CHAPTER ONE SERENITY SHIN-YO

Shin-Yo was a “nearly deserted” world according to its description on the cortex. With no official population even listed, it wasn’t the type of place you wanted to find yourself alone. Made up of 85% water, it was one of the Alliance’s first attempts to terraform a water world. The process had been unsuccessful, with repercussions ranging from severe and unpredictable storm seasons to seismic instability. This made it a haven for smugglers, thieves and fugitives. It was also quite appealing to the occasional Reaver ship! To function on Shin-Yo a ship either had to be retrofit for a fluid environment, or a new ship had to be obtained. These two options were very expensive, with few who could afford such luxuries. This made the guest list a veritable who’s who of intergalactic criminals.

It was here, among the thousands of tiny islands doting the surface of the planet, that our big damn heroes lurked. Cruising under the surface of the choppy water, Mal sat scrutinizing his instruments arrayed in front of him. If everything went according to plan, he said to himself. That very thought made a small smile dance across his lips, as his plans were notorious for running afoul despite his planning. With Kaylee in the co-pilot position to Mal’s left and Jayne sitting behind her, they were beginning their descent into the black waters of shin-Yo. However unfit for mass population the Alliance may have made the planet, it sure made a fun place to visit.

Testing out his new purchase was their real reason for today’s little cruise, but Mal couldn’t help but stare in wonder out the shuttle’s portholes. As many times as he had blasted through the atmosphere to reach space, he hadn’t expected to find himself quite so spellbound in the depths. They cruised on a bit further, banking port and starboard. In the silence of the murky half-light, Jayne spoke up from the back and effectively broke the spell. “Hell, at least up in the black you got the stars to guide ya’. Down here, you got no landmarks to speak of.” He voiced what they were thinking in a surprisingly accurate manner, Mal thought to himself.

“Port vent thrust in 3...2...1...” Mal said to Kaylee, who responded by tapping her controls, sending the craft rolling from the port side. After two complete rolls, she leveled the ship out by cutting the thrust. Shaking his head to shed the effects, Mal looked over at her with a wide grin and asked. “Ready?” Smiling back, she responded. “Yes sir!” From behind them, Jayne added. “Y’all need to take it easy ‘cause I don’t feel so shiny.” Still grinning, Mal replied. “Starboard vent thrust in 3...2...1...” Once again Kaylee did her part, sending them in a barrel roll in the opposite direction. Leveling off a couple rolls later, Jayne said. “Really Mal, I’m startin’ to feel green!” Taking a firm grip on the helm, Mal swung the ship around to the right, accelerating as they turned. Straightening out at almost breakneck speed, Mal looked over at Kaylee and hollered. “Hit it!” Responding to her commands, the vent thrusts on both sides of the craft kicked in. “Guys really, I think I’m gonna’ be sick!” Jayne added from the back, a touch of panic in his voice. Rising rapidly, Kaylee warned. “Brace yourselves.” Moments later they broke through the waters surface, into the waiting daylight. Reigning back on the engine’s output, she leveled them off and brought them to a complete stop. There they hovered, 20 feet in the air, with water rolling off the smooth exterior of the vessel.

Mal looked over at Kaylee again and let out the breath he had been holding in. As he was about to speak, Jayne shouted. “Oh shit!” Leaning forward, he threw up all over the control panel between his shipmates. Looking back to see Jayne, all pale faced and shaky, Kaylee yelled “Ooooh, gross!” “Gorramit, I told y’all I was gonna be sick!” Jayne replied to his horrified companions. After wiping off some of Jayne’s mess, Mal guided them towards a small cluster of islands. Weaving his way calmly through to the center, he headed to a large isle in the center of the chain. Landing gently on the white sand beach, Mal looked back at Jayne and snapped “You are gonna’ finish cleanin’ this up!”

Mal hit the release button to open the hatch and de-pressurized the cabin. Jayne lowered the steps down the side and looked sheepishly at Kaylee, extending his arm towards the waiting exit, offering her a quick exit. “Ladies first.” He said. Giggling almost uncontrollably at this point, she walked past him and descended to the sand. As Mal followed behind, he cast a last glance back at Jayne and growled. “Get busy!”