Life just got Hard .....

Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

The quiet little town was working through its midday, with women and children walking the streets and men riding and going on their horses. Like many planets there were a few alliance soldiers walking around but mainly a quiet peaceful town. The quietness was broken though as shouts and load noises started to come from the saloon. Patrons could be heard screaming as street lookers started to fall back from the saloon with quicken pace.

Nol was thrown through the holo window and landed on the ground rolling to absorb the impact to the ground. He looked back as the flickering window stopped and became the window it had been before. He looked over at the door as a large man started to walk towards him. "Bloody Browncoat Cowards, can't fight or even drink! hahaha" the man laughed as he got closer Nol unleashed a massive uppercut with enough force to knock a average man in the air. It didn't but the man's eye's rolled in his head as he fell backwards. He noted Katylinn was now out side and Charlie was standing with the other on lookers. More men came at them. "Katy, How do we always find ourself in this sort of situation?" he asked dodging a punch from one man just to catch another from a second. He hit the ground and pulled out his comm unit. "Issac a grand entrance would not go astray about now!" he said in to the unit as he got up and started to fight back at the men.

"Charlie some help here would be nice?" he said to the crowd as he caught another fist in the face.

Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

Katylinn had been sitting down at the bar when she heard Nolen's familiar raised voice. Cursing under her breath, she pushed through the gathering crowd to see a mountain of a man toss her CO through a holowindow. Despite the grin that was now spread wide across her face, she tapped the man on the shoulder and promptly sent her knee into his groin when he turned. She noted a right hook coming for her temple and ducked under the blow, twisting around and propelling her assailant through the bat-swing doors and into the dusty street. She was hot on his heels, dodging blows from what seemed to be a dozen drunks.

"If you didn't insist on going to an Alliance friendly bar on U-Day we wouldn't be in this bloody situation yet again, sie", she called out as she sent one steel-capped boot into the cheek of a tall-wiry opponent. A fist caught her across her temple and she went down hard, her hand instantly coming up to feel her cheek. I think he broke my bloody cheekbone, shiny she thought to herself as she kicked his knee out from under him and then followed it up with a knee to his forehead. She found herself with her back to Nolen, their fallen opponents having now found their feet, and their weapons. "Check your nine, sir" she said softly as she slid her Falcata from its sheath and held it comfortably in her left hand.

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Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

While Nol - and by proxy, Katy - started their own bona fide bar brawl, Charlie sat and watched. It wasn't out of spite or a sense of 'leave the browncoats to their business', she just valued self-preservation. Charlie couldn't fight. Sure, the last eight years should have taught her something but truth be told, she'd been content with leaving the fighting to bigger men in the past. If the crew ever felt the need to go to a refined dinner party, however, she'd choose the right fish fork with the best of them.

The brawl abruptly turned out onto the street as Nol went flying past her and through a window. With a sigh, she stood, stretched and headed out to watch. Most of the other bar patrons seemed to follow suit; she could almost smell the testosterone as they amped up to join in the fight.

"Charlie some help here would be nice?"

Aaaaand apparently Nol's self preservation undermined her own. A couple of the crowd turned to glance towards her, and she sighed. In complete silence, she stepped away from the crowd, straightened her back - and tugged her thin jumper off in one swift move. There were reasons she rarely wore underwear to a bar, and this was one of them.

"Happy now, sir?"


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Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

Linn had her hands full with a large group of burly, cranky, drunk Alliance supporters and they were far outnumbered. Nothing she was not used to, but still it was starting to get old. She heard Nol call out to the new girl, Charlie for help and Linn instantly turned her eyes to the engineer to make sure she was in no danger. Linn forgot herself as Charlie ripped off her top, exposing her bare chest to the crowd. The hard left hook that Linn was about to duck was forgotten and the fist came slamming into her already damaged cheek with a resounding crack. Her eyes broken from the wonderous image she had just seen, Linn swung her leg around to trip her assailant, before catching him and sending an elbow slamming into his jaw. She stepped back so that she had some room, a blush creeping to her cheeks as she recalled the image of Charlie's bare chest and her subsequent lack of concentration on the fight. As if feeling the tenor of her thoughts, Linn could feel Charlie's eyes burning into her as she continued to dance around the drunkards, kicks and punches thrown with graceful ease.

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Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

Charlie winced - along with some of the crowd - at the punch Katy recieved. She could almost imagine the crack. Apparently her little plan hadn't quite worked. The crowd was getting more and more into the fight with time, and it was starting to get a little scary. Where the heck was Issac?

Waiting until Katy was on her feet, Charlie called across to her, "Careful, beautiful. Don't go bruising that pretty face of yours. Nol, feel free to take the punches. It might make an improvement." She grinned to show she was kidding.


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Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

Katylinn spun around at the sound of Charlie's voice from behind her and a bright blush spread along her cheeks. She turned away and back to the fight in an effort to hide the colour. Charlie's next comment caused her to chuckle and then she winced as her broken cheekbone protested the movement. Slowly, Nol and Linn forced their way back towards Charlie, so that when the effects of her bare chest wore off the drunkards, the girl would not be overwhelmed with thugs.

The drunks seemed to be sobering up from their beating and that meant that they started to co-ordinate their attacks more. Katylinn found herself twisting, kicking and punching with barely a thought for what was going on around her. All she had time to think about was where the next threat was coming from. The adrenaline coursing through her body ceased all pain that she would otherwise be feeling from the blows that landed. But she knew they could not hold out much longer. Already guns were drawn at the edge of the crowd, and she could see the glint of a knife or two in their midst. A sharp pain on her left upper arm caught her attention as she saw the silver glint of a knife pass within inches of her stomach. Katylinn's falcata was in her hand and blocking the blade in the blink of an eye, the weaker weapon snapping against the incredible strength of the falcata's unique blade.

We have to get the hell out of here now!" she called out to Charlie and Nol, fresh blood spilling from her cheekbone as she spoke.

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Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

Nol had caught sight of the little mechanic's trick to help them out and received the reward of him catching a fairly strong kick in the stomach region. Nol went down coughing. He slowly got back up as the men readied themselves for another go. "Thanks Charlie, That helped great" he said sarcastically. He noted that Katy was being pushed around a bit and quickly disposed of the first man to come at him.

"Careful, beautiful. Don't go bruising that pretty face of yours. Nol, feel free to take the punches. It might make an improvement."

"Oi where is the loyalty here?" he said receiving a clobber in his check himself. Then something sharp cut him as he noted that they were bringing out weapons now. Nol heard Katy and decided time to end it now. As the men approached him he pulled out two pistols and aimed one at one man and the other at another. "Okay, now we have gotten off on the wrong foot here. If you would all please back away we will just pack up and move along." he turned as Charlie warned of a man coming from behind. Nol turned and fired at the mans leg causing him to fall to the ground in pain. "Now that is not fair. Charlie, Linn as our epic exit has not arrived please grab the Mule and we shall get out of here" He said glancing behind to see them doing as he asked.

"Now, now ya all please go on with ya business, I need to talk to these people" A large plump man said as he walked from the crowd. The crowd began to disperse and the man gave another look to the men who wanted to press the matter and they went off too. Then he walked up to the three people. "Ah Captain Law and his famous crew. Please follow me. I may have a job that you might be interested in?"

Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

Katylinn stood with Nol as he created some room with his two pistols. Only having her rifle, she saw no use in drawing the weapon and so stood with her falcata ready in her right hand; a throwing knife concealed in her left. The thugs stopped as Nol's loaded pistols were aimed at what appeared to be the leaders of the rabble. At Nol's words they slowly began to disperse and Linn nodded her head, not daring to try and speak again until a doc had taken a look at her broken cheekbone. She made her way over to the yard and tossed a few coins at the attendant in exchange for their Mule.

Nol's hail caught her attention as a large, rotund man was adressing him. Katylinn quirked her eyebrow in query as she pulled the Mule up to where Nol and Charlie waitied for her. She pointed at the large man and shrugged at Charlie, the question clear on her face. This is going to drive me insane. I wonder if the doc has pain meds that will take care of the hurts and still let me talk she wondered as she probed her cheekbone with her free hand. A full tally of her hurts would come when they were no longer in hostile territory.

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Ousren
Silver Town
Joe's Saloon

Charlie tugged her jumper back on as Katy retrieved the Mule and Nolan was cornered by a large man who looked unsavoury. Then again, they ALL looked unsavoury. He just looked a little sleazier than the rest.

She shook her head in response to Katy's shrug and listened in as she made her way over to her, digging around in a pocket of her loose jeans for a couple of pain pills. "Always keep a couple on me. People I know have a tendancy to get hurt, go figure," she said dryly. There was a small medkit in the back of the mule, and she snagged it. Maybe she could help the guys patch up as they spoke.


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Ousren
Silver Town
Streets

Nol talked with the man for a little time and after striking a deal he called the others to follow the man. The man lead the crew in to a large room were he had a doctor waiting. Seeing the members walk in he went straight to Linn. Nol saw that she was being taken care of he turned back to the man. "Soooo This job you were telling me about. What is it" he asked the man eyeing the armed men around the room. "My dear Captain the job I have is simple just a drop off to Whitefall. I need you to take a package to a friend of mine there. But I will pay you in good faith all right now but Jake here will be coming with you if you accept it" the man said he looked over to the other two then looked back. They needed the money. The were right now using the last to refuel the Nightfall now. Which reminded Nol when he catches Issac he was going to boot him out in space. "My dear friend We'll take it. I take it your man jake will meet us at our ship with the package?" he asked and the fat man nodded then he turned and all the men left leaving the crew and the Doctor to the room.

Ousren
Nightfall
Cargo Bay

Nol looked at the now healed Linn, "I wouldn't trust the man as far as I could throw him but a job is a job and at the moment we need the money" he said to both Charlie and Linn

Ousren
Silver Town
Streets

Linn took the painkillers and her eyes pinched at the effort of opening her mouth to swallow them. She gave Charlie a small smile in thanks as they followed the boys to a nearby warehouse. Katylinn was instantly bailed up by a doc who began to work on her broken cheekbone. Katylinn tuned out the pain and the porbing of the doctor and instead focussed on Nol's conversation. Seems they were being commissioned to deliver a package. Now playing courier was not a problem, but something was hinky about this deal and it was not sitting well with Linn's finely tuned instincts. She watched Charlie out the corner of her eye to see her reaction to the deal as Nol agreed to take it, and their man along for the ride. Glad to be free of the doc's frustrating ministrations, Linn followed her crew back to the ship to talk over this new job.

Ousren
Nightfall
Cargo Bay

Katylinn slid down the ladder to land with a slight thud on the metal floor. Her cheekbone was now mostly healed, though there was still considerable bruising and swelling. She could talk and some of the less strenuous facial expressions only caused her minimal pain. The doctor, it appears, knew some nifty tricks. She came to a stop beside Nol and Charlie as they were securing the last of their stores. "Me either, there is something definately not right about this. We'll have their man watched everywhere he goes. He shan't have a second that he will be without surveillance. There is nothing else we can do. There is no way we could have left this rock without having taken this job. We'll just have to deal with whatever crap gets hurled our way", she said with a shrug, her left hand resting on the hilt of her falcata.

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Ousren
Silver Town
Streets

Charlie didn't like the large man at all. Something about the way he spoke, the shift of his eyes, made him seem untrustworthy, more than most. It made her skin crawl. He soon left though, and she waited while the doctor patched up Nol and Katy. Having him work on them must be an act of good faith, to make them like him. It wasn't working.

Ousren
Nightfall
Cargo Bay

"Hopefully not literal crap, Charlie quipped, hopping up to sit on a crate while she turned a part over in her hands. The fuel cells could work just fine without it for a while, but they'd need to get a new one eventually else the whole ship would come to a standstill. She tossed the part to Nol idly and started to plait her hair back away from her face, ready to get to work. "The money'll keep the ship going a little longer, that's the main thing. 'Sides, how bad could the work be? We're thieves for crying out loud."

Ousren
Nightfall
Cargo Bay

Katylinn grinned mischieviously and gave a non-committal shrug, "Well one is best prepared" she answered simply in her thick lilting accent. She leaned against the bulkhead and rested her hand on the hilt of her falcata. "Thieves we may be, and skilled ones at that. But it ne'er bodes well to ask how bad can it get. It ne'er fails to make things as worse as they can possibly get", Katylinn said with a wry grin she flashed at Charlie. "Now I am going to the galley for coffee. You're welcome to join", she said as she ducked under the bulkhead and through the hatch into the depths of the ship to the galley.

Nightfall
Galley

Katylinn turned around in the small galley. She had fast learnt her way around, ne'er able to be without the dark life giving substance that was coffee. She inhaled the fresh aroma as she ground the beans and placed them in the filter. She tapped the metal bench impatiently as she waited for the delicious oils to extract. She heard the pitter patter of army boots on the floor and looked up as she pulled a steaming cup from the coffee machine. "Can I get you anything?" she asked with a cheeky grin.

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Ousren
Nightfall
Cargo Bay

Isaac quickly headed into the ship after a long day of planning and snooping he finally found something that was worthy of his time, this heist was going to be great. Isaac stopped in his tracks when he spotted Nol, who looked really ticked, "Woah boss man, before you got nuts at me, I have something that might interest you. I met up with an old friend and he gave me this" Isaac said in a warned tone, he flicked out a map of a system of planets. "See this planet here, well for a short amount of time each month an secret alliance transport comes through here, its totally unguarded and open for season" Issac spoke with an excitement building in his voice, he walked over and pointed to the planet on the map to show Nol. "This thing carries medicine, ammo, guns, you name it,its got it. It does have a small defense crew but I've got a plan for that" Issac quickly dug around in his case and pulled out a small canister, "Sleeping gas" Issac said with a smile and a cunning voice.

"So, did I do good or what?"

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Ousren
Nightfall
Cargo Bay

"Hopefully not literal crap,"/"The money'll keep the ship going a little longer, that's the main thing. 'Sides, how bad could the work be? We're thieves for crying out loud."

Nol looked over at his mechanic. "My thoughts exactly Charlie. I mean all it is is a drop off. Thats all. Shinny right?"

"Well one is best prepared" she answered simply in her thick lilting accent. She leaned against the bulkhead and rested her hand on the hilt of her falcata. "Thieves we may be, and skilled ones at that. But it ne'er bodes well to ask how bad can it get. It ne'er fails to make things as worse as they can possibly get"

Nol though hard, his hands laying on his pistols. "well if they get too nosy, you and Issac can always shot them" he said to Linn. Then Issac popped out form where he had been hiding. "And where haf ya been while we got our arses handed to us" he said and got his answer.

"Nice but we haf another easier job. A delivery with enough pay for Charlie here to go wild and fix up Nightfall here all Shinny, just with her half" he stated as he thought of something. "Maybe we should get some passengers to make it look legal sort, Issac would you mind?"

Ousren
Nightfall
Richie's Quarters

The bible lay open on the bed for Richie to read as he dressed. Shepherds were supposed to wear certain clothes, a uniform of kinds, plain to avoid vanity and recognisable to draw people in. Giving guidance to Independants when he was fresh out of the abbey, Richie soon learned that they found the clothes intimidating. It was easier for them to talk to someone who looked like an everyday guy, someone who they couldn't picture conspiring with God himself and judging them harshly. And so he had started wearing 'normal' clothes, such as the ones he was putting on. A white linen shirt, worn dark jeans, a thin tan leather overcoat to keep out the chill; and a pair of boots he'd gotten from army surplus, perfect for walking on rough terrain between towns on the rim planets. The engraved wooden cross, a present from a carpenter he'd given council to a few years back, hung around his neck on the matching bead necklace.

He looked in the mirror just long enough to make sure his hair was in a decent state; one couldn't risk vanity but healthy interest in a neat appearance was acceptable. Tucking the bible into one of his overcoats large pockets, he headed out to check on the crew. Maybe someone would need his help today.


Nightfall
Galley

He climbed up the stairs and walked down to the galley to get himself a drink and see if anyone was about. In the dim light, he could make out someone who was, judging by the smell in the air, making fresh coffee. He hadn't had it in longer than he could remember, and even then it had only been his second or third ever mug. They used instant granules most places outside of the core planets.

"A cup of that coffee wouldn't go amiss," he said with a slight smile, standing with his hands resting on the back of a dining chair while he waited. "I'm confident that, if he had tasted modern ground coffee, Jesus would have turned water into that instead." With any luck, she'd bite at his bad joke and open up a line of preachin'.

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Nightfall
Galley

Katylinn looked up to see the Shepard enter the galley. "Aye of course" she said as she poured steamed milk into a tin cup and handed the aromatic beverage to the Holy man. She chuckled at his humour, and knowing the state of the cofffee industry, she was quite proud of her regular supply of top quality beans. "Aye, but then it does not have the same ring to it? Water into wine sounds far more impressive than water into coffee... As much as water into coffee." she said with a casual grin as she went about wiping down the machine and disposing of the spent coffee from the group head. "So have you settled in all shiny, Shepard?" she asked with genuine concer. She knew most Browncoat survivers had no time for the preachings of a Shepard; his God had no place in the carnage they had seen. It could make life on the ship difficult and she wanted to make sure that he was not being given too hard a time by the uncouth crew members they had aboard.

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Ousren
Nightfall
Cargo Bay

"My thoughts exactly Charlie. I mean all it is is a drop off. Thats all. Shinny right?"

"As long as it's nothing that'll get us killed, yeah, it's shiny," she said deadpan. Then Isaac came bounding in. The way his eyes shone, it was clear he'd been up to something. He was like a puppy - if the tail wagged, he was pleased. Either cos he liked you or cos he'd shitted on the rug.

"See this planet here, well for a short amount of time each month an secret alliance transport comes through here, its totally unguarded and open for season"/"This thing carries medicine, ammo, guns, you name it,its got it. It does have a small defense crew but I've got a plan for that"/"Sleeping gas"/"So, did I do good or what?"

"Nice but we haf another easier job. A delivery with enough pay for Charlie here to go wild and fix up Nightfall here all Shinny, just with her half"/"Maybe we should get some passengers to make it look legal sort, Issac would you mind?"

Charlie fought a grin, winking at Isaac. "Yeah, go and use your charm. If you try real hard you may attract one whole person to the ship, wouldn't that be awesome?" Sarcasm. Overload. She'd have to sit and actually talk to the guy sometime, get to know him, lose brain cells in the process.

She mock-glared over at Nol. "And I find it wholly unfair, Cap'n, that I have to fix her up with my money. Can't we all throw a little in?" She gave her widest puppydog eyes. "Pleeeease?


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(OOC: Charlie really needs to start being nice to poor Isaac )

Ousren
Nightfall
Galley

"Aye, but then it does not have the same ring to it? Water into wine sounds far more impressive than water into coffee... As much as water into coffee."

Richie accepted the mug of coffee with a quiet but earnest 'thank you', moving back to sit at the dining table. The quip made him chuckle and he nodded in agreement. "Yes, I suppose it does."

"So have you settled in all shiny, Shepard?"

He took a long sip of coffee before answering, the taste so good as to be almost sinful. "Yes, thank you. My room is comfortable and the crew have been most accomodating. Quiet, though. I'm starting to think you all don't like preachers much." He gave a little shrug. Not everyone wanted to hear the Word, he understood that. He honestly didn't mind either. As long as a person had a clear mind and wasn't hurting, he was happy to leave them be. Alas, this ship felt like a whole lot of hurt. "I see the Captain is a Browncoat. Is the rest of the crew, too?"


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Ousren
Nightfall
Galley

Katylinn chuckled as she took a seat at the small metal bench that served as a dining table. A Shepard with a sense of humour, how rare she though to herself. She chcuckled and shook her head. "No there has not been much call for preachin' 'round here. But hey, if you find a willing ear, go for your life", she said with a casual shrug. She had no problem with Preachers, but if they tried to shove their beliefs down her throat, then they would find something far more tangible down their own.

Katylinn shook her head, "No no, just the Cap'n and I. A word to the wise, don't try and sell your God to him, you'll just get a string of curses and a swift kick up the backside for the trouble" she said as she saluted him with her coffee.

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Ousren
Nightfall
Galley

"My God?" Richie smiled widely. "My God is everyone elses God. I believe that all religion comes from the same place. The almighty may not be the same form in every case, but he is still the same power and love."

He saw the look on her face and surpressed a sigh. He wasn't in the mood to have his ass kicked - it had only been a few weeks since the last time. "What do you believe, Ms Mersah?"

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Ousren
Nightfall
Galley

Katylinn was completely taken aback by Richie's belief. From what she knew of Shepards, it was their God or Damnation. She was pleased that this particular Shepard had a more open minded view of things. With any luck he would keep his skin intact for far longer than she anticipated. "That is a rather unique take on what you preach. I can't say most of your brethren would agree with you though, Shepard Quentin" she said quietly.

Katylinn shrugged at his question. Religion was not something she had ever given much thought to. She only knew that the God the Shepards forced down people's throats was not what she believed. "I guess I am more of a free thinker. I mean, there is something more than us out there... As to what it is is far beyond me. I think I just believe that we are the masters of our own reality. Cosmic purpose, karmic debt, the soulmind's ascention... That kind of thing" she said quitely, a little unsure of the Shepard's response.

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Ousren
Nightfall
Galley

"That is a rather unique take on what you preach. I can't say most of your brethren would agree with you though, Shepard Quentin" she said quietly.

"They haven't seen what I've seen," he replied. Richie had gone out into the world to preach right after the end of the war - he'd seen the broken and infirm, the damaged - both mentally and physically. More and more, Shepherds were staying within, or even travelling to, the core planets, where it was safer and everyone wanted redemption for their sinful ways before they died.

"I guess I am more of a free thinker. I mean, there is something more than us out there... As to what it is is far beyond me. I think I just believe that we are the masters of our own reality. Cosmic purpose, karmic debt, the soulmind's ascention... That kind of thing"

"God's love, cause and effect, life after death. It's all the same. '"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord.' True, he was saying that his ways are above everyone elses, but the sentiment still stands," he grinned.


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Ousren
Nightfall
Galley

Katylinn nodded her head. "Aye, that certainly seems the way of it. Safe within their cloisters, hurling their fire and brimstone at the uneducated masses" she said with a wry grin. "And since we are the sum of our experiences, so they say; then you would definately see a much more varied array of human nature than those of your brothers sequestered in the cloisters." she reasoned good-naturedly.

Katylinn laughed and leaned back against the wall, "And thus I could not escape a quotation from your Book upon our first meeting. I must be slipping indeed" she chuckled. To be honest, he was pleasant company, even despite the religious preachings. And since he seemed content to allow her her own beliefs, she would tolerate the occasional preaching at her. "Do not think yourself successful, Shepard Quentin, the rest of the crew are not so easy a mark as me" she said warmly as she finished the rest of her coffee.

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Ousren
Nightfall
Galley

Richie didn't respond to her assessment of the other Shepherds. To aknowledge the truth in it would be inappropriate, and to deny it would be a lie, so he settled for the middleground. Silence.

"And thus I could not escape a quotation from your Book upon our first meeting. I must be slipping indeed"/"Do not think yourself successful, Shepard Quentin, the rest of the crew are not so easy a mark as me"

Her laugh was pretty. This was clearly a wrong train of thought. He took a big sip of hot coffee, which burned like a mother, and tried to clear his thoughts. Her last comment made him smile. "Well I apologise in advance but I've already gotten a bible study with your mechanic, she's how I knew your name. Though I must admit, I'm not sure her intentions for me are entirely wholesome. I do plan on at least trying to talk to your Captain and pilot though." He paused for a moment. "And anyone else aboard. It's the nature of the beast."

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