With a shrug Jason turned back to the Captain, “Jon, did you want me to check into these guys? I figure we have about six hours till they could possibly intercept us out here and that gives me plenty of time to check into a few things,” Jason shrugged his shoulders bouncing himself off the bulkhead, “Did you want me to check in with Decimus and inform him of our current plight and see about getting some ground support for the delivery or would you rather I leave the Baron in the dark on this one?” Jason asked as he crossed the bridge to the Com station, “It’s up to you Cap’n, I just work here.”

“Jason you’re the silver tongued devil of this crew when it comes to talking information out of social circles so go for it. It might not be a bad idea to compliment the Baron on his choice wine being so popular that we were offered to sell it before we got there. If he asks let him know some local named Chung must have thought he could improve his status by delivering the cargo. That should send alarms yet keep us looking innocent. I figure the Feds will be monitoring the waves so try to do it with straight face. Do your best spin. Having your Captain looking Chwen is not always a bad thing. Better they should under estimate us.”

Jon seemed to sense that Jason wasn’t that pleased with his actions, but he could live with that. Jason never had to live with sight of the dead eyes of those that paid the price for his decisions; Jon cannot get away from it. There is always risk, but the reward needs to be worth it. That just wasn’t worth risking this crew.

Jon clicked off the wave abruptly, “Tess, Jio Weh Sung Chiuh. Let's just get the hell out of here! Show these locals how this lady can dance. Save the big burn for a surprise.”

“Aye Capt’n” Tess responded immediately, “We’re dancing pretty hot as it is, but let’s see if I can’t coax the beat up a notch.” She reached up and readjusted the goggles placed over her eyes, and prepared Destiny for a little bit of reckless speed.

Oh sure, Jon had given those goggles to Tess for a laugh, but the devil do take her if they didn’t save her pretty little eyes. Saved her life, far as she's concerned. Not long after Jon gave her those do-dads, Tess was tasked out to take a small unit behind enemy lines on Athens. Independants had ahold of a short range shuttlecraft that Tess and a handy browncoat mechanic by the name of Shims had jerry rigged for quick flight. That shuttle had lost so much weight that they doubted she’d break atmo, but damned if it wasn’t fast planetside.

Wasn’t rightly sure what those men were gonna be doing, but she knew she had to get them in and out quick and quiet. She managed the first bit, but whatever those boys had done caused such a ruckus that she barely got airborne before they started shootin' at her.

Now the Alliance had all sorts of fancy weapons at their disposal, and they started shootin' at that small carrier with anti aircraft missiles and the like. Tess started puttin' that little unit through barrel rolls, pitchbacks, and all sorts of gao gun loop-de-loos to try and keep from gittin’ shot down. Thing was, by trimmin' all that weight off of the shuttle, they was trimmin' off a helluva lot of armor to boot. One of those missiles caught that shuttle upside the window, and plexiglas exploded inside the cockpit. Thing about plexiglass is that it don’t break up into nice chunks like glass does. What it do is shatter into itty bitty pieces that may not plumb kill you, but it does do a tian fuhn di fu number to the human hide when you is cruisin' at near burn speeds.

Whole darn thing would have crashed then, had Tess not been wearing those gorram goggles. She had taken such a humor to ‘em that she started wearing ‘em on missions. Told the others she was just tryin’ to keep the bugs outta her eyes. Well if it ain’t the gorram truth. She made it back to base with those men in tow. Her face was bloodied up plenty. Took the Doc on near two hours to pick all the small pieces out of her skin. Pretty sure there’s still some left somewhere in there. He figures those specs saved her eyes. She figures they were the only thing standin' between livin’, and a fiery explosion resultin' in her and six other men’s death. Hasn’t been a time since where Tess went without wearin' them goggles while she was flyin'.

---

OOC: Tess will be actively at the console until we reach our destination making darn sure that fecal matter stays away from the rotary oscillator. As far as flying is concerned, anyway. That, and making sure Destiny doesn’t hit anything since she’s asking to go a *little* bit faster.

Destiny Bridge, Day Two of Journey 1:10pm ST
Looking coolly as he could Jon said,” Wuo Jai Jeong Yi Chi. (Let me repeat myself ) We have a contract and we plan to honor it. Have a good day Mr. Chung.” With that said Jon clicked off the wave abruptly, “Tess, Jio Weh Sung Chiuh. Let's just get the hell out of here! Show these locals how this lady can dance. Save the big burn for a surprise.”

“Aye Capt’n” Tess responded immediately, “We’re dancing pretty hot as it is, but let’s see if I can’t coax the beat up a notch.” She reached up and readjusted the goggles placed over her eyes, and prepared Destiny for a little bit of reckless speed.

“Did you want me to check in with Decimus and inform him of our current plight and see about getting some ground support for the delivery or would you rather I leave the Baron in the dark on this one?” Jason asked as he crossed the bridge to the Com station, “It’s up to you Cap’n, I just work here.” Jason sat down at his console bringing it to life with a few quick gestures that spoke of long practice with the equipment and started checking the local times of his informants figuring out who to call first.

“Jason you’re the silver tongued devil of this crew when it comes to talking information out of social circles so go for it. It might not be a bad idea to compliment the Baron on his choice wine being so popular that we were offered to sell it before we got there. If he asks let him know some local named Chung must have thought he could improve his status by delivering the cargo. That should send alarms yet keep us looking innocent. I figure the Feds will be monitoring the waves so try to do it with straight face. Do your best spin. Having your Captain looking Chwen is not always a bad thing. Better they should under estimate us.”

As Tess moved the throttle up, the engines purred like a kitten but grace suddenly cocked her head and moved out of the bridge mumbling something about the left rear manifold was about to go and having work to do. The finest of sound could set Grace off towards the engine room or into the ducts and air shafts of the ship.

The wave did not hail again and there was no sign of attack or danger so Tess kept course as The Captain and Jason discussed who to call and why. With grace and Ken now gone from the bridge, she didn;t feel so closed in as before. Only so many people could fit up here.

Tess completed the sweep she was doing and the "destination" that Mr. Cheng had given helped her.Destiny was a great ship but it's sensors were only so good but Tess found the Arrowhead's pulse beacon signal and was able to find coordinates. Tzu Mieh was its name and it was hiding by the asteroid they mentioned and it is moving to intercept. However it didn't wasn't moving fast enough to be concerned , like it was waiting for something or perhaps had a technical problem. She could even make out the ship though the glass of the bridge window as Destiny passed by the asteroid.

Suddenly there was a flash of light so bright and the Arrowhead was gone. No sound in space robbed the brilliant explosion of its drama but in a instant the ship was destroyed.

Tess gripped the controls desperately, knowing what would happen next but unable to stop it. She barely had enough time to scream "Brace for Impact!!" into the comm. The shockwave from the blast rode out across the black, slamming into Destiny and threw it across the black like a leaf in the wind. Luckily no other ships were close by to risk further impact or collision.

Jon and Jason were tossed to the floor of the bridge. The electrical system shut down and the engine when offline immediately from the strain. The sound of things hitting the floor and glass breaking can be heard throughout the ship.

You are adrift in the black.

Arrowhead Courier Tzw Mieh Bridge, Day Two of Journey 1:00pm ST
Wang Cheng turned and looked at the man in the distance behind him. The huge man with the battle armour and the automatic weapon in his hand pointed directly at Wang's head. "We did what you asked for, and they have refused. Do you wish me to hail them again Agnat?"

The man smiled, "No. I believe our business is done here. Just let me get to my ship and you can be on your way. I have learned all I need to know. Wish I knew what type of ship that was though, it is gonna bug me now. I want you to move to follow them, as if you are interested but don't try to catch them."

"If you wish us to." Wang signed to his pilot to do as Agnat said, "And our payment?" Wang asked carefully, still eyeing the weapon carefully.

The armoured man picked up the case beside him and flipped it open in a practiced flourish on the counter. Inside were stacks upon stacks of alliance credits, bundled neatly. "As I said. Sorry about the gun but I had to know you wouldn't try any funny business. Now gentlemen. I bid you farewell." and with that he stepped backwards out of the bridge and up the ladder to the airlock where his one man ship was coupled. He slipped inside the and shut the door and released the airlock. His ship immediately lifted off the hull of the arrowhead and drifted away as it moved around the asteroid. He spun the ship around and moved in the opposite direction. Great thing about this single man ship he had, it could do an incredibly fast clip on short range. Just as he was far enough around for the moon to protect him, he pressed the button on his wrist band and laughed at fools would don't check the cases that money is carried in. By the time he swung around, the black ship would be dead in the black and easy pickings.

OOC: Positions
Tess, Jon and Jason are on floor in the Bridge
Ken is on floor is Rec room #2
Grace is knocked down in the Engine Room #15
Dr. Stephanie is on floor in Infirmary #20
Some of you will receive PM's with additional info.

Ken had just left the bridge only moments ago and was headed towards the ladder going down to the deck with his quarters when he paused when he thought he heard or felt something; just then Tess’s voice yelled over the comm.

"Brace for Impact!!"

The deck under him heaved and even though he had braced himself against the bulkhead when Tess had warmed them he was still tossed to the deck when the hit came. The power went out and Ken quickly scrambled to his feet in the dark and felt until he found the wall.

“We’re under attack! Ready to repel boarders!” He yelled to echo through the hallway, “Where the hell are the emergency lights?” He yelled as he moved carefully along the hallway towards the location of the ladder down.

He had assumed that the Arrowhead had somehow attacked them, could it be armed? Possible but unlikely, but something had hit them. Maybe they had company, another ship standing by in case their trap to lure them to the moon didn’t work. In any case, the next step of an attack would be to board the ship and well this was his area of expertise.

Feeling with hands and feet he still almost tumbled down the ladder when he found it. Once oriented he slide down the ladder to the next deck which seemed to come up sooner than he remembered when you couldn’t really see it. He knew the layout of the ship and found the starboard side of the passage and moved along that wall counting the doors. He found the passage next to his quarters and continued past till he reached his quarters.

Opening his door he grabbed his AR/S-2a Assault rifle where he had left next to the door way. He already had his pistols in their usual place strapped to his body; he never went anywhere without them.

(This rifle doesn’t have a flashlight attachment does it? Just hoping. Ok, thinking the emergency lights should come on about this time. Considering it would take several minutes for him to move down one deck and to his room and grab his rifle. If not, I will edit again to compensate)

Properly armed, and able to see some, He went over to the Hover bay and checked it out; this was one of the possible access points of the ship. If he saw nothing suspicious, he hurried back to the stairwell and yelled so anyone on the other decks should be able to hear him in the suddenly silent ship.

‘I’m headed to the main airlock, someone watch the Hover Bay in case they latch on there.”

That said he slid down the stairs again, his rifle slung across this chest. Hitting the deck he moved towards the cargo area and then heard movement in the Infirmary.
“Steph,” he peeked in on her, if she was mobile he continued, “You ok? If so, get up the ladder or get down and out of sight. We might have company soon.”

Ken took up a defensible position behind the wine cases which he was sure they wouldn’t want to damage if this was their true target in attacking.

Making sure the Assault rifle and shotgun below were properly charged he stood ready behind cover his gun trained on the airlock. His ears were listening for any signs of the noise that should come from anyone latching on anywhere to the hull.

Looking out through the main bridge window Jon saw the glint of light that must have been the courier ship that had hailed them. It was moving slowly but didn’t appear to be trying to intercept them.

Suddenly there was a flash of light so bright it reflected off the asteroid and then the Arrowhead was gone. No sound in space robbed the brilliant explosion of its drama but in an instant the ship was destroyed.

“Ta Ma Duh,” Jon blurted as the flash lit that small spot of the Black. Turning to his crew he could see Tess’s eye bulging wide behind her flight goggles. Tess gripped the controls desperately, she barely had enough time to scream "Brace for Impact!!" into the comm.

The shockwave from the blast rode out across the black, slamming into Destiny and threw it across the black like a leaf in the wind. The shock wave tossed Jon toward the floor; he saw Jason lose his balance. Before they could hit the deck a blackness enveloped them. The familiar sounds of Destiny’s throbbing mechanics were gone; only the sound of objects crashing on the deck broke the silence.

The knot in Jon’s stomach just twisted tighter, he’d been through this darkness before………….

Light Knorr Class Battle Transport “Hazard” April 2511
A small converted transport move agilely through the black. A young goggled pilot maneuvered the craft past asteroids and space debris. The small band of raiders were on a desperate mission. The team was lead by a young Captain that had pulled off some daring raids with the help of the fancy flying of the female pilot now at the helm.
The war was not going well for the Independents and a major campaign was being planned on Hera. Secret plans had been placed into action to harass the Alliance so that troops and units would be diverted and kept away from Hera. Captain Jon Brown had drawn a raid on Osiris.

The inner core plant was the home of the Alliance’s legal system, but more important the Blue Sun company was setting up major offices there. The hope was that if the Independents could just get there and create a disturbance then Big Money would demand protection and their favorite son General Richard Wilkens would be called back. The big money would demand that the Judicial System be protected, of course Blue Sun would also benefit. At least that was the plan.

Independents intel got weaker the closer to the core planets but the hope was staying to some of the relatively standard shipping routes in a common Knorr class ship they could slip in. Daring or reckless it was still their mission.

So Tess kept the “Hazard” to the outer edge of lane where she had room to maneuver. Their hopes were running high as they were only a few hours from Osiris. The asteroid belt was thinning so the patrol boats and Interceptors had fewer places to hide.

“Tess, keep a close eye on those sensors we don’t want to meet up with anything this close.” Tess gave him her, well I’d never have thought of that look. “Will do Captain, but there does seem to be more small stuff floating around out there.”

As if on cue as they were passing a small moon and there was flash off the portside. The blast wasn’t enough to damage the boat but every system winked out. The Knorr class boats were so reliable that they only had third class engineer on board. Jon could hear the panic in his voice as he said, “nothing is working, …..this doesn’t happen, ….nothing is working!” As the man flipped switches Jon could see an Alliance Cruisers coast out from behind the small moon.

The Cruiser crept forward and from it emerged a dozen fighters that streaked across the gap of space to form a deadly ring around the Hazard. The lead boat moved in and made a loud clanking sound as it latched on to the docking bay. Within seconds the lights can back on followed by a voice over the intercom.

“This is Captain Lazarus Chen of the Alliance Cruiser Apollo. You have been disabled by an Elector Magnetic Pulse mine, an unmanned drone has been attached to your docking port and is now supplying power to your systems... and control to us. The Captain of your vessel will acknowledge this transmission and please have all occupants of your craft enter the drone. You are under arrest by the order of the Alliance for violating secured space. If you fail to acknowledge this transmission or refuse to enter the drone you and your craft will be destroyed. You have thirty seconds to reply. Thank you.”
Jon could feel himself going pale as he realized the lives of crew and the raiders were now in his hands. Their mission had failed and to resist would not change the course of the war. These people had families that they may be able to return to some day.

Taking the transmitter Jon looked at Tess, “Forgive me!” Then he keyed the transmission, “This Jon Brown, Captain of the Hazard. We will comply.”

With that the air lock on the docking bay activated and the door to drone slide open. Jon then key the ships comm, “Please remove all weapons and file into the drone. I’m sorry I failed you but maybe I can save you.“

Turning to Tess Jon hung his head, “I sorry!”

With that Jon lead his crew off the bridge to the drone……………………...



Through the dark of Destiny's bridge Jon shouted, “Tess, it’s an EMP, we’re open to boarding. Find any hand lights you can and listen for something trying to latch on. There was something more than just that Arrowhead out there. The earn boy didn’t succeed so that’s the price of failure. This was too High Tech for the Tong, more likely we got a Marauder out there. This trap ain’t closed yet.”

Through the dark Jon makes out Kens voice, ‘I’m headed to the main airlock, someone watch the Hover Bay in case they latch on there.”
“Good idea,.. Jason can you grab a weapon and cover the Hover Bay? Tess can you stay here and be ready for when power comes back on, you need to hold the bridge. Maybe our Lady will add her blessing to us, if anyone can see in the dark it’ll be her.”

Jon and Jason felt their way out the bridge, Jon made his to his quarters across the rec area to find Maria. Even in the dark Jon knew his room like the back of his hand. In no time he had Maria straped to his leg and he grabbed a couple of flash bangs for good measure. Leaving his room he enter to ship to listen for any strange sounds.

Agnat swung his ship around towards his target. He couldn't destroy the ship, and he couldn't even damage it too much either. He needed to find the item and he didn't know where the crew would stash it so he knew what to do. The EMP he hid in the explosion would knock out any security. Then he would just attach to the cargo bay, override the airlock and flush the atmo out of the ship. really easy.

He scanned the ship as he approached. The scanners showed the engines as offline, and electrical dead. He moved in closer when suddenly his scanners blipped and the sensor sweep started to light up.

"What in the gorram hell?" Agnat said aloud and he wasn't one for talking to himself. That ship either had the best damn engineer in the verse or the twitchiest. There was no way unless they took the time to wrap every essential system with ... nah...no one would do that would they?

Agnat drew back his dhip and moved to plan B. If they got power then they would be waiting for him. that was fine, he liked a good fight. But damned if he was going to walk in the front door.

Kenny crouched down behind the crates and covered the main lock in the cargo bay; he turned his attention to the overhead and listened. It was quiet, too quiet.

He began to think that if they someone was planning to surprise them they were losing their opportunity.

“Damn, I don’t like this.” He mumbled, this was taking too long.

(OOC: Has power been restored? Just wondering if we notice what it is that the unknown assailant is noticing? If so I would like to know and post to it if possible. Also sorry for the lameness of my post. My time is currently short and I am not getting a lot of time to write.)

“Brace for impact!”

The bridge of Destiny was flooded with light before the shockwave hit her. Tess gripped desperately to the console as the ship was tossed about in the black. The lights flickered and died. Grunts and thuds indicated that Jason and Jon were thrown to the floor, along with the tell tale sound of the pilot’s tea set shattering somewhere in front of her. Bangs echoed throughout the hallways, and then all was silent.

Silent? What the devil? Tess cast about to figure out why it bothered her so much. More than the fact that you’re on the floor and can’t see a gorram thing? a sarcastic voice responded silently in her mind.

“The engines!” Tess said into the quiet. She had grown accustom to the constant hum of the ship, and it was eerie not to hear the continuous clanking and whirring. The pilot pulled herself back into her chair and stared at her lifeless console.

“We’re under attack!” Ken’s shout came booming through the hallways, “Ready to repel boarders! Where the hell are the emergency lights?”

Jon shouted, “Tess, it’s an EMP, we’re open to boarding. Find any hand lights you can and listen for something trying to latch on. There was something more than just that Arrowhead out there. The earn boy didn’t succeed so that’s the price of failure. This was too High Tech for the Tong, more likely we got a Marauder out there. This trap ain’t closed yet.”

“Jon,” Tess replied calmly, pushing her goggles onto her forehead, “I’m right here. Just cause I can’t see don’t mean my gorram ears don’t work.” She thought back to the last time she had piloted a ship that had been tagged by an electromagnetic pulse, and smirked into the gloom, “If I didn’t know no better, Capt’n, I’d say you were my EMP good luck charm. Lights’ll be on soon, have faith in Grace.”

‘I’m headed to the main airlock, someone watch the Hover Bay in case they latch on there,” echoed Ken’s voice .

“Good idea. Jason can you grab a weapon and cover the Hover Bay? Tess can you stay here and be ready for when power comes back on, you need to hold the bridge. Maybe our Lady will add her blessing to us, if anyone can see in the dark it’ll be her.”

“I ain’t armed, Capt’n, ‘cept for my little pen knife here,” she replied, indicating the large blade at her side, “Don’t you go a-worrying though. I ain’t gonna leave Destiny’s main while we’re in this state. Make sure I don’t have to slice no one’s throat, will ya Jon? I’d hate to see your chair get all nastyfied.” Her hand unlocked the strap as she spoke, and Tess nonchalantly pulled her knife out.

“Watch your cabooses,” she said as the other two groped their way out into the ship.

Grace had barely gotten into the engine room when the comm. blared out "Brace yourself!" Grace had time to blink before the everything went crazy. The ground lurched under her feet and Grace fell onto her back. Then to her annoyance (but she was expecting it) the lights went off and the engines went dead. Great, a explosion and an EMP blast.

Grace got up as soon as the ground was not moving but already she could hear Ken and Jon yelling.
“We’re under attack!” Ken’s shout came “Ready to repel boarders! Where the hell are the emergency lights?”

Jon shouted, “Tess, it’s an EMP, we’re open to boarding. Find any hand lights you can and listen for something trying to latch on. There was something more than just that Arrowhead out there. The earn boy didn’t succeed so that’s the price of failure. This was too High Tech for the Tong, more likely we got a Marauder out there. This trap ain’t closed yet.”

More than wishing that she had infrared goggles, Grace felt around for the door, as soon as she found it, she leaned out and called "The back-up is okay! The emergency lights and power will be on in five minutes!"

"I’m headed to the main airlock, someone watch the Hover Bay in case they latch on there,” echoed Ken’s voice .

“Good idea. Jason can you grab a weapon and cover the Hover Bay? Tess can you stay here and be ready for when power comes back on, you need to hold the bridge. Maybe our Lady will add her blessing to us, if anyone can see in the dark it’ll be her.” came Jon voice

Not knowing if they heard her or not, Grace looked for her workbench knowing that there was stuff there that she needed. She found it easily. She grabbed her small snap-light and the butterfly knife. She slipped the knife into her pocket and clicked on her snap-light. The light was dim but it was better than nothing. Grace knew that a gun would have been better but that was in her room and emergency power or not, she need to fix the engine. As she started, Grace remember how everyone had thought she was being paranoid when she was wrapping the essential systems in electrical tape.

"It is not being paranoid, it is being prepared. Always expect the unexpected."

(OOC. If Stephanie comes in, Grace will wave her away and say something like "You should go hide" or "Ken, Jason and Captain are on guard duty in the cargo bay.")

“Brace for impact!” Tess shouted over the comm.

Moments later the bridge of Destiny was flooded with light before the shockwave hit. Jason didn’t even have time to blink as the ship rocked in the wake of the explosion. He felt himself being thrown out of his seat and could only think irritably Ta Ma Duh!! Why in the Ai Yah Tien Ah did this have to happen when I was so close to finding an answer?!?! and the he and the deck met, rather violently. His lights blinked in and out a couple of times before he could shake it off.
He stood carefully and heard Tess speak quietly into the darkness, ““The engines!”
Jason realized that the constant vibration of the engines had gone from the deck plating under his feet. He started to move cautiously toward the hatch and heard Ken’s shouting come up from bellow deck.


“We’re under attack! Ready to repel boarders! Where the hell are the emergency lights?”

Jon shouted, “Tess, it’s an EMP, we’re open to boarding. Find any hand lights you can and listen for something trying to latch on. There was something more than just that Arrowhead out there. The errand boy didn’t succeed so that’s the price of failure. This was too High Tech for the Tong, more likely we got a Marauder out there. This trap ain’t closed yet.”

“Jon,” Tess replied calmly, “I’m right here. Just cause I can’t see don’t mean my gorram ears don’t work. If I didn’t know no better, Capt’n, I’d say you were my EMP good luck charm. Lights’ll be on soon, have faith in Grace.”

‘I’m headed to the main airlock, someone watch the Hover Bay in case they latch on there,” Ken’s voice echoed up the hall.

“Good idea. Jason can you grab a weapon and cover the Hover Bay? Tess can you stay here and be ready for when power comes back on, you need to hold the bridge. Maybe our Lady will add her blessing to us, if anyone can see in the dark it’ll be her.”

“I ain’t armed, Capt’n, ‘cept for my little pen knife here,” she replied, “Don’t you go a-worrying though. I ain’t gonna leave Destiny’s main while we’re in this state. Make sure I don’t have to slice no one’s throat, will ya Jon? I’d hate to see your chair get all nastyfied.” Jason heard her unlocked the strap on her blade and the sound of steal clearing leather as she spoke.

“Watch your cabooses,” she said as Jason groped his way off the bridge.
“Roger that Capt’n,” Jason replied to Jon as he stumbled out into the hallway, “Don’t you go worrin’ about us Tess, we’ll make sure to keep your lady in one piece.”

Jason stumbled down the dark hallway groping for the familiar path that would lead him to his quarters and his weapon stash. He moved as quickly as he dared through the blacked-out ship careening through the ship. “Way to go Chwen,” Jason thought darkly to himself, “This is what you get for not carrying your pistols on ship.” Then he shrugged and smirked thinking, “Then again, it’s not like we want to be putting holes in our boat.” Jason chuckled at that thought until he collided bodily with the wall.
“Wong Ba Duhn!” Jason shouted into the black, “I’m fine. I just slammed into a wall. Nothin hurt but my pride.”
”Atleast I know where I am,” He thought, “Even if I did have to find out with my face…When are those damn lights gonna come on?” He continued moving down the corridor reaching his room within minutes. He stepped into his quarters and grabbed his harness off the wall. He stopped mid-motion and smiled a nasty smile as something dawned on him.
”How Shi Sung Chung,” he murmured quietly in to his dark room, “My door just happens open into the hallway that’s the only way in or out of the hover bay,” The grin widened as he slipped out one of his pistols and knelt behind the door, “I can’t wait to meet’em!”

So it was that the Bounty Hunter entered the ship named Destiny via the Shuttle, while the EMP had taken out the electrical systems. Jason was killed by him quickly and then Ken attempted to take him out but was killed as well. This determined foe was looking for that Companion’s med card and didn’t care how he got it. Jon attempted to engage him but Tess and Stephanie pulled him away as it was suicide to face the well armed and armoured man. Jon resisted, trying to save the ship and crew but in the end, Stephanie had to hit him with a hypo-spray to knock him out.

Grace got the med Card and lead the Bounty Hunter on a chase throughout the ship. The mechanic knew ever crawl-way, nook, and air-duct in the ship and had to slow herself down to keep him flowing her. He did follow the young lady, never realizing that she was drawing him into a trap. Grace waited for Tess, Stephanie and Jon to escape in the shuttle. They would have held there waiting for Grace in the shuttle but Grace has rigged a remote lift off sequence and launched them to safety (She thought that she might need that someday). Leading the assassin to the engine room, Grace confronted the villain, before jumping to the safety of her rooms below and she blew up the claymore mines that she had rigged into the walls of the engine room (she figured she might need that one day).

Watching from the shuttle, the three remaining crew saw the Ship lurch and vent plasma. The comm. roared with the explosion and went dead. The three remaining crew thought that Grace died in the fiery explosion, and with heavy hearts continued on their way to be picked later by a passing freighter.

Left in the ship alone, Grace surveyed the damage to realize that the engine was not as bad off as she feared. She would need to do a lot of work for sure but it was salvageable. She was pondering towing it with the Bounty hunters’ small interceptor ship when the Feds you met on Greenleaf found Destiny adrift. Sanders showed up with his crew and boarded Destiny. Grace, who is not gifted in negotiations, offered the wine and diamond to the Feds in exchange for immunity for the crew and Destiny towed to Berylix. At first the Feds refused, but Grace had rigged a 102 key sequence on the main hatch so that the Feds could not leave without the codes (Because she thought they might need it someday). Threatening her by force didn't work as she pointed out that the engine room wasn't the only place that she expected boarders (where she get all these mines is a question best not asked). They couldn’t take the ship because the engines were dead and the Interceptor was no good to them.

So in the end Destiny got towed, the Feds got their bad guys, the diamonds were recovered and Grace was left on Berylix with a useless ship. The feds left her there, thinking that they’d hear from her soon, willing to re-negotiate.

Grace actually took some of the diamonds from the hoard (Not like Sander’s counted them or knew how many were there to begin with) and sold them via her black market contacts. She sold the location coordinates of the Interceptor ship too. Destiny’s engines were not nearly damaged as she let on, and was able to make the repairs in less than a year with some upgrades even. As for the Med card, she made contact with the companion guild who was very interested and Higgin's was made to understand what messing with the companion guild meant. However, (just because Grace prefers to follow through herself) Higgin’s was also made to understand that someone had downloaded the data-file off the Bounty Hunter’s computer with detail accounts of who paid for whom to be whacked. She put all that data in a courier-pack and it would be sent to the Feds if she didn’t stay healthy.

The boring stuff over, Grace got down to fixing the engines. It was a difficult process as many parts have to be retooled.

Jon, Stephanie and Tess spend several days in the shuttle before you were found and brought home. Jon and Stephanie have discovered each others love and are exploring that now. It will probably take a year before Jon feels the need to fly and Destiny is spaceworthy again, but the time will come.

Stephanie must have had secret funds or there were still plenty of folks that owed her their life and were only too glad to help out when she called. Not long after they had been picked up adrift in space they were relaxing in a private Villa. The staff all seemed to know her or was at least instructed to treat her as the Lady of House. They always addressed her first with a respectful “Doctor Stephanie”, Jon would get a polite smile and a “Sir”. The time seemed pass too slowly; Jon kept replaying the events of final days of Destiny and a darkness would fill him.

Stephanie would do her best to ease his pain and their relationship grew deeper. After a couple weeks she slipped into his room. Without saying a word she dimmed the lights and slid out her silk kimono. With the skill of a surgeon she nestled up against Jon, her soft skin pressing warmly on his firm muscular torso. Reaching up she slow pulled his face to her and kissed him warm long and wetly. Their breathing started into a peaceful rhythm as hands and lips moved to explore the others body. They both could feel their bond strengthen and enjoyed the intimacy that could make the memories of the past blur at least for a while. The evening would repeat itself over the next few months, but neither would say the “words”.

Tess went off to join the crew of the Rocinante, yet somehow in her heart she never gave up hope that Gracie was still alive and one day she'd hear from her. Until then, there were bills to pay.


Next: A package couriered ....

At first, Grace worked alone on Destiny, rather enjoying the fact that the verse thought she was dead. The only person she trusted with the knowledge was Tess who was like a sister to Grace. She had found work on a Firefly named Rocinante and Grace had done enough research into the crew to know that her sister was in good hands. Sent her some care packages of goodies she found in the shipyard junk of Beylix as well, couldn’t hurt to help them out.

Grace was actually relaxing in the cargo bay of Destiny, reading a book and drinking one her very few caffeinated sodas, when three people approach the loading ramp of Destiny, a young woman with a clipboard and two men carrying a trunk stacked with a couple of boxes on top. All three were dressed in workman’s coveralls and ballcaps bearing the logo of a courier company.

The woman moved with great energy and greeted Grace with a wide smile. Grace’s response was to give all three a cold and suspicious look. Very few people knew Grace was even alive, let alone on this planet, who would be sending her anything? Knowing they wouldn’t leave until she had signed for the package, she got up with an annoyed huff and gave the woman a nod of acknowledgement.

“Hello.” greeted Grace

“Ni hao! How are you today? Are you Grace Lin? Package here from a…..” she peered at the clipboard,” Matthew Tain.”

Grace’s demeanor immediately changed. Surprise lit up her face before she practically snatched the clipboard from the unimportant (or at least in Grace’s mind) woman. She started flipping through all the papers, looking for a return address or some clue where the package had come from, (she knew that Matthew was far too careful for that but even the best could slip up). She barely even noticed the woman’s voice.

“You must need this stuff bad – same day service cost Mr. Tain a pretty penny,” the woman spoke cheerfully as she efficiently pointed Grace to several places on the form to sign and initial, while simultaneously directing the men to set their burden down up against the hull where it wouldn’t be in the way. Grace didn’t find any hint or clue among the papers, much like she expected. With a disappointed sigh, she gave back the clipboard.

When Grace handed back the signed form and clipboard, the woman carefully verified that all the indicated spots has been signed before handing the clipboard over to one of the men. “That’s great, boys, have a great day….oh, and for your trouble…” and she handed them each a credit note, along with the cap from her head.

As the men left, the woman walked over to the trunk, moved the boxes aside and sat down with an air of patient waiting.

Grace was so lost in her thoughts she had not even noticed the woman’s presence. How did Matthew know where she was? Why would he have sent her a package? What was this package? Usually he sent coded messages to her, never packages… Questions still bouncing in her head, Grace started to head back to her engines, picking up her book and chugging down her soda in two gulps. That when she heard the woman start to get up and follow her. With a touch of annoyance, Grace said

“Why are you still here? You already delivered your package. Now you better go run back before you lose your job|”

“Oh! I’m sorry – it probably wasn’t clear on the manifest. I’m one of the packages.” the woman replied. Grace stared at the woman, than at the boxes then back at the woman again.

“Pardon?” asked Grace

“I’m one of the packages.” the woman repeated

“I didn’t mean repeat what you… you know what? Can I see that clipboard again?” asked Grace

Here, this’ll explain ya,” the woman replied, rummaging into the battered messenger bag slung across her body and pulling a tiny data disk from a nearly invisible tear in the bag’s lining.

Grace took the disk before racing to where her room was (her speed was mostly in a vague hope that the strange couldn’t follow her or at least, put distance between the two so Grace could read the file without the woman reading over her shoulder.) Once she had located her cortex box, Grace put the disc in and began to read the contents after two or three virus scans.


Grace,

Please forgive me for doing this, but I needed to send Angela to someone I trust. The rumours that were going around about dollhouses? Playthings for government hacks and people they wanted to influence or get intel on? It’s worse than anyone ever imagined. The dolls are people trained in covert ops, combat, whatever was needed and given false backgrounds imprinted into their memories so that they could infiltrate any organization. Looks like some were even trained assassins. Something was wrong with them, though – all the imprinting and wiping the memories afterwards caused the dolls to lose their memories as soon as they fall asleep – making a deep cover impossible.

It wasn’t the Companions Guild making noise that shut them down – a couple of failed missions were covered up, and the Alliance decided to pull the plug. Permanently.

Angela’s the only one we were able to rescue before the building collapsed, and I need you to keep her safe, and keep her hidden. We think her escape hasn’t been noticed and we need to keep it that way until we are ready to blow this wide open.

We weren’t able to hack the records in the dollhouse, so what I’m sharing is what we’ve figured out since getting her out. She has no personal memories at all – not even her name so I’ve been calling her Angela Ryan – my parents’ names, ha!). She can read and write and do most things for herself, but if you ask her how she learned, or who taught her, you’ll just get a blank look.

She knows a whole lot about weapons, and she’s stronger and faster than she looks – broke a guy’s arm when he startled her while she was waking up. That’s when we gave her a notebook to write stuff down – and she reads it as soon as she wakes because until that point, it’s all a clean slate. She’s sweet, and will do whatever she’s asked to, which can be it’s own problem. If she’s been told to do something, she’ll keep trying until you tell her to stop or it gets done. When she asks, what can I do for you today, be very careful what you ask for!

We’ve found some commands that seem to have been permanently imprinted – so learn these and use carefully:

“Your big assignment is” – this is a compelling phrase – she HAS to do what you then tell her to do

“Class has begun” - if you need her to remember a complex set of instructions or teach her something she doesn’t already know

“School’s out” – this will stop her dead in her tracks and put her to sleep. She’ll drop, so use with caution.

I know this is a big favour, but it’s getting too hard to keep moving her when she needs that time to wake up and get herself sorted. Let her get to know you, and she could be a help to you and your ship – we are still finding out new things she knows (without knowing she knows them, if you get me). I’m also sending some equipment for her, and some goodies for the ship as a thank you.

Grace re-read the message several time and then swore for awhile like a space trucker. She couldn’t deal with this herself. Not something of this magnitude.

It was time to call the Captain.

A Private Villa on one of Core Planets...
Stephanie must have had secret funds or there were still plenty of folks that owed her their life and were only too glad to help out when she called. Not long after they had been picked up adrift in space they were relaxing in a private Villa. The staff all seemed to know her or was at least instructed to treat her as the Lady of House. They always addressed her first with a respectful “Doctor Stephanie”, Jon would get a polite smile and a “Sir”. The time seemed pass too slowly; Jon kept replaying the events of final days of Destiny and a darkness would fill him.

Stephanie would do her best to ease his pain and their relationship grew deeper. After a couple weeks she slipped into his room. Without saying a word she dimmed the lights and slid out her silk kimono. With the skill of a surgeon she nestled up against Jon, her soft skin pressing warmly on his firm muscular torso. Reaching up she slow pulled his face to her and kissed him warm long and wetly. Their breathing started into a peaceful rhythm as hands and lips moved to explore the others body. They both could feel their bond strengthen and enjoyed the intimacy that could make the memories of the past blur at least for a while. The evening would repeat itself over the next few months, but neither would say the “words”.

One evening a private courier brought a communiqué. The courier stood in the Foyer, the Major Domo had sent for Jon, “There is a messenger here and insists on delivering his communiqué in person.”

Jon approached the uniformed messenger, “I’m Jon Brown, how can I help you?” The man took out a receipt pad, “Sir, may I see some form of identification please?” Puzzled, Jon reached into his pocket and found the pilots license he still carried. The courier swiped to card through his reader and when it chimed and showed a green light he passed the card back to Jon. From his attaché he took an envelope and handed it Jon, pausing brief with his hand out as Jon took the envelope. Jon stared at the return name on the paper; he could feel himself go pale. The Courier cleared his throat and Jon look up. ‘Oh.. yes…sorry” , he stammered as he smiled and then absently handed the man a ten credit note. “Thank you, Sir” breathed the courier and he hurried away.

It was addressed to Captain Jonathan Brown, Commander of the Destiny.

The return was “Grace Lin, Senior Engineer, Private Freighter Destiny.”

Tearing open the envelope he found a formal printer invitation.

You are cordially Invited to the Beylix Space Recycling Port for the “Second” christening of the Whitefire Class Space Freighter “Destiny”.

Grace Li

P.S., Get your bottom here as quick as you can, the Lady in the mist misses you.
Clutching the invitation Jon ran out into gardens where Stephanie was tending her roses.

“Steph….. Pack quick…Grace saved Destiny…we gotta go to Beylix Recycling port."
Stephanie looked up from her flowers, she could see the life return to Jon’s eyes and she realized that she had want to put that glow there. A graceful smile crossed her face and she knew she couldn’t let him out of her life. Destiny was a love she would never replace. Better to have part of him than none of him.

Stephanie pulled a few more strings and in few days they were standing in the Beylix Space Recycling Port, the elegant lines of the exotic looking boats glistened the light.

Grace stood at the top of the gangway as Jon step forward, ”Permission to come aboard?”

Grace clicked her heels and snapped a salute. “Captain on board,” she chirped, doing her best to keep from laughing out loud.

Jon threw his arms around the engineer, “Oh Gorram girl I thought you were dead.” Tears welled up in his eyes as he held Grace in a massive hug. Lifting her off her feet he spun her several times. Before Grace could catch her breath Jon planted a huge kiss squarely on her mouth. Grace’s eyes went wide as she gasped. Jon broke the kiss, held her shoulders and he shook as he laughed, then hugged her again.

Stephanie sighed deeply as she watched. Jon had not shown this much emotion since the incident. The loss of Grace and Destiny had crippled Jon’s spirit. Guilt had haunted him. She wasn’t sure if Jon remembered how she and Tess had to sedate him to keep him from rushing to certain death in an attempt to rescue Grace. That had hung over her like a sword on thread; Lord help her but she loved the man and she knew she’d do it again to save him.

Jon released Grace and started to head down the passage to the bridge. It was then he noticed to the smiling dark haired girl standing quietly off to the side. Tilting her head slightly she spoke cheerfully, ”Hello Captain Jonathan Brown … Welcome to the Destiny, how may I help you?”

Grace sprinted up before Jon could open his mouth, “Angela.. how abour we let the Captain settle in before we making assignments, just relax for a while.” The girl smile and nodded then walked to the crew rec room. Grace held up her hand to stop Jon from speaking. When the girl had left the area she turned to Jon, “She’s why I sent you the message… I didn’t know how to handle this.” A puzzle look crossed Jon’s face and as he started to speak she continued, “Wait…. I have something to show you and Dr. Stephanie.” Grace took them a reader and showed them the message on the disc.

Stephanie insisted on examining Angela while Grace and Jon spent some time getting caught up on all things that had happened since they were parted. She spend a long time examining the new crewmember and the more she found out, the more she worried. Stephanie walked out of the infirmary and towards where Jon and Grace were standing by, “First off, I have to thank you Grace for the additional equipment you installed for the infirmary. I probably don’t want to know where you got them anymore than I want to know where you found our new friend.”

Grace smiled and shrugged, “What about Angela? What did you find?”

The Doctor sighed heavily and then said, “She is ...an anomaly. Her metabolism is running twice as fast as a normal person. She probably will eat a fair amount of food to keep herself going. All her internal systems; circulation, nervous, digestion, etc etc are all modified for a lack of a better word. “

“Modified how?” Jon asked.

“To be better. Better than human really. Better, stronger, faster - it is unlike anything I have seen before. I drew some blood and she healed over the needle track in seconds. Her DNA is so complex that I would guess that she was not born from a mother but probably grown in a lab. I cannot say how old she is because her system is running so fast it is almost regenerating.

Jon blew out a breath that he didn’t realize he was holding. Grace seemed satisfied, “So she is a government experiment!”

“Well, yes.” Stephanie said with a slight smile, “But if you accuse everyone you meet of being a government experiment, you are bound to be right eventually. But for all that she has been made physically better, her brain is an absolute nightmare. It has been operated on numerous times, and well, it is beyond my scope of expertise. By the Buddha, she has a very small access port in the back of her head so she can be connected to ... I don’t know ... something. So what now Captain? I can confirm that she does not have any tracking chips or signalling devices on her. But I doubt whoever created her will just sit back and let her disappear.”

“She has been helpful to me.” Grace said, “If you give her instructions she can follow them well and she doesn’t mind doing routine or repetitive tasks. She doesn’t like to sleep though, tries to stay awake so that she can remember things. Drinks a lot of caffeine and sugar.”

Jon smiled at Grace’s unsubtle plea. “Relax Gracie, I am not about to put her out on her own.”


Jon had worked things out with Stephanie and Grace so he wouldn’t give Angela an order by mistake. Angela had a notebook she read every morning when she woke up and Stephanie had he do a video feed to watch of herself explaining what was going on. It wasn’t prefect and sometimes a completely different personality took hold of her for an hour or two, but overall, it was becoming manageable.

Time seemed to drag and money was low. Tess was still out of contact although Grace was sure that she was abroad another ship and would join up when she could. Luckily, Angela seemed to have no problem flying Destiny or they would not be doing the jobs they were getting. A few months passed with them working this way but Jon was only too aware that besides himself and Angela, who’s memory could lead to challenges, they had no real strong arm to keep the rift-raft at bay.

With Destiny flight worthy Jon started posting in the port for freight runs. The only things they could seem to get were the ones no else wanted. If it smelled they must have delivered it. Jon was hoping not to gain a reputation as a garbage scow. Destiny may be a bit smaller than some freighter but she faster than nearly all of them. All they needed was chance to prove it again, but a year or more out of the game put you back down with all the other new players.

Grace had return from the daily check of the posting board she found a message on the cortex that had been addressed to Captain Jonathan Brown of the Transport “Hazard”. Only those that had served with him would have known that. She got Jon and showed him the message. Jon hoped that no one had been around the note when it was sent, he really didn’t want his past to be too well known. Opening the message it was from one the troopers that had been him and Tess on several of actions, Jeremiah Christian Kane; better known as JC. What was said didn’t sound like the same man he’d fought beside. JC was asking for a handout and that told Jon the man was desperate.

“Grace…. Can you get a location this guy?”

Grace took the note, “You sure you want to find this guy, doesn’t sound too positive to me?”

“Grace you of all people know I don’t leave………I don’t “willingly” leave one of mine behind. Now just find a location and I am gonna bringing him back here.”


Jon walked the back alleys of Beylix seedy side looking for a friend. He had received a message from a man he knew during the war and he sounded very down and out. Grace had been able to pick up a location based on the signal but only to the point of a area. Still, Jon wasn’t about to leave a man behind – not now or ever.

After about an hour of searching, Jon found his friend in behind the trash containers and refuse of a bar that “dive” would have been a compliment. There was Jeremiah Christian Kane. He was sprawled out on the ground looking worse for wear. Jon reached over to grab his old comrade’s arm and was shocked when he grabbed metal instead. JC’s left arm was gone, and replaced with a metal arm that looked unwieldy. JC muttered something about money and pills as Jon rolled him over. “Damn it JC! What the gorram hell happened to you?”

Jon looked around for something he could use to get his friend up and moving. As he did he became aware of the presence of other in the alley. They moved out of the shadows silently as only the Tong could do – six of them. Jon knew they were there for JC, he just felt it in his bones. He moved his hand to his sidearm but knew there was no way he could drop all six before they got him.

“Gentlemen!” A feminine voice called out of the dark,” This will not do. Please vacate this area immediately or I will be forced to remove you.” Jon was only slightly surprised to see Angela step out into the alley between him and the Tong.

“Little lady. You best move on before you get hurt.” the Tong leader replied with a dismissive laugh. He moved forward menacingly towards Angela, planning to grab her and pushing her to the ground. But she moved slightly to his right and took a couple of steps like in a dance – then drove the heel of her hand upwards into the man’s nose. As he reeled back, she grabbed his head and snapped his neck as if it was nothing. As his body dropped, she pulled the guns from the dead man’s holster and opened fire on the other Tong.

Jon drew his gun as well but was caught in awe by the fluid movement of Angela. She dropped two more tong and then dropped the pistols to run up and twist herself over the trash bin and land on top of another Tong. She carelessly snapped his neck with her knees as she tumbled on the ground with two more stolen handguns at ready. She empties the guns into the three remaining Tong before they could even draw their own weapons.

Angela dropped the guns on the ground and turned to Jon, “Area is secure Sir. Orders?”

Jon looked to the Tong and back at Angela and gulped. “Ummm... Give me a hand with this man. We need to get him back to the ship.” He stood in the alley a bit stunned, but he knew they had to get out of there and back to Destiny as quickly as they could. Angela stepped over and effortlessly lifted the groggy form from the alley pavement. It looked a bit odd seeing the pretty young girl hauling the husky man down the street so Jon slipped under JC’s other arm.

“Sir, I can handle him myself.” Angela stated flatly.

“Yes, I know.” replied Jon,”But I don’t want to draw any more attention to us then we have too.”

They wound their way back to Destiny and into the cargo bay. Sliding out from under JC’s arm Jon spoke to Angela, “Take him to the Medical Bay, please Angela, I’ll get Dr. Stephanie to come check him out.”

Stepping to the comm. Jon call Steph, ”Doc, We have a patient for you in the medical bay, be ready for some surprises.” Then Jon made his way to Engineering, he knew the ship’s mechanic had seemed to develop a special bond with Angela even if she needed to renew it daily.

“Grace…. You gave Angela a big assignment to protect me didn’t you?”

Grace looked up trying to keep her expression blank, even innocent like, “Whaaat….?”

Jon walked over andpatted her on the head…”Good call.”


JC woke up in what looked to him like an infirmary, on a ship. Pieces of memories flooded back to him as he remembered calling Jon Brown but he wasn’t expecting this kind of help. He just wanted enough money to make the pain go away – permanently. As he moved to look around, the pain from the infernal fake arm came flooding back into him, though not nearly as bad as before.

“You are awake. Try to relax, you have been out for awhile.” A feminine voice said calmly. JC saw a woman who he thought he recognized but couldn’t remember where.

“Who are you? Where am I?” JC asked.

The dark haired woman with brownish skin smiled faintly as if he had made a joke. “Who am I? Good question. Call me Angela. Angela Ryan. You’re onboard a mid-bulk transport called Destiny, captained by Jonathan Brown. Are you in pain?”

JC shifted his weight on the bed and tried to prop himself up but his arm overreached and shot out across his body and toward Angela, but she easily caught the arm in mid swing. “Quite the reach you have with this. My reflexes are getting a workout.”

“Sorry. I can’t control it well. And yeah I am in pain but not as bad as before.”

“Well no wonder you can’t, considering how this was made. Grace says you have a faulty turbo and the parts are mismatched. Doctor Stephanie says whoever did this to you wired your nervous system as if they were planning to do more. You are lucky.”

“I don’t feel too gorram lucky.” JC said loudly but then winced in pain and fell back to the bed.

Angela pulled a cord out from within his sheets and placed a control in his hand with a button on it. “If the pain gets too intense, press this. It will give you a dose of painkiller – I don’t know what but probably an opium synth. It won’t let you overdose so don’t bother.” She said plainly, “I know pain. I know it like an old friend, one of the few I do know. People did things to my head that made me wish it could explode and take the pain away. I also know in my bones that I’ve been injured and taken time to heal, long days and nights of pain I thought would never end. But I held on to the pain as well, because as long as I felt it, I knew I was alive and I could outlast it. I would not let it beat me.” Angela stepped back and adjusted the sheets around JC. “I’m thinking to call you Tinman.”

“Come again?” JC asked.

“It’s a story from Earth that Was about a man who had all his limbs and body replaced by tin parts. He joined others on a quest to find a great wizard because the one part of him that was missing was his heart.”

“Oh yeah? What happened to him?”

She smiled and put her hand on his right shoulder.”Turned out he always had it, he just needed to be reminded that it was there all along. One of his companions was a scarecrow who needed a brain. That’s me. If I only had a brain...” Angela took her hand away and then clasped her fingers around the button and pressed it once for JC. “Try to get some sleep. Tomorrow will be a new day and maybe we can find the wizard together.”


The doctor watched the monitors as they read through JC’s vitals. Grace had his arm outstretched as she connected cables to parts of the arm and ran her own kind of diagnostics. Jon stood well back from the two ladies and his newly found old friend and listen to him tell the tale of how he got in the back alley.

“....and that was that. Now I got this freakish arm, I can’t control it properly and the pain has been intense. Sorry to draw you into my problems.” JC explained.

“Don’t worry about it.” Jon said firmly, “Getting into others troubles seems to be my natural state of being. I’m getting used to it actually.”

“What the Gorram hell?” Grace said loudly, “They put a medical firmware on a servo designed for a hydraulic walker! No wonder you can’t control this. I need to re-write the firmware from scratch and then re-calibrate it from the ground up. Even then, it will take you awhile to get use to it. Might be better off getting a new arm – I got some friends in the ....”

“No Grace.” Stephanie answered, “Whoever did this was a rank amateur at neural-surgery. They laid in so much circuitry and wiring that they must had planned to ‘enhance’ JC here even more.” her voice dripped contempt at the idea.

Grace was staring off into the distance as she sometimes did when she was hard at thought. “If I get could get the firmware for a newtech arm, and modify the code...” she muttered under her breath.

“I have to say Jon, you have a talent for finding the interesting ones. “ She smiled fondly at Jon, “A lab grown lady with no memory, a man with an artificial arm made from spare parts? What’s next? A Lovebot that has a heart of gold?” She then turned her attention to JC, “I can do something about the pain, make it more manageable and as the damage heals it will get better but ....there is only so much I can do. If we take the arm off, you will die. They have it so poorly hardwired into your central nervous system.”


One month later, Tess walked away from Rocinante and the crew after saying her farewells. It had been an intense short stint with the ship but they were good people and she was going to miss them. But he real home was Destiny and as she rounded the corner of the shipyard, she smiled to see it there, landing gear down and cargo bay open. Grace was there in an old patio chair, waiting for her.

“Mei-Mei!” They both exclaimed loudly and ran to each other to hug like sister long separated. Jon soon came out to join in the reunion.

“Welcome Back Tess. We have missed you. “ Jon said.

“Glad to be back.” Tess said happily, “We ready to fiy?”

“Whenever you are.” Grace answered, “But you need to meet the crew. We have some new people that will take ... some getting use to – but I think we will be a good fit together.”

Persephone, Eavesdown Docks, Destiny Common room, 1:00pm ST
For the last two months, the crew of Destiny had been trying to get back into the swing of things. Get a job, do the job, get paid for the job and repeat. That was the mantra. Everyone was getting a sense of each other now. Angela’s memory and JC’s arm were just another quirk of life on destiny along with Tess’s superstition, Grace’s immeasurable twitchiness and the not so secret relationship between the Captain and the Doctor.

The last job just stank, literally. They signed on to haul 40 tonnes of fertilizer to Persephone, only to find out that it was really fresh manure and it was not packed in containers. If it wasn’t for the money, the captain would have told them where to shove the manure but too many days without pay, sitting in port was eating the funds.

But the cargo left its mark and despite renting the power-wash from the docks three times, the smell was still lingering in the bay. Clients were now turning away before entering the ship and between dock fees, the power wash, keeping Angela fed and paying damages for JC’s misguided arm – things were getting lean again.

Grace however had good news, “I got us a job and with the way this guy works, we won’t have to worry about the smell scaring him off.”

Grace had a line on a local underworld boss by the name of Badger who was looking for a fast ship to ferry five passengers to a cruise ship for a big event. People had to be there on time, no delays. Badger was a criminal thug with delusions of grandeur but he had connects and ran jobs – a lot of jobs. A good run could make your reputation.

The meeting was set up for 6 pm that evening to discuss the job and payment, at the underground business office of Badger himself. Could things be finally turning your way?

Tess was overjoyed to get a message from Grace saying she was alive and that somehow she had saved Destiny as well. While she had come to like most of the crew aboard the Rocinante, it was not home to her. Destiny was home, the people aboard it were family and she had to go back to her home and family. She packed up her few belongings, making sure to bring along her ‘trinkets’ and said her goodbyes.
Captain Wyatt so reminded her of her Captain Jon; they both were strong individuals who inspired people to follow them and looked out for them.

Tess was going to miss Willow a lot; she liked hanging out with her and had learned a lot of makeup tips from her. Though Willow had tried to get her to change her hair, she made it clear it was off limits.

She would miss Ma the most; even though the woman didn’t talk, she took good care of the crew and was as much a Mother as Tess’s own mother had been. Ma was a good listener and Tess would sometimes talk to her for hours and never had to worry about a response.

Ash, the Kid, Tess had grown fond of the young man, she learned not to let his youthful appearance fool her; he was a very capable fighter and gunslinger that she would be proud of to have at her side in a firefight any day.

Wolf? She didn’t really get along with the mechanic that well; she guessed it was because he always seemed to be breaking her ship. He was no Grace that was for sure!

Tess didn’t really have much time to get to know John or Sifu so it was no loss there really even though she had found them to be pleasant companionship thus far.

Overall she was going to miss Rocinante; the ship was different than Destiny, all ships were different, but she preferred the one she was most familiar with so therefore she was going back to Destiny, her home.

One month later, she rounded the corner of the shipyard, she smiled to see it there, landing gear down and cargo bay open. Grace was there in an old patio chair, waiting for her.

“Mei-Mei!” They both exclaimed loudly and ran to each other to hug like sisters long separated. Jon soon came out to join in the reunion.

“Welcome Back Tess. We have missed you. “ Jon said.

“Glad to be back.” Tess said happily, “We ready to fly?”

“Whenever you are.” Grace answered, “But you need to meet the crew. We have some new people that will take ... some getting use to – but I think we will be a good fit together.”
Grace hadn’t been kidding about the new crew; she greeted Steph warmly and noticed that the Doc seemed to have a new glow about her. She suspected but it didn’t take long for her suspicions were confirmed; her and the Captain. Well it was about time.

The two new crew members were different; she remembered JC from the old days, but she didn’t remember him being like this the last time they had parted company. He definitely had seen better days; he seemed to be improving each day.

Angela was… strange. Grace had explained what she knew about her but it all seemed so strange and sad. Alliance experiments? Tess wondered what of the real person was left inside. Most of the time Angela seemed ok, but once in a while she noticed little quirks. She sensed a dangerous person with a lot of potential; she just hoped it could be controlled.

Tess had been a little put off with some of the changes that Grace had to make to get the ship back in operation; it wasn’t anything major just… different. She didn’t like different. Destiny was still Destiny but she had changed as well and it would take Tess awhile to get use to the changes. She was glad to get her back into the black and work out the ‘kinks’.

Her ‘trinkets’ back in their usual spots; she gently caressed the controls as if it were a lover she hadn’t seen in a long time. The thought brought back memories of Ken; he was gone, shot down while defending Destiny. She remembered the times they had been together; the times afterwards when he always tried to insinuate that she still wanted him. Well, maybe sometimes she had; they had some good times together but that had been all in the past. Now it was all gone, along with other members of the crew.

As she hit the switches to power up the engines she also activated the ship-wide comm; “Button ‘er up. We headed out into the black!”
As her panel went green, showing all exterior hatches and vents were sealed tight, she pulled back on the control yoke as she slowly increased the power and lifted her out of the shipyard and into the sky. Once clear of atmo, she set a course for their next destination, Beaumonde. The stink of the tonnes of tzao gao in their hold drifted up even to the cockpit. She set the best possible course and speed, without going to full burn, so they could get this ‘cargo’ unloaded and off her precious Destiny as soon as possible.


Persephone, Eavesdown Docks, Destiny Common room, 1:00pm ST
They were all gathered in the Common area, Grace said she had good news, “I got us a job and with the way this guy works, we won’t have to worry about the smell scaring him off.”

Grace had a line on a local underworld boss by the name of Badger who was looking for a fast ship to ferry five passengers to a cruise ship for a big event. People had to be there on time, no delays. Badger was a criminal thug with delusions of grandeur but he had connects and ran jobs – a lot of jobs. A good run could make your reputation.

The meeting was set up for 6 pm that evening to discuss the job and payment, at the underground business office of Badger himself. Could things be finally turning your way?
Somehow Tess doubted it; Badger? The name didn’t ring a bell but then underworld bosses were not her specialty. She wasn’t the face person; she guessed they didn’t have one really anymore.

“What do you know of this “Badger’?” Tess asked Grace.

“Underworld Bosses aren’t the most trustworthy and besides his name doesn’t really instill a lot of trust,” she finished with a faint chuckle.