Chapter 7

Onboard the Star Destroyer, Hob watched this new development through the frigate's large viewing screen. The ensign approached him again.

"What do we do, sir?" the ensign requested. Hob made a decision.

"Plot a pursuit course," Hob ordered.

"Aye, sir," the ensign responded. He walked away to carry out the order.

In Serenity's infirmary, Kaylee continued to hold Simon's hand. He had been resting since Mike fixed him. She was alone with him. Jayne had gone to his room to recuperate. Zoë and River had both left to go to the bridge. Inara had returned to her shuttle. Simon stirred. The worried look on Kaylee's face disappeared.

"Simon," she said excited. Simon regained consciousness.

"Kaylee," he answered groggily. Kaylee hugged him.

"Lao tyen, I thought I lost you, Xin ai," Kaylee cried. Simon yelped. Kaylee released him. "What's wrong?" Kaylee asked slightly worried.

"I got stabbed, remember," Simon stated wittily. Kaylee laughed. Meanwhile, Simon examined his bandage beneath the blanket. "Who dressed this wound?"

"It was Mike," Kaylee answered. "Why?" Simon examined his bandage more closely."

"It's expertly done," Simon remarked.

"Hold on tight everyone. We're running," Mike's voice warned over the com. The ship shook and Simon would have fallen off the table if Kaylee hadn't grabbed him.

"They might need me in the engine room," Kaylee responded. "Do you want to come with me or do you have to stay here?"

"I think I'll be okay in your hammock," Simon replied. Kaylee helped Simon and led him out of the infirmary. "I'm going to need another shirt."

"I don't think so," Kaylee added coyly. "Maybe when it's over…." Simon laughed.

"Do you always think about that?" Simon asked cheerfully.

"We're not married," Kaylee replied.

Back on the bridge, Mike and River piloted the ship with Mal and Zoë watching. Serenity flew through the black with the frigate in hot pursuit.

"We have to loose 'em somewhere," Mal told Mike.

"I'm working on it," Mike responded. Mike brought up a map of their area on the video screen. "There it is!"

"There what is?" Zoë asked. Mike pointed at a collection of dots in the upper left-hand corner of the screen.

"The Intersystem Asteroid Belt within range," Mike stated excited. "One thing a frigate can't do well that a Firefly can is maneuver through tight places."

"You think you can do that without killing us all," Mal beseeched. Mike laughed.

"I've done worst," Mike said confidently. The asteroid belt came into view. Mal grabbed the radio.

"This is your captain speaking," Mal began, "We might be experiencing a little turbulence." Mike faced River.

"You think you can do it?" Mike asked. River looked into his eyes.

"Yes," River stated confidently.

Serenity with the Star Destroyer in hot pursuit flew straight into the asteroid belt. The frigate stopped before entering the belt.

Mr. Hob considered his options as Serenity flew further into the belt. He stood on a platform above a group of ensigns in gray uniforms at their respective consoles.

"Launch the ASREVs," Hob ordered.

Four ASREVs exited the frigate. The ASREVs were the same type of vessel that Lieutenant Womack pursued Serenity in on the world of St. Albans. The ASREVs followed Serenity's trail through the belt.

The ASREVs caught up with Serenity. They fired their missiles at Serenity. Serenity tried to avoid them, but one of them hit.

The bridge shook with the impact. Mike tried to maneuver Serenity faster through the belt. Mike grabbed the radio.

"Kaylee!" he yelled into the radio. There was silence. Mike seemed angry. "Horniges Mädchen…."

"Yeah, Mike," Kaylee answered over the radio. Mike was relieved.

"We need more speed," Mike requested.

"I'll talk to Serenity," Kaylee stated. "I'll see what she can do." Mike had an odd look on his face.

"She'll talk to the ship," Mike stated shocked.

"That's what she does," River claimed. Mike seemed perturbed.

"You're all crazy," Mike declared as he popped a cigarette into his mouth, lit it quickly, and took hold of the steering wheel again.

Serenity continued to maneuver through the asteroid belt. One of the ASREVs crashed into an asteroid and exploded. The remaining three ASREVs entered a V-shaped formation and prepared to fire their missiles. Suddenly, Serenity shot forward at high speed through an opening in the belt. The ASREVs lost sight of Serenity.

Hob stood on his platform on the Star Destroyer, which remained outside the belt. One of the ensigns at a console received at a message.

"Sir," the ensign stated, "The ASREVs lost the target." Hob remained calm.

"Did they estimate their course?" Hob demanded. The ensign typed something on his console's computer. There was a moment of silence.

"No, sir," the ensign answered.

"Call back the ASREVs," Hob ordered. "Set a course back to base. Put a wave on the cortex for a Firefly Transport."

Lao-tyen: Chinese "My g-d"

Xin ai: Chinese "Beloved"

Horniges Mädchen: German "Promiscuous girl."