crack_van | Unacknowledged Poets by Executrix (R)

Fandom: FIREFLY/BLAKE'S 7
Pairing: Roj Blake/Inara Serra, Kerr Avon/Simon Tam, Hoban Washburne/Zoe Alleyne-Washburne, Ronaldreagan Xiang/Kaylee Frye-Xiang
Length: 37,094 words
Author on LJ:

executrix
Author Website: just her lj
Why this must be read: I will start by giving you E'trix's own summary: "In an alternative version of the events at Gauda Prime, General Blake continues the struggle against the Federation of Allied Planets, facing new challenges--including a novel form of chemical warfare. The former members of Serenity's crew are important to the efforts, although not necessarily in the ways Blake wanted them to be." I think E'trix manages to integrate these canons very well---so well, in fact, that it's easy to forget that they weren't always merged like this. I also really love her OCs; Kaylee's new in-laws in particular are wonderfully fun. There's also a meaty plot going on, interesting character dynamics, and a fascinating underlying theme of growing up and learning to let go of impractical and childish absolutes. I think what I always enjoy most about E'trix's work, though, is the way she infuses her stories with her dry and erudite wit; her clever turns of phrase, apt allusions, and snappy word-play are ever and always a delight.

"Huh," Mal said. One reason he didn't really want to be on Gauda Prime Base was the number of corners that could be turned to run smack dab into someone…not that he didn't want to see, of course. But that it was awkward to meet, considering what a flagrant asshole he was acting like last time he saw her.
"Hey, Mal. Glad you're here so I can tell you in person…" Zoe said. "I know I ain't much of a hand with letters. Come to think of it, you ain't neither."
"Don't they feed you? You look gaunt," Mal said, figuring that in a nasty situation you might as well stomp on the accelerator.

"That's 'cause I'm pukin' for two," she said. Mal blinked and resettled his jaw. "That's right. Wash figured that now we've got our feet on the ground, it's okay. And even though I ain't exactly got the safest job in the world, there's plenty here to take care of him or her, 'f I go down. Blake's pretty pissed off, though. Had me teachin' unarmed combat 'till I started to show, then transferred me to the War College to teach Unconventional Warfare."
"Uh, congratulations, I guess, if that's what you want."
"Stuck in a classroom? Like it better'n' when I was facin' the other way, but not much."
"'Course, not, Zo', I mean the baby. But do you mean to stand here and tell me that you're going to stick in this underground nuthouse? I got a bankroll now, plenty to fix up Serenity shinier'n' she ever was before, and get back to work."
"You can't just fall out of the sky like a Capissen-38 carryin' bricks and expect me to check my ammo clips, roll my bedroll, and leave. I got a place here, Mal. We got a place here. Meanin', my husband and me, and sooner rather'n later, our kid."
Mal was going to sit down heavily, but since they were standing in a corridor there was nothing do sit down on, and squatting on the floor just looked weak. "Zo', I never thought you'd leave me," Mal said. "After all we been through together."
"Way I see it, you're the one's left me," Zoe said. "Browncoats don't leave a man behind, but you left you. Maybe there was a time when you thought there wasn't nothin' they'd let us do but crime. And mostly I guess you thought t was all a defeated man was good for. But it never set right with Wash, and he always wanted to find somethin' legit. Hell, Mal, I could understand Niska makin' me choose. I chose Wash. Day I never thought'd come would be you makin' me choose. And, y'know what, I chose him, and I always will."
"That's prob'ly the most words I ever heard you say at once, Zoe," Mal said.
"Must be a genetic defect," Zoe said. "Men never hear good, what with one ball stuffed in each ear."

Unacknowledged Poets