Editing Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 213: Misapprehensions, Part 2

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Jump to: [[Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 213: Misapprehensions|'''Part 1''']] | [[Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 213: Misapprehensions, Part 2|'''Part 2''']] | [[Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 213: Misapprehensions, Epilogue|'''Epilogue''']]<br><br><br>

'''Poco:''' (growling) … Where is that little asshole …?<br><br>

Poco pulls Baron from his waistband and Rachel's eyes go wide as she starts worrying about our ship. At that point, everyone else catches up. Brother James sent us on a fool's errand so he could grab our ship and escape off this rock. We locked our girl up before we left and James might be delayed getting aboard her. If we hurry, we might save our ship yet.<br><br>

Valentine pauses long enough to verify our dawning suspicions. After all, taking things at face value was what got us out there in the first place.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' It's beginning to look like you might have gotten set up. Do you know anybody back at the penitentiary—<br>
'''Carrows:''' I don't feel particularly set up, unless you're plannin' on hurtin' me.<br>
'''Valentine:''' Well, here's the thing. We were here because we were told you had plans to make a big escape of it all.<br>
'''Faria:''' I would not put it past you to organize some sort of insurrection.<br>
'''Carrows:''' And yet I didn't. Although now that mention it, it sounds like a good idea. I just don't like people.<br><br>

Valentine can see that Carrows really doesn't want to be around people. This place out in the middle of nowhere would be a good place for someone like him to hole up. Everything we've seen about this place makes sense in that context. We'd stumbled upon Carrows' haven in the wilderness. As far as being a prison, the environment is prison enough. The man isn't going anywhere and in fact, seems singularly desirous of being in the middle of nowhere, so long as it's unpopulated by all but him.<br><br> 

This is not someone bent on getting the hell off this rock. <br><br>

Valentine steps outside. If he gets shot, then he gets shot. But he's got a feeling that he might not be in danger. Carrows steps out and the two stand in the yard of the shelter.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' Okay. So, here's the deal. I'm beginning to think we got played but not by you.<br>	
'''Carrows:''' m'Flattered. You thought it was me. <br><br> 

Carrows pauses and nods at something past Valentine's shoulder.<br><br>

'''Carrows:''' I do have … something … some business with this man.<br><br>

Sighing, Valentine knows he means Poco. He turns and asks his engineer:<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' Do we have to do this now? Is this the kind of this business we have to do now?<br>
'''Carrows:''' (angrily) ''Alone.''<br><br>

We all know Poco's track record with that kind of business. Before Valentine can frame a reply, Vikki beats him to it and stares at Carrows.<br><br>

'''Vikki:''' What are you going to do to him?<br>
'''Carrows:''' (curt) None'a your business.<br>
'''Vikki:''' (back at ya!) He's our crew. It's our business.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Our business precedes that.<br><br>

Valentine cuts a look at Vikki. He taps his shoulder at her.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' I didn't notice the Captain's bars on yours.<br>
'''Vikki:''' We're family. We stick up for each other.<br>
'''Valentine:''' I understand that.<br>
'''Tian:''' (undertone) But now is not the time,Vikki.<br>
'''Vikki:''' (quieter) All-right-all-right. I don't like this.<br><br>

Tian pulls Vikki back and Valentine turns to Carrows.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' She's right in that, that I can't let you … What's the business. How're you going to handle it?<br><br>

Carrows calls to Poco.<br><br>

'''Carrows:''' You want me sharin' your business with them?<br>
'''Valentine:''' (to Poco) How long is it going to take?<br>
'''Poco:''' Uh … well … Depends if it takes two rounds or three.<br>
'''Vikki:''' (alarmed) ''Bullets?!''<br>
'''Tian:''' Vikki. ''Shut up.''<br>
'''Carrows:''' Yeah. You let'im have a gun. A little guy like me … ? 'Gainst a marksman like him? What're th' odds?<br>
'''Valentine:''' All right, clearly there's bad blood.<br>
'''Poco:''' Not particularly. Not that I recall.<br>
'''Carrows:''' (softer) Just some old business needs be taken care of.<br><br>

Valentine makes a decision.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' We have a potential insurrection back there that we kinda wanna get back to.<br>
'''Tian:''' We do?<br>
'''Valentine:''' Damn right.<br>
'''Carrows:''' You can take care of that an' come back for … whatever's resolved.<br><br>

Vikki doesn't want to leave Poco behind with someone who is obviously angry (or worse) with him. Valentine offers Carrows a ride back to the mission so he can take care of his matter with Poco there … but that's a non-starter. Poco agrees to stay and waves off any offer of help or chaperonage. Nuri wants to stay and watch what happens. She senses there's a fight in the making. Valentine vetoes her. Out of the question. <br><br>

'''Faria:''' Ben. Don't forget all the progress you've made.<br>
'''Carrows:''' (grim) I'll try not to. <br><br>

As Valentine herds his cats—erm, crew— and Faria back to the shuttle, Poco turns to Carrows.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' So. How's it goin'? Nice digs. Some trappin'.<br>
'''Carrows:''' So. Last time we met, back on Regina. Remember what happened?<br>
'''Poco:''' (cautiously) I vaaaaaaguely recall lots of drinking …<br>
'''Carrows:''' Some things were done. I think at the time …. if I'd killed you, I probably would have been happy … (frowns) … For a little while. <br>
'''Poco:''' I seem to recall it the other way around. I think it was—you cut and run on me! Pretty easy to recall how things go, cuz it always goes the same way. <br><br>

Carrows frowns and continues. <br><br>

'''Carrows:''' Point is, after that time ... whether it was me betrayin' you or you betrayin' me … things got bad.<br>
'''Poco:''' Yeah. Well. That's Karma for ya. <br>
'''Carrows:''' And I think you're responsible.<br>
'''Poco:''' For … (incredulous) … What? You think I have any pull with ''any''body? The only pull I got is people wantin' to pull triggers at me.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Point is, if that hadn't happened, I wouldn't be here. Tipped off to Faria and his gang … (long beat) … So I wanna thank you.  I apologize for the way I treated ya … I probably messed up your plans a little bit. I don't know what they were, entirely, but … when you wrong someone, it's not a deed to go unpunished.<br><br>

Now that's an interesting twist and it's one Poco didn't see coming. Carrows wanting to apologize to him? Instead of beating him to a pulp, which is usually the reason people from his past want to talk to him alone. <br><br>

Karma, indeed.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' I got picked up by another freighter. It wasn't too bad.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Well … that doesn't make it okay. <br>
'''Poco:''' Because you ''did'' betray me.<br>
'''Carrows:''' And that's why I'm apologizin' for what I did.<br>
'''Poco:''' Well, all right.<br><br>

No need to get all maudlin over it.<br><br>

'''Carrows:''' Now, that said, if you want—you don't have to—but if you want to forgive me, that's something you can do as well. But you don't have to. I'm just apologizin', but it would make me feel like there were no hard feelin's if you would forgive me. I'm tryin' to turn over a new leaf here, Poco.<br><br>

Carrows is dead serious about this. Poco gives the man's offer serious consideration. It's the least he can do.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' You ain't the first, that done what you did. Probably won't be the last. I don't bear ya any particular ill will. Wouldn't have shot ya on sight or nothin'.<br>
'''Carrows:''' I would'a shot ''you'' on sight a couple'a months ago.<br>
'''Poco:''' Yeah, well … (shrugs) … I get that a lot.<br>
'''Carrows:''' You know, I think that … well, I'm not sure exactly why it's that way but … livin' here is good for me.<br>
'''Poco:''' Good to hear that. It looks like you ... (coughs) … done well for yourself.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Well, I still don't like people. But .. you know, I guess … maybe ''some'' of my problems were caused by my end, too. I tend to break a lotta fingers. I don't know if you remember that or not.<br>
'''Poco:''' Yeah … that's why we called you "Fingers". <br>
'''Carrows:''' I don't do that anymore.<br>
'''Poco:''' (sincerely) That's good. That's good to hear.<br><br>

More than good, actually.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' That's progress.<br>
'''Carrows:''' (breathes a laugh) I expected to get killed by Reavers out here, quite honestly.<br>
'''Poco:''' That's still a high possibility of that happenin'.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Somehow, though, I'm not as afraid'a that as I thought I would be.<br>
'''Poco:''' No, it is … Actually, it is fairly terrifyin'.<br><br>

Poco would know. Just the other month, we ran into a bunch. They tried to eat us. <br><br>

'''Poco:''' But listen, it's good that you're doin' … better. Always glad to know that there's one less person gunnin' for me. Appreciate it.<br>
'''Carrows:''' So, now, we're all good?<br>
'''Poco:''' We were always good on my end. You were the shootin' kind. And the fingerbreakin' kind.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Now, if you wouldn't mind, I'd kinda like to break one of your fingers. So other people won't know that I've gone soft. Is that all right? And a black eye, maybe?<br><br>

Uh … what? Poco sighs. Just when he thought things were getting good, the Universe has to slap him again. Figures. Poco cuts him an amused look and winks at him.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' Heh-hehhhhhh, now that's funny.<br>
'''Carrows:''' These are a pretty tough group'a people here. And it wouldn’t be out of anger. I'd be real appreciative. It would be a big favor.<br>
'''Poco:''' How about I shoot you … and you can say that you got shot tryin' to break my finger. That's still menacin'-like.<br>
'''Carrows:''' We could do both.<br>
'''Poco:''' How 'bout I pretend to break my finger and shoot you twice.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Nahhhh …. (shakes head) … See, I'm not that good a liar. I dunno …<br><br>

Poco surreptitiously eyes the shuttle. Yup. Still there. Valentine hasn't left yet.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' How 'bout … I give you a cigarette? Maybe one for now and one for when the Reavers come to kill ya. <br> 
'''Carrows:''' Nah, I need ya to … I don't want my reputation totally shot here, so …<br>
'''Poco:''' Do you want to be totally shot?<br>
'''Carrows:''' No … (a beat) … You're not a killer.<br>
'''Poco:''' I'll lie. And I'll say I was real scared.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Now, just if you'd … a couple'a punches. C'mon. Just a couple'a punches. You been beaten up a lot.<br>
'''Poco:''' Now, listen. I don't got no ill will toward you. But I offered you cigarettes and that's about as far as I'm willin' to go.<br><br>

Poco starts very slowly edging toward the shuttle …<br><br>

'''Poco:''' I'm not a charity firm.<br>
'''Carrows:''' Well, I guess I'll have them, then … Okay.<br>
'''Poco:''' All right. <br><br>

Poco hands him two cigarettes, nonchalantly backs away and … and sprints for the shuttle! Valentine is in the pilot's seat, the better delay taking off, reckoning correctly that whatever business Carrow had with Poco would be short. Poco runs aboard and Rachel closes the hatch. Valentine is in the pilot's seat. The shuttle lifts off in a cloud of dust and turns back for the mission. As the shuttle flies, Valentine greets his engineer aboard.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' Glad to have you back.<br>
'''Vikki:''' (relieved) Thank goodness we didn't leave you.<br>
'''Poco:''' All right. Let's go.<br>
'''Vikki:''' Are you okay?<br>
'''Rachel:''' (from the pilot's chair) He ain't full'a holes. Or a busted nose.<br>
'''Valentine:''' It's just business. We're all good. <br>
'''Vikki:''' Okay. I'm glad you're all right.<br><br>

Ever since Meridian, she's been … kinda worried about everyone's welfare. Valentine doesn't reprimand her for it. Right now he's got other fish to fry. He turns to Faria as Poco lights up a cigarette and takes a calming drag.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' What do you know about James, Faria?<br>
'''Faria:''' James? He's been … I'm somewhat confused. I'm generally a very good judge of character. He's been really penitent and a hard worker and …<br>
'''Tian:''' How long's he been with you?<br>
'''Faria:''' About three months.<br><br>

Tian and Valentine trade a look. <br><br>

'''Tian:''' So the basic story that he gave us was that … ?<br>
'''Vikki:''' Carrows and six guys left. With a radio. So they can summon Trane.<br>
'''Tian:''' So  … why would he tell us that Carrows and half a dozen guys left?<br>
'''Valentine:''' Because the best of lies incorporate a kernel of truth.<br>
'''Tian:''' How about ….? (shakes head) … We just didn't find anything. Which six guys are we looking for? James doesn't think that we know anything and that we're still convinced that it's Carrows.<br><br>

Obviously she's trying to come up with a good story for our return.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' I'm actually more concerned that it's all happening ''right now'' and that there isn't a need to spin a story.<br>
'''Tian:''' I just don't want to get us shot when we go back there.<br>
'''Valentine:''' We're not going to get shot—no offense, Shepherd.<br>
'''Poco:''' Oh, ''now'' everyone's concerned about being shot. <br>
'''Valentine:''' No, I'm actually not concerned about it. But I'm just saying that if it's gonna happen, it's gonna happen. Just trying to minimize how that happens. After all, you didn't get shot by that guy.<br><br>

He points aft at Carrows, now far away as Rachel flies us out of there.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' He didn't have a gun!<br>
'''Valentine:''' ''But.'' That's the point. You didn't get shot. That's a bonus.<br><br>
 
As we near the mission, we see people standing in the field, looking around with a puzzled look. Even though they saw us arrive earlier, they're still surprised to see us. Apparently they don't get a lot of ships through here, much less visitors.<br><br> 

Valentine debates how to ''Delilah''. If hostiles have already boarded her, we'll be walking right into their hands. He flies the shuttle in a tight circle around our ship so we can inspect her from the outside first.<br><br>

'''Tian:''' Poco, you're not carrying the spare, are you?<br>
'''Poco:''' The spare …?<br>
'''Tian:''' Pistol. <br>
'''Poco:''' No. Don't have a need for one.<br> 
'''Rachel:''' I got my ankle pistol. <br><br>

Valentine completes the first sweep. ''Delilah'' looks much like we left her … save for the open door.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' Hey, Nuri. Can you sense any life forms aboard?<br>
'''Tian:''' What, you think she's a set of sensors?<br>
'''Poco:''' I don't know. I'm just askin'. (to Nuri) So if you hear me thinkin' about askin', you tell me, and I won't.<br><br>

Rachel suggests making one more pass close to the bridge windows. We could see if anyone was on the bridge trying to start our girl up. Valentine checks our sensors and sure enough, he's getting power signature.<br><br>

'''Rachel:''' Aww, ''hell!''<br>
'''Poco:''' Awww hell, I ''just'' got that engine room back. I swear I'm gonna shoot me some sonuvabitches … <br>
'''Valentine:''' Tacticians: Dock? Or land away and approach?<br>
'''Rachel:''' Dock. We wanna be on her. I can't exactly flap my arms and catch up with her.<br>
'''Poco:''' If she takes off while we're tryin' to get on, I'd rather be docked.<br>
'''Valentine:''' That's why I'm asking.<br>
'''Nuri:''' But once you're docked there's only one way out.<br>
'''Poco:''' Yeah, but we can shoot at 'em a lot first.<br>
'''Rachel:''' Which is into the ship. Let's go.<br>
'''Valentine:''' Any other opinions before we dock?<br>
'''Rachel:''' Bringin' her in, Cap'n.<br><br>

Poco suggests turning off the shuttle's Cortex access so no one can call Trane. If there really was a kernel of truth in Brother James' story about getting that signal out, they could jump on the shuttle's Cortex uplink to do it. <br><br>

'''Rachel:''' Then getting close to ''Delilah'' would be all they'd need.<br>
'''Valentine:''' Leave it off. <br><br>

We get the shuttle docked to ''Delilah'' and find that the airlock door on ''Delilah's'' side has been jiggered to make it difficult to get aboard. Poco takes a look at it and Valentine peers over the engineer's shoulder at the door.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' Poco? Can you get us out of this?<br>
'''Poco:''' Does the door need to work when I'm done? <br>
'''Valentine:''' In an ideal world, yes. If you can't do that, then ''get it open''.<br>
'''Poco:''' A'right.<br><br>

Poco has experience in breaking and entering ships and he's studied ''Delilah's'' systems. It's an advantage he makes use of, to say nothing of ''finally'' getting an order from Valentine he actually agrees with. <br><br>

While Valentine and Poco are working on the door, everyone else gathers to leave—grabbing their gear and weapons and such. "And such" covers a lot of territory, including composure. As Valentine was flying the shuttle, Vikki was gazing somewhat fatuously at her current crush, admiring how well he handled the craft, how Captain-y he'd become … and Nuri had leaned in and whispered in her ear. <br><br>

'''Nuri:''' He's not thinking about you right now.<br><br>

"Crush" takes on a different definition. Vikki had taken some pains to be assertive this trip out. She'd secretly been hoping he'd notice. Terribly deflated by the cutting remark, Vikki has to shake off her hurt feelings. And yet, something about Nuri's observation needles Vikki, making her a little bit angry.<br><br> 

Poco rigs a bypass. Opens the door. Valentine catches something moving in the corner of his eye and pushes Poco roughly aside—<br><br>

'''BANG!'''<br><br>

A grenade goes off in the airlock. The airlock suffers the brunt of the damage but some of the shrapnel makes inside the shuttle, right into Valentine's shoulder. We push the door closed—as far as we're able, anyway—and Tian pulls Valentine away to treat his injuries. <br><br>

'''Poco:''' (grousing) … I told ya someone was gonna get shot. Or something approximating getting shot.<br>
'''Valentine:''' You're welcome, Poco.<br><br>

Smoke fills the shuttle, making the crew cough and fan the air. A voice calls out from somewhere inside ''Delilah''.<br><br>

'''Voice:''' C'mon out. We won't shoot.<br>
'''Poco:''' I will!<br><br>

Vikki stands out of the way, eyes wide with worry. And again Nuri needles her, echoing her thoughts on bare skin and scars.<br><br> 

Despite Vikki's fears, Valentine's wound isn't serious. It's harsher than a paper cut but milder than an amputation. He can still use his arm. It just needs to be bound to staunch the bleeding. Tian, however, is exhausted by nightmare and Reaver trauma. Treating Valentine under combat conditions is harder for her to accomplish at the moment. She accidentally gives Valentine a little too much painkiller and the drugs slam through him.<br><br> 

'''Valentine:''' Woo! Good stuff. <br><br>

Poco and Rachel speculate who's on the ship and where the hell did they get grenades? For sure we didn't have any aboard. <br><br>

Rachel hollers through the airlock door.<br><br>

'''Rachel:''' Stop throwin' the shit up here and get off the ship! You can't ''fly'' it an' you sure as hell ain't gon' be able to start it! She don't run half good an' it takes some sorta crazy person t'fly it!<br>
'''Voice:''' (farther away) We surrender! C'mon out! … (a beat) … We're out'a bullets anyway … and grenades.<br>
'''Poco:''' I'm not!<br><br>

Tian ties off the last bit of bandage on Valentine's arm. Looking at the remains of the grenade they threw at us, it appears it was less a real grenade and more like an IED. It looks like the hostile outside might be telling the truth. If they're cobbling together homemade explosives, they really could be out of bullets and grenades. <br><br>

We might be able to get past them.<br><br> 

The shuttle is docked in the starboard shuttle dock. The cargo hold on Deck One lies beyond it. The hold is filled with cargo—furniture, mostly—and will offer plenty of places for the hostiles to hide and shoot at the crew as they come out. But the cargo might also give the crew cover in turn once they make it into the hold. <br><br>

'''Valentine:''' I don't want to get shot but I want to provide a distraction so you can get out under cover and not be all, well, ''grenaded'' again. '''Rachel:''' You're actually going to run out there?<br>
'''Valentine:''' No, I'm going to shoot first. So make yourselves scarce and get under cover. <br>
'''Vikki:''' I say we discharge a fire extinguisher out the airlock so they can't see us to shoot us.<br><br>

Valentine, however, is already out the door, roaring at the top of his lungs and shooting. The shooters, in turn, are obviously startled by his unexpected behavior. Bullets come whining Valentine's way but they go wild. Vikki grabs the fire extinguisher off the shuttle's bulkhead and runs right after Valentine.<br><br>

'''Tian:''' ''Bollucks!''<br><br>

Vikki gets clear of the airlock and quickly finds cover behind the bulk of the elevator shaft. It's on the centerline of the ship and a little forward of the airlock hatch. She scrambles to the portside corner of the shaft and peeks around it into the hold. The enemy fire is coming from the aft quarter of the hold. She can't see Valentine but decides to draw some of the hostiles her way. The crated cargo and the lift shaft make a bottle neck. Once she draws them to her, they can only get to her one at a time. She would have the ability to pick them off individually. As for actively shooting at another person …<br><br>

They've got people trying to kill them. She might as well try to kill them back. Of course, shooting to kill isn't exactly her Plan A. She's got a gun, yes, but she's also got her wits.<br><br>

F = ma. <br><br>

The trick is knowing how to apply the formula. <br><br>
 
Vikki peeks around the corner again, aims for a spot midway down the deck, then throws the fire extinguisher as hard and as far as she can down the cargo bay … and shoots it. She's lucky. The bullet hits and the extinguisher turns into a bomb. <br><br>

'''BOOM!'''<br><br>

Debris goes everywhere. A man—not Valentine!—goes flying.  One hostile down.<br><br>

Another shoots at Vikki. Yikes! She ducks around the corner of the lift again and tries to come up with a plan. If she could find a way to get onto the second level above the deck, she might be able to see where the hostiles are and throw stuff at their heads or shout to Valentine where they are so he can either avoid them or engage them. <br><br>

She can't use the elevator. It offers the best cover but it also requires someone on the outside operating the pulleys to make it work. Which being on the outside of right this moment is kinda problematic. She sees a ladder going up and runs for it. A bullet finds her back and she falls to the deck.<br><br> 

'''Vikki:''' (squeaks) … Owwww …!<br><br>

Rachel sees everything and runs out of the shuttle, her gun blazing. She breaks to the right, running for the stairs and laying down covering fire.<br><br>

Poco's right behind her out the hatch. He's got the Baron up and blazing. Now, playing the hero isn't Poco's MO. The role doesn't come naturally. As a consequence, shooting the Baron is tricky. The recoil hits his finger at a freakish angle and the pain is intense but Poco doesn't stop. He keeps shooting and takes out another hostile. <br><br>

Under the cover provided by her crewmates, Vikki manages to crawl back to the elevator shaft and hide behind it. Tian runs out in combat medic mode and drags Vikki into the lift itself for extra cover. She starts treating the gunshot wound in Vikki's back. It's pretty painful but the Universe seems to delight in shooting starry eyed idealists and Vikki's been shot before. It takes everything she's got but she manages to focus past the pain and follow Tian's instructions to stay with her and stay still.<br><br>

Shepherd Faria, meanwhile, hangs back in the shuttle. He's in a wheelchair. He can't fight, but he can at least hold the door to the shuttle and keep anyone other than the crew from boarding. All he has to do is slam it shut, block it with his chair, and lock its wheels.<br><br>

Valentine has found some cover and he's been keeping an eye on what's happening with his crew. Once he sees how they're situated he calls out to the hostiles shooting at him, punctuating his statements with shots of his own.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' It's a shame, boys! … (bang!) … It's a damn big gun. You'll bleed out on the floor … (bang!) … You could be back at your place. Food. Rest. Sleep. … (bang!) … Instead, you're going to die on the floor of ''Delilah'' today.<br><br>

Valentine's not entirely aiming to kill. He'd rather intimidate them into surrendering. He's steely and dramatic and shoots a gun right out of one of the hostiles' hands. It's pretty damned intimidating. The hostiles, all two of them, put their hands up and emerge from cover.<br><br>

Valentine and Poco round the hostiles up (wounded and unwounded) to lock them into an empty cargo container to cool off.  As they're pulling the prisoners together, ''Delilah's'' engines squeal in protest and Poco curses. Gorram bastards are in Engineering trying to start our girl up. ''Delilah'' starts to shake. Valentine marches over to the nearest wall-mounted comm and punches it live to the entire ship.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' (calm) You're gonna blow us all up. I guarantee you, you're gonna blow us all up. It takes a delicate touch to get this ship in the air.<br><br> 

He pauses.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' Four of your guys are already down. <br><br>

Another pause. A boyish voice comes over the comm.<br><br>

'''Comm:''' We can agree to negotiate.<br>
'''Poco:''' (sotto voce) To hell with negotiatin' …<br>
'''Valentine:''' Shepherd Faria is all about forgiveness and redemption, I'm told, but—<br>
'''Vikki:''' (in elevator) … We're not.<br>
'''Comm:''' You take us to Muir and we won't destroy your ship.<br><br>

Valentine thumbs the mute button and says to Poco beside him.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' Do they realize it's even harder to destroy this thing than it is to simply fly it? If I could have destroyed it, I would have destroyed it months ago.<br>
'''Poco:''' All I'm sayin' is, knock these jokers out … (pointedly) … Engineering don't have a door.<br>
'''Valentine:''' (unmutes) Alternatively, you can leave the Engine Room, head back outside, go back to your rooms—or whatever they are—and we will quietly forget that this happened. And you won't end up getting—<br>
'''Comm:''' Forgive me, sir, but I'm not all that familiar with spaceship terminology. I'm in the little room with the windows and what looks like a steering wheel. And a locking door.<br><br>

Rachel's going to kill him.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' I was trying ot get you out of this undamaged and alive. You've just said the one thing that was going to ''piss the pilot off''. And now I might not be able to talk her down. Now I just shot a guy and got hit by a grenade, and I'm still more afraid of ''her'' than anything else on this ship. So do you want to try that again and maybe think "I am going to step away from the Bridge or Engineering" or any place that might piss off people on my crew and head back to your place. You're going to get better food than I am. Me? I am starving. <br><br>

Wow. From takeover negotiations to talking about food in a single breath. Valentine must be flying higher than a kite on those painkillers. He mutes the comm and asks Tian, who has helpedVikki out of the elevator and is now drawing even with him:<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' ''What'' did you ''give'' me?<br><br>

Before she can tell him, the comm crackles with the remaining hijacker's reply.<br><br>

'''Comm:''' Listen. The planet surface is an hour away. You get the engines spun up. I'll take us there. We'll leave. Everybody's happy.<br>
'''Rachel:''' (eyes wide) ''You'' will fly us?<br><br>

She starts laughing. Laughing hard. Hard enough to flop against the bulkhead and howl. The entire crew is howling, just laughing their guts out. Even Vikki, despite her wounds. The sound echoes off the cargo bay walls and Valentine thumbs his comm live and holds the hand set at arm's length in the air so the hijacker can hear the crew's derision clearly. As Faria laboriously wheels himself to Valentine's side, he leans down to murmur to the Shepherd:<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' I assume you'd rather have them here. We're kinda semi-negotiating. They want to go to Muir. <br>
'''Poco:''' (gasping laugh) No … no … they can ''fly'' … fly to Muir …<br>
'''Valentine:''' (to Poco) I was abbreviating for sake of discussion. (to Faria) So, I'm perfectly happy to try to kick them out of the bridge and/or engineering. I'm assuming you don't want them to go to Muir.<br><br>

Faria silently shakes his head. No. The good Shephard doesn't want them going to Muir. Valentine pulls the comm away from the crew and talks into it. <br><br>

'''Valentine:'''  This is your last chance. You're not going to Muir. This is not a negotiating point.<br> 
'''Comm:''' You're willing to stay on this moon? In Reaver space? Distress signal's been sent out. Possibly summoning Reavers.<br>
'''Valentine:''' So here's the thing. I'm pretty sure you're more afraid of Reavers than I am. Because I've ''just'' finished ''taking down'' an entire ''Reaver ship''. So if you want to bring on the Reavers and get your vital organs eaten out … Power to ya.<br><br>

The crew laughs. Valentine make sure the hijacker hears it.<br><br>

'''Valentine:''' However, I think your best option is to get off my damn ship, get back to somewhere that might be a little bit safe.<br><br>

The crew laughs some more. <br><br>

'''Rachel:''' (yells at comm) Where I can get some ''food''!<br>
'''Valentine:''' Cuz the only other option is me coming over there and shooting the hell out of you.<br>
'''Vikki:''' (yells at comm) And then eating you.<br><br>

Rachel winks and takes the comm from Valentine.<br><br>

'''Rachel:''' (into comm) Val, you know if he jes' locks himself in and dies in there, the rat'll eat 'im. It'll be fine. Mortimer's probably hungry. <br>
'''Vikki:''' (loudly) Why does the rat get to eat better than I?<br>
'''Rachel:''' We'll get to eat the rat's leftovers.<br>
'''Valentine:''' (takes comm back) Rats. Reavers. Whatever. Seriously, this is not a negotiation. A) I don't think you can damage the ship any more than it's already damaged and B) I think that—<br>
'''Rachel:''' I happen to know for a fact that there is only one instrument on that bridge that you can read and it takes a very special person to look at it and go—(makes a cock-eyed face)—<br>
'''Valentine:''' (holds comm away from Rachel)—and B) I think you want to ''live'', otherwise you wouldn't be trying this in the first place.<br> 
'''Rachel:''' (yells anyway) And it's really bad when you're stealing a ship and the whole crew is going ''ha-ha-ha!''<br>
'''Tian:''' (joining in) You know ''that's'' a problem.<br>
'''Vikki:''' (ditto!) Yes, please. ''Quit us''. It's okay. <br><br>

Valentine takes Poco with him to Engineering to see who comes out. A man surrenders with his hands up. It's not Brother James. He's is promptly locked up under gunpoint with the other would-be hijackers. <br><br>

'''Valentine:''' At least now we know that it's Brother James up on the bridge.<br><br>

Rachel meanwhile has hoofed it to the bridge deck but before she can get to the bridge stairs, she sees them lower and Brother James descending them. His expression is frustrated and resigned, the expression of someone who's just tried to escape on a ship that doesn't work. Poco takes one look at him as he takes the man into custody. Disappointed in the ship?<br><br>

'''Poco:''' Yeah, I feel your pain …<br><br>

Rachel's gone ahead to the bridge, checking everything. She calls down the bridge stairs at the retreating monk's back.<br><br>

'''Rachel:''' You're not stealing my rat, are you? ''Mortimer!'' (sits) Ooh! He adjusted my seat. Dirty liar. Killin's too good for him! <br><br>

Valentine turns Brother John and the others over to Shepherd Faria on the mission grounds. Faria sternly addresses Brother James and the rest.<br><br>

'''Faria:''' It appears you may need some time to think about this. (to Valentine) They will be put in isolation for a little bit … and he will try again.<br>
'''Valentine:''' That's how it works I guess, isn't it, Shepherd? You can't have success without knowing what failure is.<br>
'''Faria:''' (agreeing) No, and this is not ... this is the first time a ship has been attempted to be captured but this is not the first attempted rebellion. So … The offer for dinner is still open. You seem hungry.<br>
'''Vikki:''' ''Yes''.<br> 
'''Valentine:''' I will gladly take you up on it. I do. I am.<br><br>

Thus ends a rather busy day. Luckily, everyone survived to get a good meal out of it. As the crew follows Faria and the failed hijackers into the mission, Poco falls in beside Valentine.<br><br>

'''Poco:''' By the way … ''I told you so''.<br>
'''Valentine:''' I know.<br><br>




<br><br><br>
Jump to: [[Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 213: Misapprehensions|'''Part 1''']] | [[Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 213: Misapprehensions, Part 2|'''Part 2''']] | [[Last Voyage of Delilah, Episode 213: Misapprehensions, Epilogue|'''Epilogue''']]<br><br><br>
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