A/N: Sug is pronounced "Shoog" at least in my head. Thanks as always to Neroli, my beta. Thanks also go out to Cassandrae for insisting that my muse hurry this story up.

Chapter 8: Introductions

Chinese Glossary

Tzao-gao – oh crap

Go-se – dog crap

Da-ge – big brother

Mal stood behind Wash as the pilot guided Serenity in its docking to the smaller, faster Lightning-class mercenary ship. Inara and River had left the previous day when Serenity flew by Athens. The planet had been a bit out of their way before the meet with Sug's ship, but Inara had assured both he and Simon that the Companion's Guildhouse on Athens possessed several acquaintances and that the House Priestess had previously agreed to take several of the children once the mission was over. This way it would be their first stop after they hopefully succeeded.

Mal directed his thoughts away from his stray crew. The situation before him would be tricky enough without any distractions. Sug had agreed to join the mission, but only with her older ship and several of her more trusted comrades. Hopefully they were trustworthy enough.

"Serenity to the Expeditor, preparing to dock in 6, 5, 4, 3 . ." Wash called over the cortex as the two ships merged cargo bays.

"Expeditor here, everything looks tight on our end. Disengaging engines and controls to your helm Serenity," the pilot of the other ship replied.

"Shiny Expeditor. See you in a few." Wash flicked several switches and engaged the autopilot. "Everything's smooth Captain."

Mal nodded. "Good. Now remember, be cautious as to what you let drop. Don't know how much Sug has filled her people in on," he warned as he turned to head to the cargo bay.

"Captain, how come we haven't done business with this chick before? I mean, I thought we were in business with most of your old war buddies," Wash asked as he followed Mal through the ship.

Mal laughed. "Ask your wife.