This came to me as a thought that hasn't gone away. So I have decided to write this. It takes place in between the time after episode 14 and BDM. This is my first Firefly story. I hope you all enjoy it. Reviews are always welcome. :)
Special thank you to VeirtFrancesSB for being my beta for this story
Serenity had just landed on the rim planet Rankin. Captain Malcolm Reynolds stepped off of the ship and into the pleasant, seventy-eight degree weather. He was followed by Jayne, Kaylee, Simon, and River who immediately wondered off. When Mal looked to his right, there was a man standing in front of a building who caught his attention. His skin was white and his shoulder length hair was dark. He was wearing purple framed sunglasses, a black sleeveless shirt with an unbuttoned brown vest, black leather bracers, and brown pants tucked into calf length, black boots. He had a .44 caliber revolver, holstered in a gun belt on his right hip and tied around his thigh with a rawhide thong.
Mal took notice of the fact that he was watching their every move. He was confused because the man watching him and his crew was definitely not Alliance, nor with any of the enemies on his long list. Mal stopped again when he thought the stand out man was once again staring at him. He checked around for those who came out with him to make sure they weren't still around. The only one who was, was Jayne. Sure enough, Jayne had seen him too and walked up to Mal just as he figured out the strangers profession.
"That sumbitch makin' me nervous too. Think I should go n' see what his deal is?" Jayne asked and reached for the butt of his pistol.
After a moment of hesitation, Mal shook his head. "No. If there is in fact a problem, let him come to us and be the one to start it. I'd rather we not be known as problem starters on this planet."
Jayne frowned. "Alright, alright. But if'n you need that ruttin' guy dealt with, I ain't gonna be too far away."
"Thank you Jayne. I'll holler for you if it comes to that," Mal replied.
Jayne looked at the mystery gentleman again. "I might know that fella. He looks famil'r." he said as if thrown off by the mans presence. "Nah, I don't know 'im. But I'ma shoot 'im if'n he don't stop starin' at me."
Mal glanced over at Jayne. "Then you should get goin' Jayne. That never plays in our favor. I'll keep looking for someone who may be willing to trade us something we can use to get fuel."
Jayne scoffed and walked away. Mal remained where he stood and looked around for someone who looked like they had something to trade. Then he saw a shop that looked promising. He glanced back at Serenity for a moment and saw the mystery man standing in front of the ramp, looking inside. When the stranger walked away, Mal went to go talk to the traders and vendors to find what he needed.
He couldn't find anyone who had the parts he needed or trade or sell them at a reasonable price. Next he went to a shop to look for foodstuffs. He saw Kaylee and Simon laughing and looking at stuff. River was mesmerized by a statue that Mal couldn't make out. He started thinking about that strange man again. Something about him didn't set right. He stepped out of the shop to feel a cool breeze across his face.
He looked over and saw the stranger again. This time he tipped his hat to Mal. He knew then that that man was trying to get his attention. He did his best to ignore it. When the stranger straightened his posture, Mal stopped ignoring his feelings and approached him. When he got close enough, the man kept his hands where Mal could see them. Mal on the other hand, kept his near his pistol. He remained cautious despite the stranger showing no threat.
"Can I help you?" he asked suspiciously.
The man in the purple sunglasses calmly looked him over. He tilted his hat brim again and said, "Méiyǒu bìyào díduì. Nǐ kěyǐ bǎ nǐ de shǒu yí kāi nǐ de shǒuqiāng. Wǒ zhǐ xiǎng shuōhuà," his southern accent was subtle but Mal noticed it.
Mal stared at him not moving. "First tell me who you are. Then you can tell me the rest."
The mystery man clicked his tongue. "My apologies," he said with his southern accent prevalent. "Name's Jim Prichard. Pleased to meet ya, Cap'n Malcolm Reynolds."
Mal was stunned. He recognized the name Prichard, but did not know this man. Somehow, this stranger knew exactly who he was. Once the initial shock wore off, his suspicions returned before asking his next question.
"Prichard? Like, Ralph Prichard?" Mal asked.
Jim nodded. "Was my Pa."
"I'll be," he took a quiet breath. "Now tell me how you know me and why the hell were you watching the every move of me and my crew?"
Jim looked down for a moment. "My apologies again, Cap'n Reynolds. I wasn't sure at first that it was you 'til I saw Jayne Cobb standin' with ya. Then I was sure, that it was in fact you I was lookin' at. And then the member of yer crew that I've been tryin' to find walked passed."
"Who would that be?"
"Cap'n Reynolds, I ask fer yer permission, to have a private conversation with the girl, who I'm certain, is yer mechanic. Kaywinnet Frye."
Mal leered at him for a moment. "Forgive my curiosity, Mr. Prichard..."
"Jim," he interrupted,
"Sorry, Jim. I gotta know though. Why do you need to have a private conversation with Kaylee and why have you been looking for her? While you're at it, tell me, how you know about my crew and that we were coming to this planet?" Mal asked and hand moving closer to his pistol.
"It's a bit of a long story."
"We've got nothing but time, Jim."
Jim sighed and muttered, "Wǒ zhīdào wǒ bìxū zhèyàng zuò."
*** Meanwhile***
Simon looked out the window from the store he was in with River and Kaylee. He saw Mal speaking with someone unknown. When Mal moved over just enough, Simon recognized the man. He turned away from the window with his back against the wall. He began to take long, deep, breaths. He looked out the window and away again.
"Damn it. Please not now," he said to himself.
When he glanced back out the window again, River walked up next to him. She looked at the man talking to the captain and a look of sorrow took over her face. She placed her hand on the window and focused on him.
"Joy and happiness left and can't come back. They're not allowed to. Pain and anger are the only companions," she said.
Simon looked at her confused before pulling her away. She continued to babble while he tried to hide them. Kaylee thought Simon was just hiding because he didn't want Mal to see that he saw the good captain talking to a stranger or potential crew member. She giggled and continued looking at stuff.
*** Back with Mal***
Mal shook his head and looked away. He was noticeably shaken. He took a moment to compose himself. After a deep breath, he looked Prichard in the eye.
"You have my sympathies. I can understand why I was never told about that."
"Thank you Cap'n Reynolds."
"Now please, answer my other question. How do you know about us and that we would be here?"
Jim nodded. "'Bout a year or so back, I ended up followin' in my pa's foot steps and took up bounty huntin'. Figgered it'd help me with money fer my boy and finding Kaylee. Only I didn't have a man like Jayne Cobb to assist me like my pa did. Jayne actually assisted my pa on a bunch of his jobs when I was a youngster. Anyways, three months ago on another rim planet called, Keillecio, I brought in a black widow named, Saffron. She went by many names but that one was her real name. Collected a big damn bounty for her. While she tried to make chit chat, she got me to tell 'er why I took up bounty huntin'. She then told me all 'bout yer ship and crew. Said you and her was married. She thought tellin' me 'bout that would be an exchange to let 'er go. She figured wrong. She told me that Kaylee was yer mechanic. Saffron then told me 'bout Inara. As did many men through their talks of others in the richy taverns. So I used some of my bounty money from bringing in Saffron, to get an audience with, Inara. From there, bounty huntin' instincts kicked in and I knew you was headin' here. Please believe me when I tell you, I ain't lookin' to bring any y'all in. I just need to tell Kaylee 'bout what happened few months back. She needs to hear about it from me."
"Understandable. However, for my comfort, I'd like to be there," Mal replied.
Jim shook his head. "No. Inara knows what happened cause I told 'er durin' our appointment. No offense, Cap'n Reynolds, but seein' how it's obvious Inara is far less temperamental than you, I'd rather have this conversation with her present. Perhaps in her pod. Just the three of us."
Mal exhaled and reluctantly replied. "That's fair. As much as it goes against my better judgment being that it's my ship, after all. But I'll see it done."
Jim shook Mal's hand.
"Speak with Inara and come let me know when this will be able to happen. Oh, and, Cap'n Reynolds," Jim paused. Mal stopped and looked at him. "Thank you. To repay you fer this favor, give me a list of what yer lookin' for and I'll be sure to pick it up for ya here. I have ways of gettin' it."
Mal nodded and headed off to go talk to Inara. Something about what he was told felt wrong to him. At the same time he knew this Jim Prichard wasn't lying either. He was trying to process the man's story. He also wanted to yell at Inara but knew it wasn't her fault. At least he would now get the supplies he needed for his ship. Potentially, a new ally as well.
"God help us all after this," he muttered to himself as he was about to enter Inara's pod.
*Translations*
Méiyǒu bìyào díduì. Nǐ kěyǐ bǎ nǐ de shǒu yí kāi nǐ de shǒuqiāng. Wǒ zhǐ xiǎng shuōhuà
There's no need for hostility. You can move your hand away your pistol. I only wish to talk
Wǒ zhīdào wǒ bìxū zhèyàng zuò
I knew I was going to have to do this
Keillecio
Kill-Eh-She-O
Mei Mei
Little Sister
