Title: Damage

Summary: A missing scene during War Stories right after Zoe takes Wash away from Niska.

Prompt: “Defiant until the end huh? You won’t cry like him, will you? You’re not afraid of death. You’re like me” Creedy in V for Vendetta Written for Movie Quote Mini’s

 

 

 

He watched as the Amazon took his victim away, a ghost of an amused smile on his face. Once the room was empty, he turned back to the man left behind. He studied the man for a moment. Usually those left behind lost their luster.

 

“Hope is the thing with feathers,” Niska spoke as he circled the man. “That perches in the soul. . . Have you any hope left Malcom Reynolds or did it just walk out the door?”

 

Niska watched, holding his breath for a moment, waiting to see what a man like Reynolds was made of.  Experience told him the man wasn’t through yet but a man could go through all sorts of hell and then stumble and fall when faced with torture.

 

“You wanted a man with a soul, shoulda got to me before the war,” Mal spit, bloody spittle trickling down his chin.

 

“We’ve all got souls, Sergeant Reynolds,” Niska said as he stepped toward Mal. “It’s just a matter of how damaged yours is. “ He studied Mal for a moment and nodded. “The damage to yours is impressive but it’s cosmetic. I promise to show you just how deep that damage can go.” He held up a sharp steel knife with a hooked end then placed the pointed tip on Mal’s stomach, twisting and watching in fascination as it slid into his skin, barely rising any blood at first. It gushed in a crimson wave as he twisted the knife inside, fishing for something to grab onto with the hooked end.

 

 

“Gunkai!” Mal screamed, both anger and pain radiating off the walls. “In case you need a translation for that book you’re writin. . . FUCK!”

 

Niska chuckled softly and continued his experiment. “You’re not afraid of death. You’re like me.”

 

“I am nothing like you tama de hundan,” Mal ground out between his teeth.

 

“Defiant until the end. You won’t cry like him, will you?” Niska asked, amusement bubbling into voice. “Let’s see what we can do about that.”