VFF The Book continues 4
POSTED BY: Colt999
UPDATED: Saturday, April 26, 2014 13:20
VIEWED: 92029
PAGE 18 of 19
*Stan blinks twice then looks back down at the wave. Attached is an address and short description of where to find Joey.*
Stan: "... The Leaky Tiki?"
Mobbex: "What'a hell is a tiki?"
*Stan ignores him.*
Stan: "Looks like we'll be cutting this outing short and taking a... detour before heading back to the ship."
Mobbex: "... I'm s'posed to watch yer back."
Stan: "Sure."
*Mobbex takes another bite of his marzipan and tosses the rest onto the muddy ground. Stan climbs aboard the mule and keys the ignition. Twenty minutes of crowds, dead-ends and side-streets later they park outside a fairly nondescript building with a flashing sign depicting a nude woman dancing beneath a palm tree to the backdrop of a sunset and a large sailing ship of some ancient sort. Below are the words "The Leaky Tiki" in flickering neon lighting.*
Mobbex: *Hopping off the mule* "Is it a nekkid bar?"
Stan: "No...."
Mobbex: "Because that'd be my kinda place."
Stan: "..I don't think so anyway."
*They walk through the battered doors and into the foyer. Other than a handful of patrons both the bar and the seating areas are vacant. The entire place is decorated with various odds and ends. All with a tropical style from Earth-That-Was. Directly infront of the doors a small old woman is seated on a tall stool. Her feet nearly three feet from the ground. She smiles and greets them. Asking if they'd like to be shown a seat or if they're just here for drinks. Stan smiles back.*
Stan: "Actually I'm looking for Joey Li."
*The little old woman looks surprised for a moment then suspicious.*
Old lady: "I'm very sorry, there isn't anyone here named Joey, or Li for dat matter. Dere's a nice booth in da corner dere."
Stan: "Again we're not here for drinks ma'am. My name is Stanley Enys. I'm here looking for my friend Joey. He sent me this address. He said he had something for me..."
*A young man slightly shorter than Stan walks around the corner*
Man: "Stan?!"
Stan: "Joey? Hey!"
Joey: "What da hell you doin' here, brah?"
Stan: "What'd mean? You invited me!"
Joey: "Yeah, but eh I didn't think you'd be comin' so soon. I sent dat wave only a week or so ago. I hope you didn't go outta your way just to come see me."
Stan: "I actually just got it about twenty minutes ago. We only landed here recently."
Joey: "We?"
*Joey glances at the behemoth of a man, decked out in rough clothes and various weapons. He leans in close to Stan.*
Joey: *In a slight whisper* "Who's the moke?"
Stan: "This is Mobbex... he's.... an associate."
*Joey glances at the gun and knives..*
Joey: "Right, well we gotta talk, brah."
Stan: *Turning to Mobbex* "You stay here, have a drink or two on me... don't steal anything or.. break anything. Alright?"
*Mobbex looks confused then just grunts and walks over to the bamboo-framed bar. Sitting on the stool with his back to the bar.*
Joey: "An den, yeah.. here."
*Joey leads Stan into a room behind the bar that appears to be a break room. Then up a flight of stairs to the second level. At the top of the stairs is a hallway with doors leading to private rooms. One of them is Joey's. They enter.*
Joey: *Digging through a drawer* "Aright then... da kine 'round here somewhere.... here!"
*He pulls out and old, battered parcel. Small tears in the outer wrapping and some scorching on one corner.*
Joey: "I know. Beat ta hell, eh? This how it got here though."
Stan: Taking the thick envelope* "There was no return address..? Who delivered it?"
Joey: "It came with the post. Someone could have slipped it in though, I s'pose."
Stan: "Thanks Joey... How are you? It's been awhile since we talked."
Joey: *Leaning against the dresser* "Oh, well I'm plenny fine here. Got work, which is great. And I got family. Like ma granma down there. An' lots of cousins."
Stan: "I thought she looked familiar. She used to live on Newhall, on Vanteel right? Remember that summer we spent there?"
Joey: "Yeah, after yer folks... a eh. Any kine, how'd
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You think he only gave me the job cause I looked so beat up?
Sky: He gave you the job because you’re stupid enough to take it.
It’ll be fine.
Sky: It’s risky.
This is the kind of work I promised the crew when I hired them. Dangerous work pays better.
Sky: This goes beyond dangerous. You’re being reckless. I wonder why that is?
You got something to say, spit it out.
Sky: That business on the boat, seems a lot of trouble to go through for a renter.
He hit me first. Self defense.
Sky: Self defense? Not sure you understand the concept. Most folk try to keep their head from getting smashed in the floor. But you always were a slow learner…*realizing something* Oh…Oh gorramit your rutting around with her aren’t you?
Huh?
Sky: What she dumps you for that prissy fella so you go stick your neck into a world of trouble to get over her. Seen this before.
It ain’t like that. We got an advantage that Badger don’t know about.
Sky: Advantage?
*I fill Sky in on the way to the boat. By the time we arrive she’s on board. *
*Walking up the ramp we see Abbey* Sky: You didn’t answer my question earlier.
*I ignore her and put on my don’t give a damn face for Abbey*
Abbey: Can we talk?
Sorry, kinda busy now.
*As I walk past he infirmary Oram steps in front of me.*
Oram: Heard you took a beating. Let me check you out.
Took a beating? *looking back at Abbey* I’m fine Doc. *She shines a pen light in my eyes. I push it away* I know your doing your job but not now.
*I make it up to the Bridge * Wash, set a course for New Hall. You can wave Abbey’s shuttle let her know we’ll be there 3 days.
Wash: You don’t want to just tell her at dinner?
No, wave will be fine.
*I walk back down to the dorms. I pass Abbey talking to Oram. We don’t speak. I knock on Brits door.*
Brit: It’s open Captain.
*I walk in. I see a drawing pad covered with scribbles on her desk. Strange, it’s all the same doodle. A Blue Sun logo with big angry X’s scratched through them. *
How are you doing today?
Brit: Better than you. It’s not her fault. You should listen. She didn't know.
See that there, is the kind of spooky thing we need to discuss.
Brit: You have a job.
Yes I do and...
Brit: And its time I earn my keep.
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*Oram pulls up on the back of a mule, driven by a less than savory individual. The mule is pulling along a small fortune in medical items and drugs behind it. They are carefully concealed under a tarp, but abbey knows what they are. Oram has him pull into the bay so she could slide her purchases onto the floor. She tosses him a couple of coins. He merely grunts and drives away.*
Abbey: You get everything you needed?
Oram: Took some doing, but I did. Got a decent price even.
Abbey: You might want to get them ready for use.
Oram: Why, what’s up?
Abbey: Captain went and got himself a beating.
Oram: Captain was in a fight? And I missed it?
Abbey: Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll see the aftermath.
Oram: Well, I’d best be getting prepared then.
Oram departs for the infirmary and quickly gets it ready for use.
Abbey waits for a half hour more before she sees Colt and Sky returning. She stands up to meet them.
Quote:
Originally posted by Colt999:
*Walking up the ramp we see Abbey*
*I ignore her and put on my don’t give a damn face for Abbey*
Abbey: Can we talk?
Sorry, kinda busy now.
The look on his face is telling of how he is feeling toward her at this time. Abbey silently curses Grayson for his lack of self control.
Quote:
Originally posted by Colt999:
*As I walk past he infirmary Oram steps in front of me.*
Oram: Heard you took a beating. Let me check you out.
Took a beating? *looking back at Abbey* I’m fine Doc. *She shines a pen light in my eyes. I push it away* I know your doing your job but not now.
She watches as Oram tries to check him out, but he blows her off. Looking back at her only to give her a glare before jogging up the stairs and out of view. She walks over to Oram.
Abbey: He looked pretty banged up, is he OK?
Oram: If his foul mood is any indication, I’d say he’s fine. But I’ll make him sit down later for a full inspection.
Abbey *looking up the stairs in the direction where he disappeared*: Make sure you do.
Oram: What in the Hell happened?
Abbey: Grayson happened. He asked me about everything that had happened on the boat since I got here. And I told him everything.
Oram: Everything? *abbey nodded* I’m not so sure that was smart.
Abbey: It wasn’t. He had already decided it was time for me to leave and started the process of *whispers* relocation.
Oram: And he didn’t tell you first?
Abbey shakes her head as Colt comes back down the stairs, passing them by without even a word.
Abbey: I told him I wasn’t leaving. I like it here. I like that you were here. A lot of strange things have happened, but not anything related to my… situation. So, I ditched him.
Oram *surprised*: You ditched Grayson? How’d he take that?
Abbey: Not well. He came here himself and the Captain was the first person he found. They were fighting pretty hard when I came back. *switching the subject slightly* You may want to check Colt for a concussion. His head was getting well acquainted with the floor.
Oram: I will. *pauses* So are you leaving?
Abbey: No. I told Grayson to back off. He’s not to contact me unless it’s something important. I told him not to schedule any games with me. I also told him I wouldn’t be calling unless I was in some real trouble.
Oram: abbey, I’m not so sure that is entirely a safe thing to do.
Abbey: I’m fine. *puts on a weak smile* You’ll keep an eye out for me, won’t you?
Oram: Always.
Abbey: I just need a break from Grayson. He crossed the line with a couple of his comments.
Oram: What did he say?
Abbey: Never mind. *She looks up to see the delivery person arrive with the items she had ordered. She is grateful with his timing. She doesn’t want to be grilled by Oram as well.* I have to go handle this.
Abbey leaves Oram to go sign for her order. She obviously convinces the delivery guy to haul the two crates up to her shuttle, she tips him and he goes about his way. She looks up at her console a
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*Stan watches the exchange between the Captain and Abbey from his unintentional hiding place, crouched on the other side of the Mule.*
"Huh?... Wonder what all that's about."
*He leans forward and secures the last chuck and set of chains to the front right tire. Noticing a poke against the side of his stomach.*
"The Package! I nearly forgot.."
*Stan was so pleased to see his old friend he'd forgotten the entire reason he even knew he was here. He finishes the last bit of work on the Mule then heads back to his dorm to open the parcel. He passes Abbey as she enters the hold and nods politely. He passes his new purchases and enters his room. Sitting down on the thin mattress he carefully examines the package. It's about five by eight inches, weighs around a pound and has numerous damages to the outer wrapping. It otherwise seems well packed. Ripping off the thick paper and plastic padding he finds a small book...*
Stan: "A journal?"
*Tentatively, he open it and sees a name written, in familiar hand-writing, on the inside of the front cover...*
Jordan Fitzgerald Enys
"Dad?!"
Stan: "What?"
<--------------------<<<<-~~~~(*)~~~~->>>>-------------------->
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read" Gaius Plinius Secundus
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Mobbex stares absently as Stan pulls up the mule by the airlock and starts offloading his shopping. He hardly even notices as the younger man trudges away lugging his own weight in furniture.
'Feelin' the need to grab a bite, now, he thinks. A'wonder if we got fresh fruits...
He picks himself up and sets out for the mess hall, then suddenly stops dead as his vision goes pitch-black.
Mobbex, wavering on his feet as his eyes roll to the back of his head: Huh? Who cut the... Wuh de ma... *keels over onto the floor*
He hears the muffled racket of people gathering around him, then discerns an unworldly voice spouting gibberish in quick bursts.
Unworldly voice: Blood gushing through my veins and down the sink... Misguided, fooled... Shrouded in a mist of half truths and fallacies...
Mobbex feels an icy touch on his forehead. The veil of inky darkness begins to melt away and he soon makes out Brit's face staring down at him.
Mobbex, his voice a little raspy: Where am I?
Brit, deadpan: You're right here.
Mobbex heaves a deep groan and is all set to deliver a nasty retort when the darkness surges back, swallowing him whole.
Stan: Irony is my middle name. Actually... it's Max but I didn't mean literally.
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Mobbex's world goes from a screen of murky shadows to a peephole as he comes round. While he gradually gathers his wits back, he becomes aware of a dark figure stooped over him.
Mobbex: Wha... *feels the unmistakable ferrous tang of blood in his mouth as he speaks* ...who's there?
Sky, looking by and large unruffled: Yup, alive'n kickin'.
Spots's face comes into sight.
Spots: I'm guessin' you took a trip and knocked a few things lose, best get the doc to check you out right away.
Sky gives a halfhearted nod before receding from view.
Spots: Come on, big fella', I'll help you up.
Mobbex catches Spots' held out hand and the mechanic endeavors to pull him to his feet.
Mobbex: *holds his head in his hands* M'head feels like it's fixin' to split open... Mi tian gohn! This's way offbeat...
Spots: *chuckles and claps him on the back* Well that's how we roll. You go get that nut of yours looked at.
Mobbex gives a rigid nod by way of a reply and walks off to the infirmary.
Mobbex, muttering through gritted teeth as he treads: Won't that be fun...
Stan: Irony is my middle name. Actually... it's Max but I didn't mean literally.
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*Oram is halfway though packing the restocked medical supplies, over-going the numbers again in her head before she feels like she’s being watched. Turning around she spots Mobbex at the doorway, looking like he’s been chewed up and coughed back up by a cat… which is the best way of describing his condition.*
Oram: Hum... what's up?
Mobbex: Don't rightly know...
Oram: Ok… that’s helpful… what did you do to warrant a visit?
Mobbex: I… *brushes something on the back of his head* I think... I slipped an' banged ma head up pretty good.
Oram: Hmm... déjà vu
Mobbex: What?
Oram: Nothing.
*Mobbex sits on the chair as Oram walks around, gathering various examination equipment that looks painful and intrusive. Mobbex just gives her a look as she slaps on a pair of latex gloves*
Mobbex: *gives her a smirk* Knew it wouldn’t be long before you’d try and get me pants off.
*Oram just blinks at him, then she gets the innuendo and the ‘prostate’ joke. She lets it slide seeming that he’s injured and any potential smacks to the head could make matters worse. She takes his blood pressure, temperature; satisfied with the results. However, when she goes for the co-ordination she finds his eyes has trouble focussing and following her finger and he reflex is a little off. Oram gives a sigh, and moves to examine the Merc’s head… and sees the giant egg-shaped lump that has decided to grace Mobbex’s head*
Mobbex: How bad is it?
*Oram chews the inside of her mouth as she thinks*
Oram: You haven’t been feeling funny lately? Like seeing things that weren’t there…. Losing time, like you’ve blacked out or forgotten simple every-day known things?
Mobbex: Huh?
Oram: Like names, you know who I am?
*Mobbex gives her a look like she’s lost it completely. Oram’s eyes travel down from his face and to his neck*
Oram: Like the colourful banquet of flowers around your neck.
*Mobbex blinks*
Oram: The lei.
Mobbex: Huh? *looks down and a horrified expression comes to his face* RAAAAAAAHR! *he hastily tears it off*
Oram: And there is the answer….
*He glances up at her… a confused expression on his face*
Oram: *notices his look* What’s wrong?
Mobbex: Don't rightly know...
Oram: What?
Mobbex: I… *brushes something on the back of his head* I think... I slipped an' banged ma head up pretty good.
Oram: Ok .. déjà vu… and that’s the 2nd time I've said it.
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*Stan flips through the first few pages of the journal. It begins about the same time his parents left him with his uncle Greg. He flips quickly to the end and stares for a moment at the date before dropping the journal to the floor in front of him.*
"April 26... 2516. Three years ago.. they were pronounced MIA in 2510!"
*He picks the journal up and tries to read the first entry. He can't focus. All he's thinking about is how his parents were alive so long and never came home, or at the least let him know. Putting the journal down he decides to take a walk, relax then read it. He tucks the journal into his duffel and leaves his room, heading toward the stairs. The captain walks past him.*
Colt: "Next stop is Newhall. Just letting everyone know. Three day trip."
*He continues on his way, not noticing that his words stopped Stan dead in his tracks. A blank look on his face as he tries to work through the shock of what the captain just said.*
"I just ran from there. Is fate always so ironic?"
<--------------------<<<<-~~~~(*)~~~~->>>>-------------------->
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read" Gaius Plinius Secundus
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Mobbex, looking somewhat stumped: Dayja view? 'That a seaside resort or somethin'?
Oram: *gasps as she comes to a sudden realization* Wu de ma... Hold it there, I'm gonna go get the captain. *shouts over her shoulder as she heads out the door* You stay put!
Mobbex shrugs and plunks himself on the infirmary bed.
What now... he thinks. Might's well catch some shut-eye.
He lies down on the couch and starts to hum an ageless lullaby, slowly lulling himself to sleep as he goes.
Hey there, people, Im bobby brown
They say Im the cutest boy in town
My car is fast, my teeth is shiny
I tell all the girls they can kiss my heinie
Here I am at a famous school
I'm dressin' sharp'n I'm
Actin' cool
I got a cheerleader here wants to help with my paper
Let her do all the work'n maybe later I'll rape her
Oh God I am the american dream
I do not think I'm too extreme
An' I'm a handsome son of a 
I'm gonna get a good job'n be real rich... *dozes off*
Secret Agent Stan: The ducks have settled in the coffee shop......
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INVITATION TO:
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OPEN 24\7
All welcome
[sorry to break your storyline]
thanks, shadow
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xie-xie, SHADOW captain 平静
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Someone tries to kill you... you try to kill'em right back.
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