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| Episode 4: Quest for Freedom; All Aboard the Albright | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Oct 9 2012, 10:27 AM (18,707 Views) | |
| Ian Dugan | Aug 13 2014, 05:01 PM Post #181 |
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Death's Toy Boy
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As Ian passed through the intersecting space of passageway, he detected movement down one of them. He put his gun away and pulled his knife. He took off his coat. "Miss Ari, Mr Darren. We may have trouble. Please take this and I'll get back to you in a moment." Once they took his coat he moved to a near by power access panel, opened it and tapped at the surface of it with his knife. He whistled a sappy tune and waited for the person to come around the corner. The panel door covered him to a point that covered his holster, but not his eyes, so Ian was able to see and be seen. He was Maintenance after all. He hoped this would work and if the man were following him, he was alone and didn't call for back up |
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| The Gypsy Traveler | Sep 25 2014, 03:01 AM Post #182 |
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Oblivious to the fact that Ian was so close and already onto him, the soldier finished up his call for backup and quietly followed behind. He cautiously follows the path he believes they had taken until he comes across Ian Dugan. He comes across him and notes the uniform, plus the fact that he remembers him from previous acquaintance. "Grissom!" he addresses the maintenance man. "There has been a prisoner escape. There is a group of about a half dozen that may have been seen heading this way. Have you seen anyone pass by?" The guard seems in no way threatened by Ian's presence. He feels the oneness that soldiers who serve together experience. "I have backup on the way, so if you haven't seen anyone, I will move along. Maybe they went somewhere else." He took a cursory look around, but doesn't see anything to raise his suspicions. "They are probably headed toward their ship, but there are a few ways to get there from this area. You should be careful." With that he waited for Ian's response. ************************************** Starboard Hangar 2 In the meantime and not far from Ian's location, the crew of the Gypsy Traveler arrives on the edge of the Starboard Hanger 2. They can see the Gypsy parked near the middle and looking so inviting. There are soldiers in the area, but they were milling about another ship that had recently landed: The Constable. Boy howdy did that ship look like it had been through the wringer. Surprisingly, there are two people sitting on the ramp of another nearby ship that they recognize. One is Hicks who finds them like radar and gives them a thumbs up and the Advocate himself. |
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| Ian Dugan | Sep 25 2014, 04:18 PM Post #183 |
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Death's Toy Boy
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Always ready to give life or Death, Ian listened to the soldier and watched him from the corner of his eye. If he came too close, he would have to die. So far, life was with him. Ian smiled, slightly and tapped the panel with his knife. "Major Harrison and company came by just a few minutes ago. Said something about taking the crew of an impounded ship to Medical. One of the ladies was bleeding and the other didn't look so good. Other than that, he told me to keep my trap shut." *tap* *scrap* "I'll have to advise you not to come too close, this panel is open and some circuits are live. To be safe, with all that metal and armor you folk have ... I dont want anyone hurt." His voice would sound true, because he was being honest. These people did not deserve to die just because they wore purple. He liked purple. He guessed it was a good thing... "Is the Major always such an Pi-Gu?" Go away, he willed silently Just go already. |
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| The Gypsy Traveler | Oct 4 2014, 03:23 AM Post #184 |
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Outside Starboard Hanger Two "Major Harrison and company came by just a few minutes ago. Said something about taking the crew of an impounded ship to Medical. One of the ladies was bleeding and the other didn't look so good. Other than that, he told me to keep my trap shut." The guard frowned a little, trying to figure out what Grissom had meant. Had they found the fugitives and had gotten them in custody again? Why didn't he get confirmation? But that tapping from what Grissom was working on was grating on his nerves. "I'll have to advise you not to come too close, this panel is open and some circuits are live. To be safe, with all that metal and armor you folk have ... I dont want anyone hurt." The guard stepped back a pace. Yeah... Melted to his armor is not something he wanted to do today. "Is the Major always such an Pi-Gu?" That got a harsh bark of laughter from the guard. "Yeah, he is a hardass, ain't he?" he replied as he relaxed. "Guess I will move along then seeing as how if they were here, they ain't now. I have backup coming, but if I double back, I can catch up to them before they get here and get in your way." He grinned a little. "I am sure none of them would like zapped today," he added. "Thanks for your help. And your concern. I appreciate it. You're doing a good job." He saluted Ian and turned, heading back the way he came. Ian was left to himself. |
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| Reno Carson | Oct 4 2014, 03:43 AM Post #185 |
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Starboard Hanger Two Reno couldn't believe his eyes. Hicks and The Advocate looked like they were just sitting down shooting the bull. While he respected the Advocate for getting Ari and Amber free of the charges, he knew the guy did not have an altruistic bone in his body. This whole rescue mission was going to cost them sometime and cost them big. He looked over at the ruckus that was going on further into the Hanger. Another ship had recently arrived. It had to be recent since he didn't remember that ship being there before. It was damaged and damaged badly. From the fact that the guards in the Hanger had all clustered around the ship, something big had gone down. He hoped that the folks in the right had won out, but he was just mainly relieved that the Alliance was distracted enough that they were not the focus anymore. He motioned for the others to keep hidden, he nonchalantly strolled over to the two men. As he did, he took another gander around him, which of course meant the other ship. It was labeled ILEV Constable. Wait... Didn't he hear about them on the Cortex feed a while back? An Allied Law Enforcement vessel? One that was tasked to help out on more of the rim worlds? He hoped that the ships true function was as noble as it sounded. "You taking a break there Hicks?" he asked as he stopped in front of them. He turned to the Advocate. "We put on a good show for you?" He turned and looked back at the others, hoping that Ian had caught up to them by that time. "Not looking for any problems right now. Just wanting to leave. You have a problem with that?" His hand gripped the gun that Ian had lent him as he motioned for the others to approach. "You helped out my girls and I applaud that, but I am taking my family out of here. I don't want to get into a squabble, but I will. Dong ma?" |
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| The Advocate | Oct 4 2014, 03:56 AM Post #186 |
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Starboard Hanger Two The Advocate raised his hands a little at the Gypsy Traveler's comments. "Don't worry. I have no designs on you. If I did, then I wouldn't have the opportunity to collect on that favor you owe me, would I?" He stood up at looked at Reno and then at his crew that was hesitantly crossing the hanger bay to get on their ship. "And yes, you did amuse me greatly," he admitted with a cold smile that was as warm as a snake's. "You and your crew are most inventive. Something tells me that having you all owe me a favor will come in handy when I need it." He brushed off his expensive suit. "And I will collect on that some day, you can rely on that," he said in a warning tone. "If you try to refuse? Well, things will get really dire for you and yours then. Dong le mah?" Well, didn't his threat sound so much more scary than the Reno's? "Farewell, Captain Carson. Until another time." He nodded to Hicks and then strode away. He needed to get on with his next task. This was definitely a diversion from his goal, but a good diversion nonetheless. Heck, watching the chaos unfold was... fun. |
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| Ian Dugan | Oct 9 2014, 05:44 PM Post #187 |
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Death's Toy Boy
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Ian hung his head at the man's reply and salute. He closed the power panel door and sheathed his knife. He saluted the man's back and moved to the Hanger Deck. Took his Duster and gun, putting them on as eh moved across the hanger. He nodded to the man in the Business suit. He had seen him on board and even unclogged his toilet once. Just before they got to the ship, Ian moved over to a vent system and pulled out his duffle. It had all his clothes. He slung it on his back and joined the rest of his new family. He looked the ship over as he did so and whistled. It was impressive. Not the Glory, but nice all the same. |
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| Reno Carson | Oct 13 2014, 03:07 AM Post #188 |
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Outside The Gypsy Traveler "Don't worry. I have no designs on you. If I did, then I wouldn't have the opportunity to collect on that favor you owe me, would I?" Reno acknowledged the logic of that statement as he opened the small door leading into the Gypsy Traveler's cargo bay. "And yes, you did amuse me greatly," "You and your crew are most inventive. Something tells me that having you all owe me a favor will come in handy when I need it." While Reno was grateful for the help in clearing Ari and Amber's names, he knew that whatever favor the Advocate would ask from him would not be something that he enjoyed or agreed with. "And I will collect on that some day, you can rely on that," "If you try to refuse? Well, things will get really dire for you and yours then. Dong le mah?" Reno stiffened, recognizing the obvious threat. He was about to level a similar threat at the Advocate, but recognized that not only he was sure that he would comply with the favor asked in the future because he was indebted, but causing any attention to themselves would be bad for their escape. "Farewell, Captain Carson. Until another time." Reno found himself giving the man a little wave before turning to his crew and waving them into the ship with urgency. As Sergei passed by with Amber, he looked at them both and issued his first order in a long while. "Get her ready to fly," he said as he saw that the Advocate's ship was doing the same. "We can follow him out. Ride on his coattails so to speak. I would rather get off this ship with a little cover." He looked at Darren when he passed with Ari. "Stow your lips, loverboy," he said with his mouth quirking a little. "Get to the engine room. Make sure you help Amber get us in the air." He watched his new crew member bringing up the rear a few yards back. The guy obviously had an exit strategy to use at a moment's notice. When he got to the door, Reno pulled out the man's firearm and held it out to him. "Don't make me regret that I brought you on board," he warned. "Head to the Galley. I will meet you there. Get you settled." As the last of them passed through, he noticed that Hicks had yet to move inside the ship. Reno turned and regarded him for a moment before extending his hand to him. "I take it you're leaving us?" he surmised. "Ain't gonna stop you. Just know that your cover here is tight. Thalia made sure of that, but be careful." Hicks shook his Captain's hand. "Sorry Cap," he said with a slight smile. He looked almost serene. "I just got a taste of doing what I used to. I was a therapist and I miss it. I think I would like to stay for a while. Perhaps to make sure that your departure is clean. It'd be nice to make sure there is no backlash." Reno noticed the look over at the Major as he exited from the bay through a separate exit across the way. "Someone has got to keep an eye on the Major. At least for a while. He's in shock, but that could always change." Reno shook Hick's hand. "You will always have a home here. You know that right?" "I know. And I know how to get a hold of you." Reno nodded as they ended their contact. He was surprised that Hicks then gave him a very casual salute. It made him smile. He watched Hicks trot away. When he was far enough from the ship, he climbed aboard and closed up. "Were on!" he called through the ship's comms. "Get us out of here!" He felt better than he had in quite some time, but he couldn't relax until they were off and on their way. Alone, that is. Reno ran to join his crew in the cockpit. |
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| Sergei Romanov | Oct 13 2014, 03:26 AM Post #189 |
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From across the hanger, Sergei watched as Reno talked to Hicks and the Advocate. While he did, he was more than aware of the feeling of Amber's body against his own. He wondered why the hanger's climate controls were set so warm. He was glad when Reno waved them across. He followed orders, leading the way. As he came across, he noticed the commotion across the way from the other ship. Gorram it... That thing looked like it had gone through Hell. He turned his attention back to The Gypsy and sped up when the Advocate left and Reno waved them more emphatically towards the ship. He grinned and all but ran to the ship's door. "Get her ready to fly," "We can follow him out. Ride on his coattails so to speak. I would rather get off this ship with a little cover." It was a good plan. He got a surge of adrenaline as he breached the ship's threshold and made way towards the bridge. "Tell me what you need, Amber," he said as he caught a whiff of her scent. He sighed in contentment. It was then that he realized he would probably do anything she asked him to. He realized the full force of what he felt for her. And he welcomed it. Now he'll just have to figure out how she felt about him. And get to courting her proper. |
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| Ariel Duquesne | Oct 13 2014, 03:55 AM Post #190 |
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Aerial Artist with 'tude
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Ari was elated when she saw the Gypsy Traveler ahead of them. She wanted on board that ship so much that she could taste it. She wriggled down out of Darren's arms. "I got it from here," she told him with a shy smile. Her legs wobbled a bit at first, but became better as they went. She wasn't quite in running shape though. It was odd that she noticed that she didn't seem to want to let go of his hand. She tried to ignore that point as they approached the ship at Reno's urging. "Stow your lips, loverboy," "Get to the engine room. Make sure you help Amber get us in the air." Ari actually blushed at the Captain's statement, then stumbled as she stepped through the door. Darren's lips... God that man knew how to kiss. What was she thinking? He was crew. She shouldn't be thinking like this about another crew member. Hell, she shouldn't have kissed him at all. That's what it took to get her to release his hand. "Go on," she told him, hoping that her reservations weren't obvious to him. She glanced over at the silks hanging from the beam across the cargo bay. "You have work to do. Let's get the good gorram out of here." She left him quickly, needing to get away to think. Needing to be with her silks. Needing to be close to her mom. When she got there, she knew she was too weak to climb them and she so needed to wrap herself in the cocoon that they afforded her. So for the moment she merely embraced them, letting the softness wrap around her body. She was lost in the feeling of "home," but she was brought out of her comfort by hearing Reno speak. "Were on!" "Get us out of here!" She watched as he ascended the stairs, obviously headed Amber's way. She knew she couldn't stay there. She needed to get to the Galley and get strapped in. Their departure and escape could get bumpy. She pulled the silks and breathed deep. She could almost remember the smell of her mother on them. Reluctantly, she let them go and made her way to the Galley. When she got there, she saw the new guy there, holding his duffle. She gave him a wide berth, not wanting to get especially close. "You can stow your stuff in the pantry there," she said pointing at the small storage area close by. She went over to where the seats were and pulled out the safety straps. She knew that the seats were few there, so she pointed to another one entirely too close for her liking. "Get strapped in. Could be bumpy." She clicked the straps in place and closed her eyes, praying to help her get through this. The escape from the Albright. The nearness of a man she didn't know. And the uncomfortableness she felt when she thought of Darren. What have I done? |
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| The Gypsy Traveler | Oct 13 2014, 04:00 AM Post #191 |
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As the crew got ready to depart, they do not know that they had acquired a passenger. This one wasn't feeling real well, but was exceptionally good at hiding. The crew won't notice her for a long while. |
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| Ian Dugan | Oct 13 2014, 03:54 PM Post #192 |
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Death's Toy Boy
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Ian accepted Ryder and put her back where she belonged and stepped aboard. He nodded at his Captains instructions and moved toward the Galley. How he missed his ship, his true home. Even the Seven wasn't really home. Once in the Galley he wondered where to stow his equipment when Ari entered. He could tell that she really was not comfortable around him. He would almost say she didn't like him very much. Well, they were crew, so they were sorts family. She'd come around or she wouldn't. Ian had already decided that he'd give his life for her. For her and the rest of his new family.
That he knew from experience. He nodded and did as it was suggested. "Traveler's different than Glory. She's a Mayfly. My ship ... If I ever get her back in the Black." He paused. "You dont like me very much." He paused again. It was a statement. "It's ok. I'll keep my distance until you say different." He buckled in and shut up until someone spoke to him directly. He had a long way to go before he got truly home. This would be it for now. |
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| Ariel Duquesne | Oct 16 2014, 11:45 PM Post #193 |
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Aerial Artist with 'tude
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The Galley The new guy stowed his stuff as Ari had suggested and came to sit by her. After that, he seemed to engage in some small talk. "Traveler's different than Glory. She's a Mayfly. My ship ... If I ever get her back in the Black." Ari nodded at him as she looked at him warily. She didn't know what a Mayfly was. She'd not flown on one before. Then she looked down and picked at the edge of one of the restraining straps. She just wanted to be gone from the Albright and on their merry way as soon as possible. He brought her back to the current place with his next comment. "You dont like me very much." "It's ok. I'll keep my distance until you say different." She went back to regarding him closely as he went through the process of strapping in. She guessed it was nice that he wasn't pushing her. He was new crew but willing to give her some space. "It's not that I don't like you. I am sure you are a fine citizen or Reno would not have let you on board," she told him. Reno had a sixth sense for people and figuring them out pretty quick. "I just don't know you. And just remember that the last few meetings with Alliance personnel has come with torture and near death on the Albright and on Kerry, I was..." She let it trail off. She hadn't really talked about what happened there. "Well, let's just say that the interactions there were less than friendly," she whispered, not knowing what else to say without actually uttering the word rape. "Well, you can probably figure that out all on your own." She went back to picking at the straps. God, this was so hard. She actually wanted to like the guy and be comfortable around him. After all, Reno did have an uncanny ability to find folks that were good people. "So what was it that made you want to leave?" |
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| Ian Dugan | Oct 17 2014, 06:42 PM Post #194 |
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Death's Toy Boy
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As the ship came to life around him, his mind went back the all the time he had left the world from the Bridge of the Glory. A time or two in the Engine room and a few times in her galley. But that was a long time before he became her Captain. Now the ship was being held as collateral by some Neiska wannabe low life scum ... And now, this woman, of whom he really tried to help was just giving her platitudes ... That wasn't fair, he told himself. She had just come from a bad situation. Sergei had said that the girls were raped. He thought it was Sergei. Anyway. She deserved better than that and he was determined to give it to her. What ever she needed. Even peace and quiet.
He looked at her than away in thought. "I came back to the Alliance because I needed to get back in the Black. I can only take Dirtside for only so long." He paused "I got on that ship through guile and ability. But it wasn't home. Just a stopping point." Another pause "I'm Captain of the Glory, weather she's in the Black or being held against future payment to some lowlife backwater world Neiska wannabe. I'm still her Captain and she needs me. So I had to work to get money to pay my debt. But I could only stomach the Alliance for so long." Once more a pause "It was time to move on. I saw Sergei beat the snot out of an old acquaintance of mine and heard about what happened to you two. I felt it best to move and join with some folk that thought like I did. Right being right and not doing the wrong all that often. Some wrong you never do. Some lines you never cross ..." There was an obvious story there but he left off with that and looked back into the past, his eyes growing distant. |
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| Ariel Duquesne | Oct 28 2014, 10:31 PM Post #195 |
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Aerial Artist with 'tude
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Ari listened to Ian as a way to both get to know him and to keep her mind off what would happen if they didn't get free of this ship. "I came back to the Alliance because I needed to get back in the Black. I can only take Dirtside for only so long." Ari nodded. She liked the nomad quality of a ship like the Gypsy. She didn't like to be dirt side longer than she had too. After all, bad things happened when you got on a planet. "I got on that ship through guile and ability. But it wasn't home. Just a stopping point." She cocked her head at him. It was an odd place for a stopping point. Wouldn't it had been easier for him to just join a small crew somewhere? "I'm Captain of the Glory, weather she's in the Black or being held against future payment to some lowlife backwater world Neiska wannabe. I'm still her Captain and she needs me. So I had to work to get money to pay my debt. But I could only stomach the Alliance for so long." Did the Alliance somehow have a hand in why he no longer had his ship? That would be so like them. Bastards. "It was time to move on. I saw Sergei beat the snot out of an old acquaintance of mine and heard about what happened to you two. I felt it best to move and join with some folk that thought like I did. Right being right and not doing the wrong all that often. Some wrong you never do. Some lines you never cross ..." She just watched him, her eyes wide, looking for some hint that he might not be who he projects himself to be. He seemed to have some morals, but it could be an act, right? She waited and then went about her questions. She didn't know what he did or did not know. "I would have liked to see Sergei beat the snot out of a purple belly, even though he might have been an old acquaintance of yours," she said evenly. Her eyes narrowed a little as she continued, trying to give him the basics without having to go in depth. "I have no love of the Alliance. They have brought me nothing but trouble. Because of them, I have become intimately acquainted with torture, r..." She let the word stand unfinished as she wasn't quite ready to confront that whole thing. "T-torture, assault and murder. Things that a government should never let happen did and under their watch. Things that I can never forgive. Do you know what is ironic? I hate them so much, but they have played a huge part in what I am today. Without them, I would be a happy kid living and performing with her family-" She stopped herself again and took a deep breath. "Everyone on this ship has issues with the Alliance. I figured you should know that," she wanted to be up front with the guy so he would know what he was getting into. Something sprang up in her memory and she just had to ask. "Back there in the infirmary... You shot and killed at least one soldier, didn't you?" she asked, not really remembering who did the deed for both of them. "You didn't even know me, Amber or the lot of us. Why would you do that?" Her brow furrowed a little as she thought more on it. "Not that I am ungrateful. I am all manner of grateful. I wanted to get Amber out of there and you helped out a bunch," Ari added as she got a distant look in her eyes. "I did what I could to get Amber free of everything that happened on Kerry and that worked. I just wished I could have avoided her getting caught up in what happened here..." Ari took a deep breath and looked directly at Ian, waiting for an answer. |
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