Editing Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Part Four

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[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions| Part 1]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Part Two| Part 2]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Part Three| Part 3]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Part Five| Part 5]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Special Features| Reacquisitions, Special Features]] <br> <br>

'''''Whoa!'''''<br><br>

'''Arden:''' If … you really want me to, I will.<br>
'''Rina:''' That Reich guy seemed awfully friendly.  I was totally out of it for hours. How much more lucky was he hoping to get?<br><br>

Back in the conference room, Kiera gives up on the coffee and starts wondering where she can get a good stiff drink and Joshua?  The man looks poleaxed.  Then:<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' Do you have any idea? At all?<br>
'''Kiera:''' (sighs) No.  I have, seriously, gone down to offer our guards money—<br>
'''Joshua:''' Okay, give us another eight hours. Cuz it’s late at night now and I’m hoping if she woke up now, that she would have enough sense not to be wandering around in the dark, blind or not. <br><br>

We continue to wait. Rina’s exam comes up clean. Arden goes off to play with the ship’s cat.  The sun rises on the morning and Joshua orders Rina to prep ''Lagniappe'', knowing the engineer would be better off staying occupied rather than twiddling her thumbs with the rest of them. Arden announces he can’t find the ship’s cat and does a scan for the locator chip we’d embedded in its collar. He finds the cat in the forward storage closet on the passenger deck—the door had been left ajar. <br><br> 

'''Rina:''' What was it doing in there?<br>
'''Arden:''' It was doing whatever a cat does when it wants to hide.<br>
'''Beglan:''' Maybe it was in another dimension?<br>
'''Arden:''' Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean the cat can’t see them.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Oh, cool. That’s true.<br>

Any bit of distraction is welcome when we’re all waiting on tenterhooks for the call. Even feline extra-dimensional excursions. Meanwhile, Joshua hunts through hotel reservations for Chu’s aliases again.  Kiera finds him at it.  The search comes up a bust.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' We’ve gone through all his aliases.<br>
'''Joshua:''' We’re going to have to trust that—and I hate having to trust in anything at this point.<br>
'''Kiera:''' I don’t think we have a choice. There was no method of him coming up with aliases. It was literally random. No was no rotational use.  He may have some weird name that I don’t know of.<br>
'''Joshua:''' We’re still within the time frame for her being out from this, right?<br>
'''Kiera:''' She should be calling in the morning.<br><br>

If Nika were in a Core-side hospital, they’d want to keep her for a week.  Chu doesn’t do that.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' We’ll wait.  Unless somebody can give me an option that is not doing something to do it … <br>
'''Kiera:''' I say going to find a job to see if we can get somebody to—<br>
'''Joshua:''' Then do it. I don’t have any preference as to where we’re going, although if we can get something close …<br>
'''Kiera:''' Okay. Is a short hop preferable?<br>
'''Joshua:''' I would prefer a short hop if we can get it.<br> 
'''Kiera:''' Is cargo preferable?<br>
'''Joshua:'''  Cargo preferably. Or a passenger if he’s ready to go at any time, since we’re not sure when we’re going to take off.<br><br>

And she goes off to find us passengers and or cargo for our flight off planet. Later that day, Arden’s manning the comms again and a call comes through.  Arden opens the channel and a man’s voice spills out of the speakers. It sounds familiar.<br><br>

'''Man:''' ''Equinox?''<br>
'''Arden:''' Yes?<br>
'''Man:''' Hey. How’s it going? It’s me .. Williamson. From the last job?  You dropped me off on Whitefall?<br>
'''Arden:''' Oh, yeah. Yeah. Well. How’re you doing?<br><br>

Arden can barely maintain his interest.  The call isn’t from Nika as he’d hoped.<br><br>

'''Williamson:''' Yeah. Pretty good. I might have another job for ya.<br>
'''Arden:''' Let me pass you over to our purser and let her take care of you.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Yeah. Uh … Drake’s not around is he?<br><br>

Arden passes the comm to Kiera, who chirps brightly into it.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Hi!<br>
'''Williamson:''' (smooth) Hey, there baby. How’ya doin’?<br> 
'''Kiera:''' (purring) I am fine. How are you doin’?<br>
'''Williamson:''' I’m doin’ excellent, excellent. Listen. I got some cargo.<br>
'''Kiera:''' You do?<br>
'''Williamson:''' Yeahhh.  I wonder if I can get you guys to come back and take it for me.<br>
'''Kiera:''' I would love to. Talk price at me.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Well … It’s a decent haul. I think it’s 300-something tons. Volume tons. Specially preserved beef.  Good stuff.<br>
'''Kiera:''' We can handle that.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Goin’ to Osiris. <br>
'''Kiera:''' Osiris.<br>
'''Williamson:''' And a personal package of my own’s goin’.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Now you’re not slipping along a personal package, are’ya?<br>
'''Williamson:''' It’s like a ton. Yeah.<br>
'''Kiera:''' All right. So what kinda credit lows are we talkin’?<br>
'''Williamson:''' Well, uhhhh …. you know, it’ll be the standard, what was it? 300 hundred or other…?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Mm-hm.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Oh yeah, and there’s some guys who’ll take it down there for ya. They’re, ah, so I think it’s four passengers.  Second class. <br>
'''Kiera:''' Mm-hm.<br>
'''Williamson:''' They’re like, ah, meat industry and they were there collectin’ the stuff.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Mm-hm.  Sounds good. What time were you expecting?<br>
'''Williamson:''' Ah, we can be ready in a couple days.  If you’re available.<br>
'''Kiera:''' I think we will be available. Anybody I need to ask for when we land?<br>
'''Williamson:''' Um. I’m going to give you some coordinates.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Ah, ha.<br><br>

Yeah.  Just what kind of beef are we getting into?<br><br>

'''Williamson:''' I don’t want ya to land in any’a the major things—you know, this planet isn’t exactly … friendly.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Ah, ha.   And you’re still going to pay me three hundred.  Hm. You did me dirty.<br>
'''Williamson: '''(wheedling) Oh, now, here’s the deal … I know you gotta heart’a gold here. Now the people here they got a boss and she’s a dragonlady.  She extorts everything …<br>
'''Kiera:''' Uh-huh.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Extorts everything from’em and doesn’t let them get up on their own. They been raisin’ fine quality beef here.  Good stuff.  Very fancy. Very fancy.  But they gotta hide it on the sly from her.  If she were to find out, she might come down hard on these people.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Ah, ha.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Or she might steal the cargo right from under you. I wouldn’t put it past her. So you gotta come in kinda quiet-like. On the far side of the moon.<br>
'''Kiera:''' You know, would there be possibly be a little bit’a bonus, considerin’?<br><br>

Considering we’re going to be evading whatever traffic control and eyeballs of this dragonlady what wants to steal our cargo?<br><br>

'''Williamson:''' Well … you’ll have to negotiate with these meat people for that.<br>
'''Kiera:''' That’ll work. If they’re open to negotiation, I’m open to it.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Okay, I’m … I get a commission on this job.<br>
'''Kiera:''' They might have to cut that commission to make it up for us. We are going into hostile territory.<br>
'''Williamson:''' All right! Forget it then.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Awww, now come on! Don’t be giving up!<br><br>

And the bargaining continues.<br><br>

'''Williamson:''' I’m trying to help you out!<br>
'''Kiera:''' I know. I know. <br>
'''Williamson:''' If you don’t want this deal, I can—<br>
'''Kiera:''' No don’t be doin’ me dirty. I was flirtin’ with ya and I was playin’.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Find someone else who—<br>
'''Kiera:''' And you just gone off and get serious.<br> 
'''Williamson:''' And your ship ain’t the most—what with the light not workin’ and the alarms goin’ off and the airlocks—<br>
'''Kiera:''' Now you just don’t—<br>
'''Williamson:''' I’m takin’ a risk here!<br><br>

Arden can’t believe we’re tying up the line for this garbage. He sends a look Kiera’s way and she closes. Oh she hates having to give up the bonus she might have wrangled out of him, but we are waiting for Nika to call.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' All right. Consider it done. Consider us there. Don’t be backin’ off for it now.  Just consider us there. You can go ahead and put us down for it. Consider us there. Just provide me the coordinates and everything.<br>
'''Williamson:''' All right.<br>
'''Kiera:''' I thought we were friends, but that’s okay.<br>
'''Williamson:''' Oh now, I’m willin’ to split the commission with you. That’s what I was doin’.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Oh now you’re just talkin’ sweet to me. I can’t stand it. We’ll be there. <br>
'''Williamson:''' All right. Now I’m not sayin’ there’s gonna be trouble but be ready for anything.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Did you not notice I was ready for anything? <br>
'''Williamson:''' Oh and don’t announce yourselves to Patience.<br>
'''Kiera:''' To patients? (Oh!) Oh, the owner of the moon.<br>
'''Williamson:''' She’s the Magistrate there.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Ahhh.  All right.<br>
'''Williamson:''' She’s an ornery sonuvagun.<br><br>

She must be that dragonlady he’d mentioned earlier.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Do people usually just visit there for the fun of it?<br> 
'''Williamson:''' No.<br>
'''Kiera:''' No. So … Why would we be comin’? <br>
'''Williamson:''' Cuz you, ah, just …<br>
'''Kiera:''' Just come on in. All right. All right then.<br><br>

She gets the coordinates.<br><br>

'''Williamson:''' Low and fast.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Mm-hm. That’s my boys.<br><br>

Looks like Arden, Joshua, and Beglan have a new collective nickname.<br><br>

'''Kiera:'''  All right then. Got people callin’.<br>
'''Arden:''' Are you finished now?<br><br>

He cuts the call off with a finger. He checks the voice mail box in case Nika left a message during Kiera’s call.  Nothing.  We wait.  And wait.  And wait.<br><br>

By six or seven that evening, we get a call. Arden’s manning the console and answers it in a flash.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' You okay?!<br>
'''Nika:''' Well, I’m blind.<br>
'''Arden:'''  … Okay? Do we … come get you?<br>
'''Nika:''' I need you to send Kiera with a change of clothes.<br>
'''Arden:''' She and I will be right there.<br>
'''Nika:''' No.<br>
'''Arden:''' No?<br>
'''Nika:''' I need you to send ''Kiera'' and a change of her clothes.<br><br>

Kiera’s in the galley cooking, but Arden’s excited tone is audible from the bow. She leaves the galley to see what Arden’s up to and catches this last bit.  Nika wants her to do what now? <br><br>

'''Arden:''' Uhnnn, I can’t come?<br>
'''Nika:''' No.<br> 
'''Arden:''' Why not?<br>
'''Nika:''' Because.<br><br>

Oh! ''Because!'' Makes perfect sense. Yeah, right.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' That’s not good enough. We should be there—(grabs a pad and a pen)—Give me the address.<br>
'''Nika:''' Um, that’s slightly problematic, darling.<br>
'''Arden:''' (lightbulb!) You don’t know where you’re at.<br>
'''Nika:''' No.<br>
'''Arden:''' Okay.<br>
'''Nika:''' I know I’m on the coast.<br>
'''Arden:''' Okay, we’ve figured you’re on the coast.<br>
'''Nika:''' And then we’re in a townhouse of some kind, actually on the oceanfront. (a beat) Why don’t you trace the call?<br><br>

Arden traces the call.  It comes back unlisted.  Damn. Arden starts hacking around the unlisting code.   As he’s doing that, Nika continues:<br><br>

'''Nika:''' You know, you guys dropped me off in the square kinda all by myself. I’m a little concerned that there are guys chasing me so I’d really like it if you could ''hurry''.<br>
'''Arden:''' Right.<br>
'''Nika:''' Yeah.<br>
'''Arden:''' Well, the guys weren’t really chasing you. They were—never mind.<br>
'''Nika:''' Yeahhh.  You know me.  I’m a little twitchy and paranoid.  Okay?<br>
'''Arden:''' I understand.<br>
'''Nika:''' Thank you.<br><br>

Arden’s hack tells him the call is coming from a hotel on the coast and though it gives him the name of the place, it doesn’t tell him the room number.  Not perfect, but it’s a start. Nika tries feeling her doorkey for any clues as to a name—like raised lettering—but comes up blank.  For all she knows it’s got a 3D holo of the hotel’s name and number hovering six inches off the card’s surface.  Fat lot of good it’ll do her: She’s blind. Arden suggests an alternative.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' Can you feel the numbers on the door?<br>
'''Nika:''' Umm … maybe. Hold on.<br><br>

No numbers.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' Nope.<br>
'''Arden:''' She’ll be there in twenty minutes. Why don’t you call back in twenty minutes and I’ll redirect you to her shuttle, her craft. That way you can talk her in.<br>
'''Nika:''' Okay. (a beat) Yup.<br>
'''Arden:''' What?<br>
'''Nika:''' Nothing, Arden.<br><br>

Oh, it’s definitely something. You can practically hear that wry smile of hers.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' I could come up with solutions if you’d let me come. But since, you know, I can’t come …<br>
'''Nika:''' Not my problem, babe.<br>
'''Kiera:''' “Well, Kiera, there should be grass. I can’t tell you anything.  There’s ocean and there’s grass. And a Building.  Don’t land on the building.  Land on the grass.  Not the water.”  “Are you sure?”  “I can hear the water. And I’m pretty sure there’s grass. We tripped on it. Well, there’s a building.  We were inside.”<br>
'''Arden:''' Can you hear the surf?<br>
'''Nika:''' Yes.<br>
'''Arden:''' Okay, are you on the beach?<br>
'''Nika:''' Yes.<br><br>

Joshua sticks his head in. <br><br>

'''Joshua:''' Did he hack it?<br>
'''Nika:''' The balcony faces the beach, yes.<br>
'''Arden:''' So … the balcony faces the beach, so you can go down the stairs, go around the building and face the beach?<br>
'''Nika:''' Nottttt the best plan, no.<br>
'''Arden:'''  Why?<br>
'''Nika:''' As far as I can tell,'' being '''blind''', Arden'', there are landscaping terraces and I’m not sure how many or how steep.<br>
'''Arden:''' So there are landscaping terraces between the building and the beach.<br><br>

He’s passing the information along to Kiera, who’s standing right there.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Put it on speaker. (to Nika via speaker) What clothes am I bringing?<br>
'''Nika:''' Oh, anything you find comfortable.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Okay, that would make sense for the beach.<br>
'''Arden:''' Do you want a change of your own clothes?<br>
'''Nika:''' I can wear those quite easily, thanks.<br>
'''Arden:''' Okay.<br>
'''Kiera:''' This is cool. So … jewelry?<br>
'''Nika:''' (drawling slightly) No.  I don’t want any jewelry—why would you bring me any jewelry? I don’t think I wanna wear that.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Okay.<br>
'''Nika:''' Thanks.<br>
'''Arden:''' You’re being awfully mysterious. But that’s okay. It’s your prerogative.<br>
'''Nika:''' I ''am'' a woman.<br>
'''Arden:''' I’ve noticed.<br>
'''Nika:''' Good.<br><br>

Nika ends the call. Kiera rolls her eyes and thinks she’s still bringing jewelry—weapons jewelry.  Or she would, if she had some. Maybe the Salsanator could have been explained as an extra-heavy accessory? It’s an amusing line of thought as she goes aft to pack that bag for Nika. She grabs everyday clothes, since Nika didn’t say to bring anything fancy. And she packs cosmetology supplies because she instinctively knows that hey, a disguise might be needed.  Why the hell else did Nika tell her bring all those clothes?<br><br>

By now word has spread to everyone on our ship. Kiera tells Rina to prep ''Lagniappe''.<br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Dial me up.<br>
'''Rina:''' Okay. (to Joshua) I’m coming with her and I’m taking my usual suspects.<br>
'''Arden:''' You’re not going.<br>
'''Joshua:''' No.<br>
'''Rina:''' Who’s going to fly it there?<br>
'''Kiera:''' I can.<br>
'''Rina:''' And when you pick her up, who’s going to be flying?<br>
'''Kiera:''' I’m still going to be flying.<br>
'''Rina:''' (not liking this) All right.<br>
'''Arden:''' If I can’t go, you can’t go. ''Nyah''. (to Kiera) You’re certified to fly this thing, right?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Uh-huh.<br>
'''Arden:''' Okay, just checking to make sure. (a beat) You wouldn’t lie to me would you?<br>
'''Kiera:''' No.  I’m good.<br>
'''Rina:''' If you need anything, call us.<br>
'''Kiera:''' You will be the first people I call.<br><br>

Behind them, Joshua does a facepalm.<br><br>  

'''Joshua:''' I would have liked this to be a little subtler than the shuttle, but the shuttle is fastest, so …<br>
'''Kiera:''' Now, I’ll put it in a normal parking spot.<br>
'''Joshua:''' What? For a shuttle?<br>
'''Kiera:''' They have people coming in on shuttles. There may be parking on the beach, something for people who come in a shuttle. Cuz I’m thinking not everybody drives in a car.  Wheeee!<br><br>

She’s boarded ''Lagniappe'' and is stowing her stuff as she talks.<br><br>

'''Arden:''' No. Most people take the bus in this age.<br>
'''Kiera:''' (snorts) ''Poor'' people. (snorts again)<br>
'''Arden:''' Once again, ''most'' people …<br><br> 

Kiera takes off and flies for the coast.  When she’s clear of traffic obstacles and has a stretch of open air in front of her, she sets her course for the hotel and puts ''Lagniappe'' on autopilot.  She opens up her kit bag and starts disguising herself.  If she’s going to be looking like not-herself, she’s going to need to hide that red hair of hers. Back at ''Equinox'', Joshua and the others put up with the waiting as best they can.  Joshua is really looking forward to handing the Captaincy back to Nika, because right now, he’s really tired of herding cats and minding pre-schoolers.  Which is kinda where the crew is right now.<br><br>

'''Joshua:''' I can’t wait to say, “Welcome back, Captain.”<br>
'''Arden:''' Just remember, until she’s fully recovered, you’re in charge. But I’m here to make things easier for you.<br>
'''Joshua:''' Always are, Arden. Always are.<br><br> 

Back at her beachfront condo, Nika hears the sounds of snipping.<br><br> 

'''Nika:''' Jean-Christienne?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Oui.<br>
'''Nika:''' What are you doing?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' You mean this? (the snipping stops) Oh I am trying to take off my bandages.<br>
'''Nika:''' How long are you supposed to be wearing those?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Nika, if my eyes take longer to heal but I am alive and I am not back home it is a risk I am willing to take.<br>
'''Nika:''' Well. (sighs)<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' I don’t think I will be able to see but it will be harder to see me, perhaps.<br>
'''Nika:''' Yeah. I can’t argue with you there.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' If only I had a way … your friend’s clothes may help but  …<br>
'''Nika:''' Sit down on the edge of the bed. I’ll help you get the bandages off. And when my friend gets here, if you are not adverse to the idea, we can cut your hair and color it.<br><br>

Coming in on approach, Kiera sees the hotel and there is indeed a place to land the shuttle. It’s a mini-landing area for the resort.  She hails air traffic control and gets permission to land.  Which she does smooth as anything. Lagniappe’s engines spin down, Kiera steps out in darker hair, in one of her business casual outfits, and carrying a suitcase.  She walks to the oceanfront of the resort, looking at the sea, playing the part to the hilt … but also hoping to spot Nika’s unit.<br><br>

Nika’s in her condo helping Jeanne-Christienne take off the last of her bandages.  The young woman is sobbing a bit, still scared, still unsure. Every time Nika’s fingers get close to her face as she unwraps the gauze, Jeanne-Christienne flinches. Nika cannot be sure but that reaction is rather like from someone who’s been hit before.  Hmm.  Just what sort of guy is Jeanne-Christienne escaping from? Nika is very careful with her, but still the woman flinches and her accent deepens as she speaks. Her speech is full of the soft French ‘zee’ for ‘the’, ‘zis’ for ‘this’ and ‘zat’ for ‘that’.<br><br>

'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' I hope this will be enough. He messed up my life. I am so afraid out here. Is this your home?<br>
'''Nika:''' No.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' This is my first time out of the Core.<br>
'''Nika:''' How old are you, if you don’t mind my asking?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' I am twenty-three.<br>
'''Nika:''' (Oh, God, she’s a baby.) Oh, darlin’. You have stepped in a cow patty.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' What’s that?<br>
'''Nika:''' Where are you planning on going?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Well … I think that for a while I should not go into an allied world.  Even with my new eyes, I am not sure that I can trust.  I am looking perhaps for a—this planet is nice but I should probably leave. Um, I’ve heard Beaumonde has some reasonable place to go.  It is in Kalidasa.<br>
'''Nika:''' Kalidasa. Have you ever considered Angel, then?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Angel? I do not know of Angel.  Isn’t that a, ah, a Arab city? A Arab planet? Muslim?<br>
'''Nika:''' Our ship is based out of a small mining town—well, it used to be a small mining town, I’m not sure what they’re doing now—but the gentleman who runs our offices…<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Is this a place where I, a young woman, can find her way?<br>
'''Nika:'''  The gentleman who runs our offices is Core-born and -bred and he will help you get on your feet so you find your way, yes.<br> 
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Ahh.  And that might … and you trust this man?<br>
'''Nika:''' I do. (a beat) He’s a Guild member. The Companion’s Guild.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Oh?<br>
'''Nika:''' So he would keep your confidence.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Oh.<br>
'''Nika:''' And you can trust him not to take advantage of the situation.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Oh, yes. I have heard they are trustworthy. (pause) Perhaps, … But if you take me and they are looking for me, then perhaps they might track you as well.<br>
'''Nika:''' (shrugs) It’s a risk.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' I have to explain a bit more …<br><br>

Jeanne-Christienne’s voice lowers and Nika has to lean in.<br><br>

'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Do you know of the Tong?<br>
'''Nika:''' (drawling now!) Girl, you really ''did'' step in massive amounts of cow patty, didn’t you?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' I … no, I was at my home.  There is no cow patties there. But he was a very respectable man.<br>
'''Nika:''' Of course he was.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' These organizations are not—well, they are very bad, I know that now.<br> 
'''Nika:''' Hmm. <br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' But he was very flattering and give me many gifts.<br>
'''Nika:''' Um-hm.  And your daddy trusted him?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' He seemed to, yes.<br>
'''Nika:''' Um-hm.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Then my parents were very excited about me—our family is old but much of our funds are no longer available.  But this man, he had lot of money. He could save our home. Restore our standing in the Verse. <br>
'''Nika:''' So you’re running from your entire family at this point?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' Well …<br>
'''Nika:''' Did they know he’s been slappin’ you around?<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' He didn’t at first.<br><br>

Jeanne-Christienne starts to cry. Nika simply strokes the woman’s hair, brushing it out, offering her the comfort of another woman’s touch. It’s what women do.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' (softly) I’m sure he didn’t.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' It was so stupid of me.  He was so nice seeming. We were out at restaurant.  It was a Japonoise restaurant and he was talking about how much he liked the sushi. And I laughed a little and said, “But this is not sushi, this is sashimi.” And he picked up my hand and took me out of the restaurant and started slapping me. Saying I must not make fun of him in public.<br>
'''Nika:''' (sympathetically) Mm-hm.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' And when I told my parents of this, they agreed. They said I should not do that.<br>
'''Nika:''' (condemning) Mm-hm.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' That perhaps I could apologize and get him back and I did. But it did not stop. (a breath) I don’t want to live like that. I don’t … I know my parents may lose their home but …<br> 
'''Nika:''' You’re a smart girl.  Good job.  You got out. Not too many people do.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' You know of others who have had … ?<br>
'''Nika:''' Oh, darlin’. There are women all over the Verse just like you. Only most of’em don’t never get out.  Some day if they’re a little bit lucky, after a few years, he kills them. But the not-so-lucky ones live a good long time.<br>
'''Jeanne-Christienne:''' I thought perhaps if I might die, would my family continue at home, but I do not think he would do that.<br>
'''Nika:''' I can’t help your family’s situation but I can help you. If you want it.<br><br>

Kiera’s walking, walking, walking that beach, lugging her suitcase and searching for Nika’s unit. She doesn’t see Nika or her unit but she does see that fairly quickly after she lands ''Lagniappe'', another shuttle lands nearby.  The air traffic on the flight up was very light.  The other shuttle might have followed her here.<br><br>

No, really? Shocking.<br><br>

Kiera fades into the shrubbery prettifying the condo units and makes herself scarce to whoever’s in that shuttle. She continues to move and watch the shuttle, however, hoping to see who’s followed her.  The shuttle crew disembarks and she recognizes them as from the ''Garretson''. There are three of them, Henner and two of his men.<br><br> 

'''Kiera:''' Oh, Henner.  (dry laugh) Oh, great.<br><br>

So now Kiera has the unenviable task of finding her Captain while trying to dodge being spotted looking for her by the mercs. She doesn’t know which unit Nika is in and at this point all she can do is knock on every door, “Nika? Oh, sorry, excuse me.” and keep going until she finds her. Or she could find a way to disguise herself so that her knocking on every door would not look unusual?  Like … say … hotel maid?<br><br> 

As agreed to, Nika calls ''Equinox'' back and Arden patches Kiera through to her. Kiera pulls her hand comm from her pocket before it can give away her position and thumbs the reply button. <br><br>

'''Kiera:''' Yeah.<br>
'''Nika:''' Have you made it yet?<br>
'''Kiera:'''  I have and I brought friends.<br>
'''Nika:''' (getting it now) Ermmmm … I don’t wanna—<br>
'''Kiera:''' You don’t want visitors? I’m sorry.  Okay.<br><br>

Kiera eyes the mercs and sees they’ve split up into a search pattern of the grounds.<br><br>  

'''Kiera:''' They’re splitting up to go look for you now.<br>
'''Nika:''' Great. (sigh) All right. Are they looking for me? Or her?<br>
'''Kiera:''' I don’t know. Probably her.  You and I are a way to get to her.<br>
'''Nika:''' Where are you?<br><br>

Kiera gives her a brief description but it does Nika little good—she doesn’t know the area.<br><br>

'''Nika:''' Never mind. Well, we’re just going to have to take the chance. First of all, we need to either disguise her or hide her somehow to get her the hell outa here.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Got disguise.  How often does housekeeping come through here? Have you had them come though yet? <br> 
'''Nika:''' No. There’s a do not disturb sign on the door.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Okay, good. Good-good-good.  Are there housekeeping maids anywhere around that—<br> 
'''Nika:''' So Kiera, there is a do not disturb sign on the door.  How many doors running around have do not disturb signs on them?<br>
'''Kiera:''' I know. I’m trying to find something to get you in.  Like me and a maid, or you and maid and somebody in this laundry cart. Period.<br>
'''Nika:''' Kiera.<br>
'''Kiera:''' What?<br>
'''Nika:''' Go to the concierge. <br>
'''Kiera:''' What do you want?<br>
'''Nika:''' I will call down there and tell them I’m expecting a female visitor and they will tell you exactly where I am and will bring you right here.<br>
'''Kiera:''' No …<br><br>

She tells Nika that it’s too risky—the ''Garretson'' mercs landed right close after she did and it’s a good bet they know it was her that walked off ''Lagniappe'' and—<br><br>

'''Nika:''' Kiera. Didn’t you tell me you had a disguise?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Yes.<br>
'''Nika:''' So walk into the main lobby, walk into the main lobby bathroom, and ''fix'' it.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Fair enough.  Aye, aye, Captain.<br><br>

And Kiera does that.  Nika tells her to ask for Johanssen, and then calls the concierge to tell him that she’s expecting a female visitor asking for Johanssen. Kiera makes it to the lobby but not before she thinks one of the mercs has spotted her. She continues as if she wasn’t being followed.<br><br> 

'''Concierge:''' You’re looking for … ?<br>
'''Kiera:''' Johanssen.<br>
'''Concierge:''' Ah, she’s in bungalow 12-C.<br>
'''Kiera:''' Thank you very much. I appreciate it.<br><br>

She snags a map of the resort on the way to the lobby bathroom, where she does another quick change and emerges as a blonde.  Kiera exits the main lobby for 12-C. Back at Equinox, Rina starts preflighting the ship. It’s been over half an hour since Kiera’s left and the crew is expecting to get the call that Nika’s been recovered.  And given our luck, trouble might not be too far behind. Best we prepare for it.<br><br> 



Jump to: <br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions| Part 1]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Part Two| Part 2]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Part Three| Part 3]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Part Five| Part 5]]<br>
[[Episode 502: Reacquisitions, Special Features| Reacquisitions, Special Features]] <br> <br>

Go back to: '''''[[Episode 501: Shakedown Cruise|Shakedown Cruise]]''''' | Go Foward to '''''[[Episode 503: Old Secrets, New Chances|Old Secrets, New Chances]]'''''<br>
Back to [[Mutineers Season Five | Season Five: Realignment]]<br>
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