throat part. 

He mimes the throat slitting again, this time with sound effects and a contorted face.

'''Rick:''' Little do you know that my knives were created so they will not harm me. 
'''Joshua:''' (in mid-slitting) Really? That’s awesome. I think I need a set of those. 

Time for a little redirection.

'''Nika:''' You’re on regular meds? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Nika:''' For what? Are they gonna be able to tell for what? 
'''Joshua:''' Uhnnn… I doubt it. It’s for suppression, like for bad things happen when I don’t get them. 
'''Rina:''' Like anti-psychotics? 
'''Joshua:''' Yeah. Basically. Well…’psychotic’ might be a strong word to use…like— 
'''Rina:''' Look, I doubt you’re diabetic. 
'''Joshua:''' Let’s just call them anti-depressants. I’m not gonna run around and kill anybody, I don’t think…like, when I don’t get them. I mean I’ve never killed anybody in the past. I’ve never killed anybody before. Period. So I mean, what’s the likelihood? It’s pretty good, I think. I mean, really. 
'''Rina:''' Well, you’ve got my blessing to start with those bastards right now. (points through the interior bulkheads) 
'''Nika:''' (squicks a ‘hmmmm’) The more he talks, the more I’m getting a little nervous, now. 
'''Joshua:''' (sincerely) I’m sorry. I’ll shut up now. 
'''Rick:''' Have you been trying to influence the big guy with your mental powers, now? 
'''Joshua:''' It doesn’t work that way. 
'''Nika:''' Since we have the time to sit here, why don’t you explain to us how it does work. Having never been around Readers before, I don’t know really what that means. 
'''Joshua:''' (trying hard to say this) It’s not a two-way street. It’s only one-way, really. I…I mean I can… If I am not concentrating and I’m just sort of there, sort of picking up….Like your friend the Companion, I’m sure like any other Companion he picks up body language signals intuitively. Just by….just because. This is, at a low level, what this is like. I sort of pick up on—it’s not even really thoughts. There’s just, just this…I don’t know, it’s….the impressions of what they…I’m not reading their thoughts. Although I can, if I make a really strong effort for it. And….. But, even then I’m not…It’s not like I’m delving deep into your darkest secrets. I’m just basically reading what’s on the top level. 
'''Nika:''' (cutting to the chase) You have this ability that if you don’t get these meds, that’s a problem? 
'''Joshua:''' Yeah….that’s…yeah. Also they told me I would die if I didn’t take them. But she’s gonna bring them. She said she’d talk to the medic. 
'''Nika:''' Yyah. 
'''Joshua:''' I trust her. Wait…yes…No. On this I trust her. 
'''Rina:''' (muttering) Oh, fuck….. 
'''Joshua:''' She said she would. 
'''Nika:''' Let me know if that changes. 
'''Joshua:''' Okay. 
'''Rina:''' We’d better hope Mary comes through, because if she doesn’t and Joshua dies, it’s just one less prisoner for her to deal with later. 
'''Joshua:''' I’ve gone without my meds for three or four days at a time before. Once. And I didn’t die up to that fourth day. So that gives us at least four days. 
'''Nika:''' Okay, you’re alarming me now. 
'''Joshua:''' At least four days. 
'''Rina:''' (redirecting) What have you got on you? 
'''Joshua:''' On me? 
'''Rina:''' Anything sharp? Anything thin? 
'''Joshua:''' There’s a joke to be made there, but I…..I’m afraid to make it. 

Nika starts to laugh.

'''Nika:''' You should be. 
'''Joshua:''' No, I don’t have anything on me. 
'''Nika:''' (to Rina) What are you thinking? And if the odds of us getting killed are greater than, say, eighty percent, I think we should rethink it. 

Rina growls a sigh and lets the matter drop, pokes at her food.

'''Nika:''' (at Rina) We’re agreed that we’re not going to try jumping these people, right? We are not trying that. YOU are not trying that. EAT. I don’t care if it’s swill. And if you really give me crap about it, I will spit in it. 
'''Rina:''' For all I know, that’ll make it taste better. 
'''Nika:''' It might. Just eat it. You can’t go a week with no food. Just hold your nose, open your mouth and suck it down. 
'''Joshua:''' See there? That’s what I’m talking about. That’s the forceful attitude that Mary really needs to take with her crew. 

When the next meal arrives, it’s Cooper who delivers it along with the news that the medic vetoed the meds. Cooper commiserates—he knows what it’s like to be cravin’ something you can’t get. Joshua thanks the man and goes to his cabin. Rick asks if Cooper can get him his ‘shrooms. Cooper says he’ll see what he can do. He leaves. Nika goes to Joshua and asks him what will happen to him now. Joshua says it depends. He doesn’t remember a lot of what happened the last time. He has some exercises that can help him keep things in hand.

'''Nika:''' Like meditation? 
'''Joshua:''' Something like that. 
'''Nika:''' Start meditating. 

'''Night One:''' Uneventful

'''Day Two:''' Rina comes up with an idea to liberate the cording on the mattress covers, to make either garrotes or trip wires out of them—sheer twitchiness makes her renege on the agreement—and that idea gets vetoed by Nika.

'''Rina:''' What kinda Captain are you, telling us not to resist being captured? 
'''Joshua:''' A good one. 
'''Rick:''' One who doesn’t want to get this canister jettisoned into space. 
'''Nika:''' (nods to Rick) That. Plus I think if we can get to Aesir we’re going to maybe be in a better position. 
'''Rina:''' What if I jammed it? So they couldn’t—? 
'''Nika:''' No. 
'''Rina:''' What if I—? 
'''Nika:''' NO! 

The bulk of the conversation all morning consists of Rina proposing and Nika disposing.

'''Nika:''' Bottom line is? It’s a ship. It’s not worth your life. It’s not worth Arden’s life. It’s not worth Joshua’s. It’s not worth Rick’s life. 
'''Joshua:''' (whispering) It might be worth my life. 
'''Rick:''' My knives are, though. Everyone’s life on this ship. 
'''Nika:''' What? 
'''Joshua:''' If they really can’t hurt him, like…if they really are like— 
'''Nika:''' (snorting) He’s just feeling cocky because he pistol-whipped a Reaver to death. 

On ''Trafalgar''. For Blue Sun Blondie. Right.

'''Joshua:''' I heard that. Wait. I was there for that. 
'''Nika:''' Well, you missed the first Reaver we got to see. 
'''Joshua:''' Oh. Well that’s good. I’d rather not have seen it. The first crew was enough. 

For their part, our jailers seem to be settling in very nicely on our ship. When we next see them, they’re wearing our head set comms. Settling in very nicely, thanks.

Ew.

When they open the doors to feed us, we hear the normal sounds of ship life drifting in and they’re no longer pointing guns at us expecting an ambush. At best, there’s someone lounging against the bulkhead with a gun held casually in hand. Our jailers ask us how much to feed the fish. Rick tells them what they need to know. They ask us if we need anything.

'''Rina:''' I’m going stir crazy here. Could I at least get my cards back? 
'''Cooper:''' Cards? Oh, your poker cards. You mean you want to play some cards? (leers) 
'''Rina:''' Not with you. 

Off to the side, Joshua starts softly counting: One, two, …..

'''Cooper:''' Why, I’m easy pickin’s. Apparently anyone just first time playin’ the game can win against me. 
'''Rina:''' (warily) I dunno. You got the time? 

Three, four…. Rina’s got a glimmer of an idea.

'''Cooper:''' Well…we still got what? Nine, ten days before we get to that backwater planet? 
'''Rina:''' I suppose we could deal everybody in. 

Five, six… Get our jailers in a room together with us…

'''Cooper:''' I was thinkin’ of a solo game. You and me. In one of those empty containers… 
'''Rina:''' Nah. 

Seven, eight…No. Absolutely not.

'''Cooper:''' C’mon. It’ll be fun. 
'''Rina:''' No way. 
'''Cooper:''' I’ll even let ya…bring some socks or somethin’…. so you got somethin’ to lose. 

Joshua coughs.

'''Rina:''' Nope. 
'''Nika:''' (to Cooper) That’s mighty sportin’ of ya, darlin’. 
'''Cooper:''' Well, I tried. (gestures at Rina) 
'''Rina:''' There’s no point in playing with anybody with nothing to bring to the table. 
'''Rick:''' Cooper, if you get me my mushrooms, we’ll work on her, try an’ get her to play some cards with you. 
'''Cooper:''' You help me out….(pauses, as if hammered by a déjà vu or something)…right. You sit tight. 

He tosses Rina her pack of cards and exits. The minute the doors shut tight, Rina rounds on Rick and Nika.

'''Rina:''' If you want me to sleep with him, I will, but you have to tell me what I’m after. Besides killing him. 
'''Nika:''' (squick!) Uhn, no, actually. I was just thinking more along the lines of the more they see us as people, the less likely they are to actually kill us. Which does not require you to fake sex. Holy Mother of God, woman! 
'''Rina:''' Well, when he’s all distracted you could come up behind him and knock him out or something. Take the keys. 
'''Rick:''' I thought if it came down to it, the ’shrooms might mellow him out for a little. 
'''Joshua:''' Which mushrooms are these? 

Nika’s squicked and appalled and outraged.

'''Nika:''' Number one, I wouldn’t ask you to do something I wouldn’t do myself. And since I ain’t spreadin’ my legs for anybody here, ain’t no way I’m askin’ somebody else to do it, okay? Christian, maybe, because well you know, he didn’t care. (starts to laugh) But that’s a whole ‘nuther story there. Okay? 
'''Rina:''' Christian’s a law unto himself. 
'''Nika:''' (taking a deep breath) Holy Mother of God, woman, what the hell did you do back then? 
'''Rina:''' Back when? 
'''Nika:''' If you’re thinking like somebody’s gonna ask you to actually do that, who did you work for? Not the people I thought you worked for, that’s for darned sure. 

Joshua starts to hum to himself. Not getting involved in this little fight, nope.

'''Rina:''' (pissed) Just chalk it up to being crazy and paranoid and having nothing to do! 
'''Nika:''' Crazy? Oh, good! You’re crazy. 
'''Rick:''' (to Joshua) Why don’t you try to control me? This is line of sight and if that works, then we can go large scale. We can try through the doors. I’m totally not resisting you, man. Do it. Do it to me, just do it. 
'''Joshua:''' That’s not how it works! 
'''Nika:''' Mostly I say that the more they see us as people, the less likely they are to kill us. 
'''Joshua:''' (agreeing with Nika) That’s true. From what I understand. 
'''Rina:''' So what does that mean that he wants to sleep with me? 
'''Nika:''' What? 
'''Rina:''' (eyeroll) Am I people or cattle? 
'''Nika:''' I’m so not going there. 
'''Joshua:''' Oh no! Plunder the women, rape the treasure…. 
'''Rina:''' (to Nika) We’re taking watches. Right? 
'''Nika:''' Yeah. 

It’s going to be an awful long ride to Aesir.

To ease the boredom, Joshua starts observing and mimicking the voices of the pirate crew. And luckily, he has the presence of mind not to do it when the pirates can hear him. The headaches and the body aches of withdrawal are starting to creep in and it’s a welcome distraction from his growing discomfort

'''Night Two:''' Joshua is dreaming .

In his dream he sees two very scared-looking people, wearing grey jumpsuits. In his dream a voice is saying:

'''Joshua:''' (in a deeper voice) Calm down. Calm down. Everything’s gonna be okay.

One of the jumpsuited people reaches for something and Joshua feels his hand rise and BAM! BAM! He shoots the two people dead. Joshua is shocked, staring in disbelief at the blood pooling, flooding beneath the bodies.

Joshua wakes with a hoarse cry, soaked in sweat.

Rina’s on watch and she’s pacing the narrow hallway of the quarters, up and down and up and down and hears a sound coming from Joshua’s bunk. Damned if it isn’t Cooper’s voice she hears in there: Calm down. Calm down. Everything’s gonna be okay. And then: Oh, my God!

Rina slides Joshua’s door open and sticks her head in. Joshua is sitting up in bed, drenched.

'''Joshua:''' Hi. You all right?

Is she all right? Aw, hell. Rina steps inside.

'''Rina:''' (no-nonsense) I thought I heard Cooper in here. What’s going on? 
'''Joshua:''' Cooper’s not in here. I was asleep. Had a nightmare. 
'''Rina:''' Oh, that’s just eerie-assed creepy. 
'''Joshua:''' What? 
'''Rina:''' Hey…waitaminute….can you impersonate the others? 
'''Joshua:''' It’s not difficult, really. I can impersonate anybody. That’s actually second nature….and it’s starting to get a little worse. 

He’s looking a bit rocky, actually.

'''Rina:''' Can I get you anything I can get you some water. There’s nothing else I can do. 
'''Joshua:''' No, it’s okay. 
'''Rina:''' What did you dream? 
'''Joshua:''' What was Cooper saying? 
'''Rina:''' Uh…he was saying… 
'''Joshua:''' Well, I guess it was me. I don’t talk in my dreams…I don’t normally talk in my dreams… 
'''Rina:''' He said ‘It’s going to be all right. It’s going to be all right. Everything’s going to be okay. Calm down.’ 
'''Joshua:''' I guess I was talking in my dream. I didn’t make the bang-bang noise, did I? 
'''Rina:''' There was some Chinese. Which I didn’t catch. And... What you do you mean, ‘bang-bang noises’? What do you mean? 
'''Joshua:''' I was killing, like, from the dream. 
'''Rina:''' Oh. Uh… 
'''Joshua:''' I guess I was Cooper. 
'''Rina:''' What did you use? 
'''Joshua:''' I don’t know…it was a pistol. Like I had it in my hand. And it kinda turned sideways. (demonstrates the sideways gansta gun grip) 
'''Rina:''' I hope he broke his wrist doing that. Who did you kill—who did he kill? 
'''Joshua:''' It was…it was two people in grey jumpsuits. 
'''Rina:''' What kind of grey jumpsuits? 
'''Joshua:''' Like grey jumpsuits? Like, uh….I mean there wasn’t anything particularly distinctive about them. 
'''Rina:''' Try to think. 

He thinks hard. Recalls a stylized logo with UR centered in a hexagon.

'''Rina:''' Like Unified Reclamation, maybe? 
'''Joshua:''' I guess it could be. I’ve never really directly seen one of their logos before. 
'''Rina:''' These people that you killed, where they like…running away or…? 
'''Joshua:''' No. They were, they were in one of these…like a little room, like this. Like ah…on the floor. Like, ah….prisoners. Oh. That doesn’t look good, does it? 
'''Rina:''' No, they’re pirates. They’re pirates. 

What else are pirates going to do with prisoners, anyway?

'''Joshua:''' I’m sorry. 
'''Rina:''' It’s not your fault they’re pirates. At least now we know how they got Lenore. (breathes) Do you want to wake the others up or do you want to wait til morning? 
'''Joshua:''' I don’t know why you’re looking at me for that. Uhh…yeah, I guess. I mean— 

But Rina’s already out of there like a shot and banging on Nika’s door. Nika pokes her head muzzily out into the corridor and Rick looks out of his bunk in turn. What? What’s going on? Rina points to Joshua’s door.

'''Rina:''' You’re gonna want to hear this. 
'''Nika:''' Don’t you people sleep? 
'''Rick:''' What conspiracy theory stuff is going on now? 
'''Rina:''' Joshua had a dream. In it he dreamed he was Cooper and in that dream he saw Cooper kill two people in grey jumpsuits with ‘UR’ on their jumpsuits. Now I am thinking maybe it could be Unified Reclamation. Which would explain how they got their ship. I mean, look at their story. If they say that they were doing the business for Unified Reclamation, that’s close enough to the truth if they assumed the identities of the people they killed to get the ship. 
'''Nika:''' Oh….crap. 
'''Joshua:''' It’s a dream. It’s not necessarily a— 
'''Rina:''' Oh but it sounded just like Cooper. I was pacing the hallway and I heard Cooper yelling “It’s gonna be all right. It’s gonna be all right. Take it easy…” 
'''Joshua:''' Well, I am good. 
'''Nika:''' (to Joshua) Does Readerdom work this way? 
'''Joshua:''' Not usually, no. 
'''Nika:''' (to Rina) So maybe he’s just petrified that Cooper may come in here and kill our asses and ..you know…. 
'''Rina:''' Then why the grey jumpsuits? Why project? 
'''Nika:''' Okay. (asks Joshua) Do you, in general, randomly pluck memories from people’s heads and dream about them? 
'''Joshua:''' No. 
'''Nika:''' Do you randomly pluck memories from anyone’s head? 
'''Joshua:''' No. 
'''Nika:''' Okay. 
'''Rick:''' Is it because he’s actively thinking about this? Is that what it would require? 
'''Joshua:''' I don’t even know if it’s…. 
'''Nika:''' Or it could just be a bunch of elements all coming together and him having a freakin’ nightmare. I can’t tell you how many nightmares I had after I shot whatshisname in the head. 
'''Rina:''' Duncan. 
'''Joshua:''' I’m assuming that was completely justified. 
'''Rina:''' Oh, hell yes. 
'''Nika:''' I thought so at the time. 
'''Joshua:''' You know, I think I’m going to repeat the first half of the answer and ignore the second. So yes, it was justified. 
'''Nika:''' It wasn’t unjustified. I’ll put it that way. It was not, perhaps, required. 

Joshua take that in, lets it settle. Then:

'''Joshua:''' Okay. Just in case that wasn’t a dream, like…in case, like, it may be me, it may be the drug, maybe the drugs. Maybe it can induce a weird dream, that doesn’t mean… 
'''Nika:''' You could be going through withdrawal. 
'''Joshua:''' Yeah. I’ve already got the aches. 
'''Rina:''' If you pick up anything from me, I apologize in advance. 
'''Joshua:''' It’s okay, I..ah…I’m very good at ignoring that sort of thing. I have a second level routine that I use to keep myself focused. It’s weird but I — 
'''Nika:''' In any case, regardless of what you dreamed, what the hell good is it gonna do us now? You had to wake us up in the middle of the night to tell us? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, she wanted— 
'''Rina:''' He can really mimic their voices. We have an intercom. I was thinking maybe we could…fake them out? Make them think one of their crew’s in here? 
'''Nika:''' To what end? 
'''Rina:''' I was thinking if they thought one of their crew was in here on the sly, making deals against the rest of the crew with us…. 

A little psychological warfare.

Okay, Nika’s on board with that but who’s voice are we going to use? At which point Rina admits her plan falls short.

Yeah.

'''Nika:''' Talk to me if you actually come up with something useful. Okay? 
'''Rina:''' (scrubbing her face) I hate this…..grabbing at straws, I hate this….. 
'''Nika:''' I’m not saying we shouldn’t attempt to take our ship back but sometimes the best survival mechanism is to sit tight. 

Joshua urges everyone to go back to sleep. Nika declares there’s no going back to sleep for her tonight and tells Rina go grab some shut-eye. Rina goes, grumbling how much she hates doing nothing.

Jump to: 
[[Episode 218: Captive Audience, Part 2 | '''Part 2''' ]] 
 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] | Foward to: [[Episode_219:_Rendezvous | '''Rendezvous''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels

2018-09-25T04:35:01Z

Taimdala:

''Present: Maer, Terri, Andy, Bobby, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 24 Nov 2009'' 

'''Sunday, 31 Jul 2520''' 
'''Lucifer's Landing, Angel 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system 

We spend four weeks on the dirt on Angel, staying at Lucifer’s Landing, loading our cargo of 50 tons of H2 fuel to Aesir.

It’s a sunny day and Rick is minding Lem. Lem is playing ball with the other children of the community and he’s been put in the outfield with the rest of the little kids, catching and chasing down flies. As Rick watches, the ball gets knocked clear beyond the outfield and Lem chases it. He follows it though the grass to the feet of a business suited woman. She smiles and reaches down. Her hands are blue. Before Rick can yell to Lem to run, she tosses Lem a blinking red metal ball.

Rick finds his voice.

'''''“Lem! Ru—!”'''''

The ball explodes.

Rick wakes up alone on the bridge of the ''Gift'', 3 days en route to Aesir.

'''Saturday, 03 Aug 2520''' 
'''02:30 hrs, ship’s time''' 

It’s his turn on watch and before he can shake the last tendrils of nightmare off, BAM! something hits our ship. The consoles light up like the proverbial Christmas tree. A loud scraping sound from the outside reverberates through our hull, under the bridge and in a blink, our long range scanners and parallax array go dead.

Nika’s brought out of a sound sleep by the noise and she’s running to the bridge pulling on some pajama pants even before Rick can call for her over the comm. She takes over from Rick and drops the ''Gift'' out of pulse…and we find ourselves in a debris field. There is an intact ship on the edge of our short range scanners and there are automated distress signals pinging away out there. Nika starts steering us for the closest of the signals.

It’s not an impact free ride. We scrape against the debris or the debris scrapes against us. When we find the source of the first ping, we see it’s a 4-man life pod, the name ''Lenore'' blazoned on its hull. Rina and Rick don suits and go EVA to investigate. Rick looks through the window to see three people inside strapped to their chairs. Nika does a soft seal with the shuttle and we bring the survivors aboard. They’re shaken and scratched up and one has glass shards embedded in his arm. Arden renders the man medical aid. The injured man is Oriental, has a sister and is accompanied by a huge bear of a man. They tell us that they only had thirty minutes of air left and there’s still one more pod out there.
We let the escape pod loose and search for the other pod.

Joshua greets the survivors aboard and asks them what happened.

The tale they tell us explains some of what we see floating outside. They are a salvage team, salvaging the remains of the big ship tumbling in pieces outside. Pirates came upon them and attacked them, ordering them to surrender their cargo, firing two missiles at them. One of the missiles took out their engines, the other breached their cargo bay. The salvage ships Captain issued the order to abandon ship and the crew escaped in the pods.

Rina and Rick stay outside, tethered to the ship as they inspect the damage done to the ''Gift''’s hull.

We find it and seal up with the pod to rescue the people aboard. This time it’s two Anglo women accompanied by a tallish thin man clad in a pilot’s leather skullcap. Joshua reunites them with the rest of their crew and they are all relieved to find each other alive, even as they are dismayed to find their Captain isn’t among them.

Rina finds out that her tether isn’t long enough to allow her to look at the undercarriage of the bridge where our sensor array should be. By tethering Rick to the hull and tethering herself to Rick, she can play out the length just enough to eyeball the damage. And damage there is: nothing remains of our parallax array. It’s totally gone, wires sparking. Rina relays the good news to Nika on the bridge.

Great.

Tom is the survivor in the pilot’s skull cap and he is one nervous individual. He makes his way cautiously through the ship, asking if it’s safe to board, he can smell something wrong with our atmo. He seems apprehensive about being on a Kuiper II class ship, citing their tendency to break down and how this thing or that thing on it is unreliable…he goes on like this for some time and it’s just a good thing that Rina is still outside and unable to hear him dissing her baby.

One of the women who came with Tom is less annoying and fearful, being more bubbly and cheerful. She tells us she’s Mary Read, First Mate of Lenore, the salvage ship floating outside on the edge of our sensor range. The other woman with her is Annie Bonnie, ship’s engineer. The nervous chatterbox with them is Tom Bourne and we’ll have to forgive him, he’s always this twitchy . The other three crew from the first pod are their resident giant and Bosun John “Cooper” Fenwick and an oriental brother/sister team, Fei Li Kahn and Fei Wu Ling, deck hand and medic, respectively.

Nika flies the ''Gift'' to ''Lenore'' at the other end of the debris field at the rescuees’ urging and Rick and Rina don suits again to go investigate. The rescued crew hope to find their beloved Captain. Their ship is a Raven class salvager, lending credence to the rescuees’ account of what had happened. Annie Bonnie and Rina inspect the ship and find no sign of the Captain.

Meanwhile, Cooper finagles food and drink out of Joshua. Tom mutters about fluorine poisoning.

On ''Lenore'', Annie inspects the damage to the hull and says that she could probably patch it up, no problem. The breach is only about a foot or so wide. The hit on the engines, however is a different story. they are offline, with parts fused solid. There is no way ''Lenore'' will fly out on her own power.

We search for the Captain of ''Lenore'', at Mary Read’s insistence, and come up empty handed. The Captain is nowhere to be found, dead or alive, and we report this with regret. There’s nothing for it. The rescuees will have to ship out to Aesir with us. Nika asks Mary Read, now Acting-Captain of ''Lenore''’s crew if we can have ''Lenore''’s parallax array as payment of their passage to Aesir.

Mary agrees.

Nika tells Rina and Annie to get the array out. And she relays permission for the survivors to gather their belongings off Lenore and take them aboard. They do so and Cooper makes several trips, bringing back big sacks and bags full of bulky items, including one that tinkles and clacks like a bunch of glass bottles. Booze? Cooper hits the galley next, sharing the raw protein stores from ''Lenore''. Nothing texturized, thank goodness. Joshua assigns Mary Read the portside stateroom and the rest of the crew quarters in the second class container.

Watching carefully, Joshua observes that there seems to be a rivalry between the friendly and easy-going Mary vs. the more grim and grounded Annie Bonnie. Whenever Annie pushes for command, Mary redirects. Joshua also sees that the Fei siblings are uneasy about something, that Tom is paranoid, and Cooper is…well, Cooper. He’s big, somewhat uncouth, and irrepressible. The ''Lenore''’s crew are upset about the uncertain fate of their Captain and when the talk grows unguarded, Mary exhorts them to remember the ''Kingston''. The crew clams up.

We carry on.

Later, Tom disparages the Gift. Joshua warns him of Rina’s temper. Tom asks to see the bridge and Nika escorts him there. He susses out our modifications and starts speculating on what we can do with the ship using them.

Joshua pulls Nika aside to say we need to go on half rations unless we can supplement our stores from ''Lenore''’s pantry. It’s mostly raw protein paste—but it’s untextured—and we can go easy on the food.

Rina and Nika get that array going. It seems to be fine, but without a baseline reading we can’t be sure.

We get the long range scanners up. Yay! Now we can see better what’s out there.

Nika lays down the simple rules of our ship to our rescuees/passengers: no one goes outside the passenger area without a member of the ''Gift''’s crew as escort. Everyone agrees and we fly on.

We start getting to know each other.

Rick chats up Mary and Annie, trying to make friends…or make out…and they sound him out in turn.

The Feis spend their time mostly away from the others, working out in the crew lounge below decks, working out. The Feis are incredibly limber, Joshua notices as he chaperones them below decks, doing Tai Chi, doing odd exercises that they pull off with amazing grace and suppleness. …which make sense when they tell us they used to be gymnasts in the Sihnon Games. In short, Olympian athletes. The pressure to succeed, however, and their failure to bring home the medal made it impossible for them to find work in their chosen profession. They were looking for work on the Rim and the ''Lenore'' was looking to hire. The Captain of ''Lenore'' was agreeable to allow them to work for their passage to the Rim. It seemed a beneficial arrangement all around.

Joshua asks Nika about the ''Kingston''. There’s nothing on the Cortex about it. Nika tells Joshua not to tell Rina about what he’s found, or rather NOT found, since the engineer’s twitchy enough with all the strangers. The last thing we need is Rina going off on another conspiracy rant and making EVERYBODY paranoid.

Mary approaches us and asks us not to report the rescue. The ''Lenore'' was involved in ‘unofficial’ work when they were ambushed by the pirates. She also admits that Mary Read is not her real name. Rina comments that it’s ironic that they took historic pirate names for their aliases only to be hit by pirates themselves.

Nika gets us out of the debris felid for what we believe to be our course for Aesir. With no baseline to check the parallax array against, we could be off-course and not know it. We fly on despite.

Rick uses his charm and gets a little more info out of Mary. Mary’s father was the Captain of ''Lenore'' and Mary was his First Mate. Annie was Second Mate and it seems overall the crew was tight. Everyone had been together for quite some time and the women pass on some insights about others on their crew. Cooper, for instance, is fine so long as you give him some slack to smoke and drink. The Fei siblings are tightly bound together. Mary’s father was the glue that made them a crew. While they talk, Rick can sense that Mary’s coming to grips with the situation and starting to make connections in her head, but out of respect for her recent loss, he doesn’t grill her on it.

Too bad he didn’t.

'''Monday, 05 Aug 2520''' 
'''En Route to Aesir''' 
'''07:00 hrs, ship’s time''' 

Joshua is setting up for breakfast when he notices the ''Lenore'' crew gathering into Mary’s assigned quarters. They’re in there for 30 minutes. Joshua tells Nika and Nika orders the crew to arm up and conceal carry. Rina’s already got that covered, thank you. Joshua knocks on Mary’s door when we’re done, saying breakfast is ready.

Cooper comes out first, asks what’s on the menu. We all sit down to eat. Joshua keeps an eye on everyone. Nika checks the bridge constantly, taking her plate with her. Tom rides shotgun.

The Feis ask to be taken to the gym when they finish eating. Joshua escorts them down.

Cooper remains at the table, talking to Arden about pastimes on our ship. What do we do for entertainment around here. Cooper talks Arden into a game of cards, or would, if he had a pack of cards on him. Rina takes a seat next to Arden and pulls a deck from her own pockets. Cooper looks her up and down speculatively and suggests that there are some games with cards that would be interesting to play…intimating rather broadly that strip poker tops the list. Rina flat out refuses to play, saying she’s just there to give Arden moral support.

On the bridge, Tom notices we’re off course and tells Nika about it. She declines his offer to fix it. He insists, getting rather OCD about it. He admits he used to be a Navy fighter pilot before the stress got to him and he was reassigned to something else. Which goes a long way to explain his irritatingly obsessive personality. Tom insists there’s a vibration going through the ship, about 1 kilogram to port. Can’t Nika feel it? Nika tells him to settle down and shut up, she’s flying here.

Elsewhere, Rick chats up Mary. They talk. He asks her what her plans are. She’s not sure. Without a ship, she’s not certain she can keep the crew together. She lacks the charisma. Rick asks her if she’s got a ship’s fund, storing credits away for a rainy day. Mary admits she has one, but not here. Could she hire us, though? To take us where she’s got her fund stashed? After the Gift’s current run? Rick asks where. Mary hedges, saying we’d have to break quarantine.

Blue Sun.

Great.

Rick says he thinks it can be arranged.

Meanwhile Joshua’s hanging out in the gym with the Feis. They seem nice but they’re uncomfortable and nervous. Joshua doesn’t think it’s him but like they’re expecting something to happen. Joshua tells them as the ship’s steward, he’s here to see to their comfort. How can he help them. Fei Wu Ling says her brother is concerned he can’t protect her honor. Joshua says there’s no reason to fear.

Up in the lounge, Arden’s quite handily winning at poker. Annie asks Cooper if he knows whether Tom brought aboard their databooks from Lenore. Cooper, deep in a hand, says he doesn’t know. Annie goes to the 2nd class cabins to check. Arden wins the hand.

Rick continues talking to Mary. He asks her about Lenore’s crew. What about Annie? he asks.

Annie came aboard the Raven (the other ship in Lenore’s hold) a little before Mary’s father died. She’s a pretty good engineer, keeps the boat afloat, and she was closer to the Captain than the others.

'''Rick:''' So…where in BS are you going? 
'''Mary:'''We’ll need some latitude about that. 
'''Rick:''' Why? 
'''Mary:''' We have a cache in the Blue Sun system, but to get to it we’ll have to take control of the ship for the last leg. 
'''Rick:''' I don’t see us relinquishing control. Hell no. 
'''Mary:''' What if Tom piloted? We just don’t want you seeing where we’re going. 
'''Rick:''' That might be doable. 
'''Mary:''' I like you. And your crew. Cooper’s getting antsy. 

Cooper is also losing miserably at the moment to Arden. He’s disgruntled and Arden offers the winnings back. Which, of course, only makes things worse. Cooper tells Arden to keep them while he can….and deals another hand

Elsewhere, Tom is very interested in our ship’s capabilities, buttonholing Nika while she’s in the pilot’s chair. Nika deflects him as best she can. Tom doesn’t insist when Nika warns him to quit digging.

'''Nika:''' You’re startin’ to sound like a pirate. 
'''Tom:''' You should correct our course, why aren’t you correcting it. We’re wasting fuel…what if you had a heart attack and— 
'''Nika:''' If that happens you can bring the others in. What kind of ships did you fly in the Navy? 
'''Tom:''' Fighters. Some stuff. You know, if you disable the safeties, you can make a ship do amazing stuff…. 

Ohhhhh, it’s going to be a long ride to Aesir.

Rick and Mary continue to talk as they take care of Rick’s plants and fish.

'''Rick:''' Is it Miranda? Will we be going into Reaver territory? 
'''Mary:''' I can’t say, but it’s not Miranda. 
'''Rick:''' Hey, we’ve handled Reavers before. 

It’s a bit of braggadocio typical of Rick, possibly meant to impress and reassure Mary. Mary asks to be taken back to the lounge and Rick escorts her. Seeing Cooper, she asks where Annie is and when she’s told ‘quarters’ Mary joins her there.

On the bridge, Nika realizes that Tom wasn’t simply rambling crazy-talk at her, we really are off course. She adjusts it and keeps on flying. Rick, now that he’s free of Mary, arrives on the bridge to talk to Nika and Tom, apparently not comfortable in the now-crowded bridge, leaves the two of them alone.

Back in the lounge, Arden’s got the bulk of the winnings and having learned the game sufficiently, he thanks Cooper for the lesson and leaves for med bay to catch up on his reading. That leaves just Cooper and Rina at the table. Cooper looks at Rina speculatively.

'''Cooper:''' (slyly) Well…..looks like it’s just you and me. 
'''Rina: '''(steely) No. It’s just you. 

She gets up and leaves for her machine shop.

On the bridge, Rick waits until the Tom’s out of earshot before telling Nika what he’s learned from Mary about the money cache. Nika doesn’t like it. Rick admits it could be a ploy to take our ship.

'''Nika:''' If we turn them down, will they attack? 
'''Rick:''' But if they do, we can kill them. 
'''Nika:''' Let’s put all the cards on the table. Gather everyone, see if they’re willing to talk. 
'''Rick:''' They might. They downgraded to having someone in the engine room and bridge and the crucial areas to just having a pilot. 
'''Nika:''' Seems reasonable. Ask your crew if they’re willing to talk. 

Rick goes aft to fetch Rina, and fills in Arden when the doctor pokes his head out. Arden isn’t confident having anyone else doing the driving. Rick gets Rina and explains the situation as Nika calls a crew meeting in the bridge corridor. Arden stays behind in med bay. Once the rest of us are gathered behind closed doors and hear the plan, we weigh in.

Rina’s dead set against it. We ask Joshua if he got anything off the Fei siblings. All Joshua can confirm is they’re nervous. Brother Fei is the protector of the Sister, but now that he’s injured, not so much. Nika tells Joshua to read Mary and if the feel is good, we’ll have a full meeting with them.

We exit the bridge to see all the Lenore crew aiming their weapons for our door.

Shit!

We duck back into the bridge corridor and take cover behind the door.

'''Mary:''' Come out. 
'''Nika:'''What the hell—?! 
'''Mary:''' Sometimes we can’t be certain of others’ trustworthiness. 

As a show we mean them no harm, Joshua and Rick agree to step out….and do.

'''Mary:''' We voted to chat with you about where we’re going. 
'''Nika:''' We did, too. 
'''Mary:''' You come out. 
'''Nika:''' No thanks. You’re not looking too trustworthy. 

As long as Rina and Nika are behind the door, they can control flying the ship. However, that leaves Annie with full access to engineering. Rick, meanwhile is reading them the riot act: we saved them, we fed them, put them up in accommodations, and this is how they repay us? Ungrateful, is what they are.

'''Nika:''' Just tell us where we’re going. I have no issue taking you to Blue Sun. Let’s start there.

And as Nika calls this out, Joshua gets a read on Mary. He senses she’s holding the leash on a wild dog and her control is tenuous. He doesn’t think it’s her plan to do this.

'''Mary:''' Let’s drop your friend off and say your goodbyes. Then go. 
'''Nika:''' How about I sit on the bridge blindfolded? 

Since they’re unwilling to have us know the location and we’re not willing to give up the bridge entirely.

'''Mary:''' Well….okay. 
'''Rick:''' How about you lock up guns? We don’t go around armed while we’re aboard. 

He doesn’t mention Rina’s tendency to keep her gun. Mary reconsiders the agreement so far and backpedals.

'''Mary:''' Well, not really. Consider us hiring your ship for rhe duration. 
'''Nika:''' If you’re chartering the ship, we can arrange to fly the last leg. Or we can drop you off in Red Sun. 
'''Mary:''' (grudgingly) No. we’re the bad guys and well….we do this for a living. 
'''Cooper:''' We’ve had ‘guests’ before and were returned fine. 
'''Rick:''' We can do this reasonably, but what insurance do we get that we’ll get our ship back? We don’t have a captain, we do things democratically and won’t kowtow to one person. But we’ve already agreed to take you to Blue Sun and have your pilot on the bridge. All we want is to go to Red Sun, drop off our friend, see him buried, have a wake. Load up with fuel and cargo to get us to Blue Sun. After all, we knew you’d try something—your meeting in your room was pretty obvious. 
'''Nika:''' All we want out of this is pay for running the blockade, supplies and fuel. 

Stand-off.

'''Mary:''' We’ll escort you. You escort us. 
'''Nika:''' Fine. Store your weapons. Like the crew. 
'''Mary:''' No. 

Stand-off again.

'''Nika:''' (to Rick) Your call. 
'''Rick:''' I say we do it. 
'''Mary:''' Why don’t you gentlemen come forward? 

Cooper and Annie escort Rick and Joshua closer to their side.

'''Nika:''' Until we get to Aesir, we’ll agree to your terms. If we can’t come to terms, you get gone on Aesir. 
'''Mary:''' Fine. 

Nika turns a steely eye on Rina beside her. She knows what’s going through her engineers head.

'''Nika:''' (deadly serious) Don’t do it. 

From outside the door, Rick’s voice comes through loud and clear that he’s sleeping with Annie, and Rina stands down.

After that, it’s all over but for the frisking.

Annie pats Rick down and removes his knives. She escorts Rick and Joshua to one of the 2nd class staterooms and guards them there. Mary holds down the bridge corridor while Tom and Fei Li Khan escort Nika into the bridge proper. She lets them pat her down there while Fei Wu Ling escorts Rina to Engineering.

Wu Ling says she has to frisk Rina. Rina stonily forestalls the action by slapping her gun, clips and knife into the other woman’s hands. Rina’s allowed to keep her Leatherman, her mini torch and her lighter, those being legitimate tools of her trade and essential to keeping the engines maintained. Wu Ling puts the weapons aside and holds onto Rina’s hands a moment, turning the palms up and fingering them lightly.

'''Wu Ling:''' These are calluses from working with machines…. 

She turns Rina’s hands over, knuckles up, and draws a fingertip across them.

'''Wu Ling:''' …And these are calluses from killing people. 

She looks at Rina dead on.

'''Wu Ling:''' Do anything to the doors, we’ll break your fingers. 

She leaves Rina standing in the engine room and locks her in.

Meanwhile, Mary is talking to Arden in med bay. He has to come out, she says. Arden refuses. He turns his back on her and marches over to his equipment. Mary swings at him. Arden uses a martial arts move to try to throw her to the deck. Instead, he finds himself on the deck, stunned, in the corridor. Apparently Mary knows martial arts, too. He holds his hand for help getting up. She refuses it and steps back. Arden gets up on his own and walks back into med bay in defiance.

Mary pulls her gun on him.

'''Mary:''' Am I going to have to shoot you? 
'''Arden:''' (resolute) I’m staying here and working. 

Mary calls in Fei Li Khan from the bridge to escort Arden out. Nika yells over the comm to stop being a stubborn ass. Lik Khan arrives and pins Arden with a look.

'''Li Khan:''' Don’t make me break your fingers. My Captain says to. 
'''Nika:''' Arden, I’m giving you a direct order to go. 
'''Arden:''' You’re not my captain. 
'''Nika:''' Then we’re all dead. 

This sinks in.

'''Arden:''' Fine. Can I take my databook with me? 
'''Mary:''' Yes. 
'''Arden:''' Fine. 

He grabs his book and chips, and leaves under escort. As last ditch resistances go, it wasn’t even a speed bump on the road to being taken over by pirates. And so we fly on to Aesir, with a dead crew member in the walk-in freezer and us in the klink.

And thus unfolds our maiden voyage for Morningstar. God willing it won’t be our final one.

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 216: Losses and Gains | '''Losses and Gains''']] | Forward to: [[Episode_218:Captive_Audience | '''Captive Audience''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Forward to [[Mutineers Season Three| '''Season Three: Things Fall Apart''']] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode216p2

2018-09-25T04:27:46Z

Taimdala:

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]]

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Jibril Spaceport, Angel''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''06:00 hrs, local time''' 

Arden determines that both Nika and Rick need to take some time off from the rigors of space flight to recover from the wounds they've received from the Reavers.
They need either a hospital or fresh air and relaxation. Lucifer's Landing seems like a good place to visit. And this will give Arden time to look over Lem's charts.

'''Christian:''' I don't think having either Nika or Rina walking around a city like Jibril with Sharia law is such a good idea. 
'''Rina:''' I'm not going to burn the Gorram city down. 
'''Christian:''' I'm worried you are going to get flogged. Maybe we should go to Lucifer's Landing, we have friends there, and the law is considerably more relaxed. 

They refuel the ship and prepare to head out to Lucifer's Landing. 

'''Christian:''' Joshua, you are neither crew nor passenger, do you want to stay here, or get off at Lucifer's Landing or stick around? 

Arden recommends they buy some drugs for Joshua before they leave Jibril.
Christian arranges to get those and other medical supplies, immunization packs etc..
 
'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Lucifer's Landing, Angel''' 
'''15:27 hrs, local time''' 

The ship makes a short hop to Lucifer's Landing, and they approach from the crater side rising over the cliff face and float over the small mining town. They land in the yard of Fairweather Flyers the original owners of Summer's Gift (née MakeMake). The yard hasn't changed much in the year that has passed since their last visit.

They find Emma and Hilde have occupied a house and repaired it to its former glory. They appear together and reasonably happy. They work a variety of jobs, and do their best to make a living. They have changed almost beyond recognition. Without the pampering make-up, cleansers, and humidity of their Core worlds, their skin and hair are natural and weathered.

'''Christian:''' Welcome to Lucifer's Landing. 

They disembark and lead Lem out into the first natural light he has seen in some time. He is skittish around strangers (understandably) but he seems happy to back on terra firmer. He seems excited to know that there are other children (a handful) in town. The crew begins to settle in for a pleasant stay.

During the stay Arden discovers, by rooting through the incomplete brain scan data, that there is no sign of advancement in Lem's Prion disease. Also there is evidence that the existing prion disease has been reduced. It appears that he should, in time, make a reasonable recovery, although it isn't clear whether there is any permanent damage. He may need to stay on his anti-prion drugs for the rest of his life, but as this is a new treatment for a new disease, no one really knows.

The more promising medical news is that the tests done on the samples of protein paste. The generic protein paste appears to be normal. But the sample run through the ProMagic texturizer shows evidence of prions. The ProMagic works by altering the raw proteins (derived from algae, fungus and other sources) to transform the texture from a firm tofu-like texture to anything from creamy ice cream, to juicy steak and everything in between. Somehow in the process one in a million of those proteins is transformed into a Prion, and that is enough. This seems to validate Arden's hypothesis of the origin of Prion Disease. And with this information, the epidemic could be stopped in its tracks (as soon as people learn to stop using the ProMagic).

Arden sends this data to the Dr. Lawrence back on St. Albans, and spends some time writing up an article for the medical journals. Although because of the distance it will be some time before he hears back.

Christian, Rina and Joshua go visit Summer Fairweather who gifted the MakeMake to the crew. She is in her cave working on her orchids.

'''Summer:''' Look at that… I thought I heard a ship. 
'''Christian:''' We needed a place of sanctuary and rest. 
'''Summer:''' It is perhaps appropriate that you would seek sanctuary here, although the innocent people of the town might not share your desire. 
'''Christian:''' At this point, I don't believe anyone is actively pursuing us. The sanctuary we seek is spiritual. We've have some people that need healing, both physical and spiritual. 
'''Summer:''' I was told you brought gun-fighters down on the town on your last visit. 
'''Christian:''' Yes unfortunately, I'm sorry for that. 
'''Summer:''' It is difficult to do as you do without endangering innocents as you do. (Sensing some discomfort, she changes the topic.) And who is this? 
'''Christian:''' This is Joshua. He is a ... wandering soul we picked up not long ago. 
'''Joshua:''' That is a polite way of putting it. 
'''Summer:''' (Looking a little ill at ease with the small crowd.) I'm afraid I am not much of a conversationalist, if that is what you seek. 
'''Christian:''' We merely came to pay our respects and, if you want, to tell you what we have done with the ship. We've tried to keep our promise to you. 
'''Summer:''' I'm glad that you have tried. 
'''Christian:''' We believe that we have found the root cause of the disease that is afflicting Blue Sun. 
'''Summer:''' I'm afraid I don't know much about that. (It is quite a ways away). 

Christian explains the disease, how it is transmitted, and what it has wrought in the system. They arrange to get some orchid clippings and spend the afternoon meditating with the monk. Even Rina!

Days pass and the crew enjoys some pleasant relaxing time down. Rina does the maintenance, they do their part to help the local economy. Rick finishes Jake's retrospective collection. He had quite a bit of footage of the crew. He seemed to have an exceptional grasp of the individual crew's personalities. It is bittersweet and poignant. There are a sparse handful of shots (mostly stills) of Jake setting up shots or doing light checks. It was a fitting tribute to the crew's lost crewman. They agree to send a wave to his family of his fate and asking what they'd like to do with the body.

The group gets to know Joshua during their convalescence. Joshua seems confused that no one was going to interrogate them. He brings the medical tool to Arden to ask him what it ie. Arden concludes that it is a NewTech tool called a Sonic Caelum (or sonic sculptor), basically a high tech plastic surgery tool. It is a "non-invasive" surgery tool.

'''Arden:''' Is it a subtle message that Joshua is ugly? 
'''Rick:''' That he should change his appearance to better hide. 
'''Joshua:''' Or setting me up to do my job? 
'''Arden:''' What exactly is your job? Since you brought it up. 
'''Joshua:''' I was what we referred to as a ''Borrower''. I assumed other people's identities. 
'''Arden:''' Okay, what happened to those people? 
'''Joshua:''' It was not a replacement. I would be asked to do so for various reasons, for example: if a politician needed to be… 
'''Arden:''' In two places at one time? 
'''Joshua:''' That was one of the reasons.. 
'''Arden:''' (interrupting) So what were you doing on the Trafalgar with Reavers? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, that's one of the other things I do. Occasionally they may need a way in to places. And so I substitute the identity of a real person who has access to those places. In this case, I was borrowing the identity of an Alliance commander, and I had very specific orders to transfer those Reavers to Blue Sun from Alliance possession. 
'''Arden:''' So you worked for Blue Sun that time? 
'''Joshua:''' I work for Blue Sun every time. 
'''Arden:''' ''How W’rin Bu Lai, Whai W’rin Bu Jwo'' We haven't had good experiences with Blue Sun. 
'''Joshua:''' I always thought of them as '''''Human Resources'''''. 
'''Arden:''' Everyone on this ship has some sort of thing with them in the past. Mine is a little weird. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have a brother? 

...

'''Arden:''' Uh yes, sort of, kinda, sorta. it's sort of hard to explain. Why, have you met someone who resembled me? 
'''Joshua:''' Not so much... seen, but not met. 
'''Arden:''' Perhaps we should have this conversation with the rest of the crew. 

At dinner that night...

'''Arden:''' Joshua was telling me about his job, I think you should hear it from him. 
'''Christian:''' Obviously it involves him impersonating people? 
'''Arden:''' How did you know that? 
'''Christian:''' Because we met him impersonating a Navy Officer. Trust me, he is no Alliance Officer. 
'''Joshua:''' He's right. 
'''Arden:''' He always is. The point is that damn companion training means he gets it before any of us do, with no clues whatsoever. 
'''Joshua:''' There are clues. 
'''Christian:''' You just need to know how to look for them. 
'''Rick:''' I have one question. 
'''Everyone in Unison:''' He's not a robot! 
'''Christian:''' You were saying about your job.. 
'''Joshua:''' I am what was referred to as a '''''Borrower.''''' At least that is what my handler, Virgil, used to call it. 
'''Christian:''' What were you borrowing, not people's identities, that is obvious. For what reason? 
'''Joshua:''' Multiple reasons: body doubles for politicians, the other reasons… it is important to understand that it wasn't until recently that I was able to interpret my past jobs as what they were. I've done espionage, using an identity to get into a place where I wasn't supposed to be where Human Resources wanted me to be. 
'''Rina:''' Human Resources? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Arden:''' Were you are freelancer, or what for Blue Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Christian:''' You specifically worked for Blue Sun, you weren't contracted out to them? 
'''Joshua:''' No. 
'''Christian:''' I'm going to guess they taught you all your skills and this was a lifetime contract? 
'''Joshua:''' Contract I don't know about. There were about a dozen of us there. 
'''Christian:''' Some special program, how did you get there. Did they raise you, recruit you? 
'''Arden:''' Were you born in a creche? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't remember. I wasn't born there, but I don't have any memories outside of there. 
'''Christian:''' Was it you've had so many jobs your memories are confused? 
'''Joshua:''' Possibly, I've had so many jobs, I can't remember my own face. This one I see in the mirror, is me, for now. 
'''Arden:''' Unless you want to change it. 
'''Joshua:''' But.. it was a living environment. We were all there. There were about a dozen of us that worked in the same area. I don't think we all did the same thing, but, we were all there. We all had handlers. 
'''Arden:''' Does the planet Sophie ring a bell? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not with me. 
'''Arden:''' It's where I am from. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, this is my first time out. 
'''Rina:''' Can I ask you a question Joshua? You say this is your face currently. So what are you? Is this the body you were born with, or did you borrow that too? 
'''Joshua:''' It's not borrowing in a physical sense. 
'''Christian:''' They change him to match the person he is imitating. At need. That is very NewTech, in order to keep his face from scarring and being damaged. 
'''Arden:''' It is pretty impressive. Blastomere implants, the whole nine yards. 
'''Christian:''' Of course this sounds like a program where they would use the berry best. So tell me, why did you want to leave? 
'''Joshua:''' They keep us sheltered and I began to realize what was going on. And I didn't want to do that. So I was looking for my chance to run. Which is kind of surprising how quickly I found one. 
'''Christian:''' No, no it's not. 
'''Arden:''' Why not? 
'''Christian:''' We ran into Reavers in the one place we were going. We were in the right place at the right time to run into him AND the reavers? It can't be a coincidence. If you haven't noticed we have an amazing ability to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. My point is our karma is leading us around. It is not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' I have no other life to compare it to, so this is normal for me. 
'''Christian:''' So everyone wanders aboard an Alliance ship to do brain scans at the same time Reavers are being transferred and an Resistance group is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' "With regard to that..there is a reason I was sent aboard as an Alliance Commander. They are the ones getting the Reavers. I was sent to take them off the hands of the Alliance and deliver them to Blue Sun. Blue Sun is interested in Reavers for the same reason the Alliance is interested. 
'''Rina:''' For bio-weapons, super soldiers? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm not happy for the method for which they had planned. 
'''Christian:''' I suppose it would be too optimistic to hope that they were looking for a cure for the Reavers. 

Everyone looks at Christian in disbelief.

'''Arden:''' I am interested in how one captures a Reaver. 
'''Joshua:''' Bait. 
'''Arden:''' So they put some ship with some random people out there, and when the Reavers went after them, they grabbed them? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Christian:''' That's not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' That's really wrong! 
'''Rick:''' They wanted to capture the Reavers and study them, how else are they going to do that? 
'''Arden:''' Not by letting the Reavers have them! 
'''Christian:''' What were Reavers doing here in the first place? We are very far from Miranda. This is about as far as you can get. 

Since the battle of the Universe Moon the Reavers have spread out from Burnham Quadrant. But no one expected them to spread so far. The crew discusses how the Reavers spread and wonder whether these Reavers are originals, or 'neo-reavers' products of either Prion disease or Chempliant.

'''Rina:''' (to Joshua) Tell me how these Reavers that seem only interested in killing, raping or eating can fly a ship from one end of the Verse to the other? 
'''Arden:''' Why are you asking him? 
'''Rina:''' He is connected to the organization responsible for all this? 
'''Joshua:''' I.. I.. I'm not management. I don't get told why things are being done, or what for. That is half the reason I don't want to do any more. I was a tool, and I mean that in the literal sense. 
'''Arden:''' Multipurpose tool. 
'''Joshua:''' That is something I am able to do, I can pick up personalities, accents and skills. For example, like in that surgery. 
'''Arden:''' You picked that up from me? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Arden:''' That's a nifty trick. 
'''Christian:''' I've heard of savants who could do things like that. In fact we had one on board. 
'''Arden:''' But he is only a savant in one area. 
'''Christian:''' Being able to do it in any area is beyond Lem's ability. 
'''Joshua:''' I went to school, and there were operations. 
'''Arden:''' Anyone can do this, anyone? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, I don't think so. We were always told we were very special. 

Arden's scan revealed that unlike himself (with an extra gland), Joshua was missing several bits from his brain in similar places to another person he has witnessed, Johannes Volker.

'''Arden:''' His brain resembles that of that young passenger Volker. 
'''Joshua:''' I knew him. He got kicked out. He was not much of a threat. 
'''Arden:''' Here's a question. With your rare skill set and talent. Are there going to be people coming to bring you back? 
'''Joshua:''' I am pretty sure she did tell me that. I said a short life in the open is better than a long life in captivity. She said, and I quote 'It will be short.' Period. 
'''Christian:''' He knows too much. 
'''Rina:''' He certainly knows things that make him a liability. Excuse me speaking of you in the third person. How do you get past the retina scans? 
'''Joshua:''' Retina scans are an issue, but there is technology to circumvent that. Most of the time, I've had the cooperation of the person I am borrowing. Most of the time I am not going places that needs such things. 
'''Rina:''' Maybe we ought to… rearrange his face a little. Make him harder to get back? 
'''Joshua:''' Honestly, I was just starting to get used to it. 
'''Arden:''' Your story is very similar to mine… So I have no qualms about having you aboard the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Where does your ''brother'' fall into all this? 
'''Arden:''' He's not really a brother, he's a clone, an earlier clone from the same stock. Sophie was founded by a group of people intent of making a perfect place. Everyone from there, is a clone of one of the original founders. 
'''Joshua:''' Was Sophie made by Blue Sun? After all, your brother was there. 
'''Arden:''' I don't know. He may also work for the Alliance. 
'''Rina:''' Where? 
'''Joshua:''' The Academy. 
'''Rina:''' The Academy, what's that? 
'''Joshua:''' It's where I went to school, where I got trained. 
'''Arden:''' I honestly don't know what he'd be doing there. 
'''Joshua:''' He was overlooking our class, just standing there. 
'''Christian:''' We'll just say like you. When they need special jobs, he is the one they call. 
'''Joshua:''' Oh, one of those. 
'''Christian:''' Just a different kind of special job. We have an idea that he works directly for Parliament. 
'''Arden:''' He has a lot of pull with the Government. 
'''Rina:''' One more question. Who forges your papers? Do you do it, or do they do it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' Usually they give them to me. I will forge signatures and such. 
'''Arden:''' Anywhere, back to my society. We were all cloned to be something. Like I was made to be a doctor. 
'''Christian:''' Or something. 
'''Joshua:''' You think they cloned your brother to work for Parliament? 
'''Arden:''' Maybe. 
'''Christian:''' There is so much oddness behind the scenes in his society we don't really know. 
'''Arden:''' I just live it. And your story seems similar. So whatever you want to do, I want to help. 
'''Rina:''' I want to help. 
'''Rick:''' (Thinking this will significantly increase the odds of running into the Blond Hand of Blue) I've got a good feeling about this. 
'''Christian:''' (Picking up on Rick's thoughts, and teasing) Maybe if you are here, Rick will finally get some action from the Blue Hand agent. Which to be fair, is something even I can't claim to have done. 
'''Joshua:''' The times we saw them, we didn't ever see them as 'sexual' or even emotional beings. We couldn't imagine them as people. 
'''Christian:''' What do they ''feel'' like? 

(Snickers from around the room) 

'''Christian:''' I mean... 
'''Joshua:''' I know what he means. 
'''Christian:''' When I look at them, it's like they're dead inside. 
'''Rick:''' But we did see as she was walking away. 
'''Christian:''' True, there is some life there. Still I have a feeling that whatever training they go through for their job tends to strip them of their humanity, either that or they specifically recruit sociopaths. I mean these people are mass murderers. 
'''Joshua:''' Maybe they are made into mass murderers. 
'''Rick:''' It isn't like we didn't kill a ship load of people ourselves. 

The crew looks around as each member does a mental tally of those they killed. Guilty smiles cross their faces as they consider the numbers. 

'''Christian:''' But generally, it was in self defense. 
'''Arden:''' There was the factory.. 
'''Christian:''' But... 
'''Rick:''' I'm not going to go through what was self defense and what wasn't, but I will say that both times I encounter the female agent, I've been able to get her, to at least show some visible signs of.. agitation. 
'''Christian:''' I'll give that to you. You did draw something out of her. 
'''Arden:''' I'd call it annoyance. 
'''Rick:''' Yes, but how badass can you really be if even 'I' can annoy you to the point of showing it? 
'''Christian:''' I think it has been shown by two of our crew members, conditioning doesn't always take 100%. 
'''Rick:''' And that's what I am thinking about. 
'''Christian:''' May I recommend next time some alternative methods of seduction? 

(snickers around the table) After the tension is dispersed with the laughter, Joshua gets a little serious again. 

'''Joshua:''' The other thing that might be relevant. One was the device, the Caelum, and the note with ''Rubicon'' written on
it. I think I recognize the handwriting. I got a note in similar handwriting once before, from a note" (He gestures to Rina who nods having seen it herself.) It wasn't my trigger to get out, but it did confirm that my suspicions about what Blue Sun and Human Resources was doing was, in fact, correct. I had that note left for me. 

He retrieves the note from his room and shows it to everyone. 

'''Christian:''' I want to see how close the hand writing was to your handwriting. 
'''Rina:''' So, Joshua, the note was a signal to you to tell you that what you thought about this Reaver operation was true. 
'''Joshua:''' Not just the Reaver operation specifically, but the academy as a whole. 
'''Christian:''' It was a sign to get out of his life. 
'''Joshua:''' The academy isn't a job, it is a whole living environment. The dozen of us live there, but there is also a whole other group, hundreds of other people supporting the operations, perhaps conducting other operations. It is like a mini city where everyone is working for the company. 
'''Rina:''' I understand, they control you by controlling your environment, what you eat, where you sleep, etc. ''Rubicon'' to me, means you've crossed a point of no return, you're going into territory that you're not supposed to go. 
'''Joshua:''' I think you're right about that. 
'''Rina:''' So who left it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know. 
'''Rina:''' What does it mean to you? 
'''Joshua:''' The first note was a confirmation that what I was seeing was not what they were telling me. That I was right, that I wasn't just imagining conspiracies where there were none. So, the Rubicon one... I don't know. Your interpretation sounds as plausible as any other. I don't know who this person is, obviously they have some reach. If they left the original note on my bag at the Academy, and left the second note on my bed on Trafalgar, that suggests... 
'''Christian:''' Specific messages sending you in the direction of a specific goal. 
'''Arden:''' Does sound familiar. 

They examine the note left on a simple baggage tag.On it, handwritten is the word ''Rubicon''. 

'''Arden:''' What does ''Rubicon'' mean? Does anyone know? 
'''Christian:''' It was the river that Julius Caesar crossed in violation of Roman law. 
'''Arden:''' Pretend for a moment I know what you are talking about. 
'''Christian:''' One rule of the Roman armies, was that they could not go across the Rubicon into Rome. It was how the Roman Empire was able to keep a vast army without constantly having coups. But, Caesar defied the law, crossed the Rubicon and took control of Rome from the Senate. But Rina had a good point, it was for Caesar a point of no return. If he crossed the Rubicon, he had to either succeed or be killed. And in his case he did both. Metaphorically it is taking the step that changes your life forever. 
'''Rina:''' So Joshua, are you the hand that casts the die, or are you the die? 

Arden thinks about from his own unique perspective, one less molded by historical metaphor and cultural bias. 

'''Arden:''' I don't know if this means anything but It is also the only Blackrock in the Core. 
'''Rina:''' That's right, luggage tag, travel to. Maybe this was a sign post! Should we go visit? 
'''Christian:''' That depends on whether Joshua wants to go. 
'''Arden:''' Hmm, do I want to go back to White Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Also, Dr. Arden knows this, but so that the rest of you know it, I need a drug, everyday. 
'''Christian:''' I was curious, but I didn't want to ask. 
'''Joshua:''' The end result of not getting it, is pretty bad. 
'''Rina:''' This isn't the same drug you injected me with. 
'''Joshua:''' No. What I injected you with was something they gave me as a precaution in case they needed to use their sonic weapons. Which it turns out they did. 
'''Arden:''' You gave me some of that stuff? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Rina:''' So you have immunity to the sonic weapons? 
'''Arden:''' I'm sure it is gone by now. 
'''Christian:''' But this other drug you need to get regularly or... 
'''Joshua:''' I was told that I would die without it. 
'''Rina:''' How do you know it's not just a sugar pill just given to you to keep you in line? 
'''Arden:''' Flomoxipan is a real drug, a powerful anti-depressant. It is unlikely it would be just a ruse. We don't know enough about the effects of his brain surgery, or what other factors are going into this to experiment with removing the drugs. Valerie would probably know more about it. But last we saw her, she wasn't at the top of her game, despite being highly suggestible. 
'''Christian:''' She'll be glad to tell us if we just ask her. 

The crew ponders where to go next and begins plotting a route. First to Red Sun to drop off Jake's body, then on to White Sun possibly to check out this Rubicon lead. But that would be weeks away, no need to commit right now. They spend the rest of the rest stop enjoying the quiet pace of Lucifer's Landing. They are never quite free of the fear that someone of their enemies has tracked them here. They are always looking over their shoulders expecting to see the Hands of Blue or who knows who behind them. Every now and then an Industrial Shuttle comes to collect the ore mined, but mostly it is just quiet. After a week or so the people of Lucifer's Landing get to know them, and accept them as their own. Lem is playing with other kids, people are asking for help around their houses, and offering to help them with the chip. Christian begins to make contacts and scope out the job prospects in Jibril and the surrounding area. He learns that he is the only licensed Companion, but a former companion runs a small business catering to women exclusively. There is undoubtedly some form of prostitution for the majority male population, but it is heavily frowned upon so difficult to get word of without being more involved in the local scene. While it would be difficult, it will probably be quite lucrative.

About two weeks in, at a celebratory dinner, Christian makes an announcement.

'''Christian:''' I've been thinking a lot about this, and, if we were a normal ship, a ship without the luck we've had things might be different. Lem has, in the last year been abandoned twice, seen people get Reavered, been in the middle of riots, and he has been kidnapped. And if we continue like this, the damage to his psyche will be irreversible. Especially considering his condition. So, it is irresponsible for us to keep taking him everywhere. 
'''Arden:''' Maybe we can find him a good boarding school. 
'''Rina:''' That is another form of abandonment. 
'''Arden:''' No it isn't. 
'''Rina:''' Yes it is. 
'''Joshua:''' I went to boarding school. 
'''Arden:''' Me too. 

They all let that sink in a moment.

'''Christian:''' We are not sending him away again. He needs to be in a place where he is not in constant danger. He needs someone that he can trust.. There happens to be a very nice building here that used to be a shipping business. There are unique business opportunities here, which I could find almost no where else in the 'Verse. I won't go into all the details, it might make your brain explode. But more importantly, do you remember when we were thinking of buying Potemkin's business? There were some good ideas in that discussion, just at the time we weren't ready. I think now with the way things are that I could make it much easier for us to have regular work, if I am working from a place that isn't the ship and I don't have the responsibilities of stewarding the vessel and taking care of passengers. So I am going to stay here with Lem. 
'''Arden:''' Are you doing this for yourself or for Lem? 
'''Christian:''' I'm doing it for Lem. That's what a parent does. But at the same time it would be nice to have a steady stream of clients, which I have not had since getting my license back. And I am pretty sure I can arrange a pretty nice base here. There are a lot of repressed desires, and any time you make something illegal, chances are people are going to want it more. 
'''Arden:''' It sounds advantageous for the guild, but I wouldn't want you to give up something that you love. 
'''Christian:''' I would be, but I think, at this time, it is the right thing to do. I don't think we can trust Lem with anyone else. 
'''Arden:''' Your parents? 
'''Christian:''' My parents have already raised a child, it isn't fair to ask them to do it again. Besides which it is my and our responsibility. 
'''Rick:''' What about his real parents? 
'''Arden:''' They got nuked. 
'''Rick:''' We don't know that. 
'''Christian:''' Even if they are alive, he is probably better off with us, than with them. 
'''Rick:''' I understand that, I am just saying that maybe in the future, if we find out that they are alive and well, that is a possibility. 
'''Christian:''' Of course. But with Summer's permission, which I am sure she doesn't care. I am going to take over the offices. I am going to start working to establish some business relations, so that wherever you are. I will find the jobs that are available and negotiate the best rates. And you can decide based on the circumstances whether to take the job or not. This way you won't always be scavenging for work. It will be waiting for you. 
'''Arden:''' Of course, staying in one place will make it easier for the Hands of Blue to find you. 
'''Christian:''' I am not worried about them. They don't want me, and I am a registered Companion, they might not want that hassle either. I'd be more concerned about certain Core families. On the other hand, I feel more protected out here on the Rim. It is harder to muster resources out here than in the Core worlds, even for an organization like Blue Sun. 
'''Rick:''' And we could leave your shuttle here so you can escape if you need to. 
'''Christian:''' Yes, I would need my shuttle. 
'''Rina:''' I'll send you regular waves. 
'''Rick:''' We should probably stay a couple more days and help you fix everything up for the business(es). 

The discuss what will be necessary to refurbish the building and getting it ready for operations. Then they also look into fixing up a local house for he and Lem. Over the next few days they put this plan in motion: cleaning repairing, rewiring etc... They take possession of a pretty, though dilapidated house perched on the cliff and set to work fixing it as well. They introduce Lem to Muleskinner, and the boy takes quickly to helping out the double amputee with his work. Lem seems to settle in. The crew has set up Christian and Lem with a large home suitable for both home life and business. Arden writes up a prescription for Lem. They've restored the original ''Fairweather Flyers'' building. Christian assured them that he is fine and ready to start working. So with his blessing they prepare the ship for lift off. Once alone Christian watches Joshua taking his place, and watches the crew return to their duties and the life that he has known for over a year. All his training to control of his emotions is used to keep a brave face. As much as he thinks he is doing the right thing, part of him will be left on the Summer's Gift.

'''''This marks the last appearance of Christian as a regular PC in the game.'''''

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]] 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Forward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode216p2

2018-09-25T04:26:37Z

Taimdala:

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]]

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Jibril Spaceport, Angel''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''06:00 hrs, local time''' 

Arden determines that both Nika and Rick need to take some time off from the rigors of space flight to recover from the wounds they've received from the Reavers.
They need either a hospital or fresh air and relaxation. Lucifer's Landing seems like a good place to visit. And this will give Arden time to look over Lem's charts.

'''Christian:''' I don't think having either Nika or Rina walking around a city like Jibril with Sharia law is such a good idea. 
'''Rina:''' I'm not going to burn the Gorram city down. 
'''Christian:''' I'm worried you are going to get flogged. Maybe we should go to Lucifer's Landing, we have friends there, and the law is considerably more relaxed. 

They refuel the ship and prepare to head out to Lucifer's Landing. 

'''Christian:''' Joshua, you are neither crew nor passenger, do you want to stay here, or get off at Lucifer's Landing or stick around? 

Arden recommends they buy some drugs for Joshua before they leave Jibril.
Christian arranges to get those and other medical supplies, immunization packs etc..
 
'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Lucifer's Landing, Angel''' 
'''15:27 hrs, local time''' 

The ship makes a short hop to Lucifer's Landing, and they approach from the crater side rising over the cliff face and float over the small mining town. They land in the yard of Fairweather Flyers the original owners of Summer's Gift (née MakeMake). The yard hasn't changed much in the year that has passed since their last visit.

They find Emma and Hilde have occupied a house and repaired it to its former glory. They appear together and reasonably happy. They work a variety of jobs, and do their best to make a living. They have changed almost beyond recognition. Without the pampering make-up, cleansers, and humidity of their Core worlds, their skin and hair are natural and weathered.

'''Christian:''' Welcome to Lucifer's Landing. 

They disembark and lead Lem out into the first natural light he has seen in some time. He is skittish around strangers (understandably) but he seems happy to back on terra firmer. He seems excited to know that there are other children (a handful) in town. The crew begins to settle in for a pleasant stay.

During the stay Arden discovers, by rooting through the incomplete brain scan data, that there is no sign of advancement in Lem's Prion disease. Also there is evidence that the existing prion disease has been reduced. It appears that he should, in time, make a reasonable recovery, although it isn't clear whether there is any permanent damage. He may need to stay on his anti-prion drugs for the rest of his life, but as this is a new treatment for a new disease, no one really knows.

The more promising medical news is that the tests done on the samples of protein paste. The generic protein paste appears to be normal. But the sample run through the ProMagic texturizer shows evidence of prions. The ProMagic works by altering the raw proteins (derived from algae, fungus and other sources) to transform the texture from a firm tofu-like texture to anything from creamy ice cream, to juicy steak and everything in between. Somehow in the process one in a million of those proteins is transformed into a Prion, and that is enough. This seems to validate Arden's hypothesis of the origin of Prion Disease. And with this information, the epidemic could be stopped in its tracks (as soon as people learn to stop using the ProMagic).

Arden sends this data to the Dr. Lawrence back on St. Albans, and spends some time writing up an article for the medical journals. Although because of the distance it will be some time before he hears back.

Christian, Rina and Joshua go visit Summer Fairweather who gifted the MakeMake to the crew. She is in her cave working on her orchids.

'''Summer:''' Look at that… I thought I heard a ship. 
'''Christian:''' We needed a place of sanctuary and rest. 
'''Summer:''' It is perhaps appropriate that you would seek sanctuary here, although the innocent people of the town might not share your desire. 
'''Christian:''' At this point, I don't believe anyone is actively pursuing us. The sanctuary we seek is spiritual. We've have some people that need healing, both physical and spiritual. 
'''Summer:''' I was told you brought gun-fighters down on the town on your last visit. 
'''Christian:''' Yes unfortunately, I'm sorry for that. 
'''Summer:''' It is difficult to do as you do without endangering innocents as you do. (Sensing some discomfort, she changes the topic.) And who is this? 
'''Christian:''' This is Joshua. He is a ... wandering soul we picked up not long ago. 
'''Joshua:''' That is a polite way of putting it. 
'''Summer:''' (Looking a little ill at ease with the small crowd.) I'm afraid I am not much of a conversationalist, if that is what you seek. 
'''Christian:''' We merely came to pay our respects and, if you want, to tell you what we have done with the ship. We've tried to keep our promise to you. 
'''Summer:''' I'm glad that you have tried. 
'''Christian:''' We believe that we have found the root cause of the disease that is afflicting Blue Sun. 
'''Summer:''' I'm afraid I don't know much about that. (It is quite a ways away). 

Christian explains the disease, how it is transmitted, and what it has wrought in the system. They arrange to get some orchid clippings and spend the afternoon meditating with the monk. Even Rina!

Days pass and the crew enjoys some pleasant relaxing time down. Rina does the maintenance, they do their part to help the local economy. Rick finishes Jake's retrospective collection. He had quite a bit of footage of the crew. He seemed to have an exceptional grasp of the individual crew's personalities. It is bittersweet and poignant. There are a sparse handful of shots (mostly stills) of Jake setting up shots or doing light checks. It was a fitting tribute to the crew's lost crewman. They agree to send a wave to his family of his fate and asking what they'd like to do with the body.

The group gets to know Joshua during their convalescence. Joshua seems confused that no one was going to interrogate them. He brings the medical tool to Arden to ask him what it ie. Arden concludes that it is a NewTech tool called a Sonic Caelum (or sonic sculptor), basically a high tech plastic surgery tool. It is a "non-invasive" surgery tool.

'''Arden:''' Is it a subtle message that Joshua is ugly? 
'''Rick:''' That he should change his appearance to better hide. 
'''Joshua:''' Or setting me up to do my job? 
'''Arden:''' What exactly is your job? Since you brought it up. 
'''Joshua:''' I was what we referred to as a ''Borrower''. I assumed other people's identities. 
'''Arden:''' Okay, what happened to those people? 
'''Joshua:''' It was not a replacement. I would be asked to do so for various reasons, for example: if a politician needed to be… 
'''Arden:''' In two places at one time? 
'''Joshua:''' That was one of the reasons.. 
'''Arden:''' (interrupting) So what were you doing on the Trafalgar with Reavers? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, that's one of the other things I do. Occasionally they may need a way in to places. And so I substitute the identity of a real person who has access to those places. In this case, I was borrowing the identity of an Alliance commander, and I had very specific orders to transfer those Reavers to Blue Sun from Alliance possession. 
'''Arden:''' So you worked for Blue Sun that time? 
'''Joshua:''' I work for Blue Sun every time. 
'''Arden:''' ''How W’rin Bu Lai, Whai W’rin Bu Jwo'' We haven't had good experiences with Blue Sun. 
'''Joshua:''' I always thought of them as '''''Human Resources'''''. 
'''Arden:''' Everyone on this ship has some sort of thing with them in the past. Mine is a little weird. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have a brother? 

...

'''Arden:''' Uh yes, sort of, kinda, sorta. it's sort of hard to explain. Why, have you met someone who resembled me? 
'''Joshua:''' Not so much... seen, but not met. 
'''Arden:''' Perhaps we should have this conversation with the rest of the crew. 

At dinner that night...

'''Arden:''' Joshua was telling me about his job, I think you should hear it from him. 
'''Christian:''' Obviously it involves him impersonating people? 
'''Arden:''' How did you know that? 
'''Christian:''' Because we met him impersonating a Navy Officer. Trust me, he is no Alliance Officer. 
'''Joshua:''' He's right. 
'''Arden:''' He always is. The point is that damn companion training means he gets it before any of us do, with no clues whatsoever. 
'''Joshua:''' There are clues. 
'''Christian:''' You just need to know how to look for them. 
'''Rick:''' I have one question. 
'''Everyone in Unison:''' He's not a robot! 
'''Christian:''' You were saying about your job.. 
'''Joshua:''' I am what was referred to as a '''''Borrower.''''' At least that is what my handler, Virgil, used to call it. 
'''Christian:''' What were you borrowing, not people's identities, that is obvious. For what reason? 
'''Joshua:''' Multiple reasons: body doubles for politicians, the other reasons… it is important to understand that it wasn't until recently that I was able to interpret my past jobs as what they were. I've done espionage, using an identity to get into a place where I wasn't supposed to be where Human Resources wanted me to be. 
'''Rina:''' Human Resources? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Arden:''' Were you are freelancer, or what for Blue Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Christian:''' You specifically worked for Blue Sun, you weren't contracted out to them? 
'''Joshua:''' No. 
'''Christian:''' I'm going to guess they taught you all your skills and this was a lifetime contract? 
'''Joshua:''' Contract I don't know about. There were about a dozen of us there. 
'''Christian:''' Some special program, how did you get there. Did they raise you, recruit you? 
'''Arden:''' Were you born in a creche? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't remember. I wasn't born there, but I don't have any memories outside of there. 
'''Christian:''' Was it you've had so many jobs your memories are confused? 
'''Joshua:''' Possibly, I've had so many jobs, I can't remember my own face. This one I see in the mirror, is me, for now. 
'''Arden:''' Unless you want to change it. 
'''Joshua:''' But.. it was a living environment. We were all there. There were about a dozen of us that worked in the same area. I don't think we all did the same thing, but, we were all there. We all had handlers. 
'''Arden:''' Does the planet Sophie ring a bell? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not with me. 
'''Arden:''' It's where I am from. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, this is my first time out. 
'''Rina:''' Can I ask you a question Joshua? You say this is your face currently. So what are you? Is this the body you were born with, or did you borrow that too? 
'''Joshua:''' It's not borrowing in a physical sense. 
'''Christian:''' They change him to match the person he is imitating. At need. That is very NewTech, in order to keep his face from scarring and being damaged. 
'''Arden:''' It is pretty impressive. Blastomere implants, the whole nine yards. 
'''Christian:''' Of course this sounds like a program where they would use the berry best. So tell me, why did you want to leave? 
'''Joshua:''' They keep us sheltered and I began to realize what was going on. And I didn't want to do that. So I was looking for my chance to run. Which is kind of surprising how quickly I found one. 
'''Christian:''' No, no it's not. 
'''Arden:''' Why not? 
'''Christian:''' We ran into Reavers in the one place we were going. We were in the right place at the right time to run into him AND the reavers? It can't be a coincidence. If you haven't noticed we have an amazing ability to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. My point is our karma is leading us around. It is not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' I have no other life to compare it to, so this is normal for me. 
'''Christian:''' So everyone wanders aboard an Alliance ship to do brain scans at the same time Reavers are being transferred and an Resistance group is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' "With regard to that..there is a reason I was sent aboard as an Alliance Commander. They are the ones getting the Reavers. I was sent to take them off the hands of the Alliance and deliver them to Blue Sun. Blue Sun is interested in Reavers for the same reason the Alliance is interested. 
'''Rina:''' For bio-weapons, super soldiers? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm not happy for the method for which they had planned. 
'''Christian:''' I suppose it would be too optimistic to hope that they were looking for a cure for the Reavers. 

Everyone looks at Christian in disbelief.

'''Arden:''' I am interested in how one captures a Reaver. 
'''Joshua:''' Bait. 
'''Arden:''' So they put some ship with some random people out there, and when the Reavers went after them, they grabbed them? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Christian:''' That's not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' That's really wrong! 
'''Rick:''' They wanted to capture the Reavers and study them, how else are they going to do that? 
'''Arden:''' Not by letting the Reavers have them! 
'''Christian:''' What were Reavers doing here in the first place? We are very far from Miranda. This is about as far as you can get. 

Since the battle of the Universe Moon the Reavers have spread out from Burnham Quadrant. But no one expected them to spread so far. The crew discusses how the Reavers spread and wonder whether these Reavers are originals, or 'neo-reavers' products of either Prion disease or Chempliant.

'''Rina:''' (to Joshua) Tell me how these Reavers that seem only interested in killing, raping or eating can fly a ship from one end of the Verse to the other? 
'''Arden:''' Why are you asking him? 
'''Rina:''' He is connected to the organization responsible for all this? 
'''Joshua:''' I.. I.. I'm not management. I don't get told why things are being done, or what for. That is half the reason I don't want to do any more. I was a tool, and I mean that in the literal sense. 
'''Arden:''' Multipurpose tool. 
'''Joshua:''' That is something I am able to do, I can pick up personalities, accents and skills. For example, like in that surgery. 
'''Arden:''' You picked that up from me? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Arden:''' That's a nifty trick. 
'''Christian:''' I've heard of savants who could do things like that. In fact we had one on board. 
'''Arden:''' But he is only a savant in one area. 
'''Christian:''' Being able to do it in any area is beyond Lem's ability. 
'''Joshua:''' I went to school, and there were operations. 
'''Arden:''' Anyone can do this, anyone? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, I don't think so. We were always told we were very special. 

Arden's scan revealed that unlike himself (with an extra gland), Joshua was missing several bits from his brain in similar places to another person he has witnessed, Johannes Volker.

'''Arden:''' His brain resembles that of that young passenger Volker. 
'''Joshua:''' I knew him. He got kicked out. He was not much of a threat. 
'''Arden:''' Here's a question. With your rare skill set and talent. Are there going to be people coming to bring you back? 
'''Joshua:''' I am pretty sure she did tell me that. I said a short life in the open is better than a long life in captivity. She said, and I quote 'It will be short.' Period. 
'''Christian:''' He knows too much. 
'''Rina:''' He certainly knows things that make him a liability. Excuse me speaking of you in the third person. How do you get past the retina scans? 
'''Joshua:''' Retina scans are an issue, but there is technology to circumvent that. Most of the time, I've had the cooperation of the person I am borrowing. Most of the time I am not going places that needs such things. 
'''Rina:''' Maybe we ought to… rearrange his face a little. Make him harder to get back? 
'''Joshua:''' Honestly, I was just starting to get used to it. 
'''Arden:''' Your story is very similar to mine… So I have no qualms about having you aboard the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Where does your ''brother'' fall into all this? 
'''Arden:''' He's not really a brother, he's a clone, an earlier clone from the same stock. Sophie was founded by a group of people intent of making a perfect place. Everyone from there, is a clone of one of the original founders. 
'''Joshua:''' Was Sophie made by Blue Sun? After all, your brother was there. 
'''Arden:''' I don't know. He may also work for the Alliance. 
'''Rina:''' Where? 
'''Joshua:''' The Academy. 
'''Rina:''' The Academy, what's that? 
'''Joshua:''' It's where I went to school, where I got trained. 
'''Arden:''' I honestly don't know what he'd be doing there. 
'''Joshua:''' He was overlooking our class, just standing there. 
'''Christian:''' We'll just say like you. When they need special jobs, he is the one they call. 
'''Joshua:''' Oh, one of those. 
'''Christian:''' Just a different kind of special job. We have an idea that he works directly for Parliament. 
'''Arden:''' He has a lot of pull with the Government. 
'''Rina:''' One more question. Who forges your papers? Do you do it, or do they do it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' Usually they give them to me. I will forge signatures and such. 
'''Arden:''' Anywhere, back to my society. We were all cloned to be something. Like I was made to be a doctor. 
'''Christian:''' Or something. 
'''Joshua:''' You think they cloned your brother to work for Parliament? 
'''Arden:''' Maybe. 
'''Christian:''' There is so much oddness behind the scenes in his society we don't really know. 
'''Arden:''' I just live it. And your story seems similar. So whatever you want to do, I want to help. 
'''Rina:''' I want to help. 
'''Rick:''' (Thinking this will significantly increase the odds of running into the Blond Hand of Blue) I've got a good feeling about this. 
'''Christian:''' (Picking up on Rick's thoughts, and teasing) Maybe if you are here, Rick will finally get some action from the Blue Hand agent. Which to be fair, is something even I can't claim to have done. 
'''Joshua:''' The times we saw them, we didn't ever see them as 'sexual' or even emotional beings. We couldn't imagine them as people. 
'''Christian:''' What do they ''feel'' like? 

(Snickers from around the room) 

'''Christian:''' I mean... 
'''Joshua:''' I know what he means. 
'''Christian:''' When I look at them, it's like they're dead inside. 
'''Rick:''' But we did see as she was walking away. 
'''Christian:''' True, there is some life there. Still I have a feeling that whatever training they go through for their job tends to strip them of their humanity, either that or they specifically recruit sociopaths. I mean these people are mass murderers. 
'''Joshua:''' Maybe they are made into mass murderers. 
'''Rick:''' It isn't like we didn't kill a ship load of people ourselves. 

The crew looks around as each member does a mental tally of those they killed. Guilty smiles cross their faces as they consider the numbers. 

'''Christian:''' But generally, it was in self defense. 
'''Arden:''' There was the factory.. 
'''Christian:''' But... 
'''Rick:''' I'm not going to go through what was self defense and what wasn't, but I will say that both times I encounter the female agent, I've been able to get her, to at least show some visible signs of.. agitation. 
'''Christian:''' I'll give that to you. You did draw something out of her. 
'''Arden:''' I'd call it annoyance. 
'''Rick:''' Yes, but how badass can you really be if even 'I' can annoy you to the point of showing it? 
'''Christian:''' I think it has been shown by two of our crew members, conditioning doesn't always take 100%. 
'''Rick:''' And that's what I am thinking about. 
'''Christian:''' May I recommend next time some alternative methods of seduction? 

(snickers around the table) After the tension is dispersed with the laughter, Joshua gets a little serious again. 

'''Joshua:''' The other thing that might be relevant. One was the device, the Caelum, and the note with ''Rubicon'' written on
it. I think I recognize the handwriting. I got a note in similar handwriting once before, from a note" (He gestures to Rina who nods having seen it herself.) It wasn't my trigger to get out, but it did confirm that my suspicions about what Blue Sun and Human Resources was doing was, in fact, correct. I had that note left for me. 

He retrieves the note from his room and shows it to everyone. 

'''Christian:''' I want to see how close the hand writing was to your handwriting. 
'''Rina:''' So, Joshua, the note was a signal to you to tell you that what you thought about this Reaver operation was true. 
'''Joshua:''' Not just the Reaver operation specifically, but the academy as a whole. 
'''Christian:''' It was a sign to get out of his life. 
'''Joshua:''' The academy isn't a job, it is a whole living environment. The dozen of us live there, but there is also a whole other group, hundreds of other people supporting the operations, perhaps conducting other operations. It is like a mini city where everyone is working for the company. 
'''Rina:''' I understand, they control you by controlling your environment, what you eat, where you sleep, etc. ''Rubicon'' to me, means you've crossed a point of no return, you're going into territory that you're not supposed to go. 
'''Joshua:''' I think you're right about that. 
'''Rina:''' So who left it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know. 
'''Rina:''' What does it mean to you? 
'''Joshua:''' The first note was a confirmation that what I was seeing was not what they were telling me. That I was right, that I wasn't just imagining conspiracies where there were none. So, the Rubicon one... I don't know. Your interpretation sounds as plausible as any other. I don't know who this person is, obviously they have some reach. If they left the original note on my bag at the Academy, and left the second note on my bed on Trafalgar, that suggests... 
'''Christian:''' Specific messages sending you in the direction of a specific goal. 
'''Arden:''' Does sound familiar. 

They examine the note left on a simple baggage tag.On it, handwritten is the word ''Rubicon''. 

'''Arden:''' What does ''Rubicon'' mean? Does anyone know? 
'''Christian:''' It was the river that Julius Caesar crossed in violation of Roman law. 
'''Arden:''' Pretend for a moment I know what you are talking about. 
'''Christian:''' One rule of the Roman armies, was that they could not go across the Rubicon into Rome. It was how the Roman Empire was able to keep a vast army without constantly having coups. But, Caesar defied the law, crossed the Rubicon and took control of Rome from the Senate. But Rina had a good point, it was for Caesar a point of no return. If he crossed the Rubicon, he had to either succeed or be killed. And in his case he did both. Metaphorically it is taking the step that changes your life forever. 
'''Rina:''' So Joshua, are you the hand that casts the die, or are you the die? 

Arden thinks about from his own unique perspective, one less molded by historical metaphor and cultural bias. 

'''Arden:''' I don't know if this means anything but It is also the only Blackrock in the Core. 
'''Rina:''' That's right, luggage tag, travel to. Maybe this was a sign post! Should we go visit? 
'''Christian:''' That depends on whether Joshua wants to go. 
'''Arden:''' Hmm, do I want to go back to White Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Also, Dr. Arden knows this, but so that the rest of you know it, I need a drug, everyday. 
'''Christian:''' I was curious, but I didn't want to ask. 
'''Joshua:''' The end result of not getting it, is pretty bad. 
'''Rina:''' This isn't the same drug you injected me with. 
'''Joshua:''' No. What I injected you with was something they gave me as a precaution in case they needed to use their sonic weapons. Which it turns out they did. 
'''Arden:''' You gave me some of that stuff? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Rina:''' So you have immunity to the sonic weapons? 
'''Arden:''' I'm sure it is gone by now. 
'''Christian:''' But this other drug you need to get regularly or... 
'''Joshua:''' I was told that I would die without it. 
'''Rina:''' How do you know it's not just a sugar pill just given to you to keep you in line? 
'''Arden:''' Flomoxipan is a real drug, a powerful anti-depressant. It is unlikely it would be just a ruse. We don't know enough about the effects of his brain surgery, or what other factors are going into this to experiment with removing the drugs. Valerie would probably know more about it. But last we saw her, she wasn't at the top of her game, despite being highly suggestible. 
'''Christian:''' She'll be glad to tell us if we just ask her. 

The crew ponders where to go next and begins plotting a route. First to Red Sun to drop off Jake's body, then on to White Sun possibly to check out this Rubicon lead. But that would be weeks away, no need to commit right now. They spend the rest of the rest stop enjoying the quiet pace of Lucifer's Landing. They are never quite free of the fear that someone of their enemies has tracked them here. They are always looking over their shoulders expecting to see the Hands of Blue or who knows who behind them. Every now and then an Industrial Shuttle comes to collect the ore mined, but mostly it is just quiet. After a week or so the people of Lucifer's Landing get to know them, and accept them as their own. Lem is playing with other kids, people are asking for help around their houses, and offering to help them with the chip. Christian begins to make contacts and scope out the job prospects in Jibril and the surrounding area. He learns that he is the only licensed Companion, but a former companion runs a small business catering to women exclusively. There is undoubtedly some form of prostitution for the majority male population, but it is heavily frowned upon so difficult to get word of without being more involved in the local scene. While it would be difficult, it will probably be quite lucrative.

About two weeks in, at a celebratory dinner, Christian makes an announcement.

'''Christian:''' I've been thinking a lot about this, and, if we were a normal ship, a ship without the luck we've had things might be different. Lem has, in the last year been abandoned twice, seen people get Reavered, been in the middle of riots, and he has been kidnapped. And if we continue like this, the damage to his psyche will be irreversible. Especially considering his condition. So, it is irresponsible for us to keep taking him everywhere. 
'''Arden:''' Maybe we can find him a good boarding school. 
'''Rina:''' That is another form of abandonment. 
'''Arden:''' No it isn't. 
'''Rina:''' Yes it is. 
'''Joshua:''' I went to boarding school. 
'''Arden:''' Me too. 

They all let that sink in a moment.

'''Christian:''' We are not sending him away again. He needs to be in a place where he is not in constant danger. He needs someone that he can trust.. There happens to be a very nice building here that used to be a shipping business. There are unique business opportunities here, which I could find almost no where else in the 'Verse. I won't go into all the details, it might make your brain explode. But more importantly, do you remember when we were thinking of buying Potemkin's business? There were some good ideas in that discussion, just at the time we weren't ready. I think now with the way things are that I could make it much easier for us to have regular work, if I am working from a place that isn't the ship and I don't have the responsibilities of stewarding the vessel and taking care of passengers. So I am going to stay here with Lem. 
'''Arden:''' Are you doing this for yourself or for Lem? 
'''Christian:''' I'm doing it for Lem. That's what a parent does. But at the same time it would be nice to have a steady stream of clients, which I have not had since getting my license back. And I am pretty sure I can arrange a pretty nice base here. There are a lot of repressed desires, and any time you make something illegal, chances are people are going to want it more. 
'''Arden:''' It sounds advantageous for the guild, but I wouldn't want you to give up something that you love. 
'''Christian:''' I would be, but I think, at this time, it is the right thing to do. I don't think we can trust Lem with anyone else. 
'''Arden:''' Your parents? 
'''Christian:''' My parents have already raised a child, it isn't fair to ask them to do it again. Besides which it is my and our responsibility. 
'''Rick:''' What about his real parents? 
'''Arden:''' They got nuked. 
'''Rick:''' We don't know that. 
'''Christian:''' Even if they are alive, he is probably better off with us, than with them. 
'''Rick:''' I understand that, I am just saying that maybe in the future, if we find out that they are alive and well, that is a possibility. 
'''Christian:''' Of course. But with Summer's permission, which I am sure she doesn't care. I am going to take over the offices. I am going to start working to establish some business relations, so that wherever you are. I will find the jobs that are available and negotiate the best rates. And you can decide based on the circumstances whether to take the job or not. This way you won't always be scavenging for work. It will be waiting for you. 
'''Arden:''' Of course, staying in one place will make it easier for the Hands of Blue to find you. 
'''Christian:''' I am not worried about them. They don't want me, and I am a registered Companion, they might not want that hassle either. I'd be more concerned about certain Core families. On the other hand, I feel more protected out here on the Rim. It is harder to muster resources out here than in the Core worlds, even for an organization like Blue Sun. 
'''Rick:''' And we could leave your shuttle here so you can escape if you need to. 
'''Christian:''' Yes, I would need my shuttle. 
'''Rina:''' I'll send you regular waves. 
'''Rick:''' We should probably stay a couple more days and help you fix everything up for the business(es). 

The discuss what will be necessary to refurbish the building and getting it ready for operations. Then they also look into fixing up a local house for he and Lem. Over the next few days they put this plan in motion: cleaning repairing, rewiring etc... They take possession of a pretty, though dilapidated house perched on the cliff and set to work fixing it as well. They introduce Lem to Muleskinner, and the boy takes quickly to the ship helping out the double amputee with his work. Lem seems to settle in. The crew has set up Christian and Lem with a large home suitable for both home life and business. Arden writes up a prescription for Lem. They've restored the original ''Fairweather Flyers'' building. Christian assured them that he is fine and ready to start working. So with his blessing they prepare the ship for lift off. Once alone Christian watches Joshua taking his place, and watches the crew return to their duties and the life that he has known for over a year. All his training to control of his emotions is used to keep a brave face. As much as he thinks he is doing the right thing, part of him will be left on the Summer's Gift.

'''''This marks the last appearance of Christian as a regular PC in the game.'''''

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]] 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Forward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode216p2

2018-09-25T04:04:51Z

Taimdala:

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]]

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Jibril Spaceport, Angel''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''06:00 hrs, local time''' 

Arden determines that both Nika and Rick need to take some time off from the rigors of space flight to recover from the wounds they've received from the Reavers.
They need either a hospital or fresh air and relaxation. Lucifer's Landing seems like a good place to visit. And this will give Arden time to look over Lem's charts.

'''Christian:''' I don't think having either Nika or Rina walking around a city like Jibril with Sharia law is such a good idea. 
'''Rina:''' I'm not going to burn the Gorram city down. 
'''Christian:''' I'm worried you are going to get flogged. Maybe we should go to Lucifer's Landing, we have friends there, and the law is considerably more relaxed. 

They refuel the ship and prepare to head out to Lucifer's Landing. 

'''Christian:''' Joshua, you are neither crew nor passenger, do you want to stay here, or get off at Lucifer's Landing or stick around? 

Arden recommends they buy some drugs for Joshua before they leave Jibril.
Christian arranges to get those and other medical supplies, immunization packs etc..
 
'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Lucifer's Landing, Angel''' 
'''15:27 hrs, local time''' 

The ship makes a short hop to Lucifer's Landing, and they approach from the crater side rising over the cliff face and float over the small mining town. They land in the yard of Fairweather Flyers the original owners of Summer's Gift (née MakeMake). The yard hasn't changed much in the year that has passed since their last visit.

They find Emma and Hilde have occupied a house and repaired it to its former glory. They appear together and reasonably happy. They work a variety of jobs, and do their best to make a living. They have changed almost beyond recognition. Without the pampering make-up, cleansers, and humidity of their Core worlds, their skin and hair are natural and weathered.

'''Christian:''' Welcome to Lucifer's Landing. 

They disembark and lead Lem out into the first natural light he has seen in some time. He is skittish around strangers (understandably) but he seems happy to back on terra firmer. He seems excited to know that there are other children (a handful) in town. The crew begins to settle in for a pleasant stay.

During the stay Arden discovers, by rooting through the incomplete brain scan data, that there is no sign of advancement in Lem's Prion disease. Also there is evidence that the existing prion disease has been reduced. It appears that he should, in time, make a reasonable recovery, although it isn't clear whether there is any permanent damage. He may need to stay on his anti-prion drugs for the rest of his life, but as this is a new treatment for a new disease, no one really knows.

The more promising medical news is that the tests done on the samples of protein paste. The generic protein paste appears to be normal. But the sample run through the ProMagic texturizer shows evidence of prions. The ProMagic works by altering the raw proteins (derived from algae, fungus and other sources) to transform the texture from a firm tofu-like texture to anything from creamy ice cream, to juicy steak and everything in between. Somehow in the process one in a million of those proteins is transformed into a Prion, and that is enough. This seems to validate Arden's hypothesis of the origin of Prion Disease. And with this information, the epidemic could be stopped in its tracks (as soon as people learn to stop using the ProMagic).

Arden sends this data to the Dr. Lawrence back on St. Albans, and spends some time writing up an article for the medical journals. Although because of the distance it will be some time before he hears back.

Christian, Rina and Joshua go visit Summer Fairweather who gifted the MakeMake to the crew. She is in her cave working on her orchids.

'''Summer:''' Look at that… I thought I heard a ship. 
'''Christian:''' We needed a place of sanctuary and rest. 
'''Summer:''' It is perhaps appropriate that you would seek sanctuary here, although the innocent people of the town might not share your desire. 
'''Christian:''' At this point, I don't believe anyone is actively pursuing us. The sanctuary we seek is spiritual. We've have some people that need healing, both physical and spiritual. 
'''Summer:''' I was told you brought gun-fighters down on the town on your last visit. 
'''Christian:''' Yes unfortunately, I'm sorry for that. 
'''Summer:''' It is difficult to do as you do without endangering innocents as you do. (Sensing some discomfort, she changes the topic.) And who is this? 
'''Christian:''' This is Joshua. He is a ... wandering soul we picked up not long ago. 
'''Joshua:''' That is a polite way of putting it. 
'''Summer:''' (Looking a little ill at ease with the small crowd.) I'm afraid I am not much of a conversationalist, if that is what you seek. 
'''Christian:''' We merely came to pay our respects and, if you want, to tell you what we have done with the ship. We've tried to keep our promise to you. 
'''Summer:''' I'm glad that you have tried. 
'''Christian:''' We believe that we have found the root cause of the disease that is afflicting Blue Sun. 
'''Summer:''' I'm afraid I don't know much about that. (It is quite a ways away). 

Christian explains the disease, how it is transmitted, and what it has wrought in the system. They arrange to get some orchid clippings and spend the afternoon meditating with the monk. Even Rina!

Days pass and the crew enjoys some pleasant relaxing time down. Rina does the maintenance, they do their part to help the local economy. Rick finishes Jake's retrospective collection. He had quite a bit of footage of the crew. He seemed to have an exceptional grasp of the individual crew's personalities. It is bittersweet and poignant. There are a sparse handful of shots (mostly stills) of Jake setting up shots or doing light checks. It was a fitting tribute to the crew's lost crewman. They agree to send a wave to his family of his fate and asking what they'd like to do with the body.

The group gets to know Joshua during their convalescence. Joshua seems confused that no one was going to interrogate them. He bring the medical tool to Arden to ask him what it it. Arden concludes that it is a NewTech tool called a Sonic Caelum (or sonic sculptor), basically a high tech plastic surgery tool. It is a "non-invasive" surgery tool.

'''Arden:''' Is it a subtle message that Joshua is ugly? 
'''Rick:''' That he should change his appearance to better hide. 
'''Joshua:''' Or setting me up to do my job? 
'''Arden:''' What exactly is your job? Since you brought it up. 
'''Joshua:''' I was what we referred to as a ''Borrower''. I assumed other people's identities. 
'''Arden:''' Okay, what happened to those people? 
'''Joshua:''' It was not a replacement. I would be asked to do so for various reasons, for example: if a politician needed to be… 
'''Arden:''' In two places at one time? 
'''Joshua:''' That was one of the reasons.. 
'''Arden:''' (interrupting) So what were you doing on the Trafalgar with Reavers? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, that's one of the other things I do. Occasionally they may need a way in to places. And so I substitute the identity of a real person who has access to those places. In this case, I was borrowing the identity of an Alliance commander, and I had very specific orders to transfer those Reavers to Blue Sun from Alliance possession. 
'''Arden:''' So you worked for Blue Sun that time? 
'''Joshua:''' I work for Blue Sun every time. 
'''Arden:''' ''How W’rin Bu Lai, Whai W’rin Bu Jwo'' We haven't had good experiences with Blue Sun. 
'''Joshua:''' I always thought of them as '''''Human Resources'''''. 
'''Arden:''' Everyone on this ship has some sort of thing with them in the past. Mine is a little weird. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have a brother? 

...

'''Arden:''' Uh yes, sort of, kinda, sorta. it's sort of hard to explain. Why, have you met someone who resembled me? 
'''Joshua:''' Not so much... seen, but not met. 
'''Arden:''' Perhaps we should have this conversation with the rest of the crew. 

At dinner that night...

'''Arden:''' Joshua was telling me about his job, I think you should hear it from him. 
'''Christian:''' Obviously it involves him impersonating people? 
'''Arden:''' How did you know that? 
'''Christian:''' Because we met him impersonating a Navy Officer. Trust me, he is no Alliance Officer. 
'''Joshua:''' He's right. 
'''Arden:''' He always is. The point is that damn companion training means he gets it before any of us do, with no clues whatsoever. 
'''Joshua:''' There are clues. 
'''Christian:''' You just need to know how to look for them. 
'''Rick:''' I have one question. 
'''Everyone in Unison:''' He's not a robot! 
'''Christian:''' You were saying about your job.. 
'''Joshua:''' I am what was referred to as a '''''Borrower.'''''' At least that is what my handler, Virgil, used to call it. 
'''Christian:''' What were you borrowing, not people's identities, that is obvious. For what reason? 
'''Joshua:''' Multiple reasons: body doubles for politicians, the other reasons… it is important to understand that it wasn't until recently that I was able to interpret my past jobs as what they were. I've done espionage, using an identity to get into a place where I wasn't supposed to be where Human Resources wanted me to be. 
'''Rina:''' Human Resources? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Arden:''' Were you are freelancer, or what for Blue Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Christian:''' You specifically worked for Blue Sun, you weren't contracted out to them? 
'''Joshua:''' No. 
'''Christian:''' I'm going to guess they taught you all your skills and this was a lifetime contract? 
'''Joshua:''' Contract I don't know about. There were about a dozen of us there. 
'''Christian:''' Some special program, how did you get there. Did they raise you, recruit you? 
'''Arden:''' Were you born in a creche? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't remember. I wasn't born there, but I don't have any memories outside of there. 
'''Christian:''' Was it you've had so many jobs your memories are confused? 
'''Joshua:''' Possibly, I've had so many jobs, I can't remember my own face. This one I see in the mirror, is me, for now. 
'''Arden:''' Unless you want to change it. 
'''Joshua:''' But.. it was a living environment. We were all there. There were about a dozen of us that worked in the same area. I don't think we all did the same thing, but, we were all there. We all hand handlers. 
'''Arden:''' Does the planet Sophie ring a bell? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not with me. 
'''Arden:''' It's where I am from. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, this is my first time out. 
'''Rina:''' Can I ask you a question Joshua? You say this is your face currently. So what are you? Is this the body you were born with, or did you borrow that too? 
'''Joshua:''' It's not borrowing in a physical sense. 
'''Christian:''' They change him to match the person he is imitating. At need. That is very NewTech, in order to keep his face from scarring and being damaged. 
'''Arden:''' It is pretty impressive. Blastomere implants, the whole nine yards. 
'''Christian:''' Of course this sounds like a program where they would use the berry best. So tell me, why did you want to leave? 
'''Joshua:''' They keep us sheltered and I began to realize what was going on. And I didn't want to do that. So I was looking for my chance to run. Which is kind of surprising how quickly I found one. 
'''Christian:''' No, no it's not. 
'''Arden:''' Why not? 
'''Christian:''' We ran into Reavers in the one place we were going. We were in the right place at the right time to run into him AND the reavers? It can't be a coincidence. If you haven't noticed we have an amazing ability to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. My point is our karma is leading us around. It is not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' I have no other life to compare it to, so this is normal for me. 
'''Christian:''' So everyone wanders aboard an Alliance ship to do brain scans at the same time Reavers are being transferred and an Resistance group is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' "With regard to that..there is a reason I was sent aboard as an Alliance Commander. They are the ones getting the Reavers. I was sent to take them off the hands of the Alliance and deliver them to Blue Sun. Blue Sun is interested in Reavers for the same reason the Alliance is interested. 
'''Rina:''' For bio-weapons, super soldiers? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm not happy for the method for which they had planned. 
'''Christian:''' I suppose it would be too optimistic to hope that they were looking for a cure for the Reavers. 

Everyone looks at Christian in disbelief.

'''Arden:''' I am interested in how one captures a Reaver. 
'''Joshua:''' Bait. 
'''Arden:''' So they put some ship with some random people out there, and when the Reavers went after them, they grabbed them? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Christian:''' That's not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' That's really wrong! 
'''Rick:''' They wanted to capture the Reavers and study them, how else are they going to do that? 
'''Arden:''' Not by letting the Reavers have them! 
'''Christian:''' What were Reavers doing here in the first place? We are very far from Miranda. This is about as far as you can get. 

Since the battle of the Universe Moon the Reavers have spread out from Burnham Quadrant. But no one expected them to spread so far. The crew discusses how the Reavers spread and wonder whether these Reavers are originals, or 'neo-reavers' products of either Prion disease or Chempliant.

'''Rina:''' (to Joshua) Tell me how these Reavers that seem only interested in killing, raping or eating can fly a ship from one of the Verse to the other? 
'''Arden:''' Why are you asking him? 
'''Rina:''' He is connected to the organization responsible for all this? 
'''Joshua:''' I.. I.. I'm not management. I don't get told why things are being done, or what for. That is half the reason I don't want to do any more. I was a tool, and I mean that in the literal sense. 
'''Arden:''' Multipurpose tool. 
'''Joshua:''' That is something I am able to do, I can pick up personalities, accents and skills. For example, like in that surgery. 
'''Arden:''' You picked that up from me? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Arden:''' That's a nifty trick. 
'''Christian:''' I've heard of savants who could do things like that. In fact we had one on board. 
'''Arden:''' But he is only a savant in one area. 
'''Christian:''' Being able to do it in any area is beyond Lem's ability. 
'''Joshua:''' I went to school, and there were operations. 
'''Arden:''' Anyone can do this, anyone? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, I don't think so. We were always told we were very special. 

Arden's scan revealed that unlike himself (with an extra gland), Joshua was missing several bits from his brain in similar places to another person he has witnessed, Johannes Volker.

'''Arden:''' His brain resembles that of that young passenger Volker. 
'''Joshua:''' I knew him. He got kicked out. He was not much of a threat. 
'''Arden:''' Here's a question. With your rare skill set and talent. Are there going to be people coming to bring you back? 
'''Joshua:''' I am pretty sure she did tell me that. I said a short life in the open is better than a long life in captivity. She said, and I quote 'It will be short.' Period. 
'''Christian:''' He knows too much. 
'''Rina:''' He certainly knows things that make him a liability. Excuse me speaking of you in the third person. How do you get past the retina scans? 
'''Joshua:''' Retina scans are an issue, but these is technology to circumvent that. Most of the time, I've had the cooperation of the person I am borrowing. Most of the time I am not going places that needs such things. 
'''Rina:''' Maybe we ought to… rearrange his face a little. Make him harder to get back? 
'''Joshua:''' Honestly, I was just starting to get used to it. 
'''Arden:''' Your story is very similar to mine… So I have no qualms about having you aboard the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Where does your ''brother'' fall into all this? 
'''Arden:''' He's not really a brother, he's a clone, an earlier clone from the same stock. Sophie was founded by a group of people intent of making a perfect place. Everyone from there, is a clone of one of the original founders. 
'''Joshua:''' Was Sophie made by Blue Sun? After all, your brother was there. 
'''Arden:''' I don't know. He may also work for the Alliance. 
'''Rina:''' Where? 
'''Joshua:''' The Academy. 
'''Rina:''' The Academy, what's that? 
'''Joshua:''' It's where I went to school, where I got trained. 
'''Arden:''' I honestly don't know what he'd be doing there. 
'''Joshua:''' He was overlooking our class, just standing there. 
'''Christian:''' We'll just say like you. When they need special jobs, he is the one they call. 
'''Joshua:''' Oh, one of those. 
'''Christian:''' Just a different kind of special job. We have an idea that he works directly for Parliament. 
'''Arden:''' He has a lot of pull with the Government. 
'''Rina:''' One more question. Who forges your papers? Do you do it, or do they do it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' Usually they give them to me. I will forge signatures and such. 
'''Arden:''' Anywhere, back to my society. We were all cloned to be something. Like I was made to be a doctor. 
'''Christian:''' Or something. 
'''Joshua:''' You think they cloned your brother to work for Parliament? 
'''Arden:''' Maybe. 
'''Christian:''' There is so much oddness behind the scenes in his society we don't really know. 
'''Arden:''' I just live it. And your story seems similar. So whatever you want to do, I want to help. 
'''Rina:''' I want to help. 
'''Rick:''' (Thinking this will significantly increase the odds of running into the Blond Hand of Blue) I've got a good feeling about this. 
'''Christian:''' (Picking up on Rick's thoughts, and teasing) Maybe if you are here, Rick will finally get some action from the Blue Hand agent. Which to be fair, is something even I can't claim to have done. 
'''Joshua:''' The times we saw them, we didn't ever see them as 'sexual' or even emotional beings. We couldn't imagine them as people. 
'''Christian:''' What do they ''feel'' like? 

(Snickers from around the room) 

'''Christian:''' I mean... 
'''Joshua:''' I know what he means. 
'''Christian:''' When I look at them, it's like they're dead inside. 
'''Rick:''' But we did see as she was walking away. 
'''Christian:''' True, there is some life there. Still I have a feeling that whatever training they go through for their job tends to strip them of their humanity, either that or they specifically recruit sociopaths. I mean these people are mass murderers. 
'''Joshua:''' Maybe they are made into mass murderers. 
'''Rick:''' It isn't like we didn't kill a ship load of people ourselves. 

The crew looks around as each member does a mental tally of those they killed. Guilty smiles cross their faces as they consider the numbers. 

'''Christian:''' But generally, it was in self defense. 
'''Arden:''' There was the factory.. 
'''Christian:''' But... 
'''Rick:''' I'm not going to go through what was self defense and what wasn't, but I will say that both times I encounter the female agent, I've been able to get her, to at least show some visible signs of.. agitation. 
'''Christian:''' I'll give that to you. You did draw something out of her. 
'''Arden:''' I'd call it annoyance. 
'''Rick:''' Yes, but how badass can you really be if even 'I' can annoy you to the point of showing it? 
'''Christian:''' I think it has been shown by two of our crew members, conditioning doesn't always take 100%. 
'''Rick:''' And that's what I am thinking about. 
'''Christian:''' May I recommend next time some alternative methods of seduction? 

(snickers around the table) After the tension is dispersed with the laughter, Joshua gets a little serious again. 

'''Joshua:''' The other thing that might be relevant. One was the device, the Caelum, and the note with ''Rubicon' written on
it. I think I recognize the handwriting. I got a note in similar handwriting once before, from a note" (He gestures to Rina who nods having seen it herself.) It wasn't my trigger to get out, but it did confirm that my suspicions about what Blue Sun and Human Resources was doing was, in fact, correct. I had that note left for me. 

He retrieves the note from his room and shows it to everyone. 

'''Christian:''' I want to see how close the hand writing was to your handwriting. 
'''Rina:''' So, Joshua, the note was a signal to you to tell you that what you thought about this Reaver operation was true. 
'''Joshua:''' Not just the Reaver operation specifically, but the academy as a whole. 
'''Christian:''' It was a sign to get out of his life. 
'''Joshua:''' The academy isn't a job, it is a whole living environment. The dozen of us live there, but there is also a whole other group, hundreds of other people supporting the operations, perhaps conducting other operations. It is like a mini city where everyone is working for the company. 
'''Rina:''' I understand, they control you by controlling your environment, what you eat, where you sleep, etc. ''Rubicon'' to me, means you've crossed a point of no return, you're going into territory that you're not supposed to go. 
'''Joshua:''' I think you're right about that. 
'''Rina:''' So who left it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know. 
'''Rina:''' What does it mean to you? 
'''Joshua:''' The first note was a confirmation that what I was seeing was not what they were telling me. That I was right, that I wasn't just imagining conspiracies where there were none. So, the Rubicon one... I don't know. Your interpretation sounds as plausible as any other. I don't know who this person is, obviously they have some reach. If they left the original note on my bag at the Academy, and left the second note on my bed on Trafalgar, that suggests... 
'''Christian:''' Specific messages sending you in the direction of a specific goal. 
'''Arden:''' Does sound familiar. 

They examine the note left on a simple baggage tag.On it, handwritten is the word ''Rubicon''. 

'''Arden:''' What does ''Rubicon'' mean? Does anyone know? 
'''Christian:''' It was the river that Julius Caesar crossed in violation of Roman law. 
'''Arden:''' Pretend for a moment I know what you are talking about. 
'''Christian:''' One rule of the Roman armies, was that they could not go across the Rubicon into Rome. It was how the Roman Empire was able to keep a vast army without constantly having coups. But, Caesar defied the law, crossed the Rubicon and took control of Rome from the Senate. But Rina had a good point, it was for Caesar a point of no return. If he crossed the Rubicon, he had to either succeed or be killed. And in his case he did both. Metaphorically it is taking the step that changes your life forever. 
'''Rina:''' So Joshua, are you the hand that casts the die, or are you the die? 

Arden thinks about from his own unique perspective, one less molded by historical metaphor and cultural bias. 

'''Arden:''' I don't know if this means anything but It is also the only Blackrock in the Core. 
'''Rina:''' That's right, luggage tag, travel to. Maybe this was a sign post! Should we go visit? 
'''Christian:''' That depends on whether Joshua wants to go. 
'''Arden:''' Hmm, do I want to go back to White Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Also, Dr. Arden knows this, but so that the rest of you know it, I need a drug, everyday. 
'''Christian:''' I was curious, but I didn't want to ask. 
'''Joshua:''' The end result of not getting it, is pretty bad. 
'''Rina:''' This isn't the same drug you injected me with. 
'''Joshua:''' No. What I injected you with was something they gave me as a precaution in case they needed to use their sonic weapons. Which it turns out they did. 
'''Arden:''' You gave me some of that stuff? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Rina:''' So you have immunity to the sonic weapons? 
'''Arden:''' I'm sure it is gone by now. 
'''Christian:''' But this other drug you need to get regularly or... 
'''Joshua:''' I was told that I would die without it. 
'''Rina:''' How do you know it's not just a sugar pill just given to you to keep you in line? 
'''Arden:''' Flomoxipan is a real drug, a powerful anti-depressant. It is unlikely it would be just a ruse. We don't know enough about the effects of his brain surgery, or what other factors are going into this to experiment with removing the drugs. Valerie would probably know more about it. But last we saw her, she wasn't at the top of her game, despite being highly suggestible. 
'''Christian:''' She'll be glad to tell us if we just ask her. 

The crew ponders where to go next and begins plotting a route. First to Red Sun to drop off Jake's body, then on to White Sun possibly to check out this Rubicon lead. But that would be weeks away, no need to commit right now. They spend the rest of the rest stop enjoying the quiet pace of Lucifer's Landing. They are never quite free of the fear that someone of their enemies has tracked them here. They are always looking over their shoulders expecting to see the Hands of Blue or who knows who behind them. Every now and then an Industrial Shuttle comes to collect the ore mined, but mostly it is just quiet. After a week or so the people of Lucifer's Landing get to know them, and accept them as their own. Lem is playing with other kids, people are asking for help around their houses, and offering to help them with the chip. Christian begins to make contacts and scope out the job prospects in Jibril and the surrounding area. He learns that he is the only licensed Companion, but a former companion runs a small business catering to women exclusively. There is undoubtedly some form of prostitution for the majority male population, but it is heavily frowned upon so difficult to get word of without being more involved in the local scene. While it would be difficult, it will probably be quite lucrative.

About two weeks in, at a celebratory dinner, Christian makes an announcement.

'''Christian:''' I've been thinking a lot about this, and, if we were a normal ship, a ship without the luck we've had things might be different. Lem has, in the last year been abandoned twice, seen people get Reavered, been in the middle of riots, and he has been kidnapped. And if we continue like this, the damage to his psyche will be irreversible. Especially considering his condition. So, it is irresponsible for us to keep taking him everywhere. 
'''Arden:''' Maybe we can find him a good boarding school. 
'''Rina:''' That is another form of abandonment. 
'''Arden:''' No it isn't. 
'''Rina:''' Yes it is. 
'''Joshua:''' went to boarding school. 
'''Arden:''' Me too. 

They all let that sink in a moment.

'''Christian:''' We are not sending him away again. He needs to be in a place where he is not in constant danger. He needs someone that he can trust.. There happens to be a very nice building here that used to be a shipping business. There are unique business opportunities here, which I could find almost no where else in the 'Verse. I won't go into all the details, it might make your brain explode. But more importantly, do you remember when we were thinking of buying Potemkin's business? There were some good ideas in that discussion, just at the time we weren't ready. I think now with the way things are that I could make it much easier for us to have regular work, if I am working from a place that isn't the ship and I don't have the responsibilities of stewarding the vessel and taking care of passengers. So I am going to stay here with Lem. 
'''Arden:''' Are you doing this for yourself or for Lem? 
'''Christian:''' I'm doing it for Lem. That's what a parent does. But at the same time it would be nice to have a steady stream of clients, which I have not had since getting my license back. And I am pretty sure I can arrange a pretty nice base here. There are a lot of repressed desires, and any time you make something illegal, chances are people are going to want it more. 
'''Arden:''' It sounds advantageous for the guild, but I wouldn't want you to give up something that you love. 
'''Christian:''' I would be, but I think, at this time, it is the right thing to do. I don't think we can trust Lem with anyone else. 
'''Arden:''' Your parents? 
'''Christian:''' My parents have already raised a child, it isn't fair to ask them to do it again. Besides which it is my and our responsibility. 
'''Rick:''' What about his real parents? 
'''Arden:''' They got nuked. 
'''Rick:''' We don't know that. 
'''Christian:''' Even if they are alive, he is probably better off with us, than with them. 
'''Rick:''' I understand that, I am just saying that maybe in the future, if we find out that they are alive and well, that is a possibility. 
'''Christian:''' Of course. But with Summer's permission, which I am sure she doesn't care. I am going to take over the offices. I am going to start working to establish some business relations, so that wherever you are. I will find the jobs that are available and negotiate the best rates. And you can decide based on the circumstances whether to take the job or not. This way you won't always be scavenging for work. It will be waiting for you. 
'''Arden:''' Of course, staying in one place will make it easier for the Hands of Blue to find you. 
'''Christian:''' I am not worried about them. They don't want me, and I am a registered Companion, they might not want that hassle either. I'd be more considered about certain Core families. On the other hand, I feel more protected out here on the Rim. It is harder to muster resources out here than in the Core worlds, even for an organization like Blue Sun. 
'''Rick:''' And we could leave your shuttle here so you can escape if you need to. 
'''Christian:''' Yes, I would need my shuttle. 
'''Rina:''' I'll send you regular waves. 
'''Rick:''' We should probably stay a couple more days and help you fix everything up for the business(es). 

The discuss what will be necessary to refurbish the building and getting it ready for operations. Then they also look into fixing up a local house for he and Lem. Over the next few days they put this plan in motion: cleaning repairing, rewiring etc... They take possession of a pretty, though dilapidated house perched on the cliff and set to work fixing it as well. They introduce Lem to Muleskinner, and the boy takes quickly to the ship helping out the double amputee with his work. Lem seems to settle in. The crew has set up Christian and Lem with a large home suitable for both home life and business. Arden writes up a prescription for Lem. They've restored the original ''Fairweather Flyers'' building. Christian assured them that he is fine and ready to start working. So with his blessing they prepare the ship for lift off. Once alone Christian watches Joshua taking his place, and watches the crew return to their duties and the life that he has known for over a year. All his training to control of his emotions is used to keep a brave face. As much as he thinks he is doing the right thing, part of him will be left on the Summer's Gift.

'''''This marks the last appearance of Christian as a regular PC in the game.'''''

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]] 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Forward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode216p2

2018-09-25T04:03:11Z

Taimdala:

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]]

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Jibril Spaceport, Angel''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''06:00 hrs, local time''' 

Arden determines that both Nika and Rick need to take some time off from the rigors of space flight to recover from the wounds they've received from the Reavers.
They need either a hospital or fresh air and relaxation. Lucifer's Landing seems like a good place to visit. And this will give Arden time to look over Lem's charts.

'''Christian:''' I don't think having either Nika or Rina walking around a city like Jibril with Sharia law is such a good idea. 
'''Rina:''' I'm not going to burn the Gorram city down. 
'''Christian:''' I'm worried you are going to get flogged. Maybe we should go to Lucifer's Landing, we have friends there, and the law is considerably more relaxed. 

They refuel the ship and prepare to head out to Lucifer's Landing. 

'''Christian:''' Joshua, you are neither crew nor passenger, do you want to stay here, or get off at Lucifer's Landing or stick around? 

Arden recommends they buy some drugs for Joshua before they leave Jibril.
Christian arranges to get those and other medical supplies, immunization packs etc..
 
'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Lucifer's Landing, Angel''' 
'''15:27 hrs, local time''' 

The ship makes a short hop to Lucifer's Landing, and they approach from the crater side rising over the cliff face and float over the small mining town. They land in the yard of Fairweather Flyers the original owners of Summer's Gift (née MakeMake). The yard hasn't changed much in the year that has passed since their last visit.

They find Emma and Hilde have occupied a house and repaired it to its former glory. They appear together and reasonably happy. They work a variety of jobs, and do their best to make a living. They have changed almost beyond recognition. Without the pampering make-up, cleansers, and humidity of their Core worlds, their skin and hair are natural and weathered.

'''Christian:''' Welcome to Lucifer's Landing. 

They disembark and lead Lem out into the first natural light he has seen in some time. He is skittish around strangers (understandably) but he seems happy to back on terra firmer. He seems excited to know that there are other children (a handful) in town. The crew begins to settle in for a pleasant stay.

During the stay Arden discovers, by rooting through the incomplete brain scan data, that there is no sign of advancement in Lem's Prion disease. Also there is evidence that the existing prion disease has been reduced. It appears that he should, in time, make a reasonable recovery, although it isn't clear whether there is any permanent damage. He may need to stay on his anti-prion drugs for the rest of his life, but as this is a new treatment for a new disease, no one really knows.

The more promising medical news is that the tests done on the samples of protein paste. The generic protein paste appears to be normal. But the sample run through the ProMagic texturizer shows evidence of prions. The ProMagic which works by altering the raw proteins (derived from algae, fungus and other sources) to transform the texture from a firm tofu-like texture to anything from creamy ice cream, to juicy steak and everything in between. Somehow in the process one in a million of those proteins is transformed into a Prion, and that is enough.. This seems to validate Arden's hypothesis of the origin of Prion Disease. And this information, the epidemic could be stopped in its tracks (as soon as people learn to stop using the ProMagic).

Arden sends this data to the Dr. Lawrence back on St. Albans, and spends some time writing up an article for the medical journals. Although because of the distance it will be some time before he hears back.

Christian, Rina and Joshua go visit Summer Fairweather who gifted the MakeMake to the crew. She is in her cave working on her orchids.

'''Summer:''' Look at that… I thought I heard a ship. 
'''Christian:''' We needed a place of sanctuary and rest. 
'''Summer:''' It is perhaps appropriate that you would seek sanctuary here, although the innocent people of the town might not share your desire. 
'''Christian:''' At this point, I don't believe anyone is actively pursuing us. The sanctuary we seek is spiritual. We've have some people that need healing, both physical and spiritual. 
'''Summer:''' I was told you brought gun-fighters down on the town on your last visit. 
'''Christian:''' Yes unfortunately, I'm sorry for that. 
'''Summer:''' It is difficult to do as you do without endangering innocents as you do. (Sensing some discomfort, she changes the topic.) And who is this? 
'''Christian:''' This is Joshua. He is a ... wandering soul we picked up not long ago. 
'''Joshua:''' That is a polite way of putting it. 
'''Summer:''' (Looking a little ill at ease with the small crowd.) I'm afraid I am not much of a conversationalist, if that is what you seek. 
'''Christian:''' We merely came to pay our respects and, if you want, to tell you what we have done with the ship. We've tried to keep our promise to you. 
'''Summer:''' I'm glad that you have tried. 
'''Christian:''' We believe that we have found the root cause of the disease that is afflicting Blue Sun. 
'''Summer:''' I'm afraid I don't know much about that. (It is quite a ways away). 

Christian explains the disease, how it is transmitted, and what it has wrought in the system. They arrange to get some orchid clippings and spend the afternoon meditating with the monk. Even Rina!

Days pass and the crew enjoys some pleasant relaxing time down. Rina does the maintenance, they do their part to help the local economy. Rick finishes Jake's retrospective collection. He had quite a bit of footage of the crew. He seemed to have an exceptional grasp of the individual crew's personalities. It is bittersweet and poignant. There are a sparse handful of shots (mostly stills) of Jake setting up shots or doing light checks. It was a fitting tribute to the crew's lost crewman. They agree to send a wave to his family of his fate and asking what they'd like to do with the body.

The group gets to know Joshua during their convalescence. Joshua seems confused that no one was going to interrogate them. He bring the medical tool to Arden to ask him what it it. Arden concludes that it is a NewTech tool called a Sonic Caelum (or sonic sculptor), basically a high tech plastic surgery tool. It is a "non-invasive" surgery tool.

'''Arden:''' Is it a subtle message that Joshua is ugly? 
'''Rick:''' That he should change his appearance to better hide. 
'''Joshua:''' Or setting me up to do my job? 
'''Arden:''' What exactly is your job? Since you brought it up. 
'''Joshua:''' I was what we referred to as a ''Borrower''. I assumed other people's identities. 
'''Arden:''' Okay, what happened to those people? 
'''Joshua:''' It was not a replacement. I would be asked to do so for various reasons, for example: if a politician needed to be… 
'''Arden:''' In two places at one time? 
'''Joshua:''' That was one of the reasons.. 
'''Arden:''' (interrupting) So what were you doing on the Trafalgar with Reavers? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, that's one of the other things I do. Occasionally they may need a way in to places. And so I substitute the identity of a real person who has access to those places. In this case, I was borrowing the identity of an Alliance commander, and I had very specific orders to transfer those Reavers to Blue Sun from Alliance possession. 
'''Arden:''' So you worked for Blue Sun that time? 
'''Joshua:''' I work for Blue Sun every time. 
'''Arden:''' ''How W’rin Bu Lai, Whai W’rin Bu Jwo'' We haven't had good experiences with Blue Sun. 
'''Joshua:''' I always thought of them as '''''Human Resources'''''. 
'''Arden:''' Everyone on this ship has some sort of thing with them in the past. Mine is a little weird. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have a brother? 

...

'''Arden:''' Uh yes, sort of, kinda, sorta. it's sort of hard to explain. Why, have you met someone who resembled me? 
'''Joshua:''' Not so much... seen, but not met. 
'''Arden:''' Perhaps we should have this conversation with the rest of the crew. 

At dinner that night...

'''Arden:''' Joshua was telling me about his job, I think you should hear it from him. 
'''Christian:''' Obviously it involves him impersonating people? 
'''Arden:''' How did you know that? 
'''Christian:''' Because we met him impersonating a Navy Officer. Trust me, he is no Alliance Officer. 
'''Joshua:''' He's right. 
'''Arden:''' He always is. The point is that damn companion training means he gets it before any of us do, with no clues whatsoever. 
'''Joshua:''' There are clues. 
'''Christian:''' You just need to know how to look for them. 
'''Rick:''' I have one question. 
'''Everyone in Unison:''' He's not a robot! 
'''Christian:''' You were saying about your job.. 
'''Joshua:''' I am what was referred to as a '''''Borrower.'''''' At least that is what my handler, Virgil, used to call it. 
'''Christian:''' What were you borrowing, not people's identities, that is obvious. For what reason? 
'''Joshua:''' Multiple reasons: body doubles for politicians, the other reasons… it is important to understand that it wasn't until recently that I was able to interpret my past jobs as what they were. I've done espionage, using an identity to get into a place where I wasn't supposed to be where Human Resources wanted me to be. 
'''Rina:''' Human Resources? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Arden:''' Were you are freelancer, or what for Blue Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Christian:''' You specifically worked for Blue Sun, you weren't contracted out to them? 
'''Joshua:''' No. 
'''Christian:''' I'm going to guess they taught you all your skills and this was a lifetime contract? 
'''Joshua:''' Contract I don't know about. There were about a dozen of us there. 
'''Christian:''' Some special program, how did you get there. Did they raise you, recruit you? 
'''Arden:''' Were you born in a creche? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't remember. I wasn't born there, but I don't have any memories outside of there. 
'''Christian:''' Was it you've had so many jobs your memories are confused? 
'''Joshua:''' Possibly, I've had so many jobs, I can't remember my own face. This one I see in the mirror, is me, for now. 
'''Arden:''' Unless you want to change it. 
'''Joshua:''' But.. it was a living environment. We were all there. There were about a dozen of us that worked in the same area. I don't think we all did the same thing, but, we were all there. We all hand handlers. 
'''Arden:''' Does the planet Sophie ring a bell? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not with me. 
'''Arden:''' It's where I am from. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, this is my first time out. 
'''Rina:''' Can I ask you a question Joshua? You say this is your face currently. So what are you? Is this the body you were born with, or did you borrow that too? 
'''Joshua:''' It's not borrowing in a physical sense. 
'''Christian:''' They change him to match the person he is imitating. At need. That is very NewTech, in order to keep his face from scarring and being damaged. 
'''Arden:''' It is pretty impressive. Blastomere implants, the whole nine yards. 
'''Christian:''' Of course this sounds like a program where they would use the berry best. So tell me, why did you want to leave? 
'''Joshua:''' They keep us sheltered and I began to realize what was going on. And I didn't want to do that. So I was looking for my chance to run. Which is kind of surprising how quickly I found one. 
'''Christian:''' No, no it's not. 
'''Arden:''' Why not? 
'''Christian:''' We ran into Reavers in the one place we were going. We were in the right place at the right time to run into him AND the reavers? It can't be a coincidence. If you haven't noticed we have an amazing ability to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. My point is our karma is leading us around. It is not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' I have no other life to compare it to, so this is normal for me. 
'''Christian:''' So everyone wanders aboard an Alliance ship to do brain scans at the same time Reavers are being transferred and an Resistance group is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' "With regard to that..there is a reason I was sent aboard as an Alliance Commander. They are the ones getting the Reavers. I was sent to take them off the hands of the Alliance and deliver them to Blue Sun. Blue Sun is interested in Reavers for the same reason the Alliance is interested. 
'''Rina:''' For bio-weapons, super soldiers? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm not happy for the method for which they had planned. 
'''Christian:''' I suppose it would be too optimistic to hope that they were looking for a cure for the Reavers. 

Everyone looks at Christian in disbelief.

'''Arden:''' I am interested in how one captures a Reaver. 
'''Joshua:''' Bait. 
'''Arden:''' So they put some ship with some random people out there, and when the Reavers went after them, they grabbed them? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Christian:''' That's not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' That's really wrong! 
'''Rick:''' They wanted to capture the Reavers and study them, how else are they going to do that? 
'''Arden:''' Not by letting the Reavers have them! 
'''Christian:''' What were Reavers doing here in the first place? We are very far from Miranda. This is about as far as you can get. 

Since the battle of the Universe Moon the Reavers have spread out from Burnham Quadrant. But no one expected them to spread so far. The crew discusses how the Reavers spread and wonder whether these Reavers are originals, or 'neo-reavers' products of either Prion disease or Chempliant.

'''Rina:''' (to Joshua) Tell me how these Reavers that seem only interested in killing, raping or eating can fly a ship from one of the Verse to the other? 
'''Arden:''' Why are you asking him? 
'''Rina:''' He is connected to the organization responsible for all this? 
'''Joshua:''' I.. I.. I'm not management. I don't get told why things are being done, or what for. That is half the reason I don't want to do any more. I was a tool, and I mean that in the literal sense. 
'''Arden:''' Multipurpose tool. 
'''Joshua:''' That is something I am able to do, I can pick up personalities, accents and skills. For example, like in that surgery. 
'''Arden:''' You picked that up from me? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Arden:''' That's a nifty trick. 
'''Christian:''' I've heard of savants who could do things like that. In fact we had one on board. 
'''Arden:''' But he is only a savant in one area. 
'''Christian:''' Being able to do it in any area is beyond Lem's ability. 
'''Joshua:''' I went to school, and there were operations. 
'''Arden:''' Anyone can do this, anyone? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, I don't think so. We were always told we were very special. 

Arden's scan revealed that unlike himself (with an extra gland), Joshua was missing several bits from his brain in similar places to another person he has witnessed, Johannes Volker.

'''Arden:''' His brain resembles that of that young passenger Volker. 
'''Joshua:''' I knew him. He got kicked out. He was not much of a threat. 
'''Arden:''' Here's a question. With your rare skill set and talent. Are there going to be people coming to bring you back? 
'''Joshua:''' I am pretty sure she did tell me that. I said a short life in the open is better than a long life in captivity. She said, and I quote 'It will be short.' Period. 
'''Christian:''' He knows too much. 
'''Rina:''' He certainly knows things that make him a liability. Excuse me speaking of you in the third person. How do you get past the retina scans? 
'''Joshua:''' Retina scans are an issue, but these is technology to circumvent that. Most of the time, I've had the cooperation of the person I am borrowing. Most of the time I am not going places that needs such things. 
'''Rina:''' Maybe we ought to… rearrange his face a little. Make him harder to get back? 
'''Joshua:''' Honestly, I was just starting to get used to it. 
'''Arden:''' Your story is very similar to mine… So I have no qualms about having you aboard the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Where does your ''brother'' fall into all this? 
'''Arden:''' He's not really a brother, he's a clone, an earlier clone from the same stock. Sophie was founded by a group of people intent of making a perfect place. Everyone from there, is a clone of one of the original founders. 
'''Joshua:''' Was Sophie made by Blue Sun? After all, your brother was there. 
'''Arden:''' I don't know. He may also work for the Alliance. 
'''Rina:''' Where? 
'''Joshua:''' The Academy. 
'''Rina:''' The Academy, what's that? 
'''Joshua:''' It's where I went to school, where I got trained. 
'''Arden:''' I honestly don't know what he'd be doing there. 
'''Joshua:''' He was overlooking our class, just standing there. 
'''Christian:''' We'll just say like you. When they need special jobs, he is the one they call. 
'''Joshua:''' Oh, one of those. 
'''Christian:''' Just a different kind of special job. We have an idea that he works directly for Parliament. 
'''Arden:''' He has a lot of pull with the Government. 
'''Rina:''' One more question. Who forges your papers? Do you do it, or do they do it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' Usually they give them to me. I will forge signatures and such. 
'''Arden:''' Anywhere, back to my society. We were all cloned to be something. Like I was made to be a doctor. 
'''Christian:''' Or something. 
'''Joshua:''' You think they cloned your brother to work for Parliament? 
'''Arden:''' Maybe. 
'''Christian:''' There is so much oddness behind the scenes in his society we don't really know. 
'''Arden:''' I just live it. And your story seems similar. So whatever you want to do, I want to help. 
'''Rina:''' I want to help. 
'''Rick:''' (Thinking this will significantly increase the odds of running into the Blond Hand of Blue) I've got a good feeling about this. 
'''Christian:''' (Picking up on Rick's thoughts, and teasing) Maybe if you are here, Rick will finally get some action from the Blue Hand agent. Which to be fair, is something even I can't claim to have done. 
'''Joshua:''' The times we saw them, we didn't ever see them as 'sexual' or even emotional beings. We couldn't imagine them as people. 
'''Christian:''' What do they ''feel'' like? 

(Snickers from around the room) 

'''Christian:''' I mean... 
'''Joshua:''' I know what he means. 
'''Christian:''' When I look at them, it's like they're dead inside. 
'''Rick:''' But we did see as she was walking away. 
'''Christian:''' True, there is some life there. Still I have a feeling that whatever training they go through for their job tends to strip them of their humanity, either that or they specifically recruit sociopaths. I mean these people are mass murderers. 
'''Joshua:''' Maybe they are made into mass murderers. 
'''Rick:''' It isn't like we didn't kill a ship load of people ourselves. 

The crew looks around as each member does a mental tally of those they killed. Guilty smiles cross their faces as they consider the numbers. 

'''Christian:''' But generally, it was in self defense. 
'''Arden:''' There was the factory.. 
'''Christian:''' But... 
'''Rick:''' I'm not going to go through what was self defense and what wasn't, but I will say that both times I encounter the female agent, I've been able to get her, to at least show some visible signs of.. agitation. 
'''Christian:''' I'll give that to you. You did draw something out of her. 
'''Arden:''' I'd call it annoyance. 
'''Rick:''' Yes, but how badass can you really be if even 'I' can annoy you to the point of showing it? 
'''Christian:''' I think it has been shown by two of our crew members, conditioning doesn't always take 100%. 
'''Rick:''' And that's what I am thinking about. 
'''Christian:''' May I recommend next time some alternative methods of seduction? 

(snickers around the table) After the tension is dispersed with the laughter, Joshua gets a little serious again. 

'''Joshua:''' The other thing that might be relevant. One was the device, the Caelum, and the note with ''Rubicon' written on
it. I think I recognize the handwriting. I got a note in similar handwriting once before, from a note" (He gestures to Rina who nods having seen it herself.) It wasn't my trigger to get out, but it did confirm that my suspicions about what Blue Sun and Human Resources was doing was, in fact, correct. I had that note left for me. 

He retrieves the note from his room and shows it to everyone. 

'''Christian:''' I want to see how close the hand writing was to your handwriting. 
'''Rina:''' So, Joshua, the note was a signal to you to tell you that what you thought about this Reaver operation was true. 
'''Joshua:''' Not just the Reaver operation specifically, but the academy as a whole. 
'''Christian:''' It was a sign to get out of his life. 
'''Joshua:''' The academy isn't a job, it is a whole living environment. The dozen of us live there, but there is also a whole other group, hundreds of other people supporting the operations, perhaps conducting other operations. It is like a mini city where everyone is working for the company. 
'''Rina:''' I understand, they control you by controlling your environment, what you eat, where you sleep, etc. ''Rubicon'' to me, means you've crossed a point of no return, you're going into territory that you're not supposed to go. 
'''Joshua:''' I think you're right about that. 
'''Rina:''' So who left it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know. 
'''Rina:''' What does it mean to you? 
'''Joshua:''' The first note was a confirmation that what I was seeing was not what they were telling me. That I was right, that I wasn't just imagining conspiracies where there were none. So, the Rubicon one... I don't know. Your interpretation sounds as plausible as any other. I don't know who this person is, obviously they have some reach. If they left the original note on my bag at the Academy, and left the second note on my bed on Trafalgar, that suggests... 
'''Christian:''' Specific messages sending you in the direction of a specific goal. 
'''Arden:''' Does sound familiar. 

They examine the note left on a simple baggage tag.On it, handwritten is the word ''Rubicon''. 

'''Arden:''' What does ''Rubicon'' mean? Does anyone know? 
'''Christian:''' It was the river that Julius Caesar crossed in violation of Roman law. 
'''Arden:''' Pretend for a moment I know what you are talking about. 
'''Christian:''' One rule of the Roman armies, was that they could not go across the Rubicon into Rome. It was how the Roman Empire was able to keep a vast army without constantly having coups. But, Caesar defied the law, crossed the Rubicon and took control of Rome from the Senate. But Rina had a good point, it was for Caesar a point of no return. If he crossed the Rubicon, he had to either succeed or be killed. And in his case he did both. Metaphorically it is taking the step that changes your life forever. 
'''Rina:''' So Joshua, are you the hand that casts the die, or are you the die? 

Arden thinks about from his own unique perspective, one less molded by historical metaphor and cultural bias. 

'''Arden:''' I don't know if this means anything but It is also the only Blackrock in the Core. 
'''Rina:''' That's right, luggage tag, travel to. Maybe this was a sign post! Should we go visit? 
'''Christian:''' That depends on whether Joshua wants to go. 
'''Arden:''' Hmm, do I want to go back to White Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Also, Dr. Arden knows this, but so that the rest of you know it, I need a drug, everyday. 
'''Christian:''' I was curious, but I didn't want to ask. 
'''Joshua:''' The end result of not getting it, is pretty bad. 
'''Rina:''' This isn't the same drug you injected me with. 
'''Joshua:''' No. What I injected you with was something they gave me as a precaution in case they needed to use their sonic weapons. Which it turns out they did. 
'''Arden:''' You gave me some of that stuff? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Rina:''' So you have immunity to the sonic weapons? 
'''Arden:''' I'm sure it is gone by now. 
'''Christian:''' But this other drug you need to get regularly or... 
'''Joshua:''' I was told that I would die without it. 
'''Rina:''' How do you know it's not just a sugar pill just given to you to keep you in line? 
'''Arden:''' Flomoxipan is a real drug, a powerful anti-depressant. It is unlikely it would be just a ruse. We don't know enough about the effects of his brain surgery, or what other factors are going into this to experiment with removing the drugs. Valerie would probably know more about it. But last we saw her, she wasn't at the top of her game, despite being highly suggestible. 
'''Christian:''' She'll be glad to tell us if we just ask her. 

The crew ponders where to go next and begins plotting a route. First to Red Sun to drop off Jake's body, then on to White Sun possibly to check out this Rubicon lead. But that would be weeks away, no need to commit right now. They spend the rest of the rest stop enjoying the quiet pace of Lucifer's Landing. They are never quite free of the fear that someone of their enemies has tracked them here. They are always looking over their shoulders expecting to see the Hands of Blue or who knows who behind them. Every now and then an Industrial Shuttle comes to collect the ore mined, but mostly it is just quiet. After a week or so the people of Lucifer's Landing get to know them, and accept them as their own. Lem is playing with other kids, people are asking for help around their houses, and offering to help them with the chip. Christian begins to make contacts and scope out the job prospects in Jibril and the surrounding area. He learns that he is the only licensed Companion, but a former companion runs a small business catering to women exclusively. There is undoubtedly some form of prostitution for the majority male population, but it is heavily frowned upon so difficult to get word of without being more involved in the local scene. While it would be difficult, it will probably be quite lucrative.

About two weeks in, at a celebratory dinner, Christian makes an announcement.

'''Christian:''' I've been thinking a lot about this, and, if we were a normal ship, a ship without the luck we've had things might be different. Lem has, in the last year been abandoned twice, seen people get Reavered, been in the middle of riots, and he has been kidnapped. And if we continue like this, the damage to his psyche will be irreversible. Especially considering his condition. So, it is irresponsible for us to keep taking him everywhere. 
'''Arden:''' Maybe we can find him a good boarding school. 
'''Rina:''' That is another form of abandonment. 
'''Arden:''' No it isn't. 
'''Rina:''' Yes it is. 
'''Joshua:''' went to boarding school. 
'''Arden:''' Me too. 

They all let that sink in a moment.

'''Christian:''' We are not sending him away again. He needs to be in a place where he is not in constant danger. He needs someone that he can trust.. There happens to be a very nice building here that used to be a shipping business. There are unique business opportunities here, which I could find almost no where else in the 'Verse. I won't go into all the details, it might make your brain explode. But more importantly, do you remember when we were thinking of buying Potemkin's business? There were some good ideas in that discussion, just at the time we weren't ready. I think now with the way things are that I could make it much easier for us to have regular work, if I am working from a place that isn't the ship and I don't have the responsibilities of stewarding the vessel and taking care of passengers. So I am going to stay here with Lem. 
'''Arden:''' Are you doing this for yourself or for Lem? 
'''Christian:''' I'm doing it for Lem. That's what a parent does. But at the same time it would be nice to have a steady stream of clients, which I have not had since getting my license back. And I am pretty sure I can arrange a pretty nice base here. There are a lot of repressed desires, and any time you make something illegal, chances are people are going to want it more. 
'''Arden:''' It sounds advantageous for the guild, but I wouldn't want you to give up something that you love. 
'''Christian:''' I would be, but I think, at this time, it is the right thing to do. I don't think we can trust Lem with anyone else. 
'''Arden:''' Your parents? 
'''Christian:''' My parents have already raised a child, it isn't fair to ask them to do it again. Besides which it is my and our responsibility. 
'''Rick:''' What about his real parents? 
'''Arden:''' They got nuked. 
'''Rick:''' We don't know that. 
'''Christian:''' Even if they are alive, he is probably better off with us, than with them. 
'''Rick:''' I understand that, I am just saying that maybe in the future, if we find out that they are alive and well, that is a possibility. 
'''Christian:''' Of course. But with Summer's permission, which I am sure she doesn't care. I am going to take over the offices. I am going to start working to establish some business relations, so that wherever you are. I will find the jobs that are available and negotiate the best rates. And you can decide based on the circumstances whether to take the job or not. This way you won't always be scavenging for work. It will be waiting for you. 
'''Arden:''' Of course, staying in one place will make it easier for the Hands of Blue to find you. 
'''Christian:''' I am not worried about them. They don't want me, and I am a registered Companion, they might not want that hassle either. I'd be more considered about certain Core families. On the other hand, I feel more protected out here on the Rim. It is harder to muster resources out here than in the Core worlds, even for an organization like Blue Sun. 
'''Rick:''' And we could leave your shuttle here so you can escape if you need to. 
'''Christian:''' Yes, I would need my shuttle. 
'''Rina:''' I'll send you regular waves. 
'''Rick:''' We should probably stay a couple more days and help you fix everything up for the business(es). 

The discuss what will be necessary to refurbish the building and getting it ready for operations. Then they also look into fixing up a local house for he and Lem. Over the next few days they put this plan in motion: cleaning repairing, rewiring etc... They take possession of a pretty, though dilapidated house perched on the cliff and set to work fixing it as well. They introduce Lem to Muleskinner, and the boy takes quickly to the ship helping out the double amputee with his work. Lem seems to settle in. The crew has set up Christian and Lem with a large home suitable for both home life and business. Arden writes up a prescription for Lem. They've restored the original ''Fairweather Flyers'' building. Christian assured them that he is fine and ready to start working. So with his blessing they prepare the ship for lift off. Once alone Christian watches Joshua taking his place, and watches the crew return to their duties and the life that he has known for over a year. All his training to control of his emotions is used to keep a brave face. As much as he thinks he is doing the right thing, part of him will be left on the Summer's Gift.

'''''This marks the last appearance of Christian as a regular PC in the game.'''''

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]] 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Forward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode216p2

2018-09-25T04:02:23Z

Taimdala:

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]]

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Jibril Spaceport, Angel''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''06:00 hrs, local time''' 

Arden determines that both Nika and Rick need to take some time off from the rigors of space flight to recover from the wounds they've received from the Reavers.
They need either a hospital or fresh air and relaxation. Lucifer's Landing seems like a good place to visit. And this will give Arden time to look over Lem's charts.

'''Christian:''' I don't think having either Nika or Rina walking around a city like Jibril with Sharia law is such a good idea. 
'''Rina:''' I'm not going to burn the Gorram city down. 
'''Christian:''' I'm worried you are going to get flogged. Maybe we should go to Lucifer's Landing, we have friends there, and the law is considerably more relaxed. 

They refuel the ship and prepare to head out to Lucifer's Landing. 

'''Christian:''' Joshua, you are neither crew nor passenger, do you want to stay here, or get off at Lucifer's Landing or stick around? 

Arden recommends they buy some drugs for Joshua before they leave Jibril.
Christian arranges to get those and other medical supplies, immunization packs etc..
 
'''Sunday, 30 Jun 2520''' 
'''Lucifer's Landing, Angel''' 
'''15:27 hrs, local time''' 

The ship makes a short hop to Lucifer's Landing, and they approach from the crater side rising over the cliff face and float over the small mining town. They land in the yard of Fairweather Flyers the original owners of Summer's Gift (née MakeMake). The yard hasn't changed much in the year that has passed since their last visit.

They find Emma and Hilde have occupied a house and repaired it to its former glory. They appear together and reasonably happy. They work a variety of jobs, and do their best to make a living. They have changed almost beyond recognition. Without the pampering make-up, cleansers, and humidity of their Core worlds, their skin and hair are natural and weathered.

'''Christian:''' Welcome to Lucifer's Landing. 

They disembark and lead Lem out into the first natural light he has seen in some time. He is skittish around strangers (understandably) but he seems happy to back on terra firmer. He seems excited to know that there are other children (a handful) in town. The crew begins to settle in for a pleasant stay.

During the stay Arden discovers, be rooting through the incomplete brain scan data that there is no sign of advancement in Lem's Prion disease. Also there is evidence that the existing prion disease has been reduced. It appears that he should, in time, make a reasonable recovery, although it isn't clear whether there is any permanent damage. He may need to stay on his anti-prion drugs for the rest of his life, but as this is a new treatment for a new disease, no one really knows.

The more promising medical news is that the tests done on the samples of protein paste. The generic protein paste appears to be normal. But the sample run through the ProMagic texturizer shows evidence of prions. The ProMagic which works by altering the raw proteins (derived from algae, fungus and other sources) to transform the texture from a firm tofu-like texture to anything from creamy ice cream, to juicy steak and everything in between. Somehow in the process one in a million of those proteins is transformed into a Prion, and that is enough.. This seems to validate Arden's hypothesis of the origin of Prion Disease. And this information, the epidemic could be stopped in its tracks (as soon as people learn to stop using the ProMagic).

Arden sends this data to the Dr. Lawrence back on St. Albans, and spends some time writing up an article for the medical journals. Although because of the distance it will be some time before he hears back.

Christian, Rina and Joshua go visit Summer Fairweather who gifted the MakeMake to the crew. She is in her cave working on her orchids.

'''Summer:''' Look at that… I thought I heard a ship. 
'''Christian:''' We needed a place of sanctuary and rest. 
'''Summer:''' It is perhaps appropriate that you would seek sanctuary here, although the innocent people of the town might not share your desire. 
'''Christian:''' At this point, I don't believe anyone is actively pursuing us. The sanctuary we seek is spiritual. We've have some people that need healing, both physical and spiritual. 
'''Summer:''' I was told you brought gun-fighters down on the town on your last visit. 
'''Christian:''' Yes unfortunately, I'm sorry for that. 
'''Summer:''' It is difficult to do as you do without endangering innocents as you do. (Sensing some discomfort, she changes the topic.) And who is this? 
'''Christian:''' This is Joshua. He is a ... wandering soul we picked up not long ago. 
'''Joshua:''' That is a polite way of putting it. 
'''Summer:''' (Looking a little ill at ease with the small crowd.) I'm afraid I am not much of a conversationalist, if that is what you seek. 
'''Christian:''' We merely came to pay our respects and, if you want, to tell you what we have done with the ship. We've tried to keep our promise to you. 
'''Summer:''' I'm glad that you have tried. 
'''Christian:''' We believe that we have found the root cause of the disease that is afflicting Blue Sun. 
'''Summer:''' I'm afraid I don't know much about that. (It is quite a ways away). 

Christian explains the disease, how it is transmitted, and what it has wrought in the system. They arrange to get some orchid clippings and spend the afternoon meditating with the monk. Even Rina!

Days pass and the crew enjoys some pleasant relaxing time down. Rina does the maintenance, they do their part to help the local economy. Rick finishes Jake's retrospective collection. He had quite a bit of footage of the crew. He seemed to have an exceptional grasp of the individual crew's personalities. It is bittersweet and poignant. There are a sparse handful of shots (mostly stills) of Jake setting up shots or doing light checks. It was a fitting tribute to the crew's lost crewman. They agree to send a wave to his family of his fate and asking what they'd like to do with the body.

The group gets to know Joshua during their convalescence. Joshua seems confused that no one was going to interrogate them. He bring the medical tool to Arden to ask him what it it. Arden concludes that it is a NewTech tool called a Sonic Caelum (or sonic sculptor), basically a high tech plastic surgery tool. It is a "non-invasive" surgery tool.

'''Arden:''' Is it a subtle message that Joshua is ugly? 
'''Rick:''' That he should change his appearance to better hide. 
'''Joshua:''' Or setting me up to do my job? 
'''Arden:''' What exactly is your job? Since you brought it up. 
'''Joshua:''' I was what we referred to as a ''Borrower''. I assumed other people's identities. 
'''Arden:''' Okay, what happened to those people? 
'''Joshua:''' It was not a replacement. I would be asked to do so for various reasons, for example: if a politician needed to be… 
'''Arden:''' In two places at one time? 
'''Joshua:''' That was one of the reasons.. 
'''Arden:''' (interrupting) So what were you doing on the Trafalgar with Reavers? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, that's one of the other things I do. Occasionally they may need a way in to places. And so I substitute the identity of a real person who has access to those places. In this case, I was borrowing the identity of an Alliance commander, and I had very specific orders to transfer those Reavers to Blue Sun from Alliance possession. 
'''Arden:''' So you worked for Blue Sun that time? 
'''Joshua:''' I work for Blue Sun every time. 
'''Arden:''' ''How W’rin Bu Lai, Whai W’rin Bu Jwo'' We haven't had good experiences with Blue Sun. 
'''Joshua:''' I always thought of them as '''''Human Resources'''''. 
'''Arden:''' Everyone on this ship has some sort of thing with them in the past. Mine is a little weird. 
'''Joshua:''' Do you have a brother? 

...

'''Arden:''' Uh yes, sort of, kinda, sorta. it's sort of hard to explain. Why, have you met someone who resembled me? 
'''Joshua:''' Not so much... seen, but not met. 
'''Arden:''' Perhaps we should have this conversation with the rest of the crew. 

At dinner that night...

'''Arden:''' Joshua was telling me about his job, I think you should hear it from him. 
'''Christian:''' Obviously it involves him impersonating people? 
'''Arden:''' How did you know that? 
'''Christian:''' Because we met him impersonating a Navy Officer. Trust me, he is no Alliance Officer. 
'''Joshua:''' He's right. 
'''Arden:''' He always is. The point is that damn companion training means he gets it before any of us do, with no clues whatsoever. 
'''Joshua:''' There are clues. 
'''Christian:''' You just need to know how to look for them. 
'''Rick:''' I have one question. 
'''Everyone in Unison:''' He's not a robot! 
'''Christian:''' You were saying about your job.. 
'''Joshua:''' I am what was referred to as a '''''Borrower.'''''' At least that is what my handler, Virgil, used to call it. 
'''Christian:''' What were you borrowing, not people's identities, that is obvious. For what reason? 
'''Joshua:''' Multiple reasons: body doubles for politicians, the other reasons… it is important to understand that it wasn't until recently that I was able to interpret my past jobs as what they were. I've done espionage, using an identity to get into a place where I wasn't supposed to be where Human Resources wanted me to be. 
'''Rina:''' Human Resources? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Arden:''' Were you are freelancer, or what for Blue Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Blue Sun. 
'''Christian:''' You specifically worked for Blue Sun, you weren't contracted out to them? 
'''Joshua:''' No. 
'''Christian:''' I'm going to guess they taught you all your skills and this was a lifetime contract? 
'''Joshua:''' Contract I don't know about. There were about a dozen of us there. 
'''Christian:''' Some special program, how did you get there. Did they raise you, recruit you? 
'''Arden:''' Were you born in a creche? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't remember. I wasn't born there, but I don't have any memories outside of there. 
'''Christian:''' Was it you've had so many jobs your memories are confused? 
'''Joshua:''' Possibly, I've had so many jobs, I can't remember my own face. This one I see in the mirror, is me, for now. 
'''Arden:''' Unless you want to change it. 
'''Joshua:''' But.. it was a living environment. We were all there. There were about a dozen of us that worked in the same area. I don't think we all did the same thing, but, we were all there. We all hand handlers. 
'''Arden:''' Does the planet Sophie ring a bell? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not with me. 
'''Arden:''' It's where I am from. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, this is my first time out. 
'''Rina:''' Can I ask you a question Joshua? You say this is your face currently. So what are you? Is this the body you were born with, or did you borrow that too? 
'''Joshua:''' It's not borrowing in a physical sense. 
'''Christian:''' They change him to match the person he is imitating. At need. That is very NewTech, in order to keep his face from scarring and being damaged. 
'''Arden:''' It is pretty impressive. Blastomere implants, the whole nine yards. 
'''Christian:''' Of course this sounds like a program where they would use the berry best. So tell me, why did you want to leave? 
'''Joshua:''' They keep us sheltered and I began to realize what was going on. And I didn't want to do that. So I was looking for my chance to run. Which is kind of surprising how quickly I found one. 
'''Christian:''' No, no it's not. 
'''Arden:''' Why not? 
'''Christian:''' We ran into Reavers in the one place we were going. We were in the right place at the right time to run into him AND the reavers? It can't be a coincidence. If you haven't noticed we have an amazing ability to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. My point is our karma is leading us around. It is not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' I have no other life to compare it to, so this is normal for me. 
'''Christian:''' So everyone wanders aboard an Alliance ship to do brain scans at the same time Reavers are being transferred and an Resistance group is trying to take over the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' "With regard to that..there is a reason I was sent aboard as an Alliance Commander. They are the ones getting the Reavers. I was sent to take them off the hands of the Alliance and deliver them to Blue Sun. Blue Sun is interested in Reavers for the same reason the Alliance is interested. 
'''Rina:''' For bio-weapons, super soldiers? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm not happy for the method for which they had planned. 
'''Christian:''' I suppose it would be too optimistic to hope that they were looking for a cure for the Reavers. 

Everyone looks at Christian in disbelief.

'''Arden:''' I am interested in how one captures a Reaver. 
'''Joshua:''' Bait. 
'''Arden:''' So they put some ship with some random people out there, and when the Reavers went after them, they grabbed them? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Christian:''' That's not surprising. 
'''Arden:''' That's really wrong! 
'''Rick:''' They wanted to capture the Reavers and study them, how else are they going to do that? 
'''Arden:''' Not by letting the Reavers have them! 
'''Christian:''' What were Reavers doing here in the first place? We are very far from Miranda. This is about as far as you can get. 

Since the battle of the Universe Moon the Reavers have spread out from Burnham Quadrant. But no one expected them to spread so far. The crew discusses how the Reavers spread and wonder whether these Reavers are originals, or 'neo-reavers' products of either Prion disease or Chempliant.

'''Rina:''' (to Joshua) Tell me how these Reavers that seem only interested in killing, raping or eating can fly a ship from one of the Verse to the other? 
'''Arden:''' Why are you asking him? 
'''Rina:''' He is connected to the organization responsible for all this? 
'''Joshua:''' I.. I.. I'm not management. I don't get told why things are being done, or what for. That is half the reason I don't want to do any more. I was a tool, and I mean that in the literal sense. 
'''Arden:''' Multipurpose tool. 
'''Joshua:''' That is something I am able to do, I can pick up personalities, accents and skills. For example, like in that surgery. 
'''Arden:''' You picked that up from me? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Arden:''' That's a nifty trick. 
'''Christian:''' I've heard of savants who could do things like that. In fact we had one on board. 
'''Arden:''' But he is only a savant in one area. 
'''Christian:''' Being able to do it in any area is beyond Lem's ability. 
'''Joshua:''' I went to school, and there were operations. 
'''Arden:''' Anyone can do this, anyone? 
'''Joshua:''' Well, I don't think so. We were always told we were very special. 

Arden's scan revealed that unlike himself (with an extra gland), Joshua was missing several bits from his brain in similar places to another person he has witnessed, Johannes Volker.

'''Arden:''' His brain resembles that of that young passenger Volker. 
'''Joshua:''' I knew him. He got kicked out. He was not much of a threat. 
'''Arden:''' Here's a question. With your rare skill set and talent. Are there going to be people coming to bring you back? 
'''Joshua:''' I am pretty sure she did tell me that. I said a short life in the open is better than a long life in captivity. She said, and I quote 'It will be short.' Period. 
'''Christian:''' He knows too much. 
'''Rina:''' He certainly knows things that make him a liability. Excuse me speaking of you in the third person. How do you get past the retina scans? 
'''Joshua:''' Retina scans are an issue, but these is technology to circumvent that. Most of the time, I've had the cooperation of the person I am borrowing. Most of the time I am not going places that needs such things. 
'''Rina:''' Maybe we ought to… rearrange his face a little. Make him harder to get back? 
'''Joshua:''' Honestly, I was just starting to get used to it. 
'''Arden:''' Your story is very similar to mine… So I have no qualms about having you aboard the ship. 
'''Joshua:''' Where does your ''brother'' fall into all this? 
'''Arden:''' He's not really a brother, he's a clone, an earlier clone from the same stock. Sophie was founded by a group of people intent of making a perfect place. Everyone from there, is a clone of one of the original founders. 
'''Joshua:''' Was Sophie made by Blue Sun? After all, your brother was there. 
'''Arden:''' I don't know. He may also work for the Alliance. 
'''Rina:''' Where? 
'''Joshua:''' The Academy. 
'''Rina:''' The Academy, what's that? 
'''Joshua:''' It's where I went to school, where I got trained. 
'''Arden:''' I honestly don't know what he'd be doing there. 
'''Joshua:''' He was overlooking our class, just standing there. 
'''Christian:''' We'll just say like you. When they need special jobs, he is the one they call. 
'''Joshua:''' Oh, one of those. 
'''Christian:''' Just a different kind of special job. We have an idea that he works directly for Parliament. 
'''Arden:''' He has a lot of pull with the Government. 
'''Rina:''' One more question. Who forges your papers? Do you do it, or do they do it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' Usually they give them to me. I will forge signatures and such. 
'''Arden:''' Anywhere, back to my society. We were all cloned to be something. Like I was made to be a doctor. 
'''Christian:''' Or something. 
'''Joshua:''' You think they cloned your brother to work for Parliament? 
'''Arden:''' Maybe. 
'''Christian:''' There is so much oddness behind the scenes in his society we don't really know. 
'''Arden:''' I just live it. And your story seems similar. So whatever you want to do, I want to help. 
'''Rina:''' I want to help. 
'''Rick:''' (Thinking this will significantly increase the odds of running into the Blond Hand of Blue) I've got a good feeling about this. 
'''Christian:''' (Picking up on Rick's thoughts, and teasing) Maybe if you are here, Rick will finally get some action from the Blue Hand agent. Which to be fair, is something even I can't claim to have done. 
'''Joshua:''' The times we saw them, we didn't ever see them as 'sexual' or even emotional beings. We couldn't imagine them as people. 
'''Christian:''' What do they ''feel'' like? 

(Snickers from around the room) 

'''Christian:''' I mean... 
'''Joshua:''' I know what he means. 
'''Christian:''' When I look at them, it's like they're dead inside. 
'''Rick:''' But we did see as she was walking away. 
'''Christian:''' True, there is some life there. Still I have a feeling that whatever training they go through for their job tends to strip them of their humanity, either that or they specifically recruit sociopaths. I mean these people are mass murderers. 
'''Joshua:''' Maybe they are made into mass murderers. 
'''Rick:''' It isn't like we didn't kill a ship load of people ourselves. 

The crew looks around as each member does a mental tally of those they killed. Guilty smiles cross their faces as they consider the numbers. 

'''Christian:''' But generally, it was in self defense. 
'''Arden:''' There was the factory.. 
'''Christian:''' But... 
'''Rick:''' I'm not going to go through what was self defense and what wasn't, but I will say that both times I encounter the female agent, I've been able to get her, to at least show some visible signs of.. agitation. 
'''Christian:''' I'll give that to you. You did draw something out of her. 
'''Arden:''' I'd call it annoyance. 
'''Rick:''' Yes, but how badass can you really be if even 'I' can annoy you to the point of showing it? 
'''Christian:''' I think it has been shown by two of our crew members, conditioning doesn't always take 100%. 
'''Rick:''' And that's what I am thinking about. 
'''Christian:''' May I recommend next time some alternative methods of seduction? 

(snickers around the table) After the tension is dispersed with the laughter, Joshua gets a little serious again. 

'''Joshua:''' The other thing that might be relevant. One was the device, the Caelum, and the note with ''Rubicon' written on
it. I think I recognize the handwriting. I got a note in similar handwriting once before, from a note" (He gestures to Rina who nods having seen it herself.) It wasn't my trigger to get out, but it did confirm that my suspicions about what Blue Sun and Human Resources was doing was, in fact, correct. I had that note left for me. 

He retrieves the note from his room and shows it to everyone. 

'''Christian:''' I want to see how close the hand writing was to your handwriting. 
'''Rina:''' So, Joshua, the note was a signal to you to tell you that what you thought about this Reaver operation was true. 
'''Joshua:''' Not just the Reaver operation specifically, but the academy as a whole. 
'''Christian:''' It was a sign to get out of his life. 
'''Joshua:''' The academy isn't a job, it is a whole living environment. The dozen of us live there, but there is also a whole other group, hundreds of other people supporting the operations, perhaps conducting other operations. It is like a mini city where everyone is working for the company. 
'''Rina:''' I understand, they control you by controlling your environment, what you eat, where you sleep, etc. ''Rubicon'' to me, means you've crossed a point of no return, you're going into territory that you're not supposed to go. 
'''Joshua:''' I think you're right about that. 
'''Rina:''' So who left it for you? 
'''Joshua:''' I don't know. 
'''Rina:''' What does it mean to you? 
'''Joshua:''' The first note was a confirmation that what I was seeing was not what they were telling me. That I was right, that I wasn't just imagining conspiracies where there were none. So, the Rubicon one... I don't know. Your interpretation sounds as plausible as any other. I don't know who this person is, obviously they have some reach. If they left the original note on my bag at the Academy, and left the second note on my bed on Trafalgar, that suggests... 
'''Christian:''' Specific messages sending you in the direction of a specific goal. 
'''Arden:''' Does sound familiar. 

They examine the note left on a simple baggage tag.On it, handwritten is the word ''Rubicon''. 

'''Arden:''' What does ''Rubicon'' mean? Does anyone know? 
'''Christian:''' It was the river that Julius Caesar crossed in violation of Roman law. 
'''Arden:''' Pretend for a moment I know what you are talking about. 
'''Christian:''' One rule of the Roman armies, was that they could not go across the Rubicon into Rome. It was how the Roman Empire was able to keep a vast army without constantly having coups. But, Caesar defied the law, crossed the Rubicon and took control of Rome from the Senate. But Rina had a good point, it was for Caesar a point of no return. If he crossed the Rubicon, he had to either succeed or be killed. And in his case he did both. Metaphorically it is taking the step that changes your life forever. 
'''Rina:''' So Joshua, are you the hand that casts the die, or are you the die? 

Arden thinks about from his own unique perspective, one less molded by historical metaphor and cultural bias. 

'''Arden:''' I don't know if this means anything but It is also the only Blackrock in the Core. 
'''Rina:''' That's right, luggage tag, travel to. Maybe this was a sign post! Should we go visit? 
'''Christian:''' That depends on whether Joshua wants to go. 
'''Arden:''' Hmm, do I want to go back to White Sun? 
'''Joshua:''' Also, Dr. Arden knows this, but so that the rest of you know it, I need a drug, everyday. 
'''Christian:''' I was curious, but I didn't want to ask. 
'''Joshua:''' The end result of not getting it, is pretty bad. 
'''Rina:''' This isn't the same drug you injected me with. 
'''Joshua:''' No. What I injected you with was something they gave me as a precaution in case they needed to use their sonic weapons. Which it turns out they did. 
'''Arden:''' You gave me some of that stuff? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Rina:''' So you have immunity to the sonic weapons? 
'''Arden:''' I'm sure it is gone by now. 
'''Christian:''' But this other drug you need to get regularly or... 
'''Joshua:''' I was told that I would die without it. 
'''Rina:''' How do you know it's not just a sugar pill just given to you to keep you in line? 
'''Arden:''' Flomoxipan is a real drug, a powerful anti-depressant. It is unlikely it would be just a ruse. We don't know enough about the effects of his brain surgery, or what other factors are going into this to experiment with removing the drugs. Valerie would probably know more about it. But last we saw her, she wasn't at the top of her game, despite being highly suggestible. 
'''Christian:''' She'll be glad to tell us if we just ask her. 

The crew ponders where to go next and begins plotting a route. First to Red Sun to drop off Jake's body, then on to White Sun possibly to check out this Rubicon lead. But that would be weeks away, no need to commit right now. They spend the rest of the rest stop enjoying the quiet pace of Lucifer's Landing. They are never quite free of the fear that someone of their enemies has tracked them here. They are always looking over their shoulders expecting to see the Hands of Blue or who knows who behind them. Every now and then an Industrial Shuttle comes to collect the ore mined, but mostly it is just quiet. After a week or so the people of Lucifer's Landing get to know them, and accept them as their own. Lem is playing with other kids, people are asking for help around their houses, and offering to help them with the chip. Christian begins to make contacts and scope out the job prospects in Jibril and the surrounding area. He learns that he is the only licensed Companion, but a former companion runs a small business catering to women exclusively. There is undoubtedly some form of prostitution for the majority male population, but it is heavily frowned upon so difficult to get word of without being more involved in the local scene. While it would be difficult, it will probably be quite lucrative.

About two weeks in, at a celebratory dinner, Christian makes an announcement.

'''Christian:''' I've been thinking a lot about this, and, if we were a normal ship, a ship without the luck we've had things might be different. Lem has, in the last year been abandoned twice, seen people get Reavered, been in the middle of riots, and he has been kidnapped. And if we continue like this, the damage to his psyche will be irreversible. Especially considering his condition. So, it is irresponsible for us to keep taking him everywhere. 
'''Arden:''' Maybe we can find him a good boarding school. 
'''Rina:''' That is another form of abandonment. 
'''Arden:''' No it isn't. 
'''Rina:''' Yes it is. 
'''Joshua:''' went to boarding school. 
'''Arden:''' Me too. 

They all let that sink in a moment.

'''Christian:''' We are not sending him away again. He needs to be in a place where he is not in constant danger. He needs someone that he can trust.. There happens to be a very nice building here that used to be a shipping business. There are unique business opportunities here, which I could find almost no where else in the 'Verse. I won't go into all the details, it might make your brain explode. But more importantly, do you remember when we were thinking of buying Potemkin's business? There were some good ideas in that discussion, just at the time we weren't ready. I think now with the way things are that I could make it much easier for us to have regular work, if I am working from a place that isn't the ship and I don't have the responsibilities of stewarding the vessel and taking care of passengers. So I am going to stay here with Lem. 
'''Arden:''' Are you doing this for yourself or for Lem? 
'''Christian:''' I'm doing it for Lem. That's what a parent does. But at the same time it would be nice to have a steady stream of clients, which I have not had since getting my license back. And I am pretty sure I can arrange a pretty nice base here. There are a lot of repressed desires, and any time you make something illegal, chances are people are going to want it more. 
'''Arden:''' It sounds advantageous for the guild, but I wouldn't want you to give up something that you love. 
'''Christian:''' I would be, but I think, at this time, it is the right thing to do. I don't think we can trust Lem with anyone else. 
'''Arden:''' Your parents? 
'''Christian:''' My parents have already raised a child, it isn't fair to ask them to do it again. Besides which it is my and our responsibility. 
'''Rick:''' What about his real parents? 
'''Arden:''' They got nuked. 
'''Rick:''' We don't know that. 
'''Christian:''' Even if they are alive, he is probably better off with us, than with them. 
'''Rick:''' I understand that, I am just saying that maybe in the future, if we find out that they are alive and well, that is a possibility. 
'''Christian:''' Of course. But with Summer's permission, which I am sure she doesn't care. I am going to take over the offices. I am going to start working to establish some business relations, so that wherever you are. I will find the jobs that are available and negotiate the best rates. And you can decide based on the circumstances whether to take the job or not. This way you won't always be scavenging for work. It will be waiting for you. 
'''Arden:''' Of course, staying in one place will make it easier for the Hands of Blue to find you. 
'''Christian:''' I am not worried about them. They don't want me, and I am a registered Companion, they might not want that hassle either. I'd be more considered about certain Core families. On the other hand, I feel more protected out here on the Rim. It is harder to muster resources out here than in the Core worlds, even for an organization like Blue Sun. 
'''Rick:''' And we could leave your shuttle here so you can escape if you need to. 
'''Christian:''' Yes, I would need my shuttle. 
'''Rina:''' I'll send you regular waves. 
'''Rick:''' We should probably stay a couple more days and help you fix everything up for the business(es). 

The discuss what will be necessary to refurbish the building and getting it ready for operations. Then they also look into fixing up a local house for he and Lem. Over the next few days they put this plan in motion: cleaning repairing, rewiring etc... They take possession of a pretty, though dilapidated house perched on the cliff and set to work fixing it as well. They introduce Lem to Muleskinner, and the boy takes quickly to the ship helping out the double amputee with his work. Lem seems to settle in. The crew has set up Christian and Lem with a large home suitable for both home life and business. Arden writes up a prescription for Lem. They've restored the original ''Fairweather Flyers'' building. Christian assured them that he is fine and ready to start working. So with his blessing they prepare the ship for lift off. Once alone Christian watches Joshua taking his place, and watches the crew return to their duties and the life that he has known for over a year. All his training to control of his emotions is used to keep a brave face. As much as he thinks he is doing the right thing, part of him will be left on the Summer's Gift.

'''''This marks the last appearance of Christian as a regular PC in the game.'''''

Back to [[Episode_216:_Losses_and_Gains|Part 1]] 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Forward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 216: Losses and Gains

2018-09-25T04:00:45Z

Taimdala:

'''Part 1.''' - [[episode216p2|Part 2]]'''

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Wednesday, 26 Jun 2520''' 
'''Tohoku class IAV Trafalgar''' 
'''Somewhere in the Black''' 
'''05:30 hrs, ships time''' 

Stretched out on the floor of the Trafalgar's tram are Nika, Jake and Rick, bathed in pools of blood. Rina, Joshua and Arden also not unscathed, only Lem is unscathed, physically at least huddling in the corner. The waking crew, Rina, and Arden are frantically trying to keep the others alive, Joshua is watching Arden's technique with intense curiosity. Arden labors breathlessly trying to save the lives of his crewmates. Using standard triage, Arden ascertains that Jake may be beyond help, Nika and Rick could probably be saved.

With the hospital stop seconds away, Arden decides to focus his efforts on a last ditch effort to save Jake.

The tram opens to a fairly staid looking emergency where most of the people are either holding boxes or carrying equipment, clearly in the process of shutting down the facility. When the door opens revealing the bloody scene the medical teams stop and stare in disbelief for a second before springing into action.

'''Rina:''' Medic!

As the medics rush to check on the wounded crew, and haul them into the ER, Rina, Joshua and Arden follow them in. Only as the noise level reaches a plateau of shouting and bustling of equipment does Rina notice her comm-badge chirping.

'''Christian:''' Hey guys, why isn't anyone on the ship? 
'''Rina:''' We're a little bit busy at the moment, we are in the medbay. We took some casualties.. anyway sit tight, I'll tell you more later. 
'''Christian:''' Wait a minute! Did you take some damage or do you have casualties?! 
'''Rina:''' It's a little iffy right now, talk to me later. 
'''Christian:''' Crap. 

Back at Summer's Gift Christian does a quick survey of the cargo crew loading the ship and decides that they can handle it without his presence. He signs off on the bill of lading and makes for the Med-bay looking for his crewmates.

Back in the ER, the room is abuzz with doctors, nurses and orderlies pushing moving boxes out of the way, laying fresh paper on the ER room beds, and prepping the injured for surgery.

Rina leads Lem to a small washroom off the ER and washes her hands of the thick blood - her clothes, hair and hands are saturated beyond measure, but she does her best to get her hands free enough of the blood to be of use. Then, with a little awkwardness at the intimacy she tries to wipe the blood from Lem's face and hands. His shoes are sopping with blood, he must have standing in a puddle of it on the tram. She coaxes him out of them and drops them into a waste basket. A nurse comes by and tries to urge her into another ER room.

Joshua scans the room for someone in charge, someone coordinating the operation, but finds them all without order or direction. Apparently they were not anticipating another emergency before packing up.

Joshua and Arden do their best to direct the staff into operation and deflect any questions about the cause of all this mayhem. Looking around, there are two ER doctors, but Arden is the only surgeon on deck. The three doctors divide up their patients with Arden continuing to try to save Jake and the other doctors working on Nika and Rick.

Rina finds herself cradling Lem when Christian, en route in the massive cruiser, calls back.

'''Christian:''' Just tell me one thing. Lem? 
'''Rina:''' He's fine. 
'''Christian:''' I'm coming down, somehow, as soon as I find it, this place is huge. 

Trafalgar is indeed huge, it has two hospital sections, one military, one civilian. The massive civilian hospital stretches across several decks of the ship, they happen to be in one of those being decommissioned near the bottom decks.

Jake is dying, and there is little that seems can be done. Arden keeps bringing him back to the edge, Jake keeps sliding back into oblivion. After twice resuscitating him, Arden can't keep his heart rate going, and blood is simply moving too fast from his body. His body is getting cold on the ER gurney as Arden continues his ministrations. Eventually, Arden realizes that it is hopeless, and with cool calculation, he just pulls off his gloves, dons another pair, and moves to Nika to assist the doctor where he can.

The overwhelmed ER doctor facing Nikas deteriorating condition, sees Arden looming over the patient, and cedes control of the operation, sensing Arden's superior skills. Arden starts to dip his hands into the wound, and stops. He looks around and notices that the antibiotic drip is one that Nika is allergic too. He utters a single command.

'''Arden:''' Stop!

The nurses and other doctor seem perplexed.

'''Arden:''' Remove the AB drip, switch to 5cc of Lincomycin. Give me a saline spray over the wounds and lets start this again.

As soon as he speaks, the ER unit begins to work anew. Operating quickly and efficiently, they begin to clean wounds, mend ripped veins, and suture the many nasty cuts inflicted by the Reavers.

Meanwhile, the strange Joshua stands observing the third doctor administering to Rick. After about five minutes Joshua begins to nod and follow the movements with his hands, ten minutes later, he is anticipating the next moves. After fifteen the doctor looks haggard and tired, he looks up for someone to step in and either take over or assist. But with no surgeon on call, and the other two working feverishly on Nika, there is no one in sight. With too many clamps embedded in Rick's abdomen to handle he enlists Joshua to hold one. A nurse questions his calling on a civilian.

As if awoken from an trance, Joshua steps into the position and expertly takes hold of the clamps. He deftly pulls them gently aside exposing a severed artery to the doctor. He assists ably; in fact, about half way through the surgery the attending doctor slips up and doesn't notice that he sliced through an artery. Joshua grabs another clamp from the table and slaps it on the vessel saving Rick from a likely death.

The staff, including the doctor look at Joshua with amazement.

'''Nurse:''' Are you the new head of surgery? 
'''Joshua:''' No, just work! 

While this is going on, Christian eventually shows up and rushes to Rina and Lem and demands to know what has happened. Christian looks around for the rest of the crew. He spots Arden working on someone. He sees the station's doctors working on another, and a body with a bloody sheet pulled over it.

'''Christian:''' What is going on? 
'''Rina:'''(quietly) Reavers. 
'''Christian:''' Okay… one place, I want to go one place, one place in this entire 'verse where the Reavers don't come! 
'''Christian:''' So wait a minute.. The Reavers….<he stops to think> this place is so big probably no one even knew about it, until... 
'''Rina:''' Let me sum up. We found a deserted med bed scanner for Lem. Unfortunately someone else had designs on it. For some sort of secret op involving Reavers. They didn't know we were there, but we were discovered. 
'''Christian:''' Wait, wait, we go to the med bay to get Lem scanned. One med bay in the entire 'verse where they could possibly bring Reavers to scan them, and it is there, When we are there. 
'''Rina:''' Yeah. 
'''Christian:''' My God! 

He turns pointing at Rina.

'''Rina:''' Christian… 
'''Christian:''' It's your fault! 
'''Rina:''' My fault? How is it my fault? 
'''Christian:''' I don't know… your paranoia, it attracts trouble. You're paranoid, so they really are out to get us. 

He turns away shaking his head and looks back to the ERs where the rest of his crew is either working, or being worked on.

'''Christian:''' How bad is it? 
'''Rina:''' Jake's dead… Nika and Rick are still with us. 
'''Christian:''' So far. 
'''Rina:''' Think positive. 
'''Christian:''' I am thinking positive. Arden's there. 

Rina points to the medical computers displaying vitals.

'''Rina:''' How many red lights do you see over there? 
'''Christian:''' You're okay? 
'''Rina:''' Yeah. 
'''Christian:''' Why don't you take Lem back to the ship? He should not be here. I'll stay here and see what I can do, just in case they start to ask questions. 
'''Rina:''' Stay in touch. 
'''Christian:''' I will, just out of curiosity, because I want to know how badly screwed we are… who was looking at the Reavers? 
'''Rina:''' There's a gentleman in that operating room. 
'''Christian:''' Do we know who he is working for? 
'''Rina:''' At this point…. I don't know. 
'''Christian:''' Got it, Reavers. They were stupid enough to capture a Reaver and try to read its brainwaves. 
'''Rina:''' I don't know, we didn't have a lot of time to ask questions. 
'''Christian:''' (waving it off) I don't care, I don't care. All that matters is getting people back to the ship. Lem is going back, he doesn't need to see any more of this. Besides, it's past his bed time. A cargo will have already been loaded. A lot of files. 
'''Rina:''' Do I need to prep for a quick launch? 
'''Christian:''' No, we aren't being paid for speed, we just need to get it there to Angel. I will sit here and see what I can do. 
'''Rina:''' Come on Lem, it's bedtime. 

Rina returns with Lem to Summer's Gift, the doctors manage to save Nika and Rick. Rick is briefly conscious, long enough to know he is okay and to cradle a small package he had carried with him from the battle. As they cleaned up after the surgery one of the doctors turns to the Arden and Joshua and asks.

'''Doctor:''' So who are you? What happened here? 
'''Joshua:''' Classified. 
'''Doctor:''' Classified doctors? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not classified doctors, the incident is classified. 
'''Doctor:''' Uh… 

The doctor seems uncertain about this.

Christian approaches the doctors.

'''Christian:''' Sometimes its better not to ask questions. If you don't ask questions, if you don't know… 
'''Doctor:''' Well, we are going to have to file a report on the incident. And these patients are going to need to be hospitalized for weeks, given what has happened. 

'''Christian:''' (ignoring the doctor and turning to Joshua) What happened? 
'''Joshua:''' That is a long story, but... 
'''Christian:''' Short. 
'''Joshua:''' If you want to know... 
'''Arden:''' We got attacked by bad things. 
'''Joshua:''' Best laid plans, humped by Rebels. 
'''Christian:''' So, apparently some Independents got on board the ship, there was an op, they were taken care of. Some people were hurt one killed. Once they are stabilized, we'll be transferring them to a civilian hospital to get them out of your hair. 

The chief nurse is looking skeptical at all this. Something smells wrong. Christian senses her feelings and goes to persuade her. He smiles and turns on the charm.
He works his magic and convinces her that she doesn't need to worry about this. Still she seems to be pretty dedicated to her job, and needs to be confident that she is doing her job. Christian changes tactics, and works to make it right.

'''Nurse:''' (resigned) All I need is the basic information, names, conditions, cause of injuries, kinds of injuries, treatments, etc... 
'''Christian:''' I'll give you everything you need. 

The screen fades to black as Christian and the Head Nurse walk into her office. The camera turns to reveal the rest of the crew present in the ER. A woman in a crisp uniform enters the Triage area holding a clipboard and looking like she means business.

'''Woman:''' Who's in charge here? 
'''Joshua:''' (still wearing a Commander's Uniform, though this one partially covered in blood. ) That would be me. 
'''Woman:''' Ah, Commander... 
'''Joshua:''' Wise. 
'''Woman:''' Commander Wise.. .hmm I don't see you on the crew roster, are you with another ship? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Woman:''' The name's Gates, I am with NCIS… I am investigating an incident which appears to be contemporaneous with your emergency here. Can you tall me what happened here? 
'''Joshua:''' I didn't technically see what happened myself. I was not in direct sight of the incident. 
'''Gates:''' Start with what you were told, then we'll get to what you saw. 
'''Joshua:''' They were working on some piece of machinery. We were emptying out a medical bay, number 14C. 

The NCIS officer looks at Joshua and seems dubious. SHe motions him over to one of the operating rooms.

'''Gates:''' Come here a minute. 

She walks in and puts a datebook on the table. There is a gory image of a half dozen marines lying in a heap, blood streaming from their eyes, noses, mouths, and presumably, other orifices. Some of them also have wounds form hand weapons as well. "We've had an emergency report, and found quite a few bodies." She touches the pad revealing an image of the dead Reavers. "Some have gunshot wounds and other wounds as well, some appear to have sonic damage although we couldn't find any sonic weapons on the scene. This is the incident I am investigating. You were in this area? "

'''Joshua:''' I didn't want to talk in public about this, but…. 
'''Gates:''' These appear to be Reavers. 
'''Joshua:''' They are, in fact, Reavers. 
'''Gates:''' (whispering) How did Reavers get on the ship? 
'''Joshua:''' They were being transferred. 
'''Gates:''' You should probably give me your Ident. And then we might not have anything else to say, right? 
'''Joshua:''' That's probably about right. 

Gates scans Joshua's Ident card, glances down at the clearance and seems content with the results. She looks as though she s running through the various facts in her head. Then she appears to come to some resolution.

'''Gates:''' Okay, so you want me to make this go away? 
'''Joshua:''' That would probably be a good idea. 
'''Gates:''' Alright. You're probably going to have to talk to Captain Linder about this, but as I understand it, I'm not to investigate this any further. 
'''Joshua:''' You are absolutely 100% correct. 
'''Gates:''' Do you have your own cleanup personnel, because I can't make this disappear entirely on my own. If I put my people on it, it's going to show up in the records. 
'''Joshua:''' We do. 
'''Gates:''' Alright. I'll seal off that section. But... 
'''Joshua:''' Discretion is appreciated. 
'''Gates:''' Alright, I've talked to you, I've got your Ident, if I don't hear from the Captain, I'll assume this is a closed case. 

She is clearly not thrilled with the situation, it runs contrary to her training and mission, but she knows how things work. She starts to look around at the carnage and as she turns off her datebook, she asks. "do I want to know what's going to happen to these people." She says gesturing to Rick and Nika. "I mean you can't just…"

'''Joshua:''' Do you really want to know? Will you sleep better at night if you know? I'm thinking you probably won't. 
'''Gates:''' (mumbling under her breath) I don't know how you sleep… 

And with that she storms out of the ER. Shortly thereafter, Christian exits the head nurse's office with a confident smile that his mission was accomplished there as well.

'''Arden:''' We need to get moving. 

The rest agree, and figure that Joshua can write the transfer orders moving Rick and Nika out of the hospital.

'''Christian:''' Three of us, two of them. (pointing to Rick and Nika) 
'''Arden:''' Should we take Jake's body? 
'''Christian:''' We should put Jake in cold sleep to return him to his family. 

Even still the idea that Jake is dead hasn't really set in.

'''Arden:''' (correcting him) Return his body. 

Christian looks at Arden puzzled for a second, then stammers: "Yes, that's what I meant."

As Joshua forges signature to effect the transfer, Arden turns to him.

'''Arden:''' Just out of curiosity. Why are you helping us? 
'''Joshua''' (a little taken off guard): Why, who? 
'''Arden:''' Not that I'm complaining. I appreciate what you've done. 
'''Joshua:''' I need a ride out. 
'''Arden:''' Absolutely. 

Arden seems satisfied in his classic no nonsense way. Christian watches Joshua intently, trying to make sense of this stranger's behavior. A career officer appears to be abandoning his ship and station, betraying the navy and fleeing with them.

Arden sneaks a couple of boxes of medical supplies under the gurneys. The crew maneuvers the gurneys into the tram, and takes it back to the loading dock where the Summer's Gift awaits.

Back on the ship, Rina keeps watch on Lem. He has retreated to the engine room and leans against the bulkhead for comfort. Rina understands it, but it still seems odd coming from a child. Lem's fingers appear to trace the circuitry behind the bulkheads. Rina isn't sure if it's true, or just her mind working in overdrive. She begins to feel her own energy reserves bottoming out.

'''Rina:''' Look, sometimes bad things happen, but you're okay. 

Lem just looks away and continues to caress the engines.

A call comes from Arden telling her that they are on the way, and asking her to get the ship ready to go. Cargo is not yet loaded, the passengers are waiting to board, but the ship is fueled and stocked.

'''Rina:''' Lem, there's some things I need to do.

She hands him a grease pencil. "When I come back I want to see the power train traced out, with the relays. Wait here."

Rina heads out to check on the passengers and cargo. Looking out at the Exit Lounge, she sees several men in black pants, white shirts and 'festive' ties. They are accountants, and they look quite intoxicated. Rina summons them via comms, and they seem in good spirits. They grab their gear and start for the ship. They board the ship and drop their bags in front of Rina who seems nonplussed at the very idea. Rina instructs them to head for their berths in second class, and checks them off as they enter.

--

As they head for the hanger bay, Christian engages Joshua.

'''Christian:''' I'm curious, why don't you have your own ride off? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm pretty sure I've pissed off my only ride off. And Janitorial Services has already been through here, they'll be even more pissed off if they have to make a stop here to clean me off. 
'''Arden:''' I would have thought the janitorial services would have gotten rid of what the investigator took pictures of, before she took pictures of it. 

Joshua attempts to explain his role and how little he knows about the full operation. They seem to expect that he is control or command, but he assures them that this is not the case.

As Rina is letting the passengers on board, she spots the blond Blue Hand woman watching the ship. She is entering something into a datebook. Rina looks about nervously and ushers the passengers in quickly shutting the airlock behind her. They bumble their way up the ship, clumsily trying to flirt with Rina and getting nowhere. Part way along they confess to their plight of being stuck on a planet with Sharia law and no chance of alcohol, women or any other sort of fun. This is going to be their 'last blast!' They are in no hurry to get there. At least they've paid up front. Rina orders them to strap in to the jump seats in the lounge, then lets them continue to drink in their harnesses. At least they won't be hurt falling down.

Rina then calls the crew and lets them know the passengers are aboard. She then warns them that "Blondie's back, and she's watching the ship."

'''Christian:''' Rick, I've got some good news for you. You might have final chance to get killed by your girlfriend before we get off the station. I've heard the sympathy ploy really works it the serial killers. 
'''Rick:''' She's not a serial killer. 
'''Christian:''' Why did no one mention, that THEY were involved too? 
'''Arden:''' I thought it was obvious. 

And he gestures to the little bits of dried blood caked to his ears. Christian looks it over and recognizes the tell tale sign of that strange sonic weapon used by the Blue Hand agents.

'''Christian:''' (to Joshua) Are the people looking for you people that wear blue gloves? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. They're Janitorial Services. 
'''Christian:''' So they will be looking for specifically for you as well as you. (turning to Arden) 
'''Arden:''' Why me? 
'''Christian:''' You think they are done with you after the last time? 

The crew enters the lobby, Joshua and Arden spot the Blue Hand Agent, she also spots them. Rick, stuck in the gurney and so unable to get a clear line of sight keeps asking, "Do you see her, do you see her?" She starts striding towards the crew with a serene confidence of someone who is rarely challenged and the crowd parts to let her go as if sensing this. The crew nervously plows ahead pushing their cargos towards the Summer's Gift open cargo container. It seems so close and yet so far away. The agent alters her course to intercept the crew and gets in between the ship and the crew.

'''Christian:''' Hello. Can we do something for you? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' No one wants more bloodshed than necessary. 
'''Arden:''' We just want to get on our ship. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' Your ship won't get far. (casually) 
'''Christian:''' Because? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' It will be shot down, before it goes to pulse. You can get on it, if you wish. 
'''Arden:''' Why would it be shot down? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' Because I will order it shot down. 
'''Arden:''' You who brought Reavers aboard a ship this size? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' That's me. I will order your ship destroyed. 
'''Christian:''' What do you want? Please. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' There is a camera, that took some footage. 
'''Christian:''' Who has the camera? 
'''Arden:''' Jake died trying to get that camera. As far as I know it is still on the deck near the MedLab. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' It was not on the floor. 
'''Arden:''' It was, I saw it. 

She walks over closer to Rick's gurney.

'''Christian:''' Rick, if you have the camera, hand it over. Do you have the camera? 
'''Rick:''' I may have the camera. Maybe I can't remember with all the injuries. But if I did, I would exchange it for naked pictures of you. (leering) 

The agent's face betrays a small smile at Rick's impertinence. Regaining her composure the agent turns to the crew.

'''Hand of Blue:''' You're a real puzzle this ship of misfits. Somehow you always manage to be in a place where you are an irritant, but it doesn't seem like you are really competent enough to do what you do. 
'''Arden:''' That is the nicest thing said to me all week! 
'''Christian:''' We just have horrible Karma. (turning to Rick) Camera please. 
'''Rick:''' I want to give it to her myself. 

As Rick hands her the camera he lets his fingers stray on hers. He feels the plastic of her strange gloves, but continues to try to break through her icy exterior. "What is your Cortex ID?"

'''Hand of Blue:''' If through some unfortunate series of events we are forced to encounter each other again… 

She pauses, letting a finger stray into one of Rick's wounds causing him to wince in pain, and the sheet covering him to dampen with fresh blood. She withdraws her hand when the others start towards her. Rick, somehow manages a wink and a smile as she retreats a few steps - her intimidation apparently failing to impress the man on the gurney.

'''Hand of Blue:''' Enjoy your time on Angel, we'll be watching." 

Then she steps back and lets the crew pass. As they do, she stops Joshua.

'''Hand of Blue:''' Right now, the film is more important. Are you coming with me? If you do not, this will be the end of your story. 
'''Joshua:''' A short life in the open is better than a long one in captivity. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' And a short one it will be. 

She walks away. As she does, she may just have a little sway in her hips that wasn't there before.

The crew breaths a sigh of relief and quickly boards the cargo container. Injured persons are taken to the ward room, Jake's body is placed in the cold storage. As they enter, Joshua gets his first glimpse at the ship that will become his home.

'''Christian:''' Welcome aboard Summer's Gift. I'll show you toward your room. 
'''Arden:''' (stopping him) What is your name? 
'''Joshua:''' Joshua. (about time) 
'''Christian:''' Is that what we're calling you, or is that your name? 

Joshua shrugs.

'''Arden:''' Isn't that what a name is, what we call someone? 
'''Joshua:''' Now we're getting into deep philosophical issues. 

Joshua looks at his room and realizes he left all his effects back in 'his' room. He decides to go back for them, whatever the risk.

'''Joshua:''' If I'm not back in an hour, leave without me. 

Rina decides to go with him, armed for bear. Together they make it into the officer's quarters despite the large sign specifically saying "No Guns!" The crew gets ready to take off. Lem is especially clingy to Christian.

Joshua and Rina cautiously approach his quarters. Inside Joshua gets the feeling that someone has been there, though the room appears to be almost untouched. The only thing out of place is a small cloth wrapped around something on his bed. Checking it out, it appears to be small handheld device with a luggage tag attached to it. It appears to be a medical device, but not one that is familiar to either person. The tag has the name "Rubicon" handwritten on it. The handwriting appears similar to the note that Joshua received before urging him to leave HR. They pocket the stuff, grab Joshua's small bag and get back to the ship.

--

Early in the trip Joshua approaches Arden with a request for pharmaceuticals: specifically, ''Flomoxipan'', a powerful anti-depressant/sedative (super rufes).

'''Arden''': I don't have any on board, and why would you want it? 
'''Joshua:''' Because you won't like the results if I don't get it. Once a day. You won't want me on board. 
'''Arden:''' You're like the third person I've met with this condition. 
'''Joshua:''' Who are you talking about? 
'''Arden:''' A guy who was running away from his father. He had to take it too, or he went completely crazy. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, what kind of crazy? 
'''Arden:''' I never really found out. 
'''Joshua:''' What was his name? 
'''Arden:''' Um.. I really can't tell you. 
'''Rick:''' That one kid? 
'''Arden:''' Yeah, but I can't tell you. 
'''Joshua:''' I have a two week supply. 
'''Arden:''' Next stop will make sure we have a supply on board. 
'''Joshua:''' I appreciate that. 
'''Arden:''' But other than that, no allergies, nothing like that? 
'''Joshua:''' No, nothing that I know of. 

During the voyage, there are several shifts in roles. Nika is stuck in the ward room or hobbling to her bed. So Christian flies the ship. Joshua spells Christian in the galley providing meals for the crew and passengers. Rick spends much time in Jake's room and in an empty container running hour after hour of Jake's footage and editing into a reel, for Jake's family. In particular stuff that Jake is in.

Eventually, after a short trip of four days, they make it to Angel and land in Jibril.

Continue to [[episode216p2|Part 2]]

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Foward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 216: Losses and Gains

2018-09-25T03:51:33Z

Taimdala:

'''Part 1.''' - [[episode216p2|Part 2]]'''

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Wednesday, 26 Jun 2520''' 
'''Tohoku class IAV Trafalgar''' 
'''Somewhere in the Black''' 
'''05:30 hrs, ships time''' 

Stretched out on the floor of the Trafalgar's tram are Nika, Jake and Rick, bathed in pools of blood. Rina, Joshua and Arden also not unscathed, only Lem is unscathed, physically at least huddling in the corner. The waking crew, Rina, and Arden are frantically trying to keep the others alive, Joshua is watching Arden's technique with intense curiosity. Arden labors breathlessly trying to save the lives of his crewmates. Using standard triage, Arden ascertains that Jake may be beyond help, Nika and Rick could probably be saved.

With the hospital stop seconds away, Arden decides to focus his efforts on a last ditch effort to save Jake.

The tram opens to a fairly staid looking emergency where most of the people are either holding boxes or carrying equipment, clearly in the process of shutting down the facility. When the door opens revealing the bloody scene the medical teams stop and stare in disbelief for a second before springing into action.

'''Rina:''' Medic!

As the medics rush to check on the wounded crew, and haul them into the ER, Rina, Joshua and Arden follow them in. Only as the noise level reaches a plateau of shouting and bustling of equipment does Rina notice her comm-badge chirping.

'''Christian:''' Hey guys, why isn't anyone on the ship? 
'''Rina:''' We're a little bit busy at the moment, we are in the medbay. We took some casualties.. anyway sit tight, I'll tell you more later. 
'''Christian:''' Wait a minute! Did you take some damage or do you have casualties?! 
'''Rina:''' It's a little iffy right now, talk to me later. 
'''Christian:''' Crap. 

Back at Summer's Gift Christian does a quick survey of the cargo crew loading the ship and decides that they can handle it without his presence. He signs off on the bill of lading and makes for the Med-bay looking for his crewmates.

Back in the ER, the room is abuzz with doctors, nurses and orderlies pushing moving boxes out of the way, laying fresh paper on the ER room beds, and prepping the injured for surgery.

Rina leads Lem to a small washroom off the ER and washes her hands of the thick blood - her clothes, hair and hands are saturated beyond measure, but she does her best to get her hands free enough of the blood to be of use. Then, with a little awkwardness at the intimacy she tries to wipe the blood from Lem's face and hands. His shoes are sopping with blood, he must have standing in a puddle of it on the tram. She coaxes him out of them and drops them into a waste basket. A nurse comes by and tries to urge her into another ER room.

Joshua scans the room for someone in charge, someone coordinating the operation, but finds them all without order or direction. Apparently they were not anticipating another emergency before packing up.

Joshua and Arden do their best to direct the staff into operation and deflect any questions about the cause of all this mayhem. Looking around, there are two ER doctors, but Arden is the only surgeon on deck. The three doctors divide up their patients with Arden continuing to try to save Jake and the other doctors working on Nika and Rick.

Rina finds herself cradling Lem when Christian, en route in the massive cruiser, calls back.

'''Christian:''' Just tell me one thing. Lem? 
'''Rina:''' He's fine. 
'''Christian:''' I'm coming down, somehow, as soon as I find it, this place is huge. 

Trafalgar is indeed huge, it has two hospital sections, one military, one civilian. The massive civilian hospital stretches across several decks of the ship, they happen to be in one of those being decommissioned near the bottom decks.

Jake is dying, and there is little that seems can be done. Arden keeps bringing him back to the edge, Jake keeps sliding back into oblivion. After twice resuscitating him, Arden can't keep his heart rate going, and blood is simply moving too fast from his body. His body is getting cold on the ER gurney as Arden continues his ministrations. Eventually, Arden realizes that it is hopeless, and with cool calculation, he just pulls off his gloves, dons another pair, and moves to Nika to assist the doctor where he can.

The overwhelmed ER doctor facing Nikas deteriorating condition, sees Arden looming over the patient, and cedes control of the operation, sensing Arden's superior skills. Arden starts to dip his hands into the wound, and stops. He looks around and notices that the antibiotic drip is one that Nika is allergic too. He utters a single command.

'''Arden:''' Stop!

The nurses and other doctor seem perplexed.

'''Arden:''' Remove the AB drip, switch to 5cc of Lincomycin. Give me a saline spray over the wounds and lets start this again.

As soon as he speaks, the ER unit begins to work anew. Operating quickly and efficiently, they begin to clean wounds, mend ripped veins, and suture the many nasty cuts inflicted by the Reavers.

Meanwhile, the strange Joshua stands observing the third doctor administering to Rick. After about five minutes Joshua begins to nod and follow the movements with his hands, ten minutes later, he is anticipating the next moves. After fifteen the doctor looks haggard and tired, he looks up for someone to step in and either take over or assist. But with no surgeon on call, and the other two working feverishly on Nika, there is no one in sight. With too many clamps embedded in Rick's abdomen to handle he enlists Joshua to hold one. A nurse questions his calling on a civilian.

As if awoken from an trance, Joshua steps into the position and expertly takes hold of the clamps. He deftly pulls them gently aside exposing a severed artery to the doctor. He assists ably; in fact, about half way through the surgery the attending doctor slips up and doesn't notice that he sliced through an artery. Joshua grabs another clamp from the table and slaps it on the vessel saving Rick from a likely death.

The staff, including the doctor look at Joshua with amazement.

'''Nurse:''' Are you the new head of surgery? 
'''Joshua:''' No, just work! 

While this is going on, Christian eventually shows up and rushes to Rina and Lem and demands to know what has happened. Christian looks around for the rest of the crew. He spots Arden working on someone. He sees the station's doctors working on another, and a body with a bloody sheet pulled over it.

'''Christian:''' What is going on? 
'''Rina:'''(quietly) Reavers. 
'''Christian:''' Okay… one place, I want to go one place, one place in this entire 'verse where the Reavers don't come! 
'''Christian:''' So wait a minute.. The Reavers….<he stops to think> this place is so big probably no one even knew about it, until... 
'''Rina:''' Let me sum up. We found a deserted med bed scanner for Lem. Unfortunately someone else had designs on it. For some sort of secret op involving Reavers. They didn't know we were there, but we were discovered. 
'''Christian:''' Wait, wait, we go to the med bay to get Lem scanned. One med bay in the entire 'verse where they could possibly bring Reavers to scan them, and it is there, When we are there. 
'''Rina:''' Yeah. 
'''Christian:''' My God! 

He turns pointing at Rina.

'''Rina:''' Christian… 
'''Christian:''' It's your fault! 
'''Rina:''' My fault? How is it my fault? 
'''Christian:''' I don't know… your paranoia, it attracts trouble. You're paranoid, so they really are out to get us. 

He turns away shaking his head and looks back to the ERs where the rest of his crew is either working, or being worked on.

'''Christian:''' How bad is it? 
'''Rina:''' Jake's dead… Nika and Rick are still with us. 
'''Christian:''' So far. 
'''Rina:''' Think positive. 
'''Christian:''' I am thinking positive. Arden's there. 

Rina points to the medical computers displaying vitals.

'''Rina:''' How many red lights do you see over there? 
'''Christian:''' You're okay? 
'''Rina:''' Yeah. 
'''Christian:''' Why don't you take Lem back to the ship? He should not be here. I'll stay here and see what I can do, just in case they start to ask questions. 
'''Rina:''' Stay in touch. 
'''Christian:''' I will, just out of curiosity, because I want to know how badly screwed we are… who was looking at the Reavers? 
'''Rina:''' There's a gentleman in that operating room. 
'''Christian:''' Do we know who he is working for? 
'''Rina:''' At this point…. I don't know. 
'''Christian:''' Got it, Reavers. They were stupid enough to capture a Reaver and try to read its brainwaves. 
'''Rina:''' I don't know, we didn't have a lot of time to ask questions. 
'''Christian:''' (waving it off) I don't care, I don't care. All that matters is getting people back to the ship. Lem is going back, he doesn't need to see any more of this. Besides, it's past his bed time. A cargo will have already been loaded. A lot of files. 
'''Rina:''' Do I need to prep for a quick launch? 
'''Christian:''' No, we aren't being paid for speed, we just need to get it there to Angel. I will sit here and see what I can do. 
'''Rina:''' Come on Lem, it's bedtime. 

Rina returns with Lem to Summer's Gift, the doctors manage to save Nika and Rick. Rick is briefly conscious, long enough to know he is okay and to cradle a small package he had carried with him from the battle. As they cleaned up after the surgery one of the doctors turns to the Arden and Joshua and asks.

'''Doctor:''' So who are you? What happened here? 
'''Joshua:''' Classified. 
'''Doctor:''' Classified doctors? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not classified doctors, the incident is classified. 
'''Doctor:''' Uh… 

The doctor seems uncertain about this.

Christian approaches the doctors.

'''Christian:''' Sometimes its better not to ask questions. If you don't ask questions, if you don't know… 
'''Doctor:''' Well, we are going to have to file a report on the incident. And these patients are going to need to be hospitalized for weeks, given what has happened. 

'''Christian:''' (ignoring the doctor and turning to Joshua) What happened? 
'''Joshua:''' That is a long story, but... 
'''Christian:''' Short. 
'''Joshua:''' If you want to know... 
'''Arden:''' We got attacked by bad things. 
'''Joshua:''' Best laid plans, humped by Rebels. 
'''Christian:''' So, apparently some Independents got on board the ship, there was an op, they were taken care of. Some people were hurt one killed. Once they are stabilized, we'll be transferring them to a civilian hospital to get them out of your hair. 

The chief nurse is looking skeptical at all this. Something smells wrong. Christian senses her feelings and goes to persuade her. He smiles and turns on the charm.
He works his magic and convinces her that she doesn't need to worry about this. Still she seems to be pretty dedicated to her job, and needs to be confident that she is doing her job. Christian changes tactics, and works to make it right.

'''Nurse:''' (resigned) All I need is the basic information, names, conditions, cause of injuries, kinds of injuries, treatments, etc... 
'''Christian:''' I'll give you everything you need. 

The screen fades to black as Christian and the Head Nurse walk into her office. The camera turns to reveal the rest of the crew present in the ER. A woman in a crisp uniform enters the Triage area holding a clipboard and looking like she means business.

'''Woman:''' Who's in charge here? 
'''Joshua:''' (still wearing a Commander's Uniform, though this one partially covered in blood. ) That would be me. 
'''Woman:''' Ah, Commander... 
'''Joshua:''' Wise. 
'''Woman:''' Commander Wise.. .hmm I don't see you on the crew roster, are you with another ship? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Woman:''' The name's Gates, I am with NCIS… I am investigating an incident which appears to be contemporaneous with your emergency here. Can you tall me what happened here? 
'''Joshua:''' I didn't technically see what happened myself. I was not in direct sight of the incident. 
'''Gates:''' Start with what you were told, then we'll get to what you saw. 
'''Joshua:''' They were working on some piece of machinery. We were emptying out a medical bay, number 14C. 

The NCIS officer looks at Joshua and seems dubious. SHe motions him over to one of the operating rooms.

'''Gates:''' Come here a minute. 

She walks in and puts a datebook on the table. There is a gory image of a half dozen marines lying in a heap, blood streaming from their eyes, noses, mouths, and presumably, other orifices. Some of them also have wounds form hand weapons as well. "We've had an emergency report, and found quite a few bodies." She touches the pad revealing an image of the dead Reavers. "Some have gunshot wounds and other wounds as well, some appear to have sonic damage although we couldn't find any sonic weapons on the scene. This is the incident I am investigating. You were in this area? "

'''Joshua:''' I didn't want to talk in public about this, but…. 
'''Gates:''' These appear to be Reavers. 
'''Joshua:''' They are, in fact, Reavers. 
'''Gates:''' (whispering) How did Reavers get on the ship? 
'''Joshua:''' They were being transferred. 
'''Gates:''' You should probably give me your Ident. And then we might not have anything else to say, right? 
'''Joshua:''' That's probably about right. 

Gates scans Joshua's Ident card, glances down at the clearance and seems content with the results. She looks as though she s running through the various facts in her head. Then she appears to come to some resolution.

'''Gates:''' Okay, so you want me to make this go away? 
'''Joshua:''' That would probably be a good idea. 
'''Gates:''' Alright. You're probably going to have to talk to Captain Linder about this, but as I understand it, I'm not to investigate this any further. 
'''Joshua:''' You are absolutely 100% correct. 
'''Gates:''' Do you have your own cleanup personnel, because I can't make this disappear entirely on my own. If I put my people on it, it's going to show up in the records. 
'''Joshua:''' We do. 
'''Gates:''' Alright. I'll seal off that section. But... 
'''Joshua:''' Discretion is appreciated. 
'''Gates:''' Alright, I've talked to you, I've got your Ident, if I don't hear from the Captain, I'll assume this is a closed case. 

She is clearly not thrilled with the situation, it runs contrary to her training and mission, but she knows how things work. She starts to look around at the carnage and as she turns off her datebook, she asks. "do I want to know what's going to happen to these people." She says gesturing to Rick and Nika. "I mean you can't just…"

'''Joshua:''' Do you really want to know? Will you sleep better at night if you know? I'm thinking you probably won't. 
'''Gates:''' (mumbling under her breath) I don't know how you sleep… 

And with that she storms out of the ER. Shortly thereafter, Christian exits the head nurse's office with a confident smile that his mission was accomplished there as well.

'''Arden:''' We need to get moving. 

The rest agree, and figure that Joshua can write the transfer orders moving Rick and Nika out of the hospital.

'''Christian:''' Three of us, two of them. (pointing to Rick and Nika) 
'''Arden:''' Should we take Jake's body? 
'''Christian:''' We should put Jake in cold sleep to return him to his family. 

Even still the idea that Jake is dead hasn't really set in.

'''Arden:''' (correcting him) Return his body. 

Christian looks at Arden puzzled for a second, then stammers: "Yes, that's what I meant."

As Joshua forges signature to effect the transfer, Arden turns to him.

'''Arden:''' Just out of curiosity. Why are you helping us? 
'''Joshua''' (a little taken off guard): Why, who? 
'''Arden:''' Not that I'm complaining. I appreciate what you've done. 
'''Joshua:''' I need a ride out. 
'''Arden:''' Absolutely. 

Arden seems satisfied in his classic no nonsense way. Christian watches Joshua intently, trying to make sense of this stranger's behavior. A career officer appears to be abandoning his ship and station, betraying the navy and fleeing with them.

Arden sneaks a couple of boxes of medical supplies under the gurneys. The crew maneuvers the gurneys into the tram, and takes it back to the loading dock where the Summer's Gift awaits.

Back on the ship, Rina keeps watch on Lem. He has retreated to the engine room and leans against the bulkhead for comfort. Rina understands it, but it still seems odd coming from a child. Lem's fingers appear to trace the circuitry behind the bulkheads. Rina isn't sure if it true, or just her mind working in overdrive. She begins to feel her own energy reserves bottoming out.

'''Rina:''' Look, sometimes bad things happen, but you're okay. 

Lem just looks away and continues to caress the engines.

A call comes from Arden telling her that they are on the way, and asking her to get the ship ready to go. Cargo is not yet loaded, the passengers are waiting to board, but the ship is fueled and stocked.

'''Rina:''' Lem, there's some things I need to do.

She hands him a grease pencil. "When I come back I want to see the power train traced out, with the relays. Wait here."

Rina heads out to check on the passengers and cargo. Looking out at the Exit Lounge, she sees several men in black pants, white shirts and 'festive' ties. They are accountants, and they look quite intoxicated. Rina summons them via comma, and they seem in good spirits , they grab their gear and start for the ship. They board the ship and drop their bags in front of Rina who seems nonplussed at the very idea. Rina instructs them to head for their berths in second class, and checks them off as they enter.

--

As they head for the hanger bay, Christian engages Joshua.

'''Christian:''' I'm curious, why don't you have your own ride off? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm pretty sure I've pissed off my only ride off. And Janitorial Services has already been through here, they'll be even more pissed off if they have to make a stop here to clean me off. 
'''Arden:''' I would have thought the janitorial services would have gotten rid of what the investigator took pictures of, before she took pictures of it. 

Joshua attempts to explain his role and how little he knows about the full operation. They seem to expect that he is control or command, but he assures them that this is not the case.

As Rina is letting the passengers on board, she spots the blond Blue Hand woman watching the ship. She is entering something into a datebook. Rina looks about nervously and ushers the passengers in quickly shutting the airlock behind her. They bumble their way up the ship, clumsily trying to flirt with Rina and getting nowhere. Part way along they confess to their plight of being stuck on a planet with Sharia law and no chance of alcohol, women or any other sort of fun. This is going to be their 'last blast!' They are in no hurry to get there. At least they've paid up front. Rina orders them to strap in to the jump seats in the lounge, then lets them continue to drink in their harnesses. At least they won't be hurt falling down.

Rina then calls the crew and lets them know the passengers are aboard. She then warns them that "Blondie's back, and she's watching the ship."

'''Christian:''' Rick, I've got some good news for you. You might have final chance to get killed by your girlfriend before we get off the station. I've heard the sympathy ploy really works it the serial killers. 
'''Rick:''' She's not a serial killer. 
'''Christian:''' Why did no one mention, that THEY were involved too? 
'''Arden:''' I thought it was obvious. 

And he gestures to the little bits of dried blood caked to his ears. Christian looks it over and recognizes the tell tale sign of that strange sonic weapon used by the Blue Hand agents.

'''Christian:''' (to Joshua) Are the people looking for you people that wear blue gloves? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. They're Janitorial Services. 
'''Christian:''' So they will be looking for specifically for you as well as you. (turning to Arden) 
'''Arden:''' Why me? 
'''Christian:''' You think they are done with you after the last time? 

The crew enters the lobby, Joshua and Arden spot the Blue Hand Agent, she also spots them. Rick, stuck in the gurney and so unable to get a clear line of sight keeps asking, "Do you see her, do you see her?" She starts striding towards the crew with a serene confidence of someone who is rarely challenged and the crowd parts to let her go as if sensing this. The crew nervously plows ahead pushing their cargos towards the Summer's Gift open cargo container. It seems so close and yet so far away. The agent alters her course to intercept the crew and gets in between the ship and the crew.

'''Christian:''' Hello. Can we do something for you? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' No one wants more bloodshed than necessary. 
'''Arden:''' We just want to get on our ship. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' Your ship won't get far. (casually) 
'''Christian:''' Because? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' It will be shot down, before it goes to pulse. You can get on it, if you wish. 
'''Arden:''' Why would it be shot down? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' Because I will order it shot down. 
'''Arden:''' You who brought Reavers aboard a ship this size? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' That's me. I will order your ship destroyed. 
'''Christian:''' What do you want? Please. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' There is a camera, that took some footage. 
'''Christian:''' Who has the camera? 
'''Arden:''' Jake died trying to get that camera. As far as I know it is still on the deck near the MedLab. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' It was not on the floor. 
'''Arden:''' It was, I saw it. 

She walks over closer to Rick's gurney.

'''Christian:''' Rick, if you have the camera, hand it over. Do you have the camera? 
'''Rick:''' I may have the camera. Maybe I can't remember with all the injuries. But if I did, I would exchange it for naked pictures of you. (leering) 

The agent's face betrays a small smile at Rick's impertinence. Regaining her composure the agent turns to the crew.

'''Hand of Blue:''' You're a real puzzle this ship of misfits. Somehow you always manage to be in a place where you are an irritant, but it doesn't seem like you are really competent enough to do what you do. 
'''Arden:''' That is the nicest thing said to me all week! 
'''Christian:''' We just have horrible Karma. (turning to Rick) Camera please. 
'''Rick:''' I want to give it to her myself. 

As Rick hands her the camera he lets his fingers stray on hers. He feels the plastic of her strange gloves, but continues to try to break through her icy exterior. "What is your Cortex ID?"

'''Hand of Blue:''' If through some unfortunately series of events we are forced to encounter each other again… 

She pauses, letting a finger stray into one of Rick's wounds causing him to wince in pain, and the sheet covering him to dampen with fresh blood. She withdraws her hand when the others start towards her. Rick, somehow manages a wink and a smile as she retreats a few steps - her intimidation apparently failing to impress the man on the gurney.

'''Hand of Blue:''' Enjoy your time on Angel, we'll be watching." 

Then she steps back and lets the crew pass. As they do, she stops Joshua.

'''Hand of Blue:''' Right now, the film is more important. Are you coming with me? If you do not, this will be the end of your story. 
'''Joshua:''' A short life in the open is better than a long one in captivity. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' And a short one it will be. 

She walks away. As she does, she may just have a little sway in her hips that wasn't there before.

The crew breaths a sigh of relief and quickly boards the cargo container. Injured persons are taken to the ward room, Jake's body is placed in the cold storage. As they enter, Joshua gets his first glimpse at the ship that will become his home.

'''Christian:''' Welcome aboard Summer's Gift. I'll show you toward your room. 
'''Arden:''' (stopping him) What is your name? 
'''Joshua:''' Joshua. (about time) 
'''Christian:''' Is that what we're calling you, or is that your name? 

Joshua shrugs.

'''Arden:''' Isn't that what a name is, what we call someone? 
'''Joshua:''' Now we're getting into deep philosophical issues. 

Joshua looks at his room and realizes he left all his effects back in 'his' room. He decides to go back for them, whatever the risk.

'''Joshua:''' If I'm not back in an hour, leave without me. 

Rina decides to go with him, armed for bear. Together they make it into the officer's quarters despite the large sign specifically saying "No Guns!" The crew gets ready to take off. Lem is especially clingy to Christian.

Joshua and Rina cautiously approach his quarters. Inside Joshua gets the feeling that someone has been there, though the room appears to be almost untouched. The only thing out of place is a small cloth wrapped around something on his bed. Checking it out, it appears to be small handheld device with a luggage tag attached to it. It appears to be a medical device, but not one that familiar to either person. The tag has the name "Rubicon" hand written on it. The handwriting appears similar to the note that Joshua received before urging him to leave HR. They pocket the stuff, grab Joshua's small bag and get back to the ship.

--

Early in the trip Joshua approaches Arden with a request for pharmaceuticals: specifically, ''Flomoxipan'', a powerful anti-depressant/sedative (super ruffs).

'''Arden''': I don't have any on board, and why would you want it? 
'''Joshua:''' Because you won't like the results if I don't get it. Once a day. You won't want me on board. 
'''Arden:''' You're like the third person I've met with this condition. 
'''Joshua:''' Who are you talking about? 
'''Arden:''' A guy who was running away from his father. He had to take it too, or he went completely crazy. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, what kind of crazy? 
'''Arden:''' I never really found out. 
'''Joshua:''' What was his name? 
'''Arden:''' Um.. I really can't tell you. 
'''Rick:''' That one kid? 
'''Arden:''' Yeah, but I can't tell you. 
'''Joshua:''' I have a two week supply. 
'''Arden:''' Next stop will make sure we have a supply on board. 
'''Joshua:''' I appreciate that. 
'''Arden:''' But other than that, no allergies, nothing like that? 
'''Joshua:''' No, nothing that I know of. 

During the voyage, there are several shifts in roles. Nika is stuck in the ward room or hobbling to her bed. So Christian flies the ship. Joshua spells Christian in the galley providing meals for the crew and passengers. Rick spends much time in Jake's room and an empty container running hour after hour of Jake's footage and editing into a reel, for Jake's family. In particular stuff that Jake is in.

Eventually, after a short trip of four days, they make it to Angel and land in Jibril.

Continue to [[episode216p2|Part 2]]

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Foward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 216: Losses and Gains

2018-09-25T03:44:12Z

Taimdala:

'''Part 1.''' - [[episode216p2|Part 2]]'''

''Present: Maer, Andy, Bobby, Jay, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 17 Nov 2009'' 

'''Wednesday, 26 Jun 2520''' 
'''Tohoku class IAV Trafalgar''' 
'''Somewhere in the Black''' 
'''05:30 hrs, ships time''' 

Stretched out on the floor of the Trafalgar's tram are Nika, Jake and Rick, bathed in pools of blood. Rina, Joshua and Arden also not unscathed, only Lem is unscathed, physically at least huddling in the corner. The waking crew, Rina, and Arden are frantically trying to keep the others alive, Joshua is watching Arden's technique with intense curiosity. Arden labors breathlessly trying to save the lives of his crewmates. Using standard triage, Arden ascertains that Jake may be beyond help, Nika and Rick could probably be saved.

With the hospital stop seconds away, Arden decides to focus his efforts on a last ditch effort to save Jake.

The tram opens to a fairly staid looking emergency where most of the people are either holding boxes or carrying equipment, clearly in the process of shutting down the facility. When the door opens revealing the bloody scene the medical teams stop and stare in disbelief for a second before springing into action.

'''Rina:''' Medic!

As the medics rush to check on the wounded crew, and haul them into the ER, Rina, Joshua and Arden follow them in. Only as the noise level reaches a plateau of shouting and bustling of equipment does Rina notice her comm-badge chirping.

'''Christian:''' Hey guys, why isn't anyone on the ship? 
'''Rina:''' We're a little bit busy at the moment, we are in the medbay. We took some casualties.. anyway sit tight, I'll tell you more later. 
'''Christian:''' Wait a minute! Did you take some damage or do you have casualties?! 
'''Rina:''' It's a little iffy right now, talk to me later. 
'''Christian:''' Crap. 

Back at Summer's Gift Christian does a quick survey of the cargo crew loading the ship and decides that they can handle it without his presence. He signs off on the bill of lading and makes for the Med-bay looking for his crewmates.

Back in the ER, the room is abuzz with doctors, nurses and orderlies pushing moving boxes out of the way, laying fresh paper on the ER room beds, and prepping the injured for surgery.

Rina leads Lem to a small washroom off the ER and washes her hands of the thick blood - her clothes, hair and hands are saturated beyond measure, but she does her best to get her hands free enough of the blood to be of use. Then, with a little awkwardness at the intimacy she tries to wipe the blood from Lem's face and hands. His shoes are sopping with blood, he must have standing in a puddle of it on the tram. She coaxes him out of them and drops them into a waste basket. A nurse comes by and tries to urge her into another ER room.

Joshua scans the room for someone in charge, someone coordinating the operation, but finds them all without order or direction. Apparently they were not anticipating another emergency before packing up.

Joshua and Arden do their best to direct the staff into operation and deflect any questions about the cause of all this mayhem. Looking around, there are two ER doctors, but Arden is the only surgeon on deck. The three doctors divide up their patients with Arden continuing to try to save Jake and the other doctors working on Nika and Rick.

Rina finds herself cradling Lem when Christian, en route in the massive cruiser, calls back.

'''Christian:''' Just tell me one thing. Lem? 
'''Rina:''' He's fine. 
'''Christian:''' I'm coming down, somehow, as soon as I find it, this place is huge. 

Trafalgar is indeed huge, it has two hospital sections, one military, one civilian. The massive civilian hospital stretches across several decks of the ship, they happen to be in one of those being decommissioned near the bottom decks.

Jake is dying, and there is little that seems can be done. Arden keeps bringing him back to the edge, Jake keeps sliding back into oblivion. After twice resuscitating him, Arden can't keep his heart rate going, and blood is simply moving too fast from his body. His body is getting cold on the ER gurney as Arden continues his ministrations. Eventually, Arden realizes that it is hopeless, and with cool calculation, he just pulls off his gloves, dons another pair, and moves to Nika to assist the doctor where he can.

The overwhelmed ER doctor facing Nikas deteriorating condition, sees Arden looming over the patient, and cedes control of the operation, sensing Arden's superior skills. Arden starts to dip his hands into the wound, and stops. He looks around and notices that the antibiotic drip is one that Nika is allergic too. He utters a single command.

'''Arden:''' Stop!

The nurses and other doctor seem perplexed.

'''Arden:''' Remove the AB drip, switch to 5cc of Lincomycin. Give me a saline spray over the wounds and lets start this again.

As soon as he speaks, the ER unit begins to work anew. Operating quickly and efficiently, they begin to clean wounds, mend ripped veins, and suture the many nasty cuts inflicted by the Reavers.

Meanwhile, the strange Joshua stands observing the third doctor administering to Rick. After about five minutes Joshua begins to nod and follow the movements with his hands, ten minutes later, he is anticipating the next moves. After fifteen the doctor looks haggard and tired, he looks up for someone to step in and either take over or assist. But with no surgeon on call, and the other two working feverishly on Nika, there is no one in sight. With too many clamps embedded in Rick's abdomen to handle he enlists Joshua to hold one. A nurse questions his calling on a civilian.

As if awoken from an trance, Joshua steps into the position and expertly takes hold of the clamps. He deftly pulls them gently aside exposing a severed artery to the doctor. He assists ably; in fact, about half way through the surgery the attending doctor slips up and doesn't notice that he sliced through an artery. Joshua grabs another clamp from the table and slaps it on the vessel saving Rick from a likely death.

The staff, including the doctor look at Joshua with amazement.

'''Nurse:''' Are you the new head of surgery? 
'''Joshua:''' No, just work! 

While this is going on, Christian eventually shows up and rushes to Rina and Lem and demands to know what has happened. Christian looks around for the rest of the crew. He spots Arden working on someone. He sees the station's doctors working on another, and a body with a bloody sheet pulled over it.

'''Christian:''' What is going on? 
'''Rina:'''(quietly) Reavers. 
'''Christian:''' Okay… one place, I want to go one place, one place in this entire 'verse where the Reavers don't come! 
'''Christian:''' So wait a minute.. The Reavers….<he stops to think> this place is so big probably no one even knew about it, until... 
'''Rina:''' Let me sum up. We found a deserted med bed scanner for Lem. Unfortunately someone else had designs on it. For some sort of secret op involving Reavers. They didn't know we were there, but we were discovered. 
'''Christian:''' Wait, wait, we go to the med bay to get Lem scanned. One med bay in the entire 'verse where they could possibly bring Reavers to scan them, and it is there, When we are there. 
'''Rina:''' Yeah. 
'''Christian:''' My God! 

He turns pointing at Rina.

'''Rina:''' Christian… 
'''Christian:''' It's your fault! 
'''Rina:''' My fault? How is it my fault? 
'''Christian:''' I don't know… your paranoia, it attracts trouble. You're paranoid, so they really are out to get us. 

He turns away shaking his head and looks back to the ERs where the rest of his crew is either working, or being worked on.

'''Christian:''' How bad is it? 
'''Rina:''' Jake's dead… Nika and Rick are still with us. 
'''Christian:''' So far. 
'''Rina:''' Think positive. 
'''Christian:''' I am thinking positive. Arden's there. 

Rina points to the medical computers displaying vitals.

'''Rina:''' How many red lights do you see over there? 
'''Christian:''' You're okay? 
'''Rina:''' Yeah. 
'''Christian:''' Why don't you take Lem back to the ship? He should not be here. I'll stay here and see what I can do, just in case they start to ask questions. 
'''Rina:''' Stay in touch. 
'''Christian:''' I will, just out of curiosity, because I want to know how badly screwed we are… who was looking at the Reavers? 
'''Rina:''' There's a gentleman in that operating room. 
'''Christian:''' Do we know who he is working for? 
'''Rina:''' At this point…. I don't know. 
'''Christian:''' Got it, Reavers. They were stupid enough to capture a Reaver and try to read its brainwaves. 
'''Rina:''' I don't know, we didn't have a lot of time to ask questions. 
'''Christian:''' (waving it off) I don't care, I don't care. All that matters is getting people back to the ship. Lem is going back, he doesn't need to see any more of this. Besides, it's past his bed time. A cargo will have already been loaded. A lot of files. 
'''Rina:''' Do I need to prep for a quick launch? 
'''Christian:''' No, we aren't being paid for speed, we just need to get it there to Angel. I will sit here and see what I can do. 
'''Rina:''' Come on Lem, it's bedtime. 

Rina returns with Lem to Summer's Gift, the doctors manage to save Nika and Rick. Rick is briefly conscious, long enough to know he is okay and to cradle a small package he had carried with him from the battle. As they cleaned up after the surgery one of the doctors turns to the Arden and Joshua and asks.

'''Doctor:''' So who are you? What happened here? 
'''Joshua:''' Classified. 
'''Doctor:''' Classified doctors? 
'''Joshua:''' No, not classified doctors, the incident is classified. 
'''Doctor:''' Uh… 

The doctor seems uncertain about this.

Christian approaches the doctors.

'''Christian:''' Sometimes its better not to ask questions. If you don't ask questions, if you don't know… 
'''Doctor:''' Well, we are going to have to file a report on the incident. And these patients are going to need to be hospitalized for weeks, given what has happened. 

'''Christian:''' (ignoring the doctor and turning to Joshua) What happened? 
'''Joshua:''' That is a long story, but... 
'''Christian:''' Short. 
'''Joshua:''' If you want to know... 
'''Arden:''' We got attacked by bad things. 
'''Joshua:''' Best laid plans, humped by Rebels. 
'''Christian:''' So, apparently some Independents got on board the ship, there was an op, they were taken care of. Some people were hurt one killed. Once they are stabilized, we'll be transferring them to a civilian hospital to get the out of your hair. 

The chief nurse is looking skeptical at all this. Something smells wrong. Christian senses her feelings and goes to persuade her. He smiles and turns on the charm.
He works his magic and convinces her that she doesn't need to worry about this. Still she seems to be pretty dedicated to her job, and needs to be confident that she is doing her job. Christian changes tactics, and works to made it right.

'''Nurse:''' (resigned) All I need is the basic information, names, conditions, cause of injuries, kinds of injuries, treatments, etc... 
'''Christian:''' I'll give you everything you need. 

The screen fades to black as Christian and the Head Nurse walk into her office. The camera turns to reveal the rest of the crew present in the ER. A woman in a crisp uniform enters the Triage area holding a clipboard and looking like she means business.

'''Woman:''' Who's in charge here? 
'''Joshua:''' (still wearing a Commander's Uniform, though this one partially covered in blood. ) That would be me. 
'''Woman:''' Ah, Commander... 
'''Joshua:''' Wise. 
'''Woman:''' Commander Wise.. .hmm I don't see you on the crew roster, are you with another ship? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. 
'''Woman:''' The name's Gates, I am with NCIS… I am investigating an incident which appears to be contemporaneous with your emergency here. Can you tall me what happened here? 
'''Joshua:''' I didn't technically see what happened myself. I was not in direct sight of the incident. 
'''Gates:''' Start with what you were told, then we'll get to what you saw. 
'''Joshua:''' They were working on some piece of machinery. We were emptying out a medical bay, number 14C. 

The NCIS officer looks at Joshua and seems dubious. SHe motions him over to one of the operating rooms.

'''Gates:''' Come here a minute. 

She walks in and puts a datebook on the table. There is a gory image of a half dozen marines lying in a heap, blood streaming from their eyes, noses, mouths, and presumably, other orifices. Some of them also have wounds form hand weapons as well. "We've had an emergency report, and found quite a few bodies." She touches the pad revealing an image of the dead Reavers. "Some have gunshot wounds and other wounds as well, some appear to have sonic damage although we couldn't find any sonic weapons on the scene. This is the incident I am investigating. You were in this area? "

'''Joshua:''' I didn't want to talk in public about this, but…. 
'''Gates:''' These appear to be Reavers. 
'''Joshua:''' They are, in fact, Reavers. 
'''Gates:''' (whispering) How did Reavers get on the ship? 
'''Joshua:''' They were being transferred. 
'''Gates:''' You should probably give me your Ident. And then we might not have anything else to say, right? 
'''Joshua:''' That's probably about right. 

Gates scans Joshua's Ident card, glances down at the clearance and seems content with the results. She looks as though she s running through the various facts in her head. Then she appears to come to some resolution.

'''Gates:''' Okay, so you want me to make this go away? 
'''Joshua:''' That would probably be a good idea. 
'''Gates:''' Alright. You're probably going to have to talk to Captain Linder about this, but as I understand it, I'm not to investigate this any further. 
'''Joshua:''' You are absolutely 100% correct. 
'''Gates:''' Do you have your own cleanup personnel, because I can't make this disappear entirely on my own. If I put my people on it, it's going to show up in the records. 
'''Joshua:''' We do. 
'''Gates:''' Alright. I'll seal off that section. But... 
'''Joshua:''' Discretion is appreciated. 
'''Gates:''' Alright, I've talked to you, I've got your Ident, if I don't hear from the Captain, I'll assume this is a closed case. 

She is clearly not thrilled with the situation, it runs contrary to her training and mission, but she knows how things work. She starts to look around at the carnage and as she turns off her datebook, she asks. "do I want to know what's going to happen to these people." She says gesturing to Rick and Nika. "I mean you can't just…"

'''Joshua:''' Do you really want to know? Will you sleep better at night if you know? I'm thinking you probably won't. 
'''Gates:''' (mumbling under her breath) I don't know how you sleep… 

And with that she storms out of the ER. Shortly thereafter, Christian exits the head nurse's office with a confident smile that his mission was accomplished there as well.

'''Arden:''' We need to get moving. 

The rest agree, and figure that Joshua can write the transfer orders moving Rick and Nika out of the hospital.

'''Christian:''' Three of us, two of them. (pointing to Rick and Nika) 
'''Arden:''' Should we take Jake's body? 
'''Christian:''' We should put Jake in cold sleep to return him to his family. 

Even still the idea that Jake is dead hasn't really set in.

'''Arden:''' (correcting him) Return his body. 

Christian looks at Arden puzzled for a second, then stammers: "Yes, that's what I meant."

As Joshua forges signature to effect the transfer, Arden turns to him.

'''Arden:''' Just out of curiosity. Why are you helping us? 
'''Joshua''' (a little taken off guard): Why, who? 
'''Arden:''' Not that I'm complaining. I appreciate what you've done. 
'''Joshua:''' I need a ride out. 
'''Arden:''' Absolutely. 

Arden seems satisfied in his classic no nonsense way. Christian watches Joshua intently trying to make sense of this stranger's behavior. A career officer appears to be abandoning his ship and station, betraying the navy and fleeing with them.

Arden sneaks a couple of boxes of medical supplies under the gurneys. The crew maneuvers the gurneys into the tram, and takes it back to the loading dock where the Summer's Gift awaits.

Back on the ship, Rina keeps watch on Lem. He has retreated to the engine room and leans against the bulkhead for comfort. Rina understands it, but it still seems odd coming from a child. Lem's fingers appear to trace the circuitry behind the bulkheads. Rina isn't sure if it true, or just her mind working in overdrive. She begins to feel her own energy reserves bottoming out.

'''Rina:''' Look, sometimes bad things happen, but you're okay. 

Lem just looks away and continues to caress the engines.

A call comes from Arden telling her that they are on the way, and asking her to get the ship ready to go. Cargo is not yet loaded, the passengers are waiting to board, but the ship is fueled and stocked.

'''Rina:''' Lem, there's some things I need to do.

She hands him a grease pencil. "When I come back I want to see the power train traced out, with the relays. Wait here."

Rina heads out to check on the passengers and cargo. Looking out at the Exit Lounge, she sees several men in black pants, white shirts and 'festive' ties. They are accountants, and they look quite intoxicated. Rina summons them via comma, and they seem in good spirits , they grab their gear and start for the ship. They board the ship and drop their bags in front of Rina who seems nonplussed at the very idea. Rina instructs them to head for their berths in second class, and checks them off as they enter.

--

As they head for the hanger bay, Christian engages Joshua.

'''Christian:''' I'm curious, why don't you have your own ride off? 
'''Joshua:''' I'm pretty sure I've pissed off my only ride off. And Janitorial Services has already been through here, they'll be even more pissed off if they have to make a stop here to clean me off. 
'''Arden:''' I would have thought the janitorial services would have gotten rid of what the investigator took pictures of, before she took pictures of it. 

Joshua attempts to explain his role and how little he knows about the full operation. They seem to expect that he is control or command, but he assures them that this is not the case.

As Rina is letting the passengers on board, she spots the blond Blue Hand woman watching the ship. She is entering something into a datebook. Rina looks about nervously and ushers the passengers in quickly shutting the airlock behind her. They bumble their way up the ship, clumsily trying to flirt with Rina and getting nowhere. Part way along they confess to their plight of being stuck on a planet with Sharia law and no chance of alcohol, women or any other sort of fun. This is going to be their 'last blast!' They are in no hurry to get there. At least they've paid up front. Rina orders them to strap in to the jump seats in the lounge, then lets them continue to drink in their harnesses. At least they won't be hurt falling down.

Rina then calls the crew and lets them know the passengers are aboard. She then warns them that "Blondie's back, and she's watching the ship."

'''Christian:''' Rick, I've got some good news for you. You might have final chance to get killed by your girlfriend before we get off the station. I've heard the sympathy ploy really works it the serial killers. 
'''Rick:''' She's not a serial killer. 
'''Christian:''' Why did no one mention, that THEY were involved too? 
'''Arden:''' I thought it was obvious. 

And he gestures to the little bits of dried blood caked to his ears. Christian looks it over and recognizes the tell tale sign of that strange sonic weapon used by the Blue Hand agents.

'''Christian:''' (to Joshua) Are the people looking for you people that wear blue gloves? 
'''Joshua:''' Yes. They're Janitorial Services. 
'''Christian:''' So they will be looking for specifically for you as well as you. (turning to Arden) 
'''Arden:''' Why me? 
'''Christian:''' You think they are done with you after the last time? 

The crew enters the lobby, Joshua and Arden spot the Blue Hand Agent, she also spots them. Rick, stuck in the gurney and so unable to get a clear line of sight keeps asking, "Do you see her, do you see her?" She starts striding towards the crew with a serene confidence of someone who is rarely challenged and the crowd parts to let her go as if sensing this. The crew nervously plows ahead pushing their cargos towards the Summer's Gift open cargo container. It seems so close and yet so far away. The agent alters her course to intercept the crew and gets in between the ship and the crew.

'''Christian:''' Hello. Can we do something for you? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' No one wants more bloodshed than necessary. 
'''Arden:''' We just want to get on our ship. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' Your ship won't get far. (casually) 
'''Christian:''' Because? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' It will be shot down, before it goes to pulse. You can get on it, if you wish. 
'''Arden:''' Why would it be shot down? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' Because I will order it shot down. 
'''Arden:''' You who brought Reavers aboard a ship this size? 
'''Hand of Blue:''' That's me. I will order your ship destroyed. 
'''Christian:''' What do you want? Please. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' There is a camera, that took some footage. 
'''Christian:''' Who has the camera? 
'''Arden:''' Jake died trying to get that camera. As far as I know it is still on the deck near the MedLab. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' It was not on the floor. 
'''Arden:''' It was, I saw it. 

She walks over closer to Rick's gurney.

'''Christian:''' Rick, if you have the camera, hand it over. Do you have the camera? 
'''Rick:''' I may have the camera. Maybe I can't remember with all the injuries. But if I did, I would exchange it for naked pictures of you. (leering) 

The agent's face betrays a small smile at Rick's impertinence. Regaining her composure the agent turns to the crew.

'''Hand of Blue:''' You're a real puzzle this ship of misfits. Somehow you always manage to be in a place where you are an irritant, but it doesn't seem like you are really competent enough to do what you do. 
'''Arden:''' That is the nicest thing said to me all week! 
'''Christian:''' We just have horrible Karma. (turning to Rick) Camera please. 
'''Rick:''' I want to give it to her myself. 

As Rick hands her the camera he lets his fingers stray on hers. He feels the plastic of her strange gloves, but continues to try to break through her icy exterior. "What is your Cortex ID?"

'''Hand of Blue:''' If through some unfortunately series of events we are forced to encounter each other again… 

She pauses, letting a finger stray into one of Rick's wounds causing him to wince in pain, and the sheet covering him to dampen with fresh blood. She withdraws her hand when the others start towards her. Rick, somehow manages a wink and a smile as she retreats a few steps - her intimidation apparently failing to impress the man on the gurney.

'''Hand of Blue:''' Enjoy your time on Angel, we'll be watching." 

Then she steps back and lets the crew pass. As they do, she stops Joshua.

'''Hand of Blue:''' Right now, the film is more important. Are you coming with me? If you do not, this will be the end of your story. 
'''Joshua:''' A short life in the open is better than a long one in captivity. 
'''Hand of Blue:''' And a short one it will be. 

She walks away. As she does, she may just have a little sway in her hips that wasn't there before.

The crew breaths a sigh of relief and quickly boards the cargo container. Injured persons are taken to the ward room, Jake's body is placed in the cold storage. As they enter, Joshua gets his first glimpse at the ship that will become his home.

'''Christian:''' Welcome aboard Summer's Gift. I'll show you toward your room. 
'''Arden:''' (stopping him) What is your name? 
'''Joshua:''' Joshua. (about time) 
'''Christian:''' Is that what we're calling you, or is that your name? 

Joshua shrugs.

'''Arden:''' Isn't that what a name is, what we call someone? 
'''Joshua:''' Now we're getting into deep philosophical issues. 

Joshua looks at his room and realizes he left all his effects back in 'his' room. He decides to go back for them, whatever the risk.

'''Joshua:''' If I'm not back in an hour, leave without me. 

Rina decides to go with him, armed for bear. Together they make it into the officer's quarters despite the large sign specifically saying "No Guns!" The crew gets ready to take off. Lem is especially clingy to Christian.

Joshua and Rina cautiously approach his quarters. Inside Joshua gets the feeling that someone has been there, though the room appears to be almost untouched. The only thing out of place is a small cloth wrapped around something on his bed. Checking it out, it appears to be small handheld device with a luggage tag attached to it. It appears to be a medical device, but not one that familiar to either person. The tag has the name "Rubicon" hand written on it. The handwriting appears similar to the note that Joshua received before urging him to leave HR. They pocket the stuff, grab Joshua's small bag and get back to the ship.

--

Early in the trip Joshua approaches Arden with a request for pharmaceuticals: specifically, ''Flomoxipan'', a powerful anti-depressant/sedative (super ruffs).

'''Arden''': I don't have any on board, and why would you want it? 
'''Joshua:''' Because you won't like the results if I don't get it. Once a day. You won't want me on board. 
'''Arden:''' You're like the third person I've met with this condition. 
'''Joshua:''' Who are you talking about? 
'''Arden:''' A guy who was running away from his father. He had to take it too, or he went completely crazy. 
'''Joshua:''' Really, what kind of crazy? 
'''Arden:''' I never really found out. 
'''Joshua:''' What was his name? 
'''Arden:''' Um.. I really can't tell you. 
'''Rick:''' That one kid? 
'''Arden:''' Yeah, but I can't tell you. 
'''Joshua:''' I have a two week supply. 
'''Arden:''' Next stop will make sure we have a supply on board. 
'''Joshua:''' I appreciate that. 
'''Arden:''' But other than that, no allergies, nothing like that? 
'''Joshua:''' No, nothing that I know of. 

During the voyage, there are several shifts in roles. Nika is stuck in the ward room or hobbling to her bed. So Christian flies the ship. Joshua spells Christian in the galley providing meals for the crew and passengers. Rick spends much time in Jake's room and an empty container running hour after hour of Jake's footage and editing into a reel, for Jake's family. In particular stuff that Jake is in.

Eventually, after a short trip of four days, they make it to Angel and land in Jibril.

Continue to [[episode216p2|Part 2]]

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 215: Trafalgar | '''Trafalgar''']] | Foward to: [[Episode 217: Morningstar and Fallen Angels | '''Morningstar and Fallen Angels''']] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 215: Trafalgar

2018-09-25T03:40:44Z

Taimdala:

''Present: Maer, Terri, Andy, Bobby, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 10 Nov 2009'' 

'''Saturday, 22 Jun 2520''' 
'''Salisbury Abbey''' 
'''Fristonweald Range, Salisbury''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''09:02 hrs, local time''' 

After a week of downtime, either at Mike’s cabin or on the ship, Christian finds us 6 2nd class passengers bound for Trafalgar. And since the Abbot made mention of taking cargo to Trafalgar from the Abbey, Rina and Nika convince the rest of the crew to at least see what sort of cargo it is. It turns out to be 2 independent engineering contractors and we agree to take them on. The Abbot apologizes for the lack of money in payment for commission and offers goods or services in trade. we agree to that as well.

'''Wednesday, 26 Jun 2520''' 
'''Tohoku class IAV Trafalgar''' 
'''Somewhere in the Black''' 
'''02:00 hrs, ships time''' 

We arrive and off-load our passengers and since the ship is in a state of low-grade chaos due to the on-going reduction in force and services, we use it to cover our slipping into an off-limits section of the civilian decks. Arden wants to get Lem to a medical lab to do a neural scan of him. We’d noticed that he’s undergoing a significant growth spurt and want to ascertain if it’s normal or a side-effect of the cure Dr. Lawrence performed on him. Arden also wants to run test on the texturized protein he’d made in his research into the TSE disease. So we ride the transport from one end of the Trafalgar to the other, find a suitable lab and get to working. We don labcoats to camouflage ourselves as medical crew—not the greatest of disguises, but enough to pass a cursory glance.

The lab module we’re in is one of two situated in a hangar-like medical research floor. The lab modules exit onto the floor and they are also set with an airlock to the Black. On the floor itself, there are observation windows showing outer space just beyond and one gets the sense that the airlocks are meant to accommodate space ambulances docking to deliver the sick and the injured.

While we’re in our windowless lab unit running our tests, a ship docks with the airlock of the other lab. A man wearing the uniform of a naval officer, accompanied by six marines and two personnel in RBC suits enter the other lab and open it to the ship. The naval officer senses something on the research floor and investigates, looking around the machines and free-standing equipment and the packing boxes. He finds a young female janitor and she fesses to being there to loot the place for portable goods—they’d fetch a good price on the Rim and she’s got a family to feed. He takes her into custody and starts moving her to the side….right next to our lab, where we’d be visible plain as day through the viewport. Which is exactly what happens.

Before we can do more than acknowledge seeing and being seen, we get a panicked call from the other lab. There are Reavers aboard the docked ship, they have gotten out of their containment and they are coming in.

And the Reavers go through the six marines despite their firepower and come straight for us. Nika, Rick, the janitor and naval officer stand their ground and shoot at the Reavers, hoping to kill or hold them off so Rina can force open an exit door behind our module to the transport tracks beyond. Arden keeps Lem on the scanner bed as long as possible to get as much information as he can. When the Reavers cover half the distance across the lab floor, two other figures emerge from the crates and equipment—the janitor had friends hiding with her and they now add their fire to hers. One of them has a camera—apparently they are here to film the Reaver operation.

The fight, such as it is, doesn’t go well. The Reavers absorb the bullets we pump into them and keep advancing. The janitor’s two friends fall to them, their flanking maneuver come to naught. And the two RBC suited personnel strip off their suits to reveal the Blue Hands pair we’ve met before: Blondie and Brunette are back and Blondie has her sonic weapon out and turns it on.

Meanwhile, Rina has managed to cut through the locks and force the door open with Jake’s help, at which point she gets Arden and Lem safely to the other side. At the moment the door is just beyond the sonic weapon’s range and as long as Blondie keeps her distance, they’ll be safe.

Rick goes to town on the Reavers, shooting one dead and pistol whipping another to its demise. He calls out to Blondie all the while, announcing he’s killing the Reavers for her. Nika has two Reavers on her at once and has run out of bullets. She uses the pistol as a melee weapon. The Browncoats’ camera falls to the deck in the melee and Jake runs back out to grab it.

The Browncoats fall to the sonics and the Reavers. Jake and Rick fall shortly thereafter. The naval officer pulls out an injection gun and injects himself and Rina with a chemical that lessens the harmful effects of the sonic weapon. And Rina goes back out there to help recover her friends. Naval officer grabs Rick, Rina grabs Jake…and halfway to safety she falls to the sonics. Those that are still up manage to take out the last Reaver standing and get everyone evacced behind the exit door. Blondie puts away her weapon, the damage already done. The naval officer comes with us, his position now compromised. We call the transport and jump aboard it when it arrives and get the hell out of there.

We’re still on the Trafalgar, half our crew is unconscious and in serious condition, we have a Fed who’s not quite our prisoner and whom we cannot quite trust as a friend. We have evidence that BS has captured eight Reavers for purposes that are unclear and the Blue Hands were also somehow involved. We have no guarantee we’ll even get off Trafalgar and if we do, we haven’t a place to go.

Still, the naval officer with us seems to have been in charge of the Reaver business and since he’s now thrown his lot in with us, we may have a chance at getting some answers. But for the nonce, we have to evade capture and get our crewmates on their feet again.

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 214: Salisbury Agendas | '''Salisbury Agendas''']] | Foward to: [[Episode 216: Losses and Gains | '''Losses and Gains''' ]] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Episode 215: Trafalgar

2018-09-25T03:38:14Z

Taimdala:

''Present: Maer, Terri, Andy, Bobby, and Tony'' 
''Air Date: 10 Nov 2009'' 

'''Saturday, 22 Jun 2520''' 
'''Salisbury Abbey''' 
'''Fristonweald Range, Salisbury''' 
'''Kalidasa (Xuan Wu) system''' 
'''09:02 hrs, local time''' 

After a week of downtime, either at Mike’s cabin or on the ship, Christian finds us 6 2nd class passengers bound for Trafalgar. And since the Abbot made mention of taking cargo to Trafalgar from the Abbey, Rina and Nika convince the rest of the crew to at least see what sort of cargo it is. It turns out to be 2 independent engineering contractors and we agree to take them on. The Abbot apologizes for the lack of money in payment for commission and offers goods or services in trade. we agree to that as well.

'''Wednesday, 26 Jun 2520''' 
'''Tohoku class IAV Trafalgar''' 
'''Somewhere in the Black''' 
'''02:00 hrs, ships time''' 

We arrive and off-load our passengers and since the ship is in a state of low-grade chaos due to the on-going reduction in force and services, we use it to cover our slipping into an off-limits section of the civilian decks. Arden wants to get Lem to a medical lab to do a neural scan of him. We’d noticed that he’s undergoing a significant growth spurt and want to ascertain if it’s normal or a side-effect of the cure Dr. Lawrence performed on him. Arden also wants to run test on the texturized protein he’d made in his research into the TSE disease. So we ride the transport from one end of the Trafalgar to the other, find a suitable lab and get to working. We don labcoats to camouflage ourselves as medical crew—not the greatest of disguises, but enough to pass a cursory glance.

The lab module we’re in is one of two situated in a hangar-like medical research floor. The lab modules exit onto the floor and they are also set with an airlock to the Black. On the floor itself, there are observation windows showing outer space just beyond and one gets the sense that the airlocks are meant to accommodate space ambulances docking to deliver the sick and the injured.

While we’re in our windowless lab unit running our tests, a ship docks with the airlock of the other lab. A man wearing the uniform of a naval officer, accompanied by six marines and two personnel in RBC suits enter the other lab and open it to the ship. The naval officer senses something on the research floor and investigates, looking around the machines and free-standing equipment and the packing boxes. He finds a young female janitor and she fesses to being there to loot the place for portable goods—they’d fetch a good price on the Rim and she’s got a family to feed. He takes her into custody and starts moving her to the side….right next to our lab, where we’d be visible plain as day through the viewport. Which is exactly what happens.

Before we can do more than acknowledge seeing and being seen, we get a panicked call from the other lab. There are Reavers aboard the docked ship, they have gotten out of their containment and they are coming in.

And the Reavers go through the six marines despite their firepower and come straight for us. Nika, Rick, the janitor and naval officer stand their ground and shoot at the Reavers, hoping to kill or hold them off so Rina can force open an exit door behind our module to the transport tracks beyond. Arden keeps Lem on the scanner bed as long as possible to get as much information as he can. When the Reavers cover half the distance across the lab floor, two other figures emerge from the crates and equipment—the janitor had friends hiding with her and they now add their fire to hers. One of them has a camera—apparently they are here to film the Reaver operation.

The fight, such as it is, doesn’t go well. The Reavers absorb the bullets we pump into them and keep advancing. The janitor’s two friends fall to them, their flanking maneuver come to naught. And the two RBC suited personnel strip off their suits to reveal the Blue Hands pair we’ve met before: Blondie and Brunette are back and Blondie has her sonic weapon out and turns it on.

Meanwhile, Rina has managed to cut through the locks and force the door open with Jake’s (the cameraman) help, at which point she gets Arden and Lem safely to the other side. At the moment the door is just beyond the sonic weapon’s range and as long as Blondie keeps her distance, they’ll be safe.

Rick goes to town on the Reavers, shooting one dead and pistol whipping another to its demise. He calls out to Blondie all the while, announcing he’s killing the Reavers for her. Nika has two Reavers on her at once and has run out of bullets. She uses the pistol as a melee weapon. The Browncoats’ camera falls to the deck in the melee and Jake runs back out to grab it.

The Browncoats fall to the sonics and the Reavers. Jake and Rick fall shortly thereafter. The naval officer pulls out an injection gun and injects himself and Rina with a chemical that lessens the harmful effects of the sonic weapon. And Rina goes back out there to help recover her friends. Naval officer grabs Rick, Rina grabs Jake…and halfway to safety she falls to the sonics. Those that are still up manage to take out the last Reaver standing and get everyone evacced behind the exit door. Blondie puts away her weapon, the damage already done. The naval officer comes with us, his position now compromised. We call the transport and jump aboard it when it arrives and get the hell out of there.

We’re still on the Trafalgar, half our crew is unconscious and in serious condition, we have a Fed who’s not quite our prisoner and whom we cannot quite trust as a friend. We have evidence that BS has captured eight Reavers for purposes that are unclear and the Blue Hands were also somehow involved. We have no guarantee we’ll even get off Trafalgar and if we do, we haven’t a place to go.

Still, the naval officer with us seems to have been in charge of the Reaver business and since he’s now thrown his lot in with us, we may have a chance at getting some answers. But for the nonce, we have to evade capture and get our crewmates on their feet again.

 
Back to the previous episode: [[Episode 214: Salisbury Agendas | '''Salisbury Agendas''']] | Foward to: [[Episode 216: Losses and Gains | '''Losses and Gains''' ]] 
Back to [[Mutineers Season Two| Season Two: Hitting Our Stride]] 
Back to [[EPISODES]] 
Back to [[Mutineers]] Homepage

Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley

2018-09-25T03:27:46Z

Taimdala:

'''A Short Account of Events:''' 
----
Jacqueline and Maria are walking home after an evening out when they notice they are being followed by some unsavory characters. Jacqueline suggests they try to evade their followers by ducking unexpectdly into an alley. The plan backfires and the women must fight their way out. Maria uses her cane sword and Jacqueline uses her pistol. Both women are lucky in that their weapons do damage enough to kill those who wished to kill them.

Several of their attackers are straight up thugs, possibly from the Apache street gang currently terrorizing Paris. However, several are not thuggish at all: two are women, one of whom is what seems to be a mage, and yet a third person is a man. All three are unknown to Maria and Jacqueline. Some of the thugs have no taste for the fight Maria and Jacqueline put up and flee. The better dressed non-thugs persist in their attack and when the fight comes to an end, the man is dead on Maria's sword and the mage woman has her head blown clean off by Jacquie's gun.

Whistles from the Gendarmes sound in the distance and Maria and Jacqueline get the hell out of the alley for home. They make it back to their shared flat without further mishap and count themselves lucky.

 
----
'''Unanswered Questions:''' 
----
There are a few questions the game didn't answer:
 
#Who were the thugs? Apaches? Why were they targeting Maria and Jacqueline?
#Who were the better-dressed man and women? One of the women was a mage. Who do they work for, if anyone, and what did '''they''' want with Maria or Jacqueline?
#How long were the two young women followed? Just that evening? Days? Weeks? Months?

 
----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867#Backstory|The Story So Far ... Backstory]]'' ''' 
'''Returnn to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867|Universal Exposition of 1867]]'' ''' 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley

2018-09-25T03:17:03Z

Taimdala:

'''A Short Account of Events:''' 
----
Jacqueline and Maria are walking home after an evening out when they notice they are being followe by some unsavory characters. Jacqueline suggests they try to evade their followers by ducking unexpectdly into an alley. The plan backfires and the women must fight their way out. Maria uses her cane sword and Jacqueline uses her pistol. Both women are lucky in that their weapons do damage enough to kill those who wished to kill them.

Several of their attackers are straight up thugs, possibly from the Apache street gang currently terrorizing Paris. However, several are not thuggish at all: two are women, one of whom is what seems to be a mage, and yet a third person is a man. All three are unknown to Maria and Jacqueline. Some of the thugs have no taste for the fight Maria and Jacqueline put up and flee. The better dressed non-thugs persist in their attack and when the fight comes to an end, the man is dead on Maria's sword and the mage woman has her head blown clean off by Jacquie's gun.

Whistles from the Gendarmes sound in the distance and Maria and Jacqueline get the hell out of the alley for home. They make it back to their shared flat without further mishap and count themselves lucky.

 
----
'''Unanswered Questions:''' 
----
There are a few questions the game didn't answer:
 
#Who were the thugs? Apaches? Why were they targeting Maria and Jacqueline?
#Who were the better-dressed man and women? One of the women was a mage. Who do they work for, if anyone, and what did '''they''' want with Maria or Jacqueline?
#How long were the two young women followed? Just that evening? Days? Weeks? Months?

 
----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867#Backstory|The Story So Far ... Backstory]]'' ''' 
'''Returnn to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867|Universal Exposition of 1867]]'' ''' 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley

2018-09-25T03:13:07Z

Taimdala: Created page with "'''A Short Version of Events:''' ---- Jacqueline and Maria are walking home after an evening out when they notice they are being followe by some unsavory characters. Jacqu..."

'''A Short Version of Events:''' 
----
Jacqueline and Maria are walking home after an evening out when they notice they are being followe by some unsavory characters. Jacqueline suggests they try to evade their followers by ducking unexpectdly into an alley. The plan backfires and the women must fight their way out. Maria uses her cane sword and Jacqueline uses her pistol. Both women are lucky in that their weapons do damage enough to kill those who wished to kill them.

Several of their attackers are straight up thugs, possibly from the Apache street gang currently terrorizing Paris. However, several are not thuggish at all: two are women, one of whom is what seems to be a mage, and yet a third person is a man. All three are unknown to Maria and Jacqueline. Some of the thugs have no taste for the fight Maria and Jacqueline put up and flee. The better dressed non-thugs persist in their attack and when the fight comes to an end, the man is dead on Maria's sword and the mage woman has her head blown clean off by Jacquie's gun.

Whistles from the Gendarmes sound in the distance and Maria and Jacqueline get the hell out of the alley for home. They make it back to their shared flat without further mishap and count themselves lucky.

 
----
'''Unanswered Questions:''' 
----
#Who were the thugs? Apaches? Why were they targeting Maria and Jacqueline?
#Who were the better dressed man and women? One of the women was a mage. Who do they work for, if anyone, and what did '''they''' want with Maria or Jacqueline?
#How long were the two young women followed? Just that evening? Days? Weeks? Months?

 
----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867#Backstory|The Story So Far ... Backstory]]'' ''' 
'''Returnn to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867|Universal Exposition of 1867]]'' ''' 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-09-25T03:07:35Z

Taimdala: /* Victorian Links */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game 03: '''06 Oct'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]'' '''

Jacqueline Suzanne Carter

2018-09-24T17:49:14Z

Taimdala: /* Character Sheet */

{{MMChar|
CrewPosition=Jacqueline Suzanne Carter|
Image=[[---]]|
First=Game 00|
Theme= TBD|
actor= Sophie Marceau|
Concept=Art Student-Adventurer|
Full Name= Jacqueline Suzanne Carter |
Identity=No Criminal Record|
Aliases= N/A|
Age=18|
Birthplace=San Francisco, California|
FavoredWeapon= Varies|
}}

=='''Character Sheet'''==

All her character statistics are listed below. 

{| border="1"
|+ '''Character Description'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#0006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! ---
|-
| Player || Maer || Nationality || American || Childhood || Student
|-
| Social Class || Middle || Age/Gender || 18 F || Vocation || Artist
|-
|Race || Human || Build || 5'-9" 141 lbs. || Personality || Seeker
|-
| Rank || -- || Hair/Eyes || Dark Brown on Brown || Social Ethics || Her own
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Characteristics'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Attribute !! Level !! Attribute !! Level
|-
| Strength || 1 || Presence || 1
|-
| Dexterity || 2 || Wits || 2
|-
| Fortitude || 2 || Resolve || 2
|-
| Attribute Advance : 4 x new level || Attribute Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Experience, Rank, Health and Sanity'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#00006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !!---
|-
| Experience Points || 05/05 (22 Sep 2018)|| Rank || 02 || Ranking Points || 02 (22 Sep 2018)
|-
| Health (4 dice) || 08 pts : (x) O O O O O O O O O || Fate Points || 13 (of 14; 2.5 dice) || Mana || 6 (normal lifeforce)
|-
| Sanity ||85 (10 = [5 x Pres] + 5 pts bonus) || Skill Cap || 4 || Talent Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Derived Attributes'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Action !! Attributes !! Result !! Action !! Attribute !! Result
|-
| Initiative || Dex + Wis + Per || 7 || Movement || 5 + Dex in yds/rnd || 7
|-
| Sneak || (5 + Dex/2) || 4 || Run || (5 + Dex) x 3 || 21
|-
| Swim || (5 + Dex) || 7 || Leap Horizontal || (1 + Dex) || 3
|-
| || || || Jump Vertical || (0.5 x H. Leap) || 3.5
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Common Skills'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool
|-
| Act || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Firearms || (Dex) || 3 || 5
|-
| Athletics || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Fisticuffs || (Dex) ||2 || 4
|-
| Blunt Weapon || (Dex) || 0 || 2 || General Knowledge || (Wit) || 1 || 3
|-
| Bull || (Prs) || 2 || 3 || Hide & Sneak || (Dex) || 2 || 3
|-
| Charm || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Horse Riding || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Conceal || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Improvised Weapon || (Dex) || 1 || 3
|-
| Concentration || (Res) || 2 || 4 || Intimidate || (Prs) or (Str) || 0 || 2 or 2
|-
| Dance* || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Might || (Str) || 01 || 3
|-
| Dodge || (Dex) || 2 || 4 || Perception || (Wit) || 3 || 5
|-
| Drive Carriage || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Streetwise* || (Prs) || 0 || 1
|-
| Empathy || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Swordplay || (Dex) || 0 || 2
|-
| Etiquette* || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Throwing || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Skill Advance = 1 x new level
|-
| * Special Class modifier usually applies || Skill Cap || 4

|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Specialties and Talents'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Specialties !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Talents !! (Cost)/Total Spent !! Level !! Benefits
|-
| Art: Painting/Drawing || (Dex or Wits) || 2 || 5 or 5 || Iron Will* || 3 || --
|-
| Sleight of Hand || (Dex) || 3 || 7 || Marksman* || 5 || --
|-
| || || || || Quick Draw* || 3 || --
|-
| Specialty Advance || New: 4pts = 0, Old: 1 x new ||Talent Advance || 2x Char Pt cost || Talent Cap || 7
|-
| * Can be taken more than once
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Complications and Contacts, Privileges and Assets'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Complications (Cost) !! Contacts (Cost) !! Privileges (P) and Assets (A) !! Cost !! Spent !! Description
|-
| Foreigner (3) || -- (--) || Income, Upper (A) p.152 || 2 || -- ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Fashionable City Flat (A) p.151 || 2 || (1/2) || Half the cost, going halves with Maria
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Wardrobe (A) p.154 || 3 || -- || No matter what, I am impeccably turned out
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Higher Station (P) p.147 || 3 || -- || I can pass for 1 class higher
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Society Friends (P) p.150 || || -- || I gain connections and invites to all the right parties; difficulties in Fashion Rolls 1 level less at GM's discretion
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Weapons and Armmor'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Weapon!! Owned? Y/N !! Skill !! Dmg Dice !! ROF !! Shots !! Reload !! Range !! Notes
|-
| Colt 1851 model || Y || Firearms (Dex) || 10 || 1 || 6 || 5 || 30 Yds || Provenance TBD
|-
| Knife, throwing || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 12 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
| Rock, thrown || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 10 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
|Off Hand Penalty – Difficulty Level +1 Level higher. P. 203
Unarmed vs. Armed = (p. 203) 
Multiple Actions = Dice pool / # of Actions; rolled per action. i.e. If normally 6 dice pool but 2 actions, roll ea. Action with 3 dice pool.
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Armor !! Owned? Y/N !! Armor Dice !! Notes
|-
| Corset, lined || Y || 1 || AC 2
|-
| Leather Coat, lined || Y || 1 || AC 4
|-
| Smart Leather Hat || Y || 1 || AC ?
|-
|}
 

=='''Background'''==
 

=='''Physical Description'''==
 

=='''Psychological Profile'''==
 

=='''''Of Light & Shadow'', a personal memoir'''==
 

=='''Allies & Adversaries'''==
 

=='''Miscellanea'''==
 

 
----
'''Return to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867|Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867]]''''' 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg#Victoriana|Dr. Penguin's Iceberg: Victoriana]]'''''

Jacqueline Suzanne Carter

2018-09-24T17:45:59Z

Taimdala:

{{MMChar|
CrewPosition=Jacqueline Suzanne Carter|
Image=[[---]]|
First=Game 00|
Theme= TBD|
actor= Sophie Marceau|
Concept=Art Student-Adventurer|
Full Name= Jacqueline Suzanne Carter |
Identity=No Criminal Record|
Aliases= N/A|
Age=18|
Birthplace=San Francisco, California|
FavoredWeapon= Varies|
}}

=='''Character Sheet'''==

All her character statistics are listed below. 

{| border="1"
|+ '''Character Description'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#0006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! ---
|-
| Player || Maer || Nationality || American || Childhood || Student
|-
| Social Class || Middle || Age/Gender || 18 F || Vocation || Artist
|-
|Race || Human || Build || 5'-9" 141 lbs. || Personality || Seeker
|-
| Rank || -- || Hair/Eyes || Dark Brown on Brown || Social Ethics || Her own
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Characteristics'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Attribute !! Level !! Attribute !! Level
|-
| Strength || 1 || Presence || 1
|-
| Dexterity || 2 || Wits || 2
|-
| Fortitude || 2 || Resolve || 2
|-
| Attribute Advance = 4 x new level || Attribute Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Experience, Rank, Health and Sanity'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#00006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !!---
|-
| Experience Points || 05/05 (22 Sep 2018)|| Rank || 02 || Ranking Points || 02 (22 Sep 2018)
|-
| Health (4 dice) || 08 pts : (x) O O O O O O O O O || Fate Points || 13 (of 14; 2.5 dice) || Mana || 6 (normal lifeforce)
|-
| Sanity ||85 (10 = [5 x Pres] + 5 pts bonus) || Skill Cap || 4 || Talent Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Derived Attributes'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Action !! Attributes !! Result !! Action !! Attribute !! Result
|-
| Initiative || Dex + Wis + Per || 7 || Movement || 5 + Dex in yds/rnd || 7
|-
| Sneak || (5 + Dex/2) || 4 || Run || (5 + Dex) x 3 || 21
|-
| Swim || (5 + Dex) || 7 || Leap Horizontal || (1 + Dex) || 3
|-
| || || || Jump Vertical || (0.5 x H. Leap) || 3.5
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Common Skills'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool
|-
| Act || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Firearms || (Dex) || 3 || 5
|-
| Athletics || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Fisticuffs || (Dex) ||2 || 4
|-
| Blunt Weapon || (Dex) || 0 || 2 || General Knowledge || (Wit) || 1 || 3
|-
| Bull || (Prs) || 2 || 3 || Hide & Sneak || (Dex) || 2 || 3
|-
| Charm || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Horse Riding || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Conceal || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Improvised Weapon || (Dex) || 1 || 3
|-
| Concentration || (Res) || 2 || 4 || Intimidate || (Prs) or (Str) || 0 || 2 or 2
|-
| Dance* || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Might || (Str) || 01 || 3
|-
| Dodge || (Dex) || 2 || 4 || Perception || (Wit) || 3 || 5
|-
| Drive Carriage || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Streetwise* || (Prs) || 0 || 1
|-
| Empathy || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Swordplay || (Dex) || 0 || 2
|-
| Etiquette* || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Throwing || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Skill Advance = 1 x new level
|-
| * Special Class modifier usually applies || Skill Cap || 4

|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Specialties and Talents'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Specialties !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Talents !! (Cost)/Total Spent !! Level !! Benefits
|-
| Art: Painting/Drawing || (Dex or Wits) || 2 || 5 or 5 || Iron Will* || 3 || --
|-
| Sleight of Hand || (Dex) || 3 || 7 || Marksman* || 5 || --
|-
| || || || || Quick Draw* || 3 || --
|-
| Specialty Advance || New: 4pts = 0, Old: 1 x new ||Talent Advance || 2x Char Pt cost || Talent Cap || 7
|-
| * Can be taken more than once
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Complications and Contacts, Privileges and Assets'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Complications (Cost) !! Contacts (Cost) !! Privileges (P) and Assets (A) !! Cost !! Spent !! Description
|-
| Foreigner (3) || -- (--) || Income, Upper (A) p.152 || 2 || -- ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Fashionable City Flat (A) p.151 || 2 || (1/2) || Half the cost, going halves with Maria
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Wardrobe (A) p.154 || 3 || -- || No matter what, I am impeccably turned out
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Higher Station (P) p.147 || 3 || -- || I can pass for 1 class higher
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Society Friends (P) p.150 || || -- || I gain connections and invites to all the right parties; difficulties in Fashion Rolls 1 level less at GM's discretion
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Weapons and Armmor'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Weapon!! Owned? Y/N !! Skill !! Dmg Dice !! ROF !! Shots !! Reload !! Range !! Notes
|-
| Colt 1851 model || Y || Firearms (Dex) || 10 || 1 || 6 || 5 || 30 Yds || Provenance TBD
|-
| Knife, throwing || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 12 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
| Rock, thrown || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 10 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
|Off Hand Penalty – Difficulty Level +1 Level higher. P. 203
Unarmed vs. Armed = (p. 203) 
Multiple Actions = Dice pool / # of Actions; rolled per action. i.e. If normally 6 dice pool but 2 actions, roll ea. Action with 3 dice pool.
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Armor !! Owned? Y/N !! Armor Dice !! Notes
|-
| Corset, lined || Y || 1 || AC 2
|-
| Leather Coat, lined || Y || 1 || AC 4
|-
| Smart Leather Hat || Y || 1 || AC ?
|-
|}
 

=='''Background'''==
 

=='''Physical Description'''==
 

=='''Psychological Profile'''==
 

=='''''Of Light & Shadow'', a personal memoir'''==
 

=='''Allies & Adversaries'''==
 

=='''Miscellanea'''==
 

 
----
'''Return to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867|Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867]]''''' 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg#Victoriana|Dr. Penguin's Iceberg: Victoriana]]'''''

Jacqueline Suzanne Carter

2018-09-24T17:33:16Z

Taimdala:

{{MMChar|
CrewPosition=Jacqueline Suzanne Carter|
Image=[[---]]|
First=Game 00|
Theme= TBD|
actor= Sophie Marceau|
Concept=Art Student-Adventurer|
Full Name= Jacqueline Suzanne Carter |
Identity=No Criminal Record|
Aliases= N/A|
Age=18|
Birthplace=San Francisco, California|
FavoredWeapon= Varies|
}}

=='''Background'''==
 

=='''Physical Description'''==
 

=='''Psychological Profile'''==
 

=='''''Of Light & Shadow'', a personal memoir'''==
 

=='''Allies & Adversaries'''==
 

=='''Character Sheet'''==

All her character statistics are listed below. 

{| border="1"
|+ '''Character Description'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#0006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! ---
|-
| Player || Maer || Nationality || American || Childhood || Student
|-
| Social Class || Middle || Age/Gender || 18 F || Vocation || Artist
|-
|Race || Human || Build || 5'-9" 141 lbs. || Personality || Seeker
|-
| Rank || -- || Hair/Eyes || Dark Brown on Brown || Social Ethics || Her own
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Characteristics'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Attribute !! Level !! Attribute !! Level
|-
| Strength || 1 || Presence || 1
|-
| Dexterity || 2 || Wits || 2
|-
| Fortitude || 2 || Resolve || 2
|-
| Attribute Advance = 4 x new level || Attribute Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Experience, Rank, Health and Sanity'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#00006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !!---
|-
| Experience Points || 05/05 (22 Sep 2018)|| Rank || 02 || Ranking Points || 02 (22 Sep 2018)
|-
| Health (4 dice) || 08 pts : (x) O O O O O O O O O || Fate Points || 13 (of 14; 2.5 dice) || Mana || 6 (normal lifeforce)
|-
| Sanity ||85 (10 = [5 x Pres] + 5 pts bonus) || Skill Cap || 4 || Talent Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Derived Attributes'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Action !! Attributes !! Result !! Action !! Attribute !! Result
|-
| Initiative || Dex + Wis + Per || 7 || Movement || 5 + Dex in yds/rnd || 7
|-
| Sneak || (5 + Dex/2) || 4 || Run || (5 + Dex) x 3 || 21
|-
| Swim || (5 + Dex) || 7 || Leap Horizontal || (1 + Dex) || 3
|-
| || || || Jump Vertical || (0.5 x H. Leap) || 3.5
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Common Skills'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool
|-
| Act || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Firearms || (Dex) || 3 || 5
|-
| Athletics || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Fisticuffs || (Dex) ||2 || 4
|-
| Blunt Weapon || (Dex) || 0 || 2 || General Knowledge || (Wit) || 1 || 3
|-
| Bull || (Prs) || 2 || 3 || Hide & Sneak || (Dex) || 2 || 3
|-
| Charm || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Horse Riding || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Conceal || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Improvised Weapon || (Dex) || 1 || 3
|-
| Concentration || (Res) || 2 || 4 || Intimidate || (Prs) or (Str) || 0 || 2 or 2
|-
| Dance* || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Might || (Str) || 01 || 3
|-
| Dodge || (Dex) || 2 || 4 || Perception || (Wit) || 3 || 5
|-
| Drive Carriage || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Streetwise* || (Prs) || 0 || 1
|-
| Empathy || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Swordplay || (Dex) || 0 || 2
|-
| Etiquette* || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Throwing || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Skill Advance = 1 x new level
|-
| * Special Class modifier usually applies || Skill Cap || 4

|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Specialties and Talents'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Specialties !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Talents !! (Cost)/Total Spent !! Level !! Benefits
|-
| Art: Painting/Drawing || (Dex or Wits) || 2 || 5 or 5 || Iron Will || 3 || --
|-
| Sleight of Hand || (Dex) || 3 || 7 || Marksman* || 5 || --
|-
| || || || || Quick Draw* || 3 || --
|-
| Specialty Advance || New: 4pts = 0, Old: 1 x new ||Talent Advance || 2x Char Pt cost || Talent Cap || 7
|-
| * Can be taken more than once
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Complications and Contacts, Privileges and Assets'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Complications (Cost) !! Contacts (Cost) !! Privileges (P) and Assets (A) !! Cost !! Spent !! Description
|-
| Foreigner (3) || -- (--) || Income, Upper (A) p.152 || 2 || -- ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Fashionable City Flat (A) p.151 || 2 || (1/2) ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Higher Station (P) p.147 || 3 || -- ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Society Friends (P) p.150 || || -- ||
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Weapons'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Weapon!! Owned? Y/N !! Skill !! Dmg Dice !! ROF !! Shots !! Reload !! Range !! Notes
|-
| Colt 1851 model || Y || Firearms (Dex) || 10 || 1 || 6 || 5 || 30 Yds || Provenance TBD
|-
| Knife, throwing || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 12 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
| Rock, thrown || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 10 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Armor'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Armor !! Owned? Y/N !! Armor Dice !! Notes
|-
| Corset, lined || Y || 1 || AC 2
|-
| Leather Coat, lined || Y || 1 || AC 4
|-
| Smart Leather Hat || Y || 1 || AC ?
|-
|}
 

=='''Miscellanea'''==
Off Hand Penalty – Difficulty Level +1 Level higher. P. 203 
Unarmed vs. Armed = (p. 203) 
Multiple Actions = Dice pool / # of Actions; rolled per action. i.e. If normally 6 dice pool but 2 actions, roll ea. Action with 3 dice pool.
 

 
----
'''Return to: ''[[Victoriana:_Universal_Exposition_of_1867|Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867]]''''' 
'''Return to: ''[[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg#Victoriana|Dr. Penguin's Iceberg: Victoriana]]'''''

Jacqueline Suzanne Carter

2018-09-24T17:28:11Z

Taimdala: Created page with " {{MMChar| CrewPosition=Jacqueline Suzanne Carter| Image=---| First=Game 00| Theme= TBD| actor= Sophie Marceau| Concept=Art Student-Adventurer| Full Name= Jacqueline Suzan..."

{{MMChar|
CrewPosition=Jacqueline Suzanne Carter|
Image=[[---]]|
First=Game 00|
Theme= TBD|
actor= Sophie Marceau|
Concept=Art Student-Adventurer|
Full Name= Jacqueline Suzanne Carter |
Identity=No Criminal Record|
Aliases= N/A|
Age=18|
Birthplace=San Francisco, California|
FavoredWeapon= Varies|
}}

=='''Background'''==
 

=='''Physical Description'''==
 

=='''Psychological Profile'''==
 

=='''''Of Light & Shadow'', a personal memoir'''==
 

=='''Allies & Adversaries'''==
 

=='''Character Sheet'''==

All her character statistics are listed below. 

{| border="1"
|+ '''Character Description'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#0006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! ---
|-
| Player || Maer || Nationality || American || Childhood || Student
|-
| Social Class || Middle || Age/Gender || 18 F || Vocation || Artist
|-
|Race || Human || Build || 5'-9" 141 lbs. || Personality || Seeker
|-
| Rank || -- || Hair/Eyes || Dark Brown on Brown || Social Ethics || Her own
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Characteristics'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Attribute !! Level !! Attribute !! Level
|-
| Strength || 1 || Presence || 1
|-
| Dexterity || 2 || Wits || 2
|-
| Fortitude || 2 || Resolve || 2
|-
| Attribute Advance = 4 x new level || Attribute Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Experience, Rank, Health and Sanity'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#00006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !!---
|-
| Experience Points || 05/05 (22 Sep 2018)|| Rank || 02 || Ranking Points || 02 (22 Sep 2018)
|-
| Health (4 dice) || 08 pts : (x) O O O O O O O O O || Fate Points || 13 (of 14; 2.5 dice) || Mana || 6 (normal lifeforce)
|-
| Sanity ||85 (10 = [5 x Pres] + 5 pts bonus) || Skill Cap || 4 || Talent Cap || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Derived Attributes'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Action !! Attributes !! Result !! Action !! Attribute !! Result
|-
| Initiative || Dex + Wis + Per || 7 || Movement || 5 + Dex in yds/rnd || 7
|-
| Sneak || (5 + Dex/2) || 4 || Run || (5 + Dex) x 3 || 21
|-
| Swim || (5 + Dex) || 7 || Leap Horizontal || (1 + Dex) || 3
|-
| || || || Jump Vertical || (0.5 x H. Leap) || 3.5
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Common Skills'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool
|-
| Act || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Firearms || (Dex) || 3 || 5
|-
| Athletics || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Fisticuffs || (Dex) ||2 || 4
|-
| Blunt Weapon || (Dex) || 0 || 2 || General Knowledge || (Wit) || 1 || 3
|-
| Bull || (Prs) || 2 || 3 || Hide & Sneak || (Dex) || 2 || 3
|-
| Charm || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Horse Riding || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Conceal || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Improvised Weapon || (Dex) || 1 || 3
|-
| Concentration || (Res) || 2 || 4 || Intimidate || (Prs) or (Str) || 0 || 2 or 2
|-
| Dance* || (Dex) || 1 || 3 || Might || (Str) || 01 || 3
|-
| Dodge || (Dex) || 2 || 4 || Perception || (Wit) || 3 || 5
|-
| Drive Carriage || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Streetwise* || (Prs) || 0 || 1
|-
| Empathy || (Prs) || 1 || 2 || Swordplay || (Dex) || 0 || 2
|-
| Etiquette* || (Wit) || 1 || 3 || Throwing || (Dex) || 2 || 4
|-
| Skill Advance = 1 x new level
|-
| * Special Class modifier usually applies || Skill Cap || 4

|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Specialties and Talents'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Specialties !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Talents !! (Cost)/Total Spent !! Level !! Benefits
|-
| Art: Painting/Drawing || (Dex or Wits) || 2 || 5 or 5 || Iron Will || 3 || --
|-
| Sleight of Hand || (Dex) || 3 || 7 || Marksman* || 5 || --
|-
| || || || || Quick Draw* || 3 || --
|-
| Specialty Advance || New: 4pts = 0, Old: 1 x new ||Talent Advance || 2x Char Pt cost || Talent Cap || 7
|-
| * Can be taken more than once
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Complications and Contacts, Privileges and Assets'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Complications (Cost) !! Contacts (Cost) !! Privileges (P) and Assets (A) !! Cost !! Spent !! Description
|-
| Foreigner (3) || -- (--) || Income, Upper (A) p.152 || 2 || -- ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Fashionable City Flat (A) p.151 || 2 || (1/2) ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Higher Station (P) p.147 || 3 || -- ||
|-
| -- || -- (--) || Society Friends (P) p.150 || || -- ||
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Weapons'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Weapon!! Owned? Y/N !! Skill !! Dmg Dice !! ROF !! Shots !! Reload !! Range !! Notes
|-
| Colt 1851 model || Y || Firearms (Dex) || 10 || 1 || 6 || 5 || 30 Yds || Provenance TBD
|-
| Knife, throwing || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 12 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
| Rock, thrown || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4 || 2 || 1 || 0 || 10 Yds || Special ATK: Throw
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Armor'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Armor !! Owned? Y/N !! Armor Dice !! Notes
|-
| Corset, lined || Y || 1 || AC 2
|-
| Leather Coat, lined || Y || 1 || AC 4
|-
| Smart Leather Hat || Y || 1 || AC ?
|-
|}
 

=='''Miscellanea'''==
Off Hand Penalty – Difficulty Level +1 Level higher. P. 203 
Unarmed vs. Armed = (p. 203) 
Multiple Actions = Dice pool / # of Actions; rolled per action. i.e. If normally 6 dice pool but 2 actions, roll ea. Action with 3 dice pool.

Josephine Gabrielle Arceneaux

2018-09-24T16:33:56Z

Taimdala:

{{MMChar|
CrewPosition=Josephine Gabrielle Arseneaux|
Image=[[Image:JGArszd02.jpg]]|
First=Session 1|
Theme= [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ9QPql0iT8 (Something That Drives Her)]|
actor= Sophie Marceau|
Concept=Intinerant Information Specialist|
Full Name= Josephine Gabrielle Arceneaux|
Identity=No Criminal Record|
Aliases= N/A|
Age=28|
Birthplace=Strasbourg, Alsace, France|
FavoredWeapon= Varies|
}}

=='''Background'''==

Josephine Gabrielle Arceneaux was born on 21 October 1839 to Frenchwoman Sophie Desirée Arceneaux and Englishman Jonathan Randolph Crane, in the city of Strasbourg, Alsace, France. It was not uncommon for the French natives of Alsace (or Alsatia, as it is sometimes called) to speak fluent German and such was the case for Josephine's mother. Josephine's father spoke English and Josephine grew up in a trilingual household on French soil learning French and German, with English as her native tongue. 

(To learn more about Josephine's formative years, do go [[Josephine's Early Years | '''''here.''''']]) 

=='''Physical Description'''==
In appearance, Josephine is somewhat tall for a woman. Standing at five feet and nine inches in her stockinged feet, she is considerably leaner than the voluptous figure required of the day. She is certainly more accustomed to physical action over cultivated weakness and she is tougher than she appears. Her hair is a dark brown, catching red glints in the sunlight, and her brown eyes are bright and observant. Her complexion is clear, her features even, and her fair skin is a sturdy type that tans well instead of burning. Her hair is somewhat shorter than is the norm for a woman of her era and she wears it in a ballerina bun or a simple French twist for everyday wear. For combat,she puts it up in a Dutch braid circling her head. 

Her preferred clothing is likewise unconventional, leaning in a decidedly mannish direction of shirtwaists tucked into walking skirts or split riding skirts--even trousers on occasion--and her shoes are either ladies' leather ankle boots or men's town boots. Of corsets she has little use or liking and though she does possess one, her physical habits and figure are such that she can usually dispense with wearing it. Josephine prefers practicality over fashion, comfort over convention whenever possible and though this has led to some raised eyebrows and scandalized sensibilities, she feels the mobility, utility, and self-sufficiency thus gained more than compensates for any misconceptions about her character. Over the months of her nascent career, however, she has come to see conventional clothing as a useful disguise and will certainly use it to her advantage. 

=='''Psychological Profile'''==

Possessed of imagination and a keen curiosity for the world around her, Josephine channels her mental energy into observation and problem solving. She was raised by scholar parents who nurtured and indulged her native intelligence and if there is one area in which Josephine is prone to the sin of pride, it is her intellect. She relies on it heavily to guide her through the vagaries of life such as befall an unaccompanied woman in this society and so far, it has served her well. As such, she is more apt to do for herself than rely on others for their assistance, looking askance at such dependency as weakness and a failing of character. She is indefagitable, creative, a maverick and a survivor, and though the odds are stacked against a woman in a man's world, she is supremely confident in her ability to win through in her endeavors. 

=='''''Shadow Game'', a personal memoir'''==
Excerpts from her memoir, written haphazardly as circumstances permit. Read them [[Shadow Game, a personal memoir |'''here''']].

=='''Allies & Adversaries'''==
An ongoing [[Josephine's Allies & Adversaries |'''record''' ]] of the people Josephine encounters in her adventures, clanestine or otherwise.

=='''Steamer Trunk'''==

It's a battered thing, having been knocked around the globe for years, salvaged from a Parisian alley over a decade ago during a quick layover between jobs. The contents vary with Josephine's fortunes but when fully stocked, it's got everything she needs. Go [[Josephine's Steamer Trunk| '''here for the trunk inventory''']].

=='''Character Sheet'''==

All her character statistics are listed below. 

{| border="1"
|+ '''Character Description'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#0006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! ---
|-
| Player || Maer || Nationality || British || Childhood || Student
|-
| Social Class || Middle || Age/Gender || 28 F || Vocation || Actor/Circus
|-
|Race || Human || Build || 5'-9" 165 lbs. || Personality || Seeker
|-
| Rank || 8 || Hair/Eyes || Dark Brown on Brown || Social Ethics || Her own
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Characteristics'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Attribute !! Level !! Attribute !! Level
|-
| Strength || 4 || Presence || 6
|-
| Dexterity || 7 || Wits || 7
|-
| Fortitude || 4 || Resolve || 6
|-
| Attribute Advance = 4 x new level || Attribute Cap || Now reworked, previously 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Experience, Rank, Health and Sanity'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#00006F"
! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !! --- !!---
|-
| Experience Points || 45/156 (19 May)|| Rank || 9 (need to adj skills) || Ranking Points || 26(19 May)
|-
| Health (5 dice) || 10 pts : O O O O O O O O O O || Fate Points || 12 (of 14; 2.5 dice) || Mana || 6 (normal lifeforce)
|-
| Sanity ||85 (50 = [5 x Pres] + 5 pts bonus) || Skill Cap || 6 || Talent Cap || 7
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Derived Attributes'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Action !! Attributes !! Result !! Action !! Attribute !! Result
|-
| Initiative || Dex + Wis + Per || 18 || Movement || 5 + Dex in yds/rnd || 15
|-
| Sneak || (5 + Dex/2) || 8 || Run || (5 + Dex) x 3 || 36
|-
| Swim || (5 + Dex) || 12 || Leap Horizontal || (1 + Dex) || 8
|-
| || || || Jump Vertical || (0.5 x H. Leap) || 4
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Common Skills'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Skill !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool
|-
| Act || (Prs) || 2 || 8 || Firearms || (Dex) || 3 || 10
|-
| Athletics || (Dex) || 6 || 13 || Fisticuffs || (Dex) || 3 || 10
|-
| Blunt Weapon || (Dex) || 0 || 7 || General Knowledge || (Wit) || 2 || 9
|-
| Bull || (Prs) || 3 || 9 || Hide & Sneak || (Dex) || 6 || 13
|-
| Charm || (Prs) || 3 || 9 || Horse Riding || (Dex) || 2 || 9
|-
| Conceal || (Wit) || 3 || 10 || Improvised Weapon || (Dex) || 2 || 9
|-
| Concentration || (Res) || 3 || 9 || Intimidate || (Prs) or (Str) || 0 || 6 or 4
|-
| Dance* || (Dex) || 1 || 8 || Might || (Str) || 0 || 4
|-
| Dodge || (Dex) || 6 || 13 || Perception || (Wit) || 6 || 13
|-
| Drive Carriage || (Wit) || 0 || 7|| Streetwise* || (Prs) || 2 || 8
|-
| Empathy || (Prs) || 0 || 6 || Swordplay || (Dex) || 6 || 13
|-
| Etiquette* || (Wit) || 2 || 9 || Throwing || (Dex) || 6 || 13
|-
| Skill Advance = 1 x new level
|-
| * Special Class modifier usually applies || Skill Cap || 6

|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Specialties and Talents'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Specialties !! Attribute !! Level !! Total Dice Pool !! Talents !! (Cost)/Total Spent !! Level !! Benefits
|-
| Animal Handling || (Wit) || 1 || 5 || Acute Sense*: Hearing || (3)/3 || 1 || +2 dice hearing perception
|-
| Conversation || (Wit) || 1|| 4 || Agility || (3)/3 || 0 || +2 anything assox. w/ acrobatics, climbing, running, stealth; NON CBT!
|-
| Forgery || (Wit) || 1 || 5 || Assassin's Lore || (3)/6 || 2 || Ea. Pt. spent adds +1 dmg to melle attacks w/edged weap. Can't take > than Swordplay skill points owned
|-
| Language: French || (Wit) || 1 || 5 || Blind Fighting || (3)/3 || 0 || Ignore darkness pentalies in CBT; can't actually see in dark
|-
| Language: German || (Wit) || 1 || 5 || Contortionist* || (3)/3 || 1 || Ea. lvl. adds -1 dffclty to escape bonds/squeeze into tight places
|-
| Lore: European || (Wit) || 1 || 5 || Deduction* || (2) || 2 || Ea. lvl. adds +1 to dice pool to any Perception, Research, or Science rolls when investg. a crime or crime scene
|-
| Navigation || (Wit) || 1 || 5 || Point Shooter || (3)/3 || 0 || +2 dice to attack roll with pistol point blank or close range
|-
| Pick Locks || (Wit) || 3 || 7 || Polyglot || (3) || 1 || May speak, read, & write an additional lang. as well as native tongue.
|-
| Pick Pockets || (Dex) || 3 || 7 || || || || Native language: French
|-
| Sleight of Hand || (Dex) || 3 || 7 || || || || 1st Polyglot: English
|-
| Tracking || (Wit) || 1 || 5
|-
| Specialty Advance || New: 4pts = 0, Old: 1 x new ||Talent Advance || 2x Char Pt cost || Talent Cap || 7
|-
| * Can be taken more than once
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Complications and Contacts, Privileges and Assets'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Complications (Cost) !! Contacts (Cost) !! Privileges and Assets !! Cost !! Spent !! Description
|-
| Watched (5) || 1 Middle Class (1) || Rented Terrace House (Lower/Middle) || 3 || 3 || 2 floors; fully plumbed with W/C and sinks; kitchen with stove and hot water reservoir
|-
| Enemy (3) || 1 Upper Class (2) || || || || 2 shed skylights on roof; timber post and beam construction, masonry/brick fill
|-
| Misunderstood Finances (2) ||
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Weapons'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Weapon!! Owned? Y/N !! Skill !! Dmg Dice !! ROF !! Shots !! Reload !! Range !! Notes
|-
| Navy Colt Revolver || Y || Firearms (Dex) || 6 || 2 || 6 || 4 || 20 Yds || Navy Colt, provenance TBD
|-
| Knife || Y || Swordplay (Dex) || 4
|-
| Throwing Knife || Y || Throwing (Dex) || 4
|-
| Sword, Military, light || Y || Swordplay (Dex) || 7
|-
|}

{| border="1"
|+ '''Armor'''
|-
|- style="background:#00006F; color:#FFFFFF"
! Armor !! Owned? Y/N !! Armor Dice !! Notes
|-
| Corset, boned || Y || 1 || Steel boning; boning segmented to allow movement
|-
|}
 

=='''Miscellanea'''==
'''''[[Josephine's Mews]]''''' - Little York Place, between Glouster Street and York Place (Upper Baker Street), London; Coordinates: 51°31′16″N 0°9′33″W
 

 

Return to [[The Dark Corners of the Earth: The Story So Far ... | '''''The Story So Far ... ''''']] 
Return to [[The Dark Corners of the Earth | '''''The Dark Corners of the Earth''''' ]]

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-09-24T01:27:24Z

Taimdala: /* Victorian Links */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game 03: '''06 Oct'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)] 
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
Go back to [[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-09-24T01:27:11Z

Taimdala: /* Victorian Links */

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game 03: '''06 Oct'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exposition_Universelle_(1867) Exposition Universelle (1867)]
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
Go back to [[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]

Victoriana: Universal Exposition of 1867

2018-09-24T01:25:11Z

Taimdala: Created page with "==Game Calendar== '''2018''' '''September, 2018:''' *Game 00: '''08 Sep''' *Game 01: '''22 Sep''' '''October, 2018:''' *Game 03: '''06 Oct''' *Game 04: '''20 Oct''' ''..."

==Game Calendar==
'''2018''' 
'''September, 2018:'''
*Game 00: '''08 Sep'''
*Game 01: '''22 Sep'''
'''October, 2018:'''
*Game 03: '''06 Oct'''
*Game 04: '''20 Oct'''
'''November, 2018:'''
*Game 05: '''03 Nov'''
'''December, 2018:'''
*Game 06: '''01 Dec'''
*Game 07: '''15 Dec'''
 
'''2019''' 
'''January, 2019:'''
*Game 08: '''05 Jan'''
*Game 09: '''19 Jan'''
'''February, 2019:'''
*Game 10: '''02 Feb'''
*Game 11: '''16 Feb'''
'''March, 2019:'''
*Game 12: '''02 Mar'''
*Game 13: '''16 Mar'''
*Game 14: '''30 Mar'''

 

==Dramatis Personae==
The Characters of our Campaign. 

===''The PCs''===
----
*'''[[Maria DeSito]]'''
*'''[[Jacqueline Suzanne Carter]]'''
*'''[[Eldridge Beaumont]]'''

===''The NPCs''===
----
*'''[[Inspector Dreyfus]]'''
*'''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'''

===''Incidental Characters''===
----
'''Berthe:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Cook and Housekeeper. Stats: 45 years old, blond haired, blue eyed, Teutonic fair; accomplished cook and housekeeper; Bavarian; fluent in German-accented French and Bavarian-accented German. 
'''Sophie:''' Maria and Jacqueline's Maid of All Work, managed by Berthe. Stats: 17 years old, auburn haired, green eyed, redhead fair; does all household tasks; French.

 

==The Story So Far . . .==
Being a record of all our Games and RPs in chronological order. The Games are in '''bold''' and the RPs are bulleted.
 
===Backstory===
----
*'''May 25, 1866''' - [[How They Met (Working Title)]] (RP: Maria and Jacqueline)
 

===Prologue===
----
'''March 17, 1867 - [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|Blind Alley]]''' ––– Prologue: In which Jacquiline and Maria fight free of thugs, a mage, and persons unknown.
 

===March 1867: Paris===
----
'''March 18, 1867 - [[Game 01: Cipher|Cipher]]''' ––– One of the attackers from battle in [[Game 00: Character Generation and Prologue: Blind Alley|'''Blind Alley''']] ends up in the morgue with Jacqueline's [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carte_de_visite ''carte de visite''] in a pocket. [[Inspector Dreyfus]] of the Paris Gendarmes questions Jacqueline. A package for Maria from ''[[Giovanni Schiaparelli]]'' holds photographs, a coded Morse message, and a plea to deliver the contents to [[Lord Kelvin]] at the Exposition, due to open in two weeks' time. 

 

==Victorian Links==
[http://www.victorianweb.org/ The Victorian Web]. Fascinating and seemingly endless. You might fall in and never climb back out.

 

----
 
Go back to [[Dr._Penguin's_Iceberg| Dr. Penguin's Main Page]]

The Dark Corners of the Earth: An Eccentric Guide

2018-09-24T01:02:09Z

Taimdala: /* Abroad */

== '''At Home''' ==
*'''[[Lady Katherine's Townhouse]]'''; Melcombe Street, Dorset Square, Paddington, London; Coordinates: 51°31′22″N 0°09′40″W
*'''[[Josephine's Mews]]'''; Little York Place, between Glouster Street and York Place (Upper Baker Street), London; Coordinates: 51°31′16″N 0°9′33″W
*'''[[Bow Street Magistrate's Court]]'''; No. 4 Bow Street, Covent Garden, Westminster, London; Coordinates: 51°30′49″N 0°07′21″W
*'''[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Bar,_London Temple Bar]'''; Coordinates: 51°30′49″N 0°07′21″W

== '''Abroad''' ==
*[[Hotel Saint Georges]] - 42 Rue du Mont Thabor, 1st e, Paris, France. Coordinates: 48° 51' 59.9" N 2° 19' 32.5" E
*[[Moulin Rouge]] - 43 Avenue Gabriel, 8th e, Paris, France. Coordinates: 48° 52’ 9.0798” N 2° 18’ 47.5632” E
*[[St. Lorenz Cathedral]] - Lorenzer Platz 10, Nuremberg, Germany. Coordinates: 49° 27’ 2.736” N 11° 4’ 44.904” E
*[[Lake Bled]] - Lake Bled, Austro-Hungary. Coordinates: 46° 21’ 48.9528” N 14° 5’ 37.6974” E
*'''''Would Love to Have:''''' Entries for Trieste, Alexandria and points south in Egypt, and Wales.
 

== '''Terra Incognita''' ==

 

== '''Beyond The Map's Edge''' ==

 

Return to [[The Dark Corners of the Earth: The Story So Far ... | '''''The Story So Far ... ''''']] 
Return to [[The Dark Corners of the Earth | '''''The Dark Corners of the Earth''''' ]]