Spartan's Quest – Chapter Nine
Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended. Fanfic only.
--
"I understand your reluctance, sir, I do," Simon said wearily. "The truth is, when the children were rescued, we assumed that the threat had been eliminated. The fact is, however, that a substantial threat remains. One that we cannot, at least right now, reveal. We simply do not have the information to give you."
"I know you was the doc that healed my boy, son," the grizzled man in the screen said kindly. "And while the boy speaks highly of you and your Missus, I just ain't of a mind to let the boy outta my sight again."
"You won't have to, sir," Simon smiled. "Arrangements have been made for your entire family to be taken to a safe location until this threat to the children can be eliminated. People are working on that already," he added.
"I can't rightly leave my farm, youngster," the man said flatly. "I don't get my crop in, then I can't pay my bills. Like to lose the farm."
"That isn't a problem, sir," Inara interjected. "Funds have been made available to us that will ensure your farm is taken care of, in your absence. You can hire someone locally, if you wish, of we'll find someone for you. If you choose to hire someone you know, we'll pay the bill. Please don't tell them the situation, however."
"And how do I explain goin' off during the season, then?" the man demanded.
"Simply say that you need to take your son to see a doctor off-world," Simon smiled. "We'll leave contact information with them, for here, so that if someone waves, looking for you, the message will come to me. If it's someone you wish to speak to, then we'll forward the message to you. If it isn't, then all they can do is come here, hoping to find the children."
"And don't that put you and yours in danger, son?" the farmer asked, concerned.
"We're perfectly safe, here, sir," Simon grinned. "They aren't likely to be able to penetrate the security of the grounds at all. If they are, then the security forces here are . . . quite formidable."
"Well, it seems like we ain't really got much of a choice, the way you tell it," the man scratched his rugged jaw thoughtfully. "I 'spect we'll better be goin', then."
"I'll be in touch with you before the day is out, sir, with transportation information," Inara smiled beautifully. "I'm sorry this has happened. And it's only temporary, until the danger to the children, and their families, is passed."
"What is it that you folks are gainin' by all this?" the man asked suddenly.
"We're gaining the knowledge that all of you, and the children, are safe," Simon said simply. "For us, that's more than enough." The man looked at him thoughtfully for a moment, and then nodded.
"That's a right good thing for you ta be doin'," he said quietly.
"Our employer is a good man, sir," Inara said simply. "He discovered what was happening, and moved at once to try and stop it. We thought we had," she shrugged helplessly. "This new threat caught us by surprise, in all honesty. We're still working to deal with it. We just want you and the children safe until it's dealt with."
"We're beholden to ya fer bringin' the boy home, anyway," the man smiled grimly. "Reckon you wanted him fer yaself, you'd just o' kept him when you had him."
"Thank you, sir," Simon smiled. "We'll be back to you soon." As the wave broke, Simon leaned back, weary.
"How many is that?" he asked, looking up at Inara.
"All but three," Inara smiled. "You've done very well, Simon," she patted his shoulder. "We'll wave the others after a bit of lunch."
--
"Everyone is settled," Yuki announced at the table that evening. The table, a small one set just off the kitchen, was a bit crowded, but not badly. Jayne and River, Mal and Neera, Zoe, Eric and Ursa, and the two team leaders were gathered around it, eating.
"Good," Jayne nodded. He looked at Jerl McCann and his counterpart, Todd Ellery. "Security?"
"It's fine, Milord," Ellery replied, and McCann nodded. "All the systems are now up and running. The local sheriff is aware of the problems we may face, and will have his men prepared to move to our support, if needed."
"Ursa, are you fixed well enough, supply wise?" Jayne asked next.
"I should think so," she nodded. "You brought enough to feed a small army for several weeks, and the larders here are well stocked. And," she grinned, "we do have stores in town, you know."
"True," Jayne chuckled. "Well, whatever is needed, I'll leave it to you, and Yuki, to deal with. There's money available for clothing or whatever else they need, so there's no trouble with that. Have I overlooked anything?" he asked, looking around the table.
"Armory?" Mal asked pointedly.
"Not a problem," Eric smiled. "This place is designed as a citadel, Cap'n," he explained. "We're well stocked, even for a seige."
"Communications?" River asked. "If there's trouble, they need to be able to contact us."
"Dedicated cortex connection," Ursa smiled at the young woman across from her. "We can get out, even when the system is down."
"Sounds like it's all set, then," Mal offered. Heads nodded in agreement.
"Then we'll head out in the morning," Jayne told the assembled group. "We got things to see to," he told Eric and Ursa. "You can expect more company, I'd imagine, in the next couple weeks or so. Probably fifteen or so more kids, and likely their families as well. See to it that they're settled, and taken care of."
"I'll see to it, lad," Eric nodded.
"Mal, seven in the morning work for you?" Jayne asked. Mal nodded.
"Sure."
"Seven it is, then. Time to go huntin'."
--
Mal and Neera walked quietly through the small garden in front of the house. They hadn't spoken much, just walked hand in hand, enjoying each other's company. The last three days had been restful for them both, with little for them to do but wait on everything to be set for their departure.
"Well, I 'spose we'll be goin' and pickin' up the rest, reckon?" Mal said at last, looking up at the stars.
"Could be," Neera shrugged, laying her head against Mal's shoulder. "I really don't know, to be honest. He hasn't said anything about what he plans to do once we leave."
"I know him and 'Tross aim to head out after that Brockman character," Mal told her. "Ain't no doubt o' that, even without them sayin' it. I can hear it in her voice, ever time she speaks."
"Yes," Neera agreed. "I'm sure you're right. And it's got to be done," she added.
"True," Mal nodded. "Just don't like not knowin' what all is goin' on, that's all. We ain't got nowhere near 'nough information on all this to suit me."
"Well, we know what he looks like, thanks to River," Neera reminded him. "And once we 'speak' to Badger, I'm sure we'll know a bit more." Mal snorted at that, imagining what the little weasel was in for.
"I wouldn't be surprised."
"Mal, why are we out here, talking about all this?" Neera asked, her voice soft, inviting. Mal looked at her, and smiled.
"Got somethin' else in mind, then?" he asked teasingly, and she almost purred.
"I do, indeed."
"Well, then," Mal turned to take her in his arms, "'spect we can leave talk about business 'til mornin'."
--
"What do we do now, Jayne?" River asked, as she lay entwined with him in their bedroom.
"Well," he mused, "we got two things need doin' right off. One, we find Brockman, and discuss all this with him," his voice grew cold at that. "And two, we gotta start roundin' up the other children, and their families, and gettin' them out here, where we can keep'em safe."
"Are you going to have Mal do that?" River asked, running her fingers lightly through his hair.
"I ain't sure that's a good idea," he told her, eyes closed at the feeling of her hands in his hair, and on his skin. "Brockman knows that Mal was bringing the orphans somewhere, so he'll be on the lookout for him. I had considered hiring a freighter, and asking Mal to leave Serenity at the estate for the time being. Use the hired ship to pick up the others, and bring them here."
"He won't like that," River warned.
"He won't like gettin' shot up, neither," Jayne pointed out. "Or losing his ship, if that was to happen. If he lived through it."
"True," River sighed, accepting the premise. "He will still be resistant," she added.
"Well, he ain't gotta do it," Jayne shrugged. "I'd feel better if he was in charge of things, but I can't make him do it. And he knows that Serenity has a high profile. I think he'll see reason."
"You realize that you just said 'Mal' and 'reason' in the same sentence, don't you?" River grinned.
"Anything's possible."
--
"I don't like it," Mal said at once, when Jayne outlined his plan the next morning.
"Mal, all I'm asking is that you consider what I said," Jayne sighed. "Serenity is a high profile ship, and Brockman has already connected her to the orphans. He'll have people looking for you. At the least, he could have someone follow you here. At worst?"
"We can make sure we ain't followed," Mal said stubbornly.
"Can you defend yourselves, if you're attacked?" Jayne wanted to know. "You ship is unarmed. I can get an armed corvette, with a crew, that will be more than large enough to carry everyone. If I have to, I'll get a freighter, and put armed shuttles aboard it, in case you're attacked in the black. Leave Serenity at the estate, where she'll be safe."
"I don't like using a ship I ain't used to," Mal replied, wavering.
"You'll have plenty of time to get used to her," Jayne promised. "You'll have the time spent going from moon to world, gathering the children and their families. Security needs to be high on this, Mal, and you know that."
Mal looked at Jayne for a long time, clearly weighing his options. Finally, he nodded, albeit reluctantly.
"Fine. We'll do it your way," he said grudgingly. "But if anything happens to my ship, Jayne . . ."
"I'll fix it," Jayne promised. "Trust me, Mal, this is for the best. You'll see."
"Let's get movin'," Mal said irritably. "Got things to do, and we're a good few days from your place."
"I'll see if we can't have the ship meet us, somewhere," Jayne promised. "Then we'll have Serenity taken back to the estate, and left there. Anyone gets a look at it, they'll think you're still there."
"Might try something at the estate," Mal pointed out.
"I've increased the security there, Captain Daddy," River promised. "And eliminated the few holes that someone might use to intrude."
"Fine," Mal repeated. "Let's get goin'."
"That went better than I thought it would," River commented, as Mal stalked back toward his ship.
"I told you he'd see reason."
--
"I'll see to the ship at once, Janos," Prim nodded. "On a brighter note, Master Tam has succeeded in contacting all of the families, and convinced them to take the offer of assistance until the danger is passed."
"Excellent," Jayne smiled. "Knew he'd come in handy, someday." River elbowed him playfully at that, and Jayne chuckled.
"I'll let you know where the ship can meet you, Milord," Prim fought the smile that threatened to bloom at seeing his liege so happy, for once.
"Fine. Good work, Prim. And pass a well done to Inara and Simon for me," Jayne added.
"I'll do so," Prim nodded, and broke the connection. Jayne hit the com.
"Harry, are we ready?" he asked.
"We are, Milord," the woman replied at once. "Serenity is also ready, and standing by. Captain Reynolds' exact words were, 'what's the gorram hold-up over there'."
"Tell him we're leaving," Jayne chuckled again. "And get us off world, on course for home."
"Aye, Milord."
--
"We've had no word at all from Jackson?" Brockman asked his 'assistant'.
"None, sir," the man confirmed. "He has never failed us before, and he is aware of the . . . penalty, for treachery. We must assume that he has met with . . . difficulties."
"Can't you ever just speak plainly?" Brockman sighed.
"He knows you would kill him if he turned on you, and he's been destroyed," the aide shrugged. "That's really the only possible solution, based on what little we know."
"Any word on Reynolds, or that ship of his?" Brockman demanded.
"Not since we learned he was taking the children somewhere, sir," the assistant shook his head. "Jackson was supposed to . . . ."
"I know," Brockman didn't snarl, but only by the greatest effort. "Make sure that weasel on Persephone knows that I want to know it the minute Reynolds surfaces."
"Yes, sir," the aide nodded. "Anything else?"
"I want Peters and his men to start picking up the children that were returned to their families. Start with the rim worlds, then move to the core."
"Yes, sir," the aide replied, more subdued this time.
"I've come this far," Brockman spoke aloud as the aide left the room. "I've come this close, and no one is going to stop me. I don't care who it is, or what they do. I will have what's mine."