Disclaimer inserted here. Not my property, not making money, just having fun.

What’s The Buzz?

Scene 1

(Near Persephone.)

BADGER: (on vidscreen) So how d’you feel about bees?

MAL: They sting, I don’t much care for that. Why?

BADGER: They also make honey what rhymes wif money, which sweetens me toward the little beggars no end.

MAL: What’s this got to do with my ship?

BADGER: Got client here wants some bees moved to a planet out in the black, then honey to be brought back here. Tidy sum to be made.

MAL: Why this ship?

BADGER: Ti wo de pi gu if you’re not the only hun dan desperate enough to take bugs that far.

MAL: They asked for us special, did they?

BADGER: They asked for the craziest biao zi de erzi I knew. You popped up at top of list.

MAL: Where’s the far point?

BADGER: Uninhabited planet. Migrants work it in season, then push off for greener pastures. ‘S a bit off the beaten path.

MAL: Does this land of not much else and honey have a name?

BADGER: Didn’t say. You’ll get a wave wtih the coordinates if you accept. Must be some rich bugger what don’t like company as owns it. I just collect my sum for setting it up.

MAL: So where do we pick the bees up, on the docks?

BADGER: Matter of fact you don’t. Pop ‘round to these coordinates for that lot. IF you’re taking the job.

MAL: We’ll be landing to refuel and restock. Let your client know we’ll be ready to leave in 3 days. Crew’s got some errands to run, some as want to stretch their legs a little. That gonna be a problem?

BADGER: Shouldn’t be. Ta!

MAL: Ta.

JAZ: (lurking near door) Work?

MAL: Work. So, you know any rich and crotchety buggers looking to hire crazies to move bugs around?

JAZ: Might do.

MAL: Thought so. (takes her hand) How many layers you working through on this one?

JAZ: Only 3. It’s my cargo. I’d like to see Copia again, and the migrants will be leaving soon. Pruning’s done. Honey’s off the hives. We’re bringing in the new stock to replace what’s been lost. You ever have a ripe pear fresh off