Chapter 8
"Well, well, well. Malcom Reynolds." the man who came out to greet them drawled. He held himself with a military bearing, but his eyes betrayed a twinkle of amusement.
Mal blinked in amazement. "Willard." he greeted the man. "What's a proud upstanding Baron like yourself doing amidst the rabble?"
Commander Willard winced. "Being an outer world Baron was nice and all, but the Empire decided it had better uses for the area. Besides, once I got a taste for resisting authority I found I rather liked it." He turned to Leia.
"I'm glad you're safe Highness. Is General Kenobi with you? We got word you were supposed to contact him."
"General Kenobi was killed." Leia said regretfully. "He gave his life in a diversionary tactic so that the rest of us could escape the Death Star."
"That's sad news indeed." Commander Willard said. "When we heard about Alderaan, we'd feared you were lost as well."
"We haven't time for our sorrows Commander." Leia interrupted. "We're being tracked by the Empire. We were allowed to escape so that we could lead them here." She pointed to R2. "The plans for the station are stored in the memory of this droid. We'll have to move quickly, and use those plans to formulate an attack."
"We are not prepared for a pitched battle your Highness." Commander Willard disagreed. "Perhaps it would be best if we evacuated."
Mal nodded. Smart man.
"There's no time." Leia said. "If we don't stop the Death Star now, other systems will suffer the same fate as Alderaan."
Commander Willard nodded. "You're right of course." He ordered one of his lieutenants to take Artoo. "Have the information sent to the briefing room immediately."
Threepio went with Artoo, loathe to be separated from him, while Leia went on to explain their escape as quickly as she could.
When she was done, Willard turned to Mal. "Well Reynolds, I don't suppose you've decided to take up arms against oppression again."
"Fraid not." Mal shook his head. "We took a job that went south, but we still need to get paid and get gone." His tone was not confrontational, but firm. "I need to get my people out of here. Recommend you do the same."
Leia fumed still, but said nothing. Willard sighed. "It's a good thing I know you Reynolds or I might think less of you for this. We don't have much in the way of cash I'm afraid. But we can give you something from our stores of precious metals."
Mal nodded. That would do nicely. It wasn't seventeen thousand, but it would work. "Whatever you can spare." he said reasonably.
As a young senator in the Republic, Book had been friendly with Bail and Padme, though they had disagreed on many topics. He had favored military solutions to many issues, not the least of which was the Separatist Movement. He had always been intrigued with the Jedi as well, and during the war he took any opportunity to speak with them. He'd found Obi Wan to be the most receptive to discussion.
Then when the war ended and he saw the Empire go to ever more horrific lengths to achieve their ends, he became disillusioned. Retiring, he took holy orders and devoted his life to easing the suffering around him in any way he could.
He believed that God spoke to everyone. Some, he spoke to through the force. Others, like Book who had no force sensitivity, he spoke to through faith. Looking around him now, he knew God was speaking once more. You didn't have to be force sensitive to sense the anxiety in the air.
Zoe had a passenger with her when she drove the mule up to the ship, loaded with their due. Commander Willard stepped down from his seat.
"I know how stubborn you are Reynolds." He said. "But you know how stubborn I can be too."
"I already fought my war." Mal cut him off before he could say anything further. "Now I got people to take care of. And hangin' around here waitin' to get blown up ain't my definition of takin' care o' folks."
Seeing it would be useless to press it further, Willard wished Mal and his crew good luck. Then Luke approached, now wearing a spiffy pilot's uniform. His expression darkened when he saw Zoe drive the crate laden tractor into the hold.
"So," he said, "You got your reward and now you're just going to leave?"
"This ain't a reward." Mal snapped. "This ia a fee for services rendered. At a significant discount I might add."
"Come on Mal," Luke pleaded, "Why don't you look around, how can you just turn your back on-"
"I look after me, and mine." Mal stepped close, his every cell sending out 'shut up' vibes. "That don't include you less I conjure it does."
Luke was not as perceptive as Commander Willard, and began to rally his thoughts for another try. But a firm, gentle hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Don't Son." Book advised. "The captain's made up his mind. Trying to sway him now will only anger him, and I prefer we all part as friends. Don't you?"
Luke sighed, and turned away.
"Hey Luke!" Kaylee called from the bay entry. He turned, too far away to see how upset she was, but he was pretty sure he detected a catch in her voice. "May the force be with you." She said, before disappearing into the ship.
Mal hoped he wasn't in for too long a time of surly Kaylee.
Shepherd Book still hadn't moved from where he'd been standing. Great, was he about to get yet another lecture?
"Something you want to say Shepherd?" he said shortly.
"Just, goodbye Captain." Book said softly.
"Well make it quick, we don't got much time for-" Then what the man had said truly sank in. "You mean to stay."
Book nodded. "Even if they survive the coming fight, these people have a long, hard road ahead of them. And whether you're a believer or not, you can't deny that a little moral support can go a long way."
"Found it!" came a triumphant voice from above. Wash was perched on one of the engines, smiling happily. He held an imperial tracking device in one hand. Then he saw the solemn expressions on Book and Mal's faces. "What?"
There really wasn't time for lengthy goodbyes, and for once, Mal wished there was. He was the last to say it, shaking Book's hand after everyone else had gotten aboard. "Listen, Shepherd…I hope I'm wrong about your chances."
"Don't get sentimental on me Mal."
The two men smiled at each other. Mal's smile was grim, Book's was hopeful, then they parted. Book watched as Serenity took off, wondering if he would ever see any of them again. Hoping he'd done some good while he was there.
Then he watched as the pilots headed for their craft, exchanging a nod and a wave with Luke. When everyone had gone, there was nothing left for those at the base to do but wait. And that was going to be the worst part for them he supposed.
One or two technicians came up, recognizing him for what he was, and asked him if he could lead them in a prayer. He gladly acceded to their request, and soon enough a good sized crowd had gathered. Some prayed with him, some just seemed to take comfort in the camaraderie.
Malcom Reynolds hailed from the outer rim. It was a region of space that had been largely left to itself by the Republic due to it's remote location. The planets there policed themselves. They had liked it that way. They paid lip service to the Republic and it's laws, but mostly ignored it, and were content to be ignored in return.
Then when the Republic fell and became the Empire, things had changed. The Independent planets of the Outer Rim as they called themselves could see which way the wind was blowing, and organized quickly while the Imperial Forces were still consolidating power and making sure the inner core planets were toeing the line. By the time they got around to the rim, the Browncoats were ready for them.
Or so they had thought. They had been unprepared for not only the Empire's numbers, but their ruthless tactics. It was a bitter lesson learned, and one that Mal had taken to heart. You couldn't fight the Empire. But so far he was doing a good job of dancing around it.
"Stand-by alert. Death Star approaching. Estimated time to firing range, fifteen minutes."
Wash did not, in principal, disagree with his Captain's decision to get while the getting was good. On the whole he liked living. And while he was no coward, he wasn't hugely in favor of plunging into danger if it could be avoided. Particularly moon sized, planet blowing up, danger.
Still, Book was down on that planet. And Luke. He'd kinda liked the little guy, even though they hadn't really gotten a chance to know him. When they'd approached Yavin, Leia had given them the frequency the Rebels were using to communicate.
"All wings report in." One by one the nameless and voiceless pilots reported in. And then one not so voiceless or faceless.
"Red Five standing by."
Luke was back there, ready to face down the dragon. And Wash felt like a coward. Not that they could have done any good anyway. Serenity was not an armed freighter. Wash was a top notch pilot but fancy flying wouldn't take out the Death Star. The most they'd be able to do would be distract the tie fighters. Right?
And besides, it wasn't his call to make. And by now Wash could tell when to argue with Mal, and when not to.
"Look at the size of that thing!"
He was so engrossed in what was happening behind them and on the radio, that he never heard Mal come into the cockpit.
"Cut the chatter, Red Two. Accelerate to attack speed. This is it, boys!"
"Red Leader, this is Gold Leader."
"I copy, Gold Leader."
"We're starting for the target shaft now."
"Huh." Mal said softly. "Maybe they got a plan after all."
Wash jumped. "Bwah!"
Mal didn't react to his pilot's surprise. "Listenin' to this ain't gonna make it any easier."
Wash surely would have had a witty rejoinder to that, but they were both distracted by the familiar voice on the radio.
"This is Red Five; I'm going in!"
"Luke, pull up!"
"Are you all right?"
"I got a little cooked, but I'm okay."
"No." Wash said. "No it's not. I thought, maybe it would feel less like we were abandoning them. Him. It's actually making it worse though."
"Squad leaders, we've picked up a new group of signals. Enemy fighters coming your way."
"My scope's negative. I don't see anything." Luke said.
"No, don't rely just on your scope." Wash groaned.
"If it's just makin' you feel worse, turn off the radio." Mal insisted. Wash made no move to do so, and Mal didn't repeat himself. He was now listening as intently as Wash.
"Biggs! You've picked one up...watch it!"
"He's on me tight, I can't shake him...I can't shake him."
Luke was apparently not about to let this Biggs character down. "Hang on, Biggs, I'm coming in."
Wash and Mal's thoughts were about the same now. They were reminding themselves that they'd barely known Luke. Didn't even like the Princess. But Book was back there too. The difference was…Mal could do something about it.
"Watch your back Luke, watch your back! Fighter's above you, coming in!"
"I'm hit, but not bad." Luke said tensely.
"Red Six can you see Red Five?"
"There's a heavy fire zone on this side. Red Five, where are you?"
"I can't shake him!"
"I'm on him, Luke!" That was the guy called Wedge, Wash thought.
"Blast it! Wedge where are you?" Yep.
"Red Leader this is Gold Leader. We're starting our attack run."
Wait, hadn't they already started? Had it really only been a few moments? Wash felt like they had been listening to the growing battle for quite a while.
Mal had heard enough. "Turn it off." He ordered.
"Sir-"
"Turn it off." He said again. Reluctantly, Wash obeyed.
Mal turned on the intercom; "Everyone to the mess. Now."
By the looks on his crews' faces, they knew what he was going to say. He wasn't surprised. They were none of them stupid. Not even Jayne. For the most part, Mal made the decisions and brooked little to no argument. Though he did tolerate snarky comebacks.
Exceptions were rare. And this had to be the rarest exception ever. None of them had signed on for this. For what he was about to propose. Of them, only Zoe had real military experience. And she had learned the same bitter lesson as her Captain. Hell, this was practically the opposite of what Simon was after.
"You got on this boat for different reasons." He said, looking at them each in turn. "But you call come to the same place." He imagined what was going on out in space somewhere behind them. "Well now I'm askin' more of you, than I ever have before."
He had made his own decision. He wouldn't hold anyone else to it. He might not be the pilot that Wash was, but he could manage. If he had to, he'd load them all on a shuttle, send them on their merry, and go it alone.
"It didn't take any of you long to get in here. I take it y'all were listenin' in just like Wash was."
There was no answer, but their expressions spoke volumes. 'Cept River, who was inscrutable as always, and Jayne, who just looked annoyed.
Gorramit. Jayne thought. Captain's gone as crazy as Doc's sis. Empire starts the war, and Mal volunteers. This is just another Serenity Valley, don't he see that?
"This ain't our fight Mal." He said, interrupting. "I ain't no Browncoat, and I ain't no revolutionary neither. I signed on-"
"Do I interrupt your pretty speeches?" Mal snapped. He'd had a good head of steam going there.
"You just did." Jayne grumbled, but fell silent.
"Jayne's right." The Captain acknowledged. "None of you signed on to fight a war. But it's come clear to me that one or t'other, war's gonna find us. So I'm done runnin'. Seems I been runnin' for a long time and I ain't got anywhere. Now I aim to misbehave."
"We can get back there in less than a minute." Wash said. "Dunno what we could do when we get there."
"The rebels probably need all the medical personnel they can get." Simon said almost at the same time. River was shaking, but she laid her hand on her brother's shoulder to show her support.
Kaylee just beamed. She'd always known Mal would come around. He usually did.
"I believe Shepherd Book once said, if you can't do something smart, at least do something right." Inara smiled bravely.
"We got a plan Sir?" Zoe asked. He knew that stoic facial expression. That was her 'let's give 'em hell' expression. That was his favorite.
"Nope. We'll think of somethin'."
Then they were all looking at Jayne. He groaned. Just his luck he had to fall in with a bunch of ruttin' idealists. "Fine." He growled. "Let's go save the day."
To be continued…
