http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=20157>Prologue

Thanks again to PhyreLight for the beta. Cursor hovering over the Chinese phrases will give you the translation.

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Mal's order to lay low lacked specifics, but Simon's mind was set furthest at ease to stay with the ship, even though he had barely stepped off of it since Ariel. In his devoted protection of his sister he was beginning to feel liable to join in her insanity just from being stuck vesselside for so long. However, it wasn’t until she decided to curl up on the deck in the middle of the forward hall and take a nap that Simon felt an iota of safety in going outside for some fresh air: a little distance between him and the ghastly clamour of that needle scaler was just as welcome.

Already Wash and Zoe were carrying out Mal's orders, however leisurely. They were, in fact, taking advantage of it – disguising some husband-and-wife time by searching out a quiet heel-cooler of a retreat, staying within view of Serenity just in case their presence was urgently called for.

"You know what's funny?" Wash said, surveying the west side of the bustling main street.

"That silly little dinosaur routine you like to do when you think nobody's lookin'?" Zoe offered.

Wash had the grin of a man who had just won big at a racetrack as he turned to face her. "Dinosaurs, me?" he exclaimed, clearly mocking incredulity. "Noooooo! When have I ever had such time to fritter away with Mal scowling over my shoulder? Anyway, that's not the kind of funny I was referring on."

Only Wash would have the presence of mind to laugh his way out of such a predicament, Zoe thought fondly to herself. Expectantly, she turned her head, piercing Wash's gaze with her own while she awaited the impact of the other shoe.

His answer was preceded by a nod past Zoe, aimed toward a tall-standing spacecraft graving dock a few blocks distant. "I just wonder