Not my ‘verse, I stole it. Not my story, I stole it to. Just wanted to tweak things my way for fun. I believe the only original line is “Simon says”.

You can take the boy out of Hera…

By: Jailbird

Chapter Twelve: “Stowaway”

The Captain and Jayne are in the galley when River calls back to them from the Bridge. “The Captain and Jayne need to meet the shuttle.”

Mal ask. “Why? What is it?”

River calls back to him “The Ambassador has a stowaway and please don’t shoot him.”

Mal turns to Jayne and in a low voice says. “Get Vera.”

Then both men bolt from the room. ***

When the shuttle docks and the door is ready to open. Mal is on one side with Jayne on the other.

River comes over the comm. “I be right there and Captain don’t shoot him.”

Mal says softly to Jayne. “O.K. when it comes time you shoot him.”

“No shooting Eddie.” Rivers hails over the radio.

Jayne adds with a shrug. “Who the hell is Eddie?”

Just then the shuttle door opens and as Inara steps out she is surprised by the Captain and Jayne. Mal immediately pulls her behind him and yells into the shuttle. “Eddie come on out.”

Inara objects. “There is no one in there, Mal.”

“River thinks so.” Mal retorts.

As River walks up to the open shuttle door and says “Eddie its O.K. I am Brook.”

“Really I though it would be Stream or Creek.” Says Edwardo Mendez as he steps through the hatch, hands held high. A middle aged man who had seen thinner years.

River pulls one of his arms down and loops her elbow through it and begins to walk aft. “Actually it’s River.” Just like talking to a long lost friend.

“Hey wait a minute.” The Captain objects. “Why did you need me and Jayne?”

“To get the cargo.” River replies as she looks at him over her shoulder.

As Jayne enters the shuttle he reads the box and says. “Hey, lookie here billiard imagers and six of them too, shinny Mal are we getting a pool table, always wanted a pool table.”

Inara says not know why. “Actually their Rivers and their important so be careful.”

***

Dear Eddie,

I am so sorry for having not waved you sooner. Nothing should keep brothers apart. A problem has arisen here. Really could use your help. About last time I should have gone with you all the way to the river.

Sorry about that and all, you know now. I had already chosen a different path. Enough of the past and sorry to come at you out of the blue. Really need your help to protect a girl named Brook. Remember Tommy Thompson, they are the ones after this girl. Almost can hear him rattle on now. Good lord works in mysterious ways. Until you arrive she will be hiding out in that valley on Hera. I can only hope you can come quickly. Last time we weren’t quick enough. Don’t ever forget.

Your Servant in God, Shepard Book

***

As the Captain finishes reading the letter out loud, River walks up to him with her hand extended to take the data pad. As Mal hands the pad to her he turns his full attention back to his guest. “O.K. I see why you came but how did you finds us.”

Eddie confesses. “There is a code in the message.”

River says. “Not a code, Captain can’t see the trees through the forest.”

A very impressed Eddie states. “Very good little one.”

Jayne says a little creeped out. “Ahh…gorammed, he speaks moon brain too and hell she a mind reader she don’t have to know no code.”

“Not a code.” River repeats herself. “steganography, the art of hiding a message not cryptography the art of hiding the meaning of a message.”

Simon is trying to keep up with her. “And what dose it say?”

“Inara Sierra Guild.” River states plainly as she walks over to him and hands the pad to her brother. “The first letter of each sentence.” As she climbs up on the table and starts installing an imager above.

Mal is still not satisfied and ignores River. “That’s it, a name and a job. I still don’t understand how you are here.”

Inara protest. “The Guild is more than a job, Mal”

Eddie assures him. “She’s right, for members of the Guild it is a faith, an employer, a union, and practically a government. Knowing she was a companion let me to the training house and then here.” He gestures around the ship with a wave of his hand.

Jayne adds. “You don’t look like no brother to Book.”

Eddie replies. “Well, brothers in arms.”

Zoë speculates. “Fought together in the war?”

“Yeah.” Eddie replies sadly.

Mal was not the a bit happy. “We’re purple bellies too.”

Eddie replies. “Yeah till the court marshal, mine not Books.”

Inara inquires. “Is that what going to the river means.” Eddie confesses. “Partly, it also had to do with your little friend. I spouse.”

“Hands of blue two by two.” River says absently to no one.

Eddie again surprised by her insight. “Dose she know everything?”

Jayne was really uncomfortable with this. “Ah…Go se, Mal they’re doing it again.”

Mal says with a glare at Jayne. “No, I have it on good authority she doesn’t.”

River grunts and continues wiring.

*** TBC