Jones Sparrow

The Marauders (Will Return)

Raymond made it to his quarters and finally got to look at himself in the mirror. He looked like shit. His eye was swollen, his lip cut, bruises and cuts and dried blood covered his body and face. A dark red ring circled his neck. To be honest he was a bit embarrassed at the sight. No wonder Rae wanted to get him examined. He did his best to freshen up, he took a cold shower, slowly tending to the bruises as he scrubbed around them. Moments later and he entered his main quarters.

The Captain's Quarters of the Monroe was a little bit larger than most quarters on the ship. Raymond's large desk was in the center of the room, with all sorts of papers and maps and files all over the tabletop. A bookshelf lined with trophies from planets, awards from the Committee, and a collection of human artifacts from his planet were on almost every part of the walls. A baseball cap, pictures, antiques from the old age. Maps, and posters, and notes were lined around the wall as well. A large globe of Terra was in the corner, and in the opposite one was a very old antique jukebox. One door led to the bathroom, while another led to the bedroom.

He wore a standard issue, dark blue slim and fit shirt, with black cargo pants and boots. His hair was still a bit wet, but it looked messily perfect as usual. His wounds stopped bleeding and he did his best to try and ice and tend the bruises, but he still looked bad. He was lost in thought when his communicator went off. Doctor Achieng. He knew why a psychologist would want to board the Monroe. A bunch of crazy, homicidal maniacs somehow working together to become famous within the galaxy... It was bound to turn some heads. He listened to the doctor's words, and hesitated to answer.

The last time he was interviewed was in a prison cell right before he got the offer to join the Expedition Force. "Already eager to start? I...Uh. Sure, Doctor. I'll let you introduce yourself to the crew after our meeting." He wasn't going to say no to the interview, but his voice clearly wasn't certain.

Raymond gave a sigh, and went over to his holographic terminal on his desk. He opened up the files of their newest mission. An S.O.S. retrieval call. On the outer rim of the galaxy, and the Committee has no idea who or what it is. He listened to the audio again, and chills went down his spine. The Captain uploaded a file to Tango, and one to Doctor Driani. As a Committee Officer she was to get all intel first.

With the push of the button, he stood up, and walked out of the quarters, and to the meeting room. This was going to be one hell of a starter mission.

The Marauders (Will Return)

Some awesome replies, I've been MIA due to personal family reasons. My mom just finished Chemo so I'm trying to make time to fly out and see her... so that consumed a lot of my time haha

I'll get a post up sometime soon!

The Marauders (Will Return)

@Mistress Dizzy

I can picture this scenario in a sitcom type situation. Certain characters sitting awkwardly, hard cuts to different and awkward answers, and after it all Achieng just wipes her forehead as she gives a deep sigh XD

The Marauders (Will Return)

Crickets chirped loudly through the Colorado air. The warm wind moved the large fields of grass that surrounded the modest farm house. The lights shined inside the house, the front porch was filled with an assortment of toys and crayons, but children were nowhere in sight. Inside the house was a very drunk man who had a "rough" day at work and wanted to let his anger out on his family members. Luckily, though, they weren't in the house. A trap door on top of the roof opened, and up came Jamie Chase with a small child in her arms. Her cinnamon colored hair was pulled back in a pony tail, she wore a white t-shirt, and some comfortable jeans. Her lip was freshly cut, and her hazel eyes were just starting to look better from a black eye. With the small girl still in her hand, she used her other one to help another child up. "Come here, sweetheart." she said gently, even with the muffled screams from the drunk down below.

"He won't be able to catch us, baby." The woman assured the young girl in her arms. "He's too round to fit in this small square." She said with a gentle kiss to her cheek. "Come here, RayRay."

8 year old Raymond Chase stared down at the trap door, his fists clenched. His dark brown hair was messy, like any child his age. He had a couple of missing teeth, his t-shirt was freshly rung out, as if someone just grabbed it, and a fresh bruise was on his cheekbone. His intense green eyes glared down the stairs, as if deciding on what to do exactly. "hey." The sweet voice of his mother said. Raymond turned to her, and she had a desperate smile, as if begging him not to do anything stupid. Raymond slammed the trap door closed, and walked over the sloped roof, taking a seat.

The two of them sat in silence, listening to the sounds of the rural night. The stars were shining brightly, to the right of them a large glow was near the horizon, indicating where Denver was. Space ships flew across the sky, and the lights from the civilized moon were glowing brightly. Ray's mother was comforting his younger sister, Anna. Raymond kept staring at the sky though, thinking about his father. Not the man downstairs. His ACTUAL father.

He then felt his mother's hand reach for his face, to examine the numb part of his cheek. Raymond didn't meet her gaze, and turned the other way. "It's okay to be afraid... Your father loved the story of Deimos and Phobos, the greek gods o--"

"I'm not afraid." Ray said flatly, his eyes still fixed on the stars, but his body was shaking. "Especially when it comes to him." he added. His mother simply sighed. "It amazes me how much you look like your daddy. He always scrunched up his eyebrows, would push his jaw when out he was upset." Jamie Chase said quietly. Raymond ignored her. Every time they were up there she would hear about his father, and how amazing he was.

Silence.

"If he's so great, why isn't he here?" Raymond demanded. "Why isn't he here protecting you from getting punched, or keeping Anna from crying." His small voice broke as he turned to look at his mom. "Why is his best friend here treating you like shit--"

"Raymond David Chase you watch your language--"

"Where did he go, Momma? Why did he leave?" At those words Raymond's mother grabbed her child and pulled him close, her lips kissing the top of his head, her fingers running through his hair. Raymond fought back tears, as he buried his head in his mother's shirt. Raymond was only eight, but he knew more than most kids his age. He knew that for a while, his mother went to drugs and alcohol to numb the pain, but when Raymond was old enough to take beatings, she stopped cold turkey. He knew that his step father, Brad, was a cheater, a dead beat, and supposedly his father's childhood friend. He didn't care what kids said about him, but whenever someone talked badly against his sister or mother, he would always beat the living crap out of them.

"Your father is the bravest, most amazing man I've ever met." Jamie said against his head. "He never told me where he had to go... But he's out there, sweetheart." She pointed out towards the cosmos, and Raymond looked up, as if trying to see the man himself. "He wouldn't leave us unless he absolutely had to... You are so much like him."

There was a sound of breaking glass from below and a long line of curses that made Anna start to whimper. Raymond clenched his fist again, but the feeling of his mother's arm around him calmed his nerves. "I'm afraid of him." Raymond confessed, looking away from his family again. "And I hate him. I hate him so much, Mommma."

"It's alright to be afraid, baby. The bravest, and best people always have a bit of fear in them."

"He doesn't do anything but hurt you and I can't do anything to stop him--"

"Listen to me. Don't you worry about me. Brad is a man who thinks he's brave, and better than everyone else. But someone who is really brave doesn't do that kind of stuff. They don't go picking fights to start them, or because they think they can and have a right to. They have to be afraid to fight, because when they have to, you know it means a lot to them... And I want you to promise me that when you grow up to become brave and strong like your daddy, you won't come back here and try to fight Brad. I will do anything to protect you and your sister from him, do you understand me?" Jamie's voice was calming like river, but had a serious tone that made Raymond look at her and nod.

"Why don't we just leave? So we don't have to protect anyone, and be happy?" Raymond asked quietly. "It's complicated Ray... Sometimes you have to do things for others that you know is scary... But everything will be okay, and we will be happy."

"Pinky Promise?"

"Yes. I Pinky Promise." Jamie laughed, taking young Raymond's finger and wrapping it around hers. There was another moment of silence before Raymond spoke up again. "I'm going to be better than dad. I'm not going to leave you and Anna ever. I won't let anything bad happen to you guys." Raymond declared, his eyes fixed on the stars again. His mother had tears in her eyes and she simply hugged him again. "I know you won't, sweetheart."

---

Raymond did leave them. Ray was forced to the Galactic Military Academy at 12, after he attacked Brad for almost killing his mom. While he was gone, his mom died, his sister was scarred for life, and Raymond was accused of murdering his step father. This shapeshifting assassin reminded Ray of Brad... And that made him unsettled. He was strong manipulative, willing to fight just to do it. Raymond wanted a rematch, to kick him off his ship, but he knew he'd be right back, and Raymond couldn't beat him in the state he was in... And he made a promise.

The Captain of the Monroe approached Kaite, seeing that he was doing his best at keeping the recruits situated... It was an interesting story of how Kaite joined the crew. Ray was unsure about him at first, but the small creature did do a lot around the Monroe, and seemed to actually enjoy being a part of something... Raymond didn't know a lot about its race, but so far he gained the Captain's trust.

"Kaite doesn't like to be touched, Doctor L'Azul." Raymond said with a hoarse voice, still hurting from the fight from earlier. He tried to ignore the looks of concern from his crew mates, mostly Rae and Kaite. "I'm Captain Raymond Chase. Welcome to the Monroe, your new home."

He saw that the other three recruits were also on their way, talking to the Monroe's Security Officer as well. It was an odd group he had this round of recruits. A lot of criminals came and went. Either by death, or they decided that they'd rather spend time in a prison instead of risking their lives. He had a new Engineer, enforcer, assassin (apparently) and a counselor since the Monroe apparently needed that...After reading the files of the crew, She'll need all the help she could get with this group.

"Everyone, the new recruits are Docto L'Azul, our new Science officer. Jackal "Wyrm" Westari, our muscle. Shyr Dracosis, our engineer. Achieng Clan Chima, our uh, psychologist... And, our new... Tactician, Kellian. Come on in, we'll show you your new home.

The Marauders (Will Return)

@Mistress Dizzy

I think it'd be super interesting and hilarious if you collabed with everyone and had your own little "introduction session" with you. Some of the responses and answers would be really fun to read XD

The Marauders (Will Return)

Have we figured out posting orders, or could I go ahead and start working on one?

@Hawlin

Just make sure it isn't a one-on-one conversation with another person, at least two different posts inbetween yours!

@Tala Avana

We understand, there isn't too much of a rush!

---

And I'm gonna get a post up too, get the Captain to finally meet his crew haha

The Marauders (Will Return)

yeah, we got a little carried away XD

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The collab is almost ready, and it's a long one XD

The Marauders (Will Return)

@Mistress Dizzy
You can shoot us a PM and we can go from there!!

The Marauders (Will Return)

There is a collaboration slowly taking place, so hopefully this will pick up soon, I'm sorry for the delay!