Read the excerpt below.Firefly: Big Damn Herois availablefor pre-order.
Why cant things just go easy for once?Mal Reynolds wondered.
There was only one way to describe the operation of the docks: organized chaos.
Credit: Titan Books
Well, not so organized.
It was a gorramn miracle there werent more midair collisions.
The Alliance taxed businesses and citizens with a gleeful rapacity.
And what did Persephonians do in response?
Why, they celebrated the day they signed their lives away and joined the Alliance.
The anniversary of which was today.
And how did Mal celebrate it?
By taking another job from Badger.
Zoe was the kind of woman who spoke softly and carried a big gun.
Mal motioned for her to come closer.
I dont like it, sir, she said, biting off the words.
Duly noted, Mal said.
The weight squashed the front tires nearly flat and made black smoke pour from the tailpipe.
Grim-faced, Zoe and Mal backed well out of the way.
Trusting your business partners was like trusting a rattlesnake not to bite you: noble but misguided.
Behind the wide-bodied goons stood the cocky Cockney racketeer.
That trait seemed particularly in evidence today, which Mal couldnt help but find suspicious.
Then he beamed at Mal, showing yellow, crooked teeth.
Just about done with the hard part.
Remind me again, said Mal.
Mal, Mal, Mal.
The more genial Badger sounded, the more it made Mals toes curl and his trigger finger itch.
Oh mate, you still holding a grudge about that?
Okay, so the deal went down the khazi.
Dont think my understandin of that word is the same as your understandin.
When its done, it’s possible for you to consider the debt between us settled.
Just sayin Id rather itd been settled at the time.
What can I say?
I ad cash-flow problems.
So did I, in as much as the cash wasnt flowing from you to me.
But thats all in the past.
Were chums again now, aint we?
He was very picky about who he was chums with, and Badgerwouldnever qualify for that status.
Sir, Zoe said, with urgency, into Mals ear.
Dont want to come across like a worrywart…
Then dont, Zoe.
But Im going to say it again: this is a bad idea.
This cargo is too volatile.
I know, I know, Mal replied.
Highly specialized, highly explosive explosives.
Oh, and everything would also be fine as long as the HTX-20 didnt get wet.
Or was jostled unduly.
But apart fromthat, things were just dandy.
Surprise marriages being another.
But not to dwell on the negative.
Mal watched Zoe flinch as the forklift operator almost took out their ball hoop.
The vehicles twin metal tines had held so far, but the crates were burdensome, that was obvious.
He couldnt wait for this to be over.
Life sure had gotten complex.
No doubt about it, Mal preferred staying in the sky.
The silent void of the Black was ever so much more to his liking.
But such was not always practical.
He had to touch down from time to time, for take on supplies and get paying work.
Beyond the open cargo-bay door, Eavesdown Docks spread out in all its rusty, gritty glory.
On the verge of the field, brightly colored paper parasols twirled.
Dogs of varied size and indefinable breed ran in packs through the potholed street.
Horns honked rhythmically, or maybe it was someones donkey braying?
If he was being honest, Mal had to admit he currently had a foot in both camps.
Sir, Zoe prodded.
All the danger decals, sir.
The ones youve been giving the evil eye since the moment the crates arrived.
Oh,thosedanger decals.
Well, folks sometimes exaggerate.
On account of the legal liability.
Mal tried to sound credible, but even he wasnt buying it.
Easy does it, now, Badger cautioned as the forklift crept across the deck with its suspension-crushing load.
Everything was going according to plan, then suddenly, not so much.
That end of the huge crate abruptly dropped, sliding off the edge of the intact fork.
