Chapter 5

Standing in the hanger bay of Serenity, Mal went through the details one last time. He suspected the entire crew knew what needed doin', but they were humourin' him anyways. Even Saffron refrained from rolling her eyes. But that could've been due to the fact that she knew shooting her was an option most of the crew were more'n happy to exercise.

Laying the hastily compiled holo-board on the ground, Mal hunched down and the crew crowded around him. He activated the board and a 3-D holographic image of buildings and roads appeared above the surface of the board. Mal launched into the plan.

"Right, thanks to Wash's friend Logan on Aerilon, who knows some people who knows some other people who knows some thieves whose stolen off the Skyplex and lived to tell the tale-"

"Our heroes," quipped Wash.

"-we have a rough layout of what to expect. The Doc has also been to Ezra once before, so he might be able to help some."

"Like I said Mal, I was a boy when my father brought me here. Many things could have changed."

Mal nodded, "appreciatin' any input. Right, we'll all take the local shuttle from Ezra to the Skyplex." Mal pointed to the entrance of Niska's complex. "Jayne, Zoë and I will go up to meet Niska. He will expect this, he won't be thinkin' I'd come alone anyways. While we're bein' entertained by our gracious host, the Doc, Preacher and River will cause a diversion big enough to get some of the guards to investigate."

Mal continued, "Remember, the Ben Tian Sheng De Yi Dui Rou will be expectin' us to be pullin' some stunt, so make sure you remain 'outta site." He looked at all three the accomplices. River seemed to be concentrating real hard, but Book and Simon nodded their understanding.

"While this is happenin', Saffron will become real friendly like with one of Niska's guards, no great hardship, and get access to the Skyplex. Once inside, she will find Inara, an' bring her to the exit point here." Mal pointed to an image in the hologram.

"Kaylee, you will remain in contact with Book, Saffron and Jayne via the low frequency module and let Jayne know the minute Saffron an' Inara's headin' for the exit. You will then get Serenity fired up and Wash, you'll get up here," Mal pointed to a building on the holo, "and do your thing."

"Remember the access codes Logan mentioned. You cannot get in without them." Mal looked at Saffron as he said this, she nodded her understanding.

"Wash, ammunition's a positive," he pointed, "at these points - here, here and here. Be sure to keep Serenity clear of them."

"Duhn Ruhn. Got it Mal."

"Zoë, Jayne, he won't let us in with weapons, so its 'gonna be a messy fight to get out. He fights real dirty too. Ping Ming."

"Understood Sir," said Zoë.

Jayne smiled roguishly, "Just the kind I'm likin' best."

"Everyone dohn-ma?" asked Mal. At the nods, he said, "let's move out then."

Kaylee and Simon held a long stare for a moment before he turned to leave. "Joo How Rin," she whispered.

Kaylee watched Mal, brown coat billowing as he strode purposefully, Zoë and Jayne flanking him on either side, walk off the ship and out of sight before turning and rushing to meet Wash in the cockpit.

Entering the flight deck, she saw Wash had hauled in a ratty chair from somewhere. At her confused look, he said, "Might as well get comfortable."

Kaylee sat down and checked the surveillance equipment, "Would love to know where a Shepard got his hands on this kinda fancy listenin' stuff."

Wash nodded. "And why we haven't seen it before."

"Sure glad we can make use of it now." Kaylee said solemnly.

"Not quite the time to be getting those answers from Book. Hey, this'll be over soon." Wash leaned over and squeezed Kaylee's hand. "Everything working?"

Kaylee nodded and tuned into Book, Saffron and Jayne's frequencies.

Switching on the headset, she said rather loudly, "Jayne, Kaylee here. You gettin' me?"

"No need for ruttin' shoutin' Kaylee! I hear ya clear as day," came his grumbling response.

She winced. Sorry, she mouthed silently.

Tone conscious, she checked the second frequency, "Book, you hearin' me?"

"Barely Kaylee. Can't hear you that well," was his reply.

Kaylee turned to Wash in exasperation. He just shrugged. Kaylee tuned in the last frequency.

"Saffron, you there?"

Saffron said, "You're breaking up. Can you speak up?"

She shouted back cheekily, "That loud enough for ya?"

"Yeh Su!" came Saffon's muffled response. "I'm deaf!"

At Wash's querying look, she said, "What? That oughtta teach 'um to quit their moanin'."

Saffron reported, "Spotting target. Guard with uniform bearing Niska's emblem buying some minced cat meat for lunch."

Kaylee and Wash looked at each other and both made gagging noises.

Saffron continued. "Yeah, pretty gross. He's the one I'll hit on. Going to black till I'm in."

"Got it," said Kaylee. Reporting to Jayne, "Saffron's workin' it. Status Jayne?"

A grumble came back, "entering the complex. Frisk station up ahead. Going to black."

"Book?"

"Simon's buying the goods. Report back when we're ready to go. Going to black."

Kaylee bit her nail and turned to Wash, "now we wait…"

--

Mal, Zoë and Jayne got off the shuttle that had transported them off the planet Ezra and onto the moon which housed Niska's Skyplex. They had been frisked at the shuttle station, but their weapons were handed back to them once they disembarked. The shuttle service was a measure of public transport, ferrying people who worked or lived on the smaller moon. Book, Simon, River and Saffron were also taking shuttles onto the Skyplex, although they were travelling separately.

"Surely can't miss the Fang Pi presence here can you? Planet's practically a monument to himself," said Zoë.

"Surely can't," said Mal distractedly as he looked up at the building that housed the business hub of Niska's operations. It was a menacing sight. Black and silver chrome everywhere. As menacing as the man within.

"Right, lets get going-"

"Ah, no need for that Mal. I think we're bein' welcomed real friendly like," said Jayne as he nodded to the left.

Looking in that direction, Zoë and Mal noticed about ten soldiers making their way towards the trio. "Sure didn't skimp on ammo, did the Wong Ba Duhn,?"

The captain of the group of soldiers approached Mal directly, "Captain Reynolds?"

"Depends on whose askin'?"

The Captain ignored Mal's quip and continued, "Mr. Niska has been expecting you. Please come this way."

"Real civilized 'aint they? How come we still have our weapons?" whispered Jayne.

Mal nodded briefly, "All parta the show Jayne. Just part of the show."

"Yeah, niceties before they feed us to their dogs," added Zoë blandly.

Following the Captain, Mal, Zoë and Jayne were escorted into the Skyplex via a series of elevators.

All ten soldiers escorted them to the top floor of the building, which told Mal Niska wasn't taking any chances. The fact that they still had their weapons meant Niska was not worried bout them bein' able to blast their way out of there. They were goin' in, but they weren't gettin' out. Even with that knowledge, Mal felt a lot better knowing his pistols were holstered at his sides.

The elevator doors slid open and Mal, Zoë and Jayne stepped into the foyer of a massive circular office. Sunlight from two suns streamed in from the glass windows which surrounded the entire office. It was like they were encased in crystal.

The soldier's spread out around the perimeter of the room, guns at the ready. Mal walked into the room and took a minute to critically look around. Inara wasn't there. There weren't any signs she had been there. But then Niska always cleaned up real well.

A door opened silently to the left of where they had entered the room, and Adelei Niska, dressed impeccably in a tailored grey suit, stepped out – smiling.

"Captain Reynolds, so nice of you to join me. After our last encounter, I wasn't sure you would come," he said smoothly, condescending sneer in place.

Niska had moved to sit behind the huge desk in the centre of the room. Mal stepped towards him, Zoë and Jayne close behind, "Seein' as I haven't missed your smiling face Niska, hows about we skip the Go se and focus. Where's Inara?"

"Mal, can't we at least cover the pleasantries before getting down to business?"

Mal's fists clenched. "Wasn't aware we had any business to be takin' care of. Show me Inara," he demanded.

Niska's patience seemed to have run out. "Making demands here won't get you anywhere Captain. Why not have a seat, and we can discuss an arrangement that can," he paused for a second, "mutually benefit us both." Niska pointed to the stuffed sofas off to the left of the room.

A growl came from Jayne and Mal heard Vera being cocked, "Mutually beneficial my Pi Gu."

Jayne pointed Vera at Niska, "Give me the word Mal."

"Jayne! Woah!" Zoë shouted.

Niska's icy voice said, "You have ten of my best shooters aiming their rifles at you Boy. Don't ruin my day by forcing me to put an end to the pleasantries I had so painstakingly planned for all of you." Ten rifles were cocked and pointed at Jayne.

"Inara," said Mal. "I want to see that she's alive. Then we deal," said Mal. "Your shooters may get Jayne, but not before he gets you too."

Niska looked over at his Captain and nodded almost imperceptibly. A viewing screen on the wall switched on and Mal's knees went weak.

It showed Inara in a darkened space, tied to a pillar in the centre of a room, her eyes covered, her hands bound, the gag that would have covered her mouth was hanging around her neck like a bloodied noose.

Mal remembered his time, and Wash's time, in a similar room at the hands of Niska. Wo De Tian A.

Her head hung limply, her chin touching her chest. There was dry or wet blood, he couldn't tell, around her wrists and caked on the front of her gown. It would have been white when she was taken. It now resembled a canvas on which the artist had splurged red, grey, yellow and black paint.

"Inara, can you hear me?" asked Niska, his voice oddly soothing, looking directly at Mal.

Inara's head moved limply and she whimpered. Her hair was matted and coated in dry blood. She had been tortured. Mal was sure of it.

Mal felt Zoë tense at his side. He could feel Jayne's fury rise. His blood ran cold. He wanted to rip out Niska's throat. And he knew the man and woman beside him was ready to do the same. He needed to get their emotions, including his own, under control.

Saffron will get to her. Saffron will get to her. Mal kept repeating it to himself. All they needed to do was buy her the time to do it.

"Jayne!" Mal hissed. "Stand down." Captain and his soldier locked eyes. Jayne lowered his weapon.

Niska stood and gestured to the sofas. "Good to see you have control over your crew Mal. Now, shall we?"

Mal glanced at Zoë and touched Jayne's shoulder before crossing to the chairs and taking a seat.

Glossary:

Ben Tian Sheng De Yi Dui Rou: Stupid inbred sack of meat

Duhn Ruhn: Of course

Ping Ming: Fight for your life

Dohn-ma: Understand

Joo How Rin: Good luck

Yeh Su: Jesus

Fang Pi: Asshole's

Wong Ba Duhn: Sons of bitches

Go se: Crap

Pi Gu: Ass

Wo De Tian A: Dear God in Heaven