Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Church, 9:30 AM PT

The kid had been amused by the concern of wearing his Colt 22 side arm to church. It sort of confirmed his thoughts of her as an inner planets person. She may have spent time in the black out here on the rim, but not much on the ground. She had noticed his jacket but she didn’t notice it hid his body armor and shoulder rigs with the PK 12’s snuggled under his arm pits; he wasn’t going out on a strange planet nearly alone with only one gun; the combat knife in his boot just seemed standard wear. He’d had a devil of a time hiding the smoke grenade though so it didn’t appear as some sort of odd growth sticking off his body. The doc saw him as the deck hand and may not know his real job was to protect the crew and keep the public relations balanced in their favor. When the wagon showed up and them folks were also pack’in he could only smile.

It had been a long time since the kid had stepped foot in church. Back home when things went bad with the local power grabbers it just wasn’t safe to be where they figure you’d be. They didn’t give no credence to sanctuary, they’d shoot ya right then and there in front of the congregation and then shoot any that objected. Wasn’t right to put them good people at risk. As time went on he just formed his own feeling about right and wrong and didn’t feel that preachers really had his interested in mind when they spouted their words. …This here Tubbs was just the same, work’n folks up to do what he wanted and not what may be best. But he sat quiet like to be sure Miss Stephanie was safe.

He noticed her twitch a bit when a young fella came in late. After an hour or so, the service ended and Miss Stephanie turns, “I need to talk to that young man.  You stay here and I will be right back.” She’s off before Asher can protest, threading her way through the crowd as it gets up and files its way towards the exits. Asher wasn’t about to stay too far from her so slowly he rose and wandered over in the general vicinity.  He’d respect her privacy in the conversation but he didn’t intent to let anyone get between them if possible. He’d just have to suffer Miss Stephanie’s wrath later if’n she thought him not mind’n her.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Church, 9:40 AM PT

Stephanie ran ahead of Ash as he attempted to get through the crowd. There were two types of people at the end of a sermon, those who wanted to get out fast, and those that wanted to hang around and make a social event out of it. Both groups were in the young man’s way. He kept losing sight of the Doctor but he knew where he was going. By the time he started to get near the front of the church, he hears several gasps of shock and perhaps fear.

Asher cleared the crowd to see Stephanie kneeling before Petrie who seemed to have collapsed. Stephanie had her hands on his arm and shoulder and her eyes seemed to be unfocused.

Reverend Tubbs pushed his way through the crowd, “What’s going on? Petrie! Get up boy!”

“He can’t.” the Doctor replied, “He has multiple external lacerations on his back and lower regions that have hemorrhaged internally. He has lost a lot of blood, he needs to get to a hospital.”

“Excuse me little lady, but my son just needs to man up a bit. Now leave him to…”

“Your son will be dead if you keep arguing with me, your very stupid man. I am Dr. Stephanie Young and I am a medical doctor.”

A murmur rustles through the crowd and Asher hears more than a few recognize the name.

“Now listen her …”

Stephanie was opening up her doctor’s pack and pulling thing out. She pointed at people in the crowd and barked orders, “You! Get me a board or something to slip under him, tabletop, whatever. You, I need fresh bandages, linens, sheets, whatever! You! I need as much ice as you can find,” people ran off in multiple directions. “Is there a medical facility near by?”

“Doctor Amber. Down the street.” Someone called out. “He ain’t no surgeon though.”

“Well I am. Ariel Medical Board Certified, I just need to borrow Dr. Amber’s theatre.”

A short ugly woman with a big hat pushed herself into the fray. “Now hold on just a dang second Miss Young.  We don’t need outsiders coming in and telling us what to do with our own. You just mind your own and we’ll mind ours.” She said with a commanding air.

Stephanie turned Petrie over and torn open his shirt, revealing a mass of ling stripe wounds on the back that had soaked through the bandage already in them. “Doctor Young if you please. I didn’t graduate top of my class to be talk down to by idiots and morons.”

The crowd gasped loudly.

“Do you know who I am!?!?” The woman stammered through clenched teeth. Four men with deputy badges moved up quickly beside her.

“By Buddha!” Stephanie exclaimed as she sniffed the bandages, “Salt? Are you completely mad?” She glanced up at the woman and rolled her eyes dismissively, “Yes yes yes. Patience. Imogen. Governor or some such silliness. Listen, you want to have your flunkies shoot me while I am trying to save a man’s life in front of all these constituents of your, be my guest. But I need a mode of transport to get this man to the doctor’s now!!!” And not a gorram horse!”

Patience looked at Stephanie, then looked at the crowd watching. She made a swishing motion with her mouth and then said, “Huey, get the car out front quick.” One of the deputies took off at a run. She kneeled down to where Stephanie was cleaning wounds and using her dermal regenerator. “When he is all stable, you and me gonna have a few words.’

“Yes, you are very scary and intimidating.” Stephanie said distractedly with a dismissive wave of her hand as she applied ice to the wounds on the back gingerly. “You can have as many words as you want when I’m done, now out of my way or make yourself useful.”

The man showed up with a foldable table, “Is this good?”

Stephanie nodded, “Okay, you gentlemen want to be useful or are you all playing with your guns?” The deputies stood there for a moment and then moved with a start to help lift the young man onto the table and move him to the door. The doctor quickly ran over the Asher, “Tell the Captain what’s happen. I’ll keep in touch as best I can.” She says with a tap to one ear. “My previous captain never let me leave home without it.”

She ran to the door and followed her patient out alongside Reverend Tubbs and Governor Imogen Patience, neither looking all that pleased.

“Wow!” A women said behind Asher, “She’s my new hero.”

“She already is a hero. Stephanie Young? She was in the war, would let either side tell her who was more important based on rank or side. Made a big stand on the Vids and the uppity ups had to back down.”

“Really? Still, her Governor-ship ain’t gonna let being made a fool of in front of a crowd go unpaid.”

Asher stood there for a moment wondering if he should follow behind or go tell the captain. He knew what those wounds meant, the young man had seen them before back on his home world. ‭Waylend Gayner and Adelei Niska would have people who stood up to them tied to a post and whipped. Petrie had been whipped within an inch of his life and then made to wear bandages soaked in salt. Not a memory that Asher cared to relive.

A voice of a man spoke behind him, “Need a lift?”

He turned to see Hewlett Stewart standing there with a bemused grin, “Not far outta of my way if you be in a hurry.”

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Church, 9:40 AM PT

Asher cleared the crowd to see Stephanie kneeling before Petrie who seemed to have collapsed. Stephanie had her hands on his arm and shoulder and her eyes seemed to be unfocused.

Reverend Tubbs pushed his way through the crowd, “What’s going on? Petrie! Get up boy!”

“He can’t.” the Doctor replied, “He has multiple external lacerations on his back and lower regions that have hemorrhaged internally. He has lost a lot of blood, he needs to get to a hospital.”

The kid made his way closer, he just had a feeling Miss Stephanie would need someone watching her back. Just then the Rev stepped up….

“Excuse me little lady, but my son just needs to man up a bit. Now leave him to…”

The Doc barely looked as she snapped back.

“Your son will be dead if you keep arguing with me, your a very stupid man. I am Dr. Stephanie Young and I am a medical doctor.”

As a murmur rustles through the crowd Asher hears more than a few recognize the name.

The Rev started to get uppity, “Now listen her …”

Miss Stephanie was opening up her doctor’s pack and pulling things out. She pointed at people in the crowd and barked orders.

Ash nodded as she spoke, he was getting used to being around strong woman.

 “You! Get me a board or something to slip under him, tabletop, whatever. You, I need fresh bandages, linens, sheets, whatever! You! I need as much ice as you can find,” people ran off in multiple directions. “Is there a medical facility near by?”

Someone called out. “Doctor Amber. Down the street.” “He ain’t no surgeon though.”

With an air of authority Miss Stephanie replied, “Well I am. Ariel Medical Board Certified, I just need to borrow Dr. Amber’s theatre.”

The kid scanned the crown as it seemed to part and a short ugly woman with a big hat pushed herself into the fray.

“Now hold on just a dang second Miss Young.  We don’t need outsiders coming in and telling us what to do with our own. You just mind your own and we’ll mind ours.” She said with a commanding air.

As if to emphasize her point Stephanie turned Petrie over and torn open his shirt, revealing a mass of lined stripe wounds on his back that had soaked through the bandage already. “Doctor Young if you please. I didn’t graduate top of my class to be talk down to by idiots and morons.”

The crowd gasped loudly.

“Do you know who I am!?!?” The woman stammered through clenched teeth. Four men with deputy badges moved up quickly beside her.

Asher was feeling twitchy…. then Doc’s raised voice drew him back to her.

“By Buddha!” Stephanie exclaimed as she sniffed the bandages, “Salt? Are you completely mad?” She glanced up at the woman and rolled her eyes dismissively, “Yes yes yes. Patience. Imogen. Governor or some such silliness. Listen, you want to have your flunkies shoot me while I am trying to save a man’s life in front of all these constituents of your, be my guest. But I need a mode of transport to get this man to the doctor’s……. now!!!…. And not a gorram horse!”

It was a war of wills and compared to Miss Stephanie the governor was unarmed.

Patience looked at Stephanie, then looked at the crowd watching. She made a swishing motion with her mouth and then said, “Huey, get the car out front quick.” One of the deputies took off at a run.

The ugly woman kneeled down. Stephanie was cleaning the wounds and using her dermal regenerator. Asher heard the woman growl,“When he is all stable, you and me gonna have a few words.”

Asher hadn’t got to know Doc Young much since she joined the crew but it was clear she belonged.

“Yes, you are very scary and intimidating.” Stephanie said distractedly with a dismissive wave of her hand as she applied ice to the wounds on the back gingerly. “You can have as many words as you want when I’m done, now out of my way or make yourself useful.”

This was a person deserving his protection.

A man showed up with a foldable table, “Is this good?”

Miss Stephanie nodded, “Okay, you gentlemen want to be useful or are you all playing with your guns?” The deputies stood there for a moment and then moved with a start to help lift the young man onto the table and move him to the door.

The men carefully placed the man on the board. The doctor quickly ran over, “Tell the Captain what’s happen. I’ll keep in touch as best I can.” She says with a tap to one ear. “My previous captain never let me leave home without it.”

Before he could reply she ran to the door and followed her patient out alongside Reverend Tubbs and Governor Imogen Patience, neither looking all that pleased.

Asher stood there for a moment wondering if he should follow behind or go tell the captain. He knew what those wounds meant, the young man had seen them before back on his home world. Waylend Gayner and Adelei Niska would have people who stood up to them tied to a post and whipped. Petrie had been whipped within an inch of his life and then made to wear bandages soaked in salt. Not a memory that Asher cared to relive.

A voice of a man spoke behind him, “Need a lift?”

He turned to see Hewlett Stewart standing there with a bemused grin, “Not far outta of my way if you be in a hurry.”

Ash looked, "Capt’n Stewart….I sure could, but not back to the Roc. That woman needs someone watch'n her back and that’s what I do. Can you drop me at that Doc Ambor’s place then go tell Capt’n Sung wat,cha see’d here and where we are?"

As they walked out Ash could hear the folk speak of Miss Stephanie.

“Wow!” She’s my new hero.”

“She already is a hero. Stephanie Young? She was in the war, wouldn't let either side tell her who was more important based on rank or side. Made a big stand on the Vids and the uppity ups had to back down.”

“Really? Still, her Governor-ship ain’t gonna let being made a fool of in front of a crowd go unpaid.”

It just reinforced his resolve to protect this lady…..besides if’n he didn’t Ma would thump him good.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:00 AM PT

“So, we gonna talk ‘bout this job, now, er we gonna get chores an’ s#!t outta th’ way first?” Not waiting for an immediate answer, his eyes fix on Wyatt; “Cap, I got some plans an’ back-up plans laid out on m’ console if’n ya wanna take a gander…”

“I ‘ppreciate it, Sam,” Sung acknowledges and shifts in his chair at the head of the table as he gently sets his mug down. “First, I’m playin’ with an idea that could use y’all’s input. I already ran this past the Gentleman Dash, here, so he’s got a leg up on the rest o’ ya as far as thinkin’ on it, but the more minds we put to it, the more likely we’ll come to a good conclusion. So, here it is…

“Young Miss Chloe has revealed who her child’s father is,” Wyatt meets each of those who are present’s eye as he continues. “She’d like fer him t’ join her on this new leg o’ her life an’ be the father to her child, but it ain’t as easy as us jus’ takin’ on another passenger. Her beau is a rather prominent figure on Whitefall. It jus’ so happens that he’s the preacher’s son, Petrie Tubbs.

“From what I gather, Petrie’s father, Reverend Tubbs, is in tight with Patience. So, we go cartin’ off the Reverend’s son and we’re likely drawing attention from one of the Rim’s most prominent warlords makin’ our lives difficult an’ dangerous. ‘Course, this could also help us with that black cloud hangin’ o’er our heads since the gorram Lián méng started bein’ all friendly-like with us. Puts us back on the side o’ things where we make our bread an’ butter… kinda.

“Anyway, Sam suggested we kill the poor kid an’ while I was mildly amused with the idea at first the more I pondered, the more I think his idea has mettle. The problems, as I sees it, is that we got less than half a day t’ make it happen, we gotta convince folks hereabouts that Petrie is, in fact, dead, an’ we gotta do so in a way that leaves no body t’ inspect. And, it’d be a bonus if we could conjure up a way t’ put the blame on someone else that’d help those like Eagle Eye in their politics with Patience.”

Leveling his gaze directly at each of his crew—his family—Wyatt asks, “Ideas?”

So the conversation began with everyone who was there chiming in on the possibility of sneaking the young Petrie of the planet and sneaking him out with Chloe.

“Cap’n are ya sure the kid wants this too?”

“We got jus’ a sniff more’n twelve hours ‘fore we burn atmo… We kill this Petrie kid an’ we gotta do it quick an’ ugly…”

“Need to talk to Doctor to see if it is even possible”

“Be even better if we could pin it all on Patience and her people somehow. Again maybe getting Eagle Eye involved in this would be a good thing”

Around and around it went, but the constant reminder of it not being easy to fake a death without the person in question being part of the plan.  Breakfast is served, you eat and discuss and then clean up the dishes and still discuss when you realize that you haven’t heard from Asher and the Doc for awhile.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump* comes the heavy metal knocking of someone at the cargo bay door.  Sam frowns and runs to the cockpit to check the camera to see an older man staying there, grey hair, short cut, clean shaven. He holds his firearm up dangling on his index finger before the camera – clearly denoting he means no harm. He says “You got audio on that? I’m Captain Hewlett Stewart of Morgan Creek. I’m here on behalf of a young man named Asher Talhone. Got a message for Captain Wyatt Sung.”

(assuming someone goes to answer the door)

The Captain waits outside the door of the cargo bay patiently. When the door opens he offers his gun and magazine in separate hands and then holds up his arms so he can be patted down,  “No problem, it is what’d I would do.”

(assuming you let him in with or without the pat down and is brought to Wyatt)

“Captain Sung.” Hewlett nods a greeting to Wyatt, “Nice to meet you. I won’t waste your time. Seems your Doctor Young has gotten herself into a situation involving a young man with injuries. Petrie Tubbs? Anyway, she is doctoring the boy in the offices of a Dr. Amber’s office in town – he was the closest doc with an operating room. She caused a bit of a stir, in the church of all places. Drew a lot of attention to herself in the process.”

(assuming some questions or commentary)

Well the Governor is got the doctor’s office held tight, yes, Patience, that Governor, and your man Asher is there as well. He won’t leave her behind despite her telling him to, seems to believe she needs protecting. Might be right too, hard to say. I get the feeling people around here don’t see many people stand up to Patience and they liked the first act.

(why are you helping out)

“Asher did my crewmember a … favour last night so I wanted to return the gesture.  My man was drunk, looking for a fight and Asher could have laid him down hard, but he didn’t. Right honourable man you got there. Anything else I can do for ya?”

(what was happening there last you saw)

“Patience has four men around the office and two within. Her and the Rev were in for awhile but left as I did looking none to happy. I get the impression your Doctor doesn’t really care who she makes friends with. Asher had made his way inside the office as I left.  One against six, I don’t like them odds but he didn’t look worried. Oh! Asher said the Doc had her ear comm in but I also heard Patience tell one of her men to block all comms.”

(If you wish to ask more you can. Otherwise he will leave you alone)

“Listen, “Hewlett says as he is leaving. “We are on channel 1742, be here until late tonight. If you need anything, give me a call. I can’t stand by and watch a good man stand alone.”

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Doctor’s Office, 10:00 AM PT

Asher looked at the Doctor’s office and saw the four men surrounding the building and more out front with Patience and Tubbs. He was worried for a moment but then the Governor called her four men over to talk to them. Taking the opportunity that presented itself, Asher swiftly moved into the building.

The waiting room was that same as any other out of the way doctor office that Asher had ever visited. A very pretty young lady with brown hair was busy packing things into her purse, when she looked up at Asher. “Oh! You can’t see the doctor right now. You best be off, come by later. Even I have been told to go home.”

(assuming some sort of answer)

“Well don’t be here when her Governship comes back. She’s already sore about the Lady Doctor taking over and talking down to her.  I’m going home now, you best do so too.” and with that she heads for the door in a hurry.”

There are two doors in the room, one being open to and examining room and another being closed and from within Asher can hear Dr. Young chiding someone for not keeping up with the times in the medical practice.

There were sounds outside and footsteps on the steps outside. The men were coming back and at least two of them were heading into the office.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, The Doctor’s Office, 10:00 AM PT

Captain Hewlett delivered Ash to the Doctor’s office as quick as he could but by the time they got there Miss Stephanie had gott’n her patient moved into the Doctor’s office and the door was closed. Asher saw four men surrounding the building and more out front with Patience and Reverand. The Kid was figuring how he could get inside. He was worried for a moment but then the Governor called her four men over to talk to them. Taking the opportunity that presented itself, Asher swiftly moved into the building.

The waiting room was that same as any other out of the way doctor office that Asher had ever visited. He nearly expected to see Doc McGuire come walking to greet him. A very pretty young lady with brown hair was busy packing things into her purse, when she looked up at Asher. “Oh! You can’t see the doctor right now. You best be off, come by later. Even I have been told to go home.”

“Yes’um, I was just supposed to pick sumpthin up. Won’t take but a minute.”

“Well don’t be here when her Governship comes back. She’s already sore about the Lady Doctor taking over and talking down to her.  I’m going home now, you best do so too.” and with that she heads for the door in a hurry.

There are two doors in the room, one being open to an examining room and another being closed and from within Asher can hear Dr. Young chiding someone for not keeping up with the times in the medical practice.

There were sounds outside and footsteps on the steps outside. The men were coming back and at least two of them were heading into the office.

It wouldn’t go well to have them Governor’s lackies knowing Ash was here and it factually it would be better for Doc them thinking she was on her own. Following Stephanie’s voice Ash opened the door and quickly stepped in. Stephanie looked over, “I told you to get back to the boat and let Captain Sung know I’d be delayed. I don’t need a baby sitter, I need adequate medical facilities, if we could just get him my medical bay.”  Stephanie switched her glair to Doctor Amber. “Maybe you can talk some sence into them folks to transfer him to our boat to save this man's life. This going to be challenging enough in this prehistoric theater without…..

“Miss Stephanie”, Ash interrupted, “This ain’t no baby sitting, that woman‘s got this place covered with her thugs. There's two outside this door and four more around the building. They don’t care none that you are known to half the verse, if Patience says you’re dead, you’re dead. Doc Amber or no Doc Amber you would just disappear… I ain’t going to make it easy for them. …. Now I ain’t gonna get in your way none but I ain’t gonna git either.”

“Well then just stay over there by the door and try not to knock anything over,” Stephanie growled.

“Yes, Miss Stephanie.” The kid stepped back and started looking through the glass front case standing near the corner. He’d remember Doc McGuire had spent time showing him his stuff while he recovered from them shots in the back. Later Ash figured it was a way for Doc McGuire to keep a constant watch on him without let’n on how bad thing really was. There was sompthin he recalled that was used to put folks to sleep..cloro-sumpthin.. As he eyed the bottles he saw one reading Chloroform. When the Doc’s turned their backs to him he slipped the bottle and a small bunch cloth pads into his dusters pocket. “May be a way to take down a couple of them guards without having to shoot um”, he thought to himself.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:00 AM PT

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump* comes the heavy metal knocking of someone at the cargo bay door. Sam frowns and runs to the cockpit to check the camera to see an older man staying there, grey hair, short cut, clean shaven. He holds his firearm up dangling on his index finger before the camera – clearly denoting he means no harm. He says “You got audio on that? I’m Captain Hewlett Stewart of Morgan Creek. I’m here on behalf of a young man named Asher Talhone. Got a message for Captain Wyatt Sung.”

Getting up quickly a questioning look on his face, Fenris made his way to the hatch and opened it. Fenris could not help but be surprised that Morgan Creeks Captain waited outside the door of the cargo bay his hands already holding both his gun and magazine separately. As the big mechanic was about to ask him to hold his arms up he already had them up.

“Ahhh thanks” Fenris said as he patted the Captain down.

“No problem, it is what’d I would do.”

“Follow me please sir I’m sure the Cap’n will want to hear what message you say you have from Ash”

“Captain Sung.” Hewlett nods a greeting to Wyatt, “Nice to meet you. I won’t waste your time. Seems your Doctor Young has gotten herself into a situation involving a young man with injuries. Petrie Tubbs? Anyway, she is doctoring the boy in the offices of a Dr. Amber’s office in town – he was the closest doc with an operating room. She caused a bit of a stir, in the church of all places. Drew a lot of attention to herself in the process. Well the Governor is got the doctor’s office held tight, yes, Patience, that Governor, and your man Asher is there as well. He won’t leave her behind despite her telling him to, seems to believe she needs protecting. Might be right too, hard to say. I get the feeling people around here don’t see many people stand up to Patience and they liked the first act.

“Ok not to be a skeptic but why are you helping him out? Whats in it for you?”

Fenris could not help asking. This guy could just as well be working for Patience and this could all be a set-up.

“Asher did my crewmember a … favour last night so I wanted to return the gesture. My man was drunk, looking for a fight and Asher could have laid him down hard, but he didn’t. Right honourable man you got there. Anything else I can do for ya?”

A firm but not so much a hostile look from Hewlett made the big mechanic nod his head in acknowledgment and relax down from his aggressive stance.

“Patience has four men around the office and two within. Her and the Rev were in for awhile but left as I did looking none to happy. I get the impression your Doctor doesn’t really care who she makes friends with. Asher had made his way inside the office as I left. One against six, I don’t like them odds but he didn’t look worried. Oh! Asher said the Doc had her ear comm in but I also heard Patience tell one of her men to block all comms.”

“Listen, “Hewlett says as he is leaving. “We are on channel 1742, be here until late tonight. If you need anything, give me a call. I can’t stand by and watch a good man stand alone.”

With Fenris once more leading he walked the other ship’s Captain to the cargo door once more.

“Thank you for bring’n us Ash’s current status I owe ya one if not the rest of the crew”

Closing the door he made his way back to his room and gathered his Beretta's and the Desert Eagle and strapped all three on joining his knives and other gear. Then moving to Ash’s room he went to the Kid’s arms locker to take hold once more of the Justice Arms JC39 kept there. However to a growl of dismay he found the arms locker to be locked and he did not have a key. Once more rejoining Wyatt, Sam and Ma Fenris looked to them

“Ok Ash locked his gun closet but I’m geared up with mine, so lets go get the Kid!”

Around and around it went, but the constant reminder of it not being easy to fake a death without the person in question being part of the plan.  Breakfast is served, you eat and discuss and then clean up the dishes and still discuss when you realize that you haven’t heard from Asher and the Doc for awhile.

Closing his eyes, Wyatt rolls his head about stretching out his tightened neck muscles. Planning a kidnapping is difficult enough when that's all one has to do. This mission during the War is brought to mind where Wyatt's ship was running barricade to insert and extract the team that was charged with intercepting a courier. They received live reports from spies concerning the target's position and had to develop a plan on the hoof. He had ended up transporting three corpses back with no luck in snatching up the courier.

*Thump* *Thump* *Thump* comes the heavy metal knocking of someone at the cargo bay door.  

Sam frowns and runs to the cockpit to check the camera while Captain Sung casts a questioning gaze Ma's way. "We expecting a delivery?"

The scarred woman shakes her head and then turns her attention to the surly mechanic as he rises from his seat at the table and heads off for the door.

"Well, the Kid better not be I some kinda trouble with the Law, or I'm trimmin' his rations some," he mumbles while eyeballing the retreating shoulders of the big man. "It don't look like there's a-bettin' chance were gonna come up with nothin' reasonably resemblin' a plan, do it, Ma?" Sung muses surly while picking at a stray splinter odd wood from the tabletop.

Shaking her head, the ship matron expresses her apologies with a sympathetic look on her mottled face.

Responding in kind, Wyatt pushes the chair out and pressing his hands against his thighs, he forces himself to his feet. "Ain't no harm done an' nothin' wasted but a couple o' hours seein' how I didn't make no mention o' this fool's errand t' the little miss at least."

Hearing the sounds of two sets of booted feet on the metal gangway leading up from the cargo bay, Wyatt falls quiet and rests himself against the table, thumbs hooked in his belt, gazing calmly upon those coming his way.

“Captain Sung.” Hewlett nods a greeting to Wyatt, “Nice to meet you. I won’t waste your time. Seems your Doctor Young has gotten herself into a situation involving a young man with injuries. Petrie Tubbs? Anyway, she is doctoring the boy in the offices of a Dr. Amber’s office in town – he was the closest doc with an operating room. She caused a bit of a stir, in the church of all places. Drew a lot of attention to herself in the process.”

"She responsible fer this Petrie Tubbs' injuries?" Gorram it! We're into the next set o' three. And how in the bloody 'Verse did we wind up gettin' mixed up with Petrie Tubbs despite it all? 

"Nope," their guest states. "Was just there when the injured man showed up and took charge of his care right quick."

"Ain't that a good thing?" Wyatt presses. Why's the very one we're lookin' t' abscond with showing up needin' Doc Stephanie's attention?

"Would be normally, but she might've bit off more'n she can chew."

Sung presses his lips tight together and raises his eyebrows, "That so?"

"Well the Governor is got the doctor’s office held tight, yes, Patience, that Governor, and your man Asher is there as well. He won’t leave her behind despite her telling him to, seems to believe she needs protecting. Might be right too, hard to say. I get the feeling people around here don’t see many people stand up to Patience and they liked the first act."

“Ok, not to be a skeptic but why are you helping him out? Whats in it for you?” Fenris could not help asking. This guy could just as well be working for Patience and this could all be a set-up.

“Asher did my crewmember a … favour last night so I wanted to return the gesture.  My man was drunk, looking for a fight and Asher could have laid him down hard, but he didn’t. Right honourable man you got there. Anything else I can do for ya?”

A firm but not so much a hostile look from Hewlett made the big mechanic nod his head in acknowledgment and relax down from his aggressive stance.

"Yeah," Wyatt turned his gaze from Fenris back to the messenger. "What was the scene like last you saw?"

“Patience has four men around the office and two within. Her and the Rev were in for awhile but left as I did looking none too happy. I get the impression your Doctor doesn’t really care who she makes friends with. Asher had made his way inside the office as I left.  One against six, I don’t like them odds but he didn’t look worried. Oh! Asher said the Doc had her ear comm in but I also heard Patience tell one of her men to block all comms.”

"You been right goodly comin' out here and I thank ya fer it." Captain Sung replies in a level tone though his insides are already spoiling for a fight. "Looks like we're makin' a trip t' town."

“Listen," Hewlett says as he is leaving. “We are on channel 1742, be here until late tonight. If you need anything, give me a call. I can’t stand by and watch a good man stand alone.”

"I appreciate it," Sung answers and leaves Wolf to walk their guest out.

"Sam!" Wyatt spins about and storms off towards his bunk. "We need t' prepare fer bear. Meet me in the cargo bay loaded an' ready, an' make certain Wolf is there too. Ma, button down the hatches. No one comes aboard Roc less it be with one o' us and were in good health."

Once in his bunk, Wyatt tears off his shirt, throws on his armor and then shrugs his shirt back on. Strapping his weapons in place, he slips into his coat and snatches his hat from the bed. Rejoining the others in the bay, he explains, "We're not lookin' get trouble—as much as I'd love t' see Patience an' her bunch no longer causin' good folk harm—but be ready for it should it find us. Follow my lead and play it Ku. If Buddha is lookin' our way, we might jus' get of this rock without makin' us the target fer every gorram bounty hunter in the bloody 'Verse."

Leading the way down the gangway into the warm open air of Whitefall, Captain Sung continues his discourse, "Here's the plan. We walk int' town peaceful-like. We're jus' gonna see t' our own. We got no reason t' believe that Patience won't allow us t' join Doc Stephanie an Asher, so that's the way we're gonna play it out. We all shiny here?"

Whitefall - Necessity, The Doctor’s Office, 10:15 AM PT

The waiting room was that same as any other out of the way doctor office that Asher had ever visited. He nearly expected to see Doc McGuire come walking to greet him. A very pretty young lady with brown hair was busy packing things into her purse, when she looked up at Asher. “Oh! You can’t see the doctor right now. You best be off, come by later. Even I have been told to go home.”

“Yes’um, I was just supposed to pick sumpthin up. Won’t take but a minute.”

“Well don’t be here when her Governship comes back. She’s already sore about the Lady Doctor taking over and talking down to her.  I’m going home now, you best do so too.” and with that she heads for the door in a hurry.

There are two doors in the room, one being open to an examining room and another being closed and from within Asher can hear Dr. Young chiding someone for not keeping up with the times in the medical practice.

There were sounds outside and footsteps on the steps outside. The men were coming back and at least two of them were heading into the office.

It wouldn’t go well to have them Governor’s lackies knowing Ash was here and it factually it would be better for Doc them thinking she was on her own. Following Stephanie’s voice Ash opened the door and quickly stepped in. When he turned to look around, Asher was … slightly surprised. There was Doctor Young sitting beside an older doctor, the two of them drinking tea. “Dr Young! This is my office and I will not be pushed around!” the older man shouted and the two of them suppressed giggles under their hands before noticing that Asher was standing there. Stephanie looked over, “I told you to get back to the boat and let Captain Sung know I’d be delayed. I don’t need a baby sitter, Mr Talhone.” She said and got up, handing a device she had in her hand to the other doctor, “So here you go as we agreed. If we can arrange it, I can drop off more equipment. It is really no bother, I get samples every times I go into a hospital.”

“Thank you Doctor, but this is truly generous of you.” The Older doctor replied, “For the chance to pull the wool over Patience eyes, I would have helped you for free.”

“Well that being the case, I am glad to help, and thank you Doctor Amber.”  Stephanie said and then turned back to Asher, “Shall we go?”

(Assuming what about Petrie? Armed men in other room?)

“Petrie is fine, I will explain on the way back home. He has my ear piece so we can communicate later. Really Mr. Talhone, I have spent time on ship before, I am familiar with subterfuge.”

(Some comment)

Stephanie left the room with Ash behind her. There were two armed men in the waiting room who both stood up when Dr. Young entered the room. They looked over at Asher with a surprised look and then back to the Doctor.

“The patient is on the mend and my work here is done. Thank you gentlemen for waiting on him like a good group of friends. He should be right as rain in no time.” Stephaine said out loud in a tone of dismissal. “We will be off now.”

“Whoa!” The tallest of the two said, “Umm, our orders are to keep you here until the Governor gets back. Who is this guy anyway? So …”

“No.” Stephaine said firmly, “If your leader wished to talk to me she knows where to find me and I am much too busy to hang around some backwater butcher shack with young men who can not think without a gun in hand. I mean really? An 8 inch barrel? It screams compensation. As to who this man is – He is Asher Talhone. You may have heard about him from the news recently. Held his ground against a thousand mercenaries on LV 426? Lived to tell the tale but not many of them did? Ringing a bell?”

The shortest of the men dropped his pistol. He scrabbled to pick it up again.

“So right now Ash is humouring you, but unless you want to get on his bad side, I’d do what he says. I’m not saying he’s mad but he doesn’t want to be here and he doesn’t like babysitting me so he might be looking to kill someone right now. “

The room became really quiet as the two men looked at each other and back to Asher.

(comment? Threat?)

The two men stepped out of your way and let the two leave the office. The guards outside started to move forward but the tall one waved them off with a scared look in his eyes.

“Now, Mr. Talhone, Where is our ride?”

(reply)

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:25 AM PT

Wyatt, Sam, and Wolf came into Necessity via the mule, moving quickly but trying not to look like they were about to shoot up the town. As they got into town, they found Asher and Dr. Young walking down the street as if nothing unusual had happen. Just like a morning stroll in a town with no armed men chasing them or anything.

“Oh good!” the Doctor called out, “Thank you for coming, Captain. I wasn’t looking forward to the walk back to the ship.  On the plus side, I can let you all in on what is happening with having to repeat myself over and over. Does anyone have any food? I’m starving.” She says as she climbs into the mule. Looking at the stares she is getting, “What? I did not eat breakfast.”

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:25 AM PT

Refraining from resting his hand on the grip of his Colt, Wyatt Sung inadvertently strikes a grim figure as Sam pilots the mule into Necessity. Stark blue eyes graze the settlement's landscape searching out possible roosts for Patience's men and other dangers that might be lurking about. He's already played through countless scenarios during the overland trek from Roc to town, prayed to the Powers that Be for the safety of his crew, and sworn revenge upon any who hurt them. Now he's about surveying the situation, assessing the trouble, and...

"Is that them?" Wyatt furrows his brow and looks over the hood of the mule with no small amount of dismay. Asher and Dr. Young are walking down the street as if nothing unusual is underfoot; a morning stroll in a town with no armed men chasing them or anything by all appearances. 

“Oh good!” the Doctor calls out, “Thank you for coming, Captain. I wasn’t looking forward to the walk back to the ship. On the plus side, I can let you all in on what is happening with having to repeat myself over and over. Does anyone have any food? I’m starving.” She says as she climbs into the mule. Looking at the stares she is getting, “What? I did not eat breakfast.”

Shifting in his seat, Sung hooks his arm over the rest and pushes his hat back on his head. "Well, Miss Stephanie, I can't say that we came this way intent on catering a picnic. So, you 'ave my apologies. As fer what's goin' on... well, I'm keen on the education. Sam, take us home, if'n you'd be so kind."

As Fenris, Sam and Wyatt grabbed their weapons and got ready to ride to the kid’s rescue the big mechanic quickly found himself hanging on for his life in the back of the mule once more. With his gaze on the road Sam behind the wheel and Wyatt beside him, Fenris gripped tighter as the pilot pushed it to its max speed. So intent was Sam on getting to town that he almost passed Asher and the lady Doctor walking towards them on the road.

"Is that them?" Wyatt furrows his brow and looks over the hood of the mule with no small amount of dismay. Asher and Dr. Young are walking down the street as if nothing unusual is underfoot. A morning stroll in a town with no armed men chasing them or anything by all appearances. Seeing the same Fenris reacted in surprise as Sam slammed on the brakes, an oof from the big man in the back, the Rocinante’s pilot pulled up next to the so called “rescues”.

“Oh good!” the Doctor calls out, “Thank you for coming, Captain. I wasn’t looking forward to the walk back to the ship. On the plus side, I can let you all in on what is happening with having to repeat myself over and over. Does anyone have any food? I’m starving.” She says as she climbs into the mule. Looking at the stares she is getting, “What? I did not eat breakfast.”

His eyes wide in total disbelieving Fenris could only watch as the two climbed into the mule finding seats, Wyatt giving up the passenger seat to the lady and he and Asher joining Fenris in the backWithin moments the mule was turned around and headed back to the ship Fenris no wiser to what had really happened. He was sure it be a story worth telling…...

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:15 AM PT

There were sounds outside and footsteps on the steps outside. The men were coming back and at least two of them were heading into the office.

It wouldn’t go well to have them Governor’s lackies knowing Ash was here and it factually it would be better for Doc them thinking she was on her own. Following Stephanie’s voice Ash opened the door and quickly stepped in. When he turned to look around, Asher was … slightly surprised. There was Doctor Young sitting beside an older doctor, the two of them drinking tea. “Dr Young! This is my office and I will not be pushed around!” the older man shouted and the two of them suppressed giggles under their hands before noticing that Asher was standing there. Stephanie looked over, “I told you to get back to the boat and let Captain Sung know I’d be delayed. I don’t need a baby sitter, Mr Talhone.” She said and got up, handing a device she had in her hand to the other doctor, “So here you go as we agreed. If we can arrange it, I can drop off more equipment. It is really no bother, I get samples every times I go into a hospital.”

Asher stood there with his mouth hanging open.

“Thank you Doctor, but this is truly generous of you.” The Older doctor replied, “For the chance to pull the wool over Patience eyes, I would have helped you for free.”

“Well that being the case, I am glad to help, and thank you Doctor Amber.”  Stephanie said and then turned back to Asher, “Shall we go?”

The kid snapped his mouth shut but then inquired, “What about that fella Petrie? He hadn’t look none too well? And the Govern’r has a couple of her men in the room out there. ”

“Petrie is fine, I will explain on the way back home. He has my ear piece so we can communicate later. Really Mr. Talhone, I have spent time on ship before, I am familiar with subterfuge.”

“Yes Miss Stephanie, it’s appear’n you know a good deal of the way of things. Ain’t no disrespect..just doing my job.”

Stephanie left the room with Ash behind her. There were two armed men in the waiting room who both stood up when Dr. Young entered the room. They looked over at Asher with a surprised look and then back to the Doctor.

“The patient is on the mend and my work here is done. Thank you gentlemen for waiting on him like a good group of friends. He should be right as rain in no time.” Stephanie said out loud in a tone of dismissal. “We will be off now.”

“Whoa!” The tallest of the two said, “Umm, our orders are to keep you here until the Governor gets back. Who is this guy anyway? So …”

“No.” Stephaine said firmly, “If your leader wished to talk to me she knows where to find me and I am much too busy to hang around some backwater butcher shack with young men who cannot think without a gun in hand…. I mean really? An 8 inch barrel? It screams compensation….. As to who this man is – He is Asher Talhone. You may have heard about him from the news recently. Held his ground against a thousand mercenaries on LV 426? Lived to tell the tale but not many of them did? Ringing a bell?”

The kid held back a smile…it would ruin the effect Doc had laid on them guards. So to add little substance to Doc’s inference the kid moved his coat just enough to show a PK12 in his shoulder rig and the Colt at his hip.

The shortest of the men dropped his pistol. He scrabbled to pick it up again.

“So right now Ash is humouring you, but unless you want to get on his bad side, I’d do what he says. I’m not saying he’s mad but he doesn’t want to be here and he doesn’t like babysitting me so he might be looking to kill someone right now. “

Asher furrowed his brow and clinched his teeth, him figured that might give him one them severe looks.

The room became really quiet as the two men looked at each other and back to Asher.

It was getting real hard for Asher to not bust out laughing but he thought he’d push the game a little more. So raising an eye brow, and taking noisy sniff through his nose he nodded toward the door.

The two men stepped out of your way and let the two leave the office. The guards outside started to move forward but the tall one waved them off with a scared look in his eyes.

“Now, Mr. Talhone, Where is our ride?”

“Well I am sorry about that Miss Stephanie, I hitched a ride over here so we best just walk purposefully down the rode a bit until our comm isn’t jammed anymore. With all these townsfolk start’n to look up to you we just might get lucky and find a ride down the road a piece.”

“I guess that will have to do for now, but you could try planning a little better in the future….by the way…nice acting.”

Asher nearly tripped as he busted out laughing, unable to hold it back any longer.

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 10:25 AM PT

Wyatt, Sam, and Wolf came into Necessity via the mule, moving quickly but trying not to look like they were about to shoot up the town. As they got into town, they found Asher and Dr. Young walking down the street as if nothing unusual had happen. Just like a morning stroll in a town with no armed men chasing them or anything.

The kid took the opportunity to get his jab back, “Well there’s our ride… just like I planned.” Doc shot him look with just a hint of grin.

The mule pulled to halt and Doc Stephanie stepped up.

“Oh good!” the Doctor called out, “Thank you for coming, Captain. I wasn’t looking forward to the walk back to the ship.  On the plus side, I can let you all in on what is happening with having to repeat myself over and over. Does anyone have any food? I’m starving.” She says as she climbs into the mule. Looking at the stares she is getting, “What? I did not eat breakfast.”

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 11:00 AM PT 

Stephanie sat upright in the chair of the kitchen and ate the egg and bacon sandwich that Ma had made her with a knife and fork.  She has insisted on checking in with Chloe first and telling her about the meeting with Petrie first. Afterwards she joined everyone in the galley, “So, I knew that there would be little chance that I would be able to talk to Petrie. But I thought if I could ghet a quick word into his ear, he might meet us somewhere or at least be open to communication. This is really quite lovely, Trish – Thank you very much."

Ma nodded her appreciation and made a rolling hand gesture of “keep going.”

“So when I reached Petrie and got hold of him, I realized he was injured. So I came up with a plan quickly to use that as a cover ….”

“How? How did you know?” Sam asks.

“Oh. Umm...” Stephanie stares blankly at Sam for a few seconds and said, “The stoop of his back and the way he was sitting revealed he was in pain and bracing himself. When I touched his arm, I culd see the seepage of his wounds through bandages. As a doctor, you sorta notice these things and make deductions based on that.” She explains in a rather dismissive tone, almost as if she thought you wouldn’t believe her. “Anyway, there was this time on my last ship when one of the captains ex girlfriends had us at gunpoint and threatening the ship, so I used my hypo-spray to tranquilize her.  In this case, I slipped a Fentanopryl patch into my hand and applied it to Petrie’s arm. It worked instantly and he went down so I could intercede as a doctor.”

“You drugged him?” Asher asked incredulously.

“Yes.” She looks perplexed, “Really it is difficult to tell a story without my motives and techniques being questioned every few minutes.”

(Comments)

“”Very well.” She said with a hand wave, “So I knocked him out, made it look like an emergency and I needed to assist him alone. I was afraid that the doctor in town might be on the payroll of Patience and I would have to deal with him or her as well, but luckily he wasn’t and for the exchange of a dermal mender that I have extras of anyway, we came to an accord.  Really, the Alliance should do something about that. These outer planet doctors are suppose to be part of the same medical board and societies as the core planets and they need decent equipment. I will have to bring that up at the next board meeting. The cost of a basic operation set is nothing compared to the ….”

Someone clears their throat pointedly

“Oh yes. Sorry. So once I had Petrie alone we talked. He does love Chloe and he hates this place and his father and wishes to run away. Unfortunately, he is scared of his father, Patience and the great unknown of the ‘Verse. However, I gave him my ear-mike so he can communicate with us discretely and we can arrange for him to meet us when we – what do you call it? – make the drop tonight?  Do the Job? Lift the goods? Really, they say we doctors use confusing jargon. When we assemble our new client and leave this planet?”

(Assuming someone asks how you know P is telling the truth)

“I have been a doctor for many years. I have had people tell me their Mistress are their wife or their daughter. I have had many lies spun around me addressing the moral situation when all I care about is the injury. I know when someone is lying to me and Petrie wasn’t. He is scared. He is terrified of making a move against his father. He is even more scared of Patience. But he does love Clhoe and does want to do right by her. Whatever that may be in the end.”

(Other questions, comments or thoughts. Grand schemes, small plans)

Day 2, Whitefall – The Warehouse outside of Necessity, 9:00 PM PT

(Assuming everyone except Stephanie and Ma are going)

The Spaceport was due north of Necessity as was Eagle-eye’s ranch. The the east was the stockyards were the cattle was displayed, traded and sold. Due south was “the Warehouse”. The Warehouse was a building build back in the day when Whitefall was being terraformed. It is was where all the heavy equipment went to stay dry and contained during the rainy part of terraforming.  It is a huge building, all metal frame with the foundation driven 10 feet deep into the ground.  The roof is industrial steel about 100 feet above and the bay doors to the place are big enough to let Rocinante in and have room for two friends.

When you arrive, the Warehouse is set up like a carnival. There are all sorts of food vendors, drink vendors and those carnival type games like knock over the milk cans and ring the bottle. There are jugglers, magicians and clowns. Some storage crates have been brought in for businesses to open up little shops selling clothing and trinkets.  The Honeydew even has a double storage crate set up for … express service. The air smells of popcorn, grease and smoked meats. The “Main” bet placement area is surprising non-busy with only one name down to fight Black Bart at the moment – Dawes man – Jacob.

The main ring is the highlight of the event, set up on a platform so it is above the main ground but not high enough that people can not see the fight. Lights set up to illuminate it well, and screens going up so those who can’t get close can see the battle. It has a large open area around it for the crowd to gather and then in the four corners of the Warehouse, there are smaller rings set up for other side fights for the hands that don’t want to fight Bart. The betting on these fights seems less “controlled” with many different bookies available with mostly similar odds.

It is very busy and there seems to be more people coming from all around.

“You want me to put you on the board?” Eagle asks Wolf, “Or do you want to hold off and do the surprise challenge thing. Up to you. If you go up now, people gonna be curious, wanna check you out – including Patience. ”

Day 2, Whitefall - Necessity, Rocinante, 11:00 AM PT 

Wyatt lounges in his usual chair at the table watching Stephanie eat the egg and bacon sandwich with a knife and fork that Ma had made for her. He's waited patiently for her to check in with Chloe and now he's anticipating her telling of the meeting with Petrie.

“So, I knew that there would be little chance that I would be able to talk to Petrie," the doctor politely starts in on her tale. "But I thought if I could get a quick word into his ear, he might meet us somewhere or at least be open to communication. This is really quite lovely, Trish – Thank you very much."

Ma nods her appreciation and makes a rolling hand gesture of “keep going.” For his part, Wyatt can't help but feel a little frustration. Stephanie had gone off and worked a plan without including him in her planning and he doesn't care to be left in the dark on matters such as these.

“So," Stephanie continues, "when I reached Petrie and got hold of him, I realized he was injured. So I came up with a plan quickly to use that as a cover…"

“How? How did you know?” Sam asks, but Sung isn't concerned with these particular details. He's starting to realize that opportunity presented itself and that maybe this hadn't been something their doctor had premeditated.

“Oh. Umm...” Stephanie stares blankly at Sam for a few seconds and says, “The stoop of his back and the way he was sitting revealed he was in pain and bracing himself. When I touched his arm, I could see the seepage of his wounds through bandages. As a doctor, you sorta notice these things and make deductions based on that.” She explains in a rather dismissive tone, almost as if she thought you wouldn’t believe her. “Anyway, there was this time on my last ship when one of the captain's ex-girlfriends had us at gunpoint and threatening the ship, so I used my hypo-spray to tranquilize her. In this case, I slipped a Fentanopryl patch into my hand and applied it to Petrie’s arm. It worked instantly and he went down so I could intercede as a doctor.”

“You drugged him?” Asher asks incredulously.

“Yes.” She looks perplexed, “Really it is difficult to tell a story without my motives and techniques being questioned every few minutes.”

"All right, y'all pipe down so Miss Stephanie can get through her story," Wyatt quietly orders and then addresses the doctor again. "Go on."

”Very well,” She said with a hand wave, “So I knocked him out, made it look like an emergency and I needed to assist him alone. I was afraid that the doctor in town might be on the payroll of Patience and I would have to deal with him or her as well, but luckily he wasn’t and for the exchange of a dermal mender that I have extras of anyway, we came to an accord.  Really, the Alliance should do something about that. These outer planet doctors are supposed to be part of the same medical board and societies as the core planets and they need decent equipment. I will have to bring that up at the next board meeting. The cost of a basic operation set is nothing compared to the...”

Wyatt clears his throat pointedly.

“Oh, yes. Sorry. So once I had Petrie alone we talked. He does love Chloe and he hates this place and his father and wishes to run away. Unfortunately, he is scared of his father, Patience and the great unknown of the ‘Verse. However, I gave him my ear-mike so he can communicate with us discretely and we can arrange for him to meet us when we – what do you call it? – make the drop tonight?  Do the Job? Lift the goods? Really, they say we doctors use confusing jargon. When we assemble our new client and leave this planet?”

"And we can trust him?" Captain Sung asks flatly. "I could see someone settin' this up as a ruse t' ambush wouldbe interferers."

“I have been a doctor for many years. I have had people tell me their Mistresses are their wife or their daughter. I have had many lies spun around me addressing the moral situation when all I care about is the injury. I know when someone is lying to me and Petrie wasn’t. He is scared. He is terrified of making a move against his father. He is even more scared of Patience. But he does love Chloe and does want to do right by her. Whatever that may be in the end.”

Sung considers her response in silence and then simply nods, slaps his hands to his knees, and rises from his chair. "Then we best figure out a way t' smuggle the boy aboard. 

"Wolf, can you rig a container to fit the boy comfortably enough? Maybe somethin' tha' has a false top so as t' throw off the nosey? Ma, can you make one of the smugglin' holds comfy enough t' pass some time in 'til we're far enough away from this dirtball t' let 'im out?

"Asher, help Wolf," Wyatt looks around at the crew. "Not a word o' this t' Chloe, so no speakin' of our soon-t'-be passenger anywhere near her, er others fer that matter."

Day 2, Whitefall – The Warehouse outside of Necessity, 9:00 PM PT

The Spaceport is due north of Necessity as is Eagle-eye’s ranch. The East is the stockyards where the cattle are displayed, traded, and sold. Due south is “the Warehouse.” The Warehouse is a building built back in the day when Whitefall was being terraformed. It is where all of the heavy equipment went to stay dry and contained during the rainy part of terraforming. It is a huge building, all metal frame with the foundation driven 10 feet deep into the ground. The roof is industrial steel about 100 feet above and the bay doors to the place are big enough to let Rocinante in and have room for two friends.

The Warehouse is set up like a carnival. There are all sorts of food vendors, drink vendors, and those carnival type games like knock over the milk cans and ring the bottle. There are jugglers, magicians, and clowns. Some storage crates have been brought in for businesses to open up little shops selling clothing and trinkets. The Honeydew even has a double storage crate set up for...express service. The air smells of popcorn, grease, and smoked meats. The “Main” bet placement area is surprisingly non-busy with only one name down to fight Black Bart at the moment – Dawes man – Jacob.

The main ring is the highlight of the event, set up on a platform so it is above the main ground but not high enough that people can not see the fight. Lights set up to illuminate it well, and screens going up so those who can’t get close can see the battle. It has a large open area around it for the crowd to gather and then in the four corners of the Warehouse, there are smaller rings set up for other side fights for the hands that don’t want to fight Bart. The betting on these fights seems less “controlled” with many different bookies available with mostly similar odds.

It is very busy and there seems to be more people coming from all around.

“You want me to put you on the board?” Eagle asks Wolf, “Or do you want to hold off and do the surprise challenge thing. Up to you. If you go up now, people gonna be curious, wanna check you out – including Patience.”

Wyatt looks askance of his mechanic. He's not keen on Wolf getting his face smashed just before they take on cargo and risk (at that), but he also doesn't care to interfere with his crew's personal lives... at least most of the time. In this case, however, Eagle's commentary sparks an immediate response from the captain.

"Don't put 'is name on the board," Captain Sung intercedes. "I want no reason fer Patience t' be any more curious 'bout anyone of us than she already is."

Outside the Knowles Farmhouse (near noon)

Governor Patience looked at her multiband for the time and then back at her deputy, “Well?”

“She don’t know Go-sa,“ He replied, “I can work her over more, or me and the boys can take turns with her but, it ain’t gonna change that she don’t know anything. She met a guy, had sex, came home. I watched skin flicks with more story to them.”

“No girl?”

“I can’t say. All I can is Misty just went to this pilot’s room, did the dirty and left. Nothing else. I can’t work her or her Ma over anymore without leaving some marks, so depends on how discrete you want to be.”

The governor spit on the grass outside the farmhouse, “Well at least it ain’t Reynolds again. Maybe this Sung character is more reasonable. Did the old lady sign?”

“Yep,” the Deputy nodded, “Farm and all the land is yours now.”

“Right. Well the farm is a hazard, liable to burn down anyday now if you catch my meaning.”

“Yep. I do, Ma.”

“Misty comes with me. We will hold her as a bargaining chip. When I give you the word, you know what to do. Oh, and I’ll her thumb and eye so I can reverse the payment. Never pay for what I can get for free, I always say.”

“Yes Ma. You can depend on me.”

Inside the Knowles Farmhouse

Misty had stopped crying. She felt like she’d cried so much over the evening that she would never cry no more. Although she came close to spilling a few times, she never let it slip that she’d heard Petrie’s name mention while on the ship. She didn’t know why but she was smart enough to know this was all about him. They hurt her and her Ma, trying to get her to tell them anything about a girl on board or someone named Chloe. That wasn’t hard to deny, but they made her Ma sell the farm for half its worth and she was sure they both be indentured by the end of the day. She only could hope Sam was far far away now.

In walked Patience and the deputy. “Well ladies. This is how it is going to play out. Misty is coming with me. I need her to make sure someone understands how serious I am. In order to make you behave – Misty pay attention now! My boy here is gonna stay with your Ma here. If you be good and I gets what I want, you two will be put on a transport and you can go your way where you wish. Give me trouble and I know how much you love to cause trouble Misty – and neither of you will see that light of day again. Dohn ma?”

Patience didn’t wait for an answer but turned towards the door and pointed to her three other deputies who stood up and headed over to grab Misty roughly.

“Whoa! Governor!  Miss Imogen, “Misty’s Ma called out. “Can I just have a few minutes with Misty. Please.”

Patience and The mother exchanged a look. It lasted only a second but in it spoke volumes. “Yeah. Fine. You have a minute.” And left the room with her three men. The other deputy stayed where he was but Ma stared him down hard and he moved to just outside the room.

“Misty honey.” The mother said, “Listen to me. I raised you to be strong and you are going to have to be really strong now. We don’t have time to be weak.”

“But Ma, I’ll do what they say. I promise.”

“Don’t matter. Listen honey, I’m dying.”

Misty gasped in shock.

“Doc told me a few days ago. Cancer’s got me, aggressive and I soon won’t be able to do much. I was trying to figure out how to tell you when …” She waved her hand towards the door, “So this is goodbye honey. Know that I am and always will be proud of you. If there is a way I can guide you or protect you from beyond I will but once you walk out that door, I’m done. You got that. Take care of yourself!”

“No Ma!” Misty started to cry again.

“No time to cry Honey. Grieve me later but take care of yourself. You know the account number I used? It will automatically transfer the funds to your account in a spell. Patience will try to steal it back but I won’t let her. You take the money and go.  Be free. You’ll have enough there to find a school, make something of yourself. Don’t look back.”

Patience called out from the front, “Okay time is up. Let’s go.”

The Deputies took Misty away and left the Mother with the one who had tortured her and her daughter. “So Fred. Can I make you a cup of tea?”

“Sure Mrs. Knowles. Thanks. Sorry about what was done but you know how it is. Patience orders.”

“Oh, I know how it is Fred.” She said and clicked the gas oven dial as she moved the kettle over to the stove. She played with the knob for the stovetop dramatically while adjusting the oven to high without igniting the burner. “Damn pilot is out again. Do you have a match? I always have to ignite it myself.”

With Asher and the Doc ok, time for Fenris seemed to pass slowly as he tweeked an engine part here and there. However time moves on and before long it was time for to head for the fights.

As they entered, Ma and the Doc staying behind, Fenris could see that the main ring was set up on a platform high enough above the main ground but not high enough that people could not see the fight. Lights were set up to illuminate it well, and screens going up so those who can’t get close can see the battle. It has a large open area around it for the crowd to gather and then in the four corners of the Warehouse, there are smaller rings set up for other side fights for the hands that don’t want to fight Bart. The betting on these fights seems less “controlled” with many different bookies available with mostly similar odds.

The air smells of popcorn, grease and smoked meats. The “Main” bet placement area is surprising non-busy with only one name down to fight Black Bart at the moment – Dawes man – Jacob. Fenris thought to himself eithier this town is so afraid of Bart no one wants to fight him or Patience has rigged it so only this Jacob fughts him. Well she was in for a surprise tonight if every thing went as planned.

As he scanned the crowd trying to pin point Patience's hired guns the big mechanic could see it was very busy and more people coming from all around and trying for the best view. Moving off to the side where he be realitvly out of sight but have a ghood viwe of the ring he smiled when he was approasched by Eagle.

“You want me to put you on the board?” Eagle asks Wolf, “Or do you want to hold off and do the surprise challenge thing. Up to you. If you go up now, people gonna be curious, wanna check you out – including Patience.

Wyatt looks askance of his mechanic. He's not keen on Wolf getting his face smashed just before they take on cargo and risk (at that), but he also doesn't care to interfere with his crew's personal lives... at least most of the time. In this case, however, Eagle's commentary sparks an immediate response from the captain

"Don't put 'is name on the board," Captain Sung intercedes. "I want no reason fer Patience t' be any more curious 'bout anyone of us than she already is."

”No like the Cap’n says lets wait, I want to check him out this fight then you put me forward as a a challenger. Lets see what this guy has the most of the people in this town seem afraid of” With that Fenris settled in to watch..........................