Black on Black

by Blackstar-1

The strangest people drop into the 'verse, and wind up on Serenity. Time for a break. Chapter 13 up.

2. Chapter 2

AN – Thanks for the review. Shiny. – Old friends and enemies, with some intrigue to come.

Warning: It gets a little ugly here: Violence, some torture, self-loathing, and adjustments.

- - - - -

Chapter 2 - "Take me out to the black; tell them I ain't coming back."

Mal gathered everyone in the dining room after checking with River on their time-table. "We'll be arriving Eavesdown in about four days. We caught a break. While we're on the way, Michael's gonna be workin' with Kaylee, seein' about whether his sensors can work with Serenity's systems." He turned to Whitmer and said, "S'pose you'd like to learn to fly her."

"Kinda useless as a pilot, I don't know how," Michael replied with a smile. "The black's no problem; it's landings, take-offs, an' how she handles in atmo I'm worried about."

Reynolds nodded. "Fair to say. You're gonna have to learn our nav system, too. Ain't likely you're familiar with it."

"I can handle interplanetary, but it's been a fair piece since I've done it. It'll come back."

"All right. Not gonna let you fly until we're sure, dong ma?" Michael nodded.

"Think we're all gonna keep you busy," Zoe said. "Have to see what you know, plus that equipment you brought aboard." She tilted her head to one side, and asked, "Said you're a combat vet."

"More'n I care to remember," Michael said as he sipped his coffee. "Know what I said o' my past is hard to believe, but it's true."

"Ya never really said," Jayne replied.

"Might as well. I was born the first time about fifteen thousand BC, give or take. I've fought I don't know how many times with everything from bare hands, rocks and sticks through phased energy weapons." He smiled thinly. "I probably know sword-play better'n anyone."

"Are you sure?" Inara asked. "Atherton's very good, and he's not the only one."

Michael snorted. "Right. Duelling. Rules. Where I've been, the only rule was stay alive, Inara. Honor's useless on the battlefield."

"I'm going to need you to show me the medical equipment, if that scanner was any indication," Simon said as Inara looked at Whitmer as though he'd said something rude.

Michael nodded. "And that's fairly simple compared to faster-than-light drives."

"Still can't believe that could exist," Kaylee replied. "It was tried, but nobody could ever get it to work, so they gave up."

"It's not simple, that's for sure," Michael agreed. "Power and data speed demands are too high, and I'm sure leavin' Earth-that-was came sooner'n anyone was ready for."

"So the stories go." Mal said. He paused, then added, "Asked about your guns. Might need 'em, dependin' on who's mad at us."

"I can show you. Need to do some work on 'em, anyway. Be right back." Michael stood and walked forward, returning a few minutes later with two range bags. He set one at Brath's side and the other on the deck by his chair.

"That don't look like much," Jayne commented.

"I know how to pack, and I don't need an arsenal," Michael replied as he removed a gunbelt from an outside pocket and buckled it on; the buckle had a copy of his badge on it. He opened the case and removed two large, black pistols, removed the magazines, checked the chambers and began field-stripping them.

"Hey, I got one o' them," Jayne said. "Eagles."

"Not like these," Brath replied, removing a pair of her own. Aside from barrel diameter, the pistols were identical. "Michael's a master gunsmith, and re-worked these to suit our needs."

"Such as?"

"These are .454 Casull," Michael said as he removed the barrels and began inspecting them with a small light from the case. "Custom work of a friend. Hope I can find ammo, but I can still use .44 Magnum," he added as Brath stripped and checked hers.

"Should be able ta," Jayne replied, interested in spite of himself. "How 'bout yers, Brath?"

"Forty-one Magnum. We don't use these much, unless we've got serious trouble."

"So what do you use normal?" Zoe asked. They removed identical pistols of another make that had underbarrel lights and lasers, far as she could tell. "Those Springfield forties?" Michael nodded. "Ammo's no problem."

"That helps," Michael said as he ran a patch through the Eagles' barrels. Brath removed and put on her gunbelt, which was identical to his.

"Ya name 'em?" Jayne asked, unconsciously leaning forward. Michael smiled and shook his head.

"I only name ships. Don't see a point to namin' guns, other'n special ones." Michael swabbed and re-assembled the Eagles, then put them away. He slid a magazine into the XD(M) pistols, racked the slides and holstered them, and added four magazines to the holders. He looked to see Jayne's sour expression, and added, "I'm too used to guns, Jayne. Don't need to name what's so familiar it might as well be part of me." Cobb looked thoughtful, then nodded. "Have to show you Cassandra, though. She's my pride and joy." Simon rolled his eyes, and Michael said, "You're gonna have to learn guns, if only to defend yourself, or Kaylee."

"I don't like that idea. I'm a doctor; I save lives, not take them."

"Guarantee you'll kill to save Kaylee, Doc, what I seen's true," Mal said. "Her an' River are your life, 'less I'm mistaken." Tam looked at him, then nodded. "Sometimes, only way to save someone is killin' someone else. Ain't nice, but it's a fact."

"I hope I never have to," Simon said as Kaylee took his hand and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'd have killed Early, if I could have. That gai si xiong meng de kung ren—"

"We get the point, Doc," Jayne said. "I ain't 'specially attached to Kaylee, but nobody's gonna hurt her again, we can stop it." He looked at River, who sat beside him quietly. Ain't gonna let no one hurt you, neither, he thought. River smiled at him.

"That can wait," Zoe said. "Gonna be a busy four days, either way."

"When you wanna start, Michael?" Kaylee asked. "An' what with?"

"Start soon. Serenity's specs, first. That way I know what I can do, and how to do it. Got any hull pass-through fittings?" Kaylee nodded. "Good. Won't make any holes 'til we ground, anyway, but I can do the outside work."

"No, we can. Just don't make too many," Mal said. "Some o' what we got off that gunship was 'hot-plugs' for that sort o' thing. You thinkin' just two?" Michael nodded. "Can do. Need to know where to put 'em for best use."

"That can wait 'til Kaylee an' I decide the best way," Michael said. "No hurry. Same for the weapons."

"All right. You an' Brath finish movin' your gear to your room, then we figure out what to do with the salvage. What about the metal?"

"It's fairly pure. Needed to be, for emission control. Nothing your average smelter can't handle."

"Good. Anything else?"

Brath looked at River as she sat there, her hand on Jayne's arm. "How much room is there in the cargo bay? We promised River we'd teach her, if needed."

Mal sat there, thinking. "Might be able to move a few things, when there's need. Worry about that later, too. Let's get settled, then I guess you an' Michael get started, Kaylee."

An hour later, Michael, Kaylee, Mal and River were studying all the Firefly specifications they had aboard, and Mal didn't think they'd be able to use much of what they'd salvaged. The computer needed a specific kind of power they couldn't produce, and the rest needed the computer to work. Michael sat back and rubbed his eyes, grumbling, "Shoulda' known."

"Didn't you have a power converter?"

"It's part of the engine, and that was scrap before you landed." Michael looked at the sheets again, then removed the scanner from a pocket, tapped a few keys and studied the hologram that appeared. "Might be able to build one, but parts are gonna be the hard part." He looked at River as she took a sheet of paper and began writing equations, pulling information from memory as she worked. As he watched, Michael saw she not only understood, but integrated everything with little or no effort. What and how much did they do to her? he thought as she wrote a list of parts.

Mal and Kaylee watched nervously, and Reynolds noticed the twitch in Michael's face. What the di yu those liuman do to her? Mal wondered. Like they made her mind into a computer. He thought back to when Kaylee told everyone what River did when Niska's "soldiers" tried to board Serenity: One glance, then three perfect no-look shots. He looked to find River watching him, and she nodded before returning to her work. "River?"

"Nothing you or anyone can help, Captain," she replied. "Some was me, some what they did. They made me better, but their way." Her cool, detached tone made Kaylee shiver.

"You ain't gonna, well, go off, are you?" Frye asked. She obviously hated to say it.

"Miranda did most of it. That's gone; I confronted it, made it mine and dealt with it," Tam replied as she wrote. "There's more, but nowhere near as bad." She paused, looking forward. "Not so much the memory, but the mind holding it: Cold, calculating, willing to experiment with millions of lives, and cover-up a horrible mistake, both the dead and the Reavers. Also frightened if it came out." She returned to her work. "They're not gone. Too many."

"Shee-niou guay. You sure, darlin'? Powerful lot o' ships there," Mal replied.

"Thirty thousand Reavers gone?" Michael said quietly. "Those that followed you, but I don't conjure they all did. Raiding parties. And their numbers grew, I'm sure. Mighta been more'n fifty thousand, all told." He looked at the table and shook his head, scowling. "No, they ain't gone."

"You blame Parliament," Mal said.

"I don't trust governments that risk their own people for a theory, Mal. This weren't different from what the Nazis or Soviets did back on Earth-that-was, 'ceptin' the numbers are higher. Got what they wanted: Those people ain't causin' trouble," Michael replied sourly. "Alliance wants sheep, not wolves, or even dogs. Sheep don't fuss or fight; they just go straight to the slaughterhouse."

"Now, wait a minute," Kaylee said. "Alliance ain't all bad. Plenty o' good people we met, and more to find, Michael. Can't believe you'd think that way."

"Never said the people, just the Alliance. Parliament."

"You think they'll come after us."

"Maybe," Whitmer replied when River finished her work. "They took major hurt when that record was waved. Nobody in power likes bein' shown up that way. Depends on whether they think it's worth the trouble they'd have to take findin' us."

"You said 'us'," Mal said.

"Brath and I are here, and like Dobbs said, they think we're all guilty. They don't know or care who really did it, Mal." Michael smiled. "And you said we're crew."

"Thirty thousand?" Kaylee asked.

"Tenth of a percent – a thousandth. Divide thirty million by a thousand. Simple. Way too simple," River said as she turned the list to where they could read it. "This is what we need for the optical converter." She turned the scanner, touched a few keys, and the hologram changed. "Power won't be a problem, once you and Kaylee swap out some parts."

Everyone looked at her in surprise, though Michael had a sad smile. "All in all, it's more useful than a burden," he said cryptically.

River smiled. "Mostly." She pointed to several items. "We can find these on Persephone. The rest on Ariel." She looked at Kaylee. "You've been there."

"Oh, yeah," Frye said, then sighed. "I miss Wash, Cap'n. 'Specially when it comes to workin' on Serenity. He knew his stuff."

"I know, mei-mei. I miss him too. Ain't like Zoe smiled much, but he knew how to get one."

"Nobody knows when their turn comes," Michael said. "Some never see it. The vid I'd be in only showed the 'good' parts, not everythin'. What we call the War of Blood was nasty." He shivered. "Much as I can't stand it, Alliance keeps the peace, mostly. I'm a soldier, but I don't like wars. They're messy."

"But sometimes you got to fight," Reynolds said. "Some things ain't tolerable."

"You're right, but that don't change nothin', Mal. You an' I know war is hell. Them as call for it don't, and don't understand what they're turnin' loose."

"Still cain't believe we're stories for each other," Kaylee said.

"Part o' the theory is them inside never know," Michael replied as he chewed a nail. "'Verse makes sense to ya'll 'cause you're in it. Does to me, but so does mine and the ones I visited, 'cause they ain't too different from what I know. You'd have a hard time dealin' with mine. Doubt you, Zoe or Jayne could deal with Starfleet, Mal; you're too independent."

Mal stopped, his mouth open, looking into space. "Starfleet. That's kinda familiar, Michael. Seem to recall a visit by one o' your ships, but it's like a dream. Be right back." He stood, turned and walked forward.

As he reached the door, Michael said, "Don't think you'll find it. As I said, it's possible, and Serenity looks about as she did after Miranda." Mal blinked. "Quite a few fan-stories about this 'verse, Mal. Some I liked, but they didn't hold true. Sometimes people believin' a particular way the story goes makes the rest fade out. More like 'What If,' instead o' what is."

"Don't mind if I check, do ya?"

"No. Got to see for yourself, just to be sure. Know how it feels; had a few too-real dreams I just had to check, for my own peace o' mind." Mal nodded, and continued forward. "Kaylee?"

"Hard to take, bein' someone's fantasy," Frye said. "I mean, I don't feel different. Ain't nobody but me makin' the decision, y'know?" Michael nodded. "Might be true, but cain't believe it."

River looked at them, her eyes clear, but unreadable. When Kaylee finished, she said, "No conflict, Kaylee. We can't tell, because we can't get there. Doesn't mean it didn't or can't happen. What happens in the past can't be changed, or what we know won't happen, and we'd never know. 'Verse stories are tricky. You have to take what you know into account, and carefully work out what changes down the line." She looked at Michael. "Heinlein, to name one."

Michael nodded. "That's right," he said as Inara walked in. "Evening, Inara." He snorted. "If applicable, out in the black."

The Companion smiled, started water heating and joined them. "How goes the work?" she asked.

"Slowly," Whitmer replied as he folded the sheets together and slipped them into the case. "Won't have the systems for a while." He looked forward, then said, "Damn, I need a smoke. Don't know if the system can take it. Don't wanna annoy Mal. Well, not too much," he finished with a smile.

Inara chuckled softly. "I don't think there's any way to avoid it. In the time I've been aboard Serenity, I've seen him annoyed most of it. He's sleeping the rest."

"Hey, c'mon, he's not that bad, Inara," Kaylee replied. "He's really a nice guy."

"He could stop being bothered by my work."

"That will never happen," Michael replied, switching back to his cultured accent. "Mal respects you, not your vocation. He's living within his teachings, and anything that doesn't match must be wrong and immoral." He looked at Inara and added, "Never mind you represent the Alliance in his mind, I imagine: Culture, ease, decadence and luxury; to some extent frivolity and presumption. 'The savage outer worlds,' as the teacher in River's dreams said." He snorted. "Savage is what they call someone who isn't as advanced, won't be a 'good citizen,' and shut up and do what they're told; who doesn't appreciate the so-called finer things. The Alliance makes the same mistake everyone seems to make: They equate ignorance with stupidity."

Inara looked at him in consternation. "That's not true."

"Isn't it? You're a modern-day geisha with sex thrown in, not a whore. Mal's ignorance isn't his fault; he had other concerns whilst growing up, and luxury was likely low on his list of priorities. You'd have seen it, if you hadn't been baiting him, especially on Persephone. You spent so much time defending Atherton that you never noticed his failings. A sexist hundan he was, and still is, no doubt. Vainglorious and insecure. And never forget he called you a whore in front of his peers, Inara. Tell me that's a gentleman. Better yet, don't, so I shan't laugh in your face."

The women looked at him, Inara with chagrin, Kaylee in surprise and River with a slight grin. "But – "

"You daren't defend a system that killed twenty-nine million people," Michael said, his eyes darkening. "Or allows scum like Draedon to exist and flourish. The Alliance is corrupt, Inara. Open your eyes and see it for what it is, instead of being bound by your training." He made a sour face and said, "You mentioned control, but seem to have forgotten that implies discipline. It does not mean blind obedience. I once deliberately provoked a court-martial to keep to my own set of ethics, rather than 'go along to get along.' It cost me, but the alternative was losing my friends and self-respect. Some prices are too high."

* * *

Mal returned the cover to the cubby-hole, feeling slightly disappointed, but also relieved. Maybe it woulda been a good thing to have the platinum, but now I kinda don't think so, he thought. He made his way aft, and heard Kaylee defending him to Inara. He was about to step in and say something when Michael spoke. He stood to one side of the door, listening, and found himself nodding a few times. Ain't no one ever come so close to peggin' me. Ain't all, but he's got the idea. When he said, "Some prices are too high," Mal nodded. Yep, he's got it.

Mal stepped through the door to meet Inara's eyes. She looked lost, almost like Michael had up-ended her whole life. "Never heard anyone say the like before, Michael," he said. He sat down beside Inara, took her hand and said, "I know that hurt. I surely do. Ain't got it all, but he's right, Inara. Ain't you. Might not show it much, but I respect you. Can't change what I grew up under, dong ma?"

Inara watched his face, and nodded shakily. "I'm sorry. I can't change what I am, either. Maybe I should just leave."

"Hell no!" Kaylee snapped, startling them. "You figure out what you want, 'less you want me goin' on strike."

"Don't, Kaylee," Michael said mildly. "Ain't much threat, 'cause you don't mean it. You love them as much as Serenity. Anyone but a fool can see."

"Don't perfection weigh on ya a mite?" Mal asked sourly as Inara returned to the kitchen and started the tea. Michael blinked, then laughed heartily. "Shénme?"

"Used that phrase more'n once. Never expected it'd be turned back on me," Michael said as he wiped his eyes. "Ah, well, sooner or later what you do comes back to bite you."

Inara smiled a little. "Well, if you can stand that, maybe I can." She tilted her head to one side and said, "I assume you've been through what you just gave me."

"More'n once, by my own family," Whitmer replied. "Vanessa an' Samantha knew how. I'm worse than y'all could ever be. Got centuries o' bad habits." He smiled at Kaylee. "You're right, mei-mei, he's nice; I'm the mean old man."

Brath and Simon walked upstairs from below. "What did we miss?" Tam asked.

"Not much, just Snake making a fool of himself again," Brath said with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. "I explained the equipment to Simon, so that's out of the way."

"Anythin' useful?" Mal asked. Simon gave him a look. "Sorry, Doc."

"No, I'm over that. Some I can use; the rest needs equipment Michael doesn't have." As he sat by Kaylee, Simon looked thoughtful. "Mal, did you have any deja vu feelings? Like a dream you almost remember?" Reynolds nodded. "Half the instruments seemed familiar. I have an almost-memory of a doctor, but I can't remember her name."

"Beverly Crusher," Michael said. "Might as well explain, so this don't happen too often. Might distract you at a bad time." Jayne and Zoe were called in, and he related the story of Serenity's encounter with USS Enterprise. "Knew it didn't happen, as what I saw matched the vid about Miranda, and y'all's part in it."

Mal sat back, his chin on his fist as he looked down thoughtfully. "Y'know, that's it. Now I know, it ain't bothering me."

"If'n it didn't happen fer us, did it happen fer them?" Jayne asked.

"No. Starfleet officers are duty and honour-bound to report that gross a violation of the Prime Directive, even if it happened here. I'd have heard," Michael said, switching accents again. "And, truth be told, it's nothing to do with Regulations, or not as such. It's to do with our self-respect, and reputation. Starfleet can't function without that. Not that we haven't had our renegades, but we learned from our mistakes and grew stronger."

"Ain't you breakin' your Prime Directive tellin' us this? Not sommat we'd learn on our own."

"No, an' wouldn't tell anything could hurt you. I retired from Starfleet after makin' the change. Brath's right, weren't nothin' holdin' me there. Gave enough for the cause, an' my friends an' shipmates understood," Michael replied. "In OSIR we gotta be careful, but the Directive don't really apply."

"OSIR?" Simon asked.

"The Office of Scientific Investigation and Research. They go out where the regular Fleet can't. Either too risky or too sensitive. They need all kinds, not just scientists."

"Ya think Starfleet could use any o' us?"

Michael gave Jayne a look. "No, an' I ain't sure y'all could deal with their squeaky-clean image. Federation's as bad as the Alliance, some ways. No room for 'trouble-makers' or 'boat-rockers'," he replied. "Nobody saw the really bad parts. Plenty o' racism and genocide, only came out as rumors, or the 'bad old days'." Michael smiled grimly. "Like we left it all behind, and got perfect. Admiral Tarantino said, 'The Human race has never let me down in letting me down.' There's times I wish he was alive, so I could kick his sorry pi gu. He was right too many times."

"He's dead?" Reynolds asked as Inara returned to the table.

Brath smiled. "He's died three times, so far as we know, Mal. I never knew him in his first two lives, but I knew him as the Lord Admiral and the Silver Fox. Michael knew him very well."

"Not that well," Whitmer countered. "I thought I did, but as time passed for him he became … well, that's hard to explain. People said the Black Wolf and Silver Fox were the same, but we're not. We're more alike than we like, but I grew into my beliefs over centuries, whilst he was – I'm tempted to say he was born that way." Michael shrugged. "Either way, he changed into something I didn't recognise. Nicola was never that down on himself; not that I saw." He shook his head. "No, y'all don't wanna be in Starfleet," he said, changing accents again. "Wouldn' be fair, takin' ya from your home, droppin' ya in a strange place. Wouldn't be doin' y'all a favor." He paused, then added, "Earthforce, maybe, but the same thing."

Inara shook her head. "How do you do it? Staying in character so well?"

"Ain't character. Happens this is what I was before," Michael said as he stood and walked to the kitchen. As he poured tea for himself and Brath, he continued, "I remember everything from my past lives, and don't need to think about it."

"Could be a problem," Zoe said. "Anyone ever recognize you?"

"Never had to worry about it. 'Til I became the Wolf, only ones knew was who I told, and they didn't believe it, half the time," Michael replied as he returned to the table. "It'll be a problem now, dependin' on what happens."

"Badger," Jayne said.

Michael snorted. "A badger's just an overgrown weasel with a bad attitude. He's like anyone else, sees what he wants to." He stopped, looked thoughtful and asked, "Speakin' o' that, who's left o' them that sheltered you? Gonna have to re-build your back-ups?"

Mal and Zoe looked at each other. "Badger. Sorta," Mal said, and she nodded. "Heard a rumor Fanty an' Mingo made it. Ran when River was triggered." Zoe nodded again. "That's about it."

Michael winced. "Ouch. Know what that's like. Took my corp outta my home 'verse to stop that. Worked, so far."

"That right? Must be nice, bein' able to dodge yer enemies that way," Cobb said nastily.

"It is, but we can't hide," Brath said. "We have to go out and take care of the people we promised to help, and they always find us." She snorted. "Something like being shot at stepping out your door."

"Fair to say," Mal said as he stood. "Well, this has been a powerful lot to think about." He paused, then continued, "Why don't you and Kaylee do the work you can, be ready for the power when you can get it, Michael? Nothin' else, keep you busy." He looked at Brath. "You think you can work with River, an' maybe Simon? Like it or not, Doc, you gotta know how to fight, 'cause you might have to." Brath nodded; Simon did after a sigh. "Okay. We got most of four days left. Let's make use of 'em."

As they stood, Michael said to Kaylee, "I think I know how to do it with only one, Kaylee. Forgot you got wireways inside. Dopey me."

Kaylee glanced at Brath, then kissed Michael on the cheek. "Don't be silly. Don't fit ya."

Michael and Kaylee spent most of four hours crawling through Serenity's "guts," running cable, making and sealing openings and terminating the ends, after they'd determined how much they'd need. Michael was glad he'd pulled all that optical cable; when they finished, he found there was just enough left for the exterior work. When he mentioned it to Kaylee, she said, "Let me talk to River. Maybe we can set up switchin' nodes, so you got some left for repairs." When she came back with River, she smiled. "We can do it. Look." She handed Michael a drawing.

He studied it for a minute, then smiled. "Sure you need me?"

Kaylee giggled; River only smiled. "Someone's gotta go outside. Let's get that hot-plug set up."

Michael asked, "Find what we need at Eavesdown?"

River nodded. "Kaylee knows. Shouldn't be hard."

They spent another half-hour attaching the connectors, and then Michael suited-up and went outside while Kaylee set up near Serenity's mid-section. "Ready?" Kaylee said into her com-link.

Michael latched onto the hull, took a moment to look around, taking in the stars. "One minute." He checked his position on a drawing, and scanned to find Kaylee's. "All set. Let 'er rip." Michael watched as a glowing circle slowly faded into sight, and stepped back just before the metal circle flew away, and the plug slammed into place. He set the locking ring on the threads and spun it down into place after applying the gaskets and sealer. He waited two minutes, then asked, "How's it look?"

"No hissin'," she replied. "Puttin' the collar on. Should be ready by breakfast."

Michael nodded to himself, and looked around again, taking his time. Let's see...Earth should be – There. He saw the small yellow star and felt a pang. I wonder what it's like there. How bad was everything? He shook his head. I can find out later.

Michael turned and started back to the hatch, when something to the lower right caught his eye. An older Trans-U paced them at about two klicks. "Zoom in." He caught a breath when he saw the hull tears, red paint, and the bodies on the exterior. Goddess. Reavers. Being right was never fun, he thought.

"Mal, we have a problem," Michael's tense voice said from the intercom. "Company, the kind you don't want. Reavers."

"Wo de tian ah," Reynolds muttered. "Why did I get rid o' that cannon?" he asked himself as he hit the button. "How far, an' what they doin'?"

" Pacin' us at twenty-five hundred meters. Wait one," Whitmer replied. "Okay, somethin's wrong. Got the same radio noise, but can't read any radiation." There was a pause, and Michael muttered angrily in another language. "Okay, I see some nasty-lookin' brutes inside, an' they don't look all cut up. I think they're faking, hopin' we'll run scared."

"How can ya see that far?"

"Helmet's got telescopics. Comes in handy." Mal could hear the smile in his voice.

"Ain't nobody in their right mind would do somethin' like that," Mal replied as Zoe and Jayne entered the Bridge. "Not 'less'n someone saw 'em." He paused, then said, "Could work, done proper." He reached over and adjusted the scan, finding the ship and noticing something. After a check, Mal said, "Ain't Reavers. Raider named Brutus. Wanted. No amount o' paint can hide that."

"I don't like it. Is Jayne there?"

"Right here."

"Lock an' load. Have Brath meet me at the hatch with Deborah."

"Thought ya didn't name guns," Cobb said as Mal checked the readouts again.

"Only special ones. Deborah's the name of a Judge in the Bible, and I'm prob'ly bringin' judgement on 'em."

Jayne turned to see Zoe's back heading out. "Zoe's tellin' her. Ya think they mean business?"

"Not sure, but ain't gonna wait for 'em to move first."

"A'right. I'll have Vera ready." Jayne left, and Mal asked, "Anything else goin' on outside?"

There was a long wait, and Mal heard a chuckle. "Well, hello there. Got another ship, same one you had dealin's with when you lost life support. Now I really don't like it. Looks like they're slippin' in while we watch the others."

"Qingwa cào de liúmáng," Mal snarled. "Ya can kill 'em all, what I care."

"You got it, Mal. One minute. Brath called me; she's ready."

Mal shut off the com-link to find River in her seat. "Y'know what might happen," he said. River's cold smile startled him. "You know what he's doin', River?"

"Some. I make like we're getting ready to run. When they move to cut us off, he's going to punch holes."

"How?"

River changed a few settings, then stood up. "Come see." Mal followed her out, down the passage to the surface hatch. Michael stood there with his helmet off; Brath was helpin' him load a monster rifle with the meanest lookin' rounds he'd ever seen. Jayne and Zoe stood by, watching. Cobb's eyes were lit with admiration. "You set?" River asked.

"Nearly," Michael replied as he cycled the action. "Won't move 'til they're five hundred meters away. Don't think they're expectin' somethin' like this." He grinned evilly. "Or me."

"What's that?" Mal asked, nodding at the rifle.

"Barrett fifty. Best all-around rifle, when you want to make a point. Slugs are hardened; should go right through the windows." Michael's eyes had darkened until they resembled cobalt glass, and Mal guessed he wasn't in a forgiving mood. "You an' Jayne might wanna set up shootin' nests in the cargo bay, Mal. This works, we're gonna have a hornet's nest to deal with, 'cause I ain't lettin' 'em get away, dong ma?"

Mal nodded. "Jian ta-de gui they gonna. How ya wanna do this?"

"Let 'em catch us, an' I blow the bridge crew away. Who knows who else they mighta took undue advantage of, an' likely killed." His eyes hardened. "Take the rest when they come at us." He looked at Mal, who nodded.

Jayne growled, "Ya got it." He smiled. "Looks like the Black Wolf's gonna make a name for hisself."

"I prefer Lone Wolf." Michael smiled. "Looks like." He turned to Brath. "Get Cassandra, an' take the high ground."

"What about the others?" Zoe asked.

"Have 'em hole up with Inara," Mal said. "You an' Brath do as you think best. River stays on the bridge, flyin' like we're scared."

"Now I really miss our abilities, Snake," Brath said. "But I guess you don't miss feeding time."

"Nope," Whitmer said flatly. "Just have to do this old-school." He put his helmet on, climbed up and reached down for the rifle. Brath handed it up, and he closed the hatch. Mal walked away, muttering, "Why can't it ever go smooth?"

"He gonna be able ta handle the recoil?" Jayne asked as he followed Brath aft and down.

"Michael can manage. He's got more dirty tricks than your average gutter trash," Brath replied as they passed through the dining room. "I'd guess he invented more than a few." She reached the room she and Michael shared, opened the door and dragged a case from under the bed. She removed a well-kept battle rifle, and Jayne said, "Wuo de ma," in awe. "That a Springfield M-1A?" he asked. She nodded, and he said, "Damn right, I'm gorram jealous."

Brath smiled as she took a out and put on a headset. "Don't be. Cassandra's an Oracle; she sees the future, and they're not in it." Jayne blinked, and she added, "One of Michael's jokes." She inserted a magazine, chambered a round and said, "Let's go. I'm betting we don't have too much time."

"Hope to own me one like that," Jayne said. "Work o' art, like the guitar."

"Could be arranged," she replied as they reached the cargo area. "Might have to build it, though."

As Brath climbed to the top level, Mal and Jayne shifted a few containers, bracketing the door on opposite sides. Zoe arrived, escorting Kaylee, Simon and Inara to the shuttle. When they were locked in, she closed the dining room door, descended to the deck, set up near the common area door and found cover. "Ready, sir," she reported over the commset.

"Brath?"

"Bring it on," the dragon lady purred as she sighted-in.

"Jayne?"

"All set, Mal."

"Then we're ready." He opened the com-link. "Ready. Let's do it."

Michael watched as the "Reavers" began to chase when River changed course, and nodded to himself as the other ship slipped into their blind spot and closed in. Yep. They're in for a surprise, he thought. As they oriented for capture, he moved near the aft windows, sat down and latched Deborah's bipod in place, then touched a control on his suit. It faded from its usual dark grey to match Serenity's paint; he looked like a piece of exterior equipment. He waited, feeling a grim anticipation.

It never goes away, does it? he thought. Battle approaches, and you feel alive again, whether you want to or not. His eyes locked on the "scrapper," as he called it. Nasty looking thing. No, no regrets, no bad dreams, no maybes. Scavengers. Rotten meat only fit to throw out. So be it, he thought as he activated the gunlink systems, and brought the reticle into position, his eyepiece showing his target. After fifteen minutes, he felt the "scrapper" latch onto Serenity, and saw two men leave the bridge. He sighted in, firing once when the door closed. The glass suddenly crazed, the cracks growing and joining until the viewport exploded outward.

Michael was surprised as the pilot drew a gun and tried to shoot him, even as he was dying. He fired once more, ending the man's agony, then shifted the bipod and aimed at the "Reaver" ship that stood off when its partner latched on. He took his time, leading his target properly, and fired three carefully-aimed shots, then watched as the cockpit's windows exploded outward three seconds later. I'll bet they don't think this is fun any more, he thought as he secured the rifle, turned off his boots' magnets, and pushed off towards their unsuspecting prey.

Mal watched tensely, then heard the door unlatch. He took one last glance around, nodded to Jayne and took aim. The first man stalked in carefully, his eyes peeled, watching for any movement. "Looking for someone?" Brath asked, and he swung his carbine up and around. Jayne fired, and his head exploded, spraying blood and brains as the body collapsed. Mal waited, and the next two ran in, aiming where the shot and voice came from. He shot the second as Zoe killed the first, knocking them back into the next pair, who swore as they untangled themselves from their former comrades. A red spot appeared on the lead man's chest, and Brath fired. The shot went through him, killing both at once. A muffled curse came from the door, and Jayne said over comms, "Grenade, prob'ly."

They heard the high-pitched whine, and Mal waited. A black cylinder bounced from the deck once; Mal fired as it reached the top of its arc, knocking it back through the door to explode in someone's face, going by the screams. "Go." He leapt out and ran to one side of the door; Jayne stopped on the other, a grenade ready. He waited for Mal's nod, then activated and tossed it through. More screams followed the explosion, and they returned to cover. "Michael, you there?"

"Got the bridge," Whitmer replied. "About to come inside."

Michael reached the bridge, carefully slipped through the shattered window and stopped by the controls. After retrieving the pilot's gun, he searched the system, and found what he was looking for. There was an airlock just behind the door. He was about to open it when the deck vibrated, and Reynolds called. "Michael, you there?"

"Got the Bridge. About to come inside."

"Good. Got five down; three, maybe more inside hurt. Don't know how bad."

"Be there soon." Michael reached for the lock panel just as the cycling light came on, and he stepped to one side, grabbing a crowbar from its clips. The door opened, and a gun poked through first, followed by a suited figure. "Lookin' for someone?" he asked. The figure tensed and turned as he swung, catching him in the faceplate, which shattered. The man flailed around for about a minute before collapsing and going still. Michael waited another minute, then picked up the gun, looking it over. Piece of junk, but at least I won't be wasting my ammunition on these slugs, he thought as he stepped inside the airlock, closed the door and pressed the cycling control. As air rushed in, he secured the crowbar to his suit. Bloody useful, just as Gordon Freeman discovered, he thought with a grim smile as the Cycle Complete light blinked on. He opened the door after removing his helmet and clipping it to his backpack, and stepped inside quietly, listening. He heard gunfire and yells, swearing and groans, and smiled. "I'm in. Comin' to you."

Mal nodded as Michael said, "Ain't havin' a good day, are they?"

"Nope. Seen a few I recognized, but not the boss o' this bunch o' luh-suh fèhuà. What about the other ship?"

"They got breathin' to worry about. If we're lucky, they're dead. If not, more practice." Michael paused, and Reynolds heard a gunshot, followed by someone shouting, "What was that!"

"I conjure they know you're there," Mal said with a grim smile as Jayne shot a bleeding man who rushed in, spraying bullets everywhere. He heard Brath grunt, followed by, "I'm hit. Not bad, though."

"Keep 'em busy; I'll take 'em," Michael said just before the channel clicked off at his end.

"That mean what I think?" Jayne asked.

"Uhn! It sure does," Brath replied. "Simon's not gonna be happy with me. Ruined all his good work."

Mal smiled in spite of himself. "You'll get over it." He fired twice through the door, then shouted, "Y'all can come outta this alive, play your cards right! Throw your guns where we can see 'em!" He got gunfire as a reply. "Didn't think so," he murmured.

About two minutes later, someone shouted, "Look out!" The call was followed by some nasty-sounding impacts; Mal guessed a crowbar, by the noise. "No! Don't! I give!" someone pleaded. "Drop it, and on the deck, face down," Michael's voice replied. "Clear!" Thirty seconds later, Michael stepped into the door and said, "Rest o' the ship's empty."

"Where's that hundan tried to take my ship?" Reynolds asked, his eyes blazing. "Where's that fei-fei de pi-yan?"

"He's one o' them still breathin'," Whitmer said. "'Scuse me." He walked aft and climbed the stairs as Mal and Cobb reloaded and shook their hands to relieve the tension. Zoe joined them as Michael asked, "Are you all right?"

"Hmmp! I'll be fine," Brath replied, and kissed him. "I'll wait for Simon."

Mal patched in the intercom. "River, what's that other ship doin'?"

"Nothing. Still where it was, Captain. I think they're all dead," she replied as Michael stepped over to Inara's shuttle and rapped on the hatch. It opened, and Michael stepped back; Inara's bolt gun preceded her out. "Is it over?"

Michael nodded, and as she lowered her weapon he said, "We need Simon." Tam stepped up beside Serra, and Michael said, "'Fraid you're gonna be busy. Brath's been shot. Nothin' serious, but it hurts."

"Where's she hit?"

"Left buttock." Michael smiled thinly. "Gonna have to resist pinchin' her for a spell."

"I heard that."

"Michael, you an' Simon get her aft. We'll wait." Mal paused, then asked, "Got any ways o' convincin' a man to talk?"

Michael looked at him, his eyes cold. "You care what shape he's in after?"

Reynolds was surprised when he and Jayne shivered. "Ain't too particular. Just don't bloody up my ship."

"Will do, Mal. Give us a few." They walked over, helped Brath up, put an arm each over their shoulders and carefully helped her down. Zoe opened the common room door, then headed topside when Michael returned. He held two guns. "Anything you think's worth keepin', Jayne?"

Cobb looked and sneered. "Nah. Ammo's about it."

"Okay." Michael emptied the weapons, put the rounds and clips in a pocket, then touched a pad on his suit and folded them as though they were stiff clay.

Mal looked, then said, "Well, you weren't kiddin' about the suit makin' ya stronger-seemin'."

"Up to now I never needed it. Let's go see what they got we can use." He looked around at the mess, then said, "After we take out the trash." They dragged the bodies away after searching them, then began looking around after tying the survivors to deck fittings. Mal headed to the engine room; Jayne followed and turned away to check the cargo area, while Michael returned to the bridge. Mal checked the system and found they'd burned hard to get to Lilac, judging by the heat in the compartment. He activated his commset and said, "Michael? Where'd they come from? Engine's hotter'n a cheap pistol."

"Just a sec. I'm in the airlock now." After about a minute, he replied, "They came from Canton, looks like. Changed course headin' this way about a day ago. Wait a sec." Another minute passed, and Michael began what sounded like swearin' in another language, far as Mal could tell. "Found a record of a wave they got, Mal. Never guess who from."

Awful convenient how fast they came here. Reynolds felt a chill, then ground his teeth together. "Badger."

"Got it in one. Seems he's got a problem. Blames your wave for shuttin' down half his business, or so he told 'em." Michael went silent for a few more minutes, then said, "I got it, an' I got their inventory. Seems they was playin' for him. Got lists o' names, an' some stuff Badger'd be interested in. Bet they been doin' this for a few months, dong ma?"

"Who'd they hit?"

"Got that list, too. I think Kaylee'd find some useful things. After we move the bodies, o' course."

"Right. Got some questions for my old friend, too. Get down here." Mal clicked off and stood there, his jaw clenched. "Ain't no tellin' who they hit, but I bet they didn't deserve it none." He turned and walked forward to find Jayne standing in the passage near the cargo bay. "What'd you find?"

"Ain't gonna like this, Mal," Cobb replied as though he'd seen something disgusting. "Come look." Mal followed him, and saw stacks of containers, all of them marked Urgent or Expedite. "They're all food, medicines, spare parts an' such fer the outer worlds. Places as needs 'em." Jayne looked forward and scowled. "An' they had similar planned fer us."

"Don't doubt it, Jayne. Michael said they got a wave from Badger sent 'em burnin' this way. Captain o' this piece o' go se's the one shot me, an' was gonna take Serenity. Said I'd do the same."

"Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze fuh ur-tze prob'ly looked at ya like you was him, Mal, goin' by what ya told us," the mercenary replied after a few minutes. "'Minds me o' that crew I was runnin' with just afore I joined ya." Reynolds looked at Jayne as though seeing him for the first time. Never thought I'd see Jayne be like this, he thought. Lot can happen to a man in a year to change him. Footsteps made them turn, guns drawn, to find Michael entering the space. "Coulda got yerself killed," Jayne said.

"Not through this armor. Made it to handle the worst," Whitmer answered as he joined them and looked around. He scowled and said, "Just gets better an' better, don't it? Sure you want him alive?"

"Told you I got some questions. Got that wave?"

"Took a little work. Look at it now?"

"Don't want Kaylee or Inara seein' it. Trust Zoe to be a pro, but have to r'member she don't take kindly to people tryin' to kill her Sergeant." Mal didn't mention what happened after Serenity Valley, but Michael could see it in his mind. His expression would have told anyone it wasn't something he'd forgive, or forget.

"One o' these days, Mal – " Jayne began.

"Ain't happenin', Jayne. Man's got his own demons." He looked at Michael. "Bet one o' those stories you mentioned tell it." Whitmer nodded. "Then you know why. An' who. Ain't nobody's problem but mine."

"Awright, Mal." Jayne looked around, then asked, "What about all this? Gotta be worth plenty, but don't feel right takin' it. Problem is, they need it, or they dead?" He scowled again. "Gorram, ruttin' tah-mah-duh hundan, ever' one o' 'em."

"What's that?" Michael asked. They fell silent, and heard a woman singing. Mal could tell Whitmer recognized the tune; he flinched. After a bit, River's voice came through clear, sounding ghostly and echoing eerily:

"You better watch out, there's a stranger in town. You better watch out, there's a stranger in town.

"You better watch out when he comes around. Don't make a sound."

"That's enough," Michael said, and the singing stopped as Tam slipped in, looking around with no expression. "Please don't do that again, mei-mei."

"Sorry. Don't know where it came from, but it seemed appropriate," she answered as she took Jayne's hand. "They're bad all through. The ones Michael left are the worst. Still planning nasty things, though they're out cold, Captain."

"All right," Mal said. "Ain't no way we can load all this, so we take what we can use or sell, leave the rest an' call the Alliance on 'em. Leave 'em somethin' to fix, if they can." He thought a minute. "Dortman's in the area, ain't she?" River looked at the far bulkhead, then nodded. "Good. Leave these scum to face the music." His eyes hardened. "All but the one. Let's move."

Michael and Jayne spent an hour searching the cargo deck after moving the bodies to the disposal chute. They occasionally found a box that held parts, and called Kaylee to inspect as they continued their search. After a while, she said, "Don't need to go to Ariel, Michael. Looks as though they raided a few transports headin' out with spares."

"That seem too convenient ta ya?" Jayne asked.

"Just a little. Hmm. I'll have to check that list." He took the scanner from his suit, tapped it to life and paged through. "Kaylee? This look like those boxes?" Frye stopped, looked at the hologram and nodded. "Damn. More'n a month ago. Why were they savin' it?"

"Cain't'a been fer buyin' it back," Jayne said. "When it went missin' they'd just order another."

"But people died," Kaylee said, looking around at the stacked crates in distress. "Starved, or ran out o' medicine, or parts to fix somethin' important." She shook her head, her eyes wide in disbelief. "No purpose to it."

"There's one, we just ain't heard it," Jayne said. "Ya think Mal's a little itchy?"

"Man who tried to kill me and take my ship comes back, I'd want a little pay-back," Michael said. When Kaylee looked at him, he said, "Just 'cause I was Starfleet don't mean I changed, mei-mei. It's always there, hidin' under the surface. You ain't seen what I can do, an' hope you never do, but can't promise you won't. You saw Mal do it more'n once."

Kaylee nodded. "I know. Hate seein' it, but it's what's kept us alive, a time or two. Don't know how to deal with it."

"Hope ya never do. Hate ta see ya stop smilin'," Jayne said. When she looked at him, he continued, "Yer about all we got left keepin' us up, Kaylee, since Wash got killed. Didn't like him makin' fun o' me, but he kept us from goin' at each other, sometimes."

Kaylee stood, walked to Jayne and kissed his cheek. "Good to hear, Jayne." She looked around, then said, "Well, we got some o' what we need, Michael. Might find the rest in the engine room."

"Hope so. You go look. Got about all we can carry here," Whitmer replied, waving at the boxes they'd pulled aside. "One more thing: Break somethin' keeps 'em from leavin'. They ain't gettin' away." Kaylee nodded and left.

"That a good idea?" Jayne asked as he loaded a cart. "Sendin' her back there alone?"

"Ain't like Early's gonna drop on us outta the black," Michael said. "Had to run outta air long before you got to New Melbourne."

"Well, maybe, but did ya search thorough? Lots o' places ta hide, more'n Serenity, I reckon."

"Got a point." Michael closed his eyes and extended his awareness. At first he could only feel Janye. Then Kaylee, back aft, followed by Zoe – and someone else – on Serenity's bridge, followed by Inara, Brath, River and Simon in the Infirmary. The prisoners were starting to regain consciousness. Farther away, a glimmer of a life passing on the Trans-U. Out beyond that, nothing. "Nope. No one left to miss."

Jayne stared at Michael as he opened his eyes and resumed loading the cart. "Ya didn't – "

"Mind-readin' ain't what folks say, Jayne. All I get is what you're thinkin' right this second. Can't look into your memories or take over. Ni shi bai chi, you believe that fèhuà, dong ma? Just hype from people don't know better. Ask River, you don't believe me." Michael gave him a look. "Let's get this moved, 'fore Mal gets itchier." Jayne watched him for a few seconds, then shrugged and moved containers.

"No, y'all can't see this," Mal said. "Won't be pretty." Everyone was gathered in the dining room, except for Brath. Michael had taken her to their room, got out of his suit and brought some things. He stood to one side, clipping a pair of knives to his gunbelt. "Ain't got time to ask nice-like."

"But torturing a man," Simon said. "It's barbaric."

"Maybe you ain't noticed what part o' the 'verse this is, Simon," Michael replied. "They left Mal for dead, an' prob'ly come back later to take Serenity. You'd all be dead."

"You can't do this, Mal," Inara said. "You're an honorable man."

"One o' these days I'll tell y'all what an honorable Alliance officer did to me after Serenity," Mal replied. Zoe looked down and closed her eyes, unwillingly remembering how he'd been after those long days he was gone. "I got the scars."

Michael lit a cigarette. The system could handle it after a brand-new air scrubber had been moved aboard Serenity. "I've some news for you," he said in that cultured tone. "So-called 'honourable' men have done far worse for king and country on Earth-that-was. I ought to know; I was one of their victims, once upon a time." Kaylee looked away. She couldn't bear the look in their eyes. "I know you don't like this, mei-mei, but it has to be done. I told you I was retribution incarnate."

"You don't have to do it," Simon countered. "They haven't killed anyone."

Michael tossed a sheaf of printout on the table. "Read that. It's a list of the people aboard the ships they raided. All went missing months ago. Even if they didn't kill them, leaving them to die is still murder. And don't forget the people who died because the supplies they needed never arrived. In the eyes of the law it's the same, but to me it's much worse. They never saw them, and never cared." He took a puff and added, "And the supplies are still aboard. I have to wonder why."

"What?" Simon gasped. "But why take and keep it? It's worth nothing to them."

"That's what I conjure they can tell us, or point us the right way," Mal said. "Ain't sayin' I'm doin' the right thing. Ain't sure it's for the right reason, neither. Got a personal score ridin' here."

"You know what Shepherd Book would say," Inara said coldly.

"Funny how he always found a way to do somethin' wasn't zac'ly proper," Jayne said. River nodded. "Wha'd Early say you told us, Doc? 'That's no Shepherd,' right? Makes ya wonder, don't it?"

"We're still human," Tam protested doggedly.

"Speak for yourself," Michael replied. "Do humans let this go on, or do they put a stop to it?" He looked around the room and saw their eyes flicker with uncertainty. "Ah, now we come to the heart of the matter. You find this unpleasant. You've no idea of the true meaning of the word. Pray you never learn." He ground out the butt in an empty can. "That's why you shouldn't see it. The only ones there will be Mal, Jayne and I. We've seen humans at their absolute worst."

"An' I ain't?" Zoe asked sharply.

"You haven't done it, Zoe. It's not a woman's place, unless she's avenging her husband, and I believe that's been settled." Michael looked at them in turn, and they lowered their eyes, with the exception of River. "No. Even you're not that kind."

"Don't expect us to like it." Simon stood up, held out a hand to Kaylee; she took it and they left for their bunk. Slowly, the others followed their example, except for River, who returned to the bridge. Zoe followed her.

As she passed him, Michael said very softly, "A mother should know better." She stopped, her eyes wide. "I felt her, Zoe. What would she think if she ever learned the truth?" Zoe turned and stumbled out.

"What was that?" Mal asked. "What'd you tell her?"

"It's not my place to say. It's another thing you'll have to wait for." He paused. "Sooner or later it will be obvious, or she'll tell us." He walked out, leaving Mal and Jayne to look at each other. Cobb shrugged and followed.

"My ship, an' I'm bein' treated like a gai si newbie."

Mal watched as Michael and Jayne tied the captain's feet to a rope, slung it on the hoist and pulled him chest-high from the deck after raising the hoist again. The remaining crew – Jesse and Billy – sat on a container, hands tied behind them, feet shackled to a deck fitting. "Here's why y'all don't play fast an' loose with a man's good nature and honor, an' leave him for dead, boys. Sometimes we come back."

"What ya gonna do?" Billy asked.

"Me? Not much but watch. Our new crew Michael's gonna convince the captain here – " Mal pointed at them " – to answer a few questions, is all. Might get messy, he's stubborn." Mal smiled without humor. "Ain't a thing to me. Made his choice near a year ago."

"Ready, Captain," Michael said in the cultured accent. Before they'd started, he'd explained it would be worse for the other crew. A "gentleman" would never torture a man, so most people believed, and Mal had to agree. But Reggie weren't no gentleman, Mal thought. He saw Michael nod. "Wake him?"

"'Course. Can't let a man sleep through his last day in the 'verse." Michael took a bucket of water and held it up so the hanging man's head was submerged, and he began to struggle. Michael lowered the bucket, and the man coughed and blew water out of his face. His eyes met Mal's. "Well, howdy. Nice to see you again."

"What's goin' on here!"

Michael tapped him on the nose with the crowbar. "Manners."

"I got a gorram right ta know!"

"Gonna answer a few questions," Mal said as he stood up and looked him in the eyes. "Such as why Badger called you on us. Such as why you been raidin' supplies an' hangin' onto 'em."

The man spat at him. "Ain't tellin' ya nothin'." Mal nodded, and Michael drew a knife. "That ain't gonna help."

"You might be surprised," Michael said. He grabbed the man's hair and walked to one side of the cargo bay, then let him swing. "I learnt this from a book I once read," he added conversationally. "Got his attention straight away." As the man swung back, Michael held the knife out at arm's length. Just before he would have reached the knife, Michael pulled it back. "You might want to reconsider. I might miss my cue." The other captain screamed curses at him through the next swing, but this time Michael let the point prick his chest. "I should warn you, the next might hurt."

Why let him swing? Mal wondered. He heard Michael's voice in his head: The anticipation makes it worse.

"Gorram you! I didn't – "

"Liar!!" Michael bellowed. "That's your ship! Those are stolen goods! There are ships' manifest codes on the containers! There are lives attached to all that, and you let them die!" He stepped close and slashed. A red line appeared on the man's chest as his shirt flapped. "If you believe they died peacefully, I can assure you they did not." At the top of the next swing, Michael grinned. "And neither shall you." He slashed again as the man swung away.

"Either o' you wanna talk?" Jayne asked the other two. "Might ya could avoid yer captain's sticky spot."

"Don't know anythin'," Billy replied. Jayne looked at Michael, who shook his head slightly. Cobb walked over and punched him in the face. "Wrong answer, ya qingwa cào de liúmáng. Try again."

"Keep it shut!" Michael picked up the crowbar, and cracked the captain hard in the ribs as he reached the top of the swing. "Aahh! Don't tell 'em nothin'!"

"He ain't makin' a lotta sense," Mal said as he forced his expression to stay neutral. As much as he hated 'em, it still felt wrong doin' 'em this way. "Might be y'all stay alive, even if the Alliance gets you. Gotta be better'n his way out." Another crowbar strike made them flinch violently. "Up to y'all, but he ain't gonna last too long." La shi, this ain't easy, Mal thought.

It never is, Michael's voice said in his head. Mal watched through four swings, and finally – after two slashes, one crowbar smash and a punch to the face, the man said, "A'right! I had enough! I'll tell ya!"

Michael caught and held him as Mal stalked over and glared at him. "Better. Ain't gonna get easier." He saw Billy and Jesse look at each other, their eyes wide. "Got plenty more, you can stomach it."

"Okay, it was Badger set us on the cargo ships. Never knew what it was, 'til we got aboard. Said he was lettin' ever'one think it was Reavers, 'specially after Brutus joined up. Pushed the cost o' transport up, and his shipments got through."

Mal leaned closer and said, "At a high profit, I conjure." The man nodded. "Right. You tell Badger you had us?" A shake of the head. "Good. Likely he's wonderin', by now. Gonna pay him a visit, be sure o' that." He looked at Michael and nodded with a jerk, then stalked away, his back stiff with loathing.

Michael said, "Well, you've earned the easy death. Say goodbye." Before the man could react, Michael released him, and on the return swing viciously slammed a fist into the side of his neck. The pop-crackle of breaking vertebrae was loud. He turned to the other two. "Was he telling the truth, or must I ask for a volunteer?" Both cringed back and nodded vigorously. Michael faked disappointment, and said, "Very well. Don't move." He unlatched the shackles. "Stand up." They did, and he shoved them back aboard their ship. "You can work yourselves free. I suggest you do."

As they sat and concentrated on freeing themselves, Michael reached the docking controls and set the timer. He walked off the derelict, stepping over the body Jayne had tossed into the vestibule, and breathed easier when he reached Serenity, then closed both sets of doors. Soon, the ships undocked, and as agreed, River maneuvered clear to resume course for Persephone.

"Michael? Ya all right?"

Whitmer looked at Jayne, his eyes dead-looking. "No, I'm not. Not even twenty-four hours in the black and it's started, Jayne. La shi." He walked away.

"Ain't we gonna check the other ship?"

Whitmer stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Why? All they did was spring the trap, and they're already dead. All the booty was on that scrapper." He walked away, muttering.

"'Cause we mighta missed somethin'." Jayne looked down, then headed for the bridge with a determined expression. He arrived to find River there alone. "River," he began.

"Got it. Michael wanted to check it earlier, but he's not in a good mood," she replied as she made adjustments.

"How bad, an' is this gonna make us late?"

"He wants to break something. Right now, Brath's trying to calm him down." She finished the changes, then said, "Won't make us late." She checked the approach. "Be there in five minutes. Get ready."

Jayne smiled at her, and gently stroked her cheek. "Dunno if'n we can work this out right away, but looks like you an' me are partners."

River put her hand over his and said, "We can. Take some time, though." She looked up at him and smiled. "Partners. I like that."

"Guess that means I stop callin' ya crazy or moon-brain."

"No, but you only call me that." Janye nodded and headed out.

Mal left his bunk after a half hour of self-recrimination; he was only getting madder, instead of cooling off. Need to do somethin', he thought. He arrived on the bridge to find River talking to Jayne on the intercom, and saw the fake Reaver ship nearby. "What the di yu we doin here?" he asked.

"You wanted to check it out, but you weren't any company," River said. "Same for Michael. Jayne thought we might have missed something."

"Ain't likely anythin' aboard useful, River."

"Won't take long, and we're still on time." She grinned briefly. "Badger'd be a bit put out, eh?" she added, imitating Badger's speech perfectly.

Mal smiled briefly, and sat in the pilot's seat. "Why don't you use this one, Albatross?"

"Wash complains."

Mal sat up. "He still here?"

Tam nodded. "You can't see or hear him. I can. Left a lot of himself, all the time he was up here."

"He talkin' now?"

"No. Knows what has to be done, Mal." When he looked at her, she continued, "Might as well say it. You're like a father to me. Don't have one any more, or a mother. They gave up, and tried to stop Simon. Have to wonder why," she finished as a tear ran down her cheek.

"Hey. Stop that. You're strong, like your brother, if not the same way."

"Michael is too, but he cries. Doing it now. Hates that part of himself, Mal," River said very softly. Her eyes found his. "Same as you."

Mal had to clear his throat. "Well, right now don't feel like it. Wanna break somethin'. Gotta do somethin', else I go crazy. Sorely vexed at this."

"Don't worry. Badger's going to pay."

The uncomfortable silence was broken when Jayne said, "Found it. Looks like the whole plan, all wrapped up nice-like, River. Distress call's set. On my way."

Mal looked at her in surprise. "He just use your right name?" When she nodded with a smile, he said, "Well, more to get used to. You an' him...?" Mal raised his eyebrows.

"Not yet. Don't know how we'd explain it to Simon."

"What's to explain?"

River gave him a look as she said, "Ni shi bai chi."

"Never said I was smart like y'all. Talked it over, an' he sommat understands. Give him time, River, dong ma? Man needs time to adjust."

"Not just him. Zoe, too. Michael told her, and she just went to see Simon." River smiled. "Wonder who she'll look like."

"She--what?" Mal asked in surprise. "You sayin' Zoe's pregnant, Albatross?"

"Keep quiet, let her tell it." Another tear ran down River's face. "She needs to cope."

"Why can't it go smooth?"

Jayne walked onto the bridge. "Well, here it is," he said, setting a small valise on the console by Mal. "All there. Schedules, names, cargo, ever'thin'," he finished with disgust. "Gorram, Mal, maybe we's thieves, but that bunch. Tah-mah-duh hundan, all o' 'em. Don't make no sense, not even after hearin' it."

"No, it don't," Mal agreed. "Know how Michael feels, right now. Wanna kill that qingwa cào de liúmáng again." He sighed, then looked at River. "Y'all settled?"

Jayne scowled. "Cain't nobody keep secrets no more?"

"Don't matter what I think," Mal replied. "Woulda come out some time. Can't say I understand, but that's y'all's problem. All I got to say is be good to her, Jayne."

"Nothin' I wanna do more, Mal, tell the truth." Janye sat on the co-pilot console and took River's hand. "Cain't say when it started, neither. Just happened, like Zoe said."

Mal nodded and opened the valise, took out the papers and started reading them. "Might want to tell their families, when we can. Not knowin' ain't good," he said.

"Damn straight," Jayne said.

Breakfast was quiet and strained. Zoe glared at Michael, while Simon, Kaylee and Inara actually set up another table and sat away from the others. Brath felt the emotional terrain as she walked gingerly into the dining room, stopped in the middle of the space and looked around, hands on her hips. "All right, knock it off. So none of you like what happened. Anger and resentment won't change it." She stopped, then smiled nastily. She moved to Michael and held out a hand. "Tricorder."

"Why?" Whitmer asked suspiciously.

"So I can tell y'all off at once." Michael passed her the device, and she paged through it. She stopped, smiled and touched a control, returned the scanner to Michael, then turned and left as Get Over It by the Eagles began to play.

Michael looked after her and chuckled ruefully. "I guess we asked for it."

"You three get over here," Mal said when the music stopped. "Ain't askin'." Simon, Kaylee and Inara sat at the table as far from him and Michael as they could. "Zoe, you here?"

"Yes, sir."

"Y'all ain't happy with what was done. Can't be undone, water under the bridge. Shepherd said there was a special hell for some, an' more'n like one for us." He held up the valise. "What y'all don't know is they planned it all out. Badger had big plans, an' we ruined 'em. It's all here," he said, dropping it with a slap! "Ain't about to apologize. Happens some we helped was next on the list, includin' Nandi's girls. 'Ceptin' there was special attention to be paid them." Inara flinched and looked at him as though he was playing a cruel joke. "Ain't makin' this up. Can't. Badger's goin' after ever'one we helped, however small it was. Only ones he ain't touched was too far, or don't pay messin' with. He wanted us outta the way, in case we heard." Mal smiled coldly. "Well, now we know, an' it's time to pay for the fun he's been havin' with us an' ours." He looked around the table. "Y'all got somethin' to say, now's the time."

"He didn't touch Tracey's family," Zoe said. It wasn't a question. It sounded more like a prayer.

"No, he didn't. No gain in it. Only one he can't touch is Sir Warrick, who we moved cattle for. Might be we got trouble waitin' for us on Persephone, but we gotta play dumb. See what Badger wants, then fix him, dong ma?"

"Don't get it. We made him coin," Kaylee said.

"You think he cares?" Michael asked. "Set y'all up with bad cargo, remember? Didn't think o' nothin' but his sorry hide."

"We turn on him, where do we go?" Zoe asked.

"We go where the wind takes us, Zoe, like always," Mal replied as he leaned over the table, resting his hands on it. "Had to happen we'd leave Badger, we found better. Now we gotta make our own way, ready or not." He looked at Michael. "That part o' why you're here?" Whitmer shrugged. "Find out soon enough."

"Now we know, we gotta stop him, 'fore he does someone else don't deserve it. Ain't right, can't go on." Mal straightened. "Up to y'all, now. Don't do nothin' an' we're no better'n they was; or we can do somethin' right." He looked at the wall display. "Got plenty time to decide, but if'n it's no, your port is Eavesdown, an' we part company." He left the valise as he walked out. Michael looked at the case, his eyes hard, then grabbed it and started reading. Jayne and River looked around the table, then left together, hand in hand. Simon watched them, his face unreadable.

Zoe's expression had gone neutral during Mal's talk. She looked at Michael and asked, "How'd you know?" Simon's head popped up when she spoke.

"Ain't private, Zoe," Whitmer replied as he kept reading.

"Simon knows. Had to." She glanced at Kaylee and Inara, who looked back and forth between them. "Tell everyone soon enough."

"Said I was psychic. Did a scan, lookin' for those we mighta missed. Felt it. Wasn't 'spectin' to."

"Zoe?"

"Not yet, Kaylee. Gotta get used to the idea."

"You're pregnant," Inara said. Zoe's eyes widened in surprise. "I thought so. There are signs, if you know how and where to look." Instead of sympathetic, her expression was concerned. "Are you going to be able to function?"

"Don't rightly know. Wanted Wash here," the First Mate replied, closing her eyes as tears began to run. "Not sure I want her."

"I don't perform abortions," Simon said flatly. "That child is all you have of Wash, Zoe. Don't throw that away."

No, Zoe. Michael looked up to see Wash standing behind her, trying to comfort her. "Wash don't want you to, Zoe."

Her head snapped up, and she looked around. "He here?"

"Never left. Could feel him, 'specially on the bridge. Ain't right, Zoe. Like what y'all had meant nothin'." Michael set the papers aside and looked at her steadily. "Ain't religion talkin' here, neither. A child is a gift. His gift to you. One y'all oughta be sharin'."

Zoe nodded, then stood, a sad smile her face. She walked to Michael's side, leaned down and kissed his cheek. "You think I can handle this?"

"I know you can. Different kinds o' strength in the 'verse, Zoe. You got 'em all, an' you got us, you need help," he said, taking her hand. "Now go to your bunk, and think o' names."

"Was hopin' he'd help."

"He will. Just listen." Zoe nodded and walked out.

"Just when I think I have you and Mal figured out, I see something different," Inara said. She looked forward, appeared to make a decision, then stood and walked out briskly.

Kaylee watched her. "What just happened?"

"She made up her mind about her an' Mal. Should be all right."

"Is this why you're here?" Simon asked. "To push us on, stir us up and make us think?"

Michael grinned sheepishly. "Looks like. All the things everyone hates bein' made to do."

Zoe sat on the bunk, hugging a pillow. "Don't know if you can hear me, baby. I was thinkin' o' Miranda." She held still and felt warmth pass through her, and seemed to hear him say, Perfect. Put somethin' good to the name. Love you, my autumn flower. Zoe laid back and cried, but happy tears this time.

Inara waited after lighting the candles. She wasn't sure if he'd come. When the knock came, she hurried to open the door, and Mal was there. "Come in."

"What's goin' on?" Reynolds asked as she pulled him over to the bed, and made him sit beside her. "Inara?"

"Take off your shirt." He looked at her curiously, but complied. "Lie face-down."

After he did – didn't seem he could refuse – he asked, "What?"

Inara reached for a bottle, and spread oil on her hands. "I want you to lie there and relax, Mal. I'm giving you a massage. You need it; you're tense and wound up. A bad time to make decisions."

"Might fall asleep," he protested as she began kneading his shoulders. "Gotta be ready."

"You've got Zoe. And I can't say how I know, but you can trust Michael with your life. You need to rest." She smiled. "I'll be right here, and I won't take advantage of you if you fall asleep." Mal nodded, and relaxed as she worked the knots out of his back and neck muscles. He thought, Dunno why I was bothered before...

Inara heard Mal's breathing slow, and slowed her pace as she continued working his on back. After a while, she felt a presence, and looked up to see Michael watching them. "He sleeping?" She nodded. "Keep him there, Inara. This has been a bad day for everyone, with plenty of shocks, but worse for him. He's the captain," he murmured. "I know what he's going through."

"I will." She looked at him. "Why do I think you set this up?"

"It wasn't deliberate. Sometimes it all comes together." He looked at Mal, who slept peacefully. "Good day, Inara." She nodded as he closed the door, then finished her work. After wiping the oil away, Inara covered Mal with a sheet and carefully laid beside him, her hand on his back. She sighed quietly, and her eyes closed.

During the next several hours, Michael, Kaylee and Simon continued the installation. The computer was set near the pass-through, while the console was placed near the co-pilot's chair. After the connections were made, Michael went outside and placed the sensor units – targeting, long and short-range – for best coverage, and connected them to the switching nodes he and Kaley built. After lunch, he and Jayne placed and securely mounted the gun below the bridge, and the missile cells and pylons just outboard the cargo door, in line with the engines. When they finished, they gathered in the common area to rest.

"Well, that was easy," Jayne said as he enjoyed a cigar. "Figure'd we'd be doin' that all the way there."

"Still got the power converter," Kaylee said. "All that's missin' is the laser control modulator." She looked at Michael. "Whole networks was powered that way?"

"Safer an' more secure," Michael confirmed as he enjoyed a cigarette and sipped a drink. "Same cable could send power an' data, you adjusted the lasers an' receivers right."

"When will it be ready?" Simon asked as River joined them.

"Take a couple days to adjust and program everythin'. Was gonna tie the engine monitors in, so we'd know what was gonna fail, 'stead o' waitin' for it."

"I checked, Michael. Don't have everything, but we can build what's missing," River said as she sat by Jayne.

"Be good havin' the advantage," Jayne said. "See 'em 'fore they see us."

"River."

"I know you don't like it, Simon. My choice, dong ma? Same as the Academy. I've accepted the consequences."

"I don't know what mom and dad would say."

"Don't think they care about anythin' but appearances," Michael said harshly. "Seemed to know more'n what they told you. The vid showed that. You mattered more'n River, but..." he trailed off.

"I almost suspect they know it all, now that I've had time to think about it," Simon admitted.

"Don't think we're goin' ta Osiris ta find out," Jayne said. "We found out, they'd turn ya in." He snarled. "Good citizens."

"No, I can't believe that. Not unless they tell me themselves."

"Not today," Michael said as he stretched. "As Mal said, worry when it comes time."

"When we start on the converter?" Kaylee asked.

"Can't wait, can ya? Like Christmas." Michael grinned. "Why not? It's all shiny." He finished his drink and put out the butt. "Might as well start. Got the room, do it here."

Two hours later, Michael sat back with a satisfied grin, and scanned his work. "Looks good." He looked up as Kaylee entered the room. "Ready?"

"Yep. All set, just plug it in. Might have ta make adjustments, but it's all shiny."

Michael put away his tools and cleaned the table of scrap. He picked up the box and followed Kaylee aft. Simon was waiting. "Ready?" he asked.

"All but the finishin' touches," Michael replied. He set the converter in the bracket and connected the optical side first, followed by power from Serenity. He clipped the cables to the bulkhead, stepped back and nodded. Kaylee threw the switch, and the status lights blinked on, then changed to green. "Good. Let's go see if I out-smarted myself."

As they walked forward they passed Brath, who nodded; she was reading the papers from Brutus, her eyes cold. Draconic: He's going to die, Michael. The children

Draconic: No, he's not, Brath. He's going to pay, and remember

Brath nodded as the others paused at the exchange of growling, hissing, and incomprehensible speech. Michael continued, and they followed. "She all right?" Kaylee asked.

"No. Any mother'd be that way." They continued to the bridge to find Jayne and River passing guns back and forth. "Should we ask?"

"Tryin' ta find what River's comfortable with," Jayne replied. "Ya ain't gettin' Sage or Loretta. Too big."

"What about Betty?" River took the small revolver from his hand, spun the cylinder, checked the lock-work by ear, and set it on the console.

"Can ya make her do what ya want?" River nodded. "Okay, fer now. Get ya somethin' better on Persephone." Cobb turned the chair and asked, "Y'all done?"

"Ready to check," Kaylee replied as Michael took the pilot's chair and connected the last cable, tying Serenity's systems into the new panel. "Well, don't just sit there, fire it up."

Michael grinned, and flipped two switches. The screens flickered, and cleared, displaying information as the new system booted up. After a minute, the new panel lit, and a hologram appeared: System initialized. Awaiting alignment and programming. "All set. 'Scuse me, Jayne." Cobb stood, and Michael took his place and began searching and copying information, as well as inputting data from the tricorder. In thirty minutes the hologram displayed, Data received and compiled. Beginning correlation process. Michael sat back and watched as the progress indicator appeared, and running proceses flickered by.

"That it?"

"That's it, Kaylee," Whitmer replied. "System's gotta re-learn the hardware, look for glitches an' adjust the data to fit Serenity. Then make sense outta Cortex." He glanced out the front window. "Take about ten hours to run. Won't affect control. You'll like what it can do." There was a whine and a rattle from the deck, startling them. "Gun's calibratin' itself. Nothin' to worry about."

"So, we about ready?" Everyone turned to see Mal standing in the door. He looked much better.

"No, but takes care o' itself," Michael replied. "Ten hours, tops. Then I show y'all what we got."

"Okay. River, can you cut maybe ten hours off? Don't wanna wait too long, an' wanna get there at night. Be ready when we visit Badger."

"Can do." Tam made a slight correction and a small burn – which the new system noted – and replied, "On course. Two days, fourteen hours remaining."

"Mal?"

"Want him off-balance as much as can be, Jayne. Ain't playin' fair. He don't."

"Good enough."

"Do you think he knows about us, who we really are?" Simon asked. "He had to have heard. River's pretty memorable, especially after she talked him down."

Mal thought a little. "Could be, Simon. Come in at night, less likely we'd be noticed." He looked at Michael. "Brath worked out with Simon yet?"

Michael smiled evilly, then looked aft for a few seconds. "Just the basics. Guns, an' a few simple moves. Two days will help, but takes years to get what I'd call good."

"Can't be helped. You get started." Simon started to protest, and Mal added, "You want River cryin' over you again? This time permanent?" Simon shook his head. "Didn't conjure. Michael can teach you incapacitatin', that helps."

"It should."

"Then start. Not much time, lots to do."

"Just a sec. You're from Osiris, and your parents worried about their status," Michael said. "You know sword?"

Simon grinned evilly as Mal said, "Hustled me some chores with it."

"Might not look that way, but I got lots o' room in those containers. Can you handle a smallsword?" Simon nodded. "Should find a way you can carry it," Michael said. "Still need the rest. Sword can't out-reach a gun, dan nang, but quieter."

"Whatever you say," Simon replied. "Why not a dart gun with tranks?"

"You know better. Don't act fast enough. Them as do can kill," Michael said.

"All right. Let's get started." Simon and Michael left the bridge, and Jayne returned to the third seat as Mal took the pilot's chair. Cobb watched the new panel go through its work for a minute, then said, "Hey, Mal? Dunno how it works, but can ya marry folks?"

Mal looked at him quizzically. "Dunno myself, an' you're kinda jumpin' ahead o' yourselves, ain'tcha?"

"Maybe. Wanna think about it. Kinda nice, not ta have yer kids called hundan, dong ma?"

River rolled her eyes, and said, "Doesn't matter to me. Don't need it, really."

"Ain't how I was raised," Jayne said. "No hurry."

Mal nodded to himself as he watched the screens. No heed hurryin' into more complications.

Kaylee, Inara and Zoe watched as Michael and Simon practiced swordplay, while Brath practiced kata alone. Inara knew they were going slowly, but to Kaylee and Zoe they seemed to be going at it seriously. As Simon grew accustomed to the handling of the saber, they sped up. Soon they were moving at full speed. After fifteen minutes, Michael disengaged, stepped back and saluted. Simon returned it. "Well, I'm surprised," Tam said as they walked to the side and poured some water. "I've never seen anyone use prime and octave."

"One advantage of being ancient," Michael replied with a grin. "France, Germany and Italy turned out the best swordsmen."

"Which were you?"

"French. That didn't stop me learning the other styles, however. I learned early pride can kill you."

Zoe smiled. "Couldn'a guessed. You shoot just as well?"

"I don't miss 'less I want to, Zoe. Take that to heart," Michael said.

Brath finished her practice, walked over and half-draped herself on Michael's side. Her leotard was sweat-soaked in interesting places. "He doesn't. I've seen it," she said with a smile as she combed his hair back into place with her fingers. "Major Dorrl owes Michael his life." When Zoe seemed about to ask, Brath added, "Another 'verse, Zoe. You'll never see it, and it's hard enough explaining just one."

Michael gave Brath a very intimate hug, then kissed her. "Ready for the hand-to-hand, Simon?"

"Unless you have other plans," Tam replied with an assumed impatience, which his smile gave away.

"I do," Brath said. "But they can wait 'til 'tonight'." She kissed Michael and headed aft, threading between the cargo and deck fixtures with an uncanny grace.

Inara watched, then commented, "She must be quite an handful."

"More than I'll tell," Michael replied with an evil grin. "All right, let's start simple. Hold out your hand."

When Mal walked into the cargo area, Simon had Michael's arm up behind his back, with Whitmer kneeling on the deck, grimacing. "What the—?" When Michael tapped his leg, Simon let go, and he stood up. "Oh, I see. How's it goin'?"

"He's a natural," Michael replied as he worked his shoulder. "His knowledge of anatomy helps." He worked his neck in a circle, and there was an audible pop! "Still feel a tingle from that nerve pinch I taught him; he got it right."

"Think he's ready?" Mal asked as Kaylee and Simon left.

"For a fight? Only to save his skin, maybe, but sometimes that's more'n enough." He watched them disappear, and said quietly, "'Nother story told o' Simon killin' to save Kaylee, Mal. Nasty. What I learned while teachin' tells me he'll do fine."

"Who was after her?"

"Draedon, an' he was usin' her as leverage." Michael looked at the place where the Fed had stood some time ago. "Ain't gonna happen, Mal. That liumang shows up, he's gonna die. Question is who gets him first."

"Wuo de ma," Mal breathed. "He would."

"Brath can teach her so that don't happen." Michael looked aft and continued, "Kaylee's a sweet kid. Can't see the bad in nobody, always happy, bright as a summer day an' trustin' as a child. You saw that go bad a time or two, an' we gotta make her able to take care o' herself without ruinin' that. Tough job."

Mal nodded. "Sure is, an' I don't envy y'all. How's the problem." He looked to see Michael still looking aft. "Got an idea?"

"If we make it a game, we could hide it there. Have to figure out the game. Maybe ask River."

Mal folded his arms, and looked at Michael. "This part o' your mission? Help them as needs it?"

"Usually. Never know how 'til I'm hip-deep. Like you say, why can't it go smooth? Times I've been blind-sided this way I can't count. She always does that to me."

"She? That Goddess you spoke of?" Michael nodded. "She ain't like the dear-and-fluffy lord?"

"No, She's as real as the deck you're standin' on. One o' her names is Gaia. Yeah, that Gaia," he said when Mal blinked. "Goddess o' Nature. Ain't all She is. Too much goin' on in her bailiwick."

"You talk o' her like the Lord."

"She's that kind. Tough as nails or gentle as a breeze; hot as fire or cold as ice, the mood takes Her, or the situation calls for it." He looked forward, his eyes far away. "She Chose me because we're somewhat alike in attitude and values," he added, unknowingly falling back into his earlier mode of speech. "I've lived so long, in so many places and at so many levels, I think it was inevitable. That, an' I was bein' educated in how the 'verse really works." He shook his head. "Too much to tell. Take years."

Mal cleared his throat. "Well, can't do nothin' about that, I conjure. You work for her, you gotta live with it."

Michael smiled thinly. "Sums it up nicely. Anythin' else?"

"Think you could teach me to use one o' these better?" Mal asked, looking at the swords in the case Michael had brought out. "Might need it."

"Anythin's possible." Whitmer looked at him. "Prob'ly a katana; works to your way o' thinkin'. Swing is stronger, but has its own draw-backs. Done right, it's hard defendin' against." He paused and lit a cigarette. "Gimme a few minutes, and we'll get the basics. Just be ready for a bit o' pain. Ain't nobody I know ever learned nothin' without it."

"Now what told me you was gonna say sommat like that?"

An hour later, Mal was being helped up the stairs by Inara, who had watched the session. "You had to ruin that massage. Now I have to do it all over again," she half-scolded.

"Why do I get the feelin' I was set up?" Mal half-complained. Inara chuckled. "Oh. Ain't neither o' us gonna complain, I reckon." Her smile confirmed it. "Might as well relax to it."

Michael chuckled as he put away the boken, and returned the case to the second container. "Please," he said quietly. "I'm an Archangel; I can play Cupid occasionally."

* * *

They spent the next two days in training, maintenance and systems checks that could be done off the ground. Mal and Simon progressed with fair speed; Michael told them it wouldn't become second-nature without practice. Kaylee and Brath worked together in "games" that had real applications, mostly escapes, hold-breaking and some throws. Kaylee giggled when Brath told her she and Simon could practice in private; she didn't need to say how.

River and Michael worked on the bridge, him learning Serenity's controls and systems (and their quirks), her calming and focusing exercises. They also discussed strategies and tactics they might have to use upon reaching Persephone. Mal would occasionally find them sitting very close together, and he felt a pang of jealousy he couldn't explain. Jayne didn't seem to mind, but Reynolds was sure Cobb knew he was first in River's eyes. After the second day, he didn't worry, as Inara seemed to want more of his attention and time, and for more than massages. River was her own person, and he got used to it.

* * *

At breakfast, everyone was tense, yet relaxed. Everything that could be done had been done. All they could do was wait and see what awaited them. Mal stood up and said, "All right. I know I put this on y'all after we done those jackals, an' I'm sorry. Ain't none o' us liked it. We still a crew an' family?"

He looked around the table, and was mildly surprised and very relieved to see everyone nod. "Okay. We're gonna be there about midnight. Give us time to see an' hear what we might be facin'. Maybe make other contacts. All I can say is look sharp, an' don't take nothin' for granted."

"Mal, you have a wave," River said over the intercom. "Sir Warrick."

Reynolds looked forward. "Hunh. Wonder what he wants." He turned to the others. "Be right back."

Kaylee nudged Inara and asked, "You an' Cap'n gettin' cozy?" Inara only smiled.

"Be a good thing, you ask me," Zoe said. "Might be you come to an understandin'." She smiled slightly. "Ain't like you an' Simon's any better, Kaylee. Y'all giggle too much when you practice."

Michael smothered a laugh in his coffee as the couple blushed. Shame on you, Brath.

You and I are better, Michael? she replied silently, smiling. Remember Thesedra? We were all shameless.

Ah, careless youth. He smiled and said, "Come again, Zoe? I was daydreamin'."

"'Course," she replied, glancing at Brath. "I was askin' if you wanted to be the godfather." When he blinked, she added, "I told everyone yesterday, after you an' Simon finished."

"Be honored, but you know I might be gone 'fore I can," he replied. "Never know how long I'm in any place."

"Worry about that when it comes." She took his hand. "Can't dump it on the Captain. Got enough worries." She smiled when he kissed her hand. "Settles that, I reckon."

"What o' us, Zoe?" Jayne asked.

"Jayne, y'all gonna be aunts and uncles. Suit you?"

"I guess. Gotta get used ta a lot, y'know?"

Mal flipped on comms to see Sir Warrick looking at him. "Ah, Captain Reynolds. I'd heard you might be coming this way. I have a commission for you, if you're interested. I'd consider it a large favour, but I'm prepared to pay well."

"Couldn't anyone else take it? Not I ain't interested, but my ship ain't the only one."

"Not with the Reaver attacks. You've done extraordinarily well against them, according to rumours. Not everyone has one brush with them and survives, let alone two," Harrow replied with a glimmer in his eye. Mal thought he knew more than he was saying. "Rumour also has it where there's trouble, you're near the centre of it, and you are remarkably hard to catch. I could use that ability," he added with a grim smile.

"Be pleased, Sir Warrick. Interestin', you speakin' o' favors. I do think well o' you, an' maybe we can exchange favors. Not I'll refuse payment, but I like to conjure we might … well, not be friends, but have an understandin'."

Harrow looked at him. "I'm intrigued. What do you have in mind?"

"Michael, you an' Brath come up here please?" Mal's voice said over the speaker. They looked at each other for a long moment, then finished their coffee and left. When they arrived, Mal said, "Like to introduce y'all: Sir Warrick Harrow, Michael an' Brath. Them as I told you about."

Michael looked at the noble and asked, "What can we do for you, Sir?"

"As Captain Reynolds proposed, an exchange of favours. You need identities, and I need something valuable transported to Boros. I believe we can work out a satisfactory arrangement."

"What'd you get us into, Mal?" Michael said. "Ain't goin' to Boros what started all this?"

"Just listen to the man."

"Right. I'm listening."

"In exchange for the transport, I'll arrange for you to have unassailable personas. In return, you will assure the delivery is made, and what I'm sending arrives in the original condition you received it. Is that fair?"

Michael wished he could read the man from where he stood, but his expression told more than he was saying. "Who is she?" Harrow started, and Michael continued, "Oh, please. I've never heard that said about anything other than female relations, Lord Harrow. Some things never change," he added with a smile.

Harrow glanced at Reynolds, then smiled. "And I see there was no exaggeration of your abilities, as tends to happen. It's my niece, and she needs to go where her reputation won't cause any further disruption. Do we have an understanding?" he asked with another glance at Reynolds.

Michael chuckled. "It so happens I understand completely. My daughters are more than a bit self-determined. Do we need to meet?"

"There's an affair for tomorrow evening. I will send invitations to those who can safely come," Harrow replied significantly. "Yourselves, Captain Reynolds, the delightful Miss Frye, and Companion Inara Serra." When Michael and Mal looked at him, he added, "You know how it goes, Michael; my wife is unavailable, and I must have a partner of similar standing."

"I believe you have everything in order, Sir Warrick. We'll be expecting word. Is that all?" Harrow nodded in satisfaction. "Then we shall be there. Good morning." The channel closed, and Michael said, "What did you tell him?"

"No more'n had to be told," Mal replied as he studied Whitmer. "Inara's right, you slip in and outta that easy. Born into society, were ya?"

"More'n once." Michael looked at the blank screen. "Somethin's not bein' said, Mal."

"Know you don't like it, but I'm doin' best for me an' mine. Includes you," Mal said as River began the descent burn. He smiled, and added, "Might wanna get out your fancies."

"Fine. Let's remember, no fisticuffs."

- - - - -

AN: So much for shorter. Oh, well. Unexpected detour, but still on course. R&R, please.

Acknowledgement: Lyrics to Stranger in Town by Toto © 1984 Sony BMG/Legacy

Chinese phrases

liumang – bastard/asshole/criminal/gangster; di yu – hell; dong ma – Understand?;fèhuà – garbage

mei-mei – little sister; pi gu – ass; Jian ta-de gui – like hell; Wuo de ma – Mother of Jesus; la shi – shit

fei-fei de pi-yan – baboon's ass crack; Ni shi bai chi – you're an idiot; shee-niou guay – shit-urine hell

qingwa cào de liúmáng – frog-humping sumbitch; gai si – damn