Chapter 4

Despite the disaster the last time they docked at the trade-plex, Serenity’s crew arrived with little trepidation as to what they would find. They were certain that dead bodies didn’t get mailed to people twice, so they were covered on that end. The trade-plex was a bizarre mish-mash of flea market, shopping mall and post office. If you were riding out in the black and you needed something, legal or not, you could find it here. It was also the home of Amnon Duual’s post office and holding station.

Mal led the group as the ships crew, all but River, entered the holding station.

“Ah, Amnon, glad to see your little operation is still standing.”

“No thanks to you. If I didn’t need the money so badly, I would have returned your crews post’s return to sender.” The last time they visited him, he almost was set on fire on account of it. One can understand him being a smidge bitter.

“Well, I ain’t expecting any surprises of that caliber today. What are you holdin’ for us?”

“Is that Companion still riding with you?”

“Inara? Yes. Well she wasn’t for some time but now she…Why?”

“Yes, why?” She asked gliding between the two, glaring a little at Mal for asking on her behalf.

“I have a letter for you. Must be important, it requires a positive retinal scan before I can hand it over. You expecting something?”

Her heart all but stopped. It had to be from the Companion Board.

“I’m afraid I am.” She was smiling politely. She looked around for Mal, the only other person who was aware of what this could mean, but he was talking to Jayne, his back turned to her. Inara followed Amnon off to the counter where the retinal reader was. Naturally, she passed.

“Thank you, Amnon,” she said, as he handed her the letter. The red wax seal of the Companion Board shook a little bit as her hands trembled.

“Hey, Cobb. You got something too.”

“I did?” He had just spoken to his mother and she hadn’t mentioned anything comin