Inara set her shuttle down at the Guild visitor's platform, as was required when she brought a visitor with her. The compound was large and normally she would dock in the private platform, closer to the inner court. The visitor port wasn't far from the main compound and it was a pleasant walk, though any walk nowadays was less than pleasant for Inara. Still, it would give Inara a chance to acclimate Kaylee to the expectations for a guest of the Guild. There was at least two hours of light left, so the two women walked slowly enjoying the remaining day as they crossed the promenade.
The sun still shown brightly and the breeze blew pleasantly out of the northwest. Summer days on Osirus were some of the best in the Verse. Kaylee, however, was oblivious to the simple beauty of the evening. She was as excited as a child at the zoo and Inara was careful to keep her from being over exuberant. That would not have been fitting at the Guild.
As they meandered across the open gardens of the outer grounds, a man approached them at an equally leisurely pace from the opposite direction. Initially Inara mistook the man for an usher from the Guild, but as he stopped in front of them she quickly realized he was not.
"Miss Serra, I have news." He said with a polite bow.
"I beg your pardon?"
"Gabriel Tam is safe, he is inside, for now. But your compatriots are not safe. Serenity is not safe."
"What are you talking about?"
"Do not return to Serenity for at least the next two days." The man warned. "Stay here or go to the Hospital instead, if you must. It will be safer."
"Who are you? How did you get in here?" Inara demanded, loud enough for those around to hear.
"My pardon Miss Serra, but I needed to give you this It is for you and your captain."
The man handed her an envelope then turned to leave. Inara opened it immediately and pulled out a contract. There was a Black Lotus flower in the upper right corner. All Serenity's crew was listed on the contract, including her and Kaylee.
"Stop!" She called after the man. "What does this mean?"
"It means we are getting out of the business, Miss Serra. The contract is void."