VFF The Book continues 4
POSTED BY: Colt999
UPDATED: Saturday, April 26, 2014 13:20
VIEWED: 92029
PAGE 19 of 19
*Stan blinks and glances after the captain as he turns the corner up the stairs. He considers catching up to him.*
"Three days.. it's not my business anyway. The journal.."
*He returns to his room and looks at the duffel. His curiosity at what is written in those pages is counter-balanced by his trepidation and fear at what it could all mean. He doesn't immediately retrieve the journal. Instead he heads out into the hall and gathers up his recent purchases. After unfolding and securing his new bunk he places the thin mattress atop it. Folding his coveralls neatly he stacks them beneath the cot next to his boots. He glances over his new bunk, satisfied he reaches into the duffel and pulls out the journal. It's small, maybe six inches by four, or close. The binding is open, hand stitched. It was probably made on the rim, but by someone with considerable talent when it comes to the construction of bound pages. The front cover is unadorned with no lettering. In one corner on the back is the initials K.M. A makers mark, apparently. He lies down on his bed, removes his glasses and opens the diary. He decides it would be best if he started from the beginning...*
_November 24, 2505_
__I'm writing this for my son. I'd like him to know why we're leaving him. Giving up a child isn't something a parent should do. Unless there is no other choice, if it's for the good of the child._
_This is for you Stan. So you'll understand. If you can understand. I hope, when we someday come back to you, you'll forgive us for not being there for you. Greg is a good man, we trust him with your life. I, and your mother trust him more than anyone we know. Which is why we chose him to raise you in our stead._
_I'm writing this so you will know how much we love you, and so that you'll know what we've done, and why, if we can never see you again._
_November 25, 2405_
__It is a five day journey from Newhall to Deadwood. The preparation onboard Ambrosius went well....._
"Ambrosius...?"
*Stan stays awake for hours, slowly reading the first quarter of the journal. It chronicles, with some discretion, his parents first months serving the Independent Faction. Their training and their travels from the rim, to the core and back again. The war itself is only in it's infancy but peace talks are strained. There has been no battle, no death, as of yet. At first his mother served as a negotiator. Her family having been of high standing on Sihnon. The talks fail. After that it's not completely obvious at first what function they served. Eventually he realizes that they were spies. Gathering information on troop movements and current tech. His father's background in engineering and his mother's political and social experience serve them well in this role. Most of the entries are of life aboard a ship. Of personal struggles and reports on the progress of the war. No names are mention. Had the journal fallen into the hands of the Alliance, his father explains, it would be worth more to them than any confession or plea bargain. But the importance of their work is evident. He can't help but feel a bit of pride to know his parents have done such things. Even if he's not quite sure yet how exactly he feels about this. Eventually his eyes begin to strain. He can't read anymore of it. The combination of physical fatigue and far to much information have driven him to the point of exhaustion. He sets the book beside his cot and pulls his thin wool blanket over himself. In moments he is asleep.*
<--------------------<<<<-~~~~(*)~~~~->>>>-------------------->
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read" Gaius Plinius Se
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
*I leave the dorms after briefly discussing with Brit what she’ll be doing on the job. I can’t help but feel a little guilty about throwing the girl into this mess. Maybe Sky was right. Maybe I should wave Badger, tell him we ain’t taking the job.*
*No. I’ve been protecting the crew taking easy jobs. *laughing to myself* Well they were supposed to be easy. Either way it’s not what I promised them. I’m letting the past back in. *thinking of my old ship* If I had been there I’d be dead. Nothing I could have done…cept die beside em. *I shake my head*
*I look for Abbey as I’m exiting the dorms. If I trust Brit to be on this job I should trust what she said about Abbey. She didn’t know that Grayson fella was coming for her. I head towards the infirmary to see if she is with the Doc, but she exits her shuttle above me. I walk up to meet her. Things go from bad to worse and end with her going back into her her shuttle and me feeling like a heel.*
*I walk down to the infirmary and check the mirror. Damn he did do a number on me. *
Mobbex: What happened to your face?
I turn to look at him he’s holding his head.
What happened to your head?
I move beside him and roughly examine the goose egg he’s sporting.
Mobbex: Oww easy you ain’t no Doctor.
True enough. She seen this yet?
Mobbex: Yeah, ain’t told me nothing I don’t know yet, but she seen me.
Good get her to patch you up. We got important crime to be done. Can’t be doing it without you.
Mobbex *dazed and confused* : Shucks that’s kinda sweet. You needing me and all.
*I step back and take a look at the big merc. He notices the look on my face and shakes his head. Sits up straight.*
Mobbex: I mean I’ll…I’ll be ready Captain.
Yeah…why don’t you lay back down till Doc gets back.
*I head up to the bridge and tell Wash to get us in the air. Once we break atmo I get on the com. *
We got a job people. Going to need all of you to pull this off. *thinking back to Mobbex* We got a couple days journey. I’ll fill you in at dinner.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
*After he finishes his conversation with Brit. He replays the statement Brit had told him.*
Quote:
Originally posted by Colt999:
Brit: Better than you. It’s not her fault. You should listen. She didn't know.
*He decides to go and see abbey. Try to get everything out in the open. They run into each other on the catwalk outside her shuttle. abbey is still angry, so she just glares at him.*
Colt: abbey…
abbey *curtly*: What?
Colt: Brit said you didn’t know. That it wasn’t your fault.
abbey: Of course I didn’t know.
Colt: Why didn’t you tell me you were going to see him?
abbey: I was trying to avoid what happened the last two times you both came across each other. Looks like I was wrong.
Colt: Why’d he come here?
abbey: He’s an old friend. Feels protective–
Colt *interrupts her, he gets to the point, he needs to know*: Are you sleeping with him?
abbey *adamantly*: No!
Colt: Have you ever? *abbey stands fuming at him, but she is silent. He gets a smug look on his face.* That’s what I thought.
*He turns to leave but she grabs his shoulder.*
abbey: It was a long time ago! Nine years, Colt! And it only lasted 3 months.
Colt *angrily*: And he’s a regular customer now. How convenient. *abbey takes a swing at him but he catches her arm.*
abbey: I told you before. I don’t take relationships lightly.
Colt: Oh yes… You have standards.
abbey: Apparently not as high as I thought.
Colt: Why’s that?
abbey: Cause I chose you! Didn’t anything we shared over the past couple weeks mean anything to you? *Colt clapped his hand over her mouth and pushed her back closer to her shuttle, so they wouldn’t be seen. When he lets go, she screams at him* What do you think you’re doing?
Colt: Don’t want to air our dirty laundry in front of anyone.
abbey: Is that what you think of me? Am I just your dirty laundry?
Colt *softening*: That’s not… That’s not what I meant.
abbey *tears starting to well in her eyes*: Since Grayson, there has been no one, Colt. No one! Just you. *pauses* Only you. I thought it meant something…
Colt *starting to feel like a heel*: abbey…
abbey *softly, a tear running down her cheek*: I guess I was wrong.
*She started to walk away, but he grabbed her hand.*
Colt: I didn’t mean… It did mean something to me-
abbey *interrupting him this time, tears now flowing freely*: I’m not so sure. Maybe I did make a mistake. Maybe I should go. This only cements why I don’t let anyone into my life. It hurts too bad.
*She pulls her arm out of his grasp and goes inside her shuttle and closes the door behind her. When she gets inside, she sees the empty glass of d’Orange from earlier. She pours herself another one, sits down and cries.*
*Colt stands outside, staring at her door with his hand still outstretched. He knows he has gone too far and said things he shouldn’t of. That he didn't mean. He all but called her a whore… again. The thing is that she did mean something to him. That’s probably why he reacts to her that way. He goes to her door and starts to knock, but stops himself. There is no way she’d see him now. He’d be lucky if she doesn’t pack up her things and leave at Newhall. He can’t let her do that. He doesn’t want her to go. He screwed up and screwed up badly. He leaves her doorway and starts down towards the infirmary to check out his wounds and to try to think of a way to fix his fight with abbey.*
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
*After searching the ship for the Captain, Oram returns to the infirmary, mumbling to herself about crappy comm systems and non-functioning things in general, as she crosses the threshold she sees that Mobbex has his eyes closed and appears to be dozing. Harshly swearing under her breath, Oram hesitates for a few seconds before slapping the Merc as hard as she can across the face. He wakes with a start, clearly confused at what woke him and why his face is stinging; a glance at the small nervous Doc who is shanking her hand slightly is all he needs to piece is together*
Mobbex: *still dazedly* Wuzghuagahm?!
Oram: Now put words to that sentence…
Mobbex: Wha's wrong with you?
Oram: Don’t want you going to sleep, sleeping can cause a coma or death… and I particularly don’t want to go through one or both of those phases.
Mobbex: Huh?
Oram: *ignoring him, she continues on, drawing up a needle with purple liquid* This will help … will keep you awake for about… 3 days. *At Mobbex’s worried look* Don’t worry, I had to use it to pass my medical exams… I actually didn’t sleep for a month… but, you’re large-ish, so you’ll be fine. *She just smiles, not to unease her patient, as she injects him*
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
*It had been an hour or so since abbey's big blow-up with Colt. She had cried right after it happened, but after the initial shock of it all, she had then started to pace. Back and forth across the room. She almost thought she would wear a path across the floor.*
*She was trying to decide what to do. Should she go ahead and take Grayson upon his offer? Start a brand new life? The thought of having to start completely over again wearied her, but maybe he was right. Or should she stick it out here, if only for Oram. She had made a home here in her shuttle and she liked what she was doing. She didn't relish the thought of starting something completely new.*
*She went over to her cortex link and opened a channel. She typed in Grayson's address and was about to push the "enter" button when she heard a knock at the door. She paused for a moment, thinking about whether or not to ignore it, but decided to answer it. It could be Oram.*
*She slowly opened the door to find that no one was there. She frowned a bit before turning to close it back. Then she noticed it. A simple piece of paper taped to the door frame. She pulled it off and went back inside her shuttle before opening it. It was a simple note. Six words:*
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.
*She went back over to the cortex and her finger hovered over the "enter" button again. She battled over whether or not to push it. She looked down at the note again.*
I'm sorry. I didn't mean it.
*She decided that more thinking was needed, so she turned off the cortex.*
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Mobbex instinctively draws back as Oram walks over to him, holding a frighteningly large hypodermic needle in her hand.
Mobbex: Whoa now! Back up a little bit. What's this business 'bout there being no sackin' off fo' me?
Oram: *steps a couple of paces back and folds her arms across her chest* Well, you obviously have suffered some form of brain trauma. I don't have the apparatus to make a formal diagnostic, but given the nature and acuteness of your symptoms... *pauses, sighing at Mobbex's clueless look* ...It's... basically, your brain's bruised.
Mobbex: *his eyes widen in utter shock* ...Brain's hurt?
Oram: *nods* Yup. And this ain't the kind of thing where you can just swig down some pills and kiss it goodbye. Long story short, 'you go to sleep now, you might not wake up. Ever.
Mobbex gives an audible gulp.
Oram: Come on, gimme your arm... *Mobbex holds out his right arm; Oram rolls her eyes * Palm up, gorram it... you make it look like it's the first time you've ever had an IV... *holds the syringe up and expertly taps taps the barrel with her middle finger* ...Didn't you get the compulsory inoculations and stuff back home?
Mobbex: Girl, back where I hail from, we don't have no fancy shots and caps and the like. Folks work out their misfortunes the ol' fashioned way. *gives half a smile as he reminisces* Heck, my ma used to chuck me over to the chapel when I'd get queasy, 'said to get a blessing from the rev...
Oram: *raises a quizzical eyebrow at him* You? Church?
Mobbex: Yeah... 'Truth be told, I think she just did that so the bug wouldn't spread among the kiddies... she w'z a cunning lady. 'Strong as a horse, too.
Oram: *her lips curl into a smile* Yeah, I bet she was... *spots a suitable vein and thrust the needle through his his skin* I didn't know you had siblings.
Mobbex: *gives a light shrug* 'Don't see how y'coudl've.
Oram: *shrugs right back* Yeah, I guess you're right... *pulls the needle out of his arm and dumps it down the trash chute* ...all right, you're good to go. Remember to stay hydrated, and don't strain yourself to hard, or else your condition is almost certain to worsen... *Mobbex winces visibly* ...I mean it! No working out, doctor's order.
Mobbex: *makes a grumpy face* Fine.
Oram: Oh, and... *glances around with a pensive look on her face, then reaches out a hand and grabs a small foil pack from a nearby shelf* Take a couple of these if the headaches get real bad. *hands him the foil pack* Never more than two, though, 'wouldn't want you to end up like Abbey...
Mobbex: *nods, albeit somewhat hesitantly, and tucks the small package in the back pocket of his jean pants* Thanks, doc. *feels a familiar tug on his stomach* Whew... *brings a hand up to stroke his belly*...'am hungry!
Oram: Yeah... me too, actually.
Mobbex: *hops off the couch and makes for the door* A'think I'm gonna head for galley and fix myself something... wanna come?
Oram: *looks contemplative for a moment, then shrugs and follows suit* Sure.
Mobbex, as they head out: Did we get fresh fruits?
Secret Agent Stan: The ducks have settled in the coffee shop......
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
Moving on...
Here's our new thread:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/thread.asp?b=21&t=33796
Bye!
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME
New address for this thread:
http://www.fireflyfans.net/mthread.aspx?bid=21&tid=33796 
Like Firefly and Role Playing? Visit www.theverseonline.com.
NOTIFY: Y | REPLY | REPLY WITH QUOTE | PERMALINK | TOP | HOME