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tamingthemuseTitle: Missing Persons Report
Fandom: Firefly
Prompt: Juxtapose
Warnings: None
Rating: G (so far)
Word Count: 565
Summary: The crew is making new friends and taking new jobs.
Mal walked a few steps behind Norton as they went to the galley. River was beside him, her face freshly washed to get rid of the evidence of her tears. They had a job to plan and there was no time for Simon to get concerned about River’s mental health.
Everyone was still lingering around the table when they entered the room, even though their plates and bowls were empty. Weren’t no such thing as a secret on this boat; they all knew it was time to get to work.
“All right, Mr. Norton,” Mal said. “Tell us what you know about where your boy is being held. I’m guessing we’re headed for a central planet?”
“No, Captain. There’s a reason I demanded we meet on Cadence.”
Mal was pleased to see he wasn’t the only member of the crew looking at Norton in disbelief. He was a little annoyed that Inara was the first to recover.
“Does the placement of an Alliance garrison on Cadence have anything to do with the fact that your son is here, Mr. Norton?”
“Yes and no, Miss Serra,” Norton said.
As usual, River had jumped three steps ahead of them all. “Boy and garrison are here for the same reason. Protecting something.”
“In this case, protecting someone. Cadence is very well-known for their beer…”
“Told them so,” Jayne muttered. Everyone ignored him.
“It’s been said that there must be something in the water that makes it so superior. Blue Sun discovered that the folk wisdom had some truth in it. They’ve sent one of their scientists here to do extensive research on the water and soil. I’m not certain what has them so excited, but it’s important enough to them that they’ve convinced the government to place a garrison here. The scientist, Dr. Leri, has introduced Isaac as her adopted son.”
Mal and Zoe exchanged concerned looks. “It definitely sounds like Isaac is fully trained,” Zoe said slowly. “I don’t think we can count on him running to join us when he sees his father.”
River spoke suddenly, startling everyone. “Mad scientist, lived in the basement with her monsters.”
“Huh. Did you get any of that, Doc? She’s a little too cryptic for me,” Mal said, and Simon shrugged helplessly.
“One of my ‘teachers’,” River said disdainfully. “Not a hydrologist or biogeochemist. Not a doctor. Just an underling, all the dirty jobs. Had ideas, liked to experiment when no one was watching. Broken dolls, hiding in corners.”
“I guess she’s moved up in the world,” Simon said slowly, while Mal was still puzzling though River’s words.
“Or far, far down,” River smiled darkly. “Need more information.”
“Wait. So you’re saying that Dr. Leri isn’t there about the water or the dirt. So what’s she up to, and how does she rate an entire garrison to protect her?”
“That’s the question exactly Captain,” Simon replied.
*****
Mal watched Cadence slowly grow on the view screen as River positioned the ship to enter atmo. The green planet juxtaposed against the Black looked friendly and welcoming.
“I’ve got a real bad feeling about this, River.”
River looked up at him, obviously startled by his words. Her eyes quickly turned thoughtful though. “Too many variables to calculate, Captain.” She paused to press buttons and flip a lever. “Trust your instincts. I do.”
Serenity settled gently into the grass of a quiet hidden valley.
Fandom: Firefly
Prompt: Juxtapose
Warnings: None
Rating: G (so far)
Word Count: 565
Summary: The crew is making new friends and taking new jobs.
Mal walked a few steps behind Norton as they went to the galley. River was beside him, her face freshly washed to get rid of the evidence of her tears. They had a job to plan and there was no time for Simon to get concerned about River’s mental health.
Everyone was still lingering around the table when they entered the room, even though their plates and bowls were empty. Weren’t no such thing as a secret on this boat; they all knew it was time to get to work.
“All right, Mr. Norton,” Mal said. “Tell us what you know about where your boy is being held. I’m guessing we’re headed for a central planet?”
“No, Captain. There’s a reason I demanded we meet on Cadence.”
Mal was pleased to see he wasn’t the only member of the crew looking at Norton in disbelief. He was a little annoyed that Inara was the first to recover.
“Does the placement of an Alliance garrison on Cadence have anything to do with the fact that your son is here, Mr. Norton?”
“Yes and no, Miss Serra,” Norton said.
As usual, River had jumped three steps ahead of them all. “Boy and garrison are here for the same reason. Protecting something.”
“In this case, protecting someone. Cadence is very well-known for their beer…”
“Told them so,” Jayne muttered. Everyone ignored him.
“It’s been said that there must be something in the water that makes it so superior. Blue Sun discovered that the folk wisdom had some truth in it. They’ve sent one of their scientists here to do extensive research on the water and soil. I’m not certain what has them so excited, but it’s important enough to them that they’ve convinced the government to place a garrison here. The scientist, Dr. Leri, has introduced Isaac as her adopted son.”
Mal and Zoe exchanged concerned looks. “It definitely sounds like Isaac is fully trained,” Zoe said slowly. “I don’t think we can count on him running to join us when he sees his father.”
River spoke suddenly, startling everyone. “Mad scientist, lived in the basement with her monsters.”
“Huh. Did you get any of that, Doc? She’s a little too cryptic for me,” Mal said, and Simon shrugged helplessly.
“One of my ‘teachers’,” River said disdainfully. “Not a hydrologist or biogeochemist. Not a doctor. Just an underling, all the dirty jobs. Had ideas, liked to experiment when no one was watching. Broken dolls, hiding in corners.”
“I guess she’s moved up in the world,” Simon said slowly, while Mal was still puzzling though River’s words.
“Or far, far down,” River smiled darkly. “Need more information.”
“Wait. So you’re saying that Dr. Leri isn’t there about the water or the dirt. So what’s she up to, and how does she rate an entire garrison to protect her?”
“That’s the question exactly Captain,” Simon replied.
*****
Mal watched Cadence slowly grow on the view screen as River positioned the ship to enter atmo. The green planet juxtaposed against the Black looked friendly and welcoming.
“I’ve got a real bad feeling about this, River.”
River looked up at him, obviously startled by his words. Her eyes quickly turned thoughtful though. “Too many variables to calculate, Captain.” She paused to press buttons and flip a lever. “Trust your instincts. I do.”
Serenity settled gently into the grass of a quiet hidden valley.
