Prologue

River had the strangest sensation in her stomach, a tingling feeling. The last time she felt that feeling the operative was coming. It could only mean trouble. She had tried to tell them but they hadn't understood. The thought she was just acting up, that she was not well, but she new what was coming. The shadow of death the cold embrace of it was sucking at her feet like a strong current. One of them would die.

THE DAMED MEN OF EARTH

Mal and Zoe had a easy job, they were transporting dogs to a owner on ghost. The cargo was even legal, which was a nice change from their last few deliveries. The only problem was one of the dogs was sick, she was vomiting in her crate and nothing the doctor did would stop her. “ I don't understand it!” said Simon in a frustrated voice looking at the sick dog. “ Shes in prefect health, her heart is fine she doesn't have worms, SHES FINE!” the dog gave him a pathetic look. “ Oh Simon don't yell your scarring her.” Cooed Kaylee at the dog. “ts not her fault.” “ No I guess not” admitted Simon “ But Mal will have a fit if he doesn't get all his money.” At that very moment the captain walked in “ What about me?” he said looking suspiciously at the doctor “Noting captn.” said Kaylee grinning at him. “ have you figured out whats wrong with that damn dog?” Malcolm asked “ Well I'm going to check her stomach encase of a flew but otherwise..” just then the dog vomited on the table. A plastic bag was mixed in with the water. “ well, well what have we hear.” said Simon ignoring Malcolm's look of disgust. He put on some plastic gloves an picked up the bag.

“ Its ripped.” said Simon as some watery white paste oozed from the bag. “ What is it?” asked the captain with interest. “ It looks like a drug baggy..” said Kaylee. The two men looked at her “ Well it does!” she said giving them a innocent look. “ I'm not sure whats more disturbing the bag of the fact that you know what a drug baggy looks like.” said The captain giving Kaylee a wo