Secrets of parliament

Part 3 - The Barker theory

Players:

Clive Barker Trish Quasar Shepherd Book Simon Tam

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This story arc is pre BDM, so any assumptions that are made from personalities within story are without the knowledge of what takes place during the movie Serenity……the author.

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Shepherd Book and Simon Tam had just entered the room of the popularly known ( or un-popularly known, depending on your viewpoint) street personality of Clive Barker. They were a bit unsure and uneasy with the situation, still curiosity had gotten the better of Book and he wanted to learn just exactly what this common street valet knew, or maybe the information he had excess to. It was not only Book’s duty to find out, but it was also in his nature.

Book’s curiosity had been imbedded in him from an earlier time. Since the age of ten he’d always wanted to know about things. What functioned a certain way, why it worked that way, and who made it work that way. Same fell true with the position he found himself in at the moment.

Clive Barker eyeballed the two men. They seemed a bit on edge. It was understandable. He still felt he should lighten the mood a tad.

“Gentlemen relax! Trish doesn’t bite. She’s not a reaver. Fact is, has anyone ever seen a female reaver? Have you guys ever even seen one, male or female?” He looked at both Simon and Book. “ Truth is reavers aren’t some fairy tale, they’re real……”

“ And how might you know that?” The Preacher spoke up for the first time since entering the room.

“ Well Mr. Book, “ Clive paused a second,

“Yes I know who you and the doctor there too, are. Kinda hard not to know who Simon Tam is when his face is posted all over the postal carriers offices, and your sister’s also……..don’t worry, I’m not here to turn you in or gather a reward. Heck I’m one of the folk that bailed River out.”

Both Simon and Book stood straight at this announcement.

“ Yes, I will explain a lot of things if you two just sit down and get comfortable.”

The two did as they were bid.

“ Now, that’s better. Simon! I’m one of the people who employed the renegades that were able to find River and arrange an escape for her. You should be thanking me that this point in time, why? I‘ll tell you later!” He looked over at the Shepherd.

“ And you Mr. Book, I know you’re more that just a preacher, but your past has proven to be covered up very well. My hat is off to you sir. Still I feel confident at exposing myself this way, and I feel no harm will come to me or Trish there, “ He pointed to the girl, her back posted against the door. “ ……or cause injury to the people I represent……you see, as the story goes, not all of the verses peoples that escaped the dying planet of “Earth That Was” , arrived here at the same time nor were all in perfect condition. Some became lost and arrived later, and some never found their way at all. My ancestors, fortunately were able to make their way, yet at a much later time. Maybe I should speak of it as unfortunate, as to say, some of my kin would recall.” He paused a moment.

“See, The core worlds had a pretty good foothold in the White Star system by that time, and the border worlds were just taking shape. Surprising as it were, the government rule at that time were shocked that drifters were still coming in from different parts of the galaxy. By then a social structure had already been established and there in part, fell the problem. You see, being marooned out in space for so long my great grandparents ark of a spacecraft had developed their own set of society rules. Not that there were major differences, but a much liberal set of personal freedoms had existed. Sure they were glad to be rescued if you want to call it that. But there were spots where our society rules, and the laws of the existing government didn’t mesh very well.” At this point Clive made a gesture with his fingers folding together, but not in unison.

“ Now, where do you put a peoples who’ve developed their own rules and are having a hard time adjusting to the laws at hand. Well you put them on a moon way the hell out of the way. There were thirty occupants on the spacecraft that left the home planet of “Earth that Was” ,they numbered forty five when they found their way here……and others continued to come. My family, as well as the families of many others were places in an area where they could be observed and studied like insects. The reasons of how the human condition could last for so long out in the void of space was of some interest to the powers that be. Not only that but there were other craft that made their way after we had. Some of those spacecraft were not so lucky as to have formed a meaningful society way out there in the vacuum of space. They had become barbarians, savages and cannibals. It is my theory that this is were reavers have come from. A crazy race of people that the ruling power have the notion to study. Not unlike a rabid dog kept in a cage to see the outcome of it’s fevered brain.”

He looked at Simon and Book again.

“ Sorry if I’m boring you with this gentlemen but I feel the story should be expressed at this time. The reavers, I presume, are a peoples that were recovered from some of these later spacecraft entering the system. They were poor souls that had been driven crazy mad by viruses, diseases or other conditions that were transported on the very ship they hoped would ferry them to safety. In any case., the government meant to study these folk as well. Somewhere out on some lonely moon there is a colony like no other. A lab experiment gone out of control.”

He looked at the doctor,

“ And speaking of lab experiments, how’s your sister doctor Tam?”

Simon looked at the frigid man, for a moment not knowing how to respond.

“ She’s well, I guess.”

“Good. You know, from what they’ve learned from our society on our lonely moon, and the reaver colony I’m sure they are combining the two into some nightmarish horrid testing, maybe on some of the more intelligent people of the core. Smart folk scare them. Someone who may in time learn what they know has to be deal with. There is no sharing the power as far as they’re concerned. It’s all about control. Who has it, who keeps it, and who understands who could take it away. Your sister doc Tam, is a special girl. There are intellects on the rim worlds that know this.” He stopped a second.

“ One thing you can be sure of Mr. Tam. Wars don’t end. There is always an underlying crust. People are controlled as long as the powers that be can keep them that way. The minute there is weakness another power will form. Anyway, I regress. Book!” Clive looked over at the shepherd.

“ I don’t know who you were in the war…. or before, or what you did during that horrid part of history. Fair to say a soldier mush do what a soldier must do. I feel that you are somewhat of a protector of the doctor and his sister. She is more capable of defending herself than you know. Anyway the creature you were witness to in the cylinder yesterday was fake. It is nothing but bonded latex over a wire frame.” He look at each Book and Simon in turn.

“ Understand, I am under constant surveillance also. You can’t spout this much government ridicule and not be under observation.” He slid a pictured image across a table towards them.

“ This however gentlemen is real.” The picture was an exact match of what they’d seen of the humanoid creature in the cylinder the day before.

“ A copy of what me know are experiments being performed on human society. A Godless transgression. These are not aliens, they are experimental humans, blasphemed by a government that spouts out equality and hope from one side of their mouths, while imprisoning and enslaving those they feel could conquer them in the future from the other side. This is something that must be stopped! They are looking to control the masses by any means possible. Genetic, bio-technology, whatever it takes. Look to see examples of this sometime in the future. They will try their best to hide it. Assassination is not beyond their fashion of resolve. So, for future notice beware! ”

Clive’s passion had grown with his last statements. The man had a hatred for the ruling government that mirrored Malcolm Reynolds.

Their time concluded with an expression of ideas. Nothing that could link Clive Barker to Shepherd Book or Simon Tam though.

The two crew members of Serenity returned to the ship with more than a grim feeling to their gut.

Simon checked on his sister to see that she was safe.

End Chap 2