'Least I didn't lose the eye...

Sometimes I wonder why I keep goin' to Joe the Bastard's dances in Eavesdown. I s'pose it's that hope the hwuan dan dangles in front of me, that maybe I'll best the other fighters an' win the purse. So I keep tryin', an' I keep spittin' blood 'cause of it.

Well. 'Least I still got all my teeth.

There was a dance last night. Joe's got a pretty good pit for it, all hidden away from pryin' eyes. Pretty well-attended, too, there was quite a crowd gathered to watch us bleed for 'em. We got there late but Joe was still tallyin' up the bets. He seemed'ta have a spot of trouble gettin' people to sign up to fight, but he got a handful, when push came to shove. Was a fella there that tried'ta back out, but once your name is on the list... not a whole lot you can do 'bout it.

Duncan went in first, 'gainst the yellowbelly that didn't wanna fight. T'was a good fight, but I think maybe Duncan didn't wanna hurt him too bad or nothin', 'cause the fella lasted the whole two minutes and Joe the Bastard called it a double defeat. I took exception to that, but Joe plays by his own damn rules. Duncan was just about to take the fella out, too.
He seemed'ta be all right, though. Duncan. Weren't messed up too bad, but he weren't in a good mood, neither. 'Cause of the way Joe called it, I s'pose.

I was up next. An' it don't matter how many times I do this, when they call my name, my stomach just starts makin' these li'l loops, an' my heart starts racin'. An' then Joe called the name of the person I was gonna fight an' my stomach stopped makin' loops and just dropped to the floor. Fargis.

I hadn't e'en seen her, there was so many people in that li'l room. Didn't know she was back on Persephone. Not that it's my business knowin' her whereabouts, an' to be perfectly honest, I don't rightly care.

Either way, there she was, hands wrapped up an' lookin' like she was ready to administer a world'o hurt. Which. Well, kinda the point, innit?

We climbed into the cage an' Joe locked it up tight behind us. We shook hands'n all, all polite-like, an' I s'pose that's how it's gotta be. Don't matter none who's in the cage with you. Only thing that matters's that when that bell goes off for the second time, you're the one still standin'.

Everyone was suddenly rushin' to make last-minute bets, an' we were standin' there in the ring, sweatin' under the lights, for a good ten minutes 'fore we had'ta start yellin' at Joe to just ring the bell an' start the show.

An' I s'pose we put on a good one. Fargis can throw a punch like she means it, believe you me. But she didn't fight dirty, 'least not dirtier than I did. I got a couple good hits on her, but by the time the bell rang, the last person standin' weren't me. I hit the canvas hard 'nuff to knock the wind right outta me, 'course, my pride was stingin' more'n anythin'.

"Gorram, Gabe, you can fight!" she said.

Had'ta spit to clear my mouth 'fore I could say anythin' back. "Can say the same for you, I reckon," I told her. Well, seein' as I was the one that was down for the count, there was no arguin' with that. She stood over me an' she coulda gloated if'n she'd wanted to. Didn't, though. Offered me her hand to help me up, instead.

"Good fight. Glad D's got someone who knows what she's doin' watchin' his back." She had a split lip that musta stung like hell, but she grinned anyways. I dunno 'xactly what I'd been expectin'. Weren't this, though.

I shook hands with her again, an' didn't rightly know what to say. "Yeah," seemed appropriate. "Good fightin'."

Had so much gorram milk acid runnin' through me I could barely walk outta the cage, my legs were shakin' so bad. Sat next to Duncan to watch the next couple step into the ring. Say what you will 'bout ole Joe, but he's got some good couches in his pit. Doc JJ came over and lectured me 'bout fightin'. Had a cut o'er my eye she didn't like the look of.

"That cut isn't pretty," she told me. "Any lower and you could have lost the eye." I told her that then it was a good thing it didn't hit any lower. She didn't seem'ta think that was funny. Said I was lucky I didn't need stitches. She tended some to my hands'n all, but the wrappin's took most'a the punishment an' I was given the all-clear. When she left she was mutterin' somethin' 'bout the sillyness of adults fightin' just 'cause they could, or somethin', but I didn't rightly hear her. S'pose she's right, though. Kinda silly. But what the hell're you s'posed to do when time're this lean?

Sat on that couch for the rest of the night. Fargis went in to fight in the final round, but she couldn't hold her ground 'gainst the big fella, Zerbino or summat, that was in there wit' her.

Dunno if that would'a made it more worth-while or nothin', but. Would'a kinda liked to see her win, 'yknow?

Times they are a'changing...

Been a while. I guess I've been too caught up, in... well, everythin'.

S'pose the best way to tell a story is to start at the beginnin', and just work my way on down to the end. Or at least 'til I get to the "to be continued" part.

Duncan ran, stupid man. Up and left us on Caliban, figured he'd get lost in the Black. Lost in his head, wit' his thoughts, more like. Now, I ain't one for losin' things. There's prolly quite a few folk in the 'Verse who can afford to, but I ain't one'a them. Losin' somethin' means you gotta replace it, and to my experience, that's neither easy nor cheap, 'specially when it's somethin' important. 'Sides, after you get that new knife, or whatever it was you lost in the first place, it never really fits. It don't quite rest in your hand like the one you lost, and you end up...

That weren't what I was talkin' 'bout, was it?

Well, I went after him. Not a whole lot else I could do. It ended up bein' a one-woman manhunt all across the 'Verse. Visited a couple backwater moons I never set foot on before, and don't plan to return to, neither. Seemed I was always just one step behind, if I even found somethin' out. Most folk out on the rim know better'n to flap their mouths for nothin'. And I didn't have much to give to loosen up them tongues. Weren't 'til I got to Anvil's Moon, over Himinbjørg ways, that I got a real, solid lead.

Tellin' y'all 'bout the folk I met there is a whole story in itself, and I'll save that for later. Only thing that matters is there was a man there, a decent man, who could point me in the right direction. The real right direction.

And so I found his sorry bee-hind. In a cage-fighting pit, no less, doin' his fool best to mess himself up good'n proper. Now, it wouldn't be fair to say he didn't hold his own, he left a couple fellas layin' on the canvas, cryin' for their mommas. Still, it was a gorram foolheaded thing to do, and when he finally got out and I could talk to him, I done told him 'xactly what I thought 'bout things like that. And he... gave me words right back, and that was that. We bought our sorry selves a bottle'o Jack and just about drank it all up, just talkin', and the next day we were headed back towards the Drift to try'n track down Cody to get the boat back.

An... I guess there's no point in denyin' it. Somethin' had changed 'tween us. 'Course, he was still the Captain, will always be that, but it felt different somehow. Couldn't put my finger on it, so we just went about our business, tryin' to secure jobs and whatnot, and we didn't talk about it. Now, there's that difference 'tween not talkin' about somethin', and not talkin' about somethin', and it felt like the last one, and it was just ...bù píng cháng.

An' then we got a job takin' some cargo from Persephone to Beaumonde, and it kinda stopped bein' bù píng cháng and just sorta... fell into place. It's kinda hard to not talk about somethin' when you're stuck in the black for a week wit' just eachother as comp'ny. And I don't need to sleep on the gorram wooden plank that pretends to be a mattress in the passenger bunk no more, 'cause we share the bed in the Captain's room now, an' that's that.

As it turns out, things are more or less the same as they was before. We still gotta keep flyin'. Still gotta look for jobs, get coin, get by. But I'd be lyin' if I said it don't feel just a li'l bit better, when my back's against the wall, or when I'm tryin' to haggle down the price of somethin' with some sonnuvabitch trader mogul, or when I'm just tryin' to make the time pass while hoppin' from one gorram ass-end of the 'Verse to the other, and I look to the side at the person standin' or sittin' or layin' next to me, and I know... that's my man, right there.

Oh Captain, my Captain

Mercenary desperately seeking Captain. Duncan has gone missing in action.

I ain't sure I ever saw him as bitter and closed down as I did that night a couple days ago. He felt double-crossed, I s'pose, and I know what that's like, I was in the same kinda mood my own self. I dunno why Jai did what she did, and why she didn't let Duncan know of her intentions, but it all ended up a big ole mess.

Together with Duncan I committed felony arson, and vandalised the CATZ offices of Prosperity and Hale's Moon. I feel kinda bad about it now, but it felt like the right thing to do at the time. 'Sides, no-one got hurt. Buildings can be replaced, and it ain't like the Zenobians lack the funds to do it.

Later I went with Duncan and Akasha to Caliban to confront Jai and hopefully bust Cody and Lily out of Alliance custody. It didn't go as we had thought, as Jai had, it appeared, perfectly reasonable explanations for her actions, and Cody and Lily were already free. Cody even wandered into the middle of the conversation.

They talked for a long time, and I just stood and listened with Hilde. I seen the look in Duncan's eyes, the look of a man like to do something foolheaded, and I weren't about to be caught off guard. But no shots were fired, no-one got hurt, even though Ditko was gaving me some mighty ugly looks the whole time. Polite as I am, I gave her some right back.

We were walking down the tunnel to the spaceport, me and Duncan and Cody and Kash, when Duncan suddenly just turned and looked at Cody. He said Cody could have the Raivenn, that he was the Captain now. And that he was sick of running no-more. Then he got this eerie look on his face and turned and stepped through the airlock, and activated the time delay after he closed it. We couldn't override it, and by the time we got the door open, Duncan was gone. The Raivenn was still there, but I reckon Duncan took one'a the shuttles outta there. Tired of runnin', well. He ran one last time, hwoon dan.

Told Cody that he weren't my Captain. Been a long time since I sailed with someone, all regular-like, and it takes a lot for me to call someone my Captain. Cody's a nice enough fella and all, but he ain't my Captain. Not e'en close.

Didn't fly outta Caliban with Cody and Kash, didn't feel right. I sat 'round the spaceport 'til some shaggy trader came through, and I hitched a ride out with him.

I gotta find Duncan. Ain't no question 'bout it, he ain't gettin' away that easy. I'm comin' after him, and I got me a pretty good idea on where to start.

Beer. Hopefully.

I touched down on Hale's a week or so ago, ended up in the middle of a huge commotion in town. Seemed like someone had broken into the general store, beat the clerk bot to a pulp and stolen a lot of goods. It's the kinda thing that happens on the backwater planets, but it's still sad to see it happen to folks I know.



When I came back a few days ago I ran into the Sheriff, and we had a little chat. Turned out they know who did it, and there's a reward for the capture of said thief. A crate of beer for the captor, which didn't sound all that tempting at first. Once he told me there are 850 cans of the stuff in the crate, then it became a whole different matter.



850 cans of beer, even Dharma beer, is always 850 cans of beer, so I suppose I'll get into the bounty hunting business. Even if I have to split it with someone, it's still 425 cans of beer. Should last me all week.

The Sheriff was non-specific as to whether he wanted the criminal dead or alive, but I'll try to aim for alive.

I was in the tidied-up general store with the Sheriff and Emma when, once more, I was rudely disturbed by a fella. They really should wear all purple, all the time, so I'll know from a distance who they are and thus prepare a less polite approach.



He was some kinda Alliance investigator, and he said that someone had, again, broken into the cruiser stationed above Hale's and vandalised the quarters of the hwoon dan who pushed me around a month back. That, in combination with the words "Remember G" etched into a wall, had me pegged as a suspect.

I told him what I knew, which was of course "absolutely nothing", and while he seemed kinda content with that, I still got a bad feeling. There's something... eerie about a fella that's so calm and reasonable. Even if dealing with scum isn't my favourite past-time, at least they show their cards.



He also seemed to believe that Duncan had something to do with it, which I find kinda hard to believe. Even if he would do a thing like that, he definitely wouldn't try to frame me for it. I sent him a wave, telling him to be on the lookout for a slippery man with questions.

The fun never ends.

Been thinking about Faulkin a bit lately. I ain't seen him in a dog's age, it feels like. Maybe I should send him a wave, see if he wants to meet up for drinks and talks.

************************
[2009/09/03 10:29] Gallagher Aeon: Oh. Howdy.
[2009/09/03 10:30] Jnkz Sorbet: Dr. Aeon. I received your message
[2009/09/03 10:30] Gallagher Aeon: I am not a doctor any more. You can call me Sheriff or Gallagher.
[2009/09/03 10:31] Jnkz Sorbet: My apologies, Sheriff it is then. I am to assume one of these two is Miss Yazimoto?
[2009/09/03 10:31] Gabe Yazimoto blinks.
[2009/09/03 10:31] Gallagher Aeon: Yep.
[2009/09/03 10:31] Gabe Yazimoto elbows Gallagher.
[2009/09/03 10:31] Gallagher Aeon: What? He said you're not in trouble. Just gotta ask you a few questions.
[2009/09/03 10:32] Gabe Yazimoto: That's what you said last time.
[2009/09/03 10:32] Emma Ditko: "Where we heard that before..."
[2009/09/03 10:32] Gabe Yazimoto nods at Emma.
[2009/09/03 10:32] Gallagher Aeon: The other said you might have been in trouble. He said you're not.
[2009/09/03 10:33] Jnkz Sorbet: Your Sheriff is correct, you are not in trouble. I simply wish to speak, as sensible adults, regarding an investigation.
[2009/09/03 10:33] Gabe Yazimoto sighs. "Sure. But I ain't goin' up in no space ship."
[2009/09/03 10:33] Jnkz Sorbet: As a gesture of good faith, I am even unarmed.
[2009/09/03 10:33] Gabe Yazimoto: As far as I can see, anyhow...
[2009/09/03 10:34] Jnkz Sorbet smirks. "We can conduct the interveiw here, in front of witnesses, if you prefer."
[2009/09/03 10:34] Gabe Yazimoto: I would prefer that, yes. Right-o.
[2009/09/03 10:35] Jnkz Sorbet nods, and takes a moment to prepare his questions. "Firstly, you are aware of Alliance officer Raymond Janic?"
[2009/09/03 10:35] Gallagher Aeon coughs.
[2009/09/03 10:35] Gabe Yazimoto bristles. "Aware? Yes, I am aware. Bastard threatened to kill me."
[2009/09/03 10:36] Jnkz Sorbet nods, "Yes, that would be the one. Good."
[2009/09/03 10:36] Gabe Yazimoto frowns.
[2009/09/03 10:37] Gallagher Aeon: Insulted your boots too if I remember correctly.
[2009/09/03 10:37] Gabe Yazimoto: Yes, he did. Hwoon dan. No fashion sense what so ever. I was most insulted.
[2009/09/03 10:38] Jnkz Sorbet: "Unfortunatly, good taste is not a requirment in the rank and file. Sometimes, people with no style tend to slip into important places."
[2009/09/03 10:38] Gabe Yazimoto: Hmpf. Obviously.
[2009/09/03 10:38] Gallagher Aeon coughs. "That explains why the 'lliance soldiers' uniforms have pink stripes."
[2009/09/03 10:39] Gabe Yazimoto smirks.
[2009/09/03 10:39] Jnkz Sorbet: "Moving on, are you also aware that Mr. Janic was robbed, recently?"
[2009/09/03 10:39] Gabe Yazimoto shakes her head. "I was not. Very, very sorry to hear that. Truly."
[2009/09/03 10:41] Jnkz Sorbet: "Please, Miss Yazimoto, there is no need for false sympathies. Officer Janic is not a well liked man. He got where he is because he gets the job done, far too well, compared to those of us who like to achieve rank through more honest means. I would not be surprised is many of his own subordinates are laughing at his misfortune as well."
[2009/09/03 10:42] Gabe Yazimoto shrugs apathetically. "Fine. He got what was coming to him, then. And that comes from the heart."
[2009/09/03 10:43] Jnkz Sorbet: "Now, please understand Miss Yazimoto, I am not here to accuse you of committing the crime. I can see you are far too intelligent to risk destabilising the precarious balance we have here, over a minor grudge."
[2009/09/03 10:43] Gabe Yazimoto blinks. "Dest... the pre... balance. Yes. Far too intelligent."
[2009/09/03 10:44] Jnkz Sorbet: "However, Based on evidence found at the crime scene, we have concluded that it is likely, that someone is either framing you, or using you as their own motive for doing this."
[2009/09/03 10:44] Gabe Yazimoto scowls. "Evidence? What evidence? I didn't have nothin' to do with any robbery."
[2009/09/03 10:45] Gallagher Aeon: Janic did say we hadn't heard the last from him. I wouldn't be surprised if he planted the evidence himself. When did the robbery happen? Because I happen to know for a fact that Gabe has been in Prosperity for the past week or so.
[2009/09/03 10:47] Jnkz Sorbet: "Grafitti, Miss Yazimoto. The criminals left some scorched into the walls of Officer Janics room. 'Remember G'. When asked who 'G' could be, we were given two names by Mr. Janic. Gallagher, and Gabe.
[2009/09/03 10:47] Gallagher Aeon: Sounds like a cheap trick. Anyone could write that.
[2009/09/03 10:47] Gabe Yazimoto frowns. "Anyone coulda done that."
[2009/09/03 10:48] Jnkz Sorbet smiles again, "As I said, Sheriff Aeon, I am not here to accuse. But the truth requires all leads to be investigated."
[2009/09/03 10:48] Gallagher Aeon: Of course. In your position I would do the same.
[2009/09/03 10:49] Jnkz Sorbet: "The reason I have come here, is to ascertain, if either of you have contacts, or enemies, who would do this on your behalf, or, to set you up."
[2009/09/03 10:49] Gallagher Aeon: The only person I can think of who would want to frame either of us would be Raymond Janic himself. He was noticeably angry that he didn't get any information out of us. If he can send Gabe down another way I have to think he would.
[2009/09/03 10:50] Gabe Yazimoto: I ain't friends with everyone I ever met, but I can't think of anyone who'd go through all that trouble when they could just find me and shoot me.
[2009/09/03 10:51] Gabe Yazimoto nods at Gallagher.
[2009/09/03 10:51] Jnkz Sorbet: "I am forced to agree, Miss Yazimoto, thats why I also wish to know, if you have any reckless associates, who may have perceived striking at Mr. Janic, as doing you a favour. Understand, none will be punished, we simply wish to retrieve our equipment, and return the status quo."
[2009/09/03 10:52] Gabe Yazimoto squares her shoulders. "Can't think of a single one."
[2009/09/03 10:52] Gallagher Aeon: I could contact you if I hear anything or think of anyone. But as I say. I am inclined to think that maybe Raymond Janic would be more than capable of doing this himself.
[2009/09/03 10:54] Jnkz Sorbet: "It is more than likely. Especially considering the ship used to board the frigate, was of a design we recently confiscated a great number of, and considering the intruders bypassed security with one of our own codes."
[2009/09/03 10:54] Gabe Yazimoto: Sounds like a done deal, then. You go and pick that Janic fella up and give what's coming to him.
[2009/09/03 10:55] Gallagher Aeon: You are a private investigator? I will give you a crate of beer if you investigate Raymond Janic. 850 cans.
[2009/09/03 10:56] Jnkz Sorbet adjusts his glasses, "Perhaps, Miss Yazimoto. Though one more question, whilst on the topic of the ships used. You are a regular aquaintance of Duncan Cooperstone, are you not?"
[2009/09/03 10:56] Gallagher Aeon: We all know Duncan. Good fella.
[2009/09/03 10:57] Jnkz Sorbet smiles at the sheriff. "A tempting offer, but no need. Mr. Janic is already under investigation, from the moment you brought him into this conversation." He taps his glasses, "Direct feed to my superiors."
[2009/09/03 10:57] Gabe Yazimoto shrugs again. "I know Duncan, yes. Stand-up fella. Straight and narrow."
[2009/09/03 10:58] Jnkz Sorbet nods, "I have no doubt he is a decent man. But I will need to be speaking to him as well, both due to your connection to him, and due to the markings on the side of the attacking ship."
[2009/09/03 10:58] Gabe Yazimoto frowns. "I can tell you right now, he didn't have nothin' to do with that."
[2009/09/03 10:58] Gallagher Aeon: Markings?
[2009/09/03 10:58] Jnkz Sorbet: "A large number '12', Sheriff."
[2009/09/03 10:59] Gabe Yazimoto clams up.
[2009/09/03 10:59] Gallagher Aeon: The 12th Cav disbanded months ago. They had dozens of crafts. I believe many were sold at auction.
[2009/09/03 10:59] Jnkz Sorbet: "You of all people should know, Sheriff, organisations disband, ideals and grudges do not."
[2009/09/03 10:59] Gallagher Aeon: Of course.
[2009/09/03 11:00] Jnkz Sorbet: "Though you are correct. Many of their craft are now in private hands, and a great deal in our own hands, which Mr. Janic could well have used."
[2009/09/03 11:00] Gabe Yazimoto nods. "Anyone could have one. And anyone could paint one *on*."
[2009/09/03 11:00] Gallagher Aeon: Janic is a nasty piece of work. Wouldnt surprise me if he playing this one outside the law.
[2009/09/03 11:01] Jnkz Sorbet smiles politely, "You are correct Miss Yazimoto, but as I said before, the pursuit of truth requires me to investigate every lead."
[2009/09/03 11:01] Gallagher Aeon smiles.
[2009/09/03 11:01] Gabe Yazimoto curls her lip. "Tellin' ya. It's a dead lead. Duncan's a straight shooter. 'Sides. He wouldn't implicate me with grafitti. ... were he ever to commit such a bad act, which he wouldn't."
[2009/09/03 11:02] Jnkz Sorbet: "If you could inform Mr. Cooperstone, that he will be spoken to by one of my associates, it would be greatly apreciated. We dont like to drop in unannounced, unlike the military branch of investigation which Mr. Janic belongs to."
[2009/09/03 11:03] Gabe Yazimoto narrows her eyes. "Shiny. If I see him, I'll let him know you're comin'."
[2009/09/03 11:04] Jnkz Sorbet: "That would be most apreciated." He pauses, listening to some unheard communication, "I'm afraid I must depart, another lead requires my attention. Good day. You have been most helpful. I will keep you apprised of my findings, of course."
[2009/09/03 11:05] Gabe Yazimoto nods shortly.
[2009/09/03 11:05] Gabe Yazimoto mutters to herself.
[2009/09/03 11:07] Gallagher Aeon: You know anything about this? Or are you as lost as I am?
[2009/09/03 11:07] Gabe Yazimoto: I don't know a damn thing. He's got it all backwards.
[2009/09/03 11:07] Emma Ditko: "'Least he wasn't shooting answers outta you like the last one..."
[2009/09/03 11:07] Gabe Yazimoto: Yeah. This must be my lucky day.
***********************************

**Private video wave sent to Duncan via the Cortex** Hey, Duncan, Gabe here. Just thought I'd let you know that some Alliance investigator is lookin' for you. He just asked me a buncha questions about some robbery, seems someone has tried to frame me for it. He said he needed to question you as well, so just keep a lookout. And keep your head. He seemed like a cool, calm and collected fella, which in my experience is the most dangerous kind. Keep safe. **end of transmission**

Back to work

With the exception of a very botched salvage mission together with Jai, Emma and Zade (as recounted brilliantly here: http://jairaghilda.blogspot.com/2009/08/laundry-day.html), it has been all work and no play this week.

I hitched a ride to Persephone, as the Eavesdown Docks are just about the busiest place in the 'verse when it comes to... well, everything, really.

I was trolling the more rundown section of the trade port -- seems that I don't look fancy enough or talk posh enough to sign on as crew for the larger, spanking clean and soul-less boats on the fancy side of town -- when I ran into a fella by the name of Needlemeyer Pointdexter Chubarkley. Literally ran into him, and that could've been a whole anecdote in and of itself, had he not fairly quickly come to mention that he needed supervision of the hot lead and menacing stares persuasion for a few drop-offs he was about to undertake around the rim planets.

He weren't a very pleasant man, I'll tell you as much, and he looked at me funny and asked if I was any good, and I looked at him funny right back and told him damn straight, I am.

So he signed me on, and his coin weren't unpleasant at all, lemme tell you. Right generous, if you asked me. Most of his crew weren't bad, either, the pilot was nice but a bit quiet, and she spent most of the time up in the cockpit, where I weren't allowed.

And we set off. We went to Hale's first, which was a blessing, 'cause I've missed it something fierce. Didn't get much of a chance to walk around and talk to folks, though, as I was set to guarding the current cargo while captain Chubarkley made deals with the buyer over in Fook's.



I don't think we was dirtside more than a couple of hours 'fore we set off again. This time our destination was the second moon on Athens. Not a very nice place to be. We landed in the night and loaded some large crates. 45 minutes, in and out, tops.



Once we was airborne again the captain and the first mate went to inspect the crates, though I was told to get my ass up into the messhall. I walked down to the hold later to have a look, after everyone had fallen asleep.

Was some mighty large crates, wood, with air holes in 'em. I got a bit concerned, but after knocking on them for a goodish long while and just getting grunting and growling in response, I felt a bit better. Prolly just some critters bound for someone's soup. I should know better than to ask questions about that kinda thing, anyways.

Someone came and knocked on my bunk door that night, rattling the handle and all that. I think it might've been the cook, he been looking at me all funny-like, but the door was a good one, and the lock even better, so I s'pose he had to take matters into his own hands.

Turned out the crates were going to Prosperity, and again, I was left to entertain myself together with Brunhilde, guarding the ship while the captain went to find the buyer and the rest of the crew stretched their legs.



I sat on the crates for a spell, trying again to figure out what was in 'em. They smelled funny, like sour milk. I never seen a critter smelled that way.



After a while some real shady-looking folks came and took the crates away, and I finally got some leave for the evening. I wandered around town for a bit, and ran into Duncan Cooperstone and the local doctor, and talked with them for a bit.



Duncan offered me to stay and hide on his boat if I needed, if the 'lliance wouldn't stay off my case, and I thanked him accordingly. If I have any more trouble, I might take him up on the offer, though for now, I seem to be in the clear. He also said he might have work coming up, which will be a kindness, 'cause my agreement with captain Chubarkley ended as of today, and I'm stranded in Prosperity at the moment.

With money in my pocket, what better way is there to spend the first of it on something to quench the thirst? I spent the evening at Bootlegger's, just watching the crowd from a corner together with a glass of whiskey. Don't feel too sociable right now. Kinda hard to know who to trust.



I still got that datachip we downloaded from the broke-down ship. I dunno what to do with it, it feels wrong to just throw it away. I s'pose I'll just hang onto it for now.

That's what you get

Over the past week I've started to remember why I never did settle down. Why flying around the 'verse was always so much better than being in one place. It's a dangerous life, for sure, but it's my kinda dangerous. Not like... the other kind.

Couple of days ago the Sheriff brings around a man in an Alliance uniform. Says I need to answer some questions regarding that amazingly kind act I did a few weeks back, giving that Alliance lady a ride back to the cruiser, and footage of me wandering around the cruiser, lost. And something about a break-in and theft in said cruiser a few days later.



I didn't wanna go and I told him so real polite-like, but when he threatened to bring an extraction team and pick me up, I didn't have no choice. Didn't wanna risk bringing that down on the people of Hale's.

'Course, I shoulda known he was up to no good.



The Sheriff went with us up to the cruiser, and I'm glad he did 'cause if he hadn't, I prolly wouldn't' be alive right now. Y'see, as soon as the door closed behind us -- the Sheriff waited in the hallway -- the gorram hwoon dan pulled a gun on me. Fired warning shots, put it to my head, threatened to shoot me if I didn't tell him what I wanna hear. Well, if you've ever been pinched, you know what I'm talking about.



I didn't tell him nothing, though, I ain't got nothing to say to the likes of him. The bastard even had the nerve to insult my choice in footwear.

He finally let me go, though, after warning me that they'd be keeping their eyes on me.

And that's when it hit me. It was stupid, gorram stupid, to settle down in the first place. I get stupid when I fall in love, and I fell so damn hard in love with that ugly chunk of rock they call a moon that I couldn't think straight.

If you're always on the move, people can't find you. Easy as pie. That Purplebelly son of a biao zi can't keep his gorram eyes on me if he don't got a place where he can expect to find me.

It's breaking my little heart, but I don't got no other choice but to cancel the lease on my apartment and get my things, the bed and the desk and the gun racks and everything, packed away for storage.

I ain't closing the Lounge, that would be too much for me to bear. I just won't be living there any more, so there won't be no reason for him to come looking. Looking, and possibly be hurting my friends in the process. He seemed right unbalanced, that one. Stupid, gorram cho san ba.

But, I digress. The Lounge. It will stay open still, anyone can come and sit down whenever they like, and I'll try and staff it as often as I can, whenever whatever boat I'm staying on at the moment sets down on Hale's. And Lily told me today she wants to dance there for tips, so that will probably draw a crowd, anyways. I can always use the extra coin. Always.

Been thinking about taking flying lessons, too. Maybe Jai can teach me. If I work real hard and save up, maybe I can afford a little boat of my own. Nothing big enough to do trade runs, but enough so I can move around my own self if I need to. Could keep it moored on Hale's, also, cheap dockage fees and all.

Found a couple snapshots I wanted to post, since looking at them puts me in a better mood, and I sure could use some better moods right now.



Flying. Nothing like it.




Friends. Friends are the best thing to have in the whole gorram 'verse.

Well. We won't have to argue about *that* anymore.

Faulkin came 'round the Lounge the other night. Was a bunch of people there, we all had a real nice time. I almost always have guests these days, it's real shiny.

And, so. Faulkin asked me about the warbot, where we'd hidden it away. I know we weren't supposed to talk about it, or tell anyone, so that that Nack person would find her, but I know I can trust Faulkin. You can see it in his eyes, you know?

So, yeah. He asked me to tell him were we hid the 'bot. Vega told me it was a bad idea, but I know what I'm doing, most of the time. Me and Faulkin hiked up to the old lab, and I took him down and showed him the pit.



He told me it was a real fine idea to get the 'bot out of Firefly's, and... he had some plans he didn't tell me beforehand. I was busy talking with him, didn't notice him setting up all these 'splosives.



I told him I promised Emma I wouldn't do anything to the bot, but he convinced me it was the right thing to do. So we ran outta there and he detonated the 'splosives, and that was that. I ain't been down to look at the wreckage, but I can't imagine there's much left.

Ain't sitting completely right with me, but... Faulkin's a good man. I trust his judgement. Now I just gotta get around to telling Emma...

Speaking of Emma, she gave me a hand today, wielding hammer and saw, as I set to work making the Lounge a bit bigger. I figured we needed a dance floor, and so we got to working on that. It turned out real shiny, there's a lot more room now.





Me and Emma celebrated by breaking in the dance floor, and I was glad to see that Emma's leg has healed up enough for her to break out some moves the way she did. Zade and Faulkin was there, too, but they got distracted by things that apparently hold greater appeal to men than dancing ladies.



After a bit the new doctor, miss Lina Footpad, came to dance with us, and before we knew it, Zade and Faulkin were back, and Charly came round too.



Almost had ourselves a real shindig, and I didn't even spread the word. I gonna be adding some things to the place in the next couple days, and then I hope we can draw a really big crowd. Shiny.

I still need a drink, but for good reasons this time.