Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Maxine. She's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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A new story line to recharge my Muse. Set outside my “Allanverse.” Just to see what happens. Set about a year and a half post Serenity. Story line has the standard pairings of Mal/Inara, Simon/Kaylee. Also has River/Jayne. Zoë/Maxine -

A/N:

Warning: This story line from here on out will include 'gasp' fem slash (Like you didn't see it coming). It won't be graphic but I know some are offended by any depiction of homosexuality. If you don't like this kind of thing... stop reading right now.

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New Blood

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Chapter Thirteen

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Shamus grinned as he glanced over at the young woman deftly guiding his old ship through the air, “River, darlin. I though ye' said ye' never flew one o' these Thunder class boats, 'afore?”

“I haven't,” River grinned back as she settled Shamus' renovated drop ship to the ground as gently as a feather.

The short redhead's eyes widened, “Then how...”

“River's a rare pilot,” Mal interrupted. Not wanting to spill all of River's secrets, “Ain't seen nothing she can't fly yet.”

“Lucky man, havin a pilot like that, Malcolm,” Shamus replied.

“That I am.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“Any questions?” Mal asked as he, Shamus, Maxine and River gathered in Shamus' ship's cargo bay.

“River and I will see if we can meet with Badger, posing as bounty hunters while You and Uncle Shamus will scout the docks for any of those creeps with the blue gloves,” Maxine reiterated.

“That's it,” Mal agreed, “Meet back here in four hours. Keep your com's handy and yell if you need anything.”

“Dang-ran, Captain,” River replied.

“Let's go.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“You okay, Riv?” Maxine asked as she and the girl picked their way through the dense crowds of the Eavesdown docks.

“Many minds... static,” The psychic replied, “Giving me a headache.”

“Here,” Max said, handing River a pair of aviator styled sunglasses, “Might help a bit. Also they will help disguise you.”

“Xie-xie.”

Walking carefully, the two women approached the area where Badger's 'office' lay.

“Sentry to our left... don't look,” River whispered, “He's calling ahead.”

Rounding a corner, the two women were met by three armed thugs, “What's your business?” The largest, growled.

“Lookin for a fella named Badger,” Maxine replied, staring the big man in the eye.

“Why?”

“Lookin for someone. Heard he's the guy to see here in Eavesdown.”

The thug looked over Max and River carefully. Noting the weapons the two women were carrying. He turned away and spoke into a com unit for a moment. After conferring he turned back. “Follow me. Make a play for your weapons and you won't live to regret it.”

Maxine smiled, “Lead on.” Throughout the exchange, River had been silent. Her face a picture of placid disdain.

The lead thug led them through a warren of shipping containers, leading into a larger room. The other two thugs followed closely behind.

Entering Badger's office proper, the two women did their best not to laugh at the little man.

Zoë's shot, over a month ago had been spot on. Badger's left arm was still in a cast and sling. The round from her mare's leg had shattered the little weasels upper arm.

“Who are you?” Badger demanded.

“Max Kinsella,” Maxine replied, using her uncle's last name, “And this is my sister, Brooke.”

Badger, tipped back his derby slightly, “And what do ye want with me?”

“Looking for someone. Someone I heard you were lookin for too.”

“And who might that be?”

“Malcolm Reynolds,” Max replied.

An evil grin came across Badger's countenance, “E's dead.”

“Sure about that?” Maxine asked.

“Pretty gorram sure, little girl,” Badger growled, “Had him a little trouble of the federal kind over Salisbury way.”

“Interesting,” Max replied, “Guess I won't be collecting that bounty.”

Badger perked up, “Bounty, ya' say?”

“Yep, fifty grand.”

“Well now, ain't that somethin. Strange I never 'eard that,” Badger said as he got to his feet.

“Not a Fed warrant. Local bounty outta Higgins Moon.”

Badger walked up close to Maxine, invading her personal space, she could smell him, being that close. It was not a pleasant odor.

“Someone must want 'im bad then... that much coin.”

“Ain't got the details... just the bounty.”

Badger nodded and then looked closely at River, “We ever met, love?”

River looked back at the weasel with the same interest she would give an insect crawling across her hand, “I think I'd remember that,” She replied coldly.

Badger reached out with his hand towards River's backside. He stopped when the distinctive snap of a switchblade knife was heard. Badger's men raised their guns.

Badger looked down to where the point of the blade was a millimeter from his crotch. He glared at the cheeky girl in front of him, “I say a word and 'ey'll riddle ye' with holes.”

River just smiled slightly, “And if you don't get your hand off my ass, you'll be singing soprano.”

Badger snorted and stepped back, “I like 'er,” he said with a lascivious grin, “You lookin fer a job sweetness?”

“Got one... thanks.”

Badger motioned with his hand and his men lowered their weapons, “Fair 'nuff.”

“So, Reynolds is really dead?” Maxine asked, getting the conversation back on track.

“Should be by now,” Badger replied, sitting back behind his desk, “If he'd a survived, he'd been back here by now.”

“Well, damn,” Max huffed, “Guess I better go inform my employer of that fact.”

Badger decided to crow a bit, “After we shot up his biao-zi of a first mate. I dropped a copper on his pi-gu to the one's lookin for im' in the government. Serve im' right for what he brung down on me.”

Maxine did well to hide her fury at Badger, calling Zoë a whore. Instead she smiled, “Reckon we'll be off. Appreciate the information.”

“Ain't free ladies.” Badger growled and the crime boss' men raised their weapons.

River remained calm while Maxine glared, “You want coin?”

Badger smiled his slick smile,” I reckon a pair o' fine ladies like yourselves would fetch a mighty fine price...”

“Don't be stupid,” Maxine replied, “You try sellin us off, you won't get to enjoy the money because the first one to hit the floor dead will be you.”

Badger snorted, “I got's four men in this room and another three outside. You even make a play fer your guns and you'll be riddled corpses.”

Maxine glanced over at River. The older woman was becoming a bit nervous.

River just grinned. Looking Badger in the eye, “I can subdue every one of your men in seven point eight seconds. Non fatally in twelve point three.”

Badger chuckled and leaned his good hand against the wall behind his desk, “Very funny, little...”

River moved.

Before badger could even react, the switchblade River still had in her hand flew through the air, pinning the crime lords hand to the wall where he was leaning.

Even before the little man could cry out in pain, the two thugs behind River and Maxine hit the floor, dead as their heads separated from their shoulders with a swipe of River's katana.

The two men guarding the door, froze at the sight of their comrades being decapitated. River's pistol barked twice and these two fell to the floor, bullet holes in their foreheads.

The three outside guards ran in, drawn by the gunfire.

By this time, Maxine had pulled her shotgun. With a roar, the weapon dropped the first guard through the door and River shot the remaining two.

Badger stood in shock as his men lay dead on the floor, blood soaking the cheap carpet.

“I was off in my estimation by one point two seconds.”

“You were?” Max asked as she kept her shotgun trained on the entrance.

“Badger's men outside were slow to respond.”

River looked over to where Badger was struggling to free his hand from the wall. A task made difficult since his other arm was still in a cast and sling. She smiled at the crime lord.

“Still a sad 'ittle king on a sad 'ittle hill,” River singsonged in a perfect Dyton accent.

Badger's eyes went wide with recognition, “You... you're on Reynold's crew...”

“Aye,” River replied, still using the accent, “And Zoë send 'er regards.”

Badger's eyes went wide with fear as River stepped close to him. Her nose wrinkled as the little man lost control of his bladder.

Simultaneously, River pulled the knife from Badgers hand and struck the side of his head with one of her pistols.

Badger hit the floor like a ton of bricks.

“Well, that didn't go quite as planned. You think the Captain will be mad?” Maxine asked.

River smiled sweetly, “Not when we bring the Captain a shiny but slightly stinky present.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“Gorramit, Albatross,” Mal fumed as he laid eyes on the carnage,” I thought you were just supposed to talk to him.”

“We did,” Maxine replied for the younger girl, “But the weasel decided to be a shagua and try to sell us off as slaves.”

Mal's face lost a little bit of it's fury, “Long as you two are okay. Zoë'd like to shoot me and then the Doc wouldn't fix me up after and then Jane would rip me limb from limb iffin you two were hurt.”

River stood up from behind the desk where she had been doing something, “Brought you and Zoë a present.”

Mal leaned over the desk, “He ain't dead?”

“Minor damage to his metacarpals and a slight concussion. He will not awake for a few hours.”

Standing near the back of the room, still in a state of mild shock, Shamus finally spoke, “I can get a cargo skiff from a bloke I know. Can move im' in that. That is if I recon ye' want a conversation wi' me cousin.”

“That would work, Shamus... thank you,” Mal replied.

Shamus trotted off to fetch the skiff and River turned to the Captain, “Need to tell Shamus everything. He is wondering how these men were killed.”

“I told him a little bit...” Maxine trailed off.

“Whole story,” River cut her off.

“I reckon that's your decision, Albatross.”

“It is.” she replied.

“Soon as Shamus is back, we'll tote Badger to the ship and head back to Putnamville,” Mal ordered. Then a thought came to the Captain, “Tross? Can you go through Badger's files?”

“Certainly.”

“Might have a whole wealth o' info in there, I'm thinkin.”

“Of that, I'm sure, Captain,” River replied.

XXXXXXXXXX

Forty minutes after he was knocked unconscious, Badger was unceremoniously dumped onto the floor of Shamus' ships cargo bay. Along with several crates of documents, computer files and a large canvas bag full of platinum, Alliance credits and other valuables. River had cracked Badger's safe with ease.

The young woman was still going through the stash of intelligence while Shamus and Mal adjourned to the bridge to fly them back around the world.

Maxine pulled up a crate next to where River sat on the floor, going through one of the crates, “Anything interesting?”

“Quite a bit, actually,” River replied, not looking up, “Badger has his fingers in many pies. Bribes, payoffs, piracy, slaving. He has been a very bad little king.”

“What are we going to do with him?”

“I think that is up to the Captain and Zoë.”

Max nodded in agreement, deep in thought.

“She loves you.”

“Huh?” Maxine replied.

“Zoë. I feel the same emotions from her now that I felt between her and Wash. She just won't admit them. Not even to herself.”

“I'm not gonna push,” Max said quietly.

River smiled sweetly, “I know. Zoë will realize it sooner rather than later. You are helping her heal.”

“I'm glad.”

“Just remember. The Zoë we will see over the next few hours is not the normal Zoë.”

Maxine nodded, “I figured as much.”

“Do not worry. You will chase away the darkness tonight.”

Maxine smiled at the younger woman and nodded. Wondering how someone so young could be so wise.

Up on the bridge, Shamus was flabbergasted, “That's some tale, Malcolm me lad.”

“Honest truth, Shamus. We've been hurt too much the last couple o' years. Try to keep a low profile.”

“Aye. Enough to send a lesser man runnin ta' hide.”

“Done some o' that too, I'm afraid.”

Shamus shook his head, “Gorram Alliance. Doin somthin that vile to a wee lass, like River... makes me blood boil.”

“That it does.”

“And then Miranda...” Shamus trailed off.

“One day, I hope it will change... but I ain't holdin my breath.”

“Aye. Be turnin blue long before. Speakin o' blue. What are ye' plannin to do w' me errant cousin?”

“I reckon, I'll let Zoë make that decision.”

“Heaven help the man.”

“I doubt he'll be heading in that direction,” Mal smirked.

XXXXXXXXXX

Zoë, Jayne, Kaylee, Inara and Simon stood outside Serenity's cargo bay as The old Thunder class dropship settled to the ground in the next berth. As the engines spooled down, the ramp began to lower. The five shipmates began walking in the direction of the newly arrived ship.

“Everything go as planned?” Zoë asked as she stepped up the ramp.

“Not quite,” River replied as she kicked the large canvas bag at her feet.

Mal and Shamus descended the stairs while Maxine entered the bay from one of the small storage rooms in the rear.

“What's that?” Zoë asked. The bag was large enough and shaped like it contained a body.

Maxine walked right up to Zoë and looked her in the eye, “Brought you a present, Ai-ren.”

River opened the top of the bag, revealing a blindfolded, gagged and unconscious Badger.

“You really shouldn't have,” Zoë replied tersely.

XXXXXXXXXX

Badger awoke slowly. He tried to move and found he couldn't. Panic set in and pain shot through his broken left arm as well as his damaged right hand and his head pounded. Eyes snapping open he swore. He was blindfolded.

“Looks like someone's awake,” a voice said.

“Bollix,” Badger thought. That voice sounded like Reynolds mercenary, Cobb.

Rough hands ripped off the blindfold and badger blinked to focus his eyes in the sudden brightness.

“Tai-kong suo-yo duh shing-chiouh doh sai-jin wuh duh pee-goo!”

“Howdy, Badger,” Mal Reynolds grinned at the bound man. Badger realized he was tied to an old chair.

“What the 'ell are you playin at Reynolds? My men'll...”

“All dead,” Zoë said coldly as she stepped up next to her Captain.

Badger realized he was in for a world of trouble. He decided another track, “I got coin. Let me go and you can have ev'rthin in m' safe. Gotta be couple o' hundred thousand in there... We can deal.”

“You mean all this?” River said as she walked up and dropped a large bag at the crime lords feet, “Already cleaned out the safe. And there's three hundred fifty three thousand, two hundred five in platinum equivalent in that bag.”

Badger paled even more, “I got info... pick o' my best jobs...”

Shamus walked into view, “Got all ye' files, Cousin.”

“Shamus Kinsella, you ching-wah tsao duh liou mahng!”

Maxine stepped up next to her uncle, “And you tried to sell me into slavery... kin even.”

“Kin?” Badger asked.

“Maxine here is me niece. Makes her your kin. Course I always knew ye' sell yer own ma for a copper...”

Badger felt the deck plates shudder as he realized that the ship. Probably Serenity had just taken off. Glancing around, Badger also realized he was in the main airlock with the inner doors open.

“What do you want?” Badger yelled in fear.

“Who did you call.” Mal asked.

“Didn't call no one!”

“The wave address,” Mal asked again.

I didn't...”

“Got it, Captain.” River said quietly.

“Shiny,” Mal said angrily while hefting the bag of valuables, “Zoë, he's all yours.”

Badger wet himself again, “What're ye' gonna do?”

“River here, tells me that the record for surviving free fall in this gravity is around thirty thousand feet... are you a betting man, Badger?” Zoë asked, her voice like smoke on ice.

“No! No, please, I'll do anything!”

“Anything?” Zoë asked as she stepped back behind the inner doors.

“Anything!” Badger screamed as the inner air lock doors began to close

“Die like a man,” Zoë snarled just as the doors thudded shut.

Badger's eyes went wide and he struggled to free himself in some last, desperate try to save his own life. All to no avail.

As Serenity went through about thirty five thousand feet of altitude, the ship slowed to a hover. Zoë lowered the ramp. Watching the weasel's face through the small window, Zoe watched Badger tumble off the end of the ramp into the open air as Inara tilted the ships nose down.

Zoë hit the switch to close the ramp and smiled slightly to herself. Even if Badger beat the odds and survived the fall. There was no way in hell he could swim tied to a strong metal chair.

They had dropped the little man twenty miles off the coast of Persephone's largest ocean.

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TBC