Log Date:
	3/18/97

Log Cast:
	Paul Nighman, Shenner, Tand, Tacra

Log Intro:
	The 'crew' of the _Black Dragon_ has discovered, much to its
collective alarm, that not only has Han Solo gone unaccounted for, but
Jessalyn Valios has been taken by the very Dark Lord whose arrival on
Palanhi Luke Skywalker had been fearing. Lando Calrissian, Princess Leia,
and Luke have argued vehemently about what to do while the 'strays' on
the ship -- Paul Nighman, Shenner, Amylynn, Tand, and Tacra -- have looked
on, all wondering what in the world they could contribute to the situation.
As it's happened, Amylynn has more or less placed herself on guard duty,
alternating off with Paul and Shenner; Paul has been taken aside by
Lando and asked to organize the others into a semblance of a real crew,
as well as to keep an eye on the Princess and keep her from doing anything
foolish. Lando himself has slipped off the ship, intending to stay behind
for his own reasons while the _Dragon_ prepares to take off. And Paul
and Shenner wind up taking a watch at the airlock, to make sure it
remains secure....

----------
Paul rolls over and growls softly in his sleep.

Shenner, in much the same position as when you fell asleep a few hours ago, 
  stretches stiffly, cracks her neck, and blinks down at you.

The Corellian at your feet frowns in his sleep and begins to murmur softly, 
  his words soft and somewhat garbled. "dyin ... come on ...Alx?... pick up, 
  dyin' here buddy ... shit ...... collapse .... dark ..... read me? ...Alx?" 
  He rolls over fretfully.

Shenner blinks, again, and moves to crouch by you. "Paul?"

Paul lets out a sharp cry and jerks back, woken up by either your voice or his 
  dream. He cracks his head against the wall sharply. "Ow! Damnit!" He rubs 
  the back of his in annoyance and looks around. "What's up Shen?" he asks 
  distractedly.

Shenner starts. "I'm sorry!" she yelps, reeling back from you. "You were, uh, 
  you were just mumblin', see?"

Rubbing his head some more, Paul sits up and flicks Shenner a small curve of 
  his lips. "Hey, not your fault ... just a stupid nightmare." He stretches 
  then and leans against the wall. "I think I'll stay awake for awhile." he 
  notes wryly.

Shenner nods, troubledly, and notes, "It's been quiet..."

Paul rubs his eyes and restlessly runs his fingers through his hair. "I 
  expected as much." he murmurs. He sighs softly. He rolls up the blanket and 
  pillow and sticks them in a corner before standing up. "We should go soon."

The redheaded kid just nods, restlessly. "I dunno what's keepin' 'em..."

Paul lets out a soft bark of a laugh. "That's privileged information and not 
  for the likes of you or me to know, kiddo." He walks around a bit, swinging 
  his arms. "Least they seem to have done a good job of fixing me up at the 
  Med center ... I'll have to remember to send a thank you card," he snickers.

Shenner smiles weakly.

Tand walks in from the Main Corridor of the ship.
Tand has arrived.
Tand wanders down the corridor, a data-pad held in his right hand.

Paul looks up at Tand's entrance and nods in greeting.

Tand nods once to Paul, "Evening, how's it going?"

Looking much the same as when she'd been on hand to witness the earlier 
  brouhaha between those in charge of the ship, a tired-looking Shenner is 
  parked at the airlock hatch across from Paul Nighman; at the arrival of 
  Tand, the kid glances over wearily.

"So far so good," the lanky Corellian replies. "Mostly just waiting for 
  someone to make up their bloody minds." He smiles good humoredly, taking the 
  bite out of his words.

Tand has spent most of the day checking over the various mechanical area's of 
  the ship, his once clean (if you ever considered them clean) clothes are 
  streaked with stains from various lubricants and other fluids commonly 
  associated with sublight engines. He says, "Oh, well I was bored earlier 
  today so I took initiative and double checked on the ship systems." he 
  pauses then says, "Wow, Jessalyn is a good mechanic, this bucket is in top 
  shape."

Leaning against the wall as if propping it, or perhaps herself up, Shenner
  smiles weakly, only one side of her mouth crooking up.

Paul smiles at the kid's enthusiasm, but his face looks a little sad at the 
  mention of Jessalyn. "Yeah," he says softly, "she's a real pro." He looks 
  the kid over approvingly. "So, if you are big into mechanics, do you have 
  any idea what Tacra's speciality is? I'm trying to organize the crew here, 
  since we seem to have a lack of coordination going on at the moment."

Tand lifts up the data-pad, his head motions to it, "I was just about to 
  conduct the final on the hyperdrives, just to make sure." he smiles and 
  says, "Tacra's good at a lot of things, she can fly, sneak, .." he grins 
  slyly, "Find things in her pocket she shouldn't have." he glances at 
  Shenner, smiling a little her way before continuing, "I know a little bit 
  about slicing and programming too, and I'm a good sneak."

Paul nods his thanks at that and his eyes seem warmer and more friendly. "Well 
  sneaking and finding ah, lost items, won't be as useful a skill once we're 
  outta here, but are good life skills." He chews his lip thoughtfully. 
  "Having spare pilots is always good. Tell you what, I want you to keep an 
  eye on the mechanics of the ship - that is your main job on board now until 
  you hear otherwise. I'll keep in mind your slicing and programming skills, 
  as I'm sure they will come in handy." He tilts his head for a moment. "Since 
  I don't know if we will need another pilot right now, do you think Tacra 
  would be willing to act as your assistant, or would that cause her to 
  bristle?"

Tand pauses for a moment as he reflects on his long time friend of Tacra. 
  "Umm." he winces after a thought passes, and says, "Well, howabout we just 
  stay paired together? Assistant is a harsh word and I know she wouldn't like 
  that."

Paul nods and gives Tand a wry smile. "Yeah, I think you're right. Okay, you 
  two keep together and keep going the way that you are. Between you, me, and 
  Shen, I think you guys are the most level headed people on board here right 
  now." He leans against the wall.

Tand looks down as he pats his holstered weapon, "I'm really not that good at 
  using this though, I haven't really fired it since they were training us." 
  he nods a little to Paul, offering a smile, "Thanks. Hey, if there is 
  anything I can do, let me know. It feels good working with good people for 
  once."

Shenner issues a low snort. "Levelheaded? Me? You got the right street rat, 
  pal?" she mutters at Paul, but not with any real rancor.

The Corellian looks at your blaster. "Hopefully you won't have any need for 
  that." He turns to Shenner and grins. "You need a nap, don't you?" he teases 
  her.

Tand looks aft, almost as if the engine room summons him, but he fights the 
  calling and leans back against the corridor wall, "So, the both of you guys 
  play music?"

Paul turns back to Tand. "Just do me a favor, Lando asked me to pull this ship 
  together, and that is what I am going to do. However, I do not work for the 
  New Republic, so "legally" I have no say here. If Leia or Winter order you 
  to do otherwise, go ahead and do so. However, I want you to inform me of any 
  new duties that are assigned to you and who assigned them, alright?" Paul 
  then smiles and replies, "And yeah, we play music."

Shenner suddenly grins lopsidedly and drawls, "I been rumored to."

Paul gives Shenner a grin. "And you mentioned that you do too Tand, right?"

Tand nods slowly to Paul's commands, "Right, I understand." he shrugs a little 
  and says, "I play or played the Bimmian Flute and Bith Sax, if that's worth 
  anything."

Shenner seems to come a little more alive, eyeing the young man consideringly. 
  "You got either of 'em with yah, pal?"

Paul chuckles. "Music is always worth something. I'm sure that Shen and I 
  would be honored if you'd play with us some time."

Tand shakes his head regretfully, "No, the jerks that stranded Tac an I took 
  off with both of em." he sighs, "I worked my hide off for those things."

Paul_Nighman growls a bit at that. "That's a shame."

Shenner shuffles a bit a bit, then says, "Well, uh. I got two flutes, now that 
  Paul gimme one. And my guitar."

Tand's eyes flicker over to Shenner, "You have a /Bimmian/ flute?" he asks 
  hopefully. He gives a shrug to Paul, "Ain't the first time it happened, heh 
  the worst was being stranded on Tatooine years ago, now that was bad. Only 
  good thing that came out of that was meeting Tac."

Paul winces when Tand mentions stranding and Tatooine in the same breath and 
  gives Shenner a funny little side glance, as if he were trying to judge her 
  reactions. "Uh right, okay. Well, I really need to coordinate with the rest 
  of the crew. Would you mind staying here with Shenner and watching the ramp?"

"Ain't got no idea what a Bimmian looks like, much less their flutes," Shenner 
  mutters, half-smiling. She _does_ blink a bit, though, at the mention of 
  Tatooine... and stranding... and eyes Tand a little more closely.

Tand shrugs and walks over to Paul's spot, "Sure, that's cool."

"Thanks." Paul turns to Shen, removing himself from his spot on the wall. 
  "Okay Shen, you're in charge of the door, if anyone tries to leave, remind 
  them that we will leave whenever we're ready to, whether they are on board 
  or not. Under no circumstances does Leia leave. Okay?"

The redheaded kid nods tersely. "Got it."

Paul_Nighman says, "Okay, then I'm off to see the wizard, or princess, or 
  whatever." Paul strides out of the room."
Paul_Nighman walks Fore to the Main Corridor of the ship.
Paul_Nighman has left.

Tand quirks a brow as Paul mentions the order about Leia. He leans back 
  against the wall and plops to the floor with a thud.

Shenner issues a small noise that might be a bit of laughter, then settles 
  back against the wall. "Just wish we'd _leave_, or somethin'," she mutters.

Tand looks up at you, "I thought Paul said that Leia could tell us what to do?"

Shenner hrmms?

Tand shakes his head, "Forget it." he lets out a long exhale as he flips on 
  the datapad. It in response glows to life, text and images playing across 
  the small screen.

Shenner rolls her shoulders by way of a shrug, and mutters, "Whatever, pal... 
  but, yeah, well. The Princess is Luke's sister. I'd say she's in charge 
  around here as much as he is."

Tand nods slowly to that, "Ok.." he diverts his attention to the small pad, 
  his fingers dancing over the mini keyboard as he calculates the necessary 
  ratio's for drive performance.

The redhead nods shortly, then falls quiet, occasionally glancing down the 
  hallway, and occasionally staring at the controls of the airlock as though 
  she might shoot them if they showed the slightest sign of glimmering into 
  life.

[And, shortly, after Tand has vanished off to the fore of the ship....]

>Tacra walks in from the Main Corridor of the ship.
>Tacra has arrived.
>Tacra wanders in, appearing bored.

Paul_Nighman walks in from the Main Corridor of the ship.
Paul_Nighman has arrived.

Shenner, still parked by the airlock, looks up warily at Tacra's arrival. The 
  approach of Paul Nighman just after her doesn't quite ease the kid's 
  expression.

Paul strides in, his expression frosty with anger just barely held in check. 
  He nods at Tacra and Shenner and then turns to Tacra, making an effort to 
  have a pleasant voice. "Ah there you are, whenever you have a spare moment, 
  I'd love to just talk with you."

Tacra's cool gaze slips past Shenner to rest on Paul, but she smiles wanly as 
  he speaks up. "Sure," she says easily. "What about?"

Paul runs a hand through his hair and takes a stabilizing breath. "It's my job 
  to try to organize everyone and get this ship a little more orderly. Tand 
  mentioned to me that you were a pilot, and I was wondering what skills you 
  have?"

Tacra sets her jaw, her fingers tapping her belt as she glances down the 
  corridor. "Only piloted freighters, but a variety of those. Learned more by 
  trial and error, working for whatever smugglers would hire Tand and me. But 
  yeah, I can get around, and I picked it up fast." She narrows her gaze, 
  cocking her head to one side curiously. "Why?"

Paul nods. "Just wanted to know, so I could determine what is the best thing 
  that you can do on board. Since we already have a pilot, I've informed them 
  that you have some experience there, so in a pinch they may call on you. 
  Otherwise, if it is acceptable to you, I'd like you to work in tandem with 
  Tand - keeping the mechanics of this ship up and going to it's full 
  potential."

Tacra purses her lips, shrugging absently. "Sure, sounds good. Most of my 
  other talents lie in 'aquiring' things, so here..." She glances about, and 
  nods. "Helping Tand is as good as anything."

Paul leans against a wall and eyes you gratefully. "Good. Like I told Tand, I 
  get the feeling that you and he and Shenner are the most mature in this 
  little group of ours." He sighs. "If Leia or Winter should ask you to do 
  something, give you an order or change of assignment, go ahead and follow 
  their orders. However, please inform me of the change to your assignment and 
  who ordered it, just so I can keep track of what is going on. Alright?"

Tacra, at being told she and Shenner were the most mature people on the ship, 
  eyes the kid at the ramp controls dubiously. She nods though, turning her 
  attention back to Paul. "Sure. Though... I try to stay away from Winter, if 
  she's that silver-haired scary-looking woman. I'll let you know if anything 
  changes, though."

Shenner crosses her arms, and just pointedly eyes the airlock controls.

Paul's gaze moves between Shenner and Tacra, sensing a problem. He makes the 
  clear decision not to tackle it now. "Good. Thank you for your cooperation." 
  he adds. He looks at Tacra and gives you a grin. "She -is- kinda scary, huh? 
  Glad it's not just me that thinks so."

The rack-thin woman snorts softly, grinning over at Paul. "Well sure," Tacra 
  admits. "First time I laid eyes on her, she drew her blaster on me and 
  started giving me the third degree. Wouldn't lay off 'till that dark-looking 
  General told her Skywalker had offered me a job."

Shenner keeps eyeing the airlock controls, pointedly avoiding Tacra's gaze.

The rangy Corellian chuckles. "Yeah, I made the mistake of looking at her ... 
  that seemed enough to make her want to dice me into sushi ... and then she 
  tried to bully me in front of Leia about her Majesty's title and such. She's 
  a puzzle for sure, but I don't think it's one I care to try and solve." He 
  shrugs his shoulders. "Like you said, probably best to just stay out of her 
  way. "

Tacra musingly glances down the corridor again. "I dunno the Princess at all, 
  so I dunno really /what/ to call her. 'Leia' seems wrong."

Paul shrugs. "She seemed to indicate to me that she didn't much care, but then 
  again, she was kinda vague and might have been referencing something else. I 
  decided it was the better part of judgement to leave, since Ice Lady was 
  pissing me off, and I don't make the wisest decisions when I'm cranky."

Tacra nods in agreement, her pale gaze absently on Shenner while the girl 
  studies the airlock controls. "Hrmph. Well, each day this ship gets stranger 
  and stranger, so I'm not holding my breath for any sort of cooperative 
  attitude from anyone.. but still, it's better than sleeping out on Palanhi." 
  She eyes Paul for a moment, and asks, "Where're we going next?"

Shenner slides a glance sideways to Tacra, and growls, "If you want a 
  cooperative attitude, try having one yourself, lady."

Paul eyes Tacra and then Shenner and in a firm tone says, "Well be that as it 
  may, I'm asking everyone here to do their utmost to work together cause our 
  very lives might just depend on it."

Tacra casts Shenner a glance that one might cast a young child. "I'm not the 
  one with the chip on her shoulder on this boat, kiddo." A wry smile touches 
  her lips, and she turns back to Paul. "Well, granted. Never know how a group 
  will pull together in a pinch." At these words though, her gaze does flick 
  dubiously towards the girl.

"_I_," Shenner snaps, not doing a very convincing job of living up to Paul's 
  claim that she's one of the most mature people on the ship, "wasn't the one 
  being a smartass. Don't talk down to me, woman, just because I'm young 
  doesn't mean I don't know sarcasm when I hear it."

Paul turns to Tacra, his lips thining and his eyes serious. "Look, I don't 
  know what is going on between you two, but I'm asking you both to either 
  deal with it now or forget about it and work together. I don't have time to 
  have to worry about who is having a snit with who on board here." He points 
  a finger at one and then the other. "I don't want to have to worry about how 
  we "might" pull together in a pinch."

Tacra plants her hands on her hips, turning towards the girl with a resolute 
  set to her jaw. "Listen, I did nothing to you. Ever since I got on this ship 
  you've acted like a frostbitten bantha, and, I might add, you're the only 
  one." She pauses, considering. "Except maybe Winter, but I take it she's 
  aptly named. I'm more than happy to ignore you if you can't see straight to 
  being civil, and if that's the case, I suggest you do the same."

Shenner snaps back, ticking off items on her fingers, "You were a goddamned 
  stranger coming onto the boat; how the hell did you expect me to react? You 
  bit my head off for demanding to know who you were, then tried to 'pretend'
  you actually gave a karking damn about whatever might happen to upset me -- 
  yeah, I know _that_ kind of sarcasm when I hear it!"

Paul sighs and steps back for a moment, wondering if it wouldn't be better for 
  the two of them to fight it out for a moment. He walks across the room and 
  positions himself by the door to prevent escape.

Shenner whirls on Paul, and adds, "As of now, Paul, yeah, great, I'll be happy 
  to do my duty to ignore this woman, it's not like I'm anything but cargo 
  around here anyway. I'm gonna get a nap. 'Scuse me." With that, Shenner 
  stalks off down the hall towards the access hatch into the cargo bay, 
  through which she promptly disappears.

You grab ahold of the access handles on the floor panel and lift it away,
setting it carefully to the side.  You lower yourself into the cargo bay.
Cargo Bay--Black Dragon
This is the main cargo bay. All ship's cargo is kept here.
Obvious exits:
Entry Area <Starboard>  

[And then, a short time later....]

Paul_Nighman walks in from the Entry Area of the ship.
Paul_Nighman has arrived.
Paul descends the ladder and then walks over to Shenner, his eyes disappointed 
  and grim.

Shenner is parked on the floor, crosslegged, elbows planted on each knee and 
  her chin propped in her hands. She's facing away from the ladder, and is 
  staring daggers at the far well; she does not turn at the sound of arrival 
  behind her.

The sound of Paul's footsteps grows louder until they stop behind you.

Shenner still doesn't move, apparently quite firmly in the grip of what you'd 
  so aptly described as a 'snit'.

"Shen, we have to talk." Paul stands behind her, his face both frustrated and 
  pitying.

"I already know what you're gonna say," Shenner retorts, her voice hoarse and 
  hard-edged. "You're gonna tell me how important it is that we all work 
  together 'cause it might keep us from gettin' killed. Yeah. I know. Save 
  your breath, Paul."

Paul lets out a angry oath and drops to one knee, turning Shenner around 
  abruptly so that she is facing him. "Damnit all, don't you go putting words 
  into my mouth, you got it?! That is not at all what I was going to say!" His 
  face is tight, his eyes angry. He looks rather like he did when he first 
  mistook Shenner for someone else. In fact, that expression almost pales in 
  comparison.

Shenner, when whirled, can be seen to have a hot, angered -- and perhaps 
  wounded -- gaze as well, and her features tauten further. "What then?" she 
  barks out. "That I ought to be nice to somebody who thinks I'm a snotnosed 
  brat? Sorry to disappoint you, pal" -- her voice lowers, but grows no less 
  sharp or bitter --"maybe I'm just not as mature as you think I am."

Paul's gaze narrows, his hands hard on your shoulders. "Well then maybe you're 
  not. Maybe I made a mistake."

Shenner forcibly jerks herself out of your grasp, and growls, "Yeah, well, 
  pal, maybe you did." Her voice grows more ragged, like a piece of old cloth 
  unraveling, as she re-rivets her gaze to the far wall and continues, "Don't 
  worry. I won't do nothin' to endanger anybody but don't bloody well ask me 
  to pretend I like somebody who thinks I'm a little heap of shit to avoid 
  stepping on! I karkin' well got enough of _that_ bein' a whore's daughter, 
  you hear me?!"

Paul starts to reach for Shenner, his face enraged, but when she reaches the 
  end of her outpouring he stops short. His expression wavers, grows grim. 
  "Yeah," he replies, his voice a low growl, "I hear you just fine. Now you 
  hear me. You made a mistake. Period. When somebody makes a mistake, they 
  should apologize. I had worse introduction to Amylynn than you did with 
  Tacra, but we've made our peace. I'm not saying you were not justified in 
  your reaction, but when she tried to be nice to you later, she was being 
  genuine and your damn pride wouldn't let you bend. No one thinks that you 
  are shit Shenner, except maybe yourself. How you are born isn't what counts, 
  it's what you make of yourself." His voice then drops, softens. "And you 
  surpassed it all and made yourself into something better than what you came 
  from ... by a long shot."

Shenner lifts a hand to rub at her temple, as though in reaction to a 
  headache. "If _she_ tells me she meant to be nice, I'll believe her," the 
  kid grumbles at last, voice still very ragged. "Maybe." She still does not 
  look at you, nor does she comment on anything you've said about herself.

Paul leans against the wall, staring at Shenner. "Well, don't hold your 
  breath. She's just as stubborn and prideful as you, and she isn't going to 
  bend her neck either until she's cooled down some. If you think I'm a liar, 
  than so be it, but she told me that she was not being deliberately snide." 
  Paul rubs his eyes and lets out a soft noise, something between and moan and 
  a groan. "She'll give you space, and more when she can. She told me she 
  would." Paul turns and starts to walk away from Shenner, torward his stuff.

The girl remains quiet for a long moment; finally, still without shifting 
  position, she simply mutters, "Okay."

Paul stops as he reaches the seperating crates. His voice is ragged and low 
  when he asks softly, "Shen ... do you want to talk about it?" The it isn't 
  identified, but the implication is obvious.

Shenner makes a noise somewhere between snort... and sniffle. "Dunno what more 
  there is to say," she answers, a little wildly, as though flailing for her 
  words.

Paul takes a deep breath and turns around. He walks slowly back to Shen, his 
  footfalls echoing lightly in the hold. He lays his hands on her shoulders 
  from behind. "I would think there would be a lot more to be said, things 
  that you've probably been wanting to say for a long time, but with no one to 
  say them to." He squeezes gently, encouragingly. "I'm here, and although I 
  may not be the one you wanted to say these things to, I'm the one that will 
  listen."

Shenner's head drops, and you can hear her make another little strangled 
  sniffling noise. "Ain't... sure why I told you that," she mumbles. "I... 
  told Jessalyn, but now..."

Paul says nothing but pulls Shen back gently so that she is leaning against 
  him, his hands still gripping her shoulders in support. "You were mad, and 
  that's usually when the truth will out." He sighs and you can feel the 
  expansion of his chest against your back. "Well, I'm here if you want to 
  talk some more, and if you don't, I'd understand that too."

"Dunno what to say," Shenner tells you raggedly. She turns, almost 
  unconsciously, and presses her cheek to your shoulder, adding in a whisper, 
  "I-I was drunk when I told Jess, made it kinda... easier to talk..."

"I'm afraid I don't have any liquor on me," he notes softly, "cause you know 
  what a bastard it makes me." Paul continues to hold Shenner close, his head 
  dropping to rest next to hers. "There's no pressure here Shen, I just wanted 
  you to know that I'm here for you." He emphasizes the -you- slightly, as if 
  he wasn't there for anyone else.

Shenner whispers, "Ain't... had nobody, since Mom died."

Paul grips Shenner hard, a lump forming in this throat. He keeps her back to 
  him, but wraps his arms across the front of her shoulders, pulling her 
  against him in a fierce hug. In a voice like the low purring of a cat he 
  murmurs, "Okay, so now you got me."

Shenner squirms around in your grasp, first to give you a return hug that's 
  surprisingly crushing for her slight frame -- or perhaps not, for after all, 
  this _is_ Shenner -- and then to lift her face to yours, her eyes searching, 
  strangely defenseless. "And... what do I got in you?" she asks, voice small.

Paul lets out a surprised breath at Shenner's sudden response, both in 
  surprise of the action and due to the action itself. He looks down into her 
  face and feels the bottom drop out of his heart. He blinks a few times and 
  as if from a very far distance, he hears himself say quite clearly, 
  "Anything you want."

She lifts her slim young hands then, and, gingerly, as though testing the 
  integrity of an energy field, she cups your face in her callused palms. "I 
  don't... really know what I want yet," she admits, still staring up at you, 
  her tone actually shy. "But... I like yah, Paul Nighman."

Paul's eyes widen slightly at Shen's touch and you feel a distinct trembling 
  run through his frame. He wets his lips a touch nervously, his eyes locked 
  to yours. "Uh, thanks," he manages to growl softly, his voice low and husky. 
  "I lo, uh like you too." He blinks, and another tremor runs through him.

Shenner takes in your expression, and her mouth quirks, in a ghost of a 
  lopsided grin. "You're alright... for a Corellian." She leans to you once 
  more, and once more hugs you, before pulling back, starting to disengage 
  from your arms. Her expression sobers. "And... you're right... I-I guess I 
  should talk to Tacra... but when I ain't so tired. I'm gonna sleep, okay?" 
  Her gaze stays on you, as she relays this.

Paul stares at Shenner, his system still running at full throttle. He quells 
  another tremor before it begins and clears his throat. "Gee, thanks," he 
  manages. "Sleep is good, and I'm glad that you will talk with Tacra ... 
  she's got a sharp edge to her, but she's okay I think." He hears himself 
  talking to Shen in normal tones, but his mind is whirling off in totally 
  different directions, and he can't help but be amazed at the composure that 
  he is throwing off. "Yeah, go get some sleep ... I need to take a walk 
  first, but then I'll be sleeping myself, I guess." 'I hope' he thinks to 
  himself.

The girl grins a little at you, and pulls slowly out of your embrace before 
  turning to settle herself down in her filched bedding. It is perhaps a 
  measure of exactly how stressful the past days have been on Shenner that she 
  drops asleep seemingly within moments, her hands curling up lightly in two 
  loose fists beside her face on the pillow.

Paul just stands there for a moment before he turns to look upon Shenner, 
  already fast asleep. His hands form into fists that clench and unclench. He 
  looks around the cargo hold and thinks to himself, "I don't need a nice 
  walk, I need a nice run ... a nice long run that takes me far far away from 
  this place." He sighs deeply and heads for the ladder, knowing that his 
  conscience will only allow him the walk.

[End log.]