Dagger of the Mind, chapter 9
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Mal tries to cope with an unpredictable adversary, while Wash and Zoe confront some hard truths
CATEGORY: FICTION
TIMES READ: 2443
RATING: 9.0 (PG13)
SERIES: FIREFLY
Chapter 9: Opening the Door
Author's Note: We now head further into that "consider it AU, if you prefer" territory we entered in chapter 9. Comments and suggestions still very welcome, even if – perhaps especially if – you disagree with my interpretation of the characters. Mouseover titles added for those who want to see the Chinese translations and notes to Shakespeare references.
Shakespeare References: Hamlet Act II Scene 2; Macbeth Act V Scene 5
"Gotta say, Kaylee, this ain't how I pictured you spending the evening." Mal's voice was low, coming through gritted teeth, his eyes focused on Callum. It didn't sit well with him, being disobeyed. Through this whole ordeal, he hadn't had much of a plan, but such as there was included Kaylee not being with them now.
They were all on their knees, hands tied behind their backs. One of Callum's men stood behind them with a shotgun aimed at their heads, while the other two were gathered with Callum around a panel in the door to the high-security ward, looking mighty displeased. Something about the lock being busted.
"I meant to go back to the ship, Captain, honest," Kaylee protested in a hushed tone. "But then I thought on how you'd never leave me stuck like that. And how maybe you might, y'know, need a mechanic or, uh, or a look-out, or a wheel man, or…or somethin' and…" Her voice trailed off. She turned her head just enough to see Mal press his lips together and look even grimmer than before. "And anyway, I don't want no stranger flying Serenity," she declared firmly, indicating that, from her perspective, this reason alone justified all obstinacy.
But Mal didn't look much placated. Loyalty was a fine
Saturday, 27 March 2010 21:03
Cliff-hanger!
My question at the moment is, 'does Mal know that Wash knows by the time of War Stories'? I'm thinking you'll be explaining why Mal doesn't want anyone on his crew to know about the shooting of the men in the pit, and it isn't to do with 'cowardice'.
You raise timeless moral and ethical questions about war here, also about the life that Mal and Zoe lead. The fact is that Wash does find a way to live with it and I'm immensely enjoying a series that gives a background to why and how he does.
ELLAGREGGS
Sunday, 28 March 2010 13:33
I'm not sure the plot will fit perfectly with canon when all is said and done, although I think the characters fit. It's maybe a little AU with respect to War Stories in terms of plot.
Sunday, 28 March 2010 16:58
Everything Aliasse said and this would seem to be one of those war stories that Zoe and Mal wouldn’t openly talk about. It’s not a story of triumph and it doesn’t shed Mal in a very good light, although it is well within his character’s behavior. I'm assuming Mal won't know that Zoe shared this with Wash which could be the reason why Wash is apprehensive about Zoe staying loyal to Mal in the kind of work they do.
Monday, 29 March 2010 22:17
I'm with Platonist here. And this is definitely within character possibility... And after all, it was universal that put together the DVD records, including Mal and Zoe's war record. In the event of canon conflict, Joss has the final say-so.
Also, Wash's mouth moves without consulting his brain first.
ELLAGREGGS
Monday, 29 March 2010 23:10
So which makes the better story - Mal knowing that Wash knows, or Mal not knowing that Wash knows? The last two chapters are still in draft and I'm open to suggestions. Personally, I think Mal not knowing fits better with the actual show. Wash stands up to Mal more than any other character on the show, and it always struck me that there was a deep resentment under there, which Mal sensed but never seemed to fully grasp why.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010 06:38
I like the idea of Wash knowing something about Zoe and Mal, which she chose to disclose and trust him with, that Mal doesn’t know about. It gives Wash a little romantic leverage over Mal’s war buddy bond with Zoe. And, it’s just enough incentive and intimacy for him to be able to pursue a relationship with her.
Tuesday, 30 March 2010 09:49
I also think it a) makes sense and b) works really well that Mal doesn't know. The leverage thing.
On the other hand, I'd like to see Wash telling Mal that he knows, or Zoe telling Mal that Wash knows. Might be the first time they've talked about it since it happened.
When Mal is horrified by Kaylee nearly finding out here, is it simply because it makes him look so very bad?
Ooh, and would River know about it? Gives extra poignancy and meaning to their last scene in the BDM.
ELLAGREGGS
Tuesday, 30 March 2010 11:35
Oooh, I'll have to check out that last scene in the movie, because I'm not sure what your referring to.
This baby goes to bed at chapter 12, so there won't be any long scenes of everyone discussing the incident. But you will find out why Mal doesn't want Kaylee to know.
ELLAGREGGS
Wednesday, 31 March 2010 21:28
Aliasse, I re-watched that last Mal/River scene in the BDM, and I don't see any connection to this story. Just all the talk about how love keeps the ship flying. Sorry to be dense, but maybe you can explain?
Thursday, 01 April 2010 08:23
Well, I was just thinking that if River knew about what he had done to Callum and his mind it would give his words to her very deep resonance - that he still has love in him, that he has touched it again, through Inara, and is able even to articulate his rediscovery to another person. And if she does know, she has forgiven him this terrible act. She listens to him while he says what he has to say. Violence has made them both monsters after all, but not Reavers, still human, and still capable of love.
ELLAGREGGS
Thursday, 01 April 2010 19:54
It's true, my Mal is an angry guy. But I think even in my prequel, he loves Zoe (non-sexually), he loves the ship Serenity, and he feels a strong, brotherly/fatherly bond towards Kaylee. So I'd say even just a couple of years after the war, Mal still has love in him, but it's not romantic love. Inara throws him out of whack because with the intimacy of romantic love, there's so much more at stake and it's so much less clear what to do, how to act.
Thursday, 01 April 2010 21:56
Yes, he can do safe, proscribed love in the series. Not what he was talking about at the end of the movie.
Ch 11 please *snaps fingers*
ELLAGREGGS
Thursday, 01 April 2010 22:10
LOL! I'm doing my best! Oh, the pressure, the pressure!
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