What's in the Bag?

By the time Jaxx and Evelina were able to land the maintenance pod and get into the command center, the rest of the crew had beat them. It was confusing at first since no one greeted them as they entered since they were all talking to Jay. Evelina said, “Hey guys we found our stuff if you want it back.” Again they were ignored by the others.

<SNIP>
“Lindstroms’s a dead man” Jay snarled, his fingers unconsciously curling into fists as he spoke “He’s fucking dead”
Cass met his stormy eyes with silent understanding
She wanted to reach out and embrace him; to draw him into her tender arms and be the rock against which his pain and sorrow would break.
She couldn't believe this was happening.
Katrina, her friend, was gone, and Jay... Oh, Jay... If she could somehow shoulder the burden of his hurt alone, she would; but given their history Cass worried that even the most sympathetic of her words could be misconstrued
Instead she just nodded
“I’ll find him for you” she said in a low voice and turned away to towards one of the command desks “Coming?” she glanced back over her shoulder, her face writ with concern
“Yeah, whatever” Jay shook his head and followed her across the gloomy command deck
<SNIP>

Evelina knelt down by Jaxx and asked, “Did you hear that Jaxx?” Jaxx replied in his Vader voice, “Most harsh Eve babe. Let ‘em be for now.” Evelina replied, “But….” Jaxx interrupted, “Eve babe how would you feel if just lost your most precious person?” Evelina paused as she realized that even thought Jaxx only had an IQ of 2 he completely understood what was going on with Jay. As she recalled her pain from when she thought Jaxx was dead after the VR mission she realized how much pain Jay must be in. Evelina asked, “Maybe we should tell him we are sorry for his loss.” Jaxx used his claw head to touch Evelina’s chin and replied, “We can Eve babe, like after we bail this place and get home.” Evelina gently grabbed Jaxx’s claw and kissed it and then nodded. For the remainder of the time they sat quietly and watched till everyone came up with a plan.

<SNIP>
Artemis didn't need telling twice and turned to bolt out of the exit after Jay, leaving Cass to sigh and turn to regard the rest of the Dwarfer's
"We need our time drive back" she flopped back down into her chair and pulled the inventory system up "It's in storage down in the Core" she hilighted a record in one of the tables displayed the screens "Let's grab what we need from here and then take one of the trams down there"
<SNIP>

Evelina whispered to Jaxx, “She is scary when she is like that.” Jaxx whispered back, “Cha Eve babe, sometimes I think Mrs. Jones totally has shark blood in her.” Evelina looked at Jaxx and and back at Cass as she nodded in agreement. She had a fearful look on her face as she pictured Cass with a MACO body. Evelina shivered in fear and was glad Cass had a human body.

<SNIP>
Fifteen minutes later, the tram pulled into the station down in the Core, the doors hissing open to admit the sounds of gunfire outside
"Sounds like some of the other prisoners have the same idea as us" Jacky observed
"We can't let them get to the time drive" Cass said emphatically "We need it to get out of here"
<SNIP>

<SNIP>
"On the plus side." Jamie said, while the sounds of gunfire would still be blocking anyone else from hearing them. "At least we're the only ones that know for sure there is a time drive in storage."
"True. Unless everyone else here was using one." Cass replied.
"But then there should be enough for every group." Jamie said.
"That's assuming none of the other groups have split in that time, or some selfish smeghead doesn't run away on their own." Jacky added.
The group continued through the corridor from the tram cautiously. The sounds of gunfire increasing steadily as they got closer. A perfectly natural thing, but gunfire doesn't travel particularly well in ships.
The core section of the ship was massive. A wide, open space with storage crates everywhere, walkways, ladders and stairwells dotted all over the place. Most of the surfaces had at least one person with a gun on. Some were relying on luck to stay alive, others had hidden behind barrels. As they watched, one who should have stayed out in the open was obliterated as his barrel was hit; the explosive contents a warning to others to stay away from unmarked barrels.
"There's a control room." Jade said, noting the top of one wall.
"That's where we need to be." Cass said.
"Looks like you need a distraction." Jaxx said with a heavy, Vader-like breath.
"No, it's too dangerous." Jamie said, surveying the room. "These people are acting like Blue Rechaks."
Everyone looked at him funny.
<SNIP>

Jaxx thought about what Jamie was talking about but was still clueless to the meaning. For now he would take the Jungle man’s advice and stay with the group.

<SNIP>
Jamie paused for a moment, before realising that no one here would know what a Blue Rechak was. "a small aggressive mammal on Fernandos. They're always fighting each other, but the moment something distracts them, they all converge on the new target. Stealth is key." He explained. "draw as little attention as necessary, and you're less likely to get in trouble." He said, with a smirk.
"what's funny?" Jade asked, seeing nothing in the room more than unnecessary death.
"Oh, nothing. Just remembering something." he replied. Now was not the time for annecdotes from Fernandos.
But to prove his point, at that exact moment, someone chose to expose themselves as a big threat. Somehow, a large machine gun had been pilfered from the guards, and a very heavily built man was stood against one wall, attempting to suppress the entire room by himself. The moment this was noticed, the entire rest of the inmates turned, and killed him in no time at all, before returning to their original targets. The whole thing lasted less than 5 seconds.
"Point taken." Jaxx said.
<SNIP>

Jaxx watched with his scanners as the big guy was wasted in a short time. It was a good idea he listened to Jamie. Maybe the Jungle man saw this Blue Rock on planet Fernando’s that acted the same way. Jaxx had seen a rock move or fight before. Maybe the blue rocks on Fernando’s were different. Then Jaxx realized something, Jamie was trying to keep him out of danger. Did he do it to protect the group or was he really concerned for Jaxx’s safety. Maybe it was because Jaxx was a skutter now that Jamie was a little more concerned. Jaxx wondered it that would change when he got his old body back. Jaxx knew it was going to be tough learning everything all over again, but trying to understand humans was hard. They picked on Jaxx for being violent but in turn act the same way and unlike Jaxx they were not bred in a tank to be soldiers. Humans were indeed a strange race. Perhaps Jaxx would learn more about what to do once he could resume his Calamar training. Even though he has learned a lot from Franky the Squid, he was still a long ways from becoming a monk.

<SNIP>
The path up to the control room was quite open. A few gangways, a few staircases and a ladder was between them and their target, and a whole lot of desperate 'criminals' trying to escape their tormentors.
<SNIP>

Jaxx finally interrupted the group with his Vader voice, “Hey dudes chill for a spell. I know you all are dealing with some serious baggage but I totally have to say something.” Cass looked at Jaxx and said, “Jaxx this is not the time!” Jamie interrupted and said, “It can’t hurt to hear him first.” Cass balled up her fist and said, “This better be worth it shark boy!” Jaxx used his claw head to look at Evelina and said, “Give them the bag Eve babe.” Evelina looked at Jaxx confused at first since she totally forgot the large bag on her back, but then replied, “Oh my bad. Here you go guys, we found out stuff in the armory before we blew it up. We have our clothes, tools and some weapons.” Evelina tossed Cass her hand held computer as Jamie pulled out his tool bag, Jade’s medical bag, Jacky’s goggles, Artie’s tranq gun and Plisken’s hat. Jamie smiled at Evelina and said, “Thanks! I always feel better when I have my tools.” Jamie looked at Cass and said, “They even got your nano suit Cass.” Cass looked at the nano suit then at Jaxx and Evelina and then her hand held as she muttered, “Good work you two.” Then Cass began working on her little computer frantically. Jade gripped her med bag firmly as she wished she had it earlier when Kat was killed. Jade muttered, “Thanks” as she looked into her bag to see what was left inside. Then Jade saw six vials of medical nanites and looked at Jaxx and Evelina and asked, “Did you put this in my bag?” Evelina replied, “Yeah Jaxx found them when we were packing our gear. He said you would probably want them.” Jade looked at the vial and bit her lips as she thought how much easier it would have been to save Kat now. Jade tried to get over her sorrow she gripped her med bag.

Jacky was glad to get his goggles back as he put them on and smiled like a little kid. Alex quietly pulled out his flask and took a sip while the others pulled out their personal gear. Jamie also handed out the grenades, ammo packs, pistols and rifles from the bag. Herbie smiled as he held his favorite gun and polished it before kissing it and said, “I missed you baby. Thanks guys I always feel better with my gun.” Boyd put on his leather jacket and smiled as he felt the fur on his neck. Dave looked at his three music cassettes and held them fondly as he had missed them so much. The stranger named Phil looked in the bag and saw a flask with the name Phil on it. Jamie looked at the new guy and said, “Well it does have your name on it, so go ahead and take it.” Phil looked at the flask and for some reason he felt connected to it. After the others grabbed their stuff all that was left in the bag was Pliskin’s and Kat’s stuff. Jamie zipped the bag and put it over his shoulder as he looked at Evelina and said, “Thanks. I’ll carry the rest.” Evelina replied, “Thanks Jamie.” Then Cass looked at the others and asked, “So what do we have?” Jamie replied, “We have pistols, rifles ammo and grenades as far was weapons. Then we have your tech, Jade’s meds, Jaxx’s whips, Alex’s and my tech.

Cass then thought for a second and said, “Give the grenades to Jaxx and send him in first to make a hole for us as we lay cover fire for him. I’ll bypass any doors and technical problems. Evelina tried to protest but Jaxx interrupted as he replied, “Chill Eve babe we totally did the same thing at the casino robbery.” Evelina reluctantly agreed as Jaxx took the grenades and headed out when everyone was ready.

TAG (You might want to mention if anyone changed clothes or found something extra in the duffle bag bfore we headed out.)