TITLE: "DEMONIC FORCES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash. Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara.

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "THE LULL BEFORE THE STORM".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: None. All Firefly stories archived at Fireflyfans.net

SUMMARY: "Badger finally gives in to temptation with terrifying

results. The Captain begins to suspect that the little sanctuary

in the mountains is not all it is cracked up to be."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"DEMONIC FORCES"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

They found him curled up in one corner of the cargo bay. Hands over his head as if trying to protect himself. Jayne wanted to shoot him then and there but Zoe wanted answers. Shepherd Book intercepted Mistress Barbette. "Best let Zoe speak to him first."

His mild kindly voice would have been reassuring had River not told them what Badger had done.

Zoe kicked Badger's foot, startling a cry from the little man. She frowned. *Not* the reaction she was expecting. "Get up!"

The mumbled crying was unsettling. In all the years they had known the slimey little king pin she had never known him cry. Wasn't even sure he had tear ducts. Disturbed, she nodded to Jayne to get Badger to his feet. The wail of terror and agony when Jayne hauled him upright startled them all. Badger stood hunched over, face hidden by this hands, but as Zoe stepped closer she could see his hands were tinged with blood. Her eyes widened, the grip on her mare's leg tightening. At his feet, lying on the ground like some blinking time bomb, sat the control device. Not one of them wanted to touch it.

"Badger?"

The man shook his head, mumbling between sobs. Kaylee had been so afraid, h