Past Consequences by Jebbypal

From Bushwacked:

"Pirates. Pirates with their own chaplain. There's an oddity," Harken remarked from his comfortable seat.

"Not the only oddity this end of space, Commander. Way of things not always so plain as on the cetral planets. Rules can be a mite fuzzier," Book explained patiently.

Harken changed the subject without missing a beat, but Book was not unaware of Alliance interview procedures. "These fugitives that we're looking for, the brother and the sister. They were last seen on Persephone."

"That a fact?" Book answered.

"They also left port aboard a Firefly-class transport. Just about the same time you shipped out with Serenity."

"Well, Persephone's a big place."

"Yes, it is, and that Firefly isn't. And if anyone's hiding anywhere on it, we will find them," Harken assured him. He paused before continuing though. "I also find it interesting that you chose his ship for your trip, Shepherd."

"Oh?"

Harken smiled conspiratorially at Book. "He does know that it was you who sentenced his father and the others to death?"

Book's thoughts froze at the accusation. If he'd pulled out that tidbit, then obviously Harken had more access to his records than Book had guessed. He couldn’t begin to fathom what would happen if Harken decided to reveal that fact to Serenity's crew. "Captain Reynold's never met his father Commander. I doubt he'd have any feelings one way or the other about the death of a man who abandoned his family."

"Convenient that," Harken replied with his smile intact. Book almost longed to again be the person Harken accused him of being. His former self would have had no compunction about wiping that grin off of the self-important bureacrat's face.

"You gathered all of them?" the Lieutenant asked.

The soldier nodded crisply as he saluted. "All the off-worlders with ships were detained without problems. Here are their ident cards and histories."

"Good work. Any promising candidates?"

"A few. One Edward Schulz looks to