TITLE: "NOT FUNNY"

SERIES: THE DEVIL'S CRADLE

CHAPTER: 53. Sequel to "ENEMY HANDS"

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

PAIRING: Zoe/Wash Kaylee/Simon Mal/Inara

SUMMARY: "Monty and Zoe are puzzled as to what

the freighter is doing while down on Titan Station the

guards are getting ready in case they are attacked.

Meanwhile Malcolm Reynolds and Badger try to figure

out what in the nine hells is really going on."

"NOT FUNNY"

A "Firefly" Story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

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On the Kingfisher, Monty stared at the huge freighter. Beside him Zoe was a firm silent shadow, her eyes fixed on the ship hanging stationary above Titan Station. She had no idea what kind of monitoring equipment the *jianyu* had but there was no way that anyone down on that Moon could look up and not see it.

"Huh, what're they waitin' for?" Asked Jayne, his tone ansty.

Zoe didn't take her eyes off the vessel. "Somethin's *cuode*."

Their friend Monty was inclined to agree but was also puzzled. "Didn't River say we had to hurry?"

"That she did, also said they were hostages."

Jayne scowled. "They?"

The shrug was in the first mate's voice. "It was as much as I could get out of her, that an' they were hurtin' the Cap'n."

Danny, the Kingfisher's pilot kept scanning all channels but so far had not picked up a single wave either to or from the ship. "We should move back, *laoban*, if they decide to fire..."

He did not get to finish that sentence before Zoe cut him off. "*Bu qu*!"

Jayne was not sure what had changed. "*Shenme shi*?"

"*Wo bu zhidao*. Jayne, go an' get River, . Before we do anythin' the Cap'n might regret I want some answers that don't involve riddles."

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