Unfinished Business -- Chapter Seventeen
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Meanwhile, back on the ship . . .
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3701 RATING: 9.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
Unfinished Business
Chapter Seventeen
“You did . . . what?”
“I kinda . . . sold Sir Arnold into slavery,” admitted Mal, rubbing the back of his neck with one hand. “Well, to be technical, it was a twenty-year indenture contract with the Atlas Development and Exploitation Corporation, but it’ll feel enough like slavery as to make no never mind.”
“You sold . . . a Persephonian nobleman . . . and a government official . . . not to mention an Alliance Military Intelligence station chief . . . into slavery . . . with a bare-rock terraformer?” Rachel asked, astonished.
“We’d pretty much finished with him,” Mal defended. “And somethin’ popped in that data dump on ‘im we got from Badger. Appears he’s not just a stockholder in the firm, but sits on the board as well. So I just figured he wouldn’t mind an up-close and personal look at the inner workings. Good exercise of his fiduciary duty, not to mention a primo spot to stash him while we put some mile between us and his jurisdiction. So I had Doc dope him up, then had Jayne pour a couple o’ shots down his throat and take him down to the recruitment center. He’ll be wakin’ up in the orientation cell about . . . now,” Mal said, glancing at the chronometer.
“Oh . . . my . . . GOD that’s funny!” laughed Rachel.
“Oh, it gets better,” Mal assured her.
“Do tell!”
“We let it slip while he was tied up in that container that we were off-planet mercenaries working for that joker the Dogfather that Badger’s taken such a shine to. Real subtle, o’ course, just a few words. But he’ll work it out. And by the time he gets out he’ll be in quite a mood to deal with him.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, Jayne, he’s got a wicked sense o’ humor that’s about three days past sadistic – you fly with the man awhile, you’ll see the unpleasant truth yourself. So not only did he sign him up with Atlas – and pocket a hefty bounty – but the man was so doped up Jayne registered him as ‘Girly McDicklips’. Listed his previous occupation as ‘cabaret towel boy’. He’s likely n
StA
And whoever thought Mal would be scarily outnumbered by womenfolk?
Kaylee being so pissed off took me aback though because it seemed a bit out of character for her. She was right, of course, but expressing herself in that angry way? I dunno.
Mal feeling too much estrogen on the ship was excellent and Simon going to Jayne, of all people, was just funny. Poor Simon. His girls are angry at him now. Can't wait to see how that is resolved.
The K-S relationship is going to grow and evolve, and that isn't always going to be pretty. Kaylee exploding and Simon seeking advice from Jayne are symptoms of that. I don't plan on radically altering the characters, but do plan on showing their multi-dimensionality.
PLEASE keep the comments coming -- they fuel my ego and keep me writing!
StA
And we definitely don't want you to stop writing:)
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing how you add dimension to the characters we know and love (and didn't get to see enough of).
Please don't keep us waiting too long for the next chapter!
And Mal's recounting of the interrogation was fab!
Poor Jayne though, he's never going to recover from the shock of painting leaves all over his bunk, once the tattoo wears off.
I got the impression that the crew really doesn't comprehend that Simon gave *everything* up for River and just what that *everything* was.
Keep 'em coming!
She isn't a shrinking violet nor should she be defined solely by her relationship with Simon, in the story context, like she so often is. She didn't even choose to go with Simon and River when they left. She stayed on Serenity and did her job.
Anyway, I like your fic Screw.
Mind-blowing work here, Screw! I honestly have to reiterate that Joss & co need you badly if a series of novels set in the 'Verse ever come about, cuz damn if you ain't channelling the J-man himself with this. It is amazingly easy to picture all the actors performing these scenes with perfect clarity:D
And I really think you nailed Kaylee's reaction on the head with her freakout over River's impromptu repairs. Serenity is her baby and I can imagine any mother stepping to the edge of the abyss called psychotic rage if their child was put it harm's way. Though I certainly hope you will allow River and Kaylee some alone time to sort out their issues about this and bond. River needs Kaylee's support in her new role...
BEB
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