War and Serenity

By Michael Weyer

Pressing Exit

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"Gotta give it up to Lando," Mal said as he chewed on his breakfast. "The man always had a knack for landing on his feet."

"I gotta say, I wasn't taken by him at first," Wash admitted. "But finally having a real bed to sleep in is winning me over well."

The majority of the crew were seated around a large table in the expansive apartment Lando had arranged for them. It was a nice place with a wonderful view of the city and various rooms for each. Even Mal had to admit it was nice to finally be able to unwind somewhere nice for a chance and with some decent food as well. The only person not present was Kaylee, who insisted on helping the mechanics fix Serenity's hyper drive.

"I am curious as to your past with Lando, Inara," Mal talked to the Companion."

"A lady is inclined to some personal things, Captain," she smoothly answered.

Mal smirked. "Would those 'personal things' be related to how he rolled out the carpet for us so well?"

Inara simply narrowed her eyes in annoyance and Mal realized the conversation was finished for her part. "I don't think we should be getting too comfortable," he said. "Soon as the boat's ready, we're taking off."

"What about the cargo?" Zoe asked.

"Already managed to get a buyer lined up," Mal answered. "The money should be enough to keep us going for a while. Important bit is hauling metal as fast as we can."

"What's the rush, Mal?" Jayne asked as he chewed on a piece of meat with his bare hands. "Seems a good place to lie low for a while."

"Too good," Mal informed him. "When I was out searching for buyers, I happened to look around a lot. And what I saw were a lot of familiar faces. Remember Callis?"

Zoe raised an eyebrow. "Been a few years. Heard he'd dropped out of the rackets."

"Whether he has or not, he's around here," Mal said. "And he's not the only one I've seen either."

"So a lot of guys are laying low here?" Jayne remarked. "Huh, maybe something to consider."

"Another time," Mal said. "Seeing as how Solo and his friends are going their own way, I don't see any reason to delay our exit from here."

"I agree with the captain," Simon intoned as he entered the room.

"Now, there's a string of words I don't hear from your mouth often enough, Doc," Mal noted. "River sleep okay?"

Simon's face was grave as he shook his head. "No. She didn't. She was having nightmares."

Wash swallowed his food. "Ah, Mal, when the seer gal starts fretting in her dreams, I think it's time to start sweating a bit."

"All the more reason to make tracks, then," Mal nodded. "As soon as we get the okay from Kaylee, we're setting off."

"Any line of new jobs?" Zoe asked. "Hopefully the kind that don't involve escapades?"

"Why break with what we're good at?" Jayne asked dryly.

Mal rolled his eyes. "Some days I wonder why I got into this line of work."

"You'd prefer an honest living, sir?"

"Let's not get crazy here, Zoe."

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Lando hadn't been lying when he said he hated the business side of running Cloud City. The never-ending stream of troubles piled on his desk faster then he could handle them and even his amazing skills at conning people were hard pressed to find common ground for everyone. He wished yet again he'd never thought up taking control of this place but he was stuck with it for now.

When the door opened, he sighed, sure it was yet another task to put on his plate. He looked up to see Lobot enter, his aide's face as expressionless as always. "What now?" Lando asked in a tired voice.

Lobot seemed to pause before speaking. "We…have a communication coming in for you, sir."

Lando frowned. "From who?"

"It's…difficult to express, sir.'

Lando frowned deeper. In all the time he'd known Lobot, the man had never expressed anything close to worry or nervousness. But there actually seemed to be concern in his eyes and that was enough to tell Lando the situation was serious. He reached to activate the view screen on his desk…and instantly felt his blood go cold at the image presented.

"I assume I am speaking to Administrator Calrissian?" Darth Vader's breathing echoed over the channel. He appeared to be standing at the bridge of a craft and Lando felt more than a bit nervous to see a familiar set of stars on the large window behind him.

"Um, yes," Lando said, doing his best to smile. "How can I help you, Lord Vader?"

"I have reason to believe a group of wanted Rebels are hiding in your city," Vader intoned. "We shall be in the vicinity of Bespin within the hour. You will ground all ships for our arrival and inspection."

Lando swallowed. "Lord Vader…with all respect, Cloud City is not part of the Empire. I assure you I have no knowledge of any Rebels in my city and my own security forces can be enough to handle any trouble."

Vader stared at him and Lando hoped the sweat wasn't too visible over the connection. "This is not a request, Calrissian," he intoned, his voice cold as ice. "I would urge you to do your best to comply with my directives. Otherwise, I would need to be…strict in my rebuke of you and your people." With that, the screen winked off, leaving Lando staring at it, worried he may have finally been dealt too difficult a hand.

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Luke was finishing his breakfast as Leia entered the room. He stopped and stared at the lovely red dress she was wearing, her hair in a nice bun. "Wow, nice."

"Thank you," Leia smiled. "Whatever else about Lando, he apparently has good taste with some outfits. It certainly looks better than what I had on before."

"He does seem friendly," Threepio chirped up from his place in the corner.

"Maybe too friendly," Leia said. "I think the faster we leave, the better."

Luke nodded. "I agree on that. I've been getting an odd feeling the last few hours. I can't place it but it feels…wrong."

Leia's face drew with concern. She'd known Luke long enough to know his feelings were usually correct. Before she could speak, Han entered from a side room, Chewbacca behind him. ""Damn, been too long since I could have a decent shower. Now we just need to…" He stopped and took in Leia. "Wow…Princess, you clean up nice."

Leia wasn't sure whether he was serious or not, simply nodding in reply. "I got a message through to Rogue Squadron. They should be sending a shuttle to meet us under a false name. It'll be here by afternoon."

"Enough time to get a good meal in," Han said. "Lando's sure to have something set up."

"I don't know if I trust him," Leia said.

"Hey, I don't trust him," Han retorted. "But he is my friend. And he's giving us some sanctuary, which is more than we'd get elsewhere."

There was a chiming as the door slid open and Lando entered at a fast pace, his face drawn and cape billowing behind him. "You all need to go," he said without preamble. "Now."

"What's wrong?" Luke demanded as he got to his feet.

Lando shook his head at Han. "You really outdid yourself here, Han. I always knew you had a talent for pissing people off but Vader?"

"Vader?!" Leia's eyes went wide. "What are you talking about?"

"He just contacted me," Lando said. "He's heading here now and he's looking for some Rebels. I keep my ear to the ground, Han, I know you've been working with them."

"Dammit," Han muttered. "We have to get out of here."

"I've already got a ship ready to go," Lando told them. "I've fixed the logs so it'll look like it took off before Vader contacted me. I can bluff my way and let him think you got away under my nose."

"That's too dangerous for you," Leia declared.

Lando gave her a sly smile. "I've talked my way out of worst spots, believe me. What matters is getting you all out of here."

"Wait, what about Reynolds and his crew?" Luke asked.

"They'll have to take their chances," Han said as he grabbed his blaster belt and buckled it on.

"We can't just leave them!" Luke protested.

"It's us Vader's after, not them!" Han pointed out. "They'll be better off here, the Empire will pass them over and they'll be gone. Reynolds was always good at keeping himself safe, he'll manage."

"I'll keep an eye out for them," Lando said. "But come on, the ship can't wait long and Vader will be here soon, you've got to get moving!"

Leia sighed as they started to move. "I may not like Reynolds but I'm not comfortable leaving him alone."

"If I know Reynolds, he'll be fine," Han said as they left. "Well, relatively speaking."

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As terrifying as Darth Vader's visage was on a screen, the actual man was enough to make even Lando break into a cold sweat. He strode out of his shuttle with his cape billowing behind him, accompanied by a platoon of storm troopers and a few officers. Lando's personal guards tensed but were smart enough to know they were outmatched by the opposing force. Lando himself tried to keep calm as he bowed his head. "Lord Vader. Welcome to Cloud City."

"We will dispense with the pleasantries, Calrissian," Vader said as he marched past Lando. "I assume the lockdown has been in place?"

"I ordered it as soon as you contacted me," Lando said, making himself sound groused, which wasn't difficult. "A lot of captains raised hell about it, a lot of shipping being delayed."

"That is not my concern," Vader said. "We have records of the people we are searching for. You will give them to your security force to begin a search." An officer handed a data pad to Lando. He keyed it up to show images of Han, Chewbacca, Luke and Leia. With the gift of hundreds of card games, Lando managed to keep his face innocent as he looked them over.

"Also," Vader stated. "You will tell me the location of a ship called Serenity."

It took all Lando had not to stumble in place or show his shock. Han and his friends had gotten off in the shuttle before Vader's ship got into range and would be safely gone. But that Vader would be interested in Reynolds hadn't occurred to Lando at all. "I'd have to check our records, we get a lot of traffic here." He was thinking furiously on how to get word to Reynolds before Vader found him.

"Lando?" The procession in the hallways paused as Kaylee raced up toward them. The young woman had a bright smile on her face despite it being streaked with dirt and sweat. She was glad in her usual coveralls, opened a bit to show her dark shirt and pants. "Listen, I had to thank you nicely for your help and all, the ship is purring like new! Mal and the rest are there now, we're about to go and…"

"Um, Kaylee," Lando said, glancing at Vader beside him. "Not the best time."

Kaylee seemed to catch sight of Vader at last and her smile faded. "Um…oh….ah….I see you're…busy." She swallowed and started to back away. "I guess I should be wandering off then. Thanks again, though, appreciation is high…"

"Wait," Vader said. "What ship do you work for?"

"Me? Ship?" Kaylee let out a giggle. "Oh, no, no ship for me, just your resident Cloud City mechanic, that's me and all!" She started to back up slowly, licking her suddenly dry lips. "I guess, I'd best be getting back to work, it was interesting to meet you and…"

"Stop." Vader waved a hand and Kaylee froze in place, her eyes going wide as she felt her muscles lock up. Lando stiffened watching but a glance at the troops around him made him forget interfering. Vader himself stepped forward, his gaze fixed on the young woman. He glanced her over as if searching for something and nodded. "You work for Serenity."

Kaylee tried to protest but her mouth wouldn't move. Vader stepped forward and waved a hand at her. "You know that ship."

"I…know that ship," Kaylee found herself answering in a flat tone.

"You will take me there now."

"I'll take you there now."

"Lord Vader," Lando began.

"This is business of the Empire, Calrissian," Vader cut him off. "You can give my aides access to your system and then stay out of my way. And you'd best hope we do not find evidence you knew of these people or the measures I take shall be…strict."

With a wave of his hand, Vader made Kaylee turn and begin to lead the way down the hallways, the storm troopers falling in behind him. Lando watched them go and let out a sad sigh. Sorry, Mal, I've done what I can. Afraid you're on your own from here on in.

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"Golrdanit, where is that woman?" Mal demanded as he paced the hold of the ship. "One time she's needed and she decides to go wandering."

Zoe was coming towards him from the gangplank. "Wash says the engines check out but we're under some lockdown by Cloud City control."

"Sure we can overlook that little detail," Mal said. "Sadly, not much sense in going if we don't have the only one capable of keeping this ship running with us."

"She's coming." Mal and Zoe turned to see River sitting on a crate. For the umpteenth time, Mal wondered just how the girl was able to come and go like that without being spotted. That question was brushed aside by the haunted look on her face. "She's coming with the shadow man. He's coming and the hidden knight will have to shed his hide to face him."

"Maybe we oughta have kept that droid, Mal," Jayne piped up from the weapons rack at the side of the bay. "Six billion languages, one of 'em's gotta be able to tell what this gal's saying."

Mal looked at River and then to Zoe. "Tell Wash to get the engines warmed up. We may be needing a fast take off."

A rumble went out from nearby that Mal recognized as the opening of the doors to the repair bay Serenity was placed in. "Why oh why am I getting a very dropping feeling in my stomach at that sound?" he asked no one in particular.

Jayne and Zoe had known Mal long enough to recognize the look on his face and both were alert as they joined him in facing the open bay doors. They heard the sound of heavy footsteps as Kaylee came into view, her face blank. The three professional soldiers all felt a chill at the sight of the black-garbed man leading a pack of troopers into the ship.

"You'll be letting the gal go right about now," Mal said in a voice calmer than he felt.

"I do not believe you are in a position to make demands, Captain Reynolds," Vader intoned.

Mal drew his blaster carefully, the storm troopers lifting their rifles in response. Vader stared at Mal for a moment before waving his hand. Kaylee blinked, shaking her head as she looked around. "Cap'n? How did…"

"Get over here, Kaylee," Mal instructed and the woman quickly complied. Mal kept himself steady as Vader stepped forward, his breathing echoing through the bay. "Captain Reynolds, you are to be held in questioning regarding your involvement with the Rebellion."

"I don't take sides," Mal retorted. "I fly for hire, whoever wants me to do a job, I'll do it, provided the pay is good." He glanced behind him to see that River had vanished from her spot on the crate. For once, he was happy to see her disappearing act, she needed to stay out of sight for this.

"You were seen taking them from Sullust," Vader stated. "We have reports of your altercation there."

"Just a mild disagreement," Mal brushed off. "Comes with the territory."

Vader glared at him through the mask. "You gave shelter and transport to wanted Rebels, Reynolds. You will be detained, all of you for questioning."

Jayne had Vera raised and aimed at Vader. "And you'll be getting that suit of yours scraped off the walls if you come closer."

Vader didn't glance at him but raised a hand and Jayne began choking, grabbing at his throat as he gasped for breath. In a flash, Mal was aiming his blaster at Vader's helmet. "Only one who chokes Jayne is me," he growled. "Let him go now."

Vader simply clenched his fist and Jayne's gasping grew louder as he fell to his knees. Zoe was at his side but unable to help as the man's breath was cut off. "Leave him alone!" Kaylee cried out but a wave of Vader's other hand sent her sailing back against a crate, slumping to the deck.

"Let him go." The strong voice carried through the bay, causing everyone but Jayne to turn around. Shepherd Book was standing at the catwalk overlooking the bay. The man's face was determined and strong as he held some sort of object in his right hand.

Vader straightened up and Jayne let out a gasp as the vise on his throat vanished. "Master Bookau," the Sith Lord muttered. "You survived."

"Get out of here now, Vader," Book said and Mal was struck by the menace in the usually kind tones of the elder man. "These people haven't done anything to you."

"They give shelter to enemies of the Empire," Vader said. "They will pay the price. As will you."

Book simply stared before shaking his head. "I had hoped to resolve this in a peaceful matter. Old habits and all. But…"

His thumb pressed on a button and the metallic cylinder in his hand emitted a solid blue blade of energy. In one smooth motion, Book leapt off the catwalk, somersaulting in the air and landing on his feet, launching himself forward at Vader. The black armored figure had his own red light saber out and blocking the attack as the two began dueling, Book moving like a man twenty years younger as he ducked and struck.

"These ain't my eyeballs," was all Mal could say as he took in the display. Zoe was able to shake off her own shock enough to raise her rifle and shoot down a pair of storm troopers. The others raised their rifles but the blast of a cannon ripped through the air. From his place on the floor, Jayne was firing off Vera, the blaster bolts cutting down a trio of troopers. Mal was backing toward the shelter of crates as he fired his own blaster, the remaining troops taking cover as best they could.

Book and Vader were continuing their battle, their light sabers clashing with sparks as they dueled about. Vader lunged, his saber striking against Book's, pressing the elder man back. Book grit his teeth as he pressed back but Vader's strength was too much. "You should have just stayed hidden, old man," Vader hissed.

A blaster bolt struck him across the shoulder and Vader let out an involuntary yell of pain. He twisted his head to see Mal aiming his pistol at him, a smug smirk on the smuggler's face. Anger filled Vader and the distraction was enough for Book to throw out a hand. A wave of energy struck Vader back, sending him rolling across the deck floor.

Mal raced to the nearest communicator and hit it. "Wash, get the engines fired up!"

"They already are!" Wash's voice yelled and Mal noticed the rumble in the ship for the first time. No doubt, Wash had heard the conflict below and knew a quick exit was needed. Mal nodded as he fired at a storm trooper near the ramp way. The man yelled as he went down, rolling down the ramp as the ship slowly began to lift off.

Vader was back on his feet, realizing his troopers had been cut down by the trio of smugglers. Jayne was firing a blast at him with Vera but a twirl of the red light saber deflected the blaster bolts away. Zoe fired a blast from her own rifle which Vader managed to dodge. All this was enough to give Book the time to reach a hand toward a crate nearby. The lined face tensed as he reached out and the crate slowly levitated off the floor. "Mal, cover!" he called out.

Mal leaned up from his hiding spot to fire a blast at Vader as Zoe unloaded another round. The Dark Lord stepped back as he deflected the two bolts at the same time Book sent the crate flying forward. Unable to dodge in time, Vader took the blow across his upper chest. The impact sent him falling back onto the ramp way just as Serenity lifted itself upward. With a yell of rage, Vader tumbled down the ramp way and fell ten feet to the docking bay below.

Mal raced to hit the button to raise the ramp way up and leaned on the doorway, taking several breaths. "Zoe," he gasped. "Get up top and tell Wash to get us into hyperspace as soon as we're clear. Doesn't matter where we go, just get us gone!"

"Aye, sir!" she said as she raced off.

Mal rubbed his head. "Jayne, get Kaylee to the doc, then come back down and start cleaning up this mess," he nodded at the dead troopers nearby. "And you…" He pointed at Book, who had turned his light saber off. "You and me, preacher, are gonna have many, many words at a rather loud volume from my part."

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Sure most saw it coming but wanted to get Book's secret out of the way. Next chapter will shine light on that as well as future plans for the crew.