CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Standard disclaimer. If anyone doesn't know by now I don't own Firefly and don't get paid for this, they aren't reading this anyway, right? Enjoy.
FF
"Well, what d'ya'll think?" Mal asked.
"It's big," Jayne noted.
"That it is," Zoe nodded in agreement.
"Ain't pretty as Serenity," Kaylee chimed in, a but indignantly.
"Tredder class long range heavy transport," River intoned. "Carries approximately forty seven point two nine percent more cargo than Serenity. Berthing for up to twenty passengers and ten crewmembers. Double hulled. One shuttle, Fieara class inner system shuttle with approximately sixty four point six percent more range than the shuttles we carry now. Capacity of fifteen." She looked at Mal.
"Insufficient as a life boat, in the event of multiple passengers."
"Well, I'd thought about gettin' another shuttle, was I to buy it," Mal told her. "There's hook-ups for another, just ain't got it, that's all."
"Sir, are you plannin' on using this local?"
"No," Mal shook his head. "Thinkin' on using it to haul cargo, and the occasional passengers back coreward a ways."
"What kinda cargo?" Jayne asked.
"Ain't got to that yet, but I'm leaning toward using one o' Goldie's ideas."
"Well, I'm sure that'll work out just fine," Jayne snorted.
"Which idea would that be, sir," Zoe asked, glaring at Jayne.
"He mentioned gettin' into some kinda business where we hauled goods o' some notion from here inward, and then could bring shipments back, either to sell, or on contract for folk's here'bouts. Seems like a fair plan, to me," he added.
"So you thinking on going into some other business, and supporting it with a new ship?" Jayne asked, considering.
"Along them lines, yeah," Mal admitted.
"I. . .we," he glanced at River, "might be interested in something like that."
"Indeed," River nodded. "We have capital to invest. Have you any prospects?"
"Well, not as yet," Mal allowed. "Ain't got the ship, yet," he pointed out. "And that brings us to the point o' why I asked all o' ya to come here with me. I want us to go over this thing with a fine tooth comb. See what might ail her, and get an idea what it'll cost to get her up to spec."
"I'll check the bridge equipment," River nodded.
"I'll take the engines and systems," Kaylee added.
"Jayne, I want you and Zoe to have a walk through, and see how defensible this thing is, was it to be boarded. I need to know it can make it through a pirate attack, or some other such unfortunateness."
"We can do that," Zoe nodded. "We ain't gettin' any younger standin' here," she ordered. "Let's get started."
FF
Three hours later, the group assembled in the generous galley area to compare notes.
"She's got a twin reactor, twin engine set up, Cap'n," Kaylee told him. "Javan 435 plants, and a Fabian reactor shell. Needs a little tender, I'm thinkin', but she ought to be fast. Faster than Serenity, even loaded," she admitted, almost grudgingly.
"Me and River checked the systems out, and they're all green but for some bitty trouble with coms. I can make that right, no trouble. She's old, but whoever's been takin' care of her knows what they're doin', and that's a fact."
"Bridge controls are completely functional, and in good order. Everything works. The sensor system is a LRG-AP15, which is an older but very reliable sensor suite with good range. The cortex system is also good quality, if aged, and works fine."
"The bridge is set-up to allow one person to handle the bridge except when manual piloting is engaged, in which case another person would be needed to monitor other systems. Without flying it, I cannot judge the handling or control systems, other than to tell you that everything checks out green during power up."
"She's laid out pretty well," Zoe admitted. "Jayne and me tried to reason out any way someone might try to board. There's an airlock in the cargo bay, one atop the bridge, and two more where the shuttles mate up. They're heavy, and would take some work to break through."
"Main passageway runs the length of the ship, up to the cargo bay," Jayne took a turn. "Galley and crew bunks are forward, passenger bunks rearward, except for one aft crew cabin for the engineer."
"How you know it's for the engineer?" Kaylee asked.
"Got a repeater station for almost ever system on the ship, same as the Captain's quarters forward. And it's right to the head of the engine room passage way."
"Wow, that's pretty neat!" Kaylee said, enthused.
"Cargo bay is big," Zoe affirmed. "I'd say River's estimate is right on."
"Not an estimate," River replied, smiling.
"Fair enough," Zoe grinned back. "Thing is, you can haul a lotta cargo on this thing, sir. I do wonder what the cargo area being so rearward will do to the handling in atmo, but I gotta think it's doable. This isn't a new ship, and she's still crankin'."
"What I thought, too," Mal nodded, pleased with the assessment. "So, I'm takin' recommendations here. Test fly, or pass on it?"
"I'd fly it," River said at once, and Kaylee nodded her agreement.
"Why not," Jayne shrugged.
"Can't hurt, sir," Zoe said. "You don't have to buy it, either way."
"Well, let's us see if we can get a test flight out of it, then," Mal smiled.
FF
"She's handling very well," River informed him as they lifted off.
"Kaylee, how're things lookin'?"
"Mister Bertram's got her purrin' like a kitten, Cap'n," Kaylee called back. Sammy Bertram had been the last engineer to work on the ship, and had been staying aboard, maintaining the systems until it sold.
"Good deal," Mal replied.
"Preparing to leave atmo," River reported. She angled the large ship toward the black. Soon, the boat was in orbit around Astra, stars visible in the screen.
"Zoe, fire up the sensor suite," Mal ordered. She moved to do so. Soon the system was up and reporting.
"Looks good, sir," she observed. "I'll check the computer." She entered the pass code they'd been given, and observed the auto report from the planet below. Everything checked with what she was used to seeing on Serenity.
"Systems are nominal, sir. Five-by-five." Mal took the mike again.
"Kaylee, what does Bertram think about openin' her up a little," he asked with a grin.
"He says lower the boom, Cap'n. She can take it," Kaylee replied a moment later.
"Let's do a half-burn, then," Mal ordered. River and Kaylee spoke for a moment, and then the ship lurched forward, picking up speed quickly.
"This ship has bottom to it," River assured him. "We are already at three-quarter's of Serenity's top speed, and climbing."
"Kaylee, what's this doing to our fuel consumption?" Mal asked, taking notes on everything.
"She's burnin' faster, o' course, but. . .honestly, Cap'n, she's doin' pretty good. I'd say fuel use is maybe fifteen percent above what Serenity would be usin' at burn. Maybe a little higher, but I'll be able to tell ya for sure after a few minutes."
"Keep an eye on it then," Mal ordered. "We'll hold this speed twenty minutes, and then check."
"You got it, Cap'n."
FF
The ship landed smoothly, River doing an excellent job on a ship she'd never flown before. Powering down the bridge systems, she glanced over at Mal.
"She's a good ship, Baba," she said firmly.
"Zo'?" Mal asked.
"I agree, sir," the amazon nodded. "It fills every need, and it's a good ship, seems like."
"What ya think, lil Kaylee?" Mal asked when she and Bertram walked up. Sammy Bertram was about Mal's age, and had been in space most of his life. Mal had liked him right away when he'd spoken to him.
"She's a right good ship, Cap'n," Kaylee said at once. "Like I said, needs a little care, here and there, but Sammy says the owner wasn't wantin' to put money into her when he was sellin' her."
"I'll stake my name on her being solid, sir," Bertram added. "She's been a good ship to work on. She'll get you where you need to go, and back again. I'll miss the old girl," he patted the bulkhead fondly.
"Well, let's talk about that," Mal smiled.
FF
"There's too much work needs doin' for me to give you that kinda coin," Mal argued with the man on the screen. "Like I said, I think she's perfect for my needs, and I want'er. But the price is just too high, considerin' what I'ma have to spend on her, gettin' her ready for takin' jobs."
"Reynolds, that ship is worth a third more than I'm asking for it," the owner shook his head. "You're getting a bargain at my price, and you know it."
"She ain't a bargain when I got to spend even more coin to make'er ready for service," Mal replied calmly, shaking his own head. "I'm offerin' a thousand five hundred less than you're askin', and even that ain't gonna cover half my cost. Much as I like'er, and want'er, I can't foot that kinda bill. If I could, like as not I'd take'er as is for the askin' price, but I can't, and that's just the way it is."
"I'm truly sorry we couldn't reach a deal," Mal finished. "It's been a pleasure, though. You get out my way, give me a shout. I'll treat you to lunch at Rose's. Best meatloaf in the system," he smiled.
"Don't be so damn hasty, Reynolds," the man shot back. "Now look here, we're bound to be able to come to some kind of arrangement. What, exactly are you planning to do, that she needs all this work."
The haggling lasted another twenty minutes, during which Mal managed to get the ship for one thousand less than was asked.
"You drive a hard bargain, Reynolds," the admitted grudgingly. "Tell the truth, I'm glad she's goin' to someone that'll take care of her. She's been a good boat. And if you need an engineer, Bert is the best you'll find. He can keep her in the sky when she oughta fall right out of it."
"I'll bear that in mind," Mal nodded. "I'll have the check delivered to you today, if possible. If not, first thing in the morning."
"I'll have the title delivered to your attorney, after I get the check," the now previous owner agreed. "And I'll get out there for that lunch, too. Least you can do after robbin' me blind," he laughed good natured.
"I'll look forward to it," Mal promised as the connection broke. He turned to Bertram.
"So, want that job?"
"Hell yes!" the man was delighted.
"Well, you got it. Now, let's see about gettin' this thing serviced, and be on our way."
FF
"So what will you call her, Mal," Inara asked. They were standing near the ship, which now occupied the pad next to Kaylee's shop.
"You know, I ain't really gave it no thought," he admitted. "Got any ideas?"
"Well, you could call her Muad'Dib," she smiled. Mal thought about that for a minute.
"You know, that ain't a bad notion," he nodded finally. Inara knew that Mal had been enamored with the Dune series of books. He'd read them all, twice, during his recuperation.
"Muad'Dib, huh," Mal said it aloud. "Kinda rolls of the tongue at that, don't it? You like that, I take it?" he asked, looking down at her.
"I think it reflects certain changes in a certain Captain over the last year or so," Inara smiled beautifully. "I do indeed."
"Then Muad'Dib it is," Mal said firmly. "Reckon we'll have a big gorram worm painted on the side," he added.
"Sandworm, Mal," Inara sighed. "Sandworm."
"What I said."
FF
The family of Serenity was happy. River had recovered her memory, Mal was doing better than even Simon had expected, business was good. Mal had a new ship, and had asked Blade and Wart to consider moving to the new ship, with Wart possibly the Captain, and Blade the pilot. The couple had considered that, and after speaking with Jayne, decided to take the offer. With River back, there wasn't much need for them on Companion anymore anyway.
River had joined Mal, Inara, and Kaylee for several business meetings, and had entered a joint venture between the three couples represented. Quality hover mules were difficult to come by, and often very costly to boot. Kaylee had kept their old mule running when it seemed like the poor thing was fit only for a scrap yard. In doing so, she had developed several ideas that would make the vehicles more sturdy, dependable, and ultimately affordable.
And thus was born the Argo Manufacturing Consortium. Kaylee and River were already designing several versions of the vehicle, including applications for wildfire fighting, peace officers, industry, and of course, agriculture. Muad'Dib's large cargo hold would be able to carry several of the vehicles coreward, or to Astra, and they likewise expected sales here on Argo.
Jayne and River provided the start-up capital, Kaylee would oversee the technical work as well as the plant set-up, and Mal and Inara would establish business contacts and sales points. They would each own a one third stake in the business.
No one in Serenity's extended family had any idea that while they were celebrating so many good things, that someone was planning bad things.
Things that would impact them all.
FF
George Flint was waiting at the terminal when the ship arrived, Annassa by his side. Their attendants were around them, as usual, shielding them from the people around them, and watching for signs of attack.
Flint stiffened slightly when the group exited the shuttle. He almost didn't recognize them. The Five Fingers couldn't hide what they were by their movements and actions, but they had dressed to allay casual observers from becoming suspicious.
"Sir," the leader bowed slightly. "We are come, as bid." Those behind them were looking all around, examining this strange place, and it's people. They rarely left their homeworld, and even more rarely set foot on another.
"Well met," Flint replied. "I have work for you to do. Come, I have lodging prepared, and a meal. After that, we will talk."
"What sort of mission is it, sir?" the leader asked.
"One of the utmost importance to our clan," Flint assured him. "One that only the Five Fingers of the Bear Fist can accomplish."
"We serve our clan, Chieftain," the man's fist came to rest over his heart. "We are your's to command."
FF
Companion was preparing to lift off for it's run to Astra. Cargo was being loaded, and River and Holly were making their pre-flight. Liam was supervising the load out.
Which gave Chelsa the perfect opportunity to talk to Jayne.
"Daddy, when we land at Astra this time, will you take me shopping?"
"Me?" Jayne was puzzled. "What you lookin' for, Princess," he asked.
"I want to get Momma something nice," Chelsa replied. "You know, something to kinda celebrate her gettin' her memory back and all."
"That's very nice, baby girl," Jayne smiled down at her. "What are thinkin' 'bout?"
"Well, I saw this really nice bracelet," Chelsa told him. "Last time we were on the planet. Momma remarked how nice it was. I don't know if she 'members it or not, but I'm thinkin' she will, and I wanna get it for her."
"How much this bracelet cost?" Jayne asked, sensing a set-up.
"Well, that's why I want you to take me," Chelsa admitted, blushing a little.
"I see," Jayne nodded. "Well, okay then. We'll do it."
"Really?" Chelsa looked up, eyes bright.
"Sure. Me and you'll go pick it up soon's we land. Sound good?"
"Thank you, Daddy!" Chelsa hugged him tight. "Remember though," she told him. "It's a secret!"
"My lips are sealed, darlin'."