Chapter 4: Making a Splash
They touched down in the seaside town of Port Royal on New Melbourne a couple hours after breakfast and while everyone else was making sure everything were secure for the job Simon went over his supplies for the third time. He had enough bandages, both adhesives and gauze pads; there was medical creams and splints, ephedrine pens, pills, liquid medicine, inoculations, medical tape, syringes, plaster, slings, patches, sutures, needles, knives disinfectants and aesthesia. He pretty much had a little bit of everything.
"Scissors for cutting fishing line and hooks," Simon said as he examined some of the supplies he had brought out just for this mission.
"Why you need to be cutting hooks," Jayne asked as he leaned against the entrance frame. "We aint going fishing, not for fish anyway." He was using a small pocket knife to clean out his nails. It was a habit that Simon disliked not because it was gross, especially when there were plenty of nail files aboard the ship, but because he was worried that Jayne's fingers might slip and he would cut himself.
"One can't be too prepared," Simon said as he held up a pair of tweezers. "Do we know if the boat we are borrowing is going to be made out of wood?"
"How the hell should I know," Jane said and shrugged.
"I might have to remove even more splinters if it is wooden." He looked around for one last check. "We have plenty of blankets and River said she will keep a kettle on in case of hypothermia."
"Hippo what?" Jayne had paused in his cleaning to stare at Simon.
"Hypothermia is what happens when the body loses more heat than it can produce. The internal temperature drops way below, heart rate slows and it can be fatal." He looked up to see how Jayne was still confused. "It basically means freezing. We don't know what the temperature of the water will be and just in case it is too cold we will be prepared. Take changes of dry clothes for everyone and extra blankets and thermos's full of warm tea."
"Yeah I don't want to freeze to death." He resumed his cleaning. "You prepped for every worst case scenario."
"Everything that can happen at sea and I'm making sure you have enough packed to keep you safe. Make sure you have plenty of sunscreen. I have aloe vera for-"
"What did you get on my Vera?" He glared at Simon.
"Nothing." Simon held up a bottle of green liquid. "Aloe vera is the name of this salve. You use it in case you get-"
"Sun burned," Jayne finished and chuckled. "I know what that is. I'm just messing with ya."
"Of course," Simon just shook his head. "Why are you here again?"
"Wonderin if I needed one of dem boosters."
"You are not due for a month." He pulled out the drawers to get out the charts and he was right Jayne wasn't due for another month.
"Okay so I'm good fer the boat."
"Jayne," the Captain appeared behind the human ape. "Stop messing around with the doc."
"I aint messing 'round," Jayne said as he slipped his knife back into his pocket.
"He had some health related questions and as his doctor I felt obliged to answer them while I prepared my infirmary," Simon answered as he put a few things that he didn't need away."
"We need to take the mule to reach the docks and Corwin's boat. Zoe and James has the wet suits ready for you and I to wear. In other words we need to get changed."
"Is River going with you?" Simon asked.
"I'm going to need her here," the captain explained. "Something happens to that boat-" he paused to give Jayne a warning look. "And it sinks I'm gonna need her to bring Serenity to us."
"Can you all swim?"
"Like a dolphin," Jayne said. "Don't get to splash 'round much and I don't got the trunks for it but I prefer skinny dipping anyway."
"Pretty well and we will be wearing life vests," their captain explained. "Now we gotta go haul some cargo out of the blue."
"I want you all to stay safe," Simon said. "Even Jayne."
"Don't need to be actin all concerned about me," Jayne said and flashed a brief smile. "I do appreciate it."
"You just make sure to heal us up just in case," Mal said as he and Jayne walked away
"I always do," Simon said. "Just make sure you use sun lotion." His concern fell on death ears. He could hear the mule being fired up. He might was well help River or Kaylee.
James had remembered when he was last on a beach, staring at the sea. It was before he said goodbye to Turner and Elizabeth and to Sparrow. He thought he would never see the sea again, or hear the sounds of gulls or enjoy the scent of salt filled air. He missed the way the sun reflected off the surface of the water or the sound of waves striking pale sand. He also thought he would never step foot in a place called Port Royal.
This Port Royal was very different. The welcome sign was written in both English and Chinese and made out of plastic. There were also hovering screens around the space ship docks with videos welcoming people to town, displaying the time, temperature and weather conditions. Some were recommending some activities for visitors while a few others detailed the various businesses that went on. One had an extensive history about the town and the original versions of various Port Royals that were found on Earth that Was.
"Fort Charles had survived the famous earthquake of 1692," the informing screen had blared out as they headed out to the direction of the ocean. "The fort was home to famous naval officers including the legendary Commodore James Norrington."
James could not help but to smile at that bit of information.
The people were dressed very differently. There were no corsets, or petticoats or dresses with plunging necklines or coats with tails. No cravats and leggings or wigs. There were no naval officers in blue or marines in red marching back and forth.
The clothing and people were quite motley. Most wore short sleeves shirts and shorts and those who were stretched out on the sand wore even less. The dresses that some women wore were knee length and a v shape neckline and consisted of bright colors and flower prints. Most people walked on the cement paths and people drove their hover vehicles or rode bikes on the roads. Many people were tourists and took captures in front of various buildings and most of the buildings were over two stories tall.
The smaller ones ran along the wooden boardwalk. There were places to buy fried food or a colorful drink served with a tiny parasol. Other merchants peddled their handmade crafts to the tourists. Disposable captures were a popular item along with trinket chains, sunglasses, necklaces made out of shells and colorful plastic disks that James had learned were called Frisbees thanks to being caught up to the year 1959 on the Cortex. Children ran around with small bags of colorful sweets called taffy.
"Ready to take the helm, Commodore?" Captain Reynolds said once they had reached the slip that held the boat owned by their client.
"Of course," James said with a large grin as he stepped forward on the vessel named Squidward. It was a moderate size blue and white boat of reasonable size known as a downeast model. The steering wheel was in the middle of the boat, inside what looked like a small room with large windows and a roof. He walked straight up to the wheel and smiled at its structure. Large spokes that reminded James of the time he came from. His smile faded when he felt how smooth the spokes were and realized they were made out of plastic. He looked down and saw a control panel, similar to the one used on the mule. There were buttons and switches.
"This aint a sailboat," Jayne said after he finished his sniggering. "It runs on gas."
"Of course it does," James said in a dejected tone.
"I'll turn it on for you," Zoe said softly and pressed a few buttons. "I'm sorry it is not exactly what you hoped for." She pressed a few more buttons causing the windows to go down and the roof to fold over. "Good thing this one is a convertible, now you can feel the sea wind in your hair.
"It is still a boat," James glanced over at his captain who was explaining some details about the job to Jayne. "And we will be over the ocean. Is there an anchor?"
"There is," Zoe answered.
"Very well." He grabbed onto the wheel. "Prepare to take her out to sea gentleman and Mrs Washburn. Mr. Cobb raise the anchor. We will leave at exactly eight bells."
"What the hell?" Jayne asked. "I thought he was gonna stop with all that fancy talk."
"Just raise the anchor," Reynolds told him. "It's about 140 knots in east by south east direction, Commodore."
"Thank you, Captain Renolds," James said. "Full speed ahead."
"Just press this to give her more gas." Zoe showed him the lever to push
"Thank you again Mrs. Washburne."
It didn't take long for James to understand the controls, at least the speed and the break and steering was easy. The boat was faster than what he was once used to but it was smooth sailing for him. For a short while he forgotten what year he was and thought he was back in the 18th century and could envision his men walking around.
He took a deep breath as he remembered how it was. He wore his captain's coat while out at sea. His whole uniform was crisp and clean. He could see lieutenants and commanders with him along with several naval officers working the rigging and tightening the sails. He could feel the weight of his coat and his belt with scabbard, the feeling of his wig and tricorn on his head.
"The weather proves to be safe," one of the lieutenants said. "Clear course for several days."
"Very well," Norrington told him. "Keep an eye out men. There will be the sign of Sparrow's ship out here in the waters."
"Tā shīqùle tā de dàlǐshí," Cobb's voice cut through James's mind and shattered the fantasy. The Dauntless was replaced by the boat of metal and plastic, the naval officers were gone and James was back to wearing a crisp button down shirt and khaki trousers under his naval coat. "Are you sure it's safe for him to drive?"
"He's just getting all nostalgic on us," Reynolds told him before he cast a wary glance towards James. "Aint ya."
"Yes," James said and rubbed the area between his eyes. "I did not mean to let my mind wander like that."
"You still wish for it and miss it," Zoe told him and placed a hand on his back.
"Are there any pirates out here?" James asked as he looked through the waves. He saw more ships in the sky than he did out on the water and some of the ships on the water were hovering a few feet over the surface.
"I suppose anything is possible," Zoe said and shrugged. "Just keep her steady. It will be another hour before we reach our destination."
"I will not forget you are here," James told her. "Or the captain, or Co—well I can forget about him."
"I wish we all could sometimes," Zoe told him earning a smile from James.
"I kinda wish we coulda visited the shops," Kaylee said as she bent the wire into the shapes she needed." She was sitting on the floor of the cargo bay working on her costume. She had the shapes of the wings and all she needed to do was cover them with the shimmery and translucent material she got at Hong's shop
"We shopped," River said from where she sat at the common room sofa. She was sewing on the patch Inara had made her to the skirt that she had recently made. "Need food, need fuel. We have to keep her in the air."
"I know," Kaylee said with a shrug. "Just a fishing port town on a planet that was very similar to Earth that was and we don't get to visit here that often." She remembered the time they came to drop Inara off to meet with some clients once and she didn't even get to step out of the engine room.
"I think I still had enough of being over the ocean for a while," Simon said as he carefully cut along the black material that was once an old pair of pajamas. "Maybe in a few months it won't be so bad."
"Worried about them," River said without looking up. "They are not in trouble, no danger. James is sailing them. No trouble unless they are caught."
"Caught by who?" Simon asked and sat up. "The Alliance?"
"Locals," River answered as the signal flashed on the cortex screen near her went off. "We have a wave."
"Patch it through," Kaylee said and smiled when she saw that it was Inara. "Hey Inara. How is the sexing?"
"It's very nice," Inara said. She seemed relaxed and happy. "I just finished my session and wanted to touch base with you. How is everyone?"
"We are fine," Simon said and set the fabric down on the makeshift table he was using. "We are not far. The captain found a salvage job on New Melbourne."
"What is he salvaging fish?" Inara asked with a quizzical look on her face.
"A ship accidentally dropped cargo into the water," Kaylee explained as she continued to cut the fabric. "And we are going to get paid to fish it out for them."
"Keeping everyone busy I see. I hope he leaves you some time to work on your costumes."
"We are working on them right now," Kaylee said and held up the wings she was working on. "Are you making yours?"
"Almost done with mine," Inara said. "The shoes have arrived and so did Mal's boots, and coat and Jayne's costume. I hope he gives time off for Zoe and James and takes time off himself. His won't be easy."
"Will you be heading back after?"
"Depends on what the captain says," Kaylee said. "He might have another job lined up for us."
"Tell him he promised me—and you, all of you that he would be back in time for the ball and I look forward to seeing hi—you soon."
"I'll tell him you called," Kaylee said and tried to hide her smile. She knew who Inara really wanted to see. "Hope to see you in real life soon."
"I have an hour to prepare before I agreed to meet with my next client," Inara said. "Good luck on your costumes."
"Bye," Kaylee waved at her before the screen went dark. "Hope we get these done in time."
"Not stepmother," River said. "He wants to work on his as well. Wants us all to have the best night ever."
"And we will," Simon promised.
Kaylee walked over to him and gave him a kiss before she sat down and went back to work on her costume.
"Just press this button," Mal said as he activated the round floating disk. The green light flickered on it. "And then this one." He pressed a different button on the bottom and the circumference of the disk inflated. "And then into the water." He threw the disk into the sea.
"Sir do we need the running commentary?" Zoe asked as she finished activating another disk.
"Just showing everyone how it works," Mal explained.
"James activated his before you even started talking," Zoe told him.
"I'm showing everyone how it works," Mal said and pointed at Jayne who had finally figured out his.
"What are they used for again?" James asked as both Mal and Jayne removed their clothes, exposing the glossy black wet suits they were wearing underneath.
"Electronic shark repellent," Mal explained. "When we colonized this planet we made sure it had every sea creature that had ever existed on Earth that Was. We tried to bring every species when we left the old world."
"Like Noah's Ark," James said and nodded.
"Exactly, now Jayne and I are going to find the crates and bring them up. Use these hooked cables to bring up as much as possible. We got plenty of air in our tanks, but something goes south and we will give the chords that are attached to us some tugs."
"And Mrs. Washburne and I will bring you both up in case something does go wrong," James said.
"We will keep an eye out for you," Zoe told him.
"Ready Jayne?" Mal asked.
"Yeah," Jayne said as he slid his mask down over his eyes."I feel like a frog in this."
"Then hop to it," Mal ordered and watched as his hired gun dove down into the waves before he followed after.
They didn't have to dive down too deep before the came across the metallic crates on the ocean floor. There were a few bottom feeders crawling around the cargo but they scattered as soon as both men swam close. Jayne grabbed two of them and held them together while Mal tied them and secured them with nylon and then they were placed on the hook.
Mal held three fingers, indicating there were three more and swam off towards the direction of the nearest one as the bundle was being hauled to the surface. He swam towards the crate and was about to grab it when a large octopus swam up, causing Mal to jump back in fear.
A large light shone on the cephalopod and it swam of into the opposite direction. Jayne swam up towards Mal and pointed at the light he carried before he swam towards a different crate.
Mal grabbed the crate and dragged it towards the hook. He and Jayne tied together another crate before placing it on the hook and swam over to the last crate. They each took one end and swam up with it.
That task was easier said than done. It wasn't too heavy, especially with Jayne helping but swimming with it was difficult with the water adding extra weight in keeping it down. Mal wished the hooked cable would come down again but it didn't and he wondered why it was taking so long.
His legs were nearing exhaustion and his arm was weary from swimming with the crate by the time he was able to grab the bottom of the boat. With the last bit of energy he had he pushed it to the surface before he brought his head up to see what was wrong.
Both Zoe and James had their hands up in the air and were surrounded by the crisp white and red trimmed uniformed officers of the Port Authority.