Jean shoved his fingers into his gun belt, fingering the empty holster as he addressed Juniper. [color=0072bc]“Now don’t you go worryin’ y’self ‘bout me gel, I’m right as rain. Young’uns like you ought’a be concernin’ themselves over mornin’ chores, n’ schoolin’. Though to be fair I ain’t familiar wit’ how yew Royal Theonian’s operate. But I reckon it ain’t typical for y’all to be fretting over genocidal maniacs. You seem to be handlin’ it pretty well though, Theonians’ must be made of a tough stock. I’ve seen lesser evils break battle toughened grown men. But, les’ put that aside fer now, an’ fly at this ‘ere grub.” [/color]Removing a large slice of the pie for himself, Jean sniffed at the odd delicacy holding it under his nose as the melted cheese stretched to its max. Shoving a healthy portion of the steaming pizza into his mouth Jean’s eyes lit up like twin stars. [color=0072bc]“Well howdee damn, now that’s what I call vittles!” [/color]Finishing off the wedge he selected another, polishing it off just as swiftly as the first.

	[color=0072bc]“My compliments to th’ cookie.” [/color]Jean chortled, [color=0072bc]“e’ should be lookin’ to get a raise or some better benefits.”[/color] Glancing over at Mac the cowboy snorted, shrugging off the big man’s concerns. [color=0072bc]“Then don’t concern them, I don’ see why they gotta participate at all. Jus’ drop me off, I’ll commandeer a shuttle an’ handle Bob myself. Y’all are th’ ones who mixed yerselves up in this mess by kidnappin’ me, an’ it’s y’all’s Cap’n who lookin’ to help us, Princess Juniper specifically. Unless this ship’s a fancy democracy an’ Miz Ursa’s jus’ a representative, ya don’t gotta sell shit.”
[/color]

	Just then the [i]Ranger[/i] lurched violently almost succeeding in throwing Jean off his feet. Only by seizing ahold of the counter did he manage to avoid tumbling to the floor. The remains of the pizza, the cutlery, and other random items slid and clattered everywhere, some floating others plummeting like rocks as the artificial gravity struggled to readjust to the ship’s erratic movements. [color=0072bc]“What in tarnation!”[/color] Jean spluttered, regaining his footing and snatching his hat which was trying to float away. [color=0072bc]“Did we just get ripped out of hyperspace!?” [/color]As if to answer his question two blasts impacted the outside of the [i]Ranger’s[/i] hull reminding Jean of the all too familiar sounds of turbolaser fire. The sheriff’s face paled as a second volley connected, sending ominous vibrations reverberating down the freighter’s cabins and passageways.