Disclaimer: Dude. Joss, Mutant Enemy, Universal, whatevs. Grr. Argh.

***

“It’s funny how different a planet looks from here as compared to down there.” Wash said, “A sea of green here, a bit of blue there, a bumpy little rash that probably looks like mountains planetside.”

Velkan chuckled, “So many trees on Verbena. I’ve never seen so many trees.” he said, staring at Wash’s sea of green with amazement. “Mostly water where I come from. And fish… all the fish you could ever want and all the fish you don’t. So much fish that you can never quite get the smell out. If I ever smell another fish, it‘ll be too soon.”

“That explains a lot,” Wash teased, earning a sarcastic glare from his friend. “There weren’t any trees where I’m from either. There was a forest, though. It covered the whole damn planet. A forest of steel and iron and concrete,” Wash smiled reminiscently, “It disappeared into the blanket of smog that separated the land from the sky. Sometimes, I think the reason I wanted to become a pilot was to see what the sky looked like. To see the stars. Yi jian zhong qing.”

“Me, I just couldn’t stand the smell of fish anymore. So, I jumped on the first chance to get off that rock.” Velkan said, “And now, here I am, being independent.” he chuckled softly. Wash did too.

---

“Can’t believe we let them jus’ take all our loot, like l’il sissy girls.” Jayne complained, as he and Stitch sat at the bar. Technically, they were there looking for work, but neither of them was looking much farther than the bottom of his own cup right now.

“’An wha’ was we s’posed to do? Have them turn on us like that Alliance blockade was like to do?” Stitch asked.

“Well, we din’t hafta give them all the loot fer nuttin‘, gorrammit.” Jayne downed his liquor and slammed it on the bar for a refill. “Coulda haggled ‘em down a l’il, s’all I’m sayin’” He picked up his refilled cup and took another swig, “Hell, coulda even sold it to ‘em half price for comin‘ in and savin‘ the day.”

“I figger they feel like they’s din’t