The Belle of the Ball

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based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon

Maps spread across crates in the cargo bay, each one hand drawn meticulously, down to the very last room. Cat had them with her, mostly in case she was ever taken again or if she felt the absolute need to return and save the others, a course she had, yet, to pursue.

“They will be here.” She planted the need of her dagger in a group of rooms near the west wing, a place that would take them through almost all the compound from where their ship would dock.

“What about Serenity?” Kaylee asked. “Will they board her?”

“Leave that to us. You just keep this beast running and make damn sure if anything electric gets on this ship, you disarm it. I left a shotgun and a few extra bullets.” Cat looked at her.”They'll be more worried about us than this little old ship. Anything this small is mostly consider a trash bin.”

“That's no way to talk about Serenity.” Kaylee looked as if you had insulted her mother.

“Kaylee, I meant no disrespect. What they wanted from her, they got and the other thing they desire is coming to them. You are just of no consequence.”

'Ski grabbed and loaded the shotgun for Kaylee before strapping on his combat harness.

It was filled to the hilt with an assortment of weapons and extra ammo. “We going to do the telepathy thing again?”

“It ain't telepathy,” Cat smiled as she handed him an almost transparent head set. “Makes it easier if we get separated.”

“Told you. Just follow the Grim Reaper. He'll lead you straight to me.” 'Ski laughed.

“Very funny. Would you give me a test?” She pushed down the small power button as 'Ski's voice poured into her ear.

“You ready to go dancing, my wife?”

“More than I want to admit.” She whispered, the sound barely heard to the naked ear.

Serenity jerked a bit sending Kaylee into 'Ski's arms and Cat toward the crate. The latter caught herself before any damage was done to any of her precious cargo. Each g