Mal had parked Serenity on an empty asteroid so Kaylee could work on something. As she explained it in Captain Dummmy Talk, "If I don't fix this, the engine will explode, AGAIN, and burn up the whole ship and kill us ALL. Is that what you want?"

Expressions of disapproval from Wash, Zoe, Inara, and even Shepard Book had convinced him. So there they had been for two days, enduring shutdowns of water, power, lights, the cortex and even life support, as Kaylee sweated away. Finally, she had announced that the end was in sight.

"Just a couple more hours of calibration runs, parked here, and we can go. I gotta wait while some sealer dries up. I'm gonna take a shower."

Ten minutes later an Alliance patrol boat swung around the side of the asteroid, and announced, "Firefly class vessel, prepare to be boarded for inspection. "

Mal didn't have a lot of options, the engine not bein' ready, and his mechanic in the shower. So he clicked the intercom and announced, "All personell, we are about to be boarded by the Alliance. Please follow the plan of Operation Iron Mask. Everybody who can, assemble in the cargo bay."

When the Alliance Commmander entered the cargo bay a few minutes later, there were 6 folk there to meet him . Mal said, "I am Captain Malcolm Reynolds. What can we do for you?"

"We are checking for two fugitives from justice, a brother and sister named Tam. I'd like to see your papers and check everyone aboard, crew and passengers."

"Here are my ship's papers."

The Commander examined the crew list and passenger manifest. "Captain, there are nine names here, but only 6 people. Where are the rest?"

"These are my passengers, Commander. Miss Inara Serra, a registered companion." Inara was wearing a perfectly respectable, very stylish dress. There was no obvious reason for the Commander to think improper thoughts, regardless of the lady's profession, but for some reason he was.

"Shepard Derrial Book. ---" an elderly man, with a lot of white hair.

"Our Miss Joy, Joy