Maiden voyage

[Jove Gadria]

A cloud of dust and grit kicked up from the sudden fall and inevitable roll of the lanky form. They came to a stop in the street outside the doorway they'd just been unceremoniously ejected from, a few coughs hacking out from all the dust. There was a brief glance back towards the shop front, before those miss-matched eyes simply looked away, and the female pushed herself up with her palms. A leg swung about to straighten her rise, one hand grabbing for the grey bowler that had left her head in the fall, and smoothly placing it back over the kinked strands of brown. Pulled into place, hands moved to brush at the dust on her trousers, then pulled at her waistcoat if only to make sure she didn't look so ruffled anymore.

Her expression remained impassive as Jove Gadria simply walked away from her own establishment. The shop had been taken over-- now 'under new management' as she was run off for what seemed like the hundreth time [maybe a slight exaggeration]. Behind her, two armed men appeared, flanking the doorway as Jove walked off. She couldn't quite recall the words of the portly, balding hun dan, but she doubted they were anything she'd wanted to hear at the time. Jove just kept her head held high, and didn't look back.

If that was then; where was she now? Scuffed ankle boots clopped their way towards the galley, from there up, her legs were clad in grey pinstripes-- though they were far from new or finely tailored. Up from that, she was missing the usual matching waist-coat, just a rumpled white shirt and some thin, black suspenders. The embroidered chinese neckerchief was in place like some old, lucky charm, and her left had was twirling the bowler around on it rather skillfully. The other held an empty mug she was obviously returning. Jove hadn't been on Lenore long, so the faces she saw weren't familiar ones. The names were beyond her, too. Though, good business ethics stated to always remember names if you hear them. Makes for friendly dealings-- and more of them. That aside, she'd toss the hat up, catch it, then drop it casually on her head, the garment taking something of a jaunty angle as she headed over to the sink. It was too quiet in here, and the air was tense as all gui. When it became apparent to her that there was something up, she'd frown, and give the room a once over. No one appeared dead, but..

"Well ain't we a bunch of 'appy faces." She'd note offhandedly, more or less trying to seem like the cheerful one without digging around in other people's problems.

In all honesty, what had happened wasn't this passenger's business, so she wasn't about to pry into it all. She was one to avoid that sort of thing. Keep your head down, and you mouth shut-- her father had told her that a lot. It was his wise words before dumping her and Morris on Santo. Something that-- despite her ever-continuing contempt for the old man-- she'd taken to heart and begrudgingly remembered. Business is business. And if it ain't yours, then you got no business buttin' in. Or something like that.

________

hun dan -- b*stard
gui -- hell

[gabe]

Although Gabe wasn't a bad pilot, things had not worked out for him on the Riley. The crew had been falling apart for some time, and when things finally started going downhill Faye had been kind enough to give him a recommendation for a place aboard the Lenore. The crew there was under a black cloud as well, having lost one of their own, but the mission they were undertaking to rescue her was one Gabe was only too willing to join.

Unfortunately, the Lenore's first mate had disembarked soon after, and then the captain had fallen ill. Gabe had been asked by the little mechanic to take the first mate position, and had felt inclined to accept it. He hadn't really gotten to know Conner, but he visited the Captain often in his quarters, although he was rarely awake. Gabe didn't really know anyone on the ship, and tended to keep to himself, so keeping an eye on Conner in his spare time was the least he could do.

It seemed the mechanic had become privy to his habits, because as he sat in the chair by Conner's bunk, reading to himself and listening to the regular breathing of his captain, there was a knock on the door and she hailed him. Setting down his book, he walked to the door and opened it. "Ari?" He leaned out of her way as she unceremoniously moved past him. She sat on the bed and he saw by the set of her shoulders that he did not need to answer. The only person that visited the captain more than he was the mechanic.

As she took the captain's hand, Gabe stepped up behind her and gently cleared his throat. "There's trouble in the galley, sir. I'm afraid you may have ta crack some skulls." His lips curved in a slight smile. "Well. I'll go see t'it, then." Clapping her on the shoulder, he left the room and shut the door behind him.

As he made his way to the galley, he rolled up the sleeves on his shirt, mentally preparing himself for whatever artful mess the crew was getting itself into. As he entered the room, however, he saw only Rade, the quiet passenger Pit, and the mysterious Jove. Standing against the wall just inside the door, he crossed his arms and lifted one hand to rub the short beard at his chin. "'ello everyone. Heard there was a bit o' a commotion earlier. Don't seem to be the case now." His words were mild, his figure relaxed.

At a few inches taller than six feet, Donovan cut an imposing figure, but he had a way of standing, with a slight lean and slumped shoulders, that made him appear slightly shorter. It was involuntary; he knew on some level that his size could make others nervous at times and the man didn't like to appear intimidating. Even though he had somehow ended up in a position of authority on this ship, he tried to make himself seem smaller. He was not one to throw his weight around unless the situation absolutely called for it.

[radegrasan]

Rade leaned back in his seat. 'Relax'. It was easy for Pit to say, how someone could be so overly calm was beyond Rade, although he knew it was a perk that most buddhist monks possessed, at least if he could believe what they taught him in school.

"Well at least you're not a shepard." Rade said. "Those guys try to... convert... everyone..."

Something came to his mind. There was going to be a priest present at Arabella's wedding. And that priest had to come from somewhere.

"Monks live in a monastery." Rade said to himself. "But shepards live in a monastery too..."

Whatever shepard was going to join Arabella and her (hopefully not) husband to be had to come from somewhere, a monastery nearby Catherwood Estate. And the shepards on Persephone had a tendency to travel in a coach with horses, and he figured the shepards on Londinium would probably travel in the same way.

If they would be able to intercept the shepard that was going to do Arabella's wedding, they could pose as him and his acolytes, and at the same time bring in their weapons. The guards would never search a shepard's coach, due to their religious immunity. Posing as a shepard would also mean being able to get close to Arabella.

"That's it gorrammit!" Rade said. He was so preoccupied with his new idea that he totally ignored the passenger Jove coming into the room.

Rade stood up. He had to go and send a wave to Bettie, Arabella's friend who worked at Catherwood Estate, to find out at what time the shepard performing the ceremony would arrive, and from what monastery he was coming. If they knew that, then they could hijack his coach and use it as a cover to get into the wedding and get close to Arabella.

At that moment Gabriel Donovan, the Lenore's first mate came in, asking about what had happened. But Rade didn't have any time to spare, if he wanted to know what was going on he'd have to ask Pit.

"Yeah yeah, stowaway in infirmary." Rade said hastily. "Ask Pit, I need to go send a wave! Be right back!"

Rade then left in a hurry to the cockpit, where he was going to contact Bettie. It was the only thing on his mind at that moment, and he couldn't care less about the rest that happened on the Lenore.

[Jove Gadria]

Things did seem to be calmer now-- not that Jove had been around for all the ruckus and family squabbling between the crew of this ship. But, you put a bunch of people in a small space and there was bound to be some kind of sparks flying in various shapes and forms. Jove liked to steer clear of that nowdays. Though, seeing it made her miss the old crew. They hadn't been the best bunch of crazies to work with-- but they'd been pretty fun at times. Busying herself over by the sink, Jove didn't notice the small smirk curling up the corner of her lip in remembrance. Still, that was the then, this is the now.

Upon the arrival of the tall First Mate, the businesswoman had peered around, giving him a quick nod as he'd looked over each of those present in succession. Just Jove being polite in a room of people she didn't really know. At his prompt, and the younger lad's quick exit from the room, Jove merely looked towards the only person really left. That was the quiet guy at the table. She'd exchange a glance with him before her miss-matched eyes returned to the first mate.

"Looks like. Dunno what's goin' on meself, but I wasn't involved. Way I see it, though, long as no one's 'urt or dead as a result, it can't've been too bad."

Jove only really knew the bare basics of what was going on around here-- all a mere passenger should know. Her own planning wasn't to be here for the longhaul. This was just supposed to be a trip between one place and the other. Still, while she was here-- and providing that she'd paid up-front for this little stint across the 'Verse-- if her assistance was required for something or another; even if it was her services as a shrewd businesswoman, Jove wouldn't exactly turn them down on it. She wouldn't work for free-- but who in the 'Verse would? At the moment, though, she'd just keep to being a passenger.

Her cup was washed out and refilled before ankle boots clopped over to pull out a chair and sit. One sip had brought a bitter expression to her face a moment as it screwed up. Maybe she'd better empty some of her 'finer' things into the cupboards. All sneaky-like of course. Don't wanna appear charitable. Might ruin her image. Her bowler was set on the tabletop beside her, fingers running around the rim as she glanced over to the quiet bloke. Jove simply gave a friendly smile and a nod.

As for the First Mate, she didn't envy his job. Leadership-- however temporary or permanent it was-- was never a fun choice for her. Not much of a follower in her time-- but with the wits to learn how to, of course-- but the worst thing she could ever have to do was try and keep a crew together. Jove held a lot of respect for those that did. And did it well. Hence why she'd gotten on so well with her last Captain-- Lord rest her soul.

[radegrasan]

Rade wrote down a few things. He was talking to Bettie via the Cortex in order to find out everything about the priest that was going to perform the ceremony. He wrote down the essentials such as the monastery where he would be coming from, at what time he was to arrive at the wedding, and what route he was going to take. Also, Bettie mentioned that he would arrive by chariot, and that would make the job much easier for the Lenore crew.

"Got it Bettie!" Rade said. "You make sure you get a hold of those uniforms, and I'll send a wave when we've landed. And tell Arabella not to worry. We're coming. Lenore out."

He then turned off the Cortex and then grabbed a map of the area where Catherwood Estate was that he had obtained. He marked down where the monastery was and the route that the priest was most likely going to take. He then stood up from the pilot's seat, grabbed the notes and the map and made his way back over to the kitchen. It surprised him to see that the kitchen was still in the same state from when he left, as if no one had moved during that time.

"Gabe, I think I've found a way for us to..." Rade said to Gabriel, but then stopped. He had almost forgotten about their passenger, who came aboard at the very last minute and probably wasn't going to participate in the rescue. She didn't need to hear what he had to say. This information was meant for the crew's ears only.

"I'll wait for you to gather everyone." Rade said as he sat back down next to Pit. "Then we need have a private crew moment, if that's possible."

Rade hinted at Jove. She had no business with what he was going to tell everyone. He hoped Gabriel could see things the same way and would get rid of her. He put the notes down and the map and started studying them, waiting for Gabriel to gather everyone else.

[pit]

Pit seemed a bit offput by the situation, as it was solely Rade's responsibility to face the consequences for his actions. Not to mention the rude way he sort of shirked his duties onto the monk, who honestly was no crew member. When Gabe spoke of the situation earlier, Pit's eyes drifted in the direction Rade had rushed off to. He sighed and placed his hands on the table solemnly while he spoke.

"Rade drew a weapon on one of your crew members, and then decided that a stowaway was to stay on board the ship."

He remained silent after that, until Rade came rushing back into the same room. Pit watched him disdainfully look to the woman, Jove, and winced a bit at Rade's words. A 'private crew moment'. Pit was beginning to dislike this less and less. Had he somehow gotten on board with smugglers or criminals? All things considered, Jove looked less than reputable, but they didn't want her involved either. Pit stood from the table, frowning towards them a moment before he nodded towards his room.

"I'll leave you to your meeting. Odd, isn't it, that you wish for the guests not to hear, yet the stowaway was brought in immediately?"

His tone had an undercurrent once more, but it was a different one. There was obviously some suspicion from Pit's perspective towards the rest of the crew. He was beginning to wonder if this was some noble endeavor or a lucrative one. Pit pulled his hood over his head with a slow movement, a bit of food taken with him and handed to Jove as he passed, waving for her to follow him back to the guest quarters.

[Jove Gadria]

'Private crew moment'.

Jove could've snorted and laughed at that. Like he was only trying to hint and not all-out telling the businesswoman to shove off. But, she'd only been onboard for as long as that last-minute conversation and exchange of coin took place. Not very long between then and now. Never one to take things personally, Ms Gadria was busy sipping from her cup as he spoke. There'd be the hinting, the obvious tone, and for a long moment the woman just finished her drink. Of course, this could be a prime moment to shift the very little wares she'd manage to bring with her. That one long footlocker she'd actually had to hire two men to drag on for her wasn't exactly filled with clothes. Jove knew these types of crews, and usually knew the jobs they went on-- seeing as she'd been on a few herself in her time. So they probably had a necessity for 'protection'. The drink was finished, and she'd make her way towards the sink once more. As she did, she couldn't quite hold her tongue either-- again, never one to speak out of spite.

"Good business ethics involve a polite manna' and careful approach. Also knowin' the demands you wanna supply for. Always carry anything people out 'ere might need." A look was spared for Rade, with a kind smile tacked on. "Wish you luck in your ventures."

The offering was taken from Pit with good cheer as she plucked her bowler off the table. It was held flat to her chest a moment as she bowed a little, still grinning as she peered between the First Mate and the Pilot. The hat went to her head, and the smile faded as she left the room, a curt 'Gen'lemen' sounding from her lips as she disappeared towards the passenger quarters. Jove didn't mind, and didn't take offence to the matter. Of course, if they required any of the goods she was holding, she was certain prices and payment could be arranged. But that was as far as helping could go seeing as she was nothing but extra weight on this ship. It all sounded too much like old times, anyway. Jove disliked too much nostalgia.

Pit seemed to be the one not liking this whole idea-- or at least he was more suspicious than she was. Jove knew this life. She wondered what someone not suited to all this was doing here in the first place. Catching up to him, she'd stretch her arms above her head, hands landing atop the hat a moment before they dropped to her sides.

"Take it you've never flow with brigands before?" She didn't mean it in the disreputable sense; and Jove didn't really know if they were. It was just an assumption, and was mostly said with good humour.

[gabe]

The pilot, Rade, got up to exit the room just as Gabe was coming in. The large man watched him approach the door, cocking his head to the side as Rade spoke shortly to him. Having not known what had happened, Gabe was reluctant to have anyone leave the room, especially since that left only the two passengers. However, he waved a hand, giving Rade the benefit of a doubt. "Jus' make sure you get back here quickly, yeah?"

His eyes lifted to the intiguing woman with the bowler as she quickly disentangled herself from the trouble. He tended to agree with her, though, as laid back as he was. "True 'nough." Pushing away from the wall, he started moving towards the table where the two were now seated. Pit's words stopped him in his tracks. "A gun and a stowaway?"

The pilot chose that unhappy moment to re-enter the room. Rade was addressing Gabe about something, then stopped himself at the sight of the others. Donovan waited for him to say his piece, then glanced over at the others as they left. "I apologize for his rudeness. You all are welcome to stay. This endeavor concerns everyone aboard the ship." His eyes moved back to Rade, leaning down to rest his forearms on the back of a chair. "I appreciate your discretion, Rade, but as these people will be traveling with us to this operation in question, they've a right to know what they're gettin' into."

Pit and Jove didn't seem to want to stay, however, the former seeming offended and the latter only slightly amused. He nodded as they exited, then turned back to the pilot. It was just the two of them left in the room, and Gabe was quiet for a second. Finally, he exhaled deeply and then spoke. "I need for you to tell me what happened, please. Everythin' that just happened before I got here." Although he didn't think the monk would lie about what he had said, he had to be objective about this. There was no reason to throw accusations around or be angry with Rade without even knowing whether or not what Pit had said was the truth.

[Ari Deschain]

As Gabriel exited, Ari was left alone with the unconscious captain and her thoughts. She slid off the bed and sat on the floor, resting her head and arms on the bed and keeping hold of Connor's hand. Closing her eyes, her forehead against the rough fabric of Connor's blanket, she attempted to collect her thoughts. Things were going so horribly wrong lately, and she felt as if she were going insane. As her head swam, it seemed to her the only thing keeping her grounded was the captain's hand. "Please wake up soon, she murmured. "I think we're all like ta kill each other. Standing, she released Connor's hand and stretched her arms above her head. Thumping him on the shoulder gently, she turned and left the room.

Before heading back down the hallway, she went across the hall to her own bunk. Inside, she pulled her pistol from the gunbelt she kept hanging on a peg just inside the door. Checking to make sure it was loaded, Ari stuffed it into the usual position in the back waistband on her pants. If Rade was going to carry his gun about and wave it at innocent folk, she figured she had a right to at least protect herself. Patting its familiar, cold bulk, she exited her own room and made her way back to the galley.

However, voices caught her attention and she saw that Pit and Jove were exiting. Pit had his hood up and looked as though he were trying very hard not to appear disgruntled. Jove, on the other hand, had a light smile on her lips. Ari grinned in greeting at the woman; she hadn't had a chance to get to know her well, but she seemed an up-front and jovial person, mostly. "What's going on? Her good eye went from Jove to the monk. "Pit? Is everything alright? Oh..." The mechanic gasped theatrically. "Did Donovan kill Rade?" She glanced past them at the door of the galley, as if expecting to hear the sounds of the two men fighting to the death.

[Jove Gadria]

The brunette appreciated the First Mate's apology, but Jove didn't deem it that necessary. Business was business after all, right? She'd file away the good manners for future reference, but still feel it right to leave them to their planning. They didn't know if she'd be any help to the situation, anyway. Whether Pit would be-- well Jove didn't know. A monk would be an unassuming alibi on a job, but she doubted that'd be at all ethical. Not that the monk would ever agree. Not much for religion herself, Jove knew when to respect it-- or at least those that follow it. He didn't look to be the most talkative sort right now, either. Usually, a situation like that caused Jove to over-talk and ramble on to fill the void of the other not speaking. It was a nervous habit. Lips had parted to say something more, but the sight of the resident mechanic caused her to stop. The friendly smile was returned with a tip of the bowler. The words, a dramatic expression seemed to tug a small smirk at Jove's lips. Whether she actually thought that'd happen or not, she was more than happy to appease the mechanic's worries.

"No bullets flyin' 'ere, miss. Though I suppose there's plenty more ways t'kill a man.." She'd pause, then thumb over her shoulder to lighten the mood from that train of thought. "All's well. Some kind've meetin' about to take place, though. Us passengers decided t'make ourselves scarce."

Jove didn't mind Ari one bit. She'd been nothing but pleasant and welcoming aboard this boat since she'd arrived. Not that she'd seen her much or gotten to know her that well, but those first impressions were always lasting in most cases. Standing to the side, she'd give the mechanic room to pass, eyes shifting to Pit to see if his mood was on the turn towards placcid again. Her face tilted back to Ari soon enough, though, thumbs hooking the pockets of her lived-in pinstripes.

"I'm sure we won't be far off if you decide y'need some extra hands. Dunno what I can do-- though I've got some trade y'might be interest in. Depending on the crisis." Of course, Jove wasn't a bad shot with her MTR-8, either. But sales was her first calling.

She knew the drill on ships that were doing work as well as transporting passengers. Jove was always up for making herself handy if it meant the journey'd be all that more pleasant. You keep good relations with the people taking you where you want to go-- piss them off and you're likely to get spaced. Well, sometimes not that extreme. I mean, Jove'd thought blowing a hole in a Captain's ship'd earn you the firing squad, but she saw someone live through that little mishap well enough.

[radegrasan]

Rade shook his head and rolled his eyes at Pit's self-righteousness. He was easy to accept Penny because he grew up with her and her brother, and Rade knew Penny was a reliable and trustworthy person despite her personality. And on top of that, she was an expert-thief who knew her way around security systems, and knew how to get things done without being seen. Definately more useful than Pit, whose only talents appeared to be giving self-righteous sermons and eating.

Rade didn't give him any more attention, nor the satisfaction of discussion. He just focused on the information he had obtained until Gabriel asked him for an explanation.

"Look, I may have been a bit edgy since Arabella was taken alright?" Rade said. "So yeah, when Haven talked about her in an inappropriate manner I told her not to do so the hard way. But it's just like I told Ari a while ago, this is a serious mission we're on and everyone seems like we're on some sorta pleasure cruise."

Rade paused for a second. Maybe what he did to Haven was a bit too extreme, but he hadn't been quite himself since Arabella got taken.

"As for the stowaway, she's a girl I grew up with back home." Rade continued. "I've known her all my life. She's reliable and trustworthy so I can vouch for her and frankly, we need her. She has skills that would make freeing Bella a whole lot easier and she's already offered her help."

Rade hoped that they would let Penny in. He knew that what she did, stowing away on the ship was wrong but she was along for the ride anyway, so they might as well use her talents.

"As for me leaving earlier, I might have found a way for us to get into the wedding undetected." Rade said. "It's crazy, but it's so crazy it might just work."

[gabe]

Donovan listened to his words in silence, straightening up so that he was gripping the back of the chair in his fists rather than leaning on it. He had to proceed carefully, because it seemed Grasan was a lit fuse, just waiting to explode. Donovan had no doubt in his mind that he could take down Rade if it was absolutely necessary, but he was a generally peaceful man. It wouldn't do to lay out his pilot, no matter how much the man might deserve it for manhandling one of the crew.

"Edgy's one thing, Rade, but if you're sayin' you laid a hand on her or pulled your weapon, that's somethin' new altogether." He stood tall, crossing his arms as he looked over at the door. "Look, I'm not about to start some trouble with you because I know how upset you are and that it's making you a little wonky, but you have to understand that you can't act this way. You pull something like this again, I'm gonna have to do something about it. No disrepect, but we can't ride with you if there's always a naggin' in the back o' our minds that you could shoot any of us at any minute. None of us is thinkin' this is a vacation. You're not the only one that cares, mind."

Having said his bit, he listened to Rade's explanation of the stowaway. He was not pleased at all at the prospect of having another mouth to feed, an uninvited one at that, but there wasn't much choice. "Hell, Rade. She doesn't need a recommendation. I'm not shooting her out into the black, so I'd expect her to work to earn her keep."

As Rade explained he may have a plan, Gabe nodded and pulled out the chair he had been holding onto. Lowering himself into it, he rested one elbow on the table, chin in hand. "Alright. I want to hear it. Just let's wait for the others to come back." He wanted everyone to be in the room when the plans were discussed.

[haven]

Haven was beginning to relax in her bunk. Everything was put up in their place and she had tossed her boots in one corner and her jacket on a small chair. The crew quarters were meager at best, but better then where she had been living. Before she had a cot and all her things had remained in her bags. After she had to leave those settings, she slept on the ground. Anything was an improvement from there. The blanket provided was folded and tucked aside while her personal blanket was thrown on the bed with one of her pillows. She was stretched on her bed ready for a nap when she heard someone down the hall.

Haven rolled her eyes as she was told the crew needed to come back to the kitchen. Her boots were by the door but she didn’t both to put them back on. Instead she slipped on some silk slippers and made her way out in the same black and grey grunge tank and her tattered jeans and walked down the hall back to the kitchen. With nibble hands, she threw her hair up into a quick and slightly messy bun. With a sigh she found her way back into the kitchen and leaned against the wall furthest from Rade.

She was a little tired, so she had hoped to nap a little unless Leighton needed her. When she went by the infirmary he was with Penny and she wasn’t in the mood to deal with any of them. Instead she bypassed and went to her room. But even then she had to come back. She glanced around. There was Rade, Pit, Donovan, Ari and one of their passengers was just leaving. Haven rubbed at her face as she rolled her shoulders.

”So what’s this all about? The suicide mission or the stow-away?”

[[OOC: Eh did some improve here so Haven could jump back in]]

[Ari Deschain]

At the word that there was to be some kind of meeting, Ari's lips creased in a slight frown. This was news to her; she wondered who had called it. It didn't seem likely that Donovan would send Pit and Jove on their way, so she quite fairly decided to take the matter of the passengers into her own hands. "You're part o' the crew so'far as I'm concerned. If you're wantin' to come back with me in there, you're welcome to. Can't see the meanin' of havin' a meetin' without you two. Don't seem right."

Jove mentioned she might have some trade worth looking at, and Ari's interest was peaked. She grinned and crossed her arms. Weapons always were something the mechanic was interested in. "Well that sounds promisin'. Even if Donovan's not interested, I sure would be. I'll keep that in mind once we're all done tearin' each others' throats out in this meetin' of ours." She winked playfully at Jove and gently patted Pit, who had remained quite silent, on the shoulder. "Wouldn't blame ya if you made yourselves scarce, but don't let them run you off. You're all payin' for your rooms, you've a right to know what's goin' on 'round here."


ooc: sorry it's short, my brain is melted from finalssssssss. next post will be better, I promise

[penny]

Penny walked out of the infirmary and back into the galley holding an icepack on her bump. The painkiller the doctor had given had eased the pain but it had also made her a bit more relaxed than she should be. When she heard the man she recognized as Donovan, the first mate, not wanting to vent her out she paused for a minute and let the man finish what he had to say.

The man seemed more reasonable than her new friend Patchy, who wanted to cut her fingers off and feed them to her. He also said not needing a recommendation from Rade, although Penny was flattered Rade had given the man one. It made Penny smile, she definately was in now. No way they'd shut her out now. But like the man said, she'd have to work to earn her keep. But she was pretty confident they'd let her stay as soon as she could prove how valuable she could be for the crew.

Penny walked over to the table and stood next to Rade, as it probably was the safest place to stand at that moment.

"Oh, I'll definately work to earn my keep if that's what it takes." Penny said. "But eh, allow me to take back the money I tried to offer then."

Penny was somewhat reluctant to take back her cash since Ari spat on it, but it was 3000 credits and that was a lot of money no matter how dirty or wet it was. Carefully, Penny took the wad of cash between her thumb and indexfinger, and wiped the spit off on the table.

"Eww, Patchy-spit. Yuck!" Penny muttered before putting the wad of cash back into her pocket. She then sat down next to Rade but couldn't wipe the disgust of her face just yet.

"Gabe, meet Penny McAllister." Rade said. "Penny, this is..."

"Gabriel Donovan, first mate of this ship." Penny interrupted Rade. "And the one currently in charge since your captain's out cold in his room. I'd shake hands but I think my right hand needs to be desinfected... Dunno where Patchy's been, ya know?"

Penny rubbed her hand a couple of times over her green army military style jacket and then crossed her arms. She knew who Gabriel was. She knew who everyone on the ship was. She had been able to move around the ship without being seen for days, crawling through the various airducts and crawlspaces, listening in on conversations. In that way she had learned a lot of things about a lot of people.

Penny could hear Ari coming back to the galley and prepared herself again. Then the nurse came back also, wondering what was going on.

"Right here Nursey!" Penny answered. "And this is a suicide mission? Shiny! Can't wait!"