River’s Run – Part 6

Mal had always known those pardons from the Alliance would only keep him out of trouble for a short while. He’d end up punching someone who said something about Inara or someone he knew and cared about would do something stupid and he’d have to bend and break the law to help them. But he always thought he’d have a little bit of peace. Guess around two weeks counts for a little bit, Mal thought, as he heard the words come from Flying Office Janice Flowers.

“I have to open that chamber.”

They were in the cargo bay of a Bluebird class freighter called the Rose, bit smaller than a Firefly, but newer and cleaner. There were only four crew members, the captain and three others, two men and a woman. The captain was old, almost as old as Book had been, was medium height, muscular and had a bald head with a fringe of white. The two other men were in their 20s, lean and tough looking, one Chinese, the other black, and Mal thought they’d be good in a scrap. The woman was as white as the captain, with short brown hair, in her 40s. She was the pilot and she was plain but not homely and was as tall as Zoe.

They were in as deep as trouble as Mal, Zoe, Wash, and Jayne if that officer opened the cyro-chamber and found fugitive River Tam inside. Making things worse were the fact that the crew was unarmed as was Jayne dressed in his Shepherd’s outfit, and Wash, who never carried a gun unless he was told to. That left Mal and Zoe’s guns against five Alliance troopers and the officer. Maybe the crew might take one or two out if they got surprise. Mal had no doubt they could take them down, but that left the little problem of being docked to the Alliance cruiser Saratoga. Even if they did manage to get away, the cruiser had fighters and missiles. He thought of bribing this officer, but she look like the honest type and that soldier who mentioned their orders certainly was. No, there was no escaping this one. No matter what he did in the next few minutes, they would truly join the criminal world once again. But not as prisoners

Mal could see the muscles twitching in Jayne’s face as he stuck his finger in the officer’s face to make his point. “You kill my dog, Lord gonna be mighty sore at you all.”

“Then open it yourself,” she said. “I have no idea how they work and perhaps if you know how then we can limit the chance of hurting your dog. I just need to see a tail or a paw.”

“I don’t know how they work!” Jayne said, his voice getting louder despite the look Mal was giving him. “The vet did it all. Told me to find another vet when we reached Sihnon and he would rev…reviv…wake him up!”

“Just calm down, Shepherd,” Zoe said. “I’ve used a cyro-chamber before, Officer Flowers. Used to work in the loading bay of a freighter. Dealt with them a few times. Maybe I can help.”

“Thank you. Come with me,” said Janice as she followed the soldier to where the cyro-chamber was located, in the back, under some other boxes and a tarp where Jayne had made a half-assed attempt to hide it.

Zoe knew what she had to do and so did Mal. They had divided the Alliance soldiers. Zoe would take out Flowers and the solder with her and Mal, Jayne, and Wash had to take out the other four and the crew could join in if they had a mind to staying out of a penal colony. Once the soldiers were disabled they’d detach from the ship and Mal would make damn sure Wash was in the pilot’s seat no matter what then captain said. Mal knew they would run, had to run, cause he wasn’t made to be in no prison, not after Hera. He swore he’d die before ever going back to an Alliance lock down.

As soon as the chamber was opened and Flowers saw River, Zoe decided she would jam Flowers head first into the top of it and then she’d shoot the soldier. He stood by as Zoe and Janice pulled the heavy silver box out on its mechanical lift. The side with the controls and the latches was away from the rest of them. Zoe and Janice moved around to that side and only they could see into it. Zoe had read the instructions a few times but hesitated a moment as she forgot how it opened. Then she remembered the one River came to Serenity on and saw that this one wasn’t much different.

“I’m not going to touch the life controls,” Zoe said. “I’ll just undo these two latches, you take a quick peek and then I’ll shut it.”

“Fine,” said Janice, really hoping she didn’t kill the Shepherd’s dog. She liked dogs, and she had some religion, so she knew if this went bad God might not be so kind to her in the future. If that soldier hadn’t followed her back her, she wouldn’t even have opened it. And if River was inside, and these people were trying to smuggle her off Paquin, she didn’t know what she’d do.

The soldiers were relaxed, not really understanding they were about to be in a fight. Mal, slowly moved his hand to where his pistol was hidden by his long coat. Jayne tensed his muscles, ready to bash heads in, and Wash gulped and tried to decide who the smallest soldier was. Mal made eye contact with the captain and suddenly the captain got the feeling all was not right on his ship. Then there was a hiss from the chamber as it opened.

Zoe lifted the edge and as the foggy steam came out both her and Janice could clearly see River’s right leg and foot. Zoe watched the officer’s face and just as she was going to grab her head and smash it into the chamber top, Janice slammed the lid shut and starting working the latches.

“It’s a dog,” she said so loud everyone could hear her. In seconds the latches were shut and Zoe could see that the integrity of the chamber wasn’t spoiled and all life signs were still in the green. Janice and the soldier came back to where the others were and Zoe soon joined them. Mal, Jayne, and Wash were giving looks to Zoe and she was avoiding their eyes so as not to give things away.

“Captain, here is your clearance,” Janice said as she signed a paper and handed it to the freighter captain, who put on a big grin as he accepted. “Have a nice trip to Sihnon.”

She turned to her soldiers. “Let’s go.” The five started to file off and as the last one left, Janice stopped by the hatch. She turned back to Zoe and in a low whisper said, “Tell River I said good luck.” Zoe could see something in her eyes, something like sadness, and knew there was some connection between her and River. And then she was gone.

*********************************************

“I don’t want excuses, Admiral Shin,” Prime Minister Blakely said in her sternest manner on the Cortex screen in Shin’s office. “Just bring them back.”

“It may be too late. They are already more than a dozen of them searching for her,” Shin said calmly. Blakely found out, how did not matter as the subjects were already in play and the game had begun.

“Those children were part of Cutter’s program, not mine,” Blakely said. “I want them brought back to Londinium for de-programming as we originally decided.”

“They will be, after Tam is taken care of,” Shin said. “She is still a dangerous fugitive. Two young boys were killed in a park on Paquin. Tam was ID’d by a survivor of her attack. Said she robbed them of their belongings.”

“And you let more River Tams loose on the galaxy! Bring them back!”

“After the job is done.” They stared at each other and finally Blakely relented.

“Very well. But I want something in return.”

“I am at your command.”

She raised an eyebrow slightly. “Oh really? Well, in that case contact Colonel Justin Powers on Miranda and order him to return to Londinium at once. I have a new job for him.”

Shin was suddenly suspicious. “What job?”

“The cabinet has decided. Colonel Powers is going to be the new High Chancellor of the Alliance and head of the Ministry of the Interior.”

*********************************************

“He said he was just like River,” Simon told Kaylee as they sat eating lunch in the kitchen of her father’s home, her father and Mary still at the factory.

“You mean…he can read minds?” Kaylee asked skeptically. One mind reader was pretty fantastic, but two would be just down right incredible.

“I don’t know,” Simon said, sounding exasperated. “He couldn’t explain it properly. He says he has nightmares, he wakes up in strange places with blood on his hands, says he knows he kills people. Sometimes he babbles nonsense, like River. Also, he remembers things that never happened to him, memories that aren’t his.”

“Sure sounds like River,” Kaylee said as she picked up Simon’s plate and put it in the sink. “Can you help him?”

“I couldn’t help River, so…no. But I gave him an injection like I give…gave…River. That will help him, for today.”

Kaylee was silent for a moment as she poured them some water for tea. Then suddenly she turned to her husband. “How do you think River is doing….I mean, without her medicine.”

Simon’s face grew more serious and slowly shook his head. “I have no idea. I…still don’t understand. Did she get better after knowing where Miranda is and what it is? Did she get worse? I have no idea. It’s…frustrating. And I don’t have the equipment here to help Derek.”

“Where is he now?”

“He’s not alone. He has a partner and they are staying at the small inn on Rose Street. His partner is pure Alliance, all the way and not like him at all.”

“Gosh, two of them. To watch us?”

“That’s what he said.”

“We have to tell Oren.”

Simon shook his head. “I think that won’t help anyone much. They aren’t after us. They want to find River. I’m guessing Oren has no idea they are here.”

“I gotta wave the Capt’n, tell him there maybe someone looking for them, someone like River.”

“Oren is watching our waves.”

“Then we’ll get a friend to do it, from a public Cortex screen.”

“God, I hope they find her. I’m afraid…” but he couldn’t say the words.

Kaylee came to his side and held him. “Hush now, don’t be fretting none. We’ll get her back, and make all this bad stuff go away and then we’ll have a nice big wedding.”

Simon felt better and loved her optimism, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything wasn’t going to turn out so right.

******************************************************************

“You say it’s a dog, Shepherd, I believe you,” said the freighter captain to Jayne. “Just you all seemed mighty nervous when she asked to open it.”

They were sitting in the small dining facility on the Rose, a Bluebird class freighter, all of the crew and passengers, eating lunch, about an hour after their close encounter with the Alliance.

“It’s a dog,” Jayne said as he sipped some coffee.

“So how do you all know each other?” the pilot asked. “I mean, you booked passage together.”

Mal looked at the captain. “We had a deal. No questions.”

“No, that’s OK, Mr. Reynolds,” Jayne said, having a story prepared in case they did get nosy. Most of it was lies but at least some was true. “I met them in my church but a few days ago. Said they was going to Sihnon. I had a notion to go since a friend of mine died. Wanted me to deliver a letter to a lady he knew and tell her about him and what happened. The dog was his. Wanted her to have it. Them soldiers coulda killed it. Just, when Alliance can’t trust a man of the cloth, I don’t know what the verse is coming to.”

“I hear you, Shepherd,” said one of the crewmen, the Chinese fella. “Alliance hardly lets a man breathe.” Oh, my type of folks, Mal thought. “Hope it ain’t imposing Shepherd, but we was kinda hoping you can give a service tomorrow. After all it is Sunday.” Then again, Mal thought, maybe not.

Wash almost choked on his food. “Oh, that would be lovely Shepherd Ja...Book. I sure could use some of that good old religion myself.”

Jayne just sighed and tried to look sad. “I’m awfully sorry, but I seemed to have left my Bible behind on Paquin by accident.”

“Oh, no worries,” said the captain. “I got one on board. Helps to pray sometimes to ask forgiveness for the things I often carry.”

“Well, I know bit about that,” Mal said. “But I never did pray much or have any use for religion. I’m sure Shepherd Book wouldn’t mind if I missed tomorrow’s service.”

“Why, Mr. Reynolds,” Jayne said with deadly seriousness. “Are you sure there ain’t no sins you want to unburden?”

Mal smiled and at the same time glared a little at Jayne across the table. “No, I’m quite sure my soul is saved already, Shepherd. Thank you.”

Jayne let it go, knowing Mal was getting pissed. The captain went off and returned a few minutes later with his Bible, which Jayne piously thanked him for. After a while the crew went off to do things and the four friends were left alone, finally.

“What the hell happened?” Mal asked Zoe immediately.

“And what did she whisper to you?” Wash asked.

Zoe almost smiled. “Well, she definitely saw a leg, and it wasn’t a dog’s, as I’m sure you know. I’m guessing she’s the pilot River kidnapped.”

“Huh?” said Jayne, looking up from the Bible he was leafing through. “No rutting way.”

“Language, Shepherd,” Wash said and Jayne almost threw the Bible at him until he noticed Mal’s glare.

“What did she say, Zoe?” Mal asked.

“Tell River good luck.”

The three men just stared at her. “No kidding?” Wash said first.

“What the hell happened down there?” Mal wondered.

Jayne leered. “I can do some imagining. For an Alliance officer to let her go…River had to be very good.”

Wash looked puzzled. “What are you…no, that’s crazy.”

“Is it?” Mal asked. “After all, she’s had training in lots of things. Maybe one more we hadn’t thought of before.

Zoe just shook her head. “Men,” she mumbled and she went off to where she and Wash were bunked.

Mal finished his coffee and set the cup on the table. “Guess we won’t know till we get to Sihnon and River wakes up.”

“How long I gotta keep playing, Shepherd?’ Jayne asked in a low voice.

“Five more whole days,” Wash said with a grin.

“You know, I seem to recall Book using his fists once in a while,” Jayne said as he glared at Wash.

“Enough, Shepherd,” Mal said. “This crew may be no friend of the Alliance, but I don’t want them telling no stories when were gone, dong ma?”

“I got it,” Jayne said as he picked up his Bible again. “What in the gorr…hel….am I gonna preach on?”

“I think you should preach on forgiveness and all that turning of the other cheek thing,” Wash said trying to be serious but failing, his giggles escaping his mouth and Jayne once more threatened to turn his blond hair grey.

Mal had had enough of their banter and went to his bunk just off the cargo bay. He sat on the narrow bunk and thought on her and wondered what she was doing now and most of all wondered if the message he sent to the Companion Guild House had gotten through.

***********************************************

It was night on Sihnon and Inara had had a very tiring two days. Paulo had only seen her once, for a brief moment, and she barely had time to bat her eyes and even begin to try to seduce him before he left her alone. Books were brought to her and a vid screen with the local entertainment broadcasting, but no Cortex screen and no communication device of any kind was near. Inara searched high and low for a means out of her two rooms and none was to be found. She thought of playing sick but knew Paulo could call on a private doctor to come, someone in his pay no doubt.

Inara had just about given up on escape when suddenly it was handed to her. Just as she was about to retire for the night the key turned in the door lock and Paulo entered.

“Gather your things, you are leaving,” he said in a cold manner.

“Leaving? For where? Another of your mansions? Or perhaps a lofty apartment where you bring your mistresses?” Inara said with as much sarcasm as she could muster.

“You have ten minutes,” was all he said and he left and this time didn’t lock the door. Inara didn’t know what to make of this so quickly packed her bags and went to the door. It opened and a servant was waiting outside. He took her bags and she started following him, through some halls, down a wide staircase and to the front entrance where Paulo was waiting.

“This matter is not ended,” he said, still cold, hardly looking at her. “When Reynolds arrives I will duel with him or you shall never have your divorce.”

“Paulo for the last time, I will never be your wife or your lover,” Inara replied. “Just let me pay you the bride price and sign the papers and be done with this matter.”

Now he stared at her. “You have friends in high places. They can protect you now. But the law is still the law. You are my wife and that man is your lover. I am allowed a duel to satisfy my honor and restore my reputation. Now, good evening, Mrs. Chase. A car awaits you.”

Inara didn’t know what to make of this last. Friends in high places? But she didn’t hesitate for long, picked up her two bags and exited the door the servant held open. And then she smiled and knew what had happened.

It was the Head Mistress of the Companion Guild House’s car. In seconds her bags were in the trunk and Inara was inside being whisked away.

After brief greetings Inara got right to the point. “How did you know?”

“A certain gentleman sent you a message and mentioned the name Paulo Chase,” the Head Mistress explained.

“Mal,” Inara said quietly.

“Yes,” replied the Head Mistress. “He asked who Paulo Chase was and why you were waving him from that address. Sorry but I had to open the message. We had expected you three days ago. Once we knew you had arrived on the cruiser, I suspected Chase was behind your failure to contact me. With the wave from your “friend”, I had enough proof to tell Chase he could be accused of kidnapping. I do know a judge or two and some high ranking police officials. Chase saw the wisdom in letting you go before one more scandal was added to his family’s name.”

“It’s not over yet,” Inara said and then she explained the whole story, about her and Mal and how Paulo now wanted to duel him.

“It is his right,” the Head Mistress said after mulling it over a bit. “The law says a man may duel his wife’s lover.”

“I know, but how can they prove it?”

“There is no need for proof, suspicion is enough, under the old customs. If Reynolds was a nobleman he would be required to fight or his reputation would be destroyed.”

“Believe me, he’s no nobleman,” Inara said with some of that old sarcasm and as soon as the words were out she regretted them.

“But he is noble, yes?”

“Yes,” Inara said, with a touch of pride. “More noble than any man I ever met.”

“I could never imagine what kind of man would win your heart. He must be quite the man,” the Head Mistress said and then her face grew grim. “It’s a shame…Chase is the best with the sword.”

“I’ll just tell Mal to stay away and I’ll leave also,” Inara said with a sort of finality to her statement.

The Head Mistress shook her head. “No matter where you go, the Alliance law will follow. I am afraid your new man will have to duel or this will hang over your heads the rest of your lives.”

“And I am afraid if they do duel, the wrong man will win. Is there nothing we can do to stop Paulo?”

“No,” said the Head Mistress. “The powers that be will support him. Men must be allowed their little games if they are to maintain the illusion that they are in charge.”

******************************************

One more man was also trying to keep in charge of what he saw as rightful sphere of power. Admiral Shin was on a Cortex conference call with ten other generals and admirals, all the top ranks of the fleet and army. The ten faces appeared on his screen in his officer at fleet headquarters, the call as secure as they could make it.

“Gentlemen,” Shin began. “The reason for this call has to do with the new appointee to the position of High Chancellor.”

“Who have they selected?” one old admiral asked.

“Colonel Justin Powers.”

Shin could see the anger and surprise on many faces as he expected. “That’s an outrage,” one general said. “Powers is not a policeman, not a civilian. He’s a military officer. Order him to not accept.”

“I have already ordered him to not accept and he resigned his commission,” Shin said. “He is now a civilian.”

“So, he has agreed to become High Chancellor?” another admiral asked.

“Yes. Seemed almost glad at the appointment. I suspect Blakely had already sounded him out for the job before he was nominated by the cabinet. He will leave Miranda for Londinium on one of our gunships and will be here by week’s end.”

“Well, he’s no Cutter,” another general stated. “Perhaps we can control him.”

An admiral scoffed. “You couldn’t control him before or during the war when he was supposed to be following orders. How do you expect to control him now?”

“The admiral is right,” Shin said. “He will be Blakely’s dog and that’s what she wants. The Ministry of the Interior will be a counter to the military as always but this time the Prime Minister will hold the leashes.”

“Taking orders from a woman is bad enough,” said the first old admiral. “But that upstart Powers, too? I won’t stand for it.”

Many others agreed. “So what shall we do?” Shin asked and suddenly they all became quiet and more than one looked nervous. “I mean, I could…persuade… him not to accept? But we’d all have to agree.”

One by one the military men gave their consent to whatever Shin had in mind. After he ended the conference, Shin leaned back in his chair and smiled. Now he had them, all of them, and they would do whatever he wanted in the future.

There was just one more thing to do, Shin thought. How am I going to kill Justin Powers?

********************************************

“Amen,” Jayne said and his congregation of six repeated and blessed themselves and the service was over. Beads of sweat had popped out on Jayne’s head and he was never so happy to be finished something when he closed the Bible shut on the dining area table.

“Great service, Shepherd,” said Wash and then with his mock seriousness added, “Sure would like to make confession now.”

Zoe just glared at her husband. “I think the Shepherd looks a might tired, dear.”

“I ain’t made confession in a long time,” said the captain nervously, looking at Jayne. “My soul needs to unburden itself of some sin.”

“Shiny,” Jayne said with a forced grin. The rest of the crew, Zoe and Wash filed out and Jayne was left alone with the captain. Of course, Mal hadn’t come to the service and volunteered to sit on the bridge while it was going on. The captain was reluctant to let anyone on his bridge but Mal told him about how he, Zoe and Wash used to own a Firefly but got jumped by scavengers and lost their ship. After some more stories and a bit of captain bonding, the captain let Mal up to the bridge. He used the chance to send another message to Inara from the bridge Cortex screen. They were close enough for face to face and to his delight she answered him at the Guild House. They both looked guilty as they saw each other for the first time in almost a week, both not being quite honest with each other recently.

“Hi,” Mal started and then didn’t know what to say.

“Hello, Mal,” Inara said and they just stared at each other and then suddenly they were talking at the same time.

“I’m sorry I ran off…” Mal started.

“I should have told you about…” Inara began and then they both stopped. “You first,” Inara said.

“Sorry I went looking for River,” Mal said, casting his eyes away a bit. “Just something I had to do.”

“I know and…I told Kaylee to tell you I had forgiven you.”

“I got the message. Just nice hearing you say it.”

“Did you find her?”

“Well, not exactly…she found us.”

Inara’s face broke into a big smile. “Oh, that’s wonderful. Where is she now?”

“Here. We’re on the way to Sihnon. It’s a long story.”

Inara grew worried. “Sihnon? Mal, she’s wanted by the Alliance. They will inspect every person getting off a ship.”

“No problem. She’ll land on Sihnon same way she came aboard Serenity.”

“Oh…that might work. Does Simon know?”

“Can’t chance it. Alliance will be watching his waves.”

“Yes, I’m sure of it,” Inara hesitated not sure how to say the next part. “Mal…about Paulo Chase….”

“He’s your husband, right?”

Nothing could have surprised Inara more. “Ah…yes. How did you find out?”

Mal told her the tale that Oren told him. “You were that girl.”

“Yes, I was. I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner. I thought…I could pay the bride price and be done with him. I was going to tell you everything, I promise.”

“It don’t matter none. I know you had a life before you came on board Serenity. Why is it so fire important to divorce this guy? I mean you never were his wife, not really.”

Inara blushed. “Because of us. I wanted a divorce so we could have a life…in peace. Now it seems that won’t happen.”

Inara explained it all, including the confinement and Mal’s blood began to boil and he had a few choice Chinese swear words for Paulo Chase. Then she mentioned what Chase wanted and Mal just shook his head. “A duel? These gorramn Alliance snobs. I suppose this one’s with swords, too?”

“Yes.”

Mal shrugged. “I got four more days to brush up on my swordsmanship. I took Atherton Wing, I’m sure I can take this guy. Bastard deserves to be gutted for way he treated you and your family.”

“Mal, just find him and kill him. Forget the duel.”

“What?” Mal said, slightly shocked Inara would suggest such a thing. “Inara, that wouldn’t very gentlemanly of me, now would it?”

“God, since when have you been a gentleman when it comes to a fight. Just do what you always do.”

“You think I’m going to lose?” he said, a little bit taken aback.

She was silent for a moment. “Mal…he’s very good. Better than Wing ever could be.”

“Might be something to that just find and kill him thing you mentioned. Well, then again, the Alliance would surely be after me for that one and there’d be no peace. Nope, looks like a duel he wants, a duel he gets.”

Inara’s face grew angry and Mal could feel her wrath from millions of kilometers away. “Men! Idiots!”

“Well…can’t disagree with that.”

“Let’s just run! We’ve done that before.”

“Never did us much good, now did it?”

“No,” she said quietly, trying to keep her composure. “Mal…I can’t lose you…now that I finally found you.”

“Didn’t know you was looking for me.”

“I wasn’t…not you in particular. But someone I could depend on. Too many men in my life have always done what they thought best for me, and never thought on what I wanted. Can you do just one thing I want?”

“Inara…you know I’d do anything in the verse for you. But this is something we have to take care of. If the man won’t listen to reason, then he needs dealing with.”

“Then do it my way, not his.”

“Let’s leave this for after. We got four whole days to think on it. Situation might change in that time.”

“Maybe you’re right. I’m sorry…for all this trouble.”

“Ain’t no trouble…I love you and it’s all worth it.”

Inara brightened and smiled broadly. “I wish you were here. I miss you so much, my love.”

“Soon. We’ll take care of it all. Promise,” Mal said and then they said their final goodbyes and Mal ended the wave.

********************************************

Not an hour later Paulo Chase was listening to the whole conversation in his family’s company offices. After it was over, Chase turned to a man who was an expert in intelligence gathering for the private sector. “That’s all of it?”

“Yes, sir, copied directly from the Guild House Cortex feed.”

“This first part, about someone named River that Reynolds was looking for and Simon, who the Alliance is watching, and…Serenity. What do you make of it?”

“Not sure, sir. But the Firefly with the Frye drive on board, rumor is that it was called Serenity. The engineer that built it, Kaylee Frye, she has a husband named Simon Tam, a doctor from Osiris. It’s all over the Cortex.”

“This is getting more interesting. And River?”

“Not so sure. I can find out. Perhaps she is related to Dr. Tam, since they seem concerned about giving him the news that River was found.”

“Yes, that could be it. Please check. This could be valuable information.”

Paulo handed him a thick envelope with cash. “Keep watching her communications until that ship arrives. Any conversations between the two copied and sent to me directly. Payment will be the same.”

“Sir, the longer I monitor the greater the chance I will be discovered.”

“Fine, double your basic fee and for any recordings. Satisfied?”

“Very well, sir.” The man left and Chase was alone with his thoughts. Now I have proof, you whore, proof of your love for this man. Now my challenge will be accepted by the law and I can kill Reynolds without consequence.

Paulo knew this would only add to the scandalous tale of Inara and him. But it had to be done, to restore some of his honor. He knew there were powerful men who would look on this action as the proper course of action. No matter that Inara never stood as his wife, he would have restored his honor by killing her lover. Some might say he would have to kill more than one man, and maybe even a few women, who had shared the pleasures of Inara’s chambers over the years. Yet she did not love them and this made Reynolds a special case.

Paulo changed into his fencing outfit and retired to the lower levels of the building. There he practiced for the next three hours, using a variety of blades, never tiring as he dueled with his sparring partners. He would be ready for Reynolds. And if Reynolds tried to shoot him in the back, as Inara had said, Paulo had a few surprises for him. His family’s fortunes might be waning, but there was still enough wealth to buy the things and people he needed to make sure Malcolm Reynolds never left Sihnon.

*********************************************

‘Sit down!” shouted the commander of the ground search team as he shoved the spaceport guard into the chair in an interrogation room on the Saratoga.

The guard looked like he was half drunk and his face had some bruises and cut and swollen lips. The door opened and the Saratoga’s captain entered.

“Did you have to beat him?” he said as he got a look at the guard.

“That was done in bar fight last night,” the commander said. “The local police picked him up. And they found this on him.” The commander threw a thick wad of bills on the table.

“That’s mine,” said the guard through thick lips. “Won it gambling.”

“Not what your bunk mate said,” the commander stated. “Claimed you had that money, and were flashing it around the barracks after duty, asking if anyone wanted to go drinking.”

“It’s my pay.”

“Pay day was two weeks ago,” the commander said. “And you don’t make that much.”

The captain decided to play good cop. “Tell us, son. Who bribed you to let them into the spaceport?”

“No one, it’s my money. I won it fair and square.”

“Thought you said it was your pay!” the commander shouted, right in his face. A knock came to the door, the commander answered and then after talking to someone went to a computer screen on the wall, hit buttons, and a vid of the spaceport gate played.

“We have the security camera feed from two days ago,” he said. “Something unusual happened.”

The vid showed Mal, Zoe, and Wash, Mal flashing the money and then going inside the room with the guard.

The captain glared at the guard. “Who are they?”

The guard said nothing. The commander slammed the table. “Answer the captain or you’re looking at 25 years on a penal colony!”

The guard’s eyes showed panic as they flicked from one officer to the other and he was almost in tears now. “It’s just a bit of money. They weren’t listed as dangerous, just to be stopped and reported to a superior.”

“The names,” the captain said but he already thought he knew.

“I can’t remember,” the guard said.

The commander worked the vid screen and then pulled in close on Mal. The captain looked closely. “It’s Reynolds. Two of the others, the Washburnes, black woman, white male with blond hair. Where’s the fourth? Cobb?”

“There were just three of them, I swear!” said the guard.

“Anything else happen that day, anything strange?” the commander asked.

“Nothing…except for the Shepherd and his dog. Just before those three. He had all the right papers, ID, papers for his dog.”

They played the vid feed back and could see Jayne and his large silver box.

“That’s Cobb, playing Shepherd,” said the captain.

“And that’s a cyro-chamber,” said the commander. “There's no dog in there. She’s in the chamber.”

“Has to be,” said the captain. “Find out what ship they boarded and where it is heading, now.”

“What about him?” the commander asked, pointing to the guard.

“Lock him up. Military tribunal, 1500 hours tomorrow. Charge, accepting a bribe and allowing wanted fugitives to escape. Minimum sentence, five years, hard labor.”

The guard let out a moan and covered his face with his hands. The two officers left the room and told two soldiers to drag the guard off to the prison cells.

“What do we do when we find that ship, sir?” the commander asked when they got to the bridge. “There could be civilians on board.”

“We stop and board it. If they try to run or fight, then they die.”

Twenty minutes later they had the name of the ship, the Rose, a Bluebird class freighter on its way to Sihnon. Two days ahead of them.

“We’ll never catch it,” said the captain in frustration. “Alert all ships and stations to look for the ship and Sihnon command to stop that ship when it arrives.”

“Yes sir,’ said a comms tech as she sent out the message for all stations and ships to be on the look out for the Rose.

“Sir,” said another member of the bridge crew. “We stopped the Rose and searched it, two days ago .”

“Who was in charge of the search?” the captain demanded.

“One moment…ah here it is, Flying Officer Janice Flowers, sir.”

The commander and the captain looked at each other, both thinking the same thing. This was too much of a coincidence to be just that.

“Get Flowers up here at once,” the captain ordered. He was seething now. A ship with a fugitive and wanted people slipped right past him. Shin would have his strips for sure. If Flowers knew, if she found they were on that ship and let them go, there’s going to be hell to pay.