OOJ Commentary, the Nth Part
In which the Doctor picks a fight:
This chapter got a lot of little tweaks, little bits and pieces that I thought could sound better. Most chapters have at least a few of those.
“Sounds powerful stupid to me,” said Jayne, sharpening his favorite knife.
Jayne was the official Ass of FF. The Ass is the character who creates conflict within the lead ensemble while not actually being a villain. One of the most useful functions of the Ass is to call into question the plans of the other characters and to expose their flaws. In this case, Jayne does have a point--all of this is very dangerous and is contingent on the cooperation of an unknown quantity. Dodgy proposition, or, as Jayne says, "powerful stupid."
“That would be an ‘aye’ vote, then,” said Wash.
Wash is, of course, the Clown. Again, desperately needed in any ensemble to prevent things from getting too serious. TW needed a Clown first season. In the second season, Ianto was kind enough to take over the Clown's duties for the most part.
Everyone on Serenity was gathered around the dining room table as they discussed what the Doctor had learned, and just what he and Mal were planning to do about it. A ripple of laughter made its way around the table.
Jayne, unamused, glared at Wash before gesturing at the Doctor with his knife. “You’re so smart, explain to me how walking into a nest of Reavers with your trousers ‘round your ankles is a good idea.”
I'm sorry I couldn't use Jayne more in this story, because his dialogue is so very amusing to write.
“Sir, I hate to admit it, but he does have a point,” put in Zoë. “There’s any number of ways this could go wrong.”
Zoe's the Number One, a position named for Commander Riker on ST:TNG. She's the loyal second-in-command, responsible for being the lead's sounding board. She does her duty perfectly.
“In that case, we go to Plan B a mite early,” said Mal.
“Why are you so certain they’ll talk?” asked Simon.
“Because anyone smart enough to be able to use that transmitter will have enough curiosity to at least listen to what I have to say,” said the Doctor.
That was my rationale. This guy's smart. Brilliant, even. The Doctor can use that. He's able to get Hendricks interested in him, which means he'll talk.
“ ‘Sides which, whoever’s on that boat weren’t directly involved with what went down on Angel,” Mal pointed out. “Doc got a look at the traffic reports. Anything as big as a Xanadu-class woulda shown up, even if it was just in orbit.”
As I mentioned a few chapters earlier, I had to retcon myself a bit when I realized what Hendricks's motivation would be. This is part of that retcon--the Ambrose wasn't directly involved in Charley Yang's death, which leaves enough wiggle room for Mal to be okay with dealing with her captain.
Jack shifted in his seat a bit. “It’s still pretty risky, counting on whoever this is to have even a rudimentary sense of honor.”
“Still say you should jus’ meet ‘im planetside with a gun,” muttered Jayne.
“He should be given a chance to do the right thing, even if he doesn’t take it,” said Book. “Summarily shooting him down makes us no better than him.”
Again, trying to work Book in. This was a point he'd make. Jayne, of course, doesn't care to be any better--but the Doctor does.
“Book’s right,” said the Doctor. “He gets a chance--one chance. After that, what happens is on his own head.”
“And what exactly will happen?” Inara asked, voice low.
River’s soft voice came from the doorway. “The storm breaks.”
Suitably chilling, no?
***
Shortly thereafter, the Doctor stood in the cockpit alongside Mal and Zoë as Wash piloted Serenity on a trajectory that took them ever closer to the mysterious ship--and possibly a whole pack of Reavers. Mal tried hard not to think about that. The Doctor seemed fairly confident that the captain of the Xanadu-class vessel would parley, but Mal’s nerves were on edge.
“We’re within their sensor range now,” Wash announced.
“Run up the white flag and open a channel,” said Mal.
Wash flipped a switch, and a light on Serenity’s exterior flared to life, blinking out what had become the universal signal for “I come in peace.” The ship also sent out a simple, coded wave indicating surrender or a request for parley. Another couple of switches, and Wash said, “You’ve got your channel.”
I made that up whole-hat, but I figured it'd be realistic to have something like that out in the black.
“Unknown vessel, this is Captain Malcolm Reynolds of the transport ship Serenity, requesting parley with your captain,” Mal announced.
After a moment, a reply came through. A man’s face filled the monitor. He was a rather handsome, middle-aged man with graying chestnut hair and eyes that indeterminate shade known as “hazel.” His smile was genial enough, but Mal saw something cold in his eyes. This was not a man he trusted.
Think Holland Manners or Jack Bristow--an older man with a lot of presence, who can't necessarily be trusted, in spite of outward appearances.
“This is Captain Joel Hendricks of the Ambrose,” said the man in a smooth Core accent that was the twin of Simon’s. “Parley granted. What is it you wish to discuss, Captain Reynolds?”
The name "Ambrose" was chosen for a couple of reasons. First, it's a name from myth and legend. It was a name of Merlin, in fact, whom the Doctor may or may not be. Second, it's linked to immortality, which Hendricks hopes to achieve--figuratively--through his actions. Third, the sound of the word is smooth and soothing, which is very much at odds with what the ship is about, but very much in tune with the image Hendricks puts forth to the world.
As for Hendricks's name, I generally go with my first instincts on names. This was no exception. "Joel" is a Biblical name and quite common in America, which fits with the FF-verse. "Hendricks" is another fairly common surname, with a nice, strong sound to it. It's also the last name of Christina Hendricks, who played Saffron, but that didn't occur to me until later.
“I’ve got a passenger wants to discuss some matters with you face-to-face,” said Mal, following the script he and the Doctor had prepared. “Will you guarantee us safe passage under Accord 315?”
All this is carefully planned out by the Doctor. He wants to absolve Mal, as much as possible, of any culpability in this. Plus, it gives Hendricks the mistaken impression that Serenity is the only ship at the Doctor's disposal--a mistake that will prove fatal.
Accord 315 was generally used during wartime. The gist was that any captain who requested a parley would be under a flag of truce until one hour after the parley was concluded.
Interesting thing--I'm not sure exactly why, but there were a couple of places in this chapter where a return was left out, leaving no white space between paragraphs. Had to correct that. Also, I totally made up Accord 315. Needed a bit of buffer time for Serenity.
Captain Hendricks’ mouth quirked. “We’re not at war, Captain Reynolds, but I agree to the terms set down in Accord 315. Your passenger and any party from your ship will be safe aboard mine.”
“Thank you kindly,” said Mal. “My pilot will send yours rendezvous coordinates.”
“Acknowledged. I look forward to the meeting. Ambrose out,” said the other captain.
Wash closed the channel. “Do we trust him?”
“Not as far as I could throw him and his ship,” said Mal, “but I do believe the Doctor’s right; he’ll talk.”
“He will,” said the Doctor. “We’re safe enough for now; I’m an unknown quantity, and he doesn’t know what I might have up my sleeve. Or in my pockets. I have a lot in my pockets, actually. Banana?” He offered one to Mal.
Couldn't resist. It's a nice little non sequitur.
“No, thanks,” said Mal, nonplused.
Wash grabbed it. “Gee, fresh fruit-I wonder if I remember what it tastes like?”
Wash, of course, knows what to do with the rare bit of real food.
“Zoë, you’ll be with me,” Mal told his second-in-command. “ ‘Bout how long will it be, Wash?”
Wash swallowed a mouthful of banana. “Half hour, give or take. This is good. Tastes real.”
“It’s from Villengard. Best bananas in the galaxy,” said the Doctor. “I’ll be in the TARDIS. Come get me when it’s time to go over to the Ambrose.”
***
About half an hour later, Mal met the Doctor, Jack and Rose in the cargo bay. Rose had her hair up and was wearing a tailored jacket, and Mal realized she intended to go with them. He was a little surprised that the Doctor wasn’t objecting.
The Doctor isn't over-protective of Rose. Oh, certainly, he'll keep her out of action when he feels he has to (PotW) and go medieval on anything that hurts her (TIL), but overall, he doesn't try to keep her out of the danger that is his life. She wants to come along here, and he has no problem with that. I like that. She cleans up a bit to make herself look more like a business associate than a teenager, but that's as far as it goes.
“You sure you want to go with us, Miss Rose?” Mal asked. “It’s bound to be powerful tense.”
“That’ll be new and different for us,” said Rose dryly. “Don’t worry ‘bout me.”
Yeah, Rose isn't all that concerned about things being merely tense.
Mal and Zoë escorted them to the secondary shuttle, where Mal took the controls with Jack more or less breathing over his shoulder.
Jack's gone geeky again. He's adorable when he's like that.
“This is Shuttle Two heading out, Wash,” said Mal into the comm. “Wait here for us, and if Jayne tries to take over the ship, have Simon slip him another mickey.”
“Acknowledged, Captain. Have fun, and Serenity out.”
It was only a short hop over to the Ambrose, which was, in contrast to Serenity, one of the sleekest, shiniest models to come out of the shipyards of Hephaestus.
I don't know for certain that's where the Alliance's shipyards are, but it sounds good to me.
Not that it was terribly new-Mal had seen very similar ships during the war-but it was still a damn sight more powerful than a Firefly.
I figured Hendricks would've left the Alliance more than a few years ago, probably not too long after the war, and he'd have taken his ship with him. Thus, the ship isn't the newest model, but it's still more than a match for Serenity.
He docked the shuttle, feeling like he was performing for guests, and sighed as he cut off the engines. “Okay, Doc, this is your show. You’re on point now.”
“Good.” The Doctor had done that thing where he got very quiet and cold and alien, and Mal suppressed a shiver.
Ooh, I like the Doctor when he's like that!
***
A lieutenant-he had the insignia, though his uniform wasn’t standard Alliance Navy
Hendricks has formed his own private army. They're not many, aside from the Reavers, but they're loyal.
-escorted the small group to a briefing room. Captain Hendricks rose as they entered, gracing them with a genial smile.
“Captain Hendricks,” acknowledged Mal.
“Captain Reynolds,” Hendricks said in return. “May I be introduced to your guests?”
“This is Zoë Washburne, my first mate,” said Mal, indicating Zoë, “and this here’s the Doctor.”
“The Doctor.” Hendricks looked intrigued. “Interesting. I’ve never met a man with no name before.”
“Oh, I have plenty of names,” said the Doctor.
A bit mythic, that. Also enigmatic.
“Speaking of which, these are my associates, Captain Jack Harkness and Miss Rose Tyler.”
Hendricks sized them up briefly and nodded. “Please, do have a seat. May I offer you some tea?” He indicated a silver service on the polished table.
He's the picture of civilization--until you scratch the surface. I generally dislike the slavering, mustache-twirling villains and prefer them to come in unexpected, even attractive, packages. Thus, Hendricks is smooth as silk and twice as slippery.
The Doctor, Rose and Jack sat. Mal and Zoë didn’t, preferring to remain on guard.
“Thank you for the offer, but we’ll be brief,” said the Doctor. “You have aboard your vessel a piece of technology that belongs to neither this time nor this place. I’m here to retrieve it.”
“And if I were to say I have no idea what you mean?” asked Hendricks.
“If you were to say that, I’d be forced to call you a liar, and I don’t believe either of us wants this to become unpleasant,” said the Doctor.
All of the above is said in civilized tones, with very genial, very fake smiles.
“You may not. Wouldn’t count on him,” said Mal, jerking his chin at Hendricks.
This is Mal's role in all this: to add a bit of friction, to keep Hendricks just that much off-balance and hopefully get more information.
“I’ve agreed to your terms for parley, Captain Reynolds; I do hope you’re not questioning my honor,” said Hendricks. “I’m a civilized man.”
“Couldn’t tell that by Charley Yang,” said Mal icily. “You tellin’ me you and yours aren’t the reason he ain’t in one piece no longer?”
Hendricks tensed visibly. “Unfortunately, the member of my entourage I sent to negotiate for that booster took liberties. He has since been . . . disciplined.”
Read: Reaver fodder.
“I’m sure that’s a real comfort to Charley’s daughter,” sneered Mal.
The Doctor raised a hand. “Enough of this. I’m here to request that you turn over the item in question. It’s already done enough damage.”
“And who are you to be making such a request?” demanded Hendricks. “Are you Alliance?”
“I’m a Time Lord, and no, I don’t belong to your government or any other,” said the Doctor. “It’s my business when something falls through time and into the hands of people who shouldn’t have it.”
Again with the enigmatic. He's hoping Hendricks will bite, but probably knows he won't.
Hendricks looked interested, but unimpressed. “What gives you the authority to make the decision of who should or should not have it?”
“I’m the only one who can make that decision. Time is mine to protect, and I will. This is your opportunity to do the right thing,” said the Doctor.
“And believe me, you’re lucky it’s the Doctor who’s come for it,” put in Jack. “The Time Agency-which I used to work for-would just destroy you, your ship and the object in question without warning. You go on the way you have, the likelihood of attracting their attention goes up.”
Thought that sounded like the Time Agency's m.o. After KKBB, my opinion has not changed.
“Hm.” Hendricks sat back. “If what you say is true, why didn’t you come for it forty years ago when the Alliance snapped it up? You should have seen what they did with it when they figured out what it could do. I was there, Doctor; I was on the research team. It’s part of what caused my disillusionment with the Alliance in the first place.”
Background: Hendricks knows about River, and he knows about Miranda. He saw it all happen. It affected him so strongly that he now has an almost pathological hatred of the Alliance and what they've done to their own people.
“That why you stole their toy?” asked Mal.
Hendricks looked him up and down. “You of all people, Captain Reynolds, should respect that. You fought in the war, didn’t you? You were an Independent.”
“Still am,” said Mal with a smirk.
“Good. You should be. I’ve been in deep; I’ve seen the underbelly of the Alliance. I’ve seen what goes on behind the façade, the things the citizens don’t know and don’t want to know.” Hendricks leaned forward. “I’ve seen things that would make your skin crawl, Doctor, things you did nothing about.”
Hendricks recognizes authority when he sees it, and he doesn't doubt the Doctor's. But he also thinks that if the Doctor has that kind of authority, he should've stopped all this before it happened. Obviously, he doesn't understand the vagaries of time and space.
“It’s not my job to dictate how your government should run itself,” said the Doctor. “We got here when we could, and even that wasn’t easy. Captain Reynolds was gracious enough to offer us transport out this far.
This is again to make Hendricks think the Doctor doesn't have that many assets. It's a bit of bait. If Hendricks isn't willing to do the right thing and is willing to destroy Serenity in order to get what he wants, the Doctor's only too willing to let him fall into a trap.
And now I’m asking you, very nicely, to hand over what you’ve taken. Stage your coup some other way. Preferably without the cannibals. That is what this is about, isn’t it? Once you’ve got your fleet of Reavers, you’ve actually got a chance against the Alliance Navy.”
The big reveal of what Hendricks is planning: Reavers vs. the Alliance. Not too nice.
Hendricks gave a humorless smile. “I like to call it ‘Operation Chicken Roost’. And to extend the avian metaphor, it’s really killing two birds with one stone-the Rim will no longer be terrorized by the Reavers, and the Alliance gets what’s coming to them. Win-win. In other words, Doctor, the answer is no.”
The Doctor’s face might as well have been carved in stone. “Then I’ll stop you.”
Oh, I find it sexy when he says that!
“Hardly a wise thing to try, unless you have a fleet of your own hidden away somewhere,” said Hendricks. “Considering you had to barter transport with a smuggler, I seriously doubt that.”
“No, no fleet,” said the Doctor almost cheerfully. “Just us kids. Unfair odds, I’ll grant you, but I did offer you an opportunity to surrender.
Bit of a reversal, which I always find funny.
What happens from here on out is on your head.” Abruptly, he stood, Rose and Jack following his lead. “I don’t believe we have anything more to say.”
“I should say not,” agreed Hendricks. “Reynolds, I’m giving you one last chance. Whatever he has in mind, it’s not worth the loss of your ship and your crew. Do you really want to stand against me? With the Alliance?”
Hendricks has some regard for the Browncoats, which leads to this offer.
Mal gave him a lazy grin. “Ain’t standing with you, ain’t standin’ with the Alliance. I’m just standing. S’all a man can do.”
Here I was, stuck for a good exit, and Mal offered up that bit of cowboy philosophy. Let that be a lesson to you, boys and girls: always trust the characters. It was the perfect ending for the chapter.
With that, he followed the Doctor back to the shuttle.
This chapter got a lot of little tweaks, little bits and pieces that I thought could sound better. Most chapters have at least a few of those.
“Sounds powerful stupid to me,” said Jayne, sharpening his favorite knife.
Jayne was the official Ass of FF. The Ass is the character who creates conflict within the lead ensemble while not actually being a villain. One of the most useful functions of the Ass is to call into question the plans of the other characters and to expose their flaws. In this case, Jayne does have a point--all of this is very dangerous and is contingent on the cooperation of an unknown quantity. Dodgy proposition, or, as Jayne says, "powerful stupid."
“That would be an ‘aye’ vote, then,” said Wash.
Wash is, of course, the Clown. Again, desperately needed in any ensemble to prevent things from getting too serious. TW needed a Clown first season. In the second season, Ianto was kind enough to take over the Clown's duties for the most part.
Everyone on Serenity was gathered around the dining room table as they discussed what the Doctor had learned, and just what he and Mal were planning to do about it. A ripple of laughter made its way around the table.
Jayne, unamused, glared at Wash before gesturing at the Doctor with his knife. “You’re so smart, explain to me how walking into a nest of Reavers with your trousers ‘round your ankles is a good idea.”
I'm sorry I couldn't use Jayne more in this story, because his dialogue is so very amusing to write.
“Sir, I hate to admit it, but he does have a point,” put in Zoë. “There’s any number of ways this could go wrong.”
Zoe's the Number One, a position named for Commander Riker on ST:TNG. She's the loyal second-in-command, responsible for being the lead's sounding board. She does her duty perfectly.
“In that case, we go to Plan B a mite early,” said Mal.
“Why are you so certain they’ll talk?” asked Simon.
“Because anyone smart enough to be able to use that transmitter will have enough curiosity to at least listen to what I have to say,” said the Doctor.
That was my rationale. This guy's smart. Brilliant, even. The Doctor can use that. He's able to get Hendricks interested in him, which means he'll talk.
“ ‘Sides which, whoever’s on that boat weren’t directly involved with what went down on Angel,” Mal pointed out. “Doc got a look at the traffic reports. Anything as big as a Xanadu-class woulda shown up, even if it was just in orbit.”
As I mentioned a few chapters earlier, I had to retcon myself a bit when I realized what Hendricks's motivation would be. This is part of that retcon--the Ambrose wasn't directly involved in Charley Yang's death, which leaves enough wiggle room for Mal to be okay with dealing with her captain.
Jack shifted in his seat a bit. “It’s still pretty risky, counting on whoever this is to have even a rudimentary sense of honor.”
“Still say you should jus’ meet ‘im planetside with a gun,” muttered Jayne.
“He should be given a chance to do the right thing, even if he doesn’t take it,” said Book. “Summarily shooting him down makes us no better than him.”
Again, trying to work Book in. This was a point he'd make. Jayne, of course, doesn't care to be any better--but the Doctor does.
“Book’s right,” said the Doctor. “He gets a chance--one chance. After that, what happens is on his own head.”
“And what exactly will happen?” Inara asked, voice low.
River’s soft voice came from the doorway. “The storm breaks.”
Suitably chilling, no?
***
Shortly thereafter, the Doctor stood in the cockpit alongside Mal and Zoë as Wash piloted Serenity on a trajectory that took them ever closer to the mysterious ship--and possibly a whole pack of Reavers. Mal tried hard not to think about that. The Doctor seemed fairly confident that the captain of the Xanadu-class vessel would parley, but Mal’s nerves were on edge.
“We’re within their sensor range now,” Wash announced.
“Run up the white flag and open a channel,” said Mal.
Wash flipped a switch, and a light on Serenity’s exterior flared to life, blinking out what had become the universal signal for “I come in peace.” The ship also sent out a simple, coded wave indicating surrender or a request for parley. Another couple of switches, and Wash said, “You’ve got your channel.”
I made that up whole-hat, but I figured it'd be realistic to have something like that out in the black.
“Unknown vessel, this is Captain Malcolm Reynolds of the transport ship Serenity, requesting parley with your captain,” Mal announced.
After a moment, a reply came through. A man’s face filled the monitor. He was a rather handsome, middle-aged man with graying chestnut hair and eyes that indeterminate shade known as “hazel.” His smile was genial enough, but Mal saw something cold in his eyes. This was not a man he trusted.
Think Holland Manners or Jack Bristow--an older man with a lot of presence, who can't necessarily be trusted, in spite of outward appearances.
“This is Captain Joel Hendricks of the Ambrose,” said the man in a smooth Core accent that was the twin of Simon’s. “Parley granted. What is it you wish to discuss, Captain Reynolds?”
The name "Ambrose" was chosen for a couple of reasons. First, it's a name from myth and legend. It was a name of Merlin, in fact, whom the Doctor may or may not be. Second, it's linked to immortality, which Hendricks hopes to achieve--figuratively--through his actions. Third, the sound of the word is smooth and soothing, which is very much at odds with what the ship is about, but very much in tune with the image Hendricks puts forth to the world.
As for Hendricks's name, I generally go with my first instincts on names. This was no exception. "Joel" is a Biblical name and quite common in America, which fits with the FF-verse. "Hendricks" is another fairly common surname, with a nice, strong sound to it. It's also the last name of Christina Hendricks, who played Saffron, but that didn't occur to me until later.
“I’ve got a passenger wants to discuss some matters with you face-to-face,” said Mal, following the script he and the Doctor had prepared. “Will you guarantee us safe passage under Accord 315?”
All this is carefully planned out by the Doctor. He wants to absolve Mal, as much as possible, of any culpability in this. Plus, it gives Hendricks the mistaken impression that Serenity is the only ship at the Doctor's disposal--a mistake that will prove fatal.
Accord 315 was generally used during wartime. The gist was that any captain who requested a parley would be under a flag of truce until one hour after the parley was concluded.
Interesting thing--I'm not sure exactly why, but there were a couple of places in this chapter where a return was left out, leaving no white space between paragraphs. Had to correct that. Also, I totally made up Accord 315. Needed a bit of buffer time for Serenity.
Captain Hendricks’ mouth quirked. “We’re not at war, Captain Reynolds, but I agree to the terms set down in Accord 315. Your passenger and any party from your ship will be safe aboard mine.”
“Thank you kindly,” said Mal. “My pilot will send yours rendezvous coordinates.”
“Acknowledged. I look forward to the meeting. Ambrose out,” said the other captain.
Wash closed the channel. “Do we trust him?”
“Not as far as I could throw him and his ship,” said Mal, “but I do believe the Doctor’s right; he’ll talk.”
“He will,” said the Doctor. “We’re safe enough for now; I’m an unknown quantity, and he doesn’t know what I might have up my sleeve. Or in my pockets. I have a lot in my pockets, actually. Banana?” He offered one to Mal.
Couldn't resist. It's a nice little non sequitur.
“No, thanks,” said Mal, nonplused.
Wash grabbed it. “Gee, fresh fruit-I wonder if I remember what it tastes like?”
Wash, of course, knows what to do with the rare bit of real food.
“Zoë, you’ll be with me,” Mal told his second-in-command. “ ‘Bout how long will it be, Wash?”
Wash swallowed a mouthful of banana. “Half hour, give or take. This is good. Tastes real.”
“It’s from Villengard. Best bananas in the galaxy,” said the Doctor. “I’ll be in the TARDIS. Come get me when it’s time to go over to the Ambrose.”
***
About half an hour later, Mal met the Doctor, Jack and Rose in the cargo bay. Rose had her hair up and was wearing a tailored jacket, and Mal realized she intended to go with them. He was a little surprised that the Doctor wasn’t objecting.
The Doctor isn't over-protective of Rose. Oh, certainly, he'll keep her out of action when he feels he has to (PotW) and go medieval on anything that hurts her (TIL), but overall, he doesn't try to keep her out of the danger that is his life. She wants to come along here, and he has no problem with that. I like that. She cleans up a bit to make herself look more like a business associate than a teenager, but that's as far as it goes.
“You sure you want to go with us, Miss Rose?” Mal asked. “It’s bound to be powerful tense.”
“That’ll be new and different for us,” said Rose dryly. “Don’t worry ‘bout me.”
Yeah, Rose isn't all that concerned about things being merely tense.
Mal and Zoë escorted them to the secondary shuttle, where Mal took the controls with Jack more or less breathing over his shoulder.
Jack's gone geeky again. He's adorable when he's like that.
“This is Shuttle Two heading out, Wash,” said Mal into the comm. “Wait here for us, and if Jayne tries to take over the ship, have Simon slip him another mickey.”
“Acknowledged, Captain. Have fun, and Serenity out.”
It was only a short hop over to the Ambrose, which was, in contrast to Serenity, one of the sleekest, shiniest models to come out of the shipyards of Hephaestus.
I don't know for certain that's where the Alliance's shipyards are, but it sounds good to me.
Not that it was terribly new-Mal had seen very similar ships during the war-but it was still a damn sight more powerful than a Firefly.
I figured Hendricks would've left the Alliance more than a few years ago, probably not too long after the war, and he'd have taken his ship with him. Thus, the ship isn't the newest model, but it's still more than a match for Serenity.
He docked the shuttle, feeling like he was performing for guests, and sighed as he cut off the engines. “Okay, Doc, this is your show. You’re on point now.”
“Good.” The Doctor had done that thing where he got very quiet and cold and alien, and Mal suppressed a shiver.
Ooh, I like the Doctor when he's like that!
***
A lieutenant-he had the insignia, though his uniform wasn’t standard Alliance Navy
Hendricks has formed his own private army. They're not many, aside from the Reavers, but they're loyal.
-escorted the small group to a briefing room. Captain Hendricks rose as they entered, gracing them with a genial smile.
“Captain Hendricks,” acknowledged Mal.
“Captain Reynolds,” Hendricks said in return. “May I be introduced to your guests?”
“This is Zoë Washburne, my first mate,” said Mal, indicating Zoë, “and this here’s the Doctor.”
“The Doctor.” Hendricks looked intrigued. “Interesting. I’ve never met a man with no name before.”
“Oh, I have plenty of names,” said the Doctor.
A bit mythic, that. Also enigmatic.
“Speaking of which, these are my associates, Captain Jack Harkness and Miss Rose Tyler.”
Hendricks sized them up briefly and nodded. “Please, do have a seat. May I offer you some tea?” He indicated a silver service on the polished table.
He's the picture of civilization--until you scratch the surface. I generally dislike the slavering, mustache-twirling villains and prefer them to come in unexpected, even attractive, packages. Thus, Hendricks is smooth as silk and twice as slippery.
The Doctor, Rose and Jack sat. Mal and Zoë didn’t, preferring to remain on guard.
“Thank you for the offer, but we’ll be brief,” said the Doctor. “You have aboard your vessel a piece of technology that belongs to neither this time nor this place. I’m here to retrieve it.”
“And if I were to say I have no idea what you mean?” asked Hendricks.
“If you were to say that, I’d be forced to call you a liar, and I don’t believe either of us wants this to become unpleasant,” said the Doctor.
All of the above is said in civilized tones, with very genial, very fake smiles.
“You may not. Wouldn’t count on him,” said Mal, jerking his chin at Hendricks.
This is Mal's role in all this: to add a bit of friction, to keep Hendricks just that much off-balance and hopefully get more information.
“I’ve agreed to your terms for parley, Captain Reynolds; I do hope you’re not questioning my honor,” said Hendricks. “I’m a civilized man.”
“Couldn’t tell that by Charley Yang,” said Mal icily. “You tellin’ me you and yours aren’t the reason he ain’t in one piece no longer?”
Hendricks tensed visibly. “Unfortunately, the member of my entourage I sent to negotiate for that booster took liberties. He has since been . . . disciplined.”
Read: Reaver fodder.
“I’m sure that’s a real comfort to Charley’s daughter,” sneered Mal.
The Doctor raised a hand. “Enough of this. I’m here to request that you turn over the item in question. It’s already done enough damage.”
“And who are you to be making such a request?” demanded Hendricks. “Are you Alliance?”
“I’m a Time Lord, and no, I don’t belong to your government or any other,” said the Doctor. “It’s my business when something falls through time and into the hands of people who shouldn’t have it.”
Again with the enigmatic. He's hoping Hendricks will bite, but probably knows he won't.
Hendricks looked interested, but unimpressed. “What gives you the authority to make the decision of who should or should not have it?”
“I’m the only one who can make that decision. Time is mine to protect, and I will. This is your opportunity to do the right thing,” said the Doctor.
“And believe me, you’re lucky it’s the Doctor who’s come for it,” put in Jack. “The Time Agency-which I used to work for-would just destroy you, your ship and the object in question without warning. You go on the way you have, the likelihood of attracting their attention goes up.”
Thought that sounded like the Time Agency's m.o. After KKBB, my opinion has not changed.
“Hm.” Hendricks sat back. “If what you say is true, why didn’t you come for it forty years ago when the Alliance snapped it up? You should have seen what they did with it when they figured out what it could do. I was there, Doctor; I was on the research team. It’s part of what caused my disillusionment with the Alliance in the first place.”
Background: Hendricks knows about River, and he knows about Miranda. He saw it all happen. It affected him so strongly that he now has an almost pathological hatred of the Alliance and what they've done to their own people.
“That why you stole their toy?” asked Mal.
Hendricks looked him up and down. “You of all people, Captain Reynolds, should respect that. You fought in the war, didn’t you? You were an Independent.”
“Still am,” said Mal with a smirk.
“Good. You should be. I’ve been in deep; I’ve seen the underbelly of the Alliance. I’ve seen what goes on behind the façade, the things the citizens don’t know and don’t want to know.” Hendricks leaned forward. “I’ve seen things that would make your skin crawl, Doctor, things you did nothing about.”
Hendricks recognizes authority when he sees it, and he doesn't doubt the Doctor's. But he also thinks that if the Doctor has that kind of authority, he should've stopped all this before it happened. Obviously, he doesn't understand the vagaries of time and space.
“It’s not my job to dictate how your government should run itself,” said the Doctor. “We got here when we could, and even that wasn’t easy. Captain Reynolds was gracious enough to offer us transport out this far.
This is again to make Hendricks think the Doctor doesn't have that many assets. It's a bit of bait. If Hendricks isn't willing to do the right thing and is willing to destroy Serenity in order to get what he wants, the Doctor's only too willing to let him fall into a trap.
And now I’m asking you, very nicely, to hand over what you’ve taken. Stage your coup some other way. Preferably without the cannibals. That is what this is about, isn’t it? Once you’ve got your fleet of Reavers, you’ve actually got a chance against the Alliance Navy.”
The big reveal of what Hendricks is planning: Reavers vs. the Alliance. Not too nice.
Hendricks gave a humorless smile. “I like to call it ‘Operation Chicken Roost’. And to extend the avian metaphor, it’s really killing two birds with one stone-the Rim will no longer be terrorized by the Reavers, and the Alliance gets what’s coming to them. Win-win. In other words, Doctor, the answer is no.”
The Doctor’s face might as well have been carved in stone. “Then I’ll stop you.”
Oh, I find it sexy when he says that!
“Hardly a wise thing to try, unless you have a fleet of your own hidden away somewhere,” said Hendricks. “Considering you had to barter transport with a smuggler, I seriously doubt that.”
“No, no fleet,” said the Doctor almost cheerfully. “Just us kids. Unfair odds, I’ll grant you, but I did offer you an opportunity to surrender.
Bit of a reversal, which I always find funny.
What happens from here on out is on your head.” Abruptly, he stood, Rose and Jack following his lead. “I don’t believe we have anything more to say.”
“I should say not,” agreed Hendricks. “Reynolds, I’m giving you one last chance. Whatever he has in mind, it’s not worth the loss of your ship and your crew. Do you really want to stand against me? With the Alliance?”
Hendricks has some regard for the Browncoats, which leads to this offer.
Mal gave him a lazy grin. “Ain’t standing with you, ain’t standin’ with the Alliance. I’m just standing. S’all a man can do.”
Here I was, stuck for a good exit, and Mal offered up that bit of cowboy philosophy. Let that be a lesson to you, boys and girls: always trust the characters. It was the perfect ending for the chapter.
With that, he followed the Doctor back to the shuttle.