{A/N}: Read parts 1-4 if you haven't already, but bear in mind that part 3 is in the hangar for an overhaul since it has...issues. Thanks so much to everyone who has left feedback-- it helps so much! And it makes me grin when I get that little email that tells me somebody read my scribblings!

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“Alright, travelers, everybody strap in or grab onto something. We’ll be leaving atmo in… just under two minutes,” Wash’s voice came over the com. Though I don’t know where we’re heading after that, as our jing-tzahng mei yong-duh captain seems to have disappeared again, he continued mentally, a scowl twisting onto his face as he raised Serenity’s nose into the sky. If he could keep the ship just at the edge of the upper atmosphere until he could figure out where the cruisers the Alliance had undoubtedly brought in were orbiting, they might have a shot at getting out of here unnoticed. Having programmed his trajectory, Wash turned his attention to the map of Lakai and its few moons on the vidscreen.

“How’s it look, husband?” The sound of Zoe’s voice behind him and the touch of her hand on his shoulder made Wash jump a little.

“Not gonna lie, dear, it would be just a bit easier if I had any idea where the diyu I was taking this boat…” Wash’s gaze remained fixed on the map. There. That tiny moon. It was very small and orbited a bit further out than the others, but it was irregularly shaped, and if he could get them there, they could land until any orbiting Feds were on the other side of the world, giving Serenity a clear shot into the black.

“Next stop is Malachi. Got cargo to drop. Not too picky how we get there, though, long as the trip don’t involve Feds.” Mal’s voice cut across the bridge as he joined them. “Whatever you’re doin’ hangin’ here in this excessively low orbit, do it fast. We’re burnin’ an awful amount of fuel fightin’ the world’s gravity.”

“You said no Feds. I’m just taking a moment to make sure I’m not about to fly us straigh