The Teaser Pony

By Mikelesq

Concept: The crew of Serenity provides passage for horse with an unusual talent, and a woman from Simon’s past.

Rating: R

Feedback: Please. E-mail Mikelesq@aol.com

Spoilers: For all episodes, including the three unaired episodes. Do NOT read if you’re remaining spoiler free until the DVDs. Takes place approximately three weeks after “Objects in Space,” and presumes that “OiS” was the final episode chronologically.

Legal disclaimers: "Firefly” characters and situations are owned by Joss Whedon and the producers of the show. The story is entirely fiction. Distribute if you like.

Part V

“Wash, we’re getting close,” Mal said into microphone of his earwig, as he, Zoe and Jane approached the fence that enclosed a log cabin.

“You’re coming through clear,” Wash replied from Serenity’s cockpit. He leaned forward toward the speaker on the control panel, wincing from the pain that shot through his side. Inara stood behind him and rested a hand on his shoulder.

“I’m alright,” Wash said, raising an open hand. “Kaylee, how’s the calibration on the sensor?”

“Perfect,” Kaylee said, adjusting a small dial on the instrument panel overhead.

“Did you send the wave to Marsh’s men?” Mal asked.

“Yep,” Wash answered. “I told them you were on the way. There was a spike in the relay signal when they established the transmission link, the same one I picked up when we signaled them from orbit. Judging by the feedback, I’d say they’ve got receptor dish set to pick up any chatter on the Cortex inside the planet’s gravity pull. Farther, maybe.”

“That makes sense, Sir,” Zoe said, gesturing toward a metal disc on the top of the cabin’s roof.

“So far it’s what we’d expected,” Mal said.

“Yeah,” Jayne grumbled, checking Vera’s chambering mechanism. “We’re right on top of everything, except for that part where we’ve been suckered from the beginning.”

“Wash, keep the engine hot,” Mal said, looking back toward Serenity as she rested in the cle