Day 1, Moringstar's Ranchhouse, 6:40 PM PT
"I appreciate you takin' this meetin' Mr. Morningstar. We was instructed t' see you 'fore delivering the Old Warhorse t' his final resting place in Serenity Valley. Told you'd have the know-how t' get us through the dangers that be, " Wyatt said while shaking Morningstar's hand.

"What my dear captain means, " Willow interjected smoothly," is that we hope you've received word of our mission. Captain Havelock's family has received Alliance permission to put him to rest in Serenity Valley, among his men. We understand you've mapped some of the Valley and may be able to help us accomplish this safely. Have we understood correctly? "

Morningstar looked confused by Wyatt's opening but then clarity came to his face as Willow explained further. "Havelock!" He said aloud, "Oh yeah. I got a wave from a Federal Marshall about Havelock." he returned to his desk and began punching on the screen of the cortex box.

"Captain Havelock." The Shepherd said, "I read about him and a group of transport crew that found against a mercenary band. " Was that you people?"

(assuming a yes it was)

"Mighty brave of you. Standing against so many for the lives of a group of people you never knew before you rescued them." He continued, "Were you well rewarded in the end?"

(whatever you choose)

"I would have thought that after saving so many rich and generous folks that you be livng large and putting the fright trade behind you?"

(whatever you choose)

"Aha!" Virgil called out, "Yes I do have a letter here for a Colonel Sanders. Oh my!" Virgil face fell a bit, "he was with the 42nd Infantry. " He exchanged a look of dread with the Shepherd who walked over to look over his shoulder. Carson also grimaced. "Sorry to say that records are a bit sketchy and frankly we have more markers out there with no name than we have ones with. The good news is we know where the 42nd is but the bad news is they area is not cleared of ordinance."

Morningstar turned the screen around so everyone could see. There were marked areas on the map for units and some were in green, others in red. The 42nd was in the red zone but not too far from the green edge. "Now I can ask Jon to get some of his boys together, have them go out in the morning to clear and area to the 42nd and you can lay him to rest by the afternoon assuming there ain't no hitches. If there is, well it should be much longer than that. He has come a long way, I'd rather see him in the right place. Are you in a hurry?"

"Perhaps Virgil could get you a few complimentary rooms at the hotels in town? Or we have a five star Noodle House in town?" Shepherd Carson suggests quietly.

Day 1, Serenity View's Spaceport, 6:20 PM PT
"Firefly eh? Nice machine. Take you anywhere even if half the parts fail on you. Those aren't the factory drive pods are they? You had work done recently?"

"Yeah you could say that" Wolf smiled at Chewie and took another drink when offered. "Few weeks back we were on a transport run when we heard this mayday. Was from one of those high priced Star liners. Seems they had a hull failure and needed off of it quick. Well we found them and got them off all safe and sound but as we were moving away she blew and caused us a lot of damage to the engines so we had to land quick. Ended up on this no name husk of rock and waited there till a passing Alliance ship found us. Well some of the rich passengers were so happy to be alive they paid for new engines and now we are returning the body of one of them that did die, a fine gentleman name of Havelock."

"What!" Chewie said loudly, "That was you? I heard about you on the Vids! Killer mercenary slavers trying to snag rich people for ransom and sex slaves! Wow! Were you there? Like in the thick of fighting?"

"Chewie!" Captain Case admonished lightly, "Give the man a chance to breathe first. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. I am surprised they allowed you to bring him back here. I thought Serenity Valley was a closed site by now."

(assuming some response about events and the mission)

"Well Mr. Apollo, it is a pleasure to have made you acquaintance. I have things to do and I should really check on Billie but it has been an honour. I hope to see you around. We might be over at a saloon in town called Whistler's tonight if you have some off time. Maybe we will see you then." And with that the captain goes back to the ship through the Cargo Bay."

Chewie turns to Wolf, "Tell me what happened? I want to hear the whole thing. The cortex had it some like unification war all over again."

Day 1, Serenity View's Spaceport Tower, 6:20 PM PT
Jade made her way over to the tower of the spaceport. It was clear to her from the ground and the air upon approach that the field was recently broaden to allow greater access. But they were using only half of the area so far so they were expecting a lot more traffic in the future.

The tower wasn't renovated and the ground crew was running around in a state of rush that comes from being a single crew dealing with orders from 3x as many ships. Jade decided to wait to talk to them and entered the tower itself and headed up to the watch deck via the lift.

The tower was busy too but there were a lot of staff using makeshift desks and cortex consoles wired haphazardly across the ceiling and floor. An older woman sat in the controller chair near the centre and was using a head set to talk to someone while she worked at her station.

"Yeah, i know that you'd like us to do that but it is not going to happen. Rules are rules and I am not breaking rules without someone saying that I have permission to do so. Yes, I realize your time is valuable but so is mine." She paused and rolled her eyes before seeing Jade standing there, "Hey! I am the boss here. You got issues, you deal with me. The law was in place when you signed the papers and it ain't my fault you didn't due the diligence. So you go to Virgil, Tell him Vivian says hi and let me know how it works for you." She clicked the headset and looked over at Jade, "Hi there. Vivian my name and I am the controller here. If you are waiting for maintenance, my crew will be there as soon as they can. If you are looking for a job, can you do ship maintenance?"

"What my dear captain means, " Willow interjected smoothly," is that we hope you've received word of our mission. Captain Havelock's family has received Alliance permission to put him to rest in Serenity Valley, among his men. We understand you've mapped some of the Valley and may be able to help us accomplish this safely. Have we understood correctly? "

Morningstar looked confused by Wyatt's opening but then clarity came to his face as Willow explained further. "Havelock!" He said aloud, "Oh yeah. I got a wave from a Federal Marshall about Havelock." he returned to his desk and began punching on the screen of the cortex box.

"Captain Havelock." The Shepherd said, "I read about him and a group of transport crew that found against a mercenary band. " Was that you people?"

Shrugged shoulders could be taken any which way and that's what Wyatt Sung settled for. Noncommittal and yet at the same time not denying the deed. For all intents and purposes, unless it put credits in their hands, fuel in the tank, and food on the table Captain Sung didn't care much if anyone had heard of them or what they went through.

"Mighty brave of you. Standing against so many for the lives of a group of people you never knew before you rescued them." He continued, "Were you well rewarded in the end?"

"We lost a good man," a warm flare had been set off in his stomach by the comment as though reward was what they'd done it for. "Truth of the matter was, we did what had t' be done in order t' survive. Heroin' usually get's ya killed. It doesn't keep yer ship in the sky an' yer crew fed."

"I would have thought that after saving so many rich and generous folks that you be living large and putting the fright trade behind you?"

Sung sent Willow a look that was as much pleading for her to cut the questioning off as asking whether a Shepard was supposed to be that keen on finances.

"Aha!" Virgil called out, "Yes I do have a letter here for a Colonel Sanders. Oh my!" Virgil face fell a bit, "he was with the 42nd Infantry. " He exchanged a look of dread with the Shepherd who walked over to look over his shoulder. Carson also grimaced. "Sorry to say that records are a bit sketchy and frankly we have more markers out there with no name than we have ones with. The good news is we know where the 42nd is but the bad news is they area is not cleared of ordinance."

Morningstar turned the screen around so everyone could see. There were marked areas on the map for units and some were in green, others in red. The 42nd was in the red zone but not too far from the green edge. "Now I can ask Jon to get some of his boys together, have them go out in the morning to clear and area to the 42nd and you can lay him to rest by the afternoon assuming there ain't no hitches. If there is, well it should be much longer than that. He has come a long way, I'd rather see him in the right place. Are you in a hurry?"

"Perhaps Virgil could get you a few complimentary rooms at the hotels in town? Or we have a five star Noodle House in town?" Shepherd Carson suggests quietly.

"Actually," Wyatt drawled not unkindly. "Stickin' 'round a bit might provide me an' mine with some time t' line up our next set o' fares. An' while I appreciate yer offer of hospitality, it ain't necessary. Thank you kindly all the same. You can drop a wave our way when it's safe t' take Havelock home. 'Til then, I don't plan on muckin' about much so you can find us back at our ship if'n ya need us."

"Captain Havelock." The Shepherd said, "I read about him and a group of transport crew that found against a mercenary band. " Was that you people?"
Asher felt a bit of pride that folks knew they'd done right by the passenger, he hoped others might cotton to help folks in need.

"We lost a good man, truth of the matter was, we did what had t' be done in order t' survive. Heroin' usually get's ya killed. It doesn't keep yer ship in the sky an' yer crew fed." Wyatt kinda answered as the kid felt, but what Shepherd said next bothered him.

"Mighty brave of you. Standing against so many for the lives of a group of people you never knew before you rescued them." He continued, "Were you well rewarded in the end?...I would have thought that after saving so many rich and generous folks that you be livng large and putting the fright trade behind you?"
Now the kid felt a twinge of anger, what's a Shepard asking about rewards for? Weren't they all about doing good for the sake of doing good? Asher was about to call the Shepherd on reward comment but he caught Wyatt's glace to Willow and held his tongue.

Mr. Morningstar went on to tell about where the 42nd was resting and it didn't sound good. Uncleared territory for graves would make it dangerous to take Havelock there but that's what they all agreed to do. The explained it may take some time clear things enough to get in there. The Shepherd then offer that Mr. Morningstar should get them a free room in town.

"Perhaps Virgil could get you a few complimentary rooms at the hotels in town? Or we have a five star Noodle House in town?" Shepherd Carson suggests quietly.
Wyatt answered for them.

"Actually,Stickin' 'round a bit might provide me an' mine with some time t' line up our next set o' fares. ..An' while I appreciate yer offer of hospitality, it ain't necessary. Thank you kindly all the same. You can drop a wave our way when it's safe t' take Havelock home. 'Til then, I don't plan on muckin' about much so you can find us back at our ship if'n ya need us."

"Firefly eh? Nice machine. Take you anywhere even if half the parts fail on you. Those aren't the factory drive pods are they? You had work done recently?"

"Yeah you could say that" Wolf smiled at Chewie and took another drink when offered. "Few weeks back we were on a transport run when we heard this mayday. Was from one of those high priced Star liners. Seems they had a hull failure and needed off of it quick. Well we found them and got them off all safe and sound but as we were moving away she blew and caused us a lot of damage to the engines so we had to land quick. Ended up on this no name husk of rock and waited there till a passing Alliance ship found us. Well some of the rich passengers were so happy to be alive they paid for new engines and now we are returning the body of one of them that did die, a fine gentleman name of Havelock."

"What!" Chewie said loudly, "That was you? I heard about you on the Vids! Killer mercenary slavers trying to snag rich people for ransom and sex slaves! Wow! Were you there? Like in the thick of fighting?"

"Ahh yeah I guess you could say that. Wait! Vids? You say you saw it on the vids?" Wolf was generally shocked having not had the time to watch a vid caster since he'd been released from holding.

"Chewie!" Captain Case admonished lightly, "Give the man a chance to breathe first. I am sorry to hear of the loss of your friend. I am surprised they allowed you to bring him back here. I thought Serenity Valley was a closed site by now."

"Not 100% sure why they let us do so, though Havelock was a very big help in the rescue. You'd have to ask Captain Sung, Wyatt Sung, my captain as he knows all the details."

"Well Mr. Apollo, it is a pleasure to have made you acquaintance. I have things to do and I should really check on Billie but it has been an honour. I hope to see you around. We might be over at a saloon in town called Whistler's tonight if you have some off time. Maybe we will see you then."

"Yeah maybe so, I'll try to bring my friend Asher along, maybe more of the crew"

With that the captain goes back to the ship through the Cargo Bay."

Chewie turns to Wolf, "Tell me what happened? I want to hear the whole thing. The cortex had it some like unification war all over again."

"Nay no Uni war pretty simple really" Wolf then proceeded to tell Chewie a modified account leaving out more of the intamite details of his personal fight and trying to tone down the clear media exjageration. However one thing had caught the Rocinante's mechanic's attention so after telling the tale of the rescue he asked.

"So was wondering. Your Captain mentioned someone named Billie. She another of your crew?".................

Willow let the ebb and flow of conversation wash over her while she looked pretty and watched the two men speaking with Wyatt. The dynamics between the two men were,odd. The successful businessman had assurance aplenty, but as he spoke to Wyatt, he'd dart looks at the Shepherd, looking for,approval? What kind of hold would a Shepherd have over a man who pretty much owned a town?

The Shepherd was an odd one, too. While it was entirely possible for a good looking person to be called to God (it did happen, now and again), he was just entirely too perfect to have the humility of a man of the Book. Willow moved around the room as if looking around the room and drifted closer to the Shepherd. She realized that when he spoke, his facial movements seemed incomplete, as if the small muscles under the skin didn't move as they should. With a start, Willow realized that the man had had cosmetic surgery, invasive enough to cause nerve damage. Vanity, or necessity, the doctor wondered.

"Mighty brave of you. Standing against so many for the lives of a group of people you never knew before you rescued them." He continued, "Were you well rewarded in the end?"

"We lost a good man," a warm flare had been set off in his stomach by the comment as though reward was what they'd done it for. "Truth of the matter was, we did what had t' be done in order t' survive. Heroin' usually get's ya killed. It doesn't keep yer ship in the sky an' yer crew fed."

"I would have thought that after saving so many rich and generous folks that you be living large and putting the fright trade behind you?"

Wyatt shot Willow a pleading look and she realized how hard it was for him to be the one asking for something from Virgil. To have his motives questioned was making it harder than ever.

"You must not have spent much time aboard a ship, Shepherd," Willow interjected lightly, catching the Shepherd's gaze and turning her smile up a notch," or at least, not with any crew. You spend so much time in the Black with nothing but the ship's thin skin to keep you alive. You see a ship in trouble, you help. No hesitation and no thinking of cost nor reward, because someday, it might be you sending that distress signal."

"Aha!" Virgil called out, "Yes I do have a letter here for a Colonel Sanders. Oh my!" Virgil face fell a bit, "he was with the 42nd Infantry. " He exchanged a look of dread with the Shepherd who walked over to look over his shoulder. Carson also grimaced. "Sorry to say that records are a bit sketchy and frankly we have more markers out there with no name than we have ones with. The good news is we know where the 42nd is but the bad news is they area is not cleared of ordinance."

"Now I can ask Jon to get some of his boys together, have them go out in the morning to clear and area to the 42nd and you can lay him to rest by the afternoon assuming there ain't no hitches. If there is, well it should be much longer than that. He has come a long way, I'd rather see him in the right place. Are you in a hurry?"

"Perhaps Virgil could get you a few complimentary rooms at the hotels in town? Or we have a five star Noodle House in town?" Shepherd Carson suggests quietly.

"Actually," Wyatt drawled not unkindly. "Stickin' 'round a bit might provide me an' mine with some time t' line up our next set o' fares. An' while I appreciate yer offer of hospitality, it ain't necessary. Thank you kindly all the same. You can drop a wave our way when it's safe t' take Havelock home. 'Til then, I don't plan on muckin' about much so you can find us back at our ship if'n ya need us."

"Shepherd Carson, Mr. Morningstar, I know sometimes a town grows faster than the services needed to support all the folks flooding in. I am the ship's doctor, with no one needing my care,is there a doctor's office where I may lend a hand?"

The kid hadn't had much interest in the conversation until he heard the offer for a five star noodle house. The Whistle something bar and grill hadn't held much interest, but a five star noodle house was something he understood. Even if Ma did a great job trying to keep things interesting in the black by making do with rehydrated food stuffs and protein paste, a real noodle house was a place he could enjoy.

His heart dropped a bit when he heard Wyatt," Actually,Stickin' 'round a bit might provide me an' mine with some time t' line up our next set o' fares. ..An' while I appreciate yer offer of hospitality, it ain't necessary. Thank you kindly all the same. You can drop a wave our way when it's safe t' take Havelock home. 'Til then, I don't plan on muckin' about much so you can find us back at our ship if'n ya need us."
When they were back in the hall and he was strapping his iron back on he sheepish let slip, "That noodle house might be a good place to checkout."

Jade made her way over to the tower of the spaceport. It was clear to her from the ground and the air upon approach that the field was recently broaden to allow greater access. But they were using only half of the area so far so they were expecting a lot more traffic in the future.

The tower was busy too but there were a lot of staff using makeshift desks and cortex consoles wired haphazardly across the ceiling and floor. An older woman sat in the controller chair near the center and was using a head set to talk to someone while she worked at her station.

"Yeah, I know that you'd like us to do that but it is not going to happen. Rules are rules and I am not breaking rules without someone saying that I have permission to do so. Yes, I realize your time is valuable but so is mine." She paused and rolled her eyes before seeing Jade standing there, "Hey! I am the boss here. You got issues, you deal with me. The law was in place when you signed the papers and it ain't my fault you didn't due the diligence. So you go to Virgil, Tell him Vivian says hi and let me know how it works for you." She clicked the headset and looked over at Jade,

"Hi there. Vivian my name and I am the controller here. If you are waiting for maintenance, my crew will be there as soon as they can. If you are looking for a job, can you do ship maintenance?"

"Actually neither, I was just exploring, looking to see if there was a place I could get a map. I must say I am rather surprised at how busy it is around here, I was under the impression that Serenity's Valley wasn't a place that many traveled to." Jade explained, with a small smile

"Well it wasn't at first but a lot of families came here looking for fallen loved ones that never came home. After that, some news team on the cortex did a piece on that and soon people were just coming to see the valley. That was when Virgil started the walking tours with markers so no fool killed themselves on forgotten mine. He then sold a lot of the land he bought up cheap after the war and sold it to the Blue Sun developers for making it a historical site. Shame really cause all the gawkers and the ghost hunters that come out just pushed the families away" explained Vivan

The term ‘ghost hunters' immediately caught Jade's attention, as a wave of annoyance moved through her before Jade let the emotion go. People who sought thrills from the supposed ‘spirits of the dead' tended to anger her, those same ghosts were someone else's loved ones and to seek them out for a few overdramatic shrieks and giggles was in Jade's opinion, the most disrespectful thing one could do to not only the dead but to other's memories of that person. However acting on that annoyance would get her nowhere.

Choosing her next words carefully, Jade asked "Is the theme park supposed to be the historical site? I don't quite see the connection between a historical sight and a theme park, and how that could that possibly attract the attention of ‘ghost hunters'?" There was a slight displeasured tone on the last two words as Jade tried not to voice her distaste of the word.

"I imagine the connection is money honey. People come to connect to the history and stay for the theme park. You know Blue Sun, if there is an opportunity, they will overexploit it. As to Ghost hunters, that is recent and that is more that they be body snatching."

?!
"Pardon? Are you saying there is something stealing dead bodies?" If there was something that was stealing bodies, Jade need to warn the Captain that something or someone might try and steal Havelock's body. Oh wait, she was the new girl, and ghosts tend to get more laughter than attention. Okay, she will need to go looking for a possible explanation and then warn the crew! That would mean going into town (yay!) and figuring out how to look into local legends without anyone laughing her off (not yay!)

Vivian laughed, " No, not really. We had a rash of people go missing in the last few months. People blame ghosts. We see lights in the valley at night, it must be ghosts. We hear strange moans and terrible sounds coming from the valley, must be them ghosts. People go missing, must be ghosts.

"People have gone missing? There isn't a mine or something out in the field that people would go looking for is there?" wondered Jade

"No Honey, there ain't nothing in the valley except a bunch of dead bodies and lost dreams. Even if there was, they ain't going to be digging around with all that munition and land mines down there. Good way to become a ghost if you ask me. Most people gone are from The Heights so ," she trailed off with a said face, "Well they never had much of a life anyway."

"The Heights?" Jade echoed.

"Yeah. The old internment camp of the soldiers from the war. They were moved to behind the junkyard. They either were too far leaky in the brain pan to find their way home or not enough money to get a transport. Left here to die really but Doc Greene and Reverend Jim keep a watch on them."

Jade frowned at news and acknowledged "Thank you for your help and time, I will let you get back to work," just before she gives a small wave and heads back down to the ship. By the time she makes it down to the ship, none of the other crew had returned from their other jobs. Good, that meant, Jade could go into town without having to explain what she was up to. While this so called ghost didn't have much to do with Havelock, people were going missing and someone had to do something.

With that though, Jade began to walk towards town, It was time to learn from the townspeople what sort of legend did theses ghosts have,

Day 1, Morningstar's Ranchhouse, 6:45 PM PT
Actually," Wyatt drawled not unkindly. "Stickin' 'round a bit might provide me an' mine with some time t' line up our next set o' fares. An' while I appreciate yer offer of hospitality, it ain't necessary. Thank you kindly all the same. You can drop a wave our way when it's safe t' take Havelock home. 'Til then, I don't plan on muckin' about much so you can find us back at our ship if'n ya need us."

"I understand completely." Virgil replies and offers his hand to shake goodbye. "I'll see to it that you are informed of the situation as my people see to this."

"Looking to haul more cargo?" the Shepherd says lightly, "Maybe you can set these gentlemen up with something Virgil. You have some cargo to haul don't you?"

Virgil looks at the preacher with a confused look, "Umm. You know I have arrangement already." He looks back at Wyatt with an apologetic smile, "But I will certainly let you know if I hear anything."

"Maybe something will come up. You never know." Carson says with a thin smile.

"Shepherd Carson, Mr. Morningstar, I know sometimes a town grows faster than the services needed to support all the folks flooding in. I am the ship's doctor, with no one needing my care,is there a doctor's office where I may lend a hand?" Willow asked politely.

"Well that is indeed very kind of you, Willow was it?" Carson turns his attention to Willow, "There are a few doctors here in Serenity Views and the hotels have one on staff. But if you were to look up Doc Parker or Doctor Jin - I am sure either one would love you assistance."

You make your polite goodbyes and pick up your weapons on the way out.

That noodle house might be a good place to checkout." Comments Asher sheepishly.

Day 1, Serenity View's Spaceport, 6:45 PM PT
"So was wondering. Your Captain mentioned someone named Billie. She another of your crew?" Wolf asked Chewie.

"Yeah. Billie is one of ours." Chewie said with an eyeroll, "She kinda handles our security, if you know what I mean and I am sure you do." He offers the moonshine to Wolf once more. "Billie, is a tough nut to crack. She ain't what you would call pretty, or polite, or good mannered either. She had a fella that she loved like no one else and they would been happy together but he was killed in a game of cards by a guy with a bad streak of luck. Claimed cheating but he wasn't the type. The fella was hanged for it but it just ate up everything that was once social in Billie and she fills the gap up with drink whenever she can."

(assume a comment)

"But let me tell you, drunk or sober, she is a fast draw and really really deadly in a fight. Guns or fists, she is usually the one that comes out on top."

(assuming something about sounding dangerous)

"See the Captain has this thing for people who no one else wants. He sees a value in us and because he does it makes you .... I don't know ... make you wanna show him he is right. At least he does to me. Billie, well she'd be dead now a number of times over if it weren't for the captain. But he won't make her change until she wants to change. Besides, this ship practically runs itself and we manage."

(assuming some more comments or questions)

"Well I should get back to the ship and do some work, losing the light soon anyway. Hope to see you tonight at Whistlers though. See you later."

Day 1, Serenity View's Spaceport Tower, 6:45 PM PT
Jade walked towards the town from the tower, which was a bit of a hike and brought her in from the side instead of the top like the others had. She could see as see approach the tall tall walls surrounding the junkyard on the edge of town, but there was another area. This one was fenced off with wooden plank walls and posts - very temporary in nature. As she approached, she caught a whiff of rotting food, urine, sweat and wood fire. There were people moving around in the fenced off area and as she got closer she could see the fence wasn't made to keep people in - many loose planks and opening. It was there mostly to shield the spaceport from the view.

Jade moves through the planks and into the shantytown called "Phoenix Heights." Crafted with bits of corrugated metal, parts of rusty ships, and mud, the makeshift hovels barely hold their shape. The ground is pockmarked with pools of muddy water; the air is filled with swarms of flies, the smell of rotting soybeans, and the sound of children coughing. The desolate folk who live in this half-mile area are mostly refugees from the War and destitute townsfolk who fell on hard times. They are the forgotten remnants of the Unification War who suffer the most. Jade suddenly realizes that most who travel to Serenity View probably don't even know Phoenix Heights exists.

There are two men talking to each other. One a black man, dressed with the white collar of a preacher and the other man is older, carries a medical bag and surprisingly a short barrel shotgun in a shoulder-back holster. They see you, look at each other and then look back at you. "Are you looking for someone young lady?" the preacher asks pleasantly.

Day 1, Walking in Serenity Views, 6:50 PM PT
As Wyatt, Asher and Willow make their way from Morningstar's house, it becomes apparent to each of them that you are being watched. Not covertly, or at least not trying very hard to be covert but there are Alliance men always somewhere within view - down the street, across the way, just a single officer watching in their direction. Any attempt to approach or draw them out fails; they merely move away or vanish into a building.

Doctor

Preacher

Jade walked towards the town from the tower, which was a bit of a hike and brought her in from the side instead of the top like the others had. She could see as see approach the tall walls surrounding the junkyard on the edge of town, but there was another area. This one was fenced off with wooden plank walls and posts - very temporary in nature. As she approached, she caught a whiff of rotting food, urine, sweat and wood fire. There were people moving around in the fenced off area and as she got closer she could see the fence wasn't made to keep people in - many loose planks and opening. It was there mostly to shield the spaceport from the view.

Before she could move inside, instinct made Jade pulled out her communicator turning it on so she could get a hold of the Captain and report her status, before pressing the button. "Hey Captain, you there?"

(OOC: Assuming he responds)

"This is Jade, I just wanted to let you know that I am not at the ship, I am very close to the junk yard. One of the local told me about how there been an issue of people going missing and I am checking into it, I should return back with the ship with more information."

With that Jade took off her sun glasses and tucked both the communicator and glasses back into her pocket before sneaking through the fence into the shantytown called "Phoenix Heights." Crafted with bits of corrugated metal, parts of rusty ships, and mud, the makeshift hovels barely hold their shape. The ground is pockmarked with pools of muddy water; the air is filled with swarms of flies, the smell of rotting soybeans, and the sound of children coughing. The desolate folk who live in this half-mile area are mostly refugees from the War and destitute townsfolk who fell on hard times. Her stomach tightened as Jade realized that this was the forgotten remnants of the Unification War who suffer the most and that most who travel to Serenity View probably don't even know Phoenix Heights exists.

Jade kept moving, looking around for anyone she could talk to or any hints as to how these people have been going missing. Two men talking to each other caught Jade's attention. One was dressed with the white collar of a preacher and the other man was older, carries a medical bag and a short barrel shotgun in a shoulder-back holster. Vivian's words echoed in Jade's head, making her wonder if these two were the doctor and reverend that she had mentioned. The two spotted her, look at each other and then look back at Jade.

"Are you looking for someone young lady?" the preacher asks pleasantly. Jade could tell from their body language that they weren't a threat nor were they think she was one. But the gun was more than enough to warn they were expecting a threat, so Jade kept a friendly smile and open body language, not wanting them to change their mind.

"You could say that, are you Doc Greene and Reverend Jim? Vivian mentioned you both by name. I'm Jade Storn, pleasure to meet you both." Jade said offering her hand to shake.

(OOC: Assuming confirmation and some sort of "what are you doing here?")

"To be honest, the reason why I am here is because I have heard that people have been going missing around here, and I wanted to see with my own eyes, what might be going on," Jade purposely tilted her head to look at the fences, before lightly commenting, "one would think if people were going missing, the priority would be to protect the group that are being targeted and not build a fence that hides said group."

Jade looked back at them before asking "I was hoping you would be able to help me get some answers as to why people are going missing and why there isn't more being done to help?"

Only a few minutes after leaving Morningstar's compound Wyatt became aware that they were the object of some unwanted attention. Picking the observers out in the crowd isn't difficult as they aren't trying very hard to be inconspicuous. There are Alliance men always somewhere within view—down the street, across the way, just a single officer acutely watching them. Not one to run from a fight, Wyatt finally stopped and stared back.

"Don't look like we're gonna receive the same type o' treatment in Serenity Views as we done received in Osiris," the captain let his gaze indicate the accompanying information. "Ya know somethin'? That noodle house does sound good."

That being said, Wyatt redirects them from their path back to Rocinante and starts navigating to the restaurant. Using the personal comm unit he has to communicate with the ship, Wyatt delivers the message that they're dining out tonight and anyone that wants to join them is welcome to.

As soon as he finishes his message another comes back: "Hey Captain, you there?"

"I am."

"This is Jade, I just wanted to let you know that I am not at the ship, I am very close to the junk yard. One of the local told me about how there been an issue of people going missing and I am checking into it, I should return back with the ship with more information."

Wyatt lifts the comm to his mouth to respond, but pauses and looks to Willow and Asher. "Did she jus' say she was lookin' into missin' people? Alone?"

(OOC: assuming something to the affirmative...)

"That's what I thought." Activating the comm, Captain Sung says, "Jade, listen here. We got company watchin' us with a very intentful eye that I don't imagine is keen on seein' if we're the type they want t' invite t' a local ball. I'm not keen on you runnin' off on yer own niether, so why don'tcha come on over to the noodle house and we'll talk 'bout what you were set on. Dohn la ma?"

"So was wondering. Your Captain mentioned someone named Billie. She another of your crew?" Wolf asked Chewie.

"Yeah. Billie is one of ours." Chewie said with an eye roll, "She kinda handles our security, if you know what I mean and I am sure you do." He offers the moonshine to Wolf once more. "Billie, is a tough nut to crack. She ain't what you would call pretty, or polite, or good mannered either. She had a fella that she loved like no one else and they would been happy together but he was killed in a game of cards by a guy with a bad streak of luck. Claimed cheating but he wasn't the type. The fella was hanged for it but it just ate up everything that was once social in Billie and she fills the gap up with drink whenever she can."
"I can sympathize, spent 7 years in a max sec jail cause they thought I was a browncoat, but was only a thief gone wrong. War meant no watchful eyes on the go tsao duh guards who got there enjoyment beating us up because THEY couldn't get it up with the ladies. She good in a fight?"

"But let me tell you, drunk or sober, she is a fast draw and really really deadly in a fight. Guns or fists, she is usually the one that comes out on top."
"A gunslinger huh, one of my shipmates, Asher is his name, is damn fast himself done pulled our asses out of the fire a lot of times. This battle you heard about, yeah thanks to his gun skills, he was a major part of us living through it."

"See the Captain has this thing for people who no one else wants. He sees a value in us and because he does it makes you .... I don't know ... make you wanna show him he is right. At least he does to me. Billie, well she'd be dead now a number of times over if it weren't for the captain. But he won't make her change until she wants to change. Besides, this ship practically runs itself and we manage."
"Funny you should say that my Captain is the same way. Offered me a place on his crew thanks to a friend's recommendation but I was scared of the Black like a duh NAN-shung. Thankfully he gave me a second chance later on when we met up again on Regina and I‘ve been with this ship as her mechanic ever since"

"Well I should get back to the ship and do some work, losing the light soon anyway. Hope to see you tonight at Whistlers though. See you later."
Thinking to himself that the offer sounded like a good one he agreed.

"Yeah count on it, I'll try to bring maybe some of the rest of the crew and we can have a meet and greet"

As he watched Chewie walk away and into his ship, he could feel a sort of kinship between the two crews. Could maybe make good friends here Fenris thought as he started back to the ship.

Just as he reached the Rocinante and was thinking to check with Ma on dinner, Wyatt called about the noodle house.

"Wolf here headed for the noodle house.....Ahhh where is it?"

Having yet to walk into the town proper the mechanic had no idea where it was.....................

Asher followed behind Wyatt and Miss Willow as they left and headed back into town. It didn't take a lot of skill notice that Alliance men seem to be watching them as left Mr. Morningstar. As Wyatt attempted to find why the men just seemed fade away.

"Don't look like we're gonna receive the same type o' treatment in Serenity Views as we done received in Osiris," the captain let his gaze indicate the accompanying information. "Ya know somethin'? That noodle house does sound good."

Wyatt looked around when his comm activated. It was Jade. "Hey Captain, you there?"

"I am."

"This is Jade, I just wanted to let you know that I am not at the ship, I am very close to the junk yard. One of the local told me about how there been an issue of people going missing and I am checking into it, I should return back with the ship with more information."
The Capt'n looked concerned,"Did she jus' say she was lookin' into missin' people? Alone?" Ash nodded, "That's what I thought." Activating the comm, Captain Sung says, "Jade, listen here. We got company watchin' us with a very intentful eye that I don't imagine is keen on seein' if we're the type they want t' invite t' a local ball. I'm not keen on you runnin' off on yer own niether, so why don'tcha come on over to the noodle house and we'll talk 'bout what you were set on. Dohn la ma?"
Ash wasn't sure just what was going on but at least they were going to have NOODLES.

Willow let herself be guided away from Morningstar's office by Sung's arm as she puzzled over the Shepherd's behaviour. She would have asked about any services he may be holding for his flock, but his response about doctors had been so politely dismissive that she knew she was playing chess with a master.

As they walked along, Asher seemed a little out of sorts, and she smiled at him sympathetically as he opined that a noodle house would be nice. She wouldn't mind a nibble of something that hadn't been originally freeze dried or vacuum packed, even if it couldn't be as good as Auntie Sun's.

"Don't look like we're gonna receive the same type o' treatment in Serenity Views as we done received in Osiris," the captain used his gaze to point out their watchers. "Ya know somethin'? That noodle house does sound good."

Willow was so used to being watched (a childish part of her sought it out, after all) that she hadn't really thought about it, but once Sung had called her attention to it, it was hard to NOT notice - they weren't really trying to be subtle. She let her hips roll a little more as she walked (may as well give them something to watch) and tightened her grip on Wyatt's arm.

"What's your play, Captain?" she asked softly, while tilting he head back into the sunshine as if she hadn't a care in the world.

"What's your play Captain?"

Hard, steel eyes locked onto the nearest of their watchers for a brief couple of seconds before Sung replaced the comm unit in his coat pocket and turned them towards the noodle house.

"Let's play it easy, Mei Mei. Maybe it'll draw 'em into showin' their hand. But best we're all together when they lay 'em down in my opinion." Scanning the streets and rooftops for signs of anyone else they should be aware of, Wyatt slyly added, "And it don't hurt none that we have full bellies when it comes t' it.

"Jus' don't let yer guard down, an' trust no one."

Day 1, Walking in Serenity Views, 7:00 PM PT
"You could say that, are you Doc Greene and Reverend Jim? Vivian mentioned you both by name. I'm Jade Storm, pleasure to meet you both." Jade said offering her hand to shake.

The Doc and Preacher exchanged a look that could be described as bemused. The preacher offeres his hand, "Yes I am Reverend Jim and this here is the Doc. I don't wish to sound impolite but what are you doing here?")

The Doc does not offer his hand at all but gives a smirk to Jade, "Oh I'll be impolite then. What business do you have here in the Heights Ms. Stormy? Pretty eyes and a nice sway ain't gonna get you much credit with me or the Reverend."

"To be honest, the reason why I am here is because I have heard that people have been going missing around here, and I wanted to see with my own eyes, what might be going on," Jade purposely tilted her head to look at the fences, before lightly commenting, "One would think if people were going missing, the priority would be to protect the group that are being targeted and not build a fence that hides said group."

"One would think that a complete stranger would want to mind her own business in other people affairs." Doc Greene remarked.

Jim rolled his eyes, "Somehow Doc, I don't think she is the enemy here. Excuse my friend here, his bark is only slightly worse than his bite."

Jade looked back at them before asking "I was hoping you would be able to help me get some answers as to why people are going missing and why there isn't more being done to help?"

"Whose gonna help?" Doc said with a sarcastic laugh, "Alllance don't care. Builders don't want these folk here! Morningstar? Bah! Don't get me started!"

Are you looking for someone Jade?" Did you come looking for a lost relative because although the Doc here is being very rude, "He shot the Doc a look, "He is right that the people here don't have many champions."

At the moment, the comm. of jade's belt activated, "Jade, listen here. We got company watchin' us with a very intentful eye that I don't imagine is keen on seein' if we're the type they want t' invite t' a local ball. I'm not keen on you runnin' off on yer own niether, so why don'tcha come on over to the noodle house and we'll talk 'bout what you were set on. Dohn la ma?"

(ASSUMING Jade will follow the Captain's orders)

"Would either of you know where this noodle house would be?" Jade asks.

Doc Greene shakes his head."Fancy end of town," he says pointing, "On the edge of the cliff so you can get a grand view of all the graves. Mei Long's Fine Dining for all the upper class and crusty Wangbada in the valley."

"Language Doc!" The Reverend said admonishingly. "Pleasure to have met you Jade. I hope you find the answers you are looking for ..."

The Preacher trails off as his eyes watch over Jade's shoulder. Turning around, Jade see six large men walking it the Heights, all dressed in the overalls and plaid shirts that denotes Trade Guild workers. The men duffel bags with them and they appear to be handing out sandwiches and bottles of drinks to the people here. Doc Greene pulls his shotgun off his back and says, "Looks like you are well named, cause you brought a Storm of trouble with you."

Jim gives the Doc another look, "that didn't even make sense Doc."

"Damn it Jim, I'm a doctor not a writer."

Day 1, Mei Long's Fine Dining, 7:00 PM PT
You reach the Noodle house called "Mei Long's Fine Dining" and see that it is a large restaurant that caters to the wealthier of Serenity View visitors. It is elaborately decorated with Chinese themes and proudly advertizes its five star rating. It has a large dining area as well as many private rooms for reservation. When you walk in, the smells of spices and noodles simmering fill your noses. The first area you enter is a place to for coat and gun check. The weapons check is an automated carousel that operated on a key card issued and a thumb print scan. Once checked, you move to the waiting area. It is very crowded with many groups waiting for their tables. You overhear one person being told that it will be a two hour wait without a reservation. But before Wyatt or Asher can decide to leave this lavish chaos of upper class, a lady approaches you and says with a broad smile, "Capt Wyatt Sung and Guests? Your table is ready. Right this way. Have you ever been to Mei Long's before?"

(assuming polite chitchat with server)

She leads you to a corridor which is where the private rooms are separated from the main dining room. She leads you to a doorway and opens it for you, gesturing and bowing politely so you may enter. Inside is a large round table, seating available for eight with only one person sitting there. It is a lady of oriental heritage dressed in a fancy Alliance uniform with a blue jacket draped over her shoulders. Behind are two female alliance guards standing at attention. They carry sidearms but they are in holsters and covered.

She stands as you enter and bows in a formal polite manner. "Good day. You must be Captain Wyat t Sung, Asher Talhone and of course, Willow Takahara. You bring great honour to myself by accepting my invitation so swiftly. I am Colonel Sally Wu, commander of the alliance outpost here on Serenity Views. "

(assuming a "invitation?")

"Yes. I sent you an invitation to join me tonight in honour of your fallen comrade and the exemplary work you did on LV-426. Many would have run, but you stood your ground for others. That is worthy of ..."

A blonde woman opened the door to the room slightly and put her head in to find the Colonel. She nodded to Sally and Sally nodded back. "Right. We are free to talk. Please sit and join me for dinner. We have much to discuss, starting with what your business is with Virgil Morningstar?"

Day 1, Rocinante, 7:00 PM PT
"Wolf here headed for the noodle house.....Ahhh where is it?"

Having yet to walk into the town proper the mechanic had no idea where it was, so the mechanic went back into Rocinante and found Ma. Between the two of them they looked up the noodle house on the cortex and the fastest directions for Wolf to get there. Ma decides to stay behind as expected, not much into the public eye and wanting to make sure someone was watching the ship. Noting the five star rating, Ma does insist that Wolf put on a clean shirt and pants before leaving.

As soon as Wolf leaves, Ma goes to the cockpit to grab here knitting. There she notices the communication monitor is flashing. Someone had left a message. She flipped it on to here an alliance colonel inviting Wyatt to the restaurant. Guess she found a way to send the message in person since that is where they were...


Colonel Sally Wu