Chapter 24
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Mal remarked as the Serenity came into his view as Inara's shuttle after burned from the atmosphere an streaked towards their home with Jayne falling up on the rear. The docking was made in silence with the occasional docking instructions from Wash. But otherwise, thoughts filled Mal's mind as he held the data disk that contained the information of their commission and the data from River's experiments. But what he concentrated the most on, was his last conversation with General Eisen. "I'm not going to fight your war," Mal remarked as he was still standing in the General's office. "Not now you will, but when the time comes you will." "Are you so sure?" "I fought along side you during the War, Captain. You see a man's true spirit in the battle field. I saw deep into your spirit. And what I see, is that you have the heart of a warrior. You're a natural born leader. You don't possess the soul of a privateer. It's the warrior that you were born for." "Coming in for dock," Mal said as he positioned his shuttle to the docking bay and set her down with ease and a slight jolt from contact. "Good to have you back, sir," Zoe said over the comm. Mal imagining a wide smile from his first mate as he powered the shuttle down and disembarked. For the first time in three hours Mal stepped foot on the Serenity. It had felt as if he had been gone for days. "Welcome back," Inara said with a gracious and beautiful smile. "Good to be back," Mal responded as Zoe entered the catwalk just as on the other side of the bay Jane was emerging from his shuttle. "Status report?" "Systems nominal," Zoe announced. "How'd it go?" Jayne arrived silently. "Thanks for the welcome home, folks," he muttered. "Where's Book?" Mal asked his question directed to Zoe. "Last I saw he was asleep in his cabin. Why?" "Zoe, gather everyone quietly into the kitchen," "Sir, what is this about?" "It's time for some unanswered questions," Mal said as he walked alone towards the direction of the passenger dorm. A task and responsibility that had been destined for him since that day the Alliance cruiser cared for Shepherd after he flashed them his id card.
Shepherd's room was fashioned like all the other passenger cabins. A slide door with a single bed and a table off on the side. The bare essentials. And there Shepherd was laying asleep on his bed as Mal approached his bed side and pulled Precious from her holster. He pulled the hammer back and his weapon was chambered and ready. The sound of the chambering weapon made Book jump startled to see in disorientation that Mal was aiming a weapons at him. "Am I dreaming?" Book inquired as he rubbed the matter from his eyes trying to get a better focus on Mal. "Time for some answers, Book." "So, I see," Book nodded slowly as he moved from his bed and placed his clothes on. Five minutes later their long over due conversation began. Shepherd sat down as Mal stood over him with his sidearm holstered. His arms crossed, waiting. "As I'm sure you know these past years we've known one another, that I haven't always been a Shepherd." "Thought's crossed my mind." "I was raised on a settlement world by my mother and father. But when a rare disease wiped the settlement out, and only I survived, I worked my way to the Core. Taking whatever jobs that I could. Saving every little bit I could. "My life seemed hopeless. I didn't want to live the life I was given. It wasn't as if I asked to be born. Every night I struggled with the impulse of just ending everything. But an angel came into my life, Sophia. As soon as she entered my life, my life turned around. Things were going good." Tears began to swell in Book's eyes. He took deep calming breaths. "Until she too was taken from me. She was killed by a gang of thugs. But not before they killed her, they each raped her. And I swear to this day I wished I could kill them," Shepherd said revealing the inner demon that everyone had. "My life had no direction, so I joined the Alliance military. This was seven years before the War. I rose through the ranks and made it to captain. By time the War broke out, I was in Alliance Intelligence. Alliance would drop us behind enemy lines, and we'd gathered intelligence and send it back to operations. "What do you know of General Richard Wells?" "Supreme commander of the Alliance forces on Hera," Mal answered. "You Independents put up a damned good fight," Book announced. "Your tactics were bordering the thin red line of brilliance and desperation. You kept the Alliance at bay for nearly two months. But, after watching you for those months, we saw a flaw in your strategy and formation." "You, were on Hera? You were at Serenity?" "I was," Book nodded. "And it was I who saw your flaw. And based on my recommendations, did General Wells execute his deepflank strategy." "You son of a bitch," Mal barked attempting to maintain his calm. "You're the reason why we lost? You! A damned Shepherd!" "I wasn't a Shepherd at the time. It was not until after the War that I decided to take my life in another direction. You fought in the middle of the battle, while I was on the sidelines watching and observing. And I had saw enough death to last me for life times to come. "First the dreams came of the War. Standard post war trauma. Then, my decision to make my life have meaning. So I joined the Foundation. In a way, after seeing the death, I had found God." Mal stood silent as if he was betrayed. Never did he know that the one man that was responsible for the Indie's fall at Serenity was on his boat. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't vac' you?" "I can not think of one in particular," Book answered deeply. "Tell me of the Foundation's plans?" "What plans?" "Don't play dumb with me, Book!" Mal barked as he pulled his gun and aimed it at Book. Who being at the barrel of a loaded gun was maintaining his calm. "I know nothing of the Foundation's plans? What plans?" "Why are you out here?" "In some ways I'm out here to spread the Word. In other ways, I'm trying to find peace in the universe?" "What about the Foundation's plans on using Shepherds to spy on the fringes?" "That is ridiculous and absurd, Captain. We're people of God, not spies! Where did you hear this?" "Not important where I heard it from. Important thing, is I believe the source totally. What of the reports that you file back to the Foundation?" "The reports? My journals and observations?" "If that's what you want to call 'em. Yeah, those." "Before I left my abbey, I was asked to keep a detailed journal of my experiences out here in the black. So they could be used for new Shepherd's to get an idea of how missionary missions would work out here." "That's what they told ya', huh?" "I had no reason to doubt their intentions." "I want to believe you, Shepherd. But right now, you don't have a place on my boat. Pack your things. We'll be dropping you off at the next planet." "I understand," Book nodded solemnly. For the past two years Serenity had become his home. And her crew had become his family. And now like everything else in his life, it was being taken away from him.
Chapter: 25
The crew of the Serenity, minus Book, were all gathered in the kitchen. Mal stood before the crew as he took a sip of his tea. He could tell the crew was not happy. "Your doing what?" Kaylee asked. What was revealed she could not believe. "Sure you want to be doing that, Mal?" Jayne asked. "You can't do that," Inara declared. Simon sat silent. Zoe would stand by his decision, Mal knew. "Why are you booting him, off?" Wash asked. "He can't be trusted," Mal announced. "Sir," Zoe began as she paused to gather her words. "You know that I never question an order. But this, I don't agree with." "You don't have to agree with it, Zoe. And this is no a discussion, people." "May be it should be," Simon sounded. "My boat, my decision. My crew, my passengers, you don't have a say." "And your getting rid of Book, why exactly?" Inara asked as her thirst for her tea left her. "All because of what this General you served during the War is saying?" "You all know that Book had some sort of history with the Alliance. Why would that cruiser a few years back take him in to mend his wounds. This is why." "Why is what, Captain?" Simon inquired. "That he was a spy?" "Why not." "Or may be the Alliance takes care of their own," Wash jumped in. "You said he served during the War." "Want to know how he served the War, Zoe?" "How?" "He served Intelligence on Hera. Serenity Valley to be more precise. It was his decision that brought our defeat at the Valley." The information was taken in easily, but with shock. "And you damn, Book? Damn him for him following his duty?" "I'm not damning anyone," Mal responded. "But, he can't be trusted," Inara announced. "What the hell is this? A Ruttin' mutiny?" "No," Inara announced on behalf of the crew. "Sounds more like a walk out." "That threat ain't gonna do any good." "It's not a threat," Inara said as she stood her ground firmly, and stared in Mal's eyes. "This is not right." "No, and it's not right for him to be spying on us." "You said so yourself that Book announced that he was asked to keep a detailed journal of his journeys," Kaylee voiced. "Yeah," Jayne nodded in agreement. "May be his Foundation brothers are keeping the true meaning of him keeping journals to themselves. Yeah, that's what it is." "Are you willing to take that chance, Jayne?" "I sure as hell ain't gonna be fighting no war, so yeah." Simon stood and approached the kitchen counter and poured him a glass of herbal tea. "You say Shepherd can't be trusted. Correct?" "Ain't anyone been listening to me for the past ten minutes?" "I say your wrong," Simon declared. "Oh, and your such a good character of judgement, are we?" "Look at the evidence, Captain. It's right before your face. We've know Shepherd for two years. He, River and I all came onboard at the same time. We've been through a lot of perilous moments together." "Yeah, Doc's right," Jayne announced. "He did go in to get you off of Niska's SkyPlex that time." "The point is," Simon continued. "What is the one thing that proves, Book can be trusted." "Your loosin' me, son." "In all these years we've known one another, how many times could he had turned you in for harboring fugitives? How many times could he had turned me and River in. Hell, he could had helped the Law Man in turning us in. Did he, no. He defended us." "Listen to Simon, Mal," Inara pleaded. "The months and years to come are going to be crucial for the Independents," Mal stated the obvious as he placed his empty glass on the counter. Good, I need something stronger. "You've brought up a good point, Doctor. But if he's to be onboard, all dealings with the Independents will be kept away from Book. And he's gonna be watched very closely. And the first time I sense he's gonna betray us, he'll be breathing vacuum." "Fair enough, Cap'," Kaylee said. "Life's not fair, Kaylee," Mal returned. From the statement, Kaylee looked over at Simon who was avoiding her gaze. I know that all too well.
The crew gathering ended, and Mal walked to the passenger dorm. A plan formulating and completed before he reached Book's cabin. He knocked on the sliding door before he entered. When he entered, he noticed that what few possessions that Book owned were packed. He was ready to go. "How soon until we reach the next planet?" "Your not going anywhere," Mal announced which made Book raise his eye brow. "I'm confused." "Yeah, well your not the only one. It seems as if you leave, my entire crews gonna be throwing a strike on me." "With your permission, I will talk to the crew." "No need. My decisions been made. But I'm gonna tell you, the months, years, how ever long you stay onboard my boat, it ain't gonna be easy for you." "I've seen hard times before." "Yeah, well you've never seen my hard times," Mal paused as he looked at Book. "Your gonna have to prove yourself. Not only to me, but to this crew. Your gonna have t show us, that your tellin' the truth." "I will prove my loyalty to you. Serenity is my home. Her crew, you all are my family. And if you knew how I felt for all of you, than you would never question my loyalty." "I question everything these days. And the fact that you were on Hera, just makes this more personal." "I understand," Book nodded. "Do you?" "All too well." "What do you know of the Master's behind the Academy, Book?" "Not much I'm afraid." "But you know something," Mal assumed as he stood his ground. He wasn't about to leave until Book game him some kind of answers. "I don't know anything concrete about these Masters. But from what I've heard, they are an organization that operates outside the Alliance control. That even some of the Alliance leaders fear these men. And hat they wil destroy anyone that opposses the Alliance. And anyone that stands in their way of progress." Mal stood still. The information sinking into his mind. Oh, how he wished that he could get his hands on one of the Masters and make them pay for what they were doing. Make them ay for the lives they were damaging for their progress. "It's time to prove yourself to us, Shepherd. The young Doctor made a good point. All these years, you had plenty of opportunities to report in to your Foundation about us harboring fugitives. You never did." "No, I did not." "Well, it's time to put in a report." "I'm not following you." "Your new report, which I will screen, will say we picked up a young doctor and his sister on a fringe world. And that they were killed when the Rising Star exploded. And if the fugitive alerts go away, well, your one step closer to being trusted." "You'll have my report within the hour." "Fine," Mal nodded as he turned and left Book alone in his cabin. Book took his seat, pulled out his pad and pen and began what would be a long and trying quest on gaining the trust of the Serenity again.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes," Mal remarked as the Serenity came into his view as Inara's shuttle after burned from the atmosphere an streaked towards their home with Jayne falling up on the rear. The docking was made in silence with the occasional docking instructions from Wash. But otherwise, thoughts filled Mal's mind as he held the data disk that contained the information of their commission and the data from River's experiments. But what he concentrated the most on, was his last conversation with General Eisen. "I'm not going to fight your war," Mal remarked as he was still standing in the General's office. "Not now you will, but when the time comes you will." "Are you so sure?" "I fought along side you during the War, Captain. You see a man's true spirit in the battle field. I saw deep into your spirit. And what I see, is that you have the heart of a warrior. You're a natural born leader. You don't possess the soul of a privateer. It's the warrior that you were born for." "Coming in for dock," Mal said as he positioned his shuttle to the docking bay and set her down with ease and a slight jolt from contact. "Good to have you back, sir," Zoe said over the comm. Mal imagining a wide smile from his first mate as he powered the shuttle down and disembarked. For the first time in three hours Mal stepped foot on the Serenity. It had felt as if he had been gone for days. "Welcome back," Inara said with a gracious and beautiful smile. "Good to be back," Mal responded as Zoe entered the catwalk just as on the other side of the bay Jane was emerging from his shuttle. "Status report?" "Systems nominal," Zoe announced. "How'd it go?" Jayne arrived silently. "Thanks for the welcome home, folks," he muttered. "Where's Book?" Mal asked his question directed to Zoe. "Last I saw he was asleep in his cabin. Why?" "Zoe, gather everyone quietly into the kitchen," "Sir, what is this about?" "It's time for some unanswered questions," Mal said as he walked alone towards the direction of the passenger dorm. A task and responsibility that had been destined for him since that day the Alliance cruiser cared for Shepherd after he flashed them his id card.
Shepherd's room was fashioned like all the other passenger cabins. A slide door with a single bed and a table off on the side. The bare essentials. And there Shepherd was laying asleep on his bed as Mal approached his bed side and pulled Precious from her holster. He pulled the hammer back and his weapon was chambered and ready. The sound of the chambering weapon made Book jump startled to see in disorientation that Mal was aiming a weapons at him. "Am I dreaming?" Book inquired as he rubbed the matter from his eyes trying to get a better focus on Mal. "Time for some answers, Book." "So, I see," Book nodded slowly as he moved from his bed and placed his clothes on. Five minutes later their long over due conversation began. Shepherd sat down as Mal stood over him with his sidearm holstered. His arms crossed, waiting. "As I'm sure you know these past years we've known one another, that I haven't always been a Shepherd." "Thought's crossed my mind." "I was raised on a settlement world by my mother and father. But when a rare disease wiped the settlement out, and only I survived, I worked my way to the Core. Taking whatever jobs that I could. Saving every little bit I could. "My life seemed hopeless. I didn't want to live the life I was given. It wasn't as if I asked to be born. Every night I struggled with the impulse of just ending everything. But an angel came into my life, Sophia. As soon as she entered my life, my life turned around. Things were going good." Tears began to swell in Book's eyes. He took deep calming breaths. "Until she too was taken from me. She was killed by a gang of thugs. But not before they killed her, they each raped her. And I swear to this day I wished I could kill them," Shepherd said revealing the inner demon that everyone had. "My life had no direction, so I joined the Alliance military. This was seven years before the War. I rose through the ranks and made it to captain. By time the War broke out, I was in Alliance Intelligence. Alliance would drop us behind enemy lines, and we'd gathered intelligence and send it back to operations. "What do you know of General Richard Wells?" "Supreme commander of the Alliance forces on Hera," Mal answered. "You Independents put up a damned good fight," Book announced. "Your tactics were bordering the thin red line of brilliance and desperation. You kept the Alliance at bay for nearly two months. But, after watching you for those months, we saw a flaw in your strategy and formation." "You, were on Hera? You were at Serenity?" "I was," Book nodded. "And it was I who saw your flaw. And based on my recommendations, did General Wells execute his deepflank strategy." "You son of a bitch," Mal barked attempting to maintain his calm. "You're the reason why we lost? You! A damned Shepherd!" "I wasn't a Shepherd at the time. It was not until after the War that I decided to take my life in another direction. You fought in the middle of the battle, while I was on the sidelines watching and observing. And I had saw enough death to last me for life times to come. "First the dreams came of the War. Standard post war trauma. Then, my decision to make my life have meaning. So I joined the Foundation. In a way, after seeing the death, I had found God." Mal stood silent as if he was betrayed. Never did he know that the one man that was responsible for the Indie's fall at Serenity was on his boat. "Give me one reason why I shouldn't vac' you?" "I can not think of one in particular," Book answered deeply. "Tell me of the Foundation's plans?" "What plans?" "Don't play dumb with me, Book!" Mal barked as he pulled his gun and aimed it at Book. Who being at the barrel of a loaded gun was maintaining his calm. "I know nothing of the Foundation's plans? What plans?" "Why are you out here?" "In some ways I'm out here to spread the Word. In other ways, I'm trying to find peace in the universe?" "What about the Foundation's plans on using Shepherds to spy on the fringes?" "That is ridiculous and absurd, Captain. We're people of God, not spies! Where did you hear this?" "Not important where I heard it from. Important thing, is I believe the source totally. What of the reports that you file back to the Foundation?" "The reports? My journals and observations?" "If that's what you want to call 'em. Yeah, those." "Before I left my abbey, I was asked to keep a detailed journal of my experiences out here in the black. So they could be used for new Shepherd's to get an idea of how missionary missions would work out here." "That's what they told ya', huh?" "I had no reason to doubt their intentions." "I want to believe you, Shepherd. But right now, you don't have a place on my boat. Pack your things. We'll be dropping you off at the next planet." "I understand," Book nodded solemnly. For the past two years Serenity had become his home. And her crew had become his family. And now like everything else in his life, it was being taken away from him.
Chapter: 25
The crew of the Serenity, minus Book, were all gathered in the kitchen. Mal stood before the crew as he took a sip of his tea. He could tell the crew was not happy. "Your doing what?" Kaylee asked. What was revealed she could not believe. "Sure you want to be doing that, Mal?" Jayne asked. "You can't do that," Inara declared. Simon sat silent. Zoe would stand by his decision, Mal knew. "Why are you booting him, off?" Wash asked. "He can't be trusted," Mal announced. "Sir," Zoe began as she paused to gather her words. "You know that I never question an order. But this, I don't agree with." "You don't have to agree with it, Zoe. And this is no a discussion, people." "May be it should be," Simon sounded. "My boat, my decision. My crew, my passengers, you don't have a say." "And your getting rid of Book, why exactly?" Inara asked as her thirst for her tea left her. "All because of what this General you served during the War is saying?" "You all know that Book had some sort of history with the Alliance. Why would that cruiser a few years back take him in to mend his wounds. This is why." "Why is what, Captain?" Simon inquired. "That he was a spy?" "Why not." "Or may be the Alliance takes care of their own," Wash jumped in. "You said he served during the War." "Want to know how he served the War, Zoe?" "How?" "He served Intelligence on Hera. Serenity Valley to be more precise. It was his decision that brought our defeat at the Valley." The information was taken in easily, but with shock. "And you damn, Book? Damn him for him following his duty?" "I'm not damning anyone," Mal responded. "But, he can't be trusted," Inara announced. "What the hell is this? A Ruttin' mutiny?" "No," Inara announced on behalf of the crew. "Sounds more like a walk out." "That threat ain't gonna do any good." "It's not a threat," Inara said as she stood her ground firmly, and stared in Mal's eyes. "This is not right." "No, and it's not right for him to be spying on us." "You said so yourself that Book announced that he was asked to keep a detailed journal of his journeys," Kaylee voiced. "Yeah," Jayne nodded in agreement. "May be his Foundation brothers are keeping the true meaning of him keeping journals to themselves. Yeah, that's what it is." "Are you willing to take that chance, Jayne?" "I sure as hell ain't gonna be fighting no war, so yeah." Simon stood and approached the kitchen counter and poured him a glass of herbal tea. "You say Shepherd can't be trusted. Correct?" "Ain't anyone been listening to me for the past ten minutes?" "I say your wrong," Simon declared. "Oh, and your such a good character of judgement, are we?" "Look at the evidence, Captain. It's right before your face. We've know Shepherd for two years. He, River and I all came onboard at the same time. We've been through a lot of perilous moments together." "Yeah, Doc's right," Jayne announced. "He did go in to get you off of Niska's SkyPlex that time." "The point is," Simon continued. "What is the one thing that proves, Book can be trusted." "Your loosin' me, son." "In all these years we've known one another, how many times could he had turned you in for harboring fugitives? How many times could he had turned me and River in. Hell, he could had helped the Law Man in turning us in. Did he, no. He defended us." "Listen to Simon, Mal," Inara pleaded. "The months and years to come are going to be crucial for the Independents," Mal stated the obvious as he placed his empty glass on the counter. Good, I need something stronger. "You've brought up a good point, Doctor. But if he's to be onboard, all dealings with the Independents will be kept away from Book. And he's gonna be watched very closely. And the first time I sense he's gonna betray us, he'll be breathing vacuum." "Fair enough, Cap'," Kaylee said. "Life's not fair, Kaylee," Mal returned. From the statement, Kaylee looked over at Simon who was avoiding her gaze. I know that all too well.
The crew gathering ended, and Mal walked to the passenger dorm. A plan formulating and completed before he reached Book's cabin. He knocked on the sliding door before he entered. When he entered, he noticed that what few possessions that Book owned were packed. He was ready to go. "How soon until we reach the next planet?" "Your not going anywhere," Mal announced which made Book raise his eye brow. "I'm confused." "Yeah, well your not the only one. It seems as if you leave, my entire crews gonna be throwing a strike on me." "With your permission, I will talk to the crew." "No need. My decisions been made. But I'm gonna tell you, the months, years, how ever long you stay onboard my boat, it ain't gonna be easy for you." "I've seen hard times before." "Yeah, well you've never seen my hard times," Mal paused as he looked at Book. "Your gonna have to prove yourself. Not only to me, but to this crew. Your gonna have t show us, that your tellin' the truth." "I will prove my loyalty to you. Serenity is my home. Her crew, you all are my family. And if you knew how I felt for all of you, than you would never question my loyalty." "I question everything these days. And the fact that you were on Hera, just makes this more personal." "I understand," Book nodded. "Do you?" "All too well." "What do you know of the Master's behind the Academy, Book?" "Not much I'm afraid." "But you know something," Mal assumed as he stood his ground. He wasn't about to leave until Book game him some kind of answers. "I don't know anything concrete about these Masters. But from what I've heard, they are an organization that operates outside the Alliance control. That even some of the Alliance leaders fear these men. And hat they wil destroy anyone that opposses the Alliance. And anyone that stands in their way of progress." Mal stood still. The information sinking into his mind. Oh, how he wished that he could get his hands on one of the Masters and make them pay for what they were doing. Make them ay for the lives they were damaging for their progress. "It's time to prove yourself to us, Shepherd. The young Doctor made a good point. All these years, you had plenty of opportunities to report in to your Foundation about us harboring fugitives. You never did." "No, I did not." "Well, it's time to put in a report." "I'm not following you." "Your new report, which I will screen, will say we picked up a young doctor and his sister on a fringe world. And that they were killed when the Rising Star exploded. And if the fugitive alerts go away, well, your one step closer to being trusted." "You'll have my report within the hour." "Fine," Mal nodded as he turned and left Book alone in his cabin. Book took his seat, pulled out his pad and pen and began what would be a long and trying quest on gaining the trust of the Serenity again.