Out to the black Chapter 10

Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. I’m just playing. No money being made.

This is my first Fan Fic ever. Constructive reviews are shiny.

This fic takes place two years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee and Mal/Inara along with a Jayne/River friendship.

Out to the black

Chapter Ten – Two by Two… Hands of… Well you know the rest

Zoë and Allan walked along the streets of New Glasgow, chatting back and fourth about many things, Allan’s growing up, His founding of Blue Sun, Zoë’s life before Serenity, and the War. Allan thought it almost felt like he was on a date with Serenity’s First mate.

After Several stops at various ship suppliers, they had crossed off everything on their list for Serenity. After arranging for the supplies to be delivered to the ship, Zoë and Allan made their way into the more upscale shopping areas of New Glasgow. Looking for a jewelry store that was big enough to have the resources to handle the transaction but not so large to ask too many questions about the gold and diamonds.

After thirty minutes of looking the pair found a likely shop called Rosenberg’s Fine Jewels. Allan smiled at his companion and casually entered, Zoë close behind.

The young brown haired woman working the counter looked up as the bell over the door rang. Startled by the obviously armed man and woman entering the store, her hand hovered over the alarm button.

“Can I help you?” she said nervously.

Allan smiled at the woman and did his best to put her at ease. Zoë stayed silent standing behind Allan.

“I certainly hope so,” Allan said still smiling,” I was wondering if I might be able to speak with either the manager or perhaps the owner?”

“May I ask your name and why you would like to speak to the owner?” Her hand still hovered over the alarm button.

“Certainly, My Name is Allan Bryant. I’d like to discuss some business. I have some stones and precious metals I would like to exchange,” Allan continued, “Strictly legitimate I assure you. Just some family heirlooms that I must, unfortunately part with to meet some expenses.”

Relaxing a bit, the woman moved her hand from the alarm to the small com unit on the counter.

“Mr. Rosenberg, could you please come up front to meet with a customer?”

“I’ll be there in a moment Elizabeth,” the voice replied.

A moment later a tall and thin man who looked to be about sixty-five, entered from the back room. He was wearing a dark suit. His long gray beard and the skullcap he wore identified him as being of the Jewish faith. Allan thought that he would not have looked out of place in New York’s diamond district back on Earth. Smiling, Allan spoke.

“Shalom… Mr. Rosenberg I presume?”

The older man smiled at the stranger in his store. Surprised at the greeting.

“Shalom, how can I help you mister…”

“Bryant, Allan Bryant,” Allan replied. This is Ms. Washburn my associate. Zoë just nodded, staying silent, eyes roaming the store.

“What can I do for you Mr. Bryant?”

“I have some family heirlooms that I unfortunately find I need to liquidate. I am afraid my ship has some maintenance issues and I find that I am a bit short on cash,” Allan said still smiling.

Smiling, Mr. Rosenberg asked, “What do you have?”

Allan unzipped his fanny pack and withdrew the three small one-kilogram bars as well as a small bag containing eight diamonds of various sizes.

Mr. Rosenberg’s eye’s widened at the sight before him. “My goodness” he gasped out.

Allan tried not to chuckle at the jeweler’s surprise. “These have been in my family for hundred’s of years. They predate the exodus as far as I know. I have the certificates for the stones as well. Allan said pulling a small sheaf of papers from his pack.

“I don’t have that kind of cash on hand,” Mr. Rosenberg stammered.

“I understand. Perhaps it could be couriered from your financial institution? I would accept a reasonable discount in the value to cover any expenses or trouble this might cause.”

“Uh, Yes… Yes that would be acceptable.” The man said eagerly. “Would you excuse me a moment, I need to get the current gold price from the cortex.”

“Of course”

Zoë leaned over and whispered in Allan’s ear, “you sure about this?”

“Absolutely,” He whispered back, “I’ve negotiated multi billion dollar business deals… This is a piece of cake.”

A few minutes later, Mr. Rosenberg returned. “Mr. Bryant, at the current rate of exchange, three kilograms of gold is worth one million eight hundred thousand credits. The stones are worth an additional six hundred thousand credits.

Allan smiled and looked at Zoë. Suddenly a little concerned, Allan had never seen anyone of Zoë’s skin color turn that pale. She looked like she was going to faint.

Turning back to Mr. Rosenberg, Allan thought for a moment and then stated, “Would you accept paying me one point six for the gold and five fifty for the stones?”

A wide smile appeared on the jewelers bearded face. “Of course, I can have the credits here within the hour.”

“Thank you…” Allan paused for a moment, “I would however appreciate some… shall we say discretion in this transaction”

“Of course, The Alliance would normally frown on this large a transaction. I wish to avoid entanglements as well.”

“Thank you Mr. Rosenberg.”

“Please, Call me Ari”

“Only if you call me Allan”

“Of course Allan. May I offer you any refreshment’s while we wait?”

“Some water would be nice, I believe Ms. Washburn feels a bit light headed”

“I’ll be right back.”

Looking to his companion, Allan noticed that some color had returned to the Amazon’s face. “You okay over there Zoë?”

“Do you know what that’s worth in Platinum?”

“Nope”

“About six million, enough to buy two Serenity’s and keep em’ runnin for about five years.”

“Really, hmm, should have brought more gold with us then.”

“You got more?”

Smiling at Zoë’s discomfort, Allan replied, “about another fifty kilograms.”

Zoë stared at Allan and whispered, “I’m not sure weather to shoot you for the money or take you back to my bunk and rip your clothes off.”

“Given the choice, I’ll take option two” Allan said like it was a joke.

“Me too” Zoë replied.

“Huh?”

Mr. Rosenberg returned to the room at that moment, giving Zoë a chance to break eye contact before Allan had time to consider what she had said.

“Wuo de ma,” Zoë thought to herself. “Why the hell did I say that?”

“The courier’s should be here in about twenty minutes.” Said Ari.

“Thank you Ari” Allan replied.

Allan and Zoë sat on a small sofa along one wall of the store to wait. Keeping a bit of distance between each other, they sat in silence while waiting. Allan thought on what Zoë had said about shooting him or ripping his clothes off. Allan had, at first taken it as a joke, and then Zoë’s response to his preferring the second option of the clothes ripping off got him thinking a bit. Zoë and he had been getting along quite nicely. Allan also admitted to himself that Zoë was a beautiful woman, although a bit young for him. Allan had turned fifty-two, three months before he went into cryo. Zoë was perhaps thirty-two or thirty-three. There had been younger women on his arm before, but they were usually compensated for their time and then only for the purpose of window dressing for some company or social event.

Allan glanced at Zoë as she stared at the jewelry cases, obviously deep in thought. Allan figured that she was just as confused at the situation as he was.

“Zoë?”

She jumped, startled by the sudden break in the silence. “Uh, yes?”

“What do you think Mal’s gonna do when we come back with all this money?”

Zoë laughed, the sound breaking the tension between them. “He’s likely to try to kiss you.”

Allan laughed loudly at that, “No thanks, I prefer women for my kissin.”

Zoë suddenly looked at Allan with deep stare. Then she smiled wide at the older man.

“Wow,” Allan thought, “She has a nice smile.”

The bell over the door rang as a young man in a sharp suit entered, flanked by two obvious bodyguard types. He was carrying a medium sized case, handcuffed to his left wrist.

“Ah, Mr. Stearns, Thank you for coming so soon,” Ari Rosenberg Said to the younger man.

“A pleasure as always Mr. Rosenberg,” he replied. Upon spotting the armed couple sitting on the small sofa the man asked, “Is everything all right?”

Ari smiled at the younger mans caution, “Not to worry, just a couple waiting on credit approval for the purchase of their wedding rings” The old jeweler lied.

“Very well, as agreed, two million, one hundred fifteen thousand credits.”

“Thank you Mr. Stearns, I appreciate your being so prompt”

“Not at all, we pride ourselves on our service to our best customers,” Stearns said as he motioned to one of the bodyguards to unlock the case from his wrist.

Stearns slid the case across the counter to Ari, producing the key to unlock it. Upon opening the case, the younger man spoke again, “Please feel free to count it.”

“That will not be necessary, I would not want to keep you from your other duties, it would take me quite a while with my old eyes to count it all.”

“Very well, Mr. Rosenberg. Good day.”

“A good day to you as well Mr. Stearns.”

After the three men left the store, Zoë and Allan rose and walked to the counter. Zoë seemed a little unsteady but her face was beaming.

“Thank you Ari,” Allan said.

“My pleasure… I, uh, hate to bring this up but I was wondering that if you ever needed a… similar transaction…” Ari struggled to say.

Allan beamed at the older man. “I would of course love to do business again”

Ari visibly relaxed, “Excellent, here is my card, Please wave me if you have more to exchange. I can have the cash waiting in that case”

“Perfect, I shall do that Ari. Please if you would excuse us, we really need to be getting back to our ship.”

“Of course, Good day Allan,” Ari said offering his hand.

Allan shook the older man’s hand, “Good day Ari.”

Allan and Zoë turned and left the small store, the case of money in Allan’s left hand. Walking a few hundred feet, Allan suddenly stopped and sat on a bench, Zoë looked at him, a questioning look on her face. Allan eased the case open slightly and slipped a fifty credit note out. He handed it to Zoë.

“This case is too conspicuous. Can you run over to that sporting goods store and get two small backpacks or something similar?” Allan asked.

“Good idea, it’ll keep our hands free if anyone gets any ideas.”

“Exactly.”

Zoë turned quickly and made her way across the street to the sporting goods store while Allan sat on the bench, his right hand inches from his gun. Something didn’t feel quite right.

Ten minutes later Zoë returned with two small daypacks. Allan stood up and led her into a nearby alley. Ducking down behind a dumpster, Allan popped the case open and began to unceremoniously stuff the cash into the two packs while Zoë stood guard. After a few minutes, both packs were full. Allan handed one to Zoë as he slung the other onto his back.

“Zoë, I think we need to head back, I don’t know what it is, but something doesn’t feel right.” “You psychic too?”

“Not that I know of, just… I … my instincts tell me something’s off and I’ve always trusted my instincts.”

“Okay, we’ll take another route back to Serenity”

As Zoë and Allan made their way back to the ship, Zoë pulled out her com and tried a few calls. Getting no response from Mal or Simon, she tried Jayne.

“Jayne, you copy?”

“Right here Zoë, whassup?”

“Where are you?”

“Jus’ leavin the gun shop,” the big man’s voice said.

“Stay there, me n’ Allan’ll be there in two minutes”

Picking up speed into a trot, Zoë and Allen made their way to the gun shop. Easily spotting Jayne through the crowd.

“What’s goin on Zoë?” Jayne said, a little concern in his voice.

“No one else is answering their com. Ship’s not answering either.”

A scowl crossed the big man’s face, “What’s the plan?”

“Allan and I’ll walk down the street, you’ll work your way around behind the ship, keep an eye out, we’ll make one pass by the ship and call you on the com.”

“Good ’nough” Jayne said and within a few steps was lost in the crowd.

“Gonna be dark soon, “Allan commented.

“Yeah, “Zoë said, suddenly getting an idea, “You a good actor?”

“Huh?”

Zoë suddenly grabbed Allan’s hand in her own, gazing at Allan with a strange look on her normally stoic face. “Just pretend we’re like Simon and Kaylee on our stroll past the ship.”

“Great idea. Let’s go dear.”

Hand in hand, smiling and making eyes at each other, Allan and Zoë rounded the corner to the street that fronted the ship berths. In the darkening twilight they could see that the mule was parked in front of Serenity. The ships ramp was closed but the small entry door was open. As the pair got closer they could see two Alliance soldiers standing near the mule. They seemed to be scanning the crowd. Zoë let her hair fall forward to cover her face while she leaned her head on Allan’s shoulder. Smile frozen on Zoë’s face. Doing her best to hide her growing apprehension. When Allan and Zoë passed in front of the open door to Serenity, a sudden but faint woman’s scream was audible. Zoë’s hand tightened around Allan’s. He bent down as if to whisper sweet nothings in his sweetie’s ear. Walking within feet of the two Feds.

“That sound like River to you?” Allan whispered. Zoë could only nod.

One hundred feet further on, Zoë broke from Allan’s embrace, and grabbed her com.

“Jayne, status?”

“Two Fed’s in front’s of the ship, No one else about that I’s can see”

“ Okay, you work your way around to the one on the right of the ship, I’ll take the left. Allan will create a diversion.”

“Got it”

Getting an idea, Allan pulled a handful of bills from Zoë’s pack, “This should cause a ruckus,” Allan said with a feral smile.

Zoë nodded and turned back towards the ship she disappeared in the growing dark in moments.

Allan made his way across the street from the ship. Looking around he looked for more uniforms. Seeing none he clutched the wad of bills in his right hand. Looking to the ship, he saw slight movement on either side of the cargo bay, Jayne and Zoë were in position.

Drawing his arm back, Allan threw the wad if money as hard as he could into the air. Bills began to rain down. A shout came up from the crowd on the street, as people scrambled to grab the fluttering bills. Allan stepped aside and drew his gun. Making his way around the near riot in front of the ship Allan waited.

The two Fed’s, attention drawn by the street brawl in front of them didn’t notice the two figures approaching from behind. Like ghost’s, moving as one, Zoë and Jayne slid behind the two men knocking them unconscious. Dropping the two men to the ground. The pair quickly dragged them out of sight next to Serenity. Running up, Allan grabbed a tarp from the mule and draped it over the two, further hiding them. Moving to the door, Jayne took a quick look in the door.

A growl emanated from the big man’s chest. Lying on the deck he could see Inara and Kaylee not moving.

“Nara an Kaylee are down, can’t see no one else”

Zoë’s eyes seemed to harden even more than they had before. “Jayne, can you get to the upper airlock?”

“Yes”

“Go”, Zoë said quickly, we’re going in this way.

Jayne melted into the darkening night. Zoë looked at Allan, Mare’s leg held at the ready, “You up for this?”

“Let’s go,” Allan said, his blood boiling.

Zoë and Allan entered the bay, weapons ready, looking around and seeing no one but Inara and Kaylee on the deck, Allan holstered his Colt and moved to check the two women. Quickly feeling for pulses. Finding both women were breathing, Allan looked to Zoë.

“Just unconscious,” Allan said quietly. Doing a quick exam looking for injuries, Allan’s hand found small darts embedded in both women. “Looks like a tranquilizer of some kind,” he finished, voice still quiet.

“Leave em’ for the moment, gotta find the others” Zoë said, voice devoid of emotion.

Looking up, Allan spotted a boot sticking out from behind a crate, “Shit,” he whispered.

Moving over to the pile of crates, Allan found Mal face down, blood seeping from his right upper arm. A nasty gash on his forehead. Zoë moved up beside Allan.

“Is he…” she asked

“He’s breathing, arm looks like a through and through. Allan ripped the rest of Mal’s sleeve off and wrapped the oozing wound. Checking the mans pupils, Allan noted that they reacted to the limited light in the bay, but slowly, “Looks like he’s concussed.”

“Okay” Zoë said, voice hard.

“Zoë,” Jayne’s voice whispered from the com unit.

“Go ahead”

“I’m in, no sign a’ anyone”

“Keep looking topside, we’re heading for the dorms. Mal’s unconscious in the bay with the girls.”

“Gotcha Zoë”

Allan pulled his gun again, looking to Zoë. She motioned towards the rear bulkhead and the crew dorms. Moving quietly the pair moved across the deck, each taking a side of the open hatch.

Looking at each other, they were about to peek around the opening when they heard an almost inhuman wail followed by some mumbled words. Listening further, they could make out a strangers voice speaking.

“Come now Miss Tam, if you continue to put up resistance we will be forced to kill your brother,” the voice said

Sneaking a quick peek around the door, Allan saw two men in dark blue suits wearing what looked like blue gloves. One held a strange T shaped device in his right hand. The other stood over an obviously unconscious Simon. A gun pointed to the young man’s head. River cowered in the corner of the common area, eyes clouded with fear and pain. River was handcuffed and it looked like her right shoulder was dislocated.

Looking back to Zoë, Allan held up two fingers. Zoë nodded and stole a quick look herself. River saw her look around the corner. She stopped her incomprehensible babbling and smiled slightly…

“Two by two, hands of blue, Amazon of brown, man of blue. Kill you two… Bullet in the brainpan, squish”

The two blue hands shared a confused look for a moment…

Zoë and Allan stepped into the opening…

Triggers were squeezed almost simultaneously…

Upon hearing the shots, Jayne sprinted for the dorms…

The two blue hands crumpled to the floor, blood and gray matter sprayed on the wall beyond them…

Zoë and Allan holstered their weapons, Allan moving to Simon and Zoë, crushing the strange T shaped device under her boot. Jayne came thundering down the stairs next to the infirmary. He immediately moved to River

“You okay there girl?”

“Shoulder hurts Jayne,” River said in a small voice.

“Jayne!” Zoë yelled, “She’ll be ok for a bit. Get the mule on board. We gotta get off this rock now!”

Jayne looked at River. She nodded and smiled slightly, “On it” the Merc growled.

Zoë found a set of handcuff keys on one of the dead blue hands. She moved to River and unlocked the girl’s cuffs.

With the weird device destroyed, Simon began to regain consciousness. His eyes Snapped open and the young man came up swinging, “River!” he cried.

Allan grabbed Simon and tried to hold onto him until he calmed down, “Simon! Chill out, It’s me Allan!”

Simon’s eyes seemed to focus and he stopped struggling, “What happened?”

“River’s shoulder is dislocated, Mal’s been shot and has a head injury. Kaylee and Inara are unconscious, probably drugged,” Allan said quickly, “Mal’s your priority patient. I’ll be back to help as soon as I can. I gotta get us airborne.”

Simon nodded and struggled to his feet, Zoë helping him.

Jayne’s voice echoed from the bay, “Mule’s on, I got Mal.”

Zoë looked at Allan, “We’re outta here,” Allan said.

Allan ran to the bridge. Throwing himself into the pilot’s chair, Allan began powering up Serenity. As soon as he had hydraulic pressure, Allan swiveled the ships engine pods into the takeoff position. When the computer confirmed engine start, Allan started to bring the rest of the systems on line.

“Firefly Serenity, this is Port Control, you are not cleared to lift, Shut down or we will be forced to land lock you,” A voice crackled out of the com.

“Can’t land lock something that ain’t on the land,” Allan said out loud as he pushed the throttles to the stops. Serenity leapt off the ground, her exhaust knocking over people and equipment for a hundred feet around the ship including the two unconscious Feds.

Throttles still at max, Serenity gained speed quickly. Allan banked the ship over the city, accelerating. Turning north, the ship went supersonic while still over the city’s suburbs, leaving a trail of broken windows in her wake.

Allan kept the ship low, letting the intermittent cloud cover mask their escape. Hitting a button on the com, Allan called out, “Zoë, I need someone to set us up for full burn!”

Zoë looked around, she and Simon were working on Mal, Inara and Kaylee were just coming around. Kaylee was in no shape to be of any help at the moment. Jayne had just reset River’s dislocated shoulder and was wrapping her arm in a sling.

“Jayne and I can do it,” River said obviously in pain.

“You sure Mei-mei?”

“I’ll show Jayne what to do.”

“Go little one.”

Jayne actually carried River to the engine room, Setting the girl in Kaylee’s hammock. River directed Jayne in what to do to get the ship set for full burn.

A few moment’s later, River’s voice came across the com “All set for full burn Allan”

Hearing the call, Allan pulled back on the yoke, Serenity clawed for the sky, ship vibrating as she gained speed in the upper atmosphere. The sky outside the windows turned black, Allan hit the com, “Now River!”

Jayne pulled the full burn engagement lever and a moment later, Serenity left Aberdeen behind in a flash of golden light.

Allan finally took a deep breath, watching Aberdeen recede on the aft camera, reaching up he keyed the com again, “Zoë, where we headed?”

“Boros, think maybe we need to lay low for a bit, Jacob can probably help with that.”

“Boros it is” Allan said as he programmed the destination into the autopilot. Ten minutes later Serenity was on course, autopilot guiding their way. Groaning, he heaved himself out of the pilot’s chair, Allan began to walk stiffly to the Infirmary.

“What a day” he muttered as he left the bridge, “What a day”

TBC