Blue Blood – Chapter Three

Don’t own it, just enjoy playing with Firefly. No money changing hands.

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Mal and Inara were going over the books when Hollins called on the com.

“Cap’n, Mister Harwell is here to see you.”

“Tell him I’ll be right down,” Mal answered, and stood. “Wonder if he’s got a rush shipment or something,” he mused.

“Might just be a social call,” Inara told him.

“Might,” Mal nodded, unconvinced. He walked down to the bay, where Harwell was waiting.

“Morning, George,” Mal said amiably. “What brings you out on such a good weather day?” It had been raining all morning, and with the cold air settled in around them, it was truly miserable out.

“I need to talk to you, Mal,” Harwell said at once, and the tension in his voice was palpable.

“Something wrong?”

“I don’t know, exactly,” Harwell admitted. “I have a. . .source, let’s call it, in Grippen’s office. Someone who can keep tabs on who Grippen’s talking to, that sort of thing. He’s been in contact with some rather strange folks, recently. And at least one call was about River Tam.” Mal’s eyes closed for a moment, and a tired sigh escaped his lips.

“I assume by strange, they was dressed all in blue?” he asked finally, and Harwell’s surprise was evident.

“Yes, that’s it exactly,” he nodded. “I take it you know who they are?”

“I’m afraid so,” Mal nodded. “They’re very bad news, too. Did your ‘source’ know what they were talking about?” As if I didn’t know, Mal thought.

“Apparently there’s a hefty reward for information on the whereabouts of your pilot,” Harwell said. “And the sheriff is looking to collect it.”

“Figures,” Mal snorted. “It’s not a criminal warrant, George. It’s a bounty, more or less. River is very. . .special, let’s just say. These people kept her captive for a long time, tortured her basically. Performed experiments on her. Her brother rescued her, but they’ve been trying to take her back ever since.”

“Experiments?” Harwell was shocked. “That’s. . .”

“Yes, it is. Unfortunately,” Mal t