Inferno – Chapter One

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Malcolm Reynolds, Sheriff of Bickford Parish, Argo Moon, Astra System, looked over the two men standing before him.

Ryan and Leander Greggs were, as promised, two strong, strapping ‘boys’. Both stood well over six feet, and were heavily built men. Heavier, Mal figured, than Jayne, if not quite as well defined in musculature.

“Mister Harwell sent us along to see you, Sheriff,” Ryan was saying. Mal was sitting at his desk, in what was now his office. The events that had led to his being appointed Sheriff were still rolling through his mind.

It was the day after the wedding, River and Jayne having departed on a shuttle for Ridgecrest Resorts for their honeymoon, a wedding gift from George Harwell. Now, Mal was trying to get a grip on his new position.

It wasn’t going to be easy. Six deputies had resigned when the former Chief Deputy hadn’t gotten the appointment. The former Sheriff, the late and unlamented Grippen, had been as corrupt as any Alliance official, with a hand in every illegal operation in the huge parish. Mal faced the unsavory job of trying to fix all that was wrong.

“I’m glad to see you boys,” Mal smiled, pushing his thoughts aside. “Your brother, Liam, works for me, aboard Serenity. He’s been a good man on my crew, and George tells me that you two would do just as well working for me here. If you’re interested, that is. Are you?”

Ryan and Leander exchanged a glance, and Ryan answered for them.

“If it pays at least what we’re makin’ now, yes sir,” he nodded. “We can’t afford no pay cut, at the moment. Takes a lot to keep ma well.” Mal nodded.

“I’m aware, at least sort of, about that. What’s the problem, by the way?” Mal asked, thinking of Simon, and wishing he’d thought of it sooner.

“Lung disease,” Ryan told him. “Doc can’t figure it out, and the only thing keeps her breathing is the oxygen, and them treatments. They’re kinda expensive.”

“Well, I don’t know what yo