THE TRIAL (06) Part (02)
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Mal stands alone before the judge, while the others are planning and plotting and possibly scheming.
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 4307 RATING: 10.0 (PG) SERIES: FIREFLY
THE TRIAL (06)
Part (02)
Follows . Precedes . The series so far: Mal stands alone before the judge, while the others are planning and plotting and possibly scheming. | * * * Inara’s shuttle had become the war room for the remnants of Serenity’s crew, as they planned a strategy to secure the release of Mal and the others. Inara sat propped up on her bed, still looking tired, but more energetic than before. Simon sat on the stool with ready access to the cortex screen, while River and Ip Neumann occupied the sofa. “He could hardly have chosen a worse world to land escaped slaves on,” Ip told them. “Even though there’s a very active Abolitionist Society here, Persephone is one of the few worlds where certain forms of slavery are still officially tolerated.” “I thought slavery was abolished throughout the Alliance,” Simon said. “I mean, I understand that it might exist on fringe places like 泥球 Ní Qiú and 尘球 Chén Qíu —the Alliance has hardly any presence there at all, and those places are clearly under the control of the terraforming companies, whose financial interest inclines them to make use of slave labor. But here on Persephone? “Here on Persephone, domestic slavery is entrenched,” Inara replied. “For generations, wealthy
I can't think of any case studies where an abolitionist helping free slaves was caught and charged for it. I know the South had some laws about it, I imagine it must have happened.
In any case, what I think is the most interesting is the look at the loopholes, and the way evidence (manufactured and circumstantial) and the odds are stacking against Mal.
Good to see Mal and Inara are still in denial about how much the need each other, what they really need is their heads knocked together. Inara’s description of Mal’s selflessness and good deeds is heartwarming.
Post more:)
"You can't take the sky from me!"
Bytemite: This story had its origins in the following thought: What if, when Mal rescues the slaves, instead of getting a job-well-done pat on the back, what if he gets nailed for it? It struck me that the scenario was rather Jossian, so I constructed the stories to lead up to this outcome.
Platonist: Harrow recognized Mal immediately, but he has decided not to acknowledge that he knows him. I think
Ali D: The Society to Abolish Human Trafficking has not disappeared, but their activities are occurring off-screen, so. They are, in fact, footing the bill for Mal's defense. Melissa Draper is donating her time, and the SAHT is covering all costs. I didn't write this into the story, but, as the author, I know that this is what happened. ;-)
Nutluck: Working on getting the next part up. Back to regular internet access again!
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