Inspection!

[Admiral Hart]

Captain Jonah Hart, pirate, swordsman, scoundrel, and rake extraordinaire, stood on his bridge and smirked widely, like he usually did. The man was slightly over six feet tall and built much like the fencer he was, athletic, well toned, and robust. His outfit was striking enough--bright red captain's hat, gold-trimmed red jacket over a white dress shirt, a pair of red panatloons and heavy red boots--adding the fact that he was very handsome and dashing, and the rapier at his side, he made many member of the opposite sex swoon at his very sight.

His bright blue eyes twinkled. "Mr. Halcyon, order all crew to the assembly room on the double. It's time for inspection and I have an announcement or two to make."

His first mate, Morgan Halcyon, nodded. It seemed that those her were not infatuated with Captain Hart found themselves smitten with Morgan. A very tall, lean, pretty, muscualr black man, he was both imposing and inspiring in appearance. His mid-back length dreadlocks and calm, determined light brown eyes set most female crew member's hearts fluttering. His well-tailored black uniform and jacket, with a skull and crossbones patch on the shoulder, did not hurt this either.

"Attention, all crew and passenger must report to the main assembly room ASAP for inspection by the Captain. Failure to show up will result in a fifty percent cut on the next plunder. Please remember your uniforms. That is all, Halcyon out." Morgan finished, shutting down the com.

"A bit harsh, don't you think?" Hart said abesnt-mindedly.

"There's gotta be some penalty, Jonah." Morgan replied. "Or else no one would come except to ogle you."

"I'm sure a few would make some time in their busy schedule to see you too." Hart replied dryly as he began to saunter towards the assembly room. "Oh well, musn't keep the troops waiting. Even if they are going to do so to us...."

[Dr. Andromeda Reyes]

Dr. Andromeda Reyes eyed the loudspeaker above her head from where she sat in the infirmary, then sighed and rolled her eyes slightly.

"Inspection," huh.

While the idea was somewhat foolish, Andromeda certainly didn't want to test the First Mate's claim of losing half of her share of the take. She, nor her sister, could afford such a loss.

The 29 year old woman set her data pad aside, from where she had been tallying the supplies she had left in the infirmary and all the things she would need to have replaced at the next port. Tall and slender at a statuesque 5'10", her willowy frame was covered in a pale blue silk blouse, white dress pants and then a long white doctor's coat on over them--a typical outfit for the ship's Chief Medical Officer. Her skin was a rich copper, her ink black hair pulled back in a somewhat severe french twist with only a stray lock at her forehead defying the coiffure and falling over her left eye, which were both a bright golden-brown.

The striking female got to her feet then, and headed for the room she shared with her little sister, Cassiopeia. Well, at least in theory. Her work in the infirmary--and her tendancy to leave no situation, injury or problem unsolved--meant that she spent more nights curled up on one of the examination beds than was probably healthy. Yet she took her job very seriously, such as it was, and put forth every ounce of effort she had to be the very best at it.

She had once been one of the brightest, most up-and-coming surgeons in the solar system. And now, for love of her sister Cassi, she was an overworked, underpaid, overstressed ship's medic on one of the most notorious vessels in the skies. Andromeda sighed at that, shaking her head. Life was a never-ending bramble of unexpected surprises.

She entered through the sliding door, then blinked in surprise when her sister was no where inside it. Now frowing, Andromeda stepped back out again and glanced this way and that.

Where was that blasted girl?

[Cassiopeia Reyes-Hart]

Sixteen year old Cassiopeia Reyes stared hard at herself in the mirror. An almost ethereally pretty face stared back, skin a soft cream-copper, her features a piquant mix of fey, sweet and sensual. She was 5'6" now, though showed signs of maybe growing at least a little bit taller in the years to come, the body beneath her bright yellow sun-dress still somewhat slender in youth but was beginning to slowly bud into more womanly curves every day. Her hair was a pale cornsilk gold, thick and lustrous and cascading down behind her all the way down to the backs of her thighs. She was exceptionally pretty. At least that's what most everyone else always said. Yet she couldn't help but stare at her odd, metallic silver eyes and feel as though most everyone else was overlooking a few important flaws. Normally almost irrepressibly cheery, it wasn't often that she indulged in a bit of doldrums. Yet she was a teenager after all, full of raging hormones--or at least that's what her big sister Andromeda was always saying.

She grimaced a little, teeth worrying on her full lower lip before reaching up and pulling the heavy fall of her blonde hair back. There they were, the biggest proof of her oddity. Her ears were not the normal shell-shape of a regular human. Rather her ears were very prominantly upswept and pointed at the tips, nearly two inches bigger than anyone else's because of it. Physical proof of her Mage blood. Her bane.

Elf ears and metallic eyes aren't exactly sexy material.

The sixteen year old stuck her tongue out at herself for the unkind thought, then rolled her eyes heavenward and blew out a heavy sigh. She was insulting herself. This is how crazy people were made.

Cassi turned slightly when the intercom system suddenly flickered to life. "Attention, all crew and passenger must report to the main assembly room ASAP for inspection by the Captain. Failure to show up will result in a fifty percent cut on the next plunder. Please remember your uniforms. That is all, Halcyon out."

Cassi felt her heart jump in her chest, butterflies suddenly thundering in her stomach, her cheeks coloring into an interesting shade of pink at the sound of Morgan Halcyon's deep voice--the color invariably spreading to the pointed tips of her wretched ears. She had the worst sort of crush on the drool-worthy First Mate, uncaring of the fact that she was only sixteen and he was well into his mid-twenties, a full ten years her senior.

Any excuse to get to see him was a good one.

With that in mind she turned on her bare feet and fair skipped out of the gym area, skirt flouncing with every stride. She didn't like to wear shoes if she could avoid it. With the sometimes disorienting sensation that came with her chaotic abilities, it was important for her to be able to feel the ground beneath her. Otherwise she sometimes felt as though she might just float away. Cassi called out greetings to everyone she passed, all by name, and every one of them smiled and returned it. She just had that effect on a person, after all.

It was very hard to be near Cassi Reyes when she was happy--which was almost all the time--and not smile. Which is why the Captain had named her the official mascot of the Plunder's Heart. A job and rank she took very seriously. Someone had to keep the crew upbeat and cheerful, after all. It might as well be her.

Cassi skipped up through the assembly doors, then grinned at the sight of the man decked from head to toe in red. "Present and accounted for, Captain!"

[T.K.]

T.K. Was shoulder's deep inside one of the engines, when Morgan's announcement came over the speakers. He ignored it, as he continued working on replacing one of the Mag Couplings.

“You're going to be late T.K. That can wait.”

He ignored the other mechanic for a moment as he finally forced the coupling loose.

“So I'll be late.”

“You're going to piss off Morgan. Again.”

“And?”

“You heard him, you'll loose half your share from the next job.”

“Have you ever seen me actually spend money?”

“You're going to get in trouble.”

“What's he going to do, fire me? Besides, unless you start running right now, you're going to be late.”

“Damn. It'll server you right if you do get in trouble.”

The other mechanic quickly left, leaving T.K. In peace.

“Finally. Now, how about you be a good little Mag Coupling, and tell me what's wrong with you.”

The next twenty minutes were spent poking and prodding the coupling, and replacing a few minor pieces, before finally putting it back in place.

“There, all done. I suppose I should get to the inspection now.”

With a smirk, he leaned over a console, and picked up his Uniform Jacket with his teeth, since his hands were covered in grease. A quick jog later, found him entering the Assembly Hall.

“Sto, watd I mish?”

[Dane]

Dane Marek waited for the airlock to open, when it did he adjusted his jacket over his left shoulder while his arm remained uncovered. He was wearing a skin tight black sleeveless muscle shirt with matching pants that fit snug on his waist. His hair was all one length and tied back in a loose tail.

Finally the airlock opened, he took another deep breath, adjusted his coat covering his arm and left the flying canoe. He took one last look at the ship before leaving it behind.

Swear that things going to be the end of me, such a junk pile. He patted his pocket and smirked as he headed out of the hanger. Still a piece of shit, but mission accomplished. He sighed, I miss my baby Elsa...she never let me down.

"Dane!" he turned to give Jonas a droll look, the grease monkey gave him a angry glare while he remained straight faced. "Can't you EVER return my ship in working order!? You crazy son of--" his next words were cut short when he was staring down the barrel of one of his favorite guns, it was a simple 'looking' gun light colored metallic body and polished silver trim, on the side sketched out the outline of a female in a lewd pose with the words "Veronica" engraved below it. The grease monkey gulped while staring down the barrel, eyes firmly locked on it. Dane remained straight faced.

"Look, Jonas. I understand what its like to send out your baby in the hands of a practical stranger." he took a deep breath before continuing. "That being said, don't ever call me crazy again. I'm not crazy." he smiled. Usually a bad sign. "Crazy people shoot people for no reason, I'll shoot you for calling me crazy. But I'm not crazy." he took his gun away from his head and leaned in close. "Why so serious?" Dane teased then patted him on the shoulder still holding his gun causing him to jerk. "Now, I didn't break your baby, blame UE for shooting her up, I took good care of her. Now, well work something out if the Captain doesn't cover the damages, K?" he went to walk away, putting Veronica back in his shirt holster. He stopped and looked over his shoulder. "By the way, don't call me crazy. Ever again." Jonas blinked slightly and nodded, wisely walking away.

Dane smirked wide and made his way through the halls, few minutes later he arrived in the Assembly Hall, almost immediately upon entering the room, eyes turned to him, he ignored most as he slipped his jacket over his other shoulder, the entire time he never moved his left arm or gave away the pain he was in. One female turned to him, eyes sharp. He smirked as Dr. Andromeda sighed and came over to him, lab coat near floating in her wake. She didn't waste time, quick efficient hands placed on the front of his shoulder blade below his coat and the other on his arm, with a jerk and a loud pop his shoulder was back in place. The only reaction he showed was a slight twitch in his eyes. The female turned, throwing over her shoulder.

"Your welcome Mr. Marek." he smirked playfully.

"And thank you Doc. As always." he opened and closed his left fist, trying to loosen the stiffness in it while he waited.

[Admiral Hart]

Captain Hart waited for everyone--even TK--to arrive before he began. Morgan shot the engineer a disapproving look that Hart casually waved off.

"At ease, everyone." Hart said with a smile. "So, it has come to my attention that it has been a while since we've done any major plunder. Sure, we've knocked over a freighter or two, sold some pretty decent goods on the black market. However, something has come to my attention today that may kill two birds with one stone."

Jonah patrolled down the ranks of his men and women, pacing purposefully rather than nervously, a mischievous twinkle in his eye. "It has come to my attention that certain military vehicles are being shipped from the main impound lot on Luna Base to a peacekeeping garrison in Callisto. In addition to carrying seveal million credits worth of military hardware in various states of repair," He began, eyeing the smirk on T.K.'s face that could only mean 'Woo, spare parts', "A certain battle-suit is also being transported. One you may be quite familiar with, Dane." Captain Hart said as he pased in front of his weapons expert. His face lit up.

"Elsa? My Elsa?!" He said excitedly. Jonah nodded.

"That's right. We've found your girl and a lot of loot, and all we need to do is knock over a military freighter for it. I'll give you all the details of the mission later. For now, pack up and get ready, because our off time is over." Captain Hart winked at Dr. Reyes. "That means get ready to give more stitches to Dane, Andi."

"Joy and rapture." Andromeda replied dryly.

"Alright, dismissed. We're already on intercept course. In fourty eight hours, the mission begins in earnest. I expect you all in the perfect condition I know you all for." Jonah said as his troops began to excitedly file out of the assembly room. The Captain then strode over to First Mate Halcyon and began to confer with him, plunder and mayhem now firmly on the horizon.

[Dr. Andromeda Reyes]

Andromeda strode from the assembly room after the 'inspection' was through, her long white coat fluttering behind her with each purposeful step. Cassi pranced along beside her, alternating between giggling at her older sister's annoyance and trying to placate her.

"Aw, I'm sorry Andi!" she pronounced somewhat breathlessly, expending about twice as much energy as the taller of the two from the way she was pirouetting down the hall. On bare feet. Again. Andromeda sent up a silent prayer to whomever was listening for patience. If she ever managed to get the girl to wear shoes, she would die a happy woman. "Honest," Cassi continued. "I could have sworn I told you I was gonna go help Ivan out in the gym."

"Well you didn't," Andromeda returned disapprovingly. "As a result I was running around this whole ship like a crazy woman trying to hunt you down, and was almost late for the meeting."

Cassiopeia did her best to look contrite. It didn't last long, however, melting back into her ever-present grin of excitement.

"This should be exciting, huh? A grand coup against the UE and a huge take!"

Andromeda groaned. Hart was rubbing off on her sister more and more every day. "Yes, exciting," she sneered. "More gun shots, burns and countless lacerations, that's all these missions ever mean for me. And that's just from Mr. Marek, who knows what other injuries I'll have to see to before this is all said and done."

Her mind was already covering all the myriad possibilities, going over all the supplies she had in the infirmary and everything she'd need to restock before the mission began.

"I wonder if Captain Hart would let me--,"

"No!" Andromeda cut her off sharply, causing Cassi to blink in surprise. The older sister raised a finger, expression stern. "Under no circumstances are you to have anything to do with this mission, or any other. That was our agreement when I signed on to this job," she reminded her for what was probably the hundredth time. She did her best to ignore Cassi rolling her eyes and mouthing the words along with her. "Captain Hart promised me you would be kept away from the danger as much as possible. And that's right where you're going to stay. You hear me?"

Cassiopeia let out a loud groaning sigh. "Yeah, I hear you, Andi."

They neared the infirmary, and Andromeda gave her an arch look. "Have you finished your math programs for this week?" Her sister flushed guiltily and the elder frowned. "Well that's right where you can carry yourself, young lady. We may be stranded out in the middle of space with a ship full of cutthroats and thieves, but that's no excuse to let your studies suffer."

"But I hate math!" Cassi whined, putting on her best pouty face. Andromeda could say with confidence that she was one of the very few people who remained mostly unaffected by it.

"Go on!" she urged, motioning for the room that she shared. "I don't want to see you away from that computer terminal until you're all caught up for this week."

Cassi let out another highly aggrieved sigh, but finally turned and headed for the room, shoulders drooping. Andromeda shook her head slightly with a smile, stepping back into the infirmary to finish her tally list. She would restock with what she had for now, and then find time to talk to the Captain sometime in the near future and make sure he was aware of everything that needed to be replaced.

[Cassiopeia Reyes-Hart]

Cassi propped her chin in one hand, staring blankly at the computer terminal as the AI instructor droned on and on about algebra problems that she neither liked nor cared too terribly much about. After another few minutes of poking half-heartedly at the screen, she let out a loud groan and finally gave up the battle, shutting it off again with a jab of her finger.

"What good is algebra anyway?" she asked the empty room petulantly. "Not a darned thing, that's what." She crossed her arms for a moment more, sulking, then--restless-- she got to her feet and headed for the door.

Maybe T.K. could use some help in the engine room. Or, Cassi grinned guiltily, maybe she could catch Morgan somewhere. Of course, she didn't really know what she would say to him if she did. She never knew what to say to him, she admitted to herself with a self-depreciating sigh. She always seemed to get so tongue-tied whenever he was near-by, stuttering like a ditz and blushing pink clear to the tops of her ears. Aside from smiling at her every now and then and saying hello, Morgan Halcyon barely even knew that she existed.

Cassi had stepped out into the hallway, but gasped as she felt the now sickeningly familiar sensation of the world around her tilting on it's axis. Her head grew light, swimmy, and disoriented, her vision tunneling and swirling into a chaotic sea of color and shapes. She stumbled, hitting the wall on her shoulder hard enough to sting and leave a slight bruise. Cassi panted, grabbing at her temples and doing her best to try and halt the almost instinctual activation of her power, but controlling it was a lot harder than using it, unfortunately.

Unwillingly, the real-world disappeared. And within the kaleidoscope of fragmented shards, a distinguishable shape began to take form. Tall and dark, Morgan's face began to form in front of her, expression knitted with concentration. He was standing in front of the Captain. They were talking about things, complicated things, stuff that had to do with the upcoming mission and a lot of it going way over her head.

Cassi struggled to force her eyes shut, mewling a little with the effort it took. Finally she managed to close them, and the world went blissfully black. The slender girl stayed where she was, unmoving, focusing on the feel of the plush carpet beneath her feet. Her toes curled into it, concentrating with all her might on the feel of the fibers between them. She remained that way for several moments before she felt as though she had regained some measure of control again.

When she straightened again with a shaky sigh, it was to see more than one crewman standing around her, expressions worried.

"You okay, little bit?" one of them, a big and grizzly old ammunitions specialist by the name of Hank, questioned cautiously. Cassi gave them the best smile she could, which trembled a little under the circumstances, but was still as heart-felt as ever.

"Oh yah, I'm fine," she assured them brightly. "Just had a little bit of a thing there," she mumbled, motioning to her eyes dismissively. "But I'm okay now, no harm done."

It took several more minutes of convincing--and her turning down several other offers to escort her to the infirmary or back to her room--before Cassi finally managed to get free of the pack of well-meaning protectors and continue on with her previous mission. As she did so, the sixteen year old did her best to shake off the residual light-headedness and nausea that always came from using her powers. It wouldn't do to let any of them see how bad it really was. They'd all worry more then, especially Andromeda. And Andi worried enough about her as it was.

The last thing Cassi wanted to do was add to it.

[Dane]

My baby...my Elsa...I'm GETTING MY BABY BACK!

Dane nearly flipped in place, beyond excited at this point he jerked his hands in the air in pre triumph. He ran out of the room and down the hall, fighting the urge to stop and kiss a random girl as he ran by. A no no in the captains hand book, not gonna do that...again.

He opened his quarters doors and walked over to his bookcase, filled with a variety of random bullshit books. He pulled on a copy of 'War and Peace' a soft click opened up his private storage, he sighed as he stared at his babies. Nearly every style and shape, both legal and illegal gun models lined the 3 walls, variety of explosives and tools at his disposal. Dane tapped his chin a few moments as he browsed his gun racks like a buffet line, listing off his choices and needs through a list he generated in his mind.

Dane grinned like a fool, his eyes adverted to the wall in between two of his favorite guns-- Betty and Matilda. A small 8x10 photo sat there wedged, a younger self standing next to his Elsa, his gaze fell upon the woman next to his younger self. A tall skinny red head, the chief mechanic of his squadron smiled at him, frozen forever in time with her arms firmly locked around his neck.

The Weapons Expert smiled and touched the edge of the picture.

Good times...gone now. Off to bigger and better things I guess...just minus a certain detail.

Dane looked away, concentrating on his task, his face now unreadable as he collected his weapons.

[T.K.]

As soon as the meeting was over, T.K. bolted from the room, barely waiting for the Captain's Dismissal. He made a quick pit-stop in his quarters to clean up, before grabbing a clean uniform, and running back to the Engine Room.

T.K. nodded to all three Crew Chiefs who were already waiting on him. He grabbed three Data Tablets, and quickly wrote on them as he began speaking.

“Sanchez. Your crew is on Weapons detail. I want a full readout on all systems, and double check all the controls. We can't afford a glitch in the middle of a fight. Jonas, your crew is on Shields and the Tractor Beams. Make sure they're at full capacity, and there are no malfunctions in the energy systems. Fairchild, your team will be with me. We'll be doing a full diagnostic on the engines, and making sure that they're ready to handle the spectacular maneuvers I'm sure Captain hart is going to put them through.”

He handed each one them one of the Tablets, before grabbing another for himself. He made sure it was linked to the other three, before dismissing the other two Chiefs.

“Cassie, you're free until your shift starts. I expect to see you at 1500 sharp.”

“You got it boss.”

T.K. made his way to the main terminals, and did a quick supplies check. He already knew them by memory, but it didn't hurt to double check, especially since he had a feeling they'd be needing them for repairs soon enough. After checking inventory, and running a generic systems check, he sent a note to the Crew Chiefs, that he would be in the Starboard Engine Housing, working on the problem with Energy Converter J-17.

[Cassiopeia Reyes-Hart]

Cassiopeia wandered into the engine room, nimbly dodging and weaving through the various personnel all scrambling this way and that to get their various tasks done. Those that noticed her either grinned or groaned, or both. Cassi absently waved at all of them as she zeroed in on her destination.

She saw him half buried beneath a very large, mechanical something--she was really kind've hopeless when it came to all this technical stuff--laying on his back with his legs sticking out, half bent. She could hear various clangs and thumps as he worked on whatever it was that was broken, an occasional curse or mutter letting loose, sounding disjointed and hollowed-out from inside the machine. Cassiopeia leaned down over it herself--until she was nearly hanging upside down--her long blonde hair cascading like a river and pooling on the ground beneath her.

"Teeeeeeeeeee-kaaaaaaaaaay!"

"Blaaagh!"

The Asian Chief Engineer released a loud yelp of surprise, and jerked, and Cassi winced at the dull thump that immediately followed. That probably meant that he'd just hit his head on something. There was a slight pause, and then the slender male shoved himself out from under the big metal thingy he was working on. His wild, short-cropped white hair was sticking up crazier than normal, his face smudged here or there in grease and dirt, his odd-colored eyes blinking rapidly before an expression of dry amusement painted his features.

"Uh . . . Cassi? Does your sister know you're here?"

The blonde scoffed, rolling her eyes. "Well that wouldn't be any fun, now would it?"

He just shook his head at that. He glanced back up at his work and adjusted a few more things. "So," he commented then. "How's the math coming along?" Cassi just let out a loud groan, and he laughed outright. "That bad, huh?"

There was only one response that would do, and Cassi gave it, sticking her tongue out at T.K., unrepentant, though that just caused him to laugh harder.

"So what're you doin' down here?"

Cassi swung her legs absently behind her. "I wanna help out."

T.K. winced, then hesitated and sighed. "Alright. Here's the deal. I'll let you help out in here," he agreed, ignoring the looks of horror that went up around them, to which Cassiopeia was oblivious, "if you finish all of your math simulations at the same time."

Cassi just eyed him suspiciously. "Did Andi put you up to this?"

[Admiral Hart]

When Andromeda entered the Captain's cabin, he was looking somewhat sadly at something on his com tablet. When he noticed her, he casually shut down the tablet and smiled brightly, motioning to a chair in front of the lavish wooden desk in front of him. "Andi, come in, sit down. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

"Business, as usual, Captain Hart." She replied. Jonah never called her by her full name. She never called him by his first. "I need to talk to you about resupplying our medical supplies."

"Didn't we just pick up some at the Cove?" Jonah replied. Andromeda shook her head.

"What they sell at that den of thieves is barely worth stitching up a dog, Captain." She replied disdainfully. "I am fast running out of the actually useful items I brought with me on this expedition. In order to maintain the quality of service I have been, I will need that stock replenished."

"Andi, this isn't a hospital. Yes, it's not ideal, but you have to learn to adapt. Improvise. Go with what you have." Jonah replied.

"What I have makes bloodletting tools look like a surgical laser." Andromeda countered. "With the amount of injuries Mr. Merak alone brings in, this trash will barely keep us functional."

The Pirate Captain thought for a few moments. "How about I put in an order through Aphrodite, and we can pick it up next time we're on shore leave? You will, of course, have to send her a list of what you will need."

Andromeda blanched. "Captain, perhaps you should..."

"Now now," he began, smirking, "I have full confidence in your ability to tell our esteemed friend all we need. You should do that as soon as you can, in fact. To make sure that the order is in when we get there."

Now she was glaring at him. "Captain Hart, you are not funny."

"I disagree." He chuckled. "Anything else?"

"No, sir." She sighed and started out of the room. Jonah watched her for one, calculating second before calling out, "Oh, and say hello to Aphrodite for me!"

When she was gone, and the door shut, however, he pulled out the computer tablet again and booted it up. He sighed at what he saw and said, in a whisper so quiet even he did not even quite hear it, "Clara..."

[T.K.]

“Hey, hey, you should know me better than that by now. I just believe, that a good education will take you places. Look at me. I studied hard in school, and now I'm the Chief Engineer for the greatest Pirate ever.”

She looked down at him, and gave him a funny look.

"Come off it, T.K. You dropped OUT of school, and it was dumb luck that had you joining this crew, you said so yourself."

Unable to form a reply, T.K. continued to fiddle with the Converter. After a few minutes with her smirking down at him, T.K. finally had enough, and stood up.

“Alright, so I just happen to find math enjoyable. And I dropped out, because most of the teachers didn't even know what they were teaching. Now come on. Let's get you a work suit, and a set of tools.”

He let her enjoy her 'victory', long enough to get the suit, and a spare set of tools, before stopping at a data terminal, and uploading her math lessons to a Data Tablet.

“We can't forget about this.”

He did his damnedest to look away from her, and ignore the pout she was trying to use against him.

[Dr. Andromeda Reyes]

Andromeda took several slow, calming breaths from where she sat in front of the currently blank communications terminal. She silently counted to ten, didn't feel any better, so started counting again.

Any conversation with that impossible man never ceased to put her on edge, even after two full years of being under his employ. She gnashed her teeth. Resupply at the Cove, indeed. Most pirate ships' medics still considered oiled twine and a wooden screw as viable medical supplies. More often than not they were capable of only rudimentary healing, and were less in the business of saving lives and more of making a body feel marginally better before they died. Butchers, the lot of them.

And now, to get the supplies she needed to not be forced to join their ranks, she had to speak to the very last person in this universe that she was inclined to--barring her own parents of course. Madam A, owner and proprietor of the largest hotel-resort-casino-whore house on the planet Venus--or anywhere else in the solar system. A Chinese-English woman born to old money, she was also deeply embroiled in the information-brokerage business, and had used it to elevate her status to near deity-level power.

She and Captain Hart were also very close friends. How close was anyone's guess, though anyone with half a brain didn't have to think very hard to draw some obvious conclusions.

Not wanting to dwell on that thought or all the others that came clamoring in after it--most of which she refused to own up to even to herself--Andromeda finally reached for the terminal and typed in the code she'd been given. A few moments later the screen flickered to life, showing an extremely beautiful female draped in scarlet silk, her inky hair pulled up into an intricate dress with various golden combs and chains. Upon seeing her, the woman smiled.

"Ah, Dr. Reyes," she purred. "What an unexpected surprise. To what do I owe the pleasure, darling?"

Andromeda strove for calm, placid neutrality. The woman in front of her was one of the best readers she had ever seen. "Captain Hart asked me to contact you concerning certain medical supplies that we are in dire need of replacement," she pronounced, tone all business, brisk and abrupt. "Supplies that cannot be procured on the Cove, obviously, delicate equipment and some of the more expensive medications and supplies. He seemed confident that you could fulfill the order."

Madam A eyed her silently for a moment, then, "you always seem so tense, doctor," she murmured softly, causing Andromeda to tense up even more. "Is there a particular reason why I make you so uncomfortable, my dear?"

"No, of course not," she replied, probably a little too forcefully. "If I seem abrupt, I do apologize, but the lack of proper supplies has made a difficult job even more stressful, of late. I apologize for any offense, Madam."

The woman scoffed slightly waving her down. "None taken, dear doctor. I will be happy to help you with your supply problem. Transfer a list, and I will have some people look into it immediately." Andromeda breathed a small sigh of relief.

"Thank-you, Madam--," The other woman lifted a finger, eyebrow twitched.

"I wasn't quite done, dear. I will fulfill your request, if you fulfill one of mine."

Andromeda eyed her in suspicious dread. "And that being?" Madam A smiled wide and beautifically.

"The next time the Plunder's Heart ports here, you will grant me the pleasure of your company over dinner," she announced breezily. "I think I should much enjoy the chance to get to know you a little better, Dr. Reyes. We have much to speak about, you and I."

[Jane Doherty]

Jane cheered a little after 'inspection'. She was saving up to buy her own ship some day, and this would be one step closer to having it. Not that she was any where near the price of the one she had her heart set on.

She made her way to the pilot's chair, shooing her relievement out. She ran her hands around the console, "hey girl, how you doing?" Those who didn't know pilots, thought it odd that she talked to the ship like an old friend.