“Mal, Aberdeen’s down below,” Hank said over the com, and wasn’t surprised to hear his captain’s voice at his elbow.

“Coming up somewhat fast.”

Man must be catching being psychic, the pilot thought, but said, “Not overly. And I still don’t think this is a good idea.”

“We need the work.”

“Oh, I get that you think that. Not agreeing, seeing that we have some cash put by, but I know how you get when you don’t have a job in hand.”

“And how’s that?” Mal was content to see just how much rope Hank would take.

“Grumpy.” Hank glanced up, seeing the other man standing with his arms crossed. “Exacerbated by the fact that Frey’s not here.” He warmed to his theme. “Yeah, that’s it. Captain Grumpy. Pretty much like when she makes you sleep on the couch. Although you’ve been better at that lately.”

“You do realise Zoe ain’t here to defend you, don’t you?”

“Which is why I'm not saying anything to Jayne.”

“You think he’s worse?”

Hank chuckled. “Oh, come on, Mal. You’re only likely to shoot me. Or toss me out the airlock. Jayne would tear my arm out of its socket and beat me to death with the wet end.”

“True. But you’d still be dead.”

“Nah.” He shook his head. “I could talk you out of it.”

“If’n I were you, I’m not sure I’d be putting that to the test.”

“You love me really.”

“Hmmn.”

“And on that growl, I’m gonna stick my neck out even further. We don’t want to be here.” He gestured out at the planet as it filled the bridge windows, then adjusted their trajectory by a degree.

“Badger’s paying us good money to transport his samples. And more’n that, after the business with those New Browncoats, I don’t want anyone to get the idea we’re hiding.”

“No, I guess that would be bad,” Hank said slowly. “Only maybe you’d like to explain it to me in simple language.”

“Words of one syllable?”

“That would be preferable.”

Mal lowered himself into the co-pilot’s chair and stared at the dinosaurs still ranged on the console. “I ain’t under any illusion, Hank