24/100 ; ballad of a broken drum
Title: Ballad of a broken drum
Author: session416
Rating: G
Character(s): Mal
Prompt: Set 1, #024, "Future"
Word Count: 319
Notes: End of BDM, Mal POV.
Mal remembered Serenity Valley every day of his life. He couldn't remember the names of millions, but the chosen hundred or so were enough. Many died thinking they were dying for a greater cause, one that might be realized by those left behind. Then those that died knowing that no one was coming. Then those that lived, the few that had looked all those men and women in the eye and tried to tell them it would be alright.
That they was too pretty to die.
"I'm going to grant your greatest wish."
There would be no need place for them in this new world. But this was the time and the place.
"I'm going to show you a world without sin."
It wasn't a gift, so much as a promise of what the future would hold. The power of will kept him standing. As it had kept the woman in the record wave, sounding out a truth so horrible, but still believing in the beast that brought it on. As it had kept the man, anchored by his own sword, breathing the blood on his hands, but still believing.
Mal had found something to believe in, but he, too, was broken now.
But he would make it back. To his crew, to his people. To those who believed in him, and followed him to this place where the past became the present and for the first time since the war, he saw a future.
He would make it back. To look those who followed him in the eye; to show and tell them reason for all of this.
"It's done."
The Alliance had made them all, birthed them from its underbelly, and they would be learning to crawl. They'd know they won't be crawling to stand alone. He would look into their eyes and show them.
No one fell in vain; no one was left behind.
***
Author: session416
Rating: G
Character(s): Mal
Prompt: Set 1, #024, "Future"
Word Count: 319
Notes: End of BDM, Mal POV.
Mal remembered Serenity Valley every day of his life. He couldn't remember the names of millions, but the chosen hundred or so were enough. Many died thinking they were dying for a greater cause, one that might be realized by those left behind. Then those that died knowing that no one was coming. Then those that lived, the few that had looked all those men and women in the eye and tried to tell them it would be alright.
That they was too pretty to die.
"I'm going to grant your greatest wish."
There would be no need place for them in this new world. But this was the time and the place.
"I'm going to show you a world without sin."
It wasn't a gift, so much as a promise of what the future would hold. The power of will kept him standing. As it had kept the woman in the record wave, sounding out a truth so horrible, but still believing in the beast that brought it on. As it had kept the man, anchored by his own sword, breathing the blood on his hands, but still believing.
Mal had found something to believe in, but he, too, was broken now.
But he would make it back. To his crew, to his people. To those who believed in him, and followed him to this place where the past became the present and for the first time since the war, he saw a future.
He would make it back. To look those who followed him in the eye; to show and tell them reason for all of this.
"It's done."
The Alliance had made them all, birthed them from its underbelly, and they would be learning to crawl. They'd know they won't be crawling to stand alone. He would look into their eyes and show them.
No one fell in vain; no one was left behind.
***