The crew assembled in the cargo bay to await boarding. "Looks like we in trouble again" she said outloud.

“Just keep cool,” Jason commented seemingly to the room at large, “These Alliance jockeys will be back on their way soon enough.”
Just as long as Ken can keep it together and nobody does anything stupid Jason thought with his fingers crossed if only mentally.

The door to the cargo bay was knocked on three times in succession. The Captain released the doorway and the cool ozone scented air of the alliance cruiser filled the noses of everyone waiting. In walked the white haired Captain/Colonel with two of his men from the planet, the voluptuous Vasquez and the silent Hicks - in full black dress uniforms too. Then behind them six security officers in armor, helmets and carrying rifles came in, split into two groups and flanked the Marshalls on either side.

At least they haven’t drawn down on us yet. Jason smiled as he stepped forward and held out his hand to sanders.

"Ahh. We meet again Captain Brown. I see you found a cargo. Wine? of course. At least you aren't flying empty?"

“Well, Colonel Sanders, it’s a small shipment but it sure does beat the hell out of flying empty,” Jason’s smile never slipped as he assumed his familiar role of ships’ spokesman, “I must say that it was a surprise to get your cruiser’s hail, let alone to see you again in person.”

"My apologizes but I have the unfortunate task of finding some fugitives. I normally wouldn't be involved in this, but for some reason the orders were sent to me directly. Puzzling actually. Anyway i wish to put this behind me. We will be searching your ship for any of the smugglers that may have eluded capture. You wouldn't know anything about that?"

“Smugglers!?!” Jason assumed an expression of both innocence, and minor offense, “I assure you, Colonel, the only individuals on-board this ship are standing here at this time.”

"Didn't think so. This is formality really." He waves his hand and the two groups leave to look over the ship. "But it is always the ship you don't search that is the problem."


"So you are going to Baron Otello's party! I hear it is quite the event. " The colonel walks over to the wine barrels and leans on one casually, "So this is THE wine? Heard about it. Suppose to be excellent. I'm not much into wine myself but I am sure you are being paid well. What is the going rate these days?"

“Not enough,” Jason said with a smile, “But, hey it was a job and we needed to get off of Greanleef before the cost of beer drove us in to receivership.”

"Ahh." he says and taps the barrel in the centre a few time. "Yep. That is full." He continues and taps each one a number of times and then walks away from the barrels."Smugglers. never know where they are willing to hide. found some in the ventilation shafts of a septic system once. Now that's dedication to hiding."

“I have to admit, that is true dedication to keeping your stash hidden,” Jason replied shaking his head, “We sure aren’t in that business, this ship doesn’t have to many places to hide things. We make our money with speed. The shorter the deadline…the higher the price. So you see sir, there’s no need for us to run contra-band” He finished with a shrug as if this explained everything.

After 30 minutes the teams return and reform ranks. Vasquez shakes her head at the colonel and he nods. "Right! Sorry about that. I thank you for your cooperation and time. I hope we didn't delay you too much."

“Well Marshall we all have our job to do and we got lucky to find this shipment. “ Jon escorted the Marshall to the airlock sealing the airlock behind the Feds as they left Destiny.

As the Alliance boat Erikson headed away Jon pounded on the bulk head. “That seemed too close, let’s just take it easy and mosey out all calm like. Tess, go ahead and fire her up again but let’s just dance our lady away like no big deal. Jason, let’s try it again with the Goodbyes and Fair thee Well’s. They’ll be watching so let’s just be anything but Twitchy.”

Jon headed toward the gang way when he remembered Doc’s earlier comments, “Okay Doc, you can show me what you were so concerned about. “

“On it, Cap’n,” Tess said and went back to the lift.

Jason followed in behind her and pulled the sliding doors shut. He and Tess stood in silence, and exited immediately after opening the doors to the bridge level. The bridge looked untouched, and she slid into the well worn pilot’s chair. Her hands caressed the panels as she tried to ascertain if anything had been moved. After a moment of consideration, she swiveled the chair around to look at Destiny’s gauge panel.

“Fuel cells are still warm,” Tess said to Jason as she began the power up sequence, “I’ll take us out slow and then we’ll boogey on at the edge of their short range sensors. She’ll be ready by the time you’ve made your call to those sah gwa tze fu.”

“Sounds good Tess, Just make sure that we take this nice and easy. The last thing that we need right now is for the Erikson to decide we’re being suspicious.” Jason said as he turned to the communication station powering up the transmitter and keying up the mic.

“Greenleaf control, Alliance Cruiser Erikson, this is fast courier Destiny upon successful completion of the inspection we are now resuming our previously interrupted flight plan.”

Jason switched off the microphone and waited patiently for the appropriate responses from both ground control and the cruiser.

“So Tess, what do you think our little gift from Priscilla?” Jason asked with his attention split between Tess and his earpiece.

““Sheh sheh, Erikson and Greenleaf have a nice day.” Jason replied once the appropriate clearances had been given to Destiny and Tess had started moving Destiny to safe burn distance.

Destiny Bridge, Day One of Journey, 10:00 pm ST
“Fuel cells are still warm,” Tess said to Jason as she began the power up sequence, “I’ll take us out slow and then we’ll boogey on at the edge of their short range sensors. She’ll be ready by the time you’ve made your call to those sah gwa tze fu.”

“Sounds good Tess, Just make sure that we take this nice and easy. The last thing that we need right now is for the Erikson to decide we’re being suspicious.” Jason said as he turned to the communication station powering up the transmitter and keying up the mike.

“Greenleaf control, Alliance Cruiser Erikson, this is fast courier Destiny upon successful completion of the inspection we are now resuming our previously interrupted flight plan.” Jason called into the Port authority and received the green light to proceed. The Erikson was still matching speed and course but there was no reason to delay your journey any further.

““Sheh sheh, Erikson and Greenleaf have a nice day.”Jason replied.

Tess activated the main engines and the ship took off like a shot into the black, with Greenleaf and the alliance cruiser slowly becoming smaller and smaller in the rear monitor.

Destiny Guest Quarters One, Day One of Journey, 10:00 pm ST
“Gorram, that doesn’t look so good. That’s got something techy about it. Grace ,you think you figure this out without causing us no more delays?” Jon started to reach for the case but stopped, “Ah, I’ll just leave this for you.”

Grace didn't reply. She just kept looking at the case as if he and it were the only one in the room. Jon had seem grace get like this before and there was little he could do. Grace was pondering possibilities and possibilities and then some. Best to just let her be, as she always did right by the ship and crew. He patted her on the shoulder reassuring and then left the room giving the hand signal to Ken and the Doctor to follow him out. Just as they did, Grace suddenly flipped the briefcase over and then back again, mumbling to herself "No. Of course it isn't an explosive. I knew that."

As time passes, the crew begins to resume normal life on the ship. Tess sets in a course that is the fastest, most direct route to Osiris as there is no need to hide with legit cargo. The Doctor send a wave to the hospital and passes the news to the crew that Priscilla is still recovering and not cognitive enough to answer any questions. Grace fumes in her room for awhile that people had been in her room but eventually gets down to business. At 11 pm, Ship time, she comes to the common room with the case.

The tech was mere a high end lock made so only Priscilla could open it. Grace interrupted the power and reset the factory specs so the lock accepted her DNA. Inside was a personal wave transmitter, with the last time used was to the Companion Guild house on Sihnon, the day that Priscilla took ill. Unfortunately the device did not save the message. The other was a key card, coded for a the main hospital on Ariel but as for what, Grace was unable to say.

Dr. Young looks at the key with a bit of surprise. "That's a cyro-key. For clients who have organs grown and kept in cryo-stasis in case they ever need a replacement. To get it you need the key and a DNA sample to prove you are indeed the donor."

Destiny, Day One of Journey, 10:00 pm ST
“Gorram, that doesn’t look so good. That’s got something techy about it. Grace ,you think you figure this out without causing us no more delays?” Jon started to reach for the case but stopped, “Ah, I’ll just leave this for you.”

Grace didn't reply. Jon patted her on the shoulder reassuring and then left the room giving the hand signal to Ken and the Doctor to follow him out.

Ken followed the Captain out and watched as he headed off and the Doc went her own way. The ships PR guy stood in the hallway a moment and then shrugged and went about his own business. Shortly he felt the vibrations through the deck that told him the ship was on its way to their destination. Now that the threat from the Alliance and Marshalls were behind him there wasn’t much he had to do.

Being bored, Ken did what he did when he was bored; he worked out. Heading to the exercise room he stripped off his gun belt and hung it over weight rack, pulled off his shirt and set up to bench press. He didn’t push himself too much without a spotter it would be dangerous.

As he worked out he thought about life on the ship since he came aboard. Since becoming a member of the crew he came to like most of the crew, some more than others. Tess for instance he had taken to right off and within a couple months they had gotten pretty hot and heavy. But like most fires, the hotter they burn the quicker they burn out. Now they were just close friends and he enjoyed a little jibing about what they use to be to each other. Ken seemed to like to flirt with other women in front of Tess; he appeared to want some kind of reaction from her which he never seemed to get.

His relationship with the others were less intense; Grace he had never made any kind of inappropriate moves towards her. It wasn’t that he didn’t find her attractive; he thought of her more as a little sister. He had made it clear that he was protective of her just as much as he was over Tess and had no fears of risking his life for either of them.

Ken got along well with the men of the crew; he admired Jason’s way with dealing with people. The man had patience and a way with words; Ken preferred to handle things with bullets and fists. While Jason and he might butt heads on the manner in which things should be handled, for the most part they got along well enough.

He had respect for their Captain, but he thought the man was a little too high strung. Jon always seemed to be a little too nervous or worried about things. He always imagined that things were going to go badly; Ken preferred to wait and see how things worked out. If you came through something alive and kicking then you were doing pretty good in Ken’s opinion.

The last member of Destiny’s crew was the Doc; Ken got along with her well enough. He treated her no different than the other women of the crew. While he wouldn’t outright flirt with her, he would often comment or remark about her beauty. If anything Ken thought of the Doc as more of a motherly figure and as such treated her with respect.

After about 30 minutes Ken finished his workout, draping a towel around his neck and slinging his gunbelt around his shoulder, he left the exercise room and headed to the bridge. He made sure his sweaty well muscled form was visible to Tess as he stepped into the bridge.

“Well Hon,” he said as he used the towel to dry his wet hair, “How’s it looking? We still going to make it in plenty of time to make the drop?”

"Gorram, that doesn’t look so good. That’s got something techy about it. Grace ,you think you figure this out without causing us no more delays?” Jon started to reach for the case but stopped, “Ah, I’ll just leave this for you.”

Grace didn't reply. She was staring at the case now that the Feds were gone. She felt Jon pat her shoulder. She locked eyes with him and a small smile crossed her face. Grace wasn't good at expressing herself but she appreciated The Captain's trust in her. As Ken and Stephanie left the room with the captain, she immediately flip the case over, looking for the tattle tale sign of a bomb. However like Grace suspected, there was no ticking noise, no smell of chemicals and of course no flashing red numbers. ""No. Of course it isn't an explosive. I knew that." Grace muttered to herself.

Figuring the best place to examine the case was her room, Grace took the case to her room. Along the way, she spotted the tape to the engine room was on the floor, confirming that the Feds had gone into the engine room. This made her groan in annoyance.

"Like any mechanic worth their tool kit would hide something with the engines and possibly mess up the engine" Grace stated. She quickly jump down to her room was and found that her room had obvious been searched through.

"Oh, Come on! Not my room!" Grace complained. She placed the case on her bed and quickly checked through her stuff, making sure none of the Feds have taken anything important like say her "slightly" modified cortex box.

After some time, Grace began examining the case. The light was blinking which meant it had power. She glanced at the lock which she recognised immediately. "tsk, tsk, if you want to hide something, don't make it so obvious that it's important to you." She muttered. Grace quickly opened up the workings of the lock. She snipped the wire that gave the lock power and manually hit the reset button on the memory chip. Now it would let her open it which Grace grinned about.

She open the case hoping for some important looking files or a flashing light that indicated a message. She was disappointed to see it was just a wave transmitter

"Aww, that no fun!" complained Grace. She hit the button to show her who Priscilla had been contacting. She had sent a message to her guild but the transmitter didn't save messages. Grace sighed, it wasn't much to go by. She started to contemplate dissecting the transmitter to get the memory chip and scan it when something caught her eye. It was some sort of card which had a medical symbol. Knowing immediately who could tell her what this was, Grace went to find Stephanie.

Dr. Young looks at the key with a bit of surprise. "That's a cyro-key. For clients who have organs grown and kept in cryo-stasis in case they ever need a replacement. To get it you need the key and a DNA sample to prove you are indeed the donor." She explained. Grace looked at her in confusion

"I found that in Pricilla mystery case. Isn't she a little young to be worried about a organ failure?" Asked Grace.

(OOC: Assuming Doc give me an answer like "That not your business Grace" or You don't know what's going on in other people's lives)

Grace shrugged and said "I'm going to go talk to the captain. See what he thinks" Grace went looking for captain. Along the way she spotted the barrels of wine. The sudden memory rose in Grace's mind.

The leader continues and taps each one a number of times and then walks away from the barrels."Smugglers. never know where they are winning to hide. found some in the ventilation shafts of a septic system once. Now that's dedication to hiding."
Grace paused and looked at the wine barrels. A frowned crossed her face as a thought crossed her mind.

He was looking for fugitives but he only started talking about smugglers when he checked the wine. Why would a man of uniform switch topics so quickly? I got a bad feeling about this. He realised something and I don't think it will be good for us.
Grace walked towards the barrels. As she did she tried to recall what she knew about wine. It was a liquid so if tapped or knocked about it would make a swishing sound. It also was next to impossible to get the stains out. The container had to be airtight and water tight so that 1. it didn't spill all over the place and 2. didn't turn into vinegar. Grace gently tapped the barrel trying to hear any sounds of liquid moving. Next she checked the containers for stains of wine. She assumed that even it was new, it would have to come in contact with the juice especially considering how clothes didn't escape unstained. Paranoid or not, Grace was going to figure out what the fed meant by his smuggler comment.

“This ship can be a bit twisty….” Ken said to the Captain… “if you don’t mind I can escort you men… and woman… and show them every area…”

The beautiful Marshall smiled and gave Ken a promiscuous look as he joined them on the in the search of the ship. Even though Ken had a great deal of his attention on the lady, he noticed that the men really weren't searching that hard. Sure they opened door and looked around the rooms, but there was no tossing of the rooms or clearing of shelves.

When they came around to the crew quarters and were searching his room he leaned on the door and graced Vasquez with another of his charming smiles…

“That is ‘my’ bed…” he gave her a wink.

"Really?" she said slyly, "Shame I am on duty then. Perhaps I should search this room thoroughly?"

“You can search my place,” Ken replied with a steamy look, “as long as I can search your places Hon.”

"Men!" She calls out to the guards, "Check this level again while I check this room." and as they move on she closes the door and jumps on Ken with a smouldering kiss.

Ken doesn’t resist, actually he wraps his arms around her and crushes her to his well muscled body.

Ken and Vasquez literally fall on to the bed in heated passion. Just as things are getting interesting though, there is a knock on the door and a voice calls out, "Ma'am? The floor is secure. Your orders?"

Vasquez makes a animalistic growling noise and pulls her sidearm out and points it at the doorway before she gets control of herself and puts the gun back. "Sorry sugar." she says as she fixes her uniform and gets off of Ken. "Maybe another time? I'm sure you'll do something naughty in the future that will make me search you more next time?"

Ken attempts to pull her down again but she pulls away reluctantly and he lets her knowing that right now they don’t have the time.

“Well I often aim to misbehave,” he says as he gets up off the bed refastening his shirt where she had ripped it open, “so I am sure you will have another chance. We will have to make sure we have sufficient time next we meet.”

The men finish the search of the ship with only minor incidents as Grace's booby-trap on her ladder to the room cause two to crash to the floor, but only their pride is hurt.

Upon returning to the cargo bay Ken spoke to Vasquez as she passed him to leave the ship, “I wanted to say you look wonderful in black…” he gave her his most charming smile… “maybe we can have a drink sometime… when you’re off duty.”

"That would be nice. Maybe we'll meet at a party sometime soon." She smiles charmingly and smoothes her hair. Suddenly she grasps her left ear in concern and then laughs. "Seems I left you a keepsake. If you find my earring, give me a wave so I know to come get it."

Once the outer airlock door closed Ken sighed, his lips moved and opening them he held an earring between his teeth for a moment before reaching up with a hand and taking it out; he glanced at it with a grin before tucking it into his pocket.

He looked at the others and shook his head, “Ok can we get out of here now?”

(I want to thank the GM for the collaboration; helps to keep Ken's rep intact. )

Destiny Bridge, Day One of Journey, 10:00 pm ST
“So Tess, what do you think our little gift from Priscilla?” Jason asked, his eyes shifted slightly towards his earpiece.

““Sheh sheh, Erikson and Greenleaf have a nice day.” Jason replied, clicking off the piece. With a final series of commands on her navigational board, Tess activated the main engines and Destiny rocketed out of Greenleaf’s orbit.

“Not sure what your gittin at, Jason,” Tess responded as she set the final flight path, “It isn’t like I’ve seen the whatever gorram thing the Doc got scared up, is it? Been a little busy with the Feds, truth be told.”

---

Destiny Bridge, Day One of Journey, 10:43 pm ST
Tess decided to stay on the bridge after Jason left despite feeling a bit hungry. There was something to say about staring out at the black. It gave a dizzying sense of solitude, and if Tess looked long enough, a frightening impression of larger forces at work in the ‘verse. After a while her stomach began to growl in earnest. She thought about the protein paste they were packing, and wondered if anything in the garden bunk was ready to be harvested.

She pushed her goggles onto her forehead and stood up to leave. Ken appeared in the doorway, blocking her progress. His gun belt was flung over one shoulder and he was toweling his hair dry.
“Well Hon,” he asked her from under his towel “How’s it looking? We still going to make it in plenty of time to make the drop?”

“As long as that purty little Fed of yours don’t stop us again, yeah,” she responded, putting an emphasis on the word ‘Fed’, “Why? You plannin’ on something going wrong? The way you’re carrying your gun ‘round Destiny makes me think you’re expect’n some bogey man to jump out of the shadows.”

Destiny Bridge, Day One of Journey, 10:43 pm ST
Tess pushed her goggles onto her forehead and stood up to leave. Ken appeared in the doorway, blocking her progress. His gun belt was flung over one shoulder and he was toweling his hair dry.

“Well Hon,” he asked her from under his towel “How’s it looking? We still going to make it in plenty of time to make the drop?”

“As long as that purty little Fed of yours don’t stop us again, yeah,” she responded, putting an emphasis on the word ‘Fed’, “Why? You plannin’ on something going wrong? The way you’re carrying your gun ‘round Destiny makes me think you’re expect’n some bogey man to jump out of the shadows.”

Ken draped the towel over his shoulder letting his bare sweaty chest bare before her; he grinned a bit at her words and raised an eyebrow.

“Why Tess,” He said with an incredulous tone, “I do believe I detect a note of jealousy in your tone there.”

He leaned on the door facing and continued to grin in a look that was so familiar to her.

“Besides, I always expectin’ trouble. That why I still alive you know.”

"Now," he said as he leaned alittle towards her, "back to this jealousy of yours; you wouldnt be wantin' to start up things again would ya? Cause you know I could always squeeze ya in iffin you feel the need ya know."

His grin broadened and it wasnt quite sure if he was serious or joking with her; maybe it was a little of both.

Destiny Bridge, Day One of Journey, 10:45 pm ST
“You always did know how t’ make a girl feel special,” Tess replied.

His clean scent began permeating her brain and despite his crude words, goose bumps erupted up and down her arms. He was fightin’ dirty, and he knew it. Tess stepped up inches away from Ken, and put a hand on his bare chest.

“Temptin’ offer,” she said huskily, trailing her fingers down his sternum, “But unlike some people I know, I ain’t in the habit of sleep’n with anything that crosses my path.”

She side stepped him and made her way down towards the galley.

Destiny Bridge, Day One of Journey, 10:45 pm ST
“You always did know how t’ make a girl feel special,” Tess replied.

His clean scent began permeating her brain and despite his crude words, goose bumps erupted up and down her arms. He was fightin’ dirty, and he knew it. Tess stepped up inches away from Ken, and put a hand on his bare chest.

“Temptin’ offer,” she said huskily, trailing her fingers down his sternum, “But unlike some people I know, I ain’t in the habit of sleep’n with anything that crosses my path.”

She side stepped him and made her way down towards the galley.

Ken put on a pouty expression and then as he turned to watch her go he smiled; he watched her go on down the stairs and then followed her down. As he did so he thought how he was slightly disappointed that she didn’t take him up on it. While Tess and he had parted on good terms, both agreeing that it was better that they go their separate ways as far as relationships were concerned, he still found her extremely arousing to him. He wouldn’t mind tumble with her now and then, but it was probably best that she hadn’t taken him up on it.

Before heading into the galley; he stopped off in his quarters to wash up quickly. (I think it is room #10 according to the Q&A discussions).

Freshly washed, and with a shirt on now, he walked into the galley wondering what they would have for dinner. He was glad that it was not he that would be cooking this evening; not after the fiasco last time. He knew that it had been poison that had almost killed the Companion but the ribbing by his shipmates had irked him a trifle bit.

Spotting Tess he gave her a wink and a grin as he grabbed something to drink before taking his usual place at the galley table.

It had been a long day and even longer night. Leaving the guest quarters Jon intended to head to the bridge but he needed to think about all that had gone down. He knew he should just head for his bunk, but he was just still too wired. Grabbing the hand rail Jon spun himself down the spiral stairway to the middle deck. Walking alone, he quietly made his way forward to the galley.

The galley had a peaceful feel. Being raise on a boat this is where he had always gone to feel grounded. The crews had been family and this is where they gathered to get away from the stress of the day. Jon’s surrogate father, Captain Kent Clark was a super guy but he’s kept Jon as a galleymate for many years before he was allowed the work the other areas of the boat. Going cupboard to cupboard he pulled food items, pots pans and dishes. Puttering around chopping, cutting and mixing he felt the tensions start to fade slowly. They had actually picked up some fresh produce and meat, with a bit of seasoning there was a nice stew simmering. The happening of the day roll through Jon’s mind and before he realized it he’d prepared enough food for the whole crew. A smile crossed his face as he walked to the ship’s com, pressed the mic open, “Crew meeting in the galley, let hash out what’s been going on………. and bring an appetite. “

As the crew members entered Jon directed them to the stew simmering smoothly. “If you’re hungry grab a bowl, let sit and talk. Tell us what’cha think, what’cha heard and what’cha saw. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of those Feds.”

“Not sure what your gittin at, Jason,” Tess responded as she set the final flight path, “It isn’t like I’ve seen the whatever gorram thing the Doc got scared up, is it? Been a little busy with the Feds, truth be told.” Tess replied as she sent Destiny rocketing off for Osiris.

“I was just wondering if you had any guesses,” Jason replied standing up from his console, “Besides, it not like we have anything else to do right now.” it’s not like we know anything about the contents of the case or what its purpose was. Jason thought as he stretched some of the stress out of his shoulders in a shrugging motion. Besides, I’m sure that Grace would’ve said something to the crew if it were dangerous. “Well, I guess I’ll go clean-up and make myself presentable, maybe I’ll send a wave or two and see if I can’t ‘dig-up’ at least a partial guest list for Otello’s party,” Jason nodded his farewell to Tess as he left ops and headed toward his room to shower and change.

After showering and changing Jason felt more like his usual self and set about sending a few short waves to request the info he’s looking for. He was just about to start the multiple wave send when the ship’s intercom crackled and Jon’s voice emerged, “Crew meeting in the galley, let hash out what’s been going on………. and bring an appetite.”

Jason hit the send button and stood from the console I guess it’s dinner time, hey at least it wasn’t my turn to cook….and who knows maybe I’ll get some answers. Jason thought as he made his way to the galley.

Entering the room he finds that the only other member of the crew present is the Captain, “Hey Jon, you find out anything about Priscilla’s mystery package?” The Face asked as he grabbed a bowl and spoon and began to serve himself a bowl of stew.

Day One of Journey, 11:05 pm ST
As Ken got his drink he was glad to see the Jon had cooked; the Captain was one of the better cooks. Setting his drink on the table he grabbed a hearty bowl of the stew and gave it an appreciative sniff and a nod of approval.

“Ummmm, smells good Cap.”

Sitting down he dug into the stew with gusto; Ken always seemed to have a good appetite. He was a very active guy; if it wasn’t his working out it was his ‘extra-curricular’ activities.

As the crew members entered the Jon directed them to the stew simmering smoothly. “If you’re hungry grab a bowl, let sit and talk. Tell us what’cha think, what’cha heard and what’cha saw. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of those Feds.”

“Let’s hope not,” Ken mumbled between mouthfuls of stew as he thought again of the fiery body of the Lady Marshal as she had laid atop him in his rack.

He continued to down stew and was finished with his first bowl and was up and getting more as the last of the crew helped themselves. Returning to his seat he continued eating, listening to what Grace had learned about the strange case in the Companion’s quarters and what the others thought about the situation.

Destiny Galley, Day One of Journey, 11:00 pm ST
As Jon was pulling out ingredients he heard someone enter the galley. He looked over to see Stephanie coming in with a smile on her face. "Great mind or fools?" She asked, "I was thinking the same thing. Mind if I make some sweet Boa alongside you?"

(Assuming no objection)

The two of you work together preparing the meal. The closeness of your bodies in the galley brings a welcome human element but also some repressed tension the Doctor. She looked at her Captain out of the corner of her eye and wished .... Well that wasn't going to happen. Silly for an old woman like herself to even fantasize about that! But she couldn't help her feelings for Jon. She fell in love with him on the day they met and she had been trying to deny it ever since.

Destiny Cargo Bay, Day One of Journey, 11:00 pm ST
Grace looked at the barrels in the cargo bay with an analytic mind. The barrel, and wide and it occurred to her as she calculated volume in her head that this party must have an awful lot of guests or a lot of heavy drinkers. She looked at the grain of the wood and the kegs trying to figure out if there was something off and it came to her as she pushed against one - and it moved slightly.

Not a lot, but a bit and that should have been impossible based on the volume, standard weight of a wine in a barrel and not to mention the barrel itself. She remember that Norm had his lifting rig bring it up for them, so no one had to touch the kegs.

She looked at the barrel with a renewed interest and noticed something else. She check another barrel and found the same thing - then another. Each other has a slightly depressed area on the side, at the middle, about the size of a man's hand. She soon found that each depressing seemed to be smooth but there was a VERY hidden catch on each one.

Grace pulled off her multi-band tool on her arm and set the EMF detector on, running it over the barrel. No electrical fields detected.

“Crew meeting in the galley, let hash out what’s been going on………. and bring an appetite. “ came the announcement over the ship PA. While she briefly considered pulling out the docter's xray equipment while everyone was busy, Grace decide it best to tell the crew what she has found.

Destiny Jason's Quarters, Day One of Journey, 11:00 pm ST
Jason showered and thought about the Feds and the inspection. He was sure that Sanders was playing a game with them. Not necessarily by choice but ... He couldn't quite put his finger on it. the inspection was a ruse, he would bet his last credit on that and come out a rich man. He wished that he knew what was going on and briefly though t of getting the crew together for a talk and sharing of ideas.

“Crew meeting in the galley, let hash out what’s been going on………. and bring an appetite. “
Well ...Great minds do think alike.

As Ken chowed down on the stew he glanced up and saw the Doc and Captain finishing up in the galley; he noticed the Doc’s sidelong glances at Jon and he grinned a little. He was sure he wasn’t the only one who thought that perhaps the Doc had a bit of a crush on their Captain. Actually he assumed that the Captain was probably the only person who didn’t realize it.

Ken glanced over the table to Tess and if she glanced at him he winked at her and then inclined his head just a little towards the pair in the kitchen and gave her that knowing grin. He was so tempted to say something out loud; a sort of innuendo that might or might not be picked up on by the parties involved.

(Assuming the usual disapproving look from Tess)

Ken rolled his eyes at her and spared one more glance at the love stuck Doc and the oblivious Captain and turned back to the stew; he had to admit the Captain cooked a mean stew and he loved the Doc’s fresh Boa and was looking forward to dessert.

At Jon call for dinner. Grace looked up from her inspection. Her stomach growled and she remembered the last thing she had to eat was her unsuccessful attempt to make a power drink out of protein paste and canned fruits. Plus Jon was amazing at making food. That and she had forgot to tell everyone about the case and what she had just discovered.

Grace walked with some speed to the gallery where she could already smell the stew. Jason and Ken we just coming in.

“If you’re hungry grab a bowl, let sit and talk. Tell us what’cha think, what’cha heard and what’cha saw. I don’t think we’ve seen the last of those Feds.” Jon said.
“Let’s hope not,” Ken mumbled between mouthfuls of stew. Grace waited patiently for her turn to get some food. When she got a bowl, she immediately said " Thank you Captain."

She sat down beside Tess and happily started eating her stew. Ken gave Tess a certain look which Grace didn't understand. Tess didn't seem to approve which confused Grace even more. She glanced between Tess and Ken, trying to figure it out. Finally she just shrugged and went back to eating.

“Hey Jon, you find out anything about Priscilla’s mystery package?” asked Jason as he sat down to enjoy his stew.

"I can answer that." stated Grace. "It's her wave transmitter. Kind of like a companions S.O.S signal. She sent a message to her guild before she passed out. I have no clue what, the machine doesn't save it. If you really wanted to know, I would have to dissect her transmitter which would piss her and her guild off."

She locked eyes with Jason and said "You might wanted to send a message to the Guild. Tell them where she is and warn them that she might be in danger. I did some research on her. Looks like someone using Higgum's code is trying to see if anyone died recently. She should be safe on Greenleaf. The place is crawling with Alliance."

Grace looked at the Captain and said "I think after the party we should return to Greenleaf. I found this medical card in her case." Grace pulled the card out of the pocket on her jeans and handed him the card "Stephanie says it's for organ donors. I think she won't needing it any time soon but the sooner we give it to her, the better" She said

"Finally I think we should be carefully. I think the Feds will be coming back. They came in looking for fugitives but the leader started talking about smugglers when he tapped against the wine. I thought it was strange so I checked out the cases. Size wise, they aren't correct. A little too big. And when I leaned against it moved. With its size and weight that should have been impossible. Plus it looks like there is a hidden door on each barrel. I also noticed Norm made sure when we were loading them, none of us actually touched them. Rich Folks aren't in the habit of lending out equipment unless they got something to hide." Grace explained. If there was any startled looks or anything, Grace didn't notice and took another mouth full of food. As she chewed, a thought crossed her mind and she glanced at Stephanie.

"Hey Stephanie would it be okay if I borrowed the X-ray machine?"