Spring on Sihnon was beautiful. All the flowers coming into bloom, and the melting snow from the mountains powering down the cliffs in great waterfalls. The Guild House nestled against the protective canyon wall, spreading out across the floor, the gold leaf on the bell tower roofs glinting in the soft sunshine. In the far distance the city glittered.

The Firefly settled into the private port beside the House, next to a Lexer and one of the new Parthian C-10s. But if anyone had called Serenity the poor relation, Mal would’ve shot them.

“You’re staying put.” Mal said to Jayne, standing by the cargo bay doors, the big man bristling with weapons and grenades.

“Like hell. I’m coming with you.”

“No, you’re not. Mood you’re in you’d probably gut the lot of ‘em, and that’s not gonna help.”

“Mal, they killed the boy.”

“I know. And as much as I wish we could stop it, they’re gonna get away with it.”

“Ain’t fair.”

“No. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re staying here.” He settled his gunbelt a little more comfortably. “We’ve got work to do, and I need you to watch our backs.”

“From a bunch of –“

“From anyone.”

“Mal –“

“Why’re you still arguing? It’s been decided.” Mal looked up at the catwalk, where Inara was just leaving her shuttle. “You ready?” he asked, his voice different to the way he’d spoken to Jayne.

“No. Not really.” She walked slowly down the stairs. “Do you actually think this will work?”

“Frey seems to think so.”

“Yes, but she’s not walking into the lion’s den.”

“Only because I told her she couldn’t.”

“And she listened?”

“Didn’t you hear the argument?”

“Was that what it was?” Inara tried a smile. “I thought it was thunder.”

“Well, sometimes I feel like I got struck by lightning, yeah.” He flashed a grin back.

Zoe and Hank stepped out of the common area, both armed. The pilot handed Mal a com unit. “Freya’s on the bridge in case we need to make a quick getaway.”

“She mention our slight disagreement?”

“In long and e