Shepard Book, Simon, River, Kaylee, Wash, Zoe and Inara were all trapped in their cell. Not only were they still prisoners they were about to be dead. Niska's guards had their guns aimed for them. They cocked their weapons ready to fire.

"How's that prayer coming Shepard?" Inara asked.

Before Book could answer the wall behind the guards exploded sending them crashing to the ground.

"Is it hard being a spiritual man?" Wash asked Book.

"Harder than one would think." Book said as a group of armed men ran in through the giant hole in the wall.

"Who are you people?" Simon asked.

"Mercenaries: the finest money can buy. I spared no expense." Badger said as he entered the prison.

"I bet." Simon said.

"Well you seem to be in a bit of a situation." Badger said.

"They locked us up, threw away the key." River mumbled.

"Hey darling you should really quit hanging round these folks your accent has faded." Badger said.

"It's nothing we haven't dealt with before." Zoe said getting the attention off of River.

"Yeah, but this spot seems tighter than usual and I see it affecting the job severely."

"Are you checking up on little old us?" Zoe asked sarcastically.

"The way things look its good I showed up when I did and I'd start showing me some respect little girl." Badger was extremely annoyed.

"Hey that "little girl" just happens to be my wife." Wash yelled.

"Sweetie you might want to rephrase that." Zoe corrected him.

"The merchandise?"

"Jayne swallowed it; they took him to the interrogation room to get it out."

"Right, well it seems you have everything under control." Badger said as he began to walk away.

"A pleasure to see the young lady again." Badger stated.

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The Reaver picked Mal up and threw him about twenty feet from the ship. Mal still held the steel bar in his hand and was planning to use it. Before he could the Reaver was already on top of him slashing at him with its claws. Mal hit the reaver on the side with the bar and his enemy jumped to its feet. Mal got up and went in for a series of punches to the reaver's chest. It then did the same to his face. Mal saw an opening and swung his weapon at the monster's head. The Reaver grabbed the steel bar out of Mal's hand and broke it in two over his knee. Mal's opponent then knocked him to the ground. The Reaver took out a small makeshift knife and went in for the kill. A shot rang in Mal's ears and the Reaver fell dead on top of him. He pushed the corpse off of him and looked at his mother still holding the smoking gun.

"Mr. Benke always kept a gun on him for protection. You ok?" Lo said as she reached down to pick her son up off the ground.

"Yeah I'm fine." Mal nodded his head.

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Badger got back to the Interrogation room with his mercenaries. Nosk was about to cut into his stomach when Badger ordered his men to fire. Nosk fell dead to the ground. Jayne got up from the table to look at his rescuers.

"Badger what are you doing here?" Jayne was confused.

"Protecting my investment." Badger said as he stabbed Jayne in the stomach with a knife. The mercenaries moved in closer with their guns aimed at Jayne.

"Take care of him, I want those jewels. You can kill the others; they have probably figured it out by now. You four come with me I'm going to find Niska." Badger said walking out of the room.

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Mal wiped the blood off his face as he walked through the forest. His mother was walking a few feet behind him.

"Mal I'm….." Lo began to apologize.

"I know. You did what you did, no use going on about it now." Mal said looking back at her.

"I just want you to know I love you son." Lo said as Mal stopped dead in his tracks.

He turned to face her and was about to say something back when he heard a familiar voice from behind him.

"How touching. Sorry to intrude but I'm afraid I must be killing you now." Niska said.

"Fine go ahead just leaver her out of this." Mal yelled.

Niska cocked his gun and aimed for Malcolm's head. Mal heard the shot but noticed he was still very much alive. He turned to see his mother slumped over dead from a wound to the chest.

"You gorram son of a….. You were going to kill me!" Mal yelled as tears welled up in his eyes.

"I changed my mind." Niska said with a smile.

Mal ran up the hill towards Niska as his enemy ran towards his transportation. Niska's pilot came over to fight, but Mal was determined. He sucker punched the pilot knocking him out cold. He grabbed Niska from behind and forced him to the ground. He took the gun out of his hand and pointed it at Niska's head.

"I ain't gonna kill you, I figure there's been enough death today." Mal said as he walked a few feet away and stopped.

"A man can change his mind though." Mal said as he turned to shoot Niska, emptying the weapon of ammunition.