THE SERENITY SAGA: RIVER CROSSING

CHAPTER ONE: THE ETHERVERSE

“Look, alls I’m sayin’ is that if our contact didn’t supply us with accurate information, we’re humped,” Mal said in a tense voice. Mal, Zoe and River stood in Serenity’s cargo bay, gathered loosely in a circle. Both nodded in agreement and Zoe responded first by saying, “I got a good feeling ‘bout this one, sir. Even though I’m not one who usually bases her decisions solely on feelings, I say we go for it.” River nodded in agreement, asking “Ready?” Both nodded in unison. Smiling, River said, “Hold on!” As she raised her head and closed her eyes, everything around the three began to slow down, eventually coming to a stop. Leveling her head, River opened her eyes to reveal only the whites. Opening her palms and raising her arms slightly, everything around them began to shimmer and change shape. They were entering the etherverse. Everything around them, even the deck plates they stood on, morphed into a grey haze. The haze quickly changed into a fuzzy, dimly lit room. After a brief moment of adjustment, the details of their surroundings began to form. River focused her eyes and lowered her hands to her side and everything came into instant focus. They stood in a small, secluded alcove that exited into a large warehouse. River, taking the lead with Mal in the rear, headed straight down a long, dim hallway between massive shipping containers. The hall led them to a brightly lit door with no markings.

Looking back and nodding at the others, River reached down, turned the handle and pushed open the door. They stepped out into a bustling throng of people, traveling in either direction down a large thoroughfare. They moved to the right and set out at a brisk pace through the people packing the hallway. Zoe and Mal never saw the two forms standing silently in the shadows on either side of the door. They remained unmoving, continuing their silent vigil.

The group walked about three hundred yards and reached a booth, also bearing no mar