One more time in to the fray. [Ben + Orlando Crew]

[Sidney Bainbridge]

The Docks,Persephone; May 8th, 2521


Sidney hitched along down the docks. He was running low on money again and it was time to get back out in the deep black emptiness of the verse again to refill his pockets. He didn't really know where he was going or what ship would get him there, but that was just a minor detail. He knew there we always thieves and smugglers who needed an extra gun along the way. He had hear of at least one ship, the Orlando that was in need of crew.

He had heard of the Orlando before, it had been to theses parts before but it wasn't anything worth even a second look. It was the crew that Sidney had remembered hearing about. It's captain to be specific, "Bulletproof" Ben Barrow. This name wasn't easily missed. A legend to the Independents and a low life scum bag to the Alliance.

It was this that drew Sidney to the dock this day. A man anyone with a little sanity would keep their distance from but also a man that has great potential to being in some good jobs with his reputation.

Sidney spotted the Orlando and made his way over to it. He had one duffel bag on his right shoulder and one on his back. His left hand firmly planted on the butt stock of his hip holstered weapon, a tarnished silver long barreled six shooter revolver. He kicked the back hatch door of the ship. If anyone was in side they should hear the noise and come check it out.

Sidney dropped the bag from his shoulder letting it slam to the ground, the carefully set the other next to it. He leaned against the hatch pulling a pack of cigarettes and pulling one free from the pack. He sighed, he hated waiting especially when he wasn't even sure if he was waiting for something worth his time.

He lit the cigarette and filled his lungs as he looked up to the sky. He was ready for whatever the verse had to through at him.

[Ceren Aatos]

Apparently, the 'Verse seemed fit to throw the resident First Mate his way, first. Ceren Aatos had been in the cargo hold, doing this and that in an open space. She seemed to prefer them over closed-in ones. Not anything overly claustrophobic, she just liked the room to move about. Especially when she lacked any pressing duties. So exercise of sorts had been taken up. She'd also rigged a board up to throw knives at until she could convince the good Captain to get them a dartboard and darts. Though, she guessed it might be dangerous with any untrained hands throwing sharp objects about the ship. Ceren thought on that a brief spell and realised.. yeah, cards were a safer bet.

So when the kick came to the back door, Ceren had let a frown crease her brow a moment, wondering where the hell the noise had come from. When she realised it wasn't her doing, and had come from the direction of the hatch, she'd amble on over. A gloved hand gripped the inner door and yanked it open with some force. There was a lot of deceptive muscle in that woman. Probably why she was the strong-arm sort. First Mate was kind of a weird choice, sometimes. But it wasn't like she couldn't crack heads if it was required. Though, Ben did that well enough himself.

The tanned brunette peered out at the stranger with yet another frown, but merely one of confusion and curiousity. She was, of course, yet to learn why he was here and what he wanted. Her weapon was always at her hip for just these such occasions, but she wouldn't draw without reason to. Hanging out the doorway, she'd give him a quick once-over. Tactical assessment. Or something like that.

"What's the knockin' fer? You want somethin' pal, or y'just kickin' th'mud off yer boots?"

It was a fair question, but more than likely he wanted something. Ceren was just making sure. She was open to answering questions if it didn't concern her or anything she wasn't allowed to tell. There wasn't much that didn't need tellin', or sayin' for that matter.

[Sidney Bainbridge]

The day had been sluggish and Sidney was growing impatient as time passed. He took another deep pull from his cigarette as he readied to kick the door again. As he was about to draw his foot back for another swing he could hear the click of the latch. He slid his hand just off his weapon to his hip. Never was good practice to let people know you were touchy with your weapon upon first meting.

The door swung quickly and with what seemed like little effort. Sidney was surprised to see a women standing at the other side, it takes a strong hand to move a hatch with that little effort. he ran the back of a hand along his rough cheek, lowering it down to his side in a lousily balled fist as she gave him the once over just as he did to her. He quickly noticed the weapon at her hip. It was no surprise anyone with half a brain had one with them even in their sleep.

He reached down grabbing the strap to both bags and lifted them from the ground as she began to speak. He never was much of a talker and even less of a good listener, but this was one of those times he'd have to say something.

"Lookin' fer someone in need of a fast trigger and a hard hitter. I hear the Orlando is in need of somethin' of the sort." He replied back to her as he took a step closer to the hatch then paused right in front of her. He wasn't ever much for patients. That was his problem and it had caused him more then a little trouble in the past.

"Well ya got room er not, I ain't gon'ta stand here forever ya know?" He said as politely as he could make a rude statement be, while he flicked his cigarette back behind him.

[benbarrow]

Ben sat in the common room reading the newspaper with two fingers of scotch on the coffee table in front of him. Like any captain, he liked to be up-to-date to the events that took place in the 'Verse.

There hadn't been any big news after they pulled off the heist on St. Albans, except for some Alliance cruiser that got hit by an 'undisclosed enemy'. Which was just another word for Reavers of course. Even after the Uprising the Alliance still refused to acknowledge their existence.

Ben laid down the newspaper after he heard knocking coming from down the cargobay. After that, he also heard voices and only recognized the one from his first mate, Ceren. And so, rather than to sit around and wait, Ben decided to check it out. He stood up and made his way toward the voices and the cargobay.

"Hey Ceren, what's going on back there?" Ben asked.

[Ceren Aatos]

The stranger was eyed suspiciously from muddy brown irises, her gaze narrowing on Sidney as he explained himself. She'd make carefuly note of him moving before her, and the weapon at his hip, but she didn't take it as a move to attack. So he was looking for work, 'ey? That'll please the Captain. Seeing as things had been a little light on the ground in the area of crew for the past few weeks. Or months. Ceren wasn't sure how long it had been, just that things were looking to be quiet for some time. Another quick eyeing up before Ceren actually answered him, her hand still holding onto the hatch.

"We got th'room, but I reckon you'd wanna speak with th'Cap'n first, yeah?"

Speak of the devil and he was sure to appear. There was a slight pause as Ceren heard the very sound of the good Captain himself over her shoulder. A slight smirk tugged at her lips briefly.

"An' that'll be the man himself now." She'd announce quietly before twisting back inside to look Ben's way.

"Got ourselves some int'rest by way of crew vacancies, Cap'. Fella here lookin' to join."

As she explained, Ceren stepped to one side, removing herself from the opening of the hatch and allowing either Ben to go out and meet with Sidney, or for Sidney to make his way inside. Either way, she'd be just off to the right of the opening, glancing 'twixt Ben and the interested applicant.

[Sidney Bainbridge]

The frown that had so commonly adorned Sidney's face had slipped away only to be replaced with a straight face. The was as close as Sidney had been to a smile for sometime now and was about the best he had in him. He blew the last of the smoke from his lungs as Ceren spoke.

He heard the Captains voice call out from inside the cargo bay of the ship. The was no mistaking it, it was the man, the myth, the legend, Bulletproof Ben himself.

As Ceren stepped from the threshold of the hatch Sidney stepped forward only a few feet making his way aboard the Orlando. He took slow and careful steps to conceal the limp in his left leg. He didn't care for people to know about that and he thought it best to hold that little bit back till after they were on their way.

"Captain Ben Barrow, hear ya need a few good hands here on the Orlando. I wouldn't say mine 'er much good anymore but they 'er here, not looking like you have to many other options right now." He stated as Ben Came in sight.

He lowered his bags to the ground next to the hatch and waited for a reply from Ben. By this time the frown had settled back in among the scruffy face. His fist balling up next to his sidearm once more. It was better it be in a balled fist then resting on the weapon like he normally would have it. Ben was a war hero and an Independent just like Sidney and that is what made him so nervous. Anyone who was an Independent was always suspicious of new and old faces.

[benbarrow]

Ben was very wary of people who recognized his face. The ones that did were either Independent veterans or Alliance agents who wanted to put his frozen body in a museum on Osiris, to make sure the bit of propaganda the Alliance spread after the war was true.

The man was bold enough to take a few steps into the ship, and Ben quickly assessed the situation. He had his pistol on him and Ceren was standing behind the man just in case he should try anything. Ceren would slit the guy's throat before he'd even be able to touch something that resembled a gun.

But for the moment, Ben didn't see a reason to start getting violent. But it was only because of the way he thought that he'd been able to avoid the Alliance for so long. Rather than to keep pondering on it himself, Ben figured the best thing to do was just plainly ask the man how he was able to put a face to his name.

"You know, there's only two types of people who can put a face to my name." Ben said. "The first ones are Independent veterans and the others are Alliance agents. I'd like to believe you're not a Purplebelly, so tell me what outfit you were in during the war?"

[Sidney Bainbridge]

Sidney scoffed at the idea of him ever being a purplebelly. That was a ridicules thought but he didn't have a reputation like Ben had so there weren't many left after the war that knew who he was. he stood there for just a moment taking a slow glance back at Ceren and the exit. He couldn't help but let them think on it for a just a little.

As the tension in the cargo bay seemed to thicken he reached down to one of the bag, unlatching the top, and pulled a coat from the bag. He draped the browncoat over the bag for everyone to see. "they use' ta call me Major Sidney Bainbridge, but seems these days i hear old man a lot more often." he said with a slight chuckle.

He hadn't pulled that coat out to often. It had brought back bad memories but it was useful in situations like this. Sidney waited for a response it was now in Ben's hands to decide if he needed someone of Sidney's skills or not aboard the Orlando.

[Kalli Ann Bernett]

Kalli had been in and out of the cargo bay looking for for the few scarce spare parts for the engine all day. the repairs had been coming along but still had a bit to go before the Orlando was really ready to go again. She over heard the Captain and first mate talking to an unfamiliar voice then again they were all unfamiliar to her still.

She made the short jaunt over toward them. They all seemed tense, she wasn't to sure why it was an older man who sounded like he was looking for a ship just as she was not to long before. She wondered what he would be doing on the ship if the Captain accepted him among the crew.

She simply said "Hi all." in a casual greeting. She was in a great mood since the repairs were going so well. She didn't want to tell the Captain just yet. She was hoping to surprise him when it was all patched up and ready.

[benbarrow]

Ben nodded when Sidney showed his browncoat and said that he was an Independent veteran. He never fought together with him but a fellow Browncoat was always welcome.

"Well Captain Bainbridge, they used to call me Colonel Barrow." Ben responded. "But people tend to call me captain nowadays. I don't run a formal ship so it's just Ben for you. Behind you is the first mate Ceren Aatos and inside you'll find George West and Kalli Bernett."

Just as he got finished saying her name, Kalli appeared from the engine room.

"Sidney Bainbridge, meet Kalli Ann Bernett." Ben said. "Kalli, Sidney here will be flying with us from now on. Why don't you show him around?"

[Kalli Ann Bernett]

Kalli smiled and waved at the gruff man who had just come aboard the Orlando. She was more then happy to meet new people. That had to have been her favorite part of being a mechanic on Persephone. It was a new face everyday with a new story and she couldn't wait to hear his. He looked like the sort that would have a few good ones to tell.

She wiped her face, she was sure it had to be dirt from working on the engine. "Pleasure to meet you Mr. Bainbridge, welcome aboard the Orlando. Ain't she a beaut?" Kalli asked him as she motioned for him to follow her. She was excited to get to give someone else the tour and she was really looking forward to showing off the engine room. She welled with pride that she was in charge of keeping the Orlando running.

"Ya ever been on a firefly before? They are great ships especially the mark three like this one." She told him. She was so excited she couldn't control herself.

[Sidney Bainbridge]

Sidney gave a nod not directly at anyone but just in acknowledgment to those he had just listed of to him. As usually he wasn't much for unneeded talking. He heard the young girl talking to him as she waved him over to follow her.

She seemed to like talking and asking questions even more. One of Sidney's least favorite things was dealing with peoples questions. He could tell this was going to be a long tour. He looked over toward the Captain as if to ask him with the look on his face if he was serious about having the kid give the tour.

"Kalli Ann huh? Well how 'bout ya start with where I can set these bags down at?" He stated in a subtle but grouchy voice. The Captain had a sick since of humor if this was the kind of thing he did to all the new members of the crew. That was enough for Sidney to know him and been would get along great.

He slung his browncoat over his shoulder and grab a bag with each hand. He stood there fro a moment to survey the cargo hold. It was always a smart choice to get to know your surroundings. Then he slowly began to walk along hiding his limp as best he could.

[georgewest]

George walked out from the medical bay wiping his hands on a towel so it looked as if he had been working hard rather than just organizing the medicine cabinets and taking some inventory. He had heard some knocking and quickly put some of the meds back away before he started walking out.

He stood back for a little while to survey the scene. The man was a few years older than himself but he looked familiar. When he pulled out his browncoat, it hit him. West was moved around A LOT during the war. The independents were short on actual doctors and they sent him to whatever area was likely to get the most casualties. He certainly recognized Captain Sidney Bainbridge. Though they only served together for about a month before he was shipped into Barrow's unit until the war ended.

"Why, if it isn't Captain "Old Man" Bainbridge. Why am I not surprised to see you here," he said jokingly. He didn't really expect the man to remember him but he hoped it would happen. West wasn't really the memorable type. He had never really received many medals during the war as most of his brave acts involved help unconscious people.

"Cap'n if you need an assurance that he's not a fed, I can definitely vouch for him."

[Sidney Bainbridge]

Sidney heard the voice from across the cargo bay call out his name. It was someone who recognized him but where from. He apparently knew him from the war which narrowed it down to only the few that were still alive. Sidney shot the man a curious looked. There was something about the mans face that seem like he had seen it before, but if he had been from the war it was much more aged then he would remember.

Sidney took a few steps closer, as he did the face seemed to drop ten years off and it was clear to Sidney. It was one of the medics he had in his unit. One of the luck few that weren't lost. For a moment Sidney stood there perfectly still. He could hear the gun shots again. He could picture the medic leaned over one after another of his soldiers telling Sidney they were dead. All of them one after another would fall and so few was there any hope of helping.

Sidney popped out of it and remembered the name. "West!"Sidney exclaimed "Gorram I didn't figure ya made it out of there. Glad to see you did. Seems this days just going to be all kinds of interestin'." Sidney had suffered several injuries during the war and West was one of the people who had fixed him up. He hadn't forgot any of those who kept him going through that war.

[Ceren Aatos]

Throughout each exchange, Ceren had just been in the back, keeping quiet and listening. When Ben had called him out on confirming his allignments, her dark eyes had narrowed and a hand had hung casually at her left him, the other resting on her belt. Ben was offered a subtle look from behind the newcomer, like an assurance she would handle things should the need arise. She hoped it didn't, of course. But she was paid to do what she could, and if it meant protecting the integrity of this ship and her crew, then Ceren would do it. As that brown coat came into view, her eyebrows perked before immediately dropping back into that stoic expression. Another Browncoat. Ceren was slowly getting surrounded by former allies and it was going to start making her antsy if anymore showed up. At least she was safe in the knowledge they didn't know what she'd done. Not that she ever assumed she did anything overly horrendous.

Some might disagree with that assumption, though.

Once the pleasantries were out of the way, and the man was secured a position on the ship, Ceren turned to close the hatch, making her way passed the crowd. It wasn't like she had anything better to do, but her assistance was no longer required. A nod was given as she made her way by them, and a pointed look for Bainbridge. Maybe a slightly joking "stay out of trouble" look, but she was hardly expecting too much.

No more than the Captain himself was capable of, anyway.