Okay, gang - sorry for the late post, but some people should run railroads and some people shouldn't. It applies even better in real life than it does in this fanfic. :P Now there's a lot of Chinese in this one, so don't forget to hover your cursor and check the prologue for the rest of the blurbs! ;)

And while you're at it, check reader responses:

Angellemarcs, thank you, thank you, thank you and thank you! I was a little worried about writing Wash early in the fic, so I'm glad to know you're enjoying his role. Trying to spin the story as quickly as I can, but the more complicated things get....well, you know how it is.

Jane0904, thanks a bunch! :D

darbymonster, well, then....this....is a day it'll feel good to be me. ;) Sorry to spoil your Monday by posting so dang late. And thanks for your remark on the story's current pace. Glad to know you're not looking for plot resolution (or worse yet, pairing resolution seeing that there aren't any pairings here) right away, like some people!

mal4prez, yeah, I'd say it's just you. ;) Hee hee. But things with Inara are not what they may seem. [/mysterious]

yinyang, yeah, I conjured they hadn't gotten much of their needed screen time of late - at first I thought Simon should do more than whinge about River, but since that's half his role on the show anyway.... ;)

Katesfriend, thanks a mil! I'm very gratified you've continued to read and enjoy. To you and to all hands, a million thank-yous to all for your comments about River in the last part. I was doing a fair bit of fretting over whether she was in character, but the most of you seem to think she was - so that's VERY helpful to know!!!

Thank you again, and PhyreLight, well - what would I do withoutcha? ;)

On to the discovery....

http://www.fireflyfans.net/bluesun.aspx?bid=20478>Part 8

前进

The steel-grated steps from the ground level to the carved path, hewn p