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"After the Earth was used up, we found a new solar system and hundreds of new Earths were terra formed and colonized..."


RUBICON, 2514

There is only one thing of note that people remember when they think of Rubicon- the damned thing is uninhabited, and it is the only uninhabited planet in the Bai Hu system. The Alliance has always found this an embarrassment; the Bai Hu, or "White Star," system is the central system within the 'Verse and where the governmental seats of the Alliance can be found.

The fact is, Rubicon has just proved to be the most difficult. When the terraforming project was initiated, it was almost as if the planet itself was resistant to the changes being made. Everything took longer than it should have, and then everything was put on stand-by when the Unification War began and activity remained dormant until the War ended in 2511 with the Battle of Serenity Valley...

Now that things have resumed and Alliance funding has been pumped back into the project, Rubicon has been set up with a breathable atmosphere, but still things are not done. It is a barren and dusty rock of a planet that nobody cares to visit.

Except today. Today, the terraformers of Rubicon are receiving visitors. The star freighter Gan Ying, after a laborious journey, has reached Rubicon and is now hovering in orbit. In its cargo hold it carries supplies for the terraformers.

"Harmony, bring her around the planet," Kelly says, standing in the cockpit. "We'll set down in Eridu."

Eridu, as of now, is the only city on Rubicon and where all the terraforming operations are based out of. Gan Ying descends into the Eridu Spaceport, which is not much than a large open field of rocks. It sets down easily with Harmony at the controls.


"Alright," Kelly says, patting the back of Harmony's chair. He grabs the microphone for the ship's PA system and switches it on. "This is Captain Kelly speaking. I want the crew gathered in the mess for briefing. That means everyone."

--

Meanwhile, at the Eridu Spaceport's saloon, an announcement is made.

"Freighter Gan Ying now landing," the PA announces. "Those wishing to board should talk to... uh... Captain Kelly."

There are, in fact, only three people in the saloon. Christopher Jackson and Gabriel Thornby, who are both seeking passage off of Rubicon after being here for whatever reason they wish to establish, and another young man and terraformer that wants out, named Phil.

"About gorram time," Phil comments at the announcement. "Haven't had a ship hit Rubicon since the last shipment of supplies."

--

Welcome to the Firefly game! We begin on Rubicon, the sixth planet orbiting in the White Star, Bai Hu. Feel free to declare what you were doing before Gan Ying reached Rubicon... and for the Drifters, what were you doing on Rubicon?

Remember, have fun...

Kenneth is patching up Shaftoe when Gan Ying lands. "That was really stupid of you, just in case you weren't sure," he comments dryly, tightening the bandage on his patient's arm.

Nadra had been in her room when they approached the planet.

"Everyone. He asks for the crew, and then says everyone..." she comments to herself.

Marina will have been in her room, watching re-runs of some show that she procured, an old recording from Earth-That-Was. When Kelly calls for an assembly of the crew in the mess hall, she hops up from her seat in her room and heads there. She does not pay much attention to her surroundings until she gets there, having been on Gan Ying for over a year now and familiarized with it.

Christopher minded his own buisness and finished off his drink before paying the barkeep. He stood up when he heard the announcement and looked for the way towards the ship port. He hadn't exactly been waiting for a ride, but he was plenty bored of the planet by now, what with there not exactly being much to see. He had actually come to Rubicon on the aforementioned supply ship as a oneshot workman. They were a man short and he needed to get out of the area at the time due to a rather unpleasant encounter with some local cheapskates whom he found were ripping off the merchants in the area. He showed them what's what and all, and while they weren't dangerous he knew going to bed in the area afterwards wouldn't have been the wisest of choices. But alas, that was all behind him now, just like every other world he's been too.

"Yes, captain." Harmony said, disengaging the pulse drive and activating the ship's reaction thrusters. The entire hull shuddered for a moment as she changed from one engine to another, slowing the ship down from interplanetary speeds to those more suited for docking procedures. "Eridu Spaceport Tower, this is the freighter Gan Ying requesting permission to land, right on time."

Even once the boat is comfortably settled on the ground, Harmony takes a few seconds to tie up some loose ends: enable some standard security protocols, shut down the engines, and then double-check her work. Only then does she allow herself to slouch back in the chair, let out a sigh, and stretch her wrists. "Yes, captain." she says again, this time to the announcement; she gets up and walks from the cockpit to the mess, sticking near Kelly if she can. "Anything in particular this meeting will be about, sir?" She asks, with the same curiously Core speech she has been bandying about since the day she first set foot on the Gan Ying.

"Yea well blades need sharpening... and its not my fault we hit atmo that gorram quickly..."

"The crew was informed before we got anywhere near the atmosphere. You really have no excuse."

Kenneth puts his instruments away before ushering Shaftoe out of his infirmary and heading up to see the captain.

Alan is in the engine room, tinkering with bits and pieces, making sure everything is where it should be and doing what it's suppose to do and what not. He jumps in surprise when the PA system goes off, having been so focused in his work he lost track of time.

"Why does he have to call everyone..." he mutters, dully, before scurrying off to the mess.

"Just want to make sure nobody's at sea on this one, Harmony," Kelly says to you as you make your way out of the cockpit. "Want everyone up to speed about what business we'll be having. Could be I just like to superintend, right?"

The mess hall is a straight shot from the cockpit for Harmony, while the rest must climb up the ladder from the living quarters (or the medical bay for Shaftoe and Kenneth). The flashing lights and cold metal of the cockpit is a harsh contrast from the mess hall with its warm paint tones and wooden surfaces. Kelly strides in, letting Harmony pass him, and gestures for everyone to seat themselves at the long dining table, reminiscent of a wooden lunch-bunch.

"Everyone settled?" Kelly says, leaning against the doorway into the mess.

Kelly is not a big fellow, very lean in fact. He wears a double-breasted gray pea coat, with worn-in brown jeans, black military boots, and today a green buttoned shirt. When he doesn't need to, he avoids wearing gunbelts, but right now he's got holsters strapped under his arms, inside the coat.

"Alright. I want to go over what we're doing on Rubicon. First off, we're delivering cargo. Simple, that. After this chit-chat, I want the crew-folk to go open the hold and get those crates of terraforming chems ready to go. Foreman Kane is our contact, and he'll be writing the paycheck, so be nice to him when he shows up here to grab what's his. Then, we've got business with another Foreman, named Harlan. That... is a job of less reputable standing. Our honorable friend Foreman Harlan will tell us more when we get there, but we've already got ourselves a job."

Kelly strides into the mess, hooking his thumbs in his pockets.

"We've also got oncoming passengers. I'll head up relations. Kenneth, Harmony, if you could join me on that, please. Might need to talk tech with 'em, Harm, and Ken, going to want to show off our shiny Alliance doctor to make 'em feel safe, whoever these poor bastards are.

"Everyone else, to Harlan's. I'll even let you take a Samson into town, just leave the guns. Shaftoe, you'll head this up. Nadra, I want you there too, if you don't mind; I know you're not crew, but Harlan might be a wee bit more favorable to higher pay with your presence."

--

Rubicon was a good choice for a temporary getaway, Christopher. Nobody comes here if they don't need to, especially not in Alliance territory. Frankly, you could not find a planet more boring than Rubicon. Now that the injured worker is back on, it's time for you to move.

"What were you up to on Rubicon, sir?" Phil asks, bothering you once again. "Going out with this ship, are ya?"

"Less reputable? Does that involve getting shot at?" asked Vash sitting down at one of the seats and fiddeling with a little pen he had.

"If yes, we better be in for a good profit"

"Not THAT less reputable," Kelly says.

Marina's eyes shift to Shaftoe when Kelly announces that he will be in charge of relations with this Foreman Harlan. She winces slightly, unnerved by the old soldier despite having fought on the same side of the war as he.

"Nevertheless," Marina says, "are we going in hot, Captain?"

Harmony nods, managing to keep a her constant amusement at the way the Captain- and everyone else on the border and rim planets, for that matter- speaks. "Of course, Captain." She says, before they enter the mess, stepping in first as he gestures to her. Once inside, she takes a seat, turned back to face the Captain. Her eyes seem to be hovering on those gun holsters as if they make her a little nervous. She can't help but fidget a little in her seat, twirling the tip of her braided ponytail between her fingers.

"It's Harmony, sir." She corrects, automatically, lifting her eyes to the Captain's as he uses a nickname for her. "Not 'Harm'. And yes, sir; I'll make sure our passengers are comfortable."

Alan seats himself near the far end of the table. As usual his eyes dart around the room while at the same time trying to avoid eye contact with anyone else.

"D-Do we have Harlan's address... or are we needing to ask around town?" Alan asks, turning his gaze to the Captain.

Gabriel sat somewhat down the bar from Christopher when the announcement was played. He thought back at the time a few weeks ago he arrived at this place. Of course he knew there wasn't much interesting here, but curiosity had brought him to check it out regardless. He had been doing a few odd jobs during the time, but was glad at the opportunity to leave. After a few seconds he finished off his drink, paid and got up to follow the others. He hoped that Captain Kelly would have space for him, he didn't look forward to staying here had he not.

Kenneth nods simply at the Captain's order, straightening his clothes a bit. "Good to know I'm worth being... shown off."

"Flash around the Companion to make the ship seem more respectable and get more pay? Of course. Not that I can disagree with that tactic, it always seems to work..." Nadra comments. "However, I do hope that this place isn't terribly disreputable. Being in the middle of a fight that I did nothing to cause is not my idea of fun."

"Of course, you wouldn't do ANYTHING to cause a fight there, Nadra... Although could be that folks just plain don't like you sometimes..."

"Cap, no guns, I get it, Can I bring the blade?"

"Sorry, Harmony," Kelly says. He has a tendency to shorten names if he can- except with Shaftoe, he never tries it. "And good. If you could conveniently forget to mention anything less-than-great about the ship, that would be dandy.

"Foreman Harlan did give us his address, Alan. I'll give it to you once we head out. As for guns... take the bare minimum. Nothing obvious. Sword's fine, Shaftoe."

--

A hope that you think you can deem reasonable, Gabriel. You can see Gan Ying through a saloon window- an impressively sized craft, vaguely resembling an old boat from Earth-That-Was. The thrusters are still cooling, and some people seem to be venturing out toward it. Your imperssive Observation pool allows you to determine by means of dress that the man at the head of these people is one of the local Foremen.

"Is a gun a gun if you can't see it?" inquired Vash. "Old habits die hard, we don't want to be completely unarmed in a strange town in the middle of an uninhabitable planet, would we?"

"The answer is yes, it is," Kelly says. "If I need to spell it out, I want pistols, folks, not assault rifles. Anything small and not... big, that works. We've got nothin' to fear from Rubicon, but Vash is right, never hurts to be prepared."

Christopher turned his head to Phil as he headed for where the Gan Ying is expected to be.

"Because what else is there to do?", he replied with a bit of jest. "I'm just floating across the sea of stars, just like I always have. So yeah, at the moment this ship is the one I'm going out on. what about you?"

I will head out towards the Foreman, then, looking for the Captain, or someone of the Crew, in charge of finding passengers.

"Of course, sir. It'll be no problem, sir." She says, nodding her head politely. The talk of guns and swords goes right past her, and she pauses, waiting for the soldiers to finish their shop talk. Their armaments don't concern her, unless they're carrying them in her presence. "Any idea where we'll be headed next?"

"Well, seems like we got money to make. So lets hop to it!"

"Go open the cargo hold first, Shaftoe," Kelly says. "I think the Foreman's here. And I believe Harlan mentioned we're staying in the Bai Hu system... but... remains to be seen where we're heading to. I'll let you know as soon as I do, Harmony."

--

"I used to terraform," Phil says, "but I'm not cut out for it."

Can't imagine why he'd say that, Christopher, this guy being stringy and a not-at-all built for physical labor, let alone something as demanding as terraforming...

"I want to travel myself... been saving up for it, really. Been anywhere interesting?"

The drifters leave the saloon and all head out towards Gan Ying, getting there around the same time as the Foreman and his group.

Christopher, you recognize him as Foreman Kane. He is the head honcho in Eridu, overseeing the entire terraforming project on Rubicon. He wears his Foreman's uniform proudly and has a finely trimmed beard to obscures his jawline. He peers over at you through a pair of spectacles.

"Ah, I see we are not the only visitors to the spaceport," Kane comments when you approach.

The crew hasn't come out yet, Gabriel. You imagine they are briefing themselves for whatever business they have here.

(edited in a response to the crew- posted while I was posting, that you did)

I'll stride towards the cargo hatch and hit the button. Looking outwards as the door opens.

Kenneth will stand beside Shaftoe as he opens the hatch, curious to see prospective passengers.

"Good. A pistol is a soldier's best friend" chuckled Vash, hiding his pistol away on a holster behind his black jacket.

"Let's see how this foreman treats our cargo" he added in, following Shaftoe to the hatch.

In that case, Kenneth, Vash, and Shaftoe head off to the cargo hold. It opens at the front of the ship, the ramp lowering down from the 'bow' just below the cockpit, roughly about the same time that Kane addresses the Drifters and Phil.

-

"Any other questions from the peanut gallery?" Kelly asks the crew and its resident space prostitute.

Observation roll on Kane. If we could already see him, that is.

"None here, sir." Harmony says, while waiting for him to dismiss the meeting. Once she's free to go, she heads to the cargo meet and greet the new arrivals; she sticks to the back, almost hiding behind the others so she'll be able to get a look at them before they spot her.

"No Capt'," Alan says, heading to the cargo bay. Once there he busies himself with getting the supplies good and ready for transport, paying little attention to the people outside.

"aye." responds Raven and heads to the cargo bay. he helps with the cargo, all the while staying out of sight.

Foreman Kane has brought a hovering platform for the crates of terraforming chemicals- highly dangerous, those- to be placed upon. Those on Gan Ying need to do relatively little work; Kane's men set to shifting the crates quickly.

"Thank you kindly," Kane says to the crewmembers there. "I trust the passage was safe? These chemicals can be a tad volatile, if you take my meaning."

What do you wish to discern about Kane with your Observation check, Vash?

You spot them quickly, Harmony; they are the only people you don't know that aren't wearing some sort of uniform. Two of them are ragged and well-traveled in their appearance, while one is fresh-faced and wearing a simple shirt and trousers.

"You'll find no problems with the cargo. Now lets deal with the issue of us getting paid and we can both go on our way."

"Questions? Oh no, none that I can think of at the moment, simply a desire to wrap this up quickly so we may go somewhere a bit more...civilized," Nadra replies to Kelly, before going out to join the rest.

Now that I think of it, no observation roll. Not needed know, probably. He's the head of the terraforming projects and should be paying us for the cargo, nothing else I need to know.

"You seem to be in some awful hurry," Kane comments on Shaftoe's straight-to-the-point attitude. "Rest assured, I've brought your payment, gunslinger."

He produces a small metal box from inside his coat and hands it to you, Shaftoe.

"Give that to your Captain. Inside you will find the transfer information."

Rubicon being a stead-fast Alliance planet, they do not make use of coinage as the Outer planets do. You absolutely hate this, Shaftoe; it is more complicated than it needs to be, and you prefer the simplicity of a gold coin.

Anyone from Alliance worlds- notably Kenneth and Vash, here- thinks nothing of it. It is just how business is done.

-

"Can't make any promises about heading to more civilized space, Nadra," Kelly says. "We don't have our destination post-Rubicon."

Harmony approaches Shaftoe and Kane, offering to take the box and saying, "Here, I'll bring that up to the Captain for you." None of the travelers have particularly caught her eye, so she plans to let the doctor handle first introductions. Besides, everyone likes it when someone hands them a box of money, and Harmony might as well get more in the Captain's favor...

If there is no protest from Shaftoe or Kane, she whisks the box up to Kelly, and says, "Here's Foreman Kane's payment, sir. Good old-fashioned credits."

"Better be the price settled on." said Vash as the box was being carried away.

"We didn't risk blowing our ship up and dying in the midst of radiation for nothing"

Kenneth will make Observation rolls on the Drifters and Phil while waiting for the others to finish the business with the cargo.

Kane has no problem with it, and Harmony wanders back to Kelly with the credits.

"Of course it is the price agreed upon," Kane says, slightly annoyed. "This is an official assignment for the Anglo-Sino Alliance, not some bootlegging operation in the Outer planets. There will be no haggling of the price."

Observation roll for Kenneth yields one success... and you actually recognize these two Drifters coming board. The first is Christopher Jackson, well-known for his 'empowering the little people' antics and standing up for those who cannot protect themselves. The second is Gabriel Thornby, who reputedly saved a town from a Reaver attack (depending on whether or not you believe in that story). They are both armed. The last one, the fresh-faced boy, you have no idea about, but he's unarmed.

"Well, I am sure that it would be difficult to find a place less sophisticated than a partially-terraformed planet," Nadra comments to Kelly while watching the Foreman.

(ignore the rest of what I had, I lost track of things >.&gt

"We had our share of... Occurances" replied Vash. He eyed the armed drifters slowly.

"Welcome aboard. Don't be waving those guns around, though"

"I am sure there will be no need to with the famous Vash Tamrion as protection on our journey."

"Didn't the Captain say be nice to the Foreman?" Marina says, looking between Vash and Shaftoe after Harmony takes the credit box. "Sorry, Foreman, they're just not used to such official work, seems. Passage was fine, chems didn't break or nothin. Glad to have yer business, sir."

Kenneth raises an eyebrow as he recognizes the drifters.

"Christopher Jackson. What an... honor, to have you aboard Gan Ying. I'm Doctor Lloyd, the ship medic. You'll be in good hands while traveling with us."

Kenneth likes Jackson's support for the little man, as Kenneth left Londinium for much the same reason.

Thornby he regards with somewhat less enthusiasm, believing the stories of the Reaver attack to have been exaggerated.

Harmony nods to the captain, "Should I go take care of the transfer for you, sir, or would you rather I greet our..." She glances back to the passengers, so desperate to get off this rock they're willing to board a transport vessel without knowing where it's headed. "...guests?"

"Ah..." began Vash, squinting his eyes to look at the drifter. "And we'd be safe of reavers from now on, won't we?" he said chuckling.

((Ok, I hope I don't mess anything up.))

Toki was late for his duty which is very rare given the high priority he puts on punctuality. He made sure to apologize to everyone for his tardiness, even the drifters he would eventually meet deserve his respect. Once he arrived near the rest of the crew he humbly bowed before them. "Forgive my lateness, I have arrived though and I am ready to assume my duty, but first I would like to welcome our guests." He said with the utmost respect. He kept himself as humble as possible while trying to hide his identity as the man with seven scars.

"I'll handle the transfer, Harm...ony," Kelly says, catching himself. "Probably for my eyes only as it is. Go chat up our guests."

He turns to Nadra. "Yeah, guess so. Still bound to be customers here, but we're not staying terribly long, don't think."

-

The fresh-faced boy, Phil, is nervously looking at the ship and inspecting it, nobody having approached him yet.

And yes, Vash's reputation as a noble soldier for the Alliance precedes him, Gabriel. Makes you wonder what he's doing out here, though.

Does Vash take stock in Gabriel's Reaver story?

-

"Thank you, miss," Kane responds to Marina. "I will be sure to pass along word that Gan Ying is a fine ship, so that it may bring you more business."

When Toki approaches, having scrambled up from the quarters and missed Kelly's briefing, Kane smirks at the overly polite behavior. "Quite a crew you have here. What is your name, sir?"

"That's what they say" Gabriel replied with a soft smile. As happened often his reputation preceded him, a fact he didn't necessarily appreciate all the time.
"So where are you guys headed?"

Originally posted by Wei Phoenix
((Ok, I hope I don't mess anything up.))

Toki was late for his duty which is very rare given the high priority he puts on punctuality. He made sure to apologize to everyone for his tardiness, even the drifters he would eventually meet deserve his respect. Once he arrived near the rest of the crew he humbly bowed before them. "Forgive my lateness, I have arrived though and I am ready to assume my duty, but first I would like to welcome our guests." He said with the utmost respect. He kept himself as humble as possible while trying to hide his identity as the man with seven scars.

(just use normal formatting, otherwise you're fine...)

---

Nadra shrugs, crossing her arms. "Want me to go talk to the new passengers as well? Or shall I stay with you?"

Harmony nods to the Captain, and says, "Alright, sir." She then glances at Nadra before starting down the stairs to the cargo hold proper, muttering, "Time to go mingle with the unwashed masses..." She glances up at them when she reaches the bottom of the stairs, trying to see if any of them are recognizable. (Observation roll)

Her disappointment in the new passengers is completely masked by the time she reaches them, breaking into a big, cheerful smile that makes her seem completely empty in the head. "Hello there! Mhm, I'm Harmony, and I'll be your pilot for your stay! Welcome to the Gan Ying, best civilian ship this side of the Osiris shipyards! Oh, and don't mind the smell, that's just the Paxi-somethingoranother for the atmospheric processors. Smells awful, doesn't it?"

Vash more or less believes the story, and has a tad of respect toward Gabriel for it.

He looks over at the incoming Toki, nodding his head in welcome.

"We always seem to be headed somewhere..." replied Vash, smiling. "Business is business. To where were going now, I think you best talk to the Captain about that"

Don't know if the Captain wants the drifters to know anything about where they'r going yet.

Toki didn't know if Kane was giving off a sarcastic smirk or if he was genuinely pleased to see such politeness, but given his experience with other people he was leaning towards the sarcastic side. It didn't matter to him though, he remained polite and answered his question with a stern tone. "Toki, Toki Kasumi sir. I am here to serve my captain and fellow crew members along with any guests we pick up or may cross."

"Good day, Harmony, it is a magnificent ship, I must say. I don't think I have seen one like it before. Is it new?"

"As you like," Kelly says to Nadra. "Best keep the Companion reclusive from the ordinary drifters. Maintain an aire of mystery or whatever."

-

"Fascinating," Kane says, and Toki picks up a hint of a condescending tone. "Toki Kasumi, though... that name sounds familiar."

Vash, the Captain doesn't even know where you're headed yet.

-

"Not terribly bad," Phil comments, wandering over to Harmony. "Is it as nice as you're saying it is? Looks... kinda worn down."

I thought we atleast knew where Foreman Harlan was ?

"She's even nicer; these cabins are some of the best, make you think you're on a cruise liner. Since she's only a few years old she's as new as they come, compared to most of those floating wrecks of luh suh out there. And, well, yeah, she's gonna look a little worn down: we've been hauling a bunch of gross chemicals around for days. That will make even the most jing chai vessel look a little nasty. But don't worry, we'll clean her out sooner or later." She then reaches out with both hands, "We'll be holding onto your weapons for your stay, but don't worry, they'll be safely stowed away."

He noticed his name carried some slight albeit unwanted recognition. Toki wasn't a fan of lying nor was he really good at it so he just tried to brush the subject aside. "Well I honestly can't say I've been told that before."

"Perhaps I'll just go flaunt myself a bit," Nadra replies. "Keep my distance, of course, but at least show that I am here."

With that, she'll leave the ship, looking over the new passengers and standing a bit back before speaking. "Oh, the Gan Ying is certainly a nice enough ship. I would not travel on anything that was junk, myself."

Kenneth smirks, not looking at Nadra as he cuts in. "No... I suppose she has better things to do with junk than travel on it."

"Oh, how very crude of you..." Nadra replies with a sideways glance at him.

"I was merely agreeing with you, ma'am," Kenneth says, hands clasped behind his back. "I wouldn't dream of offending our ambassador."

Harmony takes a moment, looking confused, as Kenneth makes his comment, before realization dawns, "....Ooooh. Hey, Doctor, be nice..."

"We could try to be professional?" smiled Vash looking over at Kenneth and Nadra. "We are after all," he continued. "The crew of the Gan Ying."

It was a young ship, so he knew it wasn't that famous. Just saying it made him feel good. Maybe, some day, the ship will gain a fiercesome reputation. Most of the individuals in the crew itself seemed to have some sort of reputation.

"Yes, my dear Doctor Lloyd, do be polite, especially in front of the new guests," Nadra says with a polite smile. "And I am not a part of the crew, Vash, I am simply a passenger myself."

"A companion on such a ship, nice as it is, seems uncommon to me. But if someone of your status is happy with the accomodations, I am sure it will be a far step up from this place and others I have had the pleasure being stuck in" Gabriel addressed Nadra, and with the last part slipped a knowing look to Christopher.

"Well it seems like that concludes our business now. If you'll excuse us, we have some other matters to attend to" (To Kane, Shaftoe will let the others talk to the crew.

"Door goin up."
He hits the button, and then runs off the end, dropping into the dirt of the starport with a thud while the door closes behind him. He waits until the others come out from the hatch and move towards Harlan's location.

Alan, who had tried to remain unnoticed during the encounter, breaths a slight sigh of relief as the door closes, before remembering they have new passengers. We need the money, he grudgingly tells himself.

Alan will speedily leave the room to meet Shaftoe outside.

Raven, glad that no one tried to talk to him headed outside to help with the task at hand.

Harlan is on Rubicon, Vash. He's in town; the new passengers aren't going.

"If you say so," Kane says to Toki, shrugging. "Nevertheless, I admire your dedication to your crewmates."

Like Gabriel, Phil seems generally pleased with Harmony's explanation of Gan Ying and the classy Nadra's testament to the ship's decency.

"Well, I'd like to climb aboard," Phil says. "Don't care much where I'm going. Do I talk to your Captain about that?"

-

Kelly actually steps in and stops Shaftoe from raising the cargo ramp.

"If everyone could just clear off to the side of the ship, thanks," Kelly shouts to everyone. "Foreman Kane, thanks for your business, hope your chems get put to good use."

"You are quite welcome," Foreman Kane responds. With a gesture, he and his men start to clear out of the dusty field with their purchased cargo. "Happy trails."

"You too." Kelly turns to Shaftoe. "Hey, Samson, remember?"

Gan Ying has two small hovercraft loaders stored inside the cargo bay called Samsons. They are useful for transporting the crew around town when Kelly approves their use, and if you are picking up cargo. They can be mounted with machine guns, but no need now.

"Take one into town. Harlan's got cargo for us, just hasn't told us where it's goin' yet. Hit up the armory, too."

After that, Kelly will step up to see what the incoming passengers are talking about, making sure Kenneth and Harmony stick around to keep talking.

"Oh, hi there Captain!" Harmony practically bubbles her greeting, "I was just telling our guests about the ship! Still haven't got their names yet, or their weapons, but they seem likeable enough!" She gestures from the passengers to the Captain, "This is Captain Kelly- he's the man to talk to about all the fiddly little details of your trip with us, like payment and quarters!" She takes the moment they all use to look at the Captain to give them each a quick glance-over again.
(Another Observation roll since I never got results for the last one >.&gt

Your results are the same as Kenneth's. You quickly identify that Christopher and Gabriel are armed (though with what I cannot say as we have not covered that yet) and young Phillip is not. You recognize that Christopher and Gabriel have reputations that proceed them... but more successes on your roll sees to it that you notice Phillip is nervous.

Well then Alan will, instead, hop aboard the Samson and get her started.

(Unless Raven or Marina wanna take the wheel. I'm assuming pilot is needed to drive these?)

Yes, Pilot is required. Feel free to play driver, Alan.

"Where in town are we meeting Harlan, sir?" Alan asks Kelly quietly, not wanting to speak up in front of the new passengers.

Could I do an Observation roll on the people around me including Phil and Christopher?

Well, as Kelly asked Nadra to come along to meet with Harlan, she will settle herself on the Samson.

Harmony tries to keep all the various weapons she's been handed in her arms without dropping any, and glances to the captain. "I'll be right back, sir!" Moving as fast as she can while pausing to pick up a dropped item every so often, she scurries to the armory, and proceeds to take apart and stow all the guns. She is very careful to make sure she doesn't break anything, and goes so far as to store the ammo separately. Afterwards, she carefully labels each gun's case and corresponding ammo box with the passenger's name in flowery, dainty script, closes and locks each case, closes and locks the cabinet, checks that the security systems are all in place and functioning properly, and finally closes and locks the armory door. Finally, she heads back to the forward hold to see how the Captain and doctor are faring against the now-disarmed passengers.

Toki boards the Samson and awaits it's departure or further orders.

Kelly passes a scrap of paper up to Alan at the wheel of the Samson.

"That there's the address," Kelly tells you. "It's Harlan's office, after hours. He'll bring you in when you all show up. Don't dicker with him, neither. The price he sets is the price he sets, we're not too bad off right now."


Gabriel, your Obsevation roll goes well. Christopher seems... well, however he seems. Phil is very nervous, and you're willing to chalk it up to worry about spacetravel. The crew are all being business-like and most are armed, except for the three that are hanging around to talk to you about the ship.


If the crewmembers going off to see Foreman Harlan are set, we'll get that moving along.

Yup, seems to be. Lets go.

Raven jumps aboard the Samson, "lets go."

((OK I AM BACK. Dad took me on a fishing trip ffffffffffff.))

Christopher had zoned out for the moment, thinking about whatever. He blinked and came back to reality when good doctor spoke to him.

"... ah! Sorry. I mean, thank you for your compliments. I am just trying do what I can with my life out in the black."

He turned his attention to Phil and recalled him mentioning terraforming.

"You said you were a terraformer? You don't exactly look... cut out to be one."

Alan will accept the address, reading it twice to commit it to memory.

"Yes sir, captain sir!" Alan replies, although he had no intention of bartering with the price to begin with. Once everyone is settled in the Samson he'll take off into town.

"There's a reason I'm quitting the life of a terraformer," Phil responds to Christopher. "I'm a second-generation terraformer. My father has been here since before the war. I refuse to follow in his footsteps..."


Meanwhile, the Samson thrums to life as Alan gets the hovering loader moving, and the crew of Gan Ying heads into town, minus the doctor and the pilot.

Eridu is extremely small scale, with squat buildings that are a blend between the hi-tech architecture of the central Alliance worlds and the reliable simplicity of wooden structures from farther out. Everything is covered in dust, and people are scarce. You pass Foreman Kane and his men as you head for Harlan's, and they wave as you go.

I guess Phil, Christopher and I will board? Get settled. Btw, is it customary to have to give up your weapons, cause I'd prefer to keep mine.

Indeed, passengers are not permitted to carry firearms onboard.

Blast.

So we settle in our quarters?

Not yet. Captain Kelly wants to get to know you better, but has been preoccupied with whatever it is that his crew has scrambled off to do.

Alan will stay focused on getting to the destination. This better not raise any questions later on, he thinks.

Kenneth nods at Phil's comment. "Some men can only do good with their lives in places that aren't where they started."

Christopher shrugged.

"To each his own, I suppose."

He turned his attention to the rest of the crew that was around him, then turned back to Kenneth.

"So, whose everyone else on this boat's crew, doctor?"

Phil agrees with Kenneth.

"Go out and do something, good motto to live by," Phil says, now less nervous.

"I'm Captain Kelly," the Captain introduces himself to you, Christopher. He's a lean fellow wearing a double-breasted gray pea coat and worn-in brown jeans, with black boots and a pea soup green buttoned shirt. "I own this bucket."

-

Meanwhile, the Crew and Nadra should pick out what firearms and melee weapons they are carrying on them!

As a reminder, Captain Kelly has restricted access to pistols only; he doesn't feel that this calls for anything heavy. Check the Main Rules thread to see the stats of each type of gun- here I will only list sizes and how many are available.

If you have Money to spend, one point will buy you a customized weapon- for example, Shaftoe's modified heavy revolver, or something ranged for Nadra that does not break the Companion rule against firearms.

-

ARMORY

Holdout Revolver- 10 in stock
Clips- 25 in stock

Light Revolver- 10 in stock
Clips- 25 in stock

Light Pistol- 10 in stock
Clips- 25 in stock

Light Machine Pistol- 10 in stock
Clips- 25 in stock

Machine Pistol- 5 in stock
Clips- 25 in stock

Heavy Revolver- 5 in stock
Clips- 25 in stock

Heavy Pistol- 5 in stock
Clips- 25 in stock

-

Melee weaponry is personalized and will not be kept track of through the Armory (with the exception of Passengers).

Remember that your Encumbrance limit is 8 for the purpose of this mission, as that is the limit for being able to carry things unseen.

Additionally, Christopher and Gabriel can choose what they had on them when they handed in their guns.

Also, please indicate if you are taking from the Armory or if you are spending a Money point for the story to get a better gun.

If spending a Money point, clarify what it is about your gun that is being improved. Each point of Money spent on the gun will improve a stat (any stat) by ONE. Improvement can either be an increase (i.e. Damage) or a decrease (i.e. Size).

As a reminder, stats for guns are- Damage, * Rating, Size, Ammo Rating, Clip Size, Specialty

You cannot add Burstfire to anything that does not already have it, but you can add an Accuracy or Pointblank rating.

(( Hey Rex, how exactly will I give my character a personalized weapon? He has gunslinger, so yeah, he should have his own "Vera" so to speak right? How do the rules for that work? ))

Kenneth will carry:

Light Revolver = 1 - from armory
Knife = 1
12 Tiny Clips = 6 - from armory (Unless I can replicate Hawk's old trick and carry 13 under Encumbrance)

For a final Encumbrance of 8.

Harmony goes unarmed at all times, except when ordered to carry a weapon specifically by the Captain. Then, and only then, she carries a Light Revolver and two reloads.

For Toki:

1 Light Revolver from the Armory
1 Nunchaku
4 tiny clips

Encumbrance= 5

Out of curiosity, since I'd kinda need to know this to choose...



What rule would that be, exactly?

Nadra carries a slender dagger on her, though, that is kept hidden, tucked away in a sash. So that's an encumbrance of 1.

Originally posted by Peach
Out of curiosity, since I'd kinda need to know this to choose...



What rule would that be, exactly?

Nadra carries a slender dagger on her, though, that is kept hidden, tucked away in a sash. So that's an encumbrance of 1.
Would that sash be in her cleavage?

Originally posted by General Kaliero
Would that sash be in her cleavage?

SHE IS NOT HIDING HER KNIFE IN HER BOOBS.

Originally posted by Peach
SHE IS NOT HIDING HER KNIFE IN HER BOOBS.


SHE SHOULD.

Originally posted by General Kaliero
SHE SHOULD.



Well, too bad

Originally posted by Peach
Out of curiosity, since I'd kinda need to know this to choose...



What rule would that be, exactly?

Nadra carries a slender dagger on her, though, that is kept hidden, tucked away in a sash. So that's an encumbrance of 1. (Companions aren't so much forbidden to carry weapons as they are simply not supposed to- it's a sign of mistrust; that the Companion doesn't feel safe around her clients, and that they shouldn't feel safe around her. This is discussed in the Serenity RPG rulebook.)

Originally posted by Peach
Well, too bad (Aww, damn... You sure?)

Well, I'd say something like this is not a circumstance like that

Also, guys? Let me inform you of something here. Cleavage is basically never a comfortable place to store things. Nor terribly convenient a place, either. I have boobs. Trust me on this one.

As the resident Companion is not with a client, then she can be armed with more than the slender dagger, if she so chooses.

Rob, the way that is determined is that you designate a type of weapon you are fond of, rather than a specific weapon (for the sake of the system). I did not state that explicitly in the rules, and is one of the tweaks I need to make. So Rob could be a Gunslinger with Heavy Pistols or Assault Rifles or whatnot.

Well, then, Nadra will borrow a light revolver from the armory (not being the sort to use firearms enough to own one of her own), along with two extra clips, bringing her total encumbrance with the knife to three.

I don't think Kenneth or Harmony needs guns right now since they're doing the meet-and-greet.

Light Revolver for Marina, with 6 tiny clips. She would prefer a rifle due to her history has a sniper for the Browncoats... but this will have to do.

Could Marina spend her single Money point on a rifle, Jordan? Maybe save it for later? She'd increase the Accuracy of it.

Toki isn't one for guns either, he'll use the MA weapons, mainly the nunchaku, but no love for knives, katars or hook swords at all.

So Toki would be more into the melee weapons that bludgeon rather than stab?

I'm also guessing there's a limit to how much you can increase stuff, right? I expect this to be put in the Main Rules, mister.

Yeah he's a peaceful person at heart, and he hates taking lives and he can beat you unconscious with a bludgeoning weapon but he'll have to stab, impale or cut them to put them down although he wouldn't mind using a sword or spear. He only uses guns because he knows wars aren't won with fists and you can't punch someone 50 ft away. No killing, he wants you to remember the beating you received and herald his rage lol

Oh, Marina is just the opposite. She takes pride in her marksmanship and her ability to take people out from a great distance without them ever seeing it coming. Death to those who oppose her!

Alan will be carrying a Machine Pistol (Medium) with x2 (Tiny) clips as his ranged weapon and, as always, his "Trusty Old Pipe Wrench" (Large) as melee for an encumbrance of 7.

Ah, another bludgeoner...

Only because it doubles as a useful tool for his mechanic duties.

So Christopher and I can choose what we brought with us up to an encumbrance of 8 or another limit?

Raven will have a heavy revolver with 4 tiny clips and dual sais.
encumbrance= 8

Don't need guns now, Vera, but it's convenient for our dear loopy GM to have notes.

Ah, well, even though we might be good with a specific TYPE of gun, can we still have personalized weapons?

Vash will be carrying a Machine Pistol, 4 Tiny Clips, and a sword for a total encumberence of 7.

I have a custom Large Revolver with an increase in accuracy. And a Custom short curved Katana used for stabbing with a damage increase.

Rob, if you like, I can treat whatever you pick as if you spent a Money point on it. Just remember that whatever you pick for Gunslinger is permanent after the Prologue.

Bardock (and Rob) - you don't have to follow the Encumbrance limit that the Captain set for the mission, no.

Yes, Vera, there are limits, and they will be detailed out soon enough. If you want to buy a better rifle for future use, feel free.

Also, when you buy an upgraded gun, you also get 5 clips with it (more if you spend more money).

Alright then! Awesome. Christopher's custom weapon as follows:

Name: Cosmo Dragoon
Weapon Class: Heavy Revolver
Damage: 3 (2+1 from the customization)
Size: Medium
Ammo: 4
Accuracy: 1

Christopher also has on him a combat-utility knife. When will the passangers have to turn in their weapons to the captain, exactly?

Originally posted by Herr Rob
Alright then! Awesome. Christopher's custom weapon as follows:

Name: Cosmo Dragoon
Weapon Class: Heavy Revolver
Damage: 3 (2+1 from the customization)
Size: Medium
Ammo: 4
Accuracy: 1

Christopher also has on him a combat-utility knife. When will the passangers have to turn in their weapons to the captain, exactly? Already have: Harmony took them and locked them away on page 5.

Originally posted by Thraxis88
Already have: Harmony took them and locked them away on page 5.

Oh well how silly of me to not notice. I'll just add in a quick confirmation of my character's behalf then.

Christopher winced a little when Harmony took away his weapon, despite his knowing she was extra careful with it.

"Do be careful with my pistol, ma'am... it's of very limited production, and very important to me..."

Nothing will ever be as catchy as the "Trusty Old Pipe Wrench".

It would be cool if Vash had a six foot long spear, but I'm guessing it would take up a lot more encumberance?

Well a spear is 8 encumbrance, I think.

Yeah I love all of my combat schticks already but an armed one would be nice. I'll decide if I want to substitute for an armed one by tonight.

A little late, here's the weapons Gabriel carried with him, and for now has given into the care of Harmony:

Heavy Revolver
Damage 2, Medium, Ammo 4 (tiny clips), Accuracy 1
A standard heavy revolver, that could be easily replaced with another one.
Customized Shotgun (Damage +1)
Damage 4*, Large, Ammo 8 (medium clips), Pointblank
A shotgun Gabriel had for a few years, it has been upgraded to pack more of a punch and is rather dear to him.
Jian (Chinese Sword)
Damage 4, Large
The sword is an old weapon his friend Liu Hao gave him shortly before he died. It is one of his most treasured possessions.

Harmony returns from the armory, much lighter than when she left. She hands the Captain the key to the gun cabinet, and says "All locked up and labeled, nice and secure, sir." She smiles- that same, empty-headed smile.

Spears are not subtle in the least, Vash. They are counted as being Very Large- an Encumbrance of 8. You would not be able to take anything else with you.

"Thank you, Harmony," Kelly says, giving Harmony a weird look when she flashes the empty-headed smile. "Don't mind her, she's been flying awhile. Any questions you'd like to ask? I can show you into the ship, if you like."

Phillip seems eager to go in.

"That would be nice." Gabriel replies to Kelly with a smile. He's interested in inspecting this new ship as he hasn't seen a similar one before.

Damn. One mission, I promise, I'll make Vash bring nothing else but a spear. And I"ll be spearing people.

For now though, I'll be bringing a Katana.

Gabriel- you have never seen anything like this ship before. Kelly guides you into the cargo hold, which is narrow but high, as is much of the ship due to its boat-like shape. It must be a prototype of some sort.

"This is the cargo hold," Kelly says. "Not much else to say about that."

-

With everyone situated as to what they are carrying, we'll move on.

Alan guides the Samson through the dusty streets of Eridu without delay, pausing only to situate himself with street names and such. Foreman Harlan's residence proves to be easy to find, though. It is a fair few stories above the rest of the squat structures that dominate Eridu, and completely built in the futuristic architectural style of Alliance government buildings. It doubles as his office and his home. You pull around to the garage, as it says to do on the slip that Kelly handed you.

It is fairly quiet around here.

Well, first thing Nadra will do is look about and make an Observation roll, see if anything stands out.

Cameras. Lots of cameras, very obviously placed, in all directions. All of the windows are closed and the curtains pulled.

"Is the silence around here normal, or should we have expected more noise than this?" Toki awaits further orders from the group or the appearance of the person they're meeting.

"Considering it's an office, maybe more noise," Marina comments. "Could be that we're here after hours, though. Beats me."

"Well, my assumption is that they know we are here," Nadra comments, gesturing subtly towards the cameras.

Harmony follows with the group, lagging a little behind the passengers. She lets the Captain lead the way and do the talking; it is, after all, his ship. She idly keeps an eye on the passengers during the tour.

Alan's eyes jump from camera to camera. "I don't like being watch this much," he says quietly, looking around, hoping that Harlan will just jump out. "I just wanna get the cargo and return the the Gan Ying as quickly as possible..."

"Perhaps someone should go knock on the door..." Nadra says, looking over the crew, her gaze very much saying but I'm not going to be the one to do it, so someone please get this over with already.