Writing Contest #1

[Admin Account]

Objective:
Write a firefly-based one-shot. A one-shot is the fanfiction term for short-story.

Requirements:
-Must be at least 500 words.
-Must include A Tip, A Trip, and A Really Tight Grip. Use these prompts in any way you desire; be creative!
-Must be from first-person perspective.

Restrictions:
-Limit of five entries PER CHARACTER.

Notes:
-You do not have to use canons. You could make characters up, or even use the ones we play here, as long as the fiction remains within the Firefly 'verse.
-Nobody is judging your writing. Don't keep yourself from entering stuff just because you don't feel like yours will be that great. This is for fun and for platinum, the contest aspect of it isn't relevant.
-Since I (Ursula) am picking contest winners, I'll never be able to win contests anyway. You aren't competing with me. :]

Earnings:
Participation: p2000
First Place: p1500
Second Place: p1000
Third Place: p500

DEADLINE:
June 1, 2009 [Monday]

[Admin Account]

-EXTENDING THE DEADLINE DUE TO NO ENTRIES-

[takemeout]

This is the prologue from a Firefly fan-fic I wrote a while ago called "Lilac". Quite proud of this story I changed it up a bit today to explain the story briefly, especially for y'all! Think it should be clear enough to read without reading the whole story..
Hope you like it!

I find myself behind the counter of a small Pharmacy again. It doesn’t have the same friendly atmosphere that the last one on Lilac did, though. Then again, that one had Eleonora. She’s just not the same person anymore. Then again, neither am I.

But, no, this little pharmacy is ‘located in the Anka Crewe Medical Centre on Paquin‘. Even thinking that sounds cold. The place was a little run down and severely understaffed, but everyone worked hard to heal those that needed it. I’m still not fully trained. I began on Osiris. Done pretty well too, but when Jeffrey died.. Well, I gave up everything to be with my folks. I never went back to MedAcad. Instead I wasted all my platinum running off with Yen. That didn’t play out too well, now did it? Dumped on Lilac by a gorram hundan of a captain. Reavers killed Yen and left me somewhere near enough to it. Thank merciful Buddha for bartenders with guns.

So, I’m still not as trained as the best doctors but I got more know-how than a lotta the docs in this place. I tend to pick things up quick. Not to brag, but I successfully reconstructed a man’s hand after a few run throughs on a simulator. That was a good day.

I dreamed of leaving Paquin and seeing the ‘verse, like Yen and I had once hoped to, but at the same time I know I’m needed here. A lotta the time I’m left to my own devices behind this counter. Makes me think a lot. About Eleonora. About Mal, Serenity. I can’t help but feel guilty for allowing Eleonora to leave the ship with me last year. She would have been much happier than she is now, wasting her culinary talents in a dirty tavern kitchen. She used to be a great Companion but she gave it all up to see the ‘verse. Her had begun to hate her life of riches when she found out about the troubles on the rim. Now she had those troubles. She was so broken after having to leave Jayne that she married the first man to show an interest. Hawkins North. A gorram Alliance officer! I didn’t know she was so desperate.

I’ve really tried to make the best of Paquin. Sure, I found a guy, but he doesn’t compare. How can anyone compare to Malcolm Reynolds? His name is Kay Atwell, a medical student in the only MadAcad here. I wouldn’t have to think twice about leaving him here.

I sling on my browncoat and stroll out of the Anka Crewe centre, standing still for what could have been three minutes outside the door. I’m debating not returning, to just do as El had once done and steal a shuttle. But I can’t just run. I have something precious left with El that I can’t leave behind.

“Aw, hell…” I grunt before heading towards the tavern where El works.

Passing through the doors, I say a temporary goodbye to the bright and airy sunshine and begrudgingly welcome the humid and smoky, barely lit bar. I call to the barkeep and grab a seat at a little round table.

“Hey, Romero. Let El know I’m here”. I smile as I add, “and tell her to bring out my special package”.

I stare around the dim bar while I wait. The place is dead, as always. I spot Mills in his usual place at the bar, clutching onto the stool for fear of falling off. I laugh under my breath then lower my eyes to the table top.

“Gotta get outta here ‘fore that’s me”.

I get distracted from my thoughts by laughter I hear coming through the door. Familiar laughter. I feel like I can’t breathe. “It can’t be..” I choke out.

“Mal?” I whisper.

I take a sneaky look around, peering through my loose red curls. Sure enough, there he was. Malcolm Reynolds. But he isn’t alone.. Next to him stands a beautiful goddess of a woman. I can feel the pain shoot through me. I turn back around, trying to compose a happy look on my face.

“Mina? What are you doin’ here? Well I know why you’re here. But.. Uh,.. How are ya?” Mal makes his way over to us. The woman looks confused. She wasn’t on the ship when we were.

“I’ll give you two a moment.” She smiles, excusing herself. She must have picked up on the tension.. I’m too bust watching her to notice him talking to me.

“So, how’ve you been?..”

I give him a quick look. “She’s really beautiful, Mal.”

“What?.. No, we’re not.. That’s Inara you heard ‘bout, she’s back on Serenity now..”

“Inara.. Wow.. At least now I know why you couldn’t let me in, you had her in your heart already..” I smile weakly.

“Mina-”

“-I heard ‘bout what you done on Miranda. That was.. I couldn’t believe it..”

He changes the subject. “So, how‘s Eleonora been?”

“You can ask her yourself, she should be back out in a minute.”

Just as I say it the door opens.

“Hey, Mina!” Eleonora emerges from the back room holding a small bundle. “I believe you were looking for-”. Her walking slows as she spots him.

“Hey, Eleonora”, he gestures towards the mess of blankets as it starts to cry, a little puzzled.

“Captain Reynolds?!” She gasps, wide eyed.

“Woah.. Okay, my head’s startin’ to hurt.. And I don’t think I’ve gotten one answer to a question yet!”

I snap at him. “What are you looking’ for? Yes, I’ve been fine. Things are good. How are you?”

“How’s Jayne?” Eleonora asks. “Is he okay?”

He is still staring at what she‘s holding. “Did you… have a baby?..”

She gently hands it to me, “No, I did”

Mal is clearly doing the math in his head. How long ago I was on Serenity. “You recovered fast. Who’s the lucky guy? Husba-”

“-I don’t remember.. After you dropped us off there was just so many..”

“Okay.. I get it..” His tone is a little harsh.

I look down and sooth the baby, “Shh.. It’s okay S-” I throw my eyes up at Mal for a second. “S.. Sally…”

Mal takes a look at her. “She’s beautiful.”

“Speaking of beautiful..” I nod towards Mal just as Inara appeared next to him.

“I’m so sorry, but we should be getting back to the ship.”

“’Course.. Mina, until next time, I guess.” He smiles warily and turns to leave.

I gently take Inara’s wrist before she leeaves and whisper, “Please, take care of him.”

Inara smiles and nods before following him.

The baby begins to cry again. “Shh.. Shh.. Serenity. You’re okay..” I watch them go. “..We’re okay..”

[benbarrow]

[OOC: I'm just gonna have a go at this. ]

Ben speaks of the war. A written letter to no one in particular.

Hell, I've never been one to write stuff down. At this very moment I'm still wondering why in the 'Verse I'm writing at this very moment. I suppose that, despite the 'legacy' I've left behind, being "Bulletproof" Ben Barrow and all, I'd like people to know that apart from all the stories that are being told about me, I'd like people to know what kind of man I really was, and how some things actually happened.

Let's start with how I earned my nickname "Bulletproof". I remember being entrenched near New Kasmir, on my homeplanet Beaumonde. Knowing that I fought on the very same soil I grew up on, it was somewhat unsettling. Knowing very well that my father could be in the Alliance trenches across from me, it scared the hell out of me. All the time, all I could think about was: what if somehow, by some kind of cruel twist of fate, I'd kill my father? Or what if my father would kill me? I tried mostly not to think about it, hoping my father would be far away from any battle that was being fought, or anyone else I called a friend back on Beaumonde.

I was there when we were cut off from all reinforcements, supplies and the central command. When we filled our days shouting back and forth to the Purple Bellies in the other trenches. It was almost as if we were fraternizing with them, and I started wondering whether or not the 'Verse wouldn't be better off without the whole war for Independence. Despite everything the Alliance did to me, I actually started to see the Alliance soldiers as human beings, just ordinary men like myself being put in extraordinary conditions.

After days in the trenches, our food supplies were running low. When we shouted that to the Alliance soldiers in the other trench, they started throwing apples after a while. Our soldiers, who were this close to starvation, didn't think before biting into the apples and then... well...

I suppose there's no easy way or sugarcoated way of saying it but, when I saw my own men's heads explode, something changed inside me. That day, I made up my mind about the Alliance. Even though they were suffering from the same conditions as us, they still were hellbent on killing Independents. And which one of them came up with putting explosives in apples... well I hope he may burn in that special hell. I guess that's why, up until this very day, I still cut my apples in half before eating them.

A couple of days later, even though most of us had little fight left in us, our lieutenant came up with a plan to make the bastards pay. Me, having seen so many of my brethren dead, immediately volunteered. The plan was to take the Alliance trench, moving the line up a mere 10 meters. But to us, it seemed like we were invading a whole new world.

When the whistle sounded I climbed out of the trench and I, like the other soldiers that volunteered, ran across the barbed wired field, wondering why it was that I didn't get shot. I would later found out I didn't get shot because most of the Alliance bullets were directed at my other brothers in arms.

They all died before they could set foot in that trench. And me? I lived. I don't know whether it was luck, or if there was someone looking out for me. Maybe my time hadn't come yet, or Beaumonde decided I wasn't to die on its soil.

I found myself as the only Independent soldier in a trench filled with Alliance soldiers. I wish I could tell you what happened after that but, believe it or not, I don't. The last thing I remember is jumping into the trench, and then the next moment I was sitting in the trench, covered in blood, cutting up an apple and eating it.

However, I do remember the conversation I had with the other Independent soldiers that came to look after the trench was cleared and all was quiet. I'll try to write it down as best I can:

"Ben, are you okay?"

I looked up and I saw my friend Danco standing there, in the glow of the morning sun.

"Sure Danco. Why wouldn't I be?"

"Ben, the attack was 20 minutes ago..."

"Was it? I guess I shoulda called for you guys."

"Ben, you sure you okay?"

"Yeah Danco. Like I said, why wouldn't I be?"

I'll never forget the look in Danco's eyes when he told me. He looked at me like I should've been dead.

"Your coat Ben... It's..."

It was then I looked at my coat, only to find out it was riddled with bulletholes. But my body? It was in pristine condition, like it had always been. Not a scratch. Nothing.

I spent the rest of the war thinking about that day, why it was I couldn't remember what happened, and why it was that the bullets didn't hit me. From that day forward, people started calling me "Bulletproof". Even though I still don't know what happened to me to earn me that name.

I guess that's all I have to say about that. I don't know when or if I'm gonna write something else like this again so...

Benjamin Barrow
Captain of the Orlando
November 25th, 2520

[radegrasan]

Thoughts of a Persephonian rogue: Tales of Rade.

You know, I... I ain't too good in telling stories, especially not about myself. I ain't one to show vulnerability, especially in front of my captain. In front of anyone really...

I mean, what can I say? I ain't gonna whine about how bad life was for me, even though it was. I mean, there were good times too of course, but that was back when Pete was still alive, and Kylie hadn't joined the gorram Alliance yet. Seemed like I lost the only two friends I had on this ruttin' planet. Yeah, I know. It's sad to call your own sister one of your friends but hell, if it weren't for her... well... As for Pete. Man, he was my best friend. Best friend I ever had.

But I'm not gonna whine about bad things that have happened to me. Don't wanna sound like Bella. Heh, funny. I actually chuckled a laugh at that one. I guess I've never been one to know girls. Haven't ever known romance for that fact either.

Nah, that's not true. I suppose I've known it once but... well what happened after that... I don't wanna talk about it.

There was another though, this one girl back in a bar on Persephone... She seemed genuinely interested. Man, she was pretty. Long brown hair, light pale skin, blue eyes, sweetest angel voice I ever heard... Not like that screeching, accented devil's voice of my dear captain, sneering at me once again for leaving the cockpit to get a can of Sun cola. No, this girl was different. And I'd give anything if I could meet her again.

I remember that day like it was not yesterday, but a minute ago...

I was just sitting one day in a bar. Pete and I just got done moving some cargo for a private contractor. He went home, I decided to have a night out on the town. I was sitting at the bar, just drinking. Until...

"Hi." She said. "Haven't seen you here before. You new to the planet?"

I didn't even look up. I noticed her before but there was no way in hell a girl like that could be talking to me. It was when she tapped me on the shoulder that I noticed she actually was speaking to me. I turned around, not knowing I had this annoyed look on my face. The look she gave me was priceless. It was this childlike, and in a way very cute surprised face, yet she didn't regret tapping me on the shoulder.

"Oh, I'm sorry." I said. "Didn't realize you were talking to me. Didn't think anyone like you would want to talk to me."

"Someone like me?" She asked playfully.

If I were a girl I woulda blushed. Instead I thought about what to say next. She sorta had me by the balls. It was like she knew what I was going to say, she just needed to hear it from my mouth.

"Well... errr... you know..." I said, feeling somewhat ashamed of stumbling upon my words. "Aww, come on are you really gonna make me say it?"

Rather than to leave me for not telling her she was pretty, she smiled and seated herself on the barstool next to mine.

"So what's this about talking to a guy like you?" She asked.

"Oh... ehm... you know..." I replied. "Some people consider me the less likeable sort."

"And are you?" She asked.

"I didn't say that." I answered. "It's just that people don't come to talk to me very often."

"Too bad." She said. "For them that is."

I laughed. The thought of people actually liking me amused me somehow.

"You mind writing that on a piece of paper?" I asked. "Could be useful for the future."

"What? And share you with the rest of the planet?" She asked. "I don't think so."

I laughed again. And starting to think whether or not this girl was drunk. I guess the thought of someone actually liking me was new.
This sorta thing never happened to me before either. And I could tell by the look on her face she was waiting for me to suggest something to do together. The only thing I could come up with was to take her for a ride in the shuttle Pete and I used to haul cargo around.

"You know, I have my own aircraft." I said. "There's some beautiful hard to reach places on this rock that are really worth seeing. You feel like taking a ride?"

She smiled as if I had made her entire day. I guess this was what she was after.

"Ohh, you're a pilot?" She asked. "I should've known! I knew you weren't just any other guy from the moment I saw you."

Okay, so this time I actually blushed. She had given me more compliments in a minute's time than I have had my entire life. I figured I musta done something right to deserve this.

"But it sounds like a great idea!" She said. "I'm in! Just give me an hour to go home and clean myself up."

She took a paper coaster from the bar, and a pen and she wrote down her address. I looked down as she was writing it down. The address was about twenty minutes away from where I lived, and I figured if things went well, maybe she and I could do things more often. She handed over the coaster and smiled at me again.

"Remember, pick me up in an hour!" She reminded me again. "I'll be waiting!"

As I watched her leave the bar, I tried coming to terms with what happened. I just couldn't believe a girl spontaneously walked up to me, talked to me and planned a date with me.

I grabbed my sweater and left the bar as well. It was summer on Persephone at that time, so there was no need for me to wear it. I decided to get back to Pete's as fast I could to get the aircraft so I could take the girl for a ride. It was then also I realized I didn't even know her name. But at that time, I thought I could find out later.

I had left the bar for about two seconds when I saw Pete's shuttle standing across the street. A split second later, Pete appeared on my left side.

"Rade! Good thing I found you buddy!" Pete said. "C'mon, we got work to do!"

"Wait! What?" I asked, not knowing what the hell Pete was talking about.

"I just spoke to Murdo Dunstan on the Cortex." Pete answered. "This is our big break buddy! Dunstan will pay us lotsa bucks, but we gotta move!"

I couldn't believe it. I just knew things were going too well. And now my best friend in the world was gonna keep me from doing what could've been the best thing that ever happened to me.

As you may have figured, I chose to go with Pete. Frankly, I needed the platinum, and I'm not one to let people down. Especially not my best friend. But I had to let her down that evening.

I tried finding her afterwards but... well... apparently she moved out of that address just a week later, and since I didn't see her anymore I figured she musta moved off planet. Or to a better part of Persephone.

In any case, I hope she's happy. She deserves that much at least. And looking back at it...

She also deserved much better than me...

[losingside]

Forgetting A Ghost

We'd just docked on Beaumonde. The place was supposed to have a great nightlife; bars, nightclubs even a circus. We'd been onboard The Spectre for weeks doing jobs. Travelling from one side of the 'verse and back with deliveries. Still, it was hard to complain with the platinum we were earning.

The crew were some of the finest people I'd met. They kept me from going space crazy! There was my captain, once a lieutenant, Darryl Koffeld. We had become quite close. He never had any problem he couldn't come to me with. Our talks were always nice, even when the subject wasn't. Our mechanic was a very handsome guy with a great voice. I could listen to him talk for hours, and on occasion, I did. Willem was his name. Just thinking of him makes me smile. What a sweetie.

Our medic was the closest to my heart though, young Skye. She was only out of MedAcad and Darryl scooped her up for his crew. She was too good to not have onboard, but she was so young. She had to heal some pretty serious stuff during her time on The Spectre. Some stuff that brought me right back to the trenches. Our pilot, Kravitz, was an old war vet, like me and Darryl. He was a bit of a grump at times. Not that I could blame him, the amount of shrapnel he had stuck in him. But he was a good guy.

Then there was Lowe, and boy was he low. That gorram piece of gos se..­

That night. The crew were getting ready to run amuck in Beaumonde.

Skye's gentle voice came from my doorway, "Oly, you want me to wait for you?"

"Thank you mei-mei, but I'm gonna get changed. You can go ahead without me". I threw her a warm smile, then heard her skip off down the corridor.

"You alright, darlin'?"

I laugh softly. Willem. "I'm just fine," I call out to him. "I'll be out in no time."

"Alright then, but don't keep me waitin'."

Me and Willem were always flirting, but it was always playfully. He was a young man, twenty three I think. Nothing would have came of it, but it was always nice to speak with him. Made you feel real special.

I reached down for the dress that lay on the bed. Skye told me it was dark blue, guess I had to take her word. It felt pretty though. She'd picked it up for me on our last job. Sweet girl.

I started to sing as I pulled my vest off.

Bei fang you jia ren
Jue shi er du li
Yi gu qing ren cheng
Zai gu qing ren guo
Ning bu zhi
Qing cheng yu qing guo
Jia ren nan zai de


What I didn't hear was Lowe lumbering into my room, graceful creature that he was. I didn't notice he was there till he grabbed my wrist roughly and spun me around. It threw me off balance and I fell to the floor. My glasses slipped off and cracked off the wall.

"What in ruttin' heck d'ya think you're doin', hwoon dahn!"

"Aw, what's the problem, Bright Eyes?"

I could smell the drink on him. He reeked.

"Willem!"

"Oh, they've all gone.." I felt his presence getting closer. "Made plenty sure of that". He whispered the last sentence, his hot breath stinking of Ng-Ka-Pei, his drink of choice. I'm sure the stuff ran through his blood everyday.

I tried to get up but he pushed me back down. His gruff hands grabbed my leg. I kicked at him but that only worsened the situation. He was accustomed to wearing a long metal ring that covered his whole finger and ended in a sharp point. It sliced through my skin, all the way up the back of my leg. I winced at the pain but I'd welcome it again in place of what followed.

I only wish I'd fallen unconscious or just magically lost my memory of that night. But I didn't and I still have every tear soaked memory. I didn't have the choice of closing my eyes to everything, I walk around everyday with them shut.

When he'd left me, I gathered up my stuff and got changed. There was no joyful singing that time though. I waited for the crew to return to say my goodbyes. I made up something about my folks needing me back on Haven. That they were sending a shuttle to collect me. It took a lot of convincing, but they let me go. I wish I could have just told Darryl the truth. He would have believed me. I could have stayed. They were as good as any family I had and I left that all behind..

Still, the world keeps turning. I gotta keep fighting and do what I can to go on. Even if that means putting the past behind me. That said, if I ever come across Lowe again I won't be held responsible..

[takemeout]

Don’t Let Go

I was exactly where I wanted to be, in his arms. Even while he slept he held me so tight, as if he feared he’d lose me. I miss that something terrible, the feeling of pure love in my heart and beside me. I lay there one morning, unable to sleep. Then again, who needs to dream when you have the real thing?

I watched his scarred chest rise and fall, making up stories for the injuries he didn’t explain. He was open with me, but there was pain that ran deep from the war that he didn’t care to talk about. But he’d survived it, on the winning side.

The last ship I was on, Charlotte, spouted nothing but their hatred of the Alliance. I was angry with my father and hopped on the first ship I found. Seven years on an Independent cruiser. They fed me, looked after me, taught me to fly. It was hard to take sides when both had been so good to me. But I’m definitely Alliance. I try to block out the violence and murder, all the corruption, and focus more on the good they do. Even if that’s hard to do at times.

I traced one of his wounds with my finger tips. He shifted in his sleep a little before waking.

“Fran?..” He smiled at me.

Rodriguez always called me Fran, well, in private. He’s the only one I’ve entrusted with my name that didn’t already know it, like Lily Quayle on Charlotte. To everyone else I’m Eva Londe. I can’t even remember why I chose that name. It must have popped into my head that day in the shipyard.

“Hey,” I smiled back.

“What time is it?. Not that I wanna get up..” He sat up a little bit to check the time and I leaned into him. “Nine.. Well that’s not good.. We’ve got a delivery at ten.”

“I better get this baby off auto-pilot then.”

I kissed him before getting out of bed. I got dressed, pulling on a pair of boots and a white dress.

“See ya in the office, Cap’n!”

I climbed up out of the bunk and headed to the cockpit to make sure we were going the right way. We had a big delivery of medical supplies for Ariel. The job was risky, what with all the scavengers about. Some would do anything for a pay out. I know that not all Independents are like this, but a lot of the leeches that drain a ship dry tended to be of the Browncoat persuasion. Needless to say, with the cargo we had, we were on our toes.

On my way to the cockpit I bumped into Alina, our doctor. She was a nice woman, if a little intense. I don’t think she liked me very much.

“Ava,” she nodded a ‘hello’.

I grinned at her through gritted teeth. Every single day. Ava. Yes, it isn’t my actual name either way, but it’s still irritating. She done it on purpose, I know she did!

“Dr. Novikov,” I nodded. Even though she annoyed me, she still scared me a little. In all my time onboard The Creek I never called her Alina, or any variation of it. The fact that she was holding her medical bag - which contained scalpels - didn’t help put me at ease.

But I couldn’t help but notice a quiver in her voice. That was quite unusual.

“What’s wrong?” I took a step forward.

She shook her head very slightly from side to side. “N.. nothing..”

That was really weird. Stuttering from Alina Novikov.. Unheard of! She was staring dead ahead, past me. I started to turn my head.

“Eva! Shouldn’t you be in the cockpit?”

I stopped and turned back to her. Eva? No way.

“We’ll be at Ariel soon. Could you make sure we don’t crash, please?” Her voice was trying for condescending, but the pitch was more nervous.

From behind me I heard the captain’s bunk door open. “Dom? What are you doing?”
I spun around to see Dom, the mechanic, standing at the other end of the corridor. He had his piece aimed at us. In between me and him was Rodriguez.

Dom hadn’t been with us long. Our last mechanic, Paxon, had to leave us. He wanted to settle down with a woman he’d met on Dyton and set up his own scrap yard. We’d stopped off on New Melbourne on a pick up. That’s where we met Dom. He had fantastic recommendations. There was no way of knowing they were faked. Who knows how much of the goods he swiped over the few weeks he was onboard. Now he had a place onboard with cargo that would fetch a pretty penny. He fooled us all.

Rodriguez tried to talk him down, at least get the gun in his hand. He was very careful about sudden movements, making his way in front of me and Alina slowly. I can’t remember the exact words he used. My head wasn’t completely there, seeing as how there was a gun trained on it. Rodriguez had his arm around my waist, keeping me behind him.

“Save your words. I just want the cargo, you Purple Belly scum!”

With those words, he shot Rodriguez in the chest. He fell to his knees and I fell with him. I heard a second shot. My eyes darted up. Neve, covered in blood, was leaning around the corner with her gun aimed at Dom. She’s shot him in the head, clean kill. Then she collapsed to the ground. Dom had attacked her earlier. Alina had been heading to the infirmary to see to her. Now she really had her work cut out for her.

I looked down at my captain, at that moment, my everything. I couldn’t see him clearly through my blurry eyes.

“I’m fine, Alina. Help the captain!” Neve hollered, covering her wound as she propped herself up against the wall.

“No, ladies first.. I insist..” He managed to get out.

“Y..ou can’t ins..sist, you’re ble..eeding..” I could barely speak.

I gave Alina room to work on him but I didn’t leave his side. I kept a tight grip of his hand, and the grasp was strong on his side too.

He spoke through coughs and gasping breaths. “Frah.. ‘Fraid this could be it for me..” Even while he was dying he didn’t give up my name.

“You don’t get to decide that..”

“Then tell me I’ll be okay..”

“You’ll be okay..”

“..Tell me I’ll live”

“’Till you’re an old crank.” The two of us laughed a sad laugh.

He knew he wouldn‘t have long left. That kind of wound didn‘t usually leave survivors.

“Tell me I’ll be with you”

I lowered my head to his, the tears uncontrollable now. “Always..”

I kissed him softly. Our last kiss. I felt his grip loosen. He was falling away from me.

I stayed with him as long as Alina would allow. My snow white dress turned almost completely crimson. It clung to me like memories of him. The dress is long gone but I can still feel the weight of his death on me. That kind of thing never goes away, and I’m glad. This way he’s with me forever. Always.

[kyliegrasan]

Kylie Grasan, only Alliance on the outside.

I took the two cans of Sun cola from the vending machine. One for me, the other for Barney, the chief engineer.

Unlike some of the other officers aboard this vessel, I just don't get it why I should pretend to be better than the enlisted and the petty officers. We're all humans after all right? In the end, that's all that's important.

And I like hanging out with the enlisted. At least those guys know how to have fun. Also, most of the other officers come from these hoity-toity upperclass Alliance families, and their idea of having fun is having dinner followed by brandy and cigars. Not me though. I'm a simple girl and I like to be around simple people. People who aren't afraid to be themselves, or do the stuff they like to do.

Barney is one those people. He's Persephonian like me and that night he was working late alone in the engine room, and I was off duty so I decided to keep him some company. When he asked me if I could get him something to drink, I was happy to oblige. I went back to the engine room and gave Barney a can, and opened the other for myself before sitting down.

Barney took a swig from the can, wiped his mouth and put the can down. He was thirsty alright.

"Thanks lieutenant. I needed that."

"That's okay Barney. And you know you can call my Kylie when I'm off duty."

"Haha, yeah I know. I tend to forget. Don't think there's another officer who lets enlisted use her first name though beside you."

"Even when they're off duty?"

"Especially when they're off duty. But you... you're something else Kylie."

I looked up. I had no idea what Barney meant by that. But I gave him a smile, I was anxious to know what he meant.

"Care to explain that, Barney?"

"As if you didn't know already!"

"I honestly have no idea what you're talking about, Barn."

Barney looked around to make sure there was no one else around. Whatever he was about to say, no one else was supposed to hear it.

"It's the way you act Kylie. You don't act like the other officers do. For starters, they'd never hang around the enlisted, let alone do them small favors like getting them something to drink."

"I hate to admit it Barney, but yeah... I suppose you're correct about that. As for me hanging around with you guys... I guess I..."

"Need to be amongst your own people?"

I thought for a minute. Barney was right, but 'my own people' sounded kind of harsh though. Although I knew that very little of the enlisted joined up of their own free will, most of them were drafted and most of them were heavy supporters of the Independent cause.

Barney noticed I didn't know what to say, so rather than to have me answer, he did it for me.

"That uniform of yours Kylie... It may say Alliance, but you? You Kylie, you've got the heart of an Independent."

Barney's words had a heavy impact on me. Not so much for him claiming I was an Independent, but mostly because... I was afraid he was right. I always told myself I was neutral but I always questioned myself whether or not I believed that.

"I... I gotta go Barney. I'll see you at tomorrow night's poker game."

Barney didn't say anything. Just gave me a friendly nod. I left the engine room and went to my bunk. I fell asleep late that night because I kept pondering on what Barney had told me.

Afterwards, Barney and I never spoke of it again. As if that night in the engine room never happened.