Planet - Beaumonde - Docks

[Kristi Lynne]

Beaumonde Docks

The Docks located on the planet Beaumonde.

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

Isabel climbed up the ladder from her bunk to the walkway above and threw her bags down. That was almost everything. She pulled the bunk door shut and bounded up the stairs to the bridge. She picked up a jade turtle off the console, one that traveled everywhere with her, and ran a finger across its smooth green surface. She looked up and sighed, gazing out of the cockpit window for the last time. The captain had lost the ship in a card game, and now they were being evacuated in order for the new tenants to take over.

“I guess this is goodbye, huh?” she said out loud, addressing the ship. Sitting in the pilot’s chair that seemed to have become uniquely-shaped to fit her, she traced the switches and levers of the console. “We had some good times. And some not-so-good times. I think today falls into the latter category.” She thought only for a second how crazy it must seem for a woman to be talking to a flying piece of metal. But the bond between her and this ship was the only one that had ever really lasted.

“You be good for your new captain, okay? Straight and true, that’s how we fly. And if you need a new stabilizer, tell somebody before you start driftin’ to starboard.” Through the window, she saw Preston’s men approaching and knew it was time to be going.

She made a final check that she had all her belongings and then made her way down to the cargo bay. Artificial light from the shops and restaurants came flooding in and cast long shadows across the grated floor as the men started up the ramp. Isabel held her head high as she walked past them, mustering her best defiant glance. As she passed the last man, he contemptibly tipped his hat to her. “Pleasure doin’ business with you, little lady,” he gloated, causing the other men to laugh.

She closed her eyes, fighting back the urge to make a sarcastic remark, and just kept walking. The Beaumonde docking station was bustling, and she tried futilely to make it through the crowds without hitting anyone, muttering words of apology repeatedly. She didn’t know where she was going; she couldn’t see the captain anywhere. Probably hiding at the bottom of a bottle, no doubt. That’s all Captain Doyle was good for lately. Should she still be calling him “captain”? Because if they weren’t on a boat but were in fact on solid ground and no longer in possession of a boat…

“Hey, Izzy, I been lookin’ all over for ya’!” Captain Doyle appeared at her shoulder.

“Well, I was just gathering all my worldly goods, Cap’n. That takes some time.”

“So you’ve still not forgiven me?”

“Forgiven you? Forgiven you?!” She threw her bags down to face him, disregarding the curious looks from passersby. “I have forgiven a lot of things, Doyle. But today, I am not in a forgiving mood. And do you know why?”

“Why?”

“Because you lost our boat, you ben tian-sheng de yi-dui-rou (stupid inbred stack of meat)!” she cried. “The Artemis was all we had. That was our home, our livelihood. What are we supposed to do now, Doyle?”

He shrugged. “We’ll find another job, find another Firefly.”

“You won’t find another Firefly,” she dismissed.

“The ‘verse is probably crawlin’ with ‘em. Look, it’s just a ship.”

“It was my ship, okay? Mine. But I guess that doesn’t mean anything to you.”

“Izzy, don’t be like that…”

“No, Doyle, it’s over. All those years I stood by you, and this is how you pay me back?”

“Listen, everything will be fine by tomorrow. You’ll see,” he assured. “I got a line on a nice score. These twins here on Beaumonde…”

She picked up her bags and started to walk away. “I’m not listening.”

“But we’re partners,” he protested.

“Not anymore!” she stated, disappearing into the crowd.

The saloon would probably be packed with transporters arriving to drop off their morning deliveries. If she kept an ear out, if she looked competent and reliable, maybe a captain would take pity on her. She swung open the heavy door and descended the stairs into the the cave-like darkness with a hopeful look on her face. The cool air of the interior washed over her, and her eyes adjusted to see nothing. The bar was empty, save for the bartender busily cleaning glasses and the soft murmur of the many monitors along the wall.

She removed the pistol from her hip holster and placed it in the weapons-check on the landing, stuffing the key in her coat pocket. She continued down the stairs and shuffled to a table, piling her bags on the floor. She placed her elbows on the table, perched her chin on top of her folded hands and kept a watchful eye on the door.

[Madison Haley]

Captain Madison Haley

Captain Madison Haley of the Shadowheart kept her profile on the low on Beaumonde, mostly because she didn't want to cause a scene. Madison had fueled her ship, stocked it with goods and was preparing to find herself another pilot. The last one had left her happy crew for a better paying job. Madison paid well and she wondered if maybe there was something else he wasn't telling her? Anyways, Captain Madison had been on Beaumonde for far to long and she wanted off. She finished a job for the Alliance, making nice for her family name and now it was off to do the fun things she enjoyed to do. Salvage from ships and sell the profits, it was good to be the captain. Madison still had her standing, her good looks and her reputation. Some places it counted for something and in other it didn't, here on Beaumonde it could go either way.

First thing was first of course, drinks, finding a pilot and then a one nightstand to celebrate.

Madison walked down to the Salon, checking her gun and headed right for the bar. It was dead and she wasn't thrilled about it, but she moved to the bar and ordered herself something strong and chatted with the bartender. “lost myself a pilot Chen, he was ace too. I can fly the damn thing myself but what's the point, I'd personally like to have a full crew. So right now its me, my Mechanic and my Companion.”

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

She was still nursing her drink, glancing at the varied waves that played across the monitors and assessing whether anyone who walked through the door could be a potential employer. But eventually her glass became sadly empty and she had to approach the bar. "Could I get a refill, please?" she asked, once she finally had his attention. She carefully counted out the currency in her hand, trying to make whatever she had left last as long as it could. And it wouldn't last very long in this pricey part of the 'verse.

"Know of anywhere to stay around here? Preferably not crawlin' with Purplebellies," she inquired, mostly to the bartender but loud enough to be overheard. Sometimes you got the most interesting intel from people who chose to drink alone. "Lost my ride, I might be here a while...."

[Madison Haley]

Captain Madison Haley

Out of the corner of Madison's eyes she spotted a girl, and listened as the bartender filled her drink. She was looking for a place to stay, this could be very interesting. she wondered what the girl did, her being a pilot would be to lucky for her. Madison was good but she wasn't that good, she had her lucky day and her not so lucky days. Today was an in between day and she just wanted it to have a happy ending.

"I might know," The bartender said as he poured her a drink. "What is it that you do, not everything is for free here sweetheart. You have some kind of skill?" He pushed the drink to her and took her coin before handing abit back and leaned against the back counter and waited for her answer. "You see Alliance is all over this rock, its hard to stay under the radar. But i know a friend who could help you out, his name is badger and-"

"Don't send her to Badger Chen, he'll make her spend to much and she might end up working for him." Madison turned to face the girl and smiled, "Forget Chen, i know a place. I can at least spend one more night on this rock, i need to find myself a pilot and until then you can have my old pilots room."

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

"You see Alliance is all over this rock, its hard to stay under the radar. But i know a friend who could help you out, his name is badger and-"

She suppressed a reflexive cringe at the name of Badger, as if saying the name might conjure him. Anyone who'd spent a significant amount of time at the Eavesdown Docks knew the businessman with the fine hat, and knew how...mercurial he could be. Greeting you with a friendly smile one minute, stabbing you between the ribs the next. Plus Doyle owed him money for short-changing him on a cargo shipment to St. Albans. It was likely she'd be guilty by association.

"Forget Chen, i know a place. I can at least spend one more night on this rock, i need to find myself a pilot and until then you can have my old pilots room."

She turned her gaze to the other woman seated at the bar. Judging by her posture and clothing, she was a woman of means, or at least knew how to dress the part. And she was looking for a pilot, apparently. "That's okay, I don't want to impose," she replied politely. Nor do I want to owe anything to a tall, strange woman, she added inwardly. "What happened to your pilot? If you don't mind my askin'...." Hopefully he hadn't been torn apart by Reavers.

[Madison Haley]

Madison

"That's okay, I don't want to impose," she replied politely. Nor do I want to owe anything to a tall, strange woman, she added inwardly. "What happened to your pilot? If you don't mind my askin'...."

Madison smiled and shook her head, "You wouldn't be imposing anything, trust me. No strings, no nothing, i like helping people and you're in need." Madison told Chen to pour her another glass before she turned to face the girl more. "And my last pilot left for a better paying job, a much better paying job. Dental, medical and so on. I'm not going to lie to you, he left to work with the alliance." She downed the glass and sighed, "He's a good friend but i told him, if he even thinks about ratting me out for the things i did. I'd hunt him down and kill him," she looked over at Izzy and smirked, "The job isn't glamours and we do get asked to do a job from the alliance here and there, about twice every three months. If that doesn't bother you... much. I'd like to take you on as the new Pilot, of course i'd like to see how you can fly first if you decided to take me up on my offer."

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

"Well, yeah!" she blurted. But then again, maybe she shouldn't take the hypothetical job offer so quickly. Sure, the woman said no strings but usually there were strings, and complications and 'oh, did i say 15% cut, I actually meant 5%.'

"I mean, I'd be glad to consider it," she rephrased. "Alliance taught me all I know about flying; I got no quarrel with them. A job's a job. So minus the departed pilot, who else is on your crew?" Being out in the black on a ship with people you couldn't stand, or more importantly couldn't trust, was not a risk Izzy was willing to take. At least not yet.

[Madison Haley]

Madison

"Everyone on my crew gets an equal share of the "bounty, no one is treated better or worse then the other. I do expect my rules to be followed, but I don't have many of them. I don't consider myself better then any of my crew, i work just as hard and i'm fair most of the time." she smirked ordered one more drink and paid Chen before listened to what Izzy had to say. "When i was younger i was training to be a companion as you see that didn't pan out. Alliance was all I knew," Madison smirked and placed a hand on Izzy's shoulder. "I have two others on my crew, a mechanic and a companion; who is leaving my crew soon. Accepted a wedding proposal from one of his jobs, the wedding is in the summer. So, if you decided to take on the job. You'll have the your own room and free use of the kitchen, we all take turns cooking of course. Everyone is a happy go-lucky group, no ill will or hateful nature.

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

"I can't cook much more than soup," she said apologetically, "and I doubt I'll be gettin' any wedding proposals, so assuming I don't crash your boat on take-off, it'd be a pleasure to be your new pilot." She extended her hand to Madison with a beaming smile. "Name's Izzy, by the way."

[Madison Haley]

Madison

Madison chuckled and nodded her head, "Well Izzy the nights you cook, we'll have soup." Madison shook her head and took Izzy's hand, "Well Izzy i'm Captain Madison Haley, but you can call me Captain or Maddy. whatever you're in the mood for," She place a bit more coin on the counter before leading her up the stairs. "My ship is a modified Knorr class, it fits about four to five crew."

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

"I think I can manage to stay on the good side of four to five people," she declared. "Don't know much about the Knorr, but I'm a quick learner, Captain. All my instructors said so. I mean, not that I'm bragging or anything, I just..." She silenced herself before Madison decided to change her mind. "Let me go grab my bags and you can introduce me to your ship, and the crew of course."

[Madison Haley]

Madison

Madison chuckled, she liked this girl already. "I'm sure you'll do just fine, Knorr's are easy to operate. Oh, and brag away, nothing wrong with bragging." Madison nodded and grabbed her gun from the weapon's hold and headed outside. "Sure thing, go on and grab your things i'll meet you at dock bay seven." Madison smirked and climbed up the stairs and towards the docking bay, grabbing something to eat from a vendor.

[Roose]

Roose was slouching, his body sinking into a thin fold-out chair. He held a Blue Sun soda in one hand, savouring the feel of the ice-cold drops in his palm. Beaumonde, Beaumonde, Beaumonde. Building block upon building block, a place that never stopped for even a second. He'd already went out and gotten his ingredients, which were stocked up in the kitchen. Now all he was doing was waiting for the Cap and trying not to get distracted by the Beaumonde girls.

He had liked it once, the lights. He still did, to a certain extent, but the harsh glows of Beaumonde electricity had long ago stopped being so mesmerising. They couldn't compare to the ocean of light that was Sihnon, or the simmering waters of Bellerophon. Even if you were only seeing it from the vents of a prison transport.

[Madison Haley]

Captain Madison

Madison bit into the dog and smiled, she always did enjoy this food better. The food quality of her background didn't bother her, more of the quantity. After she was done with her plate she was always hungry for more, but ladies didn't eat more then they were required. Madison always snuck into the kitchens to help clean up and get a second plate from the family cook. As she neared dock 7 she saw Roose sitting by the ship waiting and shook her head. "Enjoying the view of Beaumonde?" Madison liked the hustle and bustle of Beaumonde, it was down to earth and full of her kind of people.

Opening her own can of blue sun, she drank down and moved closer to him with a smile. "I think i found us a new pilot, she'll be here in a little while. I didn't tell her about you yet, you're hard to explain. So behave yourself," she smirked and gave him a wink. "Next stop is Sihnon to drop Liko off for his wedding and maybe spend a day or so, its been a while since i said hello to the girls."

[Roose]

He tipped the bottle back until it was empty. "Hey, キャプテン," greeted Roose. He tilted his head and spyed a girl with a low-cut skirt and fishnet stockings. "The view is just damn fine. And I'm offended, キャプテン, my キャプテン." He smiled widely, and looked back to Madison as the girl rounded a corner. "I'm always well-behaved. I'm a lovely person, y'know?"

[Madison Haley]

Captain Madison

Madison chuckled, "I have to agree, mighty fine." he followed his gaze and saw the same girl and nodded her appreciation. Madison labeled herself as a flexible person, she never stuck with one gender. she liked women and men and it didn't make a difference to her, because she didn't fall in love. To her love was a useless emotion, "Come now, what did you expect, i mean who can trust a cook?" she chuckled. "Do you know if all the repairs have been made, or do I need to smack some sense into our Mechanic girl?"

[Roose]

Roose shook his head. "That isn't my lookout. I don't stick with that," he said, sitting up. "So, new pilot. Breast size?"

[Madison Haley]

Captain Madison

"I'll check in on her," Madison smirked and shook her head. "What makes you think i checked out her breast size, i am a professional after all." Madison took a second and turned back around, "about a 34A if you want to know the truth." she grabbed a chair and sat down next to Roose with a smile. "She seems like a nice kid, i hope she can fly."

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

She settled her tab with the bartender, flush with the excitement of having a ride and a steady paycheck again. She slung her bags over her shoulder and bounded up the steps, retrieving her sidearm on the way to the exit. Fighting through the crowds again, she made her way to Dock Seven. That was a lucky number, right? You can handle this, she told herself. Follow orders, be nice to everyone, and don't crash the boat before you hit atmo.

"Hey, captain!" she greeted, once she finally found herself standing in front of Madison. She glanced at the man sitting beside her and assuming he was part of the crew, gave him a courteous and cursory smile. Judging by appearances, he was probably not the companion that Madison had mentioned. Not that she had much experience of them, but companions tended to be...prettier. This guy looked more at home in a barfight than a high-class brothel.

"Ready when you are," she added with what she hoped was the right amount of enthusiasm. "Where do you want me?"

[Roose]

Roose tipped his hat up to glance the new girl up and down.

"Where do you want me?"

"出汗，你的指甲在我背上的呻吟" said Roose, renewing his pride in managing to overstep boundaries in record time. He grinned and stood with a simple shrug. "I mean, just my cockpit. The cockpit. I'm Roose, by the way." He reached over and grasped one of her hands. "I'm the cook. It's a pleasure."

[Madison Haley]

Madison was so glad she was done with her blue sun drink and slapped his arm, hard. "Pardon Roose here, he was dropped on his head a few times." Sighing she shook her head and gave his a smack, "I forgot to mention Roose, he is forgettable." she as of course teasing and gave him a wink. "so all that stuff about cooking, i was teasing. Captain can't live on soup alone."

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

"Right. Shiny," she nodded, trying not to laugh as the cook stumbled over his words. Even if she didn't understand all of them. "Nice to meet you, Roose. I already informed the captain of my culinary skills, or lack thereof. But I make a mean origami swan centerpiece."

She turned her attention back to Madison. "So where's the next port of call?"

[Madison Haley]

Captain Madison

"So where's the next port of call?"

"We're heading to Sihnon to drop Liko off for his wedding, perhaps spend a couple of days there." Madison smirked, "I'm itching for some companionship."

[Roose]

Roose pulled off his hat and finished up his soda, tossing it at a disposal bin nearby and falling short by four feet. Aiming a soda was about as far removed from firing a gun as Roose was from mountains of success. "Who likes a wedding, anyway?" he asked, his question directed at either or neither of the women.

He reached over and snapped shut the folding chair, hooking it through his left arm and slinging it over his shoulder. He slung the chair over one shoulder, hooking it through his arm at the same time. "We all aboard, 船長?"

[Kristi Lynne]

IZZY

"Who likes a wedding, anyway?"

"Ugh, not me," she remarked. "Cap'n Doyle made us go to one in New Melbourne once, trying to get on some client's good side. Three days of fishing and fish-related festivities. Seriously, sturgeon has no business being in a dessert."

[Madison Haley]

Captain Madison

"Who likes a wedding, anyway?" Madison smirked and grabbed her folding chair as well, "Ugh, not me, Cap'n Doyle made us go to one in New Melbourne once, trying to get on some client's good side. Three days of fishing and fish-related festivities. Seriously, sturgeon has no business being in a dessert."

"I in fact love a wedding for only a few reasons, drinking, women and of course some R&R time. Liko has invited us to the festivities, if we wish to come."

"We all aboard, 船長?"

"Yes we are, come on Izzy i'll show you your room first." She looked at Roose and smirked, "Close her up on the way in and prepare yourself for take off, Roose." With a smile she led Izzy inside to the Cargo Bay and take her up to the first corridor.

*Exits to Shadowheart -Corridor*

[dantalion]

Lucky Feng

Worst part about Beaumonde was it was so gorram close to New Kowloon. Xuan Wu wasn't a huge cluster, and the asteroid's orbit was just a couple hops that-a-way from where they currently stood on the New Dunsmuir docks. They took a final drag off a foot long iron pipe, tapped out the slender bowl on the heel of one silver-shod boot. Genuine copperhead skin from Thetis. Bought for a song and a gallon of potable. Gum soles, but you'd never guess that unless you looked.

The job was 200 credits. Hospitalized, not killed. Job was one Jeb Tunstal. Jeb Tunstal would get them a bottle of Earth-That-Was Kentucky bourbon and a ticket offworld before any Red Poles caught site of them.