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[Redbelle]

Jess grabbed Molly's hand without preamble. "Jess luv. Save the Stone for the captain bit. Here about the hijacking"? Jess extracted her hand and sighed. "Well.... However it helps.... Can't say I think you'll catch that one any time soon but meh..... What do I know? Just got to keep up the pressure till she caves right"?

Jess turned to Anima. "And you luv? Get tired of all the luxery? Want back in with us lot already"?

Anima stole a breath. "Actually.... I wanted to check Mr Bojangles.... And pick up my other arm or set. The others being looked at by Kolme....".

"That old rascal? He's still here? I figured he'd be snatched up by now".

"Uh, no Cap'n.... Excuse me Cap'n".

With that Anima moved past her and headed for the ships spine walkway as Jess looked after her with a wistful look on her face. "Doesn't know if she's coming or going that one.... Oh well....". Jess turned back to Molly. "Let me get cleaned up and I'll show you the ships mess".

[The Red Shadow]

Yori arrived back at the Medusa with her arms legs and parts in tote. She was able to open the shuttle hatch for the Kodiak to go she pushed the pallet in the hangar and went to call Babe up. Instead she sent a message to her not wanting to disturb her if she called at a bad time...

//EXTRANET MAIL MESSAGE//
To: xxxxbabexxxx@xxxx.net
From: cyberpunk.pilotgurl037@kawaiidesuallliance.com

Heyyy... Uh Babe..

I got those um... Parts for the gun battery turret things...
(\_/)
(>//<)
( ╭ ╮ )
^
(It's a bunny)

Kamimoto Yori

Ps
The parts are in the shuttle bay.. so yeahh...

//END OF MESSAGE//

Yori sighed in nervousness if the mail was good enough that the message sent properly. While also regretting having the nervous bunny in the message.

[Kel Riever]

Babe was wrapping up teaching Amy Hayashi what she could about the cannons when she got the message from Yori.  "Aw, how cute!"  Amy looked confused, so Babe clarified.  "You're all set and can go whenever you'd like.  Make sure you caught that memo from Dogger.  You're probably due for some training in sidearms next."

Amy bowed slightly and started to climb down from the gun turret.

Babe's worry about the sidearm training came over her expression.  She was versed in small arms, but hadn't had much experience beyond the military basics.  The thing was, despite the Captain's leeway, she still wasn't at ease going over and having herself in close proximity with everyone yet on the range.  She'd didn't know exactly what to do with it yet, but she guessed she'd put it off.  Right now she wanted to message Yori back so she opened her omni-tool.

To: Yori
From:  Babe

Awesome!  I'm doing the rounds, on assignment from the Captain, showing the crew how to operate the main guns.  There's a lot to do and yes, I want to get on those upgrades.  I don't know how we can fit it all in right now but I am psyched that you got everything!  All the hugs, you are the best!

Ps
I knew it was a bunny : )  <- that is a smiley face ; )

Babe didn't want to admit she was avoiding the small arms training, but she figured she had enough to do to procrastinate.  All right, who's next? she wondered on who to get up to the cannons after Amy.

~ ~ ~ ~

"Very nice, Yori," Morgan commented as he saw the parts she'd brought in for the Medusa.  The new pilot certainly seemed to know a lot more than piloting ships and he gave her a nod of approval, happy to have some people of skill to work with.

Morgan's own delivery of armor was just arriving at that point, brought over by a courier.  At the same time, he spotted the Candy Triplets, returning from whatever adventure they'd gone on.  The three of them seemed rather cheerful.

"...Nelyna certainly does specialize in 'touch'," Mister Charles remarked, a broad grin on his face.

"Yes, well that was quite the story she had as well," Miss Priss added.  "I can't help but feel a bit blue that Sha'ira wasn't...hey there, Handsome!"  Priss had spotted Morgan and bounded over.  Miss Dila and Mister Charles followed along.  Priss sidled up to Morgan, putting her shoulder to his.  She winked at him and said, "See you got a crew full of lookers!"  Priss pushed her chin towards Yori.

Morgan introduced the Triplets.  "Yori, this is Miss Priss, Miss Dila and Mister Charles.  Like most everyone, they're new to the ship..."

"...But Mister Morgan has a penchant for helping a damsel in distress, doesn't he?"  Miss Priss flattered the first mate.  "We go back a little, where he got me out of some hot water, he did, on Duellos."

"It wasn't..."

"I love if I can make him blush too," Miss Priss said, slow batting her lashed and giggling.  "See you aren't by your Captain's side, nor that pretty asari up on the bridge.  Are you all business today, Handsome?"

"The Captain's got business on the Citadel," Morgan started before he was cut off again.

Dogger was on his way over and shaking his head.  "She's back. Got some things for the crew to do, too, like learn to shoot straight.  Mind if I get a few hands to help me with the armory?"

"Honey," Miss Priss said to Dogger, "We ain't met yet, but if you want some help teaching people how to shoot straight, guns or otherwise, I'm your girl.  Why don't you let the Triplets help you out?"

Dogger looked over questioningly to Morgan, who gave him a nod approving of the Triplets' help.  "I'll be along to help too," Morgan let Dogger know, "After I get caught up on what's happening with the ship." 
 

[Cainhurst Crow]

Vayne sat within the Janiri, not feeling like getting out much as he sat inside his quarters. Around him on any space available were his weapons, vayne still dressed in his civilian suit as his armor was slated for a modification. He felt like being alone for a bit, the old lizards mind on many things as he worked on his Chakram Launcher, calibrating it to put it up to date.

 

He needed to be ready for when the blood pack hit next on thier mission. More importantly, he needed to be mentally ready not to fold, or over bear, or do anything that might screw him up the ass. Which meant keeping busy, keeping active, keeping the momentum up, and not stopping. He'd been in his quarters since he left Huerta, sure that Irina would be safe, and had worked on his guns nonstop.

 

"Keep the momentum going. Don't stop, or you'll get bogged down." he mummered to himself, a verbal reminder that he couldn't afford to rest yet, not when someone else was in a pile of trouble, thanks to his own actions.

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

"Jormungand Technology is one of the best stores on the citadel. I was skeptical at first, but then their helpful staff helped to turn me around..." Essul said, a bit stiffly, as he read out the script he was given and made sure to pronounceate clearly into the microphone he'd been given, "I'm not one to normally trust humans, but they gave me a good deal, and a discount for bringing in my old gear, free of charge..." Essul made sure to emphasize his words where the lines were underlined and bolded, "So don't dely, head on down now and pick up a some Hazard armor today. Don't let your credits, be in Crisis." He said as he finished the scrpit, turning off the mic and letting out a sigh, his shoulders tense as he looked at ilsa with a frown.

 

"There...was that good?" He asked, a bit irritated that he'd needed to even do this. The discount was great, and Ms. Hawkwood had been more then excited to get some SIU armor out of this deal. But she'd still needed him to do an endorsement, and it was either this, or carry the company logo on his armor like a walking buildboard. And while it did have a certain appeal to the batarian, he doubted it'd be very effective in combat.

 

"Good enough for me. It's been a pleasure working with you, Essul..." She said as essul took the armor case containing his new armor with a smile, able to push the hovering cart trasnporting it with ease.

 

"It's been a pleasure..." Essul said, not sure how to respond to her words. He'd never really done this before, bought military gear from someone non military. It felt a bit akward, to have this level of casualness when conducting business, espeically with humans of all people.

 

Ilsa waved goodbye as she turned and began to briskly make her way out of the docking bay and back to Zakera ward. She'd insisted upon seeing his Hazard Armor delivered in person, to return the favor of him delivering his old armor to her. The batarian pushed the armor up and into the ship, letting out a sigh as he looked around the ship.

 

Home...for the first time, in a long time, there was a place Essul almost felt like he could call home.

[Kel Riever]

Molly was walking along with Jess on their way to wherever it was that the Captain was headed (the 'mess' Hagen figured, though she was surprised that Jess would want to talk about the things they would in a space so open, if it was).  The detective really liked the way her boot heels clicked on the floor of the passageway.  She was looking down enough to almost miss the large object coming their way, and when she looked up, she almost gasped in surprise.

A slab of a man, extremely tall (but no giantess like Anika), was coming their direction carrying a crate.  He was easily working on a way to get the distance from the front of his chest to his back as wide as he was from shoulder to shoulder.  The man, clothed in black from boots to fatigues to tank top, sported a length of straight ebony hair that swung side to side as he walked.  In his hands, the crate must have been heavy, it was causing his formidable muscles to strain, but he walked with a mannerism as if it weighed nothing.  He was careful to yield room to Anika as he passed her, and both the Captain and Molly as he approached.

"Captain," the man greeted with a curt nod.  "Lady," he followed, with another nod to Molly.  He then addressed Jess again.  "Largo take crate to bay, then go learn more gun from Dogger."  

Molly half-expected the man to turn green and rip through his clothes.  Maybe even shouting something like, 'Largo smash!'.

When the man had passed, Molly thought it best to start the conversation with Jess.  She gave the Captain a summary of why she was there, and what she was up to.  She felt the Captain pretty much knew, or could figure out what she didn't know, filling in the gaps, and Hagen couldn't immediately read what sort of feelings Jess had from studying her face.  Molly wrapped her summary and began asking what she had wanted to.  "So, like I told everyone else I've asked, I'm trying to find out more than just the facts here...I've seen them.  I want to know everything you think about Iyana and what's happened with her."

Molly then thought she should mention somthing.  "You know, I've had three people now talk to me about how horrible this woman is, the kind of things she's done and the effect they've had."  She gulped.  "Really horrifying, I've seen the footage.  I don't think someone can walk away from that and not have been...I can't imagine what you've gone through.  And I want to know, if you can.  If you can tell me.  But the thing is...I...I want to know if you can go deeper, Jess.  Deeper than the hurt.  If you can start to try and take a stab at why.  What you think that makes that monster click.  What you did...you did something.  Do you know what I'm talking about?  Twice, from what I understand.  You got to her, Jess, which is why I think she's so insanely angry at you.  So...so I want to go there, and see if we can find out what that is."

[Redbelle]

As Molly spoke Jess led her through the spine and then through the ships maze of corridors till they reached a large bulkhead door. Reaching out to open it she stepped in with Molly close behind her so she heard Jess mumble under her breath.

 

"I.... am going to kill that woman".

 

The confusion on Molly's face was lost as Jess looked around.

 

The ships mess had changed.

 

Now, instead of the usual gun grey metal, the entire compartment had been painted white. Worse, what looked like faux wood floor panels had been slotted together along the floor to give a teak wooden floor panel effect. The bulkheads looked to have been modified. Now they stuck out further than before making Jess suspect false walls had been put up and made flush to look like natural wall. With the wall standing further out from the bulkhead window sills had been put in place that were filled with four pained glass windows that seemed to be playing a holographic scene of meadows on a bright sunny day..... The lighting had been modified as well. Now instead of the usual gloom daylight lighting had been installed that threw out soft white light, making the whole compartment take on an airy feel.

 

With the red checked tablecloths that now boasted mats and coasters Jess placed a hand to her forehead before yelling out. "SHEEEERIIIIIE"!!!

 

From the behind a partition that led to a kitchen, visible through a serving hatch, a woman in a half apron came into view. In her arms she was holding a tray that was laden with pastries.

 

"Why hello captain".

 

"What..... happened here"?

 

"Just a little tidying up. It's much nicer now don't you think"?

 

"Why..... didn't you ask....".

 

"Oh I asked my husband. Dogger was busy so I asked some of those nice boys and girls in your hanger, or docks, or whatever you call that bit at the front. They were very quick. Did everything just like I asked. Doesn't it feel so much more like home now"?

 

Jess looked somewhere between stunned and about to fling herself at the other woman to tear her to pieces. At last she settled with. ".... Sherie.... Any more alterations you want, you go through me.... No one else.... Me and only me.... Until you disembark..... Because this.....? This is unacceptable".

 

"Oh don't you worry Captain. I got a good deal on all the bits we had to buy in. Now if you and your friend sit down I'll get you both a nice cup of tea". With that, Sherie disappeared back into the kitchen as Jess stepped forward and drew out a chair.

 

"Take a seat". She said stiffly as she crossed the table and pulled one opposite from the other and sat down. "Sorry about the decor.... It's.... We're having staffing problems....". Jess sighed as she sat back in her chair and raised her finger's to interlace them over her head. "... So many problems.... Iyana right? Well there's not much to tell. I met her once and only once before she stole my ship. She decided she didn't like me it seems. Maybe because I shot her Varren".

[Kel Riever]

Molly looked around the room as she took the chair opposite the Captain.  She felt like she had time travelled.  The detective picked up the tea cup on a perfectly placed saucer, held it up, and examined it like it was a piece of alien technology.  Then she put it back, knowing as much as she tried, that tea cup wasn't going to be exactly placed as perfectly as it had been when she picked it up.  Even after she poked it twice with a finger to correct the position of the handle.

"I don't think its quite that simple," Molly said, feeling 'frumpy' for lack of a better word in her head.  Over the years, she'd seed comic books, usually one shot runs, where somehow an ordinary person ends up in a world of super heroes.  And usually the comic was a spoof.  The heroes would fight over who would rescue the ordinary person and moments of humor would ensue.  Hagen kind of felt that way sitting in the room in front of the Captain, except in this comic, the joke was that no one was coming to rescue her, the ordinary person.  The joke was more that ordinary person had been walking around trying to help a world full of super heroes.

Glancing up to address the Captain directly, Molly said, "Jess, I don't doubt that the first thing to do is kill this woman when you see her.  Anika told me that, Naleena told me.  I'm going to find her, I will, Jess.  And you can kill her, but while I need to do things like trying to dig up histories, and researching places she could have gone, nothing....I really mean this...nothing helps me out more than understanding who it is I am looking for."

Molly shifted in her seat, her raincoat a bit bothersome but providing her that blanket of security she had grown accustomed to.  She also took a moment to blow a loose strand of hair out of her face and put her hands on the table, while leaning back a bit.  "She's a murderer, she's a psychotic, three people before you have said the same thing.  It's true.  It is also true she's wickedly smart, or at least maliciously manipulative enough to have gone and done what she has.  I believe that means there's a way to get to her, like she's tried to get to you.  Every single person I talk to about it gives me some clue, every bit of recording.  I want very badly to talk to Morgan.  You know, I thought, I swore he was dead."  Hagen had to pause a moment as a kind of emotion welled up in her when she remembered how she thought the case was dead, and then remembered how she was almost yanked off the case by the powers that be, if it wasn't for Naleena.

Hagen leaned forward, "But you did something Jess, okay?  I think it went beyond killing her Varren.  I'm saying you got to her, back with whatever happened to Omega."  Molly pointed one finger down at the table and poked it hard enough to cause the China to clink.  "And what you said into your com to her got to her.  I could hear it.  I knew it was in there, too, that you said something and you stabbed that b**ch in the heart."

Then the detective leaned back, "I'm not asking you to figure it out, not that you should keep it a secret if you do."  She smiled briefly, then relaxed.  "But I think I can if you can give me your impressions, anything you think, about her, about Morgan, particularly about those conversations, and about anything else that comes to mind.  And maybe if you can, I'll be able to figure out what is going on under that murdering doll's white hair.  What she's up to behind those cold baby blue eyes.  And then you can put that bullet in her head."
 

[Redbelle]

Taking a sip of her own tea Jess winced and reached for her boot. Pulling out a hip flask she took a quick look towards the kitchen and, seeing the coast was clear, poured a fingers worth of golden amber coloured in with the drink. Replacing the cap the flask quickly didappeared back into her boot and after a quick stir Jess pronounced the result satisfactory with a heartfelt sigh.

"You know the thing that bothers me? About your fugitive? Its that I keep seeing someone just like her everytime I look in the mirror". Jess looked down at her cup and stirred the light brown surface, sending ripples across the liquid. "In my business learning is key. You gotta be quick. Accurate. Get the right read to know what buttons to push..... That woman? Blank as a slate the first time we met which is when I realised she was cut from the same clothe as a lot of longhaulers..... Out there we can be out of contact with anyone and everyone for months at a time. Disputes flare and a leaders job is to keep the peace. Fact is many of us get used to being laws unto ourselves. So when that woman and I met..... Well.... We both wanted the same thing apparently".

Jess let go of the spoon and it slumped into the half drunk tea. "Would you believe? We were fighting over a man. He worked for her. She enforced that claim. I disputed it. Told her he was free to choose who he worked for. Morgan was pretty much resigned to her employ. He was miserable about it though. Like.... Like a slave who worked because if he disobeyed he knew he'd be punished. Now.... I understand keeping people with skills on your pay roll.... Good people should be kept on. I use enticement and reward till the person decides they've gotten all they can and moves on. I try to give my people new skills. Unlock their talents. Give them confidence to think for themselves.... Iyana? She took Morgan and made him..... Less. On this ship he's been great. More than the time when he worked for her. As first mate he's been growing into the role. Thinking about others. Looking to the ships and crews future. He doesn't focus on making any one person happy.... Or if he does then I hope he grows to like making me happy by looking after my people".

Jess rubbed a hand iver the back of her neck. "Sorry.... Getting onto a tangent there. The point is.... Iyana and I are similar.... But at the same time, polar opposites. I know why she did what she did. Always have. She lost to me. And when she did she lost.... Someone. I've lost someones too. The first time it tore me up bad. Iyana's controlling. So to lose control and lose someone is doubly hurtful. She's the one in charge of her crew. She decides whats best for them. And if something happens to one she didn't want to happen.... She'll lash out.... Iyana lost Morgan. Thats where this all started. The Varren and her foot were just insult to injury.... Maybe? I don't know. But it all started when she and I fought over Morgan".

[Redbelle]

"As for killing her". Jess jerked a chin towards the kitchen. "If she weren't married to Dogger I'd put her aboard the citadel and fly away as fast as I could.... This is supposed to be the ships mess! Not some house wifes idea of a tea room"!

[Kel Riever]

A quiet giggle burst from Molly, but behind the humor, wheels were turning in her mind.  "So she loses someone, someone even important.  She replaces them, right?  Unless there's something else that can't be replaced, or...something she needed to keep close that she couldn't afford to let go of.  Who was Morgan to Iyana?  Or what did he know?  We are talking information business people here.  Surely if Morgan knew himself, he'd have said it by now.  Or maybe it is just the type of person Morgan is."

Jess could see almost an energy in Molly's eyes, like something beginning to converge, a possible realization.  Those eyes full of energy stared at Jess.  "So you kill her dog, take her asset...they weren't romantically involved, were they?  The woman doesn't seem like she could love anyone other than herself, or what she can take.  She's a person of power, a cruel millstone for the Shadow Broker, yet you shut her down with such simple things.  You and no one else."

Molly sat up, "Morgan, there's something you see in him, right?  Has he ever put together something?  Something you wouldn't have expected anyone else to put together?  You know, figure things out in a way, that kind of person.  Whether it was someone else, or did he ever figure out something about you that you never expected anyone else to?"

[Redbelle]

Jess swept up the cup and knocked back the remains before holding it aloft. "Hey! Refill"!

Sherie came out. "What do good ladies say if they want something captain"?

"Like yesterday"?

Sheries rolled her eyes as she strode over to where the captain sat and took the cup..... Then sniffed it. "Did you put alcohol in my tea"?

Sheries eyes bored into Jess's in such a way that Jess actually felt uncomfortable. "Nooooo"?

Sherie looked down at her. Then picked up the saucer and placed one atop the other in her palm. "I think you've had quite enough for one day captain".

"Wait! But I....."! But Sherie was already walking away and Jess ground her teeth in annoyance. "Its like the bastard daughter of Mary Poppins descended on us". She growled. "I don't know. Morgan was a possession to her. What kind you'll have to ask him. He's never said and I never pryed. If he knew anything then she's obviously decided his death is worth more than what he knows..,..".

"Isn't it obvious"? Sherie's voice called back from the kitchen. "She was jealous. You took something and made it yours. Something she couldn't find another of. She must have known she couldn't hope to best you so rather than fight you again she set out to destroy what you built here and kill the poor man. I knew a friend who had a daughter like that. The teenage years are always the worst".

Jess shook her head and sighed. "Morgan can seem.... Awkward. Like his mind fixes on things at times. He's damn determined once his minds set even at great cost to himself personally. The only thing I've seen him throw walls up at is his family". Jess leaned back and closed her eyes. "Anyway... Everything thus far has been about the encounter at Omega.... What happened on the Medusa? That's another kettle of fish altogether".

[Kel Riever]

"I met his family," Molly said, and the memory of her meetings with the Severns came at her quickly.  The daughter who was on her path to becoming a prominent neuroscientist, dealing with her illness, the goofy younger brother who so secretly admired his elder, and the mother, who'd raised all three, without a father and husband around since the first contact war.  Her gaze moved sideways as she remembered.  "There has to be something here...but tell me, what do you mean what happened on this ship was another kettle of fish altogether?"

Sherie set another cup of tea in front of Molly.  She hadn't touched the first one.  The second replaced it simply to make sure Hagen had hot tea.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

The file download completed and Naleena left the conference room for the CIC. She walked over to the main communications terminal, and opened a channel to the Janiri crew.

 

“This is Spectre T’sarius. Return to the Janiri and prepare to depart in four hours,” she said, and then opened a channel to the Medusa. “Janiri to Medusa. This is Spectre T’sarius. I need to speak with your  Captain or First Mate.”

[Redbelle]

Jess eyed the hot tea with an envious eye, then looked at her own empty place mat and looked at Molly.

 

"There. You saw? Did you see that? No tea for the captain! And that's not all.... she withholds food from me".

 

From the serving hatch Sherie's voice swam. "If you weren't such a drama queen captain you'd get your fair share! As for that muck you put in my tea, I need to speak to you about the consumption of alcohol and the effects it could have on the crew! It took me years to wean Dogger off it! I suggest using an organic nettle tea.....".

 

With a sudden movement Jess tapped her comm. "Jess to bridge, cut the power to the mess hall now please"!

 

The light airy room suddenly plunged into darkness and from the kitchen came the sound of something shattering on the ground followed by a screech. Jess grinned as the red emergency lights came on and she folded her arms over her chest. "Alcohol.....". She said to Molly. ".... The one thing you don't bring to the negotiating table..... Yeah, retaking the ship". Jess brought a finger and thumb up to massage her eye's. "I'll spare you the details. Suffice to say their were two people who were a concern when we got to the bridge.... Iyana was one... But the one she'd let behind for me was Luscious.... The former captains brother".

 

Jess dropped her hand and looked at Molly. "Luscious was always trouble. When his brother died he started falling to pieces and I couldn't help him.... He just couldn't pull himself together. Iyana though.... She propped him up. Gave his life purpose as long as he obeyed her. Which he did, lost puppy he was.....".

 

From inside the kitchen Sherie called out. "Captaaaaain"!

 

Jess ignored her and continued. "Iyana gave him a reason to live he couldn't find on his own. When I cut Iyana's support out for under him, his mind collapsed. As for the rest"? Jess took a deep breath and continued. "Iyana had run by then. She'd bailed and we talked over the comm.... By then I was tired of it all and wanted her to stop. I offered her a deal. I said I could help her. Woman like that.... wasting her life trying to control everyone around her....".

 

"Captaaaain"!

 

"..... I told her what I thought of her. How I saw her. Guessed what motivations were driving her and reached out..... Daft I know. But the Medusa's always been a hard luck ship and.... I guess the ship's a part of me enough to reach out to someone like her..... Someone who needs....".

 

"Captain"! Sherie had come out from behind the partition. "Does this ship have fire extinguishers"?

 

"What are you..."? Jess started when she smelled the air and detected smoke starting to waft through the serving hatch. "Oh shi...."!

 

"Language"! Sherie admonished.

 

Jess slapped her comm. "Bridge power up the Mess hall! Now"!

 

The light came back up and inside the kitchen the sound of air suppressant jet's shot out CO2 that began filling the Mess hall. Jess grabbed Sherie and Molly and shoved them to the hatch. "OUT OUT OUT"!!! She shouted as she bundled them through the hatch and, going through herself, turned and banged the hatch shut. Twisting the hatch closed behind her. Looking to the side of the hatch she watched as the O2 indicator  of the room plunged to zero. Turning to Sherie she barked. "What happened"?

 

"The power went off". She said back calmly.

 

"And"?

 

"And..... I may have been using a blowtorch to finish the creme brulees when I reached for the sugar shifter when I knocked over the yolk separator". She saw Jess's brow furrowed as she just kept shaking her head. "That was when the power went off". Sherie explained. "Naturally I was somewhat taken aback....".

 

"Naturally".

 

"....And I'm afraid to say the torch may have come into a little bit of contact with the dish towels drying on the ovans. It wouldn't have been a problem of course....".

 

"Of course".

 

"If the ovens you have didn't require power to properly operate the gas.... I tried to do... something... But the whole cooker went up right to ceiling in flame".

 

Jess sighed and leaned back against the hatch of the mess. "Sherie....". She began, then hesitated. "....Is this your first trip on a ship"?

 

"Why yes it is". She said brightly.

 

"Yeeeah.... Okay It's decided. Your my new project".

 

Sherie eyed her suspiciously. "I am"?

 

"You are". Jess confirmed as she turned back to the hatch. Five minutes had passed and the oxygen was coming back up. From down the corridor, four figure's in fire fighting gear ran forward. Dogger himself leading the others behind him. When he saw Sherie was safe and sound he breathed  a sigh of relief.

 

"Sher. Thank good....".

 

Jess interrupted. "Save it mister! Get in there and make sure we're secure. I don't want anymore fires aboard".

 

Dogger nodded as he popped his hood on and charged his breather gear. Jess and the others stepped back as he and the the others checked the hatch, opened it, and disappeared inside. With them gone Jess turned nonchalantly to Molly.

 

"So anyway, Iyana just cut the connection when I tried to get her to build a bridge with me. I thought it was a slap in the face at the time. Something she found so out of the question she wouldn't even dignify me with an answer.... The rest you know. I tagged her with a fake grenade and got a drone on her escape vessel".

[Redbelle]

The stop over on the Medusa was a short but emotional one. Anika found her spare armour set and wasted no time climbing into it. Better than having it sent to the Janiri she figured. Next she spent ten miontues hunting down her pet gecko, and finding him sleeping in the captains air ventilator, returned him back to his cage.

 

"How you keep escaping is anyone guess". She mused as she put him back. Giving his head a little stoke. Mr Bojangles mouth opened in a yawn but otherwise he remained fast asleep as Anika left the captains quarters and returned to the front end of the ship. Onher way she encountered Dogger hurrying through the corridor dressed in fire gear.

 

"Hey blond stack"! Dogger shouted as he ran past. "Don got time to chat! Fire in the mess"!

 

"No....". Anika started as he ran past her. "...problem". She called out to his back. "No problem Dogger". She said to no one after they'd disappeared from view. "I didn't even know you were back. Here to help Jess? Course you are. Keeping well? Great! Well, see you around. Or not. I'm on the Janiri now doing.... girl friend duty". Anika sighed and kept moving till she was off the ship. Hailing a transport from a terminal she gave directions to Kolmes place.

 

"Step on it please". She told the driver-less vehicle's VI. "I need to be back on my ship soon".

[Redbelle]

Duncan spotted the message from the Janiri and paged Jess. "Captain? Got a message for you from the Janiri"? He said reading the ships designator from the inbound traffic. "Some lady.... says she's a Spectre. I'm guessing you two know each other"?

 

"Gordan Bennet on a pogo stick Duncan! I've only told you about her four times"! Came Jess's response. "Yes, this is the call I told you to look out for! Why are you asking when you already know"!

 

Duncan blinked as he realized she had warned him of this call and this person. To cover up his embarrassment he cleared his throat. "Patching you through now Cap'n".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"Jess, hope all is well. I'm sending a tech crew over with a QEC unit. You should have one. Consider it a gift. Just tell them where you want it installed when they get there," Naleena said. " This way you and your team can participate in team meetings from over there as well, and it's fully secure and can't be traced."

[Redbelle]

Jess whistled. "Hell of a gift luv! Consider it received with thanks. I know just where to set it up". Jess considered for a moment and then asked. "So luv, need to know before hand.... What now? The collectors are gone. The colonies are safe.... but I'm guessing there was something propping up the Collectors that still has the Aspirants working for them. Add to that the reports I got from Omega about a cult.... What's the scoop luv"?

[Kel Riever]

“No,” Molly told Jess, unable to stop her train of thought even though the Captain was on the com.  “I don’t think she cut the line because she was insulting you.  I think she cut the line because what you said hit home and she couldn’t bear it anymore….”

~ ~ ~ ~
 
Morgan was looking for Jess and heading to the galley (mess, kitchen, cafeteria…so many names for the same thing).  On his way he was figuring out why he couldn’t pick a scheme for his armor, or gun, or really anything symbolic; none of what he was deciding had any real meaning to him.  The golden plates he’d given Jess had meaning, Anika’s armor had meaning.  What did Morgan have that had any possible meaning at all? He was a soldier, then an information broker.  He knew what his position was on the Medusa and what his tasks were (or surely he would find out soon enough if he was missing something), but it didn’t buy him anything of meaning.  Not until he’d done something worthwhile.

Never mind that, Morgan said to himself.  Immediate duty called: check to see if Jess needed anything, and once that was in order, get to work helping the crew learn how to shoot.

Then Morgan arrived at the mess, and there were a lot more people present than he’d expected.  The smell of something burnt badly was in the air.  Dogger was leading a team in, but there were no emergency alarms.  Jess stood in the passageway outside, facing Morgan, as if dealing with the next bit of anarchy was par for the course aboard the Medusa (Morgan knew better but it was nice to see her in the demeanor he was accustomed to).  A woman was with her, back towards Morgan.  She had long brown hair, neat but not styled, and wore a long, drab raincoat.  One of her shoulders was pressed against the bulkhead and her hands were jammed into her coat pockets.

“Jess,” Morgan called as he approached.  The woman in the raincoat turned so she could see who was behind her and her face paled.

~ ~ ~ ~

Jess saw Molly turn to see Morgan and the detective looked like she’d seen a ghost.  “You,” Molly blurted, before anyone could say anything else, “You’re Morgan Severn.”

Morgan stared at Molly, thrown off by her odd greeting and not quite knowing if he should really answer.

“I’ve been looking for you!  I’m sorry, Detective Molly Hagen…working with Naleena!”  Hagen stood straight up off the wall, and started speaking quickly. “I’m sorry, it’s just…I guess I thought I’d be arresting you the moment I found you, or trying to find out what killed you.  I…there’s no way I have to describe how good it is to find you after all this time, and not with guns pointed.”

A cautious expression took over Morgan momentarily.  “You’re the person Naleena spoke about, the one who wanted to ask me questions.”  He then eased a bit.  “That’s why you’re here?”

“Yes!”  Molly was wide eyed, and the color started coming back to her face.  “I’m the person who’d been sent on your case, to track you down, to uncover the link you had to the Shadow Broker…never mind, I can explain it.  There’s plenty of time to talk.  The first thing I want you to know is that your family is safe.”

A shudder hit Morgan like an earthquake.  Then his face changed as if the weight of the world had finally been taken off his shoulders.  His eyes welled, and it was his turn to reach out and hold himself against the wall.  All that hard face of Morgan’s was gone and what was left in that instant was a man who’d thought he’d climbed out of a bottomless pit.

Molly saw the expression and couldn’t help welling up herself, though a tear actually did flow over.  She smiled, her lower lip shaking a bit, seeing the relief on Morgan’s face.  But as Molly was reacting, Jess was sharp to notice that Morgan’s expression was changing again as well.

Morgan’s face became hard again, like a dark cloud had overtaken every bit of light that was there before.  His dark eyes seemed to bore forward, and his jaw hardened.

“What do you mean about my family being safe.  How do you know my family?”

“We got your signal, your message, the clue you left us to make sure they were safe…”

“That was when I was going to be dead.”

“But you’re not!  You’re alive.”  Molly took a step towards Morgan.  “Finding you alive is…”

“Awful.”  Morgan said the word in a normal voice, but the coldness of his voice was unmistakable, brimming with anger.

“We can get Iyana now.”

“No!”  Morgan’s speech trembled.  “No!  Now that you’ve found me, someone else can.  And when they do, my family is as good as dead!”

“That’s not going to happen…”

Morgan’s eyes turned to Jess and she saw right into his soul.  The fear in his eyes was unmistakable.  He put his hands to his head like his skull was going to blow apart, and then Morgan turned, and strode down the passageway, leaving Molly behind as fast as he could.

[Redbelle]

Jess chewed her lip as Morgan walked out of earshot. "And that luv, was my first officer you just put the willy's up. Might want to take it slow.....". Jess looked towards where he'd headed. "He's a good soul. Just.... some things overwhelm him.... But he stuck by me when it looked like we wouldn't make it out of situations and I'd hoped we could help him deal with.... Well, whatever's still got him hoping for a good death.... Bloody martyr". Jess sighed. "Still out for his cause again.... Scuse me, I need to catch up to him".

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Jess whistled. "Hell of a gift luv! Consider it received with thanks. I know just where to set it up". Jess considered for a moment and then asked. "So luv, need to know before hand.... What now? The collectors are gone. The colonies are safe.... but I'm guessing there was something propping up the Collectors that still has the Aspirants working for them. Add to that the reports I got from Omega about a cult.... What's the scoop luv"?

 

"Yeah, Jess. You know those things the Council had been denying? I just got a hit from a third source and it's big. I'll explain more once the QEC is installed and the connection is secure," Naleena said. "It should only take them about four hours to install."

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

"VERA do the best you can to secure this call," Naleena said."

 

VERA appeared before her and lit a cigarette. "Boss, I always do the very best. It will take two point seven years to decrypt this call with current technology."

 

"Open a channel to Molly Hagen."

 

"Right away, Boss."

 

"Molly, this is Naleena. I don't know where you are right now, but there's something you need to know."

 

Molly sighed being interrupted for the umpteenth time. "Yes, Naleena."

 

"Morgan is officially dead. His identity is now officially Sean Morales. I just thought you should know. I'll inform Jess."

[Kel Riever]

A fact to know right after I met Morgan, Molly thought to herself, exasperated.  But she simply replied to Naleena, “All right.  I’ll keep that in mind.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Morgan stormed towards the hanger.  He was on autopilot, his emotions taking over.  All he knew was that he wanted to get the items in the crate he’d brought aboard and leave.  On his way, he was already typing a message to Naleena on his omni-tool:

N-

I’m out.

Naleena would know whom it was from.  Morgan sent it and was about to enter the hangar when he saw Duncan coming the opposite direction down the passageway.

“Hey, Morgan, sir,” Duncan started, a grin on his face.  “Miss Priss was showing us how to use the firearms and I admit I learned a thing or two.  It was fun.”  The grin on Duncan’s face disappeared as he finally registered Morgan, walking like a freight train past him.

As Morgan passed, ignoring Duncan, the younger man made the mistake of trying to repeat himself, out of a naïve desire to get a response.  “Morgan, I was saying…”

Morgan’s whirled, his dark eyes smoldering.  With one hand, he grabbed Duncan by the collar and despite Duncan being taller, Morgan lifted him with ease.  The first mate shoved Duncan hard into the bulkhead and pinned him there, feet off the deck.

“Do you see that I’ve got my mind on other things?!”

“Yes, sir!  I’m sorry…”

“Don’t apologize!”  Morgan’s kept pushing towards Duncan, now getting his elbow across him so his whole forearm held him up.  “You imbecile!  Do you have any idea of what’s out there?  You think this is fun?”

“No, I’m sorry, I meant…”

Morgan was breathing fire.  He pushed in again, closing his face with Duncan’s.  “I said don’t apologize!  Can you get it through your thick skull?”

Gasping, Duncan nodded frantically.

“If you want to live, kid, you better learn the hell how to fight!  Because when someone comes for you, it isn’t going to be fun.  It’s going to scare the living s**t out of you.  And if you aren’t going to get ready for it, you might as well find a way to get yourself dead right now.”

There was terror in Duncan, but a glint of something else in his eyes that Morgan spotted.

“Oh, you don’t want to die, do you?  What is that there, kid?  You want to do something about where you are right now?”

“No!  I…”

“Shut up!”  Morgan let Duncan down so his feet touched the floor, but he kept pressing him against the bulkhead.  “You want to get out of this position, you better fight your way out.”

“Sir…”

“I said fight!”

Duncan’s eyes were wide with terror, but he clenched his fist and hit Morgan in the stomach.  Nothing seemed to happen.

“You better try something a lot worse,” Morgan snarled, “You’re as weak as a rat so you aren’t going to wear me out hitting me in the gut.”

Duncan reached back and swung into Morgan’s rib cage.  Nothing happened, particularly since he couldn’t get any leverage with his arm unable to pull back farther than the wall he was against.  Duncan swung again, this time for Morgan’s face, striking him in the cheek.

Morgan’s head rolled slightly from the blow.  “You call that a punch?  Plant yourself and put your weight into it!”

This time, Duncan found himself naturally leaning out to the side.  His face screaming with fear, Duncan braced his feet, pushed off with his hind leg, and struck Morgan hard across the mouth and nose.

The older man’s head snapped sideways from the blow.  He still held Duncan, but his grip had shaken.  Duncan was winding up for another shot when Morgan stopped his arm with his free hand.  He had calmed, and when he looked at Duncan, his nose was dripping blood.

“That’s enough,” Morgan said to Duncan, holding him until the younger man started to calm down.  “Now get the hell out of my sight.”  Morgan then pushed Duncan away slightly, leaving him to stagger a little.  Without another word, Duncan, still wide-eyed, ran away down the passageway towards the bridge.

Leaning against the opposite bulkhead from where he’d pinned Duncan, Morgan placed his hands on his knees and watched as blood fell onto the deck.  “Control is everything,” he said, repeating Iyana’s mantra, feeling a dark claw clutch his lungs when he did.  He wiped the blood from his face with the back of his left hand, making a mess on the cuff of the white shirt he’d gotten.  His nose wasn’t broken, and the bleeding began to stop; the blow Duncan had dealt him wasn’t anything he hadn’t felt before.  But nothing compared to the wounds he felt that couldn’t be seen.

“That was a nice dream,” Morgan spoke aloud to himself again.  False identities, getting Jess’ ship back, he’d been able to stay away from it for a while.  The thought that Iyana had run, even if it was her plan, even if it was a trap, gave him the feeling that somehow she’d been put on the defensive.  Hope was the worst thing for him.  That hope that things would get better, that ‘resolve’ he so arrogantly talked about.  It didn’t matter where that white haired woman was.  She could be on the edge of the galaxy, or standing in the middle of a black hole.  Wherever Iyana was, she could reach out with the coiled lower half of her body, wrap around him and constrict him until he suffocated.

It took Morgan a moment to realize he hadn’t moved, however.  Why? he asked himself.  Why don’t you just go?  Something had staved that coil from being able to finish him off, an answer to his question that rang truer than the despair.

You know why, Morgan.

[sH0tgUn jUliA]

Naleena received Morgan’s message. “I’m out.” It hit her in the gut. Something had happened… Molly. Damn it!

 

“Commander, you have the con. I’ll return shortly,” Naleena said. “I’ll be on the Medusa for about an hour.” At least I hope on the ship and not chasing someone all over The Citadel.

 

“Aye, aye, Ma’am,” Selani replied.

 

Naleena left the Janiri and got on a tram that took her directly to the Medusa’s docking bay. She watched for signs of Morgan outside, but didn’t see any angry human males matching his description. Knowing Morgan he’d be angry.

 

The tram came to a stop, and Naleena exited. She looked around for a moment, and then boarded the Medusa. Jess and her crew had done a great job of cleaning up the place, and it almost looked quaint to her, a far cry from the corporate luxury of the Janiri.

 

A crew member stopped her. “Who are you?”

 

“Your worst nightmare,” Naleena replied flashing her Spectre badge. “Where’s your First Mate? And if you don’t know where he is I need to see your Captain.”

[Cknarf]

Janiri, Cabin 9.

 

Frank examined the bottle in his right hand. He swirled the amber liquid around a few times, before setting it down on the table. With a sigh, he slid it away from him. It would be awhile before he could drink again. Without sh*tting blood, anyways. It was a good thing that he'd found a non-alcoholic alternative...

 

Thanks, girls.

 

From his inside pocket, Frank withdrew a small bag full of red powder. He emptied some of its contents onto the table, and using the edge of his hand, formed it into a crude line.