“You know, Simon found out more about that plaque,” Hank said, swivelling backwards and forwards in his seat until Freya began to feel a little seasick.

“Oh?” she said, turning to look out of the window into the Aegis sunshine.

“It’s cursed.”

“What?” She wasn’t really listening to him.

“Cursed. There’s some old document that says anyone removing it from its home will …” He stopped swivelling and looked at her. “Did you hear a word I said?”

“I was just wondering why it’s gone quiet.”

Hank stared, then said, “You don’t think they touched that statue, do you? After I told them not to.”

“No.” She concentrated, pushing through the static River was still putting out. “No, they’ve okay. Just …”

Hank fiddled with the switches on the com. “Well, there’s no reason this end for us not to hear them.” He kept trying different combinations.

Freya leaned forward, running her eyes over the console. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, certainly no indication there should be anything wrong. She got to her feet. “I’ll go check the array, make sure that’s functioning.”

He looked round at her. “Can you pick anything else up from them?”

She unfocused, feeling as if she was digging through the rock herself. “Mal’s annoyed, but that’s about it. They’re okay otherwise.”

“Can you talk to him?”

“No.” She felt annoyed herself. “I … no.”

“But they’re okay?”

“I think they’re on their way back.”

“Well, you don’t need to climb up on Serenity. Diagnostics show the array’s working fine. I think it’s just that booster Kaylee put together.”

“I still think someone should –“

“Then I’ll go.” He thumbed the com. “Kaylee, can you come and babysit for a while?”

“ Sure, Hank ,” her voice came back. “ Where’re you going? ”

“Up top to check the array.”

“ We got problems? ” Instantly her tone changed.

“No. Not like that. Probably just a short somewhere.”

“ I’ll go .”

“Nope. Your shoulder still ain’t one hundred percent, and I ain't having y