Mal raised his head and greeted Lee with a genuine smile. "Is this a rescue?"

Lee smiled in return. "It is."

“Glad you showed up. Things might’ve started to get ugly,” deadpanned Mal.

A startled grin cracked Lee’s face, and he shook his head in affectionate disbelief. He stepped aside to allow Dye in, and the Sergeant freed him from the chains, offering his hand to help Mal sit.

Lee entered the small cell and knelt by Mal, his face grave. He looked down and rested his hand on Mal's. It was a gesture of respect more than comfort, and Mal kept his voice soft with equal respect when he spoke. "Ugly thing, ain't it? Chains, blood, and men in prison cells?"

Lee nodded. "Corporal Alleyne told me when I had you on suicide watch that you'd be better off if I chained you up in a dungeon. That at least that way, you'd have something to fight." He studied Mal thoughtfully. “I hope she was right."

"Felt good to fight, sir," said Mal with a small grin. "The torture, not so much."

Steps sounded outside the door, and Lee stood and stepped to the side. Mal heard the slight squeak of a gun being un-holstered, and Gunderson appeared at the cell door, his weapon aimed directly at Dye.

Dye froze.

"We gots an Independent sympathizer here, looks like," said Gunderson. "Thought it looked like you were going soft on me." His face was twisted in a contemptuous grin.

His eyes traveled down to Mal. "Seemed I left you a little more – secure." Mal glared at Gunderson, keeping his eyes from flickering towards the corner of the cell where Lee stood.

Dye shifted, and Gunderson's finger tightened on the trigger. "But first I'll deal with the traitor -"

Lee raised his arm with the speed of a cobra and fired two shots directly into the side of Gunderson's chest. Almost in the same movement, a third to the head ended his life with deafening finality.

Lee tucked the pistol back into a holster concealed under his coat and nudged at Gunderson's body with one foot. There was no movement,