TITLE: "SWIMMING WITH SHARKS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

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

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "WAKING THE DRAGON".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Badger enters a dangerous game with his father

but even he doesn't know how high the stakes really are. Jordan

reunites Simon, Mal and River with Serenity. Zoe wants to retrieve

Inara but first there is the matter of their new friends."

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.

"SWIMMING WITH SHARKS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

For several minutes Minister Tirrel did not speak. He was staring at his son: thinking. "What possible use could you be to me?"

Badger grinned. "I *know* things."

The Minister did not look impressed but that did not dim Badger's expression of barely contained excitement. His eyes glittered when he was scheming and his father's eyes narrowed. Son or no son he was nobody's fool. "If you attempt to manipulate me the next words out of your mouth will be your last, *dong ma*?"

"*Fang xin*. I got knowledge, see? Important stuff, secret even."

The Minister leaned forward very slowly. "What information?"

"Not sure you'll believe me, could say it's fantastical or somesuch, but it ain't no lie."

"Do not toy with me."

Badger heard the warning in his father's voice and tried not to appear as shaken as he felt. Made him think of them animals in the wild what ate their young. "It's high tech, see?" He cupped his hands together to indicate a ball shape. "Gleaming but not a metal I ever seen before. An' it lights up but no buttons or switches, just this kind'a hum."

The Minister's