firefly

unexpected cargo

Inara was staring out the window of Serenity at Mal below on the gangplank arguing with the latest customer. Zoe joined her.

“We got a problem down there?”

“Seems so. I’ve never seen Mal argue with a customer like that before.”

“Something’s got him riled up that’s for sure.”

Inara stared at the group below. There was the older man who was arguing with Mal, dressed in what she was sure on this god- forsaken planet was the latest in fashion. She smiled to herself as she imagined his reaction if she told him it was three seasons old.

“I don’t understand, Mal’s never had a problem with passengers before.”

Shepard Book walked up behind them. “Those aren’t passengers, at least the young man there and the three ladies aren’t,”

“What do you mean Shepard?”

“Those four are slaves.”

“You sure about that?”asked Zoe.

“Look at their clothing, the downcast eyes, I’m sure.”

Zoe cursed under her breath in deference to Shepard Book. “I best go remind the Captain how much we need this fare.”

“You didn’t say anything about being in the slave trade.”

“The likes of you has a problem with what I do for a living?”

Mal’s jaw was clenched. “You said you had merchandise and a couple of passengers.”

“I’m a truthful man. Those four are my merchandise.”

Mal didn’t reply because he felt Zoe’s hand on his arm. He knew it was Zoe’s because no one else on the crew ever touched him like that, except the Doc. He stepped away from the client and turned to face her.

“Look Mal, I know , I don’t like this either, but we got to take this fare. If we don’t do some matinence, some food stores.

“You can’t talk me into this Zoe.”

“It makes me sick too, but we’ve got to look after our own. I’m sorry there’s no one looking out for them, that’s how it goes. Listen, you aren’t going to stop him from doing what he does.”

“Fine, this is your fare then, you deal with it.”

Mal stamped up the gangplank. At that moment Zoe was comforted by the fact that she knew Wash wouldn’t take off without her. She tu