Chapter 4 Despite the disaster the last time they docked at the trade-plex, Serenity’s crew arrived with little trepidation as to what they would find. They were certain that dead bodies didn’t get mailed to people twice, so they were covered on that end. The trade-plex was a bizarre mish-mash of flea market, shopping mall and post office. If you were riding out in the black and you needed something, legal or not, you could find it here. It was also the home of Amnon Duual’s post office and holding station. Mal led the group as the ships crew, all but River, entered the holding station. “Ah, Amnon, glad to see your little operation is still standing.” “No thanks to you. If I didn’t need the money so badly, I would have returned your crews post’s return to sender.” The last time they visited him, he almost was set on fire on account of it. One can understand him being a smidge bitter. “Well, I ain’t expecting any surprises of that caliber today. What are you holdin’ for us?” “Is that Companion still riding with you?” “Inara? Yes. Well she wasn’t for some time but now she…Why?” “Yes, why?” She asked gliding between the two, glaring a little at Mal for asking on her behalf. “I have a letter for you. Must be important, it requires a positive retinal scan before I can hand it over. You expecting something?” Her heart all but stopped. It had to be from the Companion Board. “I’m afraid I am.” She was smiling politely. She looked around for Mal, the only other person who was aware of what this could mean, but he was talking to Jayne, his back turned to her. Inara followed Amnon off to the counter where the retinal reader was. Naturally, she passed. “Thank you, Amnon,” she said, as he handed her the letter. The red wax seal of the Companion Board shook a little bit as her hands trembled. “Hey, Cobb. You got something too.” “I did?” He had just spoken to his mother and she hadn’t mentioned anything coming to him. He couldn’t imagine anyone else who would be sending him something that wasn’t unpleasant. When he saw the return address on the small brown package, his face went pale. The Southdown Abbey, Persephone. Without a word, he started walking to the exit. Mal walked over to speak to with Amnon when he saw Inara start to leave. “Hey,” he said having to jog to get to her, “if Amnon here doesn’t drain me of all my coin why don’t we head up a floor or two, look into getting some lunch.” He was so busy trying to remain calm asking her that he hadn’t taken the time to really look at her. And when he did, he was immediately on guard. Something was not right. “You okay? You look a little…” She was barely holding on. She hid the letter behind her. “Thank you, Captain, but I’m not feeling too well. I’m going back to the ship.” She had wanted to tell him, but he would want to go with her and she couldn’t trust her reaction to the news, whether it was good or bad. Company was the last thing she needed until she worked it all out. With nothing else she turned and left him. If she had called him by name instead of by title, he would not have been as hurt. He was so busy pondering what had happened, Jayne almost passed by without him noticing. “Jayne?” “Going back to the ship.” Mal was starting to wonder if anything good ever came from this place.

“Zoë! It’s so very good to see you.” Amnon rushed to hug her. Word had traveled here, apparently. “How are you faring?” She had been the last one off the ship with a small hand truck containing her cardboard boxes, which she was lifting one at a time onto the counter. “I’m fine,” she said politely, ignoring the cause for his concern. “I just need these sent off to Verbena, please. Addresses are on the boxes.” Simon and Kaylee had been snuggling near the entrance waiting for everyone to collect their goodies so they could all go exploring. “Simon, why don’t you go give Zoë a hand” “No,” spoke up Mal from behind them. “That’s a real thoughtful notion, but I think Zoë may need to do this herself. Can’t be easy for her. I’m sure she doesn’t want to share that fact. Best let her deal with it alone.” Simon gave Kaylee a little kiss on the forehead and looked at her with great appreciation. “You are the sweetest, most thoughtful mechanic in the ‘verse.” “Aww, Simon, “ sighed Kaylee, turning to Mal. “We’ll be back on the ship if you need us.” Mal sighed, and tried to forget why they were going back to the ship. “Doc, tell your sister to get Serenity heated up, we’re not going to be here too much longer. No point in being docked if everyone’s on the ship. May as well get to work.”

Chapter 5 Back on Serenity, Jayne ran straight to his bunk and locked the door. The small brown package was burning a hole in his palms, yet he was afraid to open it. Nervously, he tore off the paper and when he opened the box, a shining silver medal slipped out of the paper it was wrapped in. That paper was a note: Jayne, If you are reading this then things happened on Haven the way I thought they might. I have absolute faith that whatever happened to Serenity and her crew that you have survived. When I heard of the Operative, I made arrangements to have this sent to you, if something happened to me. It is my sincere hope that you are the one reading this, and that Serenity is still flying. I am sending this to you, Jayne, because I always thought upon you as a dear friend, but also because I know that you have a strong faith. Beneath all that muscle is a GOD-fearing man. You have never missed out on an opportunity to pray with me. These are not things that go unnoticed, neither by me nor by the Lord. This is the medal of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of families and those afraid of dying alone. I think that about sums up Serenity’s crew. Serenity meant so much to me, and was such a part of who I became, for better or worse, that it is important to me that some presence of me remains there. I would request of you that you ask the Captain if this could be displayed someplace on the ship. Be sure to take the medal with you when you go, you may need all the help you can get. We will meet again, Jayne. And in the great hereafter, I will be able to out bench you. God bless you, and thank you, Jayne Yours, Derrial Book.

The note made Jayne more then a little teary and he was near recovering when River shrieked over the comm, “Jayne” “Yah! Gorramit girl. Sneakin’ up on people. Good way to get yourself killed.” “Not sneaking. On the comm. Captain wants to make sure you’re going to stay on the ship, wants to leave early.” “Yeah, tell him I’ll be here.” This brought up a whole other question. How was he going to ask the captain? ------------------------------------------------- When Inara arrived back on the ship, River was surprised. No easy feat, shocking a psychic. Inara was very tense, a rarity when the Captain wasn’t around. River wondered what she was missing. Inara, locked in her room, used one manicured finger to break the seal of the Companion Board and open the letter. It was as she expected. The official notice was cold and uncaring. The letter only referred to her as Miss Serra, never by her first name. She was officially relieved of her duties effective from the date and time of the retinal scan. It had been twenty years since she had begun her training. A lifetime of work and study taken away by one line typed on a piece of paper. She wished for someone to talk to, someone who could understand the empty, hollow feeling this left in her. There was only one person she knew who could truly understand losing all you have ever known, with painfully little to build a future on. She didn’t know how Mal was going to react to this news. Nor was she sure which of those reactions she preferred.

Chapter 6 In light of recent events, the crew had plenty on their minds for the day-long ride to Paradisio. Truth to say, it was a comfort to have some work to occupy hands and thoughts. Since this leg of the trip was really just a short stop for fuel and coordinates only Mal, Kaylee and Jayne got off the ship. They found Paradisio much the same as they had left it. Dusty, kind of dirty. Standard for a small town on a border moon. “Sheriff, I see this place hasn’t changed much.” “I’ll take that as a compliment. Folks”, he nodded at Jayne and Kaylee. “The big ones Jayne, and the smiley one is Kaylee, my mechanic. She’ll be seein’ to the fuel.” Kaylee waved. “Paul,” hollered Bourne, “Show this young lady where she can fuel up her ship. Miss, you take what you need for the trip to Whittier. You’ll get the rest after the animals are delivered.” “Animals,” squealed Kaylee, grinning. Mal cringed. “What?” asked the sheriff, amused by Mal’s look. “Boss didn’t tell ya? Sheep and goats.” “Goats. Shiny. I had a goat I raised from a kid when I was comin’ up.” Jayne scowled. “Kids having kids. What’s the ‘verse comin’ to?” Mal looked him, shocked at the terrible, yet clever pun. “What? Kid shouldn’t be ‘spected to take care of no goat. It ain’t right. That’s grown up farmers work.” That was more like it. Mal turned back to Bourne “Who’s our contact?” “Name’s Owens. Farmer. Nice enough guy. Just might do well not to mention the war.” “No, ‘cause Mal’s never had an opinion on that,” grinned Jayne “Why, what side he fight for?” “Both actually, turned coat near the end.” Great, thought Mal. As long as he’s trustworthy. Mal racked his brain trying to remember an Owens. Fortunately nothing come to him. Fella like that’s likely to be shot on site. Not the best way to start a job, but not something that anyone would put past Mal. Kaylee bounced up to the group of men, “Okay, Cap’n. She’s good.” “All right then. We’ll be back in two days time with your future sweaters and milk.” Mal and the sheriff shook hands and they headed back to the ship. “Mal, you hate animals. They must be pain’ us a pretty penny for you to take this on. How much we getting?” Jayne was so itching to get paid you could nearly see the dollar signs in his eyes. He, as always, had plans for what he had not yet earned. “Fuel,” said Mal, not looking at him. “Come on, Mal. Really? Fuel? Ain’t lookin’ to get killed for fuel. Gold, yeah. Women, sure. But fuel? Ain’t worth the work.” Mal stopped and turned to look at Jayne. “Jayne, you don’t like it there are plenty of other fine planets I could drop you on. Could leave you here, may even have work for you, more than like. You ever mined Jayne. Workin’ underground in the dark, breathing fumes that make you sick. You got a sweet job with me, Jayne. May not see it now, but you do. Now I got two functioning lips of my own, so I don’t need any outta you.” With that they started walking again. “Besides, I don’t hate animals, I came up with them. I just got little need for a smelly untamed creature that I can’t control easy.” Jayne hacked and spat on the ground. Kaylee and Mal could only look each other. Nothing need be said. -------------------------------------------------

At the same time as this particularly troubling conversation, a pleasant enough looking woman walked up to Amnon’s counter. “Good morning, young lady. Are you picking up?” “Not really,” she smiled sweetly. I’m looking for a Malcolm Reynolds. I have some intel he came through here.” Amnon sighed. “You missed him. Two or three days gone.” “He say where he was headed.” “No. Was less than happy with his packages and left in a bit of a hurry, really. Sorry.” “Thanks for your time.” She put some money on the counter and left. “Can’t that man just stay out of trouble?” he asked, counting the bills the tiny woman had left behind.