As Fenris watched the others of the Rocinante's crew file out of the dinning area he turned to follow Eagle Eye wondering at what his old prison mate had in mind. However with the mention of a fight night at this Slaughterhouse place the big mechanic already had his suspicions. The years together in Perdition had changed both of them and bonded them and though they had not seen each other in some time Fenris knew something was up. As he waited for Eagle Eye to go into detail his mind traveled back years.

Perdition Prison 2509
The big brawler moved out from his 2 person cell he lived in alone and could not believe it was five years running since he had found himself wrongly lucked up here. It had been a semi-hard fight for Fenris the night before, he was feeling it this morning, but he'd won it. The Deustch Brotherhood had actually brought in a martial artist to try to beat him. however with a pair of well placed hits, Fenris had broken his nose and one arm ending the fight in a win for him.

It had been his size that had attracted Eagle Eye to him. See Eagle Eye, or as he was known at that time under his real name of Sean Lee Sarafina, was the prison fixer, the guy everyone goes to get something. The guy who could get you a girl, a bottle of whiskey, smokes you name it he had a way to find it. He was also the guy who put on the Octagon, a no hold's bared anything goes gladiatorial type brawl. Two guys in, one guy out, the second left behind for dead, crippled or just beaten unconscious. With the war in the Black in full swing the guards cared less what went on in these fights, even betted on them, and if anyone died all they had to do was dump the body in the incinerator and problem solved. The only thing they did not allow were weapons of any type it was all bare knuckle. Well Sarafina seeing the young man's size and potential took him under his wing and after a year and a half of training, building muscle and somehow the two becoming close friends, he had put him into his first fight, Which Fenris quickly lost.

However three months later he was on top and no longer losing and sharing in Eagle Eyes good fortune as friend and bodyguard. Though life for the most part was good there were bad times as others tried to muscle in on them. Even at one point a general riot caused specifically to try to kill them both and though Fenris fought them off still Sarafina lost his eye. Though Fenris killed the inmate that had done it to protect Sean's life, the eye could not be saved and what little medical aid there was only just able to stop the damage and keep the fixer alive. As that inmate was not the only death in the midst of the riot Fenris was overlooked as to the cause of his death and was not charged for it. In the years after Sean took to calling himself Eagle Eye and the name stuck.

Then it was all over and those inmates in for wrong reasons or time served where all released at once, including Eagle Eye and Fenris. For the next few years the two remained close doing odd jobs to get by on. Then to Fenris's surprise one day Eagle Eye just up and decided he wanted to settle someplace with the money he had saved and go from there. With the two saying goodbye and promising to stay in touch they parted ways. A few months later during a smuggling job Fenris met up with Sam Dash and thanks to the short year spent with him life became better.

The Black 1 month ago
It seemed times had gone from good, the return of Sam, to worse, no jobs and the verse thinking the Rocinante crew was now thick with the Alliance. Then Ma told him he had a message and as he sat down to read it he smiled.

~Fenris I heard about your latest exploits on LV-426, you and your crew, still getting into fights huh. Look I know your low on jobs but I know you and I know your no Shee-niou Alliance kiss ass's so I got a job for ya. Go to Beylix and pick up a load of frozen bee's, and when you stop laughing, yes bee's. The money for the job will be in the bank there waiting for ya, full in advance. Pick up the bee's, bring them to me on WhiteFall and once in orbit call me and I'll tell you where to land. Looking forward to catching up on old times and other things. Fly safe.
Eagle Eye Sarafina

Putting the letter into his pocket Fenris went in search of Captain Wyatt.

Back to the present
After the graveyard visit, the two friends continued on their way up to the northern part of the Sarafina ranch where a group of hands were already starting to work of building a fence along the field so the cattle could not wander off into the riverbed. Eagle-Eye introduced Wolf to the men and they joined in right away on the labor. It was hard work, but not without some merits. Eagle had made sure a small keg of ale was brought up to make the hot day and hard work more endurable.

After some hours of putting down holes with hand augers, mixing concrete and dropping posts, it was time to wrap up for the day. It was then that several men on horses were seen on the approach to your position. Some of the hands started to go for their gun belt but Eagle stopped them with a single shake of the head and a calming wave. He looked to Wolf for a moment and then he walked forward to meet the riders.

As Eagle Eye moved to meet these new visitors Fenris followed him and as the riders got closer got the large mechanic got an uneasy feeling. Casually unsnapping the holsters clasp he moved to stand to Eagle Eyes side.

There were seven men all together on horses, each on with sidearm's and rifles in the holsters but none of them made a move towards their weapons. Several of the men hade silver stars on their vest denoting lawmen but they seemed more of a gang than a posse but Wolf's eye.

"Duncan?" Eagle called out as they pulled up, "What brings you boys up here?"

The tallest of the group moved his horse closer to Sarfina, "Afternoon Eagle-Eye. We on a job for Patience."

"On a job?" Eagle-Eye laughed without mirth, "What does that mean Duncan? I thought you worked for Reverend Tubbs now?"

Duncan shrugged, "One and the same. You know.""

Duncan looked around uncomfortably, like he didn't want to talk in front of everyone.

"Come on Duncan! How long we known each other?"

"All my life I reckon." Duncan said,

"Right. I assume you ain't here to kill me so what are you out here on the edge of my property for?"

Duncan looked down at his saddle for a few moments, "She lost one of her servants the other day. Runner. We been tracking her to the river and ,"

"You lost the trail of a girl running from a farm?" Eagle-Eye shot a look at Wolf, "Glad I ain't paying him."

"Yep."

"And you think I have her?"

"Guess I'm asking."

"Duncan. As much as I hate Patience and her slaves ,"

"Servants. Indentur-tudeness. "

"Yeah. Whatever. As much as I hate the idea of it, I wouldn't want to get into the mess of trouble that would come with taking Patience's property. It ain't worth it."

"Well how do I know you telling the truth?"

Eagle-Eye shrugged, "Duncan, other than the Poker Table, have you known me to lie to you? I ain't seen no woman around here that I didn't already know."

Duncan looked at Wolf, like he was seeing for the first time, "Who the new guy" Bringing in muscle now?"

Looking this Duncan straight in the eyes Fenris smiled as if being called ‘muscle' was a joke. "Just an old friend"

"You from that ship we saw?" What you hauling for Eagle-Eye? Any passengers?"

"Yeah, she's called the Rocinante, by the way. And no business with Eagle here, just two old friends visiting. Why need somebody or something flown out?"

"Hey! Duncan, that was just rude. I said I ain't seen her and I sure the gorram hell not sneaking her onto someone's ship. Where's your head at? You may work for Patience but I can still talk a word or two to your mama about your manners."

Duncan sighed heavily, "Alright then. Sorry Mister. No offense. And sorry Eagle to ask but, mind if we look around?"

"No offense taken"

"Yes I do, Duncan. Yes I do. My word ain't good with you anymore?"

Duncan stared at Eagle-Eye for a moment, pondering his options. "Got to tell Patience. She ain't gonna believe you."

"Well that is her problem ain't it? Duncan, listen up, I don't have any girl and if one was one my land, someone would have seen her. This river is long and goes a ways. Can I offer you and your men a drink? Got some homebrew here, still cold."

Duncan looked over at the men and the wagon with the keg and licked his lips. "Thanks Eagle-Eye for the offer but we gonna track the river up aways and see if we can find anything. You see anything, let me know, okay?"

"Sure thing Duncan. You'll be the third person I call, right after the magistrate and my barrister."

Duncan signaled to his men to turn around and they rode off following the river, spreading out as they did. Eagle laughed as they did, "Look at them. Riding to fast and none going on foot - no wonder they can't find the girl. Might as well be blowing a bugle."

As Fenris watched the seven men ride away he could not help but wonder. Why seven mounted men hunting a young girl? What was it about her that made finding her with search's of private property even necessary.

"Sean", using Eagle Eyes true name, "Does this not seem strange to you? Seven mounted riders looking for one young girl. Not many places she can go right?

OOC: I am assuming that people going to the Slaughterhouse will be either taking the Mule or borrowing a horse from Eagle-Eye. Doesn't matter either way other than it is a long walk.

Day 1, Whitefall - Necessity, "The Slaughterhouse", 8:00 PM PT
As towns go, Necessity was a rather small place or at least had the look of a small place that was beginning to sprawl without any plan or schedule. There was a main street going east to west with most of the shops and establishment. There were two streets at either end going north -south leading to two more streets with mostly residences. Every building was different but all had a generally similar look to them which suggested either a firm building code or there was only one company here building houses. You would guess the latter to be true. The tallest building was the church at the far west end of town with a high spire and a bell tower that rang on the hour. There are three taverns (The Wreakage (for haulers), the Red Dog Inn (locals) and the Slaughterhouse (Ranchers and Farmers)) and four Hotels ranging from Pricey, Not Bad, Basic and Really Cheap. There is a general store, a barber, a blacksmith, a print/communication shop called the Array, a barrister office, and two banks, plus an assortment of other shops. Opposite side of Main Street is the brothel/Inn called the Dew Drop Inn (according the Eagle Eye it is referred to as the Honey Dew as well). There is a sheriff station not far from the church with some deputies sitting out front looking like they are important. Traffic in town is mostly on foot or horse, yours is the only mule in town as far as you can see.

The Slaughterhouse is a three-story building with no patio or veranda outside. There is a large well-dressed man at the door who carrying a sidearm, who greets Eagle-Eye pleasantly as well as you when you approach and opens the door for you. Inside, the main floor consists of many tables and chairs, and a long bar area across the back. The bar was tended by a well dressed Asian man (Kim) who was on the fatty side of stout. The place had a lot people but it is not packed. The second floor hugs the exterior walls of the place and is open to the main floor from above. Access via two sets of stairs on either side of the building. The second floor is all tables and chairs, as far as you can see and according to your host, that is where the higher stake poker games happen. The third floor is Rancher Lodge only, and is a number of rooms that members can use for business or pleasure as they see fit.

"There be rules here, "Eagle tells you as you enter, "Kim don't put up with trouble so don't give any. You get one warning and then you are out. You are here on my word so I'd appreciate it if we kept things civilized." He says and gives a smile to Wolf." No fighting. Do not draw a weapon unless you hear a siren or someone yells, "reavers". Women serve food and booze here - nothing else. You looking for company, the Honeydew will do ya. Oh, if you do here sirens, there a basement there," He points to a trapdoor in the centre of the room. "Men head to doors and window and defend, women and young'un go to basement first, then we orderly retreat. If we breached, the door is sealed and we take care of each other - you catch my meaning."

Eagle did not head to the second floor but toward a six-person table where four players were playing poker. "Evening gentlemen," he said as he approached and points to one of the empty chairs, "Where's Ernest?"

The man dealing barked a laughed, "Oh he ain't gonna here tonight. Got himself a woman that won't say no so he is occupied."

"Really? When did he meet her?"

"Recent hire of serving staff as I understand it. Apparently she likes to serve him more than dinner." The other men at the table laugh and ante in.

"Oh. Well good for Ernest. He could use a little TLC. Or a lot. Either way gentlemen, this here is (introduces all who are there). This here is Dimitri, he's a sheep wrangler."

Dimitri, the dealer, nods and smiles, "Nice to meet you. Sheep wrangler is not as dirty as Eagle makes it sound."

"This here is Giles, a cattle rancher."

"Pleasure," Giles replies doffing his bowler hat to reveal a balding head.

"This is Hiram. He ain't a farmer but we let him hang out."

"And I am so honoured by your letting me lose too. Evening." Hiram stands and makes a point of shaking everyone's hand.

"Enos - he owns the general store."

Enos nods without saying anything.

And this is Jeremiah, another cattle rancher. We got a lot of them in these parts.

"Hello!" Jeremiah says like he has discovered a gold coin. His gaze is fixed directly on Fenris.

Eagle pats Wyatt on the shoulder and gestures slightly to the bar at a man in a tweed suit, sitting alone. "That there is Saul Potter. I can take you over to him if you like and introduce you - before we start a new hand. Or if you'd like to join the game - Ernest's good fortune can be yours as well. We don't play big money, we just like a social game. He is likely to be there all night. We can grab a couple of chairs if you boys want to join. The more the bigger the pot."

As Eagle and Wyatt converse, Jeremiah gets up and walks over to Fenris. He is not a tall man but next to the Mechanic, he looks very small. "Excuse me sir! Would you like to fight? Not Me! I mean fight in a ring?" He turns to Eagle-Eye, "Is he a ranch hand with you?"

Eagle looks over to Jeremiah and then to Wolf. He laughs and reaches into his pocket and pulls out some platinum pieces and hands them to Wolf. "There you go. That is for the work on the fence this afternoon." Then he looks at the shorter man, "He's a hand now. Go to it. If you can convince him, I'd bet on him against Bart."

(Assuming a what? Huh? Who's Bart)

"See we got a fight thing going on amongst our hands. Started friendly like, with small wagers and mostly bragging rights as to who had the best. Well her Governorship got involved and brought in this ringer - calls himself Black Bart. I know, original eh? Anyway, he's big and mean and we ranchers really want to put him and Patience down a peg. Fight's tomorrow - you interested? If Eagle says you can take Bart, I'll give you 25 win or lose and 200 if you win. Patience is offering 10 to 1 against her man and 20 if you can knock him out. What you say? Easy money?"

Elsewhere in the tavern there are at least three games going on, mostly ranch hands and locals if you were to guess by their clothing. Over at the bar, there is a beautiful auburn haired girl, voluptuous being the best word to describe her, straining the fabric of a Blue Sun t-shirt to its limit. Beside her is a big man in a similar t-shirt and overalls, talking to her and she ain't having none of what he is saying. In fact, she is pouring shot after shot from a whiskey bottle and ignoring him completely. He is getting frustrated and puts his hand on hers, but she pulls back from him violently.

"Okay!" the Asian man behind the bar points his finger at the man, "You had your warning. Out!"

"But!" the man started to say.

"Out or I end you here! Go back to The Wreck, Hauler. You'll be welcome there."

"But she ,"

"She ain't bothering me. You are. Out! Now! Or be dragged out."

The man slapped the bar with his hands hard and stomped off out of the bar. The young lady smiles a thank you to Kim and continued to work her way through the bottle.

Feeling the slowdown of wits that accompanies a heavy meal, Wyatt had taken his leave of the ranch to attend to captainy things. Things such as double-checking maintenance reports, searching out potential business leads on the cortex, check up on the latest news (especially as is pertinent to Roc), and catch up on communications with those that would still deign to speak with him. This is how the afternoon is spent, nary any interaction with anyone as to whom he don't have to engage. As the day draws on, Captain Sung forces himself to ascend his room ladder and meet up with Ma to discuss pantry needs and to see what all she would like if he can locate it from the town. Money is as tight for the scarred matron as it is for everyone else so the list is short. The time spent together is pleasant all the same. Ma has a way of knowing when Wyatt is stressed and calming him through distractions and idle "chatter." She knows as well as any that Sung's soul is troubled; that he worries as to how he's going to keep Roc afloat and his crew fed. By the time he's to skidattle, she practically has to force him away from the game of backgammon they are playing (something they often do as they discuss the larder) and shoo him out the door to the cargo bay where the mule is stored.

Wyatt doesn't know what to expect of Necessity. The name is quaint but the meaning isn't lost to him. Having been a ranch owner himself before the war, he knows the struggles these people face. First thing he notices is the lack of apparent planning in the sprawl of the town. Buildings are lining the main street, sure enough, but after that it would seem that a child spilt his toy structures and someone righted them but left them where they lay.

Rolling up on the Slaughterhouse, Wyatt takes in the three-story building with no patio or veranda outside with a critical eye. A large, well-dressed man at the door carrying a sidearm greets Eagle-Eye pleasantly enough and smiles warmly at Wyatt as he approaches, opening the door for new arrivals. Captain Sung takes a moment to allow his eyes to adjust to the dim lighting before drawing in the lay of the establishment like a long breath.

"There be rules here," Eagle speaks up from Wyatt's elbow, "Kim don't put up with trouble so don't give any. You get one warning and then you are out. You are here on my word so I'd appreciate it if we kept things civilized." He smiles at Wolf. "No fighting. Do not draw a weapon unless you hear a siren or someone yells, ‘reavers.' Women serve food and booze here—nothing else. You looking for company, the Honeydew will do ya. Oh, if you do hear sirens, there's a basement there," He points to a trapdoor in the centre of the room. "Men head to doors and window and defend, women and young'un go to the basement first, then we maintain an orderly retreat. If we're breached, the door is sealed and we take care of each other—you catch my meaning."

Sung does know what he means. Stories of Reavers have been all over the Cortex. Most are dismissed outright, but not by this captain. Wyatt has seen atrocities committed by men who claim to be civilized and he can well accept that those caught on the god-forsaken fringes of the ‘Verse could do far worse. Not deeming anything their host has said as response worthy, the dark-haired captain follows Eagle-Eye towards a six-person table where four players are involved in a game of poker.

"Evening gentlemen," Eagle says as he approaches and points to one of the empty chairs, "Where's Ernest?"

The man dealing barks a laughed, "Oh, he ain't gonna be here tonight. Got himself a woman that won't say no so he is occupied."

"Really?" Eagle-Eye sounds surprised and Wyatt immediately assumes that this Ernest isn't exactly a player with the womenfolk. "When did he meet her?"

"Recent hire of serving staff as I understand it," the fellow responds. "Apparently, she likes to serve him more than dinner." The other men at the table laugh and ante in.

"Oh. Well good for Ernest. He could use a little TLC. Or a lot. Either way gentlemen, this here is (introduces all who are there). This here is Dimitri, he's a sheep wrangler."

Dimitri, the dealer, nods and smiles, "Nice to meet you. Sheep wrangler is not as dirty as Eagle makes it sound."

"This here is Giles, a cattle rancher."

"Pleasure," Giles replies doffing his bowler hat to reveal a balding head.

"This is Hiram. He ain't a farmer but we let him hang out."

"And I am so honoured by your letting me lose, too. Evening." Hiram stands and makes a point of shaking everyone's hand.

"Enos—he owns the general store."

Enos nods without saying anything.

"And this is Jeremiah, another cattle rancher. We got a lot of them in these parts."

"Hello!" Jeremiah says like he has discovered a gold coin. His gaze is fixed directly on Fenris.

Eagle pats Wyatt on the shoulder and gestures slightly to the bar and a man in a tweed suit, sitting alone. "That there is Saul Potter. I can take you over to him if you like and introduce you—before we start a new hand. Or if you'd like to join the game—Ernest's good fortune can be yours as well. We don't play big money, we just like a social game. He is likely to be there all night. We can grab a couple of chairs if you boys want to join. The more the bigger the pot."

Eyeing the suit, Wyatt wets his lips with the tip of his tongue and contemplates the social position he's just been put in. On one hand, if he heads straight for a resolution of possible business he can put that side of their plight to rest, potentially. On the other hand, doing so might paint him to be a none-too-friendly type and that could hurt his chances for future business. Ranchers and farmers have the occasional needs that a crew like Roc's can fulfill, but without networking there's no real chance of coming up flush. Turning back to the table, Sung considers what little money he has and his chances of winning anything. He is not a gambling man. When he commits to something it is because he ethically has to, or he knows that he's got a good chance of coming out on top. Of course, winning at poker with a bunch of potential clients isn't exactly a way into their confidence. Losing, on the other hand,

"It's been somethin' of a day, Eagle, an' yer likely wantin' t' kick yer boots up an' have a good time fer a bit. I don't mind a game o' cards every now and again. What's the game?"

(OOC: Answer)

"Well," Wyatt pushes his hat back on his head and raises his brow. "If'n there's room at the table you can deal me in." Looking at his remaining crew, Wyatt gives them the nod releasing them into the wilds of the saloon.

Ash piloted the mule over the road to the town of Necessity. The landscape had the same look of somany places he'd seen before. But there was always something new or different if you just watched. Eagel Eye guided them into town and to a three-story building with no patio or veranda outside.

There is a large well-dressed man at the door who carrying a sidearm, who greets Eagle-Eye pleasantly as well as you when you approach and opens the door. Inside, the main floor consists of many tables and chairs, and a long bar area across the back. There hoste gave a quick lay of the land to them.

The bar was tended by a well dressed Asian man (Kim) who was on the fatty side of stout. The place had a lot people but it is not packed. The second floor hugs the exterior walls of the place and is open to the main floor from above. Access via two sets of stairs on either side of the building. The second floor is all tables and chairs, as far as you can see and according to your host, that is where the higher stake poker games happen. The third floor is Rancher Lodge only, and is a number of rooms that members can use for business or pleasure as they see fit.

"There be rules here, Kim don't put up with trouble so don't give any. You get one warning and then you are out. You are here on my word so I'd appreciate it if we kept things civilized." He says and gives a smile to Wolf." No fighting. Do not draw a weapon unless you hear a siren or someone yells, reavers, Women serve food and booze here - nothing else. You looking for company, the Honeydew will do ya. Oh, if you do here sirens, there a basement there," He points to a trapdoor in the centre of the room. "Men head to doors and window and defend, women and young'un go to basement first, then we orderly retreat. If we breached, the door is sealed and we take care of each other - you catch my meaning."

Eagle did not head to the second floor but toward a six-person table where four players were playing poker. They all followed behind, "Evening gentlemen," he said as he approached and points to one of the empty chairs, "Where's Ernest?"

The man dealing barked a laughed, "Oh he ain't gonna here tonight. Got himself a woman that won't say no so he is occupied."

"Really? When did he meet her?"

"Recent hire of serving staff as I understand it. Apparently she likes to serve him more than dinner." The other men at the table laugh and ante in.

"Oh. Well good for Ernest. He could use a little TLC. Or a lot. Either way gentlemen, this here is (introduces all who are there). This here is Dimitri, he's a sheep wrangler."

Dimitri, the dealer, nods and smiles, "Nice to meet you. Sheep wrangler is not as dirty as Eagle makes it sound."

"This here is Giles, a cattle rancher."

"Pleasure," Giles replies doffing his bowler hat to reveal a balding head.

"This is Hiram. He ain't a farmer but we let him hang out."

"And I am so honoured by your letting me lose too. Evening." Hiram stands and makes a point of shaking everyone's hand.

"Enos - he owns the general store."

Enos nods without saying anything.

And this is Jeremiah, another cattle rancher. We got a lot of them in these parts.

"Hello!" Jeremiah says like he has discovered a gold coin. His gaze is fixed directly on Fenris.

Eagle pats Wyatt on the shoulder and gestures slightly to the bar at a man in a tweed suit, sitting alone. "That there is Saul Potter. I can take you over to him if you like and introduce you - before we start a new hand. Or if you'd like to join the game - Ernest's good fortune can be yours as well. We don't play big money, we just like a social game. He is likely to be there all night. We can grab a couple of chairs if you boys want to join. The more the bigger the pot."

As Eagle and Wyatt converse, Jeremiah gets up and walks over to Fenris. He is not a tall man but next to the Mechanic, he looks very small. "Excuse me sir! Would you like to fight? Not Me! I mean fight in a ring?" He turns to Eagle-Eye, "Is he a ranch hand with you?"

Eagle looks over to Jeremiah and then to Wolf. He laughs and reaches into his pocket and pulls out some platinum pieces and hands them to Wolf. "There you go. That is for the work on the fence this afternoon." Then he looks at the shorter man, "He's a hand now. Go to it. If you can convince him, I'd bet on him against Bart."


"See we got a fight thing going on amongst our hands. Started friendly like, with small wagers and mostly bragging rights as to who had the best. Well her Governorship got involved and brought in this ringer - calls himself Black Bart. I know, original eh? Anyway, he's big and mean and we ranchers really want to put him and Patience down a peg. Fight's tomorrow - you interested? If Eagle says you can take Bart, I'll give you 25 win or lose and 200 if you win. Patience is offering 10 to 1 against her man and 20 if you can knock him out. What you say? Easy money?"

Ash's ears purked up when heard about fights, now that could fun, but it seemed Jeremiah was only interested in Wolf. Well maybe his chance would come. Ash hadn't a good brawl since he'd left the farm.

The kid looked elsewhere in the tavern there and are at least three games going on, mostly ranch hands and locals if you were to guess by their clothing. Over at the bar, he noticed there is a beautiful auburn haired girl, voluptuous being the best word to describe her, straining the fabric of a Blue Sun t-shirt to its limit. But beside her is a big man in a similar t-shirt and overalls, talking to her and she ain't having none of what he is saying. In fact, she is pouring shot after shot from a whiskey bottle and ignoring him completely. He is getting frustrated and puts his hand on hers, but she pulls back from him violently.

"Okay!" the Asian man behind the bar points his finger at the man, "You had your warning. Out!"

"But!" the man started to say.

"Out or I end you here! Go back to The Wreck, Hauler. You'll be welcome there."

"But she ,"

"She ain't bothering me. You are. Out! Now! Or be dragged out."

The man slapped the bar with his hands hard and stomped off out of the bar. The young lady smiles a thank you to Kim and continued to work her way through the bottle.

The kid was hoping that the men would let him sit and watch the game. He knew some folk don't like that, they figure you're signaling their hands. But the kid really liked to watch their faces. So much can be learned from the small things people do. His pa and had done their best to teach him how to read a man's eyes. Told him it could save life, so ever since he continued and poker games were great to guess a man's thought. But first he needed something to drink.

The kid excused himself and stepped to the bar. As he stepped up Kim came over. "I see you're with Mr.Sarafina, what can I get for you?" The kid gave Kim a simple smile,"Well if you have any, I sure would like a tall glass of cold milk?"

The young lady at the bar looked up from her shot glass with an odd smirk on her face.

"And this is Jeremiah, another cattle rancher. We got a lot of them in these parts."

Even before Fenris could offer a greeting, Jeremiah was looking at him as if he were fresh meat. His gaze fixed directly on Fenris, the rancher offered his own greeting

"Hello! " Jeremiah, his tone of voice, like that of someone who has discovered a gold coin.

"Ahh hello" The big mechanic offered without a handshake as he followed Eagle and Wyatt away from the man.. A quick look over his shoulder showed him the rancher still staring at him with a sparkle in his eyes. In a way it made Fenris feel a little uneasy and wonder of this Jeremiah was gay and was about to hit on him. Turning back to the conversion he heard Eagle point out another man, this one sitting at the bar alone.

"That there is Saul Potter. I can take you over to him if you like and introduce you - before we start a new hand. Or if you'd like to join the game - Ernest's good fortune can be yours as well. We don't play big money, we just like a social game. He is likely to be there all night. We can grab a couple of chairs if you boys want to join. The more the bigger the pot."

As Eagle and Wyatt continued to converse Fenris was startled as a voice almost yelled in his ear. Going for the Desert Eagle on his hip without thinking, his reflexes deeply ingrained, he barely stopped his hand from drawing it when he realized it was the rancher Jeremiah once again. Fenris could see that though not a tall man, standing next to him, Jeremiah looked quite small.

"Excuse me sir! Would you like to fight? Not Me! I mean fight in a ring?" He turns to Eagle-Eye, "Is he a ranch hand with you?"

The big mechanic almost breathed a sigh of relief as he realized that Jeremiah was not about to hit on him, but looking for something else. Fenris watched as Eagle looked over to Jeremiah and then to the Rocinante's mechanic. Laughing Eagle reached into his pocket and pulled out some platinum pieces and handed them to Wolf. "There you go. That is for the work on the fence this afternoon." Then he looks at the shorter man, "He's a hand now. Go to it. If you can convince him, I'd bet on him against Bart."

As if a bell had been rung everything became quite clear. Eagle, ever the sneaky lao bao jun had in some way planned this, first getting Fenris to do some work and then be paid for it making him technically one of Eagle's ranch hands. Then to get him here so Jeremiah could see him, then to suggest this fight. Looking over to his old friend he saw a glint of the same old fixer he knew all so well. As Fenris watched Eagle's face sprout a grin Jeremiah again started to explain himself.

"See we got a fight thing going on amongst our hands. Started friendly like, with small wagers and mostly bragging rights as to who had the best. Well her Governorship got involved and brought in this ringer - calls himself Black Bart. I know, original eh? Anyway, he's big and mean and we ranchers really want to put him and Patience down a peg. Fight's tomorrow - you interested? If Eagle says you can take Bart, I'll give you 25 win or lose and 200 if you win. Patience is offering 10 to 1 against her man and 20 if you can knock him out. What you say? Easy money?"

"Nothing's ever easy. You want me to fight someone I have never seen fight before, well I'd like to see him fight first. You say tomorrow's the next fight, how often do you hold these fights of yours?"

(Roger‘s answer)

Looking over to Wyatt the big mechanic knew the answer by the look in the Captains eyes and knew there was no way the Rocinante would stay on Whitefall that long. Looking back to Jeremiah, Fenris posed a few more questions.

"Ok a few more questions, is this Bart going to just be fighting me if I agree to this or will he have at least one fight before me? I'd really like to get a look at him, see what kind of fighter he is."

(Rogers answer)

"Also do I need to be signed in before the fight gets underway or can I just challenge him after I see him fight? And just curious will there be any other bouts? Reason I ask from what your describing this Bart as, and considering you want me to fight him, he must be some type of heavy weight. Right?

(Roger's Answer)

Looking once again to Wyatt he waited for the Captain's ok. Getting it he smiled and once more turned to Jeremiah.

(I assume a yes))

"Ok for now consider it a maybe, if I decide to fight him I'll challenge him tomorrow night you can pay me after. Also if I do fight him place those 20 platinum coins on me."

With the conversation for the moment over Fenris found himself somewhat alone. Eagle and Wyatt sitting down to cards, Ash at the bar most likely getting ready to turn on his charm and Sam for the moment sorta MIA. As he watched Jeremiah return to his seat the big mechanic thought what the hell. Following him to his table he took a seat across from the rancher.

"So tell me all you can on this Bart fellow. Height, weight, lefty, righty s*** like that"..........

"Nothing's ever easy. You want me to fight someone I have never seen fight before, well I'd like to see him fight first. You say tomorrow's the next fight, how often do you hold these fights of yours?"

"Ahh, well that the thing. We only do the fights around the seasons because the hands are supposedly busy otherwise so the next set of fights won't be for two maybe three months when the spring herds come back from pasture." Jeremiah said with a shrug.

Looking over to Wyatt the big mechanic knew the answer by the look in the Captains eyes and knew there was no way the Rocinante would stay on Whitefall that long. Looking back to Jeremiah, Fenris posed a few more questions.

"Ok a few more questions, is this Bart going to just be fighting me if I agree to this or will he have at least one fight before me? I'd really like to get a look at him, see what kind of fighter he is."

"I know that Dawes has a hand set to fight Bart, been training him hard too. But he is working the small and fast angle and frankly I don't I don't have much faith in him. Like putting a fox in with a grizzly, I ain't betting on the fox."

"Also do I need to be signed in before the fight gets underway or can I just challenge him after I see him fight? And just curious will there be any other bouts? Reason I ask from what your describing this Bart as, and considering you want me to fight him, he must be some type of heavy weight. Right?

"We ain't cotton to anything formal really. I'll get you on the list of hands, but if Bart beats Dawes man easily, then there will be a chance to challenge. Hell, might drive up the odds. There are other fights going on between hands at the same time, same wagers and for those who have no interest in fighting Bart." Jeremiah looks over at Sam and Asher, "You guys could get in if you work a day for Eagle here. But Bart is heavy, about as big as you and Patience has him training all the time. Calls it hand work but we all know it is all Go Sa.

Looking once again to Wyatt he waited for the Captain's ok. Getting it, he smiled and once more turned to Jeremiah.

"Ok for now consider it a maybe, if I decide to fight him I'll challenge him tomorrow night you can pay me after. Also if I do fight him place those 20 platinum coins on me."

"Alright. I can respect that. We got a deal then." Jeremiah sticks out his hand to shake. Eagle knows where the warehouse is and when to be there."

With the conversation for the moment over Fenris found himself somewhat alone. Eagle and Wyatt sitting down to cards, Ash at the bar most likely getting ready to turn on his charm and Sam for the moment sorta MIA. As he watched Jeremiah return to his seat the big mechanic thought what the hell. Following him to his table he took a seat across from the rancher.

"So tell me all you can on this Bart fellow. Height, weight, lefty, righty s*** like that"

Jeremiah pauses a moment, "Well, like I said, he is as big as you for sure, possible bigger but not much and I thing you might be wider. He is all muscles and tattoos. I think he hits with both hands, I don't notice a favourite. One thing I can tell you is he comes out hard and mean. Really hard and mean if you catch my drift. He wins mostly because he overwhelms the other. But you got a plan for that already don't you?"

Necessity was a lot like any number of other small, border-world towns Sam had ever seen in his travels. Cleaner than some, seedier than others, but, names and other small details aside, one town bled into another bled into another. Early on in his days of staying on the dodge in the ‘Verse, Sam had found the sameness of the settlements monotonous but, in the years that he'd known Wyatt, he'd come to feel almost comforted by it. Pulling up in front of The Slaughter House, the pilot stepped off the mule and, letting his gaze pan over the town, drew in a deep and somewhat appreciative whiff of the air.

"Yup," he smirked, hooking his thumbs trough his belt, "smells like niufen (cows***), I like it." He turned, then, and followed Wyatt, Eagle-Eye, and the rest into the place.

"There be rules here, "Eagle said as they entered, "Kim don't put up with trouble so don't give any. You get one warning and then you are out. You are here on my word so I'd appreciate it if we kept things civilized,"

"Civil's my middle name," Dash snorted, lifting a hand to scratch at a whisker-stubbled cheek as his eyes skimmed over the place, "O' course, don't no one never call me by it."

",No fighting," Eagle continued, grinning in Wolf's direction, "Do not draw a weapon unless you hear a siren or someone yells, "reavers". Women serve food and booze here - nothing else. You looking for company, the Honeydew will do ya. Oh, if you do here sirens, there a basement there," He pointed to a trapdoor in the center of the room. "Men head to doors and window and defend, women and young'un go to basement first, then we orderly retreat. If we breached, the door is sealed and we take care of each other - you catch my meaning."

More than a little of the humor fell away from Sam's features at the mention of Reavers. He'd never come up against any, himself, but he'd heard enough stories to know that he really didn't want to, Had my druthers, I'd just as soon belly crawl nekkid through Hell, He knew, too, what Sarafina meant by "take care of each other;" it wasn't anything more than a less creepifying way of saying "we put bullets to each other's brainpans before the boogeymen get in." Just the thoughts of it started to get his twitchy itching. Dash didn't bother to comment aloud on any of the Reaver-talk, though, choosing to acknowledge the warnings/instructions with little more than a nod and a mildly disconcerted grunt. His gaze was busy, for a minute, darting here and there, identifying all the windows and doors that might need watching and, given what Sarafina had just said and the thoughts it had started spinning in his brain, Sam became a little less comfortable with The Slaughterhouse's name, his fingertips brushed the grips of his pistol without him actually have willed them to do so,

"Oh. Well good for Ernest,"

Dash's attentions were snatched back to Eagle-Eye and the rest as their host began making introductions to the group of poker-players to whose table the crew had just drawn up. He offered a nod, a "hey," and/or a handshake where appropriate as they were introduced but, beyond that, didn't go much farther with the pleasantries.

",And this is Jeremiah, another cattle rancher," Eagle-Eye said, getting around to the last man at the table, "We got a lot of them in these parts."

"Hello!" Jeremiah beamed as if he'd struck gold; his gaze fixed directly on Wolf.

Beneath the bandana tied around his head, one of Dash's eyebrows lifted quizzically and he couldn't help but wonder what this Jeremiah fellow might be giving the big mechanic the googly-eye for. His mouth started to fall open as if to interject some kind of crude commentary about Wolfy having found a boyfriend but, when Eagle clapped Wyatt on the shoulder and pointed the Captain's attention to Potter, Sam forgot what he might have been about to say and let his eyes follow, too.

"That there," Eagle said, pointing to an older man in a tweed suit, "is Saul Potter. I can take you over to him if you like and introduce you - before we start a new hand. Or if you'd like to join the game - Ernest's good fortune can be yours as well. We don't play big money, we just like a social game. He is likely to be there all night. We can grab a couple of chairs if you boys want to join. The more the bigger the pot."

"It's been somethin' of a day, Eagle," Wyatt answered after a moment's contemplation, "an' yer likely wantin' t' kick yer boots up an' have a good time fer a bit. I don't mind a game o' cards every now and again. What's the game?"

(OOC: Answer)

"Well," Wyatt pushed his hat back on his head and raised his brow. "If'n there's room at the table you can deal me in." Looking at his remaining crew, Wyatt gave the nod, releasing them into the wilds of the saloon.

Dash offered a nod of his own in response and, for an instant, gave thought to joining the card game, himself. It could be an opportunity to add to the little bit of cash he'd already scrimped together to pay back the "debt" he owed Asher, on the other hand, it could be just as much an opportunity for him to lose that same bankroll and have nothing left but empty pockets and another few months of listening to the Kid piss and moan over guns he didn't truly need anyway, Yeah, he mused, his attentions drifting away from the table, Ain't listenin' ta that any longer'n I have to.
The pilot's eyes and ears found their way back to the conversation between Wolf and that excitable Jeremiah fellow, then, and, as it turned out, Wolf hadn't found himself a boyfriend, after all. Instead, from what he was hearing of the chatter, Jeremiah was trying to talk Wolf into some kind of "fight night" the Slaughterhouse was having. Wanted the mechanic to go up against some wang bah duhn as called himself Black Bart, it seemed. Wolf, as usual, was full of questions, so the banter went on for a bit of a spell,

Sam had really only been listening to see if Fenris was going to take the fight or not but fell quickly out of that absent-minded eavesdropping when Jeremiah looked over at him and Asher, "You guys could get in if you work a day for Eagle here. But Bart is heavy, about as big as you and Patience has him training all the time. Calls it hand work but we all know it is all Go Sa."

"I'm shiny," Sam scoffed, raising his hands, "I like a good tussle, puhn yoh, but t'night, I'm more up fer a grapple, er at least a wrestle wit' a good bottle o' hooch, get me? ‘Preciate th' offer, though,"

He clapped Wolf on the shoulder, then. "Good luck wit' th' fisticuffs, Wolfy," he grinned, "oncet ya get done hemmin' an' hawin' over it, lemme know when yer gonna fight, huh?"

Dash, letting his hand fall away from the big man's shoulder, nodded at Jeremiah; "Good ta've met ya. I'm off ta wet m'whistle an', mebbe, scare up some poozle." With a grin and a wink, the pilot strode off for the bar.

"What'll ya have," Kim asked as Sam drew up to the bar and rested his elbows on the counter.

"Whiskey," Dash answered, "make it a double."

"Ice?"

"Neat."

"Can do," the barman shot back, producing a bottle and a glass from under the counter and pouring a healthy sample.


"Xie xie," Sam nodded taking up the drink. He turned, then, and leaned against the bar, content for the moment to nurse his whiskey and watch the room.

The afternoon progressed pleasantly enough; Mrs. Wilson had set aside a well appointed room for Willow to see each of the young women who were reluctant to see the town doctor. All were relatively healthy and chattered happily enough, but Willow realized the reason for discretion when every single one of them asked for discreet contraception, and more than a few needed to be treated for STDs.

Willow quickly went through her contraceptive supplies, and shared a few techniques of her own that allowed for pleasure without risking pregnancy, earning a few blushes and more than a few delighted gasps. On the whole, it was almost like being back at the Companion Guild House, though Mrs. Wilson seemed to grow more tense and guarded as time moved on, rather than less. Perhaps the matron didn't approve of Willow's more salacious advice, but then again, she'd had mentioned a pregnancy and none of the girls so far had been pregnant,.

"Mrs. Wilson, have I seen everyone? You mentioned someone having a difficult pregnancy, and so far, all the young ladies I've seen have managed to avoid the family way? "

Mrs Wilson looked at Willow and then away for a moment. She got up and went to the door, opened it and looked around in the hallway and then closed the door and came up close to the Doctor and sat beside her. "Miss Tak, Willow, do you believe in a god?"

Willow knew better than to discuss her own beliefs; so many Rim planets clung to the Book, and the early chapters of harsh ways and dutiful submission, instead of the later ones of love and acceptance. It seemed to be a way to find a purpose in their struggles, and she knew better than to try to change that.

"I believe there is a greater purpose beyond what we can see, " Willow agreed carefully," there are too many things that we cannot yet explain."

"I have had my doubts in my life but events have occurred in the last few days that make me believe that there is a divine hand guiding circumstances around me. You say Confidentiality is your specialty; well, I have to put my faith in that because I think a young woman's life is in danger if I do not help her. But I need you to trust me. There is a reason for my caution and it will be very clear soon but right now, would you mind following me and I will take you to someone, but we need to be discreet on who sees us. Is that agreeable with you? Mr Sarafina does not know about this and if he did, well, I would be in a lot of trouble."

Willow nodded and gathered up her remaining supplies before following Mrs. Wilson from the room. They walked down the hall, to a stairwell going downwards. At the end of the stairwell is a solid steel door with a keypunch panel on the wall next to it. Mrs. Wilson draws out a flat card from her pocket, puts it in the reader and presses several buttons. The door unlocks and she enters quickly, beckoning Willow to come in.

"This is part of an underground bunker that Mr. Sarafina had put in in case of a Reaver attack. It connects to the barns and all the buildings on the property. There is food and bedding down here for people to survive for many days." She says as she moves down the hall. "Very few have access, unless there is an alarm, then the doors unlock automatically." She leads Willow to a room and opens the door.

Inside is a young woman, probably in her late teens and in the later stage of the first trimester of pregnancy, when the belly just begins to swell in the distinctive "baby bump". She is very pale, shows signs of sweating and dark shadows under her eyes. She is lying on the bed and rose as you enter but Willow can see traces of blood on the sheets - not a lot but definitely enough to be concerned. Willow spotted on Chloe's hand there was a black tattoo of a stylized "P", much like a cattle brand.

"Chloe? This Is Miss Willow. She is a doctor and she is here to help you. We can trust her."

Willow put on her warmest smile to hide her concern as she eased Chloe back onto the bed and smoothed the damp hair away from her eyes to assess her for shock. The young woman was clearly exhausted and had recently over exerted herself. Willow put on a pair of gloves and began checking the young woman's blood pressure, heart rate and other vitals. She kept up a patter of reassuring comments mixed with questions and Chloe's story came out.
"I was born on Triumph. I don't remember much of it but I lived on a farm and I had a mom and dad and three sisters. But my sisters were older and when they got to a certain age, they went off to the Maiden House and I wouldn't see them much anymore - learnin' to be good wives I was told. Anyway, I was almost to the age when I would be goin' myself but my mom got sick. My dad was always goin' on about havin' to take care of her and the crops not doin' well. I think there was a blight but at the time, I didn't understand what that meant.

"So, days before my birthday my dad asked me if I wanted to see a spaceship. Naturally I said yes, thought it was a present or somethin'. So I was taken at night to this spaceship in a field and , well the men gave my dad a bag full of coin and they took me on the spaceship. The door closed behind me and I never saw my mom or dad again.

"There were a lot of girls my age on the ship, and they brought us here to Whitefall where we were put to work and told we had a debt to pay. I never really understood what a debt was other than I had to work hard and do what I was told. Some girls tried to get away or be defiant-like but they would be whipped or punished so I just did what I was told like I was always taught. If you did what you were told then no one punished you and you got fed and a place to sleep.

"So as I got older, it was promised to me that if I became the wife of a hand when I reached the Maiden age, then I would have my debt forgiven. I'd be free and could live my life with a husband and family. It wasn't that different than back home on Triumph so I was in for the platinum and the pound.

"But then I got moved to the Governor's house because I was good and did good work and it was there that I met ,him. "

"The father?" Willow asked neutrally, glancing at Mrs. Wilson, who had her own neutral expression firmly in place.

"Yes."

"And who is that?" Willow prompted, though in truth, she was less concerned about that than she was about the blood that was still setting fresh blooms on the sheets.

"Petrie."

Mrs Wilson turned pale white. "Petrie? Petrie? Not Petrie Tubbs? I thought you said the father was someone who worked at the ranch."

"No. I said he was at the ranch a lot. You didn't ask his name so I thought you didn't want to know."

"I was more worried about you at the time. Oh dear. What am I going to do now?"

"Who is Petrie Tubbs? Willow asks.

"The Reverend's Son." Mrs Wilson replies with an air of despair in her voice. "Oh my."

"He ain't like his dad, " Chloe insisted, struggling to sit up, but Willow eased her back again. She needed to examine the baby as best she could with such limited equipment. " He said he hates his dad and the Governor. That people deserve to be treated as equals. He said he loved me."

"Oh dear, men always say that. They say lots of nice things and then they are gone." Mrs. Wilson said ruefully.

"I don't know about all men but I do know Petrie and I believed him."

"So why did you run away then?" Mrs. Wilson responded, her voice still gentle yet exasperated.

Chloe stops talking for a moment and looks away. She then looks back at Mrs. Wilson and says, "I told Petrie that I thought I was pregnant. He wanted to tell his father and get permission to marry me. I wasn't showin' yet but I knew if they saw I was with child, I would be punished and my baby would be taken from me. Petrie said to just wait and he would take care of things. But he didn't come back. I waited and waited and then the Reverend came to visit.

"I overheard the Governor and the Reverend talkin'. They were talkin' about the plan they had where they were offerin' to free the servants if they married the hands. But their plan was that our debt was handed over to the hand, not forgiven at all. Our husbands would therefore own us as property. There was somethin' called a loophole that allowed them to give the Governor more territory and land but parcellin' off the land to newly married couples. And then I found out that the Reverend wanted me handed over immediately to a hand named Duncan. He was very insistent and told the Governor I was a wicked whore who violated his son and I needed to be taken care of. So I slipped out the back and I ran and I didn't stop runnin' until I fell in the dark and then Mrs. Wilson found me and brought me here."

Willow glanced at Mrs. Wilson, who was now clearly distressed, and back at Chloe, who was getting more agitated and defiant as she spoke. She needed Chloe calm if she was going to be able to hear a fetal heartbeat at this early stage.

"It sounds like an awful situation, and I'm not certain of the legalities here,can we take a few deep breaths a moment while I check on the baby,.deep breath in,.hold,let it out slowly,.there's a girl, now,.one more,.and hold your breath!"

It was faint, as expected, but the fluttering butterfly beat of a tiny heart was apparent on Willow's med scanner,she turned up the volume and was gratified by the delighted smile on Chloe's weary face. Even Mrs. Wilson's stricken appearance eased at the sound

"That's,that's my baby?" she asked, tears appearing anew.

"Yes, " Willow smiled, though she was worried," and that is all that matters at the moment. We need to find out why you are bleeding. It's not fast so the baby is fine for now, but I need to you move as little as possible for the next little while. Give you a chance to heal and settle the child."

She pulled off her gloves and put away the scanner before giving Chloe a glass of water and a vitamin pack from her bag. "Take these for now to give you and the baby a boost - we'll want to give you additional iron but I need to test your levels first."

She gestured to Mrs. Wilson and they both stepped out in to the hallway.

"You said this bunker connects to all the buildings? Is there one near the ship? This is quite the mess we are in but I need to stop that bleeding or we may lose both mother and child."

Day 1, Whitefall - Necessity, "The Slaughterhouse", 8:15 PM PT
"It's been somethin' of a day, Eagle," Wyatt answered after a moment's contemplation, "an' yer likely wantin' t' kick yer boots up an' have a good time fer a bit. I don't mind a game o' cards every now and again. What's the game?"

"5 Card Draw Poker. We keep it simple as we don't want to remember a lot of rules and we can still play if we ain't sober." Eagle replied

"Well," Wyatt pushed his hat back on his head and raised his brow. "If'n there's room at the table you can deal me in." Looking at his remaining crew, Wyatt gave the nod, releasing them into the wilds of the saloon.

Jeremiah and Wolf started talking about the fights and the two moved off to another table as word passed around that Wolf might take on Bart. Sam turned down the offer of the game and Eagle-Eye offered up Jeremiah's seat to Wyatt after snatch's the rancher's hat away from him, scooping his chips into it and then handing it back to the man. "There you go Captain. What can I get you for the bar?"

(Wyatt orders)

The game begins with a fair amount of chat going on across the table - these are men that know each other well. Wyatt play a few hands and watches his potential client in the corner of his eye. Surprisingly, after a while, Potter picks up his drink and walks over to Sam.




Jade, who was being usually quiet up to this point wandered around the room, mentally checking the environment and the tech around the place. There were drop shields on all the windows and there was a high voltage power conduct next to the doorway. She surmised that this bar could become an electrified fortress at the flip of a switch. More reaver defences? Jade was beginning to doubt her beliefs that they were all just stories. People around here certainly believed in them. She spotted a table where a man was leaving a game and the people around the table seemed to be annoyed at him for doing so.

"Might if I join in boys?" Jade asked with a broad smile and smooth tone. "I haven't played much but my husband used to enjoy the game."

The three men were youngish, most like hands as they called them around here. The thought of a pretty woman joining them did not go amiss. "Ummm, Sure. Mrs?"

"Jade. Jade Storm. What's the stakes here?"

"Jade Storm? Like for real? Sounds like a comic hero!"



Asher excused himself and stepped to the bar. As he stepped up Kim came over. "I see you're with Mr. Sarafina, what can I get for you?" The kid gave Kim a simple smile," Well if you have any, I sure would like a tall glass of cold milk?"

The young lady at the bar looked up from her shot glass with an odd smirk on her face.

Kim gave Asher a look that was as a slate and then brought out a earthenware bottle, a highball glass while dropping two ice cubes in the glass and passing it to the Kid. "Closest I can do you. You want something else, the Honeydew will do ya." and he walked away.

Asher looked at the bottle and signed quietly. He picked it up and gave the lid a whiff to confirm his suspicions - Mudder's milk. It wasn't the first time he'd been served Mudder's when he asked for milk.

The Redhead grabbed the clay bottle and poured it to the top of the glass for Asher. "You want to keep up or just looking?" she asked with a smile. "You don't look like a ranch hand." She poured herself another shot of whiskey and looked Asher over again gesturing towards his nether region, "You know how to use that or is it just for show?"



What'll ya have," Kim asked as Sam drew up to the bar and rested his elbows on the counter.

"Whiskey," Dash answered, "make it a double."

"Ice?"

"Neat."

"Can do," the barman shot back, producing a bottle and a glass from under the counter and pouring a healthy sample.

"Xie xie," Sam nodded taking up the drink. There was a lot going on in the room. Jade had found a table to join for cards and Asher was, of course talking , no, drinking with the prettiest woman in the bar. Sam shook his head to himself, as the kid was a notorious lightweight with the hooch.

Saul Potter was consulting a PADD that he had pulled from his pocket and looking around. Both and he and the device looked like they had seen better days but still ticking. After a moment, Potter put away the PADD and picked up his drink to head towards Sam. "Excuse me? I am Saul Potter. I am looking for a ship to provide transport. Are you part of the crew of the firefly that landed on Sarafina's land? Are you looking for a cargo?"


Day 1, Whitefall - Sarafina's Ranch, 3:15 PM PT
Willow pulled off her gloves and put away the scanner before giving Chloe a glass of water and a vitamin pack from her bag. "Take these for now to give you and the baby a boost - we'll want to give you additional iron but I need to test your levels first."

She gestured to Mrs. Wilson and they both stepped out in to the hallway.

"You said this bunker connects to all the buildings? Is there one near the ship? This is quite the mess we are in but I need to stop that bleeding or we may lose both mother and child."

"Oh my." Mrs. Wilson said and Willow suspected that was the extent to how much she would ever let herself swear. "This is all so , difficult. Right. Well. The barn where your bees were delivered is the closest to where your ship is of course. But there would be quite a few hands there now attending to the shipment. Can we wait until dark? If we can then most will go off to the Slaughterhouse tonight and the one or two left could be easily be distracted?"

(assuming you agree)

"Very well then. Do you need to speak to your captain to let him know where you are? Does he expect you to join him tonight?"

As word passed around the bar that he might take on Bart, Wolf was not 100% happy with this. He did not want Bart to have any forewarning that he might step into the ring and challenge him until he had more info on him. Unlike the prison fights here he had more time to get any Intel he could use.

"Jeremiah, if its not too late already, get your farmer friends to tone down on me fighting Bart. I don't want to give him any forewarning that a new ‘fighters' in town. I want to check him out tonight if possible and I don't need him knowing who I am."

Jeremiah laughed, "Well I don't think you need worry about that. Not like any of us talk to Patience's likes." He looks around and then slowly shakes his head, "But I see your point." and he starts telling the massing crowd to not get their hopes up, you could be leaving in the morning.

"OK fair enough. Where can I find him right now?"

"Find Him? Where else? He's at the Honey Dew. He got a long list of favourites and he don't believe in any of that not before the night of a fight."

"Ok I'm headed there now, if you don't hear from me in, say 3 hours, let my crew know where I went and I'm most likely go tsao duh"

Standing and shacking Jeremiah's hand he moved over to Ash at the bar.

"Need a favor Ash" The Gunfighter watched as Wolf took off his Beretta's and Desert Eagle holsters with the weapons still in them. Then pulling out one of his 2 combat knives he handed all to Ash.

"Need you to hold my weapons for me, I gotta do some recon and don't want to look to menacing. I got my Derringer, 1 combat knife and my utility knife so I should be good for what I got planned. If you don't hear from me in 3 hours tell the Captain that I went here"

Giving him the address and the gear, Wolf headed to recon Bart........

"What'll ya have," Kim asked as Sam drew up to the bar and rested his elbows on the counter.

"Whiskey," Dash answered, "make it a double."

"Ice?"

"Neat."

"Can do," the barman shot back, producing a bottle and a glass from under the counter and pouring a healthy sample.

"Xie xie," Sam nodded taking up the drink. He turned, then, and leaned against the bar, content for the moment to nurse his whiskey and watch the room. His gaze picked out the crew, first, of course - Wyatt settling into a game of cards with the ranchers at one table, Jade seemingly having found herself a spot at another game, and Asher, of course, was talking, no, drinking with the prettiest woman in the bar.

Mudder's Milk, Kid? Really? Dash couldn't help but smirk and shake his head a little. If yer plannin' on a grapple wit' tha' philly, I'd steer clear o' tha' go suh.
As was his nature, the pilot was set to make a rather untoward comment to Asher about the situation but, before he could swallow the first sip of his whiskey, freeing up room in his mouth to let the crude comment fly,

"Excuse me?"

,Sam swallowed the liquor, wincing faintly at the burn it left in his throat, as his gaze turned to the rather sickly looking man who'd just approached.

"I am Saul Potter," the man offered, "I am looking for a ship to provide transport. Are you part of the crew of the firefly that landed on Sarafina's land? Are you looking for a cargo?"

"Yup," Dash returned, indulging in another sip of his drink as he sized the man up, "I'm th' pilot. Name's Dash. An' yeah, Potter Shian Shen, I reckon we's always lookin' fer a cargo. Fella's gotta eat, dohn mah?" Sam offered an affable grin, then, and, with his glass, gestured toward where Wyatt sat; "Th' Cap'n's over there. Serious lookin' fella wit' th' serious lookin' hat. He's th' one ya'd wanna talk to ta get the deal done proper," Another sip of the whiskey brought Dash's eyes back to Potter, then, and he lifted a curious brow; "What's yer cargo, puhn yoh?"

Day 1, Whitefall - Necessity, "The Slaughterhouse", 8:15 PM PT

"It's been somethin' of a day, Eagle," Wyatt answers after a moment's contemplation, "an' yer likely wantin' t' kick yer boots up an' have a good time fer a bit. I don't mind a game o' cards every now and again. What's the game?"

"5 Card Draw Poker. We keep it simple as we don't want to remember a lot of rules and we can still play if we ain't sober." Eagle replies

"Well," Wyatt pushes his hat back on his head and raises his brow. "If'n there's room at the table you can deal me in." Looking at his remaining crew, Wyatt gives the nod, releasing them into the wilds of the saloon.

Jeremiah and Wolf start talking about the fights and the two move off to another table as word passes around that Wolf might take on Bart. Wyatt isn't sure how he feels about the fight and determines to ponder the conflicting emotions churning inside while he plays a few hands. Sam turns down the offer of the game and Eagle-Eye offers up Jeremiah's seat to Wyatt after snatching the rancher's hat away from him, scooping his chips into it and then handing it back to the man. "There you go Captain. What can I get you for the bar?"

"Nothin', thanks." Softening his direct decline of a drink with a rare hint of a smile, he momentarily feels that pull towards the alcohol's warm embrace. Deliberately turning his intense gaze back to the others at the table he adds, "I'd prefer t' keep my wits about me as it's been a few since I last played even a half-serious game."

The game begins with a fair amount of chat going on across the table—these are men that know each other well. Wyatt plays a few hands and watches his potential client through the corner of his eye. Surprisingly, after a while, Potter picks up his drink and walks over to Sam. This'll be interestin'. he allows a momentary distraction from the pair of twos in his hand and leans back a bit in his chair to stretch out the tenseness in his shoulders. He trusts Sam, but he also knows that the pilot has a bit of a mouth on him. A conversation with Sam Dash can go any direction.

Straining his ears, Captain Sung attempts to discretely catch anything that is said at the bar.

Kim gave Asher a look that was as a slate and then brought out a earthenware bottle, a highball glass while dropping two ice cubes in the glass and passing it to the Kid. "Closest I can do you. You want something else, the Honeydew will do ya." and he walked away.

Asher looked at the bottle and signed quietly. He picked it up and gave the lid a whiff to confirm his suspicions - Mudder's milk. It wasn't the first time he'd been served Mudder's when he asked for milk.

The Redhead grabbed the clay bottle and poured it to the top of the glass for Asher. "You want to keep up or just looking?" she asked with a smile. "You don't look like a ranch hand." She poured herself another shot of whiskey and looked Asher over again gesturing towards his nether region, "You know how to use that or is it just for show?"

"No..I mean yes ,I mean.. I ain't a ranch hand and yes I've been told it works just fine." Ash pushed the glass of Mudder's milk to the side, "This won't help me keep up..it just won't help matters any." As the Kid flashed his boyish smile Wolf interrupted. "Need a favor Ash" as Wolf took off his Beretta's and Desert Eagle holsters with the weapons still in them. Then pulling out one of his 2 combat knives he handed all to Ash.

"Need you to hold my weapons for me, I gotta do some recon and don't want to look to menacing. I got my Derringer, 1 combat knife and my utility knife so I should be good for what I got planned. If you don't hear from me in 3 hours tell the Captain that I went here"

Giving him the address and the gear, Wolf headed off.

Weighted down with Wolf's gear draped over his shoulders Ash chuckled,"Well it looks as if I'd at least be able to protect you,. I don't mean to be too forward but do you need escort anywhere?"

OOC: This should be considered to replace Willow's interactions in the game.

Mrs. Wilson moves towards Stephanie in a manner that denotes she wishes to speak to her.

"Excuse me Ma'am." Mrs Wilson says politely, "I understand that you are a doctor?"

"That is correct Ma'am," Stephanie responses with a smile.

"I was wondering if I might trouble you for some of your time? The Doctor in town is adequate in his services but he has a limited knowledge of the feminine health and, well I was hoping you could examine and talk to some of the ladies here? I am willing to pay your fees, Mr Sarafina has given me an allowance for medical matters. I promise it won't take much of your time."

"I am happy to do so," Stephanie smiled, pleased to feel useful. " Is there anything complicated I should know about? I can fetch my medkit from the ship but if anyone is really in a bad way, the ship has a decent medical bay."

"Why don't you come to the ranch house, I can set aside a quiet room for you to examine the women. I wouldn't want to parade them through the house and yard to the ship as it would be hard to keep things confidential - I am sure you understand," Mrs. Wilson responded and gestured to the ship. "I'll walk with you so we can fetch anything you need." Stephanie nodded her agreement and they headed toward the ship.

As they pass Sung, the Captain interrupts his conversation long enough to ask, "You gonna join us t'night at the Slaughterhouse, Doctor Young?"

"That is the plan, Captain," She gives Sung a smile and a gesture with her head towards Mrs. Wilson, "this shouldn't take too long, but don't wait for me. Go ahead and start the party without me."

Along the way, Mrs. Wilson opened up more than she'd been the entire meal, wanting to know if they really were THAT Rocinante crew that had faced down a thousand mercenaries, and all for strangers.

"Well," Stephanie shrugs slightly, "I can't attest to any of the details. That occurred prior to my joining the crew only recently, but I have heard the same rumors." She had heard some of the details from the crew as they talked of the incident, and knew some was exaggeration, but she wasn't going to give any fuel to the rumor fire.

" Your captain has a great deal of respect for you? What kind of a man is he? "

"He seems like an honorable man," she said with a shrug as they walked, "I can't say much more just yet."

"He is obviously from the independence movement yet he does work with the alliance?"

"Work is work," she said as she eyed the woman with so many questions, "I myself have done work for both sides. An injured person is the same regardless of the uniform."

"Why do you choose to live on a ship when you could be making money in a core hospital? "

"I prefer to work on my own, and the money is of little importance," Stephanie was tired of playing 20 questions, "So, how many women can I expect to see and what kind of ailments are we likely to see?"

"Oh let's see," Mrs. Wilson consulted an inner inventory of her own, ticking off her fingers as she went through her list," there would be cramping and bloating and all sorts of pains due to menstruation. Some have bad migraine, or sore backs or trouble sleeping. A few infections and STD or two (with a knowing smile and a shrug). Some are having particularly difficult pregnancy with severe morning sickness, low stamina, with bleeding and cramping as well. About a dozen of us to see, all told."

Stephanie was set up on a large room in the west wing of the ranch house, where there was a table, some comfy chairs, a long couch, a sink and a well pump for water. Mrs. Wilson had the women come in to see the Doctor one at a time and her description of the maladies were pretty well spot on as 10 women came in and out over the course of the next few hours. Interestingly, many of them asked Stephanie about contraceptives and how to avoid pregnancy -this concept was obviously considered very taboo to discuss. There was frequent mention of a Reverend Tubbs who was expostulating the "gospel" that it was the honour and privilege of women to bear children for the good of Whitefall and that women should embrace this gift from the lord with an open heart and closed mouth (you can imagine the jokes on that one).

All the while, Mrs Wilson was there, watching without comment other than to encourage the ladies to speak plainly and be serious. Her body language spoke to Stephanie of tension and stress though, as each woman came and went. Finally, there seemed to be no more to come and yet, Stephanie had not seen anyone who was pregnant, as Mrs. Wilson had described.

"Didn't you mention a pregancy?" Stephanie asked as she disposed of some gloves as the examinations seemed to be at an end.

Mrs Wilson looked at Stephanie and then away for a moment. She got up and went to the door, opened it and looked around in the hallway and then closed the door and came up close to the Doctor and sat beside her. "Miss Yo, Stephanie, do you believe in a god?"

"Yes, I do." She replied as it wasn't a secret to anyone who knew her. Oh, she didn't believe in an Interactive God; the notion of a God that answered the minor prayers of people yet allowed the atrocities she had witnessed throughout her life, that was not the kind of God she believed in. She was sure there was some intelligence behind the creation of all the wonders in the ‘verse; she could only think of this as the work of a God.

"I have had my doubts in my life but events have occurred in the last few days that make me believe that there is a divine hand guiding circumstances around me. You say Confidentiality is your speciality; well, I have to put my faith in that because I think a young woman's life is in danger if I do not help her. But I need you to trust me. There is a reason for my caution and it will be very clear soon but right now, would you mind following me and I will take you to someone, but we need to be discrete on who sees us. Is that agreeable with you? Mr Sarafina does not know about this and if he did, well, I would be in a lot of trouble."

"Of course," she nodded, "you can trust me completely."

Mrs. Wilson takes you out of the room and down the hall, to a stairwell going downwards. She moves quickly down the stairs, looking back frequently to make sure no one see you going there. At the end of the stairwell is a solid steel door with a keypunch panel on the wall next to it. She draws out a flat card from her pocket, puts it in the reader and presses several buttons. The door unlocks and he enters quickly, beckoning Stephanie to come in.

"This is part of an underground bunker that Mr. Sarafina had put in in case of a Reaver attack. It connects to the barns and all the building n the property. There is food and bedding down here for people to survive for many days." She says as she moves down the hall. "Very few have access, unless there is an alarm, then the doors unlock automatically." She leads Stephanie to a room and opens the door.

Inside is a young woman, probably in her late teens and in her later stages of the first trimester of pregnancy. She is very pale, shows signs of sweating and dark shadows under her eyes. She is lying on the bed and roses as you enter but Stephanie can see traces of blood on the sheets - not a lot but definitely enough to be concerned. Stephanie spotted on Chloe's hand there was a black tattoo of a stylized "P", much like a cattle brand.

"Chloe? This Is Miss Stephanie. She is a doctor and she is here to help you. We can trust her."

"Hello Chloe," Stephanie said as she walked in and looked over the woman as she approached her.

"Do you mind if I examine your condition?" She asked with a small smile and an inquiring look. If given permission, she walked up to her and started to lay her hand on the woman's stomach but paused and asked, "May I touch you? I won't hurt you."

If given further permission, she would gently lay her bare hand on the woman faint bulge and faintly closed her eyes as she concentrated on the baby. (Using whatever skill she has that can help diagnose the problem).

While Dr, Young examined Chloe, The young girl related her story. It was a sad story that the doctor had heard before in her experience and what struck her was the matter of a fact way that Chloe told it.

Chloe's Story.

"I was born on Triumph. I don't remember much of it but I lived on a farm and I had a mom and dad and other sister. But my sisters were older and when they got to a certain age, they went off to the Maiden House and I wouldn't see them much anymore - learnin' to be good wives I was told. Anyway, I was almost to the age when I would be goin' myself but my mom got sick. My dad was always goin' on about havin' to take care of her and the crops not doin' well. I think there was a blight but at the time, I didn't understand what that meant.

"So, days before my birthday my dad asked me if I wanted to see a spaceship. Naturally I said yes, thought it was a present or somethin'. So I was taken at night to this spaceship in a field and , well they men gave my dad a bag full of coin and they took me on the spaceship. The door closed behind me and I never saw my mom or dad again.

"There were a lot of girls my age on the ship, and they brought us here to Whitefall where we were put to work and told we had a debt to pay. I never really understood what a debt was other than I had to work hard and do what I was told. Some girls tried to get away or be defiant-like but they would be whipped or punished so I just did what I was told like I was always taught. If you did what you were told then no one punished you and you got fed and a place to sleep.

"So as I got older, it was promised to me that if I became the wife of a hand when I reached the Maiden
age, then I would have my debt forgiven. I'd be free and could live my life with a husband and family. It
wasn't that different than back home on Triumph so I was in for the platinum and the pound.

"But then I got moved to the Governor's house because I was good and did good work and it was there
that I met ,him. "

The father of your baby?" Stephanie asked

"Yes."

"And who is that?"

"Petrie."

Mrs Wilson turns pale white. "Petrie? Petrie? Not Petrie Tubbs? I thought you said the father was someone who worked at the ranch."

"No. I said he was at the ranch a lot. You didn't ask his name so I thought you didn't want to know."

"I was more worried about you at the time. Oh dear. What am I going to do now?"

"who is Petrie Tubbs? Stephanie asked

"The Reverend's Son." Mrs Wilson replies with an air of despair in her voice. "Oh my."

"He ain't like his dad. He said he hates his dad and the Governor. That people deserve to be treated as equals. He said he loved me."

"Oh dear, men always say that. They say lots of nice things and then they are gone." Mrs. Wilson said ruefully.

"I don't know about all men but I do know Petrie and I believed him."

"So why did you run away then?"

Chloe stops talking for a moment and looks away. She then looks back at you and says, "I told Petrie that I thought I was pregnant. He wanted to tell his father and get permission to marry me. I wasn't showin' yet but I knew if they saw I was with child, I would be punished and my baby would be taken from me. Petrie said to just wait and he would take care of things. But he didn't come back. I waited and waited and then the Reverend came to visit.

"I overheard the Governor and the Reverend talkin'. They were talkin' about the plan they had where they were offerin' to free the servants if they married the hands. But their plan was that our debt was handed over to the Hand, not forgiven at all. Our husbands would therefore own us as property. There was somethin' called a loophole that allowed them to give the Governor more territory and land but parcellin' off the land to newly married couples. And then I found out that the Reverend wanted me handed over immediately to a Hand named Duncan. He was very insistent and told the Governor I was a wicked whore who violated his son and I needed to be taken care of. So I slipped out the back and I ran and I didn't stop runnin' until I fell in the dark and then Mrs. Wilson found me and brought me here."

AS she spoke, Stephanie used her "gift" to read the baby health and Chloe. The young lady was exhausted, in bad health nutritionally but overall would recover. The baby was was also in good health but the stress of the mom was not good for the child. Stephanie felt it was not in danger but would prefer to examine the child in her medical lab top be sure.