River slept.
The hall seemed to breathe as she padded down the wood-paneled (steel-plated) hall. The windows looked out on happy, sunny scenes, children playing with boats by the lake, a boy pushing his sister on a swing.
Another boy's face, eyes streaming blood smacking into the next one, fists pounding, screaming for someone, anyone to end-
She turned and ran down a new hallway just appeared, made of silvered glass and blueberry haze. More faces were appearing along the walls, begging for help, threatening with roars and cries. The worst simply stared through her, marking clipboards or turning another knob or pressing that button-
She started running. Suddenly, a dead end appeared, crystal wall gleaming with cold light. She went faster and faster, smashing through the end with no sound and falling into darkness...
She stood up. She was in her parent's living room (cold white walls) but everything was dark, so dark. A man sat in a throne at the far end of the room. A man in black, she couldn't see his face.
The man in black.
Suddenly, she noticed people around her, all frozen in place, facing the man. School friends, people from the Academy, from the ship. She saw Mal, frozen in place, pistol raised to looked at the blank horror on his face, and recoiled.
His eyes were black and empty. She stumbled back. "No, this is wrong, you've got to fight!"
She turned, to find the throne much closer. The man seated there beckoned.
"Girl. Come closer."
"You stay away from her!"
Simon charged in, stepping between them.
She tried to stop him, to warn him, but she was mute and rooted to the ground.
The figure stared him in the eyes, and he froze. His body shuddered.
Slowly, he turned to face her.
His eyes were as black and empty as the others.
She turned to run, but found herself facing the man. She stared deeper and deeper into his eyes...
Cities burning. Planets, galaxies, all burning.
He stood above them all... and laughed.
"Girl," he said, "say my name."
"No," she whispered.
"You will obey me. Say my name!"
"NO!"
River sat up suddenly from the pilot's chair she had been sitting in, startling Wash as he walked in.
"What's wrong-" he managed to get out before she darted past him.
Simon was putting away the last of his instruments when River came running in.
"Can't sleep won't sleep don't make me sleep!"
"Whoa, River, it's okay," said Simon, walking over to her. "I won't make you do anything you don't want to. You know that."
"He's here, it's here, don't say his name!"
"His name..." Simon frowned. "Is this about the hands of blue you were talking about before?"
She shook her head. "Too far, looking under the wrong rock. The man in black." She clutched her arms around herself and shivered. "He burns."
The Doctor, walking by the door, stuck his head in. "Is everything all right?"
River's arms dropped to her sides, and she stared fixedly at him. "The human head can remain conscious for up to thirty seconds after decapitation."
The Doctor started. "What?"
"It's all right," said Simon in a tired voice. "No, not all right. It will never be all right. But she's doing better."
The Doctor nodded, but his expression remained the same. "I do wish she had accepted... ah, well."
He glanced down at a small metal cylinder in his hand. "Well, I certainly hope I can catch the Captain before he leaves." He started back up the hall.
Wash looked up from his work as the 'com crackled to life.
"Captain and Jayne have gone off with Jed to find the guy who handed us this mess," said Zoe.
"So, usual 'get everything ready to run' game plan's on then?"
"Looks like it."
Wash gave his bridge and instruments a once- over, and sighed. "Hope he gives us one hell of a head start."
"Hope so too." There was a pause. "Honey, you do this... Remember Jerah? That island?"
Wash drew up short. His breath caught a second. "Heh. You really-" He gulped. "Really think I would forget?"
Her voice purred through the 'com, bringin' back all kinds of... memories. "You get us up and runnin' fast enough, our next stop could make that one look like a little kid's play date."
"Nnngh," remarked Wash, as he shut off the 'com. He almost snarled at his useless arm.
"C'mon, boys," he said, "we're gettin' to work'!"
The Doctor was coming down the hall in the opposite direction, fiddling with something. He looked up.
"Has the captain already left? I need to..." His voice trailed off as he found himself stopped, Zoe's hand on his chest.
"Wash could've landed this ship himself, you know," she said, quiet-like. "With or without your 'backup'."
"Yes, that's fine," said the Doctor. "I really need to speak to the captain, though. Could you-"
She didn't move her hand when the Doctor tried to walk again. He looked back over at her. "What?"
"What you said when you left the bridge was uncalled for."
Something seemed to register. "Ah! I think I understand. You see, what I meant was that the maint-"
Zoe gave him a shove. "He doesn't owe you an explanation, and I don't need your excuses," she said. "If you ever talk down to my husband like that again, you'll regret it."
She pushed past the Doctor as he sputtered in surprise, then paused in the doorway to look back at him.
"You want the captain? Find him yourself."
Jed, walking next to Mal, tapped him on the arm.
"Hm?"
Jed sidled closer. "Look, just so you know... there's a reason I let you two keep your pieces."
"What? Why did you-"
"Sh. Can't say much, not even 'round these guys. It's just - " he glanced around at his men. Turning back, he said, "you're expected, and someone wants to ask some questions." He stepped away to move to the head of the small group.
"What'd he want?" said Jayne, drawing closer.
"Not sure," said Mal. "Hinted that we may be headin' into a trap."
"烟肉老虎," said Jayne. "You an' your ruttin' luck."
Mal just nodded absently. "The look on his face... can't place it, but it's kinda familiar."
"Should be," said Jayne. "Looks like the guy went from top o' the heap to neck deep in go se."
The group drew up short. "We're here."
Mal and Jayne were motioned forward and made to enter the room first. A man with a greying beard and collarless black jacket was seated at the main desk, studying a computer screen.
A cigar smoldered in an ashtray nearby. Judging from the smell of the smoke permeating the room, it wasn't a cheap one, either.
"Malcom Reynolds," said the man, not looking up from the screen. "Yes, it seems Mr. Kathan has built up quite a dossier on you and your crew."
Mal and Jayne were marched up to the desk as the rest of the men filed in. Jed moved to stand beside them.
"Well done, Mr. Kathan, now you may-"
Jed's hand whipped up, pointing his pistol at the man's head. " 'Now you may' get up and away from my desk, Padrone. I ain't gettin' your blood on my upholstry."
Padrone looked at him levelly. "It's the cigar, isn't it? I must confess, I do enjoy a good cigar." He smiled. "Your collection is so extensive, I didn't think you would mind."
"I said move!"
Padrone extended his hands out to either side, gloved hands spread. "Do what you think you must."
Jed's face went hard. "在粪的烧伤 you," he said. His hand tensed, then his eyes went wide. "Wha-"
"Is something wrong?" said Padrone, rising from the chair. "You seem a bit tense."
"Why can't I... " Jed's hands were shaking. He glared at the gun, then at Padrone.
"Damn you, what have you done?" he shouted, and threw the gun at the man, who side-stepped it. It hit the wall, and fell to the ground.
"Just a fail-safe. You're obviously a strong-willed fellow, to break through my control as much as you have. I respect that."
He leaned forward, placing his hands on the desk. "However, your sense of self-preservation is entirely under my command. Neither you, nor your men, could ever harm me-"
There was a combined explosion as both Mal and Jayne's pistols cleared their holsters and fired.
Book was going over a list of items, checking to see what had been damaged in the hold. He shook his head. Just as well he had chosen to stay, instead of going to the local monestary; Wash and the others were going to need all the help they could get in repairing the ship.
He noticed a movement outside, or specifically, a lack of movement. Someone was standing at the base of the gangway, looking in. He was dressed in a faded brown flight suit, decorated with some official-looking insignia. Book couldn't quite place it - might be some local police or military.
He walked over to the gangway as the man started walking up it himself. "Can I help you?"
"Looks like your ship's taken some damage," said the man. "Been running from something?"
Book studied the man for a moment.
"There was some trouble," he said. "I've been told it was an electrical failure; they had to make an emergency landing. I'm just doing what I can to help."
"Nice of you, Shepherd," the man said. "Mind if I take a look around?"
Book frowned slightly. "I'm sorry, but the captain has gone to file some paperwork, and arrange local repair services. Perhaps you could wait-"
"Just a little look, wouldn't touch anything-"
"Please leave," said Book. "Now." His hand rested on the 'com button. "Or should I bring the rest of the crew here, instead?"
The man just grinned at him. "Have it your way, Shepherd," he said. "I'll be back." He sauntered back down the gangway.
Book stared after him a moment. "Hm." He hit the 'com button. "Wash?"
"Yeah?"
"You might want to keep an eye on the external cameras... I think someone's casing the ship."
"泡影鼻子," said Jayne.
Both he hand Mal stood still, pistols still in position, smoke curling from the barrels.
Padrone stood across from them, still leaning on the table.
"Mal, he's still standin'."
"Yes, I can see that."
"He didn't even blink!"
"If you two are finished?" said Padrone, raising an eyebrow.
Mal looked at him. "If ya don't mind my askin, what the 公鸡矿块 are you?"
"In good time. First, would you mind terribly handing your weapons over to the men behind you?"
Both Mal and Jayne looked around the room. Everyone there, save Jed, had their guns trained on the two of them.
"I don't think they would allow a second shot."
Mal shut his eyes a moment, then put his pistol down on the desk.
Jayne looked at the desk, at Padrone, then back at his gun. Conflict was etched on his face.
"Jayne."
With an angry grunt, Jayne slapped his gun down and stepped back. "Ya owe me a new one," he muttered.
Padrone straightened up. "Thank you. Now, to answer your question. What you are speaking to is-"
Mal almost jumped in surprise as the same voice came from behind them.
"-a holographic projection."
The same man walked out from another doorway, a strange cylinder in his hand. He pressed a button on it, and the other 'Padrone' disappeared.
He picked up the smoldering cigar from the ash tray and took a few puffs.
"Now to answer your other, unspoken question, who you are speaking to. I feel we are past the stage of childish subterfuge. After all, my initial business with Mr. Kathan is done. You may call me the Master!"
"Right... real original," said Mal. "Tell me, mister one-name, ever meet a guy called the Doctor?"
The Master stiffened, then turned to him, a scowl on his face. "The Doctor is here?"
"Real smooth, Mal," muttered Jayne.
The man seemed to force himself to calm down. "That does answer quite a few of my questions," he said. "Still, you may prove useful, if only as bait."
He motioned to the men. "Lock them up for now." He glance toward Mal and Jayne. "Separate cells, of course."
"Er, one o' the cells has your package-"
The Master raised the cylinder, and a scarlet beam shot from the tip. The man screamed and collapsed.
"Does anyone else have anything to say?"
The rest of the men showed a remarkable turn of speed in hustling the two out of the room.
Book looked up from the list as the Doctor entered the hold. "Hello, Doctor."
The Doctor stalked past him, muttering. "Infernal nonsense, can't even accept-" He stopped. "Oh, whatever. Has the captain returned? I need to speak to him."
"I'm afraid not," said Book. "He..." He heard footsteps, and turned around. "Oh, no."
Another man was coming up the gangway, this one in a faded green military-type uniform, wearing a brown beret.
"I'm sorry, there's been some people taking an... unhealthy interest in the ship," said Book.
He suddenly realized the Doctor was already past him, approaching the man, who was standing in front of the Doctor's crate, studying it.
The Doctor reached the man, seizing his shoulder and turning him around.
The man's face broke into a smile. "Doctor! I'm glad you're here, at least."
"Sergeant Benton," said the Doctor, clearly shaken. "Good lord, man, what are you doing here?"