CHAPTER 4 Thirty minutes later, Mal and Simon left Tarelli’s house by the back door, each carrying two densely packed bags of money. Mal was completely baffled and kept looking from Simon to the house, and asking himself how he’d managed to walk away from this with (a) no weapons drawn and (b) more money than previously agreed upon. He kept remembering the blubbering Simon on Canton and wondered who this stranger was now in front of him. “When did you get so good at negotiating?” Mal asked as they ducked around a corner, taking a back ally between the backyard fences. “What do you mean?” “Last time you played the boss man—” “You put my on the spot,” Simon finished. “This time, I had a full three days to prepare.” “Well you did good,” Mal said. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” Simon said warily. “I can feel them watching us.” “Yep,” Mal agreed, shifting both money bags to one arm in order to free his gun hand. “We’re being followed.” Simon nodded, taking a few more turns before heading back to the main street. Some of the streets had changed since he’d been here last. His intended avenue of escape now dead-ended straight into a theater. “We don’t have time to take in the culture, Doc.” “Trust me,” Simon said, making a decision. If there was one place in the world he knew how to lose people, it was the theater. The matinee show would begin soon and the theater lobby buzzed with people trying to find their seats. Walking quickly, Simon turned left, heading for a pair of doors that said “authorized access only.” A bored looking usher sat in front of the doors, polishing his fingernails ineffectively with his thumb. With a quick flash of what Mal could only assume to be Simon’s inside pocket, the two brushed past the usher into the backstage area. Going down two flights of stairs, they encountered a new crowd—the actors—all bustling about the green room excited about having a full house. Once within sight of two exits, Simon put his back to the wall, set down the money bags, and turned to face Mal. “You think Tarelli wants his money back?” he asked. Mal put his back to the wall as well, trying to take stock of the situation. “Might be. Likely someone else. We need to get this cash somewhere safe.” “There’s a bank about half a block out that exit.” “Bank’s too easy to rob.” “I’m feeling a bit easy to rob at the moment.” “Shh,” Mal warned as a man approached. Simon nodded courteously at the man, but was ignored completely. “Captain Reynolds,” the man opened snidely. “I expected you to be escorting your new passengers in person.” Mal rolled his eyes impatiently. “I already told your boss I ain’t takin’ on passengers. I got other business here.” “I see that,” the man said, eyeing the bags of money. Mal reached for his gun, but did not draw. “I wouldn’t,” the man warned. “I know they are already in your safe-keeping, Captain.” “The only folk in my safe keeping at the moment are my crew.” “I wouldn’t be too sure of that,” the man advised and walked away. “What does that mean?” Simon asked when the man was out of earshot. “It means that Prio knows there’s been a delivery and he knows I don’t have it. Also means he thinks someone on this crew does. He’s on his way to Serenity.” “How do you know that?” “I’m the Captain. I know everything.”

*~*

Kaylee hung back as Zoë strode confidently to the hatch at the back of the cargo bay, shotgun in hand, her limp squelched by determination and adrenaline. She leaned against the window making sure whoever was on the other side had a good look at her angry eyes and the barrel of her gun. The midday sun reflected blindingly off the white-washed walls of the spaceport, casting the three people outside in silhouette. One of them approached to door and held a sheet of paper against the window. “Get me a flashlight,” Zoë ordered. Kaylee complied quickly and both read the paper. “Looks like the cargo,” Kaylee said uncertainly. “I thought it wasn’t coming till tomorrow.” “It wasn’t,” Zoë confirmed. Her mind raced for a contingency plan. “Call Jayne, get him down here.” Kaylee walked to the comm box and made the call, then sat on the stairs while they waited. Finally she said, “He was on the perimeter. Don’t think he’s back yet.” “You don’t know?” “I was workin’. I left the door open for a little bit.” “Can you go check?” Quickly, Kaylee stood up and headed for Elle’s bunk. As she left, Book entered the cargo bay silently, rifle in hand. “Shepherd, have you seen Jayne?” Book shook his head, maintaining his vow of silence for the day. “Take the catwalk. I’m going to open the door.” Nodding, Book took position and set up a shot. Zoë took a deep breath, hoping she wouldn’t regret this decision. Shouldering her gun, she quickly yanked open Serenity’s back door, using it as a shield for herself. Thankfully, no one came charging through. “Captain Reynolds?” a woman’s voice called from outside. Zoë didn’t bother to correct her. Bringing her gun back to ready, Zoë circled into view, considering the three people at her doorstep—a woman, two men, and a forklift of cargo covered with a blanket. “What’s your business?” Zoë asked tersely. “We represent Stolte. This is the cargo.” “Why has the timeline changed?” The woman glanced around the spaceport warily and lowered her voice. “Prio knows.” Zoë furrowed her brow, not understanding, but the woman was speaking again, her voice returned to its normal level. “The cargo was ready to be delivered. We brought it. No sense leaving it in a warehouse when we can ship it off early.” “No sense,” Zoë agreed slowly distantly. “Oh, and this came for you?” “Post?” Zoë asked, accepting a medium-sized box. The box was addressed to Inara, so Zoë tossed it on one of the shelves. Finally, she stepped back, closed the small door, and opened the wider bay doors to allow the forklift to enter. As the two men operated the forklift, the woman went over various bits of paperwork. “Two hundred gallons of combustible liquid per box. The containers are safe, but keep the temperature steady, don’t get them near a flame, and don’t knock them around.” “Do you have the hazmat license?” Zoë interrupted impatiently. She had hardly listened to the woman’s speech, keeping one eye on the two men and the other on the door to the outside. She didn’t care to ask what was really in the crates, she just wanted these people off the boat as quickly as possible. The woman handed over the hazmat license, collected a signature, and then the three left quickly. When she turned around, Kaylee was circling the crates and Book was stumbling awestruck down the stairs. The three crates were large and black, covered with pictures of flames and warnings of flammability. What struck them was the shape of the boxes and the small panel of lights on the sides of each one. Zoë recognized the cryo-freeze boxes immediately. River Tam had arrived on Serenity in just such a box.

*~*

Inara rested comfortably in Gavin’s arms; her head lay on his chest as he stroked her hair. She had been jittery at first, but finally was able to give herself over to the moment and enjoy Gavin’s company as much as he enjoyed her. “You’ve grown considerably since I was here last,” she commented. “For better, I hope.” “Oh, yes.” Inara propped herself up on her elbows and touched his face. “Then can I convince you to stay another day?” Inara smiled. “I’m not sure. Serenity is running on as strict deadline.” “Perhaps I can convince you to stay for as long as we both shall live.” “Would that be before 5:30 tomorrow?” Gavin kissed both her hands with suave tenderness. Inara was accustomed to such offers and though flattered, she was not tempted. “At least give me a chance to convince you,” Gavin said. Inara smiled, forcing herself to relax. Gavin had certainly gained confidence since she had last seen him. Once an uncertain follower, he now seemed a force to be reckoned with. He had certainly become a pillar in the local community. Inara had nearly absorbed herself in the moment when suddenly, the hair on her arms stood on end. Adrenaline surged through her body as a din of noise floated into the room. Her lips broke out of the kiss. “What was that?” she asked, sitting up sharply. Gavin groaned. “It’s not even on this level. I have twenty hands out there ensuring our privacy.” With a frustrated sigh, he sat up as well, massaging her tense shoulders and kissing her neck. Inara kicked herself for being so easily distracted, but also smiled at the reversal of roles. Usually she was the one pulling the client into the moment and asking him to forget the outside world. She let Gavin continue to massage her shoulders, reminding herself that she was safe here. “Why are you so jittery, anyway?” he asked. Inara shook her head, not wanting to discuss her personal life, but Gavin persisted, pulling her closer to him and wrapping his arms around her. “Tell me,” he implored, rocking her slowly. Inara forced a smile at the silliness of it all. “I was threatened this morning. I don’t know why it’s bothering me so much.” “Threatened?” he cooed, nibbling her ear. “My poor baby. Anyone I can kill for you? Because I would sure like all of your thoughts here with me.” Inara took his hand and turned to face him. “All of my thoughts are here.” Gavin wasn’t convinced. “I’ll send someone right here and now. I can threaten people too. Just tell me his name. Or was it a her?” Inara bit her lip, unsure of what to do. Gavin kissed one hand then the other, waiting for her to answer. Finally she admitted, “A man named Prio.” Gavin dropped both her hands and jumped immediately to his feet. “Prio threatened you?” he demanded in alarm. “Elias Prio?” Inara nodded, suddenly concerned. The suave confident gentleman had turned into a frightened kid again. Gavin bolted to the door, double-checking all the locks, then he picked up Inara’s robe and tossed it to her. As he hurriedly pulled on his pants, Inara began to protest. “He didn’t threaten me directly,” she clarified, wishing him calm again. Already her nerves were shot and his reaction was making her feel justified. “It was more Captain Reynolds.” “But he saw you?” Gavin demanded, pressing a comm box. “Yes. What’s going—” “Derek, lock down the building!” he shouted into the comm. “Already have, sir,” Derek replied, his voice ringing true over the comm. Inara wondered why the comm on Serenity never had such clarity. Derek continued. “There’s a breach reported at the north entrance. I’ve sent security. Are you all right?” “We heard a commotion on the floor below us a few minutes ago, but nothing up here.” “I’ll keep it contained, sir. I’m sure it’s nothing.” “I think it’s Prio,” Gavin said, hopping impatiently. “I’ll keep it contained,” Derek assured him, then closed the channel. Gavin paced the room once, running a hand across his clean-shaved scalp. Then he grabbed Inara’s hand and pulled her toward a hidden door. “Are we going somewhere?” Inara asked, confused, closing her robe. Gavin ignored the question “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?” “It didn’t strike me as any of your business.” “It is now. Come on.” Gavin lead her up a private staircase that went to the roof. Inara’s shuttle was parked there. “What did Prio say to your Captain?” “Something about our taking on passengers,” Inara said, struggling to remember the conversation through the memory of pure evil. That was it. Prio was the embodiment of pure evil. That’s why he scared her. “He was looking for some people who belonged to him. But Mal isn’t taking on passengers.” “Doesn’t matter. Prio is very attached to his subjects and if he believes they are under your captain’s protection, then you are all in grave danger.” “Subjects?” Gavin grimaced. “Prio has a rather unlovely hobby of human experimentation.” “Torture?!” “Some. Others medicinal. If he catches you, don’t tell him anything. Don’t give up any information.” “What?” Gavin stopped running a moment and took time to look directly into Inara’s eyes. His gaze was firm and frightened, yet defiant. “Tell him nothing. The sooner he gets what he wants from you, the sooner he will ship you off to one of his labs for experimentation. He is soulless and merciless.” “How do you know this?” Inara asked as they started running again. “I can’t reveal the details of my involvement.” The final steps to the roof were via service ladder straight up. Before climbing, Gavin activated a security camera. The roof was alive with activity. Men in clean suits circled the landing pad. “Yours?” Inara asked hopefully. Gavin shook his head and activated the comm. “Derek, they’re on the roof.” “Now where?” “A safe room. Come on!” Taking her hand again, Gavin dashed back down the stairwell. About three levels down, they rounded a corner and plowed directly into Prio and a handful of guards. Immediately, Inara’s flesh covered with goosebumps and her grip tightened on Gavin’s hand. He squeezed back reassuringly, keeping her behind him. “Gavin, you are so predictable,” Prio laughed. “Elias. What did I tell you about barging into my home uninvited?” “How inhospitable of you! Here I thought we were on the same side.” “Same side of atmo, not much else,” Gavin retorted. The remark brought a fast draw from Prio. The gun did little to scare Inara as she was already scared witless. Prio approached threateningly, holding the gun to Gavin’s face. With a leer, he reached out to touch Inara’s hair, but Gavin jerked her away protectively. “Oh, my lady,” Prio laughed. “Apparently many men feel the need to protect you from me.” “Men will be men,” Inara shrugged, swallowing a lump in her throat. “Your Captain has been sending people off ship all day, but none to pick up my subjects. Could he really have been foolish enough to have them delivered to the spaceport?” Inara’s jaw dropped a moment, her breath catching. Gavin squeezed her hand again. “It’s always the last place you look,” Prio complained, looking at Gavin. “Your subjects are not here,” Gavin answered, releasing Inara’s hand and pressing her back lightly. “Now get out of my home.” “You are hardly in a position to make demands, Gavin, naked and unarmed as you are.” Like lightning, Gavin’s hands came up, grabbing the gun from Prio and getting him into a chokehold. Inara was startled by the sudden reversal. Using Prio as a hostage, Gavin backed slowly away from the crowd of guards. “How about now?” Gavin seethed. Although they’d rounded the corner heading back toward the main corridors, Prio’s men stayed close. “Call off your men,” Gavin ordered, holding the gun steady. Prio gave a bone-chilling cackle. “Kill me, Gavin. I’d like to know if you have the guts.” “I will kill you on my time, not yours.” “Oh, but you couldn’t kill me could you?” Prio taunted. “That would make you a bad man … like me.” Gavin harrumphed. “You have goons to do the killing for you. I don’t think you’ve killed anyone.” With a swift move, Prio flipped Gavin over his shoulder throwing him flat on the floor. Inara hardly had time to yelp in surprise before Prio reclaimed the gun and shot Gavin in the head. “Think again,” Prio growled. Inara stifled a scream and started to run. “Hold it, my lady,” Prio called, his guards coming into view. “I only require you alive, but I’d prefer you undamaged.” Inara froze, considering her option. Gavin’s blood pooled on the floor around the feet of Prio and his men. Breathing heavily, she wrapped her robe tightly around herself and with as much dignity as possible, she walked back to Prio. Prio seemed disinterested, allowing one of his men to take her by the arm. Stepping over Gavin’s body, he pulled out a kerchief and wiped the blood spatter from his face and suit. “Guns,” he carped, holstering his. “So messy!” Inara’s jaw dropped in surprised. The guard followed Prio out, pulling Inara along. “Bring her shuttle as well,” Prio ordered. “She may be of use to us.”

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