Jewels in Space

Malcolm studied the forward scanner display intently. Behind him the tense breathing of the entire crew could be heard plainly. Wash had stopped Serenity about 10 light years away from the last reported position of the object. With no suns nearby the stars shone like billions of jewels hanging in the absolute blackness of space. “How far away was your probe when it picked up this thing,” Reynolds asked Ian who was sitting on a crate near the weapons console. “The probe began noting gravimetric distortions from about 12 light years out. So the object has been there at least that long,” Ian answered, “We should be able to get an image from it at this distance, even though it’s ten years old.” “Is our new telescope sensitive enough to see that far,” Zoe asked. “Well,” Kaylee interjected, “I could make out Jayne’s pecker from across the ship, so it’s pretty darned powerful.” Laughter roared as Jayne’s face reddened, “VERY FUNNY! I’ll give ya a closeup!” “Whoa, whoa Jayne,” called Wash, “we believe ya. No demonstrations!” “Everyone focus here,” Malcolm called for renewed order amid stifled giggles, “this is serious. We need to concentrate on the here and now.” “That wadn’ funny Mal,” Jayne was clearly insulted. “I’know, I’know,” Mal said smiling, “but we have to see what we can see with this pecker-scope….ahhh I mean telescope.” Book, the doctor, Wash, Zoe and Kaylee erupted in laughter again and the sound of it rang through Serenity’s hull. Jayne stomped off in a huff past Inara. Ian was chuckling while Book and Simon were doubled over in laughter. “What’s so funny,” asked Inara. “Oooohhh,” Mal said trying to control his mirth, “Kaylee just saw a little somethin’ yesterday.” Book renewed his laughter and sat heavily on the deck holding his sides. Wash buried his head in his hands. “Ahh,” Inara smiled, “sophomoric humor. I get it.” “Heyyyy,” Kaylee jokingly elbowed Inara, “it was funny. And it was about Jayne.” Inara smiled broadly, “Well that can’t be too bad.” Malcolm turned to her, still laughing, “You shoulda seen his face Inara. He was…” “Mal, Mal, Mal, Mal,” Wash exclaimed barely able to contain himself, “we’ve got something on visual. Something big right where our boy is suppsed to be.” “Put it on holo,” Ian cut in while quickly connecting his portable computer to the console interface. Wash looked to Malcolm who nodded. Above the weapons console the air became opaque and there appeared a star field, hovering on the bridge with extreme clarity. There was a large spot in the stars that was blotted out. Ian was clenching his hands as the crew stared in wonder, “Can you zoom in Mr. Wash? I want to compare the detail with that of the probe telemetry.” Momentarily the display flickered and the image was magnified. Within seconds the screen was split and a very similar but obviously different image was placed beside the ship’s telescopic one. Everyone leaned forward to peer closer. The object was oblong in shape, tapering on the ends. One end seemed to end more abruptly than the other. From the light reaching the scope, no surface detail could be made out. However, the probe image showed slight bumps ringing the object about one quarter its length. “It appears to be the same object our probe saw two months ago,” Ian said, his voice clearly ringing with excitement, “Let’s try different wavelengths.” The telescope image flickered from purple, to orange, to a deep magenta, to bright blue to gray. Zoe watched the ease and fluidity with which Ian hit keys and manipulated the data. He leaned back slightly and stared. “What’s wrong,” Malcolm looked at the huge man with suspicion. While everyone was fascinated and awed with the object before their eyes, Mal felt a sense of dread. He didn’t know why, but it was there in the background like an aching joint. “Nothing,” Ian said as if to himself, “every band and scan is quiet. No EM emissions, no gravimetric disturbances, no tachyon or neutrino emissions, nothing. If it were not for the starlight reflecting off the surface, we would not know it was here.” Wash added, “And certainly no transmissions like the ones it sent to the probe. I wonder if it’s a ghost ship Mal.” “Could be Wash,” Malcolm was rubbing his chin, “but we are gonna approach this one with extreme caution. I wanna ease in there at about 300c. Nothing to hurry. I don’t want any sign of weapons, we’re gonna be real friendly like.” “That’ll take another 11 days from where we are,” Wash responded. Kaylee cut in, “We got plenty food and power to spare. It should be no problem.” Book’s soft voice added, “Captain, should we think about our ‘hello’ while we are traveling? I mean, that could make all the difference in our welcome.” “Ummm,” Malcolm said rubbing his chin, “that would be a good idea. We still don’t know what happened to that first probe.” “Correct Captain,” Ian said, “but the greeting is something we spent months thinking about. The prime numbers the probe got in its transmission were a key. With the distances involved, we had no time to have the probe send any kind of answer before it went silent. Perhaps we can answer it in time.” “Before we go silent too huh,” Zoe’s remark struck a chord and all the laughter and curious fascination that ran through the bridge evaporated.

The dinner table was tense that night. Steak wafted through Serenity’s dining area and this was the first time since the morning sighting that the entire crew was gathered together. With eight hours to think about their situation and the object they were going to, each had formed an opinion, however complete, of their mission. Jayne was reaching for another baked potato as he picked up the conversation. “Alls I’m sayn’is that anybody who can make a ship like that certainly has the means to swat us like a bug. If we approach that thing we may not ever come back.” Ian shook his head, “Why would you proceed on the assumption that they would be hostile? For all we know they could be explorers or scientists. Maybe it’s not a ship at all, perhaps it’s some giant organism billions of years old. My point is, if it did not want to be found, it just did not have to be seen. Certainly they could mask their visual emissions as well.” Kaylee smiled broadly, “Wooow, a living ship as big as a sector. That would be awesome to find. Can you imagine?” “Maybe it’s a combination of both,” Simon put in, “an organic, living ship inhabited by beings who set out to explore space. A symbiotic relationship if you will.” “That’s an interesting theory, but what if it’s just a ship for beings ten miles tall,” Book asked. Jayne was growing frustrated as the conversation drifted to intellectual realms he was unable to follow, “My point exactly preacher. We ought not be messin’ with those bigger’n us. It’s crazy stupid!” Mal took a drink of water, “No one has found evidence of alien civilizations in the universe other than some questionable relics. I’m kinda edgy too, but I feel we have to go and see what’s there.” “Thank you Captain,” Ian gave way. Mal looked at Ian hard across the table, “But remember the rules Mr. McFarren, I will not endanger my crew more than I feel I have to.” “I understand,” Ian said flatly, “just get me close enough and give me a shuttle. You will be compensated for a new one.” “Good idea,” Jayne looked at Ian with renewed fear. “Now hold on everybody,” Malcolm said calmly, “aint nobody getting’ put off. I think that with the brains we have on this ship we can figure this thing out. Heck, we might even be famous after this.” Wash looked at Zoe, “That means I could finally have sex with someone famous.” “Or not,” Zoe replied dryly. Everyone chuckled for a moment and partook of the delicious food before them. Ian looked at Inara, statuesque in her beauty, sitting next to the captain. Inara returned his glance for a moment and turned back to her salad. River dropped her fork on her plate loudly and began smiling exuberantly, closing her eyes she said, “Ohhhhhh my, what beautiful voices they have!” Simon’s brow furrowed, “River what are you talking about? Are you ok?” River drew in a deep breath, “Ohhhhhh myyyyyy…” Her voice trailed off and she fell out of her chair. Ian felt the wave of feelings in River’s mind. They were alien and wholly foreign. He became dizzy and heard a strange music without instruments. Only notes that seemed to be emanating from a deep, melodious instrument that he could not place. He felt River’s overwhelming joy, then nothing. He caught the side of the table when he realized he was lolling over to the right. Zoe grabbed his wrist as the others rushed in on River. Simon lifted River’s eyelids and felt the back of her neck for swelling. Finding none he called, “Let’s get her to medlab. Someone help me?” “I’m ok,” Ian said to Zoe. She shook her head and headed to the medical bay with River and the others. Ian stayed behind mulling over what happened. He ran both of his powerful hands through his hair and over his face. Captain Malcolm was standing in front of him when he opened his eyes. Mal’s pistol was pointed towards Ian’s head. “Draw Zoe,” Malcolm ordered. Zoe drew her pistol with a questioning look to Mal. “There’s no need for that captain,” Ian said with some effort as if clearing his head. “Zoe, if you see me wavering shoot him,” Malcolm’s voice was beyond serious now, “I believe we have a telepath here.” Ian looked at Malcolm hard, “No Captain Reynolds, not a telepath here.” “Just what the hell’s going on? And remember, your answer will make me decide whether or not to pull this trigger.” Zoe looked stoic as Ian spoke again, his eyes clearing, “I am not telepathic. I cannot read people’s minds or control them. I would call myself very empathic. I am usually pretty good at sensing emotions from other people.” Mal still had his pistol raised, “What the hell happened back there? What was the matter with River?” Ian smiled, “She is your telepath captain. She’s not quite sure yet as to where the voices come from and some might think that she is border-line schizophrenic. It seems that puberty had awakened a part of her mind that she did not know existed. I believe she just received a message from some powerful consciousness, the ship perhaps.” Inara burst into the kitchen, “Mal the doctor needs to see you…what’s going on?” Zoe and Malcolm never took their eyes off Ian, “Tell the doc I’ll be there shortly Inara.” “Why are your guns drawn on Ian,” asked Inara. Malcolm spoke sternly, “Its business Inara, now go and tell the doc we’ll be there in a moment.” Inara protested, “But Mal do you really think its nec…” Zoe’s tone was sharp, “Inara, this is necessary right now!” Ian spoke softly realizing his tense situation. All of the training he’d received from his youth told him to act quickly and kill both of these people holding guns on him. Instead he tried to explain, “Captain, River is not sure what’s going on right now. I think that a powerful being, the ship itself perhaps, has probed all of us. Only River and I were sensitive enough to feel it.” “This something else you forgot to tell us,” Malcolm asked sarcastically, “ ‘cause I’m gettin’ aweful tired of finding out things after they happen on my ship.” Ian said, almost to himself, “No, I did not expect this.” Ian then stood slowly, looking first at Zoe and then to Malcolm he said, “Captain you agreed to take on this mission. I told you it was an exploratory mission. You seemed fine with that. I don’t know what is going to happen ten minutes from now. So I need to know if you are going to keep threatening me every time something new develops. Because if so, then you and I are going to have serious problems. And that little gun you are holding will not help you.” The air became electric. Inara saw Mal’s jaw set and his hand tighten on the walnut grip of the pistol. Zoe’s eyes were darting between Malcolm and Ian. Inara noticed Ian tense slightly. “Ian! Mal,” Inara broke the tension, “there’s no need for this!” Zoe was never quite sure of what happened next. She was not quite sure if Ian really moved or just disappeared, but she felt a slight pressure on her palms. In a second there was no rifle in her hands. She looked at Mal who was still holding his arm straight out to Ian had been standing, yet no pistol was visible. When Malcolm realized he’d been disarmed, he staggered back a step, wide-eyed, staring at Ian holding both weapons. Zoe was stunned. Inara took in a breath. “Now,” said Ian calmly, “we can talk without all that anger between us. Captain, I have never been anything but honest since I met you. If I know something that will help this mission succeed or protect your crew, I will tell you. If you don’t believe me, then turn this ship around now.” Malcolm heard the thump of the guns on the wooden table when Ian set them down. Zoe stepped back three steps and looked incredulously in Mal’s direction. Inara’s breath was coming in deep bursts as her fear of what could happen next rose like an amber tide. Malcolm looked at his pistol on the table. The realization that the giant in front of him could have killed his entire crew began to set in. “How…,” Mal got out, “how’d you do that?” Jayne’s voice boomed down the corridor, “MAL, we need you in here now!” “YEAH,” Malcolm turned and yelled. When he faced Ian again his pistol was being handed to him grip first. He saw Zoe holster her cut-off rifle and head down the corridor to med lab without a word. Ian nodded as Malcolm took his pistol and holstered it also. “I don’t blame you Captain for your skepticism,” Ian said flatly, “but there comes a time when a lack of trust becomes more dangerous than anything we might face out there. I am at you service.” Malcolm looked at Inara quickly then turned to the medical lab. Ian watched him for a second then turned to Inara. Her dark skin watermarked the flowing cherry and green dress she wore. Ian laid a gentle hand on her bare shoulder moving it smoothly to her neck. Without thinking Inara wrapped her arms around his trim waist, feeling the powerful muscles of his lower back relax in her fingers. Ian began to calm once again, “Come Inara, I think River may need us before long.” Ian turned to leave but Inara took his great hand in hers, “Ian, would you have killed him?” “Ten years ago he would have been dead before his gun was out of his holster,” was all Ian said. He ducked slightly as he walked down the corridor. Inara watched him go, wondering if she really knew him at all.

Can’t See Around the Bend.

Book looked into the small room and saw the giant figure kneeling, hands clenched together. Ian was praying and in deep meditation with a rosary wrapped around his hands. Book admired the open antique Catholic bible open on the bed. “I hate to disturb you brother,” Book said softly, “but I brought you some food and water. We missed you at supper.” Ian opened his eyes and smiled, “Thank you Shepard Book. That was kind of you.” Book set the plate and glass down on a small end table and sighed, “There’s no need for you to stay in here Brother Ian, what happened to River was something no one could have foreseen.” “Yes I understand that,” Ian was unraveling the rosary from his powerful hands, “but the problem is Brother, that I have lost the trust of the crew. That is a dangerous thing on a small ship. So I have been praying all day for our safety, and especially, for the recovery of River.” Book sat on the end table, folding his arms, “Ian you must understand that the captain is not only a powerful leader on this ship, but most of us have placed our lives in his hands on more than one occasion. We value his opinion and his word means a lot to us. But the crew can make up their own minds about things, for good or bad. You have impressed some people on here. They’ll come around.” “Preacher, I am not telepathic. I can feel, for the most part, what people think, though not in exact words. It is more akin to fuzzy images. I can sense the crew’s doubt about me, their pain over River. I have been praying to God for guidance about handling this situation.” Book looked at him, “Any answers yet?” Ian smiled for the first time in their conversation, “Maybe. Perhaps God sent you Preacher.” “Me,” Book raised his eyebrows, “why do you say me?” “The Lord works in mysterious ways brother,” Ian grinned as he grabbed the plate and began eating. “This is good!” Book smiled, “It’s in the seasonings.” Ian looked up as Malcolm Reynolds entered the small room. His eyes were intense, as usual, but worried. “Evenin’ Preacher,” Captain Reynolds said, “Preacher might I have a word alone with Mr. McFarren?” “Oh certainly Captain,” Book said and gazed at Ian with a look of confidence, then slipped out of the room. Ian kneeled on the floor facing Malcolm, “What can I do for you Captain?” “Look Ian,” Mal said, for the first time using his name informally, “I think you and I are a far piece past threats at this point.” Ian was calm, “I would like to think so.” Mal sat on the edge of the bed, “I had a long talk with Inara this morning. It seems she knew more about you than she was telling. Lots more.” “Captain, don’t blame her,” Ian said softly, “it is part of her companion training. To be circumspect is part of being a companion. However, that does not diminish her as an extraordinary woman.” “Course not,” Ian said, “but what it does is shed a whole new light on you. I hope you can appreciate my difficulty in trustin’ you.” Ian sighed heavily, “Yes Captain Malcolm, I can. Have you any idea how difficult it was to get away from the people I grew up with? Do you even want to know how much killing was required to keep Inara safe and to secure my freedom? I’ll tell you Captain, it shocks even me now, and I was trained for it.” Mal stood up and rubbed his chin, “During the war we heard about a secret group of assassins roving around out there. From the rumors they were very exclusive and VERY good. Based in the mountains of Japan province if I remember right.” “Yes captain, you remember correctly,” Ian bowed his head. “When I took my leave, there was great consternation in the organization. I knew I would not last a more than a few years running from them. I had already fallen in love with Inara by that time and in exchange for her life I carried out one hundred and seventy-six missions that were the most difficult anyone had ever attempted. I was celebrated…and feared. Do you know how many lives I have personally taken Malcolm?” “I have no idea,” Malcolm said sternly, “I know we all did things in war that we didn’t…” “…fifteen thousand six hundred and eighty-seven,” Ian said loudly, “and that was before I decided to leave. The soul can only stand so much murder. So I broke ranks and ran at first. Of course they came after me. So I joined with the Jesuits.” “The monks?” “Yes I entered a monastery,” Ian said, softer now. “It took them a year to find me. They killed all 487 brothers to get to me. Unfortunately I was visiting another monastery in the Core. They missed. So I went after them. I will not speak of what was done. I will only say they are no more except for me, and the universe is better off.” “You killed ‘em,” Malcolm said with a hint of astonishment, “all of them?” Ian put his head in his hands and his shoulders slumped, “Yes…all of them. It was the only way. There are occasions where fate offers no other choice.” Malcolm looked at the floor and sighed, “Mr. McFarren it seems that dead people are all that’s left in your wake. I just don’t want this crew to add to your list.” “I don’t want that either,” Ian said heavily, “I have been away from all that for three years until this trip. But sooner or later, everyone must face up to their past. I did not expect Inara to be here.” “We’ll just be leavin’ Inara outta this right now,” Malcolm said firmly, “My first priority is River. Do you know what’s happened to her? Doc has no answers yet.” Ian stood and looked to refocus, “All I know is that I felt something just before River passed out. It was like a chorus of warmth, colors and music. Music with no particular tune or instruments, but it seemed familiar. River sensed it and I felt it through her.” “So you are a tele then?” “No captain, not entirely,” Ian was clearly thinking now, “my abilities are limited to being able to feel what others are feeling. I have learned to figure out what those feelings mean over the years and extrapolate what people are thinking. But I cannot hear their thoughts. River is a different story.” “What do you mean,” Reynolds asked intently, “you mean to tell me she’s a telepath? A true telepath?” “Most telepaths that I have met seemed to get their abilities from birth. As you may imagine they have a difficult time socially and many die as babies. They cannot process the adult thoughts that flood into their brain and have no way of blocking it. Of the twenty percent or so who do survive the first year, about two-thirds of those commit suicide for the same reasons. Many are just institutionalized. Only about point zero three percent of all telepaths born actually survive to become stable, functioning telepaths. Even so, many of them hide their abilities so as not to become social outcasts.” “So I have heard,” Malcolm said, “most people don’t like others digging in their mind without permission. What’s this got to do with River?” Ian sat back in the small chair, “Once I was contracted to terminate a self-aware mainframe. While hacking in I downloaded some data on what you know as the Blue Corporation. They have many military contracts and get massive amounts of money for secret projects. One of the projects they had underway was finding the gene for telepaths. According to the data I cracked, they were fairly close to isolating that gene and switching it on. The problem they were having was the same with all telepaths. So they were experimenting with actually removing parts of the brain that had to do with emotion. Most of their subjects showed an inability to handle their emotional response to the new stimulus. So they were removing certain parts of the brain which controlled emotion and replacing them with genetically altered ones to prevent the madness that normally occurred. I think now that River was in this program, but they did not finish the procedure. Her telepathy is becoming active and she is not sure how to handle it. Much of the time I am not sure if she can tell if what she senses in her brain is real or just thoughts coming from some other member of the crew.” “So you’re sayin’ that she is becoming a telepath,” Malcolm questioned. “Pretty soon she’ll be able to read our minds and know all that we’re thinkin’ ?” Ian shook is head slightly, “It really depends on her. If she learns to block out what she doesn’t want to hear. Her abilities could be honed so that she could selectively choose what comes to her on a normal, daily basis. But she does not understand what is happening to her and why thoughts and images are flooding into her head from you and the crew. Stress makes it harder for her to block the thoughts.” “Have you spoken to the Doc about this? I mean, it’s something he should know. Maybe he could help her.” “We talked for some time about it last week,” Ian placed his muscular arms behind his head, “Most of it he had already figured out. He is just not sure what to do about it. The new medlab facilities are helping greatly. But he is at a disadvantage.” “What kind of a disadvantage,” Malcolm asked with great concern, “he’s a real sharp guy. If anyone can figure it out I think Simon can.” Ian nodded, “Yes but the literature and research available on the cortex is tricky for him. The Blue Corp. is tapped in with the help of the Alliance and monitors all available subject matter for access.” “So if he does research on the wrong thing Simon could attract some unwanted guests.” “Correct,” answered Ian, “so he has to piece together much of the research that has already been done. I have given him the data I took but even that’s five years old by now.” Malcolm crossed his arms and pulled his chin to his chest as he often did when thinking, “Mr. McFarren I need you working with the doc right now. Do you think that ship has anything to do with this? I mean, is it affecting her in some way?” “I am not sure captain,” answered Ian, “the only one who knows that is River.” “Ummhmmm,” Malcolm muttered, “still I need you in Medlab. We will monitor the object and give a yell if we notice anything or if anything changes. It’s still ten days out. Until then the preacher and I will work on our greeting and make as many passive scans as we can. Kaylee is working to automate our scans as we speak.” “Thank you Captain,” Ian said bowing slightly. Malcolm turned to go then stopped in the corridor, “Oh and Ian…” “Yes?” “Please don’t be late for dinner again. Room service costs extra,” Malcolm smiled and turned. “Aye that sir.”