PART THREE

*

Once the word is said, the action will be taken

Gallant as the dragon and fierce as the tiger.

Till the heavens turn cold and the ground we walk unfold.

Standing tall as the sky and firm as the ground.

May we be together under the full moon.

Chinese sayings

*

Bring me my broadsword and clear understanding...

Bless with a hard heart those who surround me.

Bless the women and children who firm our hands.

Put our backs to the north wind. Hold fast by the river.

Broadsword – Jethro Tull

*

Mal turned to Fess, “Ta ma duh! I ain't going to lead any half-arsed army 'gainst the ruttin' Alliance! They'll blow us all to bits!”

“You've got some of the Alliance on your side as well; the ones who've seen the rot in the system and want to change it.”

Mal flipped his gun into his hand, “And if I just want to go on my way quietly?”

Fess had the courage to face Mal without shrinking, “It's time, Captain Malcolm Reynolds. Time for a change. The folks here and up there are all behind you. Thousands of them and more to come. Even Commander Grayson on Ariel is supporting you, with *his men. They're going to smooth your path when you get to Ariel.”

Mal cocked his gun, “Fess Higgins, I do *not want this. Seen far too many die already. I'm not about to lead more men and women to what I suspect will be certain death. Anyhow, some of them's going to take a fair bit more 'n a day to get here. Call 'em off. Call them all off.”

Jayne was at Mal's shoulder, “Can I hit him *now?” He followed through without waiting for a response and decked Fess with a single punch.

Fess slowly and carefully pulled out a large rolled up sheaf of papers from his inside pocket, “Petition's right here. Got it signed by everyone willing to support you in a popular uprising. There's over two hundred thousand names and more will join their number once you begin. And most of the people I mentioned have been on their way for some time and will be in orbit shortly.”

Mal picked up the papers with distaste, almost as if they m