Out in the Black: Alpha Panda

[Adlan]

Alpha Panda Exterior

"Pleased to meet ya' " Balley's hand was firm and strong, calloused and clearly the hand of an engineer. Clearly because you can feel the grime and oil.

"I figured y'all would have wanted to see her before I came to collect, but I guess y'all are gonna see her tomorrow?"

[Shadow_Elf]

Gregoire Reaufort
Alpha Panda Exterior
More confusion from Gregoire. "I don't remember her bein' a component a this equation. Perhaps the captain better recalls the details a the arrangement..."

[Creed]

Morgan
Alpha Panda Exterior

Morgan walks by the conversation, a rifle over his shoulder and guns in his belt, with a nod at Sackett. He walks away from the ship, a little ways up Mount Frisco, and kneels on a spur of rock, looking out over the badlands to make sure Sackett wasn't followed by anyone, and that he didn't have a group in reserve to swoop in at a moments notice.
He scans the area with the sight of his rifle.
No need to be caught with our pants down.

[Erasmas]

Cole
Alpha Panda's Exterior

The soldier looks at the hose he has been handed and shrugs, turning back towards the Panda. He climbs up onto the side of the ship and begins looking for where this thing must plug in for a minute, before he gives up.

Activating his comlink, he calls the Engineer "Robyn, you wanna come out here and hook up this here doohickey?! I can't figure out for the life of me where the ruttin' thing even goes."

Looking back over his shoulder to make sure that no one was listening too close, he adds (in an attempt to sound like he knows something about it), "I think it might take an Alliance standard fitting."

[Yawielas]

Robyn


Robyn answers over the comm: "Be right there!" She appears moments later, and takes the hose from Cole. She gives a friendly nod to Sackett as she hooks up the hose. "Nice ta see you again, mr. Sackett. I'll be round later for those parts I was lookin' at."

[Adlan]

Alpha Panda Exterior
As Robyn gets into the grav lift to take her level with the cargo modules, Balley stays behind on terra firma.

"You can come down tomorrow and collect them, in fact, I'd be plum pleased if you and any y'all crew will accompany me to the Parade tomorrow."

He followed her with his eyes as she rose, and began coupling the hose up to the first cargo module. As each cargo module was drained, the hose would need to be moved. The task of decontaminating the modules was one for later.

"Gimmie a wave when she's plugged in, and I'll turn the pump on."

[Yawielas]

Robyn

"It'll be a pleasure, I'm sure," Robyn answers, as she moves the hose to the first cargo module. The nozzle clicks in place and and she calls down. "Ready!" She waits untill the pump is turned on, draining the ice from the cargo, listening for the sound indicatin' it was just suckin' air.

[Creed]

Morgan

Morgan comes back down from the hillside, then heads back into the Panda, giving Cole the hand signal for "all clear" before leaning against the wall just inside the ship and crossing his arms.

[Erasmas]

Cole
Alpha Panda's Exterior

All too happy to hand off the hose once Robyn got there, Cole goes back to do his soldier-y things... mainly standing 'round and making sure that if guns were to be drawn that he was among the first to do so. He was pleased when Morgan reported that things looked clear - a gunfight with the locals isn't really how he wanted to end this job. The big man would much rather just get their creds and be done with this mihung shu ice business. Who'da thunk that a little frozen water could cause so many people to act so gorram jumpy.

[Adlan]

A few hours later…

Alpha Panda's Dining Room

The Smell of Hot Tea emanated from the adjacent galley, as Jay busied himself with the tea service.

Balley and Robyn took their seats at the long table that occupied the dining roo, the transfer of ice complete, although the clean up was another matter.

The rest of the crew filtered into the Dining Room slowly.

[Erasmas]

Cole
Alpha Panda's Mess

Cole sat himself down where he usually ate, lowering himself into the chair and working his neck back and forth to stretch the soreness out. It had been a fairly long day, though there hadn't been as much action as there had been other days - which could certainly be a good thing. Some hot tea would do him some good. He thanked Jay when it was brought out, blowing across the top of his cup before sipping the hot beverage.

"S'good, Jay; obliged to you. Robyn... mind passing the sugar?"

[Yawielas]

Robyn, Alpha Panda's Mess


"Here you go," Robyn says, and stretches for the small bowl of sugar, passing it over to Cole. She warms her cold hands on her own cup, it feels warm and comfortin' after workin' all that ice. "The storage holds are gonna be needin' some cleanin' later," she comments.

[Lentrax]

Sia
AP Mess

Sia came in, sitting down next to Cole. She wobbled slightly in her chair, as she reached for her cup. The hot beverage seemed to invigorate her, as some color returned to her cheeks.

Thank you, Jay. I needed this.

[Erasmas]

Cole
Alpha Panda's Mess

"Too bad we don't have something to add into this here tea to give it some kick... Mighty kind.", Cole offered his thanks to the engineer as he took the proffered bowl. The soldier took the accompanying spoon and put no less than three spoonfuls into his cup before sticking his finger into the hot liquid and stirring it thoroughly. He then resumed his drinking.

When Sia entered, looking drained, he inquired as an aside, "You alright, Doc? You look like you could use some time in the sack."

[Lentrax]

Sia
AP Mess

Story time with Jack. Reminiscing. Commiserating. Celebrating.

Sia takes another drink of the tea.

And playing poker with the Cap'n.

[Chambers]

Jay

Dinner aboard a ship is usually done with little to no fanfare; the facilities and duties simply don't allow it. A tea ceremony on the other hand can carry as much weight and meaning when it's performed inside a cramped dining room as when it's done in a garden under cherry blossom trees. As each person comes in Jay bows to them and escorts them to their seat in silence. His clothes are no different than what he always wears except for a headband of red with delicate symbols on them written in gold.

He presents each person with their cup and pours clean water in it, then drains it into a pitcher on the table. Once each cup as been cleaned and the pitcher full he pours the tea for everyone, the Captain first, then Balley Sacket, then the rest of the crew. When everyone's cup is filled he takes the pitcher and pours short glasses of water for everyone and stands back from the table.

"Zhufu Ni." He says and bows towards the Captain then turns toward Balley. "Mr. Sackett, please allow me to extend the Captain's greetings to you." He pauses to glance at Rogue as the cat hops up on the kitchen counter and smiles. "When I came here I was lost, adrift in the black. Without family, without friends. Each of you has welcomed me here and in turn helped to replace what was taken."

"We all come from different places and different lives. Our lives apart make us unique, but it is when we draw together and share each others lives that we become as one." He motions towards the water glasses. "The water is a symbol of that. What came from one is now with all." He says and bows. "Please, enjoy the tea."

Spoiler

Show

Zhufu Ni = Blessings on you.
The writing on his headband is the first line in a traditional Buddhist prayer.

[Creed]

Morgan
Alpha Panda Mess


Morgan nods at Jay's words, then drinks his tea. All this talk of friendship and togetherness doesn't keep his hand any farther away from the gun at his waist, however, nor does it deflect his eyes very far from Sackett over the course of the sitting. Peace, prosperity, and all that spiritual mumbo-jumbo might well ease Cole's mind, and put a warm feeling in every heart at the table, but it doesn't stop a bullet to the head if Sackett decided that he'd rather tie up the loose ends.

[Shadow_Elf]

Gregoire Reaufort
Alpha Panda Mess
The tactician lifts his glass and lifts it in Jay's direction. "Obliged, Jay. This smells like proper tea, the which we've not had in a time I'd not care t'ponder overmuch." Drinking it "black", he takes a deep sip of it, then stays silent while he waits for the Captain to speak to Sackett, wanting to know how the school teacher fits in to all this.

[Erasmas]

Cole
Alpha Panda's Mess

The soldier pauses and stares down into his tea, trying to understand the metaphor presented by the priest. A furrow appears on his brow as he ponders something. Eventually deciding that he should ask, he says in all seriousness, "Then what's the sugar a symbol of?"

[Lentrax]

Sia
Alpha Panda Mess

A representation of the need for some sweet to balance the bitterness of life.

[Space Lawyer]

Lei

Lei emerges, greasy and bleary-eyed, from the ships's bowels. It appears that a bit of her hair is singed. "Sorry, all. The power coupling for the bride decided it didn't feel like working anymore. I had to convince it otherwise."

She only then notices the formality of her surroundings, the stiff postures, and their honored client. "I'll, ahhh, just go work on that thing, somewhere else, right now." She slowly backs out of the room.

[Aneurin]

Jack
Alpha Panda's Mess

"Well, we're certainly glad to have you aboard Mr. Sackett," Jack says evenly, trying to ignore the throbbing inside his skull. "You've done us a real favour by unloading those containers - the ice cube shipment tasted just terrible,"

As Jay pours the tea, Jack awkwardly rises and gives a half bow - frantically trying to remember how the ceremony goes and what, if anything, he's supposed to do.

The last time he went to a tea ceremony was with-

Oh. Her. Right. No, not thinking about that right now. One breakdown today is plenty.

[Adlan]

Balley

Mr. Sackett is obviously more used to the Tea ceremony, and he drinks his gracefully.

"Well, Badger shoulda let me know he was sendin' some other smuggler with his merchandise."

He held his cup between thumb and forfinger before bringing it to his lips for another swig.

*Ah*

"Still, maybe he did; maybe someone didn't tell me, or didn't figure I needed to know, I don't know all the arangements."

"But I'm glad you do"

He sat back and contemplated his tea for a moment.

"I guess I aught to be goin', Miss Robyn? Would 12 o'noon be convenient for you to come by my shop?"

[Yawielas]

Robyn

Robyn nods. "12 noon is fine, mr. Sackett. Should we dress for the parade?"

[Erasmas]

Cole
Alpha Panda's Mess

"Sounds like Badger lets you know 'bout as much as he does us.", Cole adds to Sackett's comments. The soldier finishes up his tea, draining the syrupy residue from the bottom of the cup at the last. He then places the cup down onto the table and waited for the meeting to wrap up, as it seemed their guest was likely to be leaving soon.

After a few moments, it finally dawns on the soldier...
"Captain... ain't we forgettin' somethin'? Somethin' that rhymes with 'feds' and begins with a 'cr'?"

[Adlan]

Balley Sackett
Alpha Panda Dining Room

"See, now that's why I figured Y'all woulda seen the School Marm First."

Balley Looked around at the assembled crew.

"I'm guessin' Badger didn't tell you that I ain't got your pay then?"

He asked with a raised eyebrow, and aware that he was alone on a ship of smugglers.

"Y'all need to go see the Schoolmarm, Miss Brigit Trousdale, to collect your fee…."


….Fade to Nearly, but not Quite Black.

[Adlan]

Out in the Black - Alpha Panda

The Schoolmarm



Frisco Town - School House

On the crest of a small hill stands a brand new, freshly painted, slat-board school house adorned with a steeple, the dirt track curves on past this simple building towards the town.




Frisco Town - Balley Sackett's Shop
The Engineering supplies were piled high, with a separate stack of what Alpha Panda needs most, but dominating the room was Balley Sackett himself, dressed in what passed for finery, complete with Cravat. He was lecturing on how far back he and the MOP went.

"….O'course knew J.P. before he even went away to the War….

[Erasmas]

Cole
Frisco Town - School House

He didn't know what kind of zhuang mu shi shi tao this place was used to, but the situation didn't feel right... and it set Cole on edge. He made no attempts to hide his issue from those that he walked towards the small schoolhouse with.

"Who ever heard of the schoolmarm holding onto the money? Why is it that Sackett didn't bring the gorram creds with him when he came for the shipment? If'n you ask me... which I noticed that none of you did... this whole set-up reeks of the possibility of a double-cross."

As the group neared the building, the soldier lowered his voice in volume, but not in intensity, "I ain't never had to shoot no woman before. I will if I have to, but I'm just saying that you can add that to the list a' things I don't like about today."

[Adlan]

Frisco Town - Balley Sackett's Shop

Balley turned away from lecturing his usual cronies as the Shop Door opened, lit by back light, representatives from Alpha Panda entered, silhouetted by the bright Frisco Sunshine outside.

Earlier
Alpha Panda Crew Lounge
Opposite the Dining Hall and Galley, just up the stairs, the crew lounge, also known as; the wreck room, the 3rd engine, the couldn't make it to your bunk…

It's a quiet space when no-one's sick in the infirmary, or loading cargo. The large cortex screen is a bit out dated, it's not 3d projection or even reliable, but the well worn couches are comfy, being so often repaired the unpleasent original plastic is just one in a quilt of old uniforms, sacking and rags.

Of 'course, rags are not ideal for attending a parade, which alludes to the conversation currently occurring….

[Adlan]

Frisco Town - School House
Inside, and once past the disconcertingly low set pegs in the cloak room, the single hall is filled with rows of desks, each with a dist covered teaching screen. Antiquated by any schools standards on the core, but advanced even for a private school in the border. A woman stands with her back to your, working at what is still an old fashioned black board. It's much more typical of a mining town's educational supplies.

Her hand holds a chalk duster, and is moving it in smooth circles, carefully erasing a mathematical equation.

"Y'all are late for the Class you ain't got…"

Her voice tinkles sweetly, and as she turns on hearing the door, you find yourself looking into the face of a Woman who could Charm the stars down the from the black. You find your self almost lost in the woman's large sea-green eyes. Her auburn hair is pinned in a simple bun. Her simple blouse and skirt would be conventional, almost conservative on any other figure, but is marvellous alluring on hers. If she was your teacher, your lessons might have suffered, but you would never have skipped class.

"Oh, Can I help you?" she say's in a border belle* accent so sweet you could make ice tea with it.



*Southern Belle