sail3695

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Hook's dream is one of those pivotal moments that I'm going to read at least a couple more times. A very engrossing read that ties nicely to some of the character subtleties mentioned in your earlier work. Well done, Gunther.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Hey Andreyich,

Thanks for the interest. As of now we're booked up full, but there's always a chance we'll have an opening next time we land. On occasion, Cap'n likes to play 'Air Lock Roulette'...it ain't pretty, but a little turnover amongst the crew keeps everyone sharp.

So please keep in touch!

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Happy Monday, folks! We're in the black!

The Cap'n has switched off the 'fasten seatbelt' sign. Yer free ta walk about the boat an' let yer characters stretch their legs.

The length of time we spend in flight is up to you. If you've got character growth or JP/collabs on the mind, have at 'em. Once we see a lag in posting, Wolf and I will cut the scene and move to arrival at New Melbourne.

So here's how it is. Our original episode 1 plan had us ending on final approach/landing. HOWEVER, If you've cooked up some shenanigans for your character on New Melbourne, just sing out and we'll leave the light on for you.

Have a great flight, and a greater write.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

OOC: JP from Wandering Wolf and Sail

The lift gate screeched as it lowered its’ bundle to the foot of the ramp. Abby kept hands on it; this’un come with casters’d let ‘er roll right off if’n the girl weren’t payin’ mind. Sure’n the two men weren’t havin’ nothin’ to do with it. Truck Driver jest pushed ‘em onta the gate afore shovin’ the lever with his foot. An’ Dreadlock? He’s involved in a serious round ‘o’ posin’ with his gun, lookin’ mean.

She nudged one corner onto the ramp, then brought t’other on. Abby put her back into it, grunting softly as she built speed. After a few more laborious seconds,, she had the first up on the deck. “Kinda heavy,” she breathed as the crate glided to a halt. Nice casters...really nice, the deckhand pondered a spell, catchin’ her breath, afore given Truck Driver a “C’mon” gesture. “Next.”

This’un felt a skosh lighter. She’s still breakin’ a purty good sweat when it topped out, but she didn’t mind. There’s somethin’ inside bein’ answered...an’ that answer made Abby feel good. Cargo. Word sounded good. Meant cash. Meant food an’ a bunk. Meant a shot at figgerin’ out her life from here, somethin’ she’d never had ta ruminate on afore. An’ that feelin’, when it come, was one ta put the strength in her. Fer that...freedom...she’d cotton to pulled muscles an’ splinters ever’ day.

Last one come off...an’ it was gorram heavy. She pushed, throwin’ her shoulder onto the load, afore addin’ a knee up at the last second tah steady the right side. Diggin in’ on her bootheel, Abby shoved the left side up, makin’ the whole struggle look like some kinda crabwalk. All the while, Truck Driver an’ Dreadlock jest stood watchin’...

“Oh, for ta ma de’s sake.” A woman’s voice rang deep an’ earthy, from behind. A hand clapped on the crate jest above her right shoulder. “I got right. You take left. On three. One...two...three!” Fer a spell, they both strained at it, pushin’ hard agin’ the weight. Soon enough, them casters set ta turnin’. She give way, rollin’ up over tha lip into the bay. “Remind me to tell Badger about the two lumps of la shi he sent for a delivery.”

Dreadlock pulled a right scowl as he came down the ramp. After rollin’ his door down, Truck Driver folded the gate away, an’ the two was off. Abby kept hold of that last crate, putin’ on the brakes ta stop ‘er from smackin’ into other cargo. “Thank yah,” she put her hand out, turnin’ toward her rescuer, “uh…..um….Sister?”

The woman stood there...little one, judgin’ by the height. Mebbe even littler than Penelope...nearabouts close enough. She was draped head to toe in a bright orange robe. Hood cast her face in shadow, ‘cept fer a sliver of light playin’ on the tip of her nose. The toe of a burgundy boot poked out from underneath her robe as she hefted her shoulder bag. Don’t it figger? Abby gaped in silence. Ask fer a mechanic….git a nun…

“After all that, I sure hope this boat’s the China Doll,” the nun chuckled.

“Yes’m...but...we’s full up,” the girl apologized.

“I’m on the list. Ms. Baker. Badger told you I was comin’.”

“Thank y’ now, Abigail,” Cal called from over the deckhand’s shoulder, then added with a nod, “Sister.” As he sidled up to the two women, he watched the road the truck had departed, thumbs shoved into the loops of his belt. With a quick glance at the night sky, Cal asked, “You happen to bring a wrench, Ms. Baker? Cuz we’re in mighty need of a mechanic if we’re gonna get to New Melbourne.” As he saw it, whatever reason a Sister sought a travel agent in Badger weren’t none of his business. That she’d been promised to get them off this rock? Now, that was Cal’s business.

The new arrival gave her shoulder bag a deliberate shake, raising numerous metallic clinks from within. “I brought a few, Captain Strand,” she replied.

He nodded, “I want her warmed up in ten. In the sky in fifteen. Badger promised she’s ready for the black, but I want the nod from someone who’s actually goin’ up in her. Think you can do that?” He watched the nun’s eyes, brows arched to read her assent.

The woman chuckled.. “Not sure Badger’s name and ‘promise’ are fit company in the same sentence. I can rush preflights in that time. As to the rest, we’ll just have to see how she shakes out.”

“Shi a, now that we can both agree on. See to it; Abigail, make sure Ms. Baker has everything she needs. Engine’s that way,” he said, pointing aft. Cal turned toe toward the cockpit, “Let’s get to work, ma shang.”

The nun removed her hood, loosing ebon curls to frame the grin she offered. “I love fireflies,” she replied before turning to follow the captain up the stairs.

“I’ll button ‘er up soon’s these crates’re strapped,” Abby responded before ratcheting the fresh cargo in a nice, clean line up front center to balance out the trim. She strummed them straps like guitar strings, makin’ sure they’s good an’ tight, afore lookin’ about the bay for anything done broke loose. With all bein’ well, the girl mopped sweat from her brow as she moved to the ramp controls.

She’d just hit the lift button when a ruckus come from outside in the dark. “Wait! Wait! Please, miss...wait!” two men pleaded, waving their arms as the ramp rose up over their heads.

“We’s full up!” Abby shouted.

“Please, miss! You gotta spare room. All boats keep a spare room for...problems. We’ll take it!” he shouted.

“It ain’t…”

“We’ll pay double!”

Now that meant somethin’. Abby pushed the stop, then lowered the ramp, easin’ her down to waist height. Two fellas stood there, all smiles as they tossed kit aboard. Healthy guys, she noted. Thirty some-odd, clean cut…

“Oh, thank you...thank you!” the taller fairly gushed as she advanced toward them, hand upon her Colt. “We’ve got a charter fishing expedition all booked up an’ you were our last chance to…”

“Show me yer coin.”

The men obediently produced a generous purse, to which they set to counting out their double fares. After a moment to stuff away the payment, she beckoned for them to climb aboard. “Welcome aboard the China Doll,” Abby said as the pair followed her in. “See that hatch? Go through there. Yah’ll see medbay on tha left. Make a left just after, head straight back an up the stairs. Yer in the last room. Cargo bay...engine room, an’ cockpit are off limits. They’s chairs across from Medbay. Strap yourselves in Ah’ll be along. Once we’s in the black yah can head up to tha galley. Not sure what’s cookin. Questions?”

The shorter loosed a grin. “Are there other girls pretty as you aboard?”

“They’re off limits, too. We’s fixin’ ta launch. Now go on...git.” The new passengers was all eyes as they hauled kit across the cargo hold. Abby set course fer the ramp controls, just as the com squawked rudely.

“Abigail, you gonna seal her up while we’re still young?”

“Doin’ it now, Cap’n.” She smacked the large red button. With a powerful whine, the hydraulics pulled the big ramp inta flight posture. Next come the sealing bulkhead, slippin’ inta place with a hiss of compressed air.

Cap’n tossed a final word on com. “Come eat once we break atmo.”

“Copy.” Hold was sealed. Cargo was secure. She’d put eyes on lower deck passengers afore strappin’ in herself. Abby Travis collected her belongings, sealed the aft cargo bay hatch, and made ready fer upthrust.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

After closing the cargo bay hatch behind her, Abby heaved a sigh which sent a stray wisp of hair skyward. Gaslightin’, Uncle Bob had called it. Word made no sense to her; try her best, Abby couldn’t conjure how a gas lantern compared to folk comin’ at yah one way, then doublin’ back on ever’thing. Don’t matter now, she considered as the cash was transferred to a pocket in her dungarees.

But what did you learn, Abigailita?

Aunt Lupe’s favorite question. Always brought her to thinkin’, most times when she straight up didn’t want to. But she would, Abby offered a silent promise to her aunt as she walked out into the cargo bay.

Hook was there, strappin’ down a fresh load ‘o’ crates. They’s all painted blue, ‘cept for where the wood splintered off. All had the same big white letters, S T, with a lightnin’ bolt between ‘em. Must be Seatronics, the girl thought as she lifted her clipboard. “Thanks, Hook,” she offered up. “Jest got three new passengers. Sounded hungry. They’ll come lookin’...”

“Scuse me!” The man yelled from atop the ramp. He’s wearin’ coveralls ‘bout the same blue as them crates. “You Abby Travis?”

“Yep!” She offered Hook a grateful nod afore facin’ the delivery man.

“Boss says give this to you,” he handed off a plump coin pouch. “Same as in the deal.”

She accepted the purse. “Ku,” Abby flipped the clipboard open. “Who’s pickin’ ‘em up on New Melbourne?”

“Fella named Jinks. Clevus Jinks.”

“How’s that spelt?” She copied the name as the freight handler spelled it out. “Shiny. We’ll be there’n three days”. The coin jingled as it slipped into her pocket. As the fella waved an’ left, Abby turned back to find Hook already gone...most like to stir up grub.

But what did you learn?

She flipped to the last page, where Rex Black’s first teachin’ lay.

DIK-CHUN

Her next pondering was over his bird, Lucky. Abby wrote:

PAIRIT FOOD

She frowned. “That ain’t right.” Hadn’t been a year since she read Captain Blood And The Pirates Of The Outer Rim. Fun story, she recollected, but them pirates? She’d seen pirates afore, and weren’t none of ‘em like Captain Blood. An’ he had a parr… “Oh yeah,” the girl smiled and corrected her work.

PARROT FOOD

Mayhaps China Doll had a cortex she could use to look them things up. Next, she called up words as she could remember...curious words mouthed by them three as she took ‘em aboard. Didn’t sound like no Chinee she conjured, but that didn’t mean nothin’. She put pen to paper, sounden’ em out, tryna make sense of how they’s spelt.

CHO

YOBO

JONEE

MOOWEE MOOWEE

KIFF

SHOT

Her brow furrowed on that one. Weren’t shot from a gun, or a shot ‘o’ likker. Mechanic says shot when somethin’s well worn out...but..green haired girl used it like it meant ku. All these lessons was wont to park her on a cortex fer a good spell.

A squeal of air brakes brought her back to the here an’ now, as a big lorry backed up to the ramp. Passenger door swung open, an’ she could make out one fella as he jumped down. When he stepped into the light, all dreadlocks an’ autorifle, Abby signalled “jest a minute” with a trigger finger an’ went fer the com.

“Cap’n,” she keyed the mic, “cargo bay. Yah wanted tah know when them last crates showed up.”

Firefly - Second 'Verse

After a long drink an’ a stop to ‘pay the rent,’ Abby made her way out of the passengers’ lavatory. What little she’d seen of China Doll offered brighter clues as to her overall upkeep. Last few years aboard Mariposa...after Aunt Lupe passed...Uncle Bob just kinda let things go. Depression, one passenger called it. La shi took to pilin’ up in corners an’ some stains et right into the paint. The young girl washed and scrubbed, but with folk to feed an’ laundry to keep at bay, she had to choose her battles.

This boat was old, but leastways she was tended. It showed that Cap’n kept folk on to handle her an’ made sure they did. Abby couldn’t say where she’d be after they touched New Melbourne, but fer now, they’s a spot here with her name on it. Still felt more’n a little unsettlin’ and she accepted there’s tears to be cried, but that’d come on her own time.

Medbay lights was on, an she seen Hook actin’ the guide to a woman. Judgin’ as words like ‘supplies’ passed twixt ‘em, the deckhand took her fer that new doc Cap’n told of. Purty, Abby thought as she passed by. Her and Penelope. They’s both purty, she mused over thoughts of that new pilot. He can pick ‘em. But the sight of Hook in the new medic’s company doused the girl’s hope of a ready made plate with her name on it. Mayhaps I can slip down to that cook stall, she thought as she crossed the cargo bay.

“Excuse me, young lady.” The fella stood up at the ramp’s foot was tall. Not a thread out of place, and those all looked to cost top coin. Even the dust on his shoes looked like it’d be polished off afore he took to his bed. “I understand you’re destined for New Melbourne?”

“Sure an’ we are,” the girl nodded as she strode down the ramp. “Bookin’ a passage? We still got rooms.”

“Sadly, I cannot,” he smiled. “Harrison Caruthers, Seatronics Corporation. My card.” He had the purtiest hands she’d ever seen, long, slender fingers looked so clean as they’d never touched more’n a china cup. His business card was a sight to behold, too. Caruthers’ name and a whole stream of letters crawled over a capture of a big fishin’ boat, all white and clean as she glided over an ocean flat as glass. Abby seen the ocean once, when Uncle Bob hauled a bunch of statues an’ such to some rich guy on Bellerophon. Damn near went swimmin’ when their pilot almost flew em’ into one of them trash drones…

“Ahem.”

Abby looked up. “Sorry,” she offered the card. “Nice pitcher.”

Caruthers chuckled. “Please, keep it. Now, as to my purpose,” he continued, “I’ve got a shipment of marine electronics equipment that needs to be delivered before the tuna fleets set sail. What’s your ETA for New Melbourne?”

“Cap’n says we’re goin’ tonight. Three full days to New Melbourne,” she answered. “Got others flyin’ with us what say that puts us down with two days to spare.”

“Cutting it close,” the gent stroked his moustache, “but if the price is agreeable, perhaps we can make arrangements.”

Time to dance, just like Uncle Bob taught her. ...’member, Chick Pea. They try to hornswoggle yah with numbers and what important folk they are, yah just stick to tha rates. They show out tah be a huen duan, make’em pay full boat. If’n they’re respectful, git ‘em tah signin’ off an’ then cut ‘em ten percent. That’ll have ‘em lookin’ fer ye on future runs.

Way this Caruthers was playin’ it so nice she’s liable to make it fifteen. All the while, Abby kept an eye on the darkening street and them as walked it. She spied three folk, all clustered in a little knot. Dim as it was, she couldn’t suss out whether they’s passengers tryin’ to decide on comin’ to China Doll, or footpads casin’ Caruthers fer a rich mark.

Firefly - Second 'Verse

Happy Saturday from the cargo bay!

Looks like we got us some passengers. Make sure they get 3 squares a day, an' I conjure we best pack on another case of Captain Bob's Cola.

Word is we got some some of y'all in cahoots on posts right now. We been exercisin' our godlike powers to keep the sun hangin' jeeeest about yea high (lifts hand to demonstrate), an' Badger don't like it at all. If yer' workinn' on somethin' what happens afore we put the spurs to 'er, send us a wave an' we'll keep eyes peeled.

Other' that, once we get our passengers sitchiated an' our mechanic puts eyes on things, we's takin' our last cargo an' gittin' outta Dodge.

Not sure what Wolf is up to. Sail says he's got business all day Saturday an' carousin' that night. But he will be sittin' at his cortex all day Sunday, if'n you need to jay-pee, coe-lab, or whatever it is I hear y'all palaverin' about.

I gotta go. Parrot jest pooped in the galley.

Abby

Firefly - Second 'Verse

I guess Abby had to hit the head and missed the doc, lol.

Great post, guys!

Firefly - Second 'Verse

“Heeeeeere, mechanicmechanicmechanicmechanic….”

Just figgers, Abby thought as the foot traffic began to thin. All about the Eavesdown docks, street vendors and stall merchants were beginning to close up shop and trudge homeward. Usually, them as stayed past dark was sellin’ food. Yeah...food, her stomach growled its’ displeasure at bein’ visited by naught but half an Oaty Bar all day.

Once the word was out they’s bound fer New Melbourne, seemed like half ‘o’ Persephone wanted to book rides on China Doll. Lots was bummers, seagoin’ deckhands offerin’ trade ‘o’ work fer a bunk. Whole flock ‘o’ whores come callin’, with scant coin and offers tah take tha entire crew “all the way...if you know what we mean.”

Abby might not have travelled the road, but she knew the map. “Keep walkin’ girls,” she folded her arms as the women all turned away. I prob’ly just pissed off all the menfolk, she thought, only to draw a sharp breath as one of the working girls blew her a kiss. Mayhaps the women, too…

“Heeeeeere, mechanicmechanicmechanicmechanic….”

As sky changed to a darkening blue and shadows lengthened, the girl weighed their options. Hell, she dismissed the concern, there’s dozens ‘o’ times Uncle Bob took Mariposa to the black without a mechanic… But she had to fess up that Uncle Bob had ‘em broke down in the black a whole bunch, too. Over time, Abby had jury rigged half the parts on the radion core, forcin’ ‘em into place with wraps of duct tape and even little cages of bailin’ wire. She liked to think she could turn to an’ get this crew to New Melbourne, but the truth of things was she’d never seen the shape of this boat. No sense in lettin’ her alligator mouth overload her canary pi gu.

Down the way was a stall had lights on ‘er...and what they’s cookin’ set her stomach into overdrive. She could hear the meat sizzle; the aroma of its’ seasoning carried on the night breeze like a sireen’s call. Abby’s mouth positively watered for a taste of whatever it was. Don’t rightly care what ‘tis, she thought, her gaze fixed upon the cheerful lanterns and a woman working the cooktop. I’m starved...right now I’d even tuck into a nice bowl ‘o’ beagle an’ noodles. But no. Orders was orders. Long’s there was boxes to check, Abby would stick to the chore. Mebbe Hook talked his way into the galley, she tried to cheer herself up. He’ll put a plate by fer me. That bit of reassurance paid up, Abby chanted the mantra again.

“Heeeeeere, mechanicmechanicmechanicmechanic….”

Firefly - Second 'Verse

No worries, Gunther. Kids always take precedent.

I'm just N of ATL. All that we received from Elsa were the rain bands she kicked to the North on her way toward SC, which put a real cramp in some outdoor painting I've been trying to finish.