Blue Sun Room FICTION - GENERAL

THE DEVIL'S CRADLE: 8. "Unseen Hands"

Saturday, May 19, 2012

It was a bloodbath. No. Really. The thick dusty ground had become a gorram red sludge, thickened by congealing blood which now became a grotesque mud with the combatants slipping and sliding in blood and entrails as knives flashed in dull red brightness and more fell in a messy cacophony of gunfire.

CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 3651    RATING: 10.0 (G)    SERIES: FIREFLY

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TITLE: "UNSEEN HANDS"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 8. Sequel to "SUFFER THE CHILDREN"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon

SUMMARY: "More knowledge does not always make

things clearer. Meanwhile, Kathleen gets a closer look at

true evil than she could have possibly imagined."

"UNSEEN HANDS"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Simon donned his surgical gloves before taking the Captain's dust mask from the bag Shen Willets had put it in and began his examination. About to cut a piece and put it under his microscope he was interrupted by the man himself. Either Willets could see through the thick cloth or the man had incredible timing.

"When you do your tests doc, look closely at the fibers *dong ma*?"

"Are you saying you know why the mask affected the Captain?"

Jayne stirred by the doorway. "Yeah, 'cause he was poisoned."

Shen Willets sighed but before he could say anything the Captain spoke up. "Still standin', Jayne, so maybehaps we should listen to Shen an' let the doc do his work."

Simon wished he could throw all of them out but he needed to check both the mask and the Captain as well as do tests on Shepherd Book, Jayne and the masks they had been wearing. He had taken the precaution of asking Kaylee to bring him a new sealed mask to use as a control. Having someone familiar with them was useful, having someone like Jayne interrupting every five seconds wasn't.

"He wasn't poisoned." Sighed Willets.

For a moment everything stopped, all eyes fastened on the man in the blindfold. Shepherd Book eased himself upright from where he had been leaning against the wall. "I'm curious how you would know that."

He shook his head. "*Wo bu zhidao* but I've seen enough inferi

Comments
Saturday, 19 May 2012 21:31
Concrete lungs sound unpleasant.
Saturday, 19 May 2012 21:49
Just as well it's not contagious, Nutluck! Thanks for commenting, Ali D :~)
"You can't take the sky from me!"
ZZETTA13
Sunday, 20 May 2012 03:25
My gosh Ali, the crew of Serenity seem to be in some pretty solid trouble. As solid as a brick wall, well make that a concrete wall. Whatever is happening to Mal sounds like it’s going to be painful. At least Miss Tam might know of something that will have this not become fatal.
Also looks like the Triads have maybe wiped each other out. Hope Little Lucy can remain undetected. Lot of things still going on. Plenty of intrigue.
Z
Sunday, 20 May 2012 10:25
Yes, all manner of things happening, Zzetta13. In some ways River is the crew's little Guardian Angel, they just don't always understand what she is trying to tell them. And little Lucy isn't the only one needing to keep her head beneath enemy radar. Thanks for the shiny feedback, Ali D :~)
"You can't take the sky from me!"
Sunday, 20 May 2012 15:54
Well, at least he's not bleeding? I can't wait to hear how the 'removal' scenario works out, excellent chapter, as ever, AliD
Sunday, 20 May 2012 17:06
No, he isn't bleeding Malsdoxy! Thanks for the feedback, Ali D :~)
"You can't take the sky from me!"
BYTEMITE
Sunday, 20 May 2012 20:04
Concrete is dangerous for lots of reasons. The lime that gives it the quickset properties is caustic and the reaction with water would increase the temperature and cause burns, so there may well be other damage to the lungs when they get in there as well. And it can also set on fire under certain circumstances.

"Having gained the wind of the French, he came down upon them with violence; and throwing in their faces a great quantity of quick lime, which he purposely carried on board, he so blinded them, that they were disabled from defending themselves."
Sunday, 20 May 2012 20:13
All true Bytemite except this isn't concrete, it just sets like it when wet. Thanks for your most interesting feedback, Ali D :~)
"You can't take the sky from me!"
Monday, 21 May 2012 03:42
I am worried about Mal, because not only is it already bad, but there's potential for worse. I'm glad they were able to figure out what River was talking about this time. I am wondering about the Operative and the tanks with the embryos -- I do not like his better world. You've done a great job of writing creepiness there. And what is Lucy going to do now?
Monday, 21 May 2012 10:24
Mal certainly does seem to be a magnet for trouble of most every kind, lucky he has such a shiny crew. As for the Better World it makes you wonder if the Operatives were brain washed. And little Lucy? More coming up in the next part. Thank you for the shiny feedback, Ali D :~)
BYTEMITE
Monday, 04 June 2012 22:26
Oh yeah, I have to second the Operative. muy creepy!

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