Virtual Firefly

VFF The Book Continues part 5

POSTED BY: Colt999
UPDATED: Monday, March 16, 2009 23:49
VIEWED: 74804
PAGE 5 of 15

ABBEYGIRL

Thursday, June 19, 2008 5:03 PM

*abbey looks for Brit for a while after she had disappeared with the rest of her fruity-oatey bars, but the girl is either too fast or she hides too well.*

abbey *under her breath*: Gorram girl stole my bars. What kind if person would do that? It's rude.

*She wanders around the ship some more thinking and making a half-hearted attempt of finding Brit. Finally she gives up and goes to get something else. She rummages around until she finds what she is looking for, grabs a handful and shoves them in her pocket. She replaces the box to where she found it and returns to her shuttle to hide them away for later.*

STRANGEBIRD

Thursday, June 19, 2008 8:40 PM

*By the time he's rearranged the port side of the cargo hold and found the axillary tow cable, Stan has formed the basis of his plan for the first part of the job he's been given. He takes the tow cable, the needed fastening equipment and some spare rope and deposits them in the port shuttle. He also stops in the cockpit and transfers the navigational data for the destination from the Book's main computers.. After he heads up to the gallery, passing Abbey on his way.*

Abbey: "Good morning."

Stan: "G'morning. Are you ok?"

Abbey: "What?"

Stan: "Just wondering how you're feeling. Haven't seen you much since the... occurrence.. the other night."

Abbey: "Oh, yeah I'm fine."

Stan: "Nice to hear...

Abbey: "Seeya later, Stan."

*Stan continues up to the galley where Mobbex is seated at the table, slowly sipping a glass of water and chewing on a piece of bread. He gets up and heads out as Stan walks over to the kitchen nook and washes his hands before making a cup of sweetened, iced tea.*

Mobbex: *Mumbles on his way out* "...be in my bunk fer a few."

*Leaving his tea to steep and cool Stan walks over to the small observation lounge and sits down in one of the old plush chairs. leaning his head back to look out the circular dome above him. He hears someone enter, shuffle about for a moment then leave, but doesn't pay any attention. He goes over his plan in his head and tries to think of anything else he might need.*

"Oi, this is going to be fun... Coaster.. Isn't he that guy who tried to sell a stolen turtle to the school nurse? Yeah.. between him and Mobbex this is going to be a romp through the nut house."

*The small ding of the timer alerts him that it's time to take the bags out of the tea. A short while later he's walking back down to his dorm, a glass of dark brownish red tea with cubed ice in his hand. He places it on the box/table and pulls the vest from under his cot. Unzipping his coveralls half way he shrugs off the sleeves and pulls on the flak jacket over his t-shirt. The fit is somewhat loose, but after about a half hour of minor adjustments he feels it fits adequately enough. He removes the vest and stows it back under his cot for later. Pulling the top half of the coveralls back on he zips it up most of the way and pulls his data pad out from under his mattress. Checking the battery cells, three quarters charged, he tucks it into the mid-hip pocket. Leaving his room he sips the last of his tea and heads back up to the galley. After quickly washing the glass and putting it away, Stan heads through the door to the port shuttle to shuffle it's contents around and move some of the boxes and crates down to the hold temporarely.*

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"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read" Gaius Plinius Secundus

INVICTUS12

Thursday, June 19, 2008 10:12 PM

________________________________
WOW, impressive.(prairie dogs!? lmao)

STRANGEBIRD

Friday, June 20, 2008 10:36 PM

*Stan spends an hour finishing the preparations, half of that spent moving some of the heavier crates from the port shuttle to the cargo hold. The rest he spends pouring over charts and maps of the region of Newhall where they'll be working. After finding a few viable locations he goes looking for the captain, finding him eating an early lunch in the galley.*

Stan: "Captain?"

Colt: "Hi Stan. How's it goin'."

Stan:" Well, I was looking at some maps of the area where we'll be... found a nice quiet place we can land and leave the ship. It's only a couple dozen miles from the estate."

Colt: "Can I see that?"

*Stan hands him his databook, the small screen showing an enlarged topographical view of a handful of small sandy atolls.*

Colt: *After a few moments studying the map.* "Looks good, no structures or people. Who owns it?"

Stan: "It's owned by a small sub-oceanic mining conglomerate.... not alot of that on Newhall, the laws are very strict about pollution and.. anyway they never use the islands, at least not that I can tell."

Colt: "Alright. What about the goods, this Coaster fellow? You tell Mobbex yet?"

Stan: "Yeah, he wasn't very happy. He said he'd be in his bunk awhile."

*Colt eyes the map a minute longer, nods then passes it back to Stan."

Colt: "Ok, go give the coordinates to Wash so she can set it up."

Stan: "Will do, also.. we'll need to arrange somethings for the pick-up."

*Sky walks in about that moment, walking over to stand beside the captain. Stan glances at her.*

Colt: "Oh? What's that...?"

Stan: "Here's what I was thinking...."

<--------------------<<<<-~~~~(*)~~~~->>>>-------------------->
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read" Gaius Plinius Secundus

COLT99

Saturday, June 21, 2008 6:27 AM

Colt sat in his bunk pouring over the blueprints for the estate and the maps that Stan had given him. This whole thing was starting to make him more and more unsettled.

His main concern was that Badger’s intel was wrong. The estate wasn’t on land; it was a gorram floating island. He sighed because he should have known that, since Newhall is a planet covered mostly by water. But he assumed Badger would have had better information since he wanted to teach this guy a lesson. If you went by the saying from Earth-that-Was, that made Colt an ass.

But the money was good and they needed it. Abbey’s deposit for the rent wouldn’t last them forever. The crew needed to be paid and that hadn’t happened for a long while. He promised them some risky ventures that would bring in some high returns, not low paying milk runs.

But his crew was a mix of people of varying experience. He wasn’t worried about himself, Sky, Mobbex or, for some reason, Brit. Wash and Spots could probably handle themselves in a regular fight, but this kind of operation wasn’t their cup of tea. Colt didn’t know Stan all that well yet, but based on the fight on Greenleaf and the job on Whitefall, he wasn’t feeling comfortable about his ability for much hand-to-hand combat. Oram wasn’t a hard core fighter either, but she wasn’t afraid of much and that’s not nothing. That left only abbey.

He closed his eyes and thought about her. She shouldn’t even be going. He didn’t know why he even let her talk him into letting her come. Sure she was a heck of a shot. And she had guts. She’d gone toe-to-toe in a fight with a couple of people since he’d known her (him included), but that was mostly verbal. She had a certain vulnerability underneath that tough exterior of hers that he couldn’t put a finger on. But his main reason was just because it was abbey. His abbey. He smiled when he thought of referring to her that way. He hadn’t felt that way about anyone in a very long time.

This job had the definite potential to go very bad, very quick. He rubbed his eyes in frustration and went back to the plans, wanting to commit every piece of information to memory.

STRANGEBIRD

Sunday, June 22, 2008 4:06 AM

*A couple hours later. Book has entered orbit, the port shuttle has left and the crew is preparing for the job.*

Stan: "You didn't take a shower... did you?"

*Stan and Mobbex are in Shuttle No2, in route to the island, and city, of Little Port. Stan is piloting the shuttle while Mobbex sits in the fold down seat, directly behind the pilots chair. Beneath them the deep azure waters of Newhall stretch to the horizon in all directions.*

Mobbex: "Why the hell do you care if I shower or not?"

Stan: "Yeah, I don't care if I have to sit in the cockpit of a shuttle and smell you all the way to, and back from, this stupid deal."

Mobbex: *Under his breath* "Pó pó mā mā de."

Stan: *Turning around* "What? I'd rather do this on my own, but the captain practically ordered me to take you. Seriously, I'm tempted to turn the shuttle around."

"..Or dump your worthless ass out over the ocean..." *He grins evilly so Mobbex cannot see him.*

*Mobbex leans forward, behind Stan, and makes like he's ready to throttle him. He growls, swears silently and thinks better of it. He stands and leaves the cockpit.*

*The shuttle continues on for more than an hour, finally arriving at their destination. A large bustling city covers most of the north half of the main island. After twenty minutes of negotiating a landing zone they set down in the space docks on the west side of the city. Stan banters easily with the local control station comm moniter. Asking him about the location of Coaster, after a long pause the man answers quietly, apparently so he's not overheard by his supervisor. Having the location of a strip bar were the fence might be found, Stan and the burly mercenary head off to find him.*

*A short walk to a slummy section of Little Port, and they've come upon the place. A damaged sign out front identifies the bar as "José’s" and has a neon sign hanging beneath reading "Nude Girls"*

Mobbex: "Maybe this ain't such a bad day.. heh?"

*Stan silently curses his luck and strides ahead of Mobbex to the door.*

<--------------------<<<<-~~~~(*)~~~~->>>>-------------------->
"True glory consists of doing what deserves to be written, and writing what deserves to be read" Gaius Plinius Secundus

MOBBEX

Monday, June 23, 2008 1:39 AM

The door squeaks on its hinges as Stan throws it wide. The establishment has all the looks of a typical back alley tavern. A handful of scarce patrons sit with their head stooped over their liquor, apparently impervious to the scent of smoke mixed with various body odors and the suffocating humidity that fill the air. At the far end of the bar, a dozen of run-down wooden crates are arranged into a makeshift podium, which currently lies empty. Mobbex screws up his eyes, trying to peer through the dim lighting and the haze of noxious fumes as he looks for a man matching Coaster's description.

Mobbex: Y'see him? I don't see him...

Stan: Hmm... *runs his gaze across the room* ...nope. He must've gotten held up somewhere.

Mobbex: That, or he's done his homework and rightfully figured that we ain't worth the bother. 'Can't say I'd blame him, we must've gotten ourself one bear-humpin' sucker of a bad rep by now. Anyways, I'm thinkin' I'll just head over there an' grab myself a drink or ten. Like me, follow me...

Stan reaches out a hand and loops it around the mercenary's forearm.

Stan: Hang on a second, the only reason you're here is because I need someone to have my back in case the deal goes south, not so you can have a go at the local brew.

Mobbex: Listen up, kid, I dunno how you got it into your head that y're the one callin' the shots on this leg, but I'm warnin' ya: y' don't cut down on the high an' mighty fèi huà, y'll find yerself short of a chaperon, dong mà?

Stan: And what are you gonna do? Swim all the way back to the ship?

Mobbex: *smiles conceitedly* You'd be surprised how easy it is for a man like me to hitch a ride.

Stan: Be that as it may, you know walking out on me right now isn't gonna fly with the others...

Mobbex: Whoever said anything about heading back to the ship?

Stan raises a dubious eyebrow but fails to think up a viable retort. Mobbex's grin widens.

Mobbex: *jerks his arm out of Stan's withering grip* Now if y'll excuse me, I'm gonna go get my booze on.

Stan stands unmoving as the hulking mercenary strides away.

I just got stumped by an oversized oaf who's grey matter hardly outweighs that of a retarded seagull, he mutters to himself as he grudgingly follows in Mobbex's trail. I suppose there's solace to be found in the fact that this day cannot possibly get any worse.

Secret Agent Stan: The ducks have settled in the coffee shop......

STRANGEBIRD

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 12:43 AM

*Stan shakes his head then follows Mobbex over to the greasy bar. After the large man orders whatever beer they have on tap, Stan motions to the bartender, who serves Mobbex then moves down to where Stan is standing and leans forward onto the bar. Stan also leans in.*

Bartender: "E'yeah, what'da need kid?

Stan: "You know of on man named Coaster? Large fellow, dark, crazy hair?"

Bartender: "Wha.. now..? Nope. No moke named Coaster Brenk 'round here, brah."

Stan: "Oh, that's too bad. Though... you know? I never said his last name."

*The bartender swears, walks a ways down the bar and picks up a small hand comm. After a few words spoken quietly, he replaces it under the bar and returns.*

Bartender: "Sorry 'bout that, we gotta rule 'bout our cusmers. You dun look bad, but Coaster dun like bein' 'sturbed. He'll be right out."

*With that the bartender leaves through a door into what is presumably the kitchen. Stan takes a seat at the bar a few stools down from Mobbex, who is now halfway through his first pint of beer. After about four minutes of waiting a door to the left of the makeshift stage opens, and a huge, mocha-skinned man with crazy reddish-blond dreadlocks and thick dark sunglasses enters the room, followed by a tall, leggy blond in a skimpy outfit and a small ratty looking fellow in a moth-eaten coat. The large man lumbers over to stand infront of Stan, eying him suspiciously before clapping him roughly on the shoulder.*

Dreadlocks: "STAN! Wha' da hell ya doin' here?? Las' I hears you been geet'n off this fkin' pss rock!

Stan: "Coaster... You've..."

Coaster: "Yeah, I's got plenny momona o'er da years.. wha' da fk it to you, eh?"

Stan: "No... uh... brah, I meant you've grown the dreads out. They look good."

*Coaster grins widely, reaching up and fiddling with one of the many rings and beads in his insane mess of hair.*

Coaster: "Tank yous, you alway been nice one. Not like the lolo you alway run with, Joey. Him and hee's family, they always tryin' ta fk me up, knows? E'er since I's roach dat shipments of cow sheet from... iny kine... not need a worries about that now, eh? Bidness, Joey give me call. I tol' him a go fk off but hee's got an offer I can't 'ford to inore. Also not you's worries.... you comed here by youself?" *Coaster glances around the room, making note of the one person he isn't familiar with.* "Dat you frin there's? Dee bigs one dere, dinkin'?"

Stan: "I wouldn't call him a friend... no.. but yeah. He's with me."

Coaster: "Fair 'nuff, you two come wit me. We got get you stuff... you got da green right?"

Stan: "Yeah, if you have the stuff. I want to see if first... if that's no issue."

Coaster: *Patting the air with one hand* "Nah nah essue, we go now. Get you man there and come wit... oh an.. dees my 'ssociates, Blossom and Squeaks.. day no bother no ones."

*Stan nudges Mobbex as Coaster and his people leave the building. The mercenary grumbles and glares at him.*

Mobbex: "What? There a problem?"

Stan: "Come on, we're going with them to get the stuff."

Mobbex: "No, I want to stay here and finish my booze."

Stan: "Sorry, no.. we're working. Now come on."

*Mobbex snarls angrily and stands up, taking his recently refilled beer mug with him. The bartender, who has since returned with a crate of mugs, moves to stop him but freezes as the hugely muscled man glares at him threateningly. As if to say "Fair enough" the bartender shrugs, grins weakly, and goes back to placing the freshly "cleaned" mugs on the rack over the bar.*

Mobbex: *Grinning cockily* "Now that's service!"

*He chuckles to himself as they exit the bar. Outside Coaster, the blond and the creepy little man are all sitting in a large but rundown hover transport. Mobbex eyes them suspiciously, but climbs in and sits next to the blond. Stan hops up into the front passenger's seat. A few minutes of travel time and they've arrived at a large warehouse near the docks. It's walls are a patchwork of scrap

COLT99

Wednesday, June 25, 2008 11:46 PM

*Out of his peripheral vision, a movement caught his eye. It was abbey, running up the stairs and across the catwalks. Puzzled, he watched her, but was brought back to task when Spots and Sky approach him.*

Sky *sarcastically*: Whatcha' watching?

*Colt gave her a withering look as deflects her attention to the items Stan acquired for the job. He gave the red box containing the comms to her.*

Sky, here is the tech that Stan got from his contact. I’d like you to check them over and make sure they all work. We can’t afford for anyone’s to malfunction while we are on the estate.

Sky *opens the box and looks in*: Not bad, Captain. Looks like some fairly quality stuff.

*She quickly left to inspect the merchandise. Colt looked up again and saw abbey running across the top catwalk, making her way over to the opposite set of stairs. She was obviously working out.*

Spots: Captain?

*Colt is still slightly distracted.*

What?

Spots *as he gave Colt a strange look*: You need me for anything?

*Colt snapped his attention back to Spots.*

Oh! That's the boat that you’ll be driving to get us under the estate. Make sure you are familiar with the controls and that you’ll have room for your gear. I think we’ll have a few minutes once we load up for you to get a test spin. Rather do that then with a full load so you can see how it handles.

Spots *as he watched Colt shift his attention back up to abbey’s activities*: Yes, sir. I’m on it.

*Colt watched her as she made another whole lap. She had an intense look on her face and didn’t seem to notice any of the activity below her. When she passed across the lowest catwalk, he decided to catch up to her.*

ABBEYGIRL

Thursday, June 26, 2008 3:39 AM

*abbey could feel someone running… no clomping… up the stairs behind her. She knew who was because she saw him watching her from the cargo bay floor. She needed to think and didn’t want to be interrupted, so she pressed on, picking up speed. Before she knew it, she was well out in front of him and he had stopped, trying to catch his breath. As she traveled over to the other side of the cargo bay, she looked up and saw that he was no longer there. So she decided to finish up before he came back.*

*She retreated into her shuttle and closed the door. She started to reach for the towel she had laid out, but it was gone.*

Colt *holding the towel and he leaned up against the wall*: Looking for this, darling?

abbey: Darling? *grabs towel out of his hand* What are you doing in here?

Colt: I wanted to talk to you, but you decided to try to avoid me. Which, by and by, I’d like to know why.

abbey: I wasn’t avoiding you. I just wanted to finish up. Running always helps with the nerves…

Colt: Something bothering you? You wanna talk about it?

abbey *looking away from him*: No.

*Colt frowned, but let it go.*

Colt *trying to lighten the mood*: When did you become so freakishly fast?

abbey: Always loved the stairs. I’ve been running like that for years. *smiling* You might not believe me, but I didn’t used to be this thin.

Colt *as he pulled her into his arms*: You were a chubby kid?

abbey: Yes, I was.

*He kissed her, but after a bit, she pulled away.*

abbey: I can’t do this right now.

*He frowned again.*

Colt: You sure you don’t want to talk about it?

abbey *quickly*: No.

Colt: It’s the job isn’t it?

abbey: I’m trying not to think about that.

Colt *leans to kiss her on the forehead*: That’s one of the reasons why I’m here.

abbey: I’m not staying on the ship, so you don’t need to waste your breath.

Colt: Not looking to waste my breath. Just want to keep you safe.

abbey: Like I told you before. Oram goes… I go…

Colt *sighs in frustration*: And as you so often remind me, it’s your “job” to protect her.

abbey: It is.

Colt *looking at her directly*: After we get back, you’ll explain that whole thing to me, dong ma?

*abbey was about to tell him that she wasn’t, when they were thankfully interrupted.*

Wash: Captain, we have landed.

*Colt took in a deep breath.*

Colt: I’ll be expecting everyone up in the galley in a half hour. Need to go over a few things before we get started.

abbey: I’ll be there.

*He leaned over and gave her a quick kiss and then left to go get ready.*