Episode 1: Recruiting a crew

[nowhere65]

Rex slides a hand along the exterior of the ship, inspecting the beast, oblivious as to what is going on inside the transport.

As he rounds to one side he spots some of the other coming down the cargo ramp in a hurry. His brow furrows and he gives a shout, "HEY...hey....what's going on? Where's the fire?"

He trots over to the ramp and waits for an answer...

[Mierin]

Kat nods at Justice and says "You go ahead. I'm going to find higher ground and I'll cover you." To Jolanda, she replies "They are all dances. Some gunfighters see fights as a type of dance. Makes it more poetic, I guess."

Kat turns to Rex and fills him on the transmission that Justice had heard from Chaz. "It looks like there's trouble and it's just around the corner. Where can I find some higher ground so I can cover them?"
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[dakota]

( ff a bit )

Justice and her entourage arrived back at Derrick's bar just as things were getting interesting. There were alot more people in the bar now, many of them wearing similar uniforms. Chaz sat at the bar, nursing a drink and talking to someone as he tried to ignore the large man several paces behind him that was trying to goad him to do something. " Come on Chester, let's play a couple more hands, just you and me. Just you and me. Or even better, admit you're a cheat and give me back that hovercraft. " Some of the others chuckled. " What's the matter, Chester? That little mutie-cutie sister of yours would have tried to rip my throat out by now. "

Chaz gritted his teeth as he turned his head slightly to look at the new arrivals , his eyes hidden behind his glasses.


Kat found a second story balcony acrossed the street from Derrick's. In front there were several military style vehicles, and several men milling around them. None of them paid her much attention.


Aboard La Mish, Wes glanced over at Windrider as he went through the preflight. " Okay, I gotta ask. What's with the monkey?"

In the engine room, the hum of the engines told Krendal that the hovercraft was newer than it appeared on the outside. It hadn't even been broken in yet. Not necessarily a good thing.

[tag]

[dhakael]

Jerran barely hears;" What's the matter, Chester? That little mutie-cutie sister of yours would have tried to rip my throat out by now. "

Mentally, as the posse of two walk onto the scene;
"OH...not smart. THAT's going to cost you."

Leaning forwards over her shoulder and whispering into Justice's ear; "If there wasn't going to be blood spilled before, I think THAT gentleman's comment changed the outcome to 'red-mist'. NEVER insult a persons sibling...even if they are trash."

Standing upright again, Jerran just lets his fox-smile shine...waiting for the ball to drop.

[Renekin Skywalker]

Windrider looks up at Wes then over at Thinks I'm a Tree (who had resumed his tests of the windscreen). "He fell out the front of a small buggy once. He has been ver careful ever since." Windrider explains in his long baritone voice. Then he resumes his preflight.

Over the radio to the group, he says "What is the situation?"

[shiivster]

*uses the radio to nearby to respond with 'the others are having left. the Kat, she is .. going high .. and the others are having gone into the building of drinks. i am being near the door to make sure it is to being closed when they get inside ... ' *her voice is calm

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[frostwolf]

Justice does a quick survey of the scene, narrowing down those that are the threats and those that are just in the way. The comment over Chaz's shoulder and the one from Jerran cinches it. She shifts herself a little so that the badge reflects the light. Excuse me. Is there a problem here? She knew the problem with twitch folks so she was careful not to indicate any hostillities with her weapons. I believe that there is a time table to be kept and any problems would be a very upsetting time delay. She stood her ground, mentally focused on the big guy that reeked of trouble. She did not, however, discount any of the others in the bar. She watched the big fella and watched Chaz, hoping that he would take this opportunity to exit while he had some backup. She also took into consideration Jerran by her side. She was trusting him to cover her back, something she was definitely not used to doing with a complete stranger.

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[nowhere65]

Rex comms up to the bridge, "We're all set here in the engine room. Engine sound almost brand new though. You might want to easy into them if you have a choice."

He looks about the engine room and relioses that there's not much to do right now."

[dhakael]

Glancing briefly at Justice, Jerran notices that her shoulders stiffer than usual.
Thinking to himself; "Odd...why should she be this nervous? It IS just a standard testosterone throw-down by the local orge wanna-bees; should not have her this tense. Cant be because of ME...is it? Damn! Probably had bad experience or two with magi. whoops..."

De-le Croix's smile slips a bit at this 'realization' , and steps a bit more into Justice's peripheral vision (on the left side). Taking off the sunglasses and winking the right eye quickyly, Jerran assess the situation.

Employer angry = 85%
Local Alpha-male in full chest pounding mode = 100%
Cronies ("Lessee...1...2..4...6 aw hell! Lets say...) = 8
Chance of rabid-coyotes backing down = less than 1%
Chance of Employer doing smart thing and getting out of line of fire = 20%
Probability of mayhem= do you need to ask?

Under breath; "On futher reflection...I'd say mosh pit is the danse de-jour"

[dakota]

The large man turned his attention to split it between Chaz and Justice. " Well looky here, the law just showed up boys." A slight hush fell over the crowd before returning to it's dull roar. " Well prehaps you can be of some service, Ranger. Chester here cheated me out of something that belongs to me, and I'd like him to return it so my crew can be on their way."

" It's not what it sounds.." Chaz started, only to be cut off by the large man shouting, " Shaddup Suroz, and let the Ranger speak."


Something was going on outside below Kat as one of the mercs crawled out of one of the transports and called over two others. They then began to arm up and order the others to do so as well.


Wes looked at the monkey, then turned to the grackle as he entered and looked up. " We're all set, but these cannons aren't much."

[tag]

[shiivster]

*knowing that IF she left her spot just now, anything could happen, she pause and waits. her gaze is busy watching the bar, but the quiet mumbling under the breath as she casts a spell in her repertoire.

*the result to any that viewed her while it happened will see nothing immediately out of hand, for those that didn't see it happen, wouldn't notice her immediately. she tried to be 'one with the wild' on the inside of the cargo hold near the door. she seems to be a minor part of the ship itself, at least until she moves.

[tag]

[Mierin]

Kat speaks quietly into the radio "Heads up guys. One of the mercs and a few friends are arming themselves and may be headed your way."

[dhakael]

Without waiting for for Justices' response to Kat, Jerran turns around like a cat reacting to a loud bark.

Looking left & right he tries to spot the trouble comming towards the saloon, he's struck with a breif spurt of morbid humour.

Out loud he blurts out in mocking tones; "Definately NOT a waltz crowd. Mosh pit it is!" ;D

[frostwolf]

Justice met the big guys eyes and quietly listened to his words. Turning her head slightly in the direction of Jerran she speaks only loud enough for him to hear her, Be ready to dance, and I trust you to have my back. There, she had said it, now it would have to be. She then took a step towards the big fella as she spoke directly to him in a calm and collected fashion, very matter of factly, Well, my apologies, Mr. errr... I am sorry that you were cheated so, but my business here has nothing to do with your inability to watch the cards. I am here to take this individual into my custody for extended questioning about a situation not including yourself, so if you will excuse me...you wouldn't want to obstruct Justice, now would you? She steps forward, walking towards Chaz. I hope that you will come along peacefully. spoken to Chaz as she sets her hand on his shoulder ((if big fella lets her past)).

[dakota]

Justice makes it far enough to place a hand on Chaz's shoulder, but the stepped up close in their way. " Sorry Ranger, but he's not going anywheres until I get my ship back."

Outside, the mercs began to form a defensive perimeter around the saloon's entrance, many using the vehicles as shields.

[tag]