A group of town folk lead by John Blake and JW McClarrin were coming down the street. JW called out "Mr. Pearson! What have you done?"
In that moment time seemed to freeze. Too many possibilities flashed through Ash’s mind and all of them were not good.
“ So who's side you on there Ash?The words ringing in his ears now.
Ash sees the lawman hands reach for his guns.
Why does it feel like I just walked into a trap?
Turning toward JW and the towns folk, Ash raised his hand and shouted, “Folks, stay back, it’s safer there! Luke’s handled this.” He had to buy some time, this guy was more than a loose cannon, he’s also dangerous. Ash hoped to distract the sheriff and show the towns folk that he had nothing to do with the shooting. If cornered Luke would pin this on him as quick as he’d shot that guy in the alley. This wasn’t right and it’s going to make things a lot worse around here, but it ain’t gonna do no good to get more folk hurt or getting locked up to cover Luke’s ass, Ash mused.
An anger was starting to burn inside Ash. ” That shiong-mung duh kwong-run, no wonder they were glad to be rid of him. This man was no Sheriff, he was a cold killer using his badge to protect him and let him make his own law.
As much as he wanted to let his Peacemakers wreak justice on that pretentious niou-se, he had to hold on. “I can’t stop him if I’m dead or in jail.” He wasn’t that good at pretending, but Ash hoped maybe Luke would lower his guard if he thought the kid wasn’t against him. The next move was Luke's.

"I just want t' make sure there ain't no funny business down in the mine, is all," Wyatt offered. " You just keep an eye peeled, and a hog's leg ready for action should the need present itself. Of course, this all depends on the lay o' the land. Here's hopin' it's favorable."

"I just want t' make sure there ain't no funny business down in the mine, is all," Wyatt offered. " You just keep an eye peeled, and a hog's leg ready for action should the need present itself. Of course, this all depends on the lay o' the land. Here's hopin' it's favorable."
Andrew nodded to Wyatt's response; he understood now that he was to be ready an ambush in case they themselves were to be ambushed.... it all seemed so natural... he continued to eat and let the others talk if they had questions... he looked to Wolf and hoped that the two of them were up to this... Wolf after all was a great mechanic but how did he handle a gun... how did any of them... Andrew had yet to see any of them in 'action' ... he wasnt too worried about himself... well not too much... it was true he wasn't as fast as he use to be but then he was still pretty good and besides... this wasn't going to be a fast draw contest... thought he still steamed a bit as he remembered the Deputy who had gunned down and unarmed man in the back... Andrew had so wanted to try the man out face to face ... she how the man did when someone could shoot back... who knew maybe he would get his chance.

Regina, Frisco, Day Seven, 10:35 pm Planet Time
“Folks, stay back, it’s safer there! Luke’s handled this.” Asher called out moving forward a step in hopes to make Luke see reason but the lawman had his gun clearing leather. Ash would have to do something quick or else ...

BLAM BLAM BLAM
Asher pitched forward when the first shot hit him and tried to draw and turn but then the second and third bullet ripped though his body and his legs gave out under him. He tried to stop himself, but his mind seem to lose its ability to command his body and he fell onto the ground.

Someone shot me! In the back!
Darkness fills the young man's eyes. He can hear screaming and the sound of more gun fire. Dimly he sees John Blake gunned down before he loses grip on his consciousness and the darkness takes him.

Rocinante, Day Nine 10 pm Ship Time/Planet Time Sync
Close enough to the planet for a long range scan but not so much to ping the spaceport satellites, Sam let everyone know that they were within planet-side in an hour or two. It took a lot of fuel, they'd need to fuel up again to go anywhere soon, but they were with atmo in a couple of hours.

No wave from the planet in a long time too. Where was Asher and why wasn't he keeping his promise to keep in touch. Everyone who knew the kid was worried, especially Ma.

The blockade was gone. Not a warship in the black around Regina, just the usual port authority pingers and beepers do their orbit dance of monotony. Bridget was a woman of her word apparently.

So now what?

Regina, Frisco, Day Nine 9;30 pm Planet Time
Asher awoke and tried to move his arms. There were tubes in his arm and his vision was blurred. Somewhere, so device or machine was making a rhythmic beep noise over and over again.

"Whoa there son. I spent a long time putting you back together, don't go messing with my work yet." a voice said in a matter of fact tone. It was familiar but his groggy mind couldn't pull a name out of the mush that was his mind. Ash tries to reach for his guns.

"They ain't there son and you don't want to shot me." the voice said, "But all your effects are safe. Most people around here don't mess with the doc if they know what's good for them. You were shot three times in the back, by someone who was pretty good at grouping his shots but not good enough to make saving you impossible. Now you have been out a spell so don't be putting on the pants too fast now. Your time will come and I think your friends will be here soon. You gonna need some friends son."

Asher thought back. Doc? Doc McGuire? He was the man who patched up Sam after the bank job. He was in the Doctor's operating room. Judging by the bandages on his chest, he owed the good Doc his life.

Wyatt stood behind Sam as he brought them into geosynchronous orbit, his arms folded across his chest, his hat resting back on his forehead as he eyed the planet through the cockpit windows and contemplated their next move.

The port authorities would be informed of their arrival the instant they entered sensor range, and if he were planet side as Bridgette was, he'd have them reporting to him the second any ship showed up on scope. He wanted to get Andrew down unnoticed so they'd have to still run a blockade so to speak, and that meant some pretty tricky flying, or messing with Roc's engines. He'd failed to ask Andrew how his piloting skills were, and if he parted with Sam to take the shuttle down in their shadow, reconnecting so that suspicions wouldn't be raised would be tricky. Now that they were here he was second guessing his plan.

"Nothing from Ash?" he asked for the fifth time since he'd had Sam send the radio message. Where was the Kid? He hadn't checked in as he'd promised and Wyatt was starting to lose track of whether they were on the good side of luck or the bad. Conceivably, Asher could be experience his own Three Up/Three Down while they were on a different track. So maybe it wasn't his luck he was dealing with. The thought was more than distracting almost causing him to miss the pilot's response.

"It ain't right. The Kid don't miss scheduled check ins none." He knew that he was preaching to the choir. With the relationship that Sam and Asher had built up, he was surprised the twitchy pilot wasn't already gunning for the dirt with pistol strapped and fire spitting from his eyes. All thoughts of being able to get the drop on Bridgette suddenly seemed far fetched and naive. The more pressing matter was The Kid's safety, and right now that seemed to be the bigger question. He wasn't the boozing type so chances were he wasn't drunk in some alley. He'd been left as Law until that back-shooting pile of monkey tird was put down with their shuttle, so chances were that he hadn't befallen some thug in a back alley (not that Wyatt believed that could happen to Asher). Bridgette was the only real complication he could come up with and she was a mighty good reason for Ash's lack of response to their hails.

"Change o' plans," Wyatt said in a low, cool tone. Grabbing the intercom he activated it. "Folks, something bigger than I'd initially expected is going down on this ball of dirt, and its led me to rethink my original position. Instead of going in all sneaky like and hoping to get the drop on a viper in her den, I conjure it's best to go with a show of strength.

"Ma'll be the only one staying aboard once we set down. The rest of you strap fer bear as they used to say on Earth That Was. We'll touch down in a couple of hours and that's where we'll be findin' what's keeping the young pup from answering his mother wolf's howls."

Deactivating the com, Wyatt returned the handset to it's cradle and looked down at Sam. "I don't like this one bit. That woman could have the whole of the city gunnin' for us and once Roc settles in, she could lock us in tight. Anything you can do to keep that from happening...well, now's the time to start com in' to it."

"Folks, something bigger than I'd initially expected is going down on this ball of dirt, and its led me to rethink my original position. Instead of going in all sneaky like and hoping to get the drop on a viper in her den, I conjure it's best to go with a show of strength. “

"Ma'll be the only one staying aboard once we set down. The rest of you strap fer bear as they used to say on Earth That Was. We'll touch down in a couple of hours and that's where we'll be findin' what's keeping the young pup from answering his mother wolf's howls."
Andrew paused as Wyatt finished and the intercom clicked off…. he thought for a moment then nodded and a slow smile came to his lips… this was a better way to go in his opinion… oh he didn’t mind dropping in and planning to ambush the obvious ambush that was probably set for them…. but this approach suited him just fine.

He began to check his guns in preparation for the fight to come… he pulled his PK12 out of the low quick-draw holster that hung from his right leg… dropping the mag and unchambering the round … breaking it down he gave it a quick lubricating before reassembling it and cycling it to ensure it’s operating…. he topped off the mag before slamming it home and chambering the round and slipped the gun back into it’s home.

He did the same for his other two handguns…. the Suppressed Avenger Revolver w/ optical sight which he strapped to his left hip in a cross draw holster… his very expensive NeoTech two shot derringer in the spring loaded forearm holster he strapped onto his left forearm under his sleeves…. He made sure his extra mags ... 3 for the PK12 and 2 for the Avenger… were tucked away in mag pouches strapped to his waist… once everything was in its proper place he put on his coat which covered it all except when he needed it… setting his hat atop his head … he left the compartment and headed forward.

“So Wyatt,” he said stepping into the bridge and seeing the Captain, “you aim to cause a ruckus do ya?” He gave a slight smile showing he wasn’t displeased with the plan, “what’s your approach? Going to just touch down at the port and head in guns ablazing?”

"Not at first, Andrew," Wyatt said softly. "I aim t' determine where my crewman is, assess the situation, and then determine whether we git rich, have t' shoot some folk, or some other such situation as Fate conjures She'd like to put us through.

"Truth be told, I'd be plenty pleased to find Ash playing with his gun in a quiet corner somewhere's, Ms. Bridgette all amicable and honest, and the alleged gold in hand. Then I'd settle fer putting Ms. Bridgette over my knee fer what she done t' Roc, locating our next cash-flow, and burnin' atmo.

"Course," at this point Wyatt met Andrew's gaze with steely blue eyes. "We all know that ain't gonna happen. Ms. Bridgette is married to the most powerful public figure on the plan--Sweet Buddha. I'm as dumb as a ruttin' stump."

Grabbing the intercom again Wyatt buzzed for Willow. "Need t' speak with you, if'n you can spare a mite of yer time."

(Once Willow is back in the bridge.)

"That fella who runs this town--the one Bridgette's hitched to? What do you know of him, and what did you learn 'bout him last we was here?"

Darkness fills the young man's eyes. He can hear screaming and the sound of more gun fire. Dimly he sees John Blake gunned down before he loses grip on his consciousness and the darkness takes him……. A ringing in Asher’s ears seemed to echo inside his head. The darkness lay thick around him,it seemed to shift as if it were a fog. Far in the distance a warm glow slowly slid closer…….

A mans face formed……..
“Asher, what are you doing here? Ben, Ma, come quick, its Asher………

A cold chill ran through Asher as he open his eyes………. “Matt, what are…….. where am I……..”

The shadowed outline of a woman leaned in……
“Asher, my baby , you’re not supposed to be here…………….”
“Ma…. Is that you, Ma……….”
A familiar female voice……
“No……………..Asher…………….No……………. My baby, no…………
“Ma..?.......... Ma……….. where are you, Ma……………

The ringing filled Asher's head, the glow winked out and darkness consumed him.

A male voice penetrated the ringing…..
"Whoa there son. I spent a long time putting you back together, don't go messing with my work yet."

The ringing was now replaced with rhythmic beep. The sight of John Blake dropping in the street and gun fire roared in his mind…..

Asher flinched and tried to reach for his Peacemaker. A gentle hand touches his arm and he hears a vaguely familiar voice, "They ain't there son and you don't want to shot me."

Slowly Asher was able to piece together some of the things around him. He was laying on his back in the same room he spent time sitting with Sam as Sam lay recovering from the wounds he had taken at the bank.
Doc McGuire’s, he was at Doc McGuire’s. Judging by the bandages on his chest, he now owed the good Doc his life too. The anesthetic was wearing off and Ash knew things were changed, he just didn’t know how much.

“Doc, what’s going on?… “

“You were shot three times in the back, by someone who was pretty good at grouping his shots but not good enough to make saving you impossible. Now you have been out a spell so don't be putting on the pants too fast now. Your time will come and I think your friends will be here soon. You gonna need some friends son.”

“Things are bad in town Son, real bad. John Blake is dead, JW was wounded, and then things went to hell in a handbasket fast. Bailey is missing since this morning as well. Seems that Sheriff Luke has found himself some deputies to do some of his dirty work, four real mean pieces of work and they killed a bunch of the Tong and set fire to their temple. Cleaning up the town they call it - makes me wish those purple bellies were still in the sky. Never thought I'd be saying that. Everyone is so scared now that people are hiding in their homes and hoping that they ain't noticed.”

"Now Brigitte had a talk with Sheriff this afternoon alone in the jailhouse and I haven't seen either one since. She been asking about your health a lot but I've made you sound worst off than you are. Don't know why, but I just feel like it is best that she don't know everything I reckon."

"Wuh de tyen, ah. Doc can you get my stuff? I need to warn the Capt'n, they’re come'n back and they’re walk’n right into a trap. I ain’t got much back at the hotel, but if you can fetch the satchel in the close of my room I’d be mighty abilged?”

"Sure I can get you stuff if they ain't too heavy but if I go walking around with a cannon on my back they be questions so clue me in on what you need and whether I need to hook up my cart."

“Oh, no sir, it ain’t gonna be no trouble, it’ll just look like my clothes and it’s mostly just my shotgun and ammo. But I do have a communicator in there and its what I’ll really need, so please be careful no ones tries to take it.”

“Most people around here don't mess with the doc if they know what's good for them. You just rest there boy and be back in bit.”

Doc turned and walked out of the room, Ash heard the door lock as he left. Ash figured it wasn’t meant to keep him in seeing he wasn’t strong enough get off his back yet. Closing his eyes he saw visions of the Roc’s crew.

“ Sam’s gruff wisecracks always ready to needle me, but he was always there when I needed him. Miss Willow, gosh was she pretty, she always knew what say to make me feel good about myself. Capt’n Wyatt , he took me in, he’s always been fair and treats me like a man. Even that new mechanic Wolf seemed like a fine fella, he did right good in the battle at the bank, I hope he’s taking good care of the Roc. And Ma....“
He must of dozed off cuse a rapping at the door and Doc’s voice saying, “It just me” woke him. Ash heard the lock click and the door open. Doc walked in and set Ash’s bag on the floor next to the bed. “Here’s your stuff .” Then walking over to the bed Doc pushed a button on it’s side and the head started to rise and Ash felt himself come to semi sitting position. “There, that’ll be a bit more comfortable for a while.” Then opening the satchel, Doc reached in and pulled out the communicator, “Here you go, I’ll step out so I won’t be telling no tales about not knowing nothing.” When the door clicked behind Doc Ash opened the communicator and turned on the power.

Pressing the transmit , “Sam, you there…… Sam, it’s Asher are you there?”

“Sam, you gotta tell Capt’n Wyatt things are bad down here, real bad. Sam, are you there?"

(Assuming Sam replies)

“Sam, Luke’s started trouble with Tong, he’s got himself some goons for deputies and they’re just killing Tong and burn’n their places. Tell Miss Willow the temple been burned down."

“ Miss Bridget seems to be fixing up with the Sheriff and they’re both missing right now. “

“ There was some trouble last night. Luke shot some Tong outside the Saloon. Mr. Blake, JW and some others came out to see what was going on and then there was an ambush in the street. John Blake is dead , JW is wounded and Bailey’s missing. The whole town is hide’n, nowhere seems safe. “

“Oh and Sam……. We both owe Doc McGuire big. I’m keep’n your bed warm…. Doc pulled three slugs out my back from last night.”

“Sam……..tell Ma I’m sorry I left” …… as Ash’s voice cracks …”tell her I love her.”

Fenris could not sit still, his whole body full of anticipated energy, to finally be getting the chance to take down that Ching-wah TSAO dahn Bridgette. Not knowing what to do to calm down he did what he always did and tinkered with stuff, in this case the Rocinante’s engines. It was here that Wyatt’s call over the ship’s intercom reached him.

"Folks, something bigger than I'd initially expected is going down on this ball of dirt, and its led me to rethink my original position. Instead of going in all sneaky like and hoping to get the drop on a viper in her den, I conjure it's best to go with a show of strength.
Ma'll be the only one staying aboard once we set down. The rest of you strap fer bear as they used to say on Earth That Was. We'll touch down in a couple of hours and that's where we'll be findin' what's keeping the young pup from answering his mother wolf's howls."

Young pup?, Mother Wolf?, was the Captain talking about Fenris. Stopping what he was doing he thought about it for a few moments and realized Wyatt must mean Asher. Then he realized that with the original plan to sneak him and Andrew into the mines now a mute point maybe there was something else the Captain could consider.

Making his way up from the engine area he searched for and easily found him getting ready.

“Cap’n I was just thinking, Miss Willow told the hag Bridgette that I got hurt during the bomb removal, could we somehow use that to our advantage?. Like say we wrap up my hand put it into a slung and in the sling we place a heavy one handed weapon like a compact gren launcher or something?? Or I stay behind till you guys are out of sight then I follow behind you sneaky like and be a surprise guest to the party so to speak?”

He waited for Wyatt’s reply.......

(Ok Since Wyatt seems to be on the bridge … I will assume that is where Wolf finds him and speaks to him… and since Andrew is there too… )

Andrew turned and heard Wolf’s question to the Captain and nodded… it was a good thought.. but then that went back to the whole sneaky aspect of the original plan…. He decided to put in his two cents before Wyatt had a chance to respond and perhaps shoot down Wolf’s idea.

“Good idea,“ he said to Wolf then turned to look at Wyatt, “also this Bridgette doesn’t know about me… and even the Sheriff probably has no reason to think that I might still be onboard the ship…. Perhaps..”

He paused for a second in thought before continuing quickly before Wyatt would have a chance to end their suggestions… he knew how Wyatt could be and sometimes his hot head caused him to ignore perfectly good suggestions from others once he had his mind set on a plan.

“.. what if we still kind of go with part of the original plan.. Wolf and I drop out in a shuttle as soon as we reach atmo .. we land outside of town while the Roc lands at the Port… then him and I can still come in along a different path and maybe take them unaware.. even if they detect the shuttle they wont know how many or who is in the shuttle… it just might be good to catch them in a crossfire.”

He left that hang and waited for Wyatt’s answer … he hoped that he would at least consider it… this mission seemed destined for bloodshed.. which Andrew was not opposed to it when it seemed like it was required.. and this just might be one of those occasions.

Despite her worry, Willow had to smile a little at the Captain's question. It was just like the man to be so focused that he didn't look past his nose. Part of his charm, she supposed.

"JW? Captain-san, I am surprised that you didn't recognize a kindred soul," Willow tilted her head quizzically, not noticing the lock of hair falling alongside her face. "He's a man of principle living in an unprincipled world. He paid us for that job out of his own pocket, and when Alliance came calling after the bank heist, he did all that he could to get us free and clear," she paused a moment, sifting past her own impressions of the man to what she'd seen of the townsfolk. Jade eyes narrowed in though, then widened as she reached a conclusion.

"The people of Regina respect him, from townsfolk to Tong, and he'd walk through fire to do his best by them. You can't fake that, and you can't bend him, either. If you're thinking of running to him about Bridget, we'd need proof, as he's known her longer than he's known us, and that matters to a man like JW. If we can get her to show her true colors though, and he feels that she's done the townsfolk wrong ..." here Willow shrugged.

She couldn't help but feel worried...and helpless. The very air hummed with pent up aggression, and Willow couldn't summon enough love to temper it. She shivered, and hugged her arms close to herself.

Regina, Frisco, Outside Lawrence Saloon, Day Nine 10:00 pm Planet Time
Doc rode into the deserted town. Been this way since the shooting the other night, people all hiding out now, afraid to leave their own homes. That\\s what you get when you bring in trouble to help you with trouble. Just more trouble
"Doc? What are you doing in town?"

The doctor turned around slowly to look upon Douglas Mustard. Not a tall man, although taller than his other brothers, Douglas has a silver star on his shirt , hung upside down but he didn't seem to notice. Douglas had a big old gun in his hand and was looking pleased with himself. Doc cleared his throat, "When did I have to tell you the whats and wherefores of my business son?"

"I'm the law now Doc." Douglas said like it explained everything.

"So you are," Doc replied, "And I am sure your momma would be no end of pleased to be looking down upon you now and see that you have a vocation that you are so deserving. But I was there the night you were born, pulled you screaming from your dear mommas womb and gave you your first bath after I cut the cord. But you wouldn't remember that, of course."

Douglas looked a bit squismish, "What that's got to ..."

"I was also there to set your brother's arm when he broke it. You would remember that. You were no end of scared of what your Pa was gonna do. You remember what I told him?"

"Ummm...You told him..."

"Boys will be boys. Grant probably fell and you brought him to me, lick-a-de-split. Isn't that right?"

"Ummm...yeah,"

"So you were asking me something son?"

Douglas looked down, suddenly interested in the dirt. "No. Sorry Doc."

"I thought so." the doctor walked on pass the deputy toward the saloon but then stopped, "Douglas. You know all the killing in the world won't bring Grant back."

"Who said we planning on killing?" Douglas looked around like someone was about to jump out and scream surprise.

The doc sighed heavily, "No one Douglas. My mistake son. Definitely my mistake." he said as he continued on his way.


Regina, Frisco, Doc McGuire's House, Day Nine 10:00 pm Planet Time
The doctor came in with a bundle under his arm. " It's just m. I got your stuff." he said to Ash. "Here is the communicator and the ....stuff. If you link that think you to my aerial for the cortex, you will get a better distance. Tell them to expect a peck of trouble too. I think someone is expected them. Here you go, I’ll step out so I won’t be telling no tales about not knowing nothing.”


Regina, Frisco, Entering Atmo, Day Nine 10:10 pm Planet Time
As the Rocinante enters the range of the satellites, the radio signal in the cockpit lights up. Wyatt, standing beside Sam at the moment, jumps to the mike.

*crackle*“Sam, you there…… Sam, it’s Asher are you there? Sam, you gotta tell Capt’n Wyatt things are bad down here, real bad. Sam, are you there?"*crackle*

Wyatt immediately transmits back, "Ash! Kid! This is Wyatt."(add as you see fit)

“Captain, Luke’s started trouble with Tong, he’s got himself some goons for deputies and they’re just killing Tong and burn’n their places. Tell Miss Willow the temple been burned down."

“Miss Bridget seems to be fixing up with the Sheriff and they’re both missing right now. “

“ There was some trouble last night. Luke shot some Tong outside the Saloon. Mr. Blake, JW and some others came out to see what was going on and then there was an ambush in the street. John Blake is dead , JW is wounded and Bailey’s missing. The whole town is hide’n, nowhere seems safe. “

“Oh and Captain……. We both owe Doc McGuire big. I’m keep’n your bed warm…. Doc pulled three slugs out my back from last night.”

“Captain Wyatt……..tell Ma I’m sorry I left” …… as Ash’s voice cracks …”tell her I love her.”

(add more conversation here)

Sure enough as the ship cuts through the cloud cover and the town comes in visual range, the black smoke of fire can be seen coming from the town. no signal or ping from the Port Authority which is highly unusual. It is like a ghost town down there.

OOC: Yay! You are in sync now. Time to get this wagon train a moving. Make a final plan and let me know who is doing what.

As Wolf along with Andrew and Sam awaited Wyatt’s reply to their idea of sneaking the two of them into town quiet like, the radio crackled with Asher’s voice.

“Captain, Luke’s started trouble with the Tong, he’s got himself some goons for deputies and they’re just killing Tong and burn’n their places. Tell Miss Willow the temple been burned down. Miss Bridget seems to be fixing up with the Sheriff and they’re both missing right now. There was some trouble last night. Luke shot some Tong outside the Saloon.

Mr. Blake, JW and some others came out to see what was going on and then there was an ambush in the street. John Blake is dead , JW is wounded and Bailey’s missing. The whole town is hide’n, nowhere seems safe. Oh and Captain……. We both owe Doc McGuire big. I’m keep’n your bed warm…. Doc pulled three slugs out my back from last night. Captain Wyatt……..tell Ma I’m sorry I left” …… tell her I love her.”
Fenris remained quiet lost in thought until Wyatt had finished talking to Asher then spoke up.

“Cap’n with all due respect I think us just going in full bore is a mistake. If these ‘deputies’ are who I think they are they are gonna be waiting just for us seeing as how we killed their brother Grant, he was the driver Asher took out, during that bank heist we stopped when we were last here.

They’d be his older brothers Douglas, Angelo and Darryl and possibly their sister Winnie. We could very well be walking into an ambush. Please Cap’n let Andrew and I take the shuttle and go in first, make contact with the surviving Tong, and get their help against Bridget. I got a bad feeling if we go in without a better plan some of us won’t be coming back to the Rocinante.”
Once again Wolf waited for Wyatt’s reply desperately looking to Sam and Andrew for help in convincing the Captain to devise a better plan.

“Cap'n," Fenris began. "I was just thinking, Miss Willow told the hag Bridgette that I got hurt during the bomb removal, could we somehow use that to our advantage?. Like say we wrap up my hand put it into a slung and in the sling we place a heavy one handed weapon like a compact gren launcher or something?? Or I stay behind till you guys are out of sight then I follow behind you sneaky like and be a surprise guest to the party so to speak?”

“Good idea,“ Andrew said to Wolf then turned to look at Wyatt, “also this Bridgette doesn’t know about me… and even the Sheriff probably has no reason to think that I might still be onboard the ship…. Perhaps..”Bowman paused for a second in thought before continuing quickly before Wyatt would have a chance to end their suggestions, “... what if we still kind of go with part of the original plan.. Wolf and I drop out in a shuttle as soon as we reach atmo .. we land outside of town while the Roc lands at the Port… then him and I can still come in along a different path and maybe take them unaware.. even if they detect the shuttle they wont know how many or who is in the shuttle… it just might be good to catch them in a crossfire.”

Wyatt stood leaning against the console, arms folded across his chest, staring at the steel grating. He was considering the suggestions trying to determine the best recourse when Willow walked in. Sung looked up and raised his eyebrows.

"That fella who runs this town--the one Bridgette's hitched to? What do you know of him, and what did you learn 'bout him last we was here?" Wyatt's tone was as level as ever but it exuded urgency nonetheless.

"JW? Captain-san, I am surprised that you didn't recognize a kindred soul," Willow tilted her head quizzically, not noticing the lock of hair falling alongside her face. "He's a man of principle living in an unprincipled world. He paid us for that job out of his own pocket, and when Alliance came calling after the bank heist, he did all that he could to get us free and clear," she paused a moment, sifting past her own impressions of the man to what she'd seen of the townsfolk. Jade eyes narrowed in though, then widened as she reached a conclusion."The people of Regina respect him, from townsfolk to Tong, and he'd walk through fire to do his best by them. You can't fake that, and you can't bend him, either. If you're thinking of running to him about Bridget, we'd need proof, as he's known her longer than he's known us, and that matters to a man like JW. If we can get her to show her true colors though, and he feels that she's done the townsfolk wrong ..." here Willow shrugged.

At that point the radio signal in the cockpit lights up. Thoughts of Asher took over and Wyatt, standing beside Sam at the moment, jumps to the mike.

*crackle*“Sam, you there…… Sam, it’s Asher are you there? Sam, you gotta tell Capt’n Wyatt things are bad down here, real bad. Sam, are you there?"*crackle*

Wyatt wasted no time in responding, "Ash! Kid! This is Wyatt. What the hell is going on?"

“Captain, Luke’s started trouble with Tong, he’s got himself some goons for deputies and they’re just killing Tong and burn’n their places. Tell Miss Willow the temple been burned down.

“Miss Bridget seems to be fixing up with the Sheriff and they're both missing right now.

“There was some trouble last night. Luke shot some Tong outside the Saloon. Mr. Blake, JW and some others came out to see what was going on and then there was an ambush in the street. John Blake is dead, JW is wounded and Bailey’s missing. The whole town is hide'n, nowhere seems safe.

“Oh and Captain……. We both owe Doc McGuire big. I’m keep’n your bed warm…. Doc pulled three slugs out my back from last night.

“Captain Wyatt……..tell Ma I’m sorry I left” …… as Ash’s voice cracks …”tell her I love her."

"Asher," Wyatt responded in a stern voice. "We're comin' for you so don't be talking like yer fer the dirt. We're comin' an' I'm bringing Hell."

(Assuming Asher informs Wyatt he's ready for duty)

"Well then," Wyatt's grin was colder than the ice on the Lullaby. "Sit tight til the fireworks start, and then join the ruckus. I'll see if I can't get someone to swing by the Doc's. Need anything from your bunk?"

Wrapping up the conversation with Asher left Wyatt Sung with both relief and rage filling his gut. They'd shot what's his full of holes and Wyatt had never taken too kindly to that sort of affront. Setting the mic back in it's cradle he turned to the others.

“Cap’n with all due respect I think us just going in full bore is a mistake. If these ‘deputies’ are who I think they are they are gonna be waiting just for us seeing as how we killed their brother Grant, he was the driver Asher took out, during that bank heist we stopped when we were last here. They’d be his older brothers Douglas, Angelo and Darryl and possibly their sister Winnie. We could very well be walking into an ambush. Please Cap’n let Andrew and I take the shuttle and go in first, make contact with the surviving Tong, and get their help against Bridget. I got a bad feeling if we go in without a better plan some of us won’t be coming back to the Rocinante.”

Wyatt looked to the big mechanic and gave a nod. "What you and Andrew is saying is true enough most like. I'm betting they're ready to dry gulch us at the first opportunity. Everyone knows we got two shuttles on a firefly, and one o' ours is already planetside. So, we drop into port with no shuttles and that might raise some suspicion. However, ain't nobody gonna notice the mule missing from our cargo bay. So, Sam'll set you two (respective nods given to Andrew and Wolf) down in the mule some couple o' miles outside town on the end closest to the Doc's place. We'll like be on sensors from the time we enter so Sam...we won't have time to stop.

"Willow, Sam, and I got to make an appearance or we're like to make people twitchy. If Bridgette is still running the show she wants what Willow has, and ain't like to risk losing that for nothing, so we can bet Willow at least won't be shot on sight. Sam and Andrew, you got a few minutes to work that security measure into Roc's systems to keep the lock down the Sheriff was so keen on putting on us last time from happening this time.

"Trish--Ma," Wyatt turned to his confidante and added softly. "you be ready fer them to try and take Roc from us.

"What say you, Willow? JW got his proof yet? With him injured as Asher says he is we can't count on any local help, and we can't be sure this family of thieves is gonna be content keepin' it amongst them neither, so we assume everyone but the Tong is a potential enemy. You shoot if you or an innocent's life is in danger, and you two (again nodding to Andrew and Fenris) get the Kid and do some scoutin' about town incognito-like. Keep ears on, and trigger fingers itchin'...oh, and take the Kid some of his bigger toys, would you? This is like to get bouncy as not, so I think it's best we prepare ourselves for all kinds of luck.

"Now unless there's more to say, I've got to go see to sone things. We all clear as mud?"

The plan laid out, Wyatt made his way to his bunk where he donned his mesh shirt, double-checked his load out, and made multiple offering to the Universe, Buddha, and the elephants he had hanging on the door before returning to the bridge.

"Well," Wyatt said to Sam as he placed both hands on his friends shoulders and stared out at the smog-covered planet. "Them girls ain't gonna wait all night for us before they start dancin with other fellas. I say we show them how a party is held proper-like."

Once again Wolf waited for Wyatt’s reply desperately looking to Sam and Andrew for help in convincing the Captain to devise a better plan. In the end they did not have too as Wyatt himself agreed with the plan as he looked to the big mechanic and gave a nod.

"What you and Andrew is saying is true enough most like. I'm betting they're ready to dry gulch us at the first opportunity. Everyone knows we got two shuttles on a firefly, and one o' ours is already planetside. So, we drop into port with no shuttles and that might raise some suspicion. However, ain't nobody gonna notice the mule missing from our cargo bay. So, Sam'll set you two down in the mule some couple o' miles outside town on the end closest to the Doc's place. We'll like be on sensors from the time we enter so Sam...we won't have time to stop so you two get the Kid and do some scoutin' about town incognito-like. Keep ears on, and trigger fingers itchin'...oh, and take the Kid some of his bigger toys, would you? This is like to get bouncy as not, so I think it's best we prepare ourselves for all kinds of luck.”
“That’s alright Cap’n” Wolf said wearing a big grin as he looked from Wyatt to Andrew to Sam and back again.
“I think between Andrew and myself we can do a hot drop no problem”
With a look once more to Andrew the ship’s mechanic turned to head for Asher’s cabin room to grab some of the gunfighter’s heavier gear when a thought passed through his mind and it was if a bright light had hit him hard. Turning back to Andrew, Sam and Wyatt he spoke once more to them.

“Ya know Cap’n not to seem too smart alacky but don’t this whole thing seem just a little too neat. I mean Grant’s brother’s are perfect ‘deputies’ to the town’s new sheriff and whose idea was it in the first place to go and get this fella Luke, Bridget’s husband JW right. What’s to say she did not put the idea in his head in the first place seeing as with Sam” A quick look to the ship’s pilot in apology. “We all know how convincing she can be. I just can’t shake the feeling that this whole thing was planned from the very start and you, the Rocinante, and we as crew got pulled into it by accident”
(Supposing a reply.)
Nodding his head and turning to Andrew he motioned for the two of them to get ready for the hot drop.