Posting at the request of Gabriel and ManiacNumberOne.

Rather interesting timing, as I wrote this story two years ago this month.

Rating: PG-13

No archiving please.

Author's Note: As a rule, I don't like to give away too much about a story. I have very mixed feelings about specific types of warnings. And by saying that, I've already said more than I like. Let's put it this way: I was influenced by the dark side of Joss while writing this one.

Disclaimer: This is a work of fanfiction. No infringement is intended on the rights of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, or 20th Century Fox TV. This time, the monkeys were evil. (c) HawkMoth, 12/29/02.

Dedicated to the brilliant cast of Firefly, for making us believe in these wonderful characters so completely.

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"Turn of the Wheel"

by HawkMoth

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Don't know how, but we're still flying.

Seems like it's awful hard sometimes. Too much has changed. But sometimes the going is easier, and the crew still has confidence in my ability to command, to keep them alive. Wish I shared in that more completely.

If it hadn't been for some tender-hearted rich folk in the Core, funding new colonies out here on the farthest edge of the Rim, we might've run out of business opportunities long before this. Good thing the Alliance doesn't much care if money's spread around among so many poor worlds, so long as enough's still being spent on the central planets. Good for them–better for us.

Even better–the ones out here that control the flow of that money don't seem too particular on who they contract with, for honest jobs or messy ones. This ship and crew have a reputation for getting the job done, no matter what. Means a lot to folk. Means a lot to us.

This latest job shouldn't be too troublesome. I head up to the bridge, to check on how we're progressing. Wash is navigating us into the approach, heading for a world still without a name. We're bringing in a load of genseed and farm equipment.

"We're shiny, Captain," he says when