Chapter 3

“They don’t belong here. Out of place. Out of time. Wormholes warping, winding, twisting through -time, breaching the fabric of the universe. Can’t go back. Stranded.”

They all stood there for a second trying to digest what River just said. Colonel Sheppard looked around at the crew of the Serenity wondering if it made any more sense to them than it did to him. By the looks on their faces, they had no idea what she meant, although they apparently not surprised by the strange behavior of the girl. Finally, his curiosity got the better of him and he asked “Is she always like this?”

It Captain Reynolds that replied. “Not always. She’s been a lot better lately, hasn’t really needed the meds, and only acts up when something strange is going on. I guess with you folks being from Earth might explain that.”

Turning to McKay, Sheppard asked, “Any idea what she was talking about McKay?”

“I don’t know,” came the reply. “We know that people can travel through time using wormholes. You proved that when you came back with the intel about where Michael was hiding Teyla. And there was that report about the multiple SG-1s that came through the when the black hole tore a hole in the fabric of space. I suppose it’s possible but the two events simultaneously, it just doesn’t make sense”

“Supernova” River said quietly.

“I suppose, but that wouldn’t…….that’s it. If we were travelling through the wormhole near a star when it went supernova, it would explain how we ended up in an alternate universe. Also, the magnetic fields generated would be enough to warp the wormhole enough to travel through time. The massive amount of energy released by the supernova would be sufficient to establish a wormhole between galaxies.”

“So can we get back?”

“I don’t see how. First we would need enough energy to establish a connection to the Pegasus galaxy. We could theoretically, get back to our own universe, however we would still be stuck over 500 years in the future. If I could find a way, it’s going to take awhile.” “So, like the girl said, we’re stranded here.”

Rodney sighed “Yes.”

Watching this exchange Captain Reynolds came to a decision. “Space is going to be tight, you folk went out of your way to save me and mine and that ain’t nothing. You’re welcome on this ship as long as you pull your weight.”

“I appreciate that Captain,” Sheppard said with a nod.

“Now, Zoe, we’ve got a job to do. How long until the meet?” the Captain question”

“An hour sir.”

“Ok, Kaylee, Albatross, get the ship ready. Zoe, Jayne, get your gear. Inara, see about getting these guys situated.”

As the crew and started to see about the tasks, Mal started climbing through the stairs to his bunk to get his coat, pistol, and extra ammunition. Hearing feet pounding on the grates following, Mal turned to find Colonel Sheppard.

“Captain, what’s this job you’ve got?”

“Why do you want to know?”

“Well, if we’re going to be pulling our weight, I figured you could use a hand. Plus, we’ve got a few things that may help avoid an ambush”

“Oh, and what’s that?”

Sheppard pulled a small device out of his vest pocket and turned it so that Mal could see the display. On the device, he saw several blinking dots moving around. As one came closer, he saw Inara step into the cargo bay and begin climbing the stairs. Mal was surprised to see the dot on the device turn follow the movements of Inara. “This is a life signs detector. It’s got a few hundred meter range, and should be helpful in sniffing out any ambushes.”

Mal reached out to grab the device to get a better look at it. As Sheppard gave over the device, he saw the screen go blank. Confused, Mal asked “What happened?”

“It’s a piece of ancient technology. It’s keyed into genetics and only allows people with a specific gene to use it. “

“Well Sheppard, it looks like you’re coming with.”

*****

The drop went as smoothly as it could for the crew of Serenity. Only a few bullets were fired, and thanks to the life signs detector Sheppard brought with him, nobody from Serenity was injured. With his pocket full of coin, the four hopped into the mule and headed back to Serenity. After shutting down the mule, Zoe showed Sheppard how to get the mule stored.

After the mule was stored, Zoe led the Colonel on a tour of the ship. She walked him through the door at the rear of the cargo bay. In the infirmary, they found Simon and Dr. Keller going. Showing him the passenger dorms, they took the back stairs up. In the Engine room they found Kaylee going through the procedures to starting the engines. Passing through the galley they found Jayne and Ronon sitting on opposite sides of the tables in a staring contest. Continuing on towards the front of the ship, Zoe described the crew quarters before climbing the stairs to the bridge. On the bridge, they found Captain Reynolds, River and Dr. McKay. McKay was sitting in the navigator’s chair going over the recorded data on the system. When asked why, he said he was trying to figure out where they were in space, in relation to Earth.

Once River completed the pre-flight sequence, she gently lifted the ship into the air, continuing to climb the ship bucked as the grav-drive interacted with the gravity of the planet. Once clear of the atmosphere the River set course for Paquin with a stopover at the Jiuxing Skyplex, for supplies and re-fuelling.

Sheppard spoke up saying “So, how long until we reach this skyplex of yours?”

“It should take about 8 days depending on the course set up for us,” the Captain replied.

“That long?”

“7 days 18 hours and 22 minutes 32 seconds to be precise,” River stated.

McKay spoke up, “Sheppard, you have to remember we’re not flying in hyperspace anymore. This is just generic sublight travel. I’m guessing the engines run off of some sort of fusion process. That and some anti-gravity technology and inertial dampeners must be what makes space travel possible. What I’m wondering is why there aren’t any Goa’uld around.”

“They died out before they could take a host.” River said soflty. “No Goa’uld, no Stargate program, no Atlantis expedition…”

“And no Nobel Prize,” Rodney chimed in.

Sheppard made a face and said “McKay?”

“Well, I took the liberty of looking myself up on their version of the internet. Apparently I didn’t do anything noteworthy. I mean me, the greatest mind of my generation amounted to nothing in this universe.”

Mal leaned over to Sheppard and said “Does he always whine like this?”

“You get used to it.” Sheppard replied.

*****

Inara had her work cut out for her cooking dinner that night. The addition of 4 new people on Serenity made rationing the food a priority. Unfortunately, the large one named Ronon looked like he could eat as much as Jayne. The meal wound up being simple red protein base seasoned to taste like spicy and sweet beef dishes her mother favored while she was a child back on Shinon. After setting the autopilot, River had come back to help set the table for dinner.

When Mal entered the galley he poured himself a cup of water and took his usual seat at the end of the table and found himself staring at Sheppard sitting at the opposite end of the table Mal gave Zoe an odd look as she took a seat next to Sheppard instead of her usual position at his right hand. The other filled in around the table with the obvious couples sitting next to one another, however since there hadn’t been too much time to talk about their personal lives during the course of the day, it was a surprise to see Drs. Keller and McKay sit down together. River helped Inara serve the food to the ad hoc crew and much sat down next to Ronon. Inara as had been her custom for the last few months sat in the chair to the left of Mal.

The conversation flowed freely once Rodney had been assured that no citrus was used in the dinner. The four strangers were a little surprised that the crew hadn’t seen a fruit in over a year. Stories were traded about what life was like on Earth and in another galaxy. Simon and Inara being the two with the most formal education filled the others in on history as they knew it supplemented by comments from Zoe and River filling other random details. As Simon and Kaylee began clearing the table and doing the dishes, Captain Reynolds spoke up.

“So, we know this is all new to you, but quite frankly you all seem like good folk and I don’t want to set you loose on the ‘verse only to get swallowed up by the Alliance”

River stiffened in her seat when Ronon asked “Are they really that bad?”

“Yes, they are. They kidnapped young children for the sole purpose of turning them into living weapons. They seek to control the populace through fear and intimidation. They also tried druggin’ the population into submission” Zoe said.

Dr. Keller spoke up with “What do you mean drugging the population into submission?”

“Almost 15 years ago there was a planet called Miranda. We were in the beginnings of a civil war. The Alliance decided that they wanted to have something to calm the independents without having to fight them. They developed a drug called Pax. The put it into the air processors of Miranda and then everyone just lay down and went to sleep and never woke up. Thirty million people, killed, just because others had the courage to stand up for their ideals.” Inara answered. Seeing the shock on the faces of the four, she continued. “That wasn’t the worst of it. The drug didn’t work on everyone. There were some that turned into monsters, raping,killing, skinning people, and not always in that order.”

River spoke up. “I remember hearing stories of them when I was a child. I thought it was just campfire stories told to scare kids. I never imagined it would be true. I told you when I was sent to the Academy they experimented on me. They did things to me that are difficult to think about.” A small tear trailed down her face.

“I was their success story. They paraded various members of the military and parliament in front of me. A reader with no filters and they shove all these people with terrible secrets in front of me. The secret of Miranda got trapped. My brother eventually broke me out, and the captain took us on board. Welcomed us. Made us part of the crew even though he didn’t really like us at times. Protected us.” Another tear escaped. “Thank you again Captain”

Inara reached out and held Mal’s hand. “Don’t think on it lil’ one.”

“The secret scrambled my brain for awhile, made me crazy. It made life troublesome for everyone. Ahh wacky fun” River smiled when she heard Zoe snort in amusement. The Alliance sent someone after me. They wanted me back at all costs. All we had was the name of a planet called Miranda, and several dead friends, contact, and one crew member. We made a suicide run through Reaver controlled space and found a recording. We shot up the Reaver fleet and got them to battle Alliance while we tried to broadcast the wave. We lost another crew member.” River stopped as she felt sorrow emanate from the crew and grief come from Zoe. “I’m so sorry Zoe. He loved you so much.”

Zoe blinked away the tears as she said “Hush now River. It wasn’t your fault”

River felt Inara grasp her hand and the flow of compassion surge from the former Companion.

They all sat there for a few moments. It was Simon who spoke up first. “We all nearly died getting that broadwave sent. Once it was sent though, Parliament figured the damage was done and they left us be. We’re no longer wanted by the government, but as you saw earlier, Blue Sun, the company responsible for hurting River still wants their prize back. Thank you for helping her.”

“You’re welcome. We’ll do whatever we can to make them pay.” The gruff former Runner stated what the rest were thinking. River just smiled at him through her tears.

After another few minutes in silence, Mal finally spoke up. “I think it’s about time you folks get to bed. Albatross, I’ll take the watch so you go get some rest. I know how drained you must be now.” River just nodded. “Jayne, check the cargo, Kaylee, put the engine to bed for the night. Inara, Zoe, see to it our guests are secure for the night. Who’s turn is it to make breakfast?”

“Mine Cap’n” Kaylee answered.

“Good. In the morning we’ll talk about getting the rest of you in on the rotation for chores. Maybe we can figure out what kind of jobs we got for you.”

********

The first one awake the next morning was Jennifer Keller. She left the bunk she was sharing with Rodney, cleaned herself off the best she could in the restroom and began wandering the ship. By the time she got to the galley Kaylee had made her way into the kitchen wearing her overalls and rubbing sleep out of her eyes. Dr. Keller asked if she could help and Kaylee being the ray of sunshine that she is, couldn’t say no.

After checking on the course to make sure nothing happened overnight, Mal walked towards the galley. As he approached the door, he heard the sound of laughter. Looking through he saw Kaylee and the new doctor laughing and acting like sisters while seeing to breakfast. It really was amazing how muchthe two looked like sisters. After a few moments, Kaylee looked up and said a cheerful “mornin’ Cap’n,” which the others echoed. Kaylee took Dr. Keller over and showed her how the intercom worked and told her to announce breakfast.

The rest of the crew rambled in five minutes later and took their places around the table. As breakfast was winding down, Mal spoke up.

“Okay, the way I see it is that you four need to get situated to the ‘Verse. Dr. Keller, you best get situated with Simon and he can bring you up to speed on how things are done on this ship.” As he said this, Kaylee’s smile dimmed just a bit. “Now about the rest of you, you got any special skills? I mean, we know both of you can fight,” pointing Ronon and Sheppard “so we can work you into some jobs, but can you do anything else?”

“I’m a pilot, flown all kinds of aircraft and spacecraft”

“Good, you shadow River. River, get Sheppard up to speed on Serenity and the shuttles.”

“What about you Ronon?”

“Fight, hunt, track. Before the Wraith came to Sateda, I was a soldier.”

“Ok. Jayne, take Ronon and show him the ropes. McKay, what can you do?”

“Well, I have a Ph.D. in physics and mechanical engineering”

“Do you know anything about spaceships?”

“Puh. Everything. Well, everything in our universe. Here, I’m fairly certain I could figure things out fairly easy”

“Ok. Kaylee, teach him about our girl. There are some other things we need to discuss as well. Most of all, money. Taking you folks on will mean we’ll need to take on extra supplies every time we stop. Now, Sheppard, you helped on the job, so we’ll take that and make sure we can get the extra supplies as well as clothes for you folks. Another thing is that you’ve got no Ident chip. Now we get searched by the Alliance, that’s going to be problematic so we’ll need to get you all situated for that. That’s gonna cost though. You’ll like to sell a few things to get some money”

“What did you have in mind?” Sheppard asked.

“Well, your guns.”

“What? Why? I mean we’re here a day and we’re already in been shot at a few times. It seems like we’d need our guns”

“You can’t get no ammo for those things,” Jayne replied. “They don’t make that ammo anymore. There ain’t no ammo that’ll work for you. You put in a clip of new ammo and set it to full auto and the barrel will warp. The powder will burn right straight through it. Either you need to get the barrel replaced, or you need new guns. Thing is, that’d be a custom job. Ain’t be cheap. They ain’t made one of those in 400 years. Probably get 40,000 for the .45 and 100,000 for the P90, especially since they’re in working condition.”

“That sounds like a lot.” Dr. Keller stated.

“I only paid 40,000 for Serenity when I bought her. Course, it took another 20,000 to get her working again”

“And how much to get them refit?”

“10,000 probably”

“Ok. We’ll get mine refit, and sell Rodney’s. It seems like he won’t need them on the ship, and if he does, I’m guessing you’ll have enough to spare.” Seeing Mal nod, Sheppard continued. “We’ll also split the money up with Serenity. If nothing else it'll keep us on the ship for awhile.”

“Sounds like a deal.” Mal stood up. “What are you all doing here when you’ve got work to do?”