“Well, that’s a sight I never thought I’d get to see.”

“Me neither.”

“Think we oughtta do something about it?”

“Not sure. I mean, he looks kinda comfy, don’t you think?”

“I know what you mean. And that bed is soft.” He pushed down on the mattress. “See?”

“Could always ask him.”

“Could.”

There was a pause.

“Go on then.”

“I was kinda waiting for you to broach the subject.”

“Broach? You been reading again?”

“A bit.”

“You know it gives you a headache.”

“It ain't that bad.”

“I’ll remind you next time.”

“Shiny.”

Another pause, longer than the first.

“You sure we shouldn’t go find a capture someplace? I mean, record this for posterity.”

“Well, I would, but we’re shipping out in ten minutes.”

“Maybe one of the girls …”

“Nah. ‘Sides, I ain't sure we’d survive long if we did that.”

“You’re probably right.”

A moan from the room next door suggested someone was having a good time.

“Ten minutes, huh?”

“Yeah.”

“Pity.”

“Yeah.”

This time the pause was enlivened by someone banging on the door as they went past in the corridor outside.

“Get your pigu moving, Reynolds! That transport ain't gonna wait all day!” The man stomped off down the stairs.

“Better cut him loose, then.”

“’Spose.”

Harry Reynolds pulled a knife from his boot and sat on the edge of the bed. “Aw, lie still, Mal, else I'm gonna draw blood.” He slid the blade between skin and leather thong, twisting just enough so that the sharp edge could do its work.

As soon as one hand was free, Malcolm Reynolds whipped the gag from his mouth. “Hurry up, will you?” he pleaded. “Before anyone else comes in.”

Vinnie, his other cousin, stood at the end of the bed. “How’d you get yourself in this precarious position?” he asked, trying hard not to grin.

“Just find my clothes, will you?” The other leather tie snapped, and he sat up, managing to undo the restraints on his ankles himself.

Vinnie looked around and saw a heap of brown tossed in the corner. “Here,”