TITLE: "LESSER EVILS"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

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

RATING: G.

STATUS: Sequel to "FIRESTORM".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Captain Foster is informed of the 'accidental'

cremation. Simon is having nightmares while taking tentative

steps to repair his relationship with Kaylee. Inara returns to

House Madrassa but not for the reason anyone thinks."

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.

"LESSER EVILS"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Minister Rosenbaum was a naturally cautious and suspicious person. He liked to have his finger on the pulse of every heartbeat in the organisation but as that was impossible he settled for monitoring everything and everyone. When he tried to access the feed to the mortuary he was alarmed to find that it appeared to have been disabled. Immediately fearing that security had been compromised he took a couple of guards with him and went to see what was going on. What he found stunned him. Recovering quickly he dismissed the guards and waited until the door shut behind them.

"What do you think you are doing, General?"

General Franks did not seem troubled to see him there. The man straightened and wiped his hands on a cloth, a look of grim satisfaction etched upon his face. "Sorting out our little problem, *shifu*."

The Minister's eyebrows rose. "And that necessitated disabling the cameras?"

"*Bu*. The cameras were taken off-line temporarily so that the footage could be scanned in more detail. It was fortunate timing."

"If you do not immediately explain yourself, General..."

The General calmly raised a