Firefly, Serenity, and all related proprietary characters are the intellectual property of Joss Whedon and corporations with whom I have no affiliation. Said property does not belong to me, and the fictional story below is of my own creation. (I don’t own ‘em, just like to play with ‘em!)

**********************

Simon’s face registered bewilderment. “Please excuse my ignorance, Inara, but I thought it was nearly impossible for Companions to buy their way out of their contracts before achieving twenty years of service. You aren’t nearly old enough to have completed even fifteen.”

Inara’s face was grim. “I knew I shouldn’t have mentioned any of the specifics. You are correct, Simon, I only recently completed my twelfth year. I am fairly sure I know what your next question will be, but go ahead.”

Simon started to do just that, but Kaylee interrupted him. “Wait a sec, why’s it matter how many years ‘Nara put in? She wants out, that’s her business, not theirs. Oh, and congrats, ‘Nara, right shiny you can do what you like now.”

Simon sighed. So naïve she is… “Kaylee, Guild members are required to serve for at least twenty years before retirement. If they wish to retire before then, they must purchase each un-served year from the Guild. The rule was initially intended to prevent young girls from joining if they were not absolutely certain, but it has become a way for the Guild to obtain additional funds from older Companions who might otherwise be unable to provide their expected percentage in income. Please correct me if I’m wrong, Inara, but I believe the cost to purchase a single year of the contract back from the Guild is somewhere around five hundred thousand credits?”

Inara nodded solemnly. “Plus an additional quarter million credits for every year beyond the fifth. But Kaylee is right, I am no longer beholden to the Guild, nor am I subject to the whims of the Alliance. Unfortunately, I no longer have any assets, and I will be leaving when we land on Persephone.”

“And go