Drive

Chapter Five - The Means To An End

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“You’re not serious about landing there, are you?” Simon was entranced by the moon Serenity was pointed towards. Its unmistakable white surface slowly filling up the view port.

“Well I didn’t bring us here to look at it.” Mal sat in the copilot’s seat with his feet planted on the control dashboard. “’Sides, we haven’t been here for a while anyways.”

“I almost got shot here.”

“You almost got shot everywhere, doctor. At least here…you know…lightning never strikes twice.”

“Aren’t you worried about Constance? Oh! And I don’t even want to know if Dobson is gonna be down there.”

“I shot the man in the head! Almost positive he’s dead! What do you want from me?!”

“Twice! You’ve shot him twice in the head so far. He just didn’t give up.” Simon said.

“Yeah, well.” Mal chuckled to himself. “I made him give up. Probably still floating around at Sturges without a care in the world. With two bullets in his head and no eyes.”

“Just…don’t see why we’re coming here.” He sighed. “Are you going to at least tell us who we’re meeting?”

Mal stood up to walk off the bridge but turned back around at the entrance. “The person we’re meeting is not someone I wish to speak with, but to get out of this clean…we have to. So leave it at that.” He left the bridge.

“It’s always mysteries and surprises with that man.” Simon said, hoping River would chime in. “Do you know who we’re meeting?”

River shook her head to indicate, Can’t tell you.

“Come on, River. Please.”

“Keeping secrets is by business, Simon.” River said before going mute again.

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“You lookin’ to get shot again, Cap?” Zoe asked as she got the Mule prepped. “Why are you leadin’ us to Whitefall?”

“Why is everyone so worried about getting shot? Really, I’d be more concerned about Jayne shootin’ ya. The man’s been goin’ through withdrawals.” Mal slid the secret compartment open.

“Have not.” Jayne argued. “Just have a dream been eatin’ me up inside.”

“Very poetic.” Zoe replied.

Mal pulled the small