"Miss," Sung removed his hat as he stepped inside the room, closing the door behind him without turning his back on the young woman. "I'm no' one t' beat about the issue, so here's how I see things: You are in possession of, or the knowledge of, one of these cases that has been causin' me an' my crew a whole lot o' issues. I've got a mess o' fine an' mighties t' deal with an' t' be frank, I don' have much patience left. I am askin' nice for you t' hand over the case, an' I don't much care whether it is truly yours 'r not at this point in time. Should we survive what's comin' I'll be happy t' help sort out ownership. But 'till then..."
Jessy stood up from the bunk as the Captain stepped in and closed the door behind him; she had been weighing her choices and had seen that she really only had one choice that was right.

“Captain,” she began then paused as if she changed her mind on what to say, “I want to apologize for the trouble I have caused you and your crew. It was never my intention to cause any harm. I just… well bad luck seems to follow me around most of the time.”

She took a heavy breath and let it out before she continued.

“The case, with the Violin is in your lounge next to your kitchen, behind the sofa,” she said seeming to have to force the words from her mouth as if giving it up was the hardest thing she had ever had to do.

“Now,” she went on with a wan smile, “I would like to help, if you need it, but if you don’t trust me and would prefer me to stay here, I will abide by your wishes and not cause any more trouble.”

John got the power going easily and hacked his way passed the simpleton version of a security code that was left behind. (Really, it was almost insultingly easy. Might as well use 36-24-36, it would have stumped you longer) Once he had accessed the on line schematics and brought up an image of the turbine positions, it would be easy enough to find a replacement for the drive pod.
And that it was, John didn't need to look at the schematics for more than two or three seconds before he was able to pinpoint the turbine that would work the best.

It was in Exhaust Outlet J, which was unfortunately up at the top of the processor. Still staring at the schematics, John bit his bottom lip, wondering how the hell they were suppossed to get that down to the ship. It was certainally going to be a task.

Still musing as to how they were going to go about this little "project", John started heading up the Processor to go see the turbine in person.

He had just reached the entrance to the Exhaust Outlet's entrance, when he decided he should contact the rest of the crew and let them know what the deal was. He had just grabbed the comm when it occurred to him that it might be possible that these people, whoever they were, could be listening in on the Comms between Roc's crew.

Quickly, in his mind, John tried to remember some of the codes that he had used during his time in the Alliance. He remembered a few, but he wasn't sure whether or not these would be safe to use if these aggressors were of Alliance origin.

It was probably safe enough to let everyone know the situation with the turbine, but as to letting them all know about the radio frequency... It was probably best not to air that over the Comms.

Frustrated, John decided that he might as well just tell them about the turbine and ask to speak to Captain Wyatt in person as soon as possible.

Quickly John flipped on the Comm and stated to everyone, "So I've found a suitable turbine. It's gonna take two, possibly three men to remove it and bring it down; so I need you, Wolf, and possible Asher to get back up here as soon as possible. Also, Captain Wyatt, I have some information I'd like to share with you and the rest of the crew that I feel is too sensitive to tell over the comms in case that we are being listened to. So whenever it's possible, I'd like to talk to you face to face."

(OOC: I'm gonna pause here for possible interactions.)

Cap’n," Wolf caught up with Wyatt just before the gangplank. "I was thinking it might be faster to bring the Roc to the parts then hauling them back here to her. If we use both shuttles to lift her and the mule and the vast manpower here to move her we could do it. While I gather the parts I need to get her Black worthy again you, Tess and John bring her here. On top of that if we get her and all the passengers there we only present one target rather then two and in that one target somewhere is this violin they want so bad so they will hopefully not shoot at it from the Black. With two targets they may do a 50-50 and destroy one as a message to hand it over and right now we need both.”

"You an' I were thinkin' along the same lines for the most part, Wolf." Wyatt stopped and looked up towards the pale sky. "We ain't movin' Roc though. We're gonna move the violin. We're gonna give them too many targets t' allow them t' consolidate their forces. We've got cameras we can take from Roc to get pictures o' the case in at least three locations. Get the cameras, an' one o' the cases. I don't much care which one, though if you can keep those that are obviously a bit more connected happy in the process, I'd appreciate it. You an' John are still performin' tha' miracle for me, but in gettin' you back there to help John, the Kid an' I will be joinin' you to take a few snapshots o' the case at the facility. Then, we'll take some more at another location, and more again at Roc. We'll broadcast wide from Roc these pictures so tha' the mercs'll pick them up along with a message tha' draws 'em in. You got any explosives? If not, we've a cargo bay full o' the makin's fer some."

“No, no explosives and I can fix an engine but I have no clue as to mixing fertilizer to go bang Captain. I’m a mechanic Captain, not a bloody bomb maker”*

Smiling at Wyatt as if privy to a private joke. Wolf settled the GRZ-1 on his back once more and moved inside the Rocinante to get the Mule ready for the fast drive to the atmo plant. As he started to climb behind the wheel John’s voice came over the radio.

"So I've found a suitable turbine. It's gonna take two, possibly three men to remove it and bring it down; so I need you, Wolf, and possible Asher to get back up here as soon as possible. Also, Captain Wyatt, I have some information I'd like to share with you and the rest of the crew that I feel is too sensitive to tell over the comms in case that we are being listened to. So whenever it's possible, I'd like to talk to you face to face."

“John, the Captain, Ash and myself, will be there shortly getting the Mule ready now.”

Settling into the drivers seat he checked its systems for anything wrong then began to move the hover vehicle out of the cargo bay.

(*Ok I just had to add that

I’ll post more depending on any interaction with my character.)

“Captain,” Jessy began, then paused as if she changed her mind on what to say, “I want to apologize for the trouble I have caused you and your crew. It was never my intention to cause any harm. I just… well bad luck seems to follow me around most of the time.” She took a heavy breath and let it out before she continued, “The case, with the Violin is in your lounge next to your kitchen, behind the sofa.” she said seeming to have to force the words from her mouth as if giving it up was the hardest thing she had ever had to do.

“Now,” she went on with a wan smile, “I would like to help, if you need it, but if you don’t trust me and would prefer me to stay here, I will abide by your wishes and not cause any more trouble.”

Wyatt considered what she had to say. He really didn’t have much reason to trust her, but at the same time they weren’t exactly outnumbering the mercenaries. And, though he’d definitely rather have her under lock and key considering the trouble she’d brought with her, he couldn’t blame someone for looking out for themself--at the same time, he didn’t condone the concept of everyone else be damned in the process. Still...there was that overwhelming need for more people working against the threat they faced. What was it Eden used t’ say? he wondered. Oh, tha’s right. More hands mean quicker the work. He could practically hear his wife’s cheerful voice admonishing him of this when he refused to hire on hands at their ranch some years back.

“Miss,” Sung refocused his attention on the woman seated before him. “I’ll be honest. We ain’t in the best o’ situations, an’ I’ll be happy fer all the help I can git. How is it you figure you can provide assistance?”

---

Wyatt’s com crackled to life emitting John’s cautious and impatient voice, "So I've found a suitable turbine. It's gonna take two, possibly three men to remove it and bring it down; so I need you, Wolf, and possible Asher to get back up here as soon as possible. Also, Captain Wyatt, I have some information I'd like to share with you and the rest of the crew that I feel is too sensitive to tell over the comms in case that we are being listened to. So whenever it's possible, I'd like to talk to you face to face."
Captain Sung frowned at the timing and the necessity for additional bodies at the facility. Activating the com, he answered flatly, “I’ll be there shortly with some help. Any way t’ hook somethin’ up t’ the shuttle an’ airlift that thing out so we don’ have t’ carry it?”

---

“No,” Wolf answered. “No explosives and I can fix an engine but I have no clue as to mixing fertilizer to go bang Captain. I’m a mechanic Captain, not a bloody bomb maker.” Smiling at Wyatt as if privy to a private joke.

“Well then, you gotta figure out how, Wolf. We don’ ‘ave much time.” Wyatt turned to walk away, and then had a thought that prompted him to call out over his shoulder, “Why not see if’n them boys that were so eager t’ see you at work earlier can help with the explosives? I hear tell they are filled with all sorts of smarts.”

---

Having finished his conversation with Jessy, Wyatt made his way to the finely dressed man who had put him to the ground with whatever fancy device he had built into that walking stick of his. Opening the door, Sung entered the room with his hand close to his Colt, but not so much that he was threatening.

“Good mornin’ to you,” he offered up by way of a cheerful greeting. “We’ve no’ had the opportunity t’ really get introduced properly. I’m Captain Wyatt Sung, an’ this here boat--this here crew--well, they’re my responsibility. Imagine my displeasure when we’re actin’ on all sorts of good faith rescuing kind folk such as yerself, and then there’s all this fuss over these little cases that brings a boatload of hurt on me an’ mine. Not t’ mention all the other fine and fancy folk we picked off that liner.

“I don’ normally poke my nose in others business, but seein’ how this situation is about as Soh Ya Feh Tian, as it can be, I figured I need t’ know as much as possible. So, I’m askin’ you in the most polite o’ fashions t’ be cooperative.

“What’s in your case?”

---

“Wolf,” Wyatt called out as he took the stairs down into the bay three at a time, using the rails to help propel him along. “Let’s get a move on. Where’s Ash?” Locating the young gunfighter, Wyatt removed the case he’d retrieved from behind the couch from underneath his arm and tossed it to Asher. “There’s yer prop.”

Sliding into the passenger seat of the mule, Wyatt set his shotgun in his lap and settled his hat more firmly on his head. “Let’s go. We’ve not got all day. Guhn Kwai.”

Wyatt removed the case he’d retrieved from behind the couch from underneath his arm and tossed it to Asher. “There’s yer prop.”
The PR man had grabbed a digital image device from the boat’s storage. Snatching the case from the air Ash hopped into the back of mule as Wolf prepare to head back to the Atmo processor. It was a quick trip and as Wyatt and Wolf climbed out the kid crawled into the driver’s seat. Waving the case he called out, I’ll be back to help in a bit.”

Powering up the mule he headed back to Rocinante. The young men had been busy playing with the fertilizer and already had several explosive packages ready. Asher grabbed some flashbangs to set as detonators and loaded the lethal surprises into the mule. Heading out toward the rock formations in the opposite direction from the caves the kid found several sights that looked like natural fortifications. Setting the case down he took pictures and then piled rock to make it look like it had been buried. But instead he’s buried the surprise packages and set the flashbangs so that removal of the key stone would trip the trap and leave a nice creator casting stone like shrapnel. The pictures showed just enough background to be a clue to the location. A few partial footprint and scuffed ground added to the sight as a hiding place. When he’d finished placing the traps Ash made his way back to the processing station for further instruction.

“Miss,” Sung refocused his attention on the woman seated before him. “I’ll be honest. We ain’t in the best o’ situations, an’ I’ll be happy fer all the help I can git. How is it you figure you can provide assistance?”
Jessy noticed the Captain's hesitation in answering her; she was usually pretty good at reading people and she sensed that this man didn't trust her and kind of blamed her for what was happening. She could point out that while she did bring the case on board, she wasn't the one responsible for the attack on the cruise ship. But none of that would help the situation they were all in right now.

"I know you don't trust me Captain," she began, "so I won't ask you for any leniency in that area. I don't have any skill in ship repair or anything that might help you deal with the danger that is coming. Unless you have something specific for me, the only thing I might be able to do is assist your doctor with the wounded. That way one of your crew will be able to keep an eye on me." She ended with a faint smirk.

Willow had put the final touches on Havelock’s bandages when she had a time to look up. She realized with surprise that it had been the two bodyguards who’d acted as surgical assistants.

"We been around a hospital room a few time Doctor. Kinda a occupational thing." said Slash, "Knowing what to do and how can help keep you working if you know what you mean."

“Your employer gets you into that many…situations?” Willow asked softly, really looking the two men for the first time, and noting the signs of old injuries, fading scars, cauliflower ears. “No, don’t answer that,” she said quickly, pulling off her gloves and coming around the table to take the large hands of Slash in her own,” I understand the demands of discretion. Just know that you have my gratitude for your strength,” and she rose on tiptoe to kiss the big man on the lips before moving to kiss his equally large partner,” and your gentleness. If I can ever help you, say the word.”

She let the moment hang there, then smiled brightly and clapped her hands lightly. “Well, I have things to do and you have a mysterious employer to guard. On your way, boys, I’ve no more kisses for you today. Cameron-san,” she turned to the man sitting patiently off to the side, hiding her discomfort at being near him again,” you are welcome to the scrubs, or I can give you directions back to the shuttle where you will find your clothes. While I am certain you are not responsible for your actions earlier, it’s best that you not be around when Miss Amber wakes. Please join the other passengers; I am certain that the Captain is making plans and I need to make some of my own. Off with you…please.”

(OOC: will respond if necessary, but she is projecting a doctor’s authority and is reluctant to get too close to Bridges)

As the medical bay began to empty, Willow was able to move around more freely. She checked on Amber again but the girl still slept deeply, so worn out that Willow frowned and added a vitamin B12 shot to the IV. It wasn’t much, but it may stir the girl’s metabolism to start healing the damage.

That left Havelock. The old warrior lay back, pale in his bandages, but his eyes were merely closed against the overhead lights, not slumber. She knew he’d resist not being part of the action, but every hour resting would mean a stronger healing if his wounds. He opened his eyes as Willow drew near.

“I need a favour, Captain,” she began, smiling sweetly,” that young lady’s been through a lot, and she’s exhausted. I need her to sleep as long as she can and I need to find the Captain and find out what our next move will be. Will you stay here a while and watch over her? It would set my mind at ease to have you here.”

(OOC: Assuming a yes, else I can backpost)

Willow left the bay and made her way through the passageways of the ship. When she found herself completely alone, she leaned against the wall a moment, letting her weariness well up from deep inside. She lived again that moment when she thought she would die, before letting her breath out slowly, straightening up and raising her chin. Resolutely rolling her shoulders down and back, Willow briskly went to find her Captain.

“Captain-san. What’s our plan and what do you need me to do? I’ve two patients that can be moved, but it won’t be under their own power, if I can help it.”

LV-426, Emergency Landing Field, Outside rear of Rocinante,9:00 am PT
"You want us to build what?" The tall thin young man questioned.

Wolf repeated his request and the four men looked at each other with some consternation.

"Umm." The short man with glasses named Leonard replied, "We are theoretical physicists. None of us has built a bomb."

"That's not true Leonard." Said Sheldon in a superior tone.

"You built a bomb Sheldon?" Leonard's voice was filled with disbelief.

"When I was 8. I built a fully operational nuclear bomb for science fair."

"You did what! Where did you get radioactive material at 8 years old?"

"Scraped the glow in the dark material off the arms of watches you got free if you sent in ten pop tart labels."

"Good God Sheldon! How many watches did you scrape?"

"127." Sheldon replied and the other three drew in a breath of shock, "I liked pop tarts. Anyway, I made it and I should have won first prize too but instead they had a fire alarm, took my science project away and then they told my mom. She was unreasonably mad. You'd think she'd be proud of her son but no. The danger was too great. Not like I didn't have the safety on."

Leonard turned back to the mechanic, "So we may have some knowledge and experience in what you are asking."

Howard muttered, "I told you he was one bad day away from being a supervillian."

"Agri-grow is an Ammonium nitrate derivative." Leonard said, "You need a hydrocarbon to make it explosive."

"Only if you want a high yield rapid expansion that can do a great deal of damage." Sheldon replied, "However for what they are suggesting, we could use another agent to increase the capacity of an already existing explosive. You must have solvent here for cleaning the engine parts and removing grease."

(assume a yes from Wolf)

"It can be done but I will only help under one condition."

(assuming a What is that?)

"You can never tell my mother about this. I doubt she will be proud of me a second time around."

LV-426, Inside Rocinante, 9:00 am PT
Sung was about to walk out on the young lady when he got another thought and told her to join up with Ash to help him with the case and the pictures. It may have been a mistake, putting a beautiful lady with the young gunslinger, but Wyatt knew that Asher wouldn't put pleasure before business and it was all business now.

He entered the room where Matherson was waiting for him. Neither of the bodyguards were with him which struck Wyatt as odd but remembered Willow asked them to help her with Havelock.

Opening the door, Sung entered the room with his hand close to his Colt, but not so much that he was threatening.

“Good mornin’ to you,” he offered up by way of a cheerful greeting. “We’ve no’ had the opportunity t’ really get introduced properly. I’m Captain Wyatt Sung, an’ this here boat--this here crew--well, they’re my responsibility. Imagine my displeasure when we’re actin’ on all sorts of good faith rescuing kind folk such as yerself, and then there’s all this fuss over these little cases that brings a boatload of hurt on me an’ mine. Not t’ mention all the other fine and fancy folk we picked off that liner.

“I don’ normally poke my nose in others business, but seein’ how this situation is about as Soh Ya Feh Tian, as it can be, I figured I need t’ know as much as possible. So, I’m askin’ you in the most polite o’ fashions t’ be cooperative.

“What’s in your case?”

Matherson stood up and nodded respectfully, "Captain Sung, believe me when i say I have no wish to be a burden to you and your crew. Events have played out in the last 24 hours that were never of anyone's intentions, least of all mine. As to the contents of the case - I am a researcher with the Blue Sun medical division and the case contains a series of experimental diagnostic instruments that are being tested for effectiveness. I am personally responsible for the equipment and the loss of the case would be ... quite disastrous to me and my company.

(Assuming Wyatt hands over case and asks to be shown)

"I am not sure the equipment will mean anything to you. But if it will mean getting to keep my case" Matherson tumbles the combination with ease and the clicks the release which let go with a thud and a hiss, "These Newtech cases are excellent. Bulletproof, blast proof, shielded from radiation or gas. No wonder the musician had one for his violin."

Opening the case, Matherson shows Wyatt what is inside. The insides are lined with foam and twelve instruments are nestled within the foam along with another black unit that has a display and controls on it. Wyatt has never seen the black box before, but he is all too familiar with the "diagnostic equipment". The twelve are all the same as the device Miss Amber stuck Wyatt with not too long ago that lead to an embarrassing situation and thoughts that weren't natural seeping into Wyatt's head.

LV-426, Infirmary of Rocinante, 8:45 - 9:15 am PT
Willow said, “Well, I have things to do and you have a mysterious employer to guard. On your way, boys, I’ve no more kisses for you today. Cameron-san,” she turned to the man sitting patiently off to the side, hiding her discomfort at being near him again,” you are welcome to the scrubs, or I can give you directions back to the shuttle where you will find your clothes. While I am certain you are not responsible for your actions earlier, it’s best that you not be around when Miss Amber wakes. Please join the other passengers; I am certain that the Captain is making plans and I need to make some of my own. Off with you…please.”

Cameron leaves the infirmary looking like he would like to talk at length however the presence of the two bodyguards seems to shake him enough that he just leaves with numerous thank you and continues at speed to the shuttle.

As the two guards leave, Slash looks over at Amber, "Excuse me Doctor? Is miss amber okay? Someone didn't hurt her did they?" he asks with all the threat of violence deep within his tone.

(assuming a veiled reply on her condition and a question as to how they know her)

"She and the boss were really friendly on the cruise. None of our business really but they were together a lot."

"Yeah, they were together in fact just before the ship blew up." Hack chimes in. "We had to get her out of the cabin before ..." Hack suddenly notices the look that Slash is given him and trails off.

"Anyway, none of our business but the boss seemed to like her and she was nice to us." Slash says and the two exit with one admonishing the other for talking too much.

As the medical bay began to empty, Willow was able to move around more freely. She checked on Amber again but the girl still slept deeply, so worn out that Willow frowned and added a vitamin B12 shot to the IV. It wasn’t much, but it may stir the girl’s metabolism to start healing the damage.

That left Havelock. The old warrior lay back, pale in his bandages, but his eyes were merely closed against the overhead lights, not slumber. She knew he’d resist not being part of the action, but every hour resting would mean a stronger healing if his wounds. He opened his eyes as Willow drew near.

“I need a favour, Captain,” she began, smiling sweetly,” that young lady’s been through a lot, and she’s exhausted. I need her to sleep as long as she can and I need to find the Captain and find out what our next move will be. Will you stay here a while and watch over her? It would set my mind at ease to have you here.”

The old captain smiled at Willow sincerely, "It would be the least I could do Doctor for all that you have done. Consider her under my guard and I will defend her with all my honour."

To be continued... Wanted to post something.

LV-426, Atmo Processor, Upper floor, 9:00 am PT
Quickly John flipped on the Comm and stated to everyone, "So I've found a suitable turbine. It's gonna take two, possibly three men to remove it and bring it down; so I need you, Wolf, and possible Asher to get back up here as soon as possible. Also, Captain Wyatt, I have some information I'd like to share with you and the rest of the crew that I feel is too sensitive to tell over the comms in case that we are being listened to. So whenever it's possible, I'd like to talk to you face to face."

Captain Sung frowned at the timing and the necessity for additional bodies at the facility. Activating the com, he answered flatly, “I’ll be there shortly with some help. Any way t’ hook somethin’ up t’ the shuttle an’ airlift that thing out so we don’ have t’ carry it?”

(assuming John replies with a yes, or a I wasn’t planning to haul it out by hand)

Time was wasting so John ended the conversation and moved up to the ladder to the upper floor and then to the Jefferies tube that would give him the quickest access to Exhaust Outlet J. As he climbed up, moving from access junction to another tube he got a close view of the turbines and blowers that were contained within the building. Massive turbines designed to blow air and oxygen through the fragile atmosphere of the planet. Many of the turbines were already disconnected from their mounting, a sign that the company was planning on disassembling the processor soon.

Disconnected from the mountings? John suddenly had a wonderful hope. If they disconnected the turbine they were after that would save a lot of time spent trying to blow torch their way through. The thought of such a hope give him energy and speed as he climbed higher and higher into the processor.

LV-426, Inside Rocinante, 9:10 am PT
Wolf made a stop to pick up extra ammo for the assorted weapons that were in use right now and then proceeded to the cargo bay to meet at the mule. The ship smelled of Ma’s soup and Wolf’s stomach growled noisily as his stomach reminded him that it had been a long time since he ate (or slept for that matter). As he walked by the Kitchen, Ma followed after him with the pick shotgun and the faux- alliance security uniform she often wore. She wordless handed him a sealed container of soup and two biscuits as she passed him on the stairs. He face could bear no smile but she tapped the big man on the cheek gently and pointed to the food – wordlessly telling him to make sure he ate while she ran off with additional containers for the other crew.

Ash was warming up the hovermule as ma reached him and passed over the soup and biscuits – two extra for the growing boy. She hugged him tightly and then let him go, putting down a package for the captain as well, heading off to supervise the boys with their new toys. Over his shoulder, the two bodyguards of Matherson were bringing down a sealed stockpot of soup and a cardboard box full of bowls and utensils – to be dropped off at the caves for the passengers no doubt.

(Note – not going further than here on this because I need to know Wyatt’s reaction to the revelation of Matherson’s case.)




LV-426, Inside Rocinante, 9:20 am PT
Tess was in the cockpit, hooking up a remote switch to her Multiplan before heading to the shuttle to take off and go to the Atmo Processors. It was at this point that the scanner on the transmitter went off, signaling that someone nearby was trying to use a remote signal again. It wouldn’t work for them, if Grace had taught Tess anything it was that once you jammed a signal, never let it go. But Tess tried to get a location on the signal while it was hot. The person didn’t stay on long though, but she could tell they were not within the ship but within a mile. That meant the traitor was probably among the passengers now heading for the caves.



Willow emerged from the sickbay with a need to speak to the captain and this Matherson fellow. The smell of soup was in the air and it was very pleasant to inhale the savoury aroma. That was when Ma came up to her with a container of soup and some biscuits but a concerned look on her face. She handed the care pack to Willow and wrote down on her notepad – Can you smell that?

(Assuming, yes, I smell your soup)

She wrote quickly – No. Something else. Something ...wrong?

Willow sniffed the air and at first detected nothing. Then she got a whiff of something burnt. No paper or woods but chemical in nature. The two looked around, trying to get a idea of where it was coming from and it eventually lead then to the engine room.

Now engines meant nothing to Willow but there was something definitely wrong here. The shaft that spun on the cylinders had cables damaging off it. There was a fine powder piled on the floor under the shaft and as she got closer, she knew the smell came from here and something was missing from the engine.

What do I do with this one, Eden? Wyatt eyed the woman before him with calm consideration. She was definitely skilled in subterfuge, possibly even espionage and other more clandestine knowledge. He didn’t fancy the idea of her being left to her own devices, and in their situation he couldn’t very well have an able body locked up. Perhaps her skillset could be put to use and at the same time involving her could potentially keep her out of trouble. Well, Sung mentally sighed. I guess there’s nothing to it, but t’ set this wheel turnin’.
“Miss,” he straightened and stepped partway through the doorway. “I’ll send Asher on in t’ gather you up. I figure you wantin’ t’ help might jus’ be right up alongside what he’s suppose t’ be about. That’s if’n you don’t mind getting a little dirt under those pretty li’l fingernails.”

(OOC: Assuming some final response affirming that she’s still willing to help…)

“Fine then. Stay put until the Kid shows up. He’ll have instructions for you.” That being said, Wyatt stepped out the door and closed it once more. He made sure it was locked from the outside before stepping over to the intercom unit and keying up the ship-wide. “Asher, come on up t’ the passenger quarters and allow the young Miss here t’ help you be about your business.”

Pausing for a moment, Wyatt stole away the resolve he needed to keep his personal feelings at bay concerning the gentleman he was about to confront. After all, the man had knocked him unconscious with his boomstick. Once he was sure that his iron will was firmly between his anger and his intent, Sung entered the room where Matherson was waiting for him. Neither of the bodyguards were with him which struck Wyatt as odd but remembered Willow asked them to help her with Havelock. Sung’s hand was close to his Colt entered the room, but not so much that it was immediately threatening.

“Good mornin’ to you,” Wyatt offered up by way of a cheerful greeting. “We’ve no’ had the opportunity t’ really get introduced properly. I’m Captain Wyatt Sung, an’ this here boat--this here crew--well, they’re my responsibility. Imagine my displeasure when we’re actin’ on all sorts of good faith rescuing kind folk such as yerself, and then there’s all this fuss over these little cases that brings a boatload of hurt on me an’ mine. Not t’ mention all the other fine and fancy folk we picked off that liner.

“I don’ normally poke my nose in others business, but seein’ how this situation is about as Soh Ya Feh Tian, as it can be, I figured I need t’ know as much as possible. So, I’m askin’ you in the most polite o’ fashions t’ be cooperative.

“What’s in your case?”

Matherson stood up and nodded respectfully, "Captain Sung, believe me when i say I have no wish to be a burden to you and your crew. Events have played out in the last 24 hours that were never of anyone's intentions, least of all mine. As to the contents of the case--I am a researcher with the Blue Sun Medical Division and the case contains a series of experimental diagnostic instruments that are being tested for effectiveness. I am personally responsible for the equipment and the loss of the case would be...quite disastrous to me and my company.”

Figures, Wyatt thought, eyeballing the gentleman and not believing a word concerning the benign nature of the objects in the case. All the same, he wanted to get to the bottom of things as quickly as possible and he couldn’t do so without knowing for certain what was contained within the case. Resting his right palm on the butt of his Colt, Wyatt slowly offered over the silver case he’d picked back up in the hall where he’d left it momentarily while he was conversing with the young woman in an evening gown.

"I am not sure the equipment will mean anything to you. But if it will mean getting to keep my case..." Matherson tumbles the combination with ease and the clicks the release which let go with a thud and a hiss, "These Newtech cases are excellent. Bulletproof, blast proof, shielded from radiation or gas. No wonder the musician had one for his violin."

Opening the case, Matherson shows Wyatt what is inside. The insides are lined with foam and twelve instruments are nestled within the foam along with another black unit that has a display and controls on it. Wyatt has never seen the black box before, but he is all too familiar with the "diagnostic equipment." The twelve are all the same as the device Miss Amber stuck Wyatt with not too long ago that lead to an embarrassing situation and thoughts that weren't natural seeping into Wyatt's head.

Wo Bu Shin Wo Dah Yan Jing, Wyatt silently exclaimed while the anger he had steeled himself against battered at his resolve. The Guay Tuh Guay Nown Huen Dahn is behind the whole mess with that li’l girl! The turmoil he was feeling on the inside was completely masked by his cool exterior. He had felt first hand the effects of those devices and the last thing he wanted was to be pricked by one again. Matherson was very close and there was a chance he could utilize one should it come right down to it. Wyatt was confident that he could draw his weapon fast enough if needs be, but he didn’t want to risk it. Alternatively, he didn’t want something like these experimental love potions to start showing up on every backwater brothel and bar--then again, he could feel the aftertaste of the desire he had experienced, the pure euphoria and lack of regard for propriety. It called to him to sample the experience again. Maybe it would be better. A little more and he could achieve a type of freedom he’d been seeking since the death of Eden and Summer. A Bai Li Mohn, he thought savagely mentally shaking himself from the thoughts of the impossible. Now’s not the time t’ face this man down ‘bout this Mi Tian Gohn. There’s bigger fish t’ fry.
“Mr. Matherson,” Wyatt did everything he could to keep the way he felt about the man and his devices from his voice. “I don’ much care ‘bout no medical diagnosis equipment, but the case could be mighty helpful in dealin’ with these mercenaries. If’n you don’t mind, I’d like t’ borrow it. I’ll return it in as good as condition as I can.

“Now, you an’ your two helpful sidekicks have proven mighty resourceful since I’ve met you. And it could be that y’all could be jus’ as resourceful in this game o’ poker we’re playin’ with those that are after the violin. If’n you’re willin’ t’ help, then I could use some assistance with a matter that could mean the difference between life an’ death for the lot of us.”

(OOC: Assuming a vested interest in what he and his men can do to help…)

“When we first landed on this rock we noticed tha’ someone was tryin’ t’ transmit. We stopped the feed as quick as we noticed, but we was able t’ determine tha’ the attempt was bein’ made from somewhere on board. The way I see things, whomever it was that was sending a signal was in cahoots with the mercs that are raisin’ such a stink. I also figure that the culprit is mingling with much finer folk...a wolf in sheep’s clothin’ t’ quote an old sayin’ from Earth That Was. I don’t ‘ave much time t’ find this person what with all the preparations I am needin’ t’ do, but I can’t very well have the Huen Dahn relaying the location o’ all them that are relatively innocent t’ the mercs. Think you an’ yours can root the problem out should you be returned to the rest o’ the passengers? Root them that’s on the inside out an’ make sure they don’t share any more information with our common enemy?”

Asher left the courier in her room and headed to his stateroom to get the crew some more firepower. As he pulled the cases of grenades out to take down to the cargo bay the thought came to him that too many folks needed that mule.

Going to his ship’s comm his called to Wyatt,”Capt’n….. I’m gonna leave some things in the shuttle you and Wolf could use. You’s can catch a ride back to the processor with Tess and I’ll use the mule.” The kid nearly cleaned out his supplies as he hauled the goodies to the shuttle.

[(1 x Boxes of Concussion Grenades (6 grenades) 1 x Box of Frag Grenades (3 grenades) 2 x Boxes of Flashbang Grenades (12 grenades) 1 x Box of Gas Grenades (6 grenades) 2 x Boxes of Smoke Grenades (12 grenades )1 x Box of ChemPlast Charges (3 charges) 1 x Mining Charge (1 charge)]
The kid pulled three of the flashbangs and the mining charge to use with bombs. Then eyeing the boxes he grabbed a frag, a gas and smoke for himself. Walking out he kicked the pile of men's clothing out into gangway, no need for Tess to have tend with them.

It didn’t take him long to get back to the cargo bay. Wolf was watching the four fellas that had coming into the engine room as they drew off some of the fertilizer and mixed it with other things. Holding out the flash-bangs, “Here, you can rig these as detonators.” One of them nervously took the grenades.

About that time Wyatt’s voice came over the comm, “Asher, come on up t’ the passenger quarters and allow the young Miss here t’ help you be about your business.” Asher looked at Wolf, “Gotta go.”

As he headed to the stairs he stopped by a set lockers. Opening a lock he rummage a bit and finally pulled out a set of coveralls that must have belonged to Kora. Holden them up, “Yep these should fit’r.” The gunslinger flung them over his shoulder as he bound up the stairs to the Infirmary. The two body guards and Cameron passed him as he headed in.

Waiting in the area where they had talked was the attractive young women. Walking over to her he said, “I don’t rightly remember anyone actually introducing us, I’m Asher Talhome, most folks call me Ash.“ Ash couldn’t help but admire that even in the torn and now overly revealing gown she was an elegant beauty. Holding out the coveralls, “I thought these might make it easier on you, we might be getting a bit dirty in the next hour or so….you can slip um over your dress if ya like.”
(Expect Jessy will introduce herslf and make some kind of comment.)

When the girl was ready Ash waved her to follow him and they headed back down toward the cargo bay. Ma had recruited the two body guards to carry what looked like a big pot and it smelled like soup. The called to her, “If their gonna haul that out to the caves for the other folks just have um put’r on the mule we’ll hual it out so it don’t get spilt.” The two guards hesitated but Ma waved them to placed it in the back of the mule.

As Ash and Jessy reach the cargo bay the bombs were finished and Wolf had loaded them into the mule.

“Wolf,” Wyatt called out as he took the stairs down into the bay three at a time, using the rails to help propel him along. “Let’s get a move on. Where’s Ash?” Locating the young gunfighter, Wyatt removed the case he’d retrieved from behind the couch from underneath his arm and tossed it to Asher. “There’s yer prop.”
Snatching the case from the air Ash hopped into the mule. He had grabbed the digital imager earlier and was ready to head out. “Miss Jessy climb on in, Mr. Sifu you can hop in too and steady Ma's soup.”

Ash was warming up the hovermule as ma reached him and passed over the soup and biscuits – two extra for the growing boy. She hugged him tightly and then let him go, putting down a package for the captain as well, heading off to supervise the boys with their new toys. Over his shoulder, the two bodyguards of Matherson were bringing down a sealed stockpot of soup and a cardboard box full of bowls and utensils. When all was loaded Ash engaged the machine and they headed out to the caves.

Covering the mile or so didn’t take much time and he got a few dirty looks from some of the passengers as they crused around them and on to the cave. They found a suitable hideout where Ash and Sifu unloaded the food and other suplies that had been placed in the mule. Hopping back in the Asher turned the mule back toward the Roc. As they moved out the kid throttled up the hover craft and they shot along the ground.

Ash explained to Jessy the plan Wyatt had to make it look like they were hiding the case. He also explanded why they had made bombs and they were to use the imaging device to make picture to lead the Mercs away from them and hopefully take out a few.

While Jessy waited in the room she pondered her predicament and wondered how it had come to this. What luck to end up on a ship that carried a priceless violin, a ship someone was willing to blow up so they could steal back the violin and collect the insurance. It was a good plan, one that she would have thought up if she was that ruthless. She didn't mind stealing from people, especially rich people, but she drew the line at killing innocent people. In fact she made it a point to only steal from people that could afford it; poor people had nothing worth stealing anyway.

But what luck that she had ended up here in a life or death situation; she just couldn't seem to get a break. Now she was here in this room waiting for a crewman to come and get her so that she could help get them out of this situation. She sighed and wondered again how these things always happened to her.

The door to the room opened and the young crewman stepped in carrying a pair of coveralls; she remembered speaking to him earlier.

“I don’t rightly remember anyone actually introducing us, I’m Asher Talhome, most folks call me Ash.“ Ash couldn’t help but admire that even in the torn and now overly revealing gown she was an elegant beauty. Holding out the coveralls, “I thought these might make it easier on you, we might be getting a bit dirty in the next hour or so….you can slip um over your dress if ya like.”
“My name is..” she almost said her cover name but then decided quickly to tell the truth, for once, “Jessy. I figure now is not the time for more lies.” She said with a faint smirk.

Looking at the coveralls she took them and then nodded. It would make sense and besides this dress was meant more for dancing than working.

“Thank you but if you dont mind I will change,” She said then turned back into the room and began to remove the dress, “Give me a minute.” She shut the door to the room but it wasn't out of modesty. Slipping out of the dress she tossed it aside, revealing the daggers strapped to her thighs and torso. It wouldn't do to let them see her few meager weapons. Putting on the coveralls, she made sure to move the daggers so that she could access them if need be. The coveralls were a little looser than the dress which was better to hide them. In about 60 seconds the door opened and she stepped out to join Ash.

“Lead on and show me what we need to do.” She told Ash as she followed him.

Jessy hopped in the mule next to Ash and offered to hold the case while he drove; if he gave her a look or hesitated she smiled, “Don't worry, I gave it up. If I wanted to keep it I wouldn't have told your Captain where to find it.”

She waited till the rest was loaded and then held on as Ash drove the mule out of Rocinante. They made it to the caves where it seemed the passengers were headed to hide; once they dropped off a big pot of that soup she had ate some of earlier and other supplies then back in the mule she was now alone with Ash and the case.

Ash explained the plan of taking pictures of the case in different locations so they could make the ones after it that it was hidden but they wouldn’t know where.

“Seems simple enough,” she said, “but what is it I heard earlier about explosives?”

(OOC: Ok, think I am caught up. We can post back and forth as much as needed to get the job done and then back to the ship.)

BACKPOST As Wolf gathered the extra ammo and gear he caught a glimpse of a bucket full of junked parts. Inside this bucket he knew were quite a bit of mangled steel shavings, worn out ball bearings, and various bent and damaged nails. Remembering an old moving he had once watched, the idea of creating IED’s came to his mind. Knowing that Wyatt had the boys creating bombs what better way to get rid of this useless junk then to use it to protect the ship and crew. Grabbing the large bucket with a smile on his face he headed for a stop with the ’bomb makers’ then continued to the Mule pulling it outside the ship.

PRESENT Though he had intended to drive the Mule to the Atmo Processor he was instead told he would be riding the shuttle with Wyatt and a few others while Ash and the Lady Thief took the mule and went about taking pictures of the case. Not minding one bit he climb aboard found, a seat and got ready for the quick flight to the processor.

The mule sped across the plain as the two headed away from the caves. “We gonna try to lead those Merc’s on wild chase if’n we can. That there case’ll be the bait. Wyatt feels if we can make them think we hid it they’ll go alooking. Now we’ll also ambush them by planting them bombs back there to take out as many as we can before we got to go up against them….. We’ll get some images of the case being hid and send via the comm so they’ll intercept them. You can help me find some good place so keep an eye out as we near them hills over there.”

O.O.C.(Jessy helps find a hiding place.)

Stopping the mule Ash hopped out, grabbed a shovel and the two headed to the rocky hill side. Ash took some images as Jessy pretended to bury the case.

The mule sped across the plain as the two headed away from the caves. “We gonna try to lead those Merc’s on wild chase if’n we can. That there case’ll be the bait. Wyatt feels if we can make them think we hid it they’ll go alooking. Now we’ll also ambush them by planting them bombs back there to take out as many as we can before we got to go up against them….. We’ll get some images of the case being hid and send via the comm so they’ll intercept them. You can help me find some good place so keep an eye out as we near them hills over there.”
Jessy turned her eyes to looking for any good hiding places and was silent for a moment before she asked, "I sure hope 'you' know how to set them explosives. I dont want to end of in pieces trying to set this trap." She turned a smile to him and then went back to searching.

She thought about what made a good hiding spot; you needed landmarks of course to find your way back to the spot. She saw mostly rocky terrain, the wind frome the mule was whipping her hair around in her face. She took a moment to pull her hair back in a ponytail to keep it back out of her face.

"There!" she said pointing at a rocky hill side where a couple of tall rocks jutted towards the sky, "that looks good."

They hopped out and she took the case while Ash grabbed a couple of shovels. They dug a hole and then she pretended to cover it up again as Ash took pictures.

"Make sure to get those two tall rocks in the background," she told him as he snapped away, "that way they might recognize them and be drawn to this spot."

Once he was done she removed the case and then helped him with the explosives. She was leary here, she didnt like things that went boom and blew you to bits. Once the bomb was in place, she took a few steps back and let him arm the thing. If it didnt go off, she returned and helped him finish hiding it.

"Maybe snap a couple more images of it now to show what it looks like buried," she said as she took the shovels back to the mule.

Once they were done here, she hopped in and as they roared off to the next site where they would repeat the process, "so how many of these things do we have?" she asked.

(OOC: I expanded a bit, hope you don't mind Ody. Please fill in anywhere you like and we can continue till we are back at the ship. )