Hank lifted his hands slowly. “Look, fellers, I don’t know what you think this is, but –“

“Shut up,” said the leader, coming into the daylight from the deep shadows, four men behind him. “I want the box.”

“It’s just papers.” Zoe held it against her chest. “No money.”

“Well, that’s a pity. But my boss ain't gonna be reassured when I have to report back I took your word for it.” He motioned with his gun. “Put it down on the ground and back up.”

Zoe didn’t move. “Or what?”

“I shoot you and take it anyway. Your choice.” His voice hardened. “Put it down.”

-

River ran out of the office into the yard.

“River, wait. What is it?” Kaylee demanded, at her heels.

“No time.” She scanned the area and saw a small hover unattended.

“Where? Oh, River …”

“They’re closer,” the girl said, running for the vehicle and jumping on board. “Coming?”

-

“Auntie Frey?” Bethany hurried around the table. “Daddy? Uncle Jayne?”

“It’s okay,” Freya whispered, desperately angry at herself for not being able to go and help. She picked the little girl up and settled her in her lap, ignoring the stab of pain from her hip. ”It’s okay.”

-

Zoe straightened up, stepping back from the box. “So, now you’ve got it and we ain’t,” she said softly. “You can just go on about your business.”

“You think?”

“I know.”

The man relaxed, just a little. “Now, you see, that’s something of a hitch.”

“No hitch far as I can see. You won. We lost.”

Hank wanted to tell Zoe to shut up, not to antagonise this man any further, but his mouth wouldn’t work. He backed up until he was against the hoarding.

The man in front of them was grinning. “Only losers have to pay up.”

“You don’t say,” Zoe commented, her hand slapping her gun from its holster.

-

“No!” Bethany squealed, hiding her face in Freya’s shoulder.

She held the little girl tight.

-

“No time,” River muttered, throwing the hover around a corner as Kaylee hung on for dear life.

“What?”

“No time!” she shouted