Yeah, it's been a few months since I added to this series (I was doing robotics competitions). If you haven't read Liberty (6 parts) and/or Aquaphobe (5 parts), I'd suggest you find them and read them (they can be found in the fanfic section here) as it explains some of the things in this story. Disclaimer: anything recognizable is property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. The story, however, is mine. Also, I had to take some creative liberties, but only on stuff not explained in the series. I also used my own translator for the Mandarin, so it may be off (although it's still comical). On to the story:

It was midnight on Ariel, raining as it does a lot on that planet. I was there to meet someone at a small restaurant on the outskirts of Ariel City. It was the outdoor part, under a pavilion. I saw a lightning bolt hit the water a couple miles out. Then, a tall woman walked up to me.

I sat down at the closest table. “You look shocked to see me.”

Serra Ng sat down across from me. “Let’s just say you’re not the Eddie I was expecting to see.”

I tossed her a pouch.

“What’s this?” she asked, taking a peek inside it.

“It’s what I owe you, monetarily speaking anyway.”

She raised an eyebrow. “How did you get all this so quickly?”

“You’re still in disbelief that I would actually pay you back.” I stared at her. “I pulled a few jobs out on the rim. Got real lucky with one of them. Oh, and incidentally, you were very difficult to find.”

“Yeah, I got transferred to one of the underwater labs here.” Serra stared out to the water. “It’s beautiful down there. I’d take you, but, well, you know.”

“Six months ago, you helped me escape The Darkness.” I turned out to the ocean myself. “You’ve done more than enough.”

“You know, you seem less, well, childish in the head than when I last saw you.” Serra turned her attention back to me. “How did you find me anyway?”

“I met a few people on a borderworld that know Alliance personnel procedures. And the craziness left soon after I