A JOB

Wash was approaching the dock cautiously. He often did when it was an unfamiliar space dock. Acre Space Station was new to them all. It was a deep space facility that consisted mostly of research scientists and engineers. Acre specialized in propulsion systems and had made some of the greatest leaps in interstellar propulsion in the past 50 years. Kaylee was bouncing up and down on her toes, hardly able to conceal her excitement. The cockpit was crowded and it was easy to see Wash did not appreciate all the spectators.

“What a nice lookin’ place,” Jayne said.

“Isn’t it beautiful,” Kaylee said, almost to herself. “OHHHHHH, ohhhhh LOOK!”

“AHHHH, WHAT,” Wash said loudly, “don’t do that, please, I am trying to drive here!”

“Oh sorry,” Kaylee hunched her shoulders and bit her lip, then smiled, “Did you see that Sirius Class with the strange engines parked round back? Wasn’t that beautiful? That’s a fine ship.”

Mal was still looking tense, “Yeah, a lotta fine ships here. Don’t go gettin’ friendly with strange ships Kaylee. We are here to do a job, not sight see.”

“Where is our contact supposed to meet us captain,” Zoe asked softly.

“Well if Inara’s man is who he claims to be,” Malcolm said plainly, “he is supposed to contact us when we dock. Any messages yet Wash?”

“Nothing but our dock number. They sure are not asking a lot of questions for a secure corporate facility. Apparently this job is for real,” Wash said.

Jayne frowned, “Whuddya mean. Course it’s for real. We got fifty-thousand in coin in our pockets already. This could be a big payoff Mal.”

“Yeah,” Malcolm said looking ahead through the window, “or a big bust. Did anyone notice how many particle canons this place has? Make me nervous bein’ on the wrong end of any gun.”

“We’re being hailed captain,” Wash stated.

“Let’s hear it,” Mal said dryly.

The com came on with its thin sound, “Serenity, this is Acre control. Please relinquish control and we will guide you in. Navigation sync in three, two, one, mark.”

Wash tapped a s