Kevin J. Anderson gave me the idea for this.
He's a great writer.
Firefly: Took the Sky From Me
"Take 'er up, Albatross," Mal Reynolds was just boarding Serenity as he gave the order. His impromptu copilot hadn't needed to actually hear the order. River was a reader, or psychic, but Mal wasn't about to quit talking, that'd be just too eery.
Zoe and Jayne were up the ramp right behind him. Each was carrying a small brown crate. Once on board they piled the crates off to the side of the cargo hold.
Mal was just started up the stairs when Zoe stopped him.
"What now, Captain?"
Mal turned to regard her. "Get everyone into the kitchen. Got some discussing needs done."
"Yes, sir." As she turned back towards the comm it crackled to life.
"The Captain needs everyone in the kitchen."
Jayne, who had been unloading his equipment, stopped and regarded the Captain with an uneasy look. "I think I preferred when that ruttin girl was shy."
"We're heading to Ezra."
The protest was unanimous. Everyone, all around the kitchen table shouting no. Mal was standing behind his usual chair looking over his assembled crew. The recent absences of Wash and Book still stung him and obviously the crew as well. No one dared to sit in either's usual seat around the table.
"Sir, Niska is still alive, and he won't waste the energies to torture you this time." Zoe's pain was evident on her usually stoic visage. Wash had been tortured over Ezra, she had no want to return to that place. Right before he could say anything, River entered the room and took the seat next to Kaylee, who just so happened to have her arm entangled tightly with the good doctor's.
He turned to her, since she had yet to voice objection. "We flying straight?"
"Straight to Ezra," she grinned.
"Mal," Inara piped up. "We won't let you do it, what is it that we have that we can't sell to someone else?"
"First of all, I wasn't asking for a vote. Second, we've got medical supplies, again, because they need them out there. And whereas we could take them anywhere else, nobody will take them to Ezra, because of Niska. I figure maybe our reputation with the man will make it a little easier for us."
Jayne was peeling an apple. "You know me, I ain't gonna back down from no fight. But this Niska...I ain't wantin' him to do to me what he did to you and Wash. I don't wanna die, Mal." Having voiced the opinions of everyone at the table, there was a continuous verbal agreement. The only crew member that was on Mal's side was Simon.
"What'd you say, doc?" Mal said over the constant rejections.
Simon sat up slightly straighter. "I was just saying that it shouldn't be a problem." Everyone quieted for this. "I mean, we know what we're up against, even for the worst case scenario. We are going to be just dropping the supplies off, getting paid and leaving. This time we'll keep the ship closer. If it's needed, than I think we're the best group for doing something dumb and slightly heroic."
"But Simon," Kaylee started, "how many times can you glue on the Captain's ear?" That brought a little bit of a giggle from the table, and Mal subconsciously checked to see if his ear was indeed still on.
Zoe, always covering her Captain's back spoke up next. "Well, then we need a plan, well organized, and with everyone knowing their part."
"I'm bringing the grenades this time." Jayne said as he took a bite off the apple.
"You're all insane," Inara seemed frazzled at first, but quickly composed herself. "Zoe, I'll offer you anything I can do to help."
Mal turned to River. "Albatross, what's our ETA?"
River kind of glazed over for a minute before answering. "ETA, estimated timed arrival...too vague for a planned strategy. Our TA, Timed Arrival, will be two days, six hours, 49 minutes, an 37.64 seconds."
Mal stared at her. "...O...k..." He turned back towards his crew. "Everyone ready to make some money?"
