Work Text:
"DOES THAT SEEM RIGHT?"
A "Firefly" story
Written by Alison M. DOBELL
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Space. A spinning continuum that mocked me with a darkness the equal of my soul. Amused even in death I could not help reliving the moment because in the end the moments are all we have. I thought I had been so smart. So clever. Tracked my mark with all the skill of my profession. Aided and abetted by a mind
enhanced beyond normal human parameters.
Why was it always the little ones that caused the biggest problems? Upset my way of life? My plans? I thought the dwarf had been tricky. A chuckle slid out and steamed the inside of my helmet in brief compensation. There was no panic. No feebly reaching out for help that would not come. My brief anger dissipated. I knew the risks. None better. Was impressed to have the tables turned on me so elegantly. Pale moon faced girl smiling her distracted charm as she orchestrated my downfall. The hunter had become the hunted. The predator, the prey. I smiled even while I cursed her. She was just a girl. A child. My smile vanished. Does that seem right? Genius or not it wasn't but in the end she had outsmarted me. Game over. Checkmate. No tears. "Well, that didn't go the way I planned it at all."
I glanced up and watched the universe slowly rotate around me then corrected myself. That had always been my problem. Thought the whole 'verse revolved around myself. Mama had said. Father had warned. My few friends had cautioned before a flash of temper had blinded them with violent death. That they should mock me so. Does that seem right? I watched the Firefly get smaller and smaller, glimpses of it teasing my vision as I rotated in slow decline. I should be acknowledging the inevitability of death as my air began to thin but that is not for me. I wait until the ship is gone. Not even a rumour of her fumes lingering in the Black. I smile. Captain thought he was so gorram smart. Should have killed me outright while he had the chance. I pushed back the protective cuff on my left wrist to reveal the control that would call my ship back to me.
The little ones were always the most trouble but they gave the greatest pleasure. I would enjoy the rematch. Even if it was not what I had originally planned.
end