Spinning Out-Chapter 02: "What We Hath Wrought"
Friday, February 22, 2008
3 months post BDM. Mal, Zoe, Kaylee, and Simon venture out into Persephone amidst the aftermath of an attack on an Alliance military site. Not all of them agree on the morals and consequences of their role in the Miranda broadwave. PG-13 for adult language, adult content, graphic death, and being so, so angsty. I promise the angst peeks here...please keep reading through depression. 2,890 words.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3322 RATING: 9.0 (PG13) SERIES: FIREFLY
Spinning Out
by
GoramMan
Chapter 2: What We Hath Wrought
After the explosion abruptly ended the inspection the crew of Serenity took a few minutes to prepare for their visit to Persephone. Mal collected a few bills of local currency and a knife to conceal in his boot. He checked for any messages on the Cortex for the third time in ten minutes. He sat for a moment on the edge of his bed. Back on the grid, he thought. Not exactly safe in the Black but at least he didn’t have to look over his shoulder out there. Here, a man such as himself has to wonder if every person he sees is there for him or some one he cares about. He stood and made for the ladder to the bridge passage way. River was standing in the entrance to the bridge. She was leaning against the door with her slender arms folded around her waist. “Powder keg, huh?” asked Mal. “Any other insights before we go.”
“It doesn’t work like that,” she said evenly. “It’s not literal. When there are not many variables it’s easy. But when there are many you have to be careful in what you say and think because you can’t separate yourself from the variables. It’s like looking at a white wall with a bright light behind you. You look back at the light and that is all you see. You look at the wall there is your shadow and other shadows. Shad
You can't take the sky from me
ROTFL! Best line in this chapter.
Interesting that ZOE wanted to keep moving and not help the officer. I did think Simon should have put up more of an insistance that he do something though - like on Ariel when he barged in and helped the patient.
His conversation with Zoe and the little things you added, like making sure he stood the right way so his gun wouldn't be seen, and when did he start thinking like this, are all good touches. Keep up the good work!
As for Simon, that was a tough call. Having seen him act in Ariel with both his and his sister's life at risk definitley leaves a mark on everyone. Ariel is the highest rated show in the episode reviews. But what I'm hoping for Simon in this story is that he learns a certain practicality onboard Serenity and he learns how to be a better lover to Kaylee. You know, with less tripping over his tongue. That's why near the end he is actively looking from some kind of clue from Kaylee in order to console her. Smart's, that's what he's got.
But if he had been allowed to help, Kaylee would not have been as upset as she was. Then her argument with Zoe would seem more contrived. When I outlined the story this argument was one of the top 5 things I really wanted. I wanted the heart and passion of Serenity to confront what Zoe is becoming and that is the antithesis of Kaylee. What was left of Zoe's heart after Serenity Valley is turning to stone now that Wash is gone from her life. He's no longer there to cheer her up, help her unwind after a mission, and set her strait when she's being a bitch.
Thanks again for reading and commenting!
Not to repeat what others have said, but I find this to be a realistic portrayal of Zoë post Miranda. Wash was her anchor, no doubt about it, and I love what you said about her being confronted with Kaylee, the heart, of the ship.
I think Joss says it best on the CE commentary, "Mal gains something from Miranda"...but Zoë obviously losses something.
Very much enjoying this story.
Because I am currently poor I have not bought the CE yet. But I can't wait to listen to the commentary tracks.
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