Simon Tam’s Survival Guide for Rim World and Space Travel

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended. Fanfic only.

--------------------

I honestly never expected to travel too far from Osiris, where I was born and raised, other than occasional vacations trips. I was rather happy where I was, and really saw no need to think about the rest of the ‘verse. I knew it was there, of course, but it meant little to me.

Then, my little sister went to the Academy. And so began my learning experience in dealing with lower born people out on the rim. And trying to survive in the black.

I’ve managed to do pretty well, having fallen in with a stalwart ship and good people. Well, mostly good people. It could have been far worse, I admit. It’s difficult to undergo such a radical change, from the finest of living to the catch as catch can style of existence more prevalent in the outer colonies.

There are few people of good breeding in the black, and refined manners and graces are practically non-existent. In fact, people out there tend to look at people like me, well groomed, well mannered, well spoken, as weak.

I mostly ignore that, of course. To respond, even in answer, would be beneath me. Still, there are some pearls of wisdom that I have worked out for myself over the time I’ve spent out here. I thought I’d share them with whoever might be thinking that a life ‘out there’ might be fun, and exciting.

--------

1) If someone tells you they will shoot you, they probably mean it. Take heed.

2) When a ship captain says he will ‘space’ you, he doesn’t mean allow you to travel with him, or to walk on the hull in a suit.

3) Try to avoid being shot. It sounds exciting I know. But what it really is, is painful. And there aren’t many doctors around. Your being a doctor won’t help you much, since you’re the one shot, either.

4) If your little sister is along, try to keep her from antagonizing the other people on the ship. Remember, these people are not civilized, and are prone to r