THE REFLECTION SERIES: 24. "Waking Nightmares"
Saturday, December 11, 2004
"*Shi* discovers exactly what happened to Chung-li. The Captain tells Rafe about his friend. Everyone wants to go back to rescue those left behind."
CATEGORY: FICTION TIMES READ: 3944 RATING: 9.0 (G) SERIES: FIREFLY
TITLE: "WAKING NIGHTMARES"
AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL
FANDOM: "FIREFLY"
PAIRING: No specific pairing
RATING: PG-13
STATUS: SEQUEL to "SLEEPING PASSIONS"
ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.
FEEDBACK: Welcomed.
EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com
WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html
SUMMARY: "*Shi* discovers exactly what happened to
Chung-li. The Captain tells Rafe about his friend. Everyone
wants to go back to rescue those left behind."
The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'
are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.
No infringement of copyright is intended.
"WAKING NIGHTMARES"
A "Firefly" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL
* * * * *
Horror upon horror assailed the stunted pain of a breath held too long. Frozen in place it took precious moments for his limbs to remember how to function. Reavers! He could not believe he was face to face with the darkest nightmares that ever lived and breathed. No matter that until that moment he had believed them to be no more than the twisted figments of an overactive imagination.
The creature opened its' ragged bloody maw and bellowed something incomprehensible at him. *Shi* shuddered and carefully took a slow step back, mindful of the bloody fragments of flesh and bone making the deck slippery beneath his feet. The reaver did not immediately follow and for one wonderful, glorious moment of relief, he thought it was going to let him go. Perhaps it had eaten enough, was sated and not interested in desert? Then the clamour of others closing in told their own sickening story. The reaver had not been trying to communicate. At least not with him. It had been calling the others to come and feed.
* * * * *
It was dark, shadowy and pretty near invisible not just to sensors but to the naked eye. It moved when they moved. A shadow among the unbroken shadows of the Black. Patient it waited, uncaring of the pa
What's happened to Jaimie?? Will Rafe be OK Who killed Michael??
More! More!
Creepy intro, imaginantive yet consistent "fleshing" out of our characters, heroic existentialist cliffhanger: what an arsenal! Bring it on!
Couple of bits I especially liked -
"But even that fantasy was not really what he wanted. Not any more. He couldn't put the genie back in the bottle, couldn't pretend he didn't know." - Because for me that's a major theme in Firefly.
And this:
" Even though he acted hard and uncaring the mercenary did not like the look of the Captain. "Look like you'll collapse the moment I let go."
"Then don't let go.""
had me all choked up. Such a simple way of expressing the characters' mutual need of each other. Lovely.
And finally - Jayne. Again. I love your Jayne. One minute all gung-ho and the next "I ain't going nowhere near Reavers."
I'm behind on both reading and commenting--sorry. This chapter was wonderful, leapt out for the very well done character portrayals and interactions, as well as the action progression (and my sense of relief that the captain is finally being medically tended!). The captain, River, and Simon--very good. The captain and Jayne--excellent!
I can't wait for more!!
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