Disclaimer: I own nothing; Harry Potter and the elements of his universe all belong to J.K.Rowling. Firefly/Serenity and the elements of its universe all belong to Joss Whedon. I'm just borrowing the characters to play with for a while. This is for pleasure only, no profit is being made, and no copyright infringement is intended.

CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN – The Thing about Magical Life

"Yes sir," Antonio answered. "It's just a small personal spacecraft that Dr. Fullerton borrowed from a friend of his. Really? Hmm… I'll ask." Antonio hit the mute on his end of the call and turned towards Harry, River, Fullerton, and Algernon. "How long you think I should leave him waiting?"

Harry chuckled. "Let's not make things too tenuous for you just yet."

"Alright," Antonio agreed. "Do I even want to know what that cargo I saw in back is? Or how you came across it?"

"Just fuel for the hyperdrive," River answered. "And I figured while we're thieving juice, I'd get some standard for Serenity too. The Alliance stuff is usually cleaner than what we pick up."

Antonio nodded and motioned them all to stay quiet again. "Sir? I found out that magic will interfere with some signals. That's probably why the bugs aren't working." Antonio rolled his eyes listening to the response. "No sir, this com is a specially-charmed one to work in the presence of the magic on the ship. Dr. Fullerton lent it to me. Yes sir, they seem very open and honest. I doubt they're listening in or even if they are I wouldn't know how to stop them."

"I don't think that's a good idea, sir," Antonio argued while maintaining his patience. "Asking them to charm the bugs on me so that you can spy on them too kind of takes away from the subterfuge, don't you think?"

The rest of the crew was holding back snickers.

"Yes sir," Antonio agreed. "Convincing them to trust me will remain my highest priority. I feel safer around Dr. Fullerton than I do around Potter. I know they seem to trust me implicitly due to my ancestors, but are you sure there isn't someone better suited for this position?"

Harry was smiling and flashing a thumbs-up sign at Antonio.

"Of course sir," Antonio assured him trying to sound slightly disappointed. "I live to serve the Alliance."

Peeves seemed to sense an opportunity, snuck up behind Antonio and slipped him a double wet willie in both ears.

Antonio couldn't help it and he shrieked loudly right into the com. "Sorry, sir. That was the poltergeist that haunts this ship. I think I should go. I'll be in touch." Antonio clicked off the communication and turned around. "Peeves!"

Finally sensing the need for restraint was gone, the others all laughed openly at Antonio while he was pulling slime from his ears. Peeves just cackled happily and was floating in the air behind Antonio.

"Naughty, naughty, friend of Potty," Peeves sang. "Weasley red got slimy head!"

Antonio sighed, figuring his ears were as dry as he was going to get them. He saw the others laughing at him and grumbled, "How much longer before he learns to speak normally?"

Fullerton grinned. "That's about as normal as I've ever seen Peeves."

"How you feeling, Frank?" Harry asked.

"Glad to be alive," Frank grinned. "And thanks for asking. Now you guys can go guilt-free if you want."

"I can't be concerned about your well-being?" Harry retorted acting innocently.

"River and Widebottom filled my belly with the go-juice and stocked me up with a bunch more," Frank added. "It's cool, Harry. I have a feeling my Lieutenant is going to cause the new Alliance Liaison some problems even if you did stay and cuddle."

Antonio looked confused by Frank's statement when a chill passed through his body and Peeves incorporeal state came bursting from Antonio's chest.

Frank just laughed as Antonio was slapping his chest uselessly.

"Thanks Frank," Harry said. "Come on Antonio. It's time for you to meet Miranda." Harry led the way towards the hidden vanishing cabinet onboard. Antonio, River, Fullerton, and Algernon followed him through.

The group was assembled in the Fidelius protected basement and Antonio was highly disoriented until Harry whispered the secret phrase into his ear, "If you want in Harry's drawers, you gotta go in the basement."

"Whoa," Antonio said as the room he was in appeared before his eyes. "That's freaky… and a highly disgusting sentiment."

"Part of the magic protecting this room," Harry chuckled before taking notice of Antonio's posture. "You okay?"

"Actually," Antonio said with a yawn. "You mind if I just crash for the night and we can do the tour thing tomorrow?"

"What are you talking about?" Harry sarcastically asked looking at his watch. "It's not even 4:00 in the morning yet."

"Good night," Fullerton and Algernon said, making clear their opinions on the matter.

Antonio opened his mouth to say something more but found himself yawning again.

"Alright, alright," Harry grinned. "I can take a hint. You can crash at my place and tomorrow we'll get you a place of your own."

Antonio just nodded and followed Harry up the stairwell.

River waved goodbye to the portrait of Luna on the other vanishing cabinet and hurried after them.

Harry set up Antonio in the guest room of his apartment but Harry wasn't tired at all. He'd used a lot of magic on the illusions, but it left him more energized than anything else.

He walked back out his front door and saw River waiting on him. "Tired?"

River shook her head.

"Eargits?" Harry said, asking if she wanted to go to the highly popular goblin bar and casino.

River nodded with a smile.

Harry held his hand out for her. River accepted it and Harry apparated them both away without a sound.

They reappeared on the porch steps of the goblin-owned establishment and made their way inside. "There they are," River called out, dragging Harry with her having yet to let go of his hand.

"Captain, Zoe, Jayne," Harry greeted. He turned and saw River was going to get drinks for both of them without even asking. She seemed to be getting more and more obvious, but Harry was going to put off thinking about that for later. "How's life treating ya?"

Mal sipped his beer and shook his head. "Oh no you don't, Harry. You know what we wanna hear. So lay it on us. How soon are they going to mobilize and attack?"

Harry chuckled and answered. "It went well. It went very well."

"Details, Harry," Zoe insisted.

"Yeah," Jayne agreed. "Did you kill anyone?"

"You guys want to see the memory?" Harry inquired accepting the butterbeer as River sat down.

"Humor us ass-backward muggles and how about you just tell us," Mal said with a friendly smile.

Harry realized he may have been laying the magic stuff on them a bit thick, but it was quite nice to not have to hide it so much. "You guys have heard of good cop-bad cop as a way to interrogate and establish trust, right?"

They all nodded.

"Well, me and Fullerton put our own spin on it that I christened good wizard-vengeful god," Harry said with a smile.

"Oh dear," Zoe said with a grimace. "This isn't going to come back and bite you in the ass, is it?"

"Probably," Mal answered.

Harry wryly retorted, "Your confidence in me is overwhelming."

"So how'd you play 'wizard-good god' or whatever?" Jayne asked.

"First, they were assembled for the meeting they all thought someone else called," Harry explained. "Then I appeared, put on a little show, and removed the memory charms so that the ones who knew me would suddenly remember me."

"Is that a good idea?" Zoe asked.

"What?"

"Letting them all know you're Harry Potter and what you've done to their memories over the last couple years." River answered.

Harry shrugged. "I dropped the glamour, so the old man Harry Potter that they woke up shouldn't be associated with the much younger looking Harry that I am." Harry sipped his beverage and explained. "And it sorta was part of the story we made up too."

"What story?" Zoe asked curiously.

"I kinda led them to believe that messing with people's minds on Miranda pissed off the Powers That Be and woke up Magic. Essentially telling them that it was inevitable that they would summon me unintentionally to set things right. A chain reaction that they started when they toyed with forces no mortal should mess with."

"And they believed that?"

"Well, we may have let them draw conclusions that with magic awake again, I went back in time to steal away the last generation of wizards so that they could rebuild the wizarding world now."

Jayne just chuckled. "You know, it'd be hard not to believe that considering what they know."

"Exactly," Harry grinned. "And with Harry Fullerton's mysterious disappearance back in 2266, as well as intimate knowledge about the flight over, the Earth-That-Was, and all the rest of that, it was easy then to tell them the wizarding world and non-magical world could co-exist peacefully. And Harry Potter," Harry emphasized with his quote fingers, "is only going to mediate between the two worlds when he has to."

"Wow Harry," Mal admitted. "That's a pretty clever idea that sounds like it could blow up horribly in your face."

Harry rolled his eyes. "Well it helped that after I put on a nice scary show that had them all trembling in their seats, I snagged Fullerton. After I'd solidified their fear of me, he became their new best friend. They were openly asking him questions, finding him far more agreeable. He came up with a darn good story on the spot there, and convinced more than a few people that I," Harry chuckled happily at the memory. "That I'm uh… immortal and recognized in the wizarding world as a god."

River raised a curious eyebrow. "You're okay with that?"

"Hmm?"

"Well, from your biography and Luna, I'd think exaggerating your already impressive abilities would make you uncomfortable."

Harry shrugged. "To be honest, I've been just Harry and not Harry Potter for a few years now. And turning that name into a mythical super-powered god serves a good purpose. I just find it funny how easy it is. And how well it all fits compared to the truth. Fullerton told them I survived an atomic bomb in London, and in some ways I kinda did. It's something they could look up and supports the image of Harry Potter."

Harry sighed. "Either way, Antonio got assigned to be the Magical Liaison in the Alliance. The Alliance believes Antonio to be a perfectly loyal pencil-pusher who's deathly afraid of me. And until a formal government is established here, they accept that Fullerton is the leader of the wizarding world. I checked everyone's minds too."

"You did?" Mal said.

"Yup," Harry assured him. "A few of them were scared, but none of them considered the wizarding world an immediate threat. Most of them saw it as an untapped resource, mainly they'd like to know more, and some of them were very curious and supportive."

"Huh," Mal grinned.

"What?" Zoe asked him.

Mal shook his head. "Nothing. I just was thinking, considering our usual luck… I'm surprised it was that easy."

Jayne grinned. "So does this mean we're about done here?"

"Eargits?" Harry clarified.

"Naw," Jayne corrected. "I mean Miranda."

Harry sat back and smiled. "Pretty soon, yeah, Serenity will be back where she belongs. I'm not sure we're going to be needed here too much more."

Mal nodded. "Sam's going be just fine. Do me a favor and keep calling him Sheriff Rogers too. And while we may not be needed, it's beginning to sound like Harry Potter might be needed."

River bit back a grimace and added, "Well it's a good thing he's immortal then."

"Johnson," Jack Smith greeted.

"Smith," the Alliance Personnel Transportation Coordinator, Stan Johnson replied.

"We need to talk about an assignment you just got," Smith began, immediately closing the door behind him.

Johnson groaned. When he was informed a mysteriously appearing new department needed a top of the line transport for indefinite assignment, he knew it was something he didn't want to know about. And now that the Assistant Director of Alliance Security was in his office and closing the door, he knew he definitely didn't want to know about it. On the plus side, with Smith here, he probably wouldn't be kept in the loop at all. "What do you know about it?"

"More than you, I suspect."

"I should hope so," Johnson retorted. "I'm not even privy to the destination."

Smith smirked dangerously. "Just doing my job."

Johnson sighed. "Alright. So what are you doing here?"

"The Head of the MA is at an undisclosed location without any transport," Smith continued. "His staff of six are going to be shuttling out later today, with myself and two others escorting them. For now, we want to keep the security side of it quiet. I wanted you to know I'll be in charge, and that we need a decent ride to fit a full size MUV, and a dozen people comfortably."

"A dozen?" Johnson clarified.

Smith nodded.

"The budget of the MA going to be able to cover a Stinger?"

Smith rolled his eyes, making Johnson feeling foolish for having to ask.

"Fine, fine," Johnson sighed. "Your Stinger will be ready in an hour. Mind telling me what MA stands for?"

"Thanks Johnson," Smith said as he turned to leave the room. He took great pleasure in acting like he never even heard the question.

Harry had retrieved the third and final pair of vanishing cabinets he possessed and installed the first one on Serenity. Jayne wanted to choose the portrait this time and he managed to discover a scantily clad woman, wearing sheer loose fitting clothes, and who was an ancient Egyptian witch who had been cursed to look young and beautiful. She was quite proud at the way she could make men blush and Harry thought she'd make the dining room of Serenity a little uncomfortable.

So for the sake of all involved, Harry put the cabinet up on the bridge and allowed her to be able to see out the window and the stars. Having finished setting up the first cabinet of the pair, he then grabbed the portrait of the Fat Lady that had guarded Gryffindor Tower, and apparated to Kaylee and Simon's penthouse apartment.

Harry knocked on the door, and heard Kaylee call out, "Don't make me get up and answer that door!"

Harry chuckled and let himself in. "Don't get up. It's just me."

"Hey Harry," Kaylee grinned from her place on the couch. "I don't suppose you brought some cheesy puffs with you?"

Harry shook his head sadly. "Nope, sorry. But I could conjure some. Fake cheese flavoring is one of the things I've mastered."

"Naw, that's okay," Kaylee replied. "I need to stick with real proper food and not magically get full."

"You?" Harry smiled. "Full?"

"Don't," Kaylee stopped him before he said something she'd have to make him regret.

Harry pulled out the cabinet and canceled the shrinking charm. "Where do you want this?"

"I was thinking here in the living room, next to the grandfather clock," Kaylee said pointing towards an open area.

Harry levitated it into place, and pulled out the portrait of the Fat Lady, who was snoozing happily in her frame.

"She's not crazy, is she?" Kaylee clarified when she didn't recognize the portrait.

Harry shook his head while he stuck her to the cabinet door. "Nope. She's actually the portrait that guarded my House at school, so she's got experience and likes kids. I figure she can help you keep an eye on the little one and call out whenever he or she starts getting into trouble. A sentient baby monitor, if you will."

Kaylee sniffled as her emotions began to bubble over. "That's so sweet, Harry. You're always thinking ahead."

"Mood swing, much?"

Kaylee wiped the tears off her face and laughed a little. "So what's her name?"

"This," Harry presented, "is the Fat Lady."

"That's so cruel," Kaylee snapped, unconsciously rubbing her swollen belly. "What's her real name?"

"Her real name?" Harry stopped and thought back. "Umm… not sure."

"You're a horrible person, Harry," Kaylee said with a frown before stopping herself at Harry's laughter. "I get it. I'm moody. Keep laughing and we'll find out how my aim is."

Harry sat down next to Kaylee and gave her a hug. "I've been meaning to ask, have you guys set a date?"

Kaylee shook her head. "No. We're putting it off for a while."

"You are?" Harry asked. "Why's that?"

"Because I don't want to get married while I'm more wide than tall, because I want my parents to be here when we get married, and because I want to get married, go on our honeymoon and have lots of monkey sex," Kaylee finished resolutely.

Harry chuckled. "And Simon's okay with this?"

Kaylee nodded. "We've got a whole crew of babysitters, so that we can get our monkey sex. I know it means waiting a year or two, but I want our families there. I'm not ready to deal with my parents yet. And I'd like to at least meet Simon's too, but he's certainly not ready for that either."

"Hmm," Harry pondered. "Maybe River can go out a scouting trip and see how they're doing."

"Honey, I'm home," Simon announced.

"Cheesy puffs?"

"Yes, dear," Simon agreed shaking the bag as he walked into the living room. "Oh it's you."

"I missed you too, Doc," Harry grinned, knowing Simon was just joking with him. "You've got a doorway to Serenity right there now."

"Lovely," Simon commented.

"Don't worry," Harry said. "The portrait won't open the cabinet unless you guys are out or welcoming to guests."

"Oh," Simon realized. "That's good."

"Antonio doing well?" Harry asked.

Simon nodded. "Yeah. He's excited to have been assigned an entire staff of his own. And I think I'll like having a friend nearby."

"Yeah," Kaylee grumbled. "So you can get away from your screaming baby and horrible wife."

"What?" Simon yelped. "No, that's not what I…" Simon sighed and doubted she would appreciate being reminded the baby wasn't even born yet, nor were they married. He tried to appeal to her sensibilities. "I brought you cheesy puffs."

Kaylee accepted her fried snacks and resisted the urge to cry again.

Harry couldn't help but smile at their dynamic. "Have you guys made any progress on the baby naming front?"

"Yes," Kaylee firmly snapped. "We most certainly have."

Harry sensed a bit more to that answer, especially from Simon's near silent groan. "And?"

"If it's a boy," Kaylee answered. "We're going to name him Stargazer Moonbeam Strawberry."

Harry laughed at loud as Simon just clenched his eyes shut. "Is that so?"

Kaylee nodded determinedly.

"How'd you decide on that name?"

Kaylee looked towards Simon. "Well, we started by looking at Simon's rules on names not allowed and I felt we needed to break at least three of them."

"Four," Simon corrected sadly. "And they weren't rules, they were just suggestions that I never should have made."

Harry snickered. "And if it's a girl?"

"Yes, Honey," Kaylee smiled. "What did we decide if it's a girl?"

Simon was staring harshly at Harry trying to figure out how this was his fault. "If it's a girl, we're going to name her Simon."

Kaylee nodded at Harry. "I think it sounds feminine and dainty. And it doesn't violate any of my fiancé's rules on how to live a morally acceptable life."

Harry was enjoying this far more than he should have but just nodded. "Well, there's still time in case you two change your minds."

Harry felt the communicator in his pocket vibrate and he pulled it out. "Excuse me a second," he said towards Kaylee and Simon as he stood up from the couch. "Harry here," he greeted, answering the call.

"We got a couple visitors that a hunting team came across," Mal said happily. "They're breaking atmo just now."

"And this makes you happy?" Harry asked curiously. "Who?"

"It appears Duncan and Sam are on the way back from their honeymoon and wanted to swing by and check out some of their investment," Mal answered.

"That's great," Harry said. "I take you're already over by the docks?"

Mal nodded. "If you're busy, I'm gonna show them around. You can catch up with us whenever."

"Thanks Captain," Harry replied. "I should be there momentarily. I'm just about done here. The cabinets between Serenity and Kaylee's place have been set up."

"Good," Mal agreed. "Gotta go." And the transmission shut off.

Harry turned towards Simon and Kaylee just in time for Simon to whine, "It's my place too."

"Of course it is, sweetie," Kaylee agreed while patting gently him on the top of his head.

"Ladies," Harry smiled and nodded. "You mind if I leave from here?"

Kaylee nodded and squeezed Simon close before he could petulantly object. "Thanks, Harry. We'll see you later."

Harry waved and disappeared without a sound. He reappeared right behind Mal who was just greeting the newlyweds.

"Oh my god!" Sam shrieked at Harry's sudden appearance while Duncan maintained his cool.

Harry sniffed the air and commented. "Someone smells like an excessive amount of lovemaking."

"Don't scare me like that, Harry," Sam chided as she swept him up in a hug.

Harry hugged her back noticing how unnaturally red her hair was. "Well then maybe you should stop being so surprised. It's good to see you, Sam."

Harry released her and shook Duncan's hand. "You too, buddy. This is a pleasant surprise."

Duncan grinned back. "We were on our way back from our honeymoon and decided to take the long way home by way of Miranda. This isn't a bad time, is it?"

"Not at all," Mal grinned. "In fact I was thinking of giving you a wave one of these days."

"Really?" Duncan inquired curiously.

Sam shook her head and threaded her arm through Harry's. "Come on Harry. I can tell the boys want to talk business, so it's up to you to entertain me."

"It'd be my pleasure," Harry assured her leading them towards the center of town. Harry winked at her and said in an overly loud voice, "Later tonight you can meet our very pregnant friend Kaylee."

Duncan had been listening to Mal ask about potentially picking up some jobs when he heard Harry's none too subtle comment. "Harry! Harry! I don't think that's wise, Harry!"

Harry put a finger to his lips and Sam grinned despite her confusion. Harry smiled back towards a nervous looking Duncan who was standing by Mal. In the blink of an eye, he apparated himself and Sam away silently.

"No!" Duncan blurted out, fearing his wife would catch the baby-wanting disease again. "I'm gonna kill that kid!"

Harry and Sam had merely apparated a few feet behind the two men. Sam couldn't take it and started laughing at her scared young husband.

Mal and Duncan spun around and saw that Harry was just having fun with them.

"I take it you're not pregnant yet," Harry commented to the highly amused Sam.

She shook her head. "I'm working on it."

Duncan open and shut his mouth a couple times before turning back around to walk with Mal. "I'm still gonna kill him."

Harry and Sam were catching up, while Duncan continued to pout and talk only to Mal. The newlyweds were given the tour of the city. They got to meet Fullerton and Algernon. Several of the goblins were extremely eager to get some time to talk business with Duncan and set him up with a special way to contact them.

Inara had snagged Zoe and Kaylee's assistance and was going to prepare a large dinner for everyone including their two guests and the self-proclaimed Alliance stoolie at Simon and Kaylee's penthouse apartment. Though Kaylee's help was primarily as a taster, she did ensure the salad was more than thoroughly tossed. Even if there were fewer bacon bits than there should have been.

River was going to help the ladies with the meal, until she saw the pretty, young woman with the bright red hair hanging on Harry's arm. Suddenly, she felt the need to accompany them and stake her claim on Harry's other arm.

The group caught up with Jayne just as the girl-he-boinked, her unofficial title since neither she nor Jayne wanted to use the word girlfriend, was getting off her shift at the hospital. Sheriff Rogers had been released a couple weeks ago, but had a group therapy session getting out at the same time.

Harry took advantage of the opportunity and happily turned towards the young woman on his arm, "Sam, I'd like you to meet Sam."

Before anyone else could speak up, Harry jumped right in again. "I don't know if you remember Jayne, but this lovely lady with him is named Jane."

"Jayne, Jane," Sam greeted happily and turned towards the Sheriff. "Sam."

"Sam," Sheriff Rogers greeted back.

"You're all dorks," Duncan said shaking his head. He turned to Jayne and added, "And you're still alive, Grampa?"

"Junior," Jayne grinned back. "Grew some short hairs and decided it was time to get married?"

"For the sake of understanding, if you like," Harry interrupted. "You can call him Sheriff Rogers and her Nurse Conrad."

"And me Rambo," Jayne added.

"And him Rambo," Harry agreed having forgotten about that one.

"I know I'm a little new to the policing Miranda stuff," Sheriff Rogers asked looking at Harry. "But I don't exactly recognize these two people."

"Ahh," Harry understood. "You know how just about all of our supplies and contracts are with CRS?"

Sheriff Rogers nodded.

"Well, Duncan here is, what the CEO? President? Chairman of the Board?" Harry said looking at Duncan for help.

"Merely the majority shareholder who makes his opinion known quite clearly on occasion," Duncan corrects.

"Yeah, that," Harry nodded. "It's one of a number of his interplanetary corporations."

Sheriff Rogers was impressed and just nodded. "Nice to meet you, Duncan. I'm still getting to know everything around here."

"Duncan and Sam just got married," Harry explained while Sam was showing off her wedding band. "They spent the last two weeks honeymooning at some island paradise and swung on by here on their way home."

"Congratulations," Jane said. "It shows the way you're both still glowing."

"Yeah," Jayne jumped in to say something disparaging about Duncan, but was interrupted when Jane stomped on his foot. "Err…yeah."

Simon came running up to the group. "I hate to interrupt but Kaylee wanted me to ask why you're making a pregnant woman starve to death."

Harry looked at his watch and saw it was still fifteen minutes before Inara had said to arrive. "As much fun as it might be to see Kaylee take out her frustration on Simon, we should probably go."

The large group walked out of the hospital, two buildings over, and piled into the elevator, taking it up to the top floor.

Antonio had already been there waiting and was happily telling everyone who would listen about the people who now worked for him. He was especially happy to mention those with more experience and education than him that he got to boss around.

Harry and Mal were trying to impress the importance of not letting Antonio's favorable opinion towards wizards be terribly obvious to his newly assigned staff.

Over dinner, Harry had to once again explain how they'd informed the Alliance about Miranda and everything they'd been doing.

"An immortal god?" Duncan chuckled. "You're not, right?"

"Well…" Harry hesitantly replied and paused dramatically. After a long silence he sighed. "You didn't even believe it for a second."

"You expected me too?" Duncan asked curiously.

"The Alliance did," River added happily.

"Yeah but they're idiots," Sam pointed out.

"Thank you," Antonio agreed. "Thank you very much."

"You're a perfect example," Sam replied and saw Antonio's slightly insulted look. "No, I'm not calling you an idiot. I'm calling the fact that the Alliance thinks you're their little lapdog spying on the naive wizards when in fact, you've been hijacking their experimental ships and working with the wizards all along."

Antonio smirked back. "Maybe that's just what I want you to think." Antonio's confidence was shaken when everyone at the table laughed in response.

Duncan looked at Harry and asked. "This is a pretty big bluff you're trying to pull on the Alliance. What's going to happen when they finally call you on it?"

"Hmm?" Harry replied.

"I mean you're claiming to be this super wizard, which may be true, but an immortal capable of impossible feats even among wizards? If you bluff every time, they're gonna eventually call you on it." Duncan explained.

"True," Harry agreed but explained further. "The trick with bluffing is to have someone else tell them when to call your bluff."

"What do you mean?" Duncan asked. "If it's a bluff and they're calling it, you're in trouble."

Harry shook his head. "Not at all. I'm saying if you know the guy that loads his gun, then you claim to be bulletproof. Get them to call that and they won't want to call any other bluffs again when you tell them you're fireproof and waterproof."

"And Antonio is the guy that loads their gun," Duncan grinned. "Interesting."

"One of the best things about magic," Harry added, "is that nobody has ever really understood it."

Sam grinned and asked, "So now that everything around here is settled down. I hear you're going to get back in the less than reputable transporting business."

Mal sat back with a satisfied smile. "Yes, Ma'am. We're gonna wait until after Antonio leaves with his staff and then we're going home."

"But Kaylee and Simon aren't going with you, are they?" Sam added, worried about not being able to visit a new baby.

"Correct," Simon answered. "I'm going to stay at the hospital and Kaylee's already become a full-time mood swing."

"I'm not that bad," Kaylee said with a smile. Her face just turned into a sharp frown and she sniffled, "Am I?"

The others at the table all openly laughed, when it became clear that Simon had no idea if Kaylee was joking or not.

Duncan was watching Harry, sensing a bit of tension. Feeling mischievous he asked, "What about you Harry? You're sticking around here with the other wizards too, aren't you?"

Harry saw everyone turn to look at him as he swallowed a mouthful of wine. He was taking his time and admitted, "That's a good question."

Duncan and Sam hung around Miranda for three more days, getting the chance to meet several former Reavers. Seeing the obvious opportunities and potential for growth, Duncan was already forming plans for getting some manufacturing and distribution plants set up on Miranda. The possibilities of utilizing magical artifacts, or even wizards enchanting pieces of the factory process could drastically affect costs in positive ways.

The newlyweds said goodbye to all their new friends, and Duncan had practically become an honorary goblin after all the business arrangements he'd made with the magical creatures.

The big news today was that Antonio's staff had arrived. The Stinger class ship had been renamed the Merlin as it appeared the Alliance was making a genuine effort to get to know more about magic and the wizarding world.

Harry had pointed out it would have looked really bad if the Alliance employees got eaten on their way over, so the last hour of the Merlin's flight towards Miranda came with a full escort from three different hunter ships. There hadn't been any Reaver ships nearby in weeks, but they wanted to err on the side of caution.

As planned, the crew of Serenity did their best to stay hidden and out of the Alliance's way. Fullerton and Algernon were with Antonio when they landed, but only for a brief introduction. Antonio was going to get to know his staff first, while giving them a tour of the planet he'd gotten familiar with over the last few weeks. And then before leaving, Antonio and his staff would sit down and learn more about the wizards.

Antonio had been pleased to discover that in addition to the six members of his staff, the Alliance had sent a member of Alliance Security to pilot the ship, and two other supposed terraforming specialists, who were going to ensure the air filtration systems were up to Alliance standards and completely Pax-free. As well as make sure the water treatment facilities were operating at or above Alliance standards.

Antonio gave them all a brief tour of the city, as he drove the skiff he'd been lent for the day. He took them towards the air filtration system and they ended up sitting around watching the specialists testing all sorts of chemical levels that were beyond the others' understanding. In the end, it was found to be performing at excellent levels, no trace of the Pax, and no actual changes were made. So in effect it took them an hour and a half to realize there was nothing they needed to do.

When it came time to check the water treatment, Antonio was dismayed when the specialist warned him that it takes them even longer to measure the chemical levels in the water. He jumped at the offer of continuing the tour with his staff while letting the other three men handle the water treatment testing themselves. He should have been surprised that they were so willing to go off on their own. He should have been suspicious that they had their own MUV so he didn't even have to surrender his skiff. And should have noticed how full the back of the MUV was. But he didn't.

Antonio wished them luck and told them how to contact him when they were done. That was the last time Antonio ever saw two of those three men alive.

"Harry!" Antonio screamed running towards him. "There's been an explosion!"

Harry saw how frantic and scared he was. "What happened? Where?"

"I don't know what happened," Antonio rambled. "I was taking my staff while the specialists were going to check out the water treatment facilities, checking for Alliance safeguards and quality. Suddenly there was just this huge cracking sound."

Harry's blood froze as soon as he heard the words water treatment and he recalled a certain plan's suggestion on places where the planet's crust was most consistent. "Did you see it?"

Antonio nodded. "Not at first, but when I turned towards the explosion there was just this giant…"

"Geyser of fire shooting up from the ground," Harry finished for him.

"Yeah," Antonio agreed in surprise.

Harry's mind was racing knowing now wasn't the time to worry over how this happened, but figure out how to fix it. He reached into his robe pocket and pulled out his specialized communicator. "Mr. U! Relay this immediately towards the goblin conference room. Tell Ripruck I need him to initiate a full lockdown in sixty seconds, and to prepare for a total evacuation. Got that?"

"Got it," the communicator replied. Harry tossed his com straight towards River who caught it on reflex. He saw she was focused and had her game face on. "Get me a disposable."

River disappeared down the hall, the only other person who seemed to understand the severity of the situation while Antonio and Algernon just looked confused.

Harry looked at his watch and turned to Antonio. "When was this exactly? Twenty seconds ago? A minute?"

"I don't know, a minute maybe," Antonio answered. "What is it? What's going on?"

"Listen to me," Harry said ensuring he had Antonio's focus, unconsciously sending a calming charm his way. "Mal's with the Sheriff. Tell them the goblin wards are up or about to be." Harry whipped his hand up and caught the walkie-talkie River had thrown at him.

"Did you-?"

"It's on the right channel," River answered before Harry had finished.

"And you know-"

"Yes," River assured Harry immediately.

"Algernon," Harry ordered. "You're River's wand. Follow her lead."

Algernon blinked at being issued so clear an order. "What about-"

"Fullerton's going to have to help the goblins anchor the lockdown." Harry interrupted knowing exactly what Algernon was about to ask.

"Will someone just tell me what's going on?" Antonio yelled louder than he'd intended.

Harry had begun gathering his magic. "That was Phase One of the E-271 weapon. Go tell the Captain. Have a wizard stun or someone else tranq the rest of your staff."

"What are you going to do?" Antonio asked, still not clear on the situation's implications.

"I've got to catch the bomb." Harry disappeared without another sound apparating away.

Harry reappeared in the charred smoldering wreckage of the MUV that the supposed specialists had apparently been using. The heat in the area would've been unbearable, but Harry just let his magic protect him not even paying much attention. He could see two people who were seriously injured or already dead. He found the launch site and peered over the edge. The blast of hot air made him flinch away and he felt his skin tightening and sweat cover his face. A strong ripple of magic flashed through the air, and Harry saw the goblin wards flare to life in the distance.

Harry knew the harness went straight towards the center of the planet ensuring gravity was on his side. The plasma drill at the tip of the harness melted a perfectly circular six foot hole, ensuring minimum friction and maximum speed. It had been designed to burrow over thirty miles deep, ensuring it was past the crust and in the mantle before Phase Two.

The bigger problem was Phase Three and its massive payload. Any magic he cast from a distance could prematurely trigger Phase Three. Seeing only one option, Harry imagined a translucent shield of ice coating the surface of his skin and dove headfirst into the scorching hot hole.

Harry couldn't risk apparating ahead of the bomb and finding himself splinched inside the crust, whether he got speared by the plasma drill or not. There was also the risk that he would apparate directly into the bomb, which he had no doubt would trigger it immediately.

Harry had his arms extended straight ahead, slicing through the hot air at terminal velocity. The scalding temperatures reacted with Harry's icy protection leaving a trail of sizzling steam in his wake. He was relishing in the rush of adrenaline from falling at terminal velocity.

After falling for twenty seconds, Harry idly wondered if he had any hope of reaching the bomb this way. Using his magic to steady himself so that he wouldn't slam into a side wall, he pulled out his walkie-talkie. "River!" he called out, struggling to keep a grip on the device as the heat was beginning to melt its casing despite his fingers being coated in ice.

"I can barely hear you," River's voice came back in between crackling static.

"Human terminal velocity?" Harry shouted back at her.

"125 MPH," River replied her voice drifting in and out. "Bomb's probably going 350."

"Crap," Harry called out. "Thanks. Get that cabinet ready. I'm out." Harry tried to shut off the walkie-talkie but only succeeding in finally losing his grip on it. He saw the plastic thing whip upwards from his position as it couldn't fall nearly as fast as he could.

Harry contemplated using line of sight to apparate downward repeatedly as far as he could safely see ahead, but visibility was low and doing that would kill his momentum. He wasn't ready to chance summoning the bomb to him, so he figured he needed to banish himself towards it.

Sticking his hands out to the side, Harry cast blasting curses at the walls of the narrow tunnel as he plummeted past. He twisted his body in freefall and was looking up, unable to see daylight. With a grin, Harry immediately cast the strongest banishing charm he could at the moist debris that was sealing him in and falling towards him at far lower speeds.

Harry felt his body lurch as he began to speed up significantly. He continued to alternate between blasting curses on the sides and banishing charms directly above him. His vision was blurred as he was going far faster than he ever had on a broom. He could feel the charms on his robes faltering as the heat scorched his entire body in spite of his icy shield. Through it all, he just kept blasting more debris and banishing himself downward faster.

Suddenly, Harry realized the narrow tunnel was getting noticeably brighter. One last set of blasting and banishing charms and Harry spun around, finally having the bomb in his sights.

Harry's senses were numb as the ice shield and fire from the plasma drill kept warring with each other. He stuck his arms out to try and slow down his descent, but was unable to decelerate quickly enough.

Harry slammed into the back of the metal harness just as the structure of the area began to change. The molten rock around him visibly shifted in consistency and color. Harry had just passed through the crust and was now in the mantle.

As soon as Harry disappeared, River grabbed onto Algernon. "Apparate us to the basement."

The pair disappeared with a soft pop and reappeared in the Fidelius protected bottom floor of the premiere office building. There were two vanishing cabinets down there, one with the portrait of Luna on it leading towards the Earth-That-Was and the other with a portrait of Dilys Derwent on it leading towards Frank.

"We need to clear out everyone working on Earth right now," River said staring at Algernon.

"Wait!" the communicator in River's hand yelled out. "River, no."

"Mr. Universe?" River said, hoping that's who it was.

"No, this is Frank."

River sighed, half-expecting this to happen. "Are you sure about this?"

"One hundred percent absolutely certain. I'm one magical being weighed against either of the two known magical planets. Your rational mind knows this too."

"Should I…?" Algernon asked gesturing towards the cabinet connected to Harry's vault on the Earth-That-Was.

River shook her head sadly, in the exact same way that Luna in the portrait was shaking her head.

"River!" Harry's static-filled voice called out interrupting them.

"I can barely hear you!" River yelled back, holding her hand up to keep Algernon from speaking.

"Human terminal velocity?"

River realized Harry wasn't able to use magic on the bomb and that this was going to be closer than they'd thought. "125 MPH," she answered immediately, not thinking Harry wanted a more precise number based off her estimations of his weight. "Bomb's probably going 350."

River heard Harry swear and thank her before his connection clicked off.

Luna chose that moment to speak up as she looked at the perplexed wizard. "Algernon, you need to take the portrait off other cabinet or it'll be destroyed in the magical backlash. And you need to take this entire cabinet."

Algernon suddenly realized he was being bossed around by both Luna and River. "Why?"

"Because River has to stay here and wait for Harry," Luna answered giving the younger girl a significant look. "And it'll be much easier if he doesn't have a choice."

"She's right," Frank added from the communicator. "Get a move on, Longbutt! Shrink the cabinet, take Dilys portrait, and run towards the goblin headquarters. You may need that cabinet to evacuate people to Earth."

Algernon got the distinct feeling everyone was going to continue telling him what to do. But he did as ordered, canceling the sticking charm on the portrait of Dilys, shrinking it, and pocketing it.

River was just staring at the portrait of Luna who was staring back trying to give the younger woman strength. "Crap," River sighed, unconsciously echoing Harry's earlier sentiment. She turned towards the sadly smiling picture of Luna and nodded, having accepted the most useful place for her was to wait here and support Harry. "Thanks."

Luna nodded with a grin while Algernon shrunk the cabinet with Luna's portrait down too.

Algernon hesitated. "Are you sure-"

"Yes," River determinedly answered. "Get that cabinet away from here. Harry's not going to like this but we don't need to make it more difficult on any of us."

Algernon knew there was time to waste and hurried up the stairwell.

River was left alone in the room with only one unmarked vanishing cabinet and the communicator.

Sheriff Sam Rogers and Mal were both in a skiff with a long trailer attached, moving at speeds that would normally be considered unsafe.

Sam was shouting into a bullhorn. "Everyone evacuate to within the goblin wards! Run towards the center of town or hop on and get a ride. But get there now!"

"What is it?" A man asked curiously. "What's going on?"

"A threat to the planet," Mal answered having slowed down as people were climbing in. "Get in."

"We're full," Sam said tapping Mal on the shoulder. He spoke back into the bullhorn. "Hang on, people."

Mal hit the gas and turned them around back towards the visible wards sealing in the ten blocks radiating from the goblins' headquarters.

Sam kept shouting into the bullhorn. "Keep moving towards the center of town. We'll be back to pick up those unable to run. Tell anyone who doesn't know to get inside the wards now!"

Sam took a moment to catch his breath and asked Mal, "Is this really as bad as I think it is?"

Mal grunted affirmatively. "Phase One went crack. Phase Two can kill us all. Phase Three can kill the planet."

"I just can't understand how an entire planet can be destroyed," Sam sighed. As they approached the shimmering wards, there were several goblins standing by. The goblins opened a large doorway for them to coast right in undeterred by the massive translucent wards.

Mal hit the brakes and Sam yelled at the passengers to clear off the trailer.

Zoe and Jayne finally spotted Mal. Zoe ran up to him, "What do you need?"

"Get another skiff and shuttle everyone inside these wards," Mal answered. "And hurry!"

Mal and Sam spun back around, heading towards another of the most populated areas outside of the wards, zipping through people running towards the wards.

"Did they really make a bomb big enough to destroy a planet?" Sam asked, having not received a satisfactory answer.

Mal turned the skiff suddenly as he saw a crowd forming, while Sam began shouting in the bullhorn again. More and more people climbed in and they knew there wasn't time for a run after this one. In the distance they saw Zoe driving a skiff almost as full while Jayne was happily yelling at people.

"The bomb is huge, but it's not a simple explosion," Mal answered. Their trailer was so full it was nearly bursting, but they didn't want to miss anyone. "It's a two stage bomb."

"Please remain calm!" Sam ordered through the bullhorn. "And run for your lives in orderly fashion!" He set the bullhorn down and turned to Mal. "I thought you said there were three?"

"Three phases in the weapon, two stages in the bomb," Mal explained. "The last two phases are the bomb. The first phase is getting the bomb into place."

"And it goes boom from there?"

"Sorta," Mal answered. "It's like breaking an egg open. You gotta make cracks in the shell first. Only to make those cracks it takes a massive shockwave from under the planet's crust inside the mantle."

"Has that started?" Sam asked.

Mal shook his head negatively. "When I say massive, I mean massive as in we'd know it. Terraquakes stronger than have ever naturally occurred, buildings collapsing, sinkholes miles deep, that kinda massive."

"Oh."

"Yup," Mal continued as he followed behind Zoe and Jayne who also had a trailer full of people. "And once those cracks are in the shell, the second stage of the bomb, Phase Three, would then go… boom."

"I didn't see anyone else, but Jayne's making another run," Zoe reported as she walked up to Mal seeing the last of the crowds making their way inside the wards.

"Me neither," Mal answered. Mal saw Sheriff Rogers was taking control of the situation and organizing the crowds.

"Kaylee and Simon had taken over the hospital last I saw," Zoe relayed. "She was… embracing the freedoms that pregnancy affords her."

"No one argues with a pregnant woman, eh?" Mal answered.

"Where's everyone else?"

"River's probably with Harry by now," Mal answered. "And I sent Antonio off to locate Inara after tranquilizing the rest of his staff. I kinda thought they'd be back by now."

"Come on!" Inara snapped dragging Antonio with him. "We've gotta get her inside the wards."

"Are you sure that's wise?" Antonio reluctantly asked.

"Yes," Inara insisted as they hurried over towards the evacuated docks. "If this situation is what it appears to be, then we need to make sure we've got ships that can fly. And she's the most important one to a lot of people. Including me."

"But what about the Captain and-"

"They've gotta save all the people first," Inara argued. "There she is." Inara spotted Serenity and started to run before she saw Antonio had stopped. "Antonio?"

"You go ahead," Antonio said gritting his teeth. "I'll catch my own ride back."

Inara paused and saw how angry he looked. She decided not to fight it. She was going to be busy enough trying to figure how to fly a Firefly class ship.

Antonio saw the pilot supposedly with Alliance Security, checking the various ships looking for a functional one. "Hey! Smith!"

Jack Smith looked up suddenly and saw Antonio approaching him. He thought about what Director Bauer had told him and realized this was a good man, loyal to the Alliance, and who feared these wizard demons as much as he did. "Weatherby! Come on. Help me locate a ship that'll get us out of here."

"What's your hurry?" Antonio asked curiously. "What's going on?"

Smith hesitated a moment and answered. "We're fighting back against these demons. Get in if you want to live."

"Demons?" Antonio stumbled through the word.

Smith nodded. "That earlier explosion was the… warning shot of sorts. Now come on, you're a good man. You don't have to die here with these freaks."

Antonio wasn't quite sure what came over him, but he climbed up towards Smith and pointed towards the sky over Smith's shoulder. "What's that?"

Smith spun around in fear, looked up, and saw nothing. When he turned back to Antonio, he briefly caught a glimpse of closed fist headed for his face before everything went black.

"Oww, oww, oww!" Antonio whined shaking his hand. "It hurts! It hurts!" Antonio stopped cursing to himself and looked at his bloodied knuckles. He saw a tooth was stuck in between his fingers. "Cool!"

Antonio looked up and saw the Firefly class spaceship Serenity zipping by headed back towards the warded center of town. It appeared Inara hadn't gotten her up into the air, but she was moving. And that reminded Antonio he needed to get moving too. He hefted the unconscious Assistant Director out of the pilot's chair and managed to taxi his way and catch up with the wildly swerving Serenity.

Zoe ran back towards the Captain. "Fullerton's indisposed with the goblins maintaining the wards. They say we won't know if the danger has passed until we hear from Harry."

Mal grunted and hated standing around waiting for things to happen. He saw a slight flash of hesitation cross Zoe's face. "What is it?"

Zoe swallowed and explained, "They say Inara grabbed Antonio and was dragging him off for something. No one's seen either of them since. Algernon did some magic thing and doesn't think they're inside the wards."

"River sweetie," Frank began and trying to lighten the mood. "Make sure you tell Serenity I loved her. I always longed to dock with her and make lots of little shuttles."

River groaned and couldn't help but to smile. "You're kidding me, right?"

"Have you seen those curves?" Frank whistled. "Well, I know some might think she's a bit thick, but I like a girl with a healthy cargo bay."

River was outright chuckling now. "These may be your last words and this is what you want to say? What you want to be remembered by?"

"Oh come on," Frank kept going. "Frank and Serenity? It would've been a great relation-ship."

River knew it was coming, but it didn't help as she closed her eyes at the inevitable pun. "Harry needs to hurry up," she said with an amused grin.

"I should be offended," Frank admitted without a drop of bitterness. "But you're right."

"How far out are you?" River asked half-hoping he was idling in the middle of an Alliance conference room, or perhaps Blue Sun Research and Development facility.

A long moment of silence hung in the air followed by a quiet, "Oops."

"Oops?" River snapped loudly. "Are you kidding me?"

"I was worried about you! And Miranda! And Earth! And everyone else! I'm sorry," Frank snapped back. "I'm taking off now. Cut a dying ship some slack here."

River clenched her eyes shut knowing there was no one to blame and nothing she could do. "Where are you Harry?"

Harry coated his right hand with a sticking charm and grabbed onto a metal handle of the bomb. The primary device was just over a foot and a half in diameter and approximately four feet long sitting in a recessed circular harness. He could barely see through the flames licking around him, but he tried to summon himself back up the tunnel, in an effort to slow down the weapon's descent. He felt his shoulder lurch out of socket, and cursed his frailty. Getting his arm torn clear off would not be very helpful, but he oddly thought that at least the flames would cauterize the accidental amputation.

Harry felt the shameful slap of common sense hit him and he remembered the latches locking the bomb onto its harness. He released the latches, but that still left him with a heavy chunk of metal, falling straight down at approximately 350 miles per hour.

Harry knew Fawkes was overdue for a burning day, but desperately hoped the phoenix hadn't gone flambé yet. He sent out a mental call so loud, that all the phoenixes on the planet took notice. "FAWKES!"

Knowing he probably had less then a minute and a half left, he was idly considering what would happen if he fell short in an attempt to apparate the bomb into the emptiness of space. If nothing else he'd have to try, but he wasn't exactly brimming with confidence on that one. Suddenly, the haggard, extremely worn-out looking phoenix appeared just behind the rapidly descending bomb and passenger.

Harry couldn't see Fawkes, but he could feel him. And he felt worry and sorrow more than anything. Harry assured Fawkes he didn't care about the phoenix's warning, and to just get them out of here.

Harry felt a sense of reluctant acceptance and reached out to grab the tail feathers of the weary, tired, and weak phoenix. In a sharp burst of fire, Fawkes pulled Harry, bomb and all, away only to reappear in the Fidelius protected basement of the main office building.

"Harry!" River shrieked out at the sudden appearance. It felt like she'd been waiting for hours her entire body was so tense.

Harry grunted as the bomb was pulling his limp right arm down, but he managed to keep from slamming it into the ground and triggering it prematurely. He knew how he must have looked, but Harry kept his focus on his priorities, which were in both of his hands.

His right arm felt pretty useless, but kept a firm hold on the bomb. It was his left arm that had become the more immediate problem. Just as Fawkes had informed him, the fire-flashing transportation had expended the last of the magical bird's energy, and Harry's left hand was a giant scorching ball of fire as he held onto the phoenix going through the flames of rebirth.

River had returned with a fire extinguisher in a matter of seconds and began to spray it straight towards Harry's burning hand. It took nearly all of Harry's energy to bring up a shield and protect his left hand, as he felt the flesh tightening up and flaking off.

"Stop! River, stop!" Harry called out. "You'll kill Fawkes!" Harry kept his eyes clenched shut as he felt Fawkes' miraculous transformation complete. He canceled the sticking charm on the bomb and balanced it on the ground momentarily. He ripped the tattered shreds of his smoldering robe from his body with his gimpy but functional right arm. He tossed the fabric remnants towards the wide-eyed River who caught them and held them up.

Harry looked at the infant featherless bird cradled in what remained of his left hand. He carefully lifted Fawkes as blackened flecks of ash fell off the exposed bones of his fingers. He gently set the bird down in the makeshift nest the shreds of his robe provided in River's arms. "Be extremely careful with him."

Harry spun towards where the cabinets should have been and his eyes widened in shock. "Where's the other cabinet?"

River knew this was coming but stood firm. "Frank told me to hide it."

"What?" Harry asked grabbing hold of the bomb with his working arm.

"There's no time. It was Frank's choice." River insisted.

Harry grunted as he swore in anger. He slung the bomb into the only cabinet in frustration. Snapping the door shut, he hobbled over towards River cradling Fawkes. He felt the magic in the air and reacted instantaneously. He tried his best to get up a bunker shield in front of him, River, and Fawkes, praying he had enough magic left in his reserves.

The magical backlash from the cabinet slammed into Harry's shield and sent him and River both careening through the concrete wall behind him. He felt his well of magic run dry and he knew he'd done all he could as blackness overtook him.

"We need to go find Inara and Antonio!" Mal snapped. He saw Zoe wasn't looking at him. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Captain," Zoe said, staring up at the sky. She gestured up, not even turning towards Mal.

Mal looked up and saw what looked like a giant purple and green supernova. "Wu de ma!" It had obviously made it to outer space, but not by much it appeared.

"That's… that's…"

"That's just the first half of the bomb," Mal said. "Someone go make sure these wards are gonna hold. And where the hell is Inara!"

"There!" Zoe snapped and pointed towards the road ahead.

Scampering down the road in a skiff filled with half a dozen other people was Jayne. Hot on his tail were a pair of spaceships almost as wide as the road.

Driving in a straight line was not one of Inara's strong points, but she was doing her best not to run over Jayne or the scared people riding with him.

Mal snapped at the goblins, "Let them in! Quick!"

The crowds had to part as many feared for their lives, but Jayne swerved out of Inara's way just inside the wards. Inara managed to screech to a stop without seriously injuring anyone. Antonio was following right behind her at a far more controlled pace. The goblins sealed the wards back up immediately.

"Sorry Mal," Inara called out running up to the others. "But I didn't want to leave Serenity outside of the wards."

Mal just smiled tightly at her and hugged her when it looked like she was going to break down.

Antonio stuck his head out of the second ship and yelled, "Hey Jayne! Come shoot this guy!"

"Okay," Jayne agreed readily and hurried over towards Antonio's ship. "Tranq gun or a proper one?"

"Tranq for now," Antonio answered. "Proper later."

Jayne grinned and saw the man's face had been bloodied already. Jayne fired three shots just to be sure.

"What's happened? Is it safe? Are we going to be okay?" Inara asked once she got a better hold of herself. She saw everyone looking up while she was talking and spotted the celestial wreckage in the sky. "That's it?"

Mal shrugged uncertainly. "That could just be the first half of the bomb. The second part might…"

The Captain's voice trailed off as everyone inside the protected goblin wards gasped or looked away. The entire sky flashed white and exploded into flames.