Bodies fell. The man with a blade against Charity's throat? His head popped and his body fell. The knife, luckly, went wide of its target. Shikai and Cheing Po were, unfortunately, not among them. Their absence from the fight might have been conspicuous if not for the chaos that ensued.

Those with the misfortune to meet Cooper? Felled with surprising abandon for the attacks of a mere gypsy mechanic. He took his own beating; a blade drew blood, a club bruised (maybe broke) his ribs. Clearing the path took its toll.

Darius found himself beset on all sides, mostly by Cheung Po's crew, but his years of experience of putting the hurt on those that meant ill will were put to good work. While his gun may have needed reloading, it didn't stop him from dealing death. That was, until, he was given a sacred task of getting the captain to the ship.

Jed joined the former sheriff's quest; smooth as his moves would be, the sheer number of their assailants proved that age and experience did not overwhelm numbers. Getting while the getting was good was most likely as prudent as his ancient teachings.

Francis, while his lack of ammunition had certainly caught up with him, found the training instilled into him during training for a war he never fought in mighty handy. He pilfered a falled pair of clubs and beat the living out of those who got in his way. The ship, and salvation, was in sight... but that might mean leaving some of those that fought by his side. Tempting but...

Her gun found out of its hiding place, Pele had a slight hesitation in her aim at a perceived enemy's head. But in a question of him or me, the answer was obvious. The small gun had little kick, but the snap of the man's neck as his life faded from his eyes. He was dead and she, or her comrades, were not. Now, to make her escape...

King, much the same as the other combat ready among them, found bodies on all sides; just as many dead as alive it seemed. He hadn't seen the sort since his time in the war. How were there so many? Which of them were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time? Pirates? Gangsters? Innocent bystanders? They were all the same.

The Odette had enemies all about and a clear goal: get the hell out of Eavesdown.

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.

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."

I like the ship, are there schematics available for it?

The idea overall is definitely inspired by the likes of Treasure Island, so characters of all types are welcome as long as they're seeking adventure. They could be hired hands brought on after they get the ship, they could know Pool from the old days and get recruited for this job. Stowaways, buccaneers, salty spacers; all are welcome. This includes the Captain, who may or may not already have a ship, or could just be paid ferry from one point of the 'verse to the next.

An important piece to remember: the Ebony and Ivory went down over 30 years ago and Pool doesn't remember exactly where. Additionally, he's the only known survivor of Captain Meloy's cutthroat crew, but there could certainly be others out there who have pieces of the puzzle or information pertaining to the rumored treasure.

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?"

Age:	Wrong side of 60
Gender:	Male
Primary Occupation:	Salvage and Reclamation Agent
Secondary Occupation (optional):	Aging Gun Thug
Equipment:	Pool has a duffel bag. And in that duffel bag is a collection. And in that collection is a lot of guns. Nothing fancy. Most of them are old and beat-up. But there are a lot of them. And every one of them will put a hole in a man. He doesn't travel much these days, but when he does he travels light.
Appearance:	While not exactly tall, Pool would definitely be described as big. He's broad shouldered and long armed, with a prominent brow and a jaw that could chew a carburetor. His hair and beard are short and gray, his eyes small and blue and more often than not covered in reading glasses these days.  The veteran of many fights, scuffles, brawls and battles; Pool's body is criss crossed with scars. He also has several poorly aged tattoos, his favorite being a redhead knockout on his right forearm with the name "Charlotte" scrawled underneath.
Faceclaim:	Ron Perlman
Initial Personality:	Big, bad, tough and mean, Pool has lived a long hard life surviving the Black and all it's terrors by becoming one himself. He's wholly in it for himself and for the next payday; so the good thing is, his loyalty can be bought and he ain't that expensive. Bad side of that is that he doesn't feel bad switching sides if it looks like the tide is going to turn. But he's flexible. Whatever looks to be best for him in the short term. Long term mostly escapes him, he's not exactly an idea guy. But if you point, he'll go down swinging and you'll be damned sure he gets back up. At least, that's what his reputation is.
Underlying Personality:	In truth Pool is not much of any of those things anymore. Sure, he's still big. He's still mean. He's still ugly. But he's settled down. He has priorities and responsibilities and a family. Has he gone soft? Some might say that, but now he has things to fight for other than himself, and that tends to make a man stronger than you might give him credit for.
Known History:	Born: 2456. Verbena. Parents: Robelard Pool and Ondine Pool-Liebowitz Siblings: None known. Academic records: Primary School education Occupational Record: 2471-2472 Verbena Consolidated Steel, cargo loader and driver 2500 Registered as Misc Crew on the Dublin II, cargo ship ca. 2500 2502 C&R Salvage and Reclamation, owner/operator Military Record: None Criminal Record: 2473. Served six months for assault at Beaumonde Municipal Corrections 2485. Wanted in connection to the assault on the IAV Laramie by the pirate ship Ebony and Ivory. 2486. Warrant issued under the name "Pool" on Three Hills, Dead or Alive for Murder and Horse Russtling. Outstanding. 2487-78. Multiple warrants issued under the name "Pool" on Beylix, Athens, Ezra, Jiangyin and several moons; various crimes. All outstanding. 2494. Writ of Expulsion from Higgin's Moon; signed by Magistrate Higgins himself. 2496-2499. Served 3/10 years at Alliance Penal Station"Gilead" for assault, grand theft, armed robbery, attempted murder, disturbing the peace, and contempt. Details of release are closed.
Other History:	Robelard Pool was a drinker and hard case. That didn't stop him from being a charming man. Charming enough to get one Miss Ondine Liebowitz to fall for him and eventually marry him. Well, the marrying part came after they found out she was having his child. Mr. Liebowitz, Ondine's father, made sure that Rob made an honest woman out of her. Maybe that was why Rob turned more to the drink, more to cards, more to whatever skirt would give him the time of day. He never said so, only because he didn't say much to the kid, but Reinhardt always thought his father blamed him for his state in the world. Life on the planet of Verbena was tough. Tougher than it should have been by some accounts. There wasn't much in the way of work that didn't involve a lifetime of back pain and calloused hands. And most folks in that position feel they're destined for something better. Robelard Pool blamed his family for keeping him on Verbana. Ondine Pool-Liebowitz blamed her father for making her marry a louse of a man. Reinhardt Pool blamed no one for his lot in life, but knew for damned sure he wasn't going to stick around any longer than he had to. So, at the age of 15, after getting into a fist fight with his father long after his mother had run off; Reinhardt Pool took off on the first freighter that would have him. From then on, it was the spacer's life for him. He learned quick to be mean to match his growing size. Ship captains quickly saw that he would be a useful sort, looking the way he did and it gave him ample opportunity to get work and experience. He hopped from ship to ship, wherever the next payday came from. His longest stint was on a ship called The Ebony and Ivory. This was Pool's first true run-in with a bloodthirsty bunch of miscreants and hooligans. A pirate ship in everything but name, this is where Pool found his true calling as a fighter. Looting and pillaging (and worse) The Eb and Ive and her Dread Captain Meloy gained a reputation in the Black as a ship to avoid. It also gained a list of warrants and a target across their hull; a hull that was rumored to be full of the treasures of its various conquests. They ran afoul of an Alliance Cruiser by the name... Something with an "L." Pool can never quite recall. It came to close quarter fighting and, once it looked like things were going south for the pirates, Pool fought and bit and killed his way to an escape pod. The ship was rumored destroyed along with its Captain and crew, Pool being the only survivor. In and out of a series of jobs since then, Pool tended to try and steer away from trouble but it always seemed to find him. Not that he tried all that hard, mind you. He is Reinhardt Pool, after all and with a mouth like that one is bound to find himself in his share of troubles. Served three years of a ten year sentence at Gilead Penal Colony after a thrilling heist that went sideways at the end. He made friends and enemies during this time, namely aboard a ship called Dublin II. This is where he met Charlotte Maurier, whom he affectionately named "Chuck" and has never called her anything else. Despite the odds, they eventually left "the life" together and settled down. One marriage and two kids later, Pool is happy with his new, domesticated life. They've been the owners of C&R Salvage and Reclamation for close to 20 years now, mostly dealing in the reclamation of stolen or defaulted vehicles, transporting them, fixing them up, and reselling them. Sure, it's a little boring and he hasn't killed a man for pay in over ten years, unless you count a guy who gets shot because he doesn't like you taking his slick little ship he didn't pay taxes on so he shoots first and, well, what are you going to do? And he loves his wife, though he hasn't been able to figure out why she puts up with him. And his kids are a pain in the ass but he couldn't picture his life without them. So maybe it's not so bad.
Skills and Strengths:	Pool's a strong guy. Born that way, he's worked himself his entire life to be able to use that strength to his advantage in most situations; mostly in the combative arts. He's not formally trained to put the hurt on, but he's good at it nonetheless. Likewise with weapons; chances are if it fires a bullet or has a blade he's used it to kill a man. Floating the 'Verse for 40+ years gives a man a certain amount of perspective. Pool's seen it all and can handle himself in most situations. He can make himself useful in the engine room, the cockpit, the cargo bay and he can bandage a wound (he's cauterized a few, too). He's not great at any of those things, but he's done it all in one way or another; for better or worse.
Weaknesses:	Pool is exuberant, bold, crass, rude and all in all a total jerk. And the thing is that he knows it and doesn't care. He likes who he is and the effect he has on people. He doesn't have a lot in the way of book learning, but he's never really needed that either. He's good at what he does and has never felt the need to expand his horizons in any way that doesn't involve his getting paid at the end of the day. Pool has been out in the 'Verse for a long, long time, now. While that's given him a wealth of experience and know-how, it's also left him scarred and broken in a lot of ways, the least of which being a bad knee and arthritis in his meat hooks. His memory isn't what it used to be and his aim is fading from misuse. To top it off, Pool ain't much to look at. He knows it. Everyone knows it. Let's move on.

---

Staring down at his cortex pad, Francis oriented himself and found the direction they needed to go. Slightly distracted, he seemed surprised at Pele's question. "Um... what? No. I don't think so." He thought about it a bit more and didn't seem so sure. "Probably not."

Once the cargo was safely stowed and injuries attended to by the good doctor, they were able to use the cover of the crowd to disappear back into the Eavesdown Docks. Once away from the scene of their near demise, things quieted down and the docks gave way to commercial areas, which in turn gave way to a row of palatial homes, each grander than the last. The avenue was covered in cobblestone and shaded by old, well manicured poplar trees. It positively reeked of money.

And it was at one of these homes that Francis stopped the convoy. Francis double checked the address they were looking for and matched it to the address listed on the gate. A large sun sigil, formed of wrought iron, hinted that they were at the right place. "I think this is it." He said, pocketing his cortex device and giving everyone a tight smile.

Odette Crew

The goslings were pressed in together as the mob mobbed. They're various skills proved useful, for the most part, in dispatching with the Tong, but that still left more than a little chaos to be dealt with. But they hadn't come equipped for a fight and ammunition was running as low as morale.

Francis, surprisingly calm in this situation (he was, after all, trained for this sort of thing) hunkered down next to Charity, Pele, and was soon joined by Jed and Cooper. The only one not currently accounted for was King, who still seemed locked in an epic flurry of blows with Bao Lin. Francis raised his pistol and tried to get a clean shot on the Tong leader, but the combatants were too locked in to provide any help with the aim. "I don't have a shot. Hey! Um... what's his name? Can you tell him to, like, duck or something so I can-" He was cut off by King landing a blow on the inside of Bao Lin's knee, who crumbled to the injury. "Oh, nevermind." King didn't hesitate to jam the blade of his knife into the other man's exposed neck. A visceral twist ended the conflict.

King limped over to the crew, worse for the wear but still standing. "What now?" He grumbled.

"Oh, um... well..." Francis wasn't sure. His brain told him they needed to clean up the mess, load the cargo back up, and get the hell out of there. But his mouth wasn't so sure. "Captain?" He looked to Charity for her decision.

---

Darius

The heavy space helmet did its work. That is, if its intended purpose was to splatter blood and brains all over Darius and the immediate vicinity. Either way, Yang Gao was dead and the former sheriff was free to go his own way. And he did, towards the commotion on the other side of the ship yard, though not far from where he had killed the pirate. The crowd was thick and full of screams and pushing folks, and while the going was difficult, it went without a hitch. Nobody seemed bothered by the unholy mess covering him, too worried were they for their own safety. He found an overturned cart, it's contents spilled out, and a group of motleys hunkered behind it. Oh, and also the bodies and wounded of a dozen or so men clad similarly to the men he'd seen nearer his parents' house.

Odette Crew

People screamed.

And ran.

And pushed, and shoved, and clawed their way away from the chaos. Unfortunately, Captain Charity and her crew were at the center of it and Bao Lin's guards were keeping them in place. If a wayward escapee found their way into the circle, they were dealt with in equal measure to the force the Tong were attempting to use on the Odette. Luckily, or was it, Francis and Coop seemed to be the only ones brandishing firearms in the direct vicinity of the cargo.

"Whyyyy?" Francis screamed, a Tong guard wrapping his club around his throat as he swung his pistol wildly trying to get a shot at the others, one of which appeared before him with the flash of a knife. Francis' training kicked in as his heel kicked out. A body blow to the Tong behind him and he was free. Two quick and efficient bullets made sure to keep it that way.  Charity's voice entered his ear and Francis, for the moment, was able to respond. "Um. Sure thing." He dug out his cortex device and pulled up the address of where they were meant to go, meanwhile missing Jed's dazzling display of martial prowess with his attention turned to the handheld computer screen in his hand. "Oh, it's not far from here."

---

Darius and Yang Gao

Yang Gao, in his attempt to bull rush Darius, caught the pistol round square in the chest and dropped like a sack of bricks. As discord ensued on the other side of the docks, so too did it erupt at the sound and sight of a man shot in the street. Yang Gao was not so easily defeated, however, his zealotry for his Captain's call returning him to his feet. That didn't make him a better fighter, as he attempted the same tactic again. "Cheung Po!" He screeched his master's name in a battle cry as his dagger found Darius' chest. It rebounded off the space suit. He looked up at the taller man, uncomprehending. "How?"

King and Bao Lin

An elbow to the face. A knee to the abdomen. A heel kick dodged. Punches swatted away and returned in equal measure. Bao Lin's refined martial arts were matched by King's efficient military CQC training. Both men breathed heavily as the scene only grew worse around them.

"You will not get away with this." Bao Lin tried to steady his breath, but the last hit to his chest was making it difficult to fill his lungs. "You are meddling in affairs you cannot possibly comprehend."

"Doesn't seem too complicated to me. We're making a delivery to your boss' rival. Pretty standard stuff actually."

Bao Lin was taken aback, but attempted to recover. "A rivalry that-"

King laughed. "Has gone back, what, decades? Centuries? I don't care." The mercenary's hand went to the gun at his belt. Time to end this. Bao Lin, as winded as he was, surprised with a quick move to stop the pistol from exiting its holster. An iron grip and a quick movement quickly disarmed the slide, tearing the weapon apart. He tossed the remnants aside as King, bewildered by the efficiency of the move, took a blow to his foot as Bao Lin stomped on the bridge. Pain shot through King as bones broke, momentarily distracting him and allowing a punch to the temple. King shot Bao Lin a glare through hazy vision, but refused to fall.

And the fight continued.

---

Cooper, The Cargo, Charity, and Pele

Coop found himself beset upon by several Tong who sought to accomplish their mission: retrieve the cargo by any means necessary. One hopped up on top of the crates and, in his haste, toppled the whole thing over, sending Coop, the loot, himself, and his comrades flying to the ground right around where Charity and Pele had decided to hide, the goods displayed clearly for the two women. What seemed like endless, unmarked, paper-wrapped bricks, each about 4x6x2, scattered from their protective sawdust and onto the cobblestones.

It didn't take the guards long to recover.

Odette Crew

Charity stepped forward with King lockstep at her side. Bao Lin was happy to receive them, the same empty smile as before. But as Charity reached into her bag, Bao Lin's arm shot out, quick as lightning, and grabbed her wrist. "No!" He said, perhaps a bit too stern. The hand on her arm was as steely as the word he spoke.

King, reacting on instinct, reached across, putting himself in between Charity and Bao Lin. King drew his knife and held it to Bao Lin's chest. "Don't." He warned, pulling the sunglasses from his face.

Several things happened next:

"You have made a dire mistake." He said, removing his own sunglasses. What he did not remove was his hand from Charity's arm. In fact, he gripped it tighter. King raised the knife to Bao Lin's throat. "You will be dead. Wan Kuok-koi and the Red Talon Tong will see to it."

King grunted. "Nah." Bao Lin finally let loose of Charity as he twisted his arm around to force King's blade from danger. A forward step to try to force King off balance was countered. King dropped the knife to his second hand and went for an upward stab into Bao Lin's stomach which was blocked by a knee, combined with a punch to King's chest, forcing him back into range of a kick to the head. King blocked, squared up, and it was on.

Francis finally noticed what was going on and, after doing some quick math in his head (Nine guys. Nine rounds, plus one. Extra clip in my- I forgot my extra clip. So that's ten minus nine. If I don't miss. One extra. That's not gonna be enough.) He didn't have a choice. Francis pulled his gun and raised it in Bao Lin and King's direction. His aim was immediately interrupted by a whack on the wrists by one of the guards holding a baton. His aim went low. Very low. Hitting the ground, sending up dirt and a retort bouncing off the buildings.

And then the crowd panicked.

---

Darius and Yang Gao

Yang Gao looked at Darius and sneered. He knew as well as Darius what was going to happen. "My Captain does not know you like I know you. You are a liar, Mr. Black. I will protect him from you." His blade, as long as his forearm and much sharper, withdrew from his sash and, a gunshot sounding as if to start them off, Yang Gao threw himself at Darius with a savage cry.

---

Pele, Coop, Charity, and Jed

With the most dangerous seeming member of their crew occupied and chaos erupted around them, the rest of the guards closed in on the shipment, brandishing various blades and clubs. A particularly bold member stepped forward and looked at Charity. "Run away and leave the cargo, or we will kill you like Bao Lin will kill your dog."

Odette Crew

The procession stopped before either Francis or Cooper could take another swing at getting the guard to talk. It was likely fruitless anyhow. These guys seemed well-trained. Tough. Disciplined. Bao Lin turned face and, with a smile, said, "Is there a problem?" The guard whom Francis and Coop had attempted to question stepped forward and whispered something into Bao Lin's ear. The leader nodded with understanding. Bao Lin addressed the group. "Do not worry. You are safe. We will arrive at our destination soon. The smile disappeared. "Jǐnmì de duìwǔ. The guards closed ranks, turning to face the Odette crew.  While not overtly threatening, the message was clear. Comply. Or else...

---

Darius and Yang Gao

Yang's eyes filled with a hungry glee the further they walked out from the ship and Cheung Po. There was no one there to tell him no or where to go. He gripped the knife in his sash. He could do it, no one would know. They reached Darius' locker. "Quickly, now." Yang Gao's eyes darted away from the lockers to the ground, then back to Darius. He was nervous, sweaty. He wanted to do something but wasn't sure if he should or could.

>>>>ENTER DARIUS BLACK FROM ODETTE ASIDE: A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Yang Gao followed Darius closely through the crowd, his keen eyes fixed on the former sheriff's back.

ODETTE CREW:

As suspicions were shared around the group, the guards didn't seem to hear as they didn't respond, continuing their escort among the hustle bustle of Eavesdown. Then again, perhaps they did hear and just didn't care. They had the Odette crew surrounded and outnumbered. Good thing they were all on the same side, right?

Cheung Po considered this for a moment, twisting at that beard of his. Then a soft smile. "Very well. I am glad you have changed your mind." He said, somewhat smug about the state of Darius' rethinking. "Please, by all means, collect your things. Do hurry back, the Lord's work cannot wait." And with that, Darius was dismissed with a hand wave. Before he could get too far, however, Po's voice called out once more. "Yang Gao will accompany you, of course. So you do not get lost on your way back."

Yang Gao was at Darius' side, a wicked, rotten smile and a hand at the large knife in his sash. "Shall we?" He said, allowing Darius to lead the way.


>>>>EXIT DARIUS BLACK TO ODETTE: EPISODE 1 - BIRDS OF A FEATHER

Yang Gao frowned and his hand went to a knife tucked into the sash around his waist. The rest of the crew reacted as one, all eyes on Darius, weapons within reach. Cheung Po raised a hand, halting any further movement. "Mr. Black. I beg you to reconsider." A slight shift in his seat and the crew of the Ching Shih all moved slightly closer and froze again. The tension hung heavy in the air as they coiled and waited for the signal to strike. "If you are not with us..." He paused, as if for dramatic suspense. "You are against us."

Age:	39
Gender:	Male
Primary Occupation:	Smuggler
Secondary Occupation (optional):	Gun-hand
Tertiary Occupation (optional):	Screw-Up
Equipment:	He's got a collection of stuff going, none of it lasts very long, or holds much material value other than that of their design; he's not sentimental. He'll likely be seen looking pretty damn good and armed with a side arm and, if he hasn't lost it, a backup piece hidden somewhere on his body.
Appearance:	Tall. Fit. Blond. With a smile that will charm the pants off of you, sometimes literally. He's got some tattoos and scars that remind him of bad decisions and eyes that sparkle with future ones. Always in a suit that looks slept in or a designer jacket with frayed edges, Hercules Holliday doesn't take care of his things. He avoids wearing the glasses the doctor told him would help him shoot better, and sunglasses when he's indoors.
Faceclaim:	Ryan Gosling
Initial Personality:	Confident and mischievous, Holliday knows how to get what he wants with a well placed flirt or canny bribe. He's a doer, a getter, a faker, and a shaker. He's spent most of his life dodging the law or working for them; whatever paid better. He's the guy you call when you need something done.
Underlying Personality:	That's all mostly bullsh*t. Holliday- and it's always Holliday, he hates his given name- is a perpetual screw up. Sure, he comes out ahead more times than not but that's luck more than anything. He drowns his failure in recreational drugs and alcohol, sex with strangers, and running from his problems. But the important thing to remember is that he does - usually - get the job done.
Known History:	Born: 2480. Ezra Parents: Father, Hephaestus Holliday (Deceased). Mother, Jeanie May Holliday. Siblings: Hiram 2471, Helen 2475, Homer 2478, Hippolyta 2479. Academic records: (No official childhood records.) 2503 Enrolled Osiris Police Academy (never served) Occupational Record: -2497 Deputized by Sheriff Henrietta Jackson. (Ezra) -2499 Deputized by Marshall Ozzy Woo. (Ezra) -2499 Transport Ship - The Nevermore - Crewhand -2501 Beylix Reclamation Ltd. - Laborer (Beylix) -2502 Linder Steele Works - Laborer (Athens) -2502 AA Security Consultants - Contractor (Bellerophon) -2504 The La La Club - Security (Osiris) -2505 Transport Ship - The Nevermore - Chief of Security -2508 Transport Ship - The Hard Count - Owner/Captain -2509 Transport Ship - The Nevermore - Crewhand -2511 AA Security Consultants - Asst. Manager (Bellerophon) -2512 Transport Ship - 八十八 (the 88) - Security -2515 Holliday Ranch - Laborer (Ezra) -2516 Deputized by Sheriff Henrietta Jackson. (Ezra) -2517 Transport Ship - The Nevermore - Chief of Security Military Record: -2503 Enlists Alliance Military (never served) Criminal Record: -2495 Criminal Mischief. (Sentenced to time served) - Ezra -2499 Wanted for Murder. (Charges dropped) - Ezra -2505 Drunk and Disorderly. Arson. (Bail posted. Never arraigned. Warrant outstanding.) - Osiris -2509 Drunk and Disorderly. Destruction of property. Resisting Arrest. (Bail posted. Never arraigned. Warrant waived.) - Ariel -2513 Wanted for questioning regarding smuggling and pirate activity regarding the Transport Ship 八十八 (the 88) -2514 Detained for smuggling and pirate activity regarding the Transport Ship 八十八 (the 88). No charges filed. -2519 Drunk and Disorderly. (Bail posted. Never arraigned. Warrant Outstanding.) - Athens.
Other History:	Born the youngest son of Heph and Jeanie May Holliday, owners and purveyors of the Holliday Ranch, Hercules, as he hates to be called, was always just trying to keep up with his brothers and sisters. They were a tough lot, the Hollidays, used to life of wrangling cattle and tending crops; working the odd salvage job as it came along. And everyone helped. But as he grew up, the youngest Holliday found that most of the work was already done by the time he was tall enough to do it. And so a work ethic was developed of making a lot out of a little. His eyes were starward, anyhow, and making sure he knew how to ride a horse, fix a tractor, and plow a field were the least of his concerns. Stories in magazines of folks out making adventures on the rim of the 'verse kept him busy at night. At the age of 16, nearly 17, he was deputized with his brothers and father to help track down a rustler's ring. Knowing the land and the ways of cattle and the people who ran them, the Hollidays made short work of the brigands and young Holliday killed his first man. He got a taste for the work, not so much the killing, and developed a strong working relationship with Sheriff Henrietta Jackson as second-in-command for the sleepy jurisdiction. But there wasn't much crime in their area, and as he was already getting jumpy, Jackson put in a recommendation with the Marshall of Ezra, which would expand Holliday's chances of seeing some action. "Be careful what you wish for" comes to mind. Marshal Ozzy Woo had a reputation of being a tough sonofabitch. And that reputation was well earned. He taught Holliday the finer aspects of shooting and chasing down a suspect. Talking to and convincing informants to turn on their boss. Chasing a lead and a skirt. For six-months Holliday was mentored by the infamous Marshal Woo and, though Woo and Holliday had a contentious relationship, he truly felt like he was learning the skills that would cover him the rest of his life. This was true, in part, but not quite the way that Holliday thought. Marshal Woo was gunned down in his bed in the middle of the night. Holliday, in the next room over, didn't catch the killer before they left and when there were no more leads to follow, they asked him why he didn't stop his mentor's death. Why he wasn't killed also. Official charges were drafted after reports of their bickering came to light, Woo's demands clashing with Holliday's carefree attitude. There was no evidence for it, but Holliday knew when to get. There was nothing left for him on Ezra. He signed up with the first ship that would take him - The Nevermore. Captained by Annabelle Li, a young woman who'd just taken over the family transport business from her parents, pitied Holliday when she found him at the bottom of a bottle. So she let him move boxes, turn a wrench, swab the decks, and keep an eye on the blinky lights in the cockpit. Over the next two years he learned how to space from her and slowly and strongly fell in love. Annabelle rebuffed his advances, citing rules about captain and crew relations, that he was "nothing but trouble", and countless other excuses. But in truth, she just wasn't that into him. Two years of rejection and Holliday had enough. He left the ship and began taking whatever job would hire him. He used his back and shoulders and hands and drank at night to forget that nobody needed him around. Osiris Police and the Alliance Military both rejected him. He drank as often as he watched the door for a bar called the La La Club. He was miserable and drowning. After a few years of that, and falling asleep with a cigarette and burning down his apartment complex, he asked Annabelle for a second chance. As luck would have it, she was expanding the family business outside of the Georgia system and going 'Verse wide with transport. And she needed a Chief of Security. Three more years of adventures with a girl who didn't love him back. But this time he conquered it with a, mostly, clear head. They were successful as an enterprise and, somehow, Holliday just knew it couldn't last forever. Annabelle met a man, fell in love her own damn self, and got married. Holliday was happy for her, but miserable. So, he entered into a deal with an associate, Peregrin Kapur, to buy and start his own ship. Loosely associated with the Nevermore, picking up the jobs Annabelle couldn't take, and creating a mini-fleet of transport and cargo vessels. There would still be adventure and excitement and Holliday wouldn't have to look at Annabelle anymore. It was perfect. Except that it wasn't. The ship, he named The Hard Count - a gambling term for cheating when the odds, namely security, is stacked against you - never left dry dock. The financing that Kapur had promised him fell through and Holliday lost his savings on his tough gamble. He went back to work for The Nevermore within a year. He quickly grew restless and didn't stay there long. He got a job with a security firm he had worked with years before on Bellerophon, this time as an assistant manager. This consisted of him wearing a brightly colored uniform and installing security systems for rich people. It didn't take long for the job to wear on him, and as soon as he knew enough about it to think he could get away with it, Holliday made a deal to start robbing the folks he was supposed to be protecting. He made friends with an outlaw ship called 八十八 (the 88), captained by Makoto Nagano, and arranged more than a few heists in their and his favor. When the heat got too hot, he joined their crew officially and found himself on the wrong end of the law for a number of years. They eventually got caught, or more accurately, Holliday got himself caught and made a deal with the Feds to clear his name and keep him out of jail. Of course, that meant turning on the 88. It was time to lay low for a spell. Recollect himself and clear his head. So he went back to Ezra to help out on the farm. His father was getting older (they found out later he was dying of an undiagnosed lung affliction) and his eldest sister, Helen, asked for his help. He wasn't any good at the work and hadn't done it in twenty years and didn't much care for it, but he learned quick enough and he was glad to help. It didn't take long for him to seek out trouble, however, and while in town one night got himself deputized by his old employer, Sheriff Henrietta Jackson. They rounded up some bad guys, gave them the short drop and sudden stop, and Jackson offered the badge and the jurisdiction to Holliday to keep. He considered it for half an hour before booking passage with the next transport, that just so happened to be the Nevermore. Annabelle and her family, she had two little ones by this point, were glad to have him back as Chief of Security and he was happy there, for a time. But Hercules Holliday never stays satisfied for long. He now does some light smuggling based out of Iscariot Space Station, getting things for folks who need things. He lives in a shitty room above a noodle shop and mostly keeps to himself and out of Lil Sebastian's way.
Skills and Strengths:	Despite his youthful appearance, Holliday has gone back and forth across the 'verse more than a few times and has over twenty years experience doing so. He's done every job that you can think of, but none of them well enough to have made a career out of it. The one thing he seems to be the best at is getting into trouble, and then out of it again. Shooting he knows how to do, just ask the folks who lost gunfights with him. He can fly to a passable amount, and knows how a wrench and a spanner work; but anything more detailed would be best left to professionals. He's treated various wounds on himself successfully, and others less so. And as a young semi-retired outlaw and lawman, he knows the law and how to use it, and has contacts on both sides he utilizes in his smuggling.
Weaknesses:	He's a loser, to be blunt. There's some sort of unnatural stink of misfortune that lingers over him. He's never been able to figure out the math of having a life he wants to keep. Self-sabotage, pride, impulsiveness, greed, apathy; these are his sins. Also, as mentioned above, he's not particularly great at anything. He can fly, but that's mostly in space where there's less stuff to hit. His medical skills are laughable. He can do the act of mechanicking but couldn't tell you how a system functions other than whether it's on or off or why he's turning that bolt you asked him to. He's also not exactly a coward, but won't hesitate to save himself at the expense of others.

---

"Yes, my sins are something I must atone for." Cheung Po mused, his eyes going to the middle distance between them. His fingers tipped with long nails twirled about in his braided braided beard. "For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children." There went that versing again, continued as if he had not stopped. "I am seeking like-minded people to help me in my cause, Mr. Black. Those who have seen the wickedness of the 'Verse, in particular that of the Anglo-Sinho Alliance, and wish to see all evil wiped clean. The revelations of the government's devilry on Miranda have awoken in me my true purpose." His eyes lit up with danger and he stood from his chair, knocking it to the ground. "And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee." He smiled, the volatility only increasing in his demeanor. A glance to Yang Gao would indicate he, too, had the fervor, and likewise, the rest of the crew. Cheung Po knelt at Darius's knee and looked up at him with crazed, imploring eyes. "Will you accept God into your heart, Mr. Black, renounce your sins, and join our Holy Crusade?"

Coffee was made and distributed. There were, in fact, biscuits, though they were a generic surplus variety, as opposed to the fine tea cookies Charity might have preferred. But refreshments were refreshments and complaining never got anyone anywhere. Time passed, preparations were completed, snacks munched, and it was time. Evie returned to the cockpit to get them safe and landed at Eavesdown, which went without a hitch. She was good at what she did and Eavesdown Port Authority saw so much traffic they were given the opposite of a hassle on their way down; apathy. Nobody cared who they were or why they were there.

Finally, they'd reached their destination. Now to drop off the goods, get out of there, return to Iscariot, and get paid. At least, one would hope that's how everything would happen. One could never be sure. Everyone who had, for whatever reason, made up their mind to go ashore had gathered in the cargo bay. The doors opened, the light of the mid-day sun came in, and the sites and sounds (and smells) of the Docks overwhelmed the senses. No sooner had anyone from the Odette escaped the steel grating of her deck and touched toe to terrain than a man in a hard-to-miss white changshan and pitch black rounded sunglasses approached. He bowed. "Xiàwǔ hǎo. I am Bao Lin and I will escort you to Lady Sun." He offered a tight smile and turned on a heel, revealing a dragon with bright red talons on the back of his jacket. He led them a short distance through the crowd to a waiting group of black suited guards with the same sigil displayed. If one were to take notice, the crowd was sure to keep its distance from them.

At the sound of laughter from within the shadows of the ship Yang Gao immediately got up from his seat and deferred to a robed man who replaced him in the chair. One needn't have guessed, this was the Captain of the Ching Shih; the authority practically dripped off of him. He stared at Darius for a moment before he spoke. "A very diplomatic answer. Perfectly balanced on the edge of caution and civility. I am Cheung Po, and this is my ship." Cheung Po, of course! Ruthless scoundrel, merciless pillager, and dreaded Pirate Lord; Cheung Po Tsai (The Kid) as he was called, was wanted in nearly every system by the Alliance. The pieces began to come together for Darius. But why would one of the most infamous pirates in the 'Verse be sitting here at Eavesdown pretty as a picture for anyone to see? They didn't seem to be hiding, nor afraid of being seen. Something wasn't right.

"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the Valley of Darkness." A coy smile. "The Valley of Darkness is the 'Verse and I am the shepherd. Are you also a righteous man?"

Yang Gao smiled. "As you can imagine, it has is difficult to parse through the riff-raff of the Eavesdown hiring boards. Many people looking for work. But not many like you." He motioned for Darius to follow him into the shade. Members of his crew, hardscrabble as he was, bustled about hard at work. They seemed well-regimented and behaved. Decidedly un-pirate like, at least to believe any stories one might hear. Yang Gao took a seat in a crafted chair that one would have to guess had been placed there for the purpose of their meeting, as another identical one sat adjacent.

"Your resume is very impressive." He said, his fingers steepled as he lounged in the chair. "I must admit, I was surprised to see you respond to our message. A former Alliance Marine. A former Sheriff." The implication was left to Darius to parse. A steward came by with a jug of indiscernible liquid. Yang Gao accepted a glass for himself and offered one for Darius. "Refreshment? When I look at you, Mr. Black, I see a man who has been failed by the establishment that he once held dear, or at the very least, to which you swore allegiance. A man who has been failed by the 'Verse and now strives to make his way in it by any means necessary." Yang Gao offered a slight shrug and sipped his drink. "Tell me, Mr. Black. What do you see when you look at the Ching Shih?"