Dark eyes flicked over to the table where the Feds still sat, and Tess echoed Jon’s words, “Like the capt’n said, enjoy the sunshine while its free. Yuan Fen gets refueled tonight, then we are off of this,” GORRAM ROCK “planet.”
“You got that right, sweet cheeks,” Ken agreed with a smirk and a wink at her knowing how she hated when he called her that.

He remembered a time when she didn’t mind that… a time when he did a lot to her and she didn’t mind at all… Ken was the latest to join the crew … it was about 3 months after he had come aboard that Tess really started to show an interest in him… and he had returned the interest of course… she was his kind of girl and they had hit it off in a major way… the Captain at first hadn’t been too happy about a relationship between two of his crew… he had thought it might interfere with their jobs… but he had made it clear that he would tolerate it as long as they did their jobs satisfactorily.

They had done their jobs… and other things for about 6 months… it had been a fiery relationship… it had been hot and heavy and like a wild fire it had burn brightly for a time and then burned out… fortunately the breakup had been mutual and amicable… they had both grown tired of being tied to just one person it seemed… and so far they seemed to handle the end of their hot romance very well… oh it didn’t stop Ken from making comments now and then … but Tess had always just rolled her eyes and made some equally crude comment.

Ken hadn’t seem to have any trouble adapting to being free again… he had hit upon just about any female that presented itself… and he hadn’t noticed any reaction from Tess so he didn’t have any reservations about his actions.

Even now … as he waited for Jon’s reply … he glanced over at the Female Fed and smiled again as if wondering what chances he might have with her.

Jason watch with an amused smile as Grace walked away to look in on her precious engines. The girl may be a might twitchy but she’s a Jing Chai mech He shrugged and headed for the bridge. I’ll go make that wave real fast and then send a short burst to Tess and the Cap to let them know if the job’s on the level…Then maybe we can get off this rock…on the bright side at least I didn’t get the impression that Chwen Joo Nien Mohn ‘captain’ and his crew were here for us…I wonder what or who they are here for…none of my business… As Jason reached the bridge he sat down and powered up the communications system and sent the outbound wave to Osiris.

((OOC: Jason will make the call send/take the heads-up to Tess and Jon.))

Jon could feel the tide turning and it wasn’t in their favor. The marshal had lost interest and that was his queue.

With a small raise of an eyebrow he let Tess and Ken know they needed to make themselves scarce. The wine was good so he finished his glass and causally got up and headed for the door.

Jon kept his tongue as they cleared the doorway turned heading back to the boat. When he felt they were out of earshot of marshals.

“Ta Ma Duh, why can’t things just go right once? That guy meeting Norm was no coincidence. Then bing bang boom in drops the Feds.

We need to get that cargo and burn before something else happens. There’s something hinky going on, that bird Colonal and his “chicken outfit are in the middle of it."

"If Norm gets that cargo to us we’re taking it, one way or another we’ll make some credits on it or have one hell of a party.“

Grace created a phoney message packet and used it to slip into the Port Authority courier subsystem - the message centre. It was an easy way to get through security and she had used it before. The Alliance could not encrypt and run every message there was so they had to keep open channels. She wait a few minutes and sure enough, she was in. She read what was filtering through the comm at the moment, and noted that the was a 4-17 in progress on the high alert and available crew were being called in - yet it didn't the ASREV here. Curious.... she thought and did a quick scan of the message and the portal that the marshalls were currently connected to - detached duty?

What was detached duty? Grace wondered. Never before had it come up in here travels. A 4-17 was when they were doin ga major raid and the targets had dispersed, causing them to need everyone and anyone to hunt fugitives. What did the one marshall say before - a bug hunt?

Grace moved her packet to the portal. She might have had a problem getting through but knowing one of the crew names was enough for here and she found her way into the ASREV computer as a message for Hudson. But most route were secured tight and she wasn't getting much. There was a mission they were on and long term. It involved a lot of stops on Greenleaf which could mean drugs or smuggling. Both would require long term missions if they wanted to find the big fish.

No mention of Norm sellers anywhere where she could look. There was a mention of a Howard Lim though, a Tong middle man looking to work his way up. Grace wondered if it was the same Howard in the bar. Either way, the feds were interested in him.

There wasn't much more that Grace could find so she pulled out of the portal, but before she did she tweaked the detached setting to active. no reason why these fine marshalls shouldn't join the party.

She surfed though the cortex to see if she could find anything more about the parties of interest. Norm Sellers was a wine merchant with a excellent reputation, listed as an expert in many wine journals and associations. Howard Lim was also a wine merchant but new to the game, without the credentials of norm but with a lot of cash to invest in land and different techniques of harvest. Sounds like Tong money laundering to Grace. Pricilla was a companion in good standing with her guild.

With that done, grace shut down her cortex box and returned to her engines.


Meanwhile, on the Bridge, Jason sits at the console and enters the number that Norm gave them for a contact. He puts it on a secure channel even though he is sure that Grace probably has it automatically go secure and encrypted as well. It takes a few minutes to connect due to distance but eventual a young man appears on the screen. He has brown hair, clean shaven and if Jason has seen him across the room he would have guess that he was a man-servant of some sort.

“Greetings. Baron Otello’s residence, Decimus speaking.”

“Greetings Decimus, my name is Jason Siong,” Jason said to the young man who answered the wave.

“Nice to meet you Mr. Siong. How may I be of assistance?”

“I am calling in regards to the Baron’s annual gala. It is in ten days correct?”

“That is correct. The gala is planned for ten days from now. Are you one of the invitees?”

“Actually Decimus, I was hoping to wrap-up the final details of a last minute delivery concerning one of the refreshment beverages for the gala,” Had any of the crew walked onto the bridge that moment they might not have recognized the person sitting in front of the screen. He spoke with the calm assurance that comes from the long time dealings with servants or staff. Even the tone of his body language held the expectancy of obedience. Jason continued, “Tell me are you expecting wine from Mr. Norman Sellers on Greenleaf?”

“Oh my! Yes. Mr. Sellers always supplies the wine for the gala! Don’t tell me it hasn’t been shipped yet?”

“It hasn’t shipped yet,” Jason said, “Don’t worry yet. Provided the details check out the wine will be loaded and en route to Osiris tonight and will be delivered by the party.”

“Very well. I hope you can make it because it would be a terrible tragedy if we didn’t have the wine. It is the talk of the gala you know.”

“Mr. Sellers quoted 3000 credits for the delivery, is that correct?”

“That is correct. 3000 credits for the delivery if it on time. You are sure you can make it on such short notice?”

“Decimus, I happen to represent one of the fastest Fast Courier ships in operation. So, don’t concern yourself with the delivery date. The Baron will have his wine in time for it to settle and be served at the gala,” Jason said with confidence, “Now, about the tariff’s and taxes on the wine?”

“There will be a customs officer on duty at the port authority, and he is well aware of the importance of the Baron’s shipment. You should have no problems. We have done this many times before – what happened to the usual couriers?”

“The usual couriers? I’m not sure. Mr. Sellers just said they aren’t here and he hadn’t heard from them. Hence the wave.” Jason said.

“That is not good. If you make an arrangement you should show up on time. Poor Norman must be beside himself.”

“You’re absolutely correct Decimus, when one makes a deal one must abide by it,” Jason’s tone softened as he continued, “He was until he found Destiny. Now then, would you be so kind as to send the coordinates for the delivery site?”

“I will send you the coordinates immediately.”

“Thank you Decimus,” Jason said with a nod, “It has been a pleasure. Please, advise Baron Otello of the situation.”

“Yes, well I must say I will be impressed if you can make the deadline. Reliable couriers with a truly fast ship are hard to come by."

“Prepare to be impressed then,” Jason replied with a smile, “We’ll see you in a week.”

Finishing up the wave, Jason pulled up the short range commo and sent the “come in” signal to Jon and Ken. His read on Binkley was that everything was as Norn had said. No doubt Mr. Binkley was an excellent man-servant and assistant to the Baron, probably was so good that he could predict what the Baron would ask for before he asked. Standing with a sigh, he left the bridge and headed for the galley to wait for the rest of the crew. I may as well start on dinner. Who knows when the cargo will arrive…all we got from Norm was tonight after nightfall…oh well.

At the bar, Jon, Tess and Ken confer at the table for a while and then head back to the ship. They hadn`t got there yet when the marshals move pass them in run towards their ship.

``But Captain! Come on!`` The one names Hudson whines. ``A 4-17! I thought we didn`t have to chase these anymore.``

``Stop complaining Hudson. They must have good reason to call us. They had better or I`ll be very pissed.``

The feds quickly board their ship and are off as soon as they get the hatch door closed.

Midnight, Greenleaf time
You spend the day getting ready to leave and having a meal fixed by Jason which is good, all things considered. There is only so much you can do with protein paste. The Doctor returns from the hospital in the early evening and she informs you that Pricilla is stable but still not conscious.

It is midnight when a hover mule arrives with five barrels of wine and Norm. He is his usual self, constantly checking over his shoulder and looking around. The barrels are large and probably quite heavy but Norm brings a heavy duty gravfork lift to move them on to the ship.

"So! We are good? Oh yeah! Paperwork right! Got to be paperwork! Where would we be without the forms and papers to give to duty officials. Don't lose those right! You need to show the officials on Osiris right? right? Oh yeah, and the payment." He pulls out a leather bag and hands it to the Captain. Inside are 12 bars of platinum all stamped with 250 credits and with official authentication.

(assume some final goodbyes)

"Okay! I'm outta here. Got grapes to grow right!. Remember, 9 days hence though right? So no stops right!" Norm says as you close the hatch and make ready to head out into the Black.


OOC: I will post details on the wine barrels in the QnA (size appearance etc)

If there was anything you wanted to do before you left, feel free to backpost.

Jon had barely got his comment out when the marshal and his group rushed past them and dashed to their ASREV. They over heard Hudson whining as they passed.

``But Captain! Come on! A 4-17! I thought we didn`t have to chase these anymore.``

``Stop complaining Hudson. They must have good reason to call us. They had better or I`ll be very pissed.``

The feds quickly board their ship and are off as soon as they get the hatch door closed.

“Whew look at that, they’re running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off,” Jon mused.

“Well for all I care they can head back to their Old Kentucky Home.”

As they walked back toward Destiny he felt they needed to get off this dirt ball, they’d been sitting too long and Jon felt he needed to move. He swore felt a bit of chafing, I need to see Steph when we get back, maybe she’s got a salve or something . Jon's com beeped and the Jason’s “come in “ blinked across it screen. “That’s Jason, let get a wiggle on and see what’s up.” Picking up their pace they left the dust of the ASREV liftoff behind them.

The crew got back the boat in time to get a bit grub, All thing considered he was a fair cook. Doc Steph let’em know that “Pricilla” was recovering but she was still not conscious and it be a while be they find out anything from her.

After the meal Jon mention the rash and maybe Doc check it out later if it got worse. Jon thought he'd just catch a shower and change clothes. As Jon walked away he thought he caught Doc paused a moment to watch.

About midnight a hover mule pulled up with several barrels, Jon was pleased to see something finally going to plan. Norm loaded the barrel with the heavy lifting fork he’d brought. That was great because they just big the mussel on board. Norm seemed just a nervous as he had been in the bar. As soon as the barrels were secure Norm hurried over to Jon.

"So! We are good? Oh yeah! Paperwork right! Got to be paperwork! Where would we be without the forms and papers to give to duty officials. Don't lose those right! You need to show the officials on Osiris right? right? “ Jon looks for Jason to hand him the papers and then turns back to Norm, tilted his head and gave Norm an even stare.

“Oh yeah, and the payment." He pulls out a leather bag and hands it to the Captain. Taking the bag Jon open it and pulled out 12 bars of platinum all stamped with 250 credits and with official authentication. “Finally, something to keep us flying.”
After counting the money Jon grabs Norms hand and shakes it firmly. “Been good doing business with ya, your wine will be the hit of the party. Well we better be getting secured, times awaste’in.”

"Okay! I'm outta here. Got grapes to grow right!. Remember, 9 days hence though right? So no stops right!" Norm says as the hatch starts to close.

Ken followed the Capt and Tess out of the bar and took his usual position slightly behind them where he could keep an eye on things around them… no one seeing them would mistake his job… it was obvious that he was protection of some sort… the weapons… the way the eyes kept moving … the look in the man’s eyes… he definitely had the look of someone who wouldn’t hesitate to kill if the need arose.

``But Captain! Come on! A 4-17! I thought we didn`t have to chase these anymore.``

``Stop complaining Hudson. They must have good reason to call us. They had better or I`ll be very pissed.``

The feds quickly board their ship and are off as soon as they get the hatch door closed.
Ken watched the Feds pass headed in a hurry towards the ASREV… he caught the eye of the female Fed and gave her a wink… ‘later doll’…

“Whew look at that, they’re running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off,” Jon mused. “Well for all I care they can head back to their Old Kentucky Home.”
“4-17?” Ken muttered more to himself than the others… “… they after someone important.” He knew the Feds didn’t call in all troops for just any ole smuggler.

Jon's com beeped and the Jason’s “come in “ blinked across it screen. “That’s Jason, let get a wiggle on and see what’s up.”
Ken just nodded and followed them back to the Destiny… they had things to get ready in order to be set to break atmo as soon as the cargo was aboard.

After Dinner… which Ken had to admit wasn’t bad… he made some comment during the meal that perhaps Jason should do all the cooking… since he hadn’t almost killed someone… he meant it as a joke… but he was serious about not cooking anymore… he wasn’t any good at it and would be the first to admit it.

When the hover mule arrived with their cargo… Ken was there to supervise the loading of the large barrels onto the ship and into place where they would be strapped down for the trip…he made sure to double strap the barrels down… they were big and heavy and he didn’t want any sudden maneuvers to allow it to shift.

When he was done he walked over to the ramp in time to catch the last of the conversation between the Capt and Norm…

"Okay! I'm outta here. Got grapes to grow right!. Remember, 9 days hence though right? So no stops right!" Norm says
Ken hit the switch that started the ramp closing… he gave the man a little grin as the door closed in the man’s face.

“What a FAY-FAY duh PEE-yen!” Ken says after the lock closes… making it secure he hit’s the intercom and announces… “All secure here… ready to break atmo whenever you're ready Captain.”

He ... for one... would be glad to be back in the black...


(Edited because I cant spell today)

“You got that right, sweet cheeks.”

Through the oncoming headache, Tess managed a small grimace in Ken’s direction.

Gorram wine and rum.
Things in the bar seemed to be feeling tenser the longer they sat. Tess’s eyes wandered back to Howard, wondering how to best approach him and ask him his last name without the Feds noticing. The captain made a sudden movement, and Tess saw him pound the last of his wine in her peripheral vision. She pushed her water glass away, and got up with Jon. They strolled out of the cantina apparently unnoticed by the Feds.

“Ta Ma Duh, why can’t things just go right once? That guy meeting Norm was no coincidence. Then bing bang boom in drops the Feds,” Jon started up as soon as they were out of earshot of the little bar. His arms started moving animatedly as he got more fired up about what had happened.

“We need to get that cargo and burn before something else happens. There’s something hinky going on, that bird Colonal and his “chicken outfit are in the middle of it." Tess sniggered at the thought as they angled towards Destiny.

He went on, and his face showed determination, "If Norm gets that cargo to us we’re taking it, one way or another we’ll make some credits on it or have one hell of a party.“

“Don’t worry Capt’n,” Tess said, her eyes taking in the beauty of their ship as they approached, “if we can get that fancy jiu on her, Yuan Fen will blast out of here before those marshals have time to wonder where they left their ship parked. Or anyone else for that matter.”

Footsteps pounded from behind them, and Tess spun her head to look. The Feds that they had just left were sprinting toward the ASREV. Speak of the devil.
"But Captain! Come on! A 4-17! I thought we didn`t have to chase these anymore."

"Stop complaining Hudson. They must have good reason to call us. They had better or I`ll be very pissed."

They scrambled into their ship, and flipped the hatch shut. It took almost no time at all for the ASREV to be airborne. Damned government efficiency.
“Whew look at that, they’re running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off,” Jon mused, “Well for all I care they can head back to their Old Kentucky Home.”

Tess watched the pressure waves circling the engines as they climbed higher in the atmo, “Agreed.”

“4-17?” Ken muttered, but she didn’t catch the rest of what he said. Jon’s pocket began beeping at him.

“That’s Jason, let get a wiggle on and see what’s up.” Jon stepped up his stride, and Tess easily followed.

That evening’s meal consisted of protein paste mixed with a little bit of herbs from their garden bunk. Jason was getting better at mixing the spices together, the first trial and error meals had been more spice then paste, and that evening hadn’t been a bad attempt at all. Ken’s comment received a somewhat friendly punch from Tess. After tending the garden bunk, the pilot made her way to the bridge and began the preflight checks.

Destiny’s engines were nicely warmed up by the time Sellers got there at midnight. Jon’s comment about taking the wine no matter what hadn’t gone unnoticed by her, so she wanted to make sure that they could jump this rock at the drop of a barrel. She leaned back in the squeaky, well loved helm chair and waited for the word.

Ken’s voice crackled over the intercom, ““All secure here… ready to break atmo whenever you're ready Captain.” Tess’s hands began moving quickly as she rubbed the undersides of the chair, brushed the comm. console with her left hand, and touched a tooth that was secured around her neck with a leather cord. Her hands came up and snapped the goggles on her head down around her eyes. Now that her personal preflight check was made, all she waited on was the go ahead from Jon.

Jon kept an eye on Sellers as the bay doors closed. He was a well needed change in their luck, but it still didn’t feel totally right. Also Jon wasn’t keen on leaving his passenger behind but they needed to make some to make up for the bad luck of her getting sick and them loosing a much need fare.

““All secure here… ready to break atmo whenever you're ready Captain.” Ken’s crackled over the intercom.

Jon turned to Jason,” Call the Port and get us our clearances to break atmo.”

Walking to the back of the storage bay Jon hit the general intercom, “Ok folks make ready…… Tess as soon as Jason gets clearance put your loving touch to the helm and dance our lady out of here. ….Grace, TLC them engines, we gotta beat this deadline, could mean some good references from this bigwig if we help him WOW his guests ……Doc, keep up on Pricilla’s condition, I hate leaving her…Out!

As Jon headed up the ladder to the bridge he turns to Ken, “We really need to get rid of that chicken smell Ken, see if you can give the bay a once over. That smell just keeps reminding me of them Feds. Besides I don’t think the Baron will like his fancy wine reeking of chicken S***.”

Walking the length of the ship always filled Jon with a sense of pride in what they done with salvaged hulk. He knew there were still secrets but Destiny was theirs now.

Crossing into the bridge Jon caught sight of Tess at the helm, her hands at the ready and her goggles in place. Jon could barely believe she still wore them. As he waited for Jason to give them the all clear he thought back to the first time he’d met this mighty mite……….

“After dark…more like after midnight!” Jason mentally groused about Norm’s delivery time, “Then again, this job does get us off this gorram rock and back into the black.”
"So! We are good? Oh yeah! Paperwork right! Got to be paperwork! Where would we be without the forms and papers to give to duty officials. Don't lose those right! You need to show the officials on Osiris right? right? Oh yeah, and the payment." He pulls out a leather bag and hands it to the Captain. Inside are 12 bars of platinum all stamped with 250 credits and with official authentication.

Jason’s smile never slips as he speaks with Norman about the final details of the delivery, “Thanks for makin sure all the paper work got here before we left Norm, I’ll take care of that.” Jason takes the bundle of forms and tucks it into the inside pocket of his jacket.

After counting the money Jon grabbed Norms hand and shook it firmly. “Been good doing business with ya, your wine will be the hit of the party. Well we better be getting secured, times a wastin’.”

"Okay! I'm outta here. Got grapes to grow right!. Remember, 9 days hence though right? So no stops right!" Norm says as you close the hatch and make ready to head out into the Black.

“All secure here… ready to break atmo whenever you're ready Captain.” Ken’s voice crackled over the intercom.

Jon turned to Jason,” Call the Port and get us our clearances to break atmo.”

“I’m already on it Captain,” Jason replied and headed to the bridge comm station to make the appropriate calls. “We, should be clear to break atmo within the next few minutes.”

Hustling to the bridge Jason heard Jon’s voice over the ships intercom, “Ok folks make ready…… Tess as soon as Jason gets clearance put your loving touch to the helm and dance our lady out of here. ….Grace, TLC them engines, we gotta beat this deadline, could mean some good references from this bigwig if we help him WOW his guests ……Doc, keep up on Pricilla’s condition, I hate leaving her…Out!

“Huh! Who’d have thought that Jon would have a soft spot for a passenger?” Jason thought as he walked onto the bridge and sat at the comm station. He powered it up and set it to the standard port authority channel and went about politely requesting clearance for Destiny to break atmo and leave the planet.

“It’s about time we got off this rock and back to work,” Jason thought with a slight smile, “Besides, with the Baron’s party I should be able to find us one or two more contacts and perhaps another job after this one…it sure would be nice to have regular work.”

Independence Forces Training Base “Shadow”
“Lieutenant Brown, be seated. You are being reassigned to the supply transfer depot on Ezra.”

The Colonel stood and walked around his desk. Handing Jon two envelops. “These are your promotion, Captain Jon Brown”, indicating the letter sized packed,” These are your orders, you’re to take command of the 37th Recon Group.

You’ve proven yourself in a pinch and the 37th is an interesting group. Don’t let the supply depot throw you, you’ll find it has plenty of toys to help get the job done.” Extending a hand in congratulation Colonel Jackson smiled,” There’s a driver wait’n outside to take you to your ride, they’re breaking atmo in 30 minutes so you better get a wiggle on.”

Jon stood, took the papers and grasped the Colonels hand, “Thank you, sir!” Jon saluted the Colonel, “Dismissed Captain”, the Colonel return to his desk as Jon turned and left the small office.

Jon had been in the service for about a year now and this was his second time back on Shadow. Each time had added to his rank and responsibilities. He had served on several missions of search and destroy. The last was a hit run to an Alliance supply depot, his captain had been killed and he led his group back safely. That must of got him noticed for promotion or they hurt’n for officers.

Jon knew he was being reassigned so his duffle bag was packed and waiting for him outside the Colonels office. Grabbing the bag he headed out the officer hut to find his ride.

A hover bike sat out front of the hut, Jon looked at the small bike and a small coveralled person crouched behind the bike tinkering with engine. Jon looks over the bike and says, “You must be my ride, you think this thing can get me to port before my boat leaves?”

The girl that stood up from behind the bike had dark hair, dark eyes and a dark grease smudged across her cheek. Wiping her hands on shop rug that she stuffed in her back pocket , cocked head, looked Jon in the eye and said, “Well this’ll get there with time to spare but it ain’t your ride Lieutenant, I’m here to pick up a captain and you ain’t got enough bars. You ain’t snarfing this ride and getting my a** in trouble.”

With his bare face hangin out Jon stared at the driver, “But it is my ride, I just got promoted, here look these are the papers.” Jon couldn’t believe it, he hadn’t been a Captain for five minutes and he was already have’n to prove himself. He whipped out the papers and handed them to the drive. “Here, see for yourself, I’m Captain Brown.”

The drive took the papers and checked the name, “Well that fits, I’m supposed pick up a Capt’n Brown. Maybe we better stop you by the PX and let buy your bars afore you gets stopped for impersonating a Capt’n.” The drive swung into the seat and started the hover bike.

“I ain’t got time to waste, I’ll take my chances.” Jon strapped his bag to the bike a hopped on behind drive.

“Hang on tight Cap’t, we’ll just see if you got time.” With that the drive kicked the mini mule and with a roar they shot off down the across the based.

The jerk of bikes unexpectedly fast acceleration caught Jon off guard and threw his arms around the driver to hold on for dear life. As the bike continued to accelerate Jon heard the driver laugh. They weaved in and out through traffic, kicking up dust and scattering crowds.

As they pulled up to PX The driver brought the bike to a quick halt, “I’ve worked a bit on this Iron Horse so there now ya got a couple minutes to get your bars, better hurry though.”

Jon jumped off the bike and steadied himself, “Fine.. uh.. I’ll be right back.” He turn and rushed in to the PX. Getting to office window in the back he presented and asked for a set Captains bars. As he waited his eye was drawn to a display on vintage gear and there was a set goggles, round lens and leather strapping. When the clerk returned he asked,”Them goggles for sale?” The clerk looked around and then said, “Sure you got credits, I’ll put the bars against your till you pay me for the goggles!?” “Ok, how much?” “ Show me what’cha you got.” Jon understood then what was going on. “Oh, sure gotcha.”

With that Jon pulled out a wad of credits and the clerk snatch up a batch, “Grab um and head out… uh Sir.” Picking up his bars Jon turned, grabbed the goggles and stuffed um in his pocket.

Remembering he needed to hurry Jon rushed out and climbed on the bike. As the driver got ready to kick it again Jon pulled out the goggles, “If you’re gonna fly like that again you better wear these,” with that he handed them to the driver. “By the way, what’s your name , I may need it later when they ask me who that speed demon is?”

Taking the goggle the driver slipped them on and secured them over her eyes, ”Speed demon?, well ya got that right cuse the devil made me do it, I’m Tess Zhou, please to make your acquaintance Capt’n Brown. Ok hold tight you got a boat to catch.” With that she hit the accelerator and they were off even faster than before……………….
-------

As Jon looked across the bridge of Destiny, Tess sat there goggles down ready to hit the accelerator, ”Some things just don’t change.”

Destiny broke atmo with ease and it was good to be in the black again. The wine barrels were tied down to the floor of the cargo bay with tension straps to make sure they didn't shift suddenly. The last thing you needed was a barrel to break in flight. Not that these were flimsy wooden barrels but any stretch of the imagination. They probably could take a lot of tussle.

Everyone goes to their stations as always, except the doctor who seems to be restless. As you start to go to burn, she is wandering up to where the passenger rooms are, not saying why.

Jon, Jason, Ken and Tess are on the bridge as you put distance between the planet of Greenleaf and yourselves. Nice, well paying job of delivering wine to Osiris - this could all go quite smoothly.

Suddenly, the sensors light up on Tess screen. She flicks the switches and put the proximity detector on a side screen. There was a alliance cruiser coming up from behind them, matching speed. Tess quickly checked the pulse and the name "Erikson" pops up - special detachment to the federal marshalls.

Tess looks a question to the Captain. run or not? It hadn't hailed them or tried to catch up.

Just then the doctor stuck her head into the room. "Umm Guys....I think I found something that you need to see. Might want to call Grace as well, we'll need her."

Jason sat at the Comm station gazing out at the black as Destiny broke atmo. “By all the gods that is beauty in all its glory,” Jason thought to himself as the last vestiges of the Atmo flames vanished from Destiny and she broke into the black. As she did the midnight black velvet back drop glistening with shining stars and glowing planets that was the verse was revealed.

Suddenly, the sensors light up and Tess flicked the switches to put the proximity detector up on a side screen. There was an alliance cruiser coming up from behind, matching speed.

“Tess, what have you got on them?” Jason asked in a cool if clipped manner, “I cleared us through port control…so there shouldn’t be a problem,” Turning to catch the Captain’s eye, Jason spoke up again, “A suggestion Cap, I think we should just stick to the flight plan as long as we don’t give them a reason to stop us we should be fine,” Jason paused to take a breath, “Though, I think we should hit our scheduled burn as soon as it comes time. No reason to wait around on the chwen nien mohn to think up an excuse to stop us. Of course, it might not hurt to have Destiny setup for a full burn JIC,” Just as he finished speaking the doc stuck her head into the room.

“She sure is a looker for an older woman,” Jason thought as the Doc stuck her head into the room, “Sure does make it easier to lose at cards, when you’re losing to the ladies on this crew.”
"Umm Guys....I think I found something that you need to see. Might want to call Grace as well, we'll need her," Doc Young announced.

“D’un Yi Shia doc,” Jason said standing, “The cap, and Tess are a bit occupied at the moment, but I can come give you a hand,” as he made this statement he looked to Jon for approval after all it is his boat, “Besides, if we need more help we can always grab Ken on our way,” As he finished Jason waited on Jon’s decision before proceeding.

Ken had been standing at the back of the bridge near the hatchway listening and he straightened up when the proximity sensors went off… an alliance cruiser? He wondered … they hadn’t bothered them below… so he doubted they were looking for them up here…

Tess, what have you got on them?” Jason asked in a cool if clipped manner, “I cleared us through port control…so there shouldn’t be a problem,” Turning to catch the Captain’s eye, Jason spoke up again, “A suggestion Cap, I think we should just stick to the flight plan as long as we don’t give them a reason to stop us we should be fine,” Jason paused to take a breath, “Though, I think we should hit our scheduled burn as soon as it comes time. No reason to wait around on the chwen nien mohn to think up an excuse to stop us. Of course, it might not hurt to have Destiny setup for a full burn JIC,”
“I agree…” Ken said though he doubted many really cared what he thought… while he was very handy to have around in a firefight… or any fight for that matter… Ken was not the brains of this outfit by far… but everyone knew he never failed to give his opinion.. “Those Marshalls below were called away for a 4-17… they are looking for someone… they..” he said pointing at the sensor screen… “are probably just checking out anyone leaving.. I doubt they have intentions of boarding every ship… probably can just talk your way out of it… if you’re careful.” The last he added with a grin… he knew Jon seldom was careful in situations such as these… he didn’t like to take chances most of the time.

The doc stuck her head into the room.

"Umm Guys....I think I found something that you need to see. Might want to call Grace as well, we'll need her," Doc Young announced.

“D’un Yi Shia doc,” Jason said standing, “The cap, and Tess are a bit occupied at the moment, but I can come give you a hand,” as he made this statement he looked to Jon for approval after all it is his boat, “Besides, if we need more help we can always grab Ken on our way,” As he finished Jason waited on Jon’s decision before proceeding.
Ken raised an eyebrow wondering what it was that required Grace’s attention… “Something wrong with the ship?” he asked as he turned and left the bridge… he didn’t wait for Jon’s approval as he followed the Doc… he seldom asked permission for anything… it was just another of his annoying habits that was part of his charm.

"Jason give'um the old general departure broadcast like, Cargo Boat Destiny, departing Greenleaf Atmo, preparing for max burn."

"Tess as soon as he's says the last word give'r hell and let's scoot."

"That should sound normal and we're off! That won't look like we hiding anything and should not raise suspicions."

"It's only being polite on popular planet were the rich and famous come to play."

"If they want us then they'll have to send an ASREV to catch us and that's fewer Feds to have to deal with."

"Doc, be with you in minute."

"Ken if you're finished cleaning the cargo bay you go to see what's up, call Grace on your way."

Jon just loved his good luck and he hoped Tess's would prevail on their exit.

Ken smirked at how Jon basically ignored everyone’s advice and did what he wanted… and burned out of there … that was what the Captain was like… he kind of knew that would be the result… some things never changed…

As he followed the Doc down the corridor he heard Jon behind him call out…

"Ken if you're finished cleaning the cargo bay you go to see what's up, call Grace on your way."
“Yeah sure….” he yelled back as he continued to follow the Doc… he had no intention of cleaning the cargo hold any more than he already had… when they had hauled those chickens he had helped in washing down the deck using a hose… it was as clean as he was going to get it… the Captain kept bringing up the cleaning of the hold… Ken had already told him several times that he was a hired gun… not a cleaning hand… he hoped that they wouldn’t get into it again over those Go tsao de chickens… afterall he hadn’t been the one who agreed to carry that cargo.

“Where are we going Doc?” he asked her… once she replied he paused momentarily in the passage long enough to thumb on the intercom to the engine room…

“Grace… we have a problem… meet us --Fill in where the Doc told him--“ came over the engine room intercom in Ken’s voice…