Lost "Sheep" [Rayya]

[Claudio Vinccino]

[Vinccino Estate, Osiris, February 12th, 2523 0945]

Claudio sat in his chair a wicked glimmer in his eye. The day before, he had received news that made him very happy. There had been an incident, some weeks ago, that had resulted in the cancellation of a deal he had been meticulously planning for months. Some pauper children, Bruce was their name, had witnessed a vital part of the dealings, and caused the other party to withdraw. Claudio had been furious, and he had come very close to killing the men who had failed him, yet in a moment of uncharacteristic mercy, he had relented, and only killed one of them.

But now, he had found them. One of his informants on Paquin had reported sighting two boys and a girl of similar description getting on a ship. He remembered the words, "The Gypsy woman was with them, passed them off to the new ship, seemed worried about being watched." He smiled at the memory, and then returned to the moment.

"Excuse me sir, we have a secure line ready to connect you to the ship you were looking for. Shall I send it through?" The man stood, nervously shifting from foot to foot.

Claudio looked up at him, and smiled, "Yes of course, right away." He said, and the man left. "Now then," He muttered, shifting in his chair, and pulling his hat low, covering his face with shadow, "Your opponent has arrived, let the games begin." He pressed a button on his screen, and waited for the connection to come through. He laughed softly to himself, as he prepared for his conversation, relishing in the simple, evil joy of doing what he did best.

As he waited for the captain, or whoever was in charge of monitoring the comms to respond, he thought about how it would be best to go about convincing them to hand the children over. He would certainly start with asking nicely, perhaps a sad story about lost nephews and nieces, but if that didn't work (And he doubted it would) he would have to find a way to motivate them, that was less friendly. Claudio smiled, as he adjusted his position slightly, to cause the shadows to be most effective, he loved creating the mystery and intrigue. The line connected, and without really looking at who it was he spoke.

"This is the Rayya, is it not?" He said, not really asking. His voice was carefully shaped to provide no hint of who or where he was. Keeping yourself secret was much easier if you gave no clues as to where you were from, or what your background was. Altering his voice was a trick he had learned long ago. "Give me captain Monroe." He wasn't asking, he was commanding, "Immediately."

[Baden Fletcher]

Sitting at the comms. Not exactly the most glamorous of duties, but it was something that had to be done. The Rayya was not expecting any communications right now but things tended to happen when you least expected them to in his experience. And things had been going a bit too slowly for his liking lately. They were due a few shooty situations and explosive episodes as far as he was concerned.

Eating an apple with a knife, his feet up in front of the comm screen, Fletcher thought for a moment that he had dozed off and that his feet had started speaking to him. It took a second to realise that there was something trying to make a communication, so he slowly moved his booted feet off the console and looked in to see who was yapping away at him.

It was difficult to make out a face. Either the comm screen was on the fritz or this fellow was leaning too far back for his face to be seen. Or a possible combination of the two. The old gunhand glaring into the shadowy face for a moment, swallowing his mouthful of apple so that he could speak clearly.

"One moment please", he said politely, placing his half eaten apple square in the middle of the screen so that it would take up most of the room. Allowing himself a small smile that went slightly lopsided thanks to the paralyzed left side of his face, Fletcher marched down to Kara's quarters.

He knew that the captain had had a late night and was still sleeping, but Fletcher was interested in how she would reacted to this shadowy customer. Personally, the gun-for-hire had taken a dislike to him the second he realised that the man was making efforts to hide his face. That was the kind of shady attitude that politicians had, and he had no love for them either.

He raised his fist and knocked loudly on the door.

"Captain! You have a gentleman for you on the comms. Asked for you by name but was too rude to give his own", Fletcher called, loud enough so that the shadowy man would be able to hear him as well. Returning to the comm screen, he gave his lopsided smile to the caller.

"Enjoy", Fletcher growled, moving away to sit at the other chair away from the screen and prepared to watch the show, cutting off another slice of apple and popping it into his mouth.

[Kara Monroe]

Another long night. Kara hated being on the night watch, but at the same time she hated sleeping when everyone else did. All her training, all her nights out on missions, she never slept well. It was the danger of allowing someone to sneak up on you in a time when everything was going to be dark. No, early morning was the best time for her to relax. The crew was starting to stir, her sister was making their first meal of the day, and Kara was just winding down to sleep. They would all keep each other busy enough for her to sleep, or so she though.

Unlike most days, Kara was not awoken by an alarm, but someone pounding on her door. Her hand moved and rubbed the back of her neck, why was her gun hand calling her now? Her eyes moved to her clock, two hours? That’s all she was allowed to get on her own ship? Growling under her breath, “Someone calls now?” She grumbled as she ran a hand though her now short blonde hair. She had to shake off the feelings she had. It wasn’t Hale, or anyone else from the academy, it had to be about one of her ship mates. But why, which one?

She paused before she opened the door and looked down at herself. Well, she needed shirt, walking out in what she had one, wasn’t going to be acceptable. Reaching over, Kara grabbed the shirt she was wearing earlier and pulled it on over her head. As she entered the bridge, she closed the door behind her and nodded towards it when her eyes met Fletcher’s. If this was about one of her crew, she didn’t need anyone else walking into the room. Kara ran her fingers through her hair and she took her seat in front of the com. “This is Monroe, who am I speaking with?”

Now Kara wasn’t one who liked people having the jump on her. It set her on edge, and often made her a harder woman to work with, or to get information out of. If this man wanted answers from her, he would have to give them, in an approved manor. Though, judging by his look, she doubted he was going to be agreeable. It was going to be an interesting chat, she would just have to try and enjoy it. “And what do you want.”

[Claudio Vinccino]

Claudio was highly amused by the way this was starting off. The people on the other end were apparently trying to play hard to get already. He smiled, and lit a cigar as he waited. Letting the smoke swirl around him as he sat, comfortably. "Please," He murmured, as the man mentioned a wait. "Take all the time you need." He was not surprised by the woman, when she appeared, she was exactly as he was expecting.

She seemed to be the no nonsense type, which was good. He found it tiresome to deal with people who beat around bushes. It was much easier to simply get through the muck of business as quick as possible. "Good Morning Captain." He said, inclining his head every so slightly. The result was that his hat moved, never exposing his face. "I am sorry to have woken you." He smiled to himself as he spoke, this was always fun.

"I hear you have some children on the ship." He said, ignoring her question about his identity. "It just so happens that those children are rather important to me." He added a slight tinge of concern to his voice. "I am their Godfather you see." He puffed on his cigar, and then let the smoke out slowly. "If you could see they are safely returned to me, I could make it worth your while." He paused, "Very worth your while."

[Kara Monroe]

Kara played her poker face, her expression never changed as she leaned back in her chair and cross her arms. After a second a smirk trickled over her features. “I’m sorry, did you say children? I don’t allow kids on my ship Mister….” She paused for a moment, what could those brats possibly gotten her into now? “However, if you wish to send me a picture of them, I can keep my eye out.” She say up and looked into the screen, he was trying hard to hide his face from her. A game that she would tire of eventually. “Unless you want to send me an image of your Godchildren, I can always keep a look out and search my ship for them. But as I have already stated to you. I do not allow children on my boat, they serve no purpose.”

Sure it was a bluff, and sure he could call her on that. However, it was just a matter of time. She was going to have to track down those kids on her boat, and figure out what they had one to whom ever was on her com. The eldest was what 15? She knew he had a talent for stealing, but there was nothing worth hunting children down for. Although these thoughts ran though her mind, her face stayed the same. It never changed, never faltered, just a calm look, her eyes resting on where she figured the man’s would be.

[Claudio Vinccino]

Claudio's initial respect for her straight forward attitude was lost in an instant. She wanted to play games, fine with him. "Please, Miss Monroe, we are both adults here are we not? And you know as well as I do that they are there." He didn't let his voice change at all. "The gypsy woman, told me she trusted them to you, are you calling her a liar?" He sat in silence, trying to decide how exactly he should play it. He was tempted to simply have the whole ship destroyed, and be done with it.

"No," He told himself, that wouldn't be the best choice. There were far too many uses for the children if he had them alive. Especially with their talents. He pressed a button on the arm of his chair, and immediately received location conformation. He smiled, he had plenty of associates in the area. "Now then captain," He said, with a smirk, "Is there any chance you might have forgotten about them? You look tired after all, and it is early."

[Kara Monroe]

A little light started to flash on her com. Her eyes glanced to it and then back to the screen. Tracking her? Fine, she could play that game. Reaching over she tapped the little light and looked back at her new friend. Glancing over her shoulder at him then looking back to the screen. “How about you let me check out the cargo area, make sure they aren’t hiding out. After all children are dreadful creatures they seem to be everywhere and no where at once. As for a gypsy woman, well, enough said. I’ll get back to you though, how about you give me enough time to give the ship a once over, and call back.” Without waiting for a response she turned off the com. Ending the call. Standing Kara looked at Fletcher and took in a breath. “Get Henry in here, things are about to get hotter than I’d like, and when he calls back, stall.”

Kara shoved the door open and walked down the stairs running her hand though her hair, she needed to find those kids and fast. What in the heck did they just drag her, and her ship into.

[Claudio Vinccino]

She had spunk, that was undeniable. He wasn't surprised when she hung up on him, he had expected it. He sat back in his chair, and then pressed another button. Within moments a man was in the room. "Jerome," Said Claudio, looking down at him. "I want that ship tracked." He smiled, "Monitor all the transmissions, and report to me when anything happens." He stood, puffing more smoke into the air as he walked past Jerome. "Make it happen."

"Yes sir" Said Jerome, recoiling slightly as Claudio walked past. "Right away."

Claudio was feeling the rush of excitement that he always felt when he had plans forming. The captain had no idea who she was dealing with, and she had no clue what the children had done either. If she had, she wouldn't have been so quick to protect them. If she had any idea what she was involved in now, he smiled as he pictured the dismay she must be feeling, even if she concealed it well. "We shall have to meet in person some day Miss Monroe" he said as he walked, "You are quite the character."

[Baden Fletcher]

When the captain finally joined him, she looked rather frazzled. Unsurprising really, she had been up late. She moved to the comm screen and Fletcher moved to the door when she nodded, pulling it to a close and leaning his muscular bulk up against it. No-one was getting through, not easily anyway.

He listened to the short conversation that the captain had with the shadowy face on the other end of the comms, finishing up his apple while he did so. So this guy was the kids' godfather, eh? Fletcher had some doubts about that. People who were really concerned for someone did not put efforts into hiding their faces. Anonymity was not the first priority that came to mind when a loved one was in peril, as far as he was aware.

The captain ended the call abruptly, took a deep breath and ordered him to call the pilot up before taking off, presumably to find the boy and his siblings and give them a piece of her mind. While would have been interesting to watch, Fletcher did as he was told and pulled the ship's intercom off it's perch.

"Mr. Parker, please report to the cockpit. It's time to earn your keep", the old gunhand said calmly into the mouthpiece, hanging it back up when he was done.

[Henry Parker]

Henry woke rather late to the smell of breakfast, he got out of bed rather quickly and brought only his button up shirt which he was buttoning up as he left his room, shutting the door behind him and brushing his hair back and down so it looked a bit better.

But before he was completely done with him morning food he heard his name on the intercom, on his way to the bridge he ducked back into his room, and grabbed his pistol belt and holster,
"Best be ready for any thing." He continued to the bridge finishing his buckle as he went,
"What we runnin' from?" He asked as he moved to the pilot seat, and started the pre-flight checks, the he thought back for a second thinking that perhaps he wasn't wanted to fly, he shook the thought he Is the pilot why else would they want him?

((OOC---hope this is ok))

[Baden Fletcher]

It wasn't long until the pilot had managed to find his way into the cockpit, and from the look of it he had only just got out of bed not too long ago. He asked what it was they were running from and Fletcher paused, unsure what to tell him, or how much the captain even wanted the crew to know. Considering that the problem was several of the crew members, she may have qualms about sharing too much information.

After a moment of thought, the old gunhand settled for a non-committal shrug and grunt in reply. It was an old favorite of his when it came to answering questions. Deciding to say something in case the pilot started getting too curious, Fletcher scratched at his graying beard before speaking.

"Captain said to call you up here, so I called you up here. I didn't really ask any questions. Just assume that you'll have to start doing your job very soon. And if the comms go off, you let me answer it", the older gentleman said mildly, plonking himself down on the chair on the other side as he waited for the next dramatic event to unfold.

[Daniel Bruce]

Dan was asleep when he heard someone at the door to his room. He was having a dream that may have involved Shadow and his family but he couldn't remember. All he remembered was the great banging he started hearing that eventually turned into an only marginally less loud noise in the waking world. The teenager groaned in tiredness and grogginess as he rubbed the sleep out of his eyes and sat up slowly. He reached for a shirt that was hanging from the foot-end of the bed and pulled it on before swinging his legs off of the bed and pulling on a pair of jeans that were hanging next to the shirt, all whilst the banging was still going on.

Dan called out, "Gimme a sec!" Then finished making him seem in the slightest bit presentable and, as a second thought, grabbed his father's pistol from the bedside table and jammed it into the back of his waistband. He went to the door and, before opening it, thought of what could possibly be so important to wake him up at this hour. One thing stood out from the rest, but before jumping to a conclusion, the young thief opened the door to see a rather angry looking Kara standing there with her fist in mid-hit. "Hey Cap, what's up?" But he already felt ice filling his veins as he imagined the most probable scenario.

[Kara Monroe]

Kara couldn’t hide the anger behind her eyes. It was hard not to be angry, they were tracking her ship. HER SHIP! She just looked down at him for a moment calming herself, her voice came off softer and nicer than she intended and she shocked herself. “We are going to set down a few ground rules Daniel. One, you don’t lie to your Captain. Two, not telling me the complete story is a lie….” She stopped there she would add more if she needed to.

“Now, your,” she used quote fingers, “Godfather,” end quote fingers “just sent me a wave. Apparently he is looking for you and your siblings, and he knows you are on my boat. Now, I will do everything in my power to protect you and them, but I need to know what is going on Daniel. I can’t fight an battle not knowing what I am up against.” She just looked at him sternly. Yes, she was still mad at this boy for what he had brought down on her and hers. However, he was part of her crew and family, she wouldn’t kick him off the ship and she was going to do as she said, keep them safe. The only two conditions to that was, for them to do their jobs, and now, not lie to her. Would it be to much? Well, only time would tell.

[Daniel Bruce]

Dan gritted his teeth and clenched one of his fists in frustration about the reason Kara gave him and cursed under his breathe. As she finished speaking, the teenager replied, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you everything, Cap, but the only reason for that was because I didn't think that they would be able to find us." Dan sighed out of annoyance from the whole situation then continued. "Guess this is as good a time to tell you about this stuff as any, right?" He then went into an explanation of what had happened those last few hours before stowing away on the Veasna, about the shady deal he had accidentally interrupted with his presence, how they had tried to kill him afterwards, everything. "And that's where we find ourselves now. I know that all might sound a little far-fetched but I swear to you, I wouldn't be telling you this if it wasn't true."

He sighed again. "And that whole thing about whoever this guy is being our godfather is complete crap. I know for a fact that my actual godfather is dead, along with the rest of our extended family. Whoever the guy who sent you the wave, he was probably one of the people involved in whatever deal I stopped."

Dan looked around Kara to see if the twins had woken up, but, thankfully, saw that their door was still closed and light still off. Dan then explained in a more gentle voice than before, "One of themain reasons I got the three of us off of Persephone was because I wanted to make sure those two weren't put in danger. Guess that's all gone out the window now, hasn't it?"

[Henry Parker]

((OOC---hey guys sorry if I'm posting out of turn but this thread hasn't moved for a while so I'm gonna go ahead and post. If i need to i will remove this post.))

Henry shrugged at the other brute, so what if he wasn't told what was going on. The capt had said something about no secrets on the crew any ways, but he had known all along that was probably just far fetched.

So he sat at the pilots control board, ran his fingers through his hair and pulled his pistol out checking the ammo and sight, knowing all along that is was still in working order. He was just Squirming at this point.

To keep himself from continuing he pulled out a coin and tossed it into the air and caught it almost effortlessly, and sent it back into the air.