Minato gained a child-like shimmer in his eyes when Gus showed interest in the lizard. He forgot for a moment that the man was a mark and joined in with Gus's excitement. Minato turned back toward where he came from with exaggerated expressions of excitement started pointing in the direction. "It was over there by that small cluster of rocks! It had a flat head with a brown body with these green spots all over it! The tail looked like it had the power to break a bone!" His excitement was halted when Earnest dropped Gus to the ground with the butt of his rifle. It didn't shock him but it did catch Minato off guard so he decided to play it off. Minato feigned shock with eyes the size of saucers and took a few steps behind Mylena and Jax. This happened built what he wanted them to believe about him.

Travis kept his eyes on the windows and door. The progress of his allies tying up and moving the downed bounties tracked with his peripheral vision. He saw no motion, nothing to indicate that anyone inside had become aware.

As Ernest and Gus got trussed up fine and proper Travis whispered out their progress back to Ruby Rose. "Two tied up. No alarm." It was too early to call in the 'Air Support'.

When the prisoners were secured he whispered again, just a bit louder to make sure all was clear. "Luke, any way in the back? Trio of Missionaries in the front, I'll follow after when you say."

Location:Ruby Rose

"Did you hear that?....what was it you was saying about trouble!"

Looking a bit concerned towards Miss Dizzy. Newt signalled a thumbs up,followed by pointing at his ear to indicate that he too was aware of the situation. His hands reaching out in a calm,trained manner towards the table, quickly loading the weapon that was moments before on display.

Once loaded, the sleek weapon was placed in the hands of Miss Dizzy with a more reassuring look and a wink. Quietly toggling on his Pilot's communications throat mic he spoke softly.
"Fox outside Henhouse,Hold One."

Mylena didn't waste any time, reaching into one of the deep pockets to remove some trusses, moving to make sure the prisoners were secured so Luke could get them back out of sight.  She didn't to take any more time than was necessary and possibly alert those inside.

Once the captured pair had been dealt with, she took position before the cabin door.  She shut out the chatter on the comm, calming her mind.  She had to trust Newt to be able to handle any trouble on the Ruby Rose, the same way he trusted her to handle business in the field.  She waited until Jax and Minato were ready and on the porch behind her. 

"So, do we knock or just head on in?"

Jax was surprised how quickly and rather easily they took out their first two marks. The bail jumpers were tied and tagged without nary a peep from the cabin. His head on a swivel Jax followed swiftly on Yee's heels up to the lodge's porch.

"So, do we knock or just head on in?" Mylena asked.

"I say we go in like nothing is wrong..." Jax paused to listen for a second then continued in a hushed tone. "Just step right in." When Minato joined them on the porch Jax volunteered to go first.

Taking the weapon from Newt she instantly cocked it readying herself for whatever was outside the ship, giving Newt a slight nod to take the lead, while also picking up the homemade tazer from the table. She couldn't be sure it would be any use but at the same time it was better than nothing

"Okay...you take the lead"

"So, do we knock or just head on in?" Mylena asked.

"I say we go in like nothing is wrong..." Jax paused to listen for a second then continued in a hushed tone. "Just step right in." When Minato joined them on the porch Jax volunteered to go first.

Travis could hear them loud and clear, or 'five by five' as some of the old timers with their comms out in the bush of Hera used to say. It sounded to him they were thinking too much, he was pretty sure Jax and Mylena had the instinct to jibber jabber away if they just let themselves go. Minato, nervous as he might be at times, would make it seem more natural.

He gave a look around, all was quiet, "You first Jax, start talking about the two lads outside offering a hot cup of coffee inside before one of them went scampering after a lizard. Just like it happened. Don't wait long to start talking about the good lord Em. Nothing like getting one's soul saved to get a criminal to turn away. Say the secret word and Luke and I will come in from opposite sides."

Location:Ruby Rose

The mechanic suggested that he take the lead, and she was absolutely correct. He was the goram pilot and more or less this was his ship. He'd be dammed if some bounty hunter goji was going to try and take what he had struggled to get. Be dammed if they were going to take his happiness. Nope! Not today!

Sliding his own sidearm from the appendix holster he spoke with a whisper. "Okay Miss Dizzy,I need to get to the hatch and see if I can determine exactly what we're dealing with.  My first instinct is to fire up Rose and take our stowaway for a ride,seeing how well they can hang on. But of course that would draw attention we don't need. This is one of those times that being the little guy is going to come in handy."

[Trading Post]

Jax looked to Mylena as he pushed open the door...."Here goes nothing." Upon entering the dimly lit interior of the trading post Jax quickly scanned for the whereabouts of it's inhabitants. Speaking loudly as if to someone outside. "Thanks so much Gus we sure can go for some grub and joe.....watch your step Sister Margaret."

There was a long counter that ran along the back wall with doors at each end seemingly leading to rear store rooms. A variety of gear hug from the walls and the low ceiling rafter beams. The damp moldy environment of the jungle had the time to ferment inside giving the cabin a odd pungent odor.

Minato followed behind the group not seeing too much at the moment. As they entered the cabin, Minato's eyes wandered around looking trying to stay as vigilant as he could. The smell was an assault to his senses but he kept his discomfort to himself. Minato made sure to stay close to the group and waited for cue for what to do next.

Mylena stepped in after Jax, eyes blinking rapidly, trying to adjusting to the lighting in the damp and somewhat moldy smelling building.  Her head swung from one side to the the other, trying to get a quick bead on who all was in the building and where.  Her voice still held the tone of Sister Mary Margaret. "What nice gentleman.  I always say the good lord provides.  I dare say it feels nice to be in where it's a little cooler.  And the coffee Mr. Gus and Mr. Ernest mentioned, before going to find that lizard sounds lovely."  She stepped deeper inside, heading for the counter with mincing ladylike steps.

A deep slow breath. Nothing to do now but wait.

Chao looked around again, no movement from the barely seen unconscious forms of Gus and Ernest. He listened on the open comm as the door shut behind Minato.  If all went well they'd drop hints and such as to how many, where they were, how armed, and so forth. Whatever was most important. When 'lucky', 'tiger', or both was said Luke, Travis or both would come in selected door.

There was some luck involved, that was always the case. More so though was the inventiveness and clever wit of those within. Mylena and Jax had that natural sway about them, rolling with the punches, but Travis did not underestimate Minato. An awkward set to him would be best at putting anyone inside at ease. Hard bad folk liked to see that they made others uncomfortable. That putting them at ease was their best weapon.

Getting the drop on those inside by slipping in close. Better for his new friends, and given how Travis judged his new traveling company, probably much better for those bounties as well.

The Little Rex Inn and Trading Post

Jax and Mylena stepped beneath a pressed metal sign upon which red and white paint barely clung to what remained of the rust and bullet hole ridden surface and entered the establishment. A reinforced screen door creaked loudly as they stepped in. Minato stopped for a moment when the wire mesh inlay glitched out of focus for a moment, but the image soon reappeared. Outfitted in a style halfway between barroom and supply store at first glance, the ground floor of the building resembled a typical bar or cafe where the cobbled motif of bamboo construction reinforced by modern building materials continued. Stained chutes surrounded the bar, cut at a uniform angle and coming to dulled points where they met the brushed copper surface.

The bar itself wrapped around the length of two walls and partway along the third, where a few stools stood. Wrapping around the corner and covering two walls behind the bar, rows of metal shelving held aloft miscellaneous sundries and survival equipment. Exotic furs from Greenleaf's local wildlife suspended in the air at odd angles like hung tapestries, each with its own price tag. The heftiest cost purchased the tanned hide of something striped like a tiger, though what the vibrant midnight blue and electric velvet hairs might camouflage themselves against caused one to ponder. A refreshingly varied choice in libations showcased in a shelving rigging that hung from chains anchored to the roof, each level illuminated by the soft glow of multicolored LED strips. Cortex poker machines and fully immersive sensory nickelodeon helmets huddled together in a corner waiting to earn their keep along with the holo billiards table and virtual dartboard.

"Mornin'." The woman behind the bar didn't look up from where she rubbed a wire brush against a stubborn spot of tarnish as she greeted the travelers, but curled ringlets stuck out around her face beneath a weathered bonnet. "Y'all want coffee? I got a fresh kettle and some cups o'er there by the stairs. Washroom's 'round the corner, 'ya wanna freshen up. I'll be gettin' to breakfast soon as I get this gorram bar clean. Don't have any rooms at the moment. We're packed full. But supplies I can getcha, and I'll keep yer cups and yer bellies full while ya sit a spell." She then spit on the table, sprinkled a dash of Blue Sun's Barkeep's Buddy brand cleaner (noted by the gold, foil-wrapped cylinder and striking blue and silver logo in both English and Mandarin) and resumed scrubbing the bar.

Ruby Rose

*THWUMP-THWUMP*

Ruby Rose echoed once again with the sound of more unusually heavy feet landing on her roof. Arming themselves, Dizzy and Newt approached the outer maintenance hatch. Lifting the hatch carried less risk than opening the cargo hold to potential intruders, as well as keeping to Newt's thoughts on stealth and a smaller man's advantages. Newt signaled to Dizzy to ready herself before lifting the hatch. Squinting to focus, Newt saw nothing but the shadow of the vegetation broken through here and there by slivers of pale rose light. Newt drew in a breath, braving to raise the hatch just a bit more before a massive paw settled into view before him.

Keeping still for a moment, Newt saw in the halo of light emerging from Ruby's interior around the open hatch stripes of blue and purple covering a thick, muscled limb before melting to silver fluff around the pads of a feline foot. Outside that halo of yellow-white light it seemed as if the limb were attached to the absence of light itself. A wide snout dipped into view and took two sniffs. From the silver fur on the paw slid sharp, black claws as a deep, primal, growl grumbled in the pit of some creature's throat.

Outside the Little Rex

Outside, all seemed quiet to Luke and Travis until a voice bellowed from an open window on the floor above. "Six rooms and one common water closet! Whoever heard of such an arrangement? And you know that mammoth, brutish thug has been in there for twenty minutes!" The agitated gentleman's frustration carried through the air into the encroached upon tree line's verdant canopy. "Some hideaway we've found here. I find these accommodations unbearable and the company undesirable! You're quite sure there's nothing you can do to move up the rendezvous?"

"Nothing and less, nor will I insult our benefactors' favor by pressing the issue." Said a calm, reassuring voice in a distinct, Core Posh accent. "Thirty-eight hours. I suggest you focus on finding something to occupy your time, as Belinda has kept herself busy."

The first voice scoffed before speaking. "I find I have little taste for the manner in which Belinda passes her time as of late."

A still silence hung in the air for a moment, broken only by the fall of sturdy boot heels that finally dropped to a stop. "That's no fault against you. I find so few of us do."

"Okay...what you see Newt"

Dizzy says in a hushed yet urgent tone not wanting to draw any attention to them as her grip on her weapon tightened as she attempted to compose herself not knowing what was currently on the hull of the ship while this supposed easy job was quickly unravelling.

LOCATION:INTERIOR RUBY ROSE

Newt froze immediately, his blood turning to slush as the glowing eyes continued to track his movements. Taking a deep breath he leapt from the ladder rung,grabbing onto the circular bulk head with all his weight, slamming the hatch shut!
"Dizzy! Dizzy! There's a gorham monster on the roof. A monster I tell ya! Big as a dam life boat! Glowing eyes,teeth like switchblades,that growl! What in hell lives out here!?

He was still hanging onto the bulk head as his fearful rant came to it's end,causing him to become a bit self conscious.
"Dizzy I think I'm okay now,no worries just had to get it out of my system. I am however going to need some help getting down."

Mylena made her way towards the woman, hands folded piously before her, warm smile on her face.  "Coffee would be lovely and a chance to wash up. I do love enjoying the splendor of our creator but the cool air in here is a blessing."  She stopped at the coffee pot and selected a mug for herself, then looked to Jax and Minato.  "Would you gentleman like some coffee?" She poured for them if indicated, looking around the establishment, taking in the other patrons if there are any.

The furs caught her attention and she glided over to check out the 'tiger' hide, one delicate hand gently touching fur.  The dreamy expression lingered a long moment until she drew her hand away.  She looked at the price tag briefly before turning to address the woman again.  "Are you sure no one will be leaving soon? I'd dearly love to let a couple of rooms."

"Y'all want coffee? I got a fresh kettle and some cups o'er there by the stairs. Washroom's 'round the corner, 'ya wanna freshen up. I'll be gettin' to breakfast soon as I get this gorram bar clean. Don't have any rooms at the moment. We're packed full. But supplies I can getcha, and I'll keep yer cups and yer bellies full while ya sit a spell."


"Coffee would be tremendous!" Jax blurted out enthusiastically. He followed Yee gladly accepting a mug of the hot  brew, even in the warm moist air there still was a hint of steam rising above the rim of the clay vessel. Jax took a cautious sip..."That's not bad!" He yelped back toward the innkeeper. He then paused before his next daring sip as he tried to decipher an inscription etched into the side of the mug, it was some sort of Chinese but a collection of unrecognizable characters.

Carefully Jax mounted a stool at the bar all the while savoring his portion of coffee. Glancing down the counter to the innkeeper..."So what is today's breakfast special? ....if I might be so bold."

Outside in front of the Little Rex Inn

Travis let those inside get settled, he didn't want to distract them while they chatted up the locals. From the voices coming from the second floor it seemed safe to make an educated guess based on the information they had on the bounties.

Two voices, male and referring to Belinda and a behemoth - which he figured to be DaZheng.

He fingered his comm when there seemed to be a break in the first floor conversation. "Quinn and Townshend talking in forward second floor room. Da Zheng in the one toilet, Belinda Bates unaccounted." Travis didn't quite figured the comments made unless it was a bit of jealously that the Bates woman had been shacking with someone else?

"Confirm with two clicks if you have eyes on anyone.
One click if all clear."

"Luke? Any other doors around back?"

Ruby Rose

The heavy feet of the huge feline continued to be heard. Newt hung from the bulkhead, near certain he could feel the feet of the 'monster' padding about until they stopped. Or maybe it was his heart beating.

Everything seemed secure to floor or wall, nothing immediate to help Dizzy get some height to help Newt. After a half a minute she found a half step ladder mounted on a wall that would help her get to Newt.

---

The Little Rex Inn and Trading Post

Luke replied that there was a door, locked but nothing he couldn't smash through if need be.

"Be tomorrow before I got anything opened up." The barmaid replied to Mylena.
To JAX and Minato, who stood close by him, "Eggs 'n Bacon. Though it ain't gonna be chicken 'r pig. That a problem for you I can pour something outa a can and nuke it."

Mylena found a small short hallway, at the end was what had to be the back exterior door, and which Luke was on the other side.
There were stairs by the door that went up.
Another door along the hall was closed. And then opened.

Out came Da Zheng. He was still hitching up his britches and buckling his belt. He stopped when he saw Mylena. A little confusion on his face, then he smiled cocky, took his time fixing his pants.
"Where you come from little rabbit?"

"Oh, excuse me..." Mylena looked down shyly, bowing her head respectfully. "I'm Sister Mary Margaret, I'm on a pilgrimage. The barmaid had said I might freshen up back this way?"  Her tone was polite but questioning.  "Are you coming to have breakfast with us in a moment? Oh, how rude of me, I forgot to ask your name." She was pretty sure this was DaZheng based on the image and description they'd gotten earlier but better to confirm if she could.  If so, her plan was to take him out quick and quiet like.