TITLE: "PANDORA AND THE BOX"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Kaylee/Simon. Mal/Inara.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: Sequel to "A HANDFUL OF STARS".

SUMMARY: "In the depths of the Captain's extremis a little

pinprick of light shines through. Zoe frets and Serenity's

crew struggle to formulate a rescue plan. Meanwhile, River

is busy plotting and possibly scheming."

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.

"PANDORA AND THE BOX"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Much as she did not want to watch Zoe could not help herself. The Captain was kept in darkness, his environment controlled and his mind stimulated with chemical cues and technology beyond her grasp to fathom. All she knew was that the Devil's Disciples were alive and well in this evil pit of *diyu*. From time to time a technician would enter the room and carefully apply drops to his eyes to keep them lubricated but not once did they remove the tape that stopped him from closing them. It made her weep with rage inside and left her feeling utterly helpless. Zoe had learnt early on that getting out of the chair was impossible and yet there were no obvious physical restraints. In a way that alarmed her more than being tied to it. At least with ropes or chains she could have seen what held her and had some hope, however remote, of working out how to get free again.

The truth would take a long time dawning and when it did it would be more devastating than anything else she could possibly imagine.

* * * * *

Derrial Matthew Brooks was trying every which way to frustrate the intruder but nothing he tried allowed him to get anywhere near the probing mind of River Tam. He was not even sure it was still the nanotechnology that was blocking his abilities. For some time now he had suspected that Riv