Blue Sun Room FICTION - GENERAL

The Fish Job: Chapter 8

Friday, January 20, 2006

The remaining crew finds a new job and Mal finds an old problem

CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 4482    RATING: 9.0 (PG)    SERIES: FIREFLY

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Mal sat alone on the bridge, watching the landscape pass below Serenity as she followed the course he’d set toward Morristown. The leave-taking had been mercifully short: a passel of Wash’s family to carry off the baggage, then three handshakes and Mal was out a preacher, a pilot, and whatever the hell Zoe could be called. He had just shaken hands with Zoe, like she was some business partner. What could he do? How else could he say goodbye to Zoe?

It was a relief to have a plan, something to focus on. Keep flying, get money to buy fuel and food. Keep the Tams away from the feds. Keep Kaylee here. Mal shook his head as he realized it was even important to keep Jayne. He had no one else left.

He was grateful that Wash had found him a local contact. All these domestic troubles had gotten his mind off the mess he’d got caught up in on Oeneus. Until he figured out what exactly had happened there, it was best to keep his distance from that part of the sky. Best to stay away from New Melbourne, too. Likely there were folk there who were wantin’ to have some words with him.

A voice broke the silence. “Don’t worry, she’ll never really leave you.”

He turned the chair away from the windows. “River, don’t sneak up like that.”

“She’s got it all worked out, how to get you. Does your head still hurt?”

“Don’t you know?”

River studied his face with unsettling intensity. “I do.” She reached out to touch his cheek but he tipped his head away from her. She dropped her hand. “I’ll tell them to hurry. I’m sorry I can’t help more.”

“I don’t need your help, crazy girl.”

River gave him a sad look, then her eyes unfocused. She started humming an indistinct tune and turned to wonder off the bridge, her left hand trailing along the bulkhead. Mal smiled bitterly. His ship now had a backstabbing mercenary, a moody doctor, and a

Comments
Friday, 20 January 2006 13:30
Chapter 9 this afternoon.

And I’m tellin’ you now: buckle up kiddies.
ANONYMOUS
Friday, 20 January 2006 14:26
I have a scenario all speculated out. I can't say it, 'cause that would be mean. Good bit of writing, though.
Friday, 20 January 2006 14:43
This is Freaking Incredible Mal!!
*I bow to your superior greatness and seniority
Friday, 20 January 2006 15:02
Guh!
I am out of words. Know that you have me held hostage, and the rest of my little world can tumble down around my ears, long as I've got more of your story to read.
Wow.
ANONYMOUS
Friday, 20 January 2006 15:15
"Well, my ship’s got a peckin’ order and I am the head… pecker" That made me laugh my ass off!!! You are so evil!! Poor Mal!! I love it!!
ANONYMOUS
Friday, 20 January 2006 15:28
Thank you thank you thank you - I was wondering how I was going to get through this Friday and there was Chapter 8 waiting for me! Great job - this story is great! You will get Mal's brain back, won't you?
Friday, 20 January 2006 15:31
anonymous #1 - either way, you have to share your scenario when it's safe to do it - I wanna know!
Friday, 20 January 2006 16:05
Too bad Mal can't stop and think about what's happening to him. Doubly too bad River can't be just a wee bit more specific. And I should have mentioned earlier - Loved the Kaylee/River makeup thing.
ANONYMOUS
Friday, 20 January 2006 18:01
OK, that's about all the confusing I can handle. Tell me things start to clear themselves up - for the reader, at least - in the next chapter. Please?

Jayne's whinging was beautifully in character, and Zoe and Wash's leaving was beautifully not. I hope River gets Zoe to hurry a little bit faster!
Friday, 20 January 2006 19:03
Ooooo! Wow! More is already up! Woo!
Friday, 20 January 2006 19:27
Oh, good gorram, this is so brilliant and painfully good. My heart goes out to Mal and I am on the verge of panic as to whether any of his friends can get to him before the gorram Alliance completely his painful descent into insanity. Even worse, I am dreading why they are doing this to him and what they expect to gain. Chilling, kudos for a terrific story. Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me
ANONYMOUS
Friday, 20 January 2006 21:00
Fantastic. You write so much faster than I'm able to read. Really... I am so impressed with your work.

I am enthralled. Keep it up.

Rinny
Friday, 20 January 2006 22:01
artships,

I have theories re both of those issues (Mal thinking and River being clear) - besides the whole 'that would ruin the plot' thing.

It's not explicitly stated in the story (meaning the story so far posted as well as the story to come - the whole thing is pretty much written already) but when it's all posted I could justify myself a bit. If you're really interested...

m4p
Saturday, 21 January 2006 13:07
Don't have time to write much, must read chapter 9. But ouch? Poor Mal, hope its all resolved soon.
Wednesday, 01 February 2006 06:13
Ok, this could have come straight from JOss:

“Jayne, you got any idea what a peckin’ order is?”

“Yeah.”

“Well, my ship’s got a peckin’ order and I am the head… pecker."

Great moment!
Wednesday, 12 July 2006 14:39
*Jayne had a pair of guns out, just in case anyone else in the place had a problem with coat colors. Good that one of them was keeping their wits – but scary that it was Jayne.*
I loved this description.

Alright, time for the crew to come to the rescue. Gotta get Mal out of whatever he has gotten into.

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