Chapter 7

Zoë was a more then a little on edge when they landed on the Owens farm. She really wished Bourne had not told Mal about Owens war record. Complicated matters more then need be.

“Sir?”

“Zoë?”

“Everyone know their job here?”

“I think I made it clear enough. Jayne and Kaylee are finishing up converting the cargo bay to a holding pen, you and Simon are going to herd the animals in and I’m going to go deal with Farmer Owens and hope he was never a guard at a POW camp on Hera.”

“River and Inara?”

“Their jobs are as usual, to stay out of the way. Inara’s been keeping to herself lately, so I’m not worried about her and River said she wanted to wander around a bit. Something about a book she was reading. Doc won’t let her get too far.”

“I wont stray.” promised River coming up behind Mal. “Are we carrying any pigs?” she asked.

“No. Goats and sheep”

“Good. Less prone to resistance.” she said as she wandered off.

“Can we put a bell on her?” Mal looked hopefully at Zoë.

Zoë smiled. “Good luck with that.” she nodded upwards. “Sir.”

Owens was behind him.

“Mr. Owens,” Mal said, sizing him up. He didn’t know the face and there was not a face that he fought with or against that he had forgotten.

“Sergeant Malcolm Reynolds. Hero of Serenity Valley,” said Owens.

Mal bristled. “Ain’t been called either of those things recently. Never the latter, actually.”

Zoë had one hand on her gun and nodded to Simon to go get Jayne for backup.

“We met?” asked Mal.

“No. I changed sides long before you took command.”

He stared Mal down hard. Mal didn’t blink.

Owens spoke first. “I’m not fit to stand on the same ground as you. I got scared. Gave up all I believed in to get outta that war.”

Mal wondered what Owens had done for the Alliance during the war. Which part of his life did this guy help to steal from him. Suddenly clocking this guy with his gun took precedence to doing the job