Disclaimer: I own the Lost World and Firefly television shows just as surely as there are 25 hours in the day. sigh
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"Give me that." It was such a simple demand. The native language of the Keasaachi tribe should be relatively simple to an experienced linguist such as this greedy brunette. She surely understood. If she did not, well… the pointed spears encircling her and the other strangers were likely to get the message across.
The young woman at the receiving end of the threat made no move to oblige the request. Her catty eyes were set in firm denial, and she showed no sign of trepidation in the face of imminent death.
"Marguerite, give them the diamond" demanded the flaxen beauty standing beside the woman. She, unlike Marguerite, had no talent of understanding ancient, nearly obsolete languages, but it was obvious what the group of tribe members desired. "They're armed."
"So are we," was the stubborn reply.
Clod in black and bearing a crossbow, another young blonde surveyed the scene.
"What do all these guys want with a diamond?" She inquired quietly, turning to the ginger-haired scientist next to her for the answer. "I mean, it's not like they can eat it or anything."
"It would most likely be used for trading purposes" he replied absentmindedly. He then addressed Marguerite. "I would suggest you accommodate them, Marguerite. They outnumber us, and by the time we--"
"Yes, Challenger, I know." she hissed, all too aware of the unfavorable odds.
A tall, dark-haired hunter among the group decided to take his responsibility in the collective attempt to persuade the headstrong heiress.
"Marguerite, just give the men what they want, and we can all be on our way." It had come out a little harsher than he'd intended… Though he usually had the most sway over her, his words held very little weight in this situation. Nevertheless, she did give him the most responsive reply.
"John, I have spent all my time on this bloody plateau looking for something like this." She glowered at him with burning intensity, trying to make him understand. Her eyes returned to the savages as her right hand surreptitiously reached for the pistol in her belt. "And I'm not about to hand it over to the first raving, blood thirsty savage that comes along and happens to be holding a pointy stick."
"Give me your shining stone or I will take it from you." The tribal leader's patience was wearing thin; agitation was evident in his gruff voice.
"Over my dead body." Her hand searched in vain for the firearm.
"If you insist." he bluntly replied, taking no time to contemplate the figure of speech as he raised his weapon.
Her hunt for the pistol became frantic now, and she cursed in frustration. "What happened to my bloody weapon?" All her attention streamed towards her empty holster, and Roxton took this opportunity to save the day. Swiftly snatching the diamond, he threw it to the natives and prepared for a wrath that would be just as horrific (perhaps even more so) as theirs.
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"Oh c'mon, 'Nara! Y'can't say you don't like somethin' if you ain't tried it yet," Kaylee urged, nudging Inara's shoulder gently with her own. "Who knows! Y'might just have some fun playin with us…"
Inara smiled tenderly at Kaylee's pleading grin, unable to bring herself to decline such a genuine offer. She released a breathless sigh and replied…
"Well, I suppose I could play one game."
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Author's Note: And thus the prologue is completed! I know, I know… Not much "Firefly" right now, but there will be more than enough in the rest of the story! I promise! …This is my first crossover, and the first story I actually intend to finish (blush :-/ sorry about my unfinished ones…) … I even planned most of this one out! points to notebook with plans … I'd love to get some thoughts on what you think so far! Also, suggestions for subplots are always welcome! Reviews are like pencils—I need them to write!
(BTW: There is no actual 'Keasaachi tribe'… I made them up.)