"Huh." Mal said, at a loss. "Butai jengchang de."

"I'm sorry?" Picard asked politely. "I don't speak Chinese."

"Means, um, not entirely sane." Mal said. "Face to face meetin's with Reavers tend to be short, bloody, and full of regret."

"Rest assured, Captain, we will take every precaution. The Reaver will have no opportunity to attack us."

"If it was anybody else saying that I'd be runnin'. I just want you to know that." Mal said. "On account of I have gobs of trust in you not gettin' us suddenly dead. Having said that." He smiled warmly. "Have I mentioned how dangerous Reavers are? How they charge the instant they see movement? Oh, and did I mention the large jagged-y blades they favor?"

"Trust me, Captain, I believe you." Picard assured him. "Completely. Now, if you'll tell your people to return to your ship, I'll arrange a meeting of my senior officers."

"You do seem to love meetin's." Mal said, shaking his head. He headed off to find his crew while Picard did the same.

"Mal!" Wash greeted him. They were sitting around in Ten-forward, an honest to God bar. Mal had laughed out loud when he found out Enterprise had a bar on board. His already high opinion of their hosts had skyrocketed after that.

"Listen up, folks. As usual our luck has gone all pear-shaped." Mal cut to the chase. "Remember Q? Well, seems he showed up a few minutes ago while I was having a quiet drink with Captain Picard. Nastiest piece o' work it's ever been my misfortune to meet. Though the particulars seem a mite fuzzy, bottom line is Q's cornered Picard concernin' the Reavers."

"What Reavers?" Jayne snapped to alertness. "Ain't going to have nothin' to do with Reavers!"

"No Jayne, Enterprise is. Everybody goes back to Serenity, pronto."

"Zoe, I want you to take care of my boat while I'm gone. I'm goin' along while Picard does whatever it is he's gonna do. He said we'd be back in a few hours. If we're not back in a day, start headin' for New Melbourne. If we ain't caught up by the time you make port--well we won't be comin'."

"Keep those new sensors peeled and if anything looks like it might be trouble you take off. Enterprise is fast enough to catch up I expect."

"Yes, sir. I expect it would be a waste of time to ask you to be careful?" Zoe's expression was as neutral as always but Mal could read the concern.

"As careful as they let me be, Zoe. Don't scratch my boat, I'm expecting her to be as shiny as when I left, dong ma?"

"I'm going with the t'ien lung." River said unexpectedly. "Bunny rabbit mustn't hear the screams. Mustn't see the blood. Not ever." River's voice sent chills down Mal's back. "I've heard them before. Not afraid of the dead. Not afraid of the blood."

"Absolutely not, River!" Simon said angrily. "You'll come back with us."

"No Simon. The bunny rabbit mustn't hear. She mustn't see." River said, focusing on her brother. "It would kill her soul."

Simon was about to protest again when Book laid a hand on his arm. "River sees more of the 'verse than the rest of us. Mayhap she's got the right of it this time."

"She's unstable, Mal." Simon appealed to the captain. "She might lose control at the worst possible moment."

"Might." Mal allowed, thoughtful. "Might not. Little bird, you really ready to do this?"

"Bunny rabbit needs me. T'ien lung needs me. The vase may be cracked, but it still dips from the well." Her eyes were clear as she looked at Mal. He nodded.

"Good enough. Zoe, herd 'em to the shuttles. Keep my boat safe, hear? Now scoot."

"Yes, sir." Zoe said. "You heard the captain, let's move people."

"Well, little bird, let's go see what the t'ien lung's got in mind, hmm?" Mal said. Just as they were about to leave, the hostess, a tall black woman with a strange hat, stopped them.

"Captain Picard wants me to attend the meeting too." She said. "I'll show you the way."

"Guinan, ain't it?" Mal asked. She nodded. "Be pleased to have your company. Picard tell you what's up?"

"No, but I can guess." Guinan said. "If I've been invited it means trouble--unusual trouble."

"Reavers." River said, face serious. "Secrets in the dark. A woman, screaming."

"River, darlin', what have I told you about creepifying our hosts?" Mal said absently, too busy worrying about meeting a Reaver face-to-face to put any heat in the reprimand.

"It's all right Captain. I don't scare easily." Guinan replied calmly. "I'm betting there's a good reason you brought her along rather than sending her back to your ship with the others."

"Not wrong." Mal answered, looked sideways at the bartender. "You a reader too?"

"Not the way you mean." She shook her head. "But when you've been around as I have, you pick up things. You learn to read faces, body posture, chance remarks."

"Suppose you do." Mal agreed. "How long we talkin'?"

Guinan looked at him and broke into a radiant smile. "About three minutes, I think. Why?"

River giggled. Mal gave her a crooked grin.

"Guess I deserved that." He admitted. "Only, on this ship I can't assume nothin'. Mite unsettlin'."

"Let's just say I had tea with Samuel Clemens on more than one occasion." Guinan said, taking pity.

"Who's that, then?" Mal asked. Guinan raised her eyebrows.

"Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, 19'th century humorist, satirist, lecturer, and writer." River recited. "Another treasure lost from Earth-that-was."

"Earth-that-was?" Guinan asked as they stepped out of the elevator.

"Guess Earth's still lived on in your neck o' the woods." Mal said.

"Population's about 5 billion, last time I checked." Guinan agreed.

When they got to the conference room others were still arriving. Picard nodded to them and returned to his conversation with the bearded second in command. Riker? Yeah that's his name. Mal grinned to himself. Commander Riker had made a play for Inara, who had politely turned him down. Guess his credit balance weren't large enough. Mal thought vindictively.

The meeting eventually came to order.

"Q made another appearance tonight." Captain Picard announced. Mal found the reactions from the various officers enlightening. They ranged from Riker's anger to exasperation on Mr. La Forge's face, to Councilor Troi's tightened eyes. Guinan was frowning. The thought that anything could disturb these people gave Mal pause. He thought about how Q's nose had felt flattening under his forearm. Not smart. He thought ruefully. Do it again though. Some things were just worth doing, no matter what the cost.

"Q finally revealed his purpose for sending us here. It seems a band of pirates called Reavers are orbiting the outermost planet of this system. According to Captain Reynolds these Reavers are murderous psychopaths who delight in the most monstrous acts, leaving no survivors of their attacks. He advises us to wipe out the Reavers from a safe distance."

Mal winced. The looks from around the table made him feel about two inches tall. Picard let the silence continue for an uncomfortably long time.

"The problem is, Q confirms these Reavers are truly as horrific as Captain Reynolds paints them. I won't repeat the atrocities he related to me; suffice it to say the Reavers are apparently the living embodiment of evil."

"Evil. You're right about that." Mal nodded. "Which is why I can't for the life of me figure out why you plan to go find one and look it in the face. Do you think I'm lyin' to you? You figure maybe I'm exaggeratin'?"

"No, Captain. I believe you. I even believe Q--but I don't trust him. Our presence here is Q's doing. And now Q is showing us evil on a grand scale. Only this time I can destroy it without risking the Enterprise." He looked around the table.

"This is our test. Q knew perfectly well we'd never harm a small ship like Serenity; he used Captain Reynolds and his crew as a convenient cat's paw. He wanted us to find out about the Reavers from someone we'd befriended, that we trusted. He's tempting us to commit genocide in the name of saving the innocent."

It was then that Mal grasped what Picard was talking about. He'd figured the man was a hopeless romantic, with notions of chivalry dancing in his head. Now he knew better. Picard would use this ship to destroy the Reavers-provided he saw no other alternative. He'd do it with regret, and he'd bear the stain on his soul-but he would do it none the less. Just as Mal had, in Serenity Valley, during the war.

To each man, his own Hell... Mal thought.

"You gotta be sure." Mal said, watching Picard. He saw the stillness, the steel. "You gotta see it with your own eyes. Because it's you what gives the order."

"Yes, Captain. Because I will be the one giving the order."

"Then I'll follow your lead on this, and not say more." Mal said quietly, sitting back. Picard nodded.

"Here is what I propose. We move to the edge of the system and locate a Reaver ship, as far from the others as we can manage. We let Councilor Troi sense what she can--"

"No!" River said emphatically. "Bunny rabbit must not hear. She must not see. Or the Reavers will rip her brain open from the inside."

"What do you mean, River?" Troi asked, confused. "Are the Reavers telepathic?"

"Reavers get inside your head." River shivered. "The screams don't stop, they never stop. And they keep coming." River was staring at Councilor Troi. "They would eat you, bunny rabbit. Eat you alive while you screamed. You'd be screaming in the dark as they ate your brain. So you must not hear. You must not see. Or you'll be bleeding before they ever got on this ship. All alone in the dark."

Councilor Troi paled. The rest of the table looked grim. Commander Riker turned to Mal.

"Can we trust River about this?" Riker said.

"Dunno. Sheppard Book told me River saw the Councilor the night before you contacted us. Said she wasn't expectin' River to be lookin' back."

"River did sense me." Troi admitted.

"River, can you sense the Reavers?" Data asked. River shook her head.

"Not from here. Too far away. Can't see more than a few thousand klicks." River said, playing with her hair. "Can't hear more than a million."

"In the spirit of sharin'," Mal said, "She did know you was plannin' a visit, and that you were all cuddly before you appeared. Call me a worrywart but if it was me, I'd be takin' her serious."

"Indeed. Very well, Councilor Troi I want you to avoid all contact with the Reavers. We'll move to within extreme transporter range, keeping up the cloaking shield. We'll use sensors to gather what intelligence we can about them. Then we'll drop the shields long enough to beam one of them on board inside a containment field in sick bay. We'll render the Reaver unconscious and examine him to find what caused the--condition."

"Wait--you want to bring one on board?" Mal squawked. "You do that and you'll be hunting for a new med staff. Not to mention how you plan to do that and come back from the Reaver ship alive."

"Rest assured, Captain I have no intention of risking my crew on board a Reaver ship." Captain Picard reassured him. "Nor is there any danger to the medical staff. The containment field is strong enough to contain a fusion explosion. No matter how fast or strong a Reaver might be he won't be able to break out."

"Famous last words." Mal shook his head. "Still, your ship, your call. I can't believe I'm sayin' this, but just be careful, dong ma?"

"Believe me, Captain. I will not endanger this ship or its crew. There are children on board this ship, you know."

"No, I truly did not know that." Mal said, seeing blood spattered tiny bodies in his mind... "I said I'd say no more, but for the love of all that's cute and cuddly, don't screw the pooch on this. Or we might not live to regret it."

The meeting continued, with a lot of technobabble that was well over Mal's head. River seemed to be following the conversation, which worried Mal a little. Guinan sat calm and silent, listening. Dr Crusher seemed to be making some ethical objections, but the Captain overruled her, assuring her the Reaver wouldn't be harmed.

The Reaver won't be harmed? Mal thought incredulously. That's like lambs saying they won't hurt the lion they're aimin' to capture.

The meeting broke up. Captain Picard asked Mal and River to accompany him to the bridge. It was Mal's first view of the bridge and when he stepped out of the elevator (turbo-lift they called it) he stopped to take it all in.

You could fit Serenity's hold in this room. He thought to himself. Have some room left over the galley too.

"Mr. Data, how far to the swarm?" Picard asked as Data settled behind his console.

"The swarm is approximately 162 light minutes from our current position, Captain." Data said in his normal calm tone.

"Plot a course to put us forty thousand kilometers from the edge of swam."

"Course laid in, sir. What speed?"

"Warp factor 5, Mr. Data."

"Sir?" Data actually turned to look at him.

"Confirmed, Mr. Data. Warp factor 5."

"Yes, sir." If Mal didn't know better he'd swear Data was puzzled.

"That's fast, is it?" Mal asked Picard.

"Time to swarm approximately 45 seconds. Raising shields, engaging cloaking mode." Data said calmly, hands flying over his console.

"Wait, 45 seconds?" Mal asked as the gigantic view screen showed a tactical plot of their course. The dot representing the Enterprise suddenly moved across the screen with a magical swiftness Mal simple couldn't believe.

"You telling me we're covering 162 light minutes in 45 seconds?" He demanded. Captain Picard just nodded. "Enterprise can go faster than light?" Another nod. "Wait...not spaceship. Starship."

He stared as the dot approached a frighteningly large number of other dots. "Starship--as in a ship that travels between the stars. Tian xiao de. How fast we going in numbers I could understand?"

"214 c, Captain Reynolds." Data replied. Mal contemplated that. 214 times the speed of light.

"Wow." It was all he could think to say. "How fast can she go?"

"Warp 9.6, about 1900 c in short bursts." Riker said after looking at his captain. "We can sustain warp 9.2 for long periods."

"Now, Captain Reynolds, you see why I swore you to secrecy." Picard said. "Imagine how your civilization would react to such technology, if it were introduced before you were ready."

"Would not be pretty." Mal agreed. "Can't say it would please me, were the Alliance to get aholt of this ship. River, you hold your peace on this, little bird. Not even your brother, dong ma?"

"She knows lots of secrets." River murmured as the dot stopped just at the edge of the swarm. "More than she should. Reavers." Casually she stretched out her arm, pointing off to one side and slightly downward.

"River is correct Captain." Data said. "I am reading 326 vessels in orbit. We are at extreme transporter range for four of the vessels. It would appear they have not noticed us."

"Safe to say." Mal commented. "If they'd noticed us they'd be red-linin' their engines getting here, slavering for fresh meat."

"Mr. Data, put the closest ship on viewer, maximum magnification." Picard ordered. The tactical plot disappeared, replaced by a single ship. Mal stiffened. It looked evil. The battered hull was scarred and torn in places, the ship splashed with ugly red paint in a pattern that reminded Mal of blood spatters. The ship filled the view screen, which took up the entire front of the massive Enterprise bridge, meaning Mal got a really good view. This is why he had no trouble seeing-

"Oh my God." Councilor Troi said in a low stricken voice.

"Close your eyes, bunny rabbit. You mustn't see, you must not hear." River said in a clear commanding voice that shocked everyone who'd come to know her. Mal watched her, making sure she wasn't about to go berserk. After a moment, he relaxed. River was focused, watching the Reaver ship narrowly, but she didn't appear to be thinking about ripping anyone limb from limb.

"Data, how many?" Commander Riker asked in a gruff voice. Mal nodded in satisfaction. He might begrudge Riker his pass at Inara but at least the man had gaowan. The sight hadn't completely unnerved him.

"Seven, Commander. Analysis indicates four men, two women, and a child, probably female." It was obscene, the calm way Data reported it. "The other ships also appear to have bodies festooning their hulls."

"Reavers do it to look fearsome." Mal said quietly. "Makes the ships they hit easier prey. Reaver'll just hang there, giving the poor hundan a real good look before they move in and butcher the crew. The ones they don't eat they add to their collection. You seen enough, Captain?" Mal asked. "Or are you gonna drink this cup to the last bitter dregs?"

"Mr. Data, how many Reavers on board?" Picard asked quietly.

"Sensors show 25 life signs, Captain." Data reported.

"I want to say this very clearly, so you take my full meanin'. I know you mean to bring one of those things on board, so heed these words o' wisdom." Mal said loudly. Everyone was watching him now, horrified by the ship on the screen.

"A Reaver'll play possum if needful, to lure you close enough. They're fast. They're strong. They are damnably hard to kill. I'm willin' to bet they can shrug off drugs what could fell an elephant. They are evil incarnate and they will do everythin' in their power to kill as many of you as they can, because they delight in slaughter and agony and death. And they are good at it."

"If they got time they'll rape a woman to death, cuttin' her up while they do. They like to skin their victims alive. They especially love to carve up little kiddies, and they take babies and pull them apart while they're rapin' the mama."

Councilor Troi looked like a deer caught in the headlights. Mal looked straight at her.

"I am not tellin' campfire stories, dong ma? I helped clean up what was left of a settler ship some months back. Manifest said 16 families, crew of five. What was left, well, the pieces didn't add up to near that much."

He stared at Captain Picard. "Do what you gotta do. Said I'd follow your lead and I will. But you lose any crew today it won't be because I didn't warn you."

"Do not turn your back just because the Reaver is unconscious and you think it's strapped down nice and safe. Reavers are not safe. Not ever. Do not let it loose, do not trust chains or bars to hold it, do not assume because it's behind one of your fancy force fields it can't hurt you. Reavers can hurt you just by existin'." He glanced at River. "That's why River don't want Councilor Troi trying to read a Reaver, I expect. Dunno if Reavers can reach into a reader's mind or not, but I like to think I got friends on this ship. Don't want any of 'em dyin' a nasty death today."

"So anybody's gotta get close to the Reaver you show 'em that." Mal pointed at the ship on the screen. "Just so's they stay extra careful." He slumped. "I probably sound like a ravin' lunatic. But a Reaver is death come callin', as sure as takin' a walk in the black without your suit."

Captain Picard rose. "Captain Reynolds, you have my word every precaution will be taken. Your warnings will be heeded. Any crewmember that has to get near the Reaver will see that ship first. And I will have phaser-armed security backing the containment field and we will use restraints intended for the strongest species in the Federation. And the Reaver will never gain consciousness while onboard this ship. Does that satisfy you?"

"Can't say it sets my mind to ease." Mal said seriously. "It might be enough. Guess it'll have to be."

"Captain, permission to lead the security team that guards the Reaver." Worf said.

"Permission granted." Picard looked at Worf. "Mr. Worf you are to treat the Reaver as a psychotic, sentient predator who intends to prey on the crew of this ship if given the chance. Do not give the Reaver that chance."

"Understood, Captain."

"Mr. Worf." Mal spoke up. The Klingon met his gaze steadily. "I trust you will not take offense when I tell you this. Do not take your eyes off the Reaver while it is on this ship. If it even looks like it's trying to break loose, my advice is kill it. Don't let it stand up, no matter what." Mal turned to Captain Picard.

"Beg pardon for speakin' so to a member of your crew, Captain. Matter this fengkuang, want to leave no room for misunderstanin's."

"I share your concern, Captain Reynolds." Picard said. "Mr. Worf, assemble your best team. Make sure they see that." He nodded at the screen. "And make sure the medical staff does as well. Alert the bridge and the transporter room when you're ready."

"Aye, Captain." Worf turned and strode off the bridge.

The ship image remained on the screen, while the minutes crawled past. Mal watched the bridge crew, he watched River, and he watched the Reaver ship to make sure it wasn't turning toward them. He found the crew's reactions curiously reassuring. Most refused to look at the screen, concentrating on their duties. Mal understood that reaction, it was human nature to avoid fearful things.

Others kept sneaking looks at the screen, then quickly turning away. Another natural reaction, keeping an eye on a dangerous thing. Trying to stay unnoticed while they did.

Councilor Troi was pale, resolutely refusing to look at the screen. She had a tight, closed in look that Mal sincerely hoped meant she was doing whatever it was telepaths did to cut off their powers.

River was watching the Reaver ship with detached focus, very much like a cat watching a mouse hole. She looked like she was ready to wait as long as it took for the Reavers to poke their heads out. Mal felt a chill as he suddenly remembered Kaylee's description of River killing those men on Niska's skyplex.

Data was the real puzzle. He neither avoided looking at the screen nor stole quick glances at it. He seemed calm; doing whatever it was he was doing with no sense of alarm. Mal knew Data wasn't flesh and blood, and acted a bit eccentric, but this was the first time Data's otherness had been rubbed in Mal's face.

"Captain Picard, Worf here. We're in position. Containment field is standing by, phasers set to heavy stun." Worf's growling voice broke the silence, making Mal jump. River didn't flinch, her concentration totally on the Reaver ship.

"Dr. Crusher assures me she will be able to tell the difference between the Reaver being unconscious and 'playing possum'." He continued. "All non-essential personnel have been evacuated and quarantine fields are active. The isolation ward is sealed from the rest of the ship. Emergency transporters are standing by. Main transporter has reported locking onto our target."

At least they're taking me serious. Mal thought grimly. Why ain't I all warm and fuzzy?

"Very good, Mr. Worf. You may give the order to proceed at your discretion."

"Acknowledged, Captain. Transporter room, beam the target directly to the isolation ward coordinates."

There was a shimmering kind of noise and then a screaming growl. Several high-pitched warbling whistles followed and then a shout. Another round of whistle sounds and then Mal heard a distinctive thump that could only be the sound of a body hitting the floor, followed by silence.

"Report, Mr. Worf." Picard's voice held no tension. He's good, Mal thought admiringly.

"The Reaver is unconscious, Captain, we are securing it now." Worf's growl sounded--angry. "It appears despite Captain Reynolds best attempts, we underestimated the Reaver. He took several phaser hits and kept coming. Before the second round of fire took him down he managed to attack me with a ghuy' serrated blade. He was aiming for my belly, but I was quick enough to evade most of the blow. However I have sustained a deep gash in my side. Also, my Ha'quj has been damaged."

Both Picard and Riker winced. Mal wondered how badly the security officer had been hurt. He sounds like he wants to kill somethin'--worse'n usual, that is. Mal thought.

"My condolences, Mr. Worf. You have acted honorably, your Ha'quj will be tended to. You have my word. Have Dr. Crusher attend your injuries."

"batlh pothl law yIn pothl puS." Worf replied sternly.

"HoD lob Worf."

"Yes, sir." Worf said. Mal got the impression the security officer was rolling his eyes.

"Have the medical team take their samples and scans quickly, and then beam the Reaver back to his ship, preferably in a secluded section."

"Yes, Cap--tain." Worf grunted. "Worf--ah--out."

"Worf must be in bad shape." Riker commented. "Normally you'd never hear him grunt like that. Dr. Crusher usually has a light touch."

"What was that he said? Somethin' about his hackage?" Mal asked.

"Ha'quj." Picard answered. "His honor sash. Klingon culture places great importance on the honor sash. It's hard won and easy to lose, much like honor itself. Having it damaged in battle is considered unlucky. As the one who placed him in that position it is my responsibility to repair the sash."

"Sounded like he was complainin' about you fussin' too much. Fella strikes me as the stoic type." Mal said, feeling the adrenalin draining away.

"He said honor is more important than life, a Klingon proverb." Picard answered. "I reminded him obedience to one's commanding officer is also a virtue in Klingon culture." He chuckled. "As for being stoic, yes, I fear Mr. Worf is a Klingon's Klingon when it comes to that particular trait."

"How long you reckon your sawbones're gonna need?" Mal said. "And how did the Reaver get onboard anyhow?"

"Dr. Crusher told me they should only need about fifteen minutes." Picard said. "As to how he got here, you would probably call it teleportation, although that's not precisely accurate."

"You can teleport people too?" Mal said, beyond shock at this point.

"To be accurate, Captain Reynolds." Data spoke up, still doing things to his console. "Transporters do not perform teleportation. They disassemble the target, transfer the resulting energy through space, and reassemble the target at the destination. Teleportation, as far as we have determined, involves the use of wormholes to move the target from one point in space to another without covering the distance in between."

"Right..." Mal drawled. "End result's the same, though. No need for shuttles. So how come I spent so much time flittin' between Serenity and Enterprise? Come to that, how come Enterprise has a shuttle bay at all?"

"We felt transporter technology was one of the subjects forbidden by the Prime Directive, Captain." Picard told him. "Also, to answer your second question, sometimes a shuttle craft is more convenient for a mission than the transporter. For example, when you have a large collection of gear with you and you're moving from site to site. Shuttles are also well suited for extended exploration independent of the ship. There are also certain natural phenomena on planets that can disrupt a transporter beam, making it too risky to use."

"Ah. That could be messy." Mal admitted, thinking about being transported and having his molecules disrupted. On second thought, let's not think about that.

"Worf to Captain Picard." Worf's voice came again, and it still sounded angry. Man needs to take up a hobby, Mal thought.

"Go ahead Mr. Worf."

"The samples have been taken and the containment field is up while the scans are completed. However the Reaver is awake and fighting his restraints. His ferocity is very--Klingon." That gave Mal pause. He looked at Picard for confirmation. Picard nodded.

"Understood, Mr. Worf. How much longer until we can say goodbye to our troublesome guest?"

"Six minutes, Captain."

"Make it so, Mr. Worf. How is your injury?"

"I will live, Captain. Unfortunately, so will the Reaver." Worf growled. Mal nodded. It seemed Worf now shared Mal's opinion of the Reavers.

Good to know, he thought. The minutes stacked up, refusing to pass, or so it seemed. Finally the silence was broken a second time.

"Dr. Crusher to Captain Picard." The woman's voice was shaky.

"Yes, Doctor. Are you all right?"

"Fine. Shaken up but fine. We've completed the last of the neural scans. Can you get this patient out of my sick bay?"

"Absolutely, Doctor. Mr. Worf, would you do the honors please?"

"Acknowledged. Transporter room, return the Reaver to his ship."

"Aye aye, sir. Transporting now--that's it. The Reaver is on his ship."

"Thank you, Mr. O'Brien. Captain, the Reaver is now off the ship."

"Thank God." Commander Riker said. The entire bridge crew relaxed, the danger past. So did Mal, until River spoke.

"T'ien lung hit the hornet's nest with a stick." She said, still watching the ship. It was turning to face them. In spite of knowing the ship posed no threat to the Enterprise Mal felt a chill.

"Captain, several of the Reaver vessels are powering up engines. They are headed this way, arrival in approximately 30 minutes." The view of the ship was replaced by a tactical plot. As Mal watched more and more dots began to move, color change indicating which ships were under acceleration.

"Does look like a bunch o' hornets, don't it?" Mal commented, watching the countdown timer. He actually felt relaxed, knowing Enterprise would be long gone before the ships got anywhere near him.

"Can't see us, but they know where we are." River said suddenly. "Spotted us the first time, locked on the second. Coming to hunt, coming to play." Her soft voice sent chills down Mal's spine.

"Captain Picard, dunno 'bout you, but I'm powerful anxious to be away from those ships." Mal said conversationally. "Kuai qu hen yuan de difang."

"Computer, translate please." Picard said.

"Mandarin Chinese phrase. Translation: go far away very fast." A cool female voice supplied from the air. Mal blinked.

"What a wonderful idea. We have what we came for." Picard said, sitting back. "Mr. Data, lay in a course for Serenity, warp factor 5." He turned to Mal. "Captain, I want to thank you for being so insistent in your warnings about the Reavers. You were right, they are incredibly dangerous. You probably saved several lives today."

"I do occasionally have my moments." Mal said, smiling wryly. "Just sorry that Worf fella got hisself sliced."

"Foo dog is happy to fight." River said, chuckling. "Don't hold a grudge."

"Hope you're right about that, little bird." Mal said drily. "Hate to get on that man's bad side. He's a curly wolf and no mistake."

"Mr. Worf is Klingon, Captain." Commander Riker spoke up, smiling. "They have a different point of view when it comes to combat injuries. Worf won't bear you any ill will."

"Glad to hear it."

"Captain we have arrived. Serenity is approximately 1 kilometer off our port bow." The ship appeared on the screen. Mal studied it, and then relaxed. It was just as they'd left it. He was about to ask Picard to hail her when Data spoke up again.

"Sir, the Reaver ships are continuing to accelerate. The entire swarm is on the move." Data reported. "They are headed this way, accelerating at 5 gravities. They should arrive in 15 hours 46 minutes."

"Kan women zenme si ba." River said brightly.

"Mandarin Chinese phrase. Translation: Let's all watch how we die." The unemotional computer voice spoke again.

"Computer, stop translating." Picard said hastily.

"Acknowledged." The computer replied.

"River's right." Mal said heavily. "They get here, they'll butcher anything moving. Plus they'll be too low on fuel to get back to that mystery planet. They'll have to hit New Melbourne to refuel. The whole gorram swarm. Probably hit the ships and stations in orbit too. Blood's gonna be deep enough to swim in."

Picard winced. "A vivid analogy, Captain."

"So what do you plan to do about it, mon capitaine?" A sarcastic voice spoke from Worf's normal station behind them. Picard stiffened, then stood very slowly and turned around. Mal wouldn't have wanted to cross him just then.

"Q." Picard said flatly. "What is your part in all this?"

"Moi?" Q asked, putting on hand over his heart and drawing back in mock horror. "Jean Luc, you wound me!"

"I wish." Mal muttered.

"I heard that, barbarian." Q snarled. "Who's this?" He asked, smiling as River shyly walked up to him, head down. "A little girl? Jean Luc that's just pathet-gluck!" Smiling benignly, River pulled her hand back sharply. Q looked at what she held in her hand in shock.

"Baituo, anjing yidian!" River said coldly. She dropped something wet and red to the deck and wiped her bloody hand down the front of Q's chest, fouling the gold and black jumpsuit with a massive red smear. Eyes wide Q vanished; along with the piece of him River had torn free.

"Little bird, what did you do?" Mal asked, speaking carefully.

"An unstructured total laryngectomy." River replied, studying the console before her.

"River, please step away from that console." Picard said kindly. "You might hurt someone."

"Ok." Obediently she walked around the railing to join Mal who looked at her, then looked at Picard.

"How'd you do that?" He asked in disbelief.

"He used the magic word, silly." River said, and giggled.

"That girl is a menace, Jean Luc." Q said. He was standing in front of the view screen, looking completely untouched.

"I notice your mouth's still flappin'." Mal said sourly. "She can't have hurt you too sorely."

"Q, unless you have something constructive to add don't let us detain you." Picard said.

"As if a mere mortal could harm me." Q said. "At most you can cause superficial damage to my avatar."

"You talk mighty big from way over there." Mal said, smiling. "Notice you ain't getting close to River or me though. Why is that?"

"So you aren't tempted into launching another ill-advised attack. I let you have one free shot, Captain, don't get cocky." Q warned coldly. "By now even your puny intellects must have figured out why I brought you here. In approximately 24 hours those Reavers will arrive at New Melbourne, and proceed to annihilate every human being within striking distance."

"Because you orchestrated the situation, Q." Picard said coldly.

"Did I, Picard?" Q asked. "Who created the Reavers? It wasn't me. Who went and kidnapped one? Not me. Who's bearing down on New Melbourne, intent on murder and rapine? Not me."

"No, mon capitaine, this is purely human problem between humans. All I did was give New Melbourne a fighting chance."

"Hello Coyote." River said. Q turned, beaming at her.

"Clever girl. Yes, I've been called that."

"You meddle. The others don't like that." River smiled. "Coyote's wearing a collar now. Has a leash."

Q frowned. "Alas, not even the Q have evolved beyond politics. The inescapable curse of sentience."

"So--you can't actually do nothing, can you?" Mal asked. "Cause somebody'll pull you up sharpish should you try swatting the Reavers, right?"

"Crude and terribly ungrammatical, but your puny brain has grasped the essentials, barbarian." Q admitted. "Even I have to operate within certain guidelines. The Q version of the Prime Directive, if you will." His face grew stern.

"But make no mistake, barbarian. There is a world of difference between not acting directly and doing nothing. And you, Jean Luc, so willingly fall into that gray area."

"You want us to do your dirty work, is that it Q?" Picard asked sourly.

"I want you to do whatever you like, mon capitaine. Whatever you feel is the compassionate course of action. I wouldn't dream of interfering." With a taunting laugh Q vanished.

"I begin to feel a certain dislike towards that individual." Mal declared.

"Indeed." Picard said.

"Captain, Serenity is hailing us." Data said.

"On screen, Mr. Data."

"Enterprise, come in please." Zoe's face appeared on the screen, a good ten feet high.

"Go ahead, Captain Reynolds." Captain Picard said. "She can see and hear you. You can speak at a normal volume."

"Zoe, my boat all shiny?" Mal asked.

"Yes, sir, just the way you left her. You still in one piece?"

"More or less. We got big problems headed our way."

"Why doesn't that surprise me? Sir." Zoe said, deadpan.

"Looks like the Reavers decided to hit the big time. They're headed straight for us, over three hundred ships. But it gets better. We been told by Q they're gonna hit New Melbourne in just under 24 hours."

"Wo de ma." Zoe breathed.

"And all her wacky nephews." Mal agreed.

"You believe him, sir?"

"Seems like Q ain't entirely the feifei de piyan after all, much as it pains me to say it aloud. Sounds like he's got some politics that gum him up, same as us. Anyhow, he can't do nothing as useful as throw the Reavers into the sun, so looks like it's up to Enterprise."

"What about us, sir?"

"I'm thinkin' New Melbourne ain't gonna be a good place to be in the foreseeable future. If it's shiny with Captain Picard I'm thinking of having Enterprise tow Serenity on a new course. Constance, maybe."

"So we're cutting and running, sir?" Zoe said. No one except Mal and possibly River read the condemnation in her voice.

"Not much choice. Over three hundred Reaver ships, Zoe. We may be mighty, but we ain't that mighty. Don't wanna run. Got little say in the matter."

Zoe sighed. "Understood, sir. Guess you're right. Hate running out on folks, is all."

"Me too, but we'd be about as much use as a spit wad in an artillery duel and you know it."

"True enough. I'll set things up on this end. How soon till I should have Inara fetch you and River?"

Mal hesitated. "Hold that thought, Zoe. Got some jawing to do with Captain Picard. Last minute stuff. I'll call. Get Serenity ready for towing."

"Aye, sir. Serenity out." Zoe's face was replaced with the plot of the oncoming Reaver ships.

"We'll be happy to tow Serenity on a new course, Captain." Picard said as Mal turned to him. "No offense intended, but your ship has no place in the middle of a battle."

"None taken. Her lot in life is haulin' cargo, not slingin' lead. Most times I prefer it that way. But listen, I'd like to sit in on the last meetin, to find out what your plans are concernin' the Reavers. I--or River--could maybe be of some small use. Plus, it would be a kindness on your part, lettin' us help. Otherwise it's like I run out on you in your hour of need after you saved me and mine. Wouldn't be of much worth if'n I done that."

Picard watched him for a moment. "Captain Reynolds, I appreciate the sentiment, but let me be blunt. This meeting is to decide whether or not Enterprise destroys the Reavers. In effect, whether we obey the Prime Directive and do nothing, or violate it and save New Melbourne. Can I have your word if Enterprise decides to do nothing you'll leave this ship quietly? Otherwise you must leave now."

Mal looked at the man. Picard was dead serious. Just have to show 'em Reavers are worse than breakin' the rules. Ain't no different than a hundred other scrapes I had to claw my way out of. Stakes are higher, is all.

"Yeah, you got my word." Mal said, hoping against hope he wouldn't be called on to keep his promise.