All things in their season...

Shen Jiutai stirs in the infirmary, consciousness eluding her, she drifts away again.

Rae Overholt: How's she doing?
Rae Overholt nods to Xiao Li and Brina.

Xiao Li shrugs. "She ain't bleedin’, an' she's still breathin'. I ain't a doctor."

Shen Jiutai makes a small moan, her eyes fluttering

Rae Overholt nods and steps into the room to get a closer look.

Xiao Li leans over and whispers to Sabrina. "No luck trackin' that opera bitch yet."

Rae Overholt leans over and takes Shay's hand in her own, not sure what else to do at this point.

Vertigo Hawks: No real change Cap'n, she drifts in and out some...

Rae Overholt: Well, what do we know?

Sabrina McGee 's face is grim, her mouth set in a hard straight line.. very quiet and intent.

Vertigo Hawks: Well, there was this woman came lookin' for Shen, Jenna was her name.

Ariel Liveoak rests a hand on Sabrina's shoulder and gives a squeeze.

Vertigo Hawks: She was askin' for Shen, and wouldn't say why.

Rae Overholt: That I know. Reckon she's the one that was with Shen when she killed her lover.

Vertigo Hawks: Bad business, this.

Rae Overholt: Always is.

Ariel Liveoak: I've been trying to see if I can learn anything from that sword. There's something about the design and markings that seems like it should be familiar.

Xiao Li: Thought it was Shen's sword.

Sabrina McGee: Any luck trying to find our Doc or another Doc to come look at her?

Rae Overholt: None on my end. Anyone else?

Vertigo Hawks: I patched her best I could, based on my Basic trainin'.

Sabrina McGee: I doubt basic trainin's much for sword-piercing, though.

Vertigo Hawks: Well, the whole issue with stomach wounds is the risk of infection when the intestine is pierced.

Rae Overholt: Did you give her antibiotics?

Vertigo Hawks: I ain't no saw bones, and yeah, what we had.

Rae Overholt: Did you give her a transfusion?

Vertigo Hawks: That's a little out of my league...

Rae Overholt: Can you hook up an IV?

Vertigo Hawks: I just looked inside, and stitched her up best as I could.

Rae Overholt nods.

Sabrina McGee reaches out and places a hand on Shen's arm

Vertigo Hawks: I can find a vein, but I don't know her blood-type

Shen Jiutai mummers a little at Rae's touch.

Rae Overholt: Don't they have universal? What's that? *wishes someone with more knowledge was here* Anyone know which one that is? Universal?

Xiao Li: That's O-negative, ain't it?

Ariel Liveoak: Isn't it... O? Positive?

Sabrina McGee: Dunno if we'd be able to type anyone even if we wanted to try it, besides.

Rae Overholt sighs, getting two answers and not knowing which one was proper. Leaning down she speaks to Shen. "you hear me in there girl? Got anything for us?"

Shen Jiutai stirs a little, her eyes darting behind the lids, then she slows and is still.

Sabrina McGee sighs and gives Shen's hand a little squeeze

Xiao Li starts pacing back and forth in front of the infirmary door

Rae Overholt: Maybe we should fly out to a medical facility?

Ariel Liveoak starts opening drawers and cabinets, looking to see what there is.

Sabrina McGee: We gonna drop her off on an Alliance fed boat? ::more to herself than anyone else:: S'pose it's better than dyin'..

Xiao Li abruptly blurts out "Just tell me where to point the gorram boat already!"

Sabrina McGee: Nearest fed outpost or boat, Cap'n? Can't be any worse than me trying to figure out how to put her back together with some phase couplers and some duct tape

Ariel Liveoak: Perhaps... if I speak with the Alliance officers... It might help. I don't know.

Sabrina McGee: I mean, we gotta try.. it's Shen. I'll stay with her, even if it means gettin' arrested.

Rae Overholt: How 'bout a planet with some medical help? Surely we got one of those near enough? Folks around here gota get medical help somehow.

Sabrina McGee: Could try the main rock we're orbiting..

Jenna Kasei approaches the boat wearily, "Hello?" she shouts into the cavernous hold.

Vertigo Hawks turns his head, "What was that?"

Xiao Li freezes in place.

Sabrina McGee: I'll be right back. Keep her here 'til I'm back with my wrench and gun.

Ariel Liveoak surprises everyone by suddenly producing a finely-crafted katana and a steely expression.

Rae Overholt turns at the voice and takes her gun out.

Vertigo Hawks approaches Jenna, weapons drawn.

Jenna Kasei looks apprehensively at the aggressive Raven crew approaching

Rae Overholt: You the one I've been hearing about? *Gives Jenna a cool glare*

Jenny Kasei looks confused, "Wha?... I asked you not to tell..."

Rae Overholt: And I'd ask you not to attack any more of my crew.

Ariel Liveoak: You had me fooled. I owe you for that.

Jenna Kasei is startled and confused, "What's going on?"

Sabrina McGee comes down from the galley onto the catwalk, gun drawn.

Xiao Li hangs back and just watches.

Jenna Kasei: "What? why are you treating me like this?"

Ariel Liveoak raises an eyebrow. “Give it up, Miss. Perhaps you'd like to try to take MY sword?”

Jenna Kasei 's eyes go wide, "Take your sword? But you were so civil when we last met. What's going on? I only came to see Shen."

Sabrina McGee: ::crying and shouting:: 'Cos you left Shen bleeding with a sword in her! Now tell me why I shouldn't just put a bullet in your brain right here and now. Just one word. That's it. One word and it's all done.

Vertigo Hawks: Want I should tie her up Cap'n?

Rae Overholt: Tie her up. Get the information from her. I dont care if she's dead.

Xiao Li: Yeah, you musta wanted to see her *real* bad.

Ariel Liveoak: One moment.

Rae Overholt: See, you forget as the captain of this ship. I'm privy to some knowledge you might not think I know. You came searchin’ for someone under a ...alias we shall say. Ain't no way you'd have known it.

Vertigo Hawks ties Jenna up to the cargo hold cat walk.

Jenna Kasei looks frightened and afraid, "Alias? Shen with a sword in her? what's going on?"

Rae Overholt: Now, how's about you spit it out. "Jenna".

Ariel Liveoak watches intently.

Jenna Kasei is blubering, "What's this about Shen being hurt? Why are you people treating me like this?"

Xiao Li rolls her eyes. "Quit playin' dumb already!"

Sabrina McGee: Because you showed up, disappeared, and the next thing we know, she's left bleeding for dead. Seems like you might know about that.

Rae Overholt: Not to mention, the name.

Jenna Kasei is going crazy, bawling, "Bleeding for dead? Shen?"
Jenna Kasei looks at the Captain, "What's going on?"

Sabrina McGee keeps her gun drawn on Jenna...

Ariel Liveoak looks thoughtful.

Rae Overholt: What's goin’ on is you'd better start spilling or by Buddha, I'll start spillin’ you.

Sabrina McGee: She's mine, Cap'n.

Jenna Kasei looks at the mechanic with wide eyes, "What are you people DOING? Can't I see her if she's hurt?"

Sabrina McGee spits the words out.. "What, so you can finish what you started? I think not."

Rae Overholt notices Brina's wrench for the first time, her eyes widen and she whistles.

Ariel Liveoak: Hold on. She's either not lying, or she's even better than I thought.

Sabrina McGee: You got one chance here. So you better start talking.

Jenna Kasei, with tears running down her cheeks, looks to the mechanic, "What is there to say?"

Ariel Liveoak: Wait. Let's bring her to see Shen. Carefully.

Sabrina McGee: You can either admit your hand in this, or you can explain just exactly what you DID do the last time you were here. If your hands are clean, then you should have no troubles telling just exactly what did happen.

Jenna Kasei, confused, "What I did? I asked you not to tell Shen that I came for a surprise visit is what I did, and now she's hurt!"

Sabrina McGee: I believe you didn't do it, you live. Shen lives, we're fine. Shen dies, and the folks who did it don't have a prayer in this 'verse. Simple as that.

Xiao Li: Where the gorram hell have you BEEN if you were so eager to see Shen? That's what I wanna know.

Sabrina McGee: Exactly.

Jenna Kasei looks to the pilot, "I... I just couldn't sleep in that room, there was a roach... I know you people out here on the rim handle things like that a little differently..."

Ariel Liveoak: Captain... I don't think she's lying.

Rae Overholt: What makes you think that Ariel?

Ariel Liveoak: Training. Instinct.

Xiao Li: An' you took Shen's bag, because, what, you had cramps?

Jenna Kasei: I never even saw Shen!

Ariel Liveoak: I can see through false sincerity... And she isn't lying. I believe her.

Sabrina McGee: You have any medical training?

Jenna Kasei: Me? I'm an opera singer? Why would I have medical training? Can I please see Shen?

Sabrina McGee: Lady, I don't know you from the King of Londinum. All I know is you showed up, unannounced, to see Shen, and now she's dying. So forgive me, as I'm watching the woman I love die, powerless to help her, if I'm just a bit apprehensive.

Jenna Kasei stops cold at the last words out of Sabrina's mouth...

Ariel Liveoak: Captain, I mean it. She's telling the truth. Please untie her.

Rae Overholt looks to Ariel and swears, "Check her good for dangerous items then let her look through the window at her."

Sabrina McGee: Ariel, let her. But she'll do it at the end of my gun.

Jenna Kasei: "the woman you love..."

Ariel Liveoak moves to loosen the bonds.

Sabrina McGee looks grim, tears at the sides of her eyes

Ariel Liveoak checks for weapons of any kind... and she knows lots of possible hiding places.

Jenna Kasei squirms at the pat-down but is relieved that it is Ariel doing it and not Vertigo. “Thank you, where is she?”

Ariel Liveoak doesn't find anything, and unties the ropes. “ Alright, Miss. Let's go.”

Jenna Kasei runs up to the unconscious Shen, grabbing her hand, "Oh Buddha!!!!"

Rae Overholt: Back out, you can look in through the window. We don’t need no more contamination near her than necessary.

Sabrina McGee: Back. Off. Now.

Ariel Liveoak watches Jenny's reactions intently.

Jenna Kasei: What?

Sabrina McGee cocks the hammer on her gun. “You heard me. Back. Off. My captain said for you to wait outside. You do it.”

Jenna Kasei looks to the others and back to Sabrina... resigned, she withdraws. “Is this the best medical facility you have on this Moon?”

Sabrina McGee: We don't have much in the way of med facilities here. If we did, we wouldn't be here. We were about to leave for better when you showed up.

Xiao Li pipes up, "So if you really wanna help your girlfriend here you'll tell us where we can find a medic fast."

Rae Overholt: Now, how about you start by telling us how you know Shen. How you found her, and who you led to her.

Jenna Kasei looks to the Captain, "Is the woman with the wrench gonna hit me?"

Ariel Liveoak: If I might suggest... Finding competent medical care might have a higher priority.

Sabrina McGee: It's a distinct possibility. Cap'n, we can do this while flyin'. I agree with Ariel. Let's get movin.

Xiao Li: "That's what I said." Xiao Li looks annoyed.

Jenna Kasei: Yes, we can take her to the planet below, money is no object. I can get my personal pilot, Tach to fly her there, his shuttle is fast.

Ariel Liveoak relaxes some and a small smile plays on her lips.

Rae Overholt nods, "nothing sayin’ she can't talk as we go though."

Sabrina McGee: Xiao Li, think a shuttle's faster than the Raven can get her there?

Ariel Liveoak gestures to Jenna. "Come with me, let's go sit and talk some."

Xiao Li: Depends on the shuttle, I'd say.

Jenna Kasei 's eyes glance back to the woman with the wrench, "Um, yeah, perhaps we should..."

Xiao Li: What model has he got?

Sabrina McGee: It'd take time to move her anyways.. let's just go.

Vertigo Hawks: Tach is Flying one a those alliance XP51s...

Xiao Li's eyebrows go up. "Yeah, that'd do it."

Shen Jiutai stirs, her eyes opening...

Rae Overholt looks down at her. "Shen? Who did it?"

Shen Jiutai looks up and sees Sabrina standing nearby and a small smile forms on her lips, when she hears the Captain's question tears begin to pour from her eyes.

Sabrina McGee reaches down and puts a hand over Shen's..

Shen Jiutai rolls over and starts crying harder, "Why..... why did you save me?"

Ariel Liveoak blinks, her mouth opens in shock as a light begins to dawn.

Sabrina McGee whispers.. "We.. I.. couldn't let you go."

Rae Overholt shakes her head, "Shen, why?"

Shen Jiutai looks to Sabrina, tears flooding down her face, "You don't deserve me... you're too kind..."

Xiao Li is just staring in disbelief. “ … you have got to be rutting kidding me.”

Rae Overholt doesn't look any happier about this than Xiao li. "Why?"

Sabrina McGee continues, softly.."Were they coming for you?"

Shen Jiutai looks to the Captain, then back to Sabrina, "Jenna?"

Sabrina McGee bristles

Shen Jiutai: "you met Jenna?"

Rae Overholt: She bring too much back for you, or was she gonna get you caught Shen?

Ariel Liveoak whispers "wo de tian..."

Sabrina McGee: You could say that.

Shen Jiutai: "I couldn't live with those two parts of my life coming together, I.... I can't show my face. I had to save face..."

Rae Overholt: Don't make no sense Shen. You can live with killin’ a man for a crazy, but you can't handle two women meeting?

Shen Jiutai: I'm not good enough for either of you.

Rae Overholt: Well on my ship you save face by confronting things, not half-assed sepuku. Either way. It's gonna be fine, we're getting you to a doctor.

Shen Jiutai: "too good, both you and her... and what I did to her... I can't..."

Rae Overholt: Stay still. It'll iron out Shen. You just hang in there.

Sabrina McGee leans down and places her forhead on the bed next to Shen's body

Shen Jiutai: "I've lied, I've lived a life full of lies... you wouldn't want to be with me if you knew..."

Rae Overholt: I'm still your captain and you're still to follow my orders. You ain't dead yet.

Sabrina McGee sighs

Shen Jiutai: "This whole time, whenever I could... I would meet her, we've been together for two years. I was never in Jail, I was on Sihnon..."

Ariel Liveoak moves to the table and rests a hand on Shen's forehead, trying to impart calm and peacefulness with all her energy.

Rae Overholt: Not the first time someone's cheated Shen. Won't be the last.

Shen Jiutai: "...with Jenna... she...she asked me to marry her.... I ran away... that neckless I gave you..."

Sabrina McGee lifts her head up from the table, standing up and stepping backwards... "What?"

Shen Jiutai: "You don't deserve me..." Shen Jiutai breaks down into tears.

Ariel Liveoak gasps. "Oh dear." she says quietly, looking quickly at Sabrina.

Shen Jiutai: "I love both you and her so much, but I can't face the thought that something would happen... Something always happens..."

Sabrina McGee: "You mean to say.." pulling the necklace out from under her top..

Rae Overholt stands there, stone faced and silent. She's torn between helping a member of her crew live and keeping another from being hurt so bad.

Sabrina McGee breaks down in tears.. "Maybe I was ready to shoot the wrong one, then.. "

Shen Jiutai nods, "It's hers, I stole it... I don't know why, I guess I wanted at least to have you."

Ariel Liveoak reaches to Sabrina with her other hand, offering.

Sabrina McGee: "I.. I can't keep it then. It's not mine. It was never really mine to begin with. I was just holding onto it for a while.”

Shen Jiutai looks into Sabrina's eyes pleadingly. "Shoot me, please, I'd welcome it."

Rae Overholt: That's just nonsense talk.

Sabrina McGee: ::barely audible:: No. I couldn't do that to you.

Shen Jiutai: I deserve it, all you've known is a pack of lies...

Sabrina McGee: ::softly:: No free pass for you.

Rae Overholt: Shen, you just get well, we'll deal with the aftermath later.

Ariel Liveoak nods, agreeing with the Captain.

Shen Jiutai rolls over and hides her face

Ariel Liveoak: All things in their season...

Sabrina McGee unclasps the necklace and hands it to Ariel.. "Here. see that Jenna gets this back."

Ariel Liveoak slowly takes the necklace, looking at Sabrina with profound sympathy. She nods.

Sabrina McGee looks down at the floor and pinches the bridge of her nose between index finger and thumb

Ariel Liveoak puts her hands on Sabrina's shoulders and draws her in.

Rae Overholt watches, uncertain what to say in a time like this. "You wanna head out to the galley Brina?"

Sabrina McGee goes pliant and lets herself get pulled away

Shen Jiutai sobs

Rae Overholt puts a soft hand on Shen's head. “Mistakes aren't worth dyin for Shen, then you can't learn from them.”

Ariel Liveoak says quietly "Let out what needs to flow, dear heart. Don't hide it."

Sabrina McGee relaxes her grip on her wrench and lets it hit the floor... “Shen... I...” ::weeping::
Sabrina McGee turns and runs out of the medbay..

Rae Overholt looks at Brina as she runs out. "Brina.." She turns to Ariel, "What do you recommend I do? I think this is more your area of specialty than mine."

Ariel Liveoak: We have two wounded crew members, Captain. We need to care for both of them. I'll go sit with Bri... I think we should get proper medical care for Shen.
Ariel Liveoak goes looking for Sabrina.

Rae Overholt nods, hoping that Xiao Li gets them up in the air soon. She decides she'd better stay with Shen and let Ariel handle the emotional wounds.

While the Captain is Away

Vertigo Hawks nods to Gabe, "By the way where is the Cap'n anyways?"

Gabriel Keats: "Cap'n's stuck on her business. She's tryin' to get back here."

Vertigo Hawks: Sabrina, How's Shen doing?

Sabrina McGee sighs. “No change.. still out.”

Vertigo Hawks: Bad business this.

Sabrina McGee: She doesn't have much hope without proper medical care, and with us having not seen that new doc we were supposed to have..

Katerina Rau wanders straight through the center of the group, muttering. She stops when she notices the individuals around her, but doesn't seem to be looking at anyone in particular as she addresses the air around her. "Too nice to be inside... they should nap outside."

Ariel Liveoak raises an eyebrow in curiosity.

Vertigo Hawks stares at Katerina

Tillery Woodhen: this town is getting interesting all of a sudden

Ariel Liveoak: Though I do agree, it is quite nice today.

Katerina Rau looks up at the image of Wash. "You should tell them. They'd listen to you."

Ariel Liveoak glances at the image and then back.

Tillery Woodhen does the same

Ariel Liveoak: um.

Tillery Woodhen: she with you guys?

Katerina Rau licks her hand like a cat grooming its paw.

Gabriel Keats: "If thin--" He stops, confused. "He ain't talking, honey."

Sabrina McGee: Not likely..

Vertigo Hawks: I've never seen her before

Sabrina McGee: although I'm likely to go just as addle-pated..

Ariel Liveoak nods slowly. "Yesss... Are you alright, Miss?"

Katerina Rau nods. "Yes. Aren't you?"

Tillery Woodhen mutters, "Boo-tai jung-tzahng-duh."

Gabriel Keats sighs. "What should he tell us?"

Katerina Rau: What should... who... tell you?

Gabriel Keats: "Hoban Washburne." He nods, feeling quite foolish.

Ariel Liveoak says quietly to no one in particular "Kuangzhe de?"

Katerina Rau looks over her shoulder at the image of Wash. "I... don't know what he should tell you. He can't tell you anything. It's a statue. Are you certain you're feeling all right?"

Katerina Rau wanders over to Ariel and shoves her gently, almost experimentally. "You don't fall..."

Gabriel Keats: "You were just ruttin' talking to it, kid. . ."

Tillery Woodhen: I suddenly feel a need for a drink

Ariel Liveoak staggers a bit, looking baffled.

Vertigo Hawks coughs, "Um excuse me miss"

Ariel Liveoak: Would you like to sit down, Miss?

Vertigo Hawks: perhaps you should not push our crew...

Katerina Rau looks back at the ground and mutters. "They stand and fall... and yet they stand again. I ask them why and they say nothing. Just stare and stand. And fall..."
Katerina Rau begins pacing.

Gabriel Keats: "See, this is why I ain't got kids."

Katerina Rau stops and turns. "It's quiet here..."

Tillery Woodhen: tell me about it

Sabrina McGee: Well, I should go check on Shen.. and then I've gotta recalibate the fusion injectors on the port-side engine..

Tillery Woodhen: my offer for a ride still stands

Katerina Rau smiles. "It's loud there! They won't talk to me because they're deaf. Even when it's quiet, they can't hear me. It's always quiet for them. Deafened..."

Tillery Woodhen: 'kay

Sabrina McGee: And then I've gotta clean out all of the port locks... and after all that, gotta grease up the inline fuel junctions..

Gabriel Keats thinks to himself, "was I *this* irritating when I was crazy?"

Katerina Rau blinks. "A ship... I need a ship. I'll take them somewhere quiet."
Katerina Rau wanders off.

Tillery Woodhen: I remember when this was a quiet boring moon

Gabriel Keats: "She better not be lookin' to steal a ship. Ruttin' hell."

Sabrina McGee: And I remember this moon being a lot less cold and lonely.
Sabrina McGee sighs

Vertigo Hawks: does she look like she could?

Tillery Woodhen: I heard rumors about kids like that... some kind of experimentation in the core. did things to their heads

Sabrina McGee: Oh goody.

Vertigo Hawks: Too true dat!

Tillery Woodhen: Oh she could just be loopy, we have plenty of those here.

Ariel Liveoak: How very odd.

Anton Machin: Hello, friends.

Vertigo Hawks looks at Anton with suspicion

Ariel Liveoak: Good day, sir.

Tillery Woodhen nudges Gabriel

Anton Machin smiles at Tillery. "I believe we've met."

Gabriel Keats nods. "evening."

Anton Machin: But we haven't been properly introduced.

Tillery Woodhen: I'm Tillery. I run the local paper and you are?

Vertigo Hawks shifts nervously

Anton Machin turns and smiles at his six armed companions. "My name is of little concern. You ah.. know these fine people?" *gestures to the crew*

Tillery Woodhen: yes.

Ariel Liveoak raises an eyebrow and looks sharply at the newcomer.

Tillery Woodhen: the call to the port on occasion

Vertigo Hawks eyes the bodyguards

Gabriel Keats stretches, doesn't say anything.

Anton Machin nods. "As I told you before, I'm here on business. I don't normally make housecalls, but it seems that something has gone awry. I'm simply here to see if I can correct the situation."

Tillery Woodhen: i'd still like to know your business here

Anton Machin looks around. "Now then... who here wants to tell me something good? My boss loves good news."

Gabriel Keats: "Your boss has a lovely set of eyes. They compliment his shirt."

Vertigo Hawks: good news?

Sabrina McGee: Do we care? Are we caring at this point?

Ariel Liveoak looks nervously around, at a total loss.

Gabriel Keats arches his eyebrows. "Why don't you tell us what went awry, and we can go from there."

Anton Machin sighs. "Don't play stupid... though I'm sure it's not a stretch. Where's your captain?"

Sabrina McGee: On business. That's all need be said.

Gabriel Keats: "You can deal with me."

Ariel Liveoak blinks

Anton Machin rolls his eyes. "So you're in charge then?"

Ariel Liveoak: Now, I'm sure, whatever the problem is, it can be settled amicably.

Sabrina McGee: I'm about all outta patience here, and I ain't no doctor.

Vertigo Hawks: Yes, we are all professionals here

Gabriel Keats: "You can deal with me in the captain's stead, yes."

Anton Machin approaches Gabriel. "You uh... qualified to make big decisions while the captain's away?"

Gabriel Keats crosses his arms. "Mmhmm. Now, quit stalling and make yourself plain."

Anton Machin looks Gabe's thin body up and down. "Heh... I guess you'd have to be qualified for the job. You certainly didn't get it by sleeping with anybody."

Gabriel Keats just smiles. "Pure talent."

Anton Machin: You know why I'm here. If I don't leave with either money or the merchandise, some people are going to be very upset, and they're not exactly people you want to see grumpy.

Ariel Liveoak blinks.

Anton Machin: I heard about your friend's little "accident," and I don't buy it. Kinda convenient that the stuff would get lost that way, ain't it?

Sabrina McGee: Watch. Your. Mouth.

Vertigo Hawks raises an eyebrow

Anton Machin spins on his heel. "You threatening me?"

Gabriel Keats: "Hm. We take in a lot of cargo. If you can get me a list of inventory, I can see what we can do. Cross check our lists." He shoots a look at Sabrina. "Bizh Jwai."

Anton Machin turns to his boys. "Hey, boys... this one's a live wire.."

Sabrina McGee: I'm advising you to not speak on people you don't know.

Ariel Liveoak: There was no "accident", sir. There was an attack on one of our people.

Ariel Liveoak: She is in the infirmary at this moment. Now, just what is it that seems to be missing?

Gabriel Keats: "See if we might've picked up something by mistake."

Anton Machin from Sabrina to Gabe to Ariel. "I don't have to know the girl to know smugglers... so the plan went bad and she got herself a booboo... Not my problem. You took on certain responsibilities when you decided to carry -my- shipment. Certain pharmaceuticals and other therapeutic substances... I live to help people."

Ariel Liveoak: I...see.

Sabrina McGee: Okay.. I'm not really sure what the gorram hell you're talking about, 'cos we delivered our last shipment fine and dandy. But you go take whatever it is you're looking for and get the gorram hell off this rock.

Gabriel Keats: "'Brina. . ."

Anton Machin laughs. "If I could just take what I was looking for, I wouldn't be here talking to you fine individuals. The drugs. The girl had them. Where are they now?"

Gabriel Keats: "Move away from her. Right now."

Tillery Woodhen mutters quietly.

Gabriel Keats: "You give me a list of what's missing, and I will work with you."

Anton Machin walks back to Gabriel. "Oh... so you do have some balls. Maybe you can fill the captain's pants while she's away better than I thought."

Gabriel Keats: "You threaten us, and this isn't going to go well." He pauses. "I think you already know that."

Anton Machin frowns. "The boss... he doesn't like to leave a paper trail. You know what's missing, or you'd better damn well find out fast. Ask the girl in your infirmary. I'd advise you to get the information you need from her quickly, because you don't want my boys extracting it from her. Our way is less cordial."

Vertigo Hawks eyes the six gunmen, "uh, boss?'

Gabriel Keats looks at Vertigo, not entirely sure he should be answering to that. "Yeah?"

Vertigo Hawks: “I just think he has the upper hand here, is all.”

Gabriel Keats: "Which is why I want to do what I can to help these fine folks. But I wanna make sure I do it right. Get them what they need.."

Vertigo Hawks nods

Anton Machin points to Raven. "That's better... but just so we're clear... You see that rust bucket over there? Don't try leaving before we've settled this. That ship is ours if you can't pay up... not that it's much of a ship... but we'd make almost as much from the scrapyards as we would've on that shipment your girl lost."

Sabrina McGee: Rust.. bucket..?!?!?

Anton Machin ignores the engineer.

Ariel Liveoak rests her hand on Bri's shoulder. "Easy, hon. It's just talk."

Gabriel Keats: "So we have an understanding, yes?"

Sabrina McGee starts muttering.. "See what he thinks of her after he meets the business end of this wrench.. "

Gabriel Keats: "Brina. Ship. Now."

Ariel Liveoak holds Bri's wrist. "Hush, hon. Breathe."

Anton Machin looks over at Ariel then back to Gabriel. "It's not that I don't trust you, see... but I need some collateral. Something to guarantee that you're committed to this."

Gabriel Keats: "You will *not* be holding one of ours hostage."

Ariel Liveoak blinks.

Anton Machin smiles. "No, but I -will- be entertaining a guest."

Sabrina McGee: Okay, why are we just standing here talking? Just go to the damn ship, find the stuff and let's be done with this. Oh, and Sod off.
Sabrina heads to the ship.

Gabriel Keats smiles, though it's more a baring of teeth. "No, you won't."
Gabriel Keats: "We will return with the cargo in due time. You have more than enough men to take us."

Anton Machin looks around. "If it's all the same to you, I think the girl here is old enough to make up her own mind."

Ariel Liveoak: Excuse me?
Ariel Liveoak blinks.

Gabriel Keats: "Ariel, you don't have to do this."

Anton Machin faces Ariel. "What do you say, darling? You seem like you could use some refined company for a while."

Ariel Liveoak looks around.
Ariel Liveoak: Oh dear.
Ariel Liveoak looks at the gunmen... looks at her friends... looks at Anton. She sighs quietly.
Ariel Liveoak: Would it mean anything at all if I said no?
Ariel Liveoak shakes her head. "Don't bother answering.”

Xiao Li Marshel aproaches the group cautiously.
Xiao Li sidles up to Vertigo and whispers, "What the tian xiao de is going on here?"

Vertigo Hawks hushes Xiao Li, "He wants his drugs, Shen never delivered them"

Anton Machin smiles the fakest smile ever. "The choice is yours to make. I am, after all, a civilized individual. My boys here, though... they're not all so refined, and they ultimately take orders from my boss just like I do. He's easily offended."

Ariel Liveoak: Alright. It doesn't appear that I really have much choice anyway.

Anton Machin: I knew you'd see it my way! You'll have a good time.

Xiao Li watches the armed men warily.

Anton Machin looks at Gabriel. "I'll see to that..."

Gabriel Keats: "You touch her, without her consent, and you're dead. That isn't business. That's morals. And that's you and me."

Anton Machin nods. "You have my word as a... gentleman."

Vertigo Hawks feels like he should do something, but just watches as the gangster prepares to take Raven's companion away.

In this amount of time, Sabrina has walked to the Raven, gotten inside, and navigated to the bridge... anyone caring to look will notice the ship's cannons turning to train on this spot.

Xiao Li hears a distant sound, glances over her shoulder... and smirks privately to herself.

Anton Machin gestures for Ariel to follow him. "We should be leaving now. Your friends here have work to do."

Gabriel Keats: "You will allow the lady to get her effects?"

Ariel Liveoak pulls her arm out of a gunman's grip, giving him a look that would kill. "Alright. Let's keep this civil."

Anton Machin looks at Gabriel. "You're expecting this to take long enough for the lady to need her personal effects?"

Gabriel Keats smiles. "No, I'm not. But, again, to keep the pretense of civility. . ."

Anton Machin: If it takes that long, the last thing that'll be on her mind is powdering her nose. You people have a way for me to contact you while we wait? To check on your progress?

Gabriel Keats reaches in his pocket, pulls out a beat-up looking comm unit. Gabriel Keats tosses it to him. "I assume you know how to use this."

Anton Machin nods and interfaces the old comm with his own unit before tossing the old one back. "Yeah. I do. You can keep that junk. All I needed was your comm ID."

Gabriel Keats: "Good."

Anton Machin shouts over his shoulder as he leaves with Ariel. "Make it quick. I'm sure you cargo people understand that time is money, and your ship isn't going anywhere until we're finished with this."

Gabriel Keats stalks back towards the ship.

Tillery Woodhen: Taikong suoyou de xingqiu saijin wo de pigu! You traded drugs here?

Gabriel Keats: "Till, this ain't the time." He slips back into the accent.

Vertigo Hawks: the question now is WHERE are those drugs?

Xiao Li gives Till a sharp look.

Tillery Woodhen looks pointedly at the Alliance office.

Vertigo Hawks: What do we know? Last time I saw the satchel was just as Shen ran off.

Tillery Woodhen:Oh gose, don't you guys read the paper?

Vertigo Hawks shakes his head

Gabriel Keats: "When I get a chance. Been a mite busy, what with crew gettin' shot."

Tillery Woodhen: Someone was seen walking off with a brown bag of some sort just after Shen was attacked, as in out of town!

Vertigo Hawks: Someone?

Xiao Li curses violently.

Vertigo Hawks: what someone?

Tillery Woodhen: I don't know. I couldn't get a description.

Gabriel Keats: "Ruttin' hell. You got a sex, at least?"

Tillery Woodhen: let me look

Xiao Li: I'll bet you anything it was that blonde jian huo come lookin' for Shen.

Tillery Woodhen: no details at all, just that it was a woman.

Gabriel Keats: "Fucking bitch. . . I can get some money." He pauses. "Ain't gonna be enough. But it might buy us time to find the little floozy."

Tillery Woodhen: That guy said earlier if business was good, his boss would be coming here.

Vertigo Hawks: Are you talking about that opera singer that was looking for Shen?

Gabriel Keats: "Yeah."

***** Meanwhile, in a run down section of Blackburn the criminal and the companion arrive at their destination.*****

Anton Machin gestures at the cavernous room around him. "Welcome to my home away from home."

Ariel Liveoak looks around. "Charming. So. You ...collect things for your boss. What was his name again?”

Anton Machin: I do, but as you can see, I do not make a habit of collecting things for myself. This place is rather spartan, as I'm sure you've noticed. A man who seeks nothing but material wealth would neglect his... personal enrichment.
Anton Machin smirks. "You can't have again what you never had a first time. His name is unimportant, though I am inclined to disclose my own name to you. Withholding it from your temporary leader was a matter of pride, not of business. I simply didn't want him to have the satisfaction of knowing who had him by the balls... excuse the expression."

Ariel Liveoak smiles blandly.

Anton Machin bows slightly. "My name is Anton. And as you noted, I am... a collector. Among other things."

Ariel Liveoak sketches a bow of her head. "Anton. Charmed."

Anton Machin: May I assume from your clothing and your lack of grime and scars that you are not a boomer like your friends?

Ariel Liveoak: Though I'm not certain what a "boomer" is, I can guess from the context. No, I am a registered Companion. And whoever your boss is, I think he would not like to gain the ire of the Academy.

Anton Machin smiles. "It's a colloquial term... slang. Refers to the crew of a cargo ship. And I'm sure you're right about that, though... I'm puzzled as to what you're doing all the way out here. Can't be for the charming company or the mobs of rich clients."

Ariel Liveoak chuckles softly. "No, indeed. I ...wished to travel. I rent a shuttle on the Raven. It allows me to visit other planets and expand my client base, and in turn, I can help to open certain doors for them that would otherwise not be available."
Anton Machin: What is it that brings you to this... charming corner of space?

*******Back at Washtown: *************

Vertigo Hawks: My buddy Tach said he has had some work lately flying around some rich clients... using Usurper's shuttle, and he mentioned an opera singer.

Gabriel Keats: "Can you Wave him?"

Tillery Woodhen: What kind of trouble have you brought here?

Gabriel Keats: "The kind of trouble that happens when you've got a crew stuck on a moon with no gorram *work*!"

Vertigo Hawks: Hell, I think he's working for Miss Ana at the Hoban...

Tillery Woodhen: Have you guys transported drugs before?

Vertigo Hawks coughs
Vertigo Hawks: perhaps we should talk to him?

Gabriel Keats: "Till, you're a reporter through and through, ain't you? Yeah, let's."

Tillery Woodhen: This isn't for a story. Alliance customs and possible drug lord moving in. Do the math.

Tach Hathaway: Hey V! how goes it?
Tach Hathaway eyes the Raven crew, "What's up? How's the cook?"

Vertigo Hawks: Hi Tach, we have some, er questions about your recent clients...

Xiao Li: *interrupting* Where's the opera singer gone?

Tach Hathaway looks at Xiao Li startled, "I don't usually talk about my private clients."

Vertigo Hawks: Come on Mon! this is important!

Tach Hathaway hesitates

Xiao Li: This "private client" may have gotten Shen stabbed and *us* in deep go se.

Tach Hathaway looks at Xiao Li in horror, "Really?"

Xiao Li: Do I *look* like I'm kidding?

Tach Hathaway: “Well, there's not much to tell. I got a job to fly her up here from planet-side for a big surprise... she seemed nice enough, it was a cozy ride. Strange thing is, no luggage. Then in the middle of the night my pager goes off, and she's begging me to take her back down, all rush-rush, she said there was a roach in her room. That's about it.

Xiao Li snorts derisively.

Gabriel Keats: "So, think you could tell us whereabouts you dropped her off on that rock?"

Xiao Li: And did she have any more luggage goin' the other direction?

Tach Hathaway: Strangest thing, but no. Look Keats, I've already said more than I should have.

Gabriel Keats: "No, you really haven't."

Vertigo Hawks: Well, at least she left empty handed.

Gabriel Keats: "‘Preciate your help."

Xiao Li frowns and taps her headset.

Gabriel Keats: "S'wrong, Xiao Li?"

Tach Hathaway: Look, Cap'n MIKKI runs a tight ship. She lets me have a few odd jobs that pay well, and if I'm told to keep it quiet, I'll do just that, Cap'n Mikki ain't all warm and fuzzy like your Cap'n.

Xiao Li raises an eyebrow at something she's hearing over her comm earpiece.

Vertigo Hawks: what's up?

Xiao Li: 'Scuse me a sec, gentlemen.
Xiao Li walks over to a corner and pulls her Cortex goggles down

Gabriel Keats: "You helped us not waste time."

Tach Hathaway: My pleasure, anyone care for a drink?

Vertigo Hawks considers for a half a second.

Xiao Li goes pale. "Gaoyang zhong de guyang..."

Vertigo Hawks: What?

Xiao Li: Guys, you better see this...

Gabriel Keats walks over to take the goggles and look.

Xiao Li shows the crew an image of Ariel bound and chained with Anton looking on.

Vertigo Hawks: Holy shit!

Gabriel Keats doesn't say a word, just hands the goggles back and draws his guns.
Vertigo Hawks: We better find that bag! What do we know? Let's go through this.

Xiao Li: Chick came here lookin' for Shen, then Shen gets stabbed an' her cargo goes missing...

Tillery Woodhen: I so need a drink

Tach Hathaway: OK then
Tach Hathaway stands up and eventually finds his way behind the bar.

Xiao Li: She's planetside someplace but we don't know where... And the drugs are most likely still here.

The insane girl wanders back into the bar, a spacey look in her eyes.
Katerina Rau: They still won't say anything. Maybe deaf. Maybe rude. Maybe grumpy from being shot...

Tillery Woodhen: that didn't sound good

Gabriel Keats: "You. Crazy girl!"

Katerina Rau: Nobody says anything. Tin soldiers. Sleeping girl. Chose the wrong place to sleep. Popped her lung like a balloon. But lungs aren't like that. Not sacks of air. More like sponges. Steel toothpick through a fleshy sponge.

Xiao Li: Ai ya...

Gabriel Keats: "Grab. Her."

Tillery Woodhen: creepy and mortifying

Vertigo Hawks turns and places a hand on Katerina,
Vertigo Hawks: “Now come here girl, we want to talk to you.”

Katerina Rau looks down at the hand. "Five fingers. The others don't have arms. They never talk. That's why I leave my things with them. They keep my secrets. Even when you pull guns on them."

Vertigo Hawks: Now ain't that interesting.

Tach Hathaway: What can I get you Till?

Tillery Woodhen: beer
Tach Hathaway rummages in the cooler, and finding nothing, "How about an Ale?"

Gabriel Keats: "That's sure pretty, hon. But. . . do you think you could. . . be a little less metaphorical?"

Tillery Woodhen: that'll work

Vertigo Hawks: Now honey, did you see anything unusual the other night?

Katerina Rau cocks her head to one side and starts humming. "I see something unusual every night. There was a cloud shaped like a dog today. I saw it when I was cleaning the blood off my shirt."

Tillery Woodhen spits out his ale.

Gabriel Keats: "Whose blood? Can you show us where you got the blood on you?"

Vertigo Hawks: Now sweetheart, it's OK we just want to see.

Xiao Li: No one's going to hurt you.

Tillery Woodhen: maybe I should have gotten whiskey

Katerina Rau wipes at her shirt. "I didn't get it all off. That girl with the sword bled a lot. Maybe she'll give me a new shirt..."

Tach Hathaway rummages among the bottles under the bar, pushing aside some with big Xs on the label.

Tillery Woodhen: might want one for yourself

Tach Hathaway pours two whiskeys.

Katerina Rau: I told the tin men about the girl after I gave them her things for safe keeping. They must have told somebody else, because later the girl was gone. But why won't they talk to me? So rude...

Vertigo Hawks: what on earth is she talking about?

Xioa Li: The 'tin men'?

Gabriel Keats: "Can we meet the tin men?"

Katerina Rau: Why? They're rude.

Xiao Li: Because we need to get the girl's things back. It's very important.

Gabriel Keats: "Well, you gave them her things. She's going to get better." He smiles.

Katerina Rau: I can see why you people shoot them. At first I was sorry for them. Now I don't know... The tin men are lazy and rude. When they're not standing around, they're laying down. Sometimes it's loud there. Sometimes deathly quiet. No in between. I'd go crazy too if I lived like they do... good thing I don't.
Katerina Rau licks her hand like a cat's paw again.

Tillery Woodhen: any luck?

Gabriel Keats: "Why don't you *show* us?"

Vertigo Hawks: this girl is going on about tin men

Xiao Li leans down to be at the same level as the rambling girl. "Can you show us where the 'tin men' live?"

Tillery Woodhen: She talking about the shooting range?

Vertigo Hawks looks up

Katerina Rau looks at the news man. "That's not their name for it. That's what you people call it. The tin men don't call it anything. I think they hate it there."

Vertigo Hawks: is that where you sleep dear?

Tillery Woodhen: Kat, are the tin men near here?

Katerina Rau: Sleep? Sleep is when dreams happen. I don't sleep. Why would I want that? The tin men sleep, and look what happens to them. They get shot when they wake up.

Tillery Woodhen: It's next door. the shooting range. The targets are metal.

Xiao Li bolts for the shooting range

Katerina Rau looks around. "Take the poked sponge's things. Not my things. My things are mine."

Xiao Li, Tillery Woodhen and Vertigo Hawks dash to the shooting range.

Tillery Woodhen: Tin men!

Vertigo Hawks: Those are tin men.

Xiao Li ducks into the back and finds a satchel stuck in the corner. "Bingo!"

Vertigo Hawks: What ya got there?

Xiao Li: We got it!

Vertigo Hawks: Excellent!

Katerina Rau seems agitated. "Take the leaking girl's things! Not mine! My things are mine."

Vertigo Hawks: It's OK, we won't touch your stuff.

Katerina Rau: They're my treasures. I'm a collector.

Xiao Li opens the satchel and peers inside...

Vertigo Hawks: Is it all there?

Katerina Rau: This treasure isn't valuable to me. It looked like medicine. I gave one to a tin man and he didn't get up. I took one and I fell down.

Tillery Woodhen: That would explain a lot.

Xiao Li: You shouldn't take medicine if you don't know what it is.

Katerina Rau: You shouldn't talk to strangers.
Katerina Rau walks away.

Xiao Li: Okayyyyyy....

Tillery Woodhen rubs temples.

Vertigo Hawks: I guess we get to go get Ariel.

Tillery Woodhen: Hope that's everything.

Vertigo Hawks: Xiao Li, can you call that Anton guy?

Xiao Li turns on her comm. "Anton? We got the goods. Come an' get 'em."

Vertigo Hawks: What does he say?

Xiao Li taps her earpiece. "Nothing yet..."

Xiao Li: He says we have to come to him.

Vertigo Hawks: We should take one of the shuttles, where are they?

*****And back in Blackburne:*****

Anton Machin unlocks the chains from Ariel's ankles and wrists. "You can get up now. As long as your friends back on the ship see you bound up, it doesn't matter if you really are or not, does it?"

Ariel Liveoak sighs in relief, sitting up and rubbing her wrists.

Anton Machin smiles thinly. "You see... some elements of my business are rather unsavory, but I prefer to make things as pleasant as possible where I can."
Anton Machin maintains his distance from Ariel, perhaps because he is a gentleman... but perhaps because of the well-known martial arts training that Companions receive.

Ariel Liveoak sits on the floor, eyeing Anton guardedly, still rubbing her wrists and ankles.

Anton Machin: You know, if your friends don't come up with what the boss wants, there really won't be anything left to go back to. I'm sure we could find opportunities for travel for you in our little organization.

Ariel Liveoak: That's... an interesting suggestion.
Ariel Liveoak maintains a neutral expression.

Anton Machin nods as his comm unit chirps. "'Scuse me. I got to take this... Your friends are on their way to get you. Looks like our deal will have to wait. But keep it in mind. The offer stands.”

Ariel Liveoak nods briefly.

Xiao Li waves the satchel in the air. "Awright, we got yer drugs, now let her go."

Vertigo Hawks looks to Ariel, "You OK Hon?"

Anton Machin holds out his hand to grab Ariel. "Not so fast. You stay over here 'till I've made sure the stuff's all accounted for.”

Vertigo Hawks: What?

Anton Machin: Toss the bag.

Vertigo Hawks: we got you your stuff

Ariel Liveoak: I'm...fine, Vertigo.

Vertigo Hawks: Go ahead Xiao Li.

Xioa Li tosses the bag to Anton.

Xiao Li: Might be a pill or two missin'... some street girl thought they were candy or some such.

Anton Machin rifles through the bag. "Yeah... but most of it's here. So you guys get off easy."
Anton Machin pulls his gun and smiles at Ariel. "Which one gets it for the missing pills, sweetheart?"

Ariel Liveoak looks stunned.

Vertigo Hawks: Hey now, Dat's not cool...

Xiao Li doesn't blink. "You wanna put a bullet in someone, save it for the jian huo who stole the stuff in the first place."

Vertigo Hawks: We went and found your stuff, we did our best...

Xiao li: What was her name again?

Vertigo Hawks: We're all professionals here, we encountered some unforeseen circumstances...

Anton Machin shrugs. "I'll be sure to tell my boss that you did your best. Maybe he'll leave your face alone so your family will recognize you."

Vertigo Hawks: Look, we already have one of ours in the med bay... who was tryin' to deliver this go-se in the first place

Anton Machin looks at Ariel. "Well... choose one. One of these guys has gotta get on your nerves, right?"

Xioa Li: You're looking for a woman named Jenna Kasei. Opera singer from the Core, should be somewhere on this rock. She's the one responsible for losing your pharmaceuticals.

Vertigo Hawks: Look mister, we all live on this moon, we have to work together Mon!

Anton Machin laughs at Xiao Li. "You sayin' some opera singer came out here to steal drugs, pop a couple, and kill a member of a cargo crew? Yeah. I might just shoot you for that one."

Xiao Li raises an eyebrow. "You think I'd make this shit UP?"

Ariel Liveoak moves closer, slowly. Her hand reaches out and rests lightly on Anton's gun arm. She gently rubs his arm, smiling. "That isn't necessary, is it?"

Xiao Li: If I was gonna lie to you, I'd at least make it convincin'.

Anton Machin swings his gun back to face Vertigo. "Or I might shoot you, Mister Red Stripe..."

Vertigo Hawks: I'm sure the Cap'n will be willing to deal with you on the shortage of merchandise, it's just a few pills, Mon.

Xiao Li: Maybe do somethin' with ninjas.

Vertigo Hawks: You could find us better allies than enemies.

Ariel Liveoak continues to caress Anton's arm, ever so gently pushing down. "Come now, Anton. Civilized people get along with each other. You want to get along, don't you?"

Anton Machin smirks. "I think you'd make lousy allies. You let an opera singer steal your cargo and stab one of your people."
Anton Machin glances at Ariel. "Well... yeah... civilized people like you and me do. What's that got to do with them?"

Vertigo Hawks: We ain't convinced she really is an opera singer.

Xiao Li: An' even if she was, so what? Adlai Niska used ta work as a stagehand at the Sihnon Metropolitan before he got big.

Vertigo Hawks: Really? I didn't know that

Xiao Li: S'what I heard

Vertigo Hawks nods in approval, "Learn somethin' new every day."

Ariel Liveoak: "I'd miss them, Anton. I like them. I'd be EVER so sad if you killed any of them."
Ariel Liveoak moves closer, pressing up against Anton.

Vertigo Hawks: Come on Mon, be reasonable, you look like the reasonable sort.

Anton Machin raises one eyebrow. "You really like these folks? Even though they never shut up?"

Xiao li: *muttering* No he doesn't.

Vertigo hawks: Biz wey

Anton Machin clears his throat and notices an involuntary physiological reaction to Ariel's ah... proximity.

Ariel Liveoak nods. "I do, I really do. They're really good people, when you get to know them."

Anton Machin: If it means... that much to you... uh... yeah. I'll just cut off a couple of Vinny's fingers and say they're that guy's. Boss'll take it.

Vertigo Hawks: What!!!??!!

Ariel Liveoak's hand continues to caress the gun arm. With her other hand, she twines her fingers in Anton's hair.

Anton Machin looks over at Xiao and Vert. "You two are... free to go."

Vertigo Hawks asides, "looks like the captivity wasn't too traumatic"

Xiao Li: mmm.

Vertigo Hawks: 'bout time

Anton Machin looks at Ariel. "You can stay a while if you want. I'll give you a ride back whenever you like..."

Ariel Liveoak gives a dazzling smile. 'Thank you, Anton." She leans in and kisses him on the cheek, then goes to join her friends, trailing her fingers along his arm as she goes.

Anton Machin watches her walk away. "or... you know... later. I mean... if not now."

Ariel Liveoak: Be well, Anton.

Anton Machin: Yeah... well. I will.
Anton Machin holsters his gun.

Ariel Liveoak smiles.

Vertigo Hawks: Come on Ariel, you can visit your new friend whenever you want.

Xiao Li whispers, "What the gorram hell did you DO to that man? Dip his cock in chocolate?"

Vertigo Hawks: Let's get her home Xiao Li

Ariel Liveoak keeps smiling, and says quietly out of the corner of her mouth "Get me the gorram hell out of here"

Vertigo Hawks motions to the shuttle

Anton Machin picks up the bag. "Yeah. You guys better get moving. I got something here I need to take care of. Right away. In private."

Ariel Liveoak waves to Anton. "Sweet dreams, Anton."

Anton Machin waves back stupidly.

From out of Nowhere

Xiao Li: So are we still goin' on that drug run for Whatserface?

Sabrina McGee: Don't know..

Jenna Kasei approaches the group with a mild look of disgust on her face, as though she can shield her clothes and skin from the grime here simply by sheer force of will.

Vertigo Hawks: Do we still have those drugs to run?

Gabriel Keats: "Well well well..."

Vertigo Hawks looks at Jenny sideways.

Xiao Li raises an eyebrow at the newcomer, who's clearly fresh from the Core.

Sabrina McGee fiddles with the tools on her belt

Jenna Kasei picks the least threatening looking individual to speak to. "Excuse me... I'm looking for the Raven."

Sabrina McGee: And you've found her.

Vertigo Hawks starts mumbeling about clinics...

Xiao Li: Y'know, in case the big bird painted on the side of the ship wasn't a tip-off.

Gabriel Keats looks at Vertigo. "Shenme? Didn't catch that."

Vertigo Hawks: "for the drugs we are going to deliver.... you know"

Jenna Kasei forces a smile. "Well, then maybe you can help me! I'm looking for Shen. She's a member of the crew."

Vertigo Hawks coughs.

Gabriel Keats: "Well'n, you'll have to be more specific. . .you sayin' you got work to do?"

Vertigo Hawks looks from Gabe to Xaio Li, "Who did you say miss?"

Sabrina McGee blinks
Sabrina McGee eyes the stranger warily..

Jenna Kasei blinks, and decides to speak more slowly in case they don't understand Core grammar here. "I am looking for Shen."

Sabrina McGee mumbles something about touching up some welds

Jenna Kasei points at the ship. "She is on the crew of the Raven."

Xiao Li: An' who are you exactly?

Vertigo Hawks surveys the stranger closely

Gabriel Keats: "You got some kind of business with her, I take it?"

Jenna Kasei: Yes, you could say that. Shen and I are... good friends.

Vertigo Hawks coughs.

Sabrina McGee pulls out a sparker and lights the torch

Jenna Kasei eyes Vertigo and edges away from him, wary of catching whatever backwater disease is making him cough so much.

Gabriel Keats: "She know you're coming? 'Cause, I have to say, ain't like she told anyone she was expectin' company."

Xiao Li eyes Vertigo. "Y'know, if you didn't smoke those gorram cigars, you might not cough so much."

Vertigo Hawks coughs significantly.

Jenna Kasei grins. "No, she doesn't know I'm coming. It will be quite a surprise to her."
Jenny Kasei laughs. "She'll just die when she sees me!"

Gabriel Keats: "Now, that aint at all creepifying.'

Sabrina McGee mutters under her breath.. "surprise to HER?"

Gabriel Keats: "Sabrina?"

Xiao Li murmurs under her breath, "Yeah, I bet she will..."

Sabrina McGee: Well, she's not been around much lately. Don't know what to tell ya, stranger. May as well keep looking..

Gabriel Keats coughs, repeats himself a mite louder. "'Brina."

Xiao Li: "I could see about contactin' her, if ya want." A significant glance to Sabrina.

Jenna Kasei frowns. "But... aren't you her crewmates? How can you have lost her? I came a long way to see her!"

Xiao Li: She's kind of a part-timer.

Sabrina McGee: Well, back to work I guess.. welds won't fix themselves.
Sabrina McGee flips her welding mask down

Gabriel Keats looks a little peevish. "Yeah, you get to doin' that."

Jenna Kasei sighs. "Is there some... clean place where I can wait for her?"

Ariel Liveoak approaches the group.

Gabriel Keats: "Nowhere clean."

Xiao Li: This IS a clean place. Relatively.

Vertigo Hawks smiles at the stranger, "Who should we say was askin' for her Miss?"

Jenna Kasei: Oh, my name is Jenna, but don't mention my visit to Shen! I do want to surprise her.

Gabriel Keats: "Jenna?"

Vertigo Hawks coughs.

Gabriel Keats: "Cut the go se."

Jenna Kasei blinks. "Shenme?"

Vertigo Hawks: "Now now, no reason to be rude!"

Xiao Li: Why the hell not?

Ariel Liveoak: Is there some problem?

Xiao Li: Some jian huo shows up an' starts askin' after our crew and won't tell us why?

Jenna Kasei narrows her eyes. "I came here to see one person. If you don't know where she is, I'll find her myself, and if I want to keep my visit a surprise, that's -my- business. I don't see any reason to start hurling insults about.”

Gabriel Keats: "You ain't just good friends. Now, I'm gonna ask you this, 'cause the people on the crew are my family--why are you here. I saw the look on your face. It ain't a pleasure trip."

Vertigo Hawks: Now let's just let the lady go about her business...

Ariel Liveoak raises an eyebrow.

Xiao Li: Nobody comes to the Rim for a 'surprise visit.' 'Specially not someone as fancified as you. Now what's this really about?

Jenna Kasei: I don't have to like this place to want to see Shen, do I, mister?

Gabriel Keats: "And if you've got romantic business. . ." He very much has the look of a big brother about him.

Vertigo Hawks: Look, Miss, Jenna was it? Perhaps if you gave me a place where you could be contacted, if Shen shows up we can let you know. Where are you staying?

Jenna Kasei shrugs. "I hadn't given it much thought, really. I didn't expect to have to stay anywhere and wait for Shen. I expected to arrive and find her and then... well, I was going to play it by ear."

Xiao Li shakes her head. This girl is either a rotten liar or the greenest Core girl Xiao's ever met.

Vertigo Hawks: Can anyone think of a clean establishment that this young lady might be comfortable in? Ariel, perhaps you can escort her to Miss Ana's place?

Ariel Liveoak smiles. "Of course, I'd be happy to."

Jenna Kasei looks around Vertigo to Ariel. "Excuse me, miss... but you look... uh... clean. No offense to the rest of you. Is this Miss Ana's place a clean establishment? I do want to look my best when I meet Shen."

Ariel Liveoak smiles reassuringly. "It is, miss. Very nicely kept."

Jenna Kasei grins. "Excellent! Lead on!"

Ariel Liveoak: This way...

Xiao Li stares long and hard at Jenna as she leaves

Vertigo Hawks watches them go, "What in the hell was all that about?"

Xiao Li: Dunno. Wish she'd at least give a full name... I ain't got the tech to do a search from a face scan.

Vertigo Hawks frowns

Xiao Li: You guys don't happen ta know where Shen really is right now, wouldja? She deserves some advance notice that this Jenna's gonna show.

Vertigo Hawks looks closely at the first mate, "I know folks around here are lookin' for a fresh start an’ all, but why were you so rude to her?"

Shen Jiutai walks up to the group, wearing her sword and Katana, with a satchel of illicit drugs flung over her shoulder.

Xiao Li spots Shen approaching and heads to intercept

Shen Jiutai: Hi Guys!

Xiao Li: Shen, you know anyone named "Jenna"?

Shen Jiutai 's face goes white, "Jenna?… here?”

Gabriel Keats: "Obviously this isn't a happy visit..."

Shen Jiutai looks to Gabe, "What was Xiao Li saying about a Jenna?"

Gabriel Keats: "She came to visit. Pretty girl. You know her?"

Ariel Liveoak returns from showing Jenna to Ana’s house.

Shen Jiutai looks cautiously from Keats to Vertigo, "We've had dealings..."

Ariel Liveoak: Hello Shen, how are you today?
Ariel Liveoak looks a bit distracted and pensive.

Shen Jiutai: Well, honestly, I've been a whole lot better, if you'll excuse me, I think I'd better continue with getting this bag of drugs to our client.
Shen Jiutai looks like she's in shock and runs off down the street.

Ariel Liveoak: Of course.
Ariel Liveoak blinks.
Ariel Liveoak: Hmm. Do I gather that you mentioned her visitor?

Vertigo Hawks nods, “Xiao Li did... Shen looked pretty shook up."

Sabrina McGee wanders up and mutters.. "No more welds to fix.."

Gabriel Keats forces a smile. "Hey, Brina."

Vertigo Hawks smiles, “That's good to hear.”

Sabrina McGee: Wei

Vertigo Hawks: Is anybody going to tell me why we didn't just tell that woman where Shen was?

Ariel Liveoak: I'm not sure...
Ariel Liveoak looks pensive.
Ariel Liveoak: There's something I can't quite put my finger on.

Sabrina McGee: Because it's none of her gorram business?

Vertigo Hawks nods

Sabrina McGee: If Shen wanted her to know, she'd know..

Gabriel Keats: " 'Cause I honestly didn't know where in the heck Shen *was*. I ain't the captain."

Ariel Liveoak: She told me she is a singer... Opera. She ...

Anna Newall comes running as fast as her little legs will carry her with a look of absolute terror in her eyes.
Anna Newall bumps into Vertigo

Vertigo Hawks looks down

Ariel Liveoak blinks

Vertigo Hawks: Yes little lady?

Ariel Liveoak kneels and reaches out to Anna. "What's wrong, child?"

Anna Newall is babbling. "She's over there and I didn't do nothin, but I asked her if she was okay an' she just made some noise but I don't think she's okay and I shouldna been there but my dad told me not to bother him and I thought it'd be neat to see what was in there, but she ain't talkin!"

Sabrina McGee: Umm, what?

Gabriel Keats: "Who made a noise?"

Vertigo Hawks: Now, calm down... where?

Anna Newall points. "She's over there! I don't know her, but she's laying down and I think she's hurt!"

Sabrina McGee: This can't be good.

Anna Newall starts trembling hard. "I didn't do nothin..."

Ariel Liveoak: Of course you didn't, sweetie. Don't worry.

Vertigo Hawks: Why don't you show us?

Anna Newall blinks as tears start to well up. "Don't tell my papa I was over here... He says I gotta stay away from the ships cuz it's not a place for kids.

Gabriel Keats: "It ain't like we know your papa."

Vertigo Hawks: We won't tell your papa.... now why don't you take a deep breath and show us what you're talking 'bout.

Ariel Liveoak: Hush sweetie, it's alright. You did a good thing by telling us.

Anna Newall bites her lip. "I ain't in trouble?"

Vertigo Hawks: no darlin'

Sabrina McGee: Well, if someone's hurt.. mightn't we best make a hurry instead of standing here yapping?

Gabriel Keats: "Just show us."

Anna Newall nods. "Yeah... yeah, she's hurt. We gotta go... right..."

Vertigo Hawks: Please

Anna Newall: Come on! Why you just standing there?

Sabrina McGee: And where's that new kuangzhe de doctor of ours?

The crew of Raven follows the little girl down the street towards the Fruity Oaty Bar

Anna Newall points. "She's in there..."

Sabrina McGee: In the Oaty?

Anna Newall: Not inside! In the back!
Anna Newall is afraid to actually take you around there.

As the crew rounds the corner of the building, they find Shen, laying in a pool of blood with a katana firmly driven through her gut.



Ariel Liveoak: oh my gods Shen!

Vertigo Hawks 's jaw drops open, "Oh my gods!"

Sabrina McGee rounds the corner.. sees Shen.. and runs over

Gabriel Keats: "Ta ma--"
Gabriel Keats kneels down, immediately trying to stem the bleeding, find a pulse

Sabrina McGee falls down next to Shen, crying.. "Shen!! Shen, baby! C'mon!

Anna Newall peeks around the corner. "Is she... dead?"

Sabrina McGee sobs uncontrollably

TO BE CONTINUED

A Stranger Finds a Room

Jenna Kasei looks around Vertigo to Ariel. "Excuse me, miss... but you look... uh... clean. No offense to the rest of you. Is this Miss Ana's place a clean establishment? I do want to look my best when I meet Shen."

Ariel Liveoak smiles reassuringly. "It is, miss. Very nicely kept."

Jenna Kasei grins. "Excellent! Lead on!"

Ariel Liveoak: This way...

Jenna Kasei: Oh... I hardly believe this is the same moon I was just standing on.

Ariel Liveoak smiles. "I understand. Yes, a little bit of civilization. I believe there are rooms upstairs...”

Jenna Kasei: So... I take it this is a companions' establishment? I didn't know the Guild operated any places like this so far out.

Ariel Liveoak nods. "Yes, it is. I don't know that it's under direct Guild supervision, however. Ana is... quiet about some details.
Ariel Liveoak shrugs. “But I'm sure you'll be comfortable here while you wait. Do you wish to get settled, or would you like to go back out and see the town?”

Jenna Kasei nods. "But you certainly look like somebody with refined training. I'm a singer, by the way. Opera. I've performed on many worlds for both public and private audiences. Some of my closest associates are Companions."

Ariel Liveoak: Ahh! That's delightful!

Jenna Kasei: Yes, well... we tend to entertain the same crowd of people. More money than sense.

Ariel Liveoak chuckles wryly. “But exquisite taste.”

Jenna Kasei: True. I think I will settle here for a bit, but I do want to go out and look for Shen a bit later. I think I can find my way here again on my own. If you should see her before I do, please don't let her know I have arrived!

Ariel Liveoak: And you've come to visit an old friend, that's wonderful. Were you singing nearby and decided to make the side trip?

Jenna Kasei nods. "Yes, as a matter of fact. On the world this moon orbits. A private show for a wealthy client. I took the job specifically because it would bring me close to Shen."

Ariel Liveoak smiles. "I see. Well, be comfortable, I'll leave you to relax from your journey."

Jenna Kasei: Thank you!
Jenna Kasei stands on the balcony and watches Ariel leave.

The Cook is Revealed (or: Previously in Washtown)

Rae Overholt: Well hello Chen

Shen Jiutai: hello Captn';

Rae Overholt: So Chen. We might need to talk

Shen Jiutai: Yes? Is Chen's food not to the Captn' liking?

Rae Overholt: Oh most definitely. Chen's little fib is not. What is with the fictional family Chen. What are you running from.

Shen Jiutai: What do you mean?

Rae Overholt: Chen.

Shen Jiutai: Yes Captn'?

Rae Overholt: I will not tell the rest of the crew, but I need to know what is going on. I'll leave you here in a heart-beat if I have to.

Shen Jiutai: No, please don't do that I can explain...

Rae Overholt: Then please do. I'm not heartless.

Shen Jiutai: well, what do you mean about my family?

Rae Overholt: Well, what did you mean about explaining?

Shen Jiutai: OK, yes, I'm not from Canton... I was born on Hera.

Rae Overholt: Ok. Go on.

Shen Jiutai: I have been here because I have been afraid that someone has been trying to kill me... I have been moving around quite a bit for the last few years... hoping to remain invisible...

Rae Overholt: Why would someone want to kill you Chen?

Shen Jiutai: Well... I hurt someone she loved....

Rae Overholt: You kill anyone Chen?

Shen Jiutai: Well, I guess it didn't really hurt that much... it was over quick...

Rae Overholt: How did you do it?

Shen Jiutai: I was hired.

Rae Overholt: So I got me an assassin.... an assassin who is afraid of assassination. Cooking for me no less!

Shen Jiutai: I don't use poison... the Captn' has nothing to fear...

Rae Overholt an assassin with a conscience? Chen you are a puzzle

Shen Jiutai: Actually I trained as Ninja.

Rae Overholt: Nice. I've met one of your type before. Didn't get his name though. Wish I had.
Rae Overholt gets a dreamy look in her eyes

Shen Jiutai: I kill for honor, hire and passion.

Rae Overholt: well there'll be none of that on my boat...unless it’s ordered by me, or miss Ana.

Shen Jiutai: Yes Ma’m!!

Rae Overholt: I will have to inform someone else of this… just incase something were to happen to me...
Rae Overholt gives Chen a sidelong look

Shen Jiutai: You must understand, I really need to get to Hera, my real family needs me...

Rae Overholt: We'll do what we can to get you there.

Shen Jiutai: And I must do it without attracting attention

Rae Overholt: I understand

Shen Jiutai: I NEED you Captn'.

Rae Overholt: I must survive my first time as captain by not getting killed by my motley crew.

Shen Jiutai: Besides, I think you're kinda cute.

Rae Overholt grins, "And I think you're kinda young."

Shen Jiutai: Well... I'm 27.

Rae Overholt blinks in surprise. "Are you really?" huh
Rae Overholt raises an eyebrow and shrugs.

Shen Jiutai: You know I'm on the run. I am trusting you with my life. I need to not be identified.

Rae Overholt: Everyone's trusting me with their life Chen. I don't plan on mucking up.

Shen Jiutai: I thought if I came here like this, I might get a job easier. This is not the real me, as you know Captn'.

Rae Overholt: What is the real you then Chen? Can you cook?

Shen Jiutai: You've eaten my food, you know I can cook.

Rae Overholt: Are you bringing trouble on my boat we can’t deal with?

Shen Jiutai: NO, alright here is what happened...

Rae Overholt waits patiently

Shen Jiutai: I was hired to kill a scoundrel on Persephone by a mysterious man called Prisca or something

Rae Overholt: Nisca

Shen Jiutai: I never met this Riska...

Rae Overholt: Nisca. Who on Persephone were you hired to kill?

Shen Jiutai: That's it Nisca! His name was Chen Tai.

Rae Overholt: oh my god. You came here as the person you assassinated??? You haven’t done this before have you kid.

Shen Jiutai: well, he wasn't using that name anymore...

Rae Overholt: Ok... but think. You now have him active...those who know he's dead...don't you think they'll get curious when they see him active???

Shen Jiutai: Only you and your crew have heard the name...

Rae Overholt: I suggest you change it now...come up with a reason… but fix it...it could get someone killed. Nisca is not to be played with

Shen Jiutai: I was working for Nisca... but I agree

Rae Overholt: He's not so sane you know.

Shen Jiutai: So I have heard

Rae Overholt: Odd how no matter where I go...there Persephone is

Shen Jiutai: The one after me is a sister Ninja who was with Chen the night I killed him

Rae Overholt: Oh man now I have ninjas on my tail!

Shen Jiutai: Not to worry, She is worlds away

Rae Overholt: You watch out for her. You change your name, come up with some story… I don’t care if you say you lied... You watch out for her. I don't know what to watch out for. Working for Nisca doesn’t gain you points though. That is not honor or passion. For the record.

Shen Jiutai: I will, and not to worry... I said for hire

Rae Overholt: I got that.

Shen Jiutai: The one after me... we trained together… I know her well

Rae Overholt: Is she related?

Shen Jiutai: no, a sister of the dojo

Rae Overholt: So you killed her lover?

Shen Jiutai: yes, but I didn't see her there until it was too late

Rae Overholt: I don't even know what to say at this point. Just make it a point not to kill anyone on my crew. That includes getting them killed by proxy.

Shen Jiutai: I need you and your crew Captn'....

Rae Overholt: Good to know. Now...to find the rest of my crew.
Rae Overholt heads in the direction of the bar.

Shen Jiutai: yes. it is a quiet night

Rae Overholt: very quiet. You didn’t kill them already did you Chen? Or… what are we calling you now?

Shen Jiutai: My name is Shen Jiutai...

Rae Overholt: And will that be your name here? Shen's a girls name isn’t it?

Shen Jiutai: Well... I thought you'd figured that part out

Rae Overholt: Nope… clothes hide it well

Shen Jiutai: Good, thanks

Rae Overholt: I'd keep up the act if I were you....

Shen Jiutai: I feel bad that I lied to you

Rae Overholt: I understand you had your reasons
Rae Overholt shrugs. “But I have to know these things to keep my crew safe.”

Shen Jiutai: I understand.