It has been far too long since I was able to update this fic. At long last I believe I have figured out my writer's block, and can tie the story so far to the ending I have in mind. If you're no longer interested, I certainly understand. If you are, however, then here we go. . . . .
Chapter Nineteen
One looked up as the jailer came to his cell and opened the door.
"You got a visitor," the man said without fanfare. "Lawyer," he added.
"I have no attorney," One told him.
"Do now, and he wants to see ya, so get up and let's get movin'." The jailer's attitude was one of belligerence. He and Five had both been subjected to much ill treatment over the last three days as various officers and prisoners made their feelings known about men who attacked children.
It had come as a shock to One when he realized that he had, indeed, attacked a teenage girl. His Chief had given him poor information and as a result he and the surviving member of his team were in quite a lot of trouble.
Worse, their status as agents of the Tribe meant nothing off world, as he was learning rapidly. No one cared the least bit who he was, worked for, or came from. All they were interested in was the fact that he and his compatriots had attacked a child.
"Very well," One sighed in reply. There was no sense in arguing with the man. While he could likely kill the out of shape jailer without breaking a sweat, it would not see him free of this place and would merely add to his present troubles.
He followed the man to one of the interrogation rooms. He was all to familiar with them after three days of endless questioning. He had revealed nothing as yet, but was beginning to feel as if he had been abandoned by his Chief.
"In here," the jailer ordered. One looked into the room only to see what looked like an older man in a conservative suit checking his watch as he rested his arms on a leather briefcase.
"I do not know this man," he told the jailer, who shrugged.
"Not my problem," was the reply. "You meet with him since he's your attorney of record. You don't wanna talk, then don't. But I gotta put you with'im. It's the law. So in you go."
Realizing there was no real alternative, One stepped inside. The jailer closed the door at once and locked it. One studied the man sitting at the table. Rather than speak, the man opened his briefcase and removed a small device about the size of an ammo box. He flipped a series of switches and One saw a row of lights blink to life.
"Sit down, fool," he heard the voice of his Chief speak. Shocked, One sat.
"You have caused me many problems," Flint hissed over the table. "How is it that you imbeciles attacked a teen girl?" One flushed in anger at the dressing down, not least because it was patently unfair.
"We followed your instructions," he replied. "You told us that the wife of Ironhorse was a slight woman with brown hair and would be accompanying him. When Four attempted to take his shot, Ironhorse stepped in front of the target and took the round meant for her. Unfortunately he was wearing armor, and recovered much quicker than he should have. He was able to kill Two and Three on the ground as they pursued the woman you told us would be the target."
"Surely you can tell the difference between a grown woman and a teenage girl!" Flint hissed again.
"You told us she was of petite build, much smaller than the package," One growled back. "The teenage girl perfectly matched the description you gave us of the woman you wanted dead. We did as ordered, my Chief. And three of our number are dead because of it."
"You blame me for this?" Flint looked shocked.
"We acted on your orders, with information provided by you," One nodded. "You certainly share in the blame. When will I be released?"
"Released?" Flint's eyebrows shot up beneath his wig. "You'll be lucky not to be executed!"
"We are agents of the Council and immune to prosecution," One reminded him. "I should have been released as soon as that was established."
"We aren't on Tokala, you idiot!" Flint fought the urge to scream at the obtuse agent. "Your immunity is no good here."
One had already known this thanks to his many visitors, but having it confirmed by his Tribal Chief still came as a shock.
"So you will abandon us here?" he asked.
"No," Flint shook his head. "But I need some time to arrange for your escape. I need you to continue to stonewall the authorities while I work to get you freed. I must have transportation standing by to spirit you away from here the minute you are free. In addition your surviving crewman is still in hospital. Apparently the real target," his voice dripped with scorn, "attacked and injured him quite severely. It will be at least a week and perhaps two before he can travel."
"I will be lucky to survive a week in here," One admitted. "The prisoners are surprisingly angry at what they perceive to be an attack upon a minor. I do not understand this. On Tokala she would already be married."
"We aren't on Tokala," Flint resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "I may have mentioned that once before," he added.
"Do not treat with me in that way," One ground out. "I have served you well, as did those who have fallen. We deserve better from the man who is responsible for our being here."
Flint said nothing, but did nod, acknowledging the hit.
"As I said, I am working to get you free and off world. You must be patient, and reveal nothing in the meantime. Our plans will depend on the well being of you fellow. When he can travel we will make our move, but not before. You must remain silent until then. Understand?"
"I will do so for now," One nodded. "If I believe you are to abandon me, I will consider my loyalty to you to be severed, and will work for my own best interests from that point. I will not be sacrificed as if I were but a pawn."
"Don't presume to threaten me!" Flint's voice rose in spite of his need to be cautious.
"I do not threaten," One assured his Chief. "I state fact."
"So long as you remain quiet, all will be well," Flint promised. He had just made the decision that One would not survive. The man was becoming more truculent by the second, and Flint had no doubt the man would betray him at a moment's notice if it served his interests. "You are correct that this is at least partly my fault, and I will make things right in so far as possible."
"I cannot bring the fallen back to life, but I will see to it that their families are compensated for their loss. It is all I can do at this point." He would also compensate One's family, of course. He would have died bravely in service to his Tribe and his Chief.
"Very well," One seemed to accept this. "I will await word from you." He stood, knocking on the door to attract the jailer.
"Be patient, and persevere," Flint said just as the jailer opened the door. He waited for the man to depart before securing the dampening device and leaving himself. He departed the building without so much as a backward glance.
His daughter had been wise in this matter. Flint had erred many times in pursuit of his goal, but this was the worst blunder he had ever made. He would have to eliminate the two surviving Fingers, then hire local help to deal with his problems.
This was becoming an expensive venture.
FF
After Flint left, the jailer returned to the room. He had ensured that the cameras in the room were off before returning, and now reached under the table and removed a small recording device.
Flint's dampening device might work on microphones and wireless transmitters, but old fashioned recording devices were much harder to spoof.
Mitchell Thorne walked away from the jail with no one inside the wiser that he had impersonated a jailer for the last three days. He had what he needed now, however, and his stint as a 'turnkey' was over.
He headed back to his office, listening to the recording as he walked. He would have to make a call when he reached the office.
It was too bad that this information couldn't be used in court. But then he was fairly certain that his client wasn't interested in court room justice.
FF
"Still doesn't tell us what they're after," Jayne grunted after River revealed what Thorne had learned.
"No, it doesn't," River nodded, her face one of thought. "In all honesty it doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know or suspect, but it does confirm several things. I still cannot see what would be so important that they would expend so many resources trying to get you back to Tokala, and under their thumb."
"There's not a reason," Jayne was getting tired of repeating that.
"Jayne, I know you don't think there's a reason," River sighed. "But there has to be something they want. No one does all this for no reason," she repeated. "They have lost an entire special forces unit, killed or captured. I can't believe that Flint isn't going to face some serious repercussions over that alone. That means that whatever it is that he thinks he has to gain, it's valuable. At least to him."
Jayne thought about that. He still couldn't see anything in his past that would merit all this trouble, but he could see River's point. In fact Mal had made the same point, though with less insistence. Maybe they had the right of it, but he still couldn't see it. If only there was someone he could call. Someone who would know. . .
"Is there no one on Tokala you can speak to about this?" River broke into his thoughts. He was startled by how closely their thinking was tracking.
"I was just wishin' that," Jayne nodded absently. "But I don't know of nobody. All my people are dead," he shrugged helplessly. "There might have been a few, here and there, long time ago. But I can't recall a single name, nowadays."
"How closed is Tokalan society?" River asked suddenly. Jayne frowned.
"What you mean?"
"I mean is it a free and open society like Astra and Argo? Or is it more totalitarian like the Core?"
"Well, it's. . .see, it's not either one, really. I mean it is, in some ways. Tokalan culture is built on tribal customs and laws. Things that won't mean nothin' or make no sense to folks from off world is ever day business there."
"Like what?" River pressed.
"Well, like clan property for instance," Jayne was searching his memory for something that would help her understand. "Technically no one actually owns land on Tokala. The clans divvied up the planet according to tribal numbers, wealth, and a buncha other factors. The tribe owns a certain amount o' land and the people of that tribe, or clan, they work that land, hunt it, raise livestock, whatever the need is or whatever the clan needs be done."
"Communal living," River tried to clarify.
"Well, sorta," Jayne frowned. "It's hard to explain to someone who ain't lived there. It's not exactly a commune so much as a society that puts it's people before anything else. There's no need in a clan. Needy, I mean. No one goes hungry or without medical care. No one lacks clothing or a place to live. See what I mean? But at the same time clan members are free to engage in business ventures of their own to improve the lives of their individual family members."
"My pa, he was a craftsman. He made ceremonial things that were still in high demand by traditionalist. He also made knives. He specialized in throwing knives and fighting blades. Tokalan culture is big on blades," he grinned weakly as River snorted.
"I am shocked to hear that," she feigned surprise.
"Anyway, see what I mean?" he continued. "Commune ain't quite right, but it's not completely wrong, neither."
"So what happened to your clan's homelands, then?" River asked. Jayne blinked.
"What?" he leaned forward suddenly. "What did you say?"
"What became of your tribal homeland if your entire tribe was eliminated?" She could tell by the look on his face that this was something he'd never considered.
"I don't know," he admitted slowly. "I always assumed that some of our people who had married outside the tribe would return and. . . ." He trailed off, his face growing hard.
"I told you there was something," River said softly. "Your father was your tribal elder you said, correct?" Jayne nodded, his face a mask.
"Then as his heir, you would be in line for such a position as well?" she pressed, and he nodded again, eyes hard.
"After my brothers were killed, yeah."
"And if you were married to Annassa Flint, the heir of Flint's tribe?"
"It would combine their land and ours into one great big tract," Jayne made the connection with a growl. "That murderin' sum-bitch has done all this over land?"
"Jayne, how much land?" River tried to get him to see what was at stake. As smart as her zhang fu was, sometimes he couldn't see the forest for the trees.
"Well, I don't really know," Jayne admitted. "I was just a boy. I know you couldn't walk across it in a day," he added, frowning in concentration. "My people weren't really big on what they call 'progress', either. There was a lot o' mineral wealth that helped support the clan, but mostly we were self sufficient. We planted, raised livestock, we hunted and fished and made things. We didn't need much cause we didn't want much," he shrugged.
"It was a simple way to live," he added, almost smiling. "A good way."
"It sounds like it, my great bear," River smiled gently. "I think it possible that we have discovered what it is that Mister Flint seeks in you," she told him.
"I. . .I never thought about that," Jayne was stunned. He had left his home world on the warpath, never looking back or thinking even once of returning. "I didn't even think about it at the time, and haven't since," he admitted.
"Well apparently Mister Flint has thought about it a great deal," River said wryly. "We'll use that as a working assumption, at least for now. If we come up with something else then we'll reconsider."
"Works for me," Jayne nodded, mind still racing over the idea. "All this for some land," he shook his head.
"You said it was a lot of land, zhang fu," River reminded him. "Land with mineral wealth and presumably other resources."
"Water," Jayne nodded. "I remember that our water was always a sticking point with other tribes. I never knew why. I guess it wasn't as plentiful in other areas."
"Or was tainted," River nodded. "I think I'll just do a little research," she murmured, rising from her seat at the table and heading for the bridge. "Never know what you might turn up on the cortex."
"Good luck," Jayne told her. "Me and Liam usually work out about now," he added.
"Have fun," she called over her shoulder. Jayne noted the way she walked was a little off, and smiled at that. Their make-up sex the night before had been memorable to say the least.
He admitted that he might have over-reacted to events. It was just that everything had seemed to heading the same direction as it had with the Slasher. And that hadn't ended so well for him.
She was just headstrong, that was all. So smart that she couldn't fathom failure. Unfortunately for him, Jayne could fathom failure. Was on all too familiar terms with it, in fact. He knew that just because you were good, or smart, or fast didn't automatically mean you won.
FF
"If you do that, Father, there cannot fail to be repercussions," Annassa warned. Her father had just finished explaining his plans to his daughter.
"There is no other option," George Flint's eyes were hard. "That fool will betray us! He had the nerve to blame me for his idiocy!"
Annassa held her tongue, though she agreed with the team leader. There was reason to antagonize her relationship with her father further by telling him that.
"Then we must plan carefully," she offered instead. "There can be no link to us."
"I have thought of that," Flint nodded. "I have made a contact in the underworld of this place. A man who is familiar with both this world and the moon where Ironhorse makes his home. I believe he will make an excellent proxy for our business here."
"Is he trustworthy?" Annassa asked.
"In no way," her father replied at once. "But he can be bought, and he need not be told all. Merely enough to get the job done. Should he meet his demise in the doing, so much the better."
Annassa didn't flinch at the coldness her father displayed. She had seen it played out too many times before. She shared his attitude in fact, but applied her's to her own needs. Perhaps she could find a way to play this to her advantage.
"What will we do in the meantime?" she temporized.
"With proof that Ironhorse is dead, we can make an argument for the land," Flint explained. "The Tribal Council will likely rule in our favor."
"There is the possibility they will not," she warned. "We should have a contingency."
"Perhaps," Flint looked thoughtful. "Very well. I will pursue this plan to it's end, while you work to device the contingency in the event that my plan fails. Between us we should be able to succeed." He looked at her, smiling.
"It is good to have you with me in this, my daughter."
"It is agreeable to me as well," Annassa lied easily. "We will succeed, one way or another."
FF
"So how are things going around here?" Jayne asked as he and River looked out over the factory floor. He had to admit it looked like a great big ball of confusion to him.
"Just fine!" Kaylee almost chirped. "We'll be ready to start up production in another two weeks, give or take. Already startin' to hire folks."
"Really?" Jayne glance at her, then looked back at the floor. It didn't look like they were anywhere near ready.
"Don't let all that mess fool ya none," Kaylee assured him, waddling now as she walked up to the couple. "Won't be another four, maybe five days and ever thang'll be where it oughta," she promised. "We're mostly waitin' for the last of the plumbin' and such, which should be finished up tomorrow. After that we set what's left of the machinery in place, and we're shiny!"
"It looks complicated," River mused. "I can see the plan, however, and it looks sound. Very efficient, too."
"Made to give us the best solution from the fewest folk," Kaylee nodded. "Ain't that I don't want to give folks work, mind, but. . .well, it's a businesses, that's all. Got to think about the bottom line."
"How many jobs we talkin' about?" Jayne asked, interested.
"Maybe twenty, even twenty-five to start," Kaylee replied. "We'll probably add to that in a few months assumin' things take off like I think they will. But I don't want to hire a bunch of folks and then have to let'em go if we can't keep'em workin'."
"Good idea," River nodded. "We know you'll do what's best," she added, smiling at her sister-in-law. "We're just curious."
"No worries," Kaylee grinned, then touched her belly with a grimace.
"Active?" River asked, face betraying sympathy.
"Big time," Kaylee nodded. "Gonna be a ball player for sure." River laughed at that, and Jayne just shook his head. There was no way to know something like that, he figured.
"Well, guess we oughta head out," Jayne said finally. "We're headin' in to town with Liam and Chelsa to eat. You and Simon wanna come along?"
"I 'ppreciate it, Jayne, but I'm plum tuckered out," Kaylee admitted. "All I want right now is to lay down and get off my feet."
"Do not push yourself too far or too hard," River ordered. "We aren't in that big a hurry," she added.
"Ain't makin' no money with a idle plant," Kaylee shrugged.
"We can wait," River stressed. "Do not endanger yourself or Baby Simon."
"Baby Simon?" Jayne looked at her in surprise.
"We ain't namin' him Simon," Kaylee snorted. "Assumin' it's a he. We ain't looked. Wanna be surprised."
"Careful what you wish for," Jayne warned, smiling. "You okay to get home?"
"Yeah," Kaylee nodded. "Bradley's comin' to take me home."
"Never did get the story about him and Liam," Jayne frowned. "You get anything out of your mechanic?"
"Apparently there was a girl," Kaylee nodded. "And there might have been a bit o' confusion over who's girl she was s'posed to be, too. Thing is, the Towaters and Griggs don't cotton a tall, so that just throwed fuel on the fire, so to speak."
"Bradley ain't come right out and said so, but apparently he got the girl in the end, but toted a pretty good ass whoopin' in the process," she grinned. "He ain't one to forget it, I reckon, but I kinda told him that was one feud he oughta let go off, 'count o' Liam ain't really all that sociable no more."
"Why was he so interested in Chelsa if he got the girl?" Jayne demanded.
"What?" River's eyes widened. "What is this?"
"Reckon she changed her mind," Kaylee shrugged. "There was a third boy in there somewhere, I guess, and she decided to run off and marry him instead. So Bradley got his can tromped on and lost out on the girl in the end," Kaylee grinned impishly. "Reckon that'll make a fella a bit growly, getting beat up good over a gal that won't stick."
"Imagine so," Jayne nodded.
"I'd like clarification about this Bradley and his interest in my daughter," River said firmly. "I was unaware of this development. As she and Liam are still apparently an 'item', I fail to see where. . . ."
"Bradley works for me, and we was over to the ship a while back picking up an order from Astra," Kaylee explained. "Bradley showed an inordinate amount o' interest in Baby Cobb," she stressed the name, then stuck her tongue out at River, "and Liam went all stiff legged at that. Then Chelsa has to go and say that Bradely was cute right where he could hear, and . . . well, there ya are."
"Oh dear," River sighed. "And Liam was not. . . ."
"Oh, Chelsa made it clear that while Bradley might be cute, he wasn't that cute," Kaylee giggled. "Poor Bradley done got beat out again, looks like."
"I need to have a word with Chelsa about social interactions, I suppose," River frowned.
"We already did it," Kaylee smiled. "We explained that Liam wasn't really a kid no more, and Bradley still mostly is, and a fight between'em now might end poorly all way 'round. I think I made the point pretty good."
River nodded, but inwardly she experienced turmoil. She should have been the one to be there to guide Chelsa through that encounter. But she hadn't been. She had missed something important because of her rash actions.
"Don't worry over it," Jayne said softly. "Be plenty more to talk to her about. And it wasn't but the one thing," he added. River nodded, slightly mollified by Jayne's comments.
FF
Barum Ball considered his new employer carefully. It was clear the older man was accustomed to power and deference, but it was also apparent that the man had money.
He also had a very interesting job proposal that Ball found nearly irresistible.
"You want Cobb dead." Ball said. "Along with his wife and as many of his friends as possible. I got that right?"
"You do," Flint nodded. He despised dealing with this ruffian, but recent events had left him unable to do otherwise. "I now also have another problem I need. . .fixed, shall we say?"
"What problem would that be?" Ball asked, nursing his beer. He had come a long way since the days he had followed blindly on Argo. Since coming to Astra he had slowly and carefully created a good position for himself, and now ran a fairly large crew that was for hire on just about any job, so long as the price was right.
Ball tried to tell himself that he didn't really harbor any hard feelings against Reynolds and his outfit, and had succeeded until Flint had showed up with this job offer. Here was a chance to get at least some evens, and get paid at the same time. It was too much to just walk away from. But he had learned a good deal in the time since his troubles with Reynolds and his bunch. He didn't rush blindly into anything these days.
"What other problem?" Ball asked, leaning forward. Flint briefly explained the issue with his remaining men who were in custody. Ball frowned at that, and Flint saw it.
"You are squeamish?" he demanded. Ball's eyes grew hard at that.
"Mister Flint, you may be a big he-bull where you hail from," Ball said flatly. "But this ain't where you hail from. You're talkin' 'bout killin' two men loyal to you, and hiring me to do it. That don't give me a great deal of confidence in our own working arrangement. Makes me think you'll offer me anything to get me to do your dirty work, and then just try to hire someone to take me out, same as you're doing your own men. And since they are your own men, I don't see how I can expect any better treatment from you." Ball leaned back, studying the old man intently.
"Think you can see my concerns," he finished.
Inwardly Flint cursed himself. He had to stop assuming that everyone he spoke to on this wretched planet was an ignorant mouth-breather. While this Ball was clearly hygienically challenged and severely un-educated, he was clearly more savvy than Flint had given him credit for.
"That is an unfortunate situation, but one which they are aware of," Fling decided to use Ball's opinion of him to hide his intent. "As you say, I am a man of power where I 'hail from'. These men are sworn to me above all else, but our religion forbids them the taking of their own lives to protect me and our tribe. They expect me to support them in this, and as their Chief, I cannot fail them. I have sworn my loyalty to them as well. I cannot leave them to languish in prison. If I cannot free their physical bodies, then I am duty bound to free their spirits to return to our ancestral grounds. It is our way. I do not expect you to understand, since it is not your way." Flint laid it on thick, trying to show reluctance while pretending to hide the fake reluctance. Political wrangling had made him a fair actor over the years.
Ball fought the urge to snort in amusement. This old man was a real piece of work. Still, he was paying good money for something that Ball admitted he wouldn't mind doing for free. He'd never considered getting any kind of evens before simply because it wasn't good business.
Now it was business.
"I can do it but it will cost you," Ball said finally. There had been no chance he'd actually turn down the job, so long as the old man was willing to pay. "And I want the money up front."
"Ridiculous," Flint snorted. "I will not pay for results until I get results."
"Suit yourself," Ball shrugged, tossing off the rest of his beer and rising. "Considering your loyalty to the last group you put on this job, there's no way in hell I trust you to come through with the money after the fact. I'm sure someone will, though, eventually." He tossed two coins on the table to cover his beer and started walking.
Flint cursed his complacency once more. This trip had been a learning experience in more than one way. Their people had been isolated for too long. When he returned home, he would institute a program where selected agents would be sent abroad to immerse themselves in mainstream culture, learning how to interact among these barbarians.
In the meanwhile, he needed Ball.
"Wait," he called, hating himself for having to do so. Ball turned, looking at him.
"Fine, I'll pay you in advance," Flint grated. "But I warn you now -"
"Don't bother," Ball snorted. "You warnin' me is about like your story about how your men expect you to have'em killed so they can go home. Useless. I know your kind. I don't have to like you to take the job, or your money. So save your threats." He named a figure, and it was high. Twenty percent over what he'd intended to charge before Flint had developed his attitude.
"That's out -"
"Take it or leave it," Ball cut him off, hand raised. "Don't care either way. I'll be at my dock berth in two hours. Bring me the money then, in cash, or I'll assume you found someone else." With that, Ball turned and departed, never looking back.
Flint fumed at this treatment, but there wasn't much he could do about it at the moment. He would remember this, however.
He rose and departed quickly. He had a great deal to do, and less than two hours to do it.
He didn't notice the man two booths down get up and slip toward the door behind him.
FF
"Ball, huh," Jayne grunted as Thorne relayed this newest information. "Didn't know he was anywhere around, still."
"Know him, then?" Thorne asked. "I've checked around and he's got a rep here. Hasn't been operating long, but he's built a pretty good outfit. And he's a lot smarter than he looks."
"Wouldn't take all that much," Jayne snorted, and Thorne grinned. "Anyway, I appreciate it."
"No problem," Thorne nodded. "We'll keep watch on Flint, but Ball lifted about three hours ago. I managed to find out that he'd filed a plan to Argo. That doesn't mean he's going, of course, but it's likely, considering there's not much else close to here, and he didn't top his ship off before he left." Thorne paused.
"And he took most of his crew with him," he added.
"Any idea exactly how many?" River asked, frowning.
"Nineteen," Thorne replied after checking the notes in front of him. "Plus himself."
"Price must be going up," Jayne said, more to himself than anyone else. He leaned back in his seat, thinking.
"Thank you, Mister Thorne," River said. "Please keep us informed." She shut the terminal off and turned to look at Jayne.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
"I've got to find out what this is all about," Jayne sighed. "Maybe it's the land, maybe it's somethin' else, but Flint is the kind that will just keep on comin', and I'm not gonna have us puttin' up with that." He rose abruptly.
"I need to go see somebody," he said suddenly. "I'll be back in a bit."
"I'll come with you," River stood, but Jayne was shaking his head.
"Not this time," he told her gently. "Better do this on my own."
"Jayne, do not go off and do somethi -" She cut off abruptly as he turned sharply to look at her again.
"Are you really goin' there?" he asked, his voice low. "Really?"
River's face went red at the none to subtle reminder of her own indiscretions. Jayne didn't let up.
"This has got to stop," he told her flatly. "And this is on me, somehow. This ain't something we walked into, something that we just got caught up in. This is about me. My family. My kin," he said the word almost as if it was holy. "It's caused me to be shot, someone tried to kill Chelsa because they thought she was you, and they were trying to kill you. We've just got proof that Flint ain't gonna let that lie," he pointed to the cortex screen. "Before I can fix this, I gotta know what this is about. Maybe it's the land, I don't know. Whatever it is, I need to find out, and I need to make it go away. And I am gonna make it go away," he finished.
River had listened to him without speaking, still angry at being reminded of her past mistakes. As he spoke, however, she realized that he was right. This was not something they had become embroiled in attempting to help Mal, or because of any other outside factor. All of this had been directly aimed at him. He had the right to try and get to the bottom of it, and stop it.
"Very well," she nodded reluctantly. "But bear in mind what I almost cost us," she said evenly, never flinching. "I very nearly cost us something precious. Do not make the same mistake."
"I won't," he told her flatly. "Someone else made the mistake."
She didn't say anything else as Jayne left the bridge. It hurt to watch him go, and she could still feel his anger at being reminded of the last few months. She had made such a mess.
And despite all the pain and suffering she and everyone else had gone through, it appeared that she was not yet finished paying for it.
FF
Toby Bontrager reached out and hit his intercom without looking.
"What is it, Joyce?" he asked.
"Sir, there's a Mister Cobb to see you," his secretary told him. "I told him you were busy, but he insisted, and. . .well -"
"Send him in," Toby almost smiled at the woman's discomfiture. She hadn't been working there long, and had no idea who 'Mister Cobb' was. His door opened and Joyce showed Jayne into the office.
"Hello, Jayne," Toby smiled, offering his hand. The two shook, and Toby pointed to a chair. "Have a seat. Long time no see. I heard about River, by the way," he smiled larger. "I'm glad that worked out for you."
"Me too," Jayne smiled lightly. "Things are a lot better than they were, that's for sure. How's life treatin' you?"
"Not bad," Toby admitted. "It's been fairly easy last little while. We're finally back up to full strength and that helps. Miss Blade and Wart, that's for sure. Ping stayed on with me, though. And Ryan and Leander are still here, too," he added.
"All good men," Jayne nodded. "Glad to hear it."
"What brings you by?" Toby asked, catching Jayne's tone. "Not that it ain't good to see you, but you look like a man with troubles."
"I am that," Jayne nodded.
"Mal told me what happened on Astra," Toby nodded. "Bad business. Said it was something from way back."
"That's how it looks," Jayne nodded again. "Not even criminal," he added with a snort. "Just someone tryin' to steal somethin'."
"From you?" Toby frowned. What kind of moron would willingly cross the demon sitting across from him?
"More or less," Jayne nodded. "Maybe. Don't really know, yet," he admitted. "It's crazy no matter how I look at it. But that ain't the immediate issue. Remember Ball?"
"Worked with Jenkins?" Toby raised an eyebrow, and Jayne nodded. "I remember him. He's still around, over on Astra."
"Well, he's on his way here with about twenty men, countin' him, planning to kill me, River, Mal, and as many of the rest of us as he can," Jayne said calmly.
Toby didn't react at once, as it took a minute to process Jayne's calm declaration.
"What?!"
"Man that's tryin' ta get me has hired him to do us all in," Jayne nodded. "Me and River for sure, the rest as and if he can apparently. Considerin' out past history, I'm fair certain he'll try for as many as he can. Mal and Zoe for sure."
"When does he get here?" Toby demanded, already thinking about what he could do.
"Two, maybe three days," Jayne replied. "Easiest thing to do is catch him landing and turn him around."
"He'll just come back later," Toby shook his head, hiding his surprise that Jayne Cobb, of all people, would suggest something like that. "Ball's been working on Astra last little while. Hear tell he's built himself a fine little outfit over the last two years or so. And he's smartened up some, too, I'm hearing."
"That wouldn't have taken much," Jayne snorted, and Toby had to agree.
"He's gotten pretty good, from what I hear," Toby had to admit. "If whoever you're having trouble with hired him, then Ball will try to get the job done, and stay at it as long as it takes. It's what he's based his new reputation on. Getting the job done."
"Well, this is one job he shouldn't have taken on," Jayne replied darkly. "Right now I got too many irons in the fire to spend the time to make sure he don't get his way. So if you can't turn him around, I'll just kill'im and be done with it."
"How solid is your information?" Toby asked, mind swirling. Things had been quiet for the last several months. The last thing he needed was Cobb tearing through Bickford Parish on a killing spree. Justified or not.
"Very," Jayne admitted. "Thing is, I need to see somebody about what's going on with this other man, and I don't have time for this with Ball. I don't want to cause you no trouble, Toby, but I don't aim to let nothin' happen to mine. Get me?"
And there it was. This was a courtesy call. Cobb was giving him the chance to take care of things without lighting off a war that would be in the headlines for weeks if not months.
"I'll take care of it," Toby promised. "I'll find out where he's landing, and make sure he gets the message." He paused, thinking. "Maybe I can work this to our advantage," he mused. Jayne didn't miss the 'our'.
"How so?"
"Who hired him?" Toby asked.
"Man name o' George Flint," Jayne replied.
"Well, I think I'll just casually mention to Ball that Mister Flint was doing his duty as a good citizen, and reported him to me as a potential troublemaker and rabble rouser," Toby grinned evilly. "That should make Ball eager to head straight back to Astra and get him some, don't you think?"
"I like it," Jayne grinned. "I surely do. Meanwhile, I'll try and get some help for Mal and the others. Just in case. But once you've got him in your sights, make sure he leaves, Toby," Jayne warned, his grin gone. "If he sets back down, I'll hunt him into the ground."
"I might just tell him that," Toby nodded. "In fact, might just let it slip that Flint went through you to notify me. That might make ol' Ball decide that he needs to rain on Flint right away, and let by gones be. Reckon?"
"Can't hurt," Jayne nodded. "But either way, you make sure." Toby didn't miss the timber of the larger man's voice.
"I will," he promised.
"Good, cause I got something else I need to be doin'," Jayne stood. "Speakin' o' which, you got a private receiver I can use? I need some information, and it might help if the call originated from here."
"Down the hall, to the right," Toby nodded. "Raise your right hand, though," he added.
"What? Why?" Jayne demanded.
"You're gonna call from here to look official, let's make sure it's official," Toby's smile was back. "I'll just swear you in as a reserve deputy."
Five minutes later Jayne was seated in front of a cortex receiver as an unpaid reserve deputy of Bickford Parish. Toby had stressed the unpaid part, causing Jayne to grin slightly.
He searched the net for a few minutes, scratching some notes to himself. Finally he made a call.
It took a while for the call to go through, and he continued his search in the meantime. Finally an older man with long gray hair kept in a braid appeared on the screen.
"Yes?" the man asked in a deep voice.
"You'd be Joseph Many Horses, I'd reckon," Jayne said easily.
"I am," the man bowed lightly. "Who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"
"'Fore I tell you that," Jayne leaned back, "let me talk to you off the record. I haven't been home in a long time, Elder, and I'm not a member of your clan. I want to know if your people still honor the old ways? In particular do you honor the Sun Oath?" The old man's eyes sharpened at that.
"What would you know of that?"
"I told you, I ain't been home in a while, but I was born and raised on Tokala," Jayne's voice was calm. "I need to talk to an honorable man about a matter of kin. I'm askin' you if I got the right man. If I don't, then no hard feelin's and I'll keep tryin'. What say you, tomkah? Are you the man I need, or do I seek another?"
Many-Horses looked at him for a long moment. This off-worlder knew a great deal about them, including the mish-mash language of the People. Very few off worlders spoke their native tongue, since it was literally a clash of several ancient tongues. This one did, and also asked the questions he was presenting in the proper way, for all of his uneducated and unpolished speech.
"I am, and I do," he finally replied. "Why?"
"I want your Sun Oath, your othmaht, Elder, that our conversation goes no further. If I have it, then I will speak. If not then I will bid you good day."
"Why should I give you such an oath?" Many-Horses asked calmly. "I know you not."
"You know me by my blood," Jayne said evenly and watched the old man pale despite the distance between them. "You know my blood, Elder, and I know yours. Soon, very soon, I will be coming for blood. Who's will I seek, tomkah? Who will Cuchilo Sangre make answer for his family's honor?"
"Ironhorse," the Elder breathed. "You do still live."
"I sure do, old man," Jayne leaned forward, all pretense at civility and politeness gone. "I live and I breathe, and I hunt. Someone will be accountable for all that has befallen me of late at the hands of Dos Osos. You can make this hard, or easy. But you know that we share kin. The blood of DeMuertos flows in your veins, Joseph Many-Horses, yet you allow Flint to dishonor the memory of my clan."
"I have tried to prevent that, Ironhorse," the old man seemed genuinely sorrowful. "He is. . .he seeks the wealth and power that adding your ancestral lands to ours would bring. He thinks of nothing else. He gives no credence to the old ways of our people. As you have said, he has no honor." It was one of the strongest insults possible in a culture where a handshake was a binding contract.
"How did you find out?" Many-Horses asked. "The blood is distant. Three generations or more."
"My mother was a genealogist," Jayne told him. "She compiled Bowbender's heritage. It is all I have left of my people."
"It is not. . .all," Many-Horses said hesitantly. "As Bowbender's heir, it is you who has authority over Tribal Lands of your clan's holding. It is you who can take their seat on the council, or appoint another in your stead. All of that, all that your clan would have, is yet yours to command, Ironhorse. All of it."
"I have come to suspect this," Jayne returned to a formal and more respectful form of address. "There is much to answer for, tomkah. And there will be an answer," Jayne's voice was firm. Many-Horses nodded.
"It is your right," the older man agreed. "You should know that Flint has called for the Five Fingers, our special forces. They may already be. . . ." He trailed off, seeing the look on Jayne's face.
"Three are dead, and the other two in custody," he informed the old man, his voice neutral. "They will not be returning to you, tomkah. Their spirits will wander the 'verse. The sins of their past have come calling."
Many-Horses paled slightly again at the chilling words. This man might be far removed from his people, but it was clear that beneath his rough exterior, he was still one of the People.
"The Sun knows all, sees all," Many-Horses said softly, his eyes locked on Jayne's. "The Sun sees the heart and knows the soul. Let the Sun bear witness between thee and me that I shall honor my word to thee in all things that lie between us." The older man straightened.
"Let us speak, Ironhorse," he said finally. "Let us speak as men, as kinsmen, as blood. The Sun shall judge."
Jayne nodded, an idea forming in his mind.
FF
Toby was startled when he looked up to see Jayne emerging from the office he had shown him. He had thought the man had left long ago.
"That was some call," he noted idly. Jayne nodded.
"You'll need to take me off your rolls, Toby," Jayne said solemnly. "Be better if you ain't added me to'em as yet. Understand?" He gave the new sheriff a pointed look.
"Jayne, I really don't need a new war around here," Toby said gently after making sure no one else could hear. "Please?"
"Won't be here," Jayne said simply. "I'm leaving in a few minutes, and I'll be gone a while." He handed Toby an envelope. "You wait twenty-four hours and then take this to Mal. No, take it to Goldie," he amended. "And you tell him not to try and follow, either. This is mine to do. It's an old trouble, from a life I thought I had left behind." He looked intently at Toby.
"I will be extremely unhappy if anything happens to any of my people while I'm away," he said firmly. To his credit Bontrager just nodded.
"I'll watch after'em just like I used to," he promised, and offered his hand. "Good luck, Jayne, and good hunting."
FF
Jayne waited for his next call to go through, this one from a local station. It took a few minutes but soon a familiar face with scraggly hair appeared on the screen.
"Hey, Shade," Gig smiled. "How'd that business work out for ya?"
"Was just the thing," Jayne nodded. "I appreciate that."
"Glad to do it," the little man beamed. "Need anything new?" he asked.
"Need a favor," Jayne said simply.
"Name it," came the immediate reply.
"I need a fast ship, with a crew that don't ask no questions. I got a long way to go, and I'm in a powerful hurry."
"Hang on," Gig replied, and looked away. Jayne waited patiently. After a few minutes his old friend looked up.
"Okay, brother, I got one ship that can probably do what you need, but Shade, they cost, man. Where are you wanting to go?"
"I'm looking for passage from Astra to a place called Tokala," Jayne told him. Gig figured for a minute.
"They can probably be there in three days," he said finally. "I'm sending. . .okay, they're available, and. . .wow," he looked up. "Shade, it's steep, man."
"Doesn't matter," Jayne said simply. "Tell them to pick me up on Astra in three days." He gave instructions for the meet up. Gig took it all down, and then shot it to the ship in question.
"All done, brother," Gig told him finally. "This guy's a good one, Shade. He won't care what you're doing so long as it don't involve him. You're good on that end, right?"
"Clean as a whistle," Jayne nodded. "And he won't need to worry about the turn-around. It's a one way shot."
"That don't sound so positive," Gig mused.
"Won't be for some," Jayne nodded again. "Thanks amigo. Owe you one."
"Nah," Gig grinned. "We're good, brother. Good hunting."
"Indeed."
FF
Jayne had worked out a plan on the fly, but it was a pretty good one. Before he'd left Companion to see Bontrager, he had gathered his gear and stowed it away on the mule. Now, as he looked at the shuttle to Mount Talmidge, he was having second thoughts.
He was about to go far away. It was nothing he hadn't done before, but this time was different. He had something to leave behind, and he was unsure about it. Maybe he should wait.
No. No, he couldn't wait. Flint wouldn't wait. He trusted Toby to take care of Ball, but Flint was another matter. Jayne had talked to Many-Horses for a long time. Things were going to interesting from here on in, and Jayne had to stick to the plan he had made. If he didn't, then Flint would stay here, and that would mean his attempts to hurt Jayne's people would not stop.
Jayne had considered going to Astra and simply hunting Flint down, him and his daughter, and ending them both. But doing that would create a blood feud between him and Dos Osos. Warriors would never stop coming if that happened.
This had to end on Tokala. Where it started. And it had to end in such a way that Flint was finished, along with that witch he called a daughter.
No, there was no going back. Sighing, Jayne hefted his bags and headed for the shuttle. He would be in Mount Talmidge by early evening, and on his way to Astra before midnight. Not even River could catch him before the transport from Mount Talmidge made planet fall at Astra. From there he would meet up with the ship that Gig had found him.
And then he would start the long trip home. Just like the Prodigal Son, returning home after so long in a foreign land. Only for him there was no father waiting to welcome him. Just blood and vengeance.
Maybe this would end it, he thought to himself as he took his seat. Maybe once this was finished, he could finally be free. Free of it all. No more vengeance, no more feuds, no more anything except a good life that he firmly believed he had earned.
He had a family, a home, and a good life that many a man would give his all for. And all of that was at risk because of one greedy old fool and an ambitious witch with visions of power and wealth running through her head. He shook his head at that, wondering what his father would have thought about it all. To him, power and wealth had not been something to aspire to. He had enjoyed a simple life before the Alliance had visited Tokala and destroyed all of that.
He wondered idly, and not for the first time, if his father would be ashamed of him. Of what he had become. As usual, he decided he didn't want to know.
Not knowing was easier.
FF
River was pacing the ramp of the Companion when Mal and Inara came to visit. It had been their intention to visit with Jayne and River, discussing their business venture. One look at River's pensive movements ended that plan altogether.
"What is it, 'tross?" Mal asked as he and Inara walked up onto the ramp.
"Jayne has been gone all day," River said without preamble. "We received word from a private investigator we hired that Flint has hired Ball, yes, that Ball," she nodded at their reaction, "to attack us, here on Argo. And likely you as well," she added. "We have also come to the conclusion that Flint is after Jayne's ancestral homelands. His first attempt was a sham marriage between Jayne and that. . .daughter, of his." Her tone made it clear what she thought of said daughter.
"We believe his plan now is to kill us all, eliminating any possible heir, and then attempt to gain control of the land by other means. We do not as yet know what those means might be."
"Jayne has gone to try and contact someone. He did not say who, and I'm not sure he knew at any rate. It is my belief that he hopes to contact someone on his home world and confirm our suspicions, seeing perhaps if there is some way to counter Flint's moves." She stopped suddenly, as if reciting all that had worn her out.
"You got no idea where he went?" Mal asked, frowning in concern.
"I do not," River replied. "It. . .we are not yet on completely good terms again," she admitted after a second. "I erred very badly doing what I did," she added. "It cost me a great deal of trust with him, and winning it back has not gone well. I have made several miscalculations, and now I am paying for them." Her eyes were wet with tears at the admission.
"River, just cause he's mad don't mean he don't trust you," Mal offered, though he was pretty sure she was right.
"He isn't mad, he's disappointed," River told him, and a single tear managed to free itself and run down her cheek. "He allowed. . .he gave me his trust and I betrayed it," she said, owning up to her mistake. "I hurt him, badly, and he isn't quick to get over something like that. I also compounded matters with my miscalculations. Including not telling him that I had hired the investigator, or that he had seen Flint receive the group of men, and one woman, who attacked him and nearly killed Chelsa."
"You knew before it happened?" Mal asked, shocked.
"I knew that Flint had imported off world muscle," River shook her head. "I was going to tell Jayne the night that he and Chelsa were attacked, showing his photos of the people in question. In hindsight, not sharing with him at once was a mistake."
"I would have to agree," Inara frowned slightly. "If he had known that Flint had brought in outside help, he might not have had Chelsa out like that."
"What he said," River nodded, looking away. "I had. . .have, done other things, taken other actions, without notifying him of them. All of this came to a head at the same time and. . .he has been very streaky since. I cannot read him, or even get a sense of what he's thinking. And it is my fault," River's breath left her in a long exhale as she finished talking. She looked ready to bawl.
"Well, let me call Toby," Mal offered. "He may have seen Jayne, and he can have his men keep an eye out for him. If they see him, give us a wave." Mal headed into the ship, headed for the bridge to call his former Chief Deputy.
Inara embraced a silently crying River, trying to comfort the younger woman.
"I have made a terrible mess, Inara," River told her softly. "Every time I try to fix it, I simply make it worse. I don't know if the damage I've done can be fixed," she admitted for the first time, even to herself.
"Anything can be fixed with enough work, River," Inara told her friend gently. "And let's not jump to conclusions about what Jayne thinks, either," she added. "You know better than anyone that he's far more complicated than he lets on. It may simply be that he's taken all this with that Flint person very personally. And I don't think that's unreasonable, to be honest."
"I don't either," River nodded. "I just. . .my foolishness almost cost us everything, Inara. It's a miracle that we got it back. At least what of it we did get back. I don't want to risk losing that again. And Jayne is angry about Flint. I think more so now that he thinks it's because of the land. It angers and offends him I think that Flint would kill so casually over nothing more than land." She pulled back, looking at Inara.
"I've tried to explain to him that it is a great deal of land, and that the wealth and power it would bring are excellent reasons for someone like Flint to kill whoever he needs to in order to accomplish his plans. But to Jayne, land is just. . .land. He cannot see it's intrinsic value. As far as he's concerned, it's just a place to live."
"Different people attach different values to things, River," Inara shrugged lightly. "In his eyes, maybe it's not that valuable."
"It's not his eyes that are causing the trouble," River reminded her friend. "It's Flint's way of looking at it that has led to so many deaths already, and who can know how many more before it's over?"
Inara had no answer for that one.
FF
"Well, hello Mal," Toby's face appeared pensive, even over the wave. Mal was instantly on alert.
"Toby, how are things?" he tried to sound amiable.
"Well, they're quiet at the moment," Toby replied. "I hear you've gotten some good news of late. Sorry I haven't been out, but I was glad to hear about River."
"Was good news," Mal nodded. "I'm callin' about Jayne, Toby," Mal told him flatly, and could see Bontrager flinch at the name. "And he's been to see you, I see," Mal concluded.
"Mal, I. . .yeah, he was here, earlier. He wanted to tell me about Ball coming this way. I've already got Ping watching for Ball's ship. I'm planning on meeting him soon as he set's foot on planet, and explaining things to him."
"Think it'll work?" Mal asked.
"Oh, I think we worked out a plan that'll make things interesting," Toby almost smiled.
"And where's Jayne now?" Mal asked, watching his friend closely. Bontrager looked uneasy.
"Toby, I asked you a question," Mal said easily, but Toby wasn't fooled. He sighed, leaning back in his seat.
"I don't know where he is, or where he's going," Bontrager admitted finally. "All he said was that he was leaving, and would be gone a while. You know he's having trouble with some old man, right?" Mal nodded.
"Who in their right mind would steal from Cobb?" Toby had to ask. "I mean, whoever it is, they have to know how suicidal that is, right?"
"Not this man," Mal shook his head. "This goes way back, Toby. All the way to Jayne's childhood. How long has he been gone?" he asked, thinking the worst.
"Don't know when he left town, or even if he has, yet," Toby admitted. "He left here over three hours ago, though, after using the cortex for. . .well, a while. I don't know how long, exactly." Toby hesitated, then added.
"He left a note for Tarrant with me, too. Said to give it to him tomorrow."
"We'll need to see it," Mal said at once. "Be obliged if you can bring it out here. If you can't, we'll come to get it."
"I'll be there in an hour," Toby sighed. "I was going to come out anyway and talk to you about Ball."
"We'll be at the pad," Mal nodded and cut the signal. He leaned back in his seat, rubbing his face. He was getting too old for this.
"Learn anything?" Inara asked, walking onto the bridge. River was not with her.
"Jayne may be gone," he said simply. "He spent a long time on Toby's terminal and then told Toby he'd be gone a while. He left a letter for Toby to give to Goldie. Bringin' it out, now. Be here in an hour or so, he said."
"Do we know where Jayne may have gone?" Inara asked.
"Not a clue," Mal admitted.
"Find out who he talked to," Inara said. "Call Toby back, tell him to have Ping find out who Jayne was talking to. Or at least where they are. That might help us."
Mal turned at once to make that call. Inara headed back down off the bridge to tell River the news, such as it was.
FF
Serenity had returned that afternoon, one of the few times that both ships were in port at the same time. It was a rare to say the least. Mal sent Chelsa to summon Zoe and Goldie, and Liam to do the same for Pete and Susan. They had earned the right to be included in these little powwows Mal figured.
By the time Toby arrived, everyone was gathered in the hold of Companion, talking quietly. Without fanfare Toby handed over the letter. Goldie opened it, read it quietly to himself, then lowered it.
"He's going to take care of Flint," he announced calmly. "Says this is a matter of long standing and has to be dealt with in a certain way to avoid creating a blood feud that would mean a state of war effectively exists between Jayne's family and Flint's clan. Case you're wondering, all of us, well, maybe not Toby, and possibly not Wart and Blade, would be considered his family."
"According to the kid, once the feud started, all of us would be targets for perpetuity. Any children, even grandchildren, would not be free of attack at any time by someone from Flint's clan. War to the knife, he calls it."
"That's why he's gone," he finished, passing the letter to River. She took it but didn't bother to read it.
"Flint is on Astra," she said unnecessarily.
"So he is," Mal nodded, thinking. "But that don't mean for sure that we know Jayne is headed there. Probably is," he held up a hand to stop any complaints, "but we don't know. We'll have to find out, somehow. Any idea yet who he talked to? Or at least where they were?" he asked Toby.
"Not yet, but Ping is on it," was the reply. "I'll call around, see if anyone saw Cobb taking transport," Toby offered. "You guys are the only ones outside Mount Talmidge that had any kind of shuttle service around here. Since we can assume he didn't use you, he will have gone there unless he went all the way to Argo City."
"Doubt it," Goldie shook his head. "Shuttle service in Mount Talmidge has a shuttle scheduled to leave tonight at. . ." he checked his watch. "Never mind. Left half-hour ago."
"How do you know that?" Zoe asked.
"They're competitors," Goldie shrugged. "I know their schedule because they compete against us for business." And because they're an alternate way off world in an emergency, he didn't add. Old habits died hard.
"Can we catch them, we leave now?" Mal asked, straightening up.
"No," Goldie shook his head. "They're strictly passenger trans. Lot faster than we are, even empty."
"Muad'dib is faster than Serenity or Companion," Blade offered. She and Wart had been quiet up til now, feeling almost like interlopers. They weren't, and no one treated them that way, but still. . . .
"Hadn't thought of that," Mal almost murmured. "But if he's not going to Astra, or if he gets there and takes off somewhere else, then . . . is the ship ready enough for something like that?" he asked his two newest employees. Both nodded.
"We'd need fuel on Astra, and we'd need provisions here before we left, but otherwise, yeah. She's ready to go."
"What are you thinking, Mal?" Toby asked. He'd seen that look many times when Mal was sheriff.
"Make your life a mite easier we wasn't around for a bit, wouldn't it," Mal said in way of reply. "We'd be safe in the black, too. All of us," he said pointedly.
"Mal, we can't just. . . ." Inara began, but Mal held up a hand.
"We've got Gerald and Becca and Holly to keep one ship flying," Mal pointed out, mind racing. "We can get some help from George I'm sure. We've done that before on more than one occasion. One ship can keep things going without trouble for a while. And if we take the Muad'dib, then they can even swap out ships if they need to." He went quiet, clearly making calculations.
"We still cannot beat the shuttle to Astra, Baba," River said quietly as she lowered the letter. "And as you said, we've no guarantee that's where Jayne is going."
"Its' a good start, though," Mal pointed out. "Are we all agreed that we need to do something, or not?" he asked, looking around.
"I'm in," Goldie said at once. He felt Zoe's hand on his shoulder and turned to see her smiling at him, nodding her agreement. He turned back to Mal.
"Make that we're in," he said firmly. He made a decision of his own just then, but shelved it for the time being.
"You know I'm going," Liam said.
"Me too," Chelsa nodded.
"We're in, too," Susan said, and Wart nodded his agreement.
"Well, at least it's got plenty of room," Inara sighed. "We need to hurry, Mal. There's a lot to see to before we go."
"Zoe, you're with me," Mal snapped. "We'll see George right now. Inara, let Gerald, Becca and Holly know the score, please. Susan, you and Pete get Muad'dib over here and let's start getting loaded. Everyone gather your necessary and meet here in one hour, no more. We'll leave as soon as we're loaded after that." He looked at Toby.
"I'm assuming that you're going to keep Ball from killing my employees that stay, or destroying our homes." It was a statement, not a question.
"I am," Bontrager nodded. "One way or another, it'll get done, I promise."
"Good enough," Mal nodded. "Well, what's every body waitin' for! Let's move!"
"We should tell Simon and Kaylee," River said softly, having been silent for the most part.
"Ain't no sense in it," Mal shook his head. "With Kaylee so swelled up, she's not able. . ."
"We cannot leave them here," River stressed. "They won't be safe. Ball will remember. So will Flint."
Mal paused at that. She had a point, one he'd overlooked.
"Leave that to you then, 'tross," he nodded finally. "Make sure Simon loads all he might need in the event that. . .well in case. . .I really don't want to have no baby born in space," he shuddered.
"I'll tell him," River nodded. In her current state of mind there was no humor to be found for her in Mal's theatrics.
"All right, then," Mal clapped his hands. "Move it folks. We're on the clock!"
FF FF FF FF FF FF
I'm keenly aware of how long this has taken. I'm sorry. Life has thrown me some serious curve balls of late, including a complete block of how to continue this story. I have finally managed to overcome that hurdle, or so I believe.
For those of you still hanging on and hoping, this is for you. Updates should be along on a steady basis, but it may be a couple weeks between them. Lord willing, however, this will be finished.
Bad Karma