AN: Yes, I know. Really, this is chapter 26- a new addition.

26 Contact

The ship sped through the black, stars no more than bright streaks very few took note of. Each gray clad figure moved with purpose even if they had none. Each post manned at all times and at the helm… Devon Hiyo stood watching the view screen. The report on Azmyth's progress was adequate, finding the Tam's and destroying the ship they were on had been top priority… Had been.

New orders had come through just a few hours ago and Devon was still dithering on whether to send them along to his Operative or just ignore the command. He could claim the Operative had acted alone, gone rogue… it wouldn't look well on Devon or help his career let alone the training and time he'd invested already… No, it would be best to follow the orders as they'd been sent. It didn't mean Devon had to like it. He didn't like dealing with the blue handed suits onboard either but they weren't leaving until they got River Tam.

It was Devon Hiyo's job to see they did.

He accessed the Cortex and sent the new instructions.

Now it was time to wait….

Φ

The barren moon was nothing more than a desert on a rock in the middle of the verse too far for the Alliance to really pay it much attention. It made Saskia a good place to hide in, get a little time to think and plan so long as the heat wasn't an issue. Over a hundred degrees and more at the highest point in the day, with two suns in close proximity… there was nothing but water cacti and the large tentacle like loah roots the locals cultivated and then fermented until it was time to cask.

The 'towns' were nothing more than mud shacks half dug into the ground and a couple of buildings on stilts made of what materials the settlers had been left with, a few wood structures still stood though bleached almost a grayish-white because of the unrelenting sun.

The ship set down among a valley of boulders, far away from any loah field or settlement. The message on the screen flashed annoyingly and would continue if ignored. With a sigh the Operative opened the file and read.

"New orders…." Annoyance was threaded into the words. The plan would have to change and that meant time spent figuring out a new course of action. Implementing it would be tricky and would require more time… "Shén gāisǐ de báichī."

River Tam was never to be harmed though everyone else was expendable.

Now the Alliance wanted Simon Tam alive and well. What the reason for the change was didn't matter and it wasn't given. Those were the new orders and that's what would happen. The crew of Serenity were expendable excluding the Capt. Alliance wanted Malcolm Reynold's bound by law and delivered for his public execution.

Contact would have to be made and soon.

Φ

He was charming; an older gentleman wealthy enough to draw any Companion and he'd asked for her. Inara accepted. Curious and a bit wary but that was normal when taking on a new client. Devon had done nothing to warrant her distrust and yet as she watched him ascend the steps towards her she couldn't be completely at ease. She smiled at him, the warmth of her expression just a little bit forced.

Devon Hiyo took her hand, pale gray eyes running over the elegant figure of the woman he'd bought and paid for. She stood calmly butt here was something in her eyes… She led him into the House, her azure skirts swishing in tandem with her steps and the light tinkling of her jewelry played like a song. The suite was opulent yet tasteful, his brief glance taking every detail in as he moved to the couch where she would serve him tea. Devon enjoyed the ritual of ceremony, it was needed and not just with a Companion but in life. Its how Devon began his day and how his Operatives were taught. Without ritual, without a daily plan…. Well, how did one meet ones goal?

"Disrobe."

Inara paused with her tea half way to her lips at his words. The gentle voice drew her eyes to his and the smile on his handsome face did nothing to hide the fact it had been an order. She had another flash of concern- remembered the Operative, now dead, as he'd walked up the same steps- she shook off those thoughts and got to her feet. Inara had no reason to refuse, after all, this is what he'd come for and what she had accepted. There was no reason to send him out or call another Companion to attend him. its what she wanted to do though there was no reason for that either. No man wanted to claim her for his own….

'There was Mal…'

Inara knew that with Mal it was all or nothing, he wouldn't stand for it, her 'job'… but living with him, in his way… there were times the crew had gone without and how many times had Serenity almost fallen apart due to lack of coin for repairs? At least Inara'd had her own emergency fund and a way out if it got any worse.

No.

Inara knew herself well and the comforts of her life as it was… well, its what she wanted more.

The tea set aside, Inara stood. Her pale hands reached to the clasp at her shoulder and lightly tugged. Devon watched, pale gray eyes moving slowly over her face to the pale skin at her throat and followed the path of the blue silk glide down her body to lay bare her torso. He inclined his head slightly and what it meant. Inara still hesitated, fingers fiddling with the ties at her hip. With each client…hesitation, each and every time since leaving Serenity and yet Inara wouldn't return. She pulled the ties loose and felt cool air meet her skin. Devon motion her closer and Inara stepped out of the silk pooled around her feet leaving everything where it had fallen. Devon uncrossed his legs, hands resting palms down on his thighs. It was her job to know what he wanted and his pose left her with little else to do but kneel in front of him. She looked into the pale gray eyes, hands lightly touching his knees. He smiled again as Inara moved closer. Her hands slowly travelled up his thighs, meeting at his waist and travelling up his chest. She took her time with the buttons of his jacket, eyes locked with his.

Devon noted the slight change in her expression when he skimmed his hands over her hip and up to cup her breast. Inara slid both hands under the jacket once more moving up to his neck and working down the buttons of his shirt. Devon shrugged out of both while Inara leaned back to give him room. Both jacket and shirt were carefully draped over a chair, with Inara once more in place Devon sat back and nodded. There was just a slight hesitation on her part before she undid his trousers and he felt her hand envelope him. It was… nice – not what Devon wanted from her but Inara understood that quickly.

'This is the life I want for myself. Serenity is in the past.'

There was no point in wishing for what wasn't and wouldn't be. All thoughts were set aside. Her purpose was to pleas her client. For the next four hours she belonged solely to Devon Hiyo.

Φ

The ship lands close to town. The crew of Serenity unaware of the Operative already in place. It isn't difficult to watch the women head towards the bathing pool, nor to follow them and wait. It's a fair distance, keeping out of reach so that River is calm- unaware but then there's no threat. Not yet and so it won't register. The day grows hotter by the second even in the cool skate gray uniform that blends into the bleached rocks on Saskia. The material is light and the spray keeps most of the blistering from burning fair skin. It won't be long and there's a place – the perfect spot for a sniper now that the crew has arrived.

It's where Azmyth needs to be.

Φ

Inara tugged the sheet over her body and plucked damp strands of hair away from her neck. Devon lay on his back beside her breathing evenly even after her exertions. Very few times had Inara contracted with a client who knew what they wanted and liked. Most all had been surprised that she could show them something else that would put a big cheesy grin on their faces.

"You are worth every credit."

Inara could hear the smile in his voice and she didn't like it or his words. She glanced at the time piece inwardly cursing when it showed he still had another half hour with her. Inara wanted him gone now. It wasn't fair and Devon had done nothing out of the ordinary, nothing to get him black marked… it was solely her and she blamed a certain Capt.

"Your attention is required." Devon plucked the sheet from them both.

Inara bit back her graon. Each time he had to be coaxed to life with her mouth. Still, Inara did as she'd been trained and within minutes drew back. Devon directed her and Inara did as he asked.

A Companion gave pleasure…

Φ