BLUE SUN ROOM FAN FICTION - GENERAL

JANE0904

Operative
Sunday, October 22, 2006

I'm pretty sure this has been done before, but this is my take. A very short ficlet ... let me know what you think!


CATEGORY: FICTION    TIMES READ: 3201    RATING: 9    SERIES: FIREFLY

The Operative looked around. This was what he had been trained for, all those long years, learning how to use every conceivable weapon, how to use any conceivable thing as a weapon. Learning how to take a life with no question because he’d been told to. Learning how to stifle any conscience he might have, or better yet to lose it. But here, standing in the midst of the carnage he had wrought, the death and destruction he’d rained down on this small community, he questioned.

He didn’t know why they wanted her, to what end this need had forced such desecration, nor what they would do to her once they had her. But he believed it was what he had to do, because he had been told to. He was the hunter, she the prey. And he would do everything that was necessary to run her to ground.

A noise, a sound, and he moved like a ghost, silent through the smoke to the source. A man, not yet dead, but dying from the wounds he had sustained. The Operative stood over him, raising his weapon, about to perform the coup de grace that would send him with finality to the hereafter.

The man looked up at him, pain-filled eyes that fastened on his own. That held him, with no intention of letting go. Then the dying man smiled.

The Operative lowered his arm and moved closer, kneeling in the man’s lifeblood as it seeped into the ground.

“Who are you?” he asked, leaning forward.

“My name … isn’t important,” the man said, the breath catching in his throat as if he didn’t want to release what may be his last. “I was a Shepherd …these, my family. Why have … you killed us?”

“Orders. I was told to find her.”

"She isn't here."

"No."

"Yet you still ... did this. Why?"

"I have to obey."

The man reached up, grasping the Operative by the arm. “But I can see the indecision in you, my son.” He looked deep into the Operative’s eyes. “This is … not your way.”

“It is. This is what I am.”

“Perhaps. But not … who you are.” The man coughed, a little blood at his lips. “I can see …compassion in your soul.”

“I have no soul, Father. I sold it a long time ago.”

“It may be damaged … fragile … but I feel it in you. Don’t let them … do this to you.”

“I …” The Operative stopped, gazing down at the dying man. “I can’t save you,” he said, wishing he could.

“Then save yourself.” He coughed again, then reached up with a bloody hand to grasp the Operative’s face. “Believe you can.”

“I can’t.”

“Yes. You must.” He looked deeper, trying to see past the Operative’s defences. “What is your name?” he asked.

“I don’t have one,” the Operative said.

“Everyone has … a name.”

“It’s been too long. I don’t exist anymore.”

“You do,” the Shepherd said, his strength failing him, falling back into the dirt, his hands clasped over the wound in his belly. “Because I believe …” His voice faded and his eyes dimmed, then there was only silence amid the smoke and dust.

The Operative looked down at the dead man, his task completed, then lifted his hand to his face, feeling the bloody handprint congealing on his cheek.

“Book,” he said softly. “My name is Derrial Book.”

COMMENTS

Sunday, October 22, 2006 3:29 AM

SHINYTRINKET


Very interesting. If you want to continue the story, I'll be happy to read on!

Sunday, October 22, 2006 3:32 AM

SEAL892


Im confused...... Is the shepered his father or am I just to jewishly brought up to understand? lol No really what up wit that

Sunday, October 22, 2006 6:04 AM

JANE0904


No, it's not his actual father. He's just being respectful in calling him that. And I might continue the tale ...

Sunday, October 22, 2006 8:03 AM

MRBLUESUN


I don't get it. Is this story about the Operative from the BDM or is it about Book's possible past as an Operative? Either way its a great story though.

Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:13 PM

JANE0904


Since I didn't want to give away the end by saying in the intro, this is about Book's past, well pre-series and BDM.

Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:32 PM

AMDOBELL


I am confused in that you have Book dying after the Operative appears yet he was still alive when Mal reached him after the attack and died in the Captain's arms. Now with the confession of a name are you implying it is the Operative who is Derial Book and not the Shepherd we have come to know and love? You definitely need another chapter to clarify your meaning but it is an interesting beginning. Ali D :~)
You can't take the sky from me

Sunday, October 22, 2006 12:40 PM

GRYFFYD


I understood.

Book's past, before he became a Shepherd.

Very cool.

I liked it a lot.

Sunday, October 22, 2006 8:59 PM

VERASAMUELS


Oooh, nice twist.

More?


Vera

Monday, October 23, 2006 4:56 PM

BLUEEYEDBRIGADIER


Was a tad bit confused till the last line. Then all became clear;)

Definitely liking what you've done here, Jane0904. Especially since until the last part, you think this is the BDM Operative surveying Haven's wreckage and chatting with Book;D

BEB


POST YOUR COMMENTS

You must log in to post comments.

YOUR OPTIONS

OTHER FANFICS BY AUTHOR

Now and Then - a Christmas story
“Then do you have a better suggestion? No, let me rephrase that. Do you have a more sensible suggestion that doesn’t involve us getting lost and freezing to death?”

[Maya. Post-BDM. A little standalone festive tale that kind of fits into where I am in the Maya timeline, but works outside too. Enjoy!]


Monied Individual - Epilogue
"I honestly don’t know if my pilot wants to go around with flowers and curlicues carved into his leg.”
[Maya. Post-BDM. The end of the story, and the beginning of the last ...]


Monied Individual - Part XX
Mal took a deep breath, allowing it out slowly through his nostrils, and now his next words were the honest truth. “Ain’t surprised. No matter how good you are, and I’m not complaining, I’ve seen enough battle wounds, had to help out at the odd amputation on occasion. And I don’t have to be a doc myself to tell his leg ain’t quite the colour it should be, even taking into account his usual pasty complexion. What you did … didn’t work, did it?”
[Maya. Post-BDM. Simon has no choice, and Luke comes around.]


Monied Individual - Part XIX
“His name’s Jayne?”

“What’s wrong with that?” the ex-mercenary demanded from the doorway.

“Nothing, nothing! I just … I don’t think I’ve ever met a man … anyone else by that name.”

“Yeah, he’s a mystery to all of us,” Mal said. “Even his wife.”

[Maya. Post-BDM. Hank's not out of the woods yet, and Mal has a conversation. Enjoy!]


Monied Individual - Part XVIII
Jayne had told him a story once, about being on the hunt for someone who owed him something or other. He’d waited for his target for three hours in four inches of slush as the temperature dropped, and had grinned when he’d admitted to Hank that he’d had to break his feet free from the ice when he’d finished.
[Maya. Post-BDM. The Fosters show their true colours, Jayne attempts a rescue, and the others may be too late.]


Snow at Christmas
She’d seen his memories of his Ma, the Christmases when he was a boy on Shadow, even a faint echo of one before his Pa died, all still there, not diminished by his burning, glowing celebrations of now with Freya.

[Maya. Post-BDM. A seasonal one-off - enjoy!]


Monied Individual - Part XVII
Jayne hadn’t waited, but planted a foot by the lock. The door was old, the wood solid, but little could stand against a determined Cobb boot with his full weight behind it. It burst open.


[Maya. Post-BDM. The search for Hank continues. Read, enjoy, review!]


Monied Individual - Part XVI
He slammed the door behind him, making the plates rattle on the sideboard. “It’s okay, girl, I ain't gonna hurt you.” The cook, as tradition dictated, plump and rosy cheeked with her arms covered to the elbows in flour, but with a gypsy voluptuousness, picked up a rolling pin.

[Maya. Post-BDM. Kaylee finds the problem with Serenity, and Jayne starts his quest. Read, enjoy, review!]



Monied Individual - Part XV
“Did we …” “We did.” “Why?” As she raised an eyebrow at him he went on quickly, “I mean, we got a comfy bunk, not that far away. Is there any particular reason we’re in here instead?” “You don’t remember?” He concentrated for a moment, and the activities of a few hours previously burst onto him like a sunbeam. “Oh, right,” he acknowledged happily.

[Maya. Post-BDM. A little with each Serenity couple, but something goes bang. Read, enjoy, review!]



“Did we …” “We did.” “Why?” As she raised an eyebrow at him he went on quickly, “I mean, we got a comfy bunk, not that far away. Is there any particular reason we’re in here instead?” “You don’t remember?” He concentrated for a moment, and the activities of a few hours previously burst onto him like a sunbeam. “Oh, right,” he acknowledged happily.

[Maya. Post-BDM. A little with each Serenity couple, but something goes bang. Read, enjoy, review!]