This is another spaceship and backstory I created for the Serenity RPG: The "Hotel California" Cruise ship is the brain-child of the owner Margarite Rodriguez-DeSilva. Margarite's family is rich. Not just rich but filthy stinkin' rich. Margarite had a very quiet childhood on Bellerophon, where her family owned a giant floating estate designed like an 18th century Mexican villa, filled with relics from "Earth that Was". She was a happy child without a care in the world. She was sent to all the best schools and colleges, and eventually earned her degree in Biochemistry. During the war, she was working at an Alliance medical facility that became a target by both sides. Before she knew it, she was on the front line, and was caught up in the violence of the war. She saw horrible things that changed her. She was psychologically broken for some time, unable to cope with reality. When she returned home after the war she went into seclusion; trying to block out the dark memories of the past. One day she came across a relic of her father's. It was a recording of an ancient song; The "Hotel California". This song sparked something in her. She took her family’s’ riches and invested in the creation of a resort cruiser of tremendous size. The "Hotel California" Cruise vessel is designed on the legends of old California on "Earth that Was". Shimmering chandeliers, Fabrics with warm, earthy colors, smooth arched corridors, splendid mahogany and ebony fixtures, plaster and adobe facades, patios with gardens or fountains, tiled floors, antique furniture, terracotta decor, potted palms, and exotic flowers. The warm smell of colitas lingers in the air, and pink Champaign on ice is served daily. There are dances every night in "The Courtyard" Plaza under the stars. The Courtyard is covered by huge arched windows that look out onto the starry black of space. Margarite is an attractive, sexy, intelligent woman. But she does have her problems. Margarite lives on the ship, and she never leaves it. In this way she has become a bit of a recluse. But she doesn't show it. She attends all the events and parties she can. She always has an entourage of handsome gents vying for her attentions. She has a private lounge where she invites passengers to party with her. She is very flirtatious, but not vulgar; very seductive looking but not lusty. She will often be seen dating a few men, but she tends to keep her sex life private. She spends a lot of time making sure all the passengers are happy. Now on to the darker part of the story… Margarite is slightly more twisted than she lets on. The war left scars that fractured her personality and sensibilities. She now sees any kind of violence as abhorrent. Passengers are ID checked when they come on board. Criminals are flagged and get invited to special parties thrown by Margarite in her private lounge. These parties are essential harmless for the first few hours; just long enough for the criminals to let down their guard. At some point in the evening she excuses herself, and then fills the lounge with knock out gas. The unconscious criminals are then used as guinea pigs for Margarite's biochemical experiments. She wants to develop a chemical formula that will stop violence, and allow people to love one another unconditionally. Yet somehow she does not see her actions as violent; but rather as healing the violent.