“You get the feeling that went too smooth?” Simon asked, following Kaylee up the stairs towards the galley.

“Is that a bad thing?”

“Just … unexpected. No bullets to remove, knife wounds to stitch up … not like our usual jobs at all.”

“You should look on the bright side,” his wife said, smiling at him over her shoulder. “Means you didn’t have to clean up the infirmary.”

“No, that’s good, honestly. Just unusual.”

“Stands to reason some jobs are gonna go well. It’s the law of averages.” She stepped down into the dining area.

“Then why do I feel like the other shoe is about to drop?” Simon muttered.

Everyone was already assembled, except for Hank, who hurried in from the opposite end.

“We’re off,” he said as he dropped into the seat next to Zoe. “Just need a course.”

“And I’ll be glad to give it to you.” Mal looked around at his crew. “Looks like things are going our way for a change,” he said, smiling. “We got paid, and another job’s fallen into our laps.”

“What kind of job, sir?” his first mate asked.

“Simple retrieval, at least from what Sam says.”

“Sam Nazir?” Her eyebrow raised.

“I conjure he’s the only Sam we know, unless you’re considering Sam McQueen, and he’s been dead eight years.” He chuckled. “Seem to recall burying him too, so if it’s him he must be mighty pissed at us.”

Zoe didn’t comment on her captain’s apparent good humour, and just gazed at him.

“So Sam’s found us a job?” Freya asked.

“That he has. A pal of his back on Ariel wants us to pick something up for him. Good money, too.”

“Are we allowed to know what it is?” Simon inquired.

Mal shrugged a little. “Not rightly sure. We’re bound for that planet –“ He glanced at Hank, who nodded. “ – and we’ll be given all the details in person by the man who wants to hire us.”

“He’s not doing it through a third party?” Zoe was surprised.

“I don’t think he does this kinda thing at all. Least, not usually.” Mal smiled. “He’s offering damn good money, too.”

“Payment upfront?”

“