Falling Stars, Streaking Down to the Ground
Sunday, May 25, 2003
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3147 RATING: 6.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
"So how's the new girl working out?" Kellerman asked as he gathered the dishes off the table.
"I never realized just how disorganized I had things until she took over. She started a fresh book and copied two years of accounts into it, fresh and clean, cross-referenced it all for symptoms and treatments and all sorts of other little odds and ends. She's got a real gift for it," Cafferty, holding the cup of post-dinner homebrew spirits in two hands, took another cautious sip. He was surprised at, well, how much better it was than the usual brew of the Kellerman household.
"Hey, this is some good stuff Kellerman," he remarked, looking down into the mug.
"Got some advice from the neighbors. Damn weird, man, damn weird. Bust a few heads, and suddenly we're not the scum of the 'verse any more. Hell, if I'd known it'd be that easy, I would've started the fight myself."
"How's the hand?" Cafferty saw that he was still favoring it.
"Sore, but damn, did it feel good. Remember the e-club back on Pybban? The one with the really fragile walls?"
Cafferty laughed and took another drink. "Wasn't that the walls were fragile. Just isn't a wall in the 'verse that can stand up to your head when three Marines are there to give you a good push. So there we were out on L-42, and the Browncoats were dug in behind that berm, we're waiting for the air support to come in..."
Jian-Ku was coming through the door, and chimed in. "So Sergeant Bailka says 'Kellerman, get up here and we'll ram you right through the berm!' What the hell was that about, anyway?" Cafferty and Kellerman cracked up
"Hon, I got something to confess. I'm the result of a secret government medical experiment," Kellerman said, once he got himself straightened up.
"I've known about that since I met you," she returned, straight-faced. Kellerman looked wounded, Cafferty started snickering again.
"If you're going to tell these old stories all the time like a couple of local geezers, you really should let me in on the secrets," Jian-K
It's not a perfect parallel, obviously, cos that would make it a negative image mimic. But the fact that there are a group of characters here fighting the same endless fights that the Intrepid Crew of Serenity fights is telling. I'm interested to see to what extent the problems are resolved or enhanced for this crew (and they are one, even if they're kissing dirt) because they do not (can not? will not?) run.
In any event, I am deeply honored. Gracias, senorita.
Sounds about right for the military. Sounds like Vietnam. Vets who came back from that couldn't get any help from your goram government or the military.
I always thought that the military looks to its own but it doesn't really.
Oh, that's angry. Didn't mean it but I can feel Caffrey's frustration and understand it.
(That's not a slam. The paternal branch of the family has a rich tradition of joining up for 'three hots and flop.' Mind you, the other side still hasn't gotten over the War of Northern Aggression, even the Union supporting branch, and went to great lengths to insure that the 'laws' didn't draft none of their young'uns for WW1, WW2 and so on.)
The military is a microcosm of society, and reflects all the best and worst that we have to offer as a species. No greater love hath man, etc. etc. balanced against the fact that ultimately it exists to kill people and break things. The lieutenant of the story is right to the letter of the regulations. The post is there to provide civil control and administration. Of course, as a human being he's a complete and utter failure and a piece of garbage.
Angel- Thanks. I've always regarded characterization as my single strongest point in writing, though as far as I'm concerned I do fall down on description and still need work in story structure and of course the grammar needs work. I'm not planning on a writing career, but all the same I keep working to sharpen my talents.
I can relate. My father enlisted in WWII because he couldn't find work. So I do understand that and both sides of mine were in the Civil War as we call it North of 49th paralel.
Most institutions are a microcasm for society in some way but that doesn't neccesarily make it right. And the military has a long history of breaking things rather than mending.
And you're right about the Lieutenant. He is an utter failure.
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