Keyser Skyplex looked, sounded and - worst of all - smelled like all the others of its type they’d ever visited. Engine fumes and hot metal, food and incense, various unidentifiable odours, all mixed with the thousand bodies that went through its corridors every day.

Mal took a deep breath, suppressed the urge to cough, and looked around at the various stalls he could see from where he leaned on the wall.

“Sir, Dupont’s finally arrived.” Zoe materialised at his elbow.

“And there was the man going on because he thought we were going to be late.” He straightened his brown coat and smiled at her. “How long before we get the cargo?”

“An hour or so.“ Zoe looked as implacable as ever. “The goods’ll be checked in, then he’ll pay the tariff and we can pick up.”

“And we pay again.” Mal shook his head. “They get us coming and going, don’t they?”

“Not our money, sir. And it’s the way of places like this.” Zoe glanced at the barker in the corner calling everyone to see the boy who was half gorilla. “They’re mostly interchangeable.”

“I know what you mean.”

“Not sure why we’re picking up here at all,” Jayne said, strolling up behind them. “If’n we’d done this on some rock somewhere we’d’ve been on our way by now, without all this palaver.”

“Because this is legit, and the buyer wants it done right.” Mal stood straight. “Well, it seems we do have a little time after all. Good job Freya made Kaylee go shopping. But if you see them, tell ‘em they’ve got but an hour.”

Zoe looked doubtful. “I think I should stay here. Wait for Dupont.”

“I’ll be doing that.” Mal smiled. “Go. Have some fun. Don’t mind me.”

“Well, Ben needs some new socks and stuff.” She was still unsure.

“Zoe, go. Who knows, you might see your other half around.”

“Hank’s gone already?” She sounded surprised.

“Soon as I lowered the ramp.”

“Aw, hell, Zo,” Jayne sighed. “I got me a list of stuff for River, and I don’t know what half of it is. You help me, I’ll buy us a drink.”

“Y