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3 yrs ago
If you do, I'ma do too.

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Sharing host/GM duties for "Firefly - Second 'Verse" with Wandering Wolf.

Other than that, kind of a goofball who loves writing stories and playing radio for an audience consisting entirely of my dogs.

Most Recent Posts

If it's Sunday, this must be the Cargo Bay...

Happy Weekend, All! So sorry that I fell off the face of the Earth for a couple weeks. Work has been totally nuclear for the past month, with no free time to engage in this game I love.

The good news is that I see light at the end of the tunnel, and I'm fairly certain it's not an oncoming train.

I'll get the next installment posted tonight before I call it quits. Then, we can move along to the final piece and into the episode climax. Thanks for being patient with me!

sail
”The Least Of These” - Part 4




Part 4 of a JP/Collab from @Xandrya, @PatientBean, @Bugman, @Gunther, @wanderingwolf, and @sail3695

Foodie duty...great.

Imani placed the trays of sandwiches and pitchers of lemonade on the table as soon as she heard footsteps approaching a while later. Prior to then, she was leaned back on a chair with legs crossed atop the space that was now occupied.

New faces poured into the galley, and Imani glanced them over. Yes, they looked about to be starving...she might as well be their savior.

“Ah...you’ve made it. Welcome. Please, gon and help yoselves to these extraordinary snacks, not that they were prepared by me,” she shrugged her shoulders, “but they still delicious! And no, don’t be shy now..."

All the sisters on this ship are so pretty! Raphael felt a pang of shame over such a thought, yet he couldn’t help smiling brightly as the lovely woman set food…appetizing food!...before those of his sect who’d made it upstairs. Knowing full well that gluttony was a sin, he fought the urge to pile his plate high with the delicious looking food, opting instead for what he hoped would be regarded as a much more modest pair of sandwiches.

He prayed, both for forgiveness over his blushing admiration of Sister Imani, and also in thanksgiving of the good fortune she and her shipmates had bestowed upon he and his. Over time, he could sense the spirits rising. They took of the life giving meal, its’ invigorating effects raising smiles and outright laughter among the Anabaptists. It warmed Raphael’s heart to see the growing cheer and relief upon their faces. They had been blessed. There was joy in this room. “Sister Imani?” he asked as she strode confidently past, “would it be alright if I had one more?”

It seemed someone had taken a liking to her...it was beyond obvious and not just from blushing but Imani pretended not to notice. He then was apparently ready for seconds.

She stopped him in his tracks, one hand held out in front of her so he wouldn't have to get up to fulfill his own request. "It would be my pleasure, we're here to serve..."

After a cheeky smile, she grabbed a napkin and stretched out over the table to take another sandwich before placing it in front of him. It then dawned on her, after observing some of their faces, that such a small gesture as getting fed made these people rather content. "Fancy another drink?" she motioned towards his almost empty cup.

In his experience, kindness was a rarety, a treasure to be shared among his Anabaptist sisters and brothers. By virtue of his faith’s teachings Raphael had given it freely to those on the outside with no expectation of reward. A bit of wisdom, he’d realized, as precious little ever came his way from outsiders.

But today was a day of revelation. There was kindness in the outside world, and those who would give it with abandon, from Brother Joseph who led his people here to Sister Doctor Alana…to the attentive Sister Imani. “Yes, thank you,” Raphael smiled, then felt the flush rising to his cheeks once more. “Please forgive me,” he averted his eyes from the beautiful woman as she delivered another bottle of cola. “I don’t mean to…”

"Dear don't apologize, you gotten a thing to worry about..." She knew. Obviously she knew. Imani decided to sit down next to him and gauge his reaction as the others, well, they were consumed by the aliments they had been offered. She went on to place a hand on his left shoulder as if reassuring him. "Never feel bad for killing off your hunger...it is indeed a blessing."

He was young, chances were he wouldn't catch on to her playing clueless.

Now, he was flustered. If he weren’t already blushing, Raphael knew that the jolt of Sister Imani’s hand upon his shoulder was like to turn his face a deep crimson. “Uh…um…” he stammered. “Yes…yes it is.” The new cola offered a chance at concealing his befuddlement. With nervous hands, he scooped the bottle up, gulping swallow upon swallow of the fizzing drink to buy time. When at last Raphael thought he’d mastered both his nerves and just what to say to her, he set the bottle upon the table. With a smile no longer trembling, he turned to look her in the eye, opened his mouth to speak…and loosed a massive belch.

From down the table, young Sister Emily doubled over in laughter.

“Oh!” Raphael could barely face her now. “I am so sorry, Sister Imani!”

Her instinct was to chuckle, similarly like the reaction of one of his peers, though not as profound. She didn't do it to be cruel, but Rapael's bodily function was no doubt unexpected. Another apology and Imani might as well start countin' purely for her own amusement. Poor kid only seemed to be digging a deeper hole for himself...and he was quite aware of it.

"Watcha expect when you gulp down that cola, eh?" she added playfully as if castigating him. Raphael had drawn the attention of some of the others, and Imani then thought it best to throw him a lifeline. "For what it's worth, some of the girls here gotcha beat..." she feigned with a smirk, "you definitely gotta work on your delivery."

Sister Imani proved even more kind than he could’ve hoped. And pretty. Really pretty. When she smiled at him, it felt as if his chest was fit to swell up. For a minute he wondered if such fraternizing was not of their way. An upright young Anabaptist man socializing with a beautiful woman who wasn’t wife or blood. One quick glance down the table confirmed that if his elders thought anything amiss, they weren’t offering anything but chuckles and contented belches of their own from China Doll’s bounteous table. “I conjure I should,” Raphael’s grin was sheepish. “So,” he tried to change the subject, “what’s it like to live on a…”

...TO BE CONTINUED…

”The State of Me”




JP/Collab from @wanderingwolf and @sail3695

Cal’s bootfalls announced his ascent up the ramp of the cargo bay where he spotted Abigail looking over a pile of supplies for the coming wave of refugees from the Blackout Zone. The stage was being set, and in no small part to Abigail and Edina shouldering the work of preparing the China Doll. The Captain nodded; when he’d spelled out the plan, he’d expected some reservation from the crew and passengers, and when none came, it spoke to something deeper in the lot of them. Cal reckoned even the way Abigail worked intimated some buoyant spirit driving her attention to detail for sake of their precious cargo.

The Captain squared up beside the deckhand, folding his arms as he took in the sight of supplies what she’d accumulated. Blankets, pillows, sundries, and–were those dolls? He bent to pick one up, showing it to the Deck.

“Now I know we been scarce on free time, and y’had a rough childhood, but I conjure loadin’ the Doll up with dolls is, well, a mite on the nose, doncha think?” He moved the arm, swiveled the head.

Abby’s busy sortin’ an’ foldin’. Crew all did good, headin’ out an’ fetchin’ stuff fer their refugees. Tha pile they done built here in tha cargo bay would do a body proud. “Just wish they coulda folded what they brung,” the girl muttered as she pulled a sheet outta tha mountain. Contour sheets, she ruminated, [/i]how do yah fold a thing like this?[/i]

She’s still puzzlin’ over that contraption when Cap’n stepped up aside ‘er. “Don’t like dolls, sir?” she asked, face gone deadpan ‘cept fer mischievous eyes what she turnt away from his sight. “Kinda creepifyin’ how they look atcha, ain’t it, sir?”

Captain suffered an involuntary shiver as he turned the head back round so that its eyes matched that same dead expression of all the other ones lying in the heap. The one in his hand emitted an electronic ‘wah’ through a fractured speaker somewhere inside the abdomen. “I prefer dolls of a ‘different’ variety, if you catch my drift,” his eyebrows arched as he turned the doll upside down to halt the crackling sound coming from the pseudo-Victorian terror. When it only produced more ‘creepifyin’ sounds at his efforts, he spoke over the cacophony to Abby, “So do I need to be concerned, here?”

“Don’t think so,” Abby glanced toward Cap’n an’ tha toy in ‘is hands. “Way I hear it, they’s lotsa’ dolls talk out their pi gu’s. Lotsa folk, too, from my experience…or we talkin’ about somethin’ else?”

Cal shook his head and unceremoniously tossed the crying doll on the pile. “I mean to say, what are you doin’ with a gaggle of childrun kit in my cargo bay? Didn’tchu take to them lucky cats we have ‘round here somewheres?” Captain removed his hat and turned to face Abigail, “I don’t remember my list callin’ for the mess of frills I see on my ship.”

“It’s all shiny, Cap’n,” tha deckhand answered. “Just a idea I had, most like won’t amount tah nothin’. But don’t yah fret, sir,” she said. “Paid fer ‘em outta muh Greenleaf coin.”

“On the subject,” Strand’s tone changed, “Since you got took, to when you showed up wearin’ biker’s patches–I got a million questions about the in-between part of that story.” Cal’s silver cigarette case was in his hand, hat under his arm, but he saw Abigail’s face change at his question, choosing to add, “If you were lookin’ for an opportunity to bull, this here’s your shot.” He took his eye off the Deck as he held the flame to his smoke.

She give up tryin’ tah put some kinda fold on tha contour sheet; Abby jest rolled it up tight an’ set it aside. “Yer muh Cap’n,” the girl said as she tugged a blanket from tha pile. “Yah got right tah ask me anythin’ yah wanna know.” She held that blanket up full height so’s it didn’t touch deck, give it one fold lengthwise, then dropped ‘er hands tah catch it midways afore it could fall. “Yah seen tha state of me when they turnt me loose,” she said as she shook out wrinkles. “Turns out them Headhunters got codes an’ rules they live by. After whuppin’ on me an’ takin’ what shots I could give ‘em back, one of ‘em went tah their rule book an’ sussed it that I done everythin’ tah “patch in.”

This was all stuff she’s tryin’ so hard tah put in some little box…just cram it all away in a back corner of her mind til she could make sense of it her own self. Bein’ here, doin’ work…that’s what she wanted. In tough times it was always puttin’ ‘er head down an’ gettin’ tha job done what saw ‘er through. Abby flipped tha blanket fer one more fold, then set it down to grab another. “After all they done tah me, I conjured wearin’ their cut an’ bein’ treated like a little sister was a fair sight better’n t’other.”

Listening, the ember of his cigarette glowed and faded as her tale wound on, all the while her hands kept busy, like she were trying to fold away the thoughts she laid hold on now. The Captain’s eyes kept course on Abigail as she recounted the way she took hits and fought back. “I reckon you’re right,” was all he could muster. His thoughts forayed into the labyrinth of what her experience might have been based solely on the images of her from the video their leader sent as ‘motivation.’ “Sounds like you gave ‘em a taste of their own medicine.” He exhaled a pillar of smoke upward.

His brow furrowed as the Captain placed a hand on Abigail’s shoulder, “Weren’t no power in the ‘Verse could’ve stopped us comin’ for you. Goes for the whole crew. They was all behind the rescue,” Strand retrieved his hand to don his hat, “not least of all Joe.”

Weight of Cap’n’s hand stopped ‘er dead. Abby let ‘is words wash inta her. Words she tole herself over’n over, when them as took ‘er had ‘er blind and beaten. “Never stopped believin’ that,” tha girl lifted ‘er eyes to meet his. “Sight of y’all standin’ up tah thrice yer number ‘o’ men an’ guns…over me,” her voice cracked, “ was somethin’ I’ll take tah muh grave.” She thought on it some, knowin’ there’s more what needed sayin’. Cap’n spoke of Hook fer a reason. He had tah…ship needs ‘er crew pullin’ tahgether. Rifts don’t do no good. Still, she ain’t none too clear about tha how an’ why things crawfished between ‘em. “Cap’n, “ she said in all honesty, “I ain’t mad at Joe fer what them bikers done tah me. Uncle Bob always tole me sometimes they’s fellas jest need killin’. I got no truck with Joe makin’ that call. Dead guy’s friends come ‘round lookin’ fer payback,” she said, “an’ they found me. I can live with that. I ain’t never put that on him. But I ain’t gon’ be all sweet when he done nothin’ since ‘cept treat me like I’s just a hole in tha air.”

Cal met her eyes, “That Uncle Bob done taught you right, Abigail. Some fellas do just need killin’.” Strand knew what Joe had shared with him, vis a vis his drinking problem, ought to stay between the pair, but maybe he could drop a seed along the path for Abigail. “But Hook? Put yourself in his boots for a click. ‘Magine he don’t know what you just said, an’ he’s carryin’ a powerful weight knowin’ what he did led to what brought you back lookin’ worse for wear–no offense.” He raised his cigarette for another drag, “Just somethin’ to ruminate on. You mightn’t hold a grudge, but sometimes it’s harder to see the grudges we hold against ourselves.”

Now she could feel ‘er dander comin’ up. “That whut yew’d do, Cap’n?” Abby’s eyes grew hard. “Stead ‘o’ squarin’ up? If you’s carryin such a gorram ‘powerful weight’ thinkin’ yew’d done wronged a body, wouldja go on an’ la shi on ‘em right tah their face? I ain’t tryna be all churlish, sir, but I reckon when it comes down tah bein’ ‘tha bigger person,’ I done took my turn.”

Hands raised in surrender, Cal nodded, “And then some, no denyin’. It ain’t how I’d handle things, but you know me: I’m all sentimental.” The Captain paused, thinking whether he’d overstepped. He considered Abigail near close to kin, if there was such a station left for him to bestow in the ‘Verse. Last thing he wanted to do was cause a rift twixt them, too. Hells, then he’d be left only with the stellar thing he had going with the medic.

Snapping to, he could see he’d upset Abigail from that hard look in her eye. Taking a drag from his smoke, he nonchalantly added, “Say the word and we’ll leave ‘im here packin’. I hear Imani can make a mean sandwich.” Dropping his spent cigarette to the bay floor, he ground it out with his bootheel.

Abby let loose a gasp, flinchin’ like she been stung. Her eyes dropped, studyin’ tha pile ‘o’ linens fer some kinda words tah say…but ain’t nothin’ there. Was that a joke? She couldn’t suss it out. Was he makin’ light ‘o’ me? Am I playin’ it up too much? She didn’t think so. All she done was pay silence fer silence.

Her hands lashed out, snatchin’ up a blanket from tha heap. Abby poured ‘er anger inta foldin’, movin’ swift an’ harsh as she done tha job. Shoulda kep my mouth shut, she cursed ‘erself fer a fool.

He watched her tear into a blanket like it were a punching bag, and he had a sneaking suspicion that in her mind at right this moment, that was him. Cal had scorned enough women in his time that the signs read plain as day, but it triggered something in him. Something stubborn. “Suit yourself,” he said, watching her from the corner of his eye. “Why I meddle, I’ll never know…” he added under his breath, quitting her company for the bay scaffolding on his way to the bridge.
Setting The Stage




“Here we are,” the driver announced, an unnecessary gesture given the sight of China Doll was plain as day to his passenger. The luxury shuttle glided onto its’ skids for a touchdown so smooth that Yuri could feel nothing beyond the overstuffed plush leather seat. As the door ghosted open, he leaned forward to offer the driver a tip. “Thank you much!” the man cheerfully pocketed the coin, a bit of money not to be traced by the credit pinching bastards he worked for.

China Doll’s first mate stepped onto the pavement, shopping bags in hand. Among his treasures were an RFID chip programmer and forty veterinary grade ident chips. “Startin’ a puppy mill?” the clerk had asked. When Yuri delivered the god’s own truth with a smirk, the man had laughed. “You picked the right ones!”

No risk, no reward, he thought as he stepped up the cargo ramp. Still clad in his crisp new suit, he lugged his treasures into the space to find Edina and Abby, busily sorting a large pile of bedding and bathroom linens. “How do?” he greeted the women. “I brought a couple blank…”

“Hooo, lookit yew!” Abby grinned ear tah ear at sight ‘o’ the usually shabby mechanic/first mate. She put ‘er hands on ‘er hips, eyein’ him up an’ down. “All suited up an’ way too purty!”

“What she said!” Edina laughed. “I’d give a wolf whistle if I knew how!” Her eyes carried a private sparkle as she grinned. “Lookin’ very sharp, Mr. Antonov.”

“Thank you kindly, Ms. Wyman,” he smiled in return. “I had some good advice.”

“I’ll say,” Abby took notice the way they’s lookin’ at each other. “What’dja bring us?”

“Oh.” Yuri lifted the larger bag. “Two more blankets. Should I just…”

“I’ll take ‘em,” Edina reached for the bag. “They should finish off the kits we need for today. How many folks will Hook bring in?”

“Fourteen, by his count.”

Edina nodded. “Then I need to build two more.”

“And I need to get out of this suit,” Yuri agreed. “There’s real work to get done before they arrive.”

“C’mon, Pretty Boy,” Edina teased. “Walk with me.”

“Sure thing. Abby, I had an idea about a hiding place for some of our folk.” He pointed toward the two deck plates that concealed the boat’s belly hatch. “What do you think about down there?”

Tha girl frowned as she thought on it. “Not when we’s in tha black, dohn mah?”

“Strictly on the ground,” he replied. “I thought if we stacked cargo on top it’d conceal the two hatch plates from…surprise visitors.”

“Surprise visitors,” Abby took wise. “Yew expectin’ trouble?”

“Always.”

Tha deckhand stood there, head bobbin’ slightly as she sussed out what she knew an’ what she conjured might work. “Uncle Bob’s boat got boarded sometimes,” she’s thinkin’ out loud. “Alliance knows most places on Fireflies where smugglers stash stuff…leastways on tha cargo deck. I seen ‘em open up ever’ bulkhead panel, but now that yah say, ain’t none of ‘em yet gone fer tha belly hatch.” Her eyebrows lifted on that idea. “What sorta cargo?”

“We’re about to have alot of bricks on our hands,” Yuri smiled. “You can wrap and band them down to pallets for flight. About as boring a thing to search as there is, I’d guess.”

“Worth a try,” Abby agreed. “Could be a might heavy fer them hydraulic deck panels, but we can test it fer sure.”

“Shiny. I’ll be back in two shakes. Ms. Wyman? Are we walking?”

Edina took Yuri’s arm. “How could I refuse, Mr. Antonov? And cheers for getting the cast off.”

The pair headed off toward the upper deck stairway. Once through the aft hatch, Edina spoke. “Yuri,” she asked, “how much do I owe for the next run?”

“Captain and I haven’t spoken on it, but I’m pretty certain that’ll be zero,” he answered.

“But I’m a passenger…” she protested.

“...Who’s put in work all over this boat, stood shoulder to shoulder with us to help bring Abby home,” he interrupted. “As far as I’m concerned, we should be cutting you in on a crew share.”

“You’ve all been good to me,” Edina said as they rose to the galley deck. “I owed her one for the way she treated me when I came aboard…a bruised up, blackeyed mess.” She shook her head. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else now.”

“Good,” he offered s sidelong glance and a smile. “We could use more of your help in the future. Captain and I have plans for that girl back there,” he confided. “She knows a little bit about everything to run one of these boats. We aim to get her off the cargo deck. Keep that between us, if you would.”

She nodded her understanding. “Mum’s the word.” As they passed the passenger lounge with it’s arranged refugee supplies, she stopped. “So, Mr. Antonov,” Edina grinned mischievously, “got any plans for Pelorum?”

It seemed that Yuri’s smile came of its’ own accord whenever he looked her way. “Come to think of it, I do. We’re delivering artifacts to the Earth-That-Was museum. Thought I might finagle my way in. How about it, Ms. Wyman?” he teased. “Care to crawl around a dusty old museum with me?”

She laughed. “You sure know how to show a girl a good time.”

Sorry that we goofed on that. We'll get on that right away.

sail
Hey Bugman, I think both your responsiveness and Elias' responses have been great.

We interact in a few different ways in FF2V:

1. Individual posts.
2. "Back and forth" posting between writers.
3. JP (joint post) collaborative posts involving groups, or in this case, the entire crew and newcomers.
4. Something we haven't explored much is live IC chat, but as this crew develops Wolf and I are both keen to have some live sessions around the galley table.

Our writers all seem to enjoy the JP/collaborative post style, as it gives opportunities to engage in a large group post, regardless of your time zone. It also suits the episodic nature of the game, allowing us to create the scene and write our way through its' conclusion.

We hope you're having a good time, and are all looking forward to much more from Elias. Don't forget to engage us all through Google Chat (I think Wolf sent you an invite?)

sail

Happy Sunday from the cargo bay!

It’s the final day of a much anticipated vacation, which means I have errands to run before reentering the world tomorrow. I did manage a couple tags this morning (Elias and Alana, you’re up!), and will have things for Imani and Hook when I get home this afternoon.

I also wanted to say that you guys are really rocking the JP! I thoroughly enjoyed reading all your work this morning. Your characters have all offered such great voice to receiving our first batch of refugees aboard China Doll. I can’t speak for the Captain, but his first mate is proud of this crew.

But now, it’s time to get busy. Hope you all have a great Sunday!

WWIF,

sail
Thinker, Deckhand, Shopper, Spy




Felt good to be workin’ again.

This weren’t really workin’ like she knowed it, but Abby took comfort in bein’ busy on cap’n’s orders. Osiris, Capital City in partickaler, wasn’t winnin’ no love from her fer its’ way too clean streets, its’ way too ‘spensive stuff tah buy, and especially its’ way too fancy folk. Stares she’s gettin’ made ‘er first think all them bruises on ‘er face come back, leastways til she checked ‘er reflection in a high toned shop window. It was then, seein’ ‘er hair layin’ where it chose on a grey work shirt an’ denims hitched on ‘er waist that she conjured just what a sore thumb she was amongst folk dressed like they’s goin’ to a weddin’...or a funeral.

After sussin’ out tha trains an’ talkin’ with some actual workin’ folk, she got ‘erself onto tha poor side ‘o’ town. On these cracked sidewalks, only ones givin’ her a second look was them’s had ideas about tryna hook young girls into whorin’....and she had answers all set tah send them on their way. After grabbin’ some breakfast at the counter, a friendly waitress tole her jest where she had tah go.

“Wally’s Second Chance, hon. Got all kinds of used clothes, blankets…just about everything you need, and cheap. You want another shot of coffee?”

“Yes, thank yah, ma’m,” Abby lifted ‘er cup.

“I’m good with accents,” the waitress poured rich, black coffee, “but I’m having trouble placing yours. Where you from?”

The deckhand swallowed a bite of egg, then washed it down with fresh coffee. “Hard tah say. Born on Santo, but I been livin’ on boats afore I could put two words in line. Conjure I take after muh uncle when it comes tah talkin’.”

“We don’t get many like you on Osiris, especially in this part of town. What brought you here?”

Abby thought on that. Wouldn’t do tah say “I’s kidnapped by some bikers who whupped an’ near raped me cuz they’s mad one ‘o’ ourn done killt one ‘o’ theirn.” Her inner spy taught ‘er takin’ a sip ‘o’ coffee could stretch time tah put a good answer tahgether. “Cargo run,” the girl said all simple. “Conjure I should pay up,” she brought questions to a close.

*****************************

Far’s thrift stores went, Wally’s Second Chance had jest about anythin’ a body could desire. Abby coulda loaded ‘erself right down with all make of things fer her quarters, ‘cept fer the fact that what she bought she’d have tah tote back. After a spell she settled on two of everythin’....blankets, pillows, towels an’ bath rags. They’s one thing she had tah have, a blue an’ green striped mechanic’s work shirt what had tha name Tyrone embroidered onta tha pocket. Havin’ that, she conjured she’s good tah go.

Or so she thought.

She’d made a short cut down an aisle whet held lotsa toys an’ Noel decorations when she come up short. Abby turned, findin’ ‘erself starin’ tace tah face wih about a hunnerd doll babies. She stood fer a spell, just lookin’ at all of ‘em, and them doll babies just looked right back. That’s when tha idea come, alongside tha voice ‘o’ her inner spy.

”...When you’re a spy, distraction is your friend. The more embarrassing the distraction, the more effective…”

Tha notion got Abby tah smilin’. None ‘o’ them doll babies smiled back. “‘Scuse me, ma’am?” she waved down a clerk. “How much can I git a dozen ‘o’ these for?”
Happy Sunday from the cargo bay!

Yes, we have a mechanic. Please welcome Elias Riemen and his writer, @bugman, to the fold.

And Wolf made it official. He's concluded his hiatus and is back in the saddle as well. Welcome back! (We won't go into the reasons for his return. Something about a passport being held by Guatemalan authorities and a midnight boat that just barely got away, but who am I to spread rumors?)

Final RL news of the week is my vacation. We're leaving today for a beach house in my personal shangri-la. With that in mind, my responses could be sporadic, but I do see opportunities to keep writing during the week.

We floated a crew wide JP idea yesterday that I'll try to have invites created for by tonight or tomorrow, debauchery schedule notwithstanding. We've also got a couple crucial scenes coming up that involve your characters, so we'll be reaching out to trade ideas.

But now it's time to get packed (i.e. yank clothes from dryer and unceremoniously stuff them into my suitcase. Hey, it's vacation! I'm not sweating the wrinkles.) Have a great Sunday, everyone!

WWIF,

sail
”The Institutions of Men"




Cal Strand appears courtesy of @wanderingwolf

Some things about refugees never change.

They always wear their finest clothes, a sign that they’d been uprooted, forced on the dodge with just a few ticks to think about what possessions they ought to stuff into pockets. These Anabaptists all had their Sunday best on, the church clothes now worn and dirty from rough livin’. It occurred to Cal that they’d been at it for awhile, since those same duds hung loose on frames going all gaunt.

But none of that seemed to matter in their eyes. They greeted Hook with open hands and welcome smiles, while Yuri passed an envelope to the captain of the border guards. Those folk clapped onto the wheelbarrows like they’d just been given a great gift. For whatever sufferin’ led them to be in this place, the Anabaptists still took to their new labor with a kinda joyful purpose. From his place on the mule, the captain pondered their nature. He might not buy the stories what shaped their view, but that didn’t stop him admiring their method.

He could see ‘em all, stopped just inside the checkpoint as Sister Lyen called ‘em together. Cal watched as she turned their focus to Hook. He couldn’t hear what the cook was sayin’ to ‘em, but when Joe Hooker started handin’ out chisels it was pretty obvious they’d been given the 4-1-1 on the day’s work. After a little back an’ forth, Lyen gestured ‘follow me,’ and led the whole lot deeper into the blackout zone.

Yuri stepped up, all dapper in his fine suit of clothes. “Gotta say,” Cal offered as the cigarette case flipped open, “you clean up real nice.”

“We could have a problem.” The first mate’s eyes told his level of concern.

The captain cupped his hands over the flaring match as the first blessed smoke passed his lips. “We usually do,” he replied. “What’s it this time?”

“The chips,” Yuri’s voice dropped low. “Doc’s not sure she can remove ‘em without destroyin’ one or two along the way.”

Cal met that with a thoughtful nod. “Sounds reasonable,” he pocketed the case as the cigarette propped between his lips. “Didn’t plan for that, did we?”

“No, sir.”

“So what are you thinkin’ now?” Cal’s eyes were leveled upon the checkpoint, with its’ many comings and goings. Thing about border guards, he observed as Yuri struggled with a response, was that they never, ever changed. Women got groped. Men got pushed about. Anything of value got took. Them as was in charge treated their unders like la shi, a practice ain’t changed ever since one man conjured he could boss another…

“I need backup chips,” Yuri said, “and a way to read and reprogram them.”

The captain exhaled, releasing the smoke through a corner of his mouth. “That you do,” he agreed. “You said it’s all RFID, right?”

“I think so,” Yuri near stammered. “Yes, sir.”

“So what’s the problem?”

Yuri glanced over his shoulder. “It’s government…Alliance,” he whispered. “I can’t just buy their tech on the street.”

After another pull from his cigarette, Cal took it from his mouth. It hung between two fingers of the hand he draped over the mule’s handlebars, a lazy curl of smoke rising to be dashed on the breeze from the street. “Couple things, One-Arm,” he replied. “You know who builds Alliance stuff?”

“Who?”

“The lowest bidder.” the captain inclined his head toward the checkpoint. “Don’t take more’n one look at all those scarecrows inside the BZ to conjure the Alliance is stackin’ folk on the cheap…”

“Like animals,” Yuri repeated his thought of the night before.

“Like animals,” Cal agreed. “Makes a body think that for the kind of trackin’ they need, mayhaps they signed off on somethin’ just sittin’ on the shelf?”

“Yeah…” the younger man followed his lead. “Yeah! Makes sense!”

“Leastways,” Strand concluded, “won’t set you back much to find out. Now Alana’s got a powerful light touch, but she’s a careful woman. I’d wager she won’t harm a single chip pullin’ ‘em outta arms, but she’s smart to get you thinkin’ on backups.”

Yuri nodded again. “Yeah,” he agreed. “I need to find a veterinary supply company.”

The cigarette butt was ground beneath Cal’s bootheel. “Copy that,” China Doll’s captain gave a nod as he kick started the engine. “Hop on.”

“I’ve got a ride,” Yuri said as he gestured toward a pretty deluxe looking personal shuttle which idled in the distance.

Cal raised an eyebrow. “Well ain’t you all fancy?”

“Playing the part, sir,” Antonov grinned. “I can’t be seen riding with ‘the help.”
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