Zoe punched up the local news on the cortex to help curb her restless wandering of the ship. A chill ran down her spine a few minutes later when the announcer covering the impending gladiatorial games of the night began "This trio actually had the nerve to attempt a multi-million-credit robbery - on the very night of the games."

The camera switched to a shot of a handcuffed Jayne, kicking viciously at the cameraman despite the efforts of the two men restraining him. In the background of the shot she saw Wash and Mal, standing motionless against a green-painted wall, their hands cuffed uncomfortably above their heads.

"Judge Phu has agreed to hear their case on an expedited basis within the hour, so chances are very good these three will be making an appearance on the schedule tonight," said the announcer cheerfully.

A roaring tiger appeared on the screen, and Zoe switched it off. She pushed the com button. "Everyone to the bridge, now."

Without waiting for them to arrive, she sent a wave to Inara, who answered looking considerably annoyed, a silk robe hastily donned. "Now is not really the time," she said.

"Inara, you're gonna want to break it off and get back to the ship, ma shong."

"I am with a client. I'll be along as I see fit." Inara was still clearly irritated with the captain's imperious manner at the breakfast table.

"Suit yourself. Those of us who don't want to watch the captain eaten alive by a large, carnivorous feline on the evening news will be gathering on the bridge," said Zoe. She saw by the look of shock on Inara's face that she'd gotten her point across, and switched off the feed.

_____________________________________________________________________

"We do have some explosives left over from the Vesselside job," said Zoe. "Blow a hole in the ceiling, fly over in Serenity, and pick them up from the air."

"But if we blow a hole in the roof, that debris is going to fall straight down into the arena. Not much of a rescue if we flatten them with a thousand pounds of concrete," Simon pointed out.

"So we don't blow it over the arena. Do it on the edge," suggested Zoe.

Simon looked at her, repelled. "Over the audience?" That's not even - surely you're not thinking that!" Kaylee too was staring at her with a look of dismay on her face.

"Of course I'm thinking it," Zoe snapped. "I said it, didn't I?"

"You're talking about killing innocent people," Simon protested.

"Innocent people who's idea of a night of family entertainment is to watch people be tortured to death. My sympathies lie rather firmly with my husband," said Zoe.

Inara spoke up. "In their civilization, this is how criminals are treated. It is a sport to them, not something wrong or abberant. So, in their own way, they are very much innocent."

Simon looked at Inara gratefully, but dissent came from a surprising source. "If we can't think of anything else -" Kaylee looked pleadingly at the two of them. "We are going to do it, aren't we? The cap'n, Wash, we aren't going to just let them die?"

Simon hung his head, swearing within. "I'm a doctor!" he said forcefully. "I took an oath. I fix people, I don't murder them."

Kaylee marched over to Simon and stood facing him. "You're gonna let the cap'n get eaten by a tiger?" she asked him, her voice quavering.

Simon closed his eyes and sighed. "No," he said dully. "We'll do it."

____________________________________________________________________

"Malcolm Reynolds, guilty and sentenced to death in this night's Royal Gladiatorial Games," pronounced Judge Phu. Mal's heart sank. He had never expected things to move this quickly, or this lethally. They'd all known how criminals were dealt with in this city, but not how swiftly their justice system worked.

"Hoban Washburne, guilty and sentenced to death in this night's Royal Gladiatorial Games." The three of them were standing before the judge, linked together in handcuffs, and Mal felt Wash flinch. He twisted his wrist around and gripped Wash's hand hard in his.

"Jayne Cobb, guilty and sentenced to death in this night's Royal Gladiatorial Games." Jayne spat on the floor in disgust, and was promptly punched in the stomach by one of the guards standing watch over them.

"Marshall, transport these three to the stadium," said the judge, gathering his papers and standing to leave. ____________________________________________________________________

On Serenity, the group was still developing plans for the rescue. "I think I have an idea," said Simon. "for controlling the crowd."

"I'm listening," said Zoe.

"There's a drug, called Zenaphon - it's a paralytic, injectable. Very dangerous to handle, because in its powdered form, before mixing with an adjuvant, it's lethal if inhaled. I have a rather large quantity of it from the hospital on Ariel, and if we could disperse it through the ventilation system, it would quickly affect everyone in the stadium -"

Zoe interrupted. "Wait a minute, doctor. A couple of hours ago you were throwing fits about squishing a few bystanders, and now you're suggesting killing everyone in the building? Including, I might add, our men?"

Simon shook his head. "No. If we release it throughout the stadium, the concentration should be low enough to induce temporary paralysis, but nothing more serious. We, of course, would have to wear respirators within the building to avoid being affected."

Kaylee appeared on the bridge. "Okay, I've got the bomb wired up the way we talked about. You reckon it'll be big enough?"

Zoe nodded. "Good work." She folded her arms and looked squarely at the girl. "Kaylee, can you fly Serenity?"

"Me?" she gasped. "By myself?"

Zoe nodded again. "I never - I've never done it. Wash's showed me a bit, and I understand her well enough, but....."

"Bottom line, Kaylee," said Zoe. "Can you fly her, or can't you?"

Kaylee nodded hesitantly. "I think so. If I have to."

"You're going to have to," said Zoe with finality. "You're also going to need to rig up a remote so you can control the bay doors and the lift in the belly from here on the bridge."

Inara stood and began to leave. "Where are you going?" asked Kaylee.

"To the stadium," Inara replied evenly. "It's a long flight."

"What are you hoping to do there?" asked Simon, puzzled.

"Whatever I can," said Inara, the tension slipping out in her voice despite her best efforts. The look of resolve on her face forbade any further questions. Zoe tossed a small object in her direction, and Inara caught it effortlessly.

"Communicator," explained Zoe. "I want a way to be sure you're clear of the building by time we get there. Wear it."