Dramatis Personae:

Serenity

Malcolm Reynolds, Captain of Serenity

Zoe Washburn, First Mate

Simon Tam, Doctor

River Tam, Psychic and Crew

Jayne Cobb, Mercenary and Public Relations

Kaylee Frye, Mechanic

The Seedy Underworld

Fanty, Crime boss

Mingo, Fanty's twin, Crime boss

Badger, Crime boss

The Alliance Military

The Operative

Commander Tucker P. Wang

Those Looking for work

Ben Goodman, Pilot

Richard Seymore, Pilot

Fred Taylor, Pilot

Ryan McCann, Pilot

"Have Gun, Will travel"

Part 1.

Mal had the gun in Badger's face, the hammer pulled back. Zoe, Jayne, and River pointing their various weapons back at Badger's gang, the mood was tense. "I seem to be gettin' stabbed in the back more often than I like... Badger, you got somethin' missin' in the brain pan? Or you plannin on takin' a slug from me?"

"Would that I knew what you were talkin' about, Captain..."

"You know damn well what I'm talkin' 'bout now, you sellin' me out to Dobbs. How much they pay you?"

"I don't know what you're-"

"I oughtta riddle you with holes, Badger... but I gotta problem. Big one. You fix this maybe we can make things square."

Zoe gave Mal a look, this was NOT what was planned. Jayne was keeping his mouth shut, but only because he was concentrating on looking as mean and evil as he possibly could... although it was impossible with the ridiculous hat he wore. The group stood there a moment in the dark room filled with containers that served as Badger's office, barely breathing... the wrong look, the wrong muscle movement and violence would ensue. Mal looked at Badger, who was unarmed... he held the hammer on his revolver and pulled the trigger, setting the hammer gently on its resting place and not discharging a bullet. He slowly placed the weapon in it's holster on his thigh, keeping his hand on its grip.

"Badger, tell your boys to put their's down too... then mine'll do the same... Ain't no reason for us not to be civilized."

Badger nodded to one of his lieutenants, and his group lowere