Act VI cont - The Black

Theo looked at Freya gratefully as she came down the steps from the bridge. “Thank you.”

“I’ve just made it possible for you to talk to him. Not what he’s going to say back.”

“I understand.” He glanced towards Mal, sitting in the pilot‘s chair. “I didn’t intend for it to be like this.”

“Well, you know what they say about intentions and the road to hell.” She put her hand briefly on his arm. “Good luck.” She walked away, back towards the cargo bay.

Theo took a deep breath and climbed the steps.

“Better take a seat,” Mal said, not turning.

“Thank you.” The large man lowered himself into the seat. He looked out of the window. “I’ve always loved the view in space,” he said conversationally. “Calming.”

“Yeah.”

“Although I imagine it isn’t having that effect on you at the moment.”

“Not particularly.”

“Can I explain this to you?”

Mal twisted the seat around. “I think you’d better.”

“Captain, I know you understand the logistics of keeping a vessel in the air. You have one ship and … how many, ten crew?”

“Eight. ‘Nara and Noni live elsewhere usually.”

“Eight. Plus your children. So a dozen. I have two ships and nearly thirty members I’m responsible for. And my ships are old - Troilus would give your Firefly a run on age, and Cressida is close behind. If I didn’t have Polka to keep at least one of them spaceworthy, I’d be out of business.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Your master mechanic Kaylee, yes. But even she can’t fix two ships at once.”

“Never asked her to, but I take your point.”

“It takes money. Cold, hard coin to keep flying.”

“I understand that.” Mal sat forward, his forearms on his knees. “But there has to be other ways of getting the cash, of making a living.”

“Of course there are. We could settle on a planet, build a place of our own, be land based. Cannibalise the ships, perhaps. But I’ve been a roving actor all my life. I’m not sure, especially at my age, I could put down roots.”

“Theo, th