Everyone should have a good massage once in a while. It's good for your spirit as well as your body.

Shen Jiutai works up a sweat in the cargo bay, keeping herself in fighting trim.

Rae Overholt searches under the table for the fork she dropped.

Xiao Li Marshall paces back and forth in the galley, too restless to stay in the cockpit.

Rae Overholt: "Gal darn, I swear I'm gonna start eating with my fingers!!"

Li Mei looks down at Rae, "Careful … there might be bugs down there.

Rae Overholt looks up, banging her head on the bottom of the table. "OW, Gorramit!! There better not be bugs on our ship!!" She works her way out from under the table, fork in her hand and goes to plop it in the sink.

Xiao Li Marshall: Then it must be gremlins that Nigel keeps chasin' across the ship in the middle of the night.

Rae Overholt reaches up with a hand to rub her neck. "I think we need new bunk mattresses."

Li Mei notices Rae rubbing her neck, "Not sleeping well? You look really tense."

Rae Overholt shakes her head, "No, just, just a little stiff is all." She raises her arms, working them around in circles and then bending them, placing a hand on her elbow and pulling to stretch out her back. She knocks something else off the counter and dives down to retrieve it, chasing it as it skitters along. "Gorramit!"'

Dana Maelstrom rolls over to her back and snores.

Li Mei watches Rae trying to work out the stiffness, "You know, Captain, crawling down there after every little thing is not going to help that stiffness."

Rae Overholt sighs, "No, but unless someone graces me with some grace it seems its my fate tonight." She stands up, placing the cup a little harshly on the counter with a big sigh as she leans over, stretching again.

Li Mei smiles, "I don't know if I have any grace … but I am well versed in several forms of massage. If you like, I think I could help."

Rae Overholt looks up and glances over her shoulder, "How much is it gone cost me?"

Shen Jiutai nods to the doctor during her workout.

Li Mei stands up from the table and shakes her head, "This one will be on the house. No payment necessary. You've done too much for me already."

Luke Hu enters the common room, "Ladies. How are you today?"

Rae Overholt grins widely, "I'm all for it then! Where you need me?"

Li Mei: Follow me, Captain … I have what can pass for a massage table in my shuttle.

Rae Overholt: "Doc. bigger question, how is our passenger?" She glances to Xiao Li, "You're like a long tailed cat in a room full of rockers, what's wrong with you?" She nods to Lena. She bends to tie her laces before following Lena.

Luke Hu: She should be resting and conserving her energy.

Li Mei walks out of the galley, grabbing Rae by the hand as she walks past and leading her to the shuttle.

Xiao Li Marshall: Just don' like it is all. Havin' this kid on our ship with a bug that any of us could catch if that Blue Sun doctor was lyin'...

Dana Maelstrom sighs as she rolls over.

Rae Overholt follows her, startled by the familiarity but shrugging it off.

Xiao Li Marshall opts to go pace down on the cargo bay catwalks instead.

Shen Jiutai glances to the catwalks and grins at Xiao Li.

Xiao Li Marshall: "Wei. You fightin' gremlins too?" She stops in mid-stride, frowning.

Shen Jiutai grins, "Always."

Xiao Li Marshall: "Hold up... think we got a wave comin' in." She flips her goggles down, "Can't tell what it is yet... I'd better go up to the bridge, equipment's better there."

Shen Jiutai stops her katas and walks over to the weight bench.

Xiao Li Marshall heads for the cockpit at a brisk walking pace.

Luke Hu heads to his quarters to change.

Shen Jiutai sets down the weights and heads for the shower.

Luke Hu notices it sure is quiet on the ship tonight.

Dana Maelstrom wakes up from a deep sleep, disorientated slightly she heads towards shower to splash water on her face.

Shen Jiutai shrieks as Dana opens the door to the shower.

Dana Maelstrom drops her jaw at the sight on Shen's back... she steps backwards.

Shen Jiutai yelling, runs to her bunk and emerges with her katana.

In the shuttle Li Mei removes her bracelets and retrieves some fragrant lotions from a chest under the bed

Rae Overholt sits down on a cushion and waits, never having gotten any real massages in her life.

Li Mei smiles at Rae, "OK … I could do this with you sitting there, but I think it will feel much better if you lay on the bed. I promise the sheets have been washed."

Rae Overholt lets out an oddly embarrassed giggle and gets up to get comfortable on the bed, "Suppose that means things come off then?"

Li Mei laughs, "Well, I can't very well work out the kinks in your muscles if I can feel them."

Li Mei: Go ahead and take off your jacket and top. I promise you don't have anything I haven't seen before."

Rae Overholt sighs, rolls on her stomach, wriggles around to reach down to pull off her jacket and shirt.

Li Mei climbs on the bed, straddling Rae. She squeezes lotion into her hands and rubs them together, "My hands are a bit cold. But they should warm up pretty quickly."

Rae Overholt sinks face first into the bed, sighing as Li begins to work stiff tired muscles. Her dragon tattoo stands out loudly on her naked skin, testifying to her dragon run-ins.

Li Mei begins at Rae's shoulders, gently kneading them to work out the tension. She notices the tattoo but says nothing. She works her way down Rae's back, using the heel of her hand to work out the tensest knots.

Rae Overholt turns her head to the side, resting her cheek on her folded hands, "That's nice. Never had one of these before."

Li Mei smiles, "Everyone should have a good massage once in a while. It's good for your spirit as well as your body."

Rae Overholt winces as Li gets to a particularly tender spot, "I'd rather not need them to be honest. 'Think when you get to the point of needin' them, your body and spirit is doing right poorly."

Dana Maelstrom, frightened, runs for the bridge, as she passes the hatchway to shuttle #2 she opens it and dives inside.

Li Mei nods, "Life tends to wear on everyone eventually. Never having any tension would mean you're not living." She hears the door open just as she realizes she didn't lock it.

Dana Maelstrom, out of breath bursts into the shuttle, "Help!!! She's gonna kill me!"

Rae Overholt's head jerks around, wincing as she does so and her neck catches, "What the? Who?"

Dana Maelstrom sees the tattoo on Rae's back and stops cold.

Li Mei leans back, "Why are you bursting in here uninvited?"

Rae Overholt's eyes narrow at Dana and she says coldly, "What?"

Shen Jiutai bursts into the shuttle, Katana drawn, and points it at Dana.

Rae Overholt lifts a finger and points at Dana and then at Shen as she runs in after... Dana and says coldly, "DO NOT MAKE ME GET UP!"

Li Mei puts her hands on her hips and glares at Dana and Shen, "Why the hell is everyone coming in here UNINVITED!"

Dana Maelstrom: Help!!! She's gonna kill me!!!



Shen Jiutai, dripping wet and dressed only in a towel glares at Dana, then sees Rae's back... "Cap'n... she knows."

Rae Overholt: Well, then I say we debate dumping her out the airlock.

Li Mei shouts, "There's already been one killing in this shuttle! There'd damn well better not be another one!"

Rae Overholt: Oh Li, the dyin' will happen out of the shuttle. Don't worry.

Dana Maelstrom looks at the two Tattooed women, "What in the...? You're property?"

Rae Overholt raises an eyebrow at Dana, "I look like property to you?"

Dana Maelstrom stutters.... "Errr no you don't.... but wha??? How??? That tattoo...?"

Rae Overholt glares, "That tattoo was gotten savin' someone's life. Don't mean I'm owned by nobody. 'Specialy the likes a your daddy."

Shen Jiutai growls, "Just let me kill her, and be done with it."

Xiao Li Marshall knocks on the shuttle door. "Cap'n? We got a distress signal comin' in..."

Luke Hu: I heard yelling, is everything all right... what's going on?

Rae Overholt drags the sheets up to cover her chest as Dr. Hu arrives.

Dana Maelstrom looks around as the rest of the crew bursts in.



Li Mei sighs, "Is everyone on this ship going to come in here without knocking now?"

Shen Jiutai: I'll take her to the airlock... there won't be any mess.

Rae Overholt: "From who?" her attention goes to Xiao Li, ignoring Dana for the moment.

Xiao Li Marshall: Dunno yet. I can't get a read on the ship it's comin' from, an' the call doesn't give any details.

Li Mei stands up, reaches over to the cushion to grab Rae's shirt and jacket and hands them to her.

Xiao Li Marshall: It's only a few hours out of our way...

Rae Overholt takes them, doing her best to slip them on without flashing anyone. "All right, slip in closer but anything odd you get us out of there."

Xiao Li Marshall: Funny thing, I coulda sworn it sounded like that hotshot Browncoat pilot from Washtown... what was his name? Vertex?

Luke Hu leaves the shuttle so she has privacy to dress.

Rae Overholt: Vertigo?

Xiao Li Marshall: Yeah, that's it!

Rae Overholt: Ahh diyu, Go see if its him.

Xiao Li Marshall: Will do, Cap'n.

Shen Jiutai: C'mon Cap'n can I just kill her a little bit?

Dana Maelstrom steps back.

Rae Overholt: Lock her in her room.

Shen Jiutai: OK

Xiao Li Marshall heads back out toward the cockpit.

Shen Jiutai: "Come with me... YOU!" She points her sword at Dana's neck.

Dana Maelstrom looks to the Captain, "What?"

Shen Jiutai: She said you're going to your bunk, now move!!!

Dana Maelstrom starts towards the door.... "But.... but..."

Rae Overholt: Don't 'but' me, you just called me property!

Shen Jiutai: I ain't gonna kill you 'less the Cap'n says so... MOVE!!!

Dana Maelstrom sinks, crestfallen, and walks out of the shuttle.

Shen Jiutai follows.

Rae Overholt: "Guess that means the massage is over." She sighs as she drags her coat on and heads back down to the ship, muscles tighter than ever.

Li Mei folds her arms across her chest and sighs, "I'm sorry, Captain. Next time I'll lock the door. I really didn't think that would have been necessary." She follows the others back to the ship.

Rae Overholt: Well, guess my crew needs some manners.

Shen Jiutai takes Dana to her bunk and locks her in.

Rae Overholt makes her way back up to the galley, demeanor somber. "How'd that girl get loose?" She gives the doctor an accusatory stare.

Luke Hu: I have no idea

Rae Overholt: Thought you were keeping her medicated.

Luke Hu: She got her last dose 6 hours ago. Should keep an elephant asleep for a day.

Li Mei walks back into the galley, pulls a chair back from the table and sits down.

Luke Hu: Only thing I can think is that her metabolism is accelerated to burn it off faster. I am reluctant to increase the dosage as it could damage her liver and other vital organs.

Rae Overholt: What would giving her a truth serum do?

Luke Hu: Well, except for maybe her recipe for mud pies when she was 4 likely not much.

******************
Forward in the cockpit, Xiao Li makes contact with the drifting transport ship Hornet.

Xiao Li punches in the code to respond to the distress signal. "This is Firefly class transport 'Raven.' Have received your signal and am en route to your location."

Vertigo Hawks 's voice crackles over the wave, "Mei Mei? Is dat you? Wow!! Da Raven... my old friends!!! Ya gotta help us, dese women is drivin' me nuts!"

Xiao Li Marshall: We're on our way, Hawks. Should be there in a couple hours.

Vertigo Hawks: "Tank de gods!!! It's good to hear your voice again Red!" Vertigo coughs before clicking off.

*******************
Xiao Li Marshall jogs back to the galley door. "Cap'n? Got an update on Vertigo..."

Rae Overholt crosses her arms, then curses as she drops something out of her pocket and has to bend to retrieve it. She crawls under the table yet again, stretching for it.

Li Mei chuckles, "Any more incidents like that, and I think Shen will take care of her liver."

Rae Overholt: "Give me that update Xiao Li." She calls from under the table.

Luke Hu: In her condition any 'truth serum' would make it hard to differentiate between truth and fantasy. We wouldn't know what she says is truth or fantasy.

Xiao Li Marshall: He's got a boatload of passengers and a dead engine. Needs mechanical assistance.

Rae Overholt: "I just want to know if she's going to open her mouth about what she's seen. Any danger around him Xiao Li?" She stands back up, sticking the item back in her pocket.

Xiao Li Marshall: None I can pick up. Permission to send a response?

Luke Hu: I recommend either restraints or confinement to quarters but doing so would lose what little trust we have built in her.

Rae Overholt: Sure thing Xiao Li, on a secure channel.

Xiao Li Marshall nods and returns to the cockpit.

Rae Overholt: I say confinement. You get close to her doc. Find out if she's worth an ounce of salt for trusting.

Luke Hu: I think she is scared of what is happening outside and inside of her.

Rae Overholt: She should be.

Luke Hu: Cant blame her for wanting to get away, but she doesn't know what's good for her OR who to listen to that can tell her.

Rae Overholt: Then you do it.

Luke Hu: What EXACTLY do you want me to do?

Shen Jiutai makes her way into the common room, "She's all locked up... what are we gonna do with her?"

Luke Hu: I am not going to do anything to hurt her.

Rae Overholt: We're taking a wait and see approach Shen.

Luke Hu: Poor girl has been through enough.

Rae Overholt glares at the doctor, "What part of what I said indicated I wanted you to hurt her?"

Luke Hu: I am wanting to be clear on WHAT exactly it is you want done to her. Just so we are crystal.

Shen Jiutai chuckles to herself, "Shoulda seen how our last passenger ended up."

Rae Overholt: "I want YOU to tell her what's good for her and to have her listen to YOU. That's what gorramit!! She gives me trouble or my crew trouble though and I wont stand for it. You make THAT crystal clear to her." She points a finger at him to emphasis her words.

Luke Hu: Alright. I'll will do my best.

Li Mei: Doctor, no one on this ship wants to hurt anyone. Well, maybe Shen. B ut no one else. Just get close to her, gain her trust. You're a doctor, you should be doing that anyway.

Luke Hu: "I had medicated her, I went to catch 40 winks while she was out, next thing I know I am running to shuttle where she is half naked and you all are ready to 'throw her out the airlock,' so you understand if I am a bit defensive in that I have no idea what the hell happened." He glares back at the captain.

Rae Overholt: NAKED? You going blind doctor? Shen and I were the only half naked ones there!!

Shen: She walked into the shower while I was there... she saw my Tattoo...

Luke Hu: My mistake...I averted my eyes and listened to what was said. And again... I DONT KNOW what is going on! Aside from being accused of her getting out. Where did you confine her?

Shen: In her bunk. I guess we ought ta 'splain what alla this means...

Luke Hu: "I'll give her another dose and hopefully it will keep her out for at least 5 hours." He begins to head towards the medbay.

Shen Jiutai watches the doc leave the room... "Or not."

Rae Overholt: What's she doing now? Sulking or sitting scared?

Luke Hu catches part of what Shen had said and comes back in. "What?"

Shen: "She was looking pretty scared when I left her. See Doc, it's like this... both the Cap'n and I were at one time or another branded with Tattoos from the Dragons."

Rae Overholt: Then maybe she's got some sense. Least she isn't pulling the spoiled "I own you you'd better do as I say" bit.

Shen: The Cap'n was captured and marked by a brothel owner... I was marked by her dad, when I was a girl.

Rae Overholt: Well, not s'much captured as volunteered myself for duty.

Li Mei raises an eyebrow at the captains comment, "Volunteered?"

Shen: He has three of my sisters working for his family in different parts of the Hera system.

Rae Overholt nods, "Was trying to get a girl out."

Luke Hu fumbles in his med pouch looking for right tool.

Li Mei nods her head, "I see"

Luke Hu: You know tattoos are not a problem anymore.....I could remove them if you want with this....would only take 3 sessions over a few days.

Shen: "These things are burned in at the molecular level doc, if they could be removed.... believe me it would be gone. And now lil sister there sees we 'belong' to her... And here we are delivering her home to daddy, who'll prolly just lock us away..." She looks to Rae, "Cap'n, this is getting worse and worse."

Rae Overholt: Reckon?

Li Mei: Maybe she could be convinced not to tell daddy?

Shen: Think she'd listen?

Luke Hu: We wont know until we try

Li Mei shrugs, "She did say she wanted out of the family business, didn't she?"

Rae Overholt: Going to have to be someone more persuasive than me doin' it. You know, even if she listens, she could hold it over our heads forever. Make us in her debt.

Shen: Who are you thinking Cap'n?

Rae Overholt: Don't know yet. I'm thinkin' she needs a decent role model. Maybe find a way to spin this thing, so she doesn't want to go home. Drop her with someone decent. Teach her a new life.

Luke Hu: Maybe someone with diplomatic skills and training, like... oh..I don't know... A companion maybe?

Shen Jiutai looks up to Xiao Li, "What was that all about? Did I hear something about Vertigo?"

Rae Overholt: Yeah, we look to have some cargo soon. In the form of people.

Shen: Oh goodie! Let's just have a party, shall we?

Xiao Li Marshall: Yeah. Got a distress call from 'im. Got a dead engine and a boatload o' cranky passengers.

Rae Overholt: Well, we'll want them to stay in cargo area, so we got anything we want hidden locked tight?

Li Mei sigh deeply, "If I must, I suppose I could try."

Shen: How we gonna teach her a new life, Heck, she stands to inherit an empire worth billions!

Li Mei: One she indicated she didn't want.

Shen Jiutai grumbles, "We'll see how long that lasts."

Rae Overholt watches them, letting them talk it out.

Shen: Look, how do we know she ain't just gonna see her dad, get all warm and fuzzy and "Oh I missed you so much, Look what I brought you, two new servants!"

Li Mei shakes her head, "We don't. But what alternative is there?"

Luke Hu: OK, who says YOU two have to be there when she gets dropped off?

Shen: I say we push her off on the closest rock... perhaps Rol was right after all.

Luke Hu: If the problem is that you two think you are going to be taken then DONT go. The rest of us can do it.

Shen Jiutai sighs, "It won't matter... they know us... they hired us... they pay for our gas. If we bolt, then they'll simply wanna shoot us out of the sky.

Luke Hu: well there is another option.

Shen Jiutai listens.

Luke Hu: I can perform surgery...cut out the tattooed skin and then grow you skin back slowly over the areas where the tattoo was. You two would be out of commission for several weeks BUT you would no longer have it hanging over your heads.

Rae Overholt glances to Xiao Li, "How close are we to Vertigo?"

Shen Jiutai grimaces.

Luke Hu: We would have to get to a med center that has the skin growth lattice work so I can custom fit it to your skin area.

Xiao Li Marshall: 'Nother couple hours, Cap'n.

Li Mei shakes her head, "At this point, the tattoos are irrelevant, aren't they? She already knows about them."

Luke Hu: Well if they don't have the tattoos to prove her story then they are off the hook.

Shen Jiutai looks to Rae, then to the Doc, "Well, my Tat is only on my shoulder... Cap'n's is her whole back."

Luke Hu: Well....it would take time.....have to do it in stages.

Xiao Li Marshall is grimly silent... rubbing her hand over the inside of her right forearm.

Luke Hu: But would take months to complete it.

Shen Jiutai nods to Li Mei, "Yeah, she knows... she'll tell."

Li Mei: And I imagine her daddy would believe her, tattoos or no.

Luke Hu: With a virus raging thru her system making her incoherent? I think there would be room for doubt in anything she says.

Shen Jiutai shakes her head.

Luke Hu: Besides she is paranoid about her Father and his 'business' right now

Rae Overholt: Paranoid how?

Luke Hu: Not wanting to go back to it, afraid. She is out of her element and trying to get away from all she has known, so naturally she knows her father is looking for her. I think slight paranoia in likely in her condition and situation. I think our best option is that if we can get your tats removed, then drop her off with Daddy, even if she says she saw them, he is going to see her condition and know she may have imagined it.

Rae Overholt: WE don't have MONTHS to get them removed. We have a week, maybe.

Luke Hu: I gave my best idea under the circumstances. I know we dont have months. I can take care of her shoulder before then, but YOU we have to think of something else. I do have a thought though...

Li Mei laughs, "You have a lot of thoughts, I'm noticing."

Shen Jiutai shakes her head, "Thanks Doc, but no thanks... I've had this thing all through the war, and all it took was one silly shower... but still, I'm keepin' it."

Luke Hu: You have a major problem. Im trying to offer my best ideas for a solution.

Shen Jiutai looks to Rae, "Hell Cap'n, my family, or what's left of 'um are on Hera... perhaps I should just stay there..."

Rae Overholt: Wont that be a bit obvious?

Shen: "I've been hiding from this Hu Don for 15 years... I can handle myself. Well, we'll see, we still have to get her to her precious Dr Miles... Perhaps the quack will kill her for us." Shen Jiutai grumbles and takes a bottle down to the passenger dorm to make noise and terrify the prisoner.

With knowing your papa like I do, I'll be damned if my people will die for you.

Shen Jiutai secures the distinct lack of cargo in the bay after the last inspection, and goes to the cargo ramp to yell at Rae, "Cap'n you gonna go all moony over that ossifer?"

Rae Overholt: Ossifer? Who's goin' moony? I'm not Moony!

Xiao Li Marshall hits the comm. "This is your pilot speaking, we will be liftin' off in ninety seconds, I suggest y'all hang on ta somethin'..."

Rae Overholt goes to buckle in.

Shen Jiutai mutters something about 'Why don't we get that Grav boot tuned so we don't get all tossed about?"

Rae Overholt: Shouldn't need nothing "tuned" with the shape Roland left us in.

Xiao Li Marshall: Sixty seconds...

Li Mei quickly heads to the galley to buckle in

Shen Jiutai makes her way to her bunk and sits down.

Luke Hu: Heads to Galley to buckle up

Xiao Li Marshall: Thirty seconds.... Liftoff in ten... nine... eight... seven... six... five... four... three... two... one...

Shen Jiutai pulls out a magazine and flips through the latest in 'Urban Commando Wear."

Xiao Li Marshall pulls back on the throttle and the Raven takes to the air....... Thirty seconds to atmo break... Ten seconds... Five... four... three... two... one....

Shen Jiutai sighs, usually lifting off makes her hungry, but since she just had dinner... she decides to pour herself a drink instead.

Li Mei appears lost in thought.

Luke Hu leans back and closes eyes. He tries to doze as the engines begin their rumbling.

Li Mei folds her arms across her chest and scowls, grumbling something under her breath.

Rae Overholt unbuckles and goes to relax on the circle couch. Sighing, she wonders if they'll get stuck between the Tigers and the Dragons. "Hey, Lena? You heard anything about the Tigers while you were at the guild?"

Li Mei looks up at Rae, "Hmm? Oh .. um, no. I didn't hear anything about them."

Xiao Li Marshall keys in the course on the autopilot, then stands, stretches, and heads toward the galley.

Rae Overholt: Do you know them?

Li Mei shakes her head, "No, I've heard of them, but I don't know much about them." She grumbles again, "Every time I visit that damned house, it reminds me why I am out here and not living there."

Rae Overholt: Why would that be? That you're out here that is.

Li Mei frowns, "I just can't handle all the politics. Not to mention all the estrogen in one place."

Rae Overholt: Ah.

Dana Maelstrom awakens in the cramped compartment where she was unceremoniously dumped, with packing blankets over her (to hide her from the Alliance, I'm sure) and wanders upstairs, all groggy-like.

Luke Hu hears 'estrogen,' a medical term and snorts softly at the talk but then drops back to sleep, as it is just general conversation.

Dana Maelstrom: Oh, here's everybody!

Xiao Li Marshall 's head jerks up abruptly.

Li Mei: Thank you again, Captain, for detouring to Persephone for me. I hope it wasn't too much trouble?"

Rae Overholt: "Nah." She does her best not to roll her eyes, "No trouble."

Dana Maelstrom plops herself into a chair, still not quite awake.

Xiao Li Marshall: Doc? What's she doin' up here?

Dana Maelstrom: What, I'm not allowed up here?

Luke Hu: SNOOR>>>WHA? He blinks and looks around. He looks across room. "I take you are feeling better young lady?"

Dana Maelstrom nods, "Yeah... at least I'm awake... Gorramit, I seem to be sleeping more and more..."

Luke Hu: Well you need to eat. Nothing complex right now. Soup will be easy on your system. Anything more and your stomach will be rumbling for hours

Shen Jiutai nods and gets up to find something for Dana.

Xiao Li Marshall edges as far away from Dana as possible

Dana Maelstrom notices Xiao Li's reaction, "What? I ain't catching... I'm just sleepy 'cause of this code in my blood..."

Xiao Li Marshall: No offense, sweetie, but I ain't about to take your word on that.

Rae Overholt: You ain't gotta sit next to her Xiao Li.

Luke Hu: Oh she is fine girls. It is just a dna code that is not getting along with her. It's no more catchable than if she cut herself with a knife.

Dana Maelstrom looks worried, and looks to Rae, "What? What did I miss? What did Dr. Miles have to say?"

Rae Overholt: Well. Guess you'll have to ask Dr. Miles yourself. Not too up on the medical jargon myself.

Xiao Li Marshall: An' I ain't too eager ta trust *her* either.

Dana Maelstrom: What? Didn't she tell you what's going on? Where are we going? She said to go to Hera, didn't she?

Rae Overholt: Yeah. Sounds about right.

Xiao Li Marshall mutters, " 'mong other things..."

Dana Maelstrom looks from the stoic Xiao Li to the terse Rae, then to the silent Shen. Finally she appeals to Li Mei, "What are they not telling me?"

Li Mei shrugs, "I'm afraid I really don't know. I was not there when they spoke to Dr. Miles."

Shen Jiutai pulls a pot of boiling water off the cook-top, and re-hydrates some Ramen noodles, to which she adds some fresh scallions, all the while avoiding eye-contact with Dana.

Dana Maelstrom glances back and forth, she looks to the Doctor, her nervousness increasing, "Will you tell me what's happening?"

Xiao Li Marshall retreats to the far corner of the room.

Rae Overholt: We got plenty of time to tell you later. I suggest you relax and eat.

Dana Maelstrom's eyes follow Xiao Li and she starts to tear up, "Why is she treating me like I have the plague?"

Luke Hu: Ok...ok now. Its all right

Li Mei: She's often surly, hun, don't take it personally

Luke Hu: "Look, you have to think of this as a bad flu bug. You are tired and your system is taking a beating." turns back to Shen, "Is the soup ready?"

Rae Overholt nods, "I have great fun being surly. It's what I do best."

Li Mei: I would think being surly all the time would make you stressed out and tense.

Luke Hu: "...and hand me a spoon for her....chopsticks might be expecting too much of the poor girl."

Dana Maelstrom sets her chop-sticks down, "Look, Captain, I know when I'm being snowed, I may only be 16, but my father is a powerful business man... I can read people."

Rae Overholt: Yeah. I've met your father. I am stressed out and tense. Keeps me alive. You folks too by the way.

Li Mei shrugs, "You make a good point, Captain."

Dana Maelstrom: Well, then you can understand why his daughter doesn't like being danced around... All right, if I have to ask Dr. Miles myself, can I please make a Wave?

Luke Hu: Soup ready yet Shen? Girl is getting restless here.

Shen Jiutai passes Luke a bowl of soup, with a spoon.

Luke Hu: "Thank you," he takes the soup and slides it in front of Dana, he hands the spoon to her.

Rae Overholt looks to Shen and Xiao Li, wondering if she should ask Dana about the Tigers.

Luke Hu: Please eat. I promise it will make you feel better with something in your stomach.

Rae Overholt hums to herself.

Li Mei looks down, lost in thought again

Xiao Li Marshall hangs back.

Luke Hu fumbles through coat pockets looking at pill bottles.

Rae Overholt: Ok, someone is going to have to teach the cat tricks. I can't handle the silence.

Luke Hu gets a glass of water

Rae Overholt pokes the kitty with her toe, "Say mama"

Luke Hu: "Sit Ubu Sit!....Good Cat!" He slides the glass of water across table to Dana.

Li Mei looks at the cat, "I bet I could teach it to play dead."

Shen Jiutai pours herself another shot of whiskey, and one for Xiao Li, to whom she hands it while she makes her way back to the table.

Xiao Li Marshall nods and murmurs "Xiexie" before taking a long drink

Rae Overholt looks at Lena, a suspicious look on her face, "What exactly do you mean by that?"

Luke Hu looks at the pill bottles again and then opens one and taps out 2 pills and hands them to Dana. "Here......this is Accetaphilzicaticobtic... It is a powerful broad-range Antibiotic. It should help your system give this bug a good fight."

Li Mei looks up at Rae, "I'm sorry, Captain. I'm just not in a great mood. I didn't mean anything by it."

Luke Hu fumbles with more pill bottles in his other coat pocket.

Rae Overholt nods, still giving her an odd look. "Sure thing. What has you all afoul today Li?"

Luke Hu hands Dana another pill bottle, "Now these....this is for the headache, fever, run down symptoms you are experiencing."

Li Mei looks back down. "Nothing important. Just remembering something."

Luke Hu: Take 3 of these a day with food... 3 of these.

Li Mei: It's my cousin's birthday.

Luke Hu: 1 tablet with each meal.

Rae Overholt: Your cousin okay?

Luke Hu: 3 TOTAL in a 24 hour period

Dana Maelstrom looks at the pills, pokes at the noodles with her chop-sticks, and doesn't eat, or take the pills.

Luke Hu smiles and looks at her.

Li Mei sighs, her eyes moisten a little, "No ... he ... died. A couple of years ago."

Luke Hu: Hey... C'mon now. I need you to do this for me. I promise it will make you feel a little better IF not a lot better.

Rae Overholt's face changes, showing her sympathy, "Rough luck that. Sorry to hear it. You were close then?"

Luke Hu pushes glass of water to her.

Dana Maelstrom murmurs, "Oh," and slips a noodle into her mouth, slurping it down.

Luke Hu: Good girl. You'll be hopping around the ship in no time

Li Mei composes herself, and nods, "Yes. Very close. We were the same age."

Rae Overholt: You grew up together then? You have any other family?

Dana Maelstrom slams her chop-sticks down hard and stands up, "Look, I don't appreciate the condescending tone, I'm perfectly fine, and I demand to know what Doctor Miles told you CAPTAIN!!!"

Li Mei nods, "Oh yes. My parents are still living. They're on Sihnon still."

Rae Overholt completely ignores Dana, focusing instead on Li, "No siblings?"

Luke Hu: Listen....I am not being condescending to you. I am only trying to help you and be your friend. Fact is, you have a very nasty bug in you.

Li Mei shakes her head, "I was an only child. My cousin lived with us. I never knew what happened to his parents. I never knew them."

Luke Hu: I am trying to do my best to help you. It is not helping your condition to get this worked up and excited. Now then...

Dana Maelstrom pushes her way past Luke, "If you won't tell me what she said, I'll get it from her myself, unless you expect to hold me incommunicado for the entire journey."

Luke Hu sighs and shakes head.

Li Mei: I entered the Guild and went away to the training house on Persephone when I was 13, but my cousin and I stayed in touch."

Rae Overholt takes a moment to look up at Dana, "Little girl, I'm not letting you wave anyone till I know Tigers wont be on our tail for it."

Dana Maelstrom goes white, "The Tigers?"

Luke Hu pulls out hypo.

Rae Overholt turns back to Dana, "Yeah? So, was it an accident or?"

Luke Hu walks up behind Dana.

Dana Maelstrom: "How... where.... they really are after me?"

Rae Overholt: No an entire crew just died for the diyu of it. They stuck your pigu in a emergency pod and you owe them respect for it. With knowing your papa like I do, I'll be damned if my people will die for you.

Li Mei doesn't answer for a minute, then shakes her head, "No. No, it wasn't an accident."

Dana Maelstrom is shaken, she wobbles on her feet, but seeing the doctor so close, she suppresses any sign of it, instead she sits down and focuses on her boots, "Ta ma dae..."

Luke Hu drops hypo back into coat pocket. He picks up pills and glass of water.

Dana Maelstrom: "Look Captain... I really did... what I mean is... I guess they really were after me...after all... and that nice Captain Able..." She breaks down into sobs.

Rae Overholt: Yeah, that nice captain Able. Your decisions have weight to them girl, you learn that now before you make any more mistakes that cost like that.

Luke Hu hands the glass of water to Dana. "Will you take these now please?" He stretches out his hand with the pills. He holds out a handkerchief for her too.

Dana Maelstrom takes the glass, "I didn't want a life with these kind of pressures... I just... I..."

Luke Hu nods

Rae Overholt: Then you get an education and do something other than your father is doin'.

Dana Maelstrom: "That won't bring them back, that won't stop them from trying to hurt me, and I guess that means you too..."

Rae Overholt: Then I suggest you duck and cover and let us deal with this.

Dana Maelstrom: "Some-how they found out what I was doing, and where to find me, You really did hear it was the Tigers after me? Can you trust your source?

Rae Overholt: Yeah, its reliable.

Dana Maelstrom plays with the pills in her hand as she sips the water, "Does anybody know where we're goin'?"

Rae Overholt: We're going to Hera.

Xiao Li Marshall finally speaks up. "It'll be 'bout a week 'fore we get there."

Dana Maelstrom: yeah, :we: know that, but did you, or your crew tell anybody that?

Rae Overholt: Not that I know of.

Shen Jiutai shakes her head, "Come-on girl, we know better than to talk about our passengers, or manifest," She glances at Xiao Li.

Li Mei shakes her head, "I didn't tell anyone."

Rae Overholt looks to Xiao Li and wonders what was on the manifest the supervisor looked at. "Then I guess you're safe girl. Long as you don't make any waves."

Dana Maelstrom clears her eyes, and wipes her nose on her sleeve, "I'm more worried about all of you, it would only be fitting if I died, after Ophelia..."

Luke Hu shakes handkerchief that has been dangling in front of her for past 10 minutes

Dana Maelstrom places the glass of water and the pills on the table, "Now, are you going to tell me what Dr. Miles said?"

Rae Overholt: Well fine then. Rumor has it you don't have superhuman genes you got a superhuman virus geared to your own papa and family. Something that could rid us of the Dragons once and for all. Thing is, if thats true, why would the Tigers want you dead?

Xiao Li Marshall: They're rival gangsters, you think they need a reason other'n that?

Rae Overholt: Why kill her when she could take out all their enemies with no casualties on their part?

Luke Hu: Probably to harvest it from her blood stream and then get rid of her body so they have the only copy of it... but thats just speculation on my part.

Dana Maelstrom stares at Rae in stunned silence, "It will...?"

Li Mei: Is it possible that any of the Tigers have some genes in common with her family?

Rae Overholt: Yeah, next time someone doesn't want to tell you something, don't keep pushing. And yeah, that would make sense Dr. Hu. Still. If it gets rid of all of them why would they need it.

Luke Hu: Maybe they don't want to get rid of them... Have something to hold over your enemy to do your bidding....or die.

Xiao Li Marshall: I still don't trust this thing to stick to one bloodline.

Luke Hu: They either double their numbers or get rid of worse enemy...win-win for them.

Rae Overholt nods at Dr. Hu.

Dana Maelstrom stares at the floor, "But Dr Miles... Sarah would never be involved in something so... sick!."

Rae Overholt: How do you know?

Xiao Li Marshall: Yeah, how well d'you *really* know this woman?

Dana Maelstrom: You haven't met her... she really wants to help people...

Rae Overholt: Well. She wont be the first turns out to be shady.

Dana Maelstrom looks ashamed, "Well, I guess I don't..."

Li Mei sighs, "Yeah. Sure she does. She works for Blue Sun, right?"

Dana Maelstrom: "But she did tell me to contact her... she slipped me that Cortex Addy, all on-the-sly, like... Like she was afraid of someone inside the academy watchin' us..."

Rae Overholt nods, "Well, she's only one we got unless our doc here comes up with somethin."

Dana Maelstrom: I spent over an hour a day with her, for the better part of three weeks, Gosh, I sure hope it wasn't an act...

Li Mei: I thought you said you were good at reading people?

Xiao Li Marshall snorts and rolls her eyes, but says nothing.

Luke Hu: Only thing I can do is keep her going and hope her system eventually adapts and beats this virus. I would need a full lab to really make a crack on it before then. THAT IS...

Dana Maelstrom: Well, yeah... she seemed like a real person to me... I mean I felt like we bonded.

Luke Hu: "IF SHE TAKES HER PILLS!!!!" Luke Hu picks up glass and pills and hands them to her. "Please take these. The sooner the better."

Dana Maelstrom takes the pills in her hand, "Now what, exactly were these again?" Shen has had too many people tell her not to trust strangers lately to be all accepting-like.

Luke Hu: This is Accetaphilzicaticobtic. It is a powerful broad-range Antibiotic.

Dana Maelstrom: Antibiotic? That works on Viruses?

Luke Hu: Sure....why not

Dana Maelstrom: By the way, Captain, am I catching?

Rae Overholt: Not that we know of yet. got a couple weeks or so.

Li Mei raises an eyebrow and looks at the doctor, "Where did you go to medical school, again?"

Luke Hu: Londinium

Li Mei: Not at the top of your class, I take it.

Luke Hu: Now now......I don't comment on your job abilities now do I?

Dana Maelstrom makes a face as she places the pills near her nose, "I guess you were right about eating... these won't sit well on an empty stomach..." She returns to the table and starts eating the soup.

Li Mei: You haven't experienced my abilities, doctor.

Rae Overholt sighs, listening to all the talking and wondering where Gabe ran off to this time.

Xiao Li Marshall also wonders why the hell Kevin's never around when we have Blue Sun issues to deal with.

Luke Hu: Well you haven't experienced my treatment now have you?

Li Mei: No... but I did just witness it.

Luke Hu: Let me treat the patients and you service the...well....whoever you service.

Li Mei glares at the doctor

Dana Maelstrom considers a lump of Sea-Tofu and slurps it down, "Ya know, perhaps the Tigers found out what I knew when I was in New Baltimore..."

Xiao Li Marshall perks up at the mention of her old hometown.

Rae Overholt: And what did you do there?

Dana Maelstrom: "I mean, if they heard me explaining things to Asa, or the wave to my dad, perhaps they think I really am carrying a superhuman gene sequence... when did these guys get so good at sig-int?' She starts to look worried, "Cap'n? Have you been given anything that might have a tracker in it?"

Rae Overholt: We didn't pick up anything but Li on Persephony, and no gifts on my end.

Xiao Li Marshall glances toward Rae. "Cap'n? Remember the *last* time we were on Paquin?"

Dana Maelstrom looks to Xiao Li, "What happened?"

Rae Overholt: Got slipped something, but this time nothing like that. Same guy was hanging back though. Course we didn't know about Hera then.

Dana Maelstrom: Same guy? as what?

Xiao Li Marshall: Slaver tried t' slip a tracker in the Cap'n's pocket. We junked it.

Dana Maelstrom: Really? What did he overhear?

Rae Overholt: Just our business deals. Couldn't have known where we'd end up taking you.

Shen: Well, that was the deal to pick you up... Let's see, he gave us the coordinates for the rendezvous, and he said we were to take you to Newhall...

Rae Overholt: He didn't say who "you" were.

Dana Maelstrom: "So that's how they knew where we were going to be..." she thinks hard, "Did he mention Captain Able?"

Shen Jiutai nods, I think so...

Dana Maelstrom: "That was supposed to be a hush-hush arrangement... and there's the other Captain just giving out the info to the first bunch of... well I'm glad it was you he hired anyway..." She relaxes a bit, places her empty bowl down with a small quiet burp, and pops the pills into her mouth, quickly washing them down.

Rae Overholt: Well, let's hope we settle this thing on Hera.

Dana Maelstrom nods. "Now, about my bunk? do I really have to sleep under all of those packing blankets?"

Shen Jiutai snickers.

Rae Overholt shrugs, "Long as you don't take mine I guess and don't screech when we shove you in a vent if we gotta hide you."

Shen: Want I should set her up in the Passenger Dorm, Cap'n?

Dana Maelstrom ignores Rae, "That'd be nice... what was your name again?"

Rae Overholt smirks.

Shen Jiutai grins, "Shen... just Shen."

Dana Maelstrom: Oh, OK...

Shen Jiutai stands, placing her empty glass on the counter, she gestures aft, "C'mon, this way, I'll get you a fresh set of linens."

Nah, it ain't always like this. Some time's there's *real* drama

It is the beginnings of a pleasant evening when the Crew of Raven walks down the cargo ramp and onto the dusty streets of the Eavesdown Docks.

Shen Jiutai asides to Rae, "Well, I think Kevin got that thermos for the sample all set up... and I think he was going to look for some liquid nitrogen while we're here.

Rae Overholt: Hope he finds it. I'd like to finally have an ace up my sleeve once.

Shen Jiutai nods

Gabriel Keats: "That still gives me the ruttin' creeps. Just sayin'."

Rae Overholt: Yeah well. I'll take what I can get. So, everyone on free time?

Xiao Li Marshall: For how long?

Rae Overholt steps aside with Li Mei as she heads towards town, "How long's it gone take Li?" She stops as an Alliance cruiser pulls up.

Gabriel Keats looks up, though it's hard to tell from behind his tinted glasses. He takes in the car and steals a glance at Rae.

Rae Overholt does her best to ignore the car and act inconspicuous.

Ceasar Otsuka walks up to the spacers.

Xiao Li Marshall eyes the Fed while doing her best to look like she *isn't* eying the Fed.

Ceasar Otsuka: Ni hao. May I talk to the captain of your ship?

Rae Overholt: There a problem?

Gabriel Keats gives an easy, friendly smile and nods towards Rae.

Rae Overholt: We just got here, ain't even had time to get any liquor in us.

Ceasar Otsuka: I hope not. We've reinstated port inspections here on Persephone

Rae Overholt: That so?

Ceasar Otsuka sees the Lieutenant and tries not to roll his eyes.

Xiao Li Marshall: Since when?

Lt Yoshikawa: Immediately

Ceasar Otsuka: It's a recent change. We have a new Alliance commander on Persephone now. If you have nothing to hide, then there's no problem.

Gabriel Keats stretches, hands behind his back.

Rae Overholt: You 'spectin everyone or just a lucky few?

Ceasar Otsuka: "We're inspecting everyone." He drops his voice to a whisper. "You should have heard Ms. Miles when she heard."

Shen Jiutai nudges Rae, "We ain't picking up or dropping any cargo... we're just here dropping our Companion off to take care of some Guild business."

Gabriel Keats: "'Course they are. Government's got to be fair, yeah?"

Rae Overholt: "Had problems here lately?" She tilts her head and looks up at him as if completely absorbed by his conversation.

Xiao Li Marshall: We at least get a chance to tidy up 'fore company comes round?

Ceasar Otsuka: There's been some interesting people popping up on world, so we're trying to beat any problems before they start.

Lt Yoshikawa: This here's a clean planet. Ain't no need for no ruttin' pirates.

Ceasar Otsuka takes a deep breath.

Shen: "You perhaps should talk to the Companions Guild before you molest a crew of one of their members."

Ceasar Otsuka: I'm Sgt. Otsuka, just to introduce myself

Rae Overholt: Cap'n Rae Overholt. Mind if my girls get a moment to clean up their delicates before your officer behind you barges in?

Ceasar Otsuka: If I can at least see your manifest, just to confirm things. He glances over at the Loo then back at Rae.

Rae Overholt: Xiao li? Got that manifest on you?

Lt Yoshikawa: Yeah let's see yer manifest there, missy.

Gabriel Keats: "Otsuka. . .Otsuka. . .y'didn't happen to go to Ohtori Academy, didya?"

Xiao Li Marshall pulls out a data pad and taps a few buttons to bring up the crew manifest. "Right here, Cap'n."

Ceasar Otsuka: I don't believe so. Where is that?

Rae Overholt looks back to Otsuka, "You must be a patient man." Her eyes moves quickly to Loo then back to Otsuka to indicate her meaning.

Shen: Hey, we ain't even doing business on Persephone...

Ceasar Otsuka: It helps in the job. Well, have you ever heard of Niska?

Rae Overholt takes the data pad and turns it towards Otsuka.

Shen: Like I said... our COMPANION will get upset if you delay her crew...

Rae Overholt: I thought Niska was a myth.

Gabriel Keats: "'Bout twenty-five clicks outside the main docks here on 'Seph. Just outta town. Pretty prestigious. Knew an Otsuka what went there."

Lt Yoshikawa: Myth... psh..

Ceasar Otsuka reaches for the pad. "If i could see that... May have been a relative of mine... big family"

Rae Overholt shrugs a shoulder and hands it over.

Gabriel Keats shushes and raises his eyebrows at the name Niska.

Ceasar Otsuka: He has a business in the Minear Building downtown.

Rae Overholt: You're kidding.

Shen Jiutai mutters into her comm link, "Yes... he's right here… says his name is Sergeant Outskia or something..."

Rae Overholt: What's that got to do with us?

Ceasar Otsuka takes the pad. Looks it over. Just thought you'd like to know.

Rae Overholt: Should we avoid that section of town then?

Lt Yoshikawa: C'mon. we's talkin' too much. Let's get to the searchin' the cargo part!

Xiao Li Marshall shifts restlessly from foot to foot.

Ceasar Otsuka hands the pad back then put his hands at his pockets.

Rae Overholt takes the data pad and tosses it to Xiao Li, carefully.

Shen Jiutai continues into the Comm, "Absolutely not... we just show up and he's all in our face."

Gabriel Keats: "Y'know, I do think your junior officer might have a thing for women's unmentionables..."

Ceasar Otsuka: "Looks fine to me. Would like a quick look at the ship." He raises an eyebrow.

Lt Yoshikawa: Who don't?

Gabriel Keats chuckles quietly.

Rae Overholt: Guess it would depend officer, you got a thing for them on women, off women or on you?

Ceasar Otsuka mutters he doesn't get paid enough.

Shen Jiutai continues into the comm, "Seems to think he can re-write the law... are they aware of this?"

Ceasar Otsuka: Loo, could you do me a favor?

Gabriel Keats gives the sergeant a deeply sympathetic look.

Lt Yoshikawa: Sarge we don't have to take this go-se. They's disrespectin' our gorram authority!

Rae Overholt: Since when have we done that?

Ceasar Otsuka: Stand down, just for a second. They haven't invaded. Captain, can you join me for a quick inspection? Shouldn't take long.

Rae Overholt: Sure.

Xiao Li Marshall chuckles. "Man, we were disrespectin' your authority, you'd have that gun up your pi gu by now!"

Lt Yoshikawa: There doin' somethin'. They's shifty eyed.

Rae Overholt turns and heads into the cargo bay.

Shen Jiutai continues into the link, "Oh, they HAVE heard of him... I see... Yes... no... there's some goon with him brandishing weapons."

Rae Overholt: As you can see, nothing out of order.

Gabriel Keats: "Just makin' small talk. I know how it can get on these assignments. Not a gorram thing to do. Figure you could do with some levity."

Xiao Li Marshall mutters something under her breath about needing a drink.

Gabriel Keats: "Right there with ya. . . Course, ain't like that's unusual...."

Ceasar Otsuka looks to make sure they're out of earshot. "Sorry about this. With both Niska and Mais in town, the law is nervous these days."

Rae Overholt: Who is Mais? You telling me someone can compete with the myth and legend thats Niska?

Ceasar Otsuka: Local hood. Mostly transport. Has an office on your home moon.

Rae Overholt: Well good luck stomping him out. Won't hurt my feelings any.

Ceasar Otsuka chuckles. "No, but enough that the commander is worried. Plus him back there"

Rae Overholt: You mean your officer? I think he's a might, trigger happy.

Gabriel Keats looks at the sky and exhales slowly.

Ceasar Otsuka: A touch. Had a hard time at his last posting.

Rae Overholt: What was his last posting?

Ceasar Otsuka gives the ship a quick look over. "Burnet."

Rae Overholt frowns. "Hate to hear that."

Ceasar Otsuka: Just watch your back.

Rae Overholt: Pity I have to.

Ceasar Otsuka turns back to the crowd. "It's good, Loo."

Rae Overholt: Appreciate it.

Ceasar Otsuka whispers to Rae "And please don't get caught with anything."

Rae Overholt gives him a Nod, not intending to.

Ceasar Otsuka: Enjoy your time in Downing

Rae Overholt: Thank ya kindly.

Rae Overholt: I think we'll be off for some liquor while we wait for our companion.

Ceasar Otsuka: Shiny. Good day.

Xiao Li Marshall: ...the hell was that all about, Cap'n?

Rae Overholt: Mais, movin' in here as local thud, along with Niska. Has folks jumpy.

Gabriel Keats nods, silent again.

Rae Overholt: You pick up anything Gabe?

Shen: Niska? He's here?

Rae Overholt: Yes he is, so I say we avoid that end of town.

Gabriel Keats: "Can we just avoid the whole gorram town?"

Rae Overholt: You don't want to meet the closest thing I got to a papa Gabe? Get his blessins?

Xiao Li Marshall: Well, somebody's gotta make sure our passenger don't go nowhere....

Gabriel Keats: "That sounds infinitely better than anything else."

Rae Overholt: Which one does?

Gabriel Keats: "Goin' with you."

Shen: Last time I saw sleepin' beauty, that new Doc was mooning over her.

Rae Overholt: Alright then.

Shen: Should we head into town?

Rae Overholt: "You folks go throw on what you want so as not to be noticeable then we will." She looks to Shen and Xiao Li.

Xiao Li Marshall nods mutely.

Gabriel Keats: "Don't think it's exactly easy to be noticeable here. Don't shoot anyone should 'bout cover it..."

Shen Jiutai nods.

Rae Overholt: Alright then, off we go I guess.

They wander down the street towards town.

Rae Overholt looks at him, "A blessin' is always required as far as Estes is concerned."

Gabriel Keats: "That ain't what I meant." He gives a rare, full smile and reaches for her hand.

Dominance Paine quietly checks out the headlines, well aware of those around him, listening more than reading.

Rae Overholt smiles and lets him take her hand, not paying much mind to her surroundings for the moment.

Dominance Paine moves quietly, walking slowly towards the Guild Hall, his pace casual.

Gabriel Keats squeezes. He's making sure no one. . .well, he thinks he might notice if they're about to walk into a wall.

Rae Overholt: Been awhile since I've been here, hope the dojo is still up.

Rae Overholt: Looks a lot busier than it used to.

Gabriel Keats: "Things don't really change as much as y'think they would. Even here. Bet even if it's moved, we can find it."

Shen Jiutai nods towards the bar, "Buy you a shot, Cap'n?"

Dominance Paine listens, wihle looking towards the road leading to the port, seeming to not notice the group of people.

Rae Overholt: What do you think Li is doing?

Gabriel Keats: "Ain't sure." He laughs.

Tillery Goldberg watches Shen as he slowly works her way into the bar, "Hey there. need a drink?"

Shen Jiutai plops herself onto the stool, "Yeah... how about some 'Earth That Was'?

Tillery Goldberg: Don't have that in stock. How about a beer?

Shen: Any other whiskey?

Tillery Goldberg: "That I got. Don't know if I've seen you here before," He slides the whisky to Shen.

Shen Jiutai picks up the shot glass, and with a nod to Till, shoots the shot back.

Tillery Goldberg: Hey, Rae.

Rae Overholt: Hey, what's good on the menu?

Tillery Goldberg: Anything that'll get you drunk. What's your poison?

Shen Jiutai slides a piece of silver to the barkeep, "A whiskey for the lady."

Tillery Goldberg pushes the silver back. "She drinks for free here."

Rae Overholt: Why's that?

Tillery Goldberg: That's what friends do

Rae Overholt giggles, "Thought you might have forgotten me. So, what's the latest? Seen Estes?"

Tillery Goldberg: Not recently. A lot of people laying low.

Rae Overholt: What's this I hear about Mais and Niska? And the new rules of searchin ships?

Tillery Goldberg: They've set up office in town. New police commander, Paine Chesnokov.

Rae Overholt: Butting heads any?

Tillery Goldberg: Not yet. But the police have started to get smart. Keeping an eye on both.

Rae Overholt: That so. Caused you a boost in business, I'd imagine.

Tillery Goldberg: Some. More go to the Blue Sun club in the tower next door. Just above Niska's business. "Dry Good"

Gabriel Keats: "That just betrays an utter lack of taste, don't it?"

Tillery Goldberg: Money don't bring taste

Gabriel Keats: "Dry good, wet bad?"

Tillery Goldberg: That's my impression. These all friends of yours, Rae?

Rae Overholt: Yup, my crew. Made captain.

Tillery Goldberg: What'll you all have?

Xiao Li Marshall: Got any good bourbon?

Shen Jiutai nods and turns to Rae, "Did I see that guy we met on Paquin outside? The one that wanted us to transport slaves?... What was his name? Dom?"

Gabriel Keats: "Son of a. . ."

Tillery Goldberg looks sharp at Shen. "Uh, yeah. just a sec."

Rae Overholt: "No I was, distracted. He's out there???? Wonder if he found his transporter..." She sneers as she states this, not liking the connotation.

Tillery Goldberg: You ain't doing business with him, are you?

Rae Overholt: Naw.

Gabriel Keats laughs.

Tillery Goldberg: Good. He's been doing well too.

Gabriel Keats: "Ain't that nice."

Tillery Goldberg: Ain't it just.

Rae Overholt: That a fact. Slavin?

Tillery Goldberg: Well, three 'ladies' he's brought on-world have found 'employment' recently.

Rae Overholt takes a sip of her whiskey, "Well may buddah bite him on the butt."

Gabriel Keats examines his hands idly. "That'd be karma."

Rae Overholt: mmhmm

Gabriel Keats: "Don't think Buddha's teeth got anything t'do with it."

Tillery Goldberg: Planet's becoming a funnel for everything for everything going Core-ward and back.

Gabriel Keats: "Ain't it always been the way?'

Xiao Li Marshall: Handy for those of us who want to know what's goin' where.

Rae Overholt: Yeah? It would if it belonged to one of them fancy-dancy german shepherds them rich folks like to keep.

Tillery Goldberg: Yeah. But I like boredom.

Xiao Li Marshall: ...rather not picture the Buddha with dog teeth, thanks.

Tillery Goldberg: Lovely crowd you have, Rae.

Rae Overholt: Yeah what they lack in manners they make up for in smarts though. What's the biggest commodity lately Goldberg? Who should we avoid to work with?

Tillery Goldberg: Well, you already know to avoid Dom. As long you don't plan to do the black tie...

Rae Overholt: Nope, rather gouge my eyes out than be kept in one of those glass houses and forced to wear those scratchy clothes.

Tillery Goldberg: There is some scuttlebutt.

Rae Overholt: That so?

Tillery Goldberg: Marcus is doing very well these days.

Rae Overholt: That's nice to hear, I was hoping to see him. Got somethin' for him.

Gabriel Keats fixes his gaze--and his mind--on the floor.

Tillery Goldberg: Don't know where he is today. For that matter, don't know where Matthew is either. Just know he's off-world.

Rae Overholt: Thank Buddah for that. If I had to run into that pigu I might just shoot him again.

Tillery Goldberg: Don't know if its for good though, so don't get too relaxed.

Rae Overholt: Naw, way my luck's runnin' lately he'll show up with reinforcements.

Tillery Goldberg: Did you have any trouble getting through the Docks?

Rae Overholt: Nothing a few creds couldn't take care of. That fella he's got for backup's a real pigu.

Tillery Goldberg: Yoshikawa?

Rae Overholt: Guess that'd be him.

Tillery Goldberg: He avoids this place.

Rae Overholt reaches out to tousles Gabe's hair. "How'd you get so lucky?"

Xiao Li Marshall: Good to know.

Tillery Goldberg: And a bit bitter about his last posting, it seems.

Rae Overholt: Yeah, I heard.

Tillery Goldberg: Well, for one thing, he isn't sly.

Rae Overholt laughs.

Rae Overholt: Yeah, seems to like women's underthings.

Ichiro Jiagu wanders into the bar and does a double take, "Rihannon?"

Rae Overholt jumps at the familiar voice and spins, "Marcus? You gone and got respectable on me??!"

Xiao Li Marshall raises an eyebrow and mouths 'Rihannon??' at Rae.

Rae Overholt gives Xiao Li a death glare.

Gabriel Keats's head snaps up, and he follows her gaze.

Ichiro Jiagu grins, "It IS you!!!"

Tillery Goldberg suddenly finds cleaning glasses interesting.

Ichiro Jiagu: "How has the 'Verse been treating you?"

Rae Overholt shrugs a shoulder and reaches into her pocket, pulling something out she tosses it in his direction. "Seems to be treating you pretty well though."

Tillery Goldberg leans toward Gabe. "Want a strong drink?"

Ichiro Jiagu deftly catches the object, and eyes it for a second before placing it in his pocket.

Rae Overholt: Don't let it mess up your pretty suit.

Ichiro Jiagu shurgs, "This old thing?"

Gabriel Keats gives the 'tender a look that's all practiced calm. "No, thank you. Maybe in a bit." His accent's gone pure Core; he smiles, turns back to watching Rae.

Ichiro Jiagu: "Aren't you going to introduce me to your friends?"

Rae Overholt eyes him up and down, uncertainty on her face, "You've changed so much. Oh, yeah sorry. This is my crew. Shen, Xiao li, and Gabe, my first mate. This is Marcus everyone. Old friend of mine."'

[Gabriel Keats gives Marcus a smile and a nod from across the room. "Pleasure to meet you, Marcus."

Xiao Li Marshall: "Any friend of *Rihannon's* is a friend of ours." Xiao Li Marshall smirks.

Ichiro Jiagu grins at Gabe, "And you too...", He nods to Xiao Li.

Shen Jiutai gives 'Marcus' a small wave and sips her whiskey.

Rae Overholt empties her glass and debates throwing it at Xiao Li and then figures she wont give Goldberg the extra mess to clean up, "Cap'n Rhiannon to you."

Ichiro Jiagu stops cold, "CAPTAIN RIANNON?"

Rae Overholt looks to Marcus, her back to everyone else and her facade slips a moment, "Yeah, ain't it a peach."

Ichiro Jiagu: You are captain of a boat?

Rae Overholt gives him a little nod.

Gabriel Keats picks a spot near the door and looks at it. His posture straightens, an almost unconscious standing at attention, listening.

Ichiro Jiagu: ... and this is your crew?

Rae Overholt: Yeah, this would be my motley crew.

Xiao Li Marshall turns to her drink, still sniggering over 'Rihannon'.

Ichiro Jiagu: My Buddah! Who would have suspected Lil' Sunshine would have her own boat!

Rae Overholt cuts her eyes at Xiao Li, "Somethin' you need help with Xiao Li?"

Xiao Li Marshall elbows the bartender, who seems to have dozed off. "Oh, nothin', Cap'n..."

Ichiro Jiagu: What do you fly?

Rae Overholt: A Firefly. What you selling thats got you that suit?

Ichiro Jiagu: Well, the antiques shop has been doing very well...

Rae Overholt: I'm glad to hear it, you still reading those books you're so fond of? Paper ones and all?

Tillery Goldberg: Anyone need refills?

Ichiro Jiagu nods, "Why would I ever stop...with these new goons in town, it pays to look respectable."

Rae Overholt: Figured you might have run out of space for all of them by now. Respectable? I've found goons think you're respectable they think you're an easy target. That ain't so for you?

Paine Chesnokov pauses just inside the bar, looking around slowly, taking note of those inside the bar.

Xiao Li Marshall slams back her shot. "Keep 'em comin'."

Rae Overholt: You got anyone I'm needin' to get off your back?

Tillery Goldberg hands Xiao Li another whiskey.

Ichiro Jiagu: A Firefly, eh? That's a nice boat, you mostly haul cargo?

Rae Overholt: Yeah. Got us a companion on board though.

Ichiro Jiagu: Really?

Tillery Goldberg sees the lawman at the door.

Paine Chesnokov smiles, looking around, nodding to the bartender slowly.

Gabriel Keats's eyes catch Paine's movement near the door. He meets the other man's gaze and gives a sharp, polite nod.

Rae Overholt: Yeah, it's why we're here. She's got business.

Paine Chesnokov returns the other man's nod, stiffly.

Ichiro Jiagu chuckles, "Who ever would have thought little Sunshine cruising the 'Verse with a companion, no less!!"

Tillery Goldberg lightly touches Xiao Li's arm, nods to the door.

Rae Overholt blushes and leans to whisper, "You can call me Rae Marcus."

Xiao Li Marshall glances toward the door... and quickly looks away. *quietly* "Ta ma de..."

Ichiro Jiagu grins, "Ray it is, Sunshine."

Paine Chesnokov clears his throat lightly before speaking. "And who is the Captain of the Firefly in our fine port?"

Tillery Goldberg tries not to chuckle at Marcus.

Rae Overholt bites her bottom lip, knowing this is going to get her hell from Xiao Li later.

Ichiro Jiagu looks over his shoulder, "Best to ignore 'im."

Rae Overholt looks to Marcus, "Why is that?"

Tillery Goldberg whipsers to Xiao Li, "That's the new commander."

Ichiro Jiagu lowers his voice, "He's fishing, don't bite."

Rae Overholt nods and ignores the man.

Ichiro Jiagu turns to Paine, "Well good evening Mr Pain."

Paine Chesnokov nods slowly. "Very well. Then when the Captain of said Firefly wishes their ship to be released, they can contact me. Until then, it will be locked down."

Tillery Goldberg holds back a sigh.

Paine Chesnokov: Good evening

Rae Overholt: What'd they do?

Ichiro Jiagu: and why would they be in lockdown?

Tillery Goldberg: So much for ignoring.

Xiao Li Marshall 's fist clenches around her shot glass.

Paine Chesnokov: "I am afraid that is a matter I will take up with the Captain of that ship. Good evening." He smiles, turning slowly.

Rae Overholt: I'll tell him you're looking. I'll let the guild know too.

Paine Chesnokov: "Indeed." He heads out the door, followed by Marcus.

Tillery Goldberg speaks low. "You did get inspected, right?"

Rae Overholt: Yeah we got inspected.

Tillery Goldberg: He may be double checking.

Rae Overholt: Why??

Tillery Goldberg: You said there was some negotiating?

Gabriel Keats says, in a hushed undertone meant only for Rae. "You need me to do anything, -Captain-?"

Xiao Li Marshall: Don't tell me they went on board when we weren't there--didn't anybody remember to LOCK the gorram doors?!

Rae Overholt: I locked 'um!

Tillery Goldberg: Maybe the pigu.

Xiao Li Marshall: Were you the last one out?

Rae Overholt: Yeah.

Tillery Goldberg gives Rae another whiskey.

Rae Overholt takes it and downs it, already feeling a bit tipsy since she's a lightweight.

Gabriel Keats: "That ain't a good idea."

Rae Overholt puts the glass down and shrugs, "Too late."

Gabriel Keats: "Apparently."

Tillery Goldberg: You said some credits changed hands, right?

Rae Overholt nods at Till.

Gabriel Keats turns sharply and strides back to where he was standing.

Tillery Goldberg: How far away was Yoshikawa?

Rae Overholt: Behind 'im.

Tillery Goldberg: Maybe he saw

Rae Overholt: Maybe he did.

Rae Overholt licks a finger and reaches out to wipe down Xiao Li's goggles in retribution of her snickering.

Xiao Li Marshall: Come on, Cap'n, 'Rihannon'??

Rae Overholt: Can't help what my parents named me.

Tillery Goldberg or "Ray."

Xiao Li Marshall: Makes ya sound like someone out of a bad romance novel.

Rae Overholt: A someone who could still beat the tar out of you for mouthin' off.

Tillery Goldberg watches Marcus and the commander outside the club.

*********************

Ichiro Jiagu turns and approaches the Purple Belly outside the bar.

Paine Chesnokov: Can I help you?

Ichiro Jiagu: "From what I heard," He glances from side to side, "That Firefly is here on Companion Business."

Paine Chesnokov smiles, nodding. "And the Guild Hall is just up the street. Until I have met with the captain of that ship, she doesn't fly. I will speak to the Guild, if I must. I am certain they will understand."

Ichiro Jiagu: "I'm not sure the Guild would take lightly to locking down a ship for no stated reason... As it happens, I may know where the Captain is."

Paine Chesnokov stands firm, eyeing the man before him. "The Guild will understand that a ship's captain has many responsibilities. As for this captain, I am listening..."

Ichiro Jiagu: Now if there is a legitimate reason... I'm sure I can locate the Captain, Now what is the problem?

Paine Chesnokov: As I stated in there, I will discuss the matter with the Captain. However, it concerns the nature of the ship's cargo, and a routine inspection.

Ichiro Jiagu: I believe they were inspected when they landed... if you like, I can confirm this.

Paine Chesnokov: And they will be inspected before they take off. I already have a detail near the ship, keeping an eye on it, so as to prevent anyone from tampering with her cargo.

Ichiro Jiagu turns, "Thank you, I'll pass the message along."

Paine Chesnokov: Besides, it would be far more efficient if the captain were to register the crew roster with the port authority, so that there might be less hassle in the future...

Ichiro Jiagu: I'll let him know.

Paine Chesnokov nods. "Very well. I think I will go and take a closer look at this Firefly..."

Ichiro Jiagu turns muttering something about 'Gorram Fascists" and returns to the bar.

Paine Chesnokov chuckles softly, before turning.

Rae Overholt glances at Gabe, noting his change in demeanor. "you okay Gabe?"

Gabriel Keats: "Fine."

Ichiro Jiagu returns to the bar and motions to Goldberg for the usual. "This town has gone straight to hell."

Rae Overholt: What's he want?

Tillery Goldberg hands Marcus his whiskey.

Ichiro Jiagu: to throw his weight around.

Tillery Goldberg: He just transfered here from the Core. Wants to show he's boss.

Rae Overholt: "What did he do?" Her frustration level begins to rise and she rocks back and forth on her feet a little.

Gabriel Keats takes a half-step forward, towards Rae, then stops.

Xiao Li Marshall: Could 'ja be a little more specific, maybe?

Ichiro Jiagu: He was blowin' smoke 'bout inspectin' her before clearing her for take-off... I'll talk to Amanda at the Guild... we'll get him to back off.

Rae Overholt nods, "I'd appreciate it Marcus. Seems you've made a network of people since I've been gone."

Xiao Li Marshall: Think he'd let us go if we tell 'em we've got a sick passenger who's gotta get home right quick?

Rae Overholt: He'd probably quarantine us.

Ichiro Jiagu: "Well… Amanda likes old things, she comes into the shop," he flushes a little, "All the time."

Rae Overholt looks down at the dance floor and says simply, "Oh."

Shen Jiutai shoots Xiao Li a look and shakes her head.

Gabriel Keats can't help but look up at Marcus for a moment and glare. He suppresses it quickly, though.

Tillery Goldberg starts to really scrub the bar.

Ichiro Jiagu: Sick passenger?

Rae Overholt nods. "Nothin catchy."

Ichiro Jiagu: Yeah, He'd find any excuse to be a jerk... 'long as she stays out of sight.

Tillery Goldberg: He'd probably ask why not stay here. The only way to get better care is to go to Osiris or Sinhon.

Rae Overholt: She has her own personal doctor.

Ichiro Jiagu looks to his drink and quietly murmurs, "So, it is a she..."

Rae Overholt ' brow furrows, "What does that matter?"

Shen Jiutai kicks Xiao Li.

Xiao Li Marshall whirls to glare at Shen. "What?!"

Tillery Goldberg pours himself a shot. "Oy vey."

Ichiro Jiagu looks all innocent-like, "Oh nothing... just rumors going about..." He takes Rae's elbow and leads her a few steps away.

Rae Overholt crosses her arms but follows him.

Tillery Goldberg looks to Gabe. "That offer of a drink still stands."

Gabriel Keats: "I'll take it. Whatever's strong."

Ichiro Jiagu lowers his voice, "Listen, there's word going around about a young girl..."

Gabriel Keats looks at the two of them, gaze intense, and takes the drink. He brings it to his mouth, though he doesn't really sip.

Ichiro Jiagu looks into Rae's eyes, "She has a...Dragon Tattoo on her left fore-arm..."

Rae Overholt whispers back, "What about her? Marcus, who are you? "

Tillery Goldberg looks to Shen and Xiao Li. "You guys this much fun everywhere you go?"

Ichiro Jiagu: Look, I just hear things, is all... I always have, and if I can help you out, I will...

Xiao Li Marshall: What's that s'posed to mean?

Rae Overholt smiles up at him, "Did you miss me?"

Ichiro Jiagu shuffles his feet and glances at Gabe, "Well... yeah."

Tillery Goldberg gestures to the triangle on the dance floor. "And should I bring up the ship?"
…
Ichiro Jiagu goes all serious for a moment. "Listen... This girl is being targeted by the Tigers... for death. They're searching the 'Verse for her…"

Rae Overholt nods. She whispers to him, "Who are the Tigers?" She continues in her hushed tones, "Why would they want her dead? Don't make no sense. She's just a kid."

Ichiro Jiagu looks over his glasses at Rae, with a 'you can't be serious' look, "They are a powerful Triad, People you should know about if you're hauling cargo. I don't know the reason, but the Tigers are paying good money for intel about her."

Xiao Li Marshall smirks at Goldberg. "Nah, it ain't always like this. Some time's there's *real* drama."

Rae Overholt frowns, looking frustrated, "Ain't like I signed on to be captain, got it thrown at me. Not so happy 'bout it myself, I can't know everything."

Tillery Goldberg: Well, it wouldn't be boring.

Ichiro Jiagu goes soft at Rae's sensitivity, "I'm sorry... I... well I'm worried about you if..."

Rae Overholt shakes her head, "Used to be me keepin' an eye on you."

Ichiro Jiagu: "Look, these guys will stop at nothing... word is, they already blasted one ship out of the sky."

Tillery Goldberg answers his screen as it pings under the bar.

Ichiro Jiagu: If you really are carrying this girl, I'd keep it quiet.

Xiao Li Marshall sits bolt upright in her seat when she catches Marcus's last statement. "...shit."

Tillery Goldberg: Uh, the Purple-belly is calling here about the ship.

Rae Overholt nods to Marcus. "Thanks."

Ichiro Jiagu: Look, it's a blood feud between two Triads, You sure you want to be in the middle of this Rihannon?

Rae Overholt: No, don't got a choice though.

Tillery Goldberg: Marcus, did you tell Paine that Rae was the captain?

Ichiro Jiagu looks to Till and shakes his head.

Tillery Goldberg: He's insisting that the captain of that firefly meet him at the ship. And he keeps calling here. He knows.

Shen asks, "What makes him think we're here? What? did we leave the lights on?"

Rae Overholt: DAMMIT! Mighta's well get this over with.

You see, in this town it pays to know one's neighbors... sometimes better than they know themselves...

Ichiro Jiagu enters the near empty drinking establishment and nods to the rather shady character sitting at the bar, "Hey there."

Dominance Paine: "Hello there." After surveying the scene, he asks "So, how's business?"

Ichiro Jiagu: Business is good... I understand you just brought some new workers here?

Dominance Paine smiles, nodding slowly. "Yes. An associate of mine was able to find them employment almost as soon as they arrived."

Ichiro Jiagu: Perhaps we should walk... I can show you some of the 'special curios' I just got in.

Dominance Paine smiles, nodding. "Indeed..." He places his hand on the underside of the bar, the small electronic device attaching to the undersurface easily, the motion discreet, before pushing off the bar. "Shall we...?"

Tillery Goldberg returns to his position at the bar and starts polishing glasses.

Dominance Paine nods, before slowly making his way towards the door

Ichiro Jiagu quietly follows Dom.

The two drift outside and become a part of the bustle of the streets of Downing.

Dominance Paine casually scans the headlines of the local press.

The crew of Raven drift into earshot as they enter the town from the Eavesdown Docks.

Rae Overholt looks at him, "A blessin' is always required as far as Estes is concerned."

Gabriel Keats: "That ain't what I meant." He gives a rare, full smile and reaches for her hand.

Ichiro Jiagu seems to be in quiet conversation with Dom, however he moves away when the strangers appear.

Dominance Paine quietly checks out the headlines, well aware of those around him, listening more than reading.

Rae Overholt smiles and lets him take her hand, not paying much mind to her surroundings for the moment.

Dominance Paine moves quietly, walking slowly towards the Guild Hall, his pace casual.

Gabriel Keats squeezes. He's making sure no one. . .well, he thinks he might notice if they're about to walk into a wall.

Rae Overholt: Been awhile since I've been here, hope the dojo is still up. Looks a lot busier than it used to.

Gabriel Keats: "Things don't really change as much as y'think they would. Even here. Bet even if it's moved, we can find it."

Shen Jiutai nods towards the bar, "Buy you a shot, Cap'n?"

Dominance Paine listens, while looking towards the road leading to the port, seeming to not notice the group of people

Rae Overholt: What do you think Li is doing?

Gabriel Keats: "Ain't sure." He laughs

Dominance Paine leans against the wall, casually watching the entrance to the bar, remembering the last time he had seen that lot, a sly grin upon his face. He watches as the crew of Raven enter the bar and sit right next to the listening device he just planted. He leans casually against the wall, idly watching the street.

Ichiro Jiagu walks a little closer... "So, I understand you can help with finding out things..."

Dominance Paine grins, unmoving. "Depends on what one wants to find out..."

Ichiro Jiagu: "...Things about people..."

Dominance Paine nods slowly. "Been known to find out all kinds of things. What did you have in mind?"

Ichiro Jiagu: "Well... there are a few people on this planet that I'd like to get the upper hand over..."

Dominance Paine chuckles quietly. "I know the feeling. Who did you have in mind?"

Ichiro Jiagu: "...Like that Alliance Commander... or the Governor... any thing I could use against them."

Dominance Paine: Those two will be tricky. And because of that very factor, let alone the risk involved, I am afraid the price would not be cheap...

Ichiro Jiagu: Well, the benefits would be worth the price. If, that is, the information was good enough. You see, in this town it pays to know one's neighbors... sometimes better than they know themselves..."

Dominance Paine smiles, nodding slowly. "I do not deal is useless information. I will see what I can come up with. How shall I contact you, when I have something of interest?"

Ichiro Jiagu slides Dom a business card.

Dominance Paine chuckles. "Indeed. And I know many of my... neighbors... quite well..." He palms the card, slipping it into his pants discretely.

Ichiro Jiagu grins, "Well it will be a pleasure doing business with you, I'm sure...You do understand that when I'm near the docks... I'm simply an antiques dealer, right?"

Dominance Paine grins. "Of course. And I am simply a common resident, merely out for a stroll. But I am looking forward to the prospect of doing business with you."

Ichiro Jiagu grins and slides away.

Dominance Paine grins, eyeing the Towers across the street, licking his lips slightly. He smiles, slowly walking across the street, towards the Towers, his gait casual, relaxed, despite his excitement.

Everyone involved thinks we're bein' as honest as possible then we slide right on past...

Shen Jiutai returns to the cargo bay after helping Dr Luke settle into one of the passenger dorms, "Um, Cap'n? can we talk somewhere where..." She nods aft, " ...he can't hear us?"...he

Rae Overholt: I'm good with that.

Rae Overholt makes her way to the cockpit and turns to look at Shen.

Shen Jiutai follows Rae up the stairs to the cockpit.

Gabriel Keats mutters under his breath.

Rae Overholt smacks Roland's butt as she passes.

Shen Jiutai doesn't smack Roland's but as she passes.

Roland Josephus laughs and follows, along with Gabe to the cockpit where Xiao Li is playing video games.

Rae Overholt: Well, question now is, what do we do about our visitor. I'd like a blood sample taken before we "cure" her or whatever it is we choose. Might be nice to have it for the future.

Gabriel Keats: "Wouldn't that be a mite dangerous?"

Xiao Li Marshall: An' I'm thinkin' we should take blood samples from the rest of us, just as maybe that virus is more contagious than the doc thinks.

Rae Overholt: Not if what that doc said is right and it's only dangerous to her family.

Shen Jiutai nods, then looks a little worried at Xiao Li's suggestion.

Xiao Li Marshall: You willin' to risk your life on that 'if', Cap'n?

Gabriel Keats: "How well can we even analyze that go se. . .?"

Rae Overholt: I just want a vial, frozen or stored just incase.

Shen: "Sean was working on it when..." her voice trails off. "Cap'n, can I make a suggestion?"

Rae Overholt nods, "If he died for it, I don't see why we can't keep a bit. What's the suggestion Shen?"

Shen: Well, why don't we just not tell the little princess what Dr Miles told us, and send her home to daddy, with a nice present from us...in her system?

Gabriel Keats: "Well, that ain't likely to bite us in the ass. . ."

Rae Overholt: Well, considering what I think about daddy, I'm surprised I'm going to say this. I can't let a kid die cause her father's a pigu.

Gabriel Keats: "Oh, Wait."

Shen: Cap'n, this is the kind of opportunity that comes by once in a lifetime...

Roland Josephus: I reckon getting killed only comes once in a lifetime too.

Shen: This is Heir Maelstrom we're talking about, he killed my father and put my sisters into indenture.

Rae Overholt: I know it, and it's the kind that could make us extinct. You think folks won't figure out what we did? That doctor will know at least and she seems a might friendly with the dragons.

Shen: Which Doctor? The one on Hera?

Rae Overholt: That'd be her.

Xiao Li Marshall: "...didn't she *make* the virus ta begin with?"

Rae Overholt: Thats what she said, though how the idiot could think it wouldn't be used as a weapon who knows.

Shen: What makes you think she's a Dragon? Seemed kinda... well white to me.

Xiao Li Marshall: I did some diggin' on the Cortex... she's technic'ly still on Blue Sun's payroll.

Rae Overholt: So, you think we're going into a trap? They couldn't get her in secret so they decided to get us to bring her?

Xiao Li Marshall: Been on leave for a while but who knows where her loyalties are.

Rae Overholt: She was going anyway, why send someone to kill Doc at the clinic?

Roland Josephus: More important... How'd they know we'd be there?

Xiao Li Marshall: Maybe they don't want word gettin' around that this kinda thing exists?

Shen nods, "Perhaps they didn't want us to find out the truth about it..."

Gabriel Keats: "too late."

Rae Overholt: Well, she told us, so I guess she isn't on their side. I'd still like a bit of it, for insurance and possible future dealings.

Xiao Li Marshall: I still don't trust that this is gonna stick to one bloodline. I dunno that much about medicine but I *do* know that viruses mutate over time.

Shen: Look, these Dragons have run rough-shot over half the Border worlds, and now they're even on Burnet! This could be our only chance to get rid of them once and for all... She said it would only kill them.

Xiao Li Marshall: An' you're gonna take her word on that?

Rae Overholt: Only kill those particular dragons, which just makes room for more dragons.

Gabriel Keats: "Recombination." He drops the accent for a moment. "If she gets another virus in her system. . ." He stops. Looks at the pipes. "Right. And why're you so keen to trust her?"

Roland Josephus: Its still a killer... 'sides... won't they just try to off us anyhow... Cause now we DO know?

Shen: Well... who knows what we know? That Dr Miles on Hera... I don't think this new guy has the whole picture... and if that guy with the blue hands killed Sean, I'll bet he'd love to know thee whereabouts of Dr Miles.

Rae Overholt's eyes dart back and forth, watching them all and listening.

Roland Josephus: Well... I'd bet if'n he was willin to kill to keep a secret from gettin' out… He'd kill a few more to keep it getting out further… and if Mr. Blue Hand ain't got the girl yet… he's still lookin'.

Shen: What if he's only trying to scare her home? Ta keep her away from Miles?

Roland Josephus: Thats another one of those big "IF's"

Rae Overholt: I want a sample taken, while she's out. Stored, hidden. Don't let the new doc know. Then we finish our job.

Shen Jiutai nods, "Who can do it?"

Roland Josephus: Thats somethen' else that bothers me... Anyone see Mr. Blue Hands other than the new Doc?"

Shen: Hey wait a sec... didn't she say it degrades? We may not have the luxury of time here.

Shen Jiutai nods to Rol, "We saw him, in the clinic the first time, the new Doc couldn't see clearly who was in the process of wreckin' his lab."

Roland Josephus nods.

Shen: "...and killin' Sean, if he really is dead..."

Roland Josephus: Anyone see him kill the Doc?

Shen: Just the new guy...

Roland Josephus: You figure anyone would want to buy this bug? Bad enough someone would want to kill to be able to sell it?

Shen: If we want to keep it, don't we gotta freeze it or somethin'?

Gabriel Keats nods. "Yeah, or it'll go bad."

Rae Overholt: Yeah. I'd guess so.

Roland Josephus: And can anyone vouch for the new guy? ...more so than say that one gal that gassed us?

Xiao Li Marshall: We're in *space.* Can't we just stash it out in the airlock or somethin' like that?

Gabriel Keats: "We do sometimes use the airlock..."

Xiao Li Marshall: I'm just sayin', it shouldn't be that hard to find some cold storage on this boat.

Shen: Hey, what about the liquid hydrogen?

Rae Overholt: We got that?

Shen Jiutai looks at Rol, "We do have H2 tanks, right?"

Roland Josephus: I got some small ones... just for emergency cooling and the like...

Shen: I'll bet Kevin could whip something up... some kind of flask.

Rae Overholt: I'm betting he could.

Shen: So, who sticks her? not me.

Rae Overholt: Gabe? You reckon you could?

Xiao Li Marshall: Not it.

Gabriel Keats: "You want me to rig somethin' mechanical up?"

Rae Overholt: To draw her blood Gabe?

Gabriel Keats: ". . ." mutters under his breath.

Rae Overholt: Well, I figure being military you got more experience than drawing blood than some of the rest of us.

Gabriel Keats: "Gettin' it drawn..." He shrugs. "Ain't got a problem."

Shen: I reckon we should do it while the Doc is distracted...

Rae Overholt nods.

Shen: What do we tell the kid when she wakes up?

Roland Josephus: Lets just snow her.

Rae Overholt: We tell her the truth. No sense in letting her think we're screwing her.

:::The Comm becomes active, and Xiao Li flips a switch.

:::Li Mei: Come in Raven, this is Li Mei... requesting rendezvous

Xiao Li Marshall pulls down the comm. "This is Raven. Hope your day's gone better than ours, Li."

:::Li Mei: My day has gone well, I'll see you in a few minutes.

Xiao Li Marshall: Patching through coordinates now...

:::Li Mei: Coordinates received. Thank you...

Xiao Li Marshall: So are we still gonna try ta find Dr. Miles on Hera or pass her by?

Rae Overholt: Everyone involved thinks we're bein' as honest as possible then we slide right on past with our blood sample. Yeah.

Shen: Hera is right next to Newhall, ain't it?

Rae Overholt: 'S what she said.

Xiao Li Marshall nods.

Shen: That means we still have, what, a week 'fore we're there, right?

Xiao Li Marshall: Give or take, yeah.

Shen: And didn't Dr Miles say we had 3 weeks 'fore she goes nuclear?

Rae Overholt: So you're saying what? Fly around until its too late?

Shen: I'm just sayin' we ain't gotta do a hard burn, 's all.

Rae Overholt: So, you're saying you'll let a kid die, even though she's said she ain't going to do what her daddy's done.

Shen: "Besides... if that blue-hand guy gets to Hera first.... oh well..." She levels her gaze on Rae, "Look Cap'n, this is a DRAGON! She's just her daddy's kid, they are all alike, and that's BAD!!!"

Rae Overholt: She's a kid.

Shen: "They killed my father, and have my sisters indentured, they'd put you and me in a brothel, and prolly kill Kevin. They run slaves! They are EVIL!"

Rae Overholt: They don't have a reason to right now. That kid might make things different.

Shen: She's just waiting to take over for daddy!

Gabriel Keats: "You know that?"

Xiao Li Marshall: Long as she's on this boat, we're *all* at risk one way or another, Shen.

Shen: Then let's get her to Newhall as fast as we can, fake engine failure, something and land there first! Let her ask Daddy to take her to Hera, perhaps he'll catch something.

Rae Overholt: Why? Why land there first? She isn't contagious to them, yet. Wonder why she keeps fallin' asleep.

Shen Jiutai grumbles to herself behind Rae's back, "He chusheng zajiao de zanghuo, they all deserve to die."

Rae Overholt: I agree. All the ones who have done the things to your family do. I'm not killing a kid for it though.

Shen: Cap'n, it ain't like they ain't killed kids, or worse...

Rae Overholt: She hasn't. Not yet.

Shen: She will.

Rae Overholt: Never know. If she does, we'll deal with it then.

Shen Jiutai grumbles to herself some more.

Rae Overholt: Well then, places everyone?

Shen Jiutai nods and sulks off to the galley.

Xiao Li Marshall turns back to the console, prepping the shuttle dock for Li's return.

Shen Jiutai nods to the new doc, and without a word heads to the galley.

Rae Overholt: Well, hello doctor Hu.

Luke Hu: Good evening... or afternoon. hard to tell in space

Rae Overholt: Settled in?

Luke Hu: Yes. Thank you. I appreciate you all making room for me. I can pay of course once we get somewhere where I can find a bank. Not sure when that will be though.

Rae Overholt: You sure you want to tap into your creds and get us all dead?

Shen Jiutai notices the new Doc busy on the bridge, and nods to Gabe, the two disappear down the stairs.

Luke Hu: I didn't think about that. You think hey can track me doing that?

Li Mei walks on board the bridge and looks around, "Hello Captain." She looks at Luke, "What are you doing here? Where is Sean?"

Luke Hu looks around at others not saying anything.

Rae Overholt: Hello Li... Sean, Sean's gone.

Li Mei: Gone? What do you mean 'gone'

Rae Overholt: "He was murdered," she crosses her arms and looks down.

Li Mei's jaw drops, "What?! What happened?"

Rae Overholt: We're not sure yet.

Xiao Li Marshall: Our new passenger, that's what happened.

Luke Hu: I returned to my lab and found him dead. They jumped me but I managed to escape.

Li Mei: Oh my god

Luke Hu: Your friends were gracious enough to help me escape from my attackers.

Rae Overholt: So. As usual, trouble finds us.

Li Mei pauses for a moment, saying a silent prayer for Sean. Eventually she looks back to Rae, "Captain, I hate to ask this now, but if there is any way we could make a stop on Persephone, I would appreciate it. I need to conduct some Guild business there."

Shen Jiutai returns from below decks with Gaberieit'sl, the two head into the galley and the freezer door is heard opening and closing followed by the banging of pots and pans as Shen starts dinner.

Rae Overholt: I think, if it's a fast one.

Li Mei: Thank you, Captain

Xiao Li Marshall: So long as we don't push our speed we got plenty of fuel.

Li Mei looks around again, "What about the girl ... Dana ... is she still on board?"

Rae Overholt: She is, and we have a limited amount of time to get her where she needs to go.

Li Mei nods, "I see. Well, my business with the Guild shouldn't take too long."

Shen Jiutai produces a few seaweed crackers and pours them into a bowl, setting it on the counter before Gabriel. Kevin walks into the room, and is greeted by the two, "Hey Kevin, I got a project for ya," Gabe says.

Li Mei shakes her head, "I can't believe Sean is dead"

Shen Jiutai oils a pan and starts chopping a few fresh vegetables as the two men drift towards the aft of the ship, deep in conversation.

Rae Overholt: Alright then, to be on the safe side, no contact with our guest except for the doctor for the time being.

Shen Jiutai dumps a few peppers into the hot oil, the aroma filling the closed air in Raven's life support system.

Li Mei smells the aroma coming from the galley, "If you'll excuse me, I am famished."

Rae Overholt: I'm going to pass tonight, you folks enjoy.

Li Mei heads for the galley

Roland Josephus: How far out are we from Persephone?

Rae Overholt: Why don't you go get something to eat Doc.

Shen Jiutai grins as Li Mei enters the galley, "How was the sex?" she asks.

Rae Overholt: You too Rol, Xiao li? You want a plate?

Luke Hu: Thank you

Xiao Li Marshall: You bet.

Li Mei glares at Shen for a moment … then grins, "It could have been worse"

Xiao Li Marshall: We're a few hours out still, Rol.

Rae Overholt: You want to get it or you want me to bring it?

Roland Josephus shakes his head, "I got some things need checkin on with the reactor…"

Shen Jiutai grins at the new Doc, and gestures at the crackers with her knife.

Luke Hu: Thank you.

Shen Jiutai pulls some tofu-like substance out of the cupboard and starts cutting it into small cubes.

Rae Overholt goes to get a plate for Xiao li.

Li Mei looks at the new doctor, "I don't believe I even caught your name?"

Shen Jiutai turns and checks on the rice in the rice-cooker. She grins at Rae as she enters the common room.

Luke Hu: I am Doctor Hu

Li Mei nods at Doctor Hu, "A pleasure. I am Li Mei"

Luke Hu: I wish it were under better circumstances

Li Mei looks down, "Yes. This ship could use some better circumstances."

Shen Jiutai cuts some fish-like protein and puts it in a small bowel for Nigel the cat.

Xiao Li Marshall: "Amen to that." She shrugs and heads for the galley herself.

Li Mei takes a seat at the table.

Rae Overholt: I'd have brought you something Xiao Li, though I can't blame you for wanting to socialize.

Xiao Li Marshall: Eh, I get tired o' not knowin' what's goin' on on this boat.

Rae Overholt nods.

Li Mei nods, "I can relate to that. A lot of things seem to happen when I'm not here"

Rae Overholt: I can't hardly keep up myself either.

Shen Jiutai tosses a bunch of ingredients into the wok and pokes the stir-fry with huge cooking chop-sticks, "So Dr New, where do you hail from?" She asks.

Luke Hu: Hu. I originally lived and practiced in Londinium but recently moved from there.

Li Mei looks over at Dr. Hu "And why did you move, Dr. Hu?"

Roland Josephus: Cap'n? Gonna need a word whenever you get a chance....

Shen Jiutai nods as she stirs the meal with one hand, and pulling something out of the fridge with the other.

Luke Hu: Got bored...wanted a challenge out here in this part of the Verse. Never imagined anything like this happening.

Rae Overholt: How about now Rol?

Roland Josephus nods, "Up to you Cap'n."

Li Mei laughs, "Well Doctor, boredom should be the least of your worries now."

Xiao Li Marshall shakes her head. "We *do* seem to go through medics fast, don't we?"

Rae Overholt: "All right." She turns and heads back to the cockpit. "We got reactor problems?"

Shen Jiutai fills the kettle with water and fires up another burner.

Roland Josephus shakes his head, "Naw nothen' like that.. We'll make Persephone here soon… I figure it'll be best if'n you take on a new wrench."

Rae Overholt: Why's that?

Roland Josephus: Engines runnin' good, and you got enough crew to see her through long as it ain't major.

Rae Overholt: We can't do without a wrench Rol. We done something to run you off?

Shen Jiutai pulls a few bowls out of the cupboard and sets them on the counter, along with chop-sticks and napkins.

Roland Josephus shrugs, "You just keep 'em out on the ragged edge Cap'n... Ain't nothen' against any of ye.. I jest can't spend my time wonderin' who we're gonna run afoul of next. I'd never argue ye in front of the crew… It jest ain't fer me."

Rae Overholt: I can understand that. It ain't exactly for me either. Don't seem I got any choices. Between a rock and a hard place it seems.

Roland Josephus: Persephone's got plenty of wrenches… You'll be able to scare one up easy enough.

Shen Jiutai winces as the kettle starts to whine, she pours it into the teapot, and sets it on the counter, followed by a handful of cups.

Rae Overholt sighs, "I can't convince you somehow?"

Shen Jiutai turns off the heat under the wok, and pulls out the sesame oil and soy sauce, carrying them around to the table. She proceeds to move the bowls, cups and utensils over to the table, and to each place setting.

Roland Josephus glances down at the deck, "Wish you could Cap'n… It's a good ship... Crew's nice enough… grub ain't half bad... I jest figure its better. She's runnin' like a top... You should have some time before you need to see to anythen'."

Shen Jiutai finally brings the wok over and sets it in the center of the table, followed by the tea pot. She gestures to those assembled to 'dig in.'

Xiao Li Marshall does so without prompting.

Rae Overholt: Alright. If I can't change your mind.

Li Mei smiles, "Thank you, Shen. It looks delicious"

Rae Overholt: Might as well go eat then.

Shen Jiutai moves over to the comm and after a brief moment of feed-back, "Grub's on!" is heard echoing throughout the boat.

Roland Josephus shrugs, "I got some things to get done… Make sure you'll have plenty of time to find another one… Sides… Got to get packed."

Rae Overholt nods, "All right then"

Roland Josephus nods once, and turns toward the hatch.

Li Mei pours herself a cup of tea and spoons some food into a bowl

Rae Overholt sighs, turns and heads to her bunk.

Shen Jiutai does a quick head count and pulls out four bowls, one for each person absent and sets aside a portion for each of them.

Roland Josephus nods to those in the galley as he passes through, heading for the engine room.