To Kill From a Distance

Part 1

Mal Reynolds looked at his crew. It had been some time since they’d used Serenity as a transport and he had decided that this trip his ship would be used for just that intent. Oh….. they had carried cattle, and they had carried cargo, but the last time they’d really taken passengers onboard, paying passengers, had been when Book, Simon, River and Dobson had all come aboard.

Time to renew Serenity’s second function as a human transport carrier. They were five minutes from landing and they had come to Persephone at the request of Badger and just as before, he had a job for them. It was not carrying people across the universe and supposedly had nothing to do with robbery either. Mal didn’t know the full details and wouldn’t know until he met with the man.

Mal had decided it was time they took a chance at reviving their ferrying business. He had been reluctant at first but knew that each time they landed at a busy port, if someone never got off, or someone never got on, the suspicions may begin to grow. The Alliance had started to wonder how his bucket of bolts was able to stay flying? “Bucket of bolts!” He’d better never let Kaylee hear him describe her baby that way, Hell, Serenity was his baby too, and he loved her, only he was realistic about the transport’s condition. Things were always breaking down or falling off and it took money to fix them. Where was Serenity getting the cash for parts?

Mal usually didn’t like the idea of ferrying passengers across the universe, not for Serenity. There were too many unknown and uncontrollable factors brought aboard. But the last few times here lately, when they’d been approached then boarded by Alliance policing patrols Serenity was guilty of having nothing onboard. This hadn’t caused them trouble, but it had caused suspicion. You don’t ride around in space for free.

Truth had been that at the times they’d been boarded the little transport vessel had been involved in robbery, but had been lucky enough to have already delivered the loot to it’s respective associates. “Respect-ive associates!” That was almost an oxy moron in this case? Well, anyway the captain felt that it was time to bring alternative cargo aboard. Cargo the would eat, sleep and could carry on light conversation. That might help with the growing suspicions that Serenity was involved in clandestine and unlawful practices, that they filched. That along with a little sideline job from Badger, which he clamed was legit, would help to pay the bills. Also, after a short stay at the Bathgate Abbey, Preacher Book needed to be picked up.

Mal felt safe about picking up people and carrying them out into the black at this time because Simon and his sister where staying with Inara back at the companions guild.

“A brothel! Best place to hide a couple of fugitives even if they were fine, outstanding young citizens.” Mal thought.

The com light buzzed……it was Wash.

“ Make ready to land captain. Two minutes before we hit the deck!”

“ Affirm, Wash!” Mal released the com button.

Time to make ready a new adventure.

**************************************************************************************

Twenty minutes later, Mal, Zoe and Jayne were ready to depart to the “Derby Hat Hideout”, as Mal liked to call it, while Kaylee and Wash remained aboard vessel.

“Drum us up some ferrying business my little Kaylee!” Mal said to his sweet faced mechanic. “ But try to do a better job of it this time!” He said, Jayne laughed.

“Hey! Three out of four ain’t a bad record Captain!” She smiled.

She was right. With the exception of Dobson, the Alliance mole, Serenity’s latest batch of human cargo hadn’t really been so bad.

Malcolm Reynolds, Zoe and Jayne all headed for Badger’s wormhole, I mean business establishment.

*****************************************************************************

“ Malcolm Reynolds! Good to see you again my ’ol friend!”

Mal looked around behind himself on the pretence of finding the individual the high-class bandit was talking to.

“ Very funny.” Badger spoke, leaning forward in his chair. You know Mr. Reynolds I could have given this job to anybody! I have several contractors at my disposal right at this moment!”

“ Is that suppose to make me feel lucky, special?” Mal didn’t like it when the Badger was nice. Made him feel like he was being trapped. Badger’s smile turned into an expression of pure business after that.

“ No! But it should give you the feeling of being someone of trust. A point made to valve.” Badger sat back into his chair, “Anyway , I made the request to bring you here because there is a certain piece of property that I wish for you procure and bring back to me.”

“ Wait a minute! I was under the notion that this that this job was on the level.” Mal expressed his concern.

“It is my sergeant it is, excuse me captain I mean.” Badger smiled.

These business dealings with the underbelly of Persephone society were always stressful.

“ This particular arrangement Concerns a material purchase!”

The whole crew of Serenity looked at the little man.

“ Yes I do buy a thing or two for myself from time to time.” Badger responded, “…..and this is something that I’ve procured for myself and has taken some time in it‘s restoration……..A hovercraft!”

The crew of Serenity were shocked.

“ Yes, 14 vintage. A rare but classic model you should say! It’s been restored and being held for me on *Pluto2 as we speak ( *Pluto2, a moon two days ride off Persephone and uncle to the big planet- in Roman mythology).

“…….The payments been made. All you have to do is fetch it and bring it home it’s owner…” He motioned his hands toward himself. He looked around a bit.

“ I’m moving up on this planet and I feel it’s time I fit in more with the community. A land rover’s good and well but an individual in my position needs something to sport about in with a little more dignity. An older model newly refurbished hover vehicle is just the thing to match status.” He looked at them. They were all about to laugh. Zoe had a big grin and you could count all the teeth in Jayne’s smile. Mal could hide his amused state a little better.

“ Well…..“, Badger paused, “ you gonna take the job?”

“ Let me confer with my constituents.” Mal said. He turned and the three of Serenity came together. There was mumbling and other undistinguishable words and a couple little laughs but in a short Mal returned his attention to Badger ( in short and Badger not considered to be in humor here, but it could be)

“ Well your highness”, Arms folded front and back, Mal took a deep bow, “ You have yourself a crew.”

“ That’s not funny”, Badger really didn’t like being disrespected, but this was Mal Reynolds, he expected no less.

“ This thing is a prized acquisition. The reason I even considered you were you were one of the only crews trusted enough to bring it back unscratched and in one piece!” He paused, “ Roster!”

The three looked to see a big man holding a medium sized pouch enter the room and set the bag on the Badger’s desktop. The crew of Serenity heard the clinging of coin ringing from within.

“ Half now, the other later when the vehicle is delivered!” The man in the derby hat spoke.

“ Deal.” was Mal’s answer.

End part1