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[[Sickbay, Room 3]]

[Sickbay, Room 3]

Luby looked at the Doctor's ears and smiled.  "Look's like you found her... or least she found food and you know her habits! Forgive us looking, Sir... but a Klingon and... I'm making an assumption here... Vulcan, is a very rare combination to see in one person.  It's curiosity, which thankfully hasn't killed your cat!" she said with a wink.

"Should I take you to show you around?" she asked with Kestra giving her a look as if to say 'Not interested in a relationship, he doesn't look like a goldfish...'

[[Sickbay, Room 3]]

[Sickbay, Room 3]

Luby took a sharp intake of breath, she never expected the new doctor to be a Klingon, but he was actually really good looking!

'Stop it!' she told herself.  'You aren't interested!'.

The inner monologue with herself pushed to one side she set a smile on her face as Kestra, being the most senior member of the group stepped forward and did the introductions.

"Welcome Doctor, we were just having our Friday treat, Luby - that is Cadet Wentock there, has an arrangement with our Mess Hall Manager that she can go and do a baking session after her shift on a Thursday... so long as she leaves enough for them to offer for anyone popping into the Mess for a coffee... which she's more than happy to do.  Do help yourself, it might stop Roger, Ensign Maghouin that is, from giving himself premature diabetes!"

"Oi... I run 10 miles in the holodeck every day!  I work it off!" Roger protested.

Kestra ignored him and practically snatched the tin out of Roger's hand which had been going to get another treat, and offered it to the doctor.

"We kept them off the cat, just in case she was allergic to anything.  There were date and walnut scones too... were!"

Bettina stepped forward fussing the cats ears.  "She's beautiful what's her name? She's obviously friendly.  I'm Bettina, Nurse Kwan, I specialise in paediatrics, Kestral... ah Kestra but that's our nickname for her and you'll end up using it, everyone does, is our resident Nurse Practicioner, Luby is our midwife, Roger is ... well several things but primarily muscle.  I don't mean that in a bad way but we've had some pretty hefty patients through here and we're all svelte young women bar Grithaw... Mr. Rag there...so he helps us get them on biobeds, also a pretty good medic! And magician... makes food disappear on a regular basis!"

Roger gave her a strange look but the corners of his mouth were twitching so it was all still friendly.

"Ensign Rag, Sir... pleased to meet you.  I specialise in major trauma."

Luby, after swallowing several times stepped forward and offered her hand.  "Welcome to the Discovery, doctor.  As Kestra said, I'm Luby and looking forward to working with you.  What's your speciality and were you looking for Dr. Thane or Dr. Sluchaynyy to report in?  I believe the former is in his office and the latter is in a meeting or a consultation with a patient but I can check for you!"

Her eyes dropped and she looked at him from under her lashes, assessing him.  He was very good looking and she let out a little sigh... no she wasn't going to fall for that one again but she wanted the chance to get to know him not just in work.

"Have you got your quarters and everything assigned? Maybe I could show you where things are in the Sickbay?  Maybe find you an office to call yours or least a consulting room?" she offered "And maybe a coffee to go with any treat you select. Water and some treats for your cat too of course."

She gave a look to Roger to silence any jibes he was about to offer.

[[Sickbay, Room 3 during a coffee break - USS Discovery]

[OOC Note: The title is a play on the other version of 'Spirit in the Sky' singer]

[Sickbay, Room 3 during a coffee break - USS Discovery

[As Luby and NPCs Kestra Donaghue, Bettina Kwan, Roger Maghouin and Grithaw Rag]

Kestra
Grithaw
Bettina
Roger

Luby playfully smacked away Roger's hand which was reaching into the vintage tin containing a selection of her latest batch of offerings - oaty flapjacks, choc chip cookies, triple chocolate muffins and date and walnut scones.

"You'll get fat, mister!" she joked.

"You'll get cited for striking an officer!" Roger said giving her a mock 'superior' look.

"YOU will get banned from Friday treats from Luby if you don't behave!" Kestra said with a stern look which the twinkle in her eye and the lilt in her Irish accent belied was serious.

"I just can't believe he pinched the last date and walnut scone before I had a chance to even try one!" Bettina wailed.

"Relax Bettina, come back with me when I go back to my quarters.  Assuming my Klingon room mate hasn't discovered and eaten them, and you know what she's like - come in off shift, fall into bed - I have those and cherry and coconut in tins in my room.  You don't think I brought a full batch of both down here with Ensign Gannet there do you?" Luby joked.

"I'm a growing bwoy... my Mommy sez so!" Roger said with a mock 5 year old voice.

"Honestly, Captain Tekin's kids are more well behaved than you!" Kestra said. "And one of them is only 3!"

"Anyone saved me anything?" Grithaw said walking in having been delayed with a patient.

Luby smiled and moved aside to reveal a plate behind her with 2 cookies, a muffin and a piece of flapjack.  "I saved you 2 cookies because I know you don't like walnuts and they were in the scones... besides which someone ate about 4 scones..."

"No prizes for guessing who... thanks Luby, your cooking is always delicious.  Oh who are you?!" he said as a large blue cat had followed him into the room and started rubbing up against his leg, purring.

"I don't know this cat but she's gorgeous, best keep the food away from her as I know chocolate isn't good for dogs, not sure about dog-sized cats! I wonder who her owner is?" Bettina said.

"I heard there's a new doctor, wonder if it's his.  I also heard he's young and unattached!  You might be in luck Luby... one that isn't going to disappear on a civilian ship." Kestra laughed.

"Kestrel..." she said using the Head Nurse's nickname, "I don't know that I'm ready for a new relationship with anything more challenging than a goldfish.  And..." she said sternly holding up her had at Roger who's mouth had opened to say something.

"...much as I like both you and Grith, Rog... I think of you as slightly overly protective big brothers."

"Awww, we're big brothers!  Does that mean I get to pinch more cookies?!" he said with a hopeful grin, coming round the table to give Luby a hug.

"You're going to anyhow..." she said. "So what's this new doctor's name, Kestra? Reckon he's gone to Thane or Sluchaynyy to report in?"

[[USS Discovery - Deck 9 - Sickbay]]

[USS Discovery - Deck 9 - Sickbay]

Helga looked over towards Lt. Addams at his apology.   She hadn't meant for him to feel guilty.  It wasn't like he'd known she was a crewmate at the time.  "No need to apologize, sir.  No permanent damage was done.  I'm fine."

Other than the injury to Lek's ear lobe, which from the Ferengi's grimace must be quite painful, the engineer seemed unharmed.   That at least was a relief to Helga.   She had expected Lek to answer her concerned question of what had happened, but instead got a whispered question in return that sounded oddly romantic.   It was so out of the blue and uncharacteristic of him that she didn't have an immediate answer.

Helga glanced about awkwardly a moment. Thankfully the Sickbay had cleared a bit with Nira and Savar heading to another room.   Don seemed occupied with talking to his wife.. that just left the Captain who might be near enough to hear and she figured since Lek had been the one to request her transfer that he already knew about them being together.   She smiled then and whispered quietly back knowing his hearing would pick it up.   "Yeah you have, but hearing you say it now - is rather special.  "

Then because Lek was injured, Helga scanned over the Sickbay.  All the medical beds were filled, even now after the effects of the stunning had worn off, and all the staff were currently busy - all except for...

"Cadet Wentlock, you need to treat Lt Lek's injury."  It was a statement of fact by her as a warrior.

[Sickbay - USS Discovery]

"Sure Crewman Tragnar, are you ok yourself?  Right then Mr. Lek... let's get your magnificent lobe sorted.  Wanna tell me what happened?" Luby asked while running a tricorder over the general area.

"Doesn't seem to be any major damage other than that which is readily visible so..." she dropped her voice to a whisper.  "Want it just patched up and minimal fuss or..." she gave Lek a conspiratorial look.  "So I dress it up in bandages or a huge band aid so you can milk it for all the sympathy you can get and oomox on the other one?!" she grinned.

[[Luby Wentock | Main Sickbay | Deck Nine | USS Discovery NCC-78393-B | Earth Orbit | 1899]]

[Lieutenant Nira Said | Main Sickbay | Deck Nine | USS Discovery NCC-78393-B | Earth Orbit | 1899]

It was the burst of excitement that woke Nira. An emotion strong enough to wake her. She blinked and sat up groggily. She could see Luby was the first to wake, and Captain Tekin was barely waking as well. Nira furrowed her brow in befuddlement. Why was she feeling this excited...?

Savar.

She realized with a jolt that she had forgotten about him. The last thing she remembered feeling from Savar was pain, like an extreme headache, and then...nothing. But everything that happened, away team duty, investigating Paradise...Savar was gone from his mind...

...and speaking of Paradise, Nira thought back and...she remembered the last day in Paradise, and she was unnerved. Somehow her cover story turned into reality. She lived a different life than her current one. She remembered dancing in the saloon, telling off the Captain for...did he really flirt with her?...her heart-to-heart with Luby, the card game...and the confrontation with members of her own department.

She thought back to Captain Carter and Doctor Brighton back on the Athena, when they were forced to live multiple different lives thanks to the rogue Q known as Ben Gunn. She could now relate, except this seemed to be some form of hypnotism. What the hell kind of creature was this Sheriff? For she remembered trying to sense him, only sensing a void.

She perked up when the Captain talked to the very crewman who disarmed him; the sight of her was enough to jolt her from making recollections. She thought of the security roster and remembered...Crewman Helga Tragnar, half-Klingon, sometimes worked the armory with Mister Dranik...

"I concur, Crewman," she said. "I apologize if I had behaved...untoward to you. And can you also pass on apologies to Crewman Jensen for that cut?"

Looking over at the Captain, she said, "Are you all right, Captain? And...well, I wonder if the instinct of Chief Sec/Tac officer took a whole different dimension, the instinct to defend the Captain in away team circumstances? Incidentally, pity we didn't get to that card game, I think it'd be good to have a poker night..."

She stopped once she saw who came into Sickbay. Their eyes met, the electric sensation of the very same emotion they were feeling back and forth between each other. Relief in reunion.

"Savar!" she said joyously. He was all right!

She leapt out of the sickbed, rushed to Savar, leaped into his arms and locked lips with his, daring not to break it, not wanting the kiss to end...after what seemed like an eternity, they broke off and exhaled, which was natural...

"Please, Nira," said Savar in a low voice, almost embarassed, even if he was a normal Vulcan. "Not in front of...well, least of all the Captain."

Nira blinked in surprise, then turned back... "Oh, sorry about the display, Captain," she said, "it's...well, I'd imagine Hraf...Lieutenant Falleg would do the same thing for you if she was here...of course, I won't tell her and her children you flirted with me if you don't, I'm willing to forget that..."

She looked back and saw the green welt on the head. Indication of quite a serious head wound.

"It's a good thing you're here in Sickbay, anyway, Savar," she said. "You need to have that looked at."

"It's...nothing," he said, though he shrugged off the news that the Captain flirted with Nira; neither weren't responsible for their own actions. "Blow to the head from the crash."

"Something so serious and it's nothing?!?" said Nira, startled. "You must've hit your head so hard..."

"...hard enough that anybody with less strength than me or a Klingon or with similar strength would be dead," Savar finished.

"And why the hell did I think you weren't real?" said Nira. "Why the HELL did I think you could've been an elf or a djinn or a...Savar, do you forgive me?"

"There's nothing to forgive," Savar said with a shrug. "I was worried about you...but we can talk later about our..."

He tapped his head and Nira realized what he was talking about, and it wasn't about his head wound. She wondered what was so serious to talk about that.

"Eh, I don't know if we're fine enough to be discharged yet," she said. She looked at Don and Mister Graham and was puzzled at why they'd elect to become father and son; Mister Graham had no semblance to Don whatsoever. She nodded cordially at Luby. Then she drew closer to the Captain as Savar went to get his injury fully treated.

"This certainly wasn't the way my first away mission as Chief Security Officer went, Captain," she said. "But I'm sure we weren't responsible for either of our actions. Maybe I did succeed in keeping you out of harm's way...in a way. It's the most unpredictable thing to happen in an away mission, perhaps even more unpredictable than the odds of poker."

[Luby Wentock | Main Sickbay | Deck Nine | USS Discovery NCC-78393-B | Earth Orbit | 1899]

Luby let out a peel of joyous laughter when Savar appeared in the Sickbay.

"Oh Nira, looks like you found your 'elf'!  Sorry Lieutenants,.." she said with a grin and a wink at Nira.  "I'll let Lt. Said explain that one, Lt. Savar...but it's good to see you ah...corporeal and alive!"

Smiling around she nodded to the Captain, Don and Alex.  "I'm not clear what happened but events were as described. I was a schoolteacher there, hence this get up!" she said sweeping her hands down her body in a gesture to take in the clothing she was wearing.

[USS Discovery - Sickbay]

Don was hearing Nira and Savar talk and then Nira was apologizing to the Captain. Who was on his right.

He opened his eyes to see the ceiling. The waking up was far from waking from a deep dream. Last memory he was fighting a robber...

Before that he had recalled the Discovery crashed on Earth 19th Century, small town named Paradise in Arizona. The sheriff...was not human. Don recall saying he was from Boston with his kid. He turned his head to left to see Ensign Alexander Graham his son and member of his department.

He slowly pushed himself to sit up on the biobed looking around Sickbay. People he knew and saw. He was death worried about his son Alex who was not his son but mix feelings. What had happened?

He saw the Boss man/Captain getting a report from a crew member. He saw Nira and Savar together. Alex was on his left. Luby? The school teacher/medical personal.

"Luby! Where is Luby?" he was afraid she had not made it. "Oh no..." fear had sunk in his stomach like a brick.

He had a wife! Wife who was a Grazerite! He had thought of devil. No. She was not devil. The Bible, note book of his story, pencil and Alex drawing pad was all with them. He was recollecting this was the proper time.

"Where is Torra?" he asked. This where it got weird for Don. he knew his wife was well educated and smart. She knew all lot. He was trying to collect what department she was in. "Tell me...Am I married or am I am at a loss here?" Don's eyes were a window of loss and his skin tone was little paler. The biobed would register his heart beat went little faster.

"Don, I'm fine... I'm here!" Luby called across, giving him a little wave and concerned about concussion which she whispered to Kestra... maybe he hadn't 'seen' her, at least not clearly.

"...and yeah you're married, to Danjar-Torra Addams, a lovely Grazerite with a fondness for rats! Oh and Alex isn't your son.  Sweet man tho he is, anyone would adopt him in a heartbeat, but nope, not related far as I know!" she chuckled, swinging her legs off the biobed and indicating to Kestra that she wasn't going far just mingling with those who had been on the away team.

"Best guess, Torra's probably on the Bridge.  Sorry if I worried anyone, I guess you couldn't see me cuz of Kestra... I didn't think she was that big!  Personality, sure, body... nope!  She's not exactly built like a Klingon male!  And I know why it's a saying on Earth that there's 'no place like home'... Captain, I insist that a 29th Century equivalent of a pair of ruby slippers be standard issue for every away crew!" the cadet laughed.

"And while I work in Sickbay, and I'm not the best patient, I feel totally elated to be back home...I feel safe here."

[Earth in the past? Gun fight? Like projectiles? Most likely lead, will need to get stirdigen, cartigen...]

[Deck 9 - Main Sickbay - USS Discovery]

If the EMH had been a living being, he might have been rendered speechless.  But at the very least, this doctor was evidently very expressive.

"Earth in the past?  Gun fight?  Like projectiles? Most likely lead, will need to get stirdigen, cartigen..." the EMH immediately got to work getting his supplies ready for both trauma injuries and... primitive injuries.  Within a minute he was set up, but still looked around at the quiet sickbay.  Where were the paitients?

He wouldn't have to wait long, as people began beaming to sickbay.  Medical officers immediately pulled the worst of the injured into the surgical center nearby, leaving the EMH to suppliment and heal.

[Sickbay - USS Discovery - Luby and Kestra (NPC)]

Luby came to and frowned at the EMH then spotting Kestra waved her across.  "What happened?" she asked.

"Welcome back to the land of the living... or living dead whichever you prefer! As for what happened I've only had snippets but some temporal anomaly from what I made out from those snippets.  I'm a medic not a scientist!" Kestra teased.

"Are we that short staffed that we've had to activate the EMH?" she asked quietly.

"Actually we were for a while, we were roping in anyone who had even first aid training.  He's not bad, but like most EMH's..." the Nurse Practitioner dropped her voice to a whisper close to Luby's ear. "... he's a bit pompous about his abilities. I think that was to do with the original designer tho!" she gave Luby a wink, plumped up her pillow and then smiled.

"C'mon, you'll live, we could do with an extra pair of experienced hands until we've got everyone shored up best we can."

"Can I at least have a glass of water?" Luby asked swinging her legs over the end of the bed.  "And get changed into a uniform.  How Florence Nightingale did what she did in corsets I'll never know?!"

"Florence Nightingale?"

"I'll explain over a coffee sometime, right now a drink and a uniform will do!"

"Consulting room 4 is free, and the general replicator should do you a pair of scrubs for now."

"That'll do..." Luby smiled glad to be back in the 29th Century. "I assume sometime soon someone will debrief us and tell us what the hell went on there? Did everyone get back safe?"

"One would assume so...And far as I know. So doctor... can Cadet Wentock get back to work?" Kestra asked of the EMH.

[[Luby Wentock | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]]

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Najwa nodded. She was definitely sounding paranoid. But it made sense; looking back at her memories, she would have good reason to be paranoid, ever since one of the young men around her caliph's harem had his way with her...and distrusted men who wanted her particularly much.

"Maybe...you have a point," she said. "Maybe I'm just paranoid, especially of lustful men...everything around here is definitely new...what do you say we definitely call it the night?"

[Luby Wentock | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Luby nodded through a yawn, the day's activities having finally caught up with her.

"Need a hand unlacing?" she asked nodding towards the general corset area, while unhooking her own corset and loosening her own stays, rolling down her stockings and garters then washing them quickly in a little water in the pitcher and bowl on the side then hanging them over her bed rail so they were a little fresher for the morning.

When she was satisfied that they were both ready to put their head down she turned her attention to the light.

She turned down the wick on the oil lamp, then placing her hand close to the glass chimney almost cupped around the top so her breath would go down it and she blew it out.

"Goodnight Najwa, sweet dreams of your elven prince!" she chuckled and settled down to sleep.

[[Luby Wentock | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]]

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Nira nodded when Lu pointed it out...maybe her dream elf was a Djinn...that was more likely. But a beautiful Djinn at that...still, it seemed more instinctive to refer to him as an elf.

"It's more likely, Lu," she said. "Djinns do have pointed ears...though it's so instinctive to call him and elf."

Lu's next words aroused Nira's inner suspicions, prompting her to speak psychically again.

It's not the water, she said mentally to Lu. But there is something mind-altering. I think it's the Sheriff. The times I met him, he seemed so out of place, it just seemed wrong. But at the same time, it felt so normal to be around him...and that's what seems so wrong. And at his saying that we need to sleep...I certainly felt tired, but at the moment...I think he's some kind of vampire, but he doesn't suck blood. It's like every fiber of his being gives off a sort of natural hypnosis. And I tried to read his thoughts...not only can I not read him, let along feel his moods...he's a dead zone of psychicness. I wouldn't be surprised to see that he'd be a walking void under all that.

[Luby Wentock | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Luby nodded her agreement at Najwa.

"Perhaps, the fact you want to refer to him as an elf is a psychological thing too.  Djinns are more in keeping with your culture and learnings, whereas elves are more Northern European and therefore more 'exotic', 'exciting',.." she shrugged. "...just different.  I mean to us the natives living here are wild and savage, but to them, we are probably just as strange.  All a matter of perspective and maybe our brains are more attuned to seeking out that which is the most unlikely?!"

When her companion then made comment about the Sheriff, Luby scoffed.

"I admit he's strange, but I think it's a case of a little power goes to people's head.  Power corrupts... and all that.  I dunno Najwa, who does know what's going on here, everything is new and exciting, there's bound to be a lot of tension, insecurity and all that."

[OOC: Apologises... Didn't realise this hadn't sent previously!]

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Najwa listened, intrigued. She certainly felt like she came from somewhere different backgrounds than Lu did. She replied, verbally, "You definitely come from a different world than I do. Me, I came from lands of hot deserts and exotic customs. Though at the same time, they're filled with dangerous men. I feel that coming here is a lucky escape. I often feel like Scheherezade, the teller of the Thousand and One Nights. I was fortunate to escape the harems. I wouldn't know if I could be part of a system where a sheikh is so bloodthirsty he kills his wife or harem slave when he gets bored with them. And not even a story of the likes of Scheherezade can satisfy him.

"For me," continued Najwa, "There was no Aladdin and his Wonderful Lamp. No Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. No Sinbad the Seaman. Oh, I loved the stories of Scheherezade, I always think of them. Hell, I have the stories in my head. Literally. I know I had a copy somewhere...maybe it's lost..."

It was true, Najwa began thinking of Scheherezade's stories. Her favorite childhood stories...

[Luby Wentock | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

"I've heard of that book... I should like to read it if you find your copy!  Maybe we could swap books, share them, and experience each other's stories!" Luby said with a smile.

"I'm pretty sure there's no elves in the desert though, from what I recall they tend to live in woodland groves and the like... lakes and mountains and trees.  Or maybe I'm just deducing that from the fact that it's Norse Mythology where I first heard of them.  I have heard of Djinn however.  They're magical and seem to fit in with this Aladdin and Ali Baba and such.  Do they traditionally have pointed ears?  Maybe he's from one of your stories not actually an elf?!"

Luby paused then cocked her head to one side in thought.  "Doesn't explain why we've both had perplexing dreams we can't explain.  Do you think there's something in the water?  I don't mean intentionally nefarious... but maybe there is some mind-altering drug in small amounts like a ... what do they call them?  Trace elements?!... something like that and we've been drinking it, not knowing and it's giving us hallucinogenic dreams?!"

[[Luby Wentock| Gaming Car | Bennyrock Train | En Route to Washington | Arizona Territory | 1899]]

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Gaming Car | Bennyrock Train | En Route to Washington | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Najwa had to whirl around at Lu to glare at her and she snarled, "Then you don't know me at all, Lulubelle! I'm not just a mere desert flower! I can be thorny when I want to! I may be beautiful, but I can be dangerous if things get serious enough!"

Though at the proposition of using her books as weapons, Najwa smirked and retorted, "Better to use them as clubs!"

Then the door opened to let the intruder in and a bright light...the light of the sun...glared in. Najwa had to squint. She could barely see, being somewhat blinded by the sun, what with the darkened room. She could make out the outline of a woman in a wide-brimmed hat and the moment she realized it was a woman, she was outraged.

WHAT IN ALLAH'S NAME IS A WOMAN DOING WITH THESE PIGS?!? Nira lashed out mentally, outraged that a woman would be a part of these outlaws.

She stuck close to the Nose, ready to bludgeon, then try to cut and stab, anybody who came in her way. But still, the glare of the sun made it difficult for her to see the opposition.

This could be a problem, she thought to herself, and she also noted the woman's figure. This hag could be a handful, she mentally added, bitterly.

[Luby Wentock| Gaming Car | Bennyrock Train | En Route to Washington | Arizona Territory | 1899]

"Just didn't want you getting hurt, you're my one female friend here, and I know you can be fierce.  As for using them as clubs... hmmm there's an idea!" Luby said with a grin and a wink.  And then all hell broke loose...

[Train - Paradise, Arizona]

The tension was high as robbers and upset women are at uproar. He was over protective over his son because in the back of his mind in reality. That Alex was in his department so he felt a need to be over protective him. Which seemed a logical choice of his only son. There was no other crew member with him when Alex and Don was telling their version of their story which became real to the brain.

The female cowgirl was on them as the bright sunlight shined in the cart and she was going for the Nose. Don pulled the trigger. The bang was loud. The one bullet flew out of the barrel of his shooter. He pulled the hammer again to make another shot. No sound. Nothing. Except the click of the hammer hitting the steel base. There was a horror and a dumb look on Don. He held his gun up to look at it. Comedy as it was it about less second he realize there was no more ammo. "Dang it!" He then he was in the motion throwing the pistol at the robber. He decided as a club. Which made it hard cause Nose and Nira was in the front and blocking the way now. Why was she always doing that! He attempted to pull Nira back and try move forward to hit the robber...

[Gaming Car - Train - en route east of Paradise]

The gambler smirked at the writer, and shook his head.  "You've been around Najwa too much... just call me the Nose if Nevill...ir... is too much..." he said, suddenly trying to remember what his first name sounded like.  Maybe he had been going by the Nose too long.

Watching the robbers coming towards them, it seemed one of them saw him, as they all suddenly went to cover.  "They think they are being clever...." he muttered, taking a step back.  They were going to try to push their way into the VIP section of the train anyways, and the ridged cark shark motioned for everyone to back up and get to cover.

He didn't have to wait long, as the brimmed-hat woman pushed through the door to the car, and the one thing he didn't count on occured... the bright light from the sun coming into the otherwise darkened room.  He had to squint, as as a result couldn't aim, firing into Helga's direction.  The one sided shootout started, but Helga surprisingly had the advantage; her eyes were adjusted to the light currently.  And once Nevill got his 6 shots fired... he would be out of ammo.

NPC Crewman Helga Tragnar (Distraction Team)
[Gaming Car - Train - en route east of Paradise]

As Helga pressed forward into the gaming car, the gunshots began.  It seemed that the threat of her own weapon wasn't much of a deterrent after all.   She was surprised when the first report of gunfire wasn't preceded with the sensation of pain.  Helga continued forward trying to dodge out of the way of the next bullet's path, and impressively avoided that second shot as she glanced over the train car to take note of the location of each of the away team members.  All five were present and accounted for.  Two had firearms - the Captain and Lt Addams.  Yet both were narrow-eyed as they looked towards her.  It was then that Helga realized that she had the advantage due to the sun streaming in behind her.  Perfect!  Her next step took her into melee range of the Captain and Lt Said - who surprisingly was wearing a dress yet looked fierce glaring at her.

While the Captain made to empty the remainder of his bullets at her, Helga attempted to strike at his hand to deflect the guns barrel up towards the ceiling.  It was then that she felt the sharp piercing sting of a bullet puncture her left arm.

"QI'yaH!" she cursed in Klingon as Don's bullet struck her.   Her glare fixed on the Flight officer as she read his intent to take another shot. Who knew Torra's mate actually had a spine, she mused as she dodged to the side once more, believing he might have more bullets to follow that first.  But his gun only made click noise.  Ha!

Ducking low to avoid the strike she anticipated from Nira, Helga this time tried to grab for the Captain's wrist.  If she could get a proper hold of him, twist his arm to spin him about she could use him as a hostage to ensure the compliance of the others.

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Gaming Car | Bennyrock Train | En Route to Washington | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Everything went wrong the moment Najwa flung the cards.

The huge hag went too fast and focused on the Nose so fast, and they were too close together, Najwa ended up flinging the cards into the Nose's face instead of the woman's. To make matters worse, she was so focused on her that she didn't realize until too late that she forgot about the other train robbers, the hag's accomplices.

She had just raised her improvised knife to stab and cut the hag when they stormed into the car from the other direction. She whirled around, cursed in Arabic, and then launched her attack. There was another woman and a man...what in Allah's name were women doing with the gang?!?...and had thus proceeded to slash the gun hand of the woman and smacked her on the side. She turned to the man...and stopped...

Nira blinked in surprise. The man...despite his African-American looks...he had the same elfine features as her dream elf...The bone structure, the head-shape...the ears extended a little and Nira was sure she'd find pointed ears under that hat...and there was a woman behind them him, almost at the door...

She seemed to have the same bone structure. In fact, she definitely looked close enough to her dream elf...

"Your kind are real," she breathed in astonishment. "Elves are real..."

Then the woman tried to grip her and Najwa cursed herself...she had allowed herself to be distracted. She slugged her in the eye with a powerful fist and was about to gore her with the bottle when the elfine man seized her...his grip was too powerful to break away from...what in Allah's name...?!?

She stopped resisting when she heard the Nose shouting to get attention, and when he offered his surrender, her mouth dropped.

"No! We can't!" she shouted. "We can't let them! The Sheriff will want them for...!"

She never saw the hyposprays coming. She was so focused on the faces of all, especially the hag and the Nose.

[Mine Shaft - Paradise, AZ]

The quick thinking bought them time... plenty of it actually, as the phaser went off in front of the three assailants, knocking them all back.  Though probably not dead, the force of the blast was enough to knock out the three of them completely, and by doing so the cavern got quiet.  It seemed that was all of the reinforcements left.  The cavern was secured.

[Train Car - near the modern day Arizona/New Mexico border]

Nevill did not expect to be overpowered as easily, and was surprised at how well this woman fought.  It was the highwaymen all over again.  With a smack to his hand the second shot went wild.  And yet, the assailant was still shot.  Nevill turned his head to Don with a nod, but it seemed that even a bullet wouldn't stop the woman.  Worst still, the sound of the hammer hitting steel told him that it was now up to him.

Sure enough, the woman decided to go for him... probably because he was the richest one on the train, and he found his wrist gripped.  She was trying to get his gun!  Nevill tried his best against the unusually more powerful woman, trying to aim the gun down towards here.

Pop!

The third shot was above his head as he found himself with his back to the wall.  He pulled back the hammer and he forced his wrist down.

Pop!

The fourth shot was low, into the floor.  She was starting to overpower the man.  Another pull of the hammer.  His vision was obscured by the flying 52 cards while he fought a losing battle.

Pop!

The fifth shot went wild to the side... and luckily did not hit anyone; instead hitting the window of the train.  He couldn't see what the others were doing, but he did see the other crewmen storming into the car behind Helga... they seemed to be interested in the dancer.  Finally a distraction was enough, and Nevill found himself on his knees in front of the angry, powerful woman.  He kept his finger off the trigger... mostly because the barrel was now too close to his head.  He lost...

"Alright!  Alright... you win." he said, opening his hand as much as he could with a gun at his head.  "I'm afraid most of my money I left in Paradise.  But you can have whatever you want... just don't kill me... or them." he said, waiting to see what the woman would do.  As if on queue, the crewmen pulled out their hyposprays.

Luby didn't know what to do, she raised the first book she came to in her hands and tried to decide on a target.  When Nira fell she rushed over, couldn't see any blood, but barely got a word out, only "Naj...wa...." as a hypo hit her.  The former medical cadet in another time vaguely recognised the instrument that had brought down Nira.. she couldn't place it as her mind closed down on her but she knew what it was, as in her brain recognised it.

[TRAIN - Paradise, AZ]

Things unfolded fast and Nose was down by the robber. "œI swear if we get rob again tomorrow! What are the odds getting robbed two days in a row. New York City sounds like heaven now!"

He saw Nira drop. He sprang after the person who took her down. "œHey""-"œ he try to grab the person arms and then....

[Train-Paradise,AZ]

Things were happening quickly and he wasn't quite sure if they were going to get robbed for a second time in a row. Going somewhere far away sounded good to him at the moment. He saw Don by Nira and he rushed over to them and asked "œHey Don do you need help over here?" He was ready to be of assistance to help anyone that was shot down during the robbery. It was hard to see either of the robbers coming but he managed to pick up what the faces of the robbers looked like.

Luby lay there... had she been aware of what was going on she'd probably have been trying to pull down her skirt and petticoats as *gasp* they were almost up to her knees!!

[Steam Train - Outside Paradise, AZ]

"We have company.  Our enemies are here." he said in low voice, pulling back the hammer on the revolver, and waiting to see who would show up.  As soon as someone came within view, he planned to swing the door open and start shooting.

Luby looked worriedly at Nevill and shrank into her chair.  Something in the back of her brain told her that she knew how to fight but she was better at patching people up after the fighting.

"Be careful, Nevill!" she whispered.

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Rec Car | Bennyrock Train | En Route to Washington | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Najwa watched attentively as Nevill was teaching cards to her, Lu and Alexander. She reacted to the unusual noise just as The Nose did. She whirled in the direction of the noise so fast, any faster reflex would've resulted in whiplash. She followed the direction Nevill looked...to the back of the train.

Her suspicions were aroused once again. Her eyes narrowed at the direction. She balled her fists, ready to jump into action. She had no weapon on her, not even if she broke a bottle and used the neck end of it as an improvised dagger (with multiple points that are just as deadly as one). She probably wouldn't need it; she remembered some forms of combat, some of them dancelike, and she'd be downright dangerous...though she won't hesitate to smash a bottle and use the neck end like her old dagger if it came in a pinch.

She nodded at Nevill's gesture of silence and watched him as he made his way back and pulled back the curtains. She rose and followed silently after him and was about to ask him what he saw when she saw the horses. The view was obscured by the whole of The Nose, but she could see them. Horses. Without riders. That could only mean...

...intruders. More than intruders, the way Nevill talked.

Perhaps the same gang that attacked them on the stage and forced them to go on Shank's Mare, as the Paradise locals called it (Najwa only remembered that expression because one of the saloon girls mentioned it: "Ya poor dear, goin' on Shank's Mare all the way from the middle o' nowhere"). They must've been getting ambitious to try to rob a train. Let alone this train.

Najwa subtly and slowly got one of the whiskey bottles and held it in a way to use it as a club, at least until it breaks, after which she'll use whatever she has left in her hand as a knife. She stood next to The Nose, with the instinctive intent of defending him. She wished she had a gun with her, but this will suffice.

"I got your back, Nevill, my captain," Najwa said, very quietly, a low whisper, but nonetheless determined. "They get past your gun, they'll have to deal with our hands and whatever's in them."

She figured, of course, that in close combat, the revolver would be better suited as a club.

"Najwa don't do anything silly, let the men handle it, maybe...maybe they'll not want to hurt us women! Oh...maybe it's Indians?!" the young schoolteacher said hopefully yet fearfully when she mentioned the indians.

[Paradise train - onward to Washington DC still Arizona]

Don leaped up as he heard the commotion. They indeed were being robbed.

Again?

"Son quick get back up front," he told his son.

"I fear no evil," he said calm and cool. He had to grab the Bible. Some how it became personal shield to him. He pushed it to Alex to hold because he was his son.

Strange that he had his gun still in the holster. The Sheriff never took it, the deputies had not taken it. The father figure had never touched it in jail cell because he figured he would lose and they were out match.

There was no thought on how he had his gun after those robbers. That common sense never came to him. That would been perfect evidence against him and his son. The story being robbed and coming from Boston had clear evidence. Why would robbers let the victim keep their shooters?

However it was never used against them. Sheriff knew. He had not gave it a second thought, but the Sheriff wanted them to tell them how they got here. That was the trick. Story where they came from became Don and the others reality of now.

He went to join the others as he had his gun out. "Alex behind me and ladies. Let Niver or Nive--nevel--er never mind. We will handle it!" The mix of names was effecting him from what the ladies was calling the Nose.

"Between a gun and a bible, I hope you mean with the ladies rather than behind them.  I know you love your son, sir, but he's a man and he needs to be treated as such, we don't have weapons, so we can't do much to save Alex... what would you have us do?  Pray and faint prettily and hope they take pity on us and don't even get to Alex?!  You and Nevill are the ones with guns, if you can't save your own son,..." Luby asked crossly.  "Let him stand and fight like the rest of us... I'll ... I'll scream at them, poke them in the eyes and kick their shins.  Maybe...." she drew breath sharply looking around for things. "...maybe throw my books at them!"  she said picking the largest from the seat beside her.

[[Luby Wentock | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]]

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Najwa nodded at Lu as she spoke. She felt that she intended to use her powers for good. And she shuddered uneasily that two...no, three and a half centuries ago, if it was in the time Lu mentioned, that she'd be burned as a witch.

Well, yes, I definitely intend my powers for good, Lu, she replied. As for the elf...well, he'd never tell me his name. Yet I feel I should know it.

[Luby Wentock | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

"Intriguing.  So this elf you feel you should know him... is that just because he pops up in your dreams so often?  I know I dream of Derek and one or two of the gentlemen from dances I went to back in England.  You know, those of the county... oh I should explain."

Luby went to take another sip from her mug and found it empty so placed it on the nightstand and folded her hands in her lap to prevent her from waving them around like... someone, likely a governess but she couldn't quite recall, had told her she had a tendency to do when she became animated in her speech.

"In England you're either aristocracy, gentry or 'county' or well not the sort of folk that have balls... they might have country dances at harvest time, or wedding dances but otherwise don't really go in for the whole entertaining on a large scale. My father was considered lower gentry so we got invited to 'occasions'. It was only because Father died and things came out that he hadn't been entirely faithful to Mama, had gambling debts and such that I had to rely on my talents as a governess.  Don't tell anyone, please, I'm trying to make a new life here."

The young woman reached out for Najwa and touched her arm beseechingly.  "I'm not in trouble or anything I promise, well I might be with my mother, but part of the reason I came to America was she wanted me to marry someone three times my age just because he was a minor aristocrat with loads of money who would save the family from ruin.  He looked like a red-faced pig in a suit from drinking too much port.  Anyhow, Aristocracy and gentry mingle, rather depends on whom is living where or visiting the county at the time.  For example where I lived there was a Duke, an Earl and three Viscounts within around 50 miles and that was outside of London!"  she chuckled.

"So we had hunt balls and stuff and anyone who was worth knowing, knew everyone else and so long as we were 'out'... as in had been presented to Her Majesty and eligible for marriage, we could freely dance with anyone who requested it... there were a lot more society rules there than out here on the Frontier!  Of course everyone wanted to dance with the nicest men, Derek, Frederick who was the Earl of Stanwick so of course everyone wanted to be the Countess...he had his eye on Victoria Smethers-Smythe however so no one really got a look in... he danced with others out of politeness of course, Samuel and Viscount Kingsley.. I think he was called Algernon if memory serves... yes Algy...  Well I dream of Derek regularly.  Maybe between the strange nature of dreams and your own memory of someone from your past the two have created this elf as someone that is beyond your reach, maybe someone you liked but, rather like Prince Ferdinand...Queen Victoria's grandson-in-law.  Everyone wanted to dance with him at the debutante ball but he's been promised practically from the cradle to Princess Marie!"

Luby shrugged.  "Maybe not as grand a reason as that but you know... there are many reasons why one can't have a person they love!  But what does he say to you?  Just loving things or does he warn you of things, maybe he's a guardian ang-- well, elf!"

[[Rec Car | Bennyrock Train | Gradually Leaving Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]]

[Paradise train. AZ in route to D.C]

Don held the Bible like it was a shield. Boy. Now I recall why he had left his wife. She talked to much. A trait women to well.

"œLook, I don't claim to be scholar with the Bible. I was able to keep this book here which is Holy. I only know what I know. I never believe in Gods or Jesus. I never imagine worshipping something that is not here with us. Last time I look I never seen tall statues of other in Gods. I saw crosses, a Buddha and some other symbols. But never statues of gods. I saw there was idols in here this Bible. But not sure what it means. Very hard to understand," he shared.

"œWhy don't you play your game. Just not strip poker. My son is here and I do not care to be part of it," he sighed.

"œAnd thank you dropping the topic," he told her.

[Rec Car | Bennyrock Train | Gradually Leaving Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Luby gave Don a look of mock indignation.

"Strip Poker?!  Now if I were truly a lady I wouldn't have a clue what you were talking about but I'm a schoolteacher with a brain and I know the words, and what they might imply when placed together.  Trust me, I don't intend removing more than my hat and my gloves, Sir... whether or not young Alex is in the vicinity or not, prior to me retiring to bed, and the only person who might see me in my shift would be Najwa!  And then only because it's a lot easier removing corsets with assistance!"

She gave a look to the men, blushing slightly.  "You'll have to take my word for that!"

She decided to leave the topic of religion since she could see it dissolving to an argument.

On the train....

Nevill chuckled as he broke the cards and shuffled, though he had to admit his game with the pretty ladies was ruined slightly with the Adams boy with them.  And of course, leave it to the father to make sure any adult fun was canned.  He did stop though, when the subject of his own wife and children were brought up.  Nevill had a strange, curious look on his face.  He didn't have a wife or kids; he was purely here for fun... right?  Did he meet someone?  A native maybe?  Raven?  No, that didn't sound right.. that didn't sound like him.

"I... I don't got no... " he started in reply, but it was making his head heard a bit.  That was weird.  "Ain't no wife and kid here.  Just me... its been me for a long while.  Thought you would have understood that; I thought I had a reputation." he said, looking up.  Yeah.. a reputation.  Card shark, rich man, ladies man.  Hell he had some memories of... no... wait.. did that even happen?  He caught himself staring at Nira, and shook his head.

"Just a standard round of cards... something new I've heard coming out of New Orleans.  Pull up a seat, Alex, lemme show you how its done." he said, shaking his head to clear it, as he started to deal some cards out.  "Y'all get two cards each, keep 'em face down for now.  The point of the play is to either bluff or bash your way through the other players.  Those two cards are your hand, and they will be what will win or lose you the game.  The dealer is then going to...." he started, explaining the rules as he get the game started.

Luby put on her 'concentrating' face as Nevill started explaining the rules of the game. She leaned a little closer to him, as if for some underlying protection from Don's words.

"You're fine, Sir.  We know you have a reputation of being rather good with cards, which..."

She took off her gloves and laid one delicately placed hand on Nevill's arm, fluttering her eyelashes once again.  "...is why we are so lucky to have you to teach us how to play.  Now these two cards, I understand they are face value so picture cards are good?? Are aces high or low or both and... is one suit better than another?  I ask because it is so in some other card games it's so difficult to keep track of what is good and desirable and what you want to discard in all the games!"

It was all designed to keep him distracted enough to not want to go off and get himself injured or killed in the pursuit of adventure and joining the Cavalry or something equally 'stupid'.  Although she admitted to herself, he was an attractive man who was in want of a wife!

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Rec Car | Bennyrock Train | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Najwa smiled at Lu. Seems she liked to talk on. Just like how she did...and necessary it was...people didn't like it when she got into other peoples' heads...she learned that as a child...and...

Najwa shook it aside. There was a game to play. And she was interested to see Don's son joining in. As much as Najwa would've liked to be smitten with him - and she also regarded Don as a friend and somewhat uncle - she knew her feelings were to her dream elf (if he even existed), and besides, there was a familiarity she had...a craft named Athena...

And there was something about the way Nevill stared at her. "No wife and kid here?" Well, not here, anyway, Nira thought to herself.

As Nevill explained how it went, Nira found herself liking the game more. It wasn't just going to be intriguing with it's unpredictability, it's a way to practice the odd strategy, like chess. Of course, she aimed to keep her psychic skills to herself; reading thoughts in a game would be cheating.

She held on to his words, wondering who will deal...

"What say we try to beat the men, Najwa?! Win with our cool intellect and prove our brains and cunning are just as good as any mans!"

[[Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]]

[Najwa/Nira (?) Said | Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

I can relate, thought Najwa to Lu. About instinct and feminine intuition. Being psychic is just an added bonus for me. Perhaps I'm not even human. Maybe I'm a creature of fantasy. A djinn without a lamp, perhaps?

As Lu mentioned the different types of elves in Norse mythology, Najwa thought a moment. The image of him seemed to imply someone who looked human save the ears and hairstyle.

More likely a "light elf," Nira replied. If he were a "dark elf," I'd be sensing something evil from him. And, maybe, he'd look like an evil elf. And he does say things to me...he calls me Nira...yet it's a name I should know...

[Lu and Najwa's room | Inn | Paradise | Arizona Territory | 1899]

Luby nodded.  A lot of what Najwa was 'saying' made sense.

"Well stands to reason that with your abilities you'd be able to know if he were good or evil.  I mean us ordinary folk tend to be able to sense that sort of thing, and that's not with being attuned to the ah..."  she shrugged and shook her head as if she wasn't entirely certain it was the right way to describe.

"...supernatural? Or whatever one might call psychic abilities, seeing auras and all that.  As little as maybe 200 years ago... 1650's or thereabouts, they'd be burning you at the stake for being a witch.  Here in America, in... I think they call it Massachusetts... over in the East, about 75% of the women were burned as witches for things far more normal, like... she had a black cat, or she was seen giving a cow a carrot and then the cow died... "

Luby shuddered at the thought of burning to death, she could only imagine how painful that was when she thought burning oneself accidentally on a campfire hurt enough.

"Maybe Nira is your name in his tongue?  Maybe it's a special name for you?  What's his name?"