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Realms: Hunter Logs

Part Four: Departures

Pirate vessel and Shao Kung
4 hours out of Demeter

With the salvors arrived, it takes little work to solemnly turn vigil of the dead over to them. They're licensed salvors, not police; they do not ask many questions, though they are (of course) fascinated by the pirate ship, and would love to take a closer look in between salvaging the Shao Kung. Solbiort manages to keep them from coming in any further than the boarding lock.

Elgyn and Raj do some final checks of the engine room. They're not bona fide mechanics but between the both of them -- and occasional questions fired up to Nigel -- they confirm that the pulse drives are fine and that the ship is just about ready to go. Once they move away from the salvage operation, they should be good to make the pulse-jump.

Safely ensconced in the infirmary, Molly is resting and healing and should be able to be up and around -- if taking it easy -- in a week or so. The other, however -- Colonel Xin Wei Shian -- is not doing well, and Nigel is dealing with the frustration of a patient slipping away and there not being a blessed thing he can do for him. Everything he tries is simply ineffective. A combination of factors -- malnutrition, poor health, and what appear to be diminished faculties -- are contributing to Colonel Xin's fading.

Solbiort has (with Elgyn's assistance) quickly and thoroughly run through the rooms of the former crewmembers of the pirate ship, so she can make sure their personal items are returned to their closest kin. She'll leave Molly's stuff alone, though. Through discussions with Molly she determines it was Gorman and his engineer, Elsa, who escaped on the ship's cutter. The two were not members of Molly's cell, but rather were part of the team which acquired the Fengwu.

Solbiort also relates in an innocent tone of voice how the hatchway on the room poor Quan was using for his shower seemed to have become stuck or jammed or something, so he couldn't get out! Fortunately when the salvors arrived she went looking for him and was able to release him. She cheerfully notes that means Quan didn't hear anything about their discoveries. What a fortuitous coincidence, no? She will equally happily keep the salvors off the newly re-appropriated ship -- then once they're gone she checks to see if there's anything she can do to help Nigel.

Nigel is surly when the captain comes to the infirmary, telling her in no uncertain terms that not only does he not need help, he wants to be left alone. Occasionally, even while snarling, he's checking vitals on the fading ex-Browncoat and glaring at him. Solbiort grins and exeunts hastily, being quite familiar with the, ah... idiosyncrasies of the temperamentally talented! She heads up to the bridge and gets the ship started moving smoothly away from the salvage operation. Alone in the privacy of the bridge, she's bright-eyed with happiness, humming under her breath and grinning broadly at the sheer pleasure of getting to pilot her own ship again -- yes, it's shared with the crew, but it's all theirs!

Elgyn is oddly... absent. He tried a couple times to either assist or offer advice to Nigel long prior to Solbiort's attempt, and was naturally rebuffed. Since then, he has retired to the armory of all places, taking stock of whatever was left after it was looted.

It isn't long after that the pirate vessel detaches from the Shao Kung and clears the salvage operation far enough to make the pulse-jump. The ship's paired fusion engines light off, the grav screening kicks in for that one high-acceleration burst... and the ship is bound for Boros. Within the first hour or so of the transit Solbiort ensures the ship is on course; Elgyn has taken stock of the armory -- nothing left but rounds for the ship's railgun and no small arms; Raj finds no parting 'gifts' from the pirates that would go 'boom'; and though Nigel works heroically, Colonel Xin (considered by many to be Wintarson's right-hand-man and the genius behind a dozen Independent victories) passes away. At the end of it, Nigel knows -- logically, anyway -- that the man's hours were numbered, cryosleep or not.

Raj steps into the lounge, covered in dust, dirt, and spider- (and other) webs. "I've given the place the over-once, and nothing jumped out at me, so I guess they didn't leave anything noticeable behind. We should still be careful, though." Raj takes a chair and continues, "We should remain alert. Keep a wary eye on anything that makes you say 'That's funny' or 'It shouldn't oughta do that' until we can do a complete sweep. Anything else have anything funny to bring up? I could use a laugh. This place is a dump."

Elgyn is busy sharpening his krisara, and gives Raj this dead-eyed look before going back to his work. Solbiort can be heard happily singing quietly to herself as she strides briskly through the pirate ship's hallways to the Commons area. She cuts off as she steps into the room, listening to Raj, then nods once, "Sounds good to me." She grins at his query, "Hey, we're safely on our vay, and this is our shiny new ship! Be nice to him -- you'll hurt his feelings."

Nigel is sitting on the floor, glowering at yet another little metal puzzle. His movements are quick and jerky and he doesn't so much as acknowledge Raj's entrance. If the man were a cartoon, there would be a tiny storm cloud hovering over his rumpled head. Solbiort says, "Any news from... ah, Nigel." She tilts her head, regarding the smaller man, then goes to crouch in front of him so she's eyelevel, "Hey. You did your best, di-di. Can't ask for better than that." Elgyn looks up at that, and has this indescribable expression on his face at Solbiort's words.

Nigel looks at Solbiort with a sardonic lift of his eyebrow, "Of course I did my best." He snorts as if amused it was ever in doubt, "I'm just pissed the gorram idiot's body wouldn't cooperate with me." He pushes up to his feet, brushing off the seat of his coverall, "This is why medcad was such a pain in the ass." Solbiort smiles, rising smoothly and stepping back a pace so she doesn't tower over Nigel.

Raj says, "Tough break, Nigel. At least the old guy didn't die in prison. They'd have had him parted up for the tech jocks by now. Count that as win, at least..." He adds, "Last I remember of 'the plan' after the locals towed off the Shao Kung was they'd expect us to show up at Boros, but we're gonna try to either figure out where the 'privateers' were going instead, or how they were going to get past the locals on Boros with the boxes, yes? We'll need to get at their records, such as they are, for that."

Solbiort says, "That, and talk further to the Corporal; ya, Raj." She looks thoughtfully at Nigel, then adds, "Would that be the sort of thing to be in their computer records?"

Elgyn's expression returns to non-committal blankness a second later, as he listens to Raj. He nods slowly, "Should we consider removing the others from cryosleep?"

Solbiort says to Elgyn, "I'm thinking that's up to Nigel -- if he thinks that's a good idea or not." She grins, adding, "But I'd love to talk to them if ve can successfully vake them!"

Nigel shakes his head, "Don't even ruttin' consider it." He adds to Elgyn, "I tend to get a little grumpy when the frustration gets high." Glancing over at Solbiort, he shrugs and says, "Don't see why it wouldn't."

Solbiort nods, "Good; sheh-sheh, Nigel. Can you take a bit to search the computer, then?"

Nigel actually seems to shake off some of the glower at that, "Sure. Give me a chance to work on something I've got half a chance of succeeding at." Solbiort smiles again at Nigel's words and gets out of the way. Elgyn only nods in response to Nigel, testing the edge of his blade.

Raj says, "You want another pair of eyes on that, Nigel? Give me a chance to get cleaned up, and I'll join you."

Nigel tips his head and glares at Raj for a moment, then shrugs, "Why not. You were helpful before." The initial red sulk is starting to fade off a little bit, the wiry man's body staring to relax.

Raj shrugs, "That's me helpful, but annoying," and heads to the fresher. Nigel wanders off toward the bridge, starting to poke around in the ship's systems as he waits for Raj to get cleaned up. The last of his gray mood seems to melt off as he gets deeper and deeper into the electronic guts of the computer.

Solbiort waves at the two of them, "Call if you need anything from us." She settles relaxedly on a chair next to Elgyn, crossing her booted ankles and stretching her arms overhead, "Ahhhh... good to be on our own ship again!"

Elgyn looks askance at Solbiort. "Don't get too comfy, Captain. The situation's more than a little fluid."

Solbiort chuckles at Elgyn's comment, "And vhen vas the last time I vas rigid und dogmatic, mmm, di-di?"

Elgyn re-sheathes his blade. "I'm just noticing you're getting awful comfortable in already thinking of this ship as 'ours'." He tilts his head. "Did you have a name in mind?"

Solbiort snorts amusedly, watching folks as they comment and move around. She grins at Elgyn, "I like this group. Neh, I figure let folks name the ship vhat they vant. Vhen they have time to think about it. Ve'll need to do a lot of cleaning in the next veek or so, but after that folks'll be getting bored. They can name the ship then."

Elgyn tosses a curious glance in Raj's direction as he departs. "He's an odd duck," he murmurs.

Solbiort snorts amusedly at Elgyn's comment, "Who, Raj? Maybe... but Nigel's the von that needs more handling. Hell of a temper, but the attention span of a hyperactive ferret on joy juice!"

Elgyn grunts in response to Solbiort's assessment. "Any more ideas on what happens next?"

Solbiort sighs contentedly, still stretched out but with her hands now peacefully clasped across her midriff, "Some peace and qviet, di-di, vhile Nigel und Raj do good things for us all. Also I'm thinking of peeking in on Miss Molly, and of a bite to eat, and maybe even a peek at the remaining cryo-boxes... vithout opening them, of course." She grins ruefully, "And vhen that's all done... ship cleaning. Not my favorite thing, but needs to be done by us all."

Elgyn nods slowly. "If you have no need of me then, Captain, I'll retire to the cargo bay. I have excess energy to work out. Just come find me when you want the dirty work done."

Solbiort tilts her head curiously at Elgyn, "Something wrong, di-di?"

Elgyn sighs. "Nothing specific, Captain. I am only... tense. The road before us is unclear, and our obstacles numerous and vague. I will feel better once a course has been decided."

Solbiort studies Elgyn for a few seconds... then reaches out and gently squeezes his shoulder, "Go vork out, di-di. Feel better." Elgyn nods curtly but not unkindly towards Solbiort before walking out.

Raj wanders on to the bridge, setting down a platter of meat and cheese, "Anything interesting, or just exciting nav-logs and power squirts? I can always start going through their accounting, if that would help. Nothing more revealing about a body then where they hide their money..." He adds, "I know this boat's due for a complete scrape and paint. I don't see anyway around it," and sighs, "Can't we just dip it in something caustic and hose it down? Ship dip, or something?"

Nigel and Raj find nothing specific within the computer. The pirates/privateers/Browncoats didn't leave much in the way of easily grasped information. They did, however, leave behind a few clues. For starters, a few notes and a calculated orbital insertion course for the moon Skamandrios orbiting Boros. It seems the Browncoats weren't heading directly to Boros and into the strong Alliance presence there. There's also a note about reconfiguring the ship's silhouette and recoding the pulse-beacon, then before departing the Boros subsystem for Fleur-de-Croix setting a new, 'legitimate' pulse-beacon code to be purchased from 'Five Dragons' -- whatever that is.

Nigel frowns at the computer, looking around, "Well, nothing exactly incriminating or hugely enlightening in here... so maybe they weren't actually worthless as pirates." He looks around distractedly, as if trying to remember where he left his pants, "I don't suppose you brought a terminal? -or paper? -or lipstick and a tiny mirror?" He snorts at Raj's comment, "That'd be one ruttin' huge tub, I think."

Raj blinks, "Well, my terminal's handy, and the mirror's easy, but I'm not the lipstick type. What would you need that for anyhow?"

Nigel can't help but grin slightly at Raj, "I want to take some notes from the information in here. I want it entered someplace else. Redundancy and all that."

Raj says, "Oh, that makes sense. Hard to copy-proof a brain-to-finger transfer. You point stuff out and I'll type. Easy." Nigel starts pointing out information he wants noted. -- especially the information about the moon, and the purchasing of the legitimate code. He also has Raj take some notes about the reconfigurable geometry. On the bridge, Nigel discovers, while Raj copies down, that 'Five Dragons' -- it sounds vaguely like some sort of Tong-related thing -- is expecting some sort of payment. If there are a few bags of plat floating around the ship, Raj hasn't seen it. It also notes, though, that Five Dragons is the best bet and is already more than willing to be discrete.

Nigel chews his lip thoughtfully, "I wonder if there was anything like a personal terminal in any of the crew quarters? There might be more information some place like that."

Raj says, "Wellll... dunno. They were pretty casual, but we don't know how much they trusted each other. Not uncommon for the officer in charge of the cash to keep a lot of the data in a 'well secured' place. Let's just hope it wasn't so secure we'd never find it."

Nigel nods, thinking as he plays with a puzzle, knee bouncing. "Well, we can always have a look around and poke in any little cubbyholes and corners we might find... but something tells me we aren't going to find something showing X marking the spot." He clucks his tongue thoughtfully, "Hopefully we won't get shot on sight when we show up with the ship and one too few Inde-cicles."

Raj nods, "I don't think the count matters much, Doctor. We're certain to be in their little blue dance cards as 'folks to meet' regardless of what we do, or did, or didn't do. About the only thing worse than 'knows too much' for these folks is 'has my money' (which we might), 'secrets man was not meant to know,' and 'dated my sister.'"

Nigel chuckles and leans back, hands folded behind his head, "You're probably right on that, y'know." He eventually pushes himself up and starts wandering around (as much as one can) on the bridge.

As they talk, Nigel comes upon a saved message in the com-log. It has already been decrypted, and apparently Gorman decoded it to inform the other members of the crew of its contents. Apparently the civilian ship which handed off the three cryo-boxes to the Fengwu was ordered to heave-to, by a frigate which was flying no colors in the Draupadi subsystem. The last word from them was they were trying to run; nothing more. The message goes on to urge Gorman to bring the Fengwu to Skamandrios ASAP and get the new 'legit' pulse-beacon code from Five Dragons before the rendezvous between the civilian ship and the Fengwu was discovered, and whomever was flying that frigate comes to the Mishka Quadrant.

Nigel finally stops in his pacing and leans back against the console, "I think it might be a priority to get the new pulse-beacon code. It's sounding from this sort of thing that this ship might be being watched." This seems to agitate the little man, his mouth set in a thin line.

Raj says, "Our pirate buddies got hit by 'pirates'? How ironic... and suspicious... I agree with you about being watched. When the salvors get back to Boros, the word will be out about this ship. We might get away with 'playing dumb,' but I wouldn't want to bet my life on it."

In the Cargo bay, Elgyn grunts and breathes deep, stripped to the waist and darting around in violent action. No calm katas these, but deadly maneuvers against an invisible opponent; it is as if he his warring with his doubts and his concerns. In Commons, Solbiort will rise after a few moments of peaceful quiet, and wander into the medbay to check on the little pirate Browncoat.

In the infirmary Molly Cooper the Browncoat is lying on the bed, looking across the short space to the other bed, where the body bag holding Colonel Xin is hidden behind a curtain. It's as if she can still see through it. Solbiort pauses in the hatchway, noticing the woman is awake... then steps quietly through, ducking her head to enter smoothly, "Corporal Cooper. How are you feeling?"

Molly turns to look at Solbiort, blinking a little before seeming to focus on the woman. "Oh." She tries to straighten a little in the bed. "I'm... well, thank you. Better. And thank you also for not throwing me out the airlock right away."

Solbiort's lips quirk with amusement, "Vould be a vaste to toss you. If ve're to help our... popsicles, ve need you." She moves so Molly can see her without craning her neck, then leans a hip against the counter and crosses her arms, "So. Got anything else you vant to let us know, now you know ve're not going to space you all and ve're villing to help?"

Molly Cooper winces visibly at calling the supercargo 'popsicles.' "I don't know much. My unit..." She pauses, then sighs. "My cell on Ashtoreth was asked to help with this. We were picked up by the Fengwu on Ashtoreth and rendezvoused with a civilian ship coming out of the Central planets. That's where we picked up General Wintarson and his aides. I don't know where Captain Gorman got the Fengwu from. I only know that we were taking Wintarson, Xin, and Danviere to a moon of Boros, and then from there to Fleur-de-Croix. Outside of that... I don't know."

Solbiort will quietly question Molly for as long as she seems comfortable talking -- she doesn't want to harm the girl, so if necessary she'll stop the conversation if Cooper seems to be fading. Until then, however, she simply collects data about the pirates, their cells, etc. She's also most interested in anything Molly knows about the future plans for the three frozen Indeps -- she's a bit worried about how successful (or not) this sudden change in crew will be for them achieving their freedom.

Molly, though apparently not the most skilled terrorist or pirate, does know enough to not blab everything about the cells, least of all with someone whom she doesn't know too well. But she is polite, and does answer some questions. "We were bringing Wintarson and his aides to Fleur," she says. "There's an old Indep medical facility there; one of the best in the quadrant. Or at least it was. We were hoping to rendezvous with a medical team there, to see if they could revive them without..." She glances over at Xin again, and sighs. "I read stories about what he'd done," she says softly. "Stealing victory from the Alliance more times than can be counted. And when Wintarson took him on... when I started studying their campaigns, I had to wonder what would happen if they had a few more soldiers."

Elgyn comes into the infirmary a little while into the conversation, just quietly watching in the doorway, wiping the sweat from his brow. Solbiort snorts quietly, shaking her head, "Ve'd have a new President/King. Vintarson vas a -- is a proud man. Vhy stop just vith independence? Vhy not go on and remove the threat of var forever?"

Molly asks quietly, "Isn't that what the Alliance wants, too? Look -- all I know is what I've read and learned about them. Probably the same things you have. Wintarson probably would want to start the war again but..." She glances at Xin again. "I wasn't certain he'd be in any condition to do that when he was thawed out. Now I'm pretty certain. They deserved better than to be buried in a Max-Sec. No other Indep soldier was -- why them?"

Elgyn is utterly silent and still now, just listening to the two speak. Solbiort nods soberly, "Ya; no heroes left vonce a var is over -- just vounded. That is vhy ve are helping." She knows 'no other indep soldier' is a bit of an exaggeration -- some were arrested and imprisoned for war crimes. But the vast majority who survived were granted amnesty so long as they behaved after the war. Which begs the question, "So... vhy you are still fighting, girl?"

Molly Cooper lets out a breath, and nods, "Thank you." She makes a bit of a sour face. "My father, during the war, went off to join Danviere's Volunteers. His convoy came upon an Alliance SCS and he was listed as killed in action. I guess I joined because of that, and kept 'fighting'... but what kind of war can we fight? There's nothing left to fight over. Maybe some real estate in the Xinyao Quadrant that hasn't seen a purplebelly in eight years..."

Elgyn speaks up. "If you see it as pointless, why not leave, then? Make a life on your own?"

Solbiort murmurs quietly, "She is, actually... now..."

Molly looks over to Elgyn. "I was going to. Up until a year ago, it was starting to seem more and more like nothing would come of it. That's when we were told about the plan to get Wintarson, Xin, and Danviere out of Ariel Max-Sec. It's... maybe it sounds odd, by my father had enough faith in Wintarson to get himself killed. I guess I kind of owed it to Pa and to my own self as a Browncoat to get them out of there and at least live. They never did anything warranting imprisonment. Nothing like Shadow or Sector 861."

"Let's hope this last plan isn't the one that *prevents* you from having a life." Elgyn says dryly.

Solbiort sighs, thinking... then wanders over to the intercom and clicks it for the bridge, "How're you boys doing up there?"

Nigel thumbs the intercom and says, "Well, we're apparently not real safe looking like who we are right now and we have to go talk to a Tong without knowing who to contact or how we're going to pay them, but other than that we're fine as frog's hair."

Solbiort frowns, listening. "Vunderbahr. Ve'll be up to the bridge in a moment then, to compare notes." She clicks off the intercom, then glances at Molly, still frowning, "If you remember anything helpful so ve aren't all scooped by Alliance or other pirates, let us know, ya?"

Molly blinks. "A Tong?"

Solbiort says, "S'vhat he said. Vant to ask him yourself?"

Molly nods to Solbiort. "As soon as I remember anything, yes, I'll let you know. But I... don't know much of the details -- Gorman was a bit of a tightass with information. I'm honestly surprised we were going to deal with a Tong. Er... may I ask a question?"

Solbiort says, "Of course. Ask."

Molly Cooper says, "You're ex-military; it's not hard to tell, you've got the officer's voice that Gorman only pretended to have. I've guessed already, but I have to know for certain: Alliance or Browncoat?"

Solbiort studies the girl for a moment, then shrugs as she turns to leave, "Vhat's the difference, any more?" Molly makes no immediate answer to that question. Elgyn moves as Solbiort exits, and then gestures with his chin to indicate Molly to follow.

Molly Cooper looks to Elgyn, than indicates the bed with a slightly wry expression. "I have a feeling the doctor would have my head if I tried to get out of here right now...."

Elgyn smirks a little. "I'd protect you from the doctor... but you have a point. I should have considered that myself. You stay and knit."

Solbiort snorts quietly, and murmurs to Elgyn, "Don't tease her, di-di. She's still mending."

Solbiort heads up to the bridge with Elgyn, thinking furiously. She remembers Sector 861. It's now an asteroid belt around an un-terraformed planet, but it used to be a fairly unstable moon -- more like a captured comet, really, being barely ten kilometers in diameter. Initially it was the site of an Alliance military station, and at the start of the hostilities in the Georgia Quad, the Indeps in Georgia were a little... anxious about getting rid of it. The resulting hostilities took several days. At the end the Indeps had broken large chunks of the comet off, causing a menace to navigation and more than a few threats to the safety of several nearby inhabited worlds. That's about as close as the Indeps got to blowing planets up, though.

Once everyone is on the bridge, Raj recaps: "Let me see if I've got this right... as far as anyone can guess, General Wintarson and company are in boxes in a High Security prison. No surprise there, but the Central Planets location of the prison seems to be odd. Somebody in the Indep underground breaks them out and gets them on an unnamed civilian ship. Meanwhile, Miss Molly and her buddies are picked up by this ship, the Fengwu, commanded by Captain Gorman. The unnamed civilian ship meets with the Fengwu and transfers Wintarson and company on board with forklifts. For some abso-fargin-lootly unknown reason, Gorman decides it's time to top off their cash reserves with a bit of piracy and jumps the Shao Kung, our ride. Hilarity ensues."

Raj continues, "Except for getting shot up and losing their ship and cargo, their plan was to go to Skamandrios (a moon of Boros), meet with some nice Tong fellows called 'Five Dragons,' pay them a lump of money (which we don't have), get a shiny new pulse-beacon code, reconfigure the silhouette of the Fengwu (which is more than a bit unusual in its own right), and go to Fleur-de-Croix to do... something. Probably hand off their boxes of old, unwell, Indep Generals to the next underground cell... oh! Let's not forget that, while we were waiting, the 'unnamed civilian ship' got jumped by either pirates, an unmarked Alliance ship, or some other interested third-party to be named at a later date -- and was last seen fleeing the scene, under pursuit. Did I miss anything? Hm... word about this ship will certainly get to any and all of the interested parties as soon as the salvors get to dock. It's not every day the passengers take over a pirate ship, after all."

Nigel listens, considers, and nods, "Yeah, that just about covers it."

Elgyn scratches his chin. "Anyone know how long we've got before the salvors get back to civilization?"

Solbiort says, "Actually I think Gorman and crew vere starving and that's vhy they jumped the Shao Kung, no? Molly doesn't know vhere they got the Fengvu, though, or about the Tong being involved. Might be this 'Five Dragons' is something else entirely?"

Raj says, "The part where they're broke makes no sense to me, Solbiort. If they're part of some escape scheme, why weren't they ready for this? If they were broke, where did they expect to get the money to get a new code?"

Solbiort says, "Four hours or so, di-di. Raj, I have no idea. Maybe Gorman vas going to try awakening them all early, and failed his basic logistics?"

Raj says, "Do you think Gorman planned this? I've not met him myself, but just from the looks of things he hardly seems the criminal mastermind type breakin' folks out of a high-security prison."

Solbiort says, "Do I think he planned it? No. The corporal has no deep faith in him. More likely he's someone's stooge, from the sound of it."

Raj says, "...and I've got to ask: do we care? As far as the law is concerned we're the rightful owners of this boat, and don't really need a 'new code' or anything to operate it. Our only hiccup seems to be that we're in possession of some serious, serious contraband. The question is, how do we take care of that?"

Solbiort says, "Vhich doesn't say much about the Browncoats, sorry. But I find it interesting the tracks are already being covered. It's possible that's vhere Gorman vent wrong -- he vanted the Shao Kung itself, to hid his own tracks."

Elgyn looks blank. "Pardon, Captain?"

Raj says, "Woof! You think he had his own plans for the cargo? I'd not considered that. Par for the course, it might seem."

Solbiort says, "Neh, I think he vanted a new ship."

Raj says, "That old boat? What for?"

Elgyn blinks. "Hell of a trade-in... a blockade runner for a passenger liner."

Nigel is still leaning on the console and his hands are stuffed into his pockets, teeth worrying at his bottom lip, "Who says he was going to trade?"

Solbiort says, "Who cares vhat it looked like? The Shao Kung vas not the ship the unnamed civilian ship rendezvoused vith -- it vas 'legit.'" Then she nods to Nigel, "Precisely."

Elgyn shakes his head. "You lost me."

Solbiort says, "Di-di, let's say you're a vanna-be Browncoat hero. You have a ship, you have the hottest cargo imaginable. Then you find out somevon's on to you. Vhat to do? Get rid of this ship's pulse-beacon code, and shift your cargo to a new von that no von vould suspect. So here's a nice tame passenger liner -- should be easy, ya? All you have to do is kill everyvon on board, then svipe their pulse-beacon code information. Vith everyone dead, who vill know this isn't the Shao Kung any more?"

Elgyn blinks. "Oh." Solbiort nods.

Raj shrugs, "So, hijack a ship in transit, shift the cargo, and have it show up at some other port? Sounds pretty dicey to me. He could have used it as cover, I suppose. An armed ship like this, escorting a merchant like the Shao Kung would be less suspect. They could get in close to other ships under some pretense, I guess."

Solbiort says, "And now... now it's all gone up in smoke for this guy. He and von other escaped -- everyvon else is dead. Vill he run, or vill he try to track down his precious cargo? If the latter, ve have von more group hot after us." She grins, "Isn't it nice not to be bored?"

Nigel blinks, "It wasn't the captain that we found bleeding all over the console?"

Elgyn rubs the bridge of his nose. "Except they were going to do better, Raj... they weren't going to switch ships, just wear the Shao Kung's signal like a... what is that term? The one named after a prophylactic?"

Raj says, "His plans don't really matter, though, do they? What are we going to do? Land on Boros and play dumb? Announce the discovery of the General and friends to the news media?" He laughs, "Oh! That would throw the wrench in everybody's day, wouldn't it!"

Nigel says, "Sheepskin?"

Solbiort grins amusedly at Raj, then shakes her head, "For now ve haf two veeks to decide. It'll take that long to get to the Boros system."

Elgyn considers, and then shakes his head. "No, that's not what my teammate called it..." He shrugs and moves on. "Actually, we have less than that, Captain. We have... less than four hours."

Solbiort glances at Nigel, "How long do you see it taking the corporal to recover, Nigel?" To Elgyn she adds, "Unless they have a vay to track us in the Dark, di-di, ve are incommunicado for the next two veeks."

Nigel shrugs, tapping one foot on the floor, "That depends on how recovered you want her. Up and hobbling around? Less than a week. Actually useful? Two, three, maybe more."

Solbiort nods to Nigel, "Good enough. Thank you."

Elgyn taps his fingers against each other. "Are we sure of that? The unnamed ship found the other transport easy enough. When the salvors get back, they'll have a general location of us... and we don't know how fast that other ship travels."

Raj says, "So let's look at it from another perspective, then. What are the escaped pirates going to do? They've got Doctor Kingston, and pro'lly been in touch with their friends. What will they do? Send another ship to intercept? Surely have someone on Boros to take a shot at us." He adds, "Good point there, Elgyn. How about the unmarked ship that jumped 'the unnamed civilian ship'? Is it on the way here? Do they have friends they could have 'waved? More folks on Boros with our faces to hand?" He shakes his head, "This just gets better and better, doesn't it?"

Solbiort sighs, leaning against one wall and folding her arms, "All right, vhat do we have to decide?" She counts on her fingers, "Do ve help out the frozen folks? I think our answer is ya already. Do ve keep the corporal around? I think that one's a ya also. Do ve go to Boros, and do ve hand over the frozen Indeps?" She looks up, "Thoughts? And if ve don't go to Boros, do ve choose another place that has excellent and discreet medical facilities -- or try to offload the Indeps? I vant to know vhat you all think, please. Ve're all in this together."

"Keeping them here is playing with fire. The unnamed ship may show up in transit... they may not. We might want to consider loading them onto the other cutter, like I suggested before." Elgyn muses.

Nigel pushes away from the console, "How about we leave the frozen Indeps somewhere and try to encode a 'wave to someone on where to find them."

Raj says, "I've got no real strong reason to do these folks harm, myself, but stand between them and the Alliance?" He shakes his head, "I don't think so. If we can return them to whoever cracked them out of prison, well, I'm not against that. I think leaving them somewhere they can be found is pretty smooth, and keeps us the hell away from all of these folks. Miss Molly? So long as she's not going to try to flip us over, I'm happy to let her off anywhere she'd like to go. Might be a good person to give the location to, if she's going back to her friends."

Solbiort nods, "All right. So it sounds like ve vant to find a safe place to leave them, ya?"

Raj mumbles, "...safe being a relative term..."

Elgyn smiles. "Too much safety, and you might as well be dead, Raj."

Solbiort gives Raj an amused glance, then adds, "If we can, I'm thinking the corporal can stay vith them wherever ve end up leaving them. Sound good? Somevhere near Boros, or do ve vant to try another system entirely?"

Elgyn says, "Someplace close. The longer they're here, the less... 'safe' we are." He smirks at Raj.

Solbiort nods thoughtfully, considering... "Vell, the corporal said she vas from Ashtoreth. It's near there, and she should know who to contact. I'm thinking Ashtoreth vill do."

Raj says, "Dunno, Elgyn, a little boring might be nice. We seem to be all set for enough excitement to kill us."

Nigel clears his throat, "We're going to have to wait a week at least, anyway. I'm not letting little miss gutshot tragic heroine out of that medbay for at least four days."

Solbiort chuckles, "Given, doc. So, once ve're near Boros ve refine our navigation for Ashtoreth. In the meantime... I'm thinking cleaning up this ship vould be good!" She thinks a bit, then adds, "Nigel, you busy?"

Nigel looks around himself as if he might find another 'Nigel' hiding behind a console, then back at Soli, "Yeah. I'm just up to my ears in projects." He adds with a smirk, "What do you need?"

Solbiort grins, "Smartass. Ya, I have a job for you -- I vant you to go over the captain's quarters carefully, looking for hidey-holes. According to the corporal, Gorman vas tightassed about keeping things to himself. So... maybe there is vhere he hid his blood money? C'mon. Sooner I'm sure there are no nasty surprises there, sooner I'm comfortable sleeping there."

Nigel shrugs and takes his hands out of his pockets. He's got a screwdriver in one of them, "Sure. I can have a peek around."

Elgyn glances at Raj. "Any ideas about what we should do about your Doctor Kingston?"

Solbiort says, "The enforcers on Demeter said they'd hold the cutter for us vhen they find it, di-di, so I'm guessing they'll hold Kingston for Raj too, eh?" She grins and claps Nigel on the shoulder, "Excellent!" She tries not to accidentally hit too hard as well, considering Nigel's a rather... slightly built sort. Nigel sways on his feet, anyway. But the smirk on his face says he might well have done it very much on purpose.

Elgyn says, "This is assuming the enforcers are up to the task, but... point. No need to worry till we know."

Raj looks thoughtful for a moment, then says, "Not really. I can call in and tell folks what happened, but I'm not really in a position to do anything other than tell the locals what I saw. We don't know where they went, where they are, or what they're doing. I'm kind of at a loss until we hear something about Molly's folks... and Ashtoreth might be the right place to do that."

Solbiort adds, "Di-di, come vith! You're better at finding hidden things than I -- maybe you can help Nigel, ya?"

Elgyn shrugs. "Why not..." Solbiort considers things as the other two search the captain's room. The ship has enough fuel to make another pulse-jump once they reach Boros, but not enough to make a change of course right now. Refueling on Boros won't be an issue, but it will require landing.

Two weeks can pass either slowly or quickly, depending on the mood, work being done, urgency of getting somewhere or away from somewhere, and the like. There are no surprises remaining aboard the ex-pirate ship. At the same time, whatever Gorman was going to use to pay 'Five Dragons' for the new pulse-beacon doesn't show up; it's possible he took it with him when he fled the ship. Molly has confirmed the dead pirate on the bridge was the pilot, not Gorman. A few more details are made clear: Molly's group was separate from the handful of Browncoats who 'acquired' the Fengwu, and Molly's cell came aboard a month or two before they took on the three cryo-boxes. From all appearances this had been a very well orchestrated operation.

The ship is cleaned up and made more tidy. By the time the ship is in the orbital insertion corridor for Boros and that world's several sub-moons, with Adarra looming large ahead, the ship could quite likely be considered 'home,' after a sort. No surprises remain, and while there are hidden compartments there's nothing in them. The paperwork for ownership is completed -- in quintuplicate -- before then, and a polite 'wave informs the crew that Boros police will be awaiting them upon arrival. It isn't an order to go to Boros, it's merely where their flight plan said they were going.

Thus they are taken a little by surprise when the ex-pirate ship makes her merry way to Ashtoreth instead. The ship is winging in for a landing a few hours later. Ashtoreth is an altogether less sophisticated port; certainly not crawling with Feds like Boros is. Solbiort politely 'waves back that their intended port of call was actually Ashtoreth as she does so. No need to raise hackles.

Solbiort looks a little unhappy as she brings the ship in... she's still unsure of the wisdom of dumping a deader and two stiffs on poor Molly. On the other hand, the ship isn't a dictatorship... and she's acutely aware holding onto Wintarson is so far from wise it's painful. When the course is locked in, and they have a few hours yet, she heads down to check on Molly, to see how she's doing.

Molly is just being given immunizations and a final check-up by Nigel. She seems to be mostly recovered from the wound, and can certainly walk, if a touch carefully. Nigel prods not-ungently at the healing wound, watching Molly's reactions carefully. Elgyn is standing closer, as Nigel does his work... not getting in the way, but clearly concerned for Molly's health. Solbiort comes silently into the medbay and waits quietly in the back, arms folded. She smiles faintly, watching Elgyn and Molly.

Molly doesn't wince much, it's more anticipating that it might hurt rather than the wound actually hurting. "Thank you, Doctor," she says. "You did great work with it."

Nigel is muttering instructions to the girl, "You want to be really careful with this, girlie." Solbiort discreetly covers a small grin as it suddenly occurs to her one of the reasons Nigel is such a grouchy doctor -- does anyone really listen to their departing instructions?

Molly nods soberly, looking a little tense and anxious. "I'll definitely try to, Doctor." She looks over as Solbiort and Elgyn enter, and nods a little in greeting, still a touch nervous. "Captain."

Solbiort nods once to Molly, her expression thoughtful. Elgyn smirks a little. "Nigel, you have a worse bedside manner than me... and that's saying something," he drawls. He focuses on Molly. "You thought about who we talk to, to hide the cargo?"

Molly lets out a breath, and nods. "The Goldshore Docks. The wharfmaster there owes the cell a few favors, and he'll be discreet."

Solbiort says, "Good. Ve're on our vay. You vant to call him now so he's ready, or vhat?"

Molly nods, "I'd like to, please. It'll give him some time to prepare a place to stow the crates."

Solbiort says, "That's fine. Come... ve go to the bridge so you can 'wave." She adds to Elgyn, "Let Raj know ve just received the 'wave from Demeter -- they recovered the cutter but not the contents."

Elgyn grimaces, and gets up to find Raj. "When you meet up with your cell, let them know we want Kingston back. We don't get him, we're likely to be less friendly," he warns Molly before he leaves.

Molly Cooper nods to Elgyn. "I'll let them know, maybe they have some sort of contact with Gorman. If they do, I'll make sure they get him back to you." With that, she lets Solbiort lead her to the bridge.

Solbiort puts a hand on Molly's elbow to make sure she's supported, and heads slowly for the bridge with her. She murmurs quietly to Molly as they walk, "You'll have to forgive Elgyn... he takes things like this very seriously. But ve do vant Kingston safe and sound, please." She waits and watches while Molly 'waves, resisting the urge to pace. She wishes she could be there when Wintarson was awakened.

Molly 'waves to the wharfmaster and arrangements are made -- Guyon, the wharfmaster, sounds surprised and not a little unhappy, but he's mostly willing to help stow the unspecified cargo someplace safe before Molly can get her cellmates together. Solbiort settles Molly in Commons with her pack of personal goods, makes sure Nigel knows where she is, then heads back to the Bridge. She feels like she's missing something important, and she can't figure what... and it bothers her intensely.

Elgyn goes to Raj's room, giving a knock. Raj step into the corridor and says, "What's up? Everything going according to plan?"

"Well, the stuff with the cargo... so far." Elgyn replies. "Unfortunately, the man called Gorman made off with our cargo."

Raj nods, "Thanks for letting me know. No word from the locals, I expect, except 'we dunno nuffin.' Typical." He shakes his head, "It's going to take me a bit to straighten this out, I expect," and looks to Elgyn. "Thanks," he says, "I'll see what I can find out."

"It's not hopeless, Raj. Molly might be able to talk with them, get your Doctor back safe and sound," Elgyn suggests.

Raj looks dubious, "Browncoats, known for their honor and honesty -- and kidnapping and piracy. I expect this will be more of the same. Well," he grins, "I expect it won't be boring, eh?"

Elgyn sighs, shaking his head and not returning Raj's smile. "I only wish I could deny your words. I would wish my ex-shieldmates had cleaved true to their ideals."

Raj says, "I wouldn't let it bother me, Elgyn. It's not like every side was pure white, not even by their own standards. There's a bit of 'black hat' in everyone. Let's hope there's a bit of 'white hat' to be found here." He mumbles, as he passes Elgyn, "...but I think we should certainly be going quite well armed..."

Elgyn looks bemused for a moment at Raj's terminology, but then seems to slowly comprehend. "Indeed." He gestures. "Let's go see our potential 'white hat' off."

Nigel sits down across from Molly, fiddling with what seems to be his favorite puzzle. -- either that or the one that irritates him the most. It's the one with several small chains attached. He watches the girl for a moment, then sighs, "Listen, girlie, is there a chance this is either a suicidal or homicidal gesture on our parts?"

Molly bites her lip, clearly thinking for a few moments, then shakes her head. "I don't think so. You're doing the smart thing: getting the hell away from Wintarson as fast as possible. Fengwu's a good ship -- or whatever you're going to call her now -- what with all the dirty tricks she has. It looks like she'll keep you safe." She smiles a bit. "As for 'homicidal,' that isn't really your worry now. I'll be doing what I can; what I believe in, here. Wintarson and Danviere deserve some quiet retirement somewhere on the Fringe, not the inside of a cell or a cryo-box. I'll be making sure they get it."

Nigel nods, narrowing his eyes in brief struggle between his callousness and his need to make sure he's not doing something colossally dangerous to a patient, "Look... if you think you'll be safer with us, I could talk to the captain."

Molly Cooper shakes her head quickly. "I can't leave Wintarson and Danviere, and that's cargo you shouldn't be having aboard your ship. It might be safer, but... no, that wouldn't be fair. You didn't ask to have this dropped in your lap and you don't need to deal with it."

Nigel sighs and pushes his hands through his hair. It's starting to become a familiar gesture... but this time he actually does get the chains tangled, which probably damages his credibility some, "Well, if you want to face down a cannon for your ideals, it's your own rump on the line..." He's scowling and trying to disentangle without ripping out chunks of hair and scalp.

Elgyn just happens to walk in then. "We faced worse, every day of the war," he comments to Nigel.

Molly lets out a sigh, then gently places a hand on Nigel's shoulder. "Doc... you patched me together again. And I'm grateful and I know it must seem like I'll just be going out to get gutshot again. But that cargo can't stay with you."

Solbiort wanders restlessly in, checking on Molly -- then stops, bemusedly regarding the scene in front of her. She bites her lip, struggling not to laugh... then moves forward and gravely says, "Here, Nigel, let someone help vith that." Molly glances over at the others as they enter, quickly dropping her hand and folding her hands behind her back.

Nigel snarls at the mess he's made of puzzle and hair, letting his hands drop. His mouth opens to say something to the girl when Elgyn enters. The little metal box with its chains not so much dangling as seeming to be attached to the top of his head, "It's not a war any more," he says flatly to Elgyn, trying his very best not to turn scarlet as the puzzle is hacked out if his hair.

Solbiort flips out her knife and easily but carefully cuts the chain puzzle free, then hands it to Nigel. She doesn't quite trust herself to say anything at this point, though, without possibly bursting into laughter, so she carefully turns away to sheathe the knife, having a small coughing fit in the process. Elgyn nods, watching Solbiort tend to Nigel's hair. "No, it's not... but there are worse things to die for than ideals."

Solbiort settles calmly into a chair once her, um, coughing fit is done, and solicitously inquires, "Anything bothering you, doc?"

Nigel stands up, movements jerky and impatient, "I think our little heroine is taking her role a little too seriously." He stuffs the puzzle, hair and all, into his pocket, "Go off and get killed for your ideals if you need to. But don't get killed because of something someone else would have wanted." He jerks his head in a way that might have been a nod at the captain and the man that's essentially her first mate and stalks -- stomps really -- off toward his room.

Molly looks like she's been slapped, and sits there patiently after Nigel leaves, looking somewhat deflated. Solbiort smiles quietly, waiting until he's gone to cheerfully inform Molly, "I think he likes you!"

Raj says, "I think if that man could buy him extra arms, he'd have six and not enough."

Solbiort nods and grins, "Ya, he'd just have more puzzles, and ve'd all be in danger!" She sighs, her gaze returning to Molly, becoming distinctly less cheerful and more concerned, "Vell, corporal... you got everything? All ready?"

Molly makes no immediate response to Solbiort's comment about Nigel, only nodding as Solbiort asks her directly. "Um. Yes, Captain, I do. Everything's all set; Guyon will have his people ready to take the... containers to a place they'll be safe. Thank you for all you people have done."

Solbiort nods and stretches out in the chair, sitting silently. She still feels like there's something seriously missing here... but she doesn't know what it is. Yet. Elgyn folds his arms. "You should take the credit yourself, Molly."

Molly glances to Elgyn and shakes her head, "Take credit for a hare-brained scheme to roll a civilian transport for their pulse-beacon just because Gorman got nervous? No; thanks, really. We'll see what happens when I get them to Fleur-de-Croix. Then, I dearly hope, nobody tries to give me credit for anything."

Solbiort says, "Vhyso, corporal? Are you expecting problems there?"

Elgyn shakes his head. "But you made better decisions than your superiors, Molly. If you shot at Raj, you'd be dead, and we wouldn't know as much as we do. The same outcome if you refused to trust us." He pats Molly's shoulder. "You sold us on this, shield-sister. Don't just push that to the side."

Solbiort tilts her head thoughtfully, her lips quirking slightly as she watches. Molly grins impishly to Solbiort. "No, I'm expecting no problems, no 'rise of the independents,' no anything exciting. Not a lot of glory or credit for doing something like that, 'least from others. Which I'm perfectly happy with." She looks to Elgyn. "Thanks, Elgyn. I won't forget that."

Elgyn nods solemnly. "You take care of yourself, Molly." Solbiort smiles slowly, watching the girl. She hopes Molly makes it safely out of this mess... but she's not holding her breath.

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Last modified: 2006-Mar-04 21:02:19

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