Mal was trying to think, studying the plans they‘d gotten off the Cortex of the mines, trying to figure the easiest and safest way in. He’d been staring at them so much his eyes were aching, and he sat back in his chair, pinching the bridge of his nose. Movement to his left got his attention, and he looked down the corridor towards the bunks. Freya was just climbing out of Jayne’s quarters, and Mal wondered what the hell she’d been doing down there.

“Mal, I’ve been thinking,” Hank said, stepping down into the dining area from the engine room behind him.

“Your feelings for Zoe’re your concern, so unless it’s got something to do with Tetris, I ain’t exactly in a sharing mood, Hank,” Mal said, not looking around, just watching as Freya turned the corner to go down into the cargo bay.

“It is.” Hank sat down next to him. “I think I know how we can get to land.”

“Well, that ain’t difficult,” Mal said, looking into his pilot’s eager face. “I was figuring on taking a shuttle in, parking her same place as before.”

“I think we can land Serenity at the dock,” Hank said quickly.

“Really.”

“I stayed on the Cortex after downloading those plans,” Hank went on, “checking a few things out. There’s a regular freight run to the mines every two weeks, but once in a while a ship lands on spec, selling luxuries. There’s a thriving town down there, and people like a few niceties occasionally. If we could pick up some goods, make like we’re wanting to do business …” Hank looked at his captain, willing him to see the advantages.

Mal smiled. “It’s a good idea,” he conceded. “What did you have in mind to sell?”

“Well it did cross my mind to offer the girls, but since I figured you’d actually need me alive to come on this job I kinda rejected that idea.”

“Probably for the best,” Mal agreed dryly.

“So I was thinking … we’re passing Beylix. Could pick up a few goodies there, just for window dressing.”

“And it ain’t out of our way. An hour or two won’t make that much difference.” Mal nodded. “