AN: There's more than one way to name a very small planet; I've used Isaac Asimov's terminology because I thought it appropriate.

22. If Everybody Could Just Be Quiet a Minute

Serenity quickly outdistanced the obdurate Lemon, in spite of Wash’s efforts, cutting everything except his own wrists in an effort to coax more speed from her. River kept a close eye on the upgraded scanners Kaylee had installed, and wished that Mal would calm down a little bit. His bad case of nerves was making her jittery.

“Passing the lawforce post,” River reported, and Mal looked over her shoulder at the screen. The free-floating police station was the only permanent Alliance presence in this area. Shouldn’t be a problem. Probably didn’t have much in the way of resources; just a small patrol cruiser docked alongside, total personnel complement of maybe a dozen officers and supporting crew.

“Just keep us out of sight,” Mal said, and River nodded.

Not far beyond the lawforce post was a small, undeveloped mesoplanet. Mal pointed it out to River. It was plenty large enough to hide an Alliance destroyer.

“I see it,” River said. “But I have no way to see through it.”

“Go around it,” Mal said. “I want to know there’s nothing back there.” So River altered course and slewed them around the rocky world. They found nothing beyond it but the usual vasty nothingness. Mal stood in the middle of the bridge and stared into the reassuringly empty black.

As they came around the far side, though, a telltale lit on the pilot’s console. “Captain! Polyphemus!” River cried.

“Where?” Mal was at one shoulder in an instant; Zoe hovered anxiously over the other.

“Behind Wash. I think they’ve spotted him, sir; they’re altering course and accelerating to intercept.”

“Nee ta ma duh tyen-shia suo-yo duh run doh gai si.” Mal hit the comm. “Wash, you’ve got company.”

“Where? I don’t see ‘em.”

“Alliance destroyer Polyphemus, with our friend Coles. Coming