PART TEN

*

A GUN BY YOUR SIDE

REVENGE ON YOUR MIND

GONE SHOOTING!

THRILLS IN THE NIGHT

SHIVER YOUR SPINE

GONE SHOOTING!

*

[Gone Shooting – Evil Dead]

*

Rolled in from another town

Hit some gold, too hot to settle down

But a fool and his money soon go separate ways

And you found a fool lyin' in a daze

Ha ha woman

What you gonna do

You destroyed all the virtues that the Lord gave you

It's so good that you're feelin' pain

But you better get your face 'board the very next train

[Evil Woman – ELO]

*

Everyone apart from Cliff in hiding went about doing their tasks, looking for all the world as though they were slowly preparing to leave Caerphilly. Jayne kissed Vera thoroughly, hugged the kids, whistled for Ares and snuck out, back to the previously hidden Hornet. He flipped open the com and waited for Mal's signal. Vera and the younger children went back into hiding. Cliff carefully drove the camper van out of view, so it looked as though the vehicle had gone. A few hours later, at dusk when the light was failing, a huge craft twice the size of Serenity landed nearby.

Mal took the hail, “What have you done with our goods?” It was Tereza Niska – or her substitute – again.

He smiled, smooth and unruffled, “Right here in our cargo bay, Ma'am.”

There was a distinct frown on Tereza's face, in the crease between her brows, “But I thought...”

Mal was oily smooth, “What *did you think?”

“Hmm. I'd like to double check just to clear my mind.”

“No problem. Come on down. We're nearly prepped to go to Ariel.” Mal closed the link and opened the secure line to Jayne, “Go Phoenix.”

Jayne grinned around his battle cigar, “Phoenix gotcha and out.” He lifted off, with Ares panting eagerly beside him.

Mal checked with everyone in the welcoming committee that they were wearing their Kevlar vests and unders as well as being tooled to the hilt. He had his fingers hovering near his open holster as he punched for the flap to descend. Mal nodded at Zoe and she nodded back. Behind them in various hiding places w