The episode with Harmony coupled with other indications of Diana’s range of knowledge drives the speculation to new heights, to the point that it’s starting to interfere with the routine work on board. Finally Mal must arrange a “talk” with Diana and the crew.

Mal begins; “Diana, we’re mighty grateful you helped us at Persephone, and we’ve no problem leaving civilization behind for a time, but whenever we ask you for some idea of why we’re here, the atmo gets more than a touch foggy. We need to know a bit more.”

Diana looks about, and sees the same question on every face. “Well, I was hoping to put this off until we were there, but I guess I have no choice. My full name, at least the one that you would recognize, is Diana Book, and I am Shepherd Book’s ‘cousin’. He wrote to me years ago and talked of you people, and how much he enjoyed travelling with you. Since his death, I have followed your travels and troubles, and when I realized that you were landing near Southdown Abbey, I decided to meet you all.”

Jayne interjects; “Southdown Abbey? You don’t talk like no preacher.”

Diana chuckles quietly, “No, I’m not. But I needed a place until I found transport to the Belt, and the Abbey takes in relatives. When my sources told me of your troubles, it all came together – I could get to know some of Derrial’s old friends, and maybe we could help each other.”

Zoë’s next; “But why the fretfulness to go to the Scrap Belt? Seems an odd purpose for a woman with ‘sources’.”

“Well, one time Derrial told me of an old ship he flew years ago, and how it contained many valuable items from our ‘family’s’ past. It seemed like a good idea to retrieve some of his things and learn more about us, and perhaps discover what is so valuable.”

The questions continue, but that seems to be all she knows.

Her story still seems rather thin. Mal pulls Zoë aside; “I don’t recall the Shepherd ever mentioning the Scrap Belt, and if there were a ship out there, scavengers would have cleaned it out long ago. Do you belie