TITLE: "OTHER ANGELS"

CHAPTER: 38. Sequel to "PANDORA AND THE BOX"

SERIES: HANDFUL OF STARS Series

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: Simon/Kaylee Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "Portree Nelson informs Marcus of their inability

to get passed the Alliance gunships. The crew of Serenity

become depressed and worry about how they will get Mal

and Zoe back. Meanwhile some things are not as bleak

as they seem while others are infinitely worse."

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.

"OTHER ANGELS"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Portree Nelson was frustrated. They couldn't get any closer without ending up in Alliance custody and he could see no way to get round the problem. There were just too many Alliance ships and that was another thing that unsettled him. Why? What in the nine hells had drawn them all here, at this time, and what did it mean? The unsettled feeling in his gut just got deeper. The only thing he did know was that they could not linger in the vicinity. Drawing attention was the one thing Marcus had warned against and he was in complete agreement but it left a sour taste in his mouth as if in some way he were being a coward for not being able to find a way through.

Silently he apologised to Mal and Zoe, reluctantly ordering a complete withdrawal. His men were silent. No one questioning his decision or coming up with alternatives. They knew the rescue mission was a bust. Nelson didn't like knowing that as soon as they were far enough away he would need to let Marcus know. Not in so many words but by pre-arranged code phrase. Something innocuous wrapped up in a greeting, a call between friends just saying "Hi". He wasn't used to failure, to letting good folks down, still less people that he had promised to prot