Notes: All the Greek stuffs legit, I consulted with the highest authorities available. All the Chinese is my best guess, I consulted with the best website I could find. This happened before ‘Ariel’ and some details from eps before then are mentioned, but they shouldn’t spoil anything.

“Passengers?” Simon asked nervously.

“’Course,” Kaylee said, smiling at the young man. “Don’ you remember how you first came on?”

“I remember all to well,” Simon said, taking a deep breath of the planet’s air. It was hot and heavy and smelled like a host of unsavory things: engine exhaust, human body odor, and other things the doctor didn’t want to contemplate. “I thought after such a nightmare Mal would avoid passengers.”

“Well, fares is usually pretty good money,” Kaylee said, setting up her lawn chair. “Plus now we can charge more on account’a you.”

“Me?” Simon said. “What, the thrill of traveling with a wanted fugitive drives up the price?”

Kaylee laughed, “Naw, but havin’ a good medic do. There’s all sorts a hypochondriacs out there won’t travel ta the next town, not ta mention the next moon, without knowin’ there’s a doctor near ta take care a them.”

“Ah,” Simon said nodding. “Well, I suppose . . .” His voice suddenly trailed off as he noticed something in the distance. “You know, I think I should probably go, ah, inside.”

Kaylee followed his gaze to see a small Alliance patrol, two grunts and an officer accompanied by a well-dressed woman. They seemed to be examining each of the ship’s specs, and talking very briefly to whomever was sitting outside of this ship soliciting passengers. They were about five ships’ away, working towards Serenity with typical Alliance efficiency.

“I think they’ve already seen ya,” Kaylee said. Her own stomach was starting to twist into a knot, she was sure Simon was much worse off. “Probably be best fer you ta just sit tight and smile when they walk by.”

“What if they’re looking for us?” Simon said very softly. The patrol was only four ships away now.

“Then they f