“Now, ya’ll know we got a job to do.” Mal looked at each of the gathered faces in turn arranged in a semi-circle around him in the cargo bay.

“Kaylee, Simon, you two are gonna follow along in about, say, an hour. Kaylee, think ya can rough Simon up enough so he don’t look so respectable?” Mal nearly grinned at the glint that suddenly appeared in Kaylee’s eyes. “I thought so. Go on now and get to it.” Kaylee took Simon’s hand and led him sputtering away.

“As for the rest of you,” he turned to Inara, “’Nara, you got any less . . .” he gestured vaguely, “fanciful?”

“I’m sure I could find something suitable.” Inara rolled her eyes and left for her shuttle.

“Zoe, Wash, and Jayne, you three come with me now. Hayden will meet us at the bar in around an hour and a half that’ll give us time to look the place over casual-like.”

Lil’ Captain barked and stood up on his hind legs as though asking what his part would be. Mal ignored him.

“Sir, out of curiosity why’d you send the others off to change?” Zoe asked.

“Well, see, lately things don’t seem to wanna go according to plan so they’ll be our back up. Not to mention did ya see the look on Kaylee’s face when I sent the two of them off? Like a kid sent to a candy store without supervision.” He chuckled.

“As delightful as that was, sir, won’t they be more of a liability than a help?”

“Way I figure it the more eyes watchin’ our backs the better. Plus I don’t plan on them being needed anyway.” Mal turned to Book. “I conjure you won’t mind sittin’ this one out and sheppardin’ River.” Book nodded consent and went off to find River whistling for the puppy to follow him. Lil’ Captain stayed put for a moment hopeful, then followed reluctantly.

“Alright. Let’s move out.”

~

The bar could’ve been one of any on a hundred rim worlds. Dank, dusty, reeking of unwashed bodies and alcohol. In a word, it was perfect. They blended right in, except for maybe smelling a bit less ripe than the rest of the patrons.

Mal sat at one table with Jayne and Zoe wh