<div align="center"><strong>Stephen McPherson - Eavesdown docks, #30 - Gamble cargo ramp and beyond</strong></div><br/><div class="quoteheader"><div class="topslice_quote"><a href="https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=110474.msg4919542#msg4919542">Quote from: Dragondancer on 13-07-2011, 04:14:15</a></div></div><blockquote class="bbc_standard_quote">As McPherson tromped up the ramp Sasha stepped in front of him, momentarily halting his movement.  Extending her hand she nodded in greeting. “McPherson. First Officer Dearing. Welcome aboard.”  </blockquote><div class="quotefooter"><div class="botslice_quote"></div></div><br/><br/>McPherson looked at his new first officer for a moment before speaking.  The look managed to fall somewhere between totally expressionless and incredulity, as he might have used to intimidate a subordinate in years past for committing some infraction.<em>This was his new first officer?</em>Had he been told there was a Registered Companion on board the<em>Gamble</em>, this is the one he would have assumed was her.  Beautiful, sexy, carrying herself with an air of confidence, yet very friendly, one could easily be put off guard by such a pleasant demeanor.  And dress ... well... Steve had been to places where women who dressed like this were shunned.  But, he hadn't been told there was a Companion on board, and he didn't have a problem working for a woman .. it's just that Sasha wasn't quite what he was expecting.  Certainly not from Griff's brief description of the crew.<br/><br/>After a couple of seconds, he responded with a little nod.  "Nice to meet you, ma'am... good to be on board."<br/><br/>Then, almost as an afterthought, he took her hand and gave it a little shake.<br/><br/>That being done, he simply picked up his bag and followed his guide to his new quarters.  No time to look around, he just took quick note of the route so he'd be able to find his way back ... and perhaps back out again in case of emergency.  Of course he had studied the generic layout of the<em>Dragonfly</em>class in the days prior to boarding, but he knew modifications happen over time.  He also tried to note everything else he would need to know in an emergency. Firefighting and damage control equipment, first aid ... he was happy to see the infirmary looked like a sick bay and not a mechanic's shed.  "Got a medic on board?"  Steve had mentioned to the Captain during his "job interview" that he had "a bit of medical training" but the conversation had been steered off in a different direction before Steve found out if that would be one of his collateral duties.<br/><br/>Finally reaching his room, the furtherest from anywhere significant (as the new guy, he expected that) his goal now was to change as quickly as possible, so as not to keep the Captain waiting.<br/><br/>Normally he would place the trousers and shirt he removed on hangers, but in his haste he laid them out on his bed instead.  His jacket was the only thing to be hung up.  The "peashooter" would be worn in the small of the back, as before, but this time he would have his old LeMat "hogleg" strapped to his right leg, and a trench knife tucked into his pants on the left, only the<em>brass knuckles</em>handle showing.  Then, he strapped a slender hydration pack (which also contained some rudimentary first aid supplies and a nutrition bar in an attached pouch) onto his back.  He also loaded his pockets with spare magazines.<br/><br/>After the Le-Niemala campaign, he swore he would never be caught short of ammo or water again.<br/><br/>Finally, he withdrew the carbine from it's special container attached to the backpack.  He knew there were some rough neighborhoods in the vicinity of the Eavesdown docks, where practically anything could be had for a price.  Steve just wanted to let everyone know they couldn't afford what his Captain was carrying.<br/><br/>"Ifreann na Fola ... back in th' saddle again, eh?"  He wasn't sure how he felt about his current situation.  Life certainly hadn't turned out the way he'd planned.  Oh well... he popped a trademark unlit cigar into his mouth and made his way back to the cargo bay, ready to accompany his Captain into harm's way.<br/><br/>***<br/>Ifreann na Fola - bloody hell