"Oooh, they're so pretty!" The bunny's violet eyes sparkled in delight.

"Oh... Em... Goodness!" The rotund cheetah squealed. "They are just... so shiny!"

"Not bad," snorted the enormous cape buffalo.

The fox captain picked up a metallic golden bar from one of the salvaged shipping crates. A relaxed smile spread across his face. "It looks like that badger really came through this time."

The tigress watched in silence, then noticed her captain's smile fade. Nick quickly returned the bar to the crate and latched the lid.

"Problem, Sir?" she asked.

After a pause that was just a moment too long, Nick's practiced smile returned. "Of course not. But that badger'd better take these off our paws before we run into another Alliance patrol. Benji, how long 'til we reach Persephone?

"Almost four hours," came the reply.

"That long? Can't we make it any faster?"

Benjamin shook his head. "We're running on fumes, Nick. We used a lot of fuel rabbiting from that Alliance cruiser. Oh, no offense, Judy."

The bunny rolled her eyes. "None taken."

Nick's nodded. "Well, do your best. And let that badger know the job's done. Don't mention any complications. Just say the job's done."

The tigress spoke again, "Sir, are we sure there's nothing wrong with-"

"Everything's fine," Nick interjected. "I just want to get paid." Noticing the others staring at him, he ordered, "Okay, everyone. Help Bogo stow these crates. Gotta keep them away from the eyes of tourists."

Judy's eyes widened. "Are we taking on passengers at Persephone?"

"Yes, yes we are," Nick said. "Gotta look respectable on the way to Boros. And we could use the cash."

M'bogo grumbled, "Great. Just great."

"No, it's shiny!" exclaimed Judy. "We get to meet new mammals, and they've all got stories, and every-"

"Captain, please stop her from being cheerful," M'bogo said.

Nick laughed, then smiled warmly at Judy. "I don't think there's a mammal alive that can stop Carrots from being cheerful."

The bridge was illuminated by only the soft light from the instruments and displays. The lean tigress curled up compactly, but still overflowed the plump cheetah's lap. She sighed. "Ben, you aren't purring."

He whispered in her ear, "Yeah, I'm kinda worried about my wife. She won't tell me what's bugging her."

"It's nothing, Ben. It's just..." She took a deep breath and then slowly released it as her husband waited. "The captain saw something, Ben. I don't know what, but... I... I think the cargo's stamped. The badger's not gonna be happy with that."

"Sherani, Sweetie, don't worry about it," Benjamin said. "The badger set up the job. He knows what the goods are. We'll just deliver them, get paid, and sail off to Boros, rich and... well, maybe not rich. But not so poor. Maybe enough for a quiet getaway, someplace with real food." He started purring as he smiled, "And donuts... fresh donuts... and-"

She smiled and gently poked his belly. "You and your donuts..."

"Where'd Benji get donuts?"

At the sound of her captain's voice, Sherani jumped up and stood erect. "No donuts, Sir. It's nothing, Sir."

"Fangmeyer, you really don't hafta..." Nick shook his head. "As you were."

He turned to her husband. "Benji, has the Ambassador checked in yet?"

"No, not yet. Actually, I think her schedule was pretty busy."

Nick continued, "Well, after you talk to the badger, let her know that we may be leaving Persephone in a hurry."

"Well, maybe she could move things up, meet us early. I could ask," Benjamin suggested.

Nick shook his head, "No, no. Don't do that. Someone on this ship needs to earn an honest living."

Elegant tapestries and drapes hid the metal walls of the small shuttle behind geometric patterns of rich jewel tones. The shuttle's hatch was slightly open, allowing the morning sunlight to warm the back of a dapper young tiger. He faced a beautiful gazelle and stared adoringly at her long, slim neck... at her soft, pink lips... at the pale stripe along the side of her muzzle... at her gentle brown eyes. He turned towards the open hatch, and then turned back towards her.

"Last night was... You are... The experience has been... It was good. Very good. Thank you."

The gazelle smiled warmly. "You are most welcome." Her accent was soft and melodic.

"Do you really have to leave? I mean, my father is very influential. We could... I could arrange for you..."

The gazelle gently touched his paw, and he stopped talking. "Goodbye, Ranjit," she said softly.

"Goodbye," he said. "And thank you again." With that, he ducked through the hatch.

After the hatch closed, her smile relaxed. She pulled a heavy indigo curtain aside, revealing the shuttle's cockpit. She sat in the pilot's seat, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. As she prepared the shuttle for launch, she spoke, "Serenity, this is shuttle one. What is your ETA?"

A few moments later, the cheetah's voice was heard. "Oooh! Hey, Gazelle! It's so good to hear your voice! We'll be touching down at the Eavesdown docks in about ten minutes. We've been assigned slip A1-13."

Checking the console, she replied, "I will be there in... fifty minutes. See you soon."

"Perfect. We missed you, girl!" the cheerful voice replied.

"Same here, Benjamin." She launched the shuttle and said, "On my way. See you in fifty. Over."

A bustling marketplace filled the Eavestown docks. In the older section of the docks, at slip A1-13, dust settled around a small Firefly-class transport. The name "Serenity" was painted on its hull in worn, faded calligraphy. Like the lettering on its bow, the ship had seen better days. The transport's loading ramp lowered and the airlock opened. The crew walked down the ramp toward the marketplace, which was filled with mammals of every kind. The fox captain addressed the bunny mechanic, "Carrots, this shouldn't take long. Register our departure for three hours from now. Grab any supplies we need, fuel her up, and get us some passengers."

"Nick, I'd love to get a brand new compression coil," she said. "The one we have-"

"And I'd love to eat my weight in blueberries. Just get us some passengers. Paying passengers! Okay?"

"But Nick, we're drifting if the compression coil goes," she warned.

"Then make sure it stays." He smiled sweetly. "Supplies, fuel, paying passengers. Three hours."

The frustrated bunny thumped her foot as the others headed out through the crowd.

Later, M'bogo waited, pacing back and forth next to a haphazard stack of shipping containers. Nick and Sherani had disappeared into the labyrinth of containers to meet with the badger. Unable to fit through the narrow corridors, the cape buffalo was forced to wait outside.

After what seemed like ages, the other two finally emerged, walking briskly. The fox nodded towards the buffalo, but kept moving. The buffalo followed, grunting, "Let me guess. We didn't get paid."

"Not our biggest problem right now," replied Nick.

"Sir, do you really think the badger would report us to the Feds?" Sherani asked.

"You need to ask?"

M'bogo grunted, "Can't run a ship if you don't get paid."

"Can't get paid if the Feds lock you up," retorted Nick.

"Can't get paid if you're always rabbiting. We all have a share of this job. We all need to get paid."

"Sir, we'll find a buyer on Boros. There's gotta-"

"Boros is too big," Nick interrupted. "The Feds'll be waiting for us, and we'll lose the ship if they catch us with government goods. That's not happening."

"Sir, we could just dump the cargo."

"Shut! Your! Mouth!" said M'bogo. "We haven't been paid in weeks! I signed onto this crew with a promise of work!"

"Bogo's right," Nick said. "The last two jobs went bust. We're broke. Taking on passengers won't help enough. If we don't get paid for this cargo, then we can't afford fuel, not to mention maintenance and repairs. We'll be drifting."

"So," Sherani finally said, "maybe try the border planets like the badger said? Sir?"

Nick shook his head, "Maybe try Whitefall, talk to Dawn-"

"No!" she exclaimed. The captain stopped and stared at her. Quietly, she continued, "Sorry, Sir. Sir, we don't want to deal with Bellwether again."

"Why not?" he asked, resuming his brisk pace.

"Sir, she shot you. We'll find someone else! The Ottertons?"

"They can't afford it."

"Jumbeaux?"

"Doesn't need it. Do you want the list? Bucky and Pronk are broke. Travis is dead-"

"He's dead?"

"Howlers hit his town," Nick shook his head. "Burned it to the ground. No survivors."

M'bogo's eyes widened. "I'm not going anywhere near Howlers. Those animals are just-"

"Look, Whitefall is the safest and the closest. Did Dawn shoot me? Yes, yes she did. But that was a long time ago, and it was just business. She owns half that moon. She can afford our cargo, and I think she needs it. And I can't afford to hold a grudge."

"I still don't like it, Sir."

"I don't like it either," Nick agreed. "But what other choice do we have? Look, we just need to finish the job and get paid. No more surprises."

Back at the ship, a large ram knelt on the loading ramp, speaking with the gray bunny. His black wool was graying and trimmed short. He wore a simple shirt with a clerical collar. Judy caught the briskly approaching trio out of the corner of her eye, and called out, "Oh, Captain! Shepherd Woolrich has-"

"Not now, Carrots," Nick said. "Prep for launch. Now! We need to be in the air an hour ago."

The crew scrambled, hastily preparing the ship for launch. In the cargo bay, a young, well-dressed buck bunny watched closely as M'bogo carefully lowered a metallic blue crate. The bunny's eyes were hidden by fashionable sunglasses, but he still stood out with his expensive attire and distinctively striped face. Meanwhile, the graying ram made his way through the cargo bay to the staterooms. A weasel gawked, stepping awkwardly around the cargo bay, and tripping over a stray roll of duct tape.

Sherani approached her captain and whispered, "Sir, we now have civilians sitting right on top of our... sensitive cargo. What happens if one of them finds that compartment?"

"Then things get interesting."

Benjamin was busy on the bridge, preparing the ship for launch. A light on the console flashed, and the speaker crackled, "Serenity, this is shuttle one requesting permission to dock."

He flipped a switch and responded. "Hey, Gazelle! Welcome back. You're just in time."

"Let me guess," she said with a laugh. "We are in a hurry."

"You know it!" He flipped a switch and continued, "Port hatch is green for docking. Once you're docked, just hang tight until we're in the air." Flipping another switch, he announced over the ship's intercom, "Nick, the ambassador has returned. We're scheduled to launch in ten. Repeat: launch in ten."

In the cargo bay below, M'bogo carried in the last containers. Nick hit a button and the loading ramp slowly raised. Another button, and the inner airlock door started closing. Another button, and he announced, "We're all set down here, Big Guy. Launch when ready."

The well-dressed buck bunny rested a paw on his metallic blue crate and nervously watched the closing airlock. Then he followed the smiling fox up the stairs.

Author Notes:

If I wanted a Zootopia character with Jayne's personality, then I probably would have gone with Finnick. But I thought that Jayne's role needed someone big and physically intimidating. So I went with Chief Bogo, even though his personality is rather different from Jayne's. And yes, in this story, his name is actually M'bogo, although Nick calls him Bogo.

Zoe's role was the last to be assigned. (Actually, I had an earlier draft of the story complete before I finalized my choice, and then I had to rewrite everything.) I considered a number of options, including Judy (Nick's ZPD partner, capable of taking down a rhino), Finnick (Nick's "partner in crime"), Manchas (Mr. Big's driver), Mancha (a female version of Manchas), and a completely new OC.

As Mal's lieutenant, Zoe is reserved, unquestioningly loyal, and frankly terrifying when the fighting starts. But she is also Wash's wife, and that relationship reveals a side of her character we don't see otherwise. I also really like the "warrior woman, non-warrior man" dynamic of Zoe and Wash's relationship. Eventually, I cast Fangmeyer (the tigress ZPD officer) in this role. But what is Fangmeyer's first name? A beta-reader suggested simply naming her Zoe, but I chose Sherani for reasons that will become relevant in the next chapter.

Like Inara, Gazelle is an elegant female character who lives in a higher social class than the rest of the characters. That choice may also set up some interesting pred-prey situations, and of course, I had to pair her up with a tiger at some point.

I apologize for the delay in publishing this chapter. I actually have drafts of all seven chapters written. But incorporating my beta-readers' feedback has taken longer than expected. Speaking of which, many more thanks to Steefwaterbutter and RenkonNairu, my beta-readers, who have offered a lot of valuable advice while I have been finishing this story.