[center][h2]”We’re Gonna Need A Bigger Galley.” - Part 4[/h2][/center] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/tNELwxb.jpg[/img] [/center] Part 4 of a JP/collab from [@Xandrya], [@Herald], [@PatientBean], [@Gunther], [@Theyra], [@wanderingwolf], and [@sail3695] “Best plan is for the slavers to have nothin’ to chase.” Cal strode into the galley, his bearing exuding confidence as he found the table’s head. “To tell it true, we got the start of a pretty solid plan, all thanks to Yuri’s pa.” In moments like these it almost seemed like he enjoyed playing cryptic. Judging by the furrowed brows and open confusion on several faces, Cal thought to pat himself on the back. ‘Cept for Abigail. Look on her face was like she caught wise but wasn’t about to rat him out. “So our first mate here gave you the four-one-one on why we gotta get these folk out, “ the captain glanced about the table. “In a minute I’ll give you what we know about how. “First,” he brought the silver case to hand. With a skilful flip of the lid, Cal had a cigarette between two fingers and a match flaring without missing a beat. “I wanted all you passengers to conjure what’s about to happen. Now we mean to run this whole operation on the down low, but if somethin’ goes crawfishy, there could be a chance of some unpleasantness.” He took a deep pull, filling his lungs with blessed smoke that soon expelled skyward. “Any passenger don’t want to be tied up with this, we totally get your meanin’. I’ll personally hand over your coin as you step off. But what the pretty lady said was true,” the captain tossed a smile toward Quill, “there’s work to be done, and good trouble to be faced. We’d be much obliged if any of you thought to pitch in for the good of these folk.” “What do you need, Captain?” Edina’s voice broke in before any noticeable pause could settle over the room. Her serious countenance cracked just a bit at sight of Yuri’s smile. “Got a few things to fetch,” Cal acknowledged the passenger. “Off the top of my head, I’m thinkin’ beddin’...pillows, blankets, an’ such…enough for forty souls.” Ignoring the quiet gasp, he continued, “when these people come, they're apt to have just the clothes on their backs, so we gotta have everything they need to handle a two day flight. Mayhaps soap, tooth brushes, towels an’ rags, things women need,” he looked past the females as he touched upon an uncomfortable topic. “Oh, almost forgot. Wheelbarrows. We need ten. The rougher they are, the better. Prefer to rent, but we’ll buy if we have to.” It was fairly obvious to all who sat at the table that Cal Strand was clearly enjoying playing with the building blocks of his latest caper. “Abigail,” his gaze fell upon the deckhand. “I conjure nobody knows better where to hide forty folk on a Firefly than a little bilge rat who grew up in one. That sound like a thing you can do?” Abby grinned all wry back at Cal. “I’m yer rat, Cap’n.” “Shiny,” he cast an affectionate eye toward the girl. “When I came in, Miss Imani was talkin’ about a plan and some practice. Good call, seein’s we’re about to have forty movin’ parts on this boat. Can I draft you for that?” he asked the woman. "Happy to be of service..." she added with a reassuring nod. Imani then exchanged glances with the doctor who happened to be glancing 'er way. She stared right back, her expression neutral as if waiting for some sort of response, but none came. [I]Happy to be of service...[/I] Alana mocked the woman right back. Might as well grab his hand and skip on out the galley. She got they had new guests onboard, but if nothing else, they better hope they learn a thing or two in boundaries for their own sake, even if Imani helped him escape the bar with his life. As it is with men, Cal was completely oblivious to the silent exchange. “Much obliged,” he gave Imani a grateful nod. “But here’s the thing. We can’t be drawin’ any interest in this. Somebody buyin’ forty pillows all at once is gonna raise eyebrows. Ones an’ twos, people,” he ordered. “Mr. Hooker,” the captain turned his eye upon the cook, “I know we just stocked you up pretty full for a short flight. Gonna have to stretch your pantry to feed all those extra mouths outta what we have, copy?” “Roger that, Cap’n,” Joe responded. “Won’t be a problem.” [i]”Ku.[/i] You, me, and One Arm are headin’ into town in about an hour. No strappin’ this time,” he cautioned the cook, “as we’re like to step through detectors.” His gaze fell upon their new pilot. “Tommy Pearson? Cal Strand,” the captain introduced himself. “Heard you got two good votes to hire on as our new pilot, so welcome aboard. Way I see it, you an’ I need to have a sit down to talk about how we thread this needle on the way out. I’ll be up forward,” his head tilted toward the corridor and the cockpit at its’ end, “but give me a few ticks. I gotta speak with Miss Quill first.” After a brief glance toward the statuesque blonde, he concluded, “Now, Yuri here’s gonna tell you a joke. Give it a listen. Oh…one last thing,” China Doll’s captain said as he rose to his feet. Clapping a firm hand to Yuri’s shoulder, he asked, “would somebody make sure One-Arm here gets a good suit of clothes?” Joe thought about what the captain said. He knew he never actually [i]needed[/i] to carry the revolver, but he just felt so comfortable carrying it. It was like an additional appendage. But the captain is the Captain and he would do as he asked. In fact, since he was expecting to pass through a metal detector, he would insure he wasn’t carrying any of his knives either. “Dibs.” Edina’s eyes sparkled with mirth as they met Yuri’s. “This boat,” Cal found himself compelled to say, “runs a lotta stuff an’ folk about the ‘verse, some on the up an’ up, and some,” he shrugged, “a touch on the naughty side. There’s a whole world of grey out there, an’ we all have to navigate through it, walkin’ a tight rope between what’s right and and what it takes to get by. But this time,” he tapped an index finger on the table, “I see as clear as day what needs doin’, and I aim to get it done. I know its’ not your cause,” he met each person’s eyes in turn, “and I have no right to ask. Won’t be any big payoff,” Cal said, “and we won’t be makin’ history. All I can say is if we do right by these gentle folk, that’s forty lives to the good. May not move the needle for humankind, but we get to know that for once we had a hand in somethin’ right and true. I’m in your debt.” Cal turned, the cigarette pressed to his lips as he strode toward the cockpit. As the captain’s bootheels echoed from the forward corridor, Yuri spoke up. “Here’s how we get them out. My father used to tell a joke from our homeland on Earth-That-Was. There was a worker at a tractor plant…” Quill had to admit that everyone seemed on board with this plan. Even those who just joined. She wasn’t averse to helping, especially as it meant she would be able to stay on the ship until they reached their destination. As she eyed everyone moving around, speaking their mind on a matter of subjects, the Captain made it clear he wished to speak to her. She could only imagine what it was about. She gave him some time to speak to their new pilot before she stepped over to the side to allow the Captain to come talk to her. “You wanted to speak to me. Captain?” “That I do,” Cal replied. “But in private. Let’s head for the cockpit.” “...and that’s how it is,” Yuri finished summing up the plan. “Eddie and I are headed to watch that checkpoint for awhile this evening…” “...and get you some decent clothes,” she smirked. “...and get me some decent clothes. You’ve heard what we think we’re doing,” the first mate continued. “The best thing about having a plan is that you’ve got something to change. If you get an idea or see a problem, track me down, [i]dohn mah?[/i] Captain or I may come around with a special job that needs doing. Meanwhile, if you’re headed out, try to pick up a couple things we talked about. Shiny?” After receiving answers from those disposed to speak, Yuri nodded. [i]”Ku.[/i] Let’s get to it.” As the crew all took to their feet, he held his place near the table’s head. [i]They all seemed to take the plan pretty well,[/i] he thought, with some, Edina and Imani embracing their parts. He was certain the Doc would be called in, after more was learned. And Hook. The role Cal had devised for the cook would make him essential. But as he viewed the man now, crudely shaven head and tormented eyes that darted away from contact, Yuri wondered if he was up to the strain. [i]That call can wait,[/i] he decided. [i]Let’s see how he handles our trip to the Underworld this afternoon.[/i] After a couple hugs from Ms. Wyman, Abby come ‘round tha table. “Beg pardon…Yuri?” The first mate regarded the woman child before him, her bruises and swelling on display for all to see. “I’m sorry, Abby,” he gave a weak smile. “I meant to pay you a visit before now.” “Don’t matter none,” she shook ‘er head. “I got a couple ideas about hidin’ folk, but I need to do some crawlin’ about the boat…” “Last I heard, Doc has you on two days’ bed rest.” Abby fidgeted, her eyes droppin’. “I know…I know. But what I can tell, we’re gon’ start takin’ ‘em in tomorrah. Cap’n needs me…” Yuri laid a hand on her shoulder. “Captain needs you to be healthy. I conjure over three days we’ll pull in between ten and fifteen a day. Cal knows his boat well enough to get the first day’s folk situated.” The deckhand sighed, all discontented like. “I know…but I got a couple ideas…” “Good ones, I’ll wager,” he replied. “Tell you what. Imani…that’s her right there…is working out plans for the boat…probably ways to get people hidden quickly if we get visitors. She’ll need to know the places you’ve got in mind. I’ll send her around to talk with you about your ideas. And you,” he gave her shoulder an affectionate squeeze, “get back in your bunk…pronto.” “Yes, sir,” Abby said like a kid bein’ tole tah do somethin’ she din’ wanna. “Yah still bringin’ me Lucky?” “Good reminder. This afternoon.” “Shiny. Hey, I heard Doc’s takin’ yah to some kinda med center in tha mornin’? Tah gitcher arm mended?” His smile returned. “Yes she is…and I’m ready now,” he said. “This cast is like dragging an anchor…” “Think I could come?” Abby asked. “Mayhaps they could take away all muh bruisin’ an’ such? I’m powerful ugly right now…scarin’ grownups as it is. Would hate if any ‘o’ them’s we’re helpin’ is kids.” In that moment, he wanted to comfort the girl, to let her know that bruised or unblemished, there was no finer sight for her shipmates than Abby’s presence at their table. His good arm looped over her shoulderblades, pulling her into the embrace he’d wanted to offer last night. “On a boat full of pretty women,” Yuri whispered, “none of them hold a candle to you.” “Tell that to Ms. Wyman,” she grinned into the hug. “Y’all been smilin’ at each other alot.” “Don’t tell anyone,” Yuri chuckled. “Don’t hafta.”