James Booth
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Big Damn Opportunity** Opportunity **
Travel between the known worlds!
Have Mighty Fine adventures and that!
Make money!
The fine high-speed-courier vessel No Limit is currently recruiting crewmembers. Captain Booth has the following vacencies:
Experienced qualified Medic. The successful applicant will be a qualified Medic with some experience of trauma treatment. Ideally the applicant will be still on the register of MDs, but arrangements can be discussed.
Expert Cortexer. The successful applicant will be fast and adept at obtaining required information from the Cortex. The candidate will be able to make comments about not stopping the wave sound convincing. Contact Capt Booth for further information.
Deckhand. No formal qualifications are required for these two posts. The job entails day to day duties around the ship, undertaking the Myriad tasks that keep a ship running efficiently. Previous experience is desirable but not essential. Due to the unsettled and sometimes lawless conditions in the Black an ability to handle yourself in confrontational or violent situations is necessary. May suit ex-military. Two posts.
Contact ((PM)) Captain Booth aboard No Limit for information on remuneration and conditions and for an informal interview.
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Doctor Lucius Vexian
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Greetings Capt Booft, I ..I am currently on de look out for some paid emplooyment and I am sure I can fill the doctooring position. I forgotten more about doctoring than I care to remember and as for trooma I can fixe just about anything me hands aint as seady as they used to be but I dig out a buulet or amputate a leg.
I was hoping that a small advace could be forth cooming as me bag is stuck with an undersanding tavern owner who says I can have em back when I pay tab
Oh I you want a private chat oh well of course…. When would bee coonvenient any time I am free or you can be finding me I will at the bar
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Mai Lee
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Well hey there Cap'n Booth,
I have been taking a look at your fine ship there and I came to thinking that I could do with some mighty fine adventurin'.
Now you may be foolin' yerself into thinking that I aint gonna be none too good in a brawl up, and if that is being the case I can put some dollars your way as a paying traveller, but you might just be finding I have my uses.
So long as you aint no kuh-ooh duh lao bao jurn, you will find me pretty aimable and I wont be no trouble to you and yours.
Give me a call, why don't ya.
Mei Lee
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James Booth
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Real fine of you to say, Mai. We'll meet up in the starport bar on this little moon and have a little con-flab. There's another prospect in there been kind enough to start a tab, so no need to worry about cash.
* A couple of hours later Captain Booth enters the rough bar near the docks and looks around *
There a Doc Vexian in here?
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Doctor Lucius Vexian
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After a short pause an old man wearing what were once fine cloths but have seen much better days turns round from where he is propping up the bar as he turns his coat opens revealing an empty holster. It takes him a bit of time to focus on the person calling his name but when he does he raises a hand in greeting
“Over here I’m him” His voice shows the slightest hint of a slur, as he stands he offers a hand that betrays the slightest hint of a shake and close up his breath smells of a mixture of stale beer and old whisky. The pair shake hands and introductions are made.
“So you would be Captain Booth then well if your needin a doc I’m you man” He totters back slightly so he is once again supported by the bar “I’m very you know very highly qualified I got papers an’ everything well I have got em, some where, just cant put my finger on where at the moment.”
Turning to the bar he pours the remains of the bottle in front of him into his glass and knocks it back in one and slams the glass back on the bar with a less than impressive thump.
“Your shout capin, I’s taped out hell they even holdin me bag against what I’s owe, you could be so good as to see you way to lend us enough to get me bag back you se I works so much better with me’s bag…..you can trust me when I gots a bag I soon be saving your life so I will and a few bottles of what makes you harty purely for medicinal purposes of course”
After a moments pause the doctor continues “well ave I got the job you won’t be disappointed, what you see is what you get, oh what sort of a ship ave you got and what you planning on doin, is there a bar on board?”
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Mai Lee
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*Conversation at a nearby table gets a little louder as a hand of cards draws to a close.*
Well, hun dan, who'd believe the luck. I win again.
*The cheery female continues with her chatter as she gathers up the dollars in the centre of the badly scratched table.*
Another hand gentlemen? No? Aww c'mon, you have gotta win sooner or later, the odds are in your favour.
*She acknowledges the shakes of their heads with a friendly grin, stands and gives a short bow before heading for the bar and addressing the barkeep*
Ching zie lie ee bay Ng-Ka-Pei?"
*The woman in the pink silk dress turns and smiles broadly at Vexian and Booth.*
Hey there. Now that is a mighty fine suit. Well travelled but mighty fine none the less. I bet'ya that suit could tell a lot of stories.
The name is Mai, and you two gents would be...?
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James Booth
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I'm Captain Booth of No Limit. This fella here says he's Doc Vexian and seemingly he don't know no limit. Why don't we grab a table and you two can tell me your background so I can make my decision. Then we can talk terms and conditions.
* gesturing for the two to follow him Cpt Booth walks over to an empty table and takes a seat *
Doc, why don't you start by explainig to me why I need a boozed up medico on my ship. You can commence by statin' the last date you was sober.
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Mai Lee
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*Mai shakes the captains hand with a warm smile as he makes his greeting then turns her attention to Vexian*
Cap'n Booth. Well it sure is a pleasure. And a doctor! Well that is impressive. I don't know nothin' when it comes to patching up folk. Hey you look a little unsteady there. Here you go.
*Mai offers an arm and assists the inebriated doctor to the table before taking a seat herself*
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Doctor Lucius Vexian
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The doc quickly wipes his hand on his shirt and tries to pull his cloths straight before offering his hand it to the lady
“I’m Doctor Lucius Vexian at your service” taking the ladies arm he makes his way to the table and falls into the closest chair.
“I may be a bit the worse for were but don’t be fooled I am the finest doctor you have siiting round this table and when your operating on a fella with no anesthetic and his friends are holding him still and his screams filling your ears as you can sew his innerds back in place you would need a little some thing to steady the nerves and when you been do that a few years and you start to hear their voices screams in your sleep then sir, then sir you will appreciate the need to deaden them voices and anyway drunk or sober I can patch up you or your crew the only difference is drunk I don’t have to remember in the morning being up to my elbows in blood and guts, now where’s the drink”
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Mai Lee
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*Mai studies the Doc for a moment then gives a sideways look at the Captain, eyebrow raised*
You hirin' this guy? Ai ya. Women wanle.
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James Booth
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* Looks the Doc up and down *
I can't conjure a terribly compelling reason why I should.
* Turns to Mai *
Care to give a little of your resume?
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Mai Lee
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*Mai leans in close and whispers something to the Captain, her eyes indicating a rather large man leaning against the bar. Smiling, she sits back satisfied with her answer.*
Oh, and I have the dollars to pay your good doctors tab. That has got to be worth a trip off this rock.
*She looks across at the doctor and smiles*
So Doc, you would only be drinking inbetween jobs I take it? Never know when I might just break a nail.
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James Booth
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* Booth looks puzzled *
Well, firstly he ain't my doctor, and secondly I don't see the ability to end your relationships abruptly being much of a selling point.
* Comprehension dawns *
Oh wait, that large fella ain't your....... Oh I see. Well that's pretty impressive, petite lady like yourself.
Any shipside experience?
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Mai Lee
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Well, my daddy is a spacer, one of the best. As for me, I have travelled a little, but not as much as I would like. I only made it t' here so far and thats where you come on in.
*Mai smiles sweetly*
Let me offer you a deal, Cap'n. You take me onto your ship as a paying passenger, don't matter none the no-how where you are headin', and if I don't leave you fully satisfied you can kick me off at the next grimey port we pull into....
*She offers a handshake and a smile*
Deal?
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James Booth
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No room for passengers on my ship Mai, I need a deckhand not a tourist. So this is the way I think it's going to happen. I’ll take you on as a deckhand. You’ll get your own bunk and you’ll be entitled to a single crew-share of profits – I’ll explain that in a little more detail later. You’ll undertake whatever ship-side duties you get assigned and in any colourful situations that arise you’ll do what you do best in defence of No Limit and her crew.
*Holds his hand out to Mai*
Deal?
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Mai Lee
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*Mai takes Captain Booth's hand and shakes it vigorously, a wide grin on her face.*
You wont be sorry Cap'n. I thrive on colour. I'll go get my things.
*Chanting 'I got me a ship' over and over to herself Mai leaves the bar room in a flurry of silk*
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Doctor Lucius Vexian
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Doctor Vexian snaps out of his momentary haze and looks the captain squarely in the eye
“Look cap this don’t seem to be going the way I saw it goin, so well so I got an idea, you takes me on as medic and while I am not stitching you lot back together cos you look the type that’s go’n need stitching up on a regular basis but while I aint stitching I will act as your cook and if you dont like me cookin kick me off at the next stop”
Turning to were Mai Lee was sitting he notices that she has gone so turns back to the captain.
“oh and if you could advance us 2 dollars I can pay my tab and get mi bag what yu say cap if you take a chance on me I wont let you down you have mi word”
Offers his hand to the Captain Booth
“Do we have a deal?”
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James Booth
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* Booth studies the florrid face for a while thinking *
This is the way it's going to be. When Mai comes back with her worldly we'll take a walk to back to No Limit. I'll show you the galley and you cook dinner. If everybody likes their vittals then I'll take you on as Ship's Cook and surgeon and send Mai back here to post bail on your bag.
If we ain't so keen on the provender, I'll give you the two bucks and we'll have a parting.
But, if I take you on you do not take alcohol on my boat. Not ever. Not even if the rest of the crew are roaring. Dirtside, drink what you like, but not on No Limit.
Do we have an understandin'?
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Mai Lee
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*Mai arrives back in the bar towing her mismatched and overloaded box on wheels. She approaches the table where Captain Booth and the Doc are sitting and gives them a smile*
Well Cap'n, I headed on over to your ship there but then I figured you would still be here so here I am.
*She stays standing, stepping from foot to foot expectantly*
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Doctor Lucius Vexian
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“We have a deal and no taking alcohol on to the No Limit right understand but what about for cooking or for medical” looks at the captains face which tells the Doc all he needs to know
“right ok understood no alcohol, perhaps we could talk about that after I have”
Looking at the captains faces tells him he is in danger of loosing the first job he has had in a long time so he decided not to push it.
“Yes captain we have an understandin’ as you say”
Offers his hand to the captain
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Mai Lee
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*Mai watches the two men come to an agreement and smiles*
Now, ain't this fine. We are all good friends already.
*She looks at their faces, which do not display the slightest hint of warm feeling for each other. Her smile leaves her eyes but stays fixed on her lips*
Yup, this is just fine.
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James Booth
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* Booth frowns *.
No, "you will take no alchohol on the ship". Not "you will take no alcohol on to the ship."
* He thinks for a moment *
I think we have an understandin'.
I'll take your hand after dinner, may be to welcome you to the crew or maybe to wish you luck.
Come this way.
* He stands and leads the way out of the bar and across the distance to No Limit. He unlocks the port cargo bay door and ushers both people in. He takes them up the companionway to the upper deck where he introduces them to his Pilot, Kix *
Mai your cabin is the forward starboard one. There are two bunks in there, take either you have the cabin to yourself for now.
Doc use the forward port cabin to freshen up and then the galley is right here. We'll eat in two hours.
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Doctor Lucius Vexian
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Doctor Vexian looks at the galley
"Shiney"
and get to work
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James Booth
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Two hours later the crew sit at the mess table and wait to see what has been produced.
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Doctor Lucius Vexian
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Vexian moves into the port cabin and has a quick freshen up, well as best as he can. Returning to the galley he starts to checks out what are in the stores but his mind is still too slowed by all the alcohol running through his body so he decides that the first things to do is brew up some strong black coffee substitute, it tastes foul but seems to do the trick.
He starts to pull out a selection of tins and the couple of cooking ingredients that seem to be lying around some of them he aren’t totally sure what they all are but reckons he is close enough with most of them. As he is starts to work out what he will cook he notices right at the very back one of the store cupboards a lone bottle of very old cooking sherry, determined not to give in so quickly he slams the cupboard door shut.
Opening a selection of unlabeled tins he finds he has 3 tins mixed vegetables one meat stew possibly two. He drains the vegetables and starts to finely chop them unfortunately his hand eye co-ordination is not what it was and several times he has to stop where he has managed to cut himself. When they are done he returns them to the drained liquid to this he adds the liquid from the meat stew heating it he mixes it and adds a fine white powder he hopes is a form of flour and it soon thickens up. He tries it and surprisingly it tastes acceptable unfortunately it looks like vomit so he quickly nips into the mess when on one is around and unscrews a couple of light bulbs so it is a bit dimmer and this he hope will make the soup look better or at least not so bad.
Next he takes what he hopes is flour and mixes it with what he hopes is a butter substitute to make pastry which he rolls out and lines a pie tin with it, into this he empties the meat from the meat stew and the other tin that he hopes is also a meat stew using the remaining pastry he covers the top an places the meat pie into the oven which he remembered to turn on. Then he warms a qt. of half and half, adds a cup of grits and stirs. Letting in come to a slow boil and gently cook for 30 minutes. Half is poured into a serving bowl to be eaten hot with the meal the rest is placed in a 4 inch deep container for next morning so it can be sliced and fried in a little grease or oil.
When the crew is sitting at the table he places the soup on the table along with the meat pie and creamed grits and then retires to the galley to await the verdict.
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Jarhead
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A large hairy figure in mismatched fatigues with the tag 'Vance' on the vest lurches from the bowels of the ship and sniffs the atmosphere:
'Say Cap'n is sumwun cookin' somethin' ? I've had me enough of military rations and my gut is so empty ma belly thinks ma throat has bin cut - agen'
He lowers himself to the table and begins to reach for the food before noticing that there are new faces on board.
'Shoot cap'n, you ain't done gone given ma sleepin'-space away has yer ? Yer knows I needs ma privacy for when I wants to do some hard thinkin' '
Seeing one of the new arrivals is a woman he pauses then begins to grin.
'Is it ma birthday ? Hell cap'n, you sure know how to look after your crew - and don't let no-one tell you different.'
Realising no-one else has said anything for a while and nobody has yet reached for the food Vance subsides.
Noticing the gun-oil smearing his palms he sheepishly rises and mutters about going to wash his hands before gettin' into a fine meal like this.
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James Booth
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*Booth sips the soup cautiously. A surprised expression crosses his face. Then he tries the pie and the grits*
Well that's the finest thing I've tasted made from reconstituted tinned protein. On this ship anyways.
Ladies and Gentlefolk, I think we have a new crewmember.
* He goes into the galley and shakes hands with Vexian *
Welcome to the crew Chef. You'll be sharing the front portside cabin, and you'll be on a crew-share. Don't let anyone down.
Oh and you might want to put those bulbs back, don't want anyone falling down injured til you're sober.
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Mai Lee
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*When Jarhead mentions his loss of sleeping quarters, Mai decides it would be nice to be helpful.*
Aww, don't go worryin' about no place to sleep. I don't have none too much stuff anyhow to take up space and there are two bunks in my cabin. I am only gonna be usin' the one of 'em. You could always bunk with me...
*Mai looks at the astonished faces*
What? Just bein' friendly is all.
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James Booth
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You have no idea how friendly some of this crew can be.
Jarhead & Chef will be sharing the front portside cabin. They have a bunk each just like they were promised when they signed on.
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Mai Lee
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*Mai grins at Captain Booth*
Ok Cap'n. You're the cap'n Cap'n
*Mei turns her attention to her food.*
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Kix
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*** Kix looks up from his meal and pauses just long enough between mouth fulls to speak ***
"Well it's beats Jarhead's cookin', we got anything to wash it down with?"
*** He shovels in another mouth full, while grabing some seconds and piling them on to his plate ***
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