The look on Sung's face when he looked at the engine lanced through Willow: he looked wounded beyond bearing, and more than a little lost. Then, a look ofdetermination slammed into place,and the Captain spoke with more energy and clarity then he'd shown since the incident with the finger device.

“All right,” he chuckled. “So, this is zhen daomei. But what ain’t? This is our lot, right here, right now. Ain’t nothin’ can be done ‘bout this right now. But I tell ya what we are going to do. We’re going to move forward with our plan an’ try t’ trap these niao shi de dugui in such a way as t’ give us the edge. Once we’re good an’ sure that they ain’t going t’ chop off our tender bits no more...well, that’s when we turn our attention t’ these particulars. Dohn la ma?

“One last thing,” Sung put a calming hand on Willow’s shoulder. “I need you t’ speak with Matherson, Mei Mei. Let him know t’ be careful in his search for the device jammin’ our signal. Whoever’s got it ‘as likely as not is the one that’s done this fine job o’ ship surgery.”
Willow nodded, drawing strength and encouragement from the hand on her shoulder, a familiarity the Captain rarely showed towards her. It was withdrawn quickly enough, though as the Captain ordered the engine room secured and prepared to head out again.....only to return and ask Trish and WIllow to join him in the galley while Wolf and Tess went to get John.

"Wolf and Tess are going to take a while, aren't they? If Matheson is walking to the caves, he wouldn't have gone far. Let me find him- I'll be back before the shuttle is, even with Tess at the controls," Willow finished with a demure smile. (OOC: Assuming agreement from Sung)

Willow made her way to the cargo bay, intending to use the ramp down to the planet's surface. She was pleasantly surprised to find Matheson was still there, fiddling with knobs on a black box in his hands.

"Mr. Matheson-san," Willow greeted him warmly, "thank you again for the loan ofyour men - they were most helpful in the medical bay. They told me that you know Miss Amber-sama, "she said neutrally while watching him closely," you will be glad to know that she is fine...just exhausted."

"Captain Sung asked me to have a word with you," she continued. " I understand you are helping to determine who has been trying to transmit off planet. I guess that's what that item (she waved at the device in his hands) is for, but please, be careful. We have reason to believe that whoever it is has some pretty powerful technology at their disposal. Turned a substiantial piece of engine into a pile of dust. "

Wolf strode quickly into the shuttle a look on his face easily read by any who knew him well as Tess certainly did.

“How bad?”

“Real bad someone using something may have totally turned our engine coil into dust. Yet nothing we have today could do that. I’m thinking it’s a bluff and the coil was stolen and the dust left behind.

“Lio coh jwei ji neong hur ho deh yung duh buhn jah j’wohn!” the pilot spat.

~sigh~ “Wyatt wants us to hit the atmo processor and pick up John. With the coil gone no need for the turbine anymore.”

“Alright, handsome, sit yer tush down and strap in. We ain’t wasting no more time on this ni nio ru hai,” Tess said flatly, snapping her goggles down over her eyes. Wolf barely had a chance to latch his belt before Tess had released the safety clamps and hovered away from Rocininate.

“Wei what the guay!(*1) at least let me strap in you, jen mei NAI-shing duh FWO-tzoo(*2)

As Wolf finally got himself strapped in he watched as Tess dropped her head and kissed the tooth that hung around her neck and the fully slammed down the throttle forward. The shuttle craft rocketed towards the processor.

Tess buzzed John’s multiband, “Drop whatcher doing, John. We’re comin’ to getcha. Change of plans.”

“I swear on the Three Jewels that I will personally shakedown every of those tian di wu yohn passengers fer our girl’s missin’ coil,” Tess growled, “Might’n be wantin’ yer help in that, Wolf. Up fer crackin’ skulls?” She pulled up hard on the shuttle, kicking up a cloud of dust as she settled the craft down.

“Trust me you can count me in for that, no way some Wung bao dahn FAY-FAY duh PEE-yen! is getting away with hurt’n our girl”

Wolf went quiet after that, the rage inside him threaten to take over, eyes closed breathing deep he slowly calmed himself as Tess and he reached the processor. All they needed to do now was pick up John and find out what came next. The next was not long in coming as the three of them made it back to the Rocinante.

“Aside from those minor points,” Wyatt scanned the faces before him. “I was figurin’ on Ma an’ Willow stayin’ with the patients in the medbay. Sifu is with the passengers, but I don’t like jus’ leavin’ the li’l guy alone with that lot. But we’re gonna need all the guns we got here when it comes right down to it. So, I’m open to suggestions. Because right now, I’m about t’ send Tess and--what’s-her-name?--Jessy?--to the caves t’ back Sifu up, an’ make sure Matherson an’ his boys stay in line. That’d leave me, Asher, Wolf, John, an’ Ma t’ take care of whatever firefight erupts here when the mercs show. So, if’n anyone has any better ideas, now’s the time t’ speak up, because Time...well, she ain’t on our side.”

“Cap’n this may be a long shot but up to this point whoever has been doing the sabotage has been one step in front of us. How because he hears things see’s things and he acts on e’m. What if we use all that and greed to get him to show himself. His pals want the case for whatever be the reason, why don’t we give it to them.” Wolf like Wyatt quickly held up his hands as voices started rising. “What I mean by that is we give it to our hidden enemy by putting it before him in such a way he has to go for it because of his greed to look good in his bosses eyes. Everyone wants to be the hero to his boss so he can get more respect from him. I do it, Ash does it, we all do it in some way or nother. So why wouldn’t this hidden guy.”.................


*1) Hey what the Hell!
*2) Extraordinarily impatient Buddha
*3) Dirty bastard son-of-a baboon's ass-crack!

LV-426, Emergency Landing Field, 9:10 am PT
(This is a condensing of past posts on Asher's actions.)

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.”


9:20
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 they’re gonna haul that out to the caves for the other folks just have um put’r on the mule we’ll haul it out so it don’t get spilt.” The two guards hesitated but Ma waved them to place it in the back of the mule.

“Miss Jessy climb on in, Mr. Sifu you can hop in too and steady Ma's soup.”

Ash was warming up the hover mule 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 cruised around them and on to the cave. They found a suitable hideout where Ash and Sifu unloaded the food and other supplies that had been placed in the mule. Hopping back in 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.

9:35
When they got back Wyatt ushered the crew into meeting leaving Jessy in the cargo bay. The kid was annoyed to hear of coil but the change in plans at the Atmo process had him hop up. “We’ll be need’n them grenades here, I’ll fetch um outa the shuttle…..take what you figure you can use, no sense keep’n anything held back.” Ash pulled the case into gangway so Tess could leave to get John. As he got the last of them out he heard Wyatt calling.

9:45
“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.” 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.

10:00 Just Rambleing Writing, this never happened, (Edit Due To Story Change)
The young men had been busy playing with the fertilizer and had several explosive packages ready. Asher had 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.

Ash explained to Jessy the plan Wyatt had to make it look like they were hiding the case. He also explained 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. The mule sped across the plain as the two headed away from Roc and the caves. “We gonna try to lead those Merc’s on a 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.”

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.

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.

The more Ash worked with Jessy the more comfortable he became. She had a good eye for detail and had picked the hiding places well. She’d made sure the places appeared natural and yet would allow them to be found.

“You’re pretty good with this Fahn Leong Jian (Blindside or conspire against someone secretly), almost seems like you’ve had practice.” Ash smiled as they climbed back in the mule to head back to the boat.

“Miss Jessy, I don’t rightly know what you might have done before this,...but I know Wyatt and if he’s on your side so am I. He’s put his trust in you and that ain’t something that comes easy.” The gunslinger watch as Jessy slid into the seat next to him, she did justice to the pair of coveralls. Ash never could figure out how some ladies just made anything they wore look good.

Throttling up the mule again he didn’t waste time covering the distance back to Roc. The wind still blew Jessy's hair around even though she’d pulled it back; her soft features mixing with an air confidence seemed to add to her beauty. Brains, beauty and confidence had served her well and the PR man appreciated that she knew how to use her strengths.

After a minute or so Ash spoke up, “ This whole situation is going to get very nasty…. I think you’re going to need more than those knives of yours.” Trying not to look too smug he continued, “It’s my job to try and keep the crew safe so I’ve learned to be watchful…. That dress you wore didn’t leave much room for hide’n them blades. I’m sure Mr. Whitesuit and his boys saw them too……….. When we get back I’ve an extra Colt 22 that'll fit them pockets and maybe something with a little more fire power……….. ever handled an Uzi?”

Looking over her coveralls Jessy replied,“A little while ago you locked me up and now you’re offering me a gun ……..things around here sure do move fast. …………..I’m not much one for guns,……………but it might be good to have a small one handy, maybe the .22?...........You all better watch out for that Fay Fay duh Pee yen* Matherson,…..he has his own agenda and shouldn’t be trusted.”

Letting out a deep sigh Ash said, “Well if I’m wrong about you, you won’t be the first girl to shoot me in the back……… as things moving fast this is on dirt you should see how they go in the black. Yeah, we need to keep an eye on Whitecoat, but for the moment it’s to all our advantage to work together........Wyatt will give us the high sign when it’s time to not work with him…………. When we get back we’ll check with Miss Willow about sending the comm with the pictures, ………maybe you can do that while I fetch your gun.“
11:00 Just Rambleing Writing, this never happened
Ash parked the mule outside the loading ramp for easy access. The two hopped out and headed into Roc.

LV-426, Rocinante Cargo Bay, 9:45 am PT
Willow made her way to the cargo bay, intending to use the ramp down to the planet's surface. She was pleasantly surprised to find Matheson was still there, fiddling with knobs on a black box in his hands.

"Mr. Matheson-san," Willow greeted him warmly, "thank you again for the loan of your men - they were most helpful in the medical bay. They told me that you know Miss Amber-sama, "she said neutrally while watching him closely," You will be glad to know that she is fine...just exhausted."

Matherson’s expression wavered slightly from a mask of pleasantry to a deep concern and back again. Willow would have missed it had she not been trained at reading people so well. “Exhausted? I’m sorry I have been so engrossed in my own affairs that I did not know she was taken ill. My men seem to enjoy being helpful so I have lost them again. I should check references better.” He sighs and puts the device he was working on down to face Willow fully. “May I ask what happened to Amber? I am not a layman with medical terms doctor so please be frank.”

(assuming some guarded explanation)

“I see.” Matherson nods but his concern cannot be masked now. Something is deeply botering him and it is causing an internal struggle in him.

(Leave for more for Willow)

"Captain Sung asked me to have a word with you," she continued. “I understand you are helping to determine who has been trying to transmit off planet. I guess that's what that item (she waved at the device in his hands) is for, but please, be careful. We have reason to believe that whoever it is has some pretty powerful technology at their disposal. Turned a substantial piece of engine into a pile of dust."

“Say what?” Matherson says so startled that his usual practiced manners fail him.

(assuming Willow repeats)

“Really. That is ... impossible but if you say it is so then ... “ He pulls himself upright and clears his throat in order to get his composure back. “I should really find my men and get to the caves quickly. I have no desire to put myself in harm’s way anymore today.”

He gives a polite goodbye and hurries on his way, calling out for Hack and Slash. As he leaves, Willow is left with the definite feeling that Matherson knew nothing about the engine part but the news has scared him.

LV-426, Rocinante, Kitchen 10:00 am PT
Tess returns with John from the Atmo processors. John has a radio receiver with him under his arm and a look of needing to tell the Captain something urgent. The crew is gathered together in the kitchen for the first time since this crazy rescure started.

How long have you been at it? Some of you wonder. It has been over 9 hours since you first got the call from the cruise liner. Some of you had been heading to bed at that point to so it has been a very long day and it was far from over.

Wyatt looked at his crew. No one was gonna to quit on him. No one was looking for him to offer an easy way out. He knew that. Every set of eyes that lloked back at him would willing die for him if the need was there. Wyatt could only hope that there was no need but things were about to get dire soon.

Time to talk about the plan. Time to get people ready.

“First, let me just say that I’m sorry I didn’ do this sooner. Now onto the grit.

“My plan is t’ split the merc forces amongst multiple possible locations where the case could be buried. We’ve got them overly-bright boys buildin’ us some makeshift bombs t’ use at the sites. I want Asher and that grifter that was carryin’ one o’ them to scout out some good locations and set it up t’ look like we buried the case there. We’ll rig some o’ the explosives t’ blow into the faces o’ the mercs using tripwires.

“I’m scrappin’ the repairs on Roc jus’ now. WIthout that coil we can’t do nothin’. So we need t’ find a way t’ get off-planet an’ take the merc’s command ship. That has t’ be a long-range spacecraft, and once we do that we can pick up the parts we need fer Roc an’ come back for her. As I see it, this plan still has some loose ends. For one, someone is performin’ the espionage on Roc that’s put us dry an’ high. That person, or a team of people, is likely also tied int’ the mercs. Now, I’ve enlisted Matherson an’ his men t’ search these rats out--I know, I know,” Wyatt held up his hands to forestall any comments. “It’s as likely as not that Matherson is behind all this as well, but by placin’ him in charge o’ something we can hopefully figure out whether ‘r not this is the case. All the same, we got t’ be aware o’ this particular challenge.

“Second, we got t’ give the mercs reason to check all the sites at once so that they actually do split up. An’ third, we gotta figure out where to put the case. Finally, we gotta figure out how t’ hijack tha’ ASREV, make it back to the base ship, an’ take that from highly-trained, blood-thirsty mercenaries.

“Aside from those minor points,” Wyatt scanned the faces before him. “I was figurin’ on Ma an’ Willow stayin’ with the patients in the medbay. Sifu is with the passengers, but I don’t like jus’ leavin’ the li’l guy alone with that lot. But we’re gonna need all the guns we got here when it comes right down to it. So, I’m open to suggestions. Because right now, I’m about t’ send Tess and--what’s-her-name?--Jessy?--to the caves t’ back Sifu up, an’ make sure Matherson an’ his boys stay in line. That’d leave me, Asher, Wolf, John, an’ Ma t’ take care of whatever firefight erupts here when the mercs show. So, if’n anyone has any better ideas, now’s the time t’ speak up, because Time...well, she ain’t on our side.”

OOC: At this point Jessie is not in kitchen but in the cargo bay. Asher, Wolf, Willow, Ma, John and Tess are all in the kitchen. Matherson has left with Hack and Slash. Sifu would be radioing now if he wants to inform Captain of the power in the cave. I will post the exploration of the caves later as I have run out of lunch time.)

Wolf went quiet after that, the rage inside him threaten to take over, eyes closed breathing deep he slowly calmed himself. Calm once more he spotted Ash’s grenades on the shuttle for the first time and decided having a few would not be a bad thing. Opening each chest he took 2 Frags, a Concussion and a Flashbang to round out his mix. Then Tess and he reached the processor, picked up John, and turned the shuttle back to the Rocinante.

“Aside from those minor points,” Wyatt scanned the faces before him. “I was figurin’ on Ma an’ Willow stayin’ with the patients in the medbay. Sifu is with the passengers, but I don’t like jus’ leavin’ the li’l guy alone with that lot. But we’re gonna need all the guns we got here when it comes right down to it. So, I’m open to suggestions. Because right now, I’m about t’ send Tess and--what’s-her-name?--Jessy?--to the caves t’ back Sifu up, an’ make sure Matherson an’ his boys stay in line. That’d leave me, Asher, Wolf, John, an’ Ma t’ take care of whatever firefight erupts here when the mercs show. So, if’n anyone has any better ideas, now’s the time t’ speak up, because Time...well, she ain’t on our side.”

“Cap’n this may be a long shot but up to this point whoever has been doing the sabotage has been one step in front of us. How because he hears things see’s things and he acts on e’m. What if we use all that and greed to get him to show himself. His pals want the case for whatever be the reason, why don’t we give it to them.” Wolf like Wyatt quickly held up his hands as voices started rising. “What I mean by that is we give it to our hidden enemy by putting it before him in such a way he has to go for it because of his greed to look good in his bosses eyes. Everyone wants to be the hero to his boss so he can get more respect from him. I do it, Ash does, it we all do it in some way or nother. So why wouldn’t this hidden guy.”

9:45

Ash took a seat in the galley as Wyatt started to talk.
“First, let me just say that I’m sorry I didn’ do this sooner. Now onto the grit.

“My plan is t’ split the merc forces amongst multiple possible locations where the case could be buried. We’ve got them overly-bright boys buildin’ us some makeshift bombs t’ use at the sites. I want Asher and that grifter that was carryin’ one o’ them to scout out some good locations and set it up t’ look like we buried the case there. We’ll rig some o’ the explosives t’ blow into the faces o’ the mercs using tripwires.
Ash nodded to his Capt’n to confirm he heard the instruction.

“I’m scrappin’ the repairs on Roc jus’ now. WIthout that coil we can’t do nothin’. So we need t’ find a way t’ get off-planet an’ take the merc’s command ship. That has t’ be a long-range spacecraft, and once we do that we can pick up the parts we need fer Roc an’ come back for her. As I see it, this plan still has some loose ends. Loose ends??? Thought the kid, This’ll be wildest thing they ever tried. He listened as Wyatt continued.

For one, someone is performin’ the espionage on Roc that’s put us dry an’ high. That person, or a team of people, is likely also tied int’ the mercs. Now, I’ve enlisted Matherson an’ his men t’ search these rats out--I know, I know,” Wyatt held up his hands to forestall any comments. “It’s as likely as not that Matherson is behind all this as well, but by placin’ him in charge o’ something we can hopefully figure out whether ‘r not this is the case. All the same, we got t’ be aware o’ this particular challenge.
Ash already knew a bit of Wyatt's plan so this was no surprise.

“Second, we got t’ give the mercs reason to check all the sites at once so that they actually do split up. An’ third, we gotta figure out where to put the case. Finally, we gotta figure out how t’ hijack tha’ ASREV, make it back to the base ship, an’ take that from highly-trained, blood-thirsty mercenaries.
Asher would follow Wyatt anywhere and figured the Capt’n always knew what to do, but this was starting sound difficult. Ash kept quiet as Wyatt finished.

“Aside from those minor points,” …….. I was figurin’ on Ma an’ Willow stayin’ with the patients in the medbay. Sifu is with the passengers, but I don’t like jus’ leavin’ the li’l guy alone with that lot. But we’re gonna need all the guns we got here when it comes right down to it. So, I’m open to suggestions. Because right now, I’m about t’ send Tess and--what’s-her-name?--Jessy?--to the caves t’ back Sifu up, an’ make sure Matherson an’ his boys stay in line. That’d leave me, Asher, Wolf, John, an’ Ma t’ take care of whatever firefight erupts here when the mercs show. So, if’n anyone has any better ideas, now’s the time t’ speak up, because Time...well, she ain’t on our side.”
The kid waited as Wolf tossed in his thoughts, “Cap’n this may be a long shot but up to this point whoever has been doing the sabotage has been one step in front of us. How because he hears things see’s things and he acts on e’m. What if we use all that and greed to get him to show himself. His pals want the case for whatever be the reason, why don’t we give it to them.” Wolf like Wyatt quickly held up his hands as voices started rising. “What I mean by that is we give it to our hidden enemy by putting it before him in such a way he has to go for it because of his greed to look good in his bosses eyes. Everyone wants to be the hero to his boss so he can get more respect from him. I do it, Ash does, it we all do it in some way or nother. So why wouldn’t this hidden guy.”
The kid was glad Wolf had spoke up, it made it easier for him speak his mind, “Capt’n.. we’ll do what ever you say.. you’ve always done right by us. But taking on the whole Merc army on their own ship is too much for me to think about. I’ll follow you all the way but what if we could just knock out what they’re using as a jammer…. we could call for help. I’d guess there is a bunch of rescue boats on their way and some Feds too. They’d find it odd that the Cortex is jammed when distress calls should be flowing in. It’d put’um on alert. Reinforcements would be better than four against an army. But either way we best gear to the teeth, I’ll set out the grenades I put on the shuttle, you take what you need. No sense bringing a knife to a gunfight.

(Assuming some comments)

Asher agreed with Wyatt and then left to fetch the goods out of the shuttle.

10:45 (This didn't happen Either!!)
Asher and Jessy had finished setting the traps and were headed back to the boat. Ash had plugged the digital unit into the comm. Keying the mike,”Capt’n we finish burying the case. I took some pictures so we’d be able to find it again but thought better to mix it up so here they are…only one is the real site.” Ash tapped the button on the unit and set to pictures. Asher looked at Jessy, “That should make’um think I’m just a dumb hick kid that don’t know how the be secret like,…. at least I hope that’s how I sounded.”

11:00 (Edited)

The kid headed back up the shuttle bay, there he gathered what was left of the grenades and took back to his room. Grabbing a bandoleer he filled the twelve spots. 3 Concussion Grenades,1 Frag Grenade, 4 Flashbang Grenades, 1 Gas Grenade and 3 Smoke Grenades. He secure his rig with a Python on each thigh and Peacekeeper under each arm. The ammo went into another bandoleer, 8 Speedloaders of Ammo for the Pythons and 8 Magazines of Ammo for the Peacekeepers along with 4 Magazines of Ammo for the GRZ 1. The kid strapped his combat knife to his boot and then started putting away the rest of the gear. Before locking them up the kid grabbed the satchel of the mining charge, never know when you may need a bigger blast. Grabbing up the GRZ Asher stopped and then pulled out the Colt .22, Jessy said she might be able to use it. The kid knew this dance was going to get ugly, he hoped he’d prepared enough, heaving a heavy sigh he headed back to the cargo bay.

LV-426, Rocinante, Kitchen 10:00 am PT

Everyone congregated back in Roc’s kitchen to get the plan finalized. Rage simmered on Tess’s backburners; she itched to do something reckless.

Wyatt laid everything on the table. Her heart sank when he told them they were scrapping the plan for repairs for Rocinante. It reminded her strongly of what happened to Destiny
“…I was figurin’ on Ma an’ Willow stayin’ with the patients in the medbay. Sifu is with the passengers, but I don’t like jus’ leavin’ the li’l guy alone with that lot. But we’re gonna need all the guns we got here when it comes right down to it. So, I’m open to suggestions. Because right now, I’m about t’ send Tess and--what’s-her-name?--Jessy?--to the caves t’ back Sifu up, an’ make sure Matherson an’ his boys stay in line. That’d leave me, Asher, Wolf, John, an’ Ma t’ take care of whatever firefight erupts here when the mercs show. So, if’n anyone has any better ideas, now’s the time t’ speak up, because Time...well, she ain’t on our side.”

Both Asher and Wolf weighed in. No matter which way you spun it, they were up a creek without a paddle.

“Either way,” Tess shrugged, “situation’s mighty humped. Merc’s might’n go lookin’ fer their boy in the cave. I do promise you I will git my hands on their craft and git us off this rock. Do ya’ll want me to see if I can’t flush our snake out of the caves?”

“…I was figurin’ on Ma an’ Willow stayin’ with the patients in the medbay. Sifu is with the passengers, but I don’t like jus’ leavin’ the li’l guy alone with that lot. But we’re gonna need all the guns we got here when it comes right down to it. So, I’m open to suggestions. Because right now, I’m about t’ send Tess and--what’s-her-name?--Jessy?--to the caves t’ back Sifu up, an’ make sure Matherson an’ his boys stay in line. That’d leave me, Asher, Wolf, John, an’ Ma t’ take care of whatever firefight erupts here when the mercs show. So, if’n anyone has any better ideas, now’s the time t’ speak up, because Time...well, she ain’t on our side.” Wyatt said plainly to everyone gathered.

John steps forward and places a device he has been carrying under his arm on the table for all to see. It is a radio, stripped down but a radio none the less. John cleared his throat, "Well, at least I can be the bearer of some good news. I found this radio as you were have your altercation with the fake federal marshalls. Turns out, I could hear the exchange between them and the whatever base they are using. " John looks around as if expecting everyone to be astonished by this news.

(some reactions)

"That means people, we can hear the mercenaries as they are coming. I can also tell you that whomever is in charge of these soldiers ordered the pilot to send a signal that would cause those internal devices in their heads to explode. Probably an algorithm, no doubt complicated but since we are dealing with cut-throats that kill their own, it can't be too hard. As you are no doubt eager to exchange gunfire with these men, if you can get me a head of one of them so I can find the explosive - I might be able to crack the code and solve all our problems. that is assuming that you are not planning on handing me more guns and expecting me to exchange fire with professional killers, which in my opinion is redundant."

(some reactions)

"I am not a master of tactic and strategy, nor have I served in a command position in a war. That being said, if I was these mercs, I would try to take as many hostages as I could as quickly as I could and force us to give up the violin. They can't come in guns blazing out of fear that the violin being damaged. They can't use gas or toxins as we are out on the open. I would target something that is very important to you and use it against you. Either the passengers or ... the ship. If they focused on taking the ship and used it as a bargaining chip - what would you do? What could you do?"

Sifu found that by giving people some direction in a crisis, they were usually quite thankful to do whatever they could. With Lord Hood now seemingly withdrawn into his own feelings of doubt and fear, the monk set out doing just that. A suggestion here, a direction there and even these folks who were used to money and pampering were moving around the cave to bring him back some information.

Sifu activated the comm. “Captain Wyatt. The passengers and I have reached the caves and we have some good news. There is power here, probably the fusion reactor was too difficult to remove from the rock. We have two airtight doors of steel at the entrance. We have fans to move air, and some places to rest. There is a small earth mover here that has broken down and was left behind – perhaps Wolf can make it work. Do you have any instructions at this point?”

(Assume this radio transmission comes after John speaks)

Willow listened quietly as everyone listened to Wyatt's plan and provided their contributions. Her conversation with Matherson has both bothered her and reassured her - he seemed disturbed by the implications of the devices he was transporting, so perhaps he wasn't heartless. She toyed with a cup of miso and waited for a moment to speak up.

"Whatever game Matherson may be playing, it is not with us - he was clearly shocked by the news about the engine - that was too genuine and he was unsuccessful at masking it. So, at the least, he is not our mole, and I hope he'll be successful at finding out more. Tess, see if when you get there, you can coordinate your efforts with him. Perhaps," she tilted her head towards the big mechanic,"hinting around the passengers about the case being hidden on the ship and then watching to see who tries to slip back this way."

"I am a little surprised, Captain," she continued, tilting her head and smiling slightly to remove any sting of an implied rebuke," that we would go to such effort to set up multiple hiding places for the case before we'd found a way to send the misdirection to our quarry. In any event, I think we have a couple of options - thanks to John, we know a frequency they are using, and can hear them. We could "accidentally " send a transmission on that frequency, supposedly from Asher to us letting us know he was successful in finding a hiding place, but that may cause them to change the frequency immediately and losing us this new advantage.

The other one is to use the helmets from our earlier guests. We've set them aside, and we likely spoke around them about worrying about their ability to transmit back to the off-planet team, but again, we're rushing and panicking, so maybe one of us forgot or otherwise disobeyed orders and started tinkering with them again....enough to accidentally pick up a conversation about the hiding place, especially if the images were being displayed...."

Willow frowned in thought and looked at John, something he said working its way through her mind.

"John, you mentioned getting the algorithm that could set off the explosives in the mercenaries' heads. I can get you what's left of the devices, but I must admit to being very uncomfortable with the idea of summarily killing them. I know they wouldn't hesitate to kill us, but we must find another way....which doesn't mean we can't make them think we've figured out the algorithm...a good negotiation point."

"If you clever enough to reverse engineer an algorithm," and again she smiled to avoid seeming to mock him," , I think you are clever enough to find a way to get those hiding place images transmitted back to the mercenaries, and make it seem like you've just about cracked the code on the explosives - that will give them a sense of urgency, and a reluctance to engage us directly, for fear that you are ready for them."

She paused at that, to hear what the crew thought.

LV-426, Rocinante, Kitchen 10:00 am PT

Wyatt sighed at Sifu’s transmission. He could have sworn that he had ordered radio silence. He had originally figured that the mercenaries were monitoring their waves as that’s something that he’d try to do if he had been trying to pull the type of job they were. He had also been hoping that the passengers hiding in the caves would be an unknown. Now, the chance that the enemy knew of their location was high as far as he was concerned.

“That’s good, Sifu,” Sung replied. “Keep it locked down until we get there. Try an’ keep order, an’ see if you an’ Matherson can figure out who it is that’s the merc’s inside man.”

Wyatt settled back in his chair and stared at the top of the table while Willow made her thoughts known. Once she was done he took a deep breath and shook his head.

“Sorry Mei Mei. There’s but one decision to be made here. We kill them before they kill us.

“John’s right. These are cold-blooded sorts the likes o’ which aren’t prone t’ grantin’ no niceties. I seen their likes in the War. I seen their handiwork too. As close t’ Reavers as a man can get an’ still have a soul. So, John? Crack that code if you can, cause given the opportunity I’ll push whatever button is necessary to pop their li’l heads like so many water balloons.

“Furthermore, the radio changes things more’n a bit. Bein’ able t’ hear them comin’ and possibly pick up on their plans beforehand gives us an edge. But that edge don’t mean a thing if they can take it away by holdin’ something over our heads--like John suggested. Roc’s our home. She’s our means o’ survival in the Black as well as our means o’ makin’ a livin’. I ain’t keen on the concept o’ losin’ her, but if I’m bein’ realistic ships can be replaced. Y’all can’t.

“Now, Sifu says that the caves have got some solid defenses. We’ve two cases, explosives, and a fortress of sorts. We’ve got the leverage of havin’ what they want an’ being able t’ hear their radio transmissions. Something I’m bettin’ they feel they have the advantage of themselves. So, this is the kuangzhe de trouble I plan on creatin’. We’re changin’ plans.

“I want the spare case placed in one o’ our smugglin’ holds. Then Roc needs t’ be rigged with the explosives. Wolf, I want you t’ figure out a way t’ create a wireless detonator that ties in with the explosives so I can make good on whatever promises I make t’ them chou ba guai shingjingbing should it come right down t’ it. At the very least, make it look like I can. You don’t have more’n a bit o’ time t’ do so too before we’re all packin’ up and joinin’ up with Sifu at the caves.

“Once there, we’ll settle in fer a siege, an’ try t’ weed out their inside man. Maybe he can give us some insight that’ll turn the tide even more. We take that missile that them boys are makin’ for us an’ keep it safe for use against them that come.

“We show ‘em that Roc ain’t a bargaining chip by makin’ it appear we’re ready t’ remove her ourselves should they step foot in her. If’n John can bust their cipher none o’ this matters ‘cause I’ll end it quick once we they land an’ provide us with another ship. But if’n he can’t, we’ll have the violin with us in the caves, and some more time t’ figure things out further. Oh, an’ Wolf? Bring yer tools ‘cause we may need t’ fix the earth mover...not sure why yet, but we might.”

Wyatt removed his hat and ran his hand through his thick, black hair. He didn’t feel that he needed to explain anything from the first plan anymore as John had brought the holes to light in it enough to make Wyatt want to scrap it. He had already considered the question Willow had raised concerning transmitting the imagery, and figured the mercs monitoring the waves would pick the pictures up readily enough. But it was a whole new battle now. This new plan was much simpler, and simpler had a greater chance of success. And if they could find the rat inside man then the game could change yet again.

“Let’s get a move on then,” Wyatt replaced the hat on his head and pulled the brim low. “Time is not our friend.”

"We’re changin’ plans."

Tess settled in as Wyatt laid out their new plan of action. She liked it. It was simple. Simple meant there was less to booger up.

The idea of laying explosives around Rocinante made her a might twitchy. Even though she was grounded at the present, having to blow those bombs meant the Roc was grounded for a long gorram time.

“Once there, we’ll settle in fer a siege, an’ try t’ weed out their inside man. Maybe he can give us some insight that’ll turn the tide even more. We take that missile that them boys are makin’ for us an’ keep it safe for use against them that come. "

The missile. Having that stashed in the cave meant the only time they would use it if it was for a last resort. Damned if'n I'll let that happen. Suicide bomb wit a bunch of civies and my back ter the wall ain't how I plan to depart this bonny life.
Tess fidgeted with her necklace, quietly thinking as the Captain finished explaining the new plan. He took his hat off, ran his fingers through his hair, and stared off for a moment. She recognized the look. It was the look of a man making sure he dotted his i's and crossed his t's; lives depended on it.

He replaced his hat and said, “Let’s get a move on then. Time is not our friend.”

"Captain," Tess said, sitting up in her chair, "there is one more thing. That missile. We could rig it up to the shuttle. It'd have to be a close pass, but I could launch it at that merc ship. That way we could bring them boys down before they do any damage from the air. Disable 'em, git 'em on the run before things go real dicey.

Even if it don't bring 'em completely down, I could run a little dodge and weave. Nuttin' like a hunk of metal in yer way to spoil plans. Always did say offense is better than defense."

Time is not our friend.....

It was a plan, after a few changes and input from the crew and hashed out a few times. But in its essences was.

Put the passengers and non-combatants into the caves. Have them and Matherson look for Mole (Willow, John, Ma, and Jessie)

Wyatt, Asher and Wolf stay outside to draw mercs into a guerrilla style combat and protect Roc.

Tess flies shuttles to use the missile against the Merc ship. After that she either lands and joins fighting or flies interference until she is shot down.

Use bombs around the ship to kill off as many mercs as possible. Let Asher and Wolf go wild with automatic weapons. Use the anesthetic from the infirmary - attached to the fire suppression system in the cargo bay to knock out a few as well.
The bodies of the three mercenaries were brought to Willow and John who hastily opened up their skulls and took at look. There were fragments within the brain, and at first John was not hopeful of being able to salvage much from them. Then the second and third had different fragments and between the three he found enough of a micro-receiver that he was beginning to think that maybe if he was really smart, and he was really smart, he could rebuilt it.. He took the fragments and started to work with them at once.

Wolf examined the armour of the two soldiers in hope to use the it but both had received enough damage to crack or severely damage the plating within. Furthermore, when Wolf was examining the armour, he realized that it had a tracking tags built throughout the armour as well. This would mean the mercs would know exactly where he was if he wore it and it would take too long to extract all the tag from the armour at this point.

Asher and Jessie worked together to plan the bombs in a pattern around the ship as Asher beset thought the Mercs would approach. If they did as was most likely, these would serve well. John and Wolf quickly rigged up a wireless transmitter but the haste meant that it was an all or nothing deal when the button was pressed.

Tess worked with the young men and loaded the decoy missile now loaded with explosives into the drop bay of the shuttle, Decoy missiles were designed to be dropped and fly so as long as she was in a straight path to the target, it should fly clean. Sheldon rigged a magnetic guide to the head of the missile but warned it wasn't really strong enough to be relied upon.

Ma changed into her pink suit of armour and armed with Bessy, was ready to head to the caves with the others. Her and Wyatt briefly had a silent standoff both knowing what the other was thinking. She wanted to stay and fight. He wanted her in the caves to deal with the traitor. They had been together so long, watching each other but in the end, Ma relented with a single nod and hugged Wyatt like she was never going to see him again.

Willow checked in on her patients. Havelock was up and managed to put on his military jacket over the bandages that she had put to prevent the wounds from opening again. Amber was awake and moving, drink water from a metal cup that Havelock had filled for her. The two had been talking quietly when Willow came in and Amber looked more steady than she had been since walking onboard Rocinante (was it 12 hours ago?). "I really screwed things up this time didn't I Willow? I mean Doctor ... Willow"

(assuming Willow will talk to patients. Havelock pleads fit as a fiddle and Amber feels she is able to walk now and be able to control her urges. Havelock looks to get away to fight again)

Havelock finds the Captain as they are making preparation. " Captain. Don't let the uniform fool you, I can still take orders and I place myself under your command. Give me a weapon and tell me how I can serve you best?"

(If there is objection) "Captain, I appreciate your intention but I have had my dance card punched with Death for awhile now. She knows me, I know her. Let me go fighting to the end, not hiding and waiting for her. I will not let you down."

As Jessie waits to go to the cave, she asks Asher about that gun he offered before. "Preferably something easy to shoot. I wasn't planning on going to a shoot out this morning!"

John is the last to be ready for the transport to the cave. He managed to put together the receiver from the parts and it powered up when he added juice. He smiled satisfactorily and then carefully packed up everything to head to the cave with the others. There he would start to work on the signal.

LV-426, Rocinante Cargo Bay, 12:45 pm PT
The radio crackled and sparked to life.

"Approaching target. Vector 12 on final decent." A feminine voice calls out.

"Oh Honey. Everyone in position. We are going in hot and all our calls will be early."

"Should nuke it from above." A grim voice says.

"What was that!" A harsh voice calls in anger.

"Marv just said this should be fun." Another man's voice responds.

"Cut the chatter! Ground troops with stunners only. Everyone else small arms only! You hear me Hartigan! Better not see than cannon of yours."

"Wouldn't dream of it Boss. Can barely lift it anyway, old man like me."

"Keep the channel clear for essential comm only."

Then the radio goes silent.

BOOM
BOOM
BOOM
The sonic booms of three ships crash through the atmo. The ship sensors picks up the ASREV first, followed by a CL-54 Cargo Lifter (with a mag lift that could easily pick up Rocinante). Then a large ship comes within range. A Victoria Class Corvette - used by special forces in the war to move troops discreetly from planet to planet. It is capable of holding 50 troops plus a command crew as well. A lot of fire power and a lot of soldiers.

The party has officially started.

OOC: Other than the ones in the cave - I need positions, equipment and intentions as the ships come down. If I missed something, let me know. If you are vague, I will assume and you know what happens then.

For Wolf the time between the meeting and getting set for the fight was one of prep re-prep and thought……

What was he doing here? Yeah he was part of the crew but he was no Browncoat like Wyatt or Gunslinger like Ash or Sam. He was a freaking mechanic for the Black’s sake! Ok sure he’d done ok in the mineshaft with Ash his first true fight as a Roc crewmen and yeah he done ok in the shootout here at the ship but was he up to this?
Stepping back from the gear spread out on the bed before him he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Nerves, all it is, is nerves, a little bit of fear is a good thing Fenris Apollo, means your alive, means your not to stupid to be scared. Don’t let it consume you, use the fear let it keep you aware of what it means to be a part of this crew, the Roc and the Black. Do your best Wolf just do your best
With the release of the held breath Wolf was once more in control of himself and the fear. His eyes open mind set to the task he checked his 97R’s, his shotgun and the JC and found all up to speed. With a last look at his crew bunk, a bunk he hoped to see again, he made his way to Wyatt’s side.

“Where do you want me Captain?”

Redacted planning...small changes…
The problem with putting together a plan where very little in the way of intel is available is that you are forced to make assumptions. Then, of course, the necessity of malleability becomes paramount. In the case of being gifted with a large brief full of valuable information a strategist need plan for contingencies, but can otherwise provide a Plan A, Plan B, Plan C, etc. utilizing maps and known assets. The chances for success are much greater than, say, putting together a plan in under two hours with a number of unknowns in both assets and enemy numbers/capabilities, only a cursory casing of the landscape, and having to deal with an inside man. Planning under such conditions rarely--in Wyatt’s experience--resulted in the best returns. When there wasn’t a choice in the matter, there was no use complaining.

Wyatt Sung slid into the passenger seat of the mule across from Havelock and adjusted his ballistic shirt to sit more comfortably against his skin. The plan, as it was, had been instigated in its first phase some time ago: put the passengers and non-combatants into the caves. Have Sifu, Willow, Jessie (could he trust her?), and Matherson look for mole. Smoke him out and then see if they couldn’t use him to help their desperate situation. That should already be underway. It shouldn’t have taken them long to reach the caves and Wyatt considered this one of the most important aspects of the plan. If the mole were still able to somehow cause problems and put all of the noncombatants in the hands of the mercenaries then it was over. Wyatt knew that at that point he would have to surrender the case to buy them some time; hopefully being able to negotiate being left on the planet instead of being executed as witnesses (fat chance).

Setting his shotgun across his lap, Captain Sung glanced into the packed cargo bay one last time before catching Wolf’s eye and giving him an encouraging nod. The mechanic was to stay behind with John on board Roc while the techie tried to work his magic with the explosive devices inside the mercenaries’ brainpan Fenris had been rigging the cargo bay door to release without hydraulic support and setting up anesthetic to be released through the fire suppression system should it be necessary. The only room that would be safe from the gas would be the infirmary where John was working on the corpses as that had the ability to be hermetically sealed. With the nod from his captain, Wolf closed the cargo bay door, locking himself inside for all intents and purposes.

The starboard shuttle had left when they had pulled the mule out of Roc’s belly. Tess had taken the “big Bomb” and made haste to attain her position at the base of the hills/mountains near the processing plant with the ambitious goal of using it against the ASREV should the opportunity present itself. The port shuttle was just leaving with Ma at the controls and Asher in the belly ready to act as a gunner against any ground personnel. They jetted off to the west of Roc towards the cover of the hills there. It was close enough that the shuttle should be able to sweep in and help protect Roc if need be. Wyatt hoped there wouldn’t be much of a need to protect Roc as they had planted the other bombs around the ship to help kill off as many mercs as possible. Ma hadn’t been happy about initially being relegated to the caves. She and Wyatt had experienced a little battle of the wills in a silent standoff before she had finally relented with a single nod and stepped in to five Wyatt a hug like she was never going to see him again. Embraced by the matronly woman, Captain Sung had experienced a conflict. He knew he would never stand for being put on some protective detail if a real battle were to take place, especially not one with so much at stake. But he cared so much about Patricia that he didn’t want to see her in harm’s way. He had always been extremely protective of her, and he realized that it was often unfairly so. Two seconds later he had come to a decision that stuck in his craw but that he knew was the right thing to do.

Wyatt had pulled away from the pink armored woman, scratched at his goatie and looked at her from beneath his brow. He had pointed to her and given the sign to fly the shuttle, then indicated that she should fly Asher. The smile that crept across Ma’s face was nearly childlike in its exhilaration, but it hadn’t done much to assuage Wyatt’s concerns. Still, he couldn’t help but smile a little as the memory returned and Havelock started driving them to their location east of Roc.

LV-426, Rocinante Cargo Bay, 12:45 pm PT
BOOM
BOOM
BOOM

The sonic booms of three ships crash through the atmo. The ship sensors picks up the ASREV first, followed by a CL-54 Cargo Lifter (with a mag lift that could easily pick up Rocinante). Then a large ship comes within range. A Victoria Class Corvette - used by special forces in the war to move troops discreetly from planet to planet. It is capable of holding 50 troops plus a command crew as well. A lot of firepower and a lot of soldiers.

Wolf relays the intel over the ship-linked handsets each of those away from Roc carried, and Wyatt confirmed receipt. He had already heard the sound barrier being broken and was scanning the sky for signs of the enemy, but the announcement of the ship types coming their way was of immediate concern.

“Tess,” Wyatt activated the radio. “Change of targets. Ignore that ASREV and take out that cargo ship. With the ASREV in the air, we may need you t’ help run interference. Copy?”

A gorram Corvette? I feel honored. I didn’t want to feel this honored though.
“Once we see the ships we’ll try t’ figure their trajectory an’ move so we can harry them,” Wyatt informed Havelock. “We’re gonna have t’ get in close as you an’ I are much better with our pistols. You still game?”

The party has officially started.