Mal-Galadan

[badinlatin]

Mal can't not call Gabriel Tam, after such an announcement as the one his mother waved him about this afternoon.

You idiot? Don't you listen to the waves? It passed -- !

The scrolling dots on the vidscreen and the Dialing Encrypted Number dialog is the main thing in Mal's focus as he calls without really know what he's going to say to the probably very busy senator.

Comments

[wolflord_andain]

The senator is very busy, indeed, which may be one reason a member of his security staff takes the call.

It may also have to do with who, precisely, that security member is.

"Captain Reynolds? There is no current emergency, I hope?"

It is entirely possible that in another life Galadan would have made someone an amazing secretary.

Before working his way up the corporate ladder, of course.

[badinlatin]

"No. Nope, not at the moment, nohow." Beat. "Is the senator around?"

This is his private line, after all.

[wolflord_andain]

Something wry flickers through Galadan's voice.

"He's taking a much-deserved rest at the moment. Is there something I can help you with, mayhap?"

[badinlatin]

"Not in particulars," Mal backtracks quickly. "I just wanted to..."

What? Congratulate?

What is the 'verse comin' to.

"I suppose I'll call 'im back later."

Mal doesn't hang up though.

[wolflord_andain]

"He would probably appreciate that, yes."

Mal is still not hanging up.





"Is there something else?"

[badinlatin]

"How did they react?" Mal almost blurts out the question. "I weren't watchin' the press conference or anythin'."

[wolflord_andain]

"Are you referring to the press, or--?"

Galadan's query is honestly meant.

[badinlatin]

" -- Or any other impressions you personally picked up."

[wolflord_andain]

"Ah. Well, then--the press scents forthcoming interesting stories, particularly from the factions that oppose the current legislation. There are reasons, I suppose, that they are often described as a pack of slavering dogs."

There is a very sardonic bite to his words, and none of it is directed at Mal.

Not at the moment, at least.

[badinlatin]

"What about the other politicians?"

Galadan's goin' to ask you why you're wanting to know so hard.

"Just -- last time a Tam was in the spotlight for something, folk got arrested."

[wolflord_andain]

"Rest assured that we're all taking great pains to see that such a thing doesn't happen this time. You need have little fear of that."

Galadan himself is involved in a great deal of the planning. Mal should have more faith.

"But the other politicians--most, I imagine, are using the particulars as fuel for their own special interest groups, as starting points for their own agendas. For all that I--have been to a great many worlds, politicians seem to be much the same everywhere."

[badinlatin]

"They pay me to worry," Mal brushes off the commentary. "Or they would. If there was a 'they' that paid me.

"Well...I'm sure you're doin' a good job," Mal continues awkwardly. "I'll let you get back to your work." A final pause. "Tell the senator congratulations."

[wolflord_andain]

"Rest assured that I will."

There is a fractional pause.

"You may take comfort, as well, in the fact that most of the dissidents in the Core seem open to being won over."

Humor, faint but real, winds its way through his voice.

"Few are as hardened as they like to appear. Though I do wonder about the situation on the Rim?"

[badinlatin]

"I'll have to let you know - we've been pretty shipbound lately, but we got a job comin' up. I'll wave back."

Reaching up for the button to terminate the wave, "Until then. Have fun, I guess?"

[wolflord_andain]

Galadan's smile is wide and full of teeth.

"Oh, you need have no doubt of that, Mal. Fare well, you and yours."

He'll be waiting for the Captain's next call. Mal need have no doubt of that, either.