Author responses to reviews of the eighth chapter of Immortality in the Verse and reviews posted on any and all chapters of Immortality in the Verse since the release of the eighth chapter on either this site, Harry Potter FanFic Archive or Archive of Our Own.
"mareknowakowski":
Harry behaves like he was barely after killing Voldemort. PTSD for 500 years?
Author Response:
Harry behaves like what?
"Prince Sheogorath":
Awesome chapter. I really hope that Harry doesn't go back to serenity after this fiasco, that would be too unreal and I also wanted to ask if Harry saved the house-elves?
Author Response:
Thanks for the review, but I already answered that question, see previous author responses.
"Thundramon":
So River infected Harry with her insanity? His muttering rambling at the end seems to indicate that.
I wonder why the firefly team all come down so hard on Harry so much.
Zoe is pissed with him for what? His close relationship with Wash and his abandonment of Mal
River broke into his mind and invaded his privacy yet they all shot at him?
Inara is trying to manipulate him because he is the only man she can't manipulate?
This is really some sad shit bro! I hope things get better for Harry soon.
Author Response:
River didn't infect Harry with her insanity, he was just extremely shaken by what she did.
Zoë isn't pissed with Harry, it is just hard for her to see Wash be so close with someone that isn't her, she probably really respects Harry for what he did when the others were kidnapped, but Harry obviously has a lot of secrets and Zoë probably would have a hard time trusting Harry because he isn't fully honest.
Can you blame the crew for reacting the way they did, they don't know River is a reader yet. All they knew was that Harry attacked River and Jayne.
Also, Inara isn't trying to manipulate Harry because he is the only man she can't manipulate. It's more like Harry is one of the rare people who challenges her and that makes her more determined to find out what makes Harry tick.
The way you phrased your review does make my story sound like really sad shit, I hope everyone else didn't see it that way but I enjoyed reading your view on it. Thanks for the review.
"Rangle":
So, instead of an aged, wise, immortal being; we get an immature, depressed, and angst filled Harry. It's indeed quite sad but the story plot has to be established!
"Rangle":
Why is it on most western literature authors tend to portray normal human mentality to immortality? This is specially true to main characters that attained immortality. It's like ancient protagonists can not achieve any kind of wisdom after living such a long life. It's like they have to follow the same downtrodden trope over and over. Side characters immortals don't have the same formulaic failings.
Oh well, I have to get that out of my chest. It's sometimes boggles me that I encountered a lot of stupidity and immaturity in immortal ancient protagonists. I'm not talking about power here. I'm mostly talking about their mentality and personality.
Anyway, I've enjoyed your story plot so far. Sorry, if I sound a bit negative in the review.
"Rangle":
Are you going to be like other countless authors that's going to treat the mind rape thing as trivial? I'm not holding my breath here because I have such a low expectation regarding this issue. It seems like most authors don't value the sanctity of the mind. To them privacy of thoughts is just a wily nily concept.
Author Response:
Did you ever think that my protagonist might be a wise and immortal being but chooses to indulge an attitude that reflects more about himself than what he actually projects to the verse.
Harry might act the age that he looks because being who he truly is, more than 500 years old actually isn't a great thing, during his dreams Harry is still affected by things that happened when he was a teenager because it was such a big impact on his life. Maybe Harry acts like a normal person because he actually can't face his immortality. It isn't that he is either immature or wise, my protagonist is more complex than a black or white labelling.
I am happy to reply to people voicing their opinions of things they don't like about my story but the way your review is written is extremely impolite because by the way you criticize the elements of my story, you were criticizing the person who wrote it. You need to reconsider you wording. Frankly, mate, whatever your intention with your review was it just came off as extremely rude.
"cdog21":
I'm seriously bummed that Harry wants River more than Inara. I mean I loved the chapter overall and the history with Harry and Saffron, but I'm still sad about the loss of permanent Hanara.
Also, the citrusy offerings you provided were very hot.
Author Response:
Thanks for the review. Hanara, I like that, I hadn't heard it before.
"noshadowone":
wow harry is such a little bitch, he's acting like a child not the 500 immortal that he is why is he dealing with these people when they will be dead soon. you have shown that he doesn't even care about his own people but all of sudden he is he just rolls over and lets people walk over him. Plus having him still have nightmares about voldemort when he only had to really deal with him for like 1 percent of his life if that is the case than voldemort definitely made harry his bitch since he can still terrorize him from beyond the grave, and that he has these dreams of people blaming him for there deaths he needs to get over it he has hard plenty of time o learn to deal with his problems, if not than he a whiny little loser
Author Response:
The dream showed what Harry felt subconsciously, it doesn't plague him every second of every day. It is just that Harry is at his most vulnerable when asleep and Voldemort and his friends whom he outlived will always affect him.
Also, Harry doesn't act like a child, he acts like Harry, or at least the version of Harry within the story.
"Wolf85":
Great story so far. Here are a few critiques on the story both good and bad.
- I have to admit that the whole master of death thing made me a bit weary going in. I usually avoid super powered/dark Harry stories like the plague because most writers can't pull it off without making Harry too powerful and all knowing. You have given him enough vulnerabilities and flaws to balance it out.
- Some people have complained about the info-dump nature of the first 4 chapters. I will admit to being slightly annoyed by it. That wasn't because i wasn't enjoying what i was reading, but because i knew that the style of writing would change once the Firefly crew entered the story (more dialog and slower pace) and that meant i had to invest an hour of my time reading before i got to see if i was going to like the story.
Looking back on it now i am glad you had those chapter in there. They bridge the gap between the Harry we know and the Harry of your story and they give Harry depth and nuances that would not have come across as sincere had we just started the story with Harry already in the present day time in the Firefly universe.
-One of the few criticisms i will make is that it's kind of annoying that every female he interacts with other than Zoe either wants to bone him or is at least flustered by him. I get that he is wise beyond his years and mysterious, it did take me out of the story a bit.
- I will also say that while the sex stuff isn't gratuitous at this point, i would be cautious about how far you go with it once you get further into the story. While FFN has gotten better about not just deleting stories because they have descriptive sex in them they absolutely will if they feel it's done to a level that brings the story to an NC rating (basically porn with a plot). Like i said, you're not in any danger at the moment. Just something to look out for in the future. Don't want to see a good story like this canned for such a stupid reason.
- I do like the love triangle between Harry, Inara, and River. Please no threesome though.
All in all it's a great story so far and i really hope you see it through to completion. As you have said there are some great Harry Potter/Firefly fics on here that have just been abandoned. Keep writing and i'll keep reading and reviewing.
"Wolf85":
One final bit of praise that i forgot to add. Couldn't put it in Ch 8 so i'll just put it here.
- You've done a really good job incorporating the stories from the show into your story without making them just a written account of the the show only this time with Harry Potter. Very nicely done and i can't wait to see where you take the story once you pass the show/movie up.
Do you plan to go into the plot of the movie or are going to go in a different direction?
Author Response:
Thank you for your review. The critiques you gave me were quite insightful and helpful rather than a half-baked negative review.
About the females in the story, Harry doesn't have sexual tension with all of them, he has female friends that are shown in future chapters, but at this point in the story I can see what you mean.
Thank you for giving me the advice of the sexual nature of the story and how it might get deleted. If I have anything hot and heavy I will post that particular bit on Archive of Our Own or Harry Potter FanFic Archive with a banner telling the readers that if they want to see said part of the story they can go there.
Also the film will play a part in the rest of the story.
"darkdannyb":
Next chapter please, I'm loving this story too any are either two short or get abbandonded please keep going. Are you gonna play on the inara aspect maybe have river go into depression and inara gets a call from the companions and they go to help (like in the episode) only to find harry already their defending them. I'm really enjpying it seems not enough crossovers involve the series i like but you're doing a great job i feel like this story has depth and that you're doing the characters jsutice. I do wish you were faster on update though...(please stop having a life and work on the story 24/7 jokeing) I find myself reading a chapter and eagerly waiting for the next
Author Response:
I guess when you read this chapter it will answer your question about the companion episode.
"eX0dus":
Love this story please continue writing it. Well written, a fare few mistakes but still ok.
Author Response:
Before publishing this chapter I thoroughly reread every chapter and fixed all the mistakes I could see, but I'm sure there are plenty that are still there. Not matter how many times I check, they always slip through.
"Tenza-z":
muy bueno hermano por favor utiliza los continuos favor traductor muy bueno POR
Author Response:
International reader, cool.
Chapter 9
Mal followed by Inara walked swiftly out of the theatre hall, already feeling claustrophobic in the fancy dress he was haphazardly unfastening his wrist cuffs.
"Well?" asked Inara.
"Well what?" responded Mal whose mind was still focused on the epitome of self-importance and grandeur that they had just encountered inside.
"You said you wanted to look him in the eye," said Inara following Mal who walking fast, "You've done that. So what's the plan?"
Mal had started, "The plan is we get back… " but he was interrupted when a passer-by accidently knocked into him.
Inara saw the passer-by reach into Mal's holster and throw his pistol into an alley and then push Mal behind a shadowed building.
The passer-by shoved Mal roughly against the wall and made to speak but Mal got there first, "You've got a lot of nerve letting me see you again."
The passer-by pulled down the hood of a brown beaten leather jacket and said, "I think you best send your companion away now, Captain."
"Harry" whispered Inara shocked to see him here of all places.
"I don't want to have to repeat myself, Captain" said Harry hoarsely.
"And you know that she'll definitely listen to the likes of me" said Mal sarcastically.
Harry turned to Inara and said, "Fine then. Inara, I think its best that you move along now."
Inara looked at Harry defiantly and didn't make to leave. Harry grew angry at Inara's attitude, his hand now resting on his holster, her eyes widened and began to dart between Harry and the Captain.
Withdrawing his pistol Harry said, "The way is see it, you two are on a job, aren't you?"
Neither responded so Harry continued, "Well if you aren't I guess you wouldn't mind if I fired four shots off right here, right now," Harry pointed his pistol into the air threateningly, "If you aren't on a job then I guess your mark isn't going to get spooked."
"Inara, go back to others, I'll get back there fast like" said Mal who couldn't reach any of his weapons in his ridiculous suit.
Inara looked again at Harry and the Captain, but didn't move. Harry cocked his pistol ready to fire and Mal said, "Inara, just go."
Inara turned and moved swiftly from their position behind the building into the main street making her way back to the brothel and the crew.
Nandi stood up with a start when the brothel's door slammed open. Inara came into view, she was breathing heavy like she had been running, but of course her heels showed no signs of damage.
"What happened?" asked Nandi who now wasn't the only one standing, all of her girls and boys had been waiting in the parlour for them to return and were equally curious.
"Where's the Captain?" asked Kaylee noticing the absent member of their party.
"Did Burgess take him?" asked Nandi.
Inara shook her head in the negative but was still unable to speak.
"Well then, we're in the gorram heck is he?" asked Jayne.
"He," puffed Inara, "… took him."
"Who?" asked Book.
"Harry" said Inara.
"I had similar thoughts on the matter myself," said the Captain in a much less threating tone than before, "But from the way it looked."
"I know" said Harry who no longer had his pistol drawn and was conversing with the Captain easily.
"We got a deal?" asked the Captain.
Harry nodded and shook the Captains outstretched hand in agreement.
As the two began the walk back to the brothel, Harry said "That crew of yours aren't going to be happy about it."
"They'll deal and I reckon we're going to need all the people we can get," replied the Captain who was dusting his gun off with the cuff of his suit.
"Harry, as in our Harry?" asked Kaylee confused.
"Yes," said Inara angrily.
"What's he doing all the way out here?" asked Wash.
"Between Harry grabbing Mal and threatening to get us caught I didn't really have the chance to ask," snapped Inara.
"You don't think he'd hurt the Captain, do you?" asked Kaylee to the assembled crew.
"No" said Wash adamantly, "Yes" growled Jayne as he clutched his hand that had long since healed.
"What's goin' on" demanded Nandi.
"Harry," said Kaylee, "he's part of our crew."
"Was part of our crew" insisted Simon.
"Yeah, until he went psycho and attacked me and the moon brained girl," said Jayne.
"That's not what happened" said Wash.
"No, he just tried to kill my sister and set the cargo bay on fire," interjected Simon.
"I told you, Harry wouldn't do that" said Wash.
"Ah-hem" grunted Jayne holding his palm up showing the scar.
"This Harry of yours," asked Nandi, "he got messy black hair, scars and a massive dog."
Before anyone could answer the door opened again and the Captain walked in, Inara was the first react, she began asking him questions rapidly.
"I'm fine, I'm fine" said the Captain.
"Mal," said Wash noticing that Mal was unharmed, "What happened to Harry?"
"I didn't kill him if that's what you're asking," said the Captain.
"Did you get caught?" asked Nandi louder than the rest of the voices.
"No, it weren't like that. I don't reckon he was keen to draw attention to himself either," said the Captain.
"Could've fooled me," scoffed Inara.
"Could be he just didn't want to deal with you," said the Captain nodding towards Inara.
"What is he doing here?" asked the Shepherd.
"Looks like our Mr. Burgess is a popular man," explained the Captain, "Burgess has got himself a shiny piece, a prototype laser pistol, Harry was going to steal it and when he saw Inara and myself he thought we were there for the same reason."
"That does sound like him" admitted Inara.
"So we made a deal," said the Captain, "In exchange for his help tomorrow… "
"No" said Simon, "He isn't getting anywhere close to River again."
"I really don't think it's your choice, doc," said the Captain in an extremely commanding tone, "From the looks of Burgess' gang it ain't going to be no walk in the park tomorrow and god knows we've all seen what Harry is capable of."
Simon, indignant at the Captains proposal said, "Yeah, we know what he's capable of, River especially."
The Captain rounded on Simon, "And what is your sister capable of? We all know that they'd pointed steel before."
The Shepherd interjected, "So Harry says that River attacked him."
"He said as much," said the Captain.
"And you trust him, do you? He wouldn't have run if it had gone down that way" said Simon.
"Why not," said Wash, "he probably knew how it looked and us shooting at him probably didn't help."
"I ain't apologising for shit" grunted Jayne.
"Enough" ordered the Captain, "this ain't a debate, that man out there has a small army and we need everyone we can get, now my feelings for Harry ain't sunshine and roses but we made a deal… "
"What kind of a deal?" asked Nandi fearing that it involved her girls.
"He helps us, and he gets Burgess' precious side arm," said the Captain.
"Hang on, Mal, if that there gun is gorram valuable shouldn't we get it," suggested Jayne.
"That's the deal," said the Captain firmly, "now, Harry's agreed to stay down by the gorge tonight, keep look out and such, and I think he was thinking of some people's feelings on the matter of his being involved," the Captain looked at Jayne, "so he's going to keep his distance."
"Which gorge?" asked Wash.
"West of here, eight-hundred metres or so, Harry's got his hands of a bunch wire charge also, I was thinking that he and the dog could… " said Mal.
"Dog?" asked Nandi.
"Yeah" said the Captain, "so the wire could… "
"Great big mutt size of a mount," asked Nandi crossing her arms.
"Yeah" said the Captain.
"Son of a… " said Nandi as she stormed out the door.
Both the crew and the assembled whores were confused to see Nandi act of she did, they all looked at each other unsure of what to do.
Nandi's voice reach their ears, but they couldn't quite make out the words. Harry stumbled into the brothel having been forcefully pushed in by Nandi who once Harry had regained his footing preceded to slap Harry hard across the face.
"What the hell do you think you're playing at?" said Nandi.
The crew completely in shock at the situation just stared at the two.
"Huh," asked Nandi, "Cat your tongue, boy? You just go and disappear on me and now I hear you're trying to rip off Burgess, you ain't got no business mixing with him."
"Nandi," said Harry, the crew were taken aback by how hoarse Harry's voice was, "I'm here to help you deal with Burgess."
"Don't get smart with me, boy. You come down to my world and you don't even say hello," said Nandi sternly, "And I ain't forgotten that you didn't take what you earned, I ain't so helpless that I need your pity."
When Nandi looked like she was about hit Harry again, Inara grabbed Nandi's wrist and said, "I hate to interrupt your spirited conversation but he isn't going to be of much use if his face is so swollen that he can't see."
"I think that might be a good idea, Nandi, we need everyone to be ready for tomorrow and we can't do that if some of us can't feel their faces," said the Captain.
While most were keen to start preparing for tomorrow, others we're still staring daggers at Harry who was staring at River with equal venom.
Hoping to get back to the point, Mal spoke, "Now Burgess is gonna come, he'll be aiming to kill, kill every last one of you if it comes to that and he'll sleep well that night."
"Rance Burgess is just a man," said Nandi, "and I won't let any man take what's mine."
"That does sound like your kind of stupid," Inara told Mal.
"Oh, hell, he ain't expectin' much of a fight," said Jayne directly to Harry as he stroked his scarred hand, "Might be we catch him with his drawer low."
"You mean Burgess, right?" asked Wash.
"'Course," grunted Jayne still staring at Harry.
"He'll probably ride in by daylight," said Zoë arming her weapon, "But I figure three-point watch, say, four-hour shift just to be on the safe side."
While Zoë was uneasy with Harry being here, she wasn't about to turn down his help, in truth she regretted how she had reacted back on Serenity when she had shot at him. She knew that Harry was a good person and he wouldn't hurt anyone, well anyone innocent anyway, but at the time all she had seen was Harry emerging from his bunk with a blood stained knife leaving a stabbed Jayne and a terrified River behind. Zoë owed Harry a lot, he had gotten her husband back from Niska and then jeopardised his own life for the sake of the Captain and she had repaid him like she had. She wouldn't make the same mistake again.
Wash was smirking at Zoë, he knew that she had spoken up to deflect from Harry and he was grateful, "Yeah, three point, four hour… should do it," said Wash with a half-grin.
"I'm fair handy with a hammer, Captain" said the Shepherd trying to get the meeting back on track and away from Harry's persecution.
"That so, Shepherd" said the Captain.
"Been following the footsteps of a carpenter for some time now," said the Shepherd making everyone smirk, "I think I can do something about our fortifications."
The Captain continued, "Okay, he'll most like try to burn us out, save their sweat and bullets. Nandi, what's the water supply like here?"
Nandi now focused on the task at hand replied, "Underground well. Pump that draws it up is antiquated, but it don't break down."
The Captain nodded and said, "Kaylee, think you can swing an upgrade for their waterworks?"
"I'll take to Serenity, see what she's got we might use," said Kaylee.
"I'll go with her," said Harry anxious to leave the room.
"No you ain't boy," said Nandi, she walked over to the bar and reached behind returning with a rolled compartment of knives which he pushed into Harry's arms, "I don't care how good you are, you know my rule, you ain't old enough to have an old man's face."
Harry felt his face is surprise, when alone for long periods of time little things slipped Harry's notice, he hadn't even thought about shaving since he'd left Serenity, "You best shave the gorram beard off, boy, or so help me god I'll do it myself and I ain't that careful with blades," said Nandi.
Harry nodded, "Wash parlour's upstairs on the left," said Nandi dropping the stern tone she had talked to Harry in before in favour for her usual sweet one.
Wash and Zoë smirked at Harry being ordered around by Nandi but they didn't have time to enjoy Harry's frustration once River said, "It's starting."
"And that it is," said the Captain not quite taking notice to what River had said, "but time is on the enemy's side."
"Dr. Tam" exclaimed the heavily pregnant Petaline.
Flustered the Captain rambled, "Oh, it's starting. Okay, okay, it's starting. All right, yeah. Everybody, relax. Be calm. Nobody panic, everything's gonna be okay. It'll be all right."
"I got this one, Captain" said Simon as he ushered the expecting mother into the makeshift delivery room.
"Thanks," said the Captain still flustered, "Okay. Okay, then. Let's get to work people."
The Captain turned to leave but froze, he turned to look at Harry who gave him a knowing look.
Harry stood in front of a large mirror mixing soap and water in the sink below. He washed one of the more usefully sized blades in the soapy water. Harry heard the floor creak outside the door and placed his hand on his pistol that lay on the sink countertop. Nandi entered the wash parlour, closing the door behind her and placed on a sack of coin on the countertop beside Harry's pistol, he didn't say anything.
"You ain't leaving without it," stated Nandi absolutely.
Harry nodded, but Nandi didn't believe him. She sat down behind Harry on a comfortable looking longue, while a bit perturbed by her remaining presence, Harry didn't say anything.
"If you were here, why didn't you come see me?" asked Nandi.
"I'm sort of busy here, Nandi" said Harry as he held the soapy knife to his face.
Rolling her eyes she continued, "If you needed money, you didn't need to steal from Burgess, I'd… " said Nandi.
Harry cut her off, "I don't need money."
"Then why go after the laser pistol?" asked Nandi.
Harry shrugged, "Fanty and Mingo wanted it."
"You really still hanging around with them," scoffed Nandi, "Amateurs at best."
"They're my friends" said Harry as he washed the knife in the sink and again raised in to his face.
"You don't have friends" said Nandi.
"I have friends" insisted Harry.
"Fine, Harry, I reckon you could count all the people you consider friends on both hands, Fanty and Mingo aren't worth the fingers," said Nandi as she handed Harry a towel for him to wipe the knife on.
"Aren't we friends?" asked Harry.
"Meh" shrugged Nandi making Harry smirk which in turn make her smile.
"They your friends out there?" asked Nandi.
Harry sighed and tried to concentrate on shaving which was harder to do when he couldn't use magic while Nandi was in the wash parlour.
"Wash is my friend" said Harry.
"And the others?" Nandi asked.
"Not anymore, I don't think" said Harry in an unnaturally flat tone.
"Harry," asked Nandi seriously, "Did you attack that girl?"
Harry put down the knife, "Yes" he said.
Nandi and Harry were staring at each other's in the reflections of the mirror, "Did she deserve it?" asked Nandi plainly.
"Yes" said Harry immediately.
Nandi nodded and made to leave the parlour, "I'm sleeping in the gorge, tonight, I can't stay here," said Harry.
"The room is still there if want it," said Nandi sympathetically.
"I'll keep that in mind," responded Harry, but Nandi knew he wouldn't.
Harry heard footsteps up above the ridge of his campsite as he unfurled detonation charge wire. Due to Pup's relaxed attitude Harry didn't take out his pistol.
"So… " said Wash awkwardly.
Harry nodded and threw a coil of wire at Wash, "Unfurl it" said Harry simply.
For a few moments they worked in silence until Wash broke it, "Are we going to talk at all?" he asked.
"About what, Wash?" sighed Harry.
"Oh come on, you know exactly what" said Wash.
"What do you want to know?" asked Harry at little reluctantly.
"What happened that night?" said Wash.
"It's… it's complicated" stammered Harry.
"Really, it's so complicated that you could still tell the Captain" said Wash bitterly.
"It's not that simple" said Harry.
"Bullshit, Harry. I know you and you wouldn't have attacked River, maybe Jayne, but not River," said Wash angrily, "So what happened?"
Harry grunted angrily and dropped his charge wire knowing that he wasn't going to get anything done with Wash around.
"I didn't mean to do it" started Harry.
"So you did attack River" said Wash worriedly.
"Well, yes and no… it's like…" said Harry, but he couldn't quiet find the right words, "see Wash, it's complicated, really complicated."
"No, Harry, it isn't, either you attacked her or she attacked you, it is either ither" said Wash also dropping his charge wire.
"She, she come into my bunk that night and I was asleep," begun Harry, "and she attacked me."
Wash could see in Harry's eyes that he was only telling him a partial truth and was holding back some key elements to the event.
"She attacked you?" asked Wash in a slightly disbelieving tone.
Harry nodded but didn't quiet met Wash's eye, "and, well… I had just sleeping and my heart was racing and I didn't mean to, but I pulled my knife and I was yelling my head off, I guess Jayne must've heard us because next thing I knew I had impaled Jayne and I was running down the catwalk into the cargo bay, you know instinct."
"So it was self-defence?" asked Wash.
Harry shrugged, and Wash continued, "So why did you run?"
"I didn't mean to, like I said it was instinct, but when Zoë fired that warning shot I sort-of, woke up" explained Harry as he absentmindedly kicked the dirt, "and I knew how it looked, Jayne bleeding in my bunk and River scared out of her wits, so I ran."
"That's it?" asked Wash, Harry nodded in response, "That isn't that complicated."
"Yes, it is" Harry insisted.
"It only is if you aren't telling me the whole story, Harry" said Wash.
"That," sighed Harry sitting down against the wall of the gorge, "is what I told the Captain."
Wash looked expectantly at Harry, but Harry didn't continue. Knowing that Harry wasn't going to tell him anything else on the matter, Wash sat down next to Harry.
"So how much are you getting for the pistol" asked Wash trying to break the silence.
"A lot" said Harry simply.
Smiling Wash said, "A lot – a lot or a lot – a lot."
"The former" said Harry also smiling.
Trying to keep the conversation going, Wash asked, "Who's your fence?"
"Nah, I've been contracted to get it for a fee, I don't fence it" said Harry.
Sighing at how he was having to pull every bit of information out of Harry, Wash continued, "Well, then who contracted you?"
"Fanty and Mingo" said Harry.
"Oh yeah, we've done a few jobs for them" said Wash nodding, "how do you know them?"
"We play cards sometimes" said Harry snapping a twig that he picked up from the ground.
"No wonder they've got so much cash then if they are playing against you" joked Wash.
Harry smiling and gave Wash a friendly shove.
"So… " began Harry in the same awkward way that Wash had when he had approached Harry, "How are things on the ship?"
"Fine, nothing to exciting" said Wash.
"Oh, so no kidnapping gangsters or crazy wives of the Captain then?" said Harry.
Smirking Wash replied, "No, nothing like that. Although he did have a dead body come back to life and then died a few hours later, that was a day."
Harry shrugged, "That isn't that interesting I do that every few weeks or so,"
"Oh really, mister interesting what have you been up to then" scoffed Wash.
"Not much" said Harry, "Went on a bit of a bender in Beaumonde, lost a far bit of coin to Fanty and Mingo while there, bought a new ship, destroyed said new ship, met up with some friends on Persephone."
"You don't have friends" said Wash.
"Why does everyone keep saying that, I do have friends, you're my friend," said Harry exasperatedly.
"Okay, you have one friend" said Wash.
"Pup" said Harry.
"Dogs don't count" laughed Wash.
"Nandi then, Nandi is my friend" said Harry.
"Oh really, do all you imaginary friends also slap you across the face?" asked Wash in a fake innocent voice.
"No, well, some do" muttered Harry.
Wash laughed and shoved Harry playfully.
Sighing, Wash asked, "How do you know Nandi, anyway?"
Harry's face darkened, "I, I… worked out of her place a few years back."
"Really," said Wash in a joking tone, "you were one of her boy whores."
"No, no, of course not. I, I… just stayed at her place, didn't have a ship at the time, or maybe I did but I just lost it, I don't remember, so I worked out of her place," said Harry coarsely.
"Why here?" asked Wash curiously.
"I had a bit of a feud with Burgess' father, his son got his taste for fancy toys from his father. Burgess senior was always trying to get his hands on the newest weapons, wanted everything on this world for himself," said Harry, "at first Nandi wanted me to get back some coin that Burgess senior had nicked from one of her girls, which I did, but after that it became I bit like a personal vendetta."
"What happened?" asked Wash.
"Burgess senior died, due to my involvement, which was good, but some good people died also," said Harry, "and for all the good I did, the bad shit came bad in spades. Burgess junior rose up worse than his dad," Harry paused and sighed, "Nandi never blamed me for the bad shit, but it was my fault. In fact if I hadn't gone after his father, we probably wouldn't be here."
"That's quite a tale" said Wash.
"Didn't want to see Nandi now that I'm back here, but that didn't work out to well" said Harry rubbing his face.
"She doesn't seem to hold a grudge on you," said Wash, "The way she acted around you, you'd guess she either be your mother or your lover."
"Neither," said Harry, not wanting Wash to probe too deep into the issue Harry deflected, "Speaking of lovers, has the doc made a move on Kaylee yet."
Smiling Wash answered, "No, not yet. Nowadays I think Kaylee got her eyes on them boy whores."
"They're all vain," said Harry, "She'd do better with the girls, at least they're polite."
"Yeah, don't think Kaylee leans that way," said Wash jokingly, as he stood up and dusted himself off he said, "Okay, let's lay out this charge."
When Harry went to pick up his spool of charge, Wash stopped him, "Before we get this done, two questions."
Harry rolled his eyes but humoured his friend, "Shoot."
"One: How did you set the cargo bay on fire" said Wash.
"Uhhh," stammered Harry, "incendiary grenade."
"Incendiary grenade" stated Wash in a disbelieving voice, "you expect me to believe that you set the whole cargo bay on fire with an incendiary grenade."
"Two incendiary grenades" shrugged Harry, he could feel Fawkes vibrate through the mokeskin pouch against his chest in protest.
"Fine, fine, okay, don't tell me," said Wash while unspooling his wire.
"What was the second question?" asked Harry already regretting asking.
"How many times did you do it with Inara?" asked Wash with a half-smile.
"What?" said Harry once again not meeting Wash's eye.
"You heard me" said Wash.
"What makes you think… " protested Harry, but was cut off by Wash.
"Oh come on, she was cut up when you left and I'm pretty sure something happened during the Lassiter job," said Wash.
Harry didn't reply, "So… " repeated Wash, "How many times?"
"Like a half" said Harry.
"A half, what the hell does that mean?" asked Wash to a retreating Harry who was setting out laying his wire behind him, "A half, that doesn't even make sense," Wash said to himself.
Inara exited the makeshift birthing suite, she needed to catch her breath, she was no doctor, hell she wasn't even a nurse. As Inara leaned against the doorframe of the suite she heard Wash re-enter the house, the fact that he had slipped out an hour ago towards where the Captain had said Harry was staying hadn't gone unnoticed by Inara.
"A half, a half… " muttered Wash to himself as he went up the opposite stairs, not noticing Inara.
Harry being here wasn't doing wonders for Inara's stress levels, if she was honest with herself it could be said that she had missed Harry, but she also had never expected to see Harry again, the verse was a big place, yet she had to run into the same person within a few months.
Inara was curious though, curious about how Nandi knew Harry, no one could deny that they had some sort of history together, but what sort of history. From the tone in which she spoke to Harry it would seem that was a sort of mother figure to Harry, but giving that the last time a women from Harry's past had turned out to be his former lover, as well as the Captain's wife, Inara wasn't sure.
Inara asked Simon if he needed anything, he guessed that it wouldn't be time until closer to morning so Inara could take a rest if she needed it.
She probably should get some sleep before tomorrow, but for now she wanted to speak with Nandi.
Inara knocked softly on her door and entered, "A moment?" asked Inara.
"Is something wrong with the baby?" Nandi asked worriedly.
"No, no, everything's going smoothly, Simon says it will be a few hours yet" said Inara as she sat down of the lounge next to Nandi.
Nandi put away the piece of paper she was writing on and turned to Inara, "Well then, what is it you wanted to talk to me about?" she asked.
"Harry" said Inara.
"Oh, Harry" repeated Nandi nodding.
"How do you know him?" asked Inara, perhaps a little too bluntly.
Receiving only a raised eyebrow from Nandi, Inara said, "I mean what is the nature of your relationship?"
"Inara," sighed Nandi, "There ain't no reason to be speaking so proper all the way out here, ask what you want to ask."
"Fine" said Inara, "Are you and him… "
Nandi smirked seeing how uncomfortable Inara was, but decided take her out of her misery, "No, we ain't never been coupled," said Nandi, "Why're you asking, you and him ain't together are you?"
"No, we aren't" replied Inara, not quite meeting Nandi's eye.
"So you two ain't never… " probed Nandi.
"No," said Inara too quickly for Nandi's liking, "well, no really, not fully anyway."
"Really," said Nandi, "thought it was the companion's duty to do the job right, or has it changed since I studied."
"I wasn't Harry's companion, and it didn't… oh, never mind" said Inara.
"Now, I ain't judging" said Nandi.
"Fine, but you two aren't" said Inara.
"No, when I knew him he was with Kass," said Nandi, when he finished her statement she had a look on her face that showed that she hadn't meant to say what she said.
"Kass?" asked Inara trying to sound only slightly curious.
"Who?" asked Nandi looking angry with herself.
"Kass, you said Harry was with Kass," said Inara.
"Yeah… " said Nandi nervously, "Kass."
"And… " asked Inara.
"Well she and Harry were together back when I knew him, this was about four years back now," said Nandi.
"Harry was recommended by a former client of mine, I needed some stuff to set this place and the like, so I got Harry to get me some solar sheeting, you know we could generate our own power, wouldn't have to pay it in trade with the town," Nandi said pouring herself a drink, "and Harry came through, got the sheeting and didn't play piss about with the cost. So I asked him to do another job, he seemed like the trustworthy sort, again this was back before we were set up good and the like, so we had girls go out on callout, and one of the girls was with Rance Burgess."
"Wait, Rance Burgess" asked Inara confused.
"No, Rance Burgess Senior, yeah well he knew we weren't protected and decided it was fair since we weren't paying him for our power no more that he could just take what he thought we owed him. He stole a fair bit of coin from one of our girls and I asked Harry to get it back," said Nandi as she poured another drink and handed it to Inara, "so Harry goes in, gets the coin and comes back. Something happened then and I don't know what, Harry never said, but when Harry came back he was angry, angry at Burgess. I had offered Harry half of the coin he got back as payment, but he didn't won't it, still doesn't. Harry took it upon himself to wage a one-man war against Burgess, well it was a one-man war until Kass joined him."
"Was Kass a soldier?" asked Inara.
"No, she was one of my girls, like me she trained as a companion even graduated, but decided the life wasn't for her," said Nandi.
"Wait, this Kass was a companion… " asked Inara.
"Former companion, why?" said Nandi.
Inara shrugged, "He always seemed to hate companions, or rather the aspects of companionship."
"I don't know about all that," mused Nandi, "Well, anyhow, Harry and Kass started targeting Burgess Senior, they would ambush his gang and stop his convoys, he called it guerrilla warfare."
"So, what happened" asked Inara.
Nandi took a large gulp of her wine and continued somewhat reluctantly, "Well, one day a girl of mine gets word that Burgess has got himself a new shiny toy, she said that he called it a 'death bomb', not a very inspired man that Burgess, well you see you would launch this thing up into the air and it would release a gas, this gas when settled would kill all who was within its radius within a week or so," Nandi took another large gulp of her wine, "So of course Harry got it into his head that he had to steal it, and Kass insisted on coming along no matter how dangerous Harry said it was."
"Sounds like a brave girl" said Inara.
"Too brave," said Nandi sorrowfully, "So they go in, they get this gas stuff and they are on their way out when Burgess comes across them, so they're corned nothing to do, and Burgess wasn't the kind of man for imprisonment, they were dead. Kass… Kass throws the canister and shoots it, Rance only had a small sample, I guess he was planning to replicate it or something, so Kass shoots it, she thought she was saving her and Harry and damning Burgess. The information they had said it was only enough for a single metre radius, I guess they were wrong. Kass provided the distraction and Harry fought their way out, Rance got sick, but so did Kass, Harry was fine, but Kass had sealed her fate."
Nandi wiped a single tear from her check, "Harry sat with her for five days, didn't sleep, didn't eat, he just sat with her. Harry would never admit it, but he loved her. And what happened, happened," finished Nandi.
The two sat silent for moment, "Is that why Harry left?" asked Inara.
"I think so, but not before he walked straight into town and into Burgess' house," said Nandi.
"He killed him," said Inara.
"No, he already had a death sentence, just like Kass," said Nandi sighing and closing her eyes, "He tortured Burgess for whatever time he had left, some of the girls heard that their regulars said that the screams could be heard all though town, and try as they might Burgess' men couldn't get through the door to his house, guess Harry barricaded it or the like."
"Wow," was all Inara could muster.
"We couldn't bury her, the virus and all, had to burn the body," said Nandi, "He left no long after, cleared out his and Kass' room and left before morning, that being said he still left his payment behind."
"And you never saw him again?" asked Inara.
"I tried to wave him a couple of times, but I didn't know where he was or his ship, I called around some of his contacts," answered Nandi, "some had seen him, most hadn't. He did send me a package though, about a year after it all happened. He sent some coin and a few photographs, he was always playing with that damn camera."
Nandi stood up and started looking in her desk draws, "You know I think it's around here somewhere," she said, "He sent me a photograph that he had taken of Kass, said he thought I should have it."
Nandi gave up looking and sat back down next to Inara who looked a little dumbstruck at the story.
Inara downed the last of her drink, "He never mentioned her."
"Don't think he even lets himself dream about her," said Nandi, "he acts all tough, but he really loved her."
"I've… " started Inara as she made her way to the door, "I've got to go… I've got to go get some sleep, it won't help if I'm half asleep delivering a baby".
Nandi nodded and packed away the bottle and glasses, she looked at the clock, it was about half an hour before Mal wanted to talk to her about the plan tomorrow. When Nandi turned back around all she saw was the swish of Inara's skirt as she retreated out of the room.
"Well, yeah, why… why wouldn't you be?" stammered the Captain awkwardly.
"I wouldn't say I'm entirely okay," said Inara in response, "I'm a little appalled at her taste."
The morning had bought with it a clear sky, one could wonder if that was a good or a bad sign. As Inara brushed past the Captain in the hall she shielded her eyes from his gaze, not wanting for him to see her cry.
Inara all but ran across the dune towards the gorge, it was wonder she could see where she was going as she was rapidly blinking the tears out of her eyes.
Harry was kicking dirt over the detonation cord when he heard her coming, Inara was barrelling towards Harry at an alarming rate. Harry turned towards her a little uncertain of her motive, but when she got within reach she launched herself at Harry, she began kissing him hurriedly, Harry tried to speak as she attacked his jaw but was stopped when she started to unbuckle his belt.
"Hey, hey, Inara, stop, stop" said Harry trying to back away from Inara who would advance whenever he stepped away.
"What" said Inara confidently, but the effect was diminished by the obvious streaks of tears.
"What's going on?" asked Harry taking the opportunity to redo his belt.
"Nothing, just making up for lost time," said Inara as she made to embrace him again.
"Inara, this isn't passion, this is hurt and pain" said Harry, "what's going on?"
Inara looked scared at how precise his deduction was.
"So,… " faltered Inara, "so, what if it is."
Harry shook his head at the ground not meeting her eye, "I think you should go inside, the doc will probably need you soon."
Harry look up expecting her to be walking back to the brothel but was greeted by a hard slap to the face.
"So what, I'm not good enough for you is it, I'm not Dani, or River" said Inara slightly hysterically, "or Kass."
Hearing that name Harry's head shot up, all traces of pity and sympathy for Inara disappeared, they were replaced by rage. Harry was scaring Inara, she was slowly backing away from him.
"You don't ever say that name again, you don't even think it" growled Harry, "I don't give a damn why you're upset, for all I care you can go get spaced," Harry pointed towards the brothel, "You see that house up there Inara, you can go piss off up there for the rest of the job."
"Do I make myself clear, Inara?" growled Harry, Inara didn't nod or respond verbally in the affirmative, she turned and quickly made her way up the hill and away of the man who was currently the embodiment of rage.
Harry could hear the whooping and cheering of Rance Burgess Junior and his gang long before they came over the ridge. It wasn't long before the sound of machine gun fire ringed throughout the dune. Luckily Jayne managed to fire a shot off at the turretman and disable their literal 'big gun'. Once the men had galloped or in Burgess' case hovered past Harry's position, he started opening fire on their turned backs. Harry could see that Burgess was nearing the brothel and the crew were about to be overwhelmed.
"Wash" yelled the Captain over the coms, "where the hell is my spaceship?"
"We're pinned down, Captain" shouted Wash, "Burgess' men are in the ship."
"How many?" Harry asked.
"'Bout half dozen" shouted Wash.
"Block your ears, Captain" shouted Harry as he flipped the switch in his hand.
Boom, boom, boom, boom. Four consecutive explosions bought with them the yells and screams of about half a Burgess' men.
"Hold on, Wash" shouted Harry as he kicked his bike into gear, "coming to you."
As Harry sped from his position across the dune towards Serenity he could see through the clearing smoke and dust that unfortunately Burgess hadn't perished in his explosion, the distinctive usage of the laser pistol proved that. Harry hastily drove his bike up Serenity's ramp followed by Pup who bounded up the stairs and down the catwalk.
Running into the kitchen Harry could see that Pup had already taken down one of Burgess' men and was working on the second. Harry fired upon the third as he heard the unmistakable sound of a man's jugular being torn out.
Kaylee opened the door and looked disturbed, yet relived that their attackers were no more, Harry guessed that her and Wash must've already dealt with the other men.
"Should we get her flying?" asked Kaylee uncertainly.
"Think we've past that point," said Wash entering the bloody kitchen.
Kaylee, Wash and Harry ran out of the kitchen, eager to re-enter the fight. As they neared the cargo bay entrance they could see that Burgess in his hovercraft was doing a runner.
As Kaylee saw Harry flick his wrist and withdraw his hunting knife, Wash said, "I think he has it handled," nodding at the Captain who was pursing Burgess on horseback.
Wash and Kaylee seemed quite content as the three walked back to the brothel, that was until they saw the absent member of the gathering outside the brothel. Jayne was standing over two tied men while the Captain and Inara threw Burgess to the ground as he yelled for the mother of his child.
Harry feverishly searched the assembled crowd for her.
"Where's Nandi?" Harry asked already knowing the answer.
Burgess spat on the ground, "That whore got what was comin' to her."
Quicker than anyone could speak Harry drew his pistol and killed the two captured men.
As Harry entered Burgess' eyeline, he said, "You, you're the one who butchered my father," Burgess let out a sickening laughter, "and all for that whore of yours, yeah my father told me before you murdered him, he told me how you carried her out of the house," Burgess spat blood out of his mouth onto Harry's boots, "I guess it's a noble thing to go to war for, a nice tight whor… "
Burgess didn't get to finish his insult as Harry plunged his hunting knife into Burgess' throat and sliced through the bone and muscle, as Burgess fell to the ground, Harry snatched the laser pistol out of the Captain's grip and fire six precise bolts off hitting each of Burgess' men that remained. The seventh shot hit the traitorous Chari in the gut.
"Now what's that saying 'bout apples falling from trees" said Harry maliciously as he spat on the dead Burgess at his feet.
Harry stormed off inside leaving eight dead men, a dying women and the crumple form of Rance Burgess Junior lying partially decapitated behind on the dune floor.
It wasn't an hour later that they all stood in silence as each of Nandi's girls and boys threw an othering into the grave or in Harry's case, a small pouch of coins.
After the service the crew immediately prepared Serenity for atmo, they obviously didn't want to stay a minute longer to endure what they saw as a failure.
Wash approached Harry as he fastened the clips on his saddle bags to his bike, withdrawing on object from his pocket Harry made to put in the bag.
"What is that?" asked Wash quietly, he had noticed the object.
Harry handed a photograph to Wash as he bent down to redo his boot laces, although they were already fine as they were.
The photograph that Wash was looking at had captured a moment in which a beautiful blonde woman was playfully wrestling with a large dog on a picnic blanket. At a second glance Wash noticed the dog was the one standing beside him.
After a few moments Harry climbed on his bike, he stretched out his hand to Wash. Forgoing the handshake Wash gave Harry a brotherly hug.
"Who is she?" Wash asked withdrawing from the hug and handing the photograph back to Harry.
"Someone special" said Harry as he kicked the bike into gear and sped away.
