Thanks to those of you that reviewed and have added me to your alert lists. It is always a great feeling to know people are reading my story.

Just a quick note on my chapters / writing style, the last chapter was obviously very much an introductory chapter. Most of the time when I write a chapter i see it as a single scene in my head. So that's why some chapters are longer / shorter than others and why I might post multiple little chapters. I think it makes it easier to read if you don't have to scroll through a really long page and as the reader can expect a scene change in the next chapter.

I promise that we'll see some more crazy behavior from River in the coming chapters.

Itheros II

The planet Itheros II looked very nice from space, with it's wide oceans, mountain peaks and large cities with their twinkling lights. But on the ground it was a different story, it was dark, dirty and grimy place...especially the space port. The towering buildings blocked much of the sunlight from reaching the streets below, creating a almost continuous dusk effect, never dark but never truly daylight. The planet was on the outskirts of the Alliance core planets and following the events of Miranda had announced its independence from the Alliance. It seemed like a good idea at the time to the elders of the planet, no taxes to the Alliance and control over their homeworld. The Alliance had been focusing on keeping the inner planets united and let Itheros II go without putting up any fight. But 6 months later after what was left of the Alliance security and police forces had been reassigned, the criminals quickly took control of the planet, caring little for the people and even less for their problems. But caring an whole lot about anything going on or off planet, taking huge cuts of anything that could possibly be profitable. Which for the crew of Serenity meant that there was probably a job to be had by someone who did not want to give a cut to the mob and also meant that Mal could ask for top dollar.

"This planet smells to high heaven." Jayne said as he scrunched up his face.

"That is one thing I'll give the alliance, they do keep the streets clean." Mal replied squinting into the twilight looking for their meeting spot.

The pair walked into the bar that Jarad had told Mal about. The bar actually smelled a little nicer and was slightly better lit then the streets outside.

"This Jarad guy has pretty good taste. " Jayne said as he eyed a couple of the waitress who outfits didn't cover a whole lot.

Mal looked around the bar until he saw their contact and then glanced around the room looking for anything suspicious

"Expecting trouble?" Jayne asked.

"Lets just say that Jarad and I don't have the smoothest history." Mal said.

"Do you have a smooth history with anyone?" Jayne replied with a smirk which earned him "the look" from the captain.

Mal guided them through the crowed bar and they slid into the booth with Jarad. Jarad was enjoying the company of one of the waitresses and nursing a what looked to be at least his third beer. Although he looked by no means intoxicated, Jarad was a large man and could probably hold quite a bit of liquor.

"Malcolm, how you been?" Jarad asked while giving Mal a firm handshake.

"Doing all right I all things considered." Mal replied eying Jarad suspiciously and glancing around the bar again.

"Malcolm, Malcolm. Relax." Jarad said with a forced laugh.

"I seem to recall the last time you said "relax" you had a shotgun to my head." Mal said as the girl brought drinks to the table.

"That was a long time ago." Jarad said.

"So you got work for us?" Jayne jumped in. Mal glared at Jayne and Jarad looked a little annoyed.

"Yes I do have heard of a couple of people wanting to move stuff off world, discretely and with no questions asked." Jarad looked at Jayne.

"We can do that." Mal replied quickly before Jayne could open his mouth. "What's this connection going to cost us?"

"I think twenty percent should be fair." Jarad said greedily.

Mal scoffed at that, "Yeah when pigs fall from the sky. I'll send you ten percent when the job is done."

"Fifteen up front." Jarad countered.

"Jarad, you know I don't have that type of money here with me. Even if I did, I wouldn't carry it around...fifteen and I'll wire it to you." Mal said as he took a large swallow of his beer, knowing what was coming next and hating that there was nothing he could do about it.

"Malcolm, you know I trust you but I'll be coming with you to collect my part. You know a vacation would be nice right about now."

"Fine." Mal said with a frown. He knew he didn't have a whole lot of choice in the matter. If he wanted to get these jobs this is how it was going to be. "Just so we are clear Jarad, this is my boat and my rules."

Jarad agreed and pulled out a communicator and after it connected with the other end mumbled a few words. "Our first client will be along shortly."

He held up his hand and signaled the waitress for another round. "Mal don't look so annoyed, you're are going to receive a nice payday from our little venture."

About ten minutes later the first client showed up. He was a very thin man who went by the name of Aswred and spoke very quickly. The deal was pretty standard, twenty crates of goods to be delivered to Whiterings III. Mal added it up in head which put a slight smile on his face, finding that Jarad was right, it was a nice payday. They quickly sealed the deal and Aswred handed a Mal a deposit and told him that the crates would be delivered later that night to their cargo hold. Jarad called the second customer and again they waited about another 10 or so minutes.

The second man was tall and scruffy and looked like he hadn't washed his clothes or showed in weeks. He said that he was looking to ship a single large crate off world to the planet Caliso and he would be coming a long for the ride. Mal didn't like the look of the man but a job was a job. So he pushed hard for a larger payment to his surprise the man readily agreed. Mal kept the surprise from showing on his face although Jayne had a slight grin.

"We'll be breaking atmo at dawn. Have yourself and your crate loaded by then." Mal said as he pocketed the man's earnest money. Jayne and Mal stood and looked at Jarad, "You too, if you aren't there by dawn, we leave without you."

"I'll be there." He said with what seemed to be his signature greedy grin, Mal was really beginning to hate that grin. This was going to be a long flight.