Rina's 21 Things

A road-map to Rina's twitches and barbs, in ascending severity:

1. Licorice goes well with fish.
2. Chewing gum can get you out of a sticky situation by its very nature of being sticky. Keep a pack handy at all times. If nothing else, it makes an effective bribe.
3. Chocolate makes an even better bribe but doesn’t keep well in your pocket. If you get the chance to acquire some, however, never pass it up.
4. Always keep duct tape, elastics, paper clips, and a multi-tool ready to use at all times—they will work even when a gun can’t.
5. Just about anything can be repaired with duct tape, elastics, paper clips, and a multi-tool.
6. If not #5, then you need to machine it from scratch.
7. Machining from scratch is a finicking and messy business best done in calm conditions.
8. If you need to do #6, it will never be #7.
9. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it but stock plenty of spares.
10. The pilot flies the ship, but the engine lets him do it—take care of the engine first.
11. On guns: like the engine, take care of it first. Unlike the engine, it is possible to get things done and go places without it.
12. If you have a gun, as with engines, know it inside and out. If you shoot, be a crack shot. If you can’t do both, find another weapon.
13. Never forget: the gun is the most obvious weapon choice in the ‘Verse. Flummox your opponent by using something else. Be inventive.
14. “Forewarned is forearmed.” Familiarize yourself with your environment and notice everything. You’ll never know when it will save your life.
15. Put your back to the door only if you can see it. Know your exits and devise at least two more for emergencies.
16. If you can, without endangering the crew, when facing overwhelming odds alone, RUN.
17. If you can’t do #16, stand and fight. If you can do it from behind or in ambush, all the better. From a distance is best. (Remember—this is against overwhelming odds.)
18. Your crew is like your ship—with them on your side you can go anywhere, do anything, and live to tell about it. Maintain both as best as you possibly can.
19. Barehanded, the strength of a determined man is always stronger than that of a woman, however desperate. It’s best a woman meets this with preparation and cunning/knowledge, rather than defenseless and ignorant.
20. The human body can sustain damage beyond normal expectation and survive.
21. Monsters wear Human faces.

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