Xenna glared at Braxton. "You look constipated. What's up?"

"We recovered the shuttle" he said, still unable to look her in the eye, he continued, "but they Killed Captain Tobias before I could get to him. we still have one of the crewmen in custody."
He finished with a pained look on his face.

Xenna nodded, expression blank.

"Can't say I'm surprised," she replied. "Hey, can I ask you a favor?"

"um, S-sure. What do you need?"
Braxton hoped that the crew wouldn't fall into disarray without their leader.
"actually, Xenna, I have something to ask you as well..."

"Just let me know when you're done with the prisoner," Xenna sighed. "And what do you want?"

"sure."
He took a deep breath, and finally looked her in the eyes.
"I want you to take command of this ship."

Xenna laughed heartily. "Me? No thanks. My engineers listen to me, but I doubt the rest of the crew would find me respectable. Do it yourself." She got up from her chair. "And keep me informed about that prisoner."

He sighed again.
"sure, but.. Oh, how do I say it.. This crew doesn't exactly trust me. To most of them I'm just a harda*s security chief. They trust the one who keeps their ship moving [engineers]."

"Well, I trust you, even though that's weird to say because you're not my favorite person in the Universe. But whatever. If they got a problem send them to me." With that, she left the engineering bay.

He watched her leave. a few seconds later he turned to her engineering team, who were staring at him.
"I will make an announcment," he said, "at 1900 hours."

Leaving engineering, he thought it might be prudent to inform his staff. tapping a nearby comm panel, he said, "all security teams to the bridge."

A few moments later they were all on the bridge. He looked to each of them.
"I know I haven't been on this ship very long," he began, "but I have been asked to take command in light of the Captain's death.

"which means, he continued, pacing, "that I need to appoint a new security chief. I will inform you when I have made a decision. Until then, don't say anything to anyone, don't act out of the ordinary. Just do what you always do: keep this ship safe." with that, his team departed. he approached the wheel, placing his hand on one of the grooves.

Fargo was shocked. In a moment, the captain of their little pirate adventure was dead. Only twothings passed through his mind then. One was, ****. The other was, This ship just got a whole lot more dangerous. Fargo sighed and retreated back to the armory.

18:45 hours

Braxton paced the bridge. What was he going to say? He's captain now? What if they took it wrong? WHat if they Mutineed? and what about that crewman...

18:50 hours

he had a decision for his new security chief. DeForest would make a fine candidate, bad leg aside. he wondered if he should include that in the annoucement...
18:55 hours

He decided he would. the crew needed him to keep them updated if they were to trust him.

18:58

Maybe he should talk to his senior staff afterwords.. Yes.. that would be smart

18:59
he sighed. Now was the time he needed to cool his head before the announcment.

19:00
It was time. He walked confidently to the comm panel on his new chair. Sitting down, he tapped it.

"All hands, This is Head of Security, John Braxton. It is with a heavy heart that I inform you that Captain Tobias is dead. Hijackers stole a shuttle a killed him as he tried to escape. One of these kidnappers is in custody. At the request of some of the Crew, I have taken command of this vessel. THe chief of security position will be filled by Lt. william DeForest. Also, I need a navigator and a tactical expert to report to the bridge ASAP. we will head underway soon. Last, i need all senior staff to the bridge at 2100 hours. Braxton Out."

He stared at the viewscreen. That wasn't bad, he thought...

Xenna and Henry appeared at the bridge. Henry was a navigator, and Xenna wanted to make sure no one tried to shoot the new captain.

Fargo sat in the armory. The captain was a pirate, Fargo thought, so the list of people who would want him dead are a mile long. Fargo leaned back in his chair. "I hope we get to Gravanza III soon," he said aloud.

Fargo was in his quarters. It was dark, quiet, just the way Fargo liked it. The spartian quarters had only a small cot, a birdcage with a cover over it, and assorted sized boxes filled with junk. Over the cot was a small window, so that when Fargo got off shift, he could still see the stars. Fargo got up and removed the cover. "Hey there." The creature looked up. It was a rare Varquarious raven. It was dark blue, with a band of white feathers that looked like a main down its back. Fargo stroked the bird, and the bird slowly fell asleep in his hands. Gently, he removed on single white feather, and slid the bird back in it's cage.

Fargo took off his coat for the first time in weeks. It was his addiction, albet not a serious one. laying the coat on the floor, with the white feather in hand, he began to repaint the smybol lines back onto the back and shoulders of the coat. The Varquarious raven feathers left a white powder, almost like paint, that softed into liquid without heat. He was an artist, and this was his esale. As he drew, memories formed, like when he performed his little ceramony in basic training, on the run, on this very ship. Using a rust covered and ancient needel, he sew back the wear and tear on the numerous cuts on the fabric.

After three hours, Fargo was done. His work finished, he put back on his coat. For a moment, he thought about calling up to the bridge, but then decided aginsted it. Fargo cracked his arm musles and started to walk to engineering.

After Braxton's announcement, Xenna immediately headed back to the engineering bay. It was so late ((according to the ship's time)) that no one was there, and most of the lights were off. She had been fiddling with spare parts around the bay and had managed to make a small toy robot. Now, she was working on the computer to program his personality. Ever since she was turned into a cyborg, Xenna began to like the company of robots better than humans. She would often have conversations with Henry moreso than anyone else on the ship.

Fargo cracked his neck. It felt good to have the world back in order. Well, except for the crazy killings. Fargo strolled into the engineering bay. It was quiet, but being so late, that wasn't out of the question. He heard the sound of typing, and saw Xenna on a console. "What are you doing up so late?" He asked.