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A/N 1 ...Please read all the beginning notes and disclaimers at the beginning of chapter one, if you have not already done so, before proceeding.
A/N 2…. Sorry it took so long, but believe it or not, it took over a week in my travels to be able to shut down long enough in an area with reliable enough internet access to even be able to post this. That portable satellite system turned to be trash, so it's back to hunting for Wi-Fi sites that work. To make matters worse I'm working with that god-awful "windows 8" on this new laptop, where you need to be online to even use the spell-check and dictionary features. Even though all the chapters to the current episode have been finished for some time, I still like to go over them one last time before posting then. Oh well, finally…..
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Chapter 25
War Crimes (Part 9)
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The conflict had been short. The majority of the rebels, outside Serenity, had detected the approach of Cariss and his troops early enough to "melt into" the surrounding hills and escape. Some however had not been as fortunate and had either been brutally mowed down or captured, by the vastly superior trained and equipped soldiers, before the approaching forces had even reached Serenity.
Cariss vaulted from the lead skiff as it came to an abrupt halt, in a choking cloud of dust and stormed toward Mal and company with tightly clenched fists and a look of total rage written across his face. A company of soldiers, "dressed to kill," quickly disembarked from another skiff and double-timed it to catch up with their boss, as they approached Serenity.
A very tenuous truce had been called, as Mal, Jayne, Zoe and Wash stood defiantly at the cargo ramp's base with drawn weapons, facing and sorely outnumbered by the invaders, as Cariss, livid with rage approached and shrieked out…
"Captain Reynolds! what in the Fú de húndàn er zi is the meaning of this!?... Portioning out our grain to these... scum? I thought we had a deal!"…..
Before Mal could react, emboldened by the presence of Serenity's crew, Aines and about a dozen or more of her closer followers emerged from out of the ship. Placing themselves between Serenity's crew and Cariss's troops, she boldly addressed him...
"Patrician Cariss. Now that we have allies, we speak on equal terms."
Mal gave her a "look" as Cariss, ignoring her, came back impatiently at Mal...
"Captain Reynolds, I have conducted myself as a gentleman up to this point, but now it's time to finally put an end this comedy."
"Ya, an' I ain't laughing, Cariss."... Mal retorted... "That "unpleasantness" weren't ever over and you knew it."
"We have coin and a deal, Captain."... Cariss snapped... "If you want to break it to pander to this... rabble, you won't get paid; simple enough. Besides, we could storm your ship and take it by force, if I so decided."... He appended, while looking around to his troops... "I believe I've been quite tolerant of your antics, Captain."
"You could try."... Jayne muttered, while chewing on a cigar and raising his weapon.
"Rabble!?"... Aines exclaimed, while waving her staff at Cariss... "You wouldn't have a colony without us! You starve us, beat us, and we're the villains?"
"Uh, believe I seen some rich folk strung up in town. Fair certain they didn't do it themselves."... Mal pointed out.
Aines looked down to the ground, guiltily, as a slight smirk came over the faces of many of her followers, accompanied by many scowls from the opposing troops. A near electrical charge, crackled through the air and Zoe sided up by Mal, quietly warning...
"Sir, this could turn real ugly real fast."
To ease the growing tensions, Cariss stepped forward with his hands raised over his head. In a display of his "good intentions," he faced the rebels and announced ...
"Please; may I have your attention, For all those who agree to peacefully lay down their arms and return to work, there is food waiting back in town; all crimes will be pardoned."
"Sir, you know that ain't true." Zoe whispered to Mal.
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In the austere but comforting surroundings of Serenity's infirmary, in the cool soft light, Simon went about preparing River's medications.
He had been fearful that this might happen now for some time. With his sister voluntarily sequestered away in shuttle number two, since Fiddler's Green, she had not had any of her medications for nearly a month. Aside from her increasing taciturn and recalcitrant behavior, River had not had a serious "episode," since that time and he had fallen into the trap of thinking that perhaps they might not be as essential to her stability, as he had originally believed. Today's incident, however, had shown him the fallacy of that school of thought.
He should have gone to the Captain and demanded he override the shuttle's locks and extracted her for proper care. However, with the Captain's basic intractable nature, that probably would have been utterly pointless. Also, with his recent passion for descending to a Captain Bligh like personage, it was also most clear that to expect him to see any sort of reason in the future, concerning River's wellbeing, would be folly at best.
While at the time it was probably necessary, he cursed himself for being so preoccupied with helping defend Serenity, from what seemed at the time to be a potential danger, emblematic of their normal operations, that he hadn't even noticed her slip into harm's way. Then, after it had been shown that their fears were unwarranted, had been lulled, by all people, that simple minded Jayne Cobb, to entertain the possibility that he was actually trying to make the impossible transformation, from a troglodyte to an actual fully developed human being.
As he examined here in the infirmary, he was relieved to see that there were no signs that Jayne had actually struck her. Still, there was not a doubt in his mind that he had somehow been the catalyst, that sent her into this newest trauma. If not for the possible consequences of the act, he was finding himself wishing that she could have been more successful, with her butcher knife attack, back at Ariel.
Fortunately, Book had replaced Jayne as an assistant for handling River, so the latter could return to duties more befitting his life's calling and other than a very fey glimmer in her eyes, she was, for the moment anyway, relatively calm and collected. Unlike Jayne, the old man seemed to have a calming effect on her. She had violently resisted any and all attempts by Simon to administer her meds, or any smoothers. He was hoping, that with the Sheppard's calming presence, she would remain in a more placid state, until he could persuade her to submit to the administration of the drugs.
Book was a powerful man and he could easily restrain her, long enough for Simon to give the required injections, but unless it was absolutely necessary, he would prefer not to have to resort to such methods. In her delicate mental and emotional state he felt that it might even be more damaging, not to mention the possible ramifications on their already deteriorating relationship.
During the previous year, Simon had consorted with common criminals, held men at gunpoint, even shot at a few and had actually planned and masterminded a major felonious undertaking, back at Ariel. The worst part was that he felt absolutely no regret or remorse for those acts and knew that he would be capable of repeating them in the future, without a second thought. Two years ago, he would have looked at the person he was fast becoming with total disgust.
Even if River had been completely sane; even with her phenomenal intellect, at such a young and innocent age, what would be the result of constant exposure to this sort of influence? Even if she could fully recover from the damage done to her, what would she become? Would she strive to become a renowned physicist, perhaps, making cutting edge scientific discoveries to advance and improve the state of human civilization?... Would she publish groundbreaking theories in scientific journals? Or would she simply apply her abilities to perfecting the fine art of cracking safes and robbing banks?
And what of her basic moral fiber? Why he tried not to think of it and forgave her for it, he knew that Kaylee, River's good friend, had a "past" and was hardly an angel, in that respect. He had great respect for the Companion's Guild and their standing in society and found Inara to be perhaps the easiest person to relate to, of all the crew. He trusted her implicitly with River's care, should the situation require it, but hardly looked at her as a proper "role model" for his impressionable sister. And then there was Jayne Cobb, whom she seemed to have a strange affinity for. He dared not even think of the possible influence he might be having on her.
The idea that they should be looking into finding a new home was becoming more deeply entrenched in his mind, with each passing day.
He would definitely be getting in touch with Mr. Vasilyevich, at his earliest possible opportunity, but currently there were far too many unknowns concerning Ithica.
Perhaps Bernabe's little mining camp on Haven could be a viable alternative. It would hardly be his first choice, as the medical facilities there were scantly better than what he already had, if even as good and under those conditions, it was highly doubtful that he could do any more for River, than he could right here on Serenity. There was a definite shortage of eligible young ladies and an overabundance of rowdy unattached young miners; hardly the best environment for his sister. He would have to be keeping constant tabs on her, but that was nothing new; at least Jayne wouldn't be there. He also knew, by past experience, that it was far from completely safe, but as Wash would put it, at least it wasn't death defying on a daily basis.
On the plus side, while the people were a bit on the "rough-cut" side, Bernabe, their unofficial leader, while he was always willing to give somebody a chance, regardless of their background, ran a pretty "tight ship" and they were all basically decent honest folk. He also had no love for the Alliance whatsoever and would be quite supportive of his desire to stay under their radar. They were in need of a real doctor and River always seemed to enjoy herself there.
It was also one of Serenity's regular ports of call, so she would be able to see her friends from time to time. It could serve as a "stepping stone" to wean her away from Serenity, while he did his homework on Ithica. The people there were also Kaylee's friends and she might be more willing to settle there. That possibility, he knew, was remote at best, however. Separation from her was a bitter pill he would have to swallow in any scenario, but he didn't run off from and abandon his life in the Core, to meet the love of his life. Keeping River safe had to come first; that's the only reason he was even out here, in the first place.
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In the hot dusty air, out in front of Serenity, the situation had defused slightly. Mal looked contemplatively at Cariss then Aines. He turned and inquired, skeptically, of Cariss...
"So, you ain't gonna execute these folk, they go back nice an' peaceable-like?"
"You lettin' him have us!?"... Aines exclaimed, incredulously... "You know what he'll do!"
"We need them for labor. They will not be harmed."... Cariss avowed and added, indignantly...
"I am not a murderer."
"Ha!"... Aines spat back contemptuously, then gave Mal a derisive glance.
Mal reacted to Cariss's final self-righteous statement. His gun started to rise threateningly, as he narrowed his eyes into a cold piercing stare and muttered in an even low tone...
"Could be some Browncoats might say different, if they could still talk."
Cariss was taken aback with a slightly stricken look; he was not expecting that to be brought up. Quickly recovering, he stated arrogantly...
"That was wartime, Captain. I did what was necessary; I was just following orders.".
"Orders, right... That's what every Zuì'è de bēibi xiao rén has hid behind for thirty centuries."... Mal countered venomously.
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With River now sleeping peaceful on the exam table, Simon and Book conversed quietly, just outside the infirmary...
"...no son, I'm sure you'd be welcome there. Haven could use a talented young doctor, but have you considered your sister?... how do you think she'd feel about it?"
"Well"... Simon began, rubbing the back of his neck... "She loves it here and considers it her home. She's made friends and I think it's done wonders for her, but I really think it would be best to move on. She'll miss them; it will take time, but I'm sure she'll be able to adjust and make new friends."
"Yes, young River does seem to have a propensity for that; she can be somewhat...companionable, when she wants to"... Book agreed with a reserved grin. A curious look came over him and he queried...
"Back on Osiris, I take it she had many friends?"
"Well actually no."... Simon admitted; with a far away, longing look, he explained...
"Aside from me, she really never had any friends. She was always quite outspoken, but was too involved with her studies, dancing and gymnastics to bother with a social life. Here on Serenity, especially in the last three months, is the only time that she's ever seemed to care, about having friends."
"Oh?"... Book queried, with a questioning look.
"No, none at all."...Simon reiterated, with a slight shrug.
After a moment, he rubbed the back of his neck, thoughtfully and amended...
"Well there was one, an older kid from a neighboring estate, but it didn't last long. There were... problems and he had to relocate."
"Really."... Book replied, with mounting interest and inquired with a slight look of concern...
"So, did you know this young man."
"No, not really"... Simon replied, wondering why the Sheppard seemed so interested... "I only actually saw him once; Howard Camberson, but that was his adopted name. River referred to him as 'Heirthur'…or 'Hairthur,' perhaps it was. She claimed it was from some old forgotten language that was only spoken in a few obscure places in the Himinbjorg System; I'm not sure if I'm pronouncing it right, or what his actual last name was. He was an orphan that our neighbors, the Cambersons, had adopted and was from somewhere out there. That's about all I really knew about him. River never really said much, but she was a little upset when she learned that he had left."
"I see."... Book intoned, with a serious look.
Suddenly curious himself, Simon inquired...
"Sheppard, is there a reason you need to know this? That was a long time ago."
"Oh, it's nothing son; I was just curious."... He replied reassuringly ... "I'm sure River will do just fine at Haven."... He added while giving him a clap on the shoulder...
"But I think you should consider this too."... He concluded pointedly... "It would seem to me that she doesn't bond with a lot of people, but the ones that she does may be a little more important to her than you might think. I'm sure she would be more than willing to go, if she thinks that's what you want, but how will it affect her in the long run?"
Book let that thought hang in the air, as Simon considered it. He was right; River had felt guilty enough about him giving up a life that he loved back on Osiris, on her account. Even though they hadn't been getting along all that well lately, she would leave Serenity, give up the home that she loved, so as not to hold him back, without any argument, if she thought that's what he wanted. Book was also right about how she felt about the few friends that she ever had. She had actually been very upset about the Camberson kid and from what little they had talked about it since then, even though she never showed it, he knew that it still weighed heavily on her mind.
Five minutes ago it had all been so plain to him what he needed to do; now he wasn't so sure. At least now maybe he wouldn't have to face the probability of never seeing Kaylee again and for that he felt a tremendous relief, like a dark cloud being lifted from his head.
On the exam table, a little smile crossed River's lips, as she pretended to sleep. She loved it when a plan came together.
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