Chapter 3
Leaving Saffron to stew, Mal made his way back to Serenity's flight deck. "Wash, nearest world, time to get there, atmosphere."
"Going great up here on deck Capn, thanks for asking." At Mal's dry look, Wash laughed, looked over at Mal and said, "Guess the honeymoon is over?"
The expression on Mal's face quickly got rid of Wash's jovial tone.
Flicking a couple keys on the onboard computer, he said, "Closest world is... Guerin. A few light years. Your typical backwater moon, barely habitable… Hey, wait a minute… We were there once a couple years ago. Remember that heist where you and Jayne were accosted by those granny's and their bags?"
Wash sniggered loudly. "And they chased you down the street with their umbrella's…" At this point, he was so into the story, he started demonstrating how the woman would whack them over their heads with the offensive umbrella's, laughing even louder at the memory, "you were supposed to trade those snow globes for-"
"Thanks for that Wash! Yes, like I really needed remindin' about how a couple old biddies got the better of me an' my hired hand!"
Wash snickered a few more times before clearing his throat. In an effort to curb the urge to demonstrate more of the whacking, he scratched the back of his neck and glanced covertly at Mal. "Uhm… right. Sorry about that Mal. You know how I just love those moments-"
Mal glared once more.
"Right! Getting over those moments now. Bottom line, Guerin is populated. Not much there, but it supports life."
"Good. Set a course. We're dumpin' Saffron there."
"Pointing Serenity in that direction already Capn. We should reach there in a couple hours."
Mal reached for the intercom, "Crew, this is your Capn. We're setting course for Guerin to drop some nasty cargo. To those who are wonderin', yes, Guerin is where Jayne and I were accosted and run out of town by Granny's. Seein' as we got that 'outta the way, all crew are to remain clear of the infirmary. Nasty cargo is in there and will be remainin' there for the duration." Mal's speech was cut short by a beeping sound coming from the distress call detector. He added quickly, "thankin' you kindly," before hanging up.
"What the gorram hell needs our help now?"
"I'm trying to get a lock on the signal." Wash worked the keyboard. "It's not a distress call. It's actually a wave masked as a distress call."
"Shuh Muh?!"
"Used for maximum impact. It's programmed like a wave, for a specific destination and recipient. Distress calls on the other hand are sent out generally. Hoping anyone will pick it up. Whoever is trying to send this, means to send it to Serenity."
Simon and Kaylee entered.
"Capn, we're heading to Guerin?" Kaylee began. "I 'aint sure we aught to be headin' back there. Those old ladies were riled up somethin' fierce!"
"Da Bian Hua little girl," said Jayne, also entering the room. "Tell 'um Capn. Those ladies sure worked out! My trainin' routine has nothin' on 'um!"
Wash snorted, made a few whacking motions with the invisible umbrella, but continued working the keys, trying to get a lock on the signal.
Zoë walked in and feeling the anticipation looked from Mal to Wash before touching her husband's shoulder. "Wash honey, what's got you so fired up?"
He turned his head briefly and kissed the hand she laid on his shoulder. "You know how I love it when you call me honey, Honey. But can we maybe postpone the love talk till a little later? I kinda have something I'm working on at the moment." Raising his voice purposefully, he continued, "besides, the boss staring daggers at the back of my head just inspires me to work much harder!"
Mal added sarcastically, "I do hate to break up this here touching scene-"
"Ah ha! Got it. Bouncing it to the…" he jabbed a few keys furiously, "main screen… now."
A hazy picture shimmered on screen for a second or two before a stately looking woman crystallised.
"Its Mei-Li Kai!" said Kaylee, stepping forward.
Mal looked back at her, "Mei-Li whatta?"
"Kai. Inara's housemother on Sihnon." Kaylee and the rest of the crew were too busy staring at the screen to see the effect that the declaration had on their Captain. "I've seen loads'a pictures of her. 'Aint she somethin'? All shiny, sparkly and pretty?"
Mal's body had washed cold with shock. Why would Inara's housemother be sending a wave to Serenity? Inara had made it to Sihnon. Not that she sent him word, but she had sent word to Kaylee, who had wasted no time in mouthin' off to anyone in the 'verse who would listen.
Testily Mal said, "Wash, some sound would be good right about now."
"Working on it Capn Sir," he said loudly and mumbled under his breath. "Why is it the pilot is never really appreciated?"
"I appreciate you Honey, but you best fix this sound problem-" she leaned in and whispered in his ear, "-fast. With the mention of Inara, the Capn seems to be even more ornery than he usually is these days."
"No kidding?" was all he said. "Audio is up. Here we go."
A woman lookin' to be around her fifties, was dressed in what seemed to be the finest deep blue silk. She was also draped in sparkling, yet tasteful jewels. She began to speak.
"This message is directed to a Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of the Firefly class vessel Serenity. My name is Mei-Li Kai and you do not know me Captain. We have a mutual acquaintance in Inara Serra. I am her housemother and Inara has been in my care for the past seven months, since leaving your vessel.
A week ago a client contacted our house, wanting to contract with Inara specifically. This not being possible, as Inara was no longer seeing clients, but had chosen to accept a teaching position at the Companion Academy, I informed the client that she would not be able to contract with him."
"I-nara is no longer whorin'?" asked Jayne.
"The client, a Mr. Adelei Niska arrived at the training house and demanded to speak with Inara. I knew something was wrong the minute she laid eyes on him. But it was too late."
"Shuh Muh? Niska?" said Wash.
The surprise at hearing Inara was no longer a working Companion had worn off. Replaced in its wake was a sickening ball of anxiety. Mal's hands had palmed into fists and lead settled in his stomach.
Mei-Li Kai continued, a little less composed now than when she first started, "Captain Reynolds, Mr. Niska has taken Inara."
Kaylee gasped and put her hands to her mouth to hold back a sob.
Simon put his arms around her shoulders and whispered, "Wou Duh Tian Ah."
"He has given me a message and asked me to contact you directly. He wants you and your crew to know that if you ever wish to see Inara again, you need to come for her Captain. He also wanted you to know that this time, things will end differently."
"What the Guai is that supposed to mean?" asked Zoë, concern evident on her face.
"Captain Reynolds, I don't think I need to tell you how special Inara is. And I will never be able to forgive myself if something happens to her. She was after all in my care. I don't know what happened during her time onboard your ship, she rarely speaks of it, or of you," a muscle ticked in Mal's cheek, "but one thing she did mention was that she would trust you with her life."
Zoë glanced at Mal. His eyes had darkened to the deepest blue.
The wave ended with, "I am asking you to save her life."
Jayne rubbed a sweaty palm down his thigh. "That Huen Dahn has I-nara?'
There was silence for a while before Mal started toward the exit, and everyone instinctively huddled, banding together. "Wash, change of plan. Set a course for Ezra. Niska's Skyplex orbits that world. We'll touch down on Ezra, and work from there."
Wash paled. "Mal, Niska is deadly-"
Jayne added, "he'll be waitin' for us."
Mal stopped at the exit, his body taunt, his shoulders straight and tense. He spoke, but didn't turn around. "We're breaking Inara out. There 'aint no room for discussion here. Niska is deadly, and those of you who don't see yourselves as bein' a part o'this, take your leave and be done with it. We might not get out of there'n one piece, see'in as he knows I'm comin'. Your parts in this here operation is voluntary. I need ten minutes, then those of you who want in, meet me in the common room."
He took a step to leave, then added before striding away, "'Aint no one goin' to be judged for not wantin' to be a part o'this."
"Niska has Inara," Kaylee stated and wiped the tears from her eyes. "He has Inara."
Book spoke for the first time. "Mal will risk his life to save her." His statement was one of fact.
"Feelings," said River. "Its about his feelings."
Book put a hand on her shoulder, "indeed it is."
Glossary:
Gorram: A form of God Dammit!
Shuh Muh?: What?
Da Bian Hua: Shit talk
Wou Duh Tian Ah: Oh my God
Guai: Hell
Huen Dahn: Bastard