Simon eyes filled with a spark of realization. He said, "What do you mean prototype?"

Leandra's eyes flicked towards Simon and back to River.

River said, "They decided that they couldn't wait for scratch cakes to be done so they started with store bought ones instead."

Jayne looked all manner of puzzled, "What's that suppose to mean?"

Simon quietly said, "She means that Leandra was genetically engineered. Her make up was manipulated before birth. Am I right?" She nodded at Simon. He continued talking. "But they didn't want to wait for results so they started with children who were already gifted and manipulated their brains."

Kaylee gasped, "On my god does that mean Inara you've been messed with too."

Inara put her hand on Kaylee hand. "No Kaylee. Just Lea."

Mal muttered, "Gorem government always putting their noses and claws into places that they shouldn't."

Zoe spoke, "Ok but that doesn't explain why you are here."

Leandra replied, "I'm here cause there is a hit out on Inara."

Mal raised an eyebrow; "The guild put a hit out on you Inara? Why is that?"

She replied in a cold voice, "Let's just say that I know things that people don't want to get out. Unfortunately part of the guild thinks that the Miranda events will prompt me to reveal my knowledge."

Kalyee said, "Is that why you took off out to the outer rims?"

"Yes partly. I was sick of the hypocrisy. The Guild is changing. Once a wonderful place for woman now is becoming something twisted." Inara looked at her younger sister, "Even made Lea go neutral."

Mal replied, "You gonna explain what that means? Neutral?"

"It means that I no longer 'work' for the guild. I put myself in exile. They can't give me orders, can't hurt me since I have safety nets in place but it means I must remain neutral in whatever decisions the Guild makes. Or my life is forfeit."

Zoe spoke, "So that means since you're throwing the towel in with Inara you'll be a target too.'

"Yes it does."

Mal got up from the table. He put his hands on his hip. "What I want to know is other than the big secret Inara knows is what makes you think that you can protect Inara. I also want to know how you make them stop trying to kill her."

Inara quietly said, "First of all she's the best of the best. That is why the guild took her in when she was born And to answer the second question I would have to declare neutral to make them stop but I have to be in front of the Triad of the Guild to do it.'

Jayne asked, "Well that sounds easy. Why don't you just go an do that."

Zoe answered, "Cause they don't know if that is her true intentions. They'll figure it just easier to eliminate her before she can do that.

Inara nodded.

Leandra looked at Inara, "Inara. It's your choice. Do you want to declare neutral? Do you want me to protect you till I can get you in front of the Triad? You have to decide what you want?"

Inara looked at the crew and back at her sister, "I don't know." She started to get up and walk away from the table. She stopped and said, "If you throw in with me they'll no were sisters and not only will your life be forfeit your mother's will be too."

Lea started to talk but her voice was filled with grief. "Mother's now dead Inara. You're the only family I have left and I'll do whatever it takes to protect what I have."

Inara seeing the pain on her sister's face rushed over to her and took her face in her hands. "I didn't know. I am so sorry." He eyes turned to Mal, "Mal I know you would rather not get involved with this but I need you to set a course towards the central planets as far as you wish to go. After that Lea and me will go on to Sihnon. I'm going to declare neutral."