It's Gonna Be a Bumpy Ride [Closed]

[djfeelgood3008]

A Firefly. An actual Firefly. He'd only gotten to fly one before, and it was just a quick off-world mail delivery. The thing handled like a drunken beast, though, and he sincerely hoped the Orlando ran better. That was a silly thought, though. "Bulletproof" Ben wouldn't allow himself to be carried around by anything that wasn't a dream.

"Bulletproof" Ben. Gorramit, Jamie could barely believe he was working for him. He'd barely gotten off of Ariel when he saw that someone needed a pilot. Applied for the job, and bam, he got it. It almost seemed too easy. He'd expected to have a much rougher time getting work. Maybe he was just lucky, though. Maybe in these times, everyone needed all the help they could get. Maybe it was a combination of these things.

No matter what, Jamie wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. The courier was dying to find something, anything, to get him away from his roots, and flying for Ben seemed like the perfect way to stick it to the Alliance. That seemed to be the only thing on Jamie's mind these days, but, well, he had a lot of pent up aggression.

It didn't matter, not now. Now, he had a job. He was working with a real crew. No more renting ships to deliver mail. This was a real job, and a real opportunity, and he didn't plan on leaving this ship any time soon.

Ben had said he could come aboard, and so Jamie had done just that. He was walking around the cargo bay, hands firmly his his pockets so as not to disturb anything, with a backpack on his back and a satchel at his side, carrying the only things he owned; clothes and a few books. It'd be a new start for him, now, and he didn't want anything from his old life.

He made his way toward the cockpit of the Orlando, and sat down in the pilot's -- well, in his chair. He grabbed the receiver and flipped on the intercom to speak to the ship. "Er, uh.. w-well, hello there, everyone. Name's Jamie, Jamie Dunmar, and it looks like I'll be flying this beautiful ship here for you folks. I do hope to do you all proud."

He sat there for a long moment, trying to think of something else to say. But truth be told, Jamie never was that outgoing, and didn't much know what to say to people he didn't know. So, after half a minute or so, he clicked back on the intercom. "Anyway, uh .. I'll be up here, in the cockpit, if anybody needs me, or wants to see who'll be flyin' 'em. I'm happy to be working with everyone. Um ..".. Another long pause... "Thanks."

[Sidney Bainbridge]

Sidney had been in his room. His pistol and brown coat laid out on his bed. Seeing West again here on the Orlando had brought back memories. Sidney had been confronting his past, the war, his parents, and everything else he had done. He had many secrets and they had all been resurfacing lately.

Sidney picked the revolver up and began to wipe it of just as the intercom came across with an unfamiliar voice. It was the voice of a young man who had joined the crew as a new pilot. He sounded young, almost to young to be flying as ship especially one with a crew of the likes of the Orlando crew.

Sidney wasn't much of a fan for having kids on the ship. They already had Kalli and that was more then enough already. Sidney stood up from his bunk carefully tossing the bed covers over his coat as he did. He made his way through the empty halls of the ship and down to the pilot.

The young man sat in the pilots chair, seemingly waiting for someone to come met him. Sidney was the first crew to arrive possibly the only one bored enough to take the time. Then again maybe it was just something to distract him.

The kid looked like the typical alliance brat wanting to play adventurer. He obviously had no idea he was going to be doing a help of a lot more then just flying around having fun. "Ya got no gorram idea what your doin' do ya kid." He said sternly. He was in no mood for pleasantries. "hope ya can fly this thing, I don't plan on diein' on account of no rookie."

He waited to see how bold the kid would be when he said something back, if he ended up saying anything at all. Sidney was always a little abrasive at first. It was a defense mechanism he had always had since he was young and it was only getting worse with age.

[djfeelgood3008]

Jamie waited idly in that chair, staring out at nothing in particular. Occasionally he turned to look at all the dials and screens around him, smiling to himself, satisfied. But he didn't have time to contemplate his navel for long, as he heard footsteps coming up toward the cockpit. He smiled and looked up, seeing the gruff man enter, then the boy brought his hand up to wave.

Jamie's hand quickly fell back down on to his lap, though, and the smile slowly crept away from his lips as he heard the gruff man's even gruffer words. After a quick moment, he spoke in response. "Y-yessir, I don't plan on killing anyone, dont worry."

Then he thought, reflected on what he'd said, what Sidney had said. Jamie didn't even know this man. He wasn't the first mate, Jamie'd heard that was a woman, and he damn sure wasn't the captain. Jamie frowned as he contemplated this, looking up at the bald older man with a look that was a cross between confusion and disdain.

"No.. No wait a minute, you don't need speak to me like that. I'm a good pilot, an ai ya good pilot. Lao tyen yeh, fahng-tzong fung-kwong duh jeh! I've got no reason to think ill of you, sir, and Lord knows I will do everything in my power to be the best gorram pilot you've ever seen." He paused then, appraising Sidney and his reaction to what Jamie was saying, then he continued. "But with all due respect, sir," he practically spit the word out, "either speak to me like a human being or get out of my cockpit."

[Sidney Bainbridge]

Sidney frowned as the kid started to speak. His eyes shrinking to an angered squint. 'This kids got guts for such a scrawny little guy.' Sidney though as he was listening to him talk. After Jamie finished talking Sidney stood there staring at him for just a few seconds before replying. "actually willin' to stand up fer yerself, good. Might just have what it takes then. They call me Sidney. Ya got a name or do should I call you pilot."

Sidney nodded his head to the kid in a sign of acceptance. If the kid could fly half as good as he tried to stand up to him they should come out of it without to many scratches. Nothing Kalli couldn't fix anyway. It was only a matter of time till they found out if he could handle the ship. Tomorrow for sure they would find out if he could handle the basics as Ben had some things to be done and the kid would have to give it a spin.

Sidney extended his hand out to kid. "Welcome aboard then." He told him in his usual gruff voice. The frown on his face passing back to the straight faced norm. " Ya packin a sidearm, Ben prefers everyone have one. If not find either of us later and we'll get you set up with one and crash course on how to use it." Sidney didn't figure the kid ever really though about using one before and would need a run through on how to use it.

[djfeelgood3008]

Jamie was almost wincing as he waited for Sidney's reply, and though he was trying not to show it, it was probably obvious. Still, he smiled when Sidney finally spoke, nodding. "Name's Jamie."

Then he raised an eyebrow, patting his own pockets a bit and shaking his head at the gruff man's mention of a sidearm. "Um .. y'see, thing is I spent most of my money makin' it off of A-- where I grew up, and truth be told, I've never .. actually touched a gun before. I was raised in, uh .. a pretty safe town." If someone were to ask Jamie right then, he wouldn't have known why he cut himself off from saying that he was from Ariel, but for some reason it didn't seem to be important, seemed like it would just muck things up if people knew he used to be from the Core planets. It disturbed him a bit that he was ashamed of it, but that was a thought for another time.

"You think Captain Barrows will get angry if I don't have a gun? I'd really appreciate it if you could help me out with that. I'll pay you back, soon as we get a job. Or .. or two, I don't know how much a gun costs, really."

[Sidney Bainbridge]

Sidney was slightly amused by Jamie's response and his concerns about Ben being upset. He though about messing with me a biut on it but decided he deserved a chance. Sidney remember his first time off his parents ship and it wasn't easy. He was sure it wasn't easy for Jamie either.

"I got a few I ain't to worried about parting with. Don't worry about payin me fer it just remember when it comes time ta use it ya don't hesitate." He told Jamie. He turned around and walked to the door of the cockpit. He figured it was time to stop worrying the new pilot and let him get familiar with the ship before he had to fly the Orlando.

Sidney turned his head back at the kid and spoke."When yer dune here come find me and I'll get ya set up with one." He figured it wouldn't be too long till the kid was ready to come find him. He stood there in the door waiting for a response before leaving.

[Kalli Ann Bernett]

Kalli walked up to the cockpit. She could hear the gruff old man Sidney talking to the new guy Jamie. She waited a moment and listened, she didn't want to interrupt them while they were talking.

the voice she had heard on the intercom sounded you like her. It was a relief of sorts to not be the only young person on the ship anymore. SHe felt like she was under experienced compared to the rest of the crew filled with Independent veterans.

She heard Sidney talking about giving the man a pistol. She hadn't started carrying one yet. Kalli knew the captain had wanted her to but she just didn't feel like she could do it. Instead she had just tried to keep under the radar on that little detail as long as she could.

Kalli walked in to the cockpit passed Sidney "Is he causing you trouble? Kalli asked "I'm Kalli Ann Bernett, Nice ta meet you! She saw his face as she spoke. He was young couldn't be any older then her she thought. She wondered what he was like, what kind of person he was. She couldn't wait to find out what his story was.

She looked him over trying to figure out what type of person he was. She guess he was from a boarder planet He wasn't dressed overly proper like from a core planet but he didn't speak the same as those from the rim.

[djfeelgood3008]

Jamie nodded as Sidney spoke, seeming a bit uneasy about the idea of using a gun, but willing if necessary. "Thanks again, Sidney, I appreciate it. I'll come bug you at your quarters when I finish up here." And he waved to the gruff older man as he walked away, giving a parting friendly smile.

Jamie was just about to turn back to the control panel when he heard another set of footsteps and a voice come in past Sidney. He turned back to look at the new entrant, and seemed to be surprised. A smile came over his face - someone else his age, or at least roundabout there, not some grizzled old war veteran. He quickly stood from his chair, straightening out his jacket.

"H-hey there, Kalli Ann. I'm Jamie, Jamie Dunmar." Then he held his hand out toward her in offer of a handshake. "It's very nice to meet you, miss."

[Kalli Ann Bernett]

Kalli smiled at his politeness it was refreshing. It reminded her of home. Back home things were simpler and people we more pleasant. She saw that he reached out to shake her hand.

Kalli stepped forward and gently shook the mans hand. "It's a pleasure to met you as well Jamie. Don't let Sidney bother you he's a good guy he jus' acts tough." Kalli said in a caring voice. "I'm the ships mechanic so seems like we'll be relyin on each other to keep the Orlando runnin'."

It was going to be good to have a pilot for the ship, someone who could focus on flying instead of everything all at once like the captain would have to. She wanted a chance to get to know him better since he was her age and she knew nothing about him. Thugh she really didn't know much about any of the crew yet but she was a little more nervous about talking to the old crew members.

"When ya have a bit of free time come find me. I'd like to get to know anyone who'll been taken care of Orlando." She stated with a smile on her face.

[georgewest]

George was just sitting in his room by the med bay getting unpacked, when he heard the nervous ramblings of the new pilot. He laughed to himself a little. He wasn't wearing a nice suit like he used to, he now looked the part of an old Independent veteran.With his medic uniform browncoat (witth the large red cross removed so as to be less conspicuous. I hope he's more competent at flying than he is at speaking. However, he decided to walk up and say hi to the new kid.

He saw Sidney walk out and saw Kalli walking into the cockpit. George hadn't really spoken to either of the rookies yet and he decided it was about time he did. He was a lot less trusting of people these days but Ben trusted them enough to let them join the crew so they must be a little trustworthy.

He stood back for a minute listening in on their conversation. It was kinda funny, seeing the pilot get a little flustered and when the mechanic started talking. After a few seconds, he walked up and added to their conversation. "Well, I guess if you two are gonna be taking care of the ship, I'll be taking care of her crew," he said extending a hand. "The name's George West, I'll be your doctor."

[djfeelgood3008]

Jamie returned Kalli's handshake with a light one of his own, nodding as she spoke, still smiling, maybe even the barest hint of redness in his cheeks. "I think we'll make a good team. It's, uh .. heh, it's nice to see someone my own age on here. I thought for a bit there it was gonna be me and a bunch of war vets." He chuckled a bit, rocking on his heels as he let go of her hand, and tucked both of his hands in his pockets.

Then George walked in, and Jamie nodded to him. "Speaking of which .. Another war vet." He smiled and took George's offered hand, giving it a firm shake. "Nice to meet you, Doctor West. I'm Jamie Dunmar."

Jamie looked back over toward the dash in front of his chair, admiring it for a moment before looking back to Kalli and George. "She sure is a beautiful ship. Only had the pleasure of flying one once before, and she wasn't nearly so nice as this one. Definitely looking forward to my time here. Most everyone so far has been real nice." He chuckled as he thought a moment. "Even Sidney seems like he's tryin' to be friendly, just doesn't seem to come naturally to him."

[Kalli Ann Bernett]

Kalli was happy to hear Jamie talking about Orlando that way. She hadn't been part of the crew for any great amount of time yet but she had become attached. The ship was her baby. She had only been on a ship once before when she left home for Persephone. Other then that she has only had the pleasure of working on other ships on the docks.

She looked back as West walked in to the cockpit and spoke. "It's nice havin' a doc right here on ship, never know when ya may need that kinda service." She replied back to him She hadn't gotten a chance to talk to him. All she knew was that him and Sidney said something about knowing each other from back in the Unification War.

She thought about it while they introduced themselves to each other. She wondered what it was like in the war. She was only a child when that was going on. She remembered her parents talking about it and how bad the independents were. She had believed it herself until the uprising.

The thought of the uprising wiped the smile from her face, but only for a second. She heard Jamie talking about Sidney and she went back to the conversation. "Yeah he's interestin' but he's a good guy jus got to get to know him first." She tried to explain to Jamie. She saw the light rose hue to his cheeks a smiled. He seemed sweet and would make the atmosphere in the ship lighter.

[djfeelgood3008]

Jamie thought about the Uprising too, and the war, and the Independents. "Browncoats", they were called. Though he wouldn't be quick to admit it to the vets of the ship, he too was raised to believe they were the bad guys. He could recall hearing about the war as a small child, and the travesties that 'them gorram Independents' were committing. And, like Kalli, he believed it up until a few years ago.

The thought of the Uprising took the smile from Jamie's face for just a moment too, though Kalli and he probably wouldn't realize they were thinking the same thing. The government, the Alliance that he was raised to trust and believe in.. that whole notion was ripped right out from under his feet. His family wouldn't listen to him, of course. That was why he'd had to leave his sheltered life on Ariel..

But, alas, the smile came quickly back to his lips as Kalli spoke again, and he nodded. "Definitely seems like a good guy, that Sidney. Not .. quite what I'm used to hanging around, but I think it'll be a nice change." He chuckled and nodded at his own statement. Going from a good, law-abiding citizen of the Alliance to a 'rough-'n'-tumble' Independent sure seemed odd, but he welcomed it. He did look forward to getting to know Sidney and Ben, two people who seemed so alien to him, two people who were villainized in his childhood who were now like heroes to him. George, too; a medic, a war veteran, and seemingly quite a polite man. And, of course, Kalli, someone his own age, and though he didn't know it yet, a very similar upbringing. It would definitely be interesting on this ship.

As he went through the crew in his head, he realized he hadn't yet met the first mate. "Hey, wasn't there someone else on ship here? Where's .. oh, what's her name .. the first mate?"

[Kalli Ann Bernett]

Kalli thought for a moment trying to remember the first mates name. She had just met the crew and was still getting to know them all. "If I'm not mistaken her name is Ceren. You haven't had the chance met her yet have you? I don't really know her yet either." She told Jamie.

She walked over toward the controls in the cockpit where Jamie was sitting. She hadn't been up in the cockpit before this so she really didn't know anything about it. She had no idea how to run the ship. She Always thought it would be interesting to fly but wouldn't know where to start. She could tell you anything about how the ship works but not one button, switch or lever in the cockpit was familiar to her.

"You can really fly this thing. Looks so complicated to me." she said with astonishment when she realized how much was sitting in front of him.

[djfeelgood3008]

Jamie nodded as Kalli said the first mate's name. "That's right. I know the Captain told me her name, I just couldn't recall it off the top of my head."

He watched as Kalli moved toward the controls, turning his chair to face them as well and look out at all of them, finally glancing back up at Kalli. He could see her look of confusion, and when she finally spoke, it made him chuckle a bit. "Yeah, I can fly this and probably a hundred other ships out there. It's all natural to me at this point. Every ship's different, but they all got the same basic principals. Pull this to do that, press this button and this happens. Once you got a knack for it, it kinda just comes to ya."

He paused a second, and then laughed again, his cheeks brightening for a moment. "That's really not bragging, though. It's just my job, nothin' more. I bet if I went into the engine room, I wouldn't be able to tell one part from another. You think this all looks complicated, but I bet I'd be just as bewildered, if not more so, if I looked at that big ol' engine." He chuckled again and shook his head, looking out at the control board in front of him, resting his hands on it lightly.

"If you ever wanna learn how to fly it, though, it's a rush, I tell you what. One of these days when we ain't got nothin' goin' on you should sit up here with me and fly co-pilot. There's really nothin' else like it."