Disclaimer: anything recognizable is property of Joss Whedon, Mutant Enemy, etc. The story is mine though. I had to take a couple creative liberties, but only on things never explained in the series. I also used my own translator for the Manderin, so it may not be perfect (although either way, it is comical).

“I love Ariel.” It was daytime in Ariel City. Ariel had water and an atmosphere before humans came here. It had some flora and fauna as well, although nothing as advanced as the ecosystem on Earth-That-Was. They terraformed it to make it inhabitable a few centuries ago. It’s a water world with large islands dotting the surface. Every island is well developed, and the close ones are connected. Ariel City covers 26 islands over 100 kilometers. There are smaller cities around the planet covering clusters of 5 or 6 islands. And then there’s the bigass ocean covering whatever hasn’t been developed yet. It has a few beautiful underwater cities, and some ruins from what was probably akin to the dinosaurs of Earth-That-Was. The underwater cities (and I use the term lightly. They’re small villages at best) are mostly high-class people who love the view and wildlife there. But mostly, they have research labs down there.

Anyhow, we were at the edge of Ariel City at a port overlooking that aforementioned ocean. The ramp to the cargo bay was halfway down, and I was standing at the edge of it looking in awe at my surroundings. The sunrise was making it even more spectacular. I’d seen it before, but it’s always a sight worth looking at.

“Hey Eddie,” Tobias said sneaking up behind me. “Why do we have to be on this world? I’d like to remain in one piece. If Feds find us-”

“The Feds have no clue you’re on this ship,” I assured him. “Besides, we won’t be here long.”

“I could’ve sworn I heard you say that about the Dortmunder.” Libby had come up to catch the view too. “Beautiful…”

Tobias leaned toward me. “Does the lass even know about beauty?”

She heard that. “I know enough about it to k