“Jayne, be careful with that,” Zoe called as the big man lifted one of the crates stacked in the cargo bay.

“Why?” He looked up at Zoe on the catwalk above him, but found the crate’s contents shifted, and the sudden change in the centre of gravity pulled the box from his grip and it slammed into the wall.

“That.” Zoe’s voice was dry.

“ Tzao gao ,” Jayne muttered.

“You breaking up my ship?” Mal asked from the other walkway.

“No,” Jayne said guiltily.

“Then why’s there a hole in my bulkhead?” Mal asked as he descended to the bay floor.

Jayne looked around. “Gorram it.” There was, indeed, a hole in the wall where the crate had punctured the interior skin. “T’weren’t my fault,” he said defensively.

Mal gave Jayne a look as he passed by, going to inspect the damage. “Don’t recall seeing anyone else close by.”

“What’s in that ruttin’ crate anyway? Feels like it’s full o' – “

“ Dung ee-maio ,” Mal interrupted, leaning into the hole and reaching inside. “There’s something – “

“Careful, sir,” Zoe warned, hurrying down the staircase.

Mal grabbed his hand back. “Why?” he asked. “What do you think’s in there?”

“I wouldn’t like to say, sir. Just advising caution.”

“Well, it looks to be a box. Old too.” Mal, his natural curiosity peeked, carefully reached in and took hold. “Heavy.”

“Could be money,” Jayne said quickly.

“Could be a bomb,” Zoe added.

“Bomb?” Jayne took a step back.

“Well, we won’t know until we open it.” Mal lifted the box out of the wall and set it down on the crate that had done the damage. “But with what Serenity’s been through, I doubt it’s a bomb. It would have gone off before now.”

“Unless it’s set to when you open it.”

“Good point.” Mal examined the container. It was made from wood, with a design of leaves carved into the top. There was a keyhole, but no key. “Maybe we’d better get Simon to take a look inside before we do.”

“Good idea, sir,” Zoe agreed.

---

“I can’t see anything that might be dangerous,” the y