Later …

“I can’t stop it, Mal!”

“That opens up, we’re all dead!”

“You think I don’t know that?”

“Do something!”

“Nothing’s working …”

He slammed his hand on the com. “Kaylee! Get out of there. Now!”

---

Before …

They made delivery of the cattle to Achaeon with no problems on the way, bar a somewhat heavy odour that seemed to find its way into every crevice of the ship. Sir Warwick Harrow’s estate appeared to take up the entire southern continent, and as they came in to land, they flew over herds of horses, scattering from the noise, and in the distance there were other dark masses moving over the lush grasslands.

“Nice place,” Hank murmured. “Amazing what having money does for you.”

“Doesn’t buy you happiness,” Mal said, leaning on the back of his chair.

“No, no. But you can be gorram comfortable in your misery.”

“I’ll just be glad to get our four-legged passengers off my boat.”

“Yeah, but Bethie likes them.” Hank tilted the thrusters and cut back on the power.

“She likes anything that breathes and don’t talk back.” Mal shook his head a little. “I think she sees ‘em all as big puppies.”

“Just so long as she doesn’t attempt to talk you into letting her keep one.”

Mal put his hand on the pilot’s shoulder in an almost benevolent fashion. “Hank, she already tried.”

---

The estate manager was more than pleased. “These’ll be the basis for a good herd,” he said, running his hands over the back quarters of one of the cows, who kicked out slightly. The man avoided it easily, his economy of movement speaking of long practice.

“I figured they were more quality than the usual beef on the hoof,” Mal agreed, standing leaning on the holding area railing. Even without Jayne’s help it had been easy to get the cargo off Serenity. “Smooth lines.”

“You know your cattle?” The manager was surprised.

“Didn’t always captain a Firefly. Grew up on a ranch. Fair-sized herd.”

“Well, you’ve not lost your eye. These are all from good stock, an