Chapter 18

Her fingers dusted lightly over the control panel. She stared at them for a long moment before averting her eyes. The message that had been left for her was days old; she had just now been able to retrieve it. “We’re too late,” River said as she stared into the blackness of space.

“Late?” Inara asked from behind her.

“They’ve left without us.” Her voice held no emotion and it set Inara instantly on edge.

“Without –“

River swiveled toward Inara. “I was too slow. We’ll have to hand deliver your data stick and then meet them.” She glanced back out into space before returning her gaze to Inara. “Your work for them is done.”

Inara was confused and it showed in her expression. “Where are we going?”

A contented smile passed across River’s face. “Home.”

Inara’s eyes narrowed and her heart-rate doubled. “Home?” She could never go back home. And she was certain River couldn’t either. And – Serenity was no more. It had been their last, and really, only, home.

River nodded. “Something we should have done a long time ago. Left a lot of loose ends. Time to tie them together again.”

“River –“ Inara glanced down at the cortex screen that River had muted when she’d walked in. She changed the subject by arching her head toward the screen. “What are they saying?”

“That the Independents have won a large victory and the Alliance war machine is fracturing.” Their eyes met. “Your information on strategic positions and troop deployments proved valuable.”

Inara didn’t want to guess how River knew what she’d been doing. The young woman had secrets of her own that she would reveal in her own time – or not. And Inara felt a sense of relief at the news, coupled with sadness and just a little bit of fear at what would happen to society as she knew it if the government did collapse. “That’s –good to hear.”

“Still need to know what you’re carrying.” River said matter-of-factly.

“Well then let’s get there. It’s burning a hole in my pocket.” She winked at River, the weight of