TITLE: "FRIEND OR FOE"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: No specific pairing.

STATUS: SEQUEL to "HOPES AND FEARS"

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "The Alliance begin to close in on Serenity.

Thadius has a plan for finding out just what the *diyu* is

going on with Simon, but will the crew sanction it?"

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"FRIEND OR FOE"

"Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

The IAV Rosencruz was top of the line. Commander Hugo Austin felt justly proud of her and every man and woman aboard his ship. He had not expected her maiden mission to be one of such high profile. His chest swelling with pride he tried not to smile too much as Councillor Tam turned to speak to him.

"Commander, you will change your heading to these co-ordinates."

Surprised and a little nonplussed, Austin remembered his orders and nodded. "At once, Councillor."

The note was stark in its' brevity. A set of co-ordinates and nothing else. Austin frowned slightly and resisted the urge to question the Councillor. More heads had rolled through voicing curiosity than ever died in battle. Or so Alliance rumours went. He passed the note to his navigator and watched him adjust their course, trying to fathom what their destination could be. He had thought they were doing a seek and find mission for Serenity. This bespoke information in advance but how could that be if the Alliance didn't know where the good gorram the Firefly was? Obviously the very small cadre of people who needed to know did not include him.

* * * * *

When the Captain woke it was in the middle of the ship's night. Most of the