Just a Little Favor for a Friend Pt. 9
Visitors' Building
***
The visitors' building at Wedding Ring Ranch was an octagonal structure of darkly stained planks, roofed with a series of inclines covered in rough wood shingles. It included a mess hall and some of the housing for the ranch hands. A board porch with an overhang surrounded the building, with two sets of steps opposite each other leading up to it from the ground and one ramp that led to a roll-back cargo door. Wash, Zoe and Mal circled the entire building, finally stepping in through an open doorway that was situated next to a screened window that pressed steamy cooking smells out on the dry air.
Book had quickly acquired an entourage of ranch hands' children. "Preacher, tell us a Bible story. You ride horses, Preacher? You ride that one? Want to play cards? You fly ships? Tell us a story from the Bible." He allowed the cluster of children to show him to what they called their own perpetual card game, up a dusty track from the octagon.
There was a mudroom before the dining hall into which Mal, Zoe, and Wash were headed. They waited for Simon and River. Jayne was still walking the porch, ducking his head into each room that had an open door to see more clearly the interiors that required adjustment to the darkness from the outside light. There were lights hung on each ceiling, glowing with what looked like dim orange halos in murky brown rooms.
Mal stopped Simon as he came up and tried to step through the mudroom to the mess hall. "Doc. I got an idea."
"What."
"You'll like this. You take the train into town, eat dinner there-- they must have a hotel-- and take a look at this fossil thing. You be undercover as a big-city man interested in alien life."
"Why."
"So you're our cover until we figure out the logistics on this thing. We need to know how it's set up, how it's guarded. They'll never suspect you, especially not in those clothes."
"These clothes were never meant for this environment. They'll probably be destroyed by sand before the end of the afternoon."
"So go into town and get new garments," put in Jayne. "It's a good chance to get rid of ya."
"I'm going, too," River said.
"Oh, no." Simon did not put his head in his hands, but he mentally prepared to do so.
"Go on, Simon," Mal said. "Just tell the conductor at the railway that Gloria sent you, right?"
"Me, too," said River.
"And take your sister along."
"Now wait. What is that going to accomplish? I'm supposed to be undercover, and babysi-- I mean keeping-- being careful of River's safety at the same time? You don't think that's too treacherous?"
River's eyes began to cloud.
"Look, Mal, I can't."
"I'm going to see the little dead alien animal," River repeated, ominously.
Zoe looked on with what might have been the faintest hint of amusement, as she generally did while Mal's inspired orders were discussed.
"Jayne can go with you," Mal offered, inspiredly.
Simon's face fell. He still did not place his head in his hands, but that was because he was too stupefied to be dramatic.
"Jayne'll watch River, you scope out the fossil situation."
"How, exactly, does Jayne fit into your big-city undercover subterfuge?"
"He'll be River's man. Nobody will suspect a thing. They can go as a pair."
Simon put his head in his hands. Jayne yanked Mal by the arm and hissed into his ear. "Mal, you can't do this to me. You know I'll sell River out to the Feds first chance I get."
"No Feds here."
"I'll do something you won't like and then you'll hurt me somehow."
"Now, how much trouble can you get into in a bitty place like Crater Mine? You want to deal with a tantrum from her? Or from me?"
Jayne mulled that over. "I don't like it. It looks bound to go sour somehow or other. But you're putting me in charge of River. Being in charge is good."
"Good."
River's eyes flicked from Jayne to Mal. She took one skipping step over to Jayne, grasped his hand, and intertwined her fingers with his. Her voice took on a long twang. "You never take me anywhere."
"Well, Hell," said Jayne. He had a worried, resigned look.
"Fine," said Simon. "Fine. Your idea is great, Mal. I love it. Can't wait." He rubbed his palms together and turned to Jayne and River. "Come, shall we to the train?"
"Oh, yeah, I just love trains," River drawled. "My husband never takes me anywhere. I never get to travel. Other ladies get to travel, and what am I to him? A workhorse, that's what. A fat pony. I work all day, he don't favor me with a second glance."
"I could get to like this," Jayne grinned. "Look how twitchy Simon is."
River stayed glued to Jayne, chatting. Simon led the way, leaning forward, in a huff. His clothes were full of red dust, as were everyone else's, but, as he had said, his weren't made for it. Neither was River's button-up sweater; however, River melded with any environment, as if she were some fragile thing floating through it and melting in. Simon's dust was on him, not of him.
Wash, Zoe and Mal proceeded into the mess hall. There were many others eating, with a dull clatter of dishes, low voices, and thudding boots. "What was that all about? Why'd you send Doc ahead?" Wash asked Mal.
Captain Reynolds shrugged. "Seemed like a good idea. I still like it. He can easily find out about how the fossil is kept-- if in fact there's a fossil there. Besides, if it's an easy set-up, mayhap Jayne could just pick it up."
"And leave Simon and River. Don't sound like you've thought this through, again, Captain." Wash looked up at the dimly lit hall and its many long tables. Not a second passed before his entire observational focus was upon the wild, long, manelike white hair of a huge man with his back to them; the man was seated, picking up a mug to drink from. The hair was much longer than it had been, but there was no doubt in Wash's recognition. He turned on his heel to slide quietly right on back out through the mudroom.
"Well, I don't get too far if I think very long," Mal was answering, hardly realizing that Wash was exiting. The large man in front and to the left of them turned, glanced and saw Wash's back retreating, and unhesitatingly boomed, "WASH!"
Mid-step, Wash winced, resigned himself and took back up with Mal and Zoe, who immediately headed for the white-haired man's table. "You know this feller, Wash?" Mal asked, finding room at the bench.
"I know Wash, 'course I do!" The big man put Wash in a necklock. "Remember when I almost killed ya, huh?"
Wash curled his lip in half-wince, half-agreement.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce us?" Zoe prompted with genuine interest.
Wash complied flatly. "Zoe Mal this is Raleigh Raleigh this is Zoe 'n' Captain Reynolds."
"Oh hey, gladtameetcha!" Raleigh shook hands, freeing Wash's neck. Wash slumped at his place on the bench. Cowboys and a few well-dressed buyers passed food down the long table; Zoe and Mal served themselves. When Zoe noted the lack of a plate in front of Wash, out of habit she filled one for him and slid it over. He picked at it.
"I'm just here buying up some cattle. Glad to see a familiar face waaay out here, huh, ain't that right Wash old boy."
"Old boy," Wash muttered.
"Excuse me, Sir," Raleigh continued on at a rousing volume, addressing Mal, "I see your brown coat. I flew with Independents for a bit, myself."
Wash loudly choked on a spoonful of peas. Zoe did not even give him a corrective glance.
Mal pounced on the conversational opportunity, heedless of Wash's sullen attitude. "Zoe has been my right hand man since before we got out of Serenity Valley."
"Got out, did you? Were there, were you? I wasn't there myself, but you can be sure I heard about it. Gorram shame."
Mal was warmed. Wash sank lower.
Then came all the stories Wash had already heard, from Mal and Zoe, told for the benefit of Raleigh with details that would enlighten an Independent flier who was not there. Then came Raleigh's hearsay stories, tried against Mal's and Zoe's, until every incline in the valley and every dead Independent and enemy Alliant had been verbally dissected and cheerfully insisted upon-- there were no direct arguments, although each participant clearly masked, from time to time, an expression which suggested righteous indignation. Wash poked his fork at something repeatedly, on the edge of his plate, and Zoe kept reaching over, touching the top of his hand, and telling him to listen to this, wondering how he met Raleigh, or asking if he had anything to add. "Yeah, Wash," Mal said finally, "Got anything to say? Come on, we never get to hear from you about this."
Raleigh was standing up. "I got cattle to move. Thanks for an illuminating talk. Wash--" he whalloped Wash on the shoulder-- "Reynolds. Zoe."
Raleigh went away humming roughly to himself.
"See, that's one reason I'm pretty sure Jayne ain't a mad tiger," Mal commented. "Only a mad tiger would ever be so affable."
Wash scowled as he watched Raleigh go, then turned to his food and began eating at a more normal pace. Zoe and Mal watched him. Finally he set down his fork. "What?"
Zoe dipped her head a bit to one side, and Mal leaned forward encouragingly.
"No," said Wash, pushing his plate away. "The dead may be dinner conversation as far as you two are concerned, but to me they stay where they lie. Not everyone slings stories around here and yon. Stories stay where they occurred."
"What are you talking about? We just want to know what happened." Zoe was getting a mite testy.
"Nothing. Nothing happened."
"We're willing to hear it if you wanna tell," Mal persisted.
"No." Wash stood up. "I will not. I mean there's never been anything to tell, right? Maybe two of us present at this table decided that because we humped up so badly during the war and hurt and lost so many subordinates and comrades, it doesn't weigh on us so much. I guess if you lose as many as you two did, it sort of all blurs together, doesn't it. Not so novel after the first dozen."
Mal twitched. "You're outta line, Wash."
"Good thing we're not on the ship, then." Wash kicked back his chair and escaped to the porch sidewalk where he stood watching the dust scudding by on the red ground. He held the dark-stained railing and blinked at sunlight that itself was filtered with dust.
***
On the deck of the Alliance-commissioned terraforming vessel Lilliata, Wash had made a sort of a speech. His team lounged around, generally paying some attention.
"As you can see under their shiny new armor, these used to be R8 Reconnaissance craft. My preference due to some issues with the stabilizers since the refit is to fly upright-- but then you cannot fire directly at the ground since we have for some inscrutable but no doubt impeccable Alliance reason, no guns on the belly and no cameras on the top. Choose your blind side. Understood?"
"Yeah, Washburne."
"Sure thing."
"In addition, because of the refits, we don't have the speed we could use to really light into those Independent cargos at our discretion or, as they say, our whim, so we need to use: Strategy. We are, um, like lions on the savannah. We wait for the antelope to get close enough so our pounce will be unforeseen."
"You got it, Wash."
"Very inspiring."
"Now Sink will introduce you to how the guns work-- or don't."
"The guns always work, Wash. 'Course, seeing below trumps shooting below. Up to your pilot--" here Sink had gestured at Wash, as if demonstrating the appearance of a pilot-- "as to whether you can get on a level with the Independent cargos. Given a choice of taking out either the enemy in the air or anti-air teams on the ground, the obvious preference is for attacking the cargos in the air, because that is why we are here. Try to get a visual on the enemy on the ground, and hurry over them while crossing your fingers and praying like mad. Gunships can be called in after that. Any questions?"
"Yeah."
Sink had nodded at the raised hand.
"Am I going to die on this Godforsaken world?"
"This world has beautiful scenery, and let me just say that you should enjoy it as soon as possible."
***
Zoe came up behind Wash and touched his shoulder. "Don't think I'm asking this to begin a fight. I want to know why you talked that way to Cap'n and I. You do wrong and have a loss during the war?"
"I've told you many a time before-- I was terraforming during the war. That is meant to be a topic-ending statement."
"You say that all the time when this question comes up. I don't know what that means."
Shepherd Book and Kaylee came up to the mess hall from different directions. Wash gladly used the diversion. "Kaylee, where you been?"
"I been looking at those Cowponies. Sweetest little boats ever. Where's Simon?"
"He went into town on a special mission."
"Oh. Where's Captain?"
Wash jerked his head in the direction of the dining room, and Kaylee half-smiled and smoothed her hair and went in. Book nodded courteously to Wash and Zoe, passing them on his way to dinner. "Enjoying the fresh air?" Zoe asked him.
Book nodded. "I am. I have been cutting loose," he replied, the phrase sounding incongruous in his rich voice. "Playing a bit of cards." Wash followed him back inside, deliberately, Zoe knew, evading direct talk by hanging around the rest of the crew. She went along.
Book was eating dinner and Mal was standing around with a watery beer in his hand when a man in an apron called out, "Cap'n Mal Reynolds, you got a call from town."
Mal went to a receiver screen on the wall separating kitchen from dining room. "Jayne. What news?"
Jayne leaned close to the receiver and whispered into it. "Nobody suspects a thing. The people think we're plain tourists, like you planned. They're real proud of that fossil."
"What's the fossil look like?"
Jayne resumed his normal speaking voice. "I ain't seen it yet. The George Gray is here."
"The George who?"
"Pirates. Place must be crawlin' with 'em."
"Where's Simon and River?"
"River's right here. Simon's back there-- we're in the saloon-- some gal's hittin' on him."
"She smells us." River's voice came from off-screen.
"Some kinda tigress," Jayne continued. "Different design from my folks, I think. She--"
"What makes you sure there are pirates?"
"I walked into the alley between this place and a hotel and there's this shuttle. White, used-up, banged-up, and it's still got the 'Scutter's Shipping and Storage' logos on the side. I know that's a George Gray shuttle. They got these enormous decks like you wouldn't believe, and they just use whatever shuttle they want to. That company went out of business years ago."
"Couldn't someone else be using the business surplus?"
"I'm telling ya, it's them. That's their shuttle. George Gray nearly killed my ass one time when I was trying to steal--"
"You robbed a pirate ship?"
"Well, it was a plan, any rate."
"Why would you do something like that?"
"It's full of treasure!"
"Somehow I doubt that, and even if it was, that'd be deadly stupid."
"Well, you know, I played off deadly against stupid and treasure won out. You think they're after the fossil?"
"How are we supposed to know there are even pirates here?" Mal protested. "You're talking about a big freight ship and all Wash saw coming in was another Firef-- hey, Wash. Could that have been the George Gray?" Mal called over his shoulder and Wash wandered over and nodded.
"It could. That's a trick we could use sometime."
"An expensive trick, I think," answered Mal. "Jayne, the fossil still there? Did pirates pick it up?"
"Nobody's acting like it's been stolen, but we ain't been in to see it, like I said. They've got tickets to sell and a little shed for it."
Mal replied, "I'm just calling Vincent or Gloria and see if he's heard anything about this. Hang on."
Mal called the ranch house and Vincent, complete with neat string tie, answered. Aside, Mal murmured to Zoe, "Now I'm sure he's doing this just to bug me." Of Vincent he asked, "You call anyone else besides us?"
"No. Not for the job, as I assume you are asking."
"Yeah. Pirates?"
"Pirates." Vincent nodded as if this were typical, and boring. "Sometimes they come around. I do not understand why, but they come and they go... There are occasional rumors of clues they are following towards a treasure of some kind... Is the fossil still there?"
"Seems it is."
"Then I presume they are not after the fossil."
"Well, that's good to know. You and Inara having a nice visit? That's good okay g'bye."
Zoe raised an eyebrow as Mal closed off the call and got Jayne back on screen. "Forget the pirates, Jayne. Except if they-- do anything. Would any of them know you on sight? Given your past transgressions?"
"Don't think any of 'em ever saw me personal."
"That's just as well, saves us the trouble of worrying."
"I'm still worried."
"Here's what we'll do. Zoe and I will come in on the train this evening and find someplace secretive to land Serenity, Wash and Kaylee can bring her in, you and I grab the fossil while Simon and River meet up with Wash, and we'll be done before daylight tomorrow."
"Well, there's another thing-- tell him, River." Jayne tried to tug River gently into view, but she answered from off-screen.
"I feel more comfortable without my picture being sent to Captain Reynolds. My image has been circulated more than I am at ease with."
"Tell him from there, then."
"It is a well-beloved and honored tradition to remove the higher butter-fat layer from the mammary secretions of cows and stir it in a container surrounded by salt and ice. I want some."
"Tell him about the air."
"While this confection is delicious at the worst of times, it would be the height of folly for us to forgo the opportunity to acquire some when it will consist of less than five percent air."
"Are you asking me if you can have some ice cream?"
"They're having a kind of hoedown tonight," Jayne explained. "There's gonna be ice cream. River likes ice cream."
River's voice continued, "Requesting that you delay patently criminal activities until such time as these will not interfere with enjoyment of ice cream."
"Alright, River, now I know you gotta be pulling my leg," said Mal. River muffled a giggle.
"If we rob this place tonight, who's to say they'll serve the ice cream?" Jayne pointed out anxiously.
"Are you saying we should delay the job so you can go to a party?"
Jayne stated, "I have it on good authority that they imported some nuts to go on the ice cream."
"Nuts? Whose authority?"
"Some kid on the street told me."
Mal motioned for Book, Kaylee, and Zoe. "Serenity crew discussion. Over here."
Wash had been standing behind the captain's shoulder since the question concerning the George Gray. The pilot attempted skepticism. "It's probably some of that imported frozen dried stuff."
"Nuh-uh." Kaylee was positive. "I heard one of the cowboys here tell as how a man in Crater Mine started a real, small dairy with a few of the beef cattle."
"Real sugar," put in River's disembodied voice.
"I am sensing a trend in this crew towards favoring an unnecessary number of us going to town for a hoedown. I will remind you now that while this is a discussion, we are not belonging to a democracy, and you are all part of a ship's crew, of which I am the captain. Now, opinions. Preacher?"
"All work and no play..." Book began.
"You want to go into town?" asked Mal.
"I think you should. I think that it could be good for all of you. I am planning to stay here." Book reached into the pocket of his coat and brought out three matchsticks, a plastic doll's head, and a chocolate wrapped in metallic paper so that it resembled a gold coin. "Since I am committed to a rematch. I had good luck at today's games."
"Ah," said Mal. "Kaylee, you want to go into town."
"Sure. And don't you think we should make sure the gal who's hitting on Simon ain't a pirate?"
"Absolutely," said Mal, straight-faced. "Sure. Good idea."
Zoe glanced at Jayne on the screen and gave Mal a significant look.
"Right," continued Mal. "I will not have you thinking this is some sort of permission to desert your posts, Jayne and-- River, if you're still there, and Simon, if he's around. Jayne, now your orders are to wait until we get there and then to eat ice cream. Wash and I will scope out a good landing site, and go on from there. Expect us on the next available train."
Jayne grinned.
"It's a good thing," responded River. "If it had been more than twelve or fifteen percent air, this would have gone either way, but in the current scenario this is definitely a best call. Well done, Captain Reynolds."
Mal considered. "Why does my authority feel a tad undermined, Miss Tam?"
"Maybe because of Jayne," River suggested. "He's pretty bad."
"Just checking on that. Meet you in town."
***
The visitors' building at Wedding Ring Ranch was an octagonal structure of darkly stained planks, roofed with a series of inclines covered in rough wood shingles. It included a mess hall and some of the housing for the ranch hands. A board porch with an overhang surrounded the building, with two sets of steps opposite each other leading up to it from the ground and one ramp that led to a roll-back cargo door. Wash, Zoe and Mal circled the entire building, finally stepping in through an open doorway that was situated next to a screened window that pressed steamy cooking smells out on the dry air.
Book had quickly acquired an entourage of ranch hands' children. "Preacher, tell us a Bible story. You ride horses, Preacher? You ride that one? Want to play cards? You fly ships? Tell us a story from the Bible." He allowed the cluster of children to show him to what they called their own perpetual card game, up a dusty track from the octagon.
There was a mudroom before the dining hall into which Mal, Zoe, and Wash were headed. They waited for Simon and River. Jayne was still walking the porch, ducking his head into each room that had an open door to see more clearly the interiors that required adjustment to the darkness from the outside light. There were lights hung on each ceiling, glowing with what looked like dim orange halos in murky brown rooms.
Mal stopped Simon as he came up and tried to step through the mudroom to the mess hall. "Doc. I got an idea."
"What."
"You'll like this. You take the train into town, eat dinner there-- they must have a hotel-- and take a look at this fossil thing. You be undercover as a big-city man interested in alien life."
"Why."
"So you're our cover until we figure out the logistics on this thing. We need to know how it's set up, how it's guarded. They'll never suspect you, especially not in those clothes."
"These clothes were never meant for this environment. They'll probably be destroyed by sand before the end of the afternoon."
"So go into town and get new garments," put in Jayne. "It's a good chance to get rid of ya."
"I'm going, too," River said.
"Oh, no." Simon did not put his head in his hands, but he mentally prepared to do so.
"Go on, Simon," Mal said. "Just tell the conductor at the railway that Gloria sent you, right?"
"Me, too," said River.
"And take your sister along."
"Now wait. What is that going to accomplish? I'm supposed to be undercover, and babysi-- I mean keeping-- being careful of River's safety at the same time? You don't think that's too treacherous?"
River's eyes began to cloud.
"Look, Mal, I can't."
"I'm going to see the little dead alien animal," River repeated, ominously.
Zoe looked on with what might have been the faintest hint of amusement, as she generally did while Mal's inspired orders were discussed.
"Jayne can go with you," Mal offered, inspiredly.
Simon's face fell. He still did not place his head in his hands, but that was because he was too stupefied to be dramatic.
"Jayne'll watch River, you scope out the fossil situation."
"How, exactly, does Jayne fit into your big-city undercover subterfuge?"
"He'll be River's man. Nobody will suspect a thing. They can go as a pair."
Simon put his head in his hands. Jayne yanked Mal by the arm and hissed into his ear. "Mal, you can't do this to me. You know I'll sell River out to the Feds first chance I get."
"No Feds here."
"I'll do something you won't like and then you'll hurt me somehow."
"Now, how much trouble can you get into in a bitty place like Crater Mine? You want to deal with a tantrum from her? Or from me?"
Jayne mulled that over. "I don't like it. It looks bound to go sour somehow or other. But you're putting me in charge of River. Being in charge is good."
"Good."
River's eyes flicked from Jayne to Mal. She took one skipping step over to Jayne, grasped his hand, and intertwined her fingers with his. Her voice took on a long twang. "You never take me anywhere."
"Well, Hell," said Jayne. He had a worried, resigned look.
"Fine," said Simon. "Fine. Your idea is great, Mal. I love it. Can't wait." He rubbed his palms together and turned to Jayne and River. "Come, shall we to the train?"
"Oh, yeah, I just love trains," River drawled. "My husband never takes me anywhere. I never get to travel. Other ladies get to travel, and what am I to him? A workhorse, that's what. A fat pony. I work all day, he don't favor me with a second glance."
"I could get to like this," Jayne grinned. "Look how twitchy Simon is."
River stayed glued to Jayne, chatting. Simon led the way, leaning forward, in a huff. His clothes were full of red dust, as were everyone else's, but, as he had said, his weren't made for it. Neither was River's button-up sweater; however, River melded with any environment, as if she were some fragile thing floating through it and melting in. Simon's dust was on him, not of him.
Wash, Zoe and Mal proceeded into the mess hall. There were many others eating, with a dull clatter of dishes, low voices, and thudding boots. "What was that all about? Why'd you send Doc ahead?" Wash asked Mal.
Captain Reynolds shrugged. "Seemed like a good idea. I still like it. He can easily find out about how the fossil is kept-- if in fact there's a fossil there. Besides, if it's an easy set-up, mayhap Jayne could just pick it up."
"And leave Simon and River. Don't sound like you've thought this through, again, Captain." Wash looked up at the dimly lit hall and its many long tables. Not a second passed before his entire observational focus was upon the wild, long, manelike white hair of a huge man with his back to them; the man was seated, picking up a mug to drink from. The hair was much longer than it had been, but there was no doubt in Wash's recognition. He turned on his heel to slide quietly right on back out through the mudroom.
"Well, I don't get too far if I think very long," Mal was answering, hardly realizing that Wash was exiting. The large man in front and to the left of them turned, glanced and saw Wash's back retreating, and unhesitatingly boomed, "WASH!"
Mid-step, Wash winced, resigned himself and took back up with Mal and Zoe, who immediately headed for the white-haired man's table. "You know this feller, Wash?" Mal asked, finding room at the bench.
"I know Wash, 'course I do!" The big man put Wash in a necklock. "Remember when I almost killed ya, huh?"
Wash curled his lip in half-wince, half-agreement.
"Well, aren't you going to introduce us?" Zoe prompted with genuine interest.
Wash complied flatly. "Zoe Mal this is Raleigh Raleigh this is Zoe 'n' Captain Reynolds."
"Oh hey, gladtameetcha!" Raleigh shook hands, freeing Wash's neck. Wash slumped at his place on the bench. Cowboys and a few well-dressed buyers passed food down the long table; Zoe and Mal served themselves. When Zoe noted the lack of a plate in front of Wash, out of habit she filled one for him and slid it over. He picked at it.
"I'm just here buying up some cattle. Glad to see a familiar face waaay out here, huh, ain't that right Wash old boy."
"Old boy," Wash muttered.
"Excuse me, Sir," Raleigh continued on at a rousing volume, addressing Mal, "I see your brown coat. I flew with Independents for a bit, myself."
Wash loudly choked on a spoonful of peas. Zoe did not even give him a corrective glance.
Mal pounced on the conversational opportunity, heedless of Wash's sullen attitude. "Zoe has been my right hand man since before we got out of Serenity Valley."
"Got out, did you? Were there, were you? I wasn't there myself, but you can be sure I heard about it. Gorram shame."
Mal was warmed. Wash sank lower.
Then came all the stories Wash had already heard, from Mal and Zoe, told for the benefit of Raleigh with details that would enlighten an Independent flier who was not there. Then came Raleigh's hearsay stories, tried against Mal's and Zoe's, until every incline in the valley and every dead Independent and enemy Alliant had been verbally dissected and cheerfully insisted upon-- there were no direct arguments, although each participant clearly masked, from time to time, an expression which suggested righteous indignation. Wash poked his fork at something repeatedly, on the edge of his plate, and Zoe kept reaching over, touching the top of his hand, and telling him to listen to this, wondering how he met Raleigh, or asking if he had anything to add. "Yeah, Wash," Mal said finally, "Got anything to say? Come on, we never get to hear from you about this."
Raleigh was standing up. "I got cattle to move. Thanks for an illuminating talk. Wash--" he whalloped Wash on the shoulder-- "Reynolds. Zoe."
Raleigh went away humming roughly to himself.
"See, that's one reason I'm pretty sure Jayne ain't a mad tiger," Mal commented. "Only a mad tiger would ever be so affable."
Wash scowled as he watched Raleigh go, then turned to his food and began eating at a more normal pace. Zoe and Mal watched him. Finally he set down his fork. "What?"
Zoe dipped her head a bit to one side, and Mal leaned forward encouragingly.
"No," said Wash, pushing his plate away. "The dead may be dinner conversation as far as you two are concerned, but to me they stay where they lie. Not everyone slings stories around here and yon. Stories stay where they occurred."
"What are you talking about? We just want to know what happened." Zoe was getting a mite testy.
"Nothing. Nothing happened."
"We're willing to hear it if you wanna tell," Mal persisted.
"No." Wash stood up. "I will not. I mean there's never been anything to tell, right? Maybe two of us present at this table decided that because we humped up so badly during the war and hurt and lost so many subordinates and comrades, it doesn't weigh on us so much. I guess if you lose as many as you two did, it sort of all blurs together, doesn't it. Not so novel after the first dozen."
Mal twitched. "You're outta line, Wash."
"Good thing we're not on the ship, then." Wash kicked back his chair and escaped to the porch sidewalk where he stood watching the dust scudding by on the red ground. He held the dark-stained railing and blinked at sunlight that itself was filtered with dust.
***
On the deck of the Alliance-commissioned terraforming vessel Lilliata, Wash had made a sort of a speech. His team lounged around, generally paying some attention.
"As you can see under their shiny new armor, these used to be R8 Reconnaissance craft. My preference due to some issues with the stabilizers since the refit is to fly upright-- but then you cannot fire directly at the ground since we have for some inscrutable but no doubt impeccable Alliance reason, no guns on the belly and no cameras on the top. Choose your blind side. Understood?"
"Yeah, Washburne."
"Sure thing."
"In addition, because of the refits, we don't have the speed we could use to really light into those Independent cargos at our discretion or, as they say, our whim, so we need to use: Strategy. We are, um, like lions on the savannah. We wait for the antelope to get close enough so our pounce will be unforeseen."
"You got it, Wash."
"Very inspiring."
"Now Sink will introduce you to how the guns work-- or don't."
"The guns always work, Wash. 'Course, seeing below trumps shooting below. Up to your pilot--" here Sink had gestured at Wash, as if demonstrating the appearance of a pilot-- "as to whether you can get on a level with the Independent cargos. Given a choice of taking out either the enemy in the air or anti-air teams on the ground, the obvious preference is for attacking the cargos in the air, because that is why we are here. Try to get a visual on the enemy on the ground, and hurry over them while crossing your fingers and praying like mad. Gunships can be called in after that. Any questions?"
"Yeah."
Sink had nodded at the raised hand.
"Am I going to die on this Godforsaken world?"
"This world has beautiful scenery, and let me just say that you should enjoy it as soon as possible."
***
Zoe came up behind Wash and touched his shoulder. "Don't think I'm asking this to begin a fight. I want to know why you talked that way to Cap'n and I. You do wrong and have a loss during the war?"
"I've told you many a time before-- I was terraforming during the war. That is meant to be a topic-ending statement."
"You say that all the time when this question comes up. I don't know what that means."
Shepherd Book and Kaylee came up to the mess hall from different directions. Wash gladly used the diversion. "Kaylee, where you been?"
"I been looking at those Cowponies. Sweetest little boats ever. Where's Simon?"
"He went into town on a special mission."
"Oh. Where's Captain?"
Wash jerked his head in the direction of the dining room, and Kaylee half-smiled and smoothed her hair and went in. Book nodded courteously to Wash and Zoe, passing them on his way to dinner. "Enjoying the fresh air?" Zoe asked him.
Book nodded. "I am. I have been cutting loose," he replied, the phrase sounding incongruous in his rich voice. "Playing a bit of cards." Wash followed him back inside, deliberately, Zoe knew, evading direct talk by hanging around the rest of the crew. She went along.
Book was eating dinner and Mal was standing around with a watery beer in his hand when a man in an apron called out, "Cap'n Mal Reynolds, you got a call from town."
Mal went to a receiver screen on the wall separating kitchen from dining room. "Jayne. What news?"
Jayne leaned close to the receiver and whispered into it. "Nobody suspects a thing. The people think we're plain tourists, like you planned. They're real proud of that fossil."
"What's the fossil look like?"
Jayne resumed his normal speaking voice. "I ain't seen it yet. The George Gray is here."
"The George who?"
"Pirates. Place must be crawlin' with 'em."
"Where's Simon and River?"
"River's right here. Simon's back there-- we're in the saloon-- some gal's hittin' on him."
"She smells us." River's voice came from off-screen.
"Some kinda tigress," Jayne continued. "Different design from my folks, I think. She--"
"What makes you sure there are pirates?"
"I walked into the alley between this place and a hotel and there's this shuttle. White, used-up, banged-up, and it's still got the 'Scutter's Shipping and Storage' logos on the side. I know that's a George Gray shuttle. They got these enormous decks like you wouldn't believe, and they just use whatever shuttle they want to. That company went out of business years ago."
"Couldn't someone else be using the business surplus?"
"I'm telling ya, it's them. That's their shuttle. George Gray nearly killed my ass one time when I was trying to steal--"
"You robbed a pirate ship?"
"Well, it was a plan, any rate."
"Why would you do something like that?"
"It's full of treasure!"
"Somehow I doubt that, and even if it was, that'd be deadly stupid."
"Well, you know, I played off deadly against stupid and treasure won out. You think they're after the fossil?"
"How are we supposed to know there are even pirates here?" Mal protested. "You're talking about a big freight ship and all Wash saw coming in was another Firef-- hey, Wash. Could that have been the George Gray?" Mal called over his shoulder and Wash wandered over and nodded.
"It could. That's a trick we could use sometime."
"An expensive trick, I think," answered Mal. "Jayne, the fossil still there? Did pirates pick it up?"
"Nobody's acting like it's been stolen, but we ain't been in to see it, like I said. They've got tickets to sell and a little shed for it."
Mal replied, "I'm just calling Vincent or Gloria and see if he's heard anything about this. Hang on."
Mal called the ranch house and Vincent, complete with neat string tie, answered. Aside, Mal murmured to Zoe, "Now I'm sure he's doing this just to bug me." Of Vincent he asked, "You call anyone else besides us?"
"No. Not for the job, as I assume you are asking."
"Yeah. Pirates?"
"Pirates." Vincent nodded as if this were typical, and boring. "Sometimes they come around. I do not understand why, but they come and they go... There are occasional rumors of clues they are following towards a treasure of some kind... Is the fossil still there?"
"Seems it is."
"Then I presume they are not after the fossil."
"Well, that's good to know. You and Inara having a nice visit? That's good okay g'bye."
Zoe raised an eyebrow as Mal closed off the call and got Jayne back on screen. "Forget the pirates, Jayne. Except if they-- do anything. Would any of them know you on sight? Given your past transgressions?"
"Don't think any of 'em ever saw me personal."
"That's just as well, saves us the trouble of worrying."
"I'm still worried."
"Here's what we'll do. Zoe and I will come in on the train this evening and find someplace secretive to land Serenity, Wash and Kaylee can bring her in, you and I grab the fossil while Simon and River meet up with Wash, and we'll be done before daylight tomorrow."
"Well, there's another thing-- tell him, River." Jayne tried to tug River gently into view, but she answered from off-screen.
"I feel more comfortable without my picture being sent to Captain Reynolds. My image has been circulated more than I am at ease with."
"Tell him from there, then."
"It is a well-beloved and honored tradition to remove the higher butter-fat layer from the mammary secretions of cows and stir it in a container surrounded by salt and ice. I want some."
"Tell him about the air."
"While this confection is delicious at the worst of times, it would be the height of folly for us to forgo the opportunity to acquire some when it will consist of less than five percent air."
"Are you asking me if you can have some ice cream?"
"They're having a kind of hoedown tonight," Jayne explained. "There's gonna be ice cream. River likes ice cream."
River's voice continued, "Requesting that you delay patently criminal activities until such time as these will not interfere with enjoyment of ice cream."
"Alright, River, now I know you gotta be pulling my leg," said Mal. River muffled a giggle.
"If we rob this place tonight, who's to say they'll serve the ice cream?" Jayne pointed out anxiously.
"Are you saying we should delay the job so you can go to a party?"
Jayne stated, "I have it on good authority that they imported some nuts to go on the ice cream."
"Nuts? Whose authority?"
"Some kid on the street told me."
Mal motioned for Book, Kaylee, and Zoe. "Serenity crew discussion. Over here."
Wash had been standing behind the captain's shoulder since the question concerning the George Gray. The pilot attempted skepticism. "It's probably some of that imported frozen dried stuff."
"Nuh-uh." Kaylee was positive. "I heard one of the cowboys here tell as how a man in Crater Mine started a real, small dairy with a few of the beef cattle."
"Real sugar," put in River's disembodied voice.
"I am sensing a trend in this crew towards favoring an unnecessary number of us going to town for a hoedown. I will remind you now that while this is a discussion, we are not belonging to a democracy, and you are all part of a ship's crew, of which I am the captain. Now, opinions. Preacher?"
"All work and no play..." Book began.
"You want to go into town?" asked Mal.
"I think you should. I think that it could be good for all of you. I am planning to stay here." Book reached into the pocket of his coat and brought out three matchsticks, a plastic doll's head, and a chocolate wrapped in metallic paper so that it resembled a gold coin. "Since I am committed to a rematch. I had good luck at today's games."
"Ah," said Mal. "Kaylee, you want to go into town."
"Sure. And don't you think we should make sure the gal who's hitting on Simon ain't a pirate?"
"Absolutely," said Mal, straight-faced. "Sure. Good idea."
Zoe glanced at Jayne on the screen and gave Mal a significant look.
"Right," continued Mal. "I will not have you thinking this is some sort of permission to desert your posts, Jayne and-- River, if you're still there, and Simon, if he's around. Jayne, now your orders are to wait until we get there and then to eat ice cream. Wash and I will scope out a good landing site, and go on from there. Expect us on the next available train."
Jayne grinned.
"It's a good thing," responded River. "If it had been more than twelve or fifteen percent air, this would have gone either way, but in the current scenario this is definitely a best call. Well done, Captain Reynolds."
Mal considered. "Why does my authority feel a tad undermined, Miss Tam?"
"Maybe because of Jayne," River suggested. "He's pretty bad."
"Just checking on that. Meet you in town."