S1: Ep1 - Birds of a Feather

Started by noseatbelts, April 28, 2020, 01:48:53 PM

Cooper Brown

Cooper too was curious about the lawman who'd followed them openly after the kerfuffle. But he let the old martial artist do the questioning. He'd come off more benevolent than he would asking those questions. Partly because it'd be his instinct to ask with his hammer if he didn't sound truthful. Interrogation wasn't his specialty anyway. Neither was combat technically. It was never supposed to be his primary job, even in the army. But things kept turning out in such a way that Coop kept having to put hurt on other men. Well, he could have taken that job with the cruise company. But everything about that gig seemed objectionable to him except he couldn't articulate why.

So here he was. Getting the blood spatter wiped off his face by his aristocratic smuggler of a captain. As wildly different as they were he respected her courteous nature and the manners didn't feel like they were all show. He winced slightly as she cleaned him up but couldn't help but make an embarrassed smile when she was done.

"Cheers, Cap."

Coop looked around the group to find Francis and meandered over to him as they waited for someone to answer the door. He was about as relaxed as he normally seemed but his eyes did betray him. He was looking at every nearby building, the street, just looking for any sign of a trap or something being off.

Mr Brown cleared his throat and confided to his workplace proximity associate in a slightly hushed tone:

"Yeah. Give it 'bout fifty-fifty odds somebody's gonna try and pull our trousers up over our heads again."

Akhsar King

Quote from: Jedikiah Rembo on August 18, 2020, 11:50:45 AM"Does anyone require immediate medical attention?"

King ignored Jeds question. His foot would definitely require medical attention, but not the kind they could do on the move out in the open. Plus, King was pretty sure that he wouldn't be able to get his boot back on if he took it off now, what with the swelling that was undoubtedly starting. The best thing he could do was cinch his laces up real tight and pray he didn't need to kick anyone else today.

While Jed attended to the others, King hobbled around and retrieved the pieces of his sidearm. He reassembled the weapon and holstered it, with a round in the chamber. If at all possible he would avoid using it before he had a chance to clean it, but at least he would have one shot if it came to that.



King kept his eyes in motion as they walked, constantly looking for new threats. Thankfully he was able to hide the severity of his limp, but the ache in his foot was getting worse. As they moved farther from the scene of the fight he could see Charity relax, the tension leaving her shoulders and face. She absent mindedly brushed the front of her gown, dislodging most of the dust from it. "Do I look alright?" She asked a whisper, her cheeks reddening slightly. "You look every part the fearless leader." He said, matching her hushed tone. "Also you missed a spot." He gave her a wry grin, obviously teasing.

The house that Francis let them too was like many King had seen growing up. It positively screamed Money. King felt the weight of the "ration pack" tucked against his side under his coat. He'd wanted to surreptitiously open it and take a look inside, but hadn't risked it with Francis so close, not to mention the self proclaimed "former lawman" escorting them.

Charity looked up at him with furrowed brows. He shrugged in reply. She spent a few moments dusting everyone off and making them as presentable as she could given the circumstances. She brushed off Kings torso, and gave him an apologetic look for his foot. He gave her an appreciative nod before his eyes resumed scanning the surrounding area for threats. "All right," Charity mummer to herself as she pushed the call button.


"Yeah. Give it 'bout fifty-fifty odds somebody's gonna try and pull our trousers up over our heads again."

King barely made out Coops hushed comment to Francis, and grinned. He was thankful someone else shared his own apprehension. Coop had proved to be quite good in the fight earlier, and apparently had good instinct as well. A good man to have around.
Dialogue Color: Olivedrab

Darius Black

Darius looked to the elder Asian man. 

'Asian.'  It was a distinction that held little importance, nowadays.  A description of a region on Earth-that-was.  A region that no-longer-was.  The various Asian cultures had come across the black and melded into any of dozens of worlds or little moons, their ways melting into the ways of every other people.  Asian old-Earth cultures had infused themselves into every aspect of modern life, such that people tended to swear in old Chinese as often as they did in their native tongues.

But this man seemed to hold onto the old ways more than most.  His dress was traditional, and he carried himself like a practitioner of old arts.  He had a well-balanced walk and a serene gaze.  He struck Darius as a man who meditated a bit, and kept in good exercise.  Darius figured that the fellow was much older than he was, despite looking twice as good.  A product of healthy living, he supposed.  That, and not getting your face ground up and cooked in a shuttle crash.

"Did a spell as the Sheriff of Copper Creek," he said, "On Deadwood.  Got retired by some lead in the knee.  I'm not fast enough any more to chase down lawbreakers.  Decided to come back home and see about a new job.  Then came across all kinds of mayhem in the streets.  They say you can't go home again.  I guess this is what they mean by it."

Darius paused, then added, "Been thinking about finding a job on a ship's crew.  I figure I'm still a fair enough gunhand, even if I can't run marathons any more.  Used to be a fair pilot, too.  Back during the war."

He let that information sit out in the air a bit, in case anyone might take an interest in it.

noseatbelts

September 23, 2020, 06:03:35 PM #63 Last Edit: September 23, 2020, 08:08:05 PM by Lomari
As Charity hit the buzzer, Darius laid a bomb on them. Or Francis anyway. The new old guy may have mentioned it before, but in the chaos of the moment, Francis had missed the news they were hanging out WITH A RUTTING COP! Cold sweat covered his body beneath his suit and he was sure that Darius could tell. Charity certainly would, if she had fixed his hair, she'd notice him sweating. Francis willed himself to stop sweating. He forced a smile and tried not to think about who he worked for or what may or may not have been their cargo and who they may or may not be meeting. "You're a cop, huh?" Play it cool. "Retired, you said?" Super cool. "Cool cool cool. Yeah, we're just transporting some cargo. You know, for charity..." Charity! "Charity, the captain, she's in charge. I'm sure she'd know for sure, but you're welcome in my book, officer."

Thankfully, the buzzer interrupted him from saying anything further and a very prim voice welcomed them.  "Huānyíng. You are late. Please proceed to the main house with the cargo."

The gates creaked open and let them in. A large estate sprawled before them, with vibrant greenery and manicured lawns. A sandstone driveway led the way, though there was no need for directions.  You couldn't miss it. As they neared the house, there was a curious absence of people to be seen. No gardners tending the grounds. No guards, which one might have assumed of such a place. And if anyone knew anything about Lady Sun, that would definitely feel strange. The walls and gates and even a few of the trees were lousy with cameras though, to those who knew to look for them, so maybe it was more secure than it looked.

The doors opened and a woman, flanked two of the previously unseen guards, greeted them with a frown. "Where is Sebastian?"

Cooper Brown

September 26, 2020, 05:50:00 PM #64 Last Edit: September 26, 2020, 05:51:38 PM by Cooper Brown
Younger than I expected. Prettier too. Disappointed not to see Sebastian. If it was me I'd be relieved.

The guards surprised and impressed Mr Brown as well. You wouldn't guess there was a lick of security around here but there they were as if summoned from the ether. He couldn't help but smirk slightly at her disappointment. He tried to suppress it before she could notice. He forced his gaze back into checking the surrounding area and watching where the guard's hands were.

This wasn't his moment to speak. The best thing he could do now was stay quiet and keep an eye on... oh... that's blood on one of the boxes. Panicking, the mechanic couldn't run over and clean off the blood smear on the cargo behind him. He also couldn't lie. It was another Golden Trail thing. They take honesty and trade ethics so seriously that its practically half the religion.

Cooper froze, locked eyes with Francis then the blood smear, then Lady Sun, the blood smear, lady sun, and back and forth again for what felt like eons but must've only been a second. Rather than chance subterfuge, the mechanic of all people was the first to speak to their client.

"Little crook sent us to keep an eye on things. 'Pologies for the blood on the product. Had to smash a pirate's brains ---"

It now occurred to him that this was possibly significant break in decorum.

"...Out."

Feeling everyone's eyes now on him, the embarrassment didn't really show. There was a silence for a beat.

"Hope your day's gone better."

Charity

"Thank you Miss...Captain."

"Cheers, Cap."

She did have to admit to herself that hearing them call her Captain both warmed her heart and chilled her bones. That was a lot of responsibility, and she just hoped she was up to the task. Again, the aristocrat glanced up at her XO, nibbling on her lower lip thoughtfully. It was clear that she was in over her head, but he had a nose for trouble and that would help immensely. Although the fact that they'd almost been robbed and that he seemed apprehensive about their cargo did unbalance her some. In any case, she slipped the ointment Jed had given her into the slit in the side of her dress that led to a pocket.

"Did a spell as the Sheriff of Copper Creek, on Deadwood.  Got retired by some lead in the knee... Been thinking about finding a job on a ship's crew.  I figure I'm still a fair enough gunhand, even if I can't run marathons any more.  Used to be a fair pilot, too..."

"You're a cop, huh? Retired, you said? Cool cool cool. Yeah, we're just transporting some cargo. You know, for charity..."

Unable to help but overhear the conversation, the Captain turned her head to eye Francis and the newcomer, a brow lifting in skeptical question. She leveled her dark gaze upon the mole and the other brow rose to join the first. He wasn't very good at this, was he? How was it that he worked for a seedy little man like Mister Sebastian? Maybe the smallish gentleman just didn't have him speak.

"Charity, the captain, she's in charge. I'm sure she'd know for sure, but you're welcome in my book, officer."

Her attention turned to Darius, brows still aloft, the rest of her expression aloof. A stranger comes upon them at the end of a scuffle, stalks them to their place of contracted work, and then not to subtly implies he'd like a position on their ship. This sounded like a scam, or someone too desperate to consider. She didn't know him, his resume, his skills, other than he had blood on him when they'd met. Before she could ask him anything, the buzzer caught her attention.

"Huānyíng. You are late. Please proceed to the main house with the cargo." That was a good sign. She smiled in Mister Cooper's direction and led the way. She relaxed into her walk, heels clicking, skirts rustling, the umbrella hanging in the crook of her arm and a smile settling masterfully on cherry lips. This was more or less the environment she was used to, and while that did comfort her, it also terrified her. Still, she smiled through the fear.

"Where is Sebastian?" the woman asked, looking at them through the doors. Charity dipped into a curtsey that was the image of perfection, before she opened her mouth to speak.

"Little crook sent us to keep an eye on things. 'Pologies for the blood on the product. Had to smash a pirate's brains...Out...Hope your day's gone better." The debutante looked back at Mister Cooper with a frown, but quickly brushed it off and faced their host.

"I do apologize for our tardiness, Lady Sun. There was some trouble at the docks, a case of stolen identity, I'm afraid. But we're here now. Mister Sebastian will not be joining us. He thought it might be better for all involved for me to come instead. I imagine he was worried about his lack of...decorum," she explained, her hands clasped demurely in front of her lap. "I am Charity, the current captain of the Odette. We've brought the requested cargo, and despite the...blemish on the container, I assure you that is where the uncleanliness stops."
Dialogue Color: AntiqueWhite

Pele Kesher

So much for the confidant Pele thought she had. Francis just gave her the same naïve shoulder as Charity, and she fell silent for the rest of the journey to Lady Sun's place, the tightness around her mouth the only indicator of her annoyance with the situation. If it did turn out to be a double-cross, she would take great pleasure in telling the others "I told you so". Provided she lived long enough to do that. She clutched her purse, which now held her gun, closer to her as they continued their journey.

That  journey took them to a district that was much nicer than what Pele had expected. Sure, the 'Lady' in Lady Sun indicated a high status, but who knew with these crooks and their nicknames. Not all criminals were as straightforward as Little Sebastian. She assumed Lady Sun was a criminal. Who else would do business with their kind? Unless she was as clueless as their Captain. Pele didn't think that was the case, not based on her first impression of the regal-looking woman who appeared before them.

Pele's was one of the pair of eyes drawn towards Cooper when he blurted out his line about bashing brains out. A smirk tugged at her lips when she caught the disapproval passing over Charity's face, and she didn't even know why. The mechanic was being uncouth in a very formal setting, she had full right to be upset about that, and yet Pele wanted to burst into giggles.

She didn't, regaining her composure before the hint of a smirk had the chance to crack her poker face. Fortunately nobody was paying attention to her. It was actually kind of a relief in general, being able to stand back and be an observer, not the center of attention for a change. So she took this opportunity to do just that, observe. Her eyes landed on the older man who had joined them at the site of the shooting and was engaged in a conversation with... the other even older man. Why was he still with them? This whole thing is a total farce.

Jedikiah Rembo

Jedikiah took a moment after learning that the 'lawman' had been to Deadwood. He remembered it well, though certainly not fondly. Other seemed ill at ease with the lawman walking along with them, partly perhaps because of their likely un-lawful goods? Or just that he had inserted himself with the group, even if to continue his Good Samaritan tendency.

Jed stood next to Darius as their Charity discussed with Lady Sun. As a last minute replacement Jedikiah Rembo did not know their exact purpose. Darius less so he supposed, though if pressed the Doctor and Lawman would probably agree that this had all the smell of nefarious.

"I spent some time at Deadwood." Jed said, as the Captain and Lady Sun discussed. Rembo also casually looked over his crew mates, concern for their state of mind. Those around them, more stealthy persons than those that had accosted them minutes ago. "Don't know Copper Creek, I was up on Nahuw Plateau during the Pandemic back in ought five, part of the disastrous vaccination program." Not a good time.

Jed listened as he had spoken quietly with Darius. He wasn't sure what Charity meant by 'current Captain'.
This was an interesting collection of people. But then, what collection of people wasn't?

Yang Style Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu
 - And Medical Practitioner


Darius Black

If Darius hadn't been convinced that the cargo was of questionable legality, Francis' reaction cinched it for him. 

Well... it had been a short but very steep and rocky road since Darius had been a lawman.  Spacer work seemed to have a drop or three of illegality in it, more often than not.  But it had become apparent to Darius since his Deadwood shootout that something could be legal without being moral.

And something could be moral without being legal.

Seeing the sort of people these folk were doing business with, though... it made Darius wonder if he would still be hanging around under normal circumstances.  These weren't normal circumstances, of course.  Not with lunatic-pirate-revolutionary-vengeance hovering on his opposite horizon.

"Free medicine," Darius commiserated with Jedikiah softly, "I guess there's a reason folk on the rim are wary of Alliance beneficence.  The folks in Copper were lucky to be clear of that.  Small enough town.  Easy enough to close off from the rest until it was over."

He felt a combination of sympathetic bitterness, offense, and a tinge of guilt at the incident.  He'd been an Alliance man, through and through, until events caused him to be cast aside and forced to find his own way in the world.  Seeing things from the other end of life had made him open his eyes a bit to the right reasons for being on the wrong end of history. 

Darius still thought the Alliance was the best way forward for humanity, but his appreciation for the government was jaded now that he was very clear on its flaws and why others might not share his optimism.

Like Jedikiah, Darius caught the 'Current Captain' bit.  He tried not to read too much into it.

He just bowed and smiled politely and waited for this exchange to come to an end.

noseatbelts

Lady Sun, a picture of poise and grace, in a gown that likely cost more than the rest of their outfits put together, made a face.. "I see." She turned to the guard on her left and spoke softly into his ear. He nodded and motioned to the other, and they went to collect the cargo, waiting sternly, but patiently for the crew to give them room. As they passed, a careful eye would notice they wore dragon insignia not dissimilar to that of the men who attacked them at the docks. The difference being that the beast held a golden sun in its left claw, surely the sigil of her house. Lady Sun allowed her men through the door with the cargo, and disappeared behind them into the shadows of the house.

Inside, for those who chose to enter, was a sight that would seem curious but with everything they'd seen thus far, or hadn't seen, Charity and Company could hardly be surprised. The house was not sparsely decorated. It was not decorated at all. The walls were stripped of paintings, the floors of rugs, the rooms of furniture. While it may have once been as grand as the exterior, it seemed the mansion was merely artifice. Lady Sun and her guards stopped not far into the foyer where a large industrial scale had been installed. "Do come in." She said offhand as her guards rolled the crate onto the measuring device and laid it down with a hiss of hydraulics. "I apologize for the misfortune you found at the docks, but I am impressed you managed to recover all of the product. Shikai's Red Talons can be... tenacious."

As the cargo settled onto the scale, a digital screen on the controls displayed the weight. The crew had no way of knowing this, but it was 1 kilogram short of its proper measure. Before anyone could say anything, a lone brick flew through the air and expertly landed on top. King shrugged at his toss. "Sorry." The weight now matched expectations.

Lady Sun smiled. "Very good." She clasped her hands before her and seemed to be waiting for something. When that something didn't happen, her smile tightened. "You may go."

Charity

October 20, 2020, 11:36:49 AM #70 Last Edit: October 20, 2020, 11:39:15 AM by Lomari
"Do come in. I apologize for the misfortune you found at the docks, but I am impressed you managed to recover all of the product. Shikai's Red Talons can be... tenacious."

Tenacious was a word for it. She pulled her fan from the pockets hidden in the seam of her skirts and snapped it open again, fanning herself to try to stay calm. She was starting to feel more than a little upset about this whole situation. Why would a group called something like the 'red talons' be interested in food rations? And why was she calling it 'the product' and not 'supplies' or 'rations' or anything else? And why was it being measured so meticulously? Maybe she was just a perfectionist about her shipments, but if that was the case, why was this building so empty? Why did this feel like they were doing something that needed to be hidden. Charity's brows furrowed and the fan moved faster.

Her gaze flickered toward King as he tossed the brick back to join the others, her lips puckered in thought. She'd ask his full unadulterated opinion once they were back on their ship. Something was wrong, and even if it wasn't something that she might object to (although it was starting to look that way), lying to her made her look bad in front of her crew when she didn't have the right answers for them. That wasn't okay. And she wasn't fond of being manipulated. She'd had enough of that back home.

"Very good...You may go." Sun dismissed them. Dismissed. Them. Dismissed? Her nose twitched a little but she smiled and curtseyed deeply, her movements poised and elegant despite the annoyance building in the back of her head. She didn't like being dismissed so off-handedly by someone she might have seen as one of her peers. Again, it tugged at a nerve worn raw by her background. "A pleasure doing business with you, I do hope our paths cross again, perhaps for something less business oriented. Perhaps tea," she offered, not waiting for an answer before she dipped down into one last curtsey and turned to her crew. "Alright, back to ship," she announced in a measured tone, barely hiding the twitch in her right eyebrow. She began ushering them out, making special care in herding the retired lawman out first. Why was he still here? she asked herself, unknowingly echoing Pele's mental sentiment.
Dialogue Color: AntiqueWhite

Cooper Brown

With the customer and captain's dismissal, Cooper was promptly marching out the door, but opened the door carefully, and slightly sideways, placing himself flat against it then peering out through the slight opening he made, slowly peering out and checking for any hazards before exiting through the door himself, then stopping to hold it open for the other crew to exit. As they did, he watched the surrounding area.

The mechanic found himself feeling relieved, though still acting as if their threat hadn't gone away. Maybe this was going to work out? He was fairly certain he'd just completed a drug deal but at least they'd survived the pirates that came for them and their drugs. Though Cooper was finding himself inclined to go back to the station and put his hammer to work on Sebastian's legs and make the tiny bastard even more diminutive. Weren't for the fact that he'd have to go through Francis he'd be even more tempted to try it.

The adrenaline started to settle. Mister Brown started to feel that tumble he took off the Cargo hauler. He eyed the steel beast and hoped she wouldn't buck him again today. He climbed on and clicked on the engine for the Odette's stand-in for a mule. He motioned towards the back with his neck. The two long claws that had crushed a man earlier were now unencumbered by cargo.

"Anyone wants to hop on back, mind the bit towards the end there."

He said in reference to the part of the cargo hauler that still had some "residue".

If this whole planet wasn't so bent he'd be a bit more worried about upsetting a fed with the visible gore on the vehicle. But he could try and play it off as roadkill. Which it certainly was in a way.

Akhsar King

Kings eyes narrowed a fraction as the group proceeded through the gate and up to the main house. The grounds were deserted. Not a man in sight. No gardener, no guards, nothing. However, his practiced eye spotted more than a few cameras, covering just about every angle possible. Something is very not right here.

The door opened, and a pretty young woman flanked by two guards appeared, presumably Lady Sun. "Where is Sebastian?"

"Little crook sent us to keep an eye on things. 'Pologies for the blood on the product. Had to smash a pirate's brains ...Out." "Hope your day's gone better." King surpressed a grin at the little frown Charity gave Cooper. At least the man was honest.

"I do apologize for our tardiness, Lady Sun. There was some trouble at the docks, a case of stolen identity, I'm afraid. But we're here now. Mister Sebastian will not be joining us. He thought it might be better for all involved for me to come instead. I imagine he was worried about his lack of...decorum, I am Charity, the current captain of the Odette. We've brought the requested cargo, and despite the...blemish on the container, I assure you that is where the uncleanliness stops."

"I see." Lady Sun spoke something to one of her guards, and they moved forward to collect the cargo. King did not miss the dragon insignia they wore, and did not fail to notice how similar it was to the one wore by the men who'd attacked them. Lady Sun followed her men deeper into the house, and the crew followed. What they found inside was just about the complete opposite of what he'd expected. The house was bare. The walls empty of art, the floors empty of furniture. The lavish exterior was nothing but a a facade... a Front. Then King saw the scale, and everything else fell neatly into place. They had not transported ration packs. He'd bet just about everything he had that they'd just been recorded on camera delivering a shipment of drugs. Kings heart-rate spiked, and suddenly his scalp was wet with sweat. It took everything he had to force himself not to react outwardly.

Lady Sun and her guards stopped next to the scale. "Do come in." She said. The guards moved the cargo onto the scale, and Kings mind went to the package of sweet poison still residing under his jacket. "I apologize for the misfortune you found at the docks, but I am impressed you managed to recover all of the product. Shikai's Red Talons can be... tenacious."

He didn't have to see the readout to know that it would be about a kilo short. His mind raced through the possible outcomes of simply keeping it. They could keep it. They should keep it. They deserved some compensation for their trouble. They could sell it, make some money to buy supplies. He could sell it. He could keep it. He could... use it. His mind snapped out of the rapid downward spiral and without hesitation he tossed the lone brick neatly on top of the rest of it. King shrugged. "Sorry."

Lady Sun smiled. "Very good." She clasped her hands before her and seemed to be waiting for something. When that something didn't happen, her smile tightened. "You may go."

"A pleasure doing business with you, I do hope our paths cross again, perhaps for something less business oriented. Perhaps tea," "Alright, back to ship," Charity said, ushering them out the door. King kept an eye on Lady Suns guards, and made sure he was the last one out the door before closing it behind him.

His eyes darted around the grounds again, straining to pick out anything that would indicate a threat. One of two things would happen now. Either they'd passed a test and were now "trusted" couriers, or they were deemed loose ends and would be dealt with before they could get back to their ship. He longed for the comforting weight on a rifle strap on his shoulder, and wished he had more than one round from his sidearm and a knife to defend them.

"Anyone wants to hop on back, mind the bit towards the end there." King took a seat on one of the claws. He felt a tremor in his hands, and covered it by rubbing his legs. He looked around and then spoke quietly enough that only Cooper and anyone else sitting right next to him would hear. "We aren't safe til we're back in the Black. Keep your eyes open." He hoped Cooper understood his meaning.
Dialogue Color: Olivedrab

Darius Black

Darius waited for the other shoe to drop.

He'd policed enough to have seen the wrong end of these things.  The double-cross, sprung like fate's own inevitability whenever someone thought they could get away with not paying.  Or when they decided witnesses were a bad idea.  Fortunately... so far... that didn't seem to be the case here.  Whatever the cargo was, it was accepted without apparent malice.  Even when one of the crew seemed to have retained some of it momentarily.  Darius wondered what it was.  Nothing legal, surely.

When they were told to leave, Darius didn't waste an iota of time in following the others out of this oddly vacant estate.

"Well," Darius offered as they got outside, "I've seen you folks to your destination.  I suppose I ought to be moving on and letting you get offworld.  Doesn't seem likely you'll be robbed now that your cargo is offloaded."

He turned, as though to leave, adding, "I'll likely be heading offworld soon, myself.  Be looking for a job on a transport, most like."

If anyone was paying attention, they might notice he did not particularly look like a man who wanted to walk away.

Jedikiah Rembo

Jedikiah stayed as close to invisible as he could. He entered the mansion and was enlightened as well as surprised at the inside. It was all a bit obvious, he struggled to make no obvious judgements. His eyes rolled across the faces of his short time crew mates, they seemed to be as equally uncertain of most everything that had and was happening to them.

The question of the Red Talon's insertion into their day was not pursued. Someone he imagined should be inquiring how others knew of their arrival, goods, travel, and so forth. Isn't that what criminals and Captains and others did? He wanted to offer a question but he was along for the ride. So, as quiet as a stone well he stayed to The course of observation.

There was something not quite right about Lady Sun's final words. And there seemed to be nothing about payment. It all seemed to be just a delivery. Not his area of expertise, but it was all seemed to be a thin veil of the apparent innocence of a deliver job well done. Curiosity should go no further now, but that is not how curiosity works. The very opposite of its definition. 'what fun these spacer are.' Jed thought with a small smile.

This little adventure seemed to be about over, yet a tingle of dread tugged a few hairs on the back of his neck. A big stack of goods arrived courtesy of a tossed together band of wayward travelers. It wasn't over.

. .


Outside.

Jed declined Mr. Cooper's offer of a ride and nodded at Mr. King's suggestion to be wary. They all seemed to share his own intuition. Or was it just that obvious.
Yang Style Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu
 - And Medical Practitioner


Charity

November 09, 2020, 09:31:19 AM #75 Last Edit: November 09, 2020, 09:46:03 AM by Lomari
Once they were outside, Charity finally breathed a sigh of relief, her shoulders lowering and her free hand resting over her heart. She most assuredly did not think they'd been transporting rations anymore, and although she had some vague inkling that they had just done something illegal, she wasn't savvy enough to know what it was precisely. All she knew was that Mister Sebastian was going to be getting an earful from her the moment they returned to the station.

"Anyone wants to hop on back, mind the bit towards the end there," their Mister Cooper offered. With a little grimace, she sat down carefully, her hands swooping over the fabric atop her rear to smooth it out as she sat. God forbid she get wrinkles. She noticed some of King's unease, part of it clearly from the situation, but another part seeming...foreign to her, unfamiliar, different than how he typically composed himself. She just wasn't entirely sure how it was different.

"We aren't safe til we're back in the Black. Keep your eyes open," King muttered. Charity nodded a little and reached out to set a hand on his, about to ask if he was alright.

"Well," Darius interrupted her thoughts, "I've seen you folks to your destination.  I suppose I ought to be moving on and letting you get offworld.  Doesn't seem likely you'll be robbed now that your cargo is offloaded. I'll likely be heading offworld soon, myself.  Be looking for a job on a transport, most like."

The aristocrat eyed the man, noting that he looked very much like a dog leaving the room after being scolded, glancing back at their family for validation or affection. A brow rose. "Good luck to you in your search," she offered flatly, tilting her head to the side and settling both hands on her own lap once more. Her eyes moved to find Pele in the group, shoulders lifting a little as she shot her a look. Why was this man still here, she wondered for a second time.

"When we return to the ship, would you be so kind as to show me how the wave system works? I'd like to inform our...benevolent employer of our imminent return," she asked Cooper, a little bit of venom in her voice. She had more to say to Sebastian than, 'We're on our way back,' but...prying ears and all that. "Jed, dear, are you sure you wouldn't like to sit here?" she asked, worried about the older gentleman having to walk all the way back.
Dialogue Color: AntiqueWhite

Francis Church

Safely away from Lady Sun and her fence home, the crew of the Odette (and Darius) were free to wherever they may. While some may have been wondering precisely what they had gotten themselves into and what exactly had happened with the exchange, Francis seemed positively perky. They'd done it! Not that Francis was one to seek praise from a superior, but he was sure Lil Sebastian would be pleased with how things went. The complication with the Red Talon Tong notwithstanding, they'd escaped relatively unscathed. But now they were free and clear and they'd be back at Iscariot before you could say-

"Well, I've seen you folks to your destination.  I suppose I ought to be moving on and letting you get offworld.  Doesn't seem likely you'll be robbed now that your cargo is offloaded."

Bringing a cop back, ex or otherwise, would be looked upon as unfavorable by their benefactor. Luckily, Charity nipped that in the bud without giving anything away. Francis had been around a lot of unsavory folks in his day, and while he would never describe Charity as such, she seemed to have a knack for it. Of course, it could all be dumb luck, but the odds of that were ludicrous. Right?

"We better get back." Francis said after a few moments of awkward silence. "We know the way now, so..." Of course, getting rid of the good Sheriff might arouse suspicions in and of itself. His nervouse sweat was back. "Oh, but you can come with us. To the docks, obviously. Not to Iscariot. If that's where we're going, I'm not sure. But you can walk with us. You're going the same direction anyway." Nailed it. "Ok, let's go!" And he began walking at a brisk pace back the way they came.
Dialogue Color - MediumVioletRed

noseatbelts


Once the crew was away, it was the exact same length of time to get back to the docks that it was to leave them, however it felt quicker. Easier. Lighter, and not just with the lack of cargo. Except for those that knew better. Either way, they returned and as the Eavesdown Docks spread before them they saw that the chaos that had taken over had miraculously ceased. It was as if nothing had happened at all. One had to imagine scuffles like they'd been involved in were commonplace. Cliche even.

And they were about to get more hackneyed.

The crowd spread and Cheung Po and his malodorous mess of miscreants stood blocking their path home. "Mr. Black." He said with a rotten smile. He regarded the Odette crew, of which Darius seemed to be a part. "I see you have reneged on our deal and joined with another crew. 快来" After his barked order in Chinese, one of his crew stepped forward with Yang Gao's head held aloft. "You could have just said so, Mr. Black." Blades appeared from the belts and sashes of the pirates, and a few hardscrabble firearms as well.

Before it could come to words or more likely blows, however, a presence appeared from behind them. Black suited Tong, some of them sporting injuries from their previous battle, appeared with similar intent. A man, dressed finely but without any paraphernalia of his station stepped forward. Anyone who had been listening to Lady Sun might guess this to be Shikai, leader of the Red Talon Tong and her chief rival in the area. That guess would be correct. "Hello." He said, before one of his men slipped through, grabbed Charity and put a knife to her neck. "Nice to meet you."

Cheung Po and Shikai regarded each other briefly, like dogs about to fight over scraps.

They were surrounded, and, in that moment, it was difficult to discern which was the rock and which was the hard place.



Cooper Brown

November 14, 2020, 05:29:35 PM #78 Last Edit: November 15, 2020, 01:33:08 PM by Cooper Brown
"Cheeky húndàns..."

They were beset on all sides. The loader now stopped, the mechanic's hands quickly pulled both his hammer, and his pistol. Forearms crossed, each weapon bracing the other he pivoted his aim around, quickly switching between any targets that looked too close. He didn't open fire... there were just so many he had to hope they could BS their way through it.

"Oy! Back the f*** off! Sebastian is expecting us don't be stupid..."

A new player entered the game, Mr Brown pivoted around again, and face the man, his pistol aimed squarely at his head.

"Hello."

Just as Cooper contemplated putting one in the man's forehead before he gave the men an order to do something he didn't want them to do, something unexpected happened. He could hear someone coming up to the loader. Coming around only fast enough to see one of the goons nearly within arm's reach, and aiming a knife at his captain's jugular. His teeth gritted instinctively.

"Nice to meet you."

The former follower of the Golden Trail didn't to regard the foe who'd just greeted them any further. Brown shot a glance over towards Francis, then King. He groaned. Cooper shifted in his stance again, now bringing his weapon to point at the goon holding his captain hostage. In the split second between when he lined up his pistol with the man's forehead, he let out a breath and tried to clear his mind. He remembered the creed of Golden Trail warriors, "We are those who run towards death."

Cooper never joined their warrior clan, the Pashmerga. He always admired them but felt it wasn't his place. Then came the war and he found himself becoming a warrior anyway. Here he was again. Running towards death.

Mr. Brown's index finger squeezed down on the trigger of his well-worn pistol. The next couple of seconds were nothing but the clashing of steel, the thumping of fists, and the crunch of cold hard steel meeting another man's skull. Rushing forward into the enemy, the seemingly mad Aussie accented nomad threw himself head-long into a possibly suicidal counterattack.

Seconds into the mechanic's charge, one of the Red talons caught up with him from behind and planted a knife into his upper back, quickly slowing him down. Cooper brought his pistol back and fired it back over his shoulder, up into the face of the man planting a knife in his back. He did his best to stay in the fight and keep moving through the crowd of attackers, blocking as many edged weapon attacks as he could with his hammer and even his pistol itself.

If any of the non combatants hadn't realized what the man was doing, he was giving them a window to flee while his berserker attack distracted as many of their foes as possible. As they began to encircle around him, Coop let a quick burst of rounds from his pistol before he was forced to start fighting hand to hand again. The grease-jockey shouted to his compatriots.

"Go!"

Darius Black

November 15, 2020, 05:23:53 PM #79 Last Edit: November 15, 2020, 05:51:54 PM by Darius Black
It didn't seem to Darius that he had endeared himself to these folk.  Perhaps they were concerned about why he seemed so anxious to tag along.  He could see it seeming awkward.  Raising a few flags.  The Captain, Charity, certainly didn't seem inclined to invite him along.

That's when Church answered a silent prayer, offering Darius a ride at least as far as the docks.  He wouldn't say no to that.

Unfortunately, as they neared their destination, fate decided to take two wrong turns. 

First, the revolutionary crazed pirate gang appeared. 

"I see you have reneged on our deal and joined with another crew. 快来.  You could have just said so, Mr. Black," Po said.

"I'm just catching a ride with these folk," Darius said, "They've got no part of the business between me and you.  As for 'just saying so'... it doesn't seem 'No' is a word you cotton to."

Then, another group of gangsters appeared.  Maybe the ones this crew had tangoed with before.

It was like being caught between an arsonist and a firebug.  No difference at all, and no good options.

Well, he wasn't going to let this Chastity pay for his missteps.  She might have had half a chance if she'd not had to deal with his own problems alongside hers.

When Cooper went into action, so too did Darius.  He drew his pistol, swiveled, and let loose a thunderous shot towards the goon with a knife at this crew Captain's throat.  He wasn't as fast as he once was.  But he was steady.  Only after he took his shot did he realize it had been a waste- he was duplicating Cooper's efforts.

Once the shot was taken, his shout echoed Brown's:  "GO!"

Gunfire and death would doubtless be raining down on Darius.  He had a good armor layer in his suit, but it had its limitations.  This was where he'd draw his final breath.


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