The characters and such are not mine. I'm not as creative as Joss with his super brain.

OK. I had written this a while back but the feedback said they wanted more. I am here to serve. Feedback is still good.

For my sanity, I’m pretending that the movie didn’t happen or the comic. I am very attached to the crew.

Here's to good stories and good story tellers.

Part 3

“So, let’s go over this one more time. He gives you a look and you immediately go to your old war trunk to get your arsenal out?”

The second Mal had come out of the infirmary, Zoe had headed straight to their bunk. Wash had noticed her determination and instantly joined her.

“Sweetie, you know how complicated our past is. We were taught to recognize suggestion without words. It also helped that for years upon years, we were the only people to talk to. You start to recognize gestures in a person when they are the only person you have had any contact with for months. Just like now. I can tell you are confused and irritated.”

Zoe had been placing old weapons she had used in the war on a blanket on the bed. Weapons that hadn’t seen the light of day in years. With every one she placed on the bed, Wash would pick one up, turn it over in his hands, and set it back down. He acted as if he knew what most were for but Zoe knew he didn’t which brought a small smile to the corners of her mouth

“Well, yes, of course I am. I’m always left in the dark.”

Wash’s voice was starting to elevate. Zoe knew that if she didn’t sit him down and let him in on some of what she was privy to, it would just lead to a fight. She also knew, that although she fought with her husband sometimes, the idea of her going on a mission and dying never left the tiny recesses of her thoughts.

Zoe stood from the trunk and sat next to Wash on the edge of the bed. She took his hands in her’s and looked into his eyes.

“O.k. Your right. This is what I know so far. No one knows if for sure if this is right but this is what the Captain thinks is going on.”

**** The magistrate paced slowly in his very plush office.

It was early morning and the sun had yet to heat the world.

Magistrate Henry Cody was a well respected member of the Gladiolus Community. He had gained his power through good political decisions and pure luck. He was 6 foot even, 190 pounds. Not an ounce of fat upon him. His mantra was simple. His body was a temple, therefore only the best would do. He only wore the finest silks and only ate the ripest cuisine. All the while, the people in his town starved. But no matter, he had gained his position and was never going to give that up.

Any other day, he carried no worries. Everything was always taken care for him by his personal guard. The women they brought to him were magnificent but none could light a candle to the one he had developed in his mind. His perfect girl, his perfect bride.

Today, however, was different. His brow was furrowed and his thoughts weighted his shoulders into a slouch.

So many shipments before this have gone bad. If Alliance knew what he was up to, he would surely be put to death. But in his mind, it was a very small price to pay.

If this shipment went south, that would be the end of it. Not only would he dispose of the contents but also anyone who knew of the contents.

The last two weeks events ran over in his head a million times. He knew he was doing right. This way being the only way. A light tapping on the door awoke him from his thoughts.

“Magistrate Cody?”

A man in his late twenties entered the room. He was about 6 foot 4. 250 pounds, all of which was muscle. He was a seasoned mercenary and had held many a head between those arms until there was no breath left in them.

“Yes, please enter.”

“I’m sorry to bother you, sir. The ship with the cargo is expected tomorrow at noon.”

“Perfect. Collect your men. Ready them up. For some reason, I don’t this is going to go very well.”

**** Simon watched Mandy sleep. His thoughts ran over the summer’s they had spent together playing tag on the beach and building forts in the woods. He had seen her blossom from a girl to a woman but in his eyes he always saw a friend.

He checked her pulse one more time.

Every time it was the same but he still checked. He had caused this girl so much pain and the least he could do is make her as comfortable as possible now.

Simon’s thoughts drifted in and out of child hood. The games River and him used to play and they was she just knew how to annoy him. Than he began thinking of the future. He knew that he would always have his sister but there was someone who lingered in his mind that he also wanted with him. Someone for companionship. Someone who knew him inside and out. He just wasn’t sure if that someone would keep her promise.

“You should talk to her.”

River had gotten really good at sneaking up on people.

“Talk to who, mei mei?”

“Talk to her. She will be gone and you will hurt.”

Simon slowly walked over to River who was still standing in the doorway.

“Who will be gone? River? Is this something you are seeing? Can you tell me more?”

River looked at him with loving eyes, smiled, and then turned to walk away.

“Please River. Please tell me more,” Simon pleaded with her but River kept going. His thoughts immediately went to Mandy.

He had to tell her. Before she is gone.

**** Muir was in sight for Wash and Mal.

Although Mal’s plan wasn’t exactly laid out, he had a couple ideas as to what was going to happen.

He had prepped everyone he needed to prep. Wash was to stay on the bridge in case they needed to leave in a hurry…same for Kaylee.

River, Simon, and Mandy were to stay in the bunks, away from sight.

Zoe and Jayne were prepared for what seemed another war and Mal had asked Book to stay with Inara. The two most innocent beings on this rig.

The ship began to rumble when they hit atmo. Everyone was pretty used to this by now but it still had an unsettling sense to it. Especially now.

Everything got brighter from the sunlight and then there was quiet. They had landed.

Mal opened the hatch and more light flooded in. Outside stood about twenty men, waiting for their cargo.

The largest of the men approached Mal as he walked down the ramp.

“Captain Reynolds I presume?”

“You are correct. You must be Clive.”

“Do you have the shipment ready?”

“Well, there was a slight problem. One the case’s alarms started going off so we had to open it and.”

Mal was cut off by the sound of a revolver clicking the safety off. His eyes cut to the far left and saw another twenty men standing behind the first.

“This isn’t good”, Mal thought to himself.