TITLE: "DARK FORCES"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 45. Sequel to "SCUM OF THE 'VERSE"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

RATING: PG-13

SUMMARY: "Ryan has a lucky escape. Badger looks

for help but finds something much worse. Meanwhile

the crew of Serenity have troubles of their own."

"DARK FORCES"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

"What the *diyu* happened?"

Ryan moved carefully but it still hurt. Even his gorram bruises had bruises and he was pretty sure he had at least a couple of cracked ribs. "It was those psycho guards." He drew in a quick pained breath. Even talking hurt. Elliot gave his friend a worried look but Ryan shook off the unspoken question. They didn't have time for this. "Help me, Elly."

A quick glance then Elliot was moving low to grip his friend. He hissed a quick warning then dragged him out into the ice bound yard where everyone had been forced to gather as soon as the alarm went off. Their only safety was in numbers. They could not see the guards but knew better than to assume they were unobserved. Crafty, spiteful *hundan* were probably watching and laughing. What concerned Elliot Carr more was why the guards had decided to make Ryan their personal punch bag.

"Told ya not to make trouble." He hissed.

"*Bushi wode cuo*, Wilko's been itchin' to have a go at me. This time he brought friends."

"Yeah but *weishenme* an' why now?"

Ryan McFarlane knew, it was that gorram dust but telling Elliot might paint a target on his back too and one of them up to their eyes in *shen goushi* was one too many.

"If they got it in for ya," said Elliot quietly as he gently checked his wounds "they could try anythin' next."

"You're a real comf