TITLE: "SKIN DEEP"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Canon pairings

RATING: G.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "ONLY THE DEPTH THAT VARIES"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Things go downhill for Mal and Jayne gets an

inkling of what is going on. Meanwhile Zoe is determined to

get to the truth and rescue them."

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.

"SKIN DEEP"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"No one escapes from the Argent Penal Colony."

Mal was sitting on the floor, mainly on account of standing up just made him too much of a target for the sickening *wangba dan* and his cohorts. He hadn't seen Jayne in hours. Hoped to *diyu* the man was still in one piece and if so was smart enough to keep his gorram mouth shut. Didn't do to give a man like Brak ideas. When Brak didn't say anything else the Captain slanted a look at him. Even chanced a comment, low key like. "That what this is about?"

General Brak sneered at him. "By the time I've finished with you, you'll wish it was." Brak paused and watched that little nugget of information worm its' way into Malcolm Reynold's head. "You took something that didn't belong to you, Reynolds. I want it back."

The girl. He had to be talking about Casey. The Captain decided to go with Plan A and act dumb. "An' what might that be?"

Brak stepped back and gave a nod, his men moving in with fists and feet and then the unmistakable jolt of pain unending that could only come from a shock stick. Not once but again and again and again. He passed out before he lost count. Brak took his time in telling his men to stop. Waited 'til they got winded. Couldn't have his men wasting away from lac