(no subject)

After dinner is homework time, and the library closest to River Tam's dorm is filled with quiet students. They're not relaxed -- they never are -- but it's an open secret that study time is the closest the students have to free time, and there's more life now in the faces surrounding the girl who isn't River.

There are soft couches and armchairs (bolted to the floor) arranged in a loose square, and a cosily low ceiling (studded with hidden cameras), and rows and rows of gleaming SD cases, filed by number (skips and jumps; large chunks of the 700s missing). There's no fiction, unless you count the training vids. Each student has the option of a hand-held datapad, a wider-screened brand-new 'center (only the best) or an immersion pack, helmet and gloves included. For those who choose the datapads, there are lamps casting warm (sunset-gold) light over the couches and armchairs.

There are no windows.

(no subject)

They bring him the Shepherd, beaten, and a muscle under Dr. Lin's eye begins to twitch.

No.

"We found him trying to gain access to the power core," one of the Blue Hands says.

"With an explosive device," the other explains.

One of Shepherd Zhou's eyes is blind, the orbit shattered. He's missing teeth.



"It appears now that we were wrong to suspect the service staff for assisting River Tam on Sebetos."

"Wasteful." Smug regret. Mocking eyes.

They're laughing.



"And River Tam's been telling stories."

"Fairy tales."



"We've decided to bulk up Security."

"Planting some of the weapons from the shipment around the core."

"It's a flawed design. Dangerous. No way to tell how many other spies there are."

"And more of--" they exchange a look, "--our people will be here tonight, and more Sunday."

At this Dr. Lin finally finds his voice. "How? What do you mean tonight? How can they get here so gorram fast? They would've had to left days ago, before any of this happened!"


The guards exchange glances again, their silent laughing communication.

"Advanced ship designs."

"You've been in here a long time." They begin to move out, their captive between them.

"Where are you taking him?"


One of them turns back, blinking. "To the Doctor."

I'M THE RUTTING DOCTOR HERE.

"Oh."

Twitch twitch twitch.