S2E6.2 - Hunter or Hunted

[Monty]

[GALLEY]

Leroy was itching to get a better look at Ronin's systems, but then again his stomach was rumbling somewhat from hunger. Full belly can't hurt none... he mused on the way to the galley. Upon entering the chicken soup aroma caught his attention straight away and without a second thought he was filling a bowl before he knew it. With his free hand he managed a piece of bread and a beer, taking a seat at the table.... "Smells and looks great....thanks Cap'n!"

[Alyssa Garnet]

When the Captain's announcement about dinner came, Alyssa suggested to Abe that they go and join the crew. They'd talked over Abe's conditionand Alyssa had given her something for the nausea so that she could enjoy some real food. It was important to Alyssa to join the crew for this first meal so that she could get to know everybody, and it was important for Abe to get some real food too. Hopefully with the medication she would be able to enjoy it.

First though, Alyssa went in search of Tarantino. She didn't like having had to leave him alone. Once she found him, she would suggest they go to the galley and join the crew for dinner.

[Fey]

Helena had helped out Vega best she could.  Things had been locked up tight and there weren't any real issues with the wolves. She and Vega still hadn't talked much but they would eventually.  Heading back to her bunk, Helena put her rifle away, when a noise came from her belly and nodded, agreeing it was a good idea to get some food. 

She walked up to the galley where other members of the crew had congregated. It looks like food had already been prepared, along with beer. She smiled a bit, half wishing it was whiskey, but it was a drink nonetheless.  Helena grabbed her food and beer, she took a seat across from Monty.

"So you keep this place running eh?" She hated small talk, but really what else was there to ask?

[Tarintino Quin]

When Alyssa found Tarintino he was still in the cargo bay having finished unpackking the monster about five minutes ago and was still trying to figure out what to do about the food announcement he had heard ... It was true that the boy was hungry but at the same time he wasn't 100% sure he wanted to sit at a table with a bunch of other people. What if they wanted to talk to him? What if they wanted him to do stuff for them? He couldn't handle that kind of pressure! Or could he?! He wasn't sure! He had spent the last five minutes trying to figure out exactly just how hungry he actually was when Alyssa finds him.

He looks over to her and smiles a little as he sees her ... Maybe, if she was there he could go get some food, they'd want to talk to her instead of him afterall! "How was that lady?" Tarintino asks as he sees her, wondering if the woman had died or not.

[Alyssa Garnet]

Cargo Bay

Alyssa found Tarantino in the cargo bay. She wasn't surprised to find him there, obviously struggling to decide if he should move from the last place he'd been given a specific direction to be.

She smiled kindly as she made her way down the stairway. He was such a sweet boy.

"Tarantino," she greeted him softly, knowing how easily he got spooked she was always making the effort to approach him without frightening him. "I missed you," she said sweetly, though her meaning behind it was bland.

As for the 'lady', Alyssa grinned slightly at Tarantino's concern. "She's fine," she assured him. "Nothing for you to worry about, I promise."

She was eager to join the crew for dinner but more so, she wanted to check how Tarantino was handling the adjustment.

"So, how are you doing?" she asked him.

[Abenette Kelker]

Abe's stomach growled loudly as she stepped into the Galley and nearly moaned at the delicious smell of soup and warm bread.  She had heard voices as she approached but the delicious aroma of the food being served was what got her attention at that moment.  She was starving.  So far she noticed that some of the folks on board were assembling:  Kuei, Velocity, and a couple of others she didn't know.  She didn't see Ian, but she wasn't ready to talk yet.

"I'm Abe.  Gunhand by trade.  Welcome all ya new folks," she said as she dished up some soup and grabbed some bread.  Her eyes fluttered as she took her first bite.  It was wonderful. 

Victoria indeed knew how to cook.

"Sorry 'bout the drama earlier.  Been under the weather.  Got dehydrated and passed out," she explained with a shrug.  "Doc fixed me up good.  Just starvin' now."

She pinned Kuei with a stare.

"Was just a bug.  Picked it up before the crash.  Just lingered and I didn't realize how bad it got.  Not communicable so no one has ta worry 'bout catchin' it."

Then she took another bite that was heavenly. 

She just hoped that little pill worked and this meal stayed down.

[Lin Kuei]

"Velocity, you've at least earned yourself a meal and a bed for the night. Keep helping us and I'm sure I can find a place for you here." Lin continued to dole out the soup until all had some then made sure he got a bowl for himself. He merely nodded at Abe as she spoke. There was no point in bringing it up.

When the kettle whistled, Lin fixed himself some tea. "Eat up, folks. We got some discussing to do but eat first, business afterward." Lin quickly proceeded to shovel the soup into his mouth only to pause as the fresh noodles, chunks of chicken, celery, carrots, and broth slowly held in his mouth and poured out flavor. There were many reasons to miss Victoria and her cooking was just one of them. He slowed down how fast he was eating the bowl of soup and resolved to savor it as much as he could.

[Monty]

Helena grabbed her food and beer, she took a seat across from Monty."So you keep this place running eh?" She hated small talk, but really what else was there to ask?

Monty looked up from his soup... "Well that's the plan anyway." He offered smiling with a few drops of soup hanging on his chin. Their talk then interrupted by the female gunhand.

"I'm Abe.  Gunhand by trade.  Welcome all ya new folks," she said as she dished up some soup and grabbed some bread.  Her eyes fluttered as she took her first bite.  It was wonderful. 

"Sorry 'bout the drama earlier.  Been under the weather.  Got dehydrated and passed out," she explained with a shrug.  "Doc fixed me up good.  Just starvin' now."

The Captain encouraged everyone to eat up and then we'd all get down to business. Monty offered a nod of his head in acknowledgement to both before continuing. "So there seems to be a large crew on this here boat." Monty said for no particular reason, just an observation. "So what do you bring to the party Miss Cain?"

[Tarintino Quin]

He smiles a little as she tells him he misses her, able to view her comment as pure and kind even if he knew it wasn't and nothing was capable of being those things.

"Thanks" He said before looking up in the direction he had seen the others go "Did you want to go get food?" He asks before frowning as she answers his question about the girl being alive "Oh ... That's a shame" He says, as if he's dissapointed to hear that she was alive.

He wasn't entirerly sure how to answer how he was doing ... He was not doing fine, he was never doing fine. Everything was awfull and nothing had any redeeming features. "I'm good" He says, trying his best to put on a smile.

[Alyssa Garnet]

Cargo Bay

Alyssa was taken aback by Tarantino's comment that it was a shame that Abe hadn't died. Her confusion and dismay was evident on her face. She perused his face for a long moment, trying to understand how he could say such a thing.

He said he was good. It wasn't convincing but there was little she could do if he wasn't talking. Her eyes narrowed at him in a compassionate way. He knew he didn't have to put up a front for her; at least she thought he knew that.

"Are you sure?" she asked.

[Fey]

"I'm Abe.  Gunhand by trade.  Welcome all ya new folks," she said as she dished up some soup and grabbed some bread.  Her eyes fluttered as she took her first bite.  It was wonderful. 


"Sorry 'bout the drama earlier.  Been under the weather.  Got dehydrated and passed out," she explained with a shrug.  "Doc fixed me up good.  Just starvin' now."

"Was just a bug.  Picked it up before the crash.  Just lingered and I didn't realize how bad it got.  Not communicable so no one has ta worry 'bout catchin' it."

Helena nodded towards the woman, dehydration was quite the reason. But she shrugged it off, the woman's ailment was her own business, and Helena had no reason to question her or worry about the situation.  She continued to eat as the captain instructed.

So there seems to be a large crew on this here boat." Monty said for no particular reason, just an observation. "So what do you bring to the party Miss Cain?"

Helena looked at Monty mid bite and smirked a bit. "Guns...and my charming personality." She just left it at that and continued to eat.  It was an intriguing crew, group of misfits for certain. But they brought an array of talents that could be helpful in one situation or another.

[McKayla Langster]

The computer specialist sat quietly as everyone else began engaging in conversation while eating. She didnt have much to add to the revelry, but listened carefully, trying to get a feel for each person.

"So what do you bring to the party Miss Cain"
"Guns...and my charming personality."

McKayla snorted, surprising even herself. The crew was  a hodge podge group for sure. Few newbies, as everyone knew someone on board. The sickly dude seemed to be the only one she was comfortable bit, which should worry her.
Wait? Where was the sickly dude? She glanced up and looked around the galley, not seeing him anywhere

"Has anyone seen the short young guy who looked like he needed a check up?"

[Natascha Santiago-Negron]

"Think he's still in the cargo bay," Nat said, plopping down near Monty and the other two, already slurping on the soup. Ah- ship soup. Nothing like it.

"Guy looks lost without his Doc friend- shelled off, that's for sure."

She smirked at Helena, swallowing her mouthful of soup, "Monty here's a hell of a gearhead- 'tween the two of us, we could probably build up a ship from scrap parts and wishes."

She twirled her soup spoon, "Now, what I'm interested in," and pointed it at McKayla, "Is what this chica here does. Well, aside from sass." she finished, with a wink.

[Velocity Grey-Lambert]

Galley

"I'm glad you're feeling better," Velocity said to Abe. She meant it but she sounded hesitant and the tone was a little forced. It didn't help that she didn't have Abe's name to invoke.

Lin said: "Velocity, you've at least earned yourself a meal and a bed for the night. Keep helping us and I'm sure I can find a place for you here."

Velocity's eyes widened for a moment as though she couldn't believe what she was hearing and then she smiled as it sank in and she realised that she would have food and somewhere to sleep for the night at least.

"Thank you, Captain." This time the genuineness of her statement was in no doubt.

She focused on taking the soup, bread and a mug of tea (with four sugars), working hard not to snatch and then not to spill her food or to bump anyone else. She was relieved when she managed to make it to a seat near her violin.

Monty said: "So what do you bring to the party Miss Cain?"

Helena said: "Guns...and my charming personality."

Another name for her book and even though food was very important she knew that recording the name, description and job was necessary to her being able to function if she was going to be allowed to stay. She retrieved her notebook from her pocket and wrote down the new information.

Nat said: "Monty here's a hell of a gearhead- 'tween the two of us, we could probably build up a ship from scrap parts and wishes."

Another person, another name, another occupation but still more was needed as Nat hadn't introduced herself to Velocity. She didn't know how she was going to keep it all straight, even with her notebook but she had to try and, although she didn't  like making herself the centre of attention, she knew she would have to make the first move.

"My..." Velocity started and then stopped, losing her courage. "You can do it, Velocity," Bonnie told her; it wasn't a stretch to believe her late wife was really speaking to her, Bonnie had always been the quiet voice of encouragement.

"My n-name is Velocity. I'm a pilot." She managed to complete her sentence this time.

[McKayla Langster]

She twirled her soup spoon, "Now, what I'm interested in," and pointed it at McKayla, "Is what this chica here does. Well, aside from sass." she finished, with a wink.

If there was one thing McKayla didnt mind talking about, it was her job. It was her one true love, now that her human one had proved her wrong.
"This chica is the person who is going to make sure this ships network and systems stay running." she took another sip of her soup. "Technical specialist would be my title i assume. I can rework and control anything from the heater to life support. I'm sure I'll come in handy someday" she said sarcastically.

She tilted her head at the woman who had spoken with her. "I can't remember what it was you said you did. Other than talk incessantly" she gave the wink back.

[Tarintino Quin]

He nods twice to confirm that he is indeed fine, following Alyssa as she headed off towards the galley!

As they enter the galley he would sheepishly follow behind Alyssa, accepting food if he is given any but otherwise just sitting down and minding keeping his head down. He would quickly glance over all of the other crew members as he struggles with the dilema of wether he should introduce himself or not ... It seemed like something he would have to do sooner or later but the idea of it also terrified him! What if he accidently offended them? What if he accidently made them feel like they where being challenged? What if they actually liked him and wanted to persue a friendship with him? what if he accidently landed himself in a socail obligation to interact with people on a regular basis? What if none of those things happened and they didn't talk to him? Did that mean they thought he was useless? Was he about to get kicked off of the ship for being dead weight?

He stares deeply into the edge of the table beneath him as if the answers to all his questions where there but written in tiny tiny writing he couldn't read.

[Alyssa Garnet]

"Hello everyone," Alyssa greeted the room brightly as they entered the galley. "I'm Alyssa, and this is Tarantino. Sorry we're late."

The people she already knew - Abe, the captain, Vega - got nods... and then... McKayla?!

Alyssa stood in shock for a moment, and then smiled wide.

"McKayla Langster, as I live and breathe! People keep saying this 'verse is tiny. How the heck are you, girl?"

Alyssa moved to McKayla, and went for a hug in greeting.

From there, Alyssa moved to the stove and served up a bowl of soup each for herself and for Tarantino. In her motion, she caught sight of Velocity jotting down in her notebook. With the intention of being helpful, Alyssa reintroduced herself quietly to Velocity.

"Alyssa Garnet, ship's doctor. And that was Tarantino Quin, general hand."

She gave the woman a small smile of encouragement before taking a seat.

[Natascha Santiago-Negron]

"Oh-ho-ho! She's got some teeth on her!" Nat grinned, wickedly, about to retort- before the hacker girl was swooped up by the doc's greeting. There's coincidence and then there's down right convenience.
"...Huh."
She blinked for a moment, brought out of her slight confusion with Velocity mentioning her name- ah, so she was gonna be rooming with the tall girl from earlier. Not bad. Nat made a half-salute at her.
"Natascha Maria Santiago de Negron- also a pilot, though I'm no slouch about mechanics either. Looks like we're gonna be getting to know each other pretty well, eh?" she said, smiling.

[Lin Kuei]

Lin slowly ate his bowl of soup and savored every bite. He listened more than talked as he knew they would have more than enough time for talking as things went on. The crew was getting to know each or get reacquainted which was important. Lin focused more on the food than anything right now.

His thoughts turned to what Victoria might have said if she were still in the kitchen. Probably planning the next several meals and making sure everyone had what they needed. He smiled quietly to himself and finished off the rest of his meal. Taking a few sips of his tea, he smiled at the crew interactions before standing. Heading to the sink, he drained the rest of the tea cup and then washed both briefly before setting them up in the cupboard to dry. "There is still enough soup for two bowls. Anyone who wants to finish it up welcome. Last bowl taken cleans the pot though."

Lin smiled as he started moving toward the stairwell. "Take the time to enjoy the food. I'll be in Ops so we can have that meeting whenever everyone is finished." Exiting the galley, he made his way downstairs to his room. Using the sink, he scrubbed his face a bit and dried it off. Victoria's hairsticks were resting on their preferred perch. Lin took a brief moment to lift and smell them then set them back down.

Padding quietly through the ship, Lin stepped into Ops and began running a systems check on the comms then the Cortex connections. It did not take too long but the power fluctuation was tenuous. Climbing forward into the combat, he turned on the exterior forward lights only so they would remain somewhat concealed in the hiding place. Out the port said view, he could see the antennaes we all in good shape but they would still need to be checked in the daylight to make sure they were not too loose. No point in trying to check them while in the Black or have them break off midflight.

He switched off the external lights and went aft to Ops. Activating the three dimensional modeler, Lin ran through all of the buildings they had already used it for and the data was safe. Hopefully, they had no losses there and the nanites were still working. There had been no EMP for them to worry thankfully.

He shut down the modeler and leaned back up against the bulkhead as he started to formulate a plan. Lin knew where some of Nikola's remaining strongholds were. She was weaker than she had ever been. Ronin had started out as the thorn in her paw and was about to become the wolf chasing the chicken. It could only be so easy in thought and hopefully deed.

[McKayla Langster]

"McKayla Langster, as I live and breathe! People keep saying this 'verse is tiny. How the heck are you, girl?"

McKayla nearly choked on her soup as the familiar voice made its way to her. She coughed as she was pulled into a quick hug by her former...current?...friend. It had been years since she had seen the woman. This ship was something of a reunion for many, and she for sure thought that she would be the odd one out.
How the hell did someone else from the Core end up out here. Her situation was special, but Alyssa was never one to get  in trouble. She studied...and then she studied. So how the heck was she out here?

"I-I'm fine," she replied still blindsighted.

The specialist sat back down in her seat and stared with a frown. This was strange. Very strange.