“Somebody like to enlighten me as to the nature of what’s going on?” Mal asked, leaning in the open hatchway. He could see a man crumpled in the corner, unlikely to be getting up any time soon, and a second man was on the deck, a woman at his side, both of them staring at Jayne and River.

Alex Rostov was standing, his hand pressed to his jaw. “Hello, Mal,” he said, just as the inner doorway burst open, Dillon and Breed hurtling through, guns in their hands.

Mal raised an eyebrow. “If’n you’re planning to shoot me, I’d seriously reconsider.”

“Not at this juncture, no,” Dillon said, lowering his weapon.

“I’m kinda pleased to hear it.” Mal’s tone was dry, bordering on the desiccated. “And I’m still waiting on some kind of explanation.”

River glanced at him. “Captain, I think I can assist.” She turned back to the two strangers. “These are Gabriel and Regan Tam. My … parents.”

He straightened, stepping inside. “Your folks?”

She nodded gravely.

Gabriel Tam managed, with his wife’s assistance, to stand up, for the moment ignoring the captain of Serenity. “Mr Cobb?”

“Yeah?” The big man was uneasy.

“Thank you.”

“Uh … you’re welcome?” Jayne glanced at River, seeing her beaming at him.

“I think perhaps we need to talk, but at a more convenient time,” Gabriel went on. “Since I understand you’re my … my son-in-law.”

Jayne’s unease came back full force. “I guess so.”

Gabriel turned to Mal, trying not to smile at the big man’s obvious discomfort. “And you must be Captain Reynolds.”

“I suppose I must. But I’m all kinds of curious to know what you and the rest of these reprobates are doing here.”

“Well …” Gabriel looked at Dillon and Alex, then back at Mal. “There’s something you need to know.”

“I’m sure there is, which is why I’m asking.”

“Perhaps if we could remove ourselves to somewhere a little more comfortable? Since I’m afraid the story is going to take a little time.”

“The only place you’re going is to the infirmary,” Regan said firmly, dabb