Still Jayne

Lieutenant Hunter led them through the door in the wall and down a corridor which ended at a bank of elevators. Motioning for them to enter one, she tapped a code on the interior panel and then selected a level. Jayne felt the momentary tug of acceleration as the went up what seemed like several hundred feet, and grabbed a harness hanging from the ceiling as it switched directions and went sideways for a bit. Returning to its vertical climb a moment later, the lift finally slowed to a stop, and the door opened to reveal a corridor. Moving down it, the three soon reached a doorway which led into a large cavern. Most of the walls had been left unfinished, but the floor had been laid in smooth metal patterns. Rows upon rows of shelves lined the cavern, which was cool and remarkably dry.

Taking another board from the wall, Hunter touched it in several spots with a light pen, shaking her head as she seemed to tick through a list. Jayne snuck a look onto the board, which seemed to be bringing up random invoices and manifests written in Chinese, English and what seemed to be just plain gibberish. Quickly losing interest, he looked over at Kaylee. The young mechanic was staring at the rows of parts with a look she usually reserved only for the doctor. Jayne didn’t think he’d ever seen her so happy up close.

“Quite a spread you’ve got here,” Kaylee managed to say.

The greyback smiled, still ticking off invisible points. “Better than it was when I got here. Worse than it should be. But it should do the trick. Hagen panel?”

Kaylee nodded. “And a purifier. We’re pretty sure some containment leaked.”

“Not unusual,” Hunter replied. “And it looks like you’re in luck. I’ve got two panels – looks like both are refurbished, one newer than the other. I don’t know the quality, though.” Still looking at the board, she headed for a set of stairs that wound down one wall onto the shop floor. Jayne found himself wincing, waiting for her to miss a step. Not that he was attached to her by any stretch, but he really doubted that they’d be able to find their way back out without her. Not to mention the fact that the Alliance might think he had something to do with her fall.

Apparently having done it many times, Hunter negotiated the steps without a hitch, never taking her eyes from the board. Kaylee followed a few steps behind, Jayne behind her. They were led a few rows into the floor, stopping in front of a set of shelves, parts lined neatly up on each level. Hunter looked up from her board and knelt, gesturing to a shelf near the floor where two heavily bubble-wrapped bundles about three feet long lay side by side. “Hagen panels,” she said, gesturing. She turned around to the shelf behind them, reaching a little over her head. “Purifiers. Feel free to take a look.”

Kaylee knelt next to the greyback, reaching eagerly to the shelf. Finally comfortable in her element, she turned to the greyback. “Can I open ‘em?” At Hunter’s nod, she pulled back the wrapping and surveyed the first panel with a critical and practiced eye. “Not bad. How old is it?”

“That’s the older one,” replied the officer. “Manifest says it was made about four years ago but never saw much use. Was recovered off a derelict Zion-class two years ago. The newer one is next to it. Installed, also on a Zion-class, used for one intersystem trip. Ship was later scrapped.” She shook her head, then smiled as she saw Kaylee doing the same thing.

“Never flew in a Z-class,” said the mechanic. “Took one look at one and just about died on the spot. Surprised those things ever got up, much less stayed there.” She inspected the newer panel, nodding. “This one’s better. How much?”

Hunter shrugged. “How much you got?”

Kaylee’s smile dimmed a little as she tossed Mal’s pouch to her. “Hopefully enough.” Jayne folded his arms, trying to stifle the look he felt coming to his face. Girl was breaking all the rules of negotiation, handing over all the money like that and practically admitting straight out they were over a barrel. He ducked his head to keep from staring holes in the back of her empty little head.

Peeking inside, the Lieutenant poked gently through the money. “More than you’d think,” she said, almost to herself. She looked back at Kaylee. “Manifest says the new one is worth 150. I’ll give you both for 220, and I’ll throw in the purifier. You can always use a spare.”

For the briefest of seconds, Jayne was afraid Kaylee was going to hug the officer. Instead, she smiled brightly, tilting her head to the side in that way she had as she regarded the officer. “You know, I think you’re the nicest Alliance I’ve ever met.”

Hunter laughed then, catching Jayne off guard. “Just don’t tell anyone,” she said. “I’ll end up paying for it out of my own pocket. And I don’t make enough, either.” She tossed the pouch back to Kaylee. “We’ll settle when we get to the Hub.” Walking to the end of the aisle, she retrieved what looked like a large, flat duffel bag. “Repackage those, and we’ll let Mr. Cobb fill his part of this little mission.”

Jayne started a little at that. It had been a while since anyone had called him that. It seemed almost… respectful. Man could get used that. He took the loaded bag from Kaylee. It was heavier than it looked like it should be. He pulled the strap over one arm and across his chest to let the weight settle against his back. Hunter herded him and Kaylee back to the stairs, and they entered the corridor again, this time heading away from the elevator.

Hagen panels in hand, Kaylee seemed to pick up a little of her old self again. “So what is this place?” she said, craning her neck to look around the corridor as if there were anything to see but grey, chrome and black.

Hunter smiled. “It’s a listening post. Alliance sends us out here where there’s no fuss and no noise and we just… listen.”

“Listen for what?” Kaylee looked confused.

“Anything we can hear, I suppose. Odd things happen out here at the edge sometimes. Anomalies, mostly. Sometimes we can pick up random transmissions.” She shrugged, her shoulders moving gracefully in the grey Alliance uniform. “We collect information. What Parliament chooses to do with the information we supply is up to them.”

Jayne couldn’t help himself. “Why would anybody name a broken little rock like this Quan?”

Another shrug. “Parliamentary humor, I suppose. Out here in the black, I suppose they feel there’s a certain… serenity. A sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of the Core. Asylum. Peace. Who knows why? A name’s a name. No different than some high-minded scientist naming a planet after his wife. Or mistress. This way.”

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Author's note: "Quan" means asylum, or sanctuary.