The row and jaw with the yokels back at Edgar’s Place had gone a long way toward improving Sam’s mood and, to some extent, improving his opinion of folk as lived on Beylix even if them that ran it still made his stomach churn and his neck-hairs prickle up. So, as he made his way back to Rocinante, the pilot’s frustration with the events of the day had been throttled back and his thought processes were flying a smooth course again by the time he reached the docks. Getting the warm fuzzies as result of a tussle and a couple of drinks hadn’t done a thing to ease Dash’s inherent paranoia, though, and despite his less agitated demeanor, he was in no less of a hurry to flash Roc’s backside at Beylix and get back out in the black… nor was he any less inclined to slip right back into twitchy when he laid eyes on the short, Chinese guy hanging out by the portal into Roc’s cargo bay…

“Hi,” the guy nodded as Sam got closer.

“Yeah,” Sam nodded back, “Ni how. Help you wit’ somethin’?”

“Just waiting for Willow.” The short guy with the nice jacket answered with a shrug.

“Willow?” Dash grinned a little as he looked the guy over, recognizing him, now, as the same fella he’d seen the Doc with just a spell ago. “No kiddin’? Verse gets crazier an’ crazier, don’t it?” He wondered, just briefly, what Willow might be doin’ with a guy like this… he seemed well below Willow’s standards as far as appearance went… but didn’t wonder enough to try and drag any more info out of the smaller man. “Lemme go see if’n I can’t rustle her up fer ya,” Dash winced as he rubbed at his stubbled jaw and found a sore spot that the whiskey hadn’t numbed… Prob’ly gonna have a gorram bruise, too, he thought as he left Willow’s caller on the gangplank and strode through the door and into the cargo bay.

“Honey, I’m home,” Sam had started to crow as his boots clanged against the grated floor of the bay. He’d been ready to add some untoward quip about fetching his slippers and rubbin’ his nethers, too, but given the pissed off expression on Wyatt’s face, Willow looking as if someone had just spilled coffee on one of her best dresses, and that Blake fella looking all pasty-faced and worrisome, the pilot thought better of it.

“...I need to send a wave to the sheriff and talk to him. Though I am not hopeful that it will work out well,” the banker was fretting, “My wife is going to kill me.”

Wu de mah. This ain’t gonna be good, is it? As the all too familiar prickling sensation in the back of his neck surged, Sam’s gaze ticked from where the Cap and Willow stood with Blake, found Ma and Andy sweeping along the catwalk towards them, then traced back to Wyatt… “What th’ hell’s goin’ on, Cap,” he asked, almost in concert with Andrew, as he read the look in the Captain’s eye, “We’s dustin’ off, right?”

“Mr. Blake's son has gone and acquired your old room, Andrew,” Wyatt drawled quietly in response… Sam could tell that the man was thinking more of it all but didn’t want to say anything more in front of Blake…

((Assuming the response noted by YeOlde))

“Ai ya,” Sam shook his head faintly and rolled his eyes as he leaned against the bulkhead, “Gorram typical… garbage in, garbage out… Beylix don’t never change…”

“That’s a pickle,” Andrew said with a shake of his head, “The Sheriff doesn’t seem like a man you’re going to be able to move so easily.” He looked to the worried Banker.

“I think…” Bowman trailed off a bit as he seemed to be thinking … then turned and headed back up the ladder towards the crew quarters.. “..I have to check something.”

“You can send the wave from the cockpit, Mr. Blake,” Wyatt said to the banker after watching Andy depart back the way he'd come, “Ma? Will you please show the man the way, and the way back to his quarters once that wave's sent and received? Much obliged.”

"OK," Wyatt began softly once Ma had escorted Mr. Blake from the cargo bay leaving just crew. "The short and sweet version is we've got a man that's surely gonna cause us no end of grief in trying to git back, and I'm not so inclined to hit that bee hive with a stick. Unless one of you feel partial to seeing what we can do to help Mr. Blake spring his son, and can convince me that Merciful Buddha will condemn my soul for an eternity should I not leave him to rot, then I say we find Wolf, make sure we're settled up here ,and burn Atmo' afore that sheriff gets another bright idea in his head that we're in league with Blake Jr."

Sam offered a shrug. “I say let ‘im twist, Cap. May not endear us ta them Frisco folks, none, but, way I see it, they ain’t done much t’ be cozy wit’ us, neither… Boy dug that hole for hisself…” He leaned against a control console and rubbed at his aching jaw… “Besides… Ain’t no money ta be made sittin’ here playin’ hide an’ go hump yerself wit that lawman, neither… but there’s plenty ta be lost if’n we do…”

The floods in the cargo bay blazed to life, just then, and, just as quickly went out, leaving Sam blinking and, given the unexpectedness of the event, sliding back towards the twitchier side of nervous. “Gorramit,” the pilot grumbled, moving for the catwalk, “why don’cha go ahead an’ flip every ruttin’ switch ya can find… mebbe ye’ll get lucky and send us ta full burn right here on the docks and won’t none of us have ta worry bout what ta do next…”

Sam paused at the landing and glanced back at Wyatt… “Jus’ tell me we ain’t much longer fer this rock, Wyatt,” he sighed before resuming his course toward the bridge, “tell me we’re burnin’ Atmo an’ I’m shiny…”

((OOC: Room for interaction throughout, of course… Sam’s headed for the bridge to make sure Blake didn’t mess nothing up with all his finger-bangin’. ))

OOC: I am playing with the timing here to make everyone on the same page.

Newhouse, Beylix, Rocinante, Cargo Bay, 2:15 pm, Day Three
Sam is moving to the catwalk when Willow steps in front of him and hauls him into a sitting position on a crate, "Sam Dash! Been making friends again I see. You aren't going anywhere until I look at you closely young man."

(assuming Sam is not going to reject a checkup with his fave doc)

"Hmm." Willow muses with Sam's face held gently but firmly between her hands, "Facial injuries always look worse than the seem, which I had more light..."

At that moment the flood lights come on and fill the cargo bay with illumination. "Thank you" Willow murmurs assuming someone did that for her. the lights go off again as suddenly as they came on.

“Gorramit,” the pilot grumbled figuring what happened, "Why don’cha go ahead an’ flip every ruttin’ switch ya can find… mebbe ye’ll get lucky and send us ta full burn right here on the docks and won’t none of us have ta worry bout what ta do next…”

At that moment Andrew Bowman returns to the cargo bay and sees Sam being attended by the lovely young lady. "Well… How are things going?” he asks, looking to Sam and Wyatt to fill him in.

(assuming some conversation here)

After a short while, Willow decides that Sam can wait for her tender ministrations. As Sam is heading for the catwalk he says to Wyatt, "Jus’ tell me we ain’t much longer fer this rock, Wyatt, Tell me we’re burnin’ Atmo an’ I’m shiny…”

"We are leaving this rock, Mr Dash." The voice of the banker speaks from a top the gangway. "Captain, I apologize for any inconvenience that I or my son have caused. My son is a big boy now, he will now start to learn what that means. So you may proceed as you wish at this point. I have some things I need to attend to and I need to lie down. Perhaps after tonight's meal, you will be available to talk Captain? Until then." and with that the small round banker turns and leaves. Trish looks down from the catwalk and shrugs before turning to go back to the kitchen.

Newhouse, Beylix Outside Rocinante, 2:20 pm, Day Three
As Wolf works the hose of the pump, he asks, "“Sounds good, by the way, the names Fenris Apollo, and yeah, I’m the mechanic on that Firefly. So if ya don’t mind my asking what’s the deal with your dockies?”

"Stacy Tam and they don't like the fact that I'm dock foreman. Biggs wanted the job but he doesn't have people skills if you know what I mean. So get got promoted and he tries to get his boys to scare me off, only I don't scare easily. So we do this dance for now. In a few weeks I'll move Biggs to a better position but far away from me, and things will get shiny."

The fill up done, Stacey walks with you over to Rocinante and with a practiced hand, releases the fuel cell cover and activated the hydrogen fuel sequence. The large trolley begins to move to latch onto the first fuel cell.

"Well it is all automated at this point. be about 30 minutes for the flush and another hour for the fill," She stretches playfully, "I'm due for a break, wanna come back to my office? It ain't fancy but it is private." She says with a definite suggestiveness in her voice.

OOC: Okay. Rocinante will be fuelled and ready in 90 minutes. You may post any actions, conversation or movements during that time (keep it PG Tann ). No one will be attacked, shot or beaten, and Stacy is not an assassin (for those of you who are twitchy in RL). Willow needs to be introduced to Bowman, you should bring each other up to speed on what has happened, someone should give the ham hock to Trish, the passengers are going to have a long meeting with Pearson about rules, probably in the biggest room they can find with a door and Sam needs to get off this rock fast.

Newhouse, Beylix Outside Rocinante, 2:20 pm, Day Three
“Sounds good, by the way, the names Fenris Apollo, and yeah, I’m the mechanic on that Firefly. So if ya don’t mind my asking what’s the deal with your dockies?”
"Stacy Tam and they don't like the fact that I'm dock foreman. Biggs wanted the job but he doesn't have people skills if you know what I mean. So get got promoted and he tries to get his boys to scare me off, only I don't scare easily. So we do this dance for now. In a few weeks I'll move Biggs to a better position but far away from me, and things will get shiny."
As Wolf listened to her reply to his question, he could only shake his head at the stupidity of some men.

“Nee mun DOH all of them, if they can’t see the advantage of a beautiful boss” He said back with a smile. Her return smile give hope to a small pang of fantasy inside him that maybe there was hope in some private time, but realistically with her on the clock and Wyatt possibly needing him back onboard the odds were against it. On top of all that her suggestive flirting could be just that, flirting. Wolf was and had been many things in his life but never one to take anything for granted or anything not given willingly.

With those amorous thoughts, at least for Wolf, put for the moment away the two of them set to getting the ship set up and ready to refuel and it was quickly taken care of. For a moment the silence between him and the sexy dock foremen seemed to linger as both were at first at a loss of what to say next. It was Stacy who broke the heavy silence first.

"Well it is all automated at this point. be about 30 minutes for the flush and another hour for the fill," Wolf could not help himself but watch as she stretched playfully before him. A man would have to be dead or castrated not to look at what she was clearly displaying. Her next words only confirmed his growing realization that she as much as he wanted a carnal encounter.

"I'm due for a break, wanna come back to my office? It ain't fancy but it is private."
His first reaction was to go, but then he stopped himself, his mind in full gear weighing the ramifications of such an action having no link to the ship and Captain Wyatt.
EE-chee shung-hoo-shee!! Fenris thought to himself as he calmed his now quickly beating heart and put his lower body in pause mode. Thinking fast now for some excuse, any excuse, to take her up on her offer he quickly remembered the Captain having allowed Sam to go off by himself to cool off, Wolf thought he would understand the mechanic’s situation. As the ship for the next 90-120 minutes was not going anywhere he’d hopefully understand Wolf’s decision to accept Stacy ‘s offer. If not well then at least Fenris Apollo would be happy in his punishment. Coming to a choice he turned to Stacy.

“I’d like that very much My Lady” Holding out his arm as a gentleman for her to take he allowed her to take control. “Please lead on”...........

Wyatt gave the banker a nod by way of an answer, but when the man turned away the captain glanced at Willow with his brow raised mouthing the words, "What was that about?" it wasn't that he necessarily believed the good doctor had any idea, but she was devious and cunning despite her exterior presentation...at least he secretly hoped that were the case.

Almost absent-mindedly Wyatt gave a wave towards Andrew. "Willow, this here is Andrew Bowman. He's family. Andrew, Willow. She's the ship patch-R-upper."

Taking off his hat, Wyatt ran his hand through his hair. Complications were dancing in his brainpan like grease on a skillet, and that always made the Black seem much smaller. Suddenly he remembered Sam's comment upon entering. He hoped that Willow would finish whatever business she'd entwined herself in quickly enough, and though he didn't like to meddle in the lives of his crew, he had to know one thing before he moved on from that little bit of drama.

"Willow," he said while inspecting the band of his hat and brushing some of the dust he'd collected recently from it. "Tell me this dance yer engaging' in don't include other, more deadly dance partners, and that it don't have a sudden and abrupt ending. Tell me that and it's the last you'll hear of it from me."

Sam's condition upon returning hadn't gone unnoticed either. Well, how could it with Willow fussing over him? He'd have to have a chat with the pilot just to make sure there weren't any chains attached to whatever he'd dragged himself through to rid himself of the demons he'd faced down in the square...after Willow assured him that she was safe.

After his conversation with Willow, Wyatt excused himself from the others, took up the ham hock from the mule, and made his way to the galley and Ma. He held it up to the silent woman as though presenting a prize and said, "The conquering hero brings you pig." transferring the goods, he leaned back against the counter and rested on his palms.

"So..." he began, watching Ma put the meat away while trying to read her scarred face. The woman had definitely been a beauty before her accident. Wyatt wondered briefly if he'd ever truly know the events behind her disfigurement, and if it was something that would be cause for him to take action. Nobody messed with Wyatt Sung's family. Nobody.

"That Mr. Blake seems to have his head screwed on straight-like," Wyatt pressed for Ma's opinion on the man, and anything that might prepare him for this conversation he had agreed to. When serving in the Unification War, Wyatt had learned that intel was the Holy Grail of every operation (followed closely by Bhudda's Blessing), and he hated going into anything with a person who considered themselves a savvy business man without some intel to gird about his loins.

After his conversation with Ma ended, Sung made his casual way up to the cockpit to drop in on Sam. Seeing the pilot behind his usual console Wyatt smiled and planted himself on the edge near the seat.

"See yourself in a mirror again, Sam? I keep tellin' ya that smashing yer face won't do nothin' to improve yer looks."

Wyatt fished for answers as to what the man experienced after leaving the Green, and also dug into Sam's opinion on Pearson.

"I tell you, Sammy," Wyatt drawled looking out at the polluted sky. "I had it all figured out. We'd get that killer back to Rocinante, burn Atmo', and then once we were in our domain, we'd have a little chat with the man near the airlock. That gorram sheriff put a burr under my saddle, but he didn't kill a man in cold blood right before my eyes."

Wyatt was happy to entertain any suggestions Sam might have concerning how they should meet out justice to Pearson, even adding some of his own off-color remarks. After a while he gave the pilot a friendly pat on the shoulder and left him to his navigational duties in preparation for departure. And that's when he went to find Bowman.

The captain was curious about Andrew's whereabouts these past few years. He'd obviously heard about Summer and Eden, but what else had he heard? What were his plans? What were his assets? Was he in need of assistance? Wyatt hadn't left his wife and daughter; they'd been taken from him. That meant that Andrew was family by default and it warranted any further assistance Wyatt could offer him. So, once The captain found him, he spent a little while catching up, and filling Bowman in on their current gig. He left out pretty much everything having to do with the crazy family of Alliance-reared criminals as he figured that boat had sailed, but he let Andrew know about their current route and the possible dangers involved.

"Look," Wyatt finished as he turned back to Andrew before exiting the room. "There ain't much room aboard this ship right now, but once them passengers are safely away, there's plenty should you decide you want to stay on. I'm captain, but this ship is owned by the lot of us, and that means that I'll need run a permanent addition by the rest of the crew, but it don't seem like they'd fuss over you stayin' on. You'd like the Kid, and i think you'll get along well enough with the rest of 'em. So..."

Leaving Andrew, Sung made his way about the ship performing his usual preflight check. Stopping in the engine room he glanced about wondering where Fenris was, and hoping the mechanic had finalized everything dockside so they could burn sooner rather than later. When it came available to them to dust off, Wyatt wasn't about to wait for another invitation.

Almost absent-mindedly Wyatt gave a wave towards Andrew. "Willow, this here is Andrew Bowman. He's family. Andrew, Willow. She's the ship patch-R-upper."
“Eloquent as ever I see Wyatt,” Andrew said with a smile and then tipped his hat to Willow, “Nice to meet ya Ma’am. My pleasure!”

The captain was curious about Andrew's whereabouts these past few years. He'd obviously heard about Summer and Eden, but what else had he heard? What were his plans? What were his assets? Was he in need of assistance? Wyatt hadn't left his wife and daughter; they'd been taken from him. That meant that Andrew was family by default and it warranted any further assistance Wyatt could offer him. So, once the captain found him, he spent a little while catching up, and filling Bowman in on their current gig. He left out pretty much everything having to do with the crazy family of Alliance-reared criminals as he figured that boat had sailed, but he let Andrew know about their current route and the possible dangers involved.
Andrew had listened intently as Wyatt had explained the situation here on Rocinante and their current job… he didn’t say anything or ask any questions as he figured anything Wyatt wanted him to know he would have told him.

"Look," Wyatt finished as he turned back to Andrew before exiting the room. "There ain't much room aboard this ship right now, but once them passengers are safely away, there's plenty should you decide you want to stay on. I'm captain, but this ship is owned by the lot of us, and that means that I'll need run a permanent addition by the rest of the crew, but it don't seem like they'd fuss over you stayin' on. You'd like the Kid, and i think you'll get along well enough with the rest of 'em. So..."
Andrew nodded as Wyatt seemed finished with what he had to say… he rose from where he had been seated as Wyatt seemed ready to leave the room.

“No problem Wyatt,” he said with a knowing smile, “I will try to stay out of the way of your crew… and don’t worry… I don’t foresee any problems with anyone on-board… well least not with your crew.” He remembered Pearson was aboard and figured that he had as much ill feelings towards the man as any other of the crew who had witness the cold-blooded murder in town.

“Once things are settled we will talk further about the future,” he paused then added somberly, “… and the past.”

Sam had tried to enter with his usual cocky greeting, but as soon as Willow spotted his injuries, she was at his side faster than anyone could credit a woman in heels and a tight skirt. With a practised hand, she pinched his chin firmly and had him seated on a crate before he really knew what had hit him.

"Sam Dash! Been making friends again I see. You aren't going anywhere until I look at you closely young man." Willow's voice was light, semi-teasing in her remonstrance, but her eyes were serious as she looked closely at Sam's emerging bruises. Up close, she couldn't conceal that she'd been crying, but worry over Sam pushed her own fears away.

"Hmm." Willow mused as she checked Sam's eyes but saw no signs of concussion, "Facial injuries always look worse than they are, since the skin is so thin there, but I wish I had more light..."

At that moment the flood lights come on and fill the cargo bay with illumination. "Thank you" Willow murmurs with the confidence of one who'd always been obeyed, but the lights went off again as suddenly as they came on.

“Gorramit,” the pilot grumbled figuring what happened, "Why don’cha go ahead an’ flip every ruttin’ switch ya can find… mebbe ye’ll get lucky and send us ta full burn right here on the docks and won’t none of us have ta worry bout what ta do next…”

"Well, I don't see anything that can't wait, Mr. Dash. You're free to go save us from our banker friend. But be gentle, Sam dear, he's had a nasty shock."

At that moment Andrew Bowman returns to the cargo bay and sees Sam being attended by the lovely young lady. "Well… How are things going?” he asks, looking to Sam and Wyatt to fill him in. Almost absent-mindedly Wyatt gave a wave towards Andrew. "Willow, this here is Andrew Bowman. He's family. Andrew, Willow. She's the ship patch-R-upper."
Willow's eyes light up with curiosity as Wyatt made the introductions; she knew of the Captain's loss but little else, and here the Captain was presenting a new source of info. She lowered her eyes demurely, however, and proffered a hand to be shaken.
"Welcome aboard, Mr. Bowman. I wish these could be happier, or at least more calm circumstances, but this is pretty much as calm as it gets. "

"Willow," Wyatt continued after Willow and Andrew had exchanged pleasantries, "Tell me this dance yer engaging' in don't include other, more deadly dance partners, and that it don't have a sudden and abrupt ending. Tell me that and it's the last you'll hear of it from me."

The former Companion didn't let her surprise show, but she did look from the Captain to Bowman and back again, slowly, but then shrugged. If the Captain chose to discuss ship's business in front of Bowman, she wouldn't argue.

"Now Captain-san, I can't see the future, so how can I know how any of this ends? But," she held up a forestalling hand before Wyatt could lose patience with her equivocation," I can tell you this: I was simply retrieving a lost item for our elderly friend in Frisco, but James was sent by Brigitte to do the same. If you'll let me conclude the deal and send Benny on his way, we can get a closer look at what has Miss Twitchy-Pants so interested."

She coloured a bit at that last before excusing herself to go to her quarters - perhaps her own dislike of the redhead was coming through, but she was pretty sure she hadn't let it affect her judgement. Something about the way that woman threw herself at anything with pants...especially Willow's own men!

"Now, now, jade-eyed girl, they really aren't your men-folk," she chided herself as she rummaged in her room, retrieving Grandfather's money and putting it into a silken pouch."It's not like you have any hold on them, nor do they owe you anything...but Bhudda's left foot! Something about her rouses the fierce in me!"

Sneaking a quick glance in the mirror, Willow tucked an errant lock of hair back into place then hurried out to where Benny was waiting. She took a quick glance around, and seeing no-one other than Benny, offered the pouch.

"The amount we agreed upon, Benny," she began," and I hope enough to turn your luck around. Can I send you a wave by way of Darla's? I may want to catch up with you after this - see how you're doing."

Newhouse, Beylix, Outside Rocinante’s Cargo Bay, 2:20 pm, Day Three
"The amount we agreed upon, Benny," Willow began," and I hope enough to turn your luck around. Can I send you a wave by way of Darla's? I may want to catch up with you after this - see how you're doing."

“Ummm.... Sure, for the next few days at least. Might try my luck elsewhere.” Benny says as he opens the purse and gives a precursory look at the coinage. He pulls out the piece and goes to hand it over but he hesitates for a moment, looking at the piece long and hard like he is trying to determine something about it. Afetr a moment or two he hands it over to Willow. “Listen, Miss Willow. If you were anyone else I’d be off and running but ...well no one has treated me like a person in so long.” He looks all around to see if anyone is watching. “I tried to sell this piece about a year ago on Beaumonte. Some Tongs were offering a goodly amount, not like this but I was really in bad straits then. Anyway, long and short of it, is they gave me half and I went to get the piece, but when I returned – they were all dead. Someone or someones had killed them all, and they weren’t a weak bunch. So between them and your friend with the gun at the bar, I want you to be sure you want this. I’d sooner give you the money back and drink myself to death than think harm would come to you by my hand.”

(assuming Willow will still take piece, some conversation here)

Benny nods and pockets the purse. “Well you are gonna be on that ship in the black and you got plenty of folk to watch over you so, good Luck to you. At least, better luck than the piece ever brought to me.”

Breaking Atmo, Beylix, 4:00 pm Day Three to Day Six 9:00 am
Wolf arrived through the cargo bay door a few minutes before the fuelling ended, looking particularly pleased with himself and about as relaxed as anyone has seen him. He carries something in his hand when he comes in but he doesn’t share what it is with anyone. (300 Credits for the fuel, docking fee, septic flush and fresh water. Should be higher but SPA only bills you for the fuel.)

As soon as the clearance is received from the tower, Sam has Rocinante in the air like the proverbial bat out of hell. The engines are running smooth and the ship breaks atmo without a hitch. Soon afterwards, Sam plots a course and pushes the engine into full burn. As always, there is a brief moment of silent, and then the sound, so much like a horse in full gallop travels across Rocinante from stern to bow. Back into the black again, the crew returns to the life they live off the planets and the passengers re-familiarize themselves with the routine.

There is an initial amount of excitement when Willow returns to her medical bay to find a dead body awaiting her there. Seems in all the hustle and bustle of the day, no one mentioned poor Chad to the doctor. (feel free to play that out)

Pearson keeps to his word and keeps to himself and the passengers for the journey. He makes a brief attempt to help out around the ship but receives cold shoulders and glares so he stops after a short time. The townfolks have many meetings with him to determine the proper “whattodo” and “wherefors”, and he seems quite cordial about their rules and guidelines.

The crew get a chance to meet the newcomer and talk a bit to get to know each other. Trish seems to take a shine to Andrew which is always a good thing. Andrew knows computers and electrical systems well so Wolf and he get along and even work together on a few redundancy systems on the trip but the engines run well for the journey to the Regina and there are no incidents.

The daily waves between Pearson and the sheriff plus Blake and his son go off well and all parties seem placated if not pleased with the situation. Jimmy whines and moans a lot and keeps begging for his dad to rescue him but the banker holds firm on his resolve.

Come to Regina and the blockade is not only there, but a new battle cruiser has appear (the Sheldon Cooper). A wave from Asher warns that there are quite a few alliance patrols on “shore leave” in town and best if you keep a wide berth.

As planned, at 9 am on the sixth day of your journey, the townsfolk load into the shuttle with Pearson and the body of Chad. Asher is contacted to watch for the shuttle and Wyatt and Sam give him a terse rundown of the situation and their thoughts on Pearson. Asher promises to keep an eye on things and not let his guard down.

The shuttle departs and the once again Rocinante is yours and yours alone. Sam plots a course for the Lullabelle Mine on the Angel Hair comet and you begin what is hoped to be the profitable side of this journey. Not to mention a chance to see Kora again.


OOC: This is a chance to get to know everyone and for everyone to get up to speed on everyone’s plotlines. Feel free to back post the conversations and stories.

Newhouse, Beylix Maintenance Office, 2:30-3:45 pm, Day Three
Two people alone, no thoughts other then on each other, their bodies moving together like a finely tuned machine, sounds of pleasure coming from both their throats. With a last gasp of pleasure from each, both reached the sought after goal and collapsed into the others arms, both of their bodies covered in sweat.

After a few moments of rest Wolf got to his feet to recover his hastily discarded clothes, dressing slowly he could not help but continue to look at Stacie’s still naked body as she laid upon the office‘s rug. Coming up to a semi standing position she leaned back against her desk and allowed Wolf the better view, a hint of mischief still in her eyes.

“So I guess its time to get back to your ship”
“Yeah the Captain’s probably wondering where I am.”
"You gonna be back this way any time soon”
“I’m not sure, we have a few paying runs we need to finish up. All depends on what jobs the Cap’n takes on”
She seemed to pause then moving to her desk she opened a top draw and took out a digital camera and handed it to him

“I want to give you something to remember me by and hopefully they will bring you back this way someday.”
The next 15 minutes found Wolf taking both nude and clothed shots of Stacy as she posed in different positions. Removing the camera’s data pack and her com number she handed both to Wolf as she grabbed him for a last long kiss.

“Stay safe Fenris”
“You too Stacy, if you need me you have the Rocinante’s call number, don’t hesitate to use it”
Fully dressed with data pack in hand Wolf walked out of the office and headed back to the ship. By chance as he did so he almost surged into the one Stacy had called “Biggs” and his two goons. Blocking the man’s way Wolf looked him straight in the eyes to let him know his next words were deadly serious.

“Nice to see you again Biggs. That’s right I know who you are now so word of advice, if anything happens to Miss Tam, no matter if you do it or not, I’ll find my way back here and break every bone in your body and that will be just for starters. My suggestion is you come to terms with her and make sure she stay’s safe or you will see me again”
With his words said Wolf did not wait for a reply but continued on his way to the Rociante.

Breaking Atmo, Beylix, 4:00 pm Day Three
He arrived through the cargo bay door and found that only a few minutes remained before the fuelling ended. Making straight for the engine room he gave a quick once over to make sure everything seemed ok.

With clearance given Sam had Rocinante in the air like the proverbial bat out of hell. Wolf standing by in the engine room continues to watch and double check as the engines run smooth, the ship easily breaking from the planets atmosphere without a hitch.

Soon afterwards, as Sam plots a course and pushes the engine into full burn, Wolf fingers the data pack in his hand and says a silent goodbye to Stacy, a brief encounter, but one sure to be remembered.

As always, there is a brief moment of silence, and then the sound, so much like a horse in full gallop, travels across Rocinante from stern to bow. Back into the black once more..............

Andrew Bowman is glad when he feels the deck of the ship vibrating as it takes to the air.. and once the familiar sound of the ship as it enters the black is a welcome thing to him.. he smiles slightly.. and sighs.. as he walks through the ship to familiar himself with the layout.

As he passed the Medical bay he heard Willow exclaiming at finding a dead body in her bay.. Andrew enters and clears his throat to announce his presence.

“I’m sorry…” he said at first looking at the blanket draped body, “ it is a fellow named Chad who I believe is one of your passengers. Deputy Pearson shot him … in the back… as the man was running in the town.” The anger in his voice at recalling the act can be clearly heard.

“It was thought best to return him to his home,” he said with a faint shrug, “I’m sorry that no one mentioned it to you earlier.”

After that brief encounter he returned to strolling about the ship.

Andrew gets to know the crew as the trip continues… he seems very friendly and cordial … though he has an edge to him that shows he is not afraid to voice his opinion at any time. He helps out Wolf working on the Rocinante’s systems, and even Trish seems to like him… she even manages to convince him to call her Ma.

Andrew is surprised when he finds out in talking to her that her real name is Patricia Wilmont… (I assume that here real Identity is not a secret.. read the history and couldn’t find a mention of it being hidden.. if it is.. let me know and I will modify my post to remove this part) .. of course he knew of her… who his age didn’t know of her.. he had seen her perform even when he was younger… his family being rich helped him to be exposed to the finer life in the alliance. He didn’t ask about what happened to her… and he didn’t show any pity for her condition… he knew from experience that was the last thing most people would want especially from strangers.

By the time the trip is over.. all of the crew know exactly who Andrew Bowman is in relation to their Captain… Andrew doesn’t say much about it.. to the others.. but one time.. when he gets that sit down with Wyatt.. he brings up the unpleasant situation that he knows Wyatt probably doesn’t want to talk about.. but Andrew doesn’t really know the details… and so he asks.

“Can you tell me what…. What happened Wyatt?” he asks with pain evident in his voice as they sit in the mess.. him sipping some coffee.

Wyatt couldn't come to a decision on how to deal with Pearson's murderous nature and still keep the sheriff satisfied. It irked him to no end and at first he was even more withdrawn than usual as he continually ran into the brick wall that was a suitable punishment for the deputy. He'd visit the cockpit to check on their course and the systems ,and he pulled his own responsibilities off with decorum, but the first twenty-four hours he wasn't very personable.

The night was a cathartic therapist and Wyatt woke in s bunk to kick the blanket off with a decision finally made. It wasn't his problem. His responsibility was to his crew, and getting Asher off that rock as soon as he could. They had to finish their run to the comet, and then he had to find them more work. They had to keep flyin' and that was his responsibility. Although Wyatt had never been a real gas at a party, he was noticeably more relaxed come mealtime that morning.

Wyatt spent most of his morning scanning the cortex for possible jobs, then made his way to the cockpit where he helped Sam with minor navigational corrections based on new telemetry data they'd picked up overnight, and then he took a turn at the controls so Sam could get some sleep. It wasn't until the dinner Ma had so graciously prepared was over and everyone had retired to their various activities that Andrew caught up with him wle he was pouring myself a cup of coffee in preparation for the swing shift on the controls.

Can you tell me what…. What happened Wyatt?” Sam asks with pain evident in his voice as they sit in the mess.. him sipping some coffee.

Wyatt sat quietly for a good, long thirty seconds. This was Andrew's family as well, and he deserved to know, but it was difficult for Wyatt to talk about. The love he felt for his wife and daughter were still as strong as ever. Clearing his throat he began in a very low tone, staring at his coffee, the brim of his hat hiding his facial features.

"She was always outspoken, ya know? When the war broke out she was all up in arms over the injustices the Alliance was puttin' people through. You know how she is...was...I kept tellin' her that i had no problem listenin' to her in the private of our ranch, but t' keep it to herself while in town 'r the company o' others." Wyatt sighed and settled back in his chair his gaze a distant one. "She was as wild o' spirit as any horse I'd ever encountered. I could only suggest, ya know? I could never reign her in, and she spoke her mind when and where she pleased. I didn't know then how, or when, but she'd apparently spoke her mind in front o' some alliance supporters without knowin' it--not that knowin' would'a stopped her.

"They killed her and my baby girl while I was rangin'..." Wyatt dropped his head again, his voice sinking to a pain filled whisper think with anger and guilt. "I weren't there to protect 'em. I weren't there to keep my family safe as all men should be. I kilt 'em though, Andrew. I sent every last one o' them to Hell 'fore they bound me by Law. I created widows an' orphans in one twenty-four hour period out of rage an' hatred."

Wyatt paused as he relived that day and night. I ain't no different than them. "An' then I joined the Browncoats to keep 'em from stretching my neck and I created more widows, more orphans, an' put more young folk in the ground." No matter her politics Eden wouldn't have wanted that. She didn't want no war, an' neither did I.

Before Departure
Willow listened to Benny's story and while she was certainly concerned about his last attempted sale, she was touched by his concern for her. As he said his goodbyes, she clasped his hand, then leaned in quickly to land a butterfly's kiss on his cheek.

"May Buddha watch over you, Benny-san, and bless you with the luck you deserve. The Tong may have been strong, but, being who they are, they set down deep roots to hold what they take, and that makes them targets. I'll be gone and one wee ship looks much like another in the Black. If anyone asks, you never did get my name, but I did say that I was getting married to some fellow in Frisco...that way you sound helpful, but send them astray... ku ?

Breaking atmo
With the usual bustle of departure making the ship echo and clang with booted feet, Willow slipped through the coming and goings as a deer would slip through trees. She made her way to her room, hid the chess piece and changed into her more usual shipboard attire of a simple cotton salwar kameez. The pale green pants and tunic were comfortable, yet the darker green embroidery of willow trees echoed her eyes. Pulling her hair back into a knot at the nape of her neck, she hummed softly to herself as she walked into the medical bay to make sure everything was secure for departure.

Willow stopped short when she realized there was a body on her table: Chad. She blinked a moment, not sure how to take one more shock in a very long day, then she bowed her head and let out her breath. "One step at a time, Willow," she murmured to herself while coming to stand beside the body, "just like any other day."

From behind her, she heard someone clearing their throat, and she cast a hot eyed look over her shoulder, hoping to repay the captain for her fright.

“I’m sorry…” Bowman responded mildly enough, but anger held in check was in his voice, “ it is a fellow named Chad who I believe is one of your passengers. Deputy Pearson shot him … in the back… as the man was running in the town.”

“It was thought best to return him to his home,” he said with a faint shrug, “I’m sorry that no one mentioned it to you earlier.”

Willow blushed faintly and turned to face Bowman fully, one hand left lightly on Chad's chest, as if to comfort the dead man.

"No need to apologize, Mr. Bowman-san," Willow's lips twitched into a smile before fading," we were a little distracted earlier. We must talk later, when I've seen to Chad's rest. If you'll excuse me...?"

Willow was gracious, but her dismissal was clear; she had a duty to perform and it wasn't for casual onlookers. As Bowman left, she turned back to Sloat, her features settling into solemnity. She brushed hair away from his face, and closed his eyes (if no-one had already done so). She moved over to the comm and thumbed it while readying a pan of water, sponges and instruments.

"Captain-san? It's Willow. In the infirmary. Was there something I should know? (Assuming she is told of Chad's death by Pearson's gun, she gives no hint that Bowman had already told her...) Very well. Would you have Mr. Pearson come see me in the infirmary, please?"

As she awaited Pearson, she began to cut away Chad's clothes, setting them aside in a bag. She cleaned the body, carefully and respectfully, and if Pearson did join her, she would have him roll over the body so that Willow could remove the bullet fragments and sew the wounds shut. " I don't know the circumstances that made it necessary for you to kill this man, and I don't want to; I'm a doctor, not a judge. If you are willing to end a man's life, however, you can at least help with the repercussions, " she told Pearson quietly but firmly. "I don't know if Mr. Sloat followed a faith, but most that do want the body buried or burned as whole as possible, so that's what we need to do."

(Allowing for interactions...)

During the journey
As the ship settles into the routine of crossing the Black, Willow reaches for as much normalcy as she can. She chats with passengers that are of a mind to chat, and otherwise does her best to keep spirits up and tension low. She'd let the Captain and Bowman have time to get re-acquainted before asking for a moment of the Captain's time.

She showed him the chess piece and related Benny's story, adding her own observation that he was likely a descendant of the elderly shepherd. She concluded with the news of what befell the last people who'd tried to buy the piece.

"And that's as much as I know. Grandfather suggested I may need this before we have a chance to bring it to him, but I have no idea what it is for. "

As Wyatt related what had happened to his wife and daughter… Andrew Bowman’s eyes closed and his head lowered as he listened.. by the end of the tale.. a couple of tears could be seen lining their way down his rough tanned cheeks.. he reached up and wiped them away before opening his eyes to look at Wyatt and sighed.

“I’m sorry you had to relive that,” he said, his pain and sympathy evident in his tone, “but I had to know what went on. And by my reckoning… you did what had to be done. I doubt those hell spawn had any relatives that would be missing the likes of them… and if they did.. they were probably better off. “

“As to the war,” he said with a shrug, “what you did there was what happens in all wars… it is unfortunate but whatever side your on … the result is the same.. death and mayhem... It is unavoidable. Nobody wants wars... well no sane people anyway.”

“But,” he continued with a faint smile, “I’m not one that should be preaching to you. The past is just that.. in the past.. it is what you do now that will decide who you are… and who you will become... I just hope I’m allowed to stick around and see that.. if you be havin me stay aboard that is?”

He waited for Wyatt’s decision.. the crew didn’t seem to have a problem with him that he had seen… but they might have said things to Wyatt without showing their true feelings… he liked this ship.. and he liked being out in the black… he would try to help out where he could and an extra gun around was always a good thing nowadays… but time would tell what would happen… and what the outcome would be.

(p.s. Don’t mean to step on Willow’s post.. but in my previous post I has stated that Andrew happened by and told Willow about Pearson and the dead man.. but I can play it either way.. let me know if I should remove it from my post )

OOC: This will be my last post until after christmas. I'm off for the last week in dec so I hope to post then if everyone can manage a post before.

Enroute to Lullabelle Mine, Day Eight 9:30 am Ship Time
As Wyatt and Andrew sit together in the kitchen’s common room and have a serious conversation, the rest of the crew continues their routines.

Sam is in the cockpit, watching the instruments and making minor correction, but this far in the black, flying doesn’t require a whole lot of steering. He thinks about how it will be nice to hitch up with the Lullabelle and see Kora again. They were only a day out now, and soon Sam would send them a wave to let them know to break out the welcome wagon.

Ma is in the kitchen, checking her stock of supplies and cleaing up the nearly perfectly clean pantry. The ham hock was kept until the passengers were gone and now after the feast, she is simmering the bones for a stock. She found a supply of dried yellow split peas she stored away for good stock months ago – and this was calling to them.

Willow is in her medical bay, listening to soft music as she enjoys a cup of hot tea and reads an old but beloved book she treasures.

Wolf is in the engine room, trying to track down an odd power flux that seems to have cropped up out of nowhere. Barely noticeable to most, the power fluctuations started about a day ago and they appear to have no pattern. Having double and tripled checked all the power within the ship, Wolf is thinking that maybe he needs to suit up at the mine and walk the exterior.

“An' then I joined the Browncoats to keep 'em from stretching my neck and I created more widows, more orphans, an' put more young folk in the ground." Wyatt said sadly to Andrew.

“I’m sorry you had to relive that,” Andrew said, his pain and sympathy evident in his tone, “but I had to know what went on. And by my reckoning… you did what had to be done. I doubt those hell spawn had any relatives that would be missing the likes of them… and if they did.. they were probably better off. “

“As to the war,” he said with a shrug, “what you did there was what happens in all wars… it is unfortunate but whatever side your on … the result is the same.. death and mayhem... It is unavoidable. Nobody wants wars... well no sane people anyway.”

“But,” he continued with a faint smile, “I’m not one that should be preaching to you. The past is just that.. in the past.. it is what you do now that will decide who you are… and who you will become... I just hope I’m allowed to stick around and see that.. if you be havin me stay aboard that is?”

*Pop*

There was a brief pop sound, faint and almost felt more than heard. Then the power completely fails on the ship. Everyone is plunged into darkness. It is as dark as the Black for a moment or two and then emergency lighting snaps on.

Sam swears a blue streak as he grabs the controls – they are locked up solid. No response whatsoever from the navsat, steering or the engines.

Wolf swears loudly at the other end of the ship. The smell of something fried reaches his nose and he moves to the source of the smell as best he can before the emergency lights come on. He moves to the Trace Compression Block and opens up the cover. The Grav Dampener is smoking, and the Aft Alternator is charred and melted in places. Without those parts, there was no power and no steering.

Rocinante is adrift in the Black.

Wyatt had been in plenty of awkward situations throughout his life. In some he'd managed to talk his way through, others...fight. However, sitting at a table in his own galley discussing deep-rooted feelings with his wife's uncle had to be one of the highest moments on that list. So for one crazy moment after Andrew had shared his heartfelt sincerities, Wyatt was actually at a loss for how to respond...somehow it just didn't seem right to pull his gun and say, "OK, 'nuffs enough. Let's go back to the comfortable walls and barricades I've built over the years or else." Was a hug looming on the horizon? A strong pat on the back and a chuck on the shoulder? Sung had no experience with these situations.

That's why when the lights went out he instantly thanked Buddha for the distraction and felt an involuntary moment of relief before being awash with concern.

Rising to his feet as the emergency lights came on, Sung calmly walked over to the ship com and activated it.

"Someone mind telling me what's going on?"

Inside, his concern was growing as he realized the familiar sounds of Rocinante's operation were missing.

Enroute to Lullabelle Mine, Day Eight 9:30 am Ship Time
“But,” Andrew said to Wyatt with a faint smile, “I’m not one that should be preaching to you. The past is just that.. in the past.. it is what you do now that will decide who you are… and who you will become... I just hope I’m allowed to stick around and see that.. if you be havin me stay aboard that is?”

He noticed Wyatt’s uncomfortable posture and wondered at the necessity of this conversation.. one that had been painful for both of them no doubt.. he had hated to bring it up.. but it had to be done one day and he thought better now and get the tension over and done with and go on with their lifes… maybe they could both heal together.

There had been no thoughts of hugs, or shoulder slapping, or anything of that nature.. that was not Andrew Bowman… and he knew for sure that Wyatt wasn’t the kind of man who would go for that sort of thing either.. he could tell in the uncomfortable silence that followed that Wyatt was struggling for something to say or do... he seriously hoped it wasn't going to be a hug....

*Pop*
He felt it reverberate through the deck and stood even as the lights went out and he noticed the ever-present sounds of the ship were instantly silenced.. even as the emergency lights came on he turned and headed out of the galley as Wyatt turned to the intercom.

"Someone mind telling me what's going on?" He heard Wyatt say.

“I think I better head to the engine room.” He murmured to the Captain as he left headed back to where he knew he would find Wolf no doubt already tracing down the problem.

Arriving in the engine room he noticed the charred smell in the air…. The smell of ozone and burnt insulation... he saw Wolf looking into the Trace compression block and hurried over with long steps.. glancing in.. he cringed at what he saw.

“Not good… “he said with a sigh and look at Wolf, “I take it you have spares?” His tone was hopeful yet also carried a hint of possible denial .. in his past experience he knew that ships like this one.. much like his last ship .. seldom carried much in the way of spare parts.. the money just wasn’t there most of the time.