Firefly/Serenity RPG; "Tears, Fears, Mirrors"

[Euphenics]

Campaign Three - Tears, Fears, Mirrors

"I don't think the purplebellies have caught on yet," Hawkins hovered over Foreman's and Foster's shoulders in the cockpit, staring at the instruments panel and making them slightly uncomfortable.

Dini slurped udon noodles from Hu knows where, making conversation in between, "I know we had to jet like an abused spouse, but where are you planning to park this matryoshka ship? We've been out here for...actually how long has it been? I've lost track. Why didn't anyone bring an inflight film?"

Foster got out of his seat to address the crew gathered there, "I express my apologies for the haste in which we left Jericho after completing the mission and for keeping you waiting. I know that some of you may have wished to linger in town, but we probably shouldn't return until the investigation is over and Jen gives us the all clear. Incidentally, a contact on Hauptschellen has asked Hawkins to return a favour, so we'll have plenty to do in the mean time. It shouldn't take us much longer to get there."

"The brain farm?"

"Hauptschellen University is perfectly respectable...even if the landscaping budget has come to exceed faculty salaries in recent years..."

"I visited the campus a while back. Aggressive recruitment department full of shills. You could change your name, kill everyone who has ever met you, and earn every degree in existence, but if they see you once they will never stop sending you offers to enter their overpriced undergrad programme. Town pretty much belongs to the university. It's insane the Alliance didn't rid the Verse of the nuisance. Must have thought it would bring Core culture to the Rim or something. Strange since they pride themselves on being innumerate."

"In any case, our clients are students at the university. They wish to brief us in person. There are hardly any Feds around to worry about," Foster leaned back towards the helm, "Mr. Foreman, please take us in. There should be plenty of vacant docks around town, relics of a more prosperous time. I'm sure it won't be hard to find one which you can modify the SRAS in."

[Jack Bauer]

"While I'm sure the students are fascinating people with a touching story that is sure to tug at our heart strings I need to take care of some business. So while you guys are off meeting the contact I'll be heading to the seediest part of the business district I can find. I'll take care of that lose end and you guys can fill me in later. That way we'll get more stuff done. Zeek I'll imagine you'll want to offload that body it's really starting to get ripe. If I wasn't used to the smells of death it would be almost impossible to work down there." Marco has changed back into a casual Alvian uniform and is lugging a duffel bag full of the contents of the mystery boxes.

[Fester Shinetop]

"Okay Mr Foster." Crash takes the Foresight closer to Hauptschellen. "We're entering atmo now. I'll try and find us somewhere nice to land. I think that a couple of my older sisters' friends went here so that they could study how to run a business, but I don't know why because Melody works for the mining company and she does just fine and they never even came back so what's the point in going? And I never studied mechanics either, but people'll always teach you how to do stuff if you just go and work for them and listen hard to what they tell you, so I can't see the point in they went all this way and paid all that money and didn't even do anything but get drunk a lot from the sounds of it."

Crash pulls a face "You could do THAT on Newhall."

Despite his love of speed, Crash makes an easy entry into the atmosphere, dropping the ship down through the higher layers on her belly in order to reduce velocity. As they descend he gradually brings her nose down and starts looking for an abandoned dock that looks both secluded and not too derelict. "Okay Mr Foster - I think I've found us a nice one. There. It's got an old one of those big ship-servicing centres next to it. Lots of people must have been coming here at some point - those places have, like... shops and restaurants in them - everything! They should have some decent repair facilities too. Oh look! Everything's made up to look like a big brain!"

The Foresight touches down right next to the left side of the service centre's frontal lobe. "Okay! We're down! Mr Foster, do you think that I could send my family another wave from here? To let them know I'm doing okay?"

[Zeek]

"While I'm sure the students are fascinating people with a touching story that is sure to tug at our heart strings I need to take care of some business. So while you guys are off meeting the contact I'll be heading to the seediest part of the business district I can find. I'll take care of that lose end and you guys can fill me in later. That way we'll get more stuff done. Zeek I'll imagine you'll want to offload that body it's really starting to get ripe. If I wasn't used to the smells of death it would be almost impossible to work down there."

Zeek is kneading a large ball of dough in a metal bowl, he has flour on the front of his shirt and the smells of yeast and herbs seem to follow him around. "Indeed mr shanks, while you're out would you mind seeing about fencing the goods we managed to obtain from the magistrate? I snagged some things from the library and i believe there were a few items of value retrieved from the office as well. Mr dini, why don't you go along and help him out with that?"

"As to our former medic, we definitely need to be rid of that body. Those bags are supposed to be airtight. Anyway, if i recall correctly the bounty is a local one, but maybe the authorities here will pay and the locals can reimburse them. If not, then maybe there's some bounty hunter we could sell it to. Someone get onto the com and look into that for me please?"

Zeek stands up. "If there really is no one, then we can still dump the body. I took the liberty of preserving enough of mr stamps to be reasonably certain we can collect a bounty without the full corpse before we left jericho. We can hold on to that until we get an opportunity." He heads down to the galley, where he puts the the bowl under a damp towel, then goes to shower and change before landing. A few minutes later his voice comes over the intercom "I do not recall if i mentioned this earlier, but no one should eat the contents of the blue container at the back of the freezer."

[Jack Bauer]

Zeek is kneading a large ball of dough in a metal bowl, he has flour on the front of his shirt and the smells of yeast and herbs seem to follow him around. "Indeed mr shanks, while you're out would you mind seeing about fencing the goods we managed to obtain from the magistrate? I snagged some things from the library and i believe there were a few items of value retrieved from the office as well. Mr dini, why don't you go along and help him out with that?"

"As to our former medic, we definitely need to be rid of that body. Those bags are supposed to be airtight. Anyway, if i recall correctly the bounty is a local one, but maybe the authorities here will pay and the locals can reimburse them. If not, then maybe there's some bounty hunter we could sell it to. Someone get onto the com and look into that for me please?"

Zeek stands up. "If there really is no one, then we can still dump the body. I took the liberty of preserving enough of mr stamps to be reasonably certain we can collect a bounty without the full corpse before we left jericho. We can hold on to that until we get an opportunity." He heads down to the galley, where he puts the the bowl under a damp towel, then goes to shower and change before landing. A few minutes later his voice comes over the intercom "I do not recall if i mentioned this earlier, but no one should eat the contents of the blue container at the back of the freezer."

"No offense to Mr. Dini but if someone is going to be going with me they need to be able to shoot. I'll be babysitting Hu on this venture, I'd be better off without him. As far as fencing the other stuff goes sure I'll sell it I'll even keep the credits on a separate money clip. See I got this special buddy Alvis clip, he's smiling at you Zeek. Oh before I forget label your containers man if it doesn't have a label it's fair game. You might want to check and make sure no one has already helped themselves to a late night manwich. Damn manwiches are good, Zeek make manwiches tonight or steak'ums."

[Euphenics]

The Foresight touches down right next to the left side of the service centre's frontal lobe. "Okay! We're down! Mr Foster, do you think that I could send my family another wave from her? To let them know I'm doing okay?"

[LP for business school truth] "Absolutely, Crash," Foster sat down at the comms array, "Someone is supposed to meet us here, so I'll inform them of our location."

Hu nearly choked on the noodles, "There is practically no underground to speak of here. University is criminal enough on its own. Unless steam tunnels count."

"Not much about this town on the Cortex other than school propaganda and some old murder mystery, Zeek. Perhaps our contact will know where you can offload those articles."

"No offense to Mr. Dini but if someone is going to be going with me they need to be able to shoot. I'll be babysitting Hu on this venture, I'd be better off without him. As far as fencing the other stuff goes sure I'll sell it I'll even keep the credits on a separate money clip. See I got this special buddy Alvis clip, he's smiling at you Zeek. Oh before I forget label your containers man if it doesn't have a label it's fair game. You might want to check and make sure no one has already helped themselves to a late night manwich. Damn manwiches are good, Zeek make manwiches tonight or steak'ums."

"I think Zeek is trying to protect you from nonviolent dangers. Surprisingly few of these students are armed. Obviously you've never stayed at my great aunt's. Otherwise you would know that it is a bad idea to eat things you can't identify. No one regards labels anyway. By the way, I am not a mister. I went to school too long."

After a few minutes Foster lowered the ramp and everyone proceeded outside. Standing on artificial legs, a woman was waiting to greet them, "Hiya there, welcome to Hapshee! Good to see ya Foss, Hawky! Leg runnin' shiny fur ya Hawky? I could take a peek if it'd please ya."

Hawkins looked at his leg, "Gorram it! I forgot to plug it in. You guys will have to go ahead while I give it some juice."

Watching Hawkins climb back up the ramp, Foster responded, "Hello Hannah. How long have you been on Hauptschellen?"

"Some chwen crashed their ship into the ol' shop. Hadda take a job 'ere showin' interns how not to lose their thumbs 'while back." Hannah is obviously pissed off about it.

"I hope that we landed on the correct dock. We need to perform a few modifications on a SRAS."

"Yeah, 'ere should be just shiny. Yer not far from a paintin' hangar an' there's lots of scraps and tools 'round no one's watchin' too carefly. Ye'll have a new bird once we're finished with 'er."

[Jack Bauer]

"No offense to Mr. Dini but if someone is going to be going with me they need to be able to shoot. I'll be babysitting Hu on this venture, I'd be better off without him. As far as fencing the other stuff goes sure I'll sell it I'll even keep the credits on a separate money clip. See I got this special buddy Alvis clip, he's smiling at you Zeek. Oh before I forget label your containers man if it doesn't have a label it's fair game. You might want to check and make sure no one has already helped themselves to a late night manwich. Damn manwiches are good, Zeek make manwiches tonight or steak'ums."

"I think Zeek is trying to protect you from nonviolent dangers. Surprisingly few of these students are armed. Obviously you've never stayed at my great aunt's. Otherwise you would know that it is a bad idea to eat things you can't identify. No one regards labels anyway. By the way, I am not a mister. I went to school too long."

I'm trying to protect you from violent dangers. We Alvians are generally respected by criminal elements for the services we provide but such respect would not be extended to you. Anyone going with me needs to know their way around a gun, it's for your own protection that you do not accompany me. If you're set in your ways I'll take you but I will let you die if the criminal tries to use you against me I want you to know that up front. I want you to know how dangerous this is for you and if you accept that risk you can go but do not make that decision lightly.

[Euphenics]

Hannah noticed Marco, "Hiya there! You must be Hawky's friend. Say, my uncle's an Alvian! My folks nevuh let him come 'round the ranch... You helpin' out?"

[Jack Bauer]

Hannah noticed Marco, "Hiya there! You must be Hawky's friend. Say, my uncle's an Alvian! My folks nevuh let him come 'round the ranch... You helpin' out?"

Yes I'm lending my services to the cause, I'm glad to hear your uncle saw the light and became a follower. Have you ever considered following his lead. Alvis loves all of his followers and it saddens me to think that you may be doomed to hellfire because no one was allowed to speak the truth to you. I want you to have a copy of the Book of Alvis, his word has helped me in more occasions than I care to mention. If you'll excuse me though I have business to take care of, tell me where is the worst part of this planet.

[Euphenics]

"Thankya. Ye'll have ta help me read it later. The only book I've learned was Pa's medico book from his pa. I only got through it 'cause of all the pictures. Uh, the frat houses are kinda scary. Lot of the boys are on drops. Not safe at night."

[Tom Failur]

Lee tentatively makes his way down the ramp. Having spent most of the past few days sedantry his leg is stiffer than usual and it's obvious he's in no small amount of pain. Though he'd never admit to it.

"So this is some kinda place o' learnin' is it? Ain't nothin' you need to know in life ya can't learn from an honest job if you ask me. Though it seems those with honest jobs are hard to come by these days."

He doesn't seem to be addressing anyone in particular.

Before Crash rushes off to modify the SRAS Lee takes him aside.

"Essential thing is to get her so she won't be recognised as an 'Liance vehicle. Seein' as how we're all gonna benefit from that I'll cover the cost. Anythin' extra though will come out ya own pocket. An' I expect change." [40 credits to Crash]

"Hannah, is it? Pleased to meet you. Lee, I'm the crazy sa gwa that's paid to captain this ship. Maybe we should move this conversation someplace away from pryin' eyes. I assume our job is the kind best kept between just us."

[Fester Shinetop]

Crash looks down at the money that Lister has put in his hand. "Thanks Captain! I don't think it should cost too much because I was really only just planning on changing the shape and the colour and moving the engines a bit, so as long as there's plenty of stuff lying around I can just use whatever I find. Although, Captain, I was thinking about some other stuff that we could do to the SRAS and the Foresight, but I'll talk to you about them another time, after I've done this."

Before Crash goes back into the ship, he smiles and nods a greeting to Hannah. "Nice legs!"

It then seems to dawn on him what he just said "I mean.. uh.. uh.. that they look good. Mechanically." To cover his confusion, Crash dashes up the ramp and back into the Foresight.

Once inside, he heads up to the comm array and sits down to compose the wave that he plans to send to his family. It's mainly a collection of greetings and enquiries about the family, effusive assurances of the high regard in which he is holding his own safety, and a few artful touches thrown in to convince his mother that he is in fact working as a ship's mechanic on a cargo ship, rather than piloting stolen Alliance vehicles for a highly dysfunctional gang of smuggling guns-for-hire. It culminates in a long list of assurances of his affections directed to his parents and all his sisters.

That done, he heads back down to the cargo hold, throws his toolkit in the back of the SRAS, and carefully brings her out of the Foresight and onto the docking area. Sticking his head out of the door, he shouts to no-one in particular "Umm... where is the painting hanger from here?"

[Euphenics]

Hu Dini tuned in, "I suppose if education is useful for anything, it's reducing demand for employment."

Hannah's heart rate monitor beeped, "Golly! Where'd ya come from? Why d'ya look all funny? Who are ya?"

"Hu R U..."

"Come on, I asked first."

"...Dini. I am Hu R U Dini, coed gone wild."

"A what now?"

Foster settled Hannah down, "Relax, Dini's with us."

"Sorry for startling you. Bad habit," Hu tried remembering the tour of the town, "Do you know if the police station is still around? We have an issue to discuss with the Sheriff."

"Nah, renties bought it. Only real police left are two senile Feds doublin' as postmasters."

"Private security? Why am I not surprised?"

After Lister returned from speaking to Crash and greeted Hannah, she replied, "Yesum. Pleased to meet ya, too. It's 'bout private 'ere as anywhere else. I don' have the job details meself. I'm supposed ta make sure y'all get to the briefin' safe," Foreman's comment made Hannah blush, "Thankya. I'll have ta show ya how they work sometime," she winked.

Before anyone has time to answer his question, Crash notices the hangar suspiciously close to a dive bar.

[Fester Shinetop]

"Okay - don't worry! I think I've got it.." Crash takes the SRAS over to the hangar. He lands it inside, and steps down from the side door.

"Hello?" Crash shouts hopefully, as he surveys the inside of the hangar.

[Tom Failur]

"Well then lead on, don't wanna keep our employers waitin'."

"Rest o' you can explore what of the town there is. Jus' don't draw too much attention to yerselves."


"Zeek, with me." he says with a nod, knowing Zeek will want to concentrate on business before pleasure. Not that he's seen any indication Zeek is capable of enjoyment, or any other emotion for that matter.