老朋友

(Old Friends)

Chapter 2

The planet Flora Maxus is, as its name suggests, teeming with plants of overwhelming stature. The trees grow to the size of skyscrapers and the forests floor is covered in lush green plants with leaves bigger than space cruisers. No one is sure why the plants grow so well here, but most theories suggest that something must have been horribly miscalculated in the terra-forming process. The first colonist of Flora Maxus took advantage of the abundant plant life to start a thriving industry, which still continues today. "Flor" as the locals call it, is the number one supplier of lumber to the 'verse, and a constant flow of outgoing timber makes it the perfect stop for a Captain looking to make an honest living for his crew. It is also a perfect stop for a Captain that is looking for work that is a little less than honest.

Recently, growing mistrust of the native workers, and unusual rumors about people disappearing into the woods, only to show up months later having no knowledge of what happened to them, has led to a steady drop in the number of frigates willing to take on cargo from the local mills. In fact the situation has gotten so desperate that Bardin Siryll, the owner of Flora Exports Interplanetary, Inc. has contacted his friend and former rival, Malcolm Reynolds, to help him get his goods off world. The crew of Serenity, not being one to back away from a challenge, has landed at the capitol city of Senlin hoping to negotiate a contract with F.E.I. inc. that will finally allow them to make a steady income. Now all Mal has to do is keep his crew in line long enough to make a good impression on Mr. Siryll in the morning…

Jayne Cobb slammed his empty glass down on the wooden bar. "Give me another Gorram drink before I shoot someone!" Jayne yelled at no one in particular.

"Oh I think you've had more than enough, Jayne." Shepherd Book interrupted before the bartender could come out from his hiding spot to pour another round.

"Now you listen good Shepherd. Just 'cause you're a man uh the Almighty don't mean you got any right ta stop me drinkin'." Turning back to the bartender Jayne drew his pistol and pointed it straight between his eyes. "Now get me another Shiong mao niao drink!"

"I'm sorry son, but I can't let you do that." Book insisted.

"Let me!? Let me?! Last time I checked you weren't the Cap'n of my boat!" Jayne turned his gun on Book. "You ain't got no right ta…"

"But I do…" Mal stepped up behind Jayne. "And the next time you point that piece at one of my crew you'll be riding the hull while we leave atmo'."

"Mal, you best not be threatenin' me right now. I ain't exactly in the mood." Jayne glared at Mal.

"And I ain't exactly threatenin'." Mal looked past Jayne's shoulder to the woman with the gun pointed at his head.

Zoe cocked the hammer on her rifle. "Now put it away, Jayne." She said flatly.

Jayne reluctantly de-cocked his pistol.

"Drink round here ain't worth mule spit anyhow. I'm gonna go find me some folk who ain't so gorram easily upset about a little misunderstandin'..." Jayne grumbled out the door and stumbled off into the night.

"Glad to see your crew is making a good impression." A voice called from behind the bar.

Mal turned but was stopped short as he rotated into the chest of a man the size of a small Agri-Freighter. Being eye to belly button made a conversation difficult. He took a step back and realized that the person talking to him was behind the large man now blocking his way.

"Mal, I would have thought that you would have come to see me first thing when you landed. Being as we're such good friends. If I didn't know better I would have thought you were trying to avoid me." The man continued from behind his beefy bodyguard.

Mal was growing more confused by the moment. "I'm sorry partner, but I think you mightta got me confused with someone who looks like me, handsome fella I gotta say. Now I ain't got no idea what you're talking 'bout, so if you'll excuse us we'll be…" Looking towards the door the crew began to make their exit.

"Now just hold on a sec, Malcolm, no need to run off. I think we have some business to discuss." The man stepped out between Mal and the door before they could leave.

"Bard?" Mal exclaimed.