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

This story is set fifteen years into the future from my current storyline “Big Blue”.

Cast of characters:

Parents: Malcolm Reynolds 51 Inara Serra-Reynolds 44 Allan Bryant 68 Zoë Bryant 48 Kaylee Tam 40 Simon Tam 43 Jayne Cobb 52 River Cobb 36 Kids: Jefferson (Jeff) Reynolds 15 Emma Reynolds10 Sara Bryant 14 Rebecca Tam 15 John (Jack) Tam 11 Rachel Cobb 8 Jesse Cobb 6

Heritage-Chapter Three

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Promptly at five thirty, a small shuttle landed next to Serenity. Not knowing who it was, Mal went to investigate. Approaching the small craft, he was surprised to find Monty standing outside the shuttle.

“Monty!” Mal exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”

“Allan done invited me to dinner. I ain't about to pass up on Kaylee's cookin.” the big man replied.

“Nobody tells me nothin anymore,” Mal chuckled as he shook his older cousin's hand.

“How long you in port?”

“Just till the mornin.”

“Well lets get you up to the house. Dinner should almost be ready.”

As the two men walked up the path to the houses, a small device detached from Monty's shuttle. Moving slowly, the small disk flew just above the trees, following the two men at a distance.

Outside the compound on the main road, two men sat in a small ground car pulled over to the side.

“Getting a good picture?” the first man asked the second.

“Clear as day. That was a good idea piggybacking the drone on that shuttle.”

“Soon as I overheard Bryant inviting that captain to dinner I knew it would work. Got the drone inside the security perimeter.”

“Yeah, but this is just a recon mission. We gotta figure out a way to disable the security system in order to snatch the old man's brat.”

“It will take some work but the ransom will be worth it. Hundan's near on the richest man in the 'verse.”

“Yep, he'll pay through the nose to get his little girl back.”

“Looks like they're havin a picnic or something,” the second said, as the center of the compound became visible on the small screen.

“Turn up the audio feed. I want to hear what they are saying.”

XXXXXXXXXX

As usual, Kaylee's cooking was up to par. Soon the younger kids were off playing while the three oldest helped with the after dinner cleanup.

“I hear you got sent to the office again Sara,” Inara said to the girl as she started collecting the dirty dishes.

“What'd you do this time?” Jayne asked.

“Nothin uncle Jayne,” Sara replied, “Teacher was teaching the wrong stuff and I called her on it.”

“Good for you shorty,” Jayne chuckled as he went back to sipping his beer.

“Zang-fu is not encouraging backtalk to teachers,” River admonished her husband, “But in this case it was warranted.”

Sara giggled and placed the dirty dishes in the small wagon they used to haul items around the compound. Allan rolled his eyes and put his arm around Zoë.

“Whens the conference you're going to Simon?” Allan asked.

“The fifteenth,” The doctor replied.

“I need to be on Londonium the sixth,” Allan said.

“Horses need to be on Shinon no later than the tenth, Allan” Mal said in reply.

“The orbital positions during that time frame would allow Allan, along with Zoë and Sara to break off in the shuttle and head to Londonium. As soon as the horses are delivered, we can meet them on Londonium in time for Simon's conference.” River said.

“Leave it to the walking computer to figure out the orbital trajectories,” Allan chuckled.

River's reply was to stick out her tongue at Allan.

“Ain't you getting a bit old to be doing that Albatross?” Mal asked.

“I may be older but I refuse to completely grow up,” River said grinning.

“I'm grateful for that,” Jayne said.

“Hear, here,” Kaylee chipped in.

“I don't be needin a play by play description there you two,” Mal groused.

“We love our Capn',” Kaylee and River chorused together.

“Speaking of old, I need to be getting these old bones of mine to bed,” Allan said as he got to his feet, “Comin baby?”

“Be along in a bit hon,” Zoë replied.

“Night all,” Allan said as he headed for the house. Sam got up from where he had been laying in the shadows and followed his master across the yard.

They hadn't gone more than a few yards when Sam suddenly stopped and bristled. A low growl escaping from the dog's jaws.

“What is it boy?”

The german shepherd, put his nose in the air and took a few steps and growled again. Allan looked in the direction Sam was growling and Allan saw something move. Swiftly he pulled his pistol from the small of his back and a single gunshot echoed across the courtyard. The frisbee sized drone crashed to the ground thirty feet away. Sam ran to the object and barked at it while Mal, Zoë River and Jayne followed by a puffing Monty ran to Allan's side. Kaylee, Simon and Inara rounded up the children and hustled them into the closest house.

“What is it?” Jayne asked.

“Looks like a recon drone,” Allan replied. The darkening twilight made it hard to see details.

“How did it get inside the security system?” Zoë asked.

“Not sure baby,” Allan replied. Kneeling next to the device, Allan flipped it over with the muzzle of his gun.

“Standard, off the shelf recon drone,” Allan said, “Can buy em' almost anywhere.” I'm gonna take it down to Kaylee's shop and see if I can find a serial number. Maybe I can backtrack the numbers.”

“I'll send Kaylee down to help you as soon as we get the kids to the proper houses,” Zoë said.

“I'll go with you Allan,” Jayne said.

“Monty, I guess we'll have to call the evening short,” Mal said to his cousin.

“That's okay Mal, You need anything you wave me, hear?”

“You got it you old walrus,” Mal replied.

XXXXXXXXXX

“Gorramit! You know how much them things cost?”

“Calm down. The drone did it's job.”

“But the hundan shot it.”

“Yeah, but we know in less than a months time, he's gonna be on Londonium with his wife and kid and away from the security system.”

“Yeah but he has bodyguards off planet.”

“I know but it still gives us a window.”

“You're the boss.”

“Don't forget it either.

XXXXXXXXXX

A little after midnight, Allan made it back to the house and tiredly climbed the stairs. Quietly, he opened the door to Sara's room. A smile appeared on Allan's face as he watched his daughter sleep. This was something he tried to do every night. Sam gazed at him from his spot at the foot of Sara's bed and cocked his head.

“Good boy Sam,” Allan whispered. The big german shepherd wagged his tail in response.

Closing the door, Allan made his way to his and Zoë's bedroom. Zoë was still up and reading in bed. She was wearing Allan's favorite nightgown.

“Anything?” Zoë asked as she put down her book.

“Nope. Serial number came back to a shipment that was stolen near on a year ago over on Persephone.”

“I'll wave Badger in the morning. The little twit owes us a favor or two. Maybe he knows something about that shipment.”

“Good idea,” Allan replied before yawning, “And here I wanted to get to bed early.”

“My fault for wearing you out when I got home from work,” Zoë said grinning.

“But that's a good kind of worn out,” Allan replied as he entered the bathroom to brush his teeth.

“I waved Jacob. He's gonna have the patrols run a bit heavier out this way for the next few days,” Zoë called to Allan. While Zoë was the police chief in town, Serenity Acres was actually located in the unincorporated part of the county and fell under the jurisdiction of the Sheriffs department.

“Good,” Allan said as he exited the bathroom dressed in boxers and a t-shirt, “I think We'll drive the kids to school the next week or so too,” Allan finished as he slipped into bed.

“Yep,” Zoë agreed as they snuggled together. Allan clicked off the light and they were both soon asleep.

TBC