Border Space

"Everyone, clear on the plan?" A rather largely built man with sideburns and a leather jacket said to his two cohorts. One, a tall stoic man who has obviously seen a lot of action in his day. The other, a lively pretty young spit fire who looked like she knew several ways to break a man. They were all standing in what looked a like a town out of a spaghetti western, tumbleweeds and the like. They stood huddled in front of an oddly modern looking building made of concrete that vastly differed from the more wooden aesthetics of the small town. The words "Municipal Bank" were spread across the top of the building. The building had cameras, but they didn't work, it was supposed to be more of a deterrent than actual security.

"No sak'in around. We let these people know we mean business, get the goods, then get out before the local do-rights come roll'in in. No killings unless absolutely necessary. Got it? Good." Naliff Murdock faced away from his partners in crime to face the door. He then pulled out one of his pistols, then cracked his neck. "Let's go be the bad guys."

The three walked in and immediately Naliff pulled the trigger on his pistol and let a shot ring out. The people inside called out in surprise and fear. As he quickly and calmly made his way through the bank he spoke loudly, his voice commanding attention. "Yes, this is a robbery, no you will not die or get hurt unless you try and stop us! Just do what the pretty lady and the man with the big gun says and everything will be kahi!" He didn't even bother telling the customers or the tellers what to do, he would leave that to James and Kora. Naliff specifically went towards the only guard who looked like he had already thrown his weapon the second he heard the gunshot.......smart kid.

Naliff got up to him, reached down and hoisted him up to his feet with one swift movement. The kid was young and scrawny and whimpered as he was lifted from the ground. "I'm not gonna hurt ya. Just open the vault for me with that spiffy little key card you got there. If ya don't make a fuss, I'll even give you a grazing shot and a knock to the head so it looked like you resisted. Dahl ma?" The kid opened an eye to him and stared at him for a bit. "So people would think I stood up to you, instead of just cowering and surrendering like I am now?" The kid asked.

"That's right, you'll be a hero. Not to mention the lady's love both a selfless man and an injured man. You'll be swimming in hatei ladyfolk." The kid's eyes lit up, looking like he was more excited about getting robbed than a sane man should be. "Alright!" The kid began walking off towards the vault with Naliff right behind him, gun at the kids back.

After punching in the code and swiping the card, the vault opened. Naliff headed inside and immediately spotted two rather large yellow metal crates. He walked up tot hem and opened one. Naliff gave a very satisfied grin upon seeing the contents of the box. He shut it and spun to face the kid. "Thanks for the help kid." Before the kid could say another word, Naliff pistol whipped the side of the boy's face and he went tumbling to the ground.

"James! Come help me with these things! He called out to his stronger crew member.

Together they pulled the two crates out of the vault and towards the door. "Thank you for your cooperation. Ya'll have a nice day now, ya hear?" They then exited the vault.

The group started to heads towards a large hover vehicle parked outside. "Kora, start up the Mule while we load the stuff. Naliff ordered his first mate as him and his muscle began to load the two large yellow crates onto the back of the mule.

Soon enough the cargo was secure and they were three aboard the Mule. Hoof beats could be heard coming from behind them. It seemed the Sheriff had finally woke up. "Punch it, Red. They soon rocketed off into the waste, leaving the law men miles in the dust. Naliff radioed in to Kef. "Start her up, Kef, we got the goods and are head'in home." A rather monotonous voice came from the other end of the radio. "Roger that."

Kef then went to another radio in the cockpit "Nim, start her up, daddy's coming home and he's bringing presents."

As they cleared the hill, a great gleam in the desert could be seen. Cora Belle. He could be headed towards that ship a million times a day for a million days and never get tired of seeing her, and he doubted he ever would. A small smile crept over his face as they approached.

Soon enough, they entered the Aft Cargo bay and began unloading the Mule. James and him put the two vrates in their stah compartment under a false floor panel in the Aft Cargo bay. "Good work out there. Now, make yourselves presentable and someone dust up the passenger rooms. After we hand over the goods to Paris, we'll be taking in passengers at Fortuna." Naliff turned and began to walk up the stairs to the second level. He then called down "We need the money. Naliff stated, as if to counter act anything said against the idea. He trotted upstairs into his quarters, not to be seen until they reached Fortuna.

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Fortuna

They arrived at Fortuna, a rather prosperous near-core planet with a shit ton of poor with just the right amount of nobles not to give a sa'k about them. When they touched down, they were in the middle of an impossibly crowded spaceport with hundreds of people looking around, selling wares, stealing wares and many other things of that nature. It was loud, but it was civilization, something you tend to forget out in the black. Naliff exited the ship and looked to his crew. "Alright, here's how it is. Nim, I want you to use that sweet face a yours to russle us up some passengers. Thems that can pay, and if you say another word about that new compression coil I will sock James in the mouth, it's out of budget right now." He told with care in his eyes. He could never hurt Nim.

"Red, you take some platinum and go get our supplies. Food, water, ammo, spare parts. The Basics. I don't want you coming on the deal with Paris, mainly because she hates you." He said with a bit of an apology in his tone. He knew she hated to be out of a deal, but a woman tends to remember getting her nose broken.

"Minot. you're with me. We go deal with Paris and try not to get shot. We done the job right, but you know how fickle she can get about little details. Let's go." Naliff then turned and headed into the crowd with James, heading towards a rather odd array of shanty houses.

Nathan quickly looked at the listings of current arrivals. He was looking for a way off the confounded syndicate planet, one that was obviously not owned by said syndicate. Anything that had to do with snakes and spiders was out of the question, as that was the part of the syndicate's symbol. "White Lake... The Valient... Cora Belle?" That one started ringing some bells, he remembered something about it in history... A battle? A fight between the Coalition and the Independents? that should be it... Would that mean that the captain was an ex-soldier? Good enough for me! He thought, quickly noting where it landed, then bounded off. He started going so fast that he ran into a couple of guys, one looked rough, the other looked even rougher. "Oh, I'm sorry!" He said quickly before running off. On this planet, sticking around after that usually ends with a beat down, and those guys were much bigger then him. Of course, him running into a pair of syndicate henchmen right after that was much worse. "You little..." Muttered one before they recognized each other. This particular guard was the one that caught him stealing from the warehouse. "Get him!" He said to his partner, reaching for his gun.
"Hulg!" (shit) Nathan shouted, turning and running between the two he had just ran into moments ago just as bullets started flying. Nathan didn't notice if they got hit, but he felt the top of his left shoulder start burning. He rushed around the corner of a building and kept running. Can't get caught, can't get caught, can't get caught...

They pursued him for a few more minutes before they gave up, and he popped out of the garbage can. He glanced around, seeing the area was safe, and he clambered out, then started hurrying back to the docking ring. The sooner he got on that ship, the better.

"I just had to go off into the black," Nakedra said to herself. "I just HAD to sign up for the sa'king assingment to go play super-doctor."
Nakedra was pissed. She was in the starport, looking for a ship to go to the outer planets and get to people who are too poor to pay for medicine. The worst part, she was not getting paid directly. Nope, no cash, just sa'king credits. Like they used credit on the outer worlds. But at least she was getting paid at all. Her friend said she knew a person who had abandoned post because he couldn't get enough pay, leaving his nurse to the black.
"Calm down Nakedra!" She said to herself. "You just need your coffee. You know how you get when you don't get caffeine."
Looking around, she saw several ships which seemed good, but they were, well, crappy. They looked like they would just crash as soon the engines were pumped up.
"Hey, lei-lei." Some boys were chattering at Nakedra, like that would work. At the hospital, the guys always tried to date her, trying to impress with the ambulance stories and saving patients. What a bunch of shemram lag'es (Goddamn assholes). She saved ten times that many people, and they were in critical condition. If she isn't going to fall for those bogos, she ain't falling for these grops.
One of the boys walked up to her, continuing his flirting. "Lei-lei, you're just so hatei... Want a drink? We can go all night..."
Nakedra rolled her eyes, saying, "I'd rather jump into space without a suit than examine your disgusting body."
The three other boys "oohed" at that remark. The hotshot frowned, saying, "What are you talking about, lei-lei? I had three girls in one night once! Oh, are you swi'swa?"
The boys started to laugh.
Nakedra stopped, dropped her bags and reached in her pocket.
"Hey, Lag'es"
The boy turned around to see a large Tazer shoved in his chest.

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"Those assholes didn't know what hit them," Nakedra Exile said to herself. They stood no chance against the electrifying powers of her Tazer. She walked through the streets, looking for a good ship. She passed several good ones, but the best she saw was the Cora Belle. It was in good condition, and it looked sharp too. Nakedra saw someone at the front of the ship, ready to get some passengers. Nakedra walked up to the her, ready to barter herself aboard.
"Hey, blondie. What's the price?"

Once Nim had started up the craft on captains orders she went to meet up with the others. Naliff started to talk and looked her way, "Alright, here's how it is. Nim, I want you to use that sweet face a yours to russle us up some passengers. Thems that can pay, and if you say another word about that new compression coil I will sock James in the mouth, it's out of budget right now."

Nim giggled at the mention of him socking James in the face but practically skipped her way out side to find some more people. She looked up at Cora Belle and sighed happily. God she loved this ship.

It wasn't long until a person who kind looked like a boy in her eyes but had the voice of a female asked, "Hey, blondie. What's the price?"
Nim's instant response was, "Oh~ Hi! My name's S'ney C'lim! But usually people just call me Nim~"
Realizing she hadn't answered the question she gave a fair price ((No idea what that'd actually be... XD)) that would work with for both the ship and girl.

"So what do you think?" Nim asked, "She's a beauty ain't she?"
God she loved this ship~
Now all she needed was a few more people once she was done talking with this one.

James Minot nodded and let out a calming sigh as he closed his eyes preparing himself. They were about to rob a bank as part of the latest job Naliff had managed to drum up for them. It wasn't the best of things to be doing but it was going to feed them.

He tightened his grip on his weapon. It was a customized scattershot laser rifle. Not much to look at but it sure did the job when called on. Basically one mean ass shotgun except it could burn a hole through four inches of metal. It was definitely one of his stronger assortment of weaponry but he couldn't pass up the chance to use it. One hand at the trigger and the other stabilizing the beast he burst in the building behind Naliff. Instantly me moved to the counter pointing his weapon at one of the clerks he demanded they start emptying deposit boxes and cash holds into the sacks. Which he would grab quickly from where they were fastened at his waist. Holding the gun with his robotic arm, and tossing the sacks at the woman's face with his free hand.

He would then turn to intimidate the nearest guard on the ground and accuse people of trying things as he waited for the to fill the sacks. It wasn't really what they were there for but it had to look like just any old robbery. Plus some spending cash sure couldn't hurt he thought as he tossed the sacks into the back of the mule. It wasn't long before he was called on to help move the actual reason they were here. No sooner had they loaded them up and he threatened to pull one guys teeth out for looking at him funny then he heard the sound of the local law enforcement showing up. Lucky for them tech here wasn't that good and they were on horseback. Clambering into the Mule, he tossed the shotgun down atop the bags and drew his pistol. Taking a few pot shots at the lawmen he purposefully missed as they got away.

Back on the ship, after hiding away the cargo, Minot was about to ask the Captain what was actually in the boxes when Naliff announced that they would be heading to Fortuna where they would be picking up passengers. A look of despair crossed Minot's face. More people on this tin can meant less space for him, less food for him, and less fun for him. But before he could argue the Naliff had already put it to rest.

He spent most of the journey there asleep or doing is daily routine of weapons checks, equipment checks, and security checks. When they had finally arrived he was pleased to actually set foot on solid ground. But his pleasure was quickly ended as he was threatened with bodily harm and then tasked to follow on the drop. He'd really wanted a smoke, drink and a sa'k but it would have to wait.


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She had just finished paying the docking fee, signing the ship in and was standing seemingly in awe on one of the docking platforms. For the first time since she could remember there was no plan. No task, or assigment she was meant to do. No liaison or handler to watch over her. She was on her own, free and suddenly very alone. She almost had the strangest urge to re-board the ship and flying right back to Shoran's begging for forgiveness. But it passed as fleetingly as it had come. She was free all right but she wasn't foolish either. She snapped back looking about the docks evaluating the area.

She knew it wouldn't be long before they figured out she'd gone AWOL and would begun hunting for her. Ilassa's mind raced as she went over the possibilities for a plan. She decided to sell off the ship and barter passage onto a new one as quickly as possible. She would have to leave a slight of a footprint here as she could. Moving through the large docking area she focused on hearing the thoughts of the people around her. It was difficult as there were a lot of people moving about thinking, making noises and the machinery made for good distractions as well. But she calmed herself and used her training to focus.

Eventually she found someone who was in need of a new ship and sold her's at a shadily low price to the man. He was skeptical at first but she managed to convince him when he actually seen the paperwork and the ship itself. She told him a tale of how she had acquired it in a game of Sheok and had found out she couldn't properly run it without a crew. Not being of captain like material she had decided to pawn it off quickly and he happen to be the lucky soul.

With her new found wealth she then purchased a few new sets of clothing, some traveling gear and bags so that she could fit the new identity she was forming. And then she set about finding the right ship to sign on. She was deciding between two newer model ship when her eye caught the Cora Belle. Something about it screamed for her and she couldn't help but be drawn to it. She moved to wait politely behind another who was bartering passage. When they were done she asked the price but before the lady could respond she stammered, "I'll pay you triple! Please just say yes!" Good job, way to not look desperate.

The blond chick sitting at the Cora Belle just replied with her name and stuff. Who caaares what your name is! I just want to get to the sa'king border worlds, Nakedra thought. Her head was always like this without coffee. The only time she had coffee on this damn trip was on yesterday morning when she left.

"So," the lady said, "How about... 40 platinum?"

Ugh, Nakedra hated this. Platinum coins? Like a doctor from New Japan had metal coinage. The only people who used those were children, collectors, and people dealing in the black market. (Serious! Check this out! http://firefly.wikia.com/wiki/Currency)

"Do you take credits? That's all I got. Central Worlder."

Another woman, a psy by the looks of her, waited behind her. She looked nervous. She got that look a lot in the hospital, like she was about to fill the patient's arm full of needles. Why must things be so difficult? Nakedra thought, why can't I just go back and explain to the Hospital that I made a mistake? That I was to much of a spoiled brat to leave? Shut up, when you get on the ship, coffee. And anyone getting in my way is getting tazed.

"Do you take credits? That's all I got. Central Worlder." The girl before her asked. Nim actually wasn't sure if they took credits since she usually was off in her own little mechanical world. She was pretty sure the Captain would prefer hard coin, but maybe it'd be good to have some credit on hand.

"Um... I'll let you on... But I will have to double check with Naliff to see okay?" She asked, a sorry smile placed on her lips. She really felt bad. She didn't want anybody to be left behind.

When the next girl came along, one with green hair, she seemed kind of rushed. Mainly 'cause the first thing she said was, "I'll pay you triple! Please just say yes!", in a way that made it seem like she was yelling at Nim.

"Uh... Do you even have 120 platinum on you?" Nim asked. She didn't want to cheep this girl out of her money, and would be happy is she payed either 120 or 40 platinum, Of course... If she did pay 120 then they'd be that much closer to getting that new compression coil...

She had regained her composure and replied steadily, "Of course." Coffee. The thought had squirmed it's way into her head and she had almost said it aloud, but she knew it wasn't her own. Ilassa looked from the person she was negotiating with to the woman who had been before her. Focusing she blocked out enough of the chatter around her to clearly hear a few thoughts.

Shut up, when you get on the ship, coffee. And anyone getting in my way is getting tazed.

Ilassa frowned turning back to the the other woman she asked, "Can I get someone to help carry my things aboard?" She motioned to her bags she'd just recently purchased. She didn't really need help, she had been psychically moving them behind her up until now, merely laying her hand on it to avoid any suspicion. Well, anymore then she was already getting. She stood out like a flashing light around here. Her luscious green hair, pale skin and vibrant orange eyes was widely different then most people. Even though they were still technically in the core it was strange to see a Psy this far out and definitely strange to see one without Coalition goons nearby.

"It is quite heavy and I am just so tired. We can consider it part of the triple pay?" She grinned trying to appear friendly. She was really hoping that she could get aboard and lock herself in. She wanted to sleep and if she was locked away in a ship with no connection to her, it would be harder for her to be found.