TITLE: "SYMBOLS AND CYPHERS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: G.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "LOCKDOWN"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://unilelu.net/Alison/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "River explains why the animals are on

Savanna. Shepherd Book gets a surprise. A chain of

events is set in motion to bring much needed aid."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"SYMBOLS AND CYPHERS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

By the time the wave had ended Sir Warwick Harrow was in reflective pose, his mind flitting back over the brief but memorable conversation.

"A long time ago I did you a great service." The Special Envoy had said. "Now I am calling in that marker, old friend."

It was not repaying the debt that caused him such deep reflection but the manner of the repayment. Unusal, certainly. Dangerous? Probably. Unprecedented? Absolutely. Sir Warwick did not know the principals involved but the figure on the periphery, the 'maiden in distress' as it were, was well known to him. Some circles forever overlapped, hers and his were a case in point. Inara Serra. A woman of matchless beauty but with wits to match. How the Companion had fallen foul of the Alliance he could not even begin to guess but for the Special Envoy to take this keen an interest was disturbing on a number of counts. He sighed and hoped that what little help he could provide would loosen the noose tightening around her neck.

Despite the late hour he sent the wave piggy backed on another signal to re-route it so that it would be lost in low level chatter. The words were innocuous and there was no return address. He was the go between only. His few words the only assurance to gi