Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. I’m just playing. No money being made. The situations come from my own twisted mind as do my original characters.

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AN: Just some more back story on the crew and a glimpse of what's happening back at Serenity acres. Next chapter, we'll see if Sara's ship can do what it's supposed to do.

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Quest-Chapter Three

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“Ready to clear moorings,” Virgil said from his seat at the helm.

“Very well,” Sara replied.

“Reactors on line. Ready for propulsion,” said Clay from his seat behind Sara at the engineering console.

“Understood,” The captain replied.

Sara glanced around the bridge. Laid out in a series of terraces, at the front and lowest sat the pilot and co-pilots positions. Slightly raised and behind on either side sat the weapons and sensor consoles. Manned, or in this case womaned, respectively by Meghan Riley and Rachel Cobb.

In the center on a slightly raised platform sat the command chair where Sara sat. There were displays built into the arms and several screens within arms reach. The chair also swiveled so the captain could face every position.

Behind the command chair, and raised yet again were the engineering and main computer consoles. Clay sat behind the engineering panel and Melissa minded the computer systems.

In front of everyone lay the large windows that showed the blackness of space. The glass of each was also a screen for displaying overlays of sensor data or even zoomed images from Quest's optical systems.

Sara activated the cortex screen to her left, “Dockyard. Quest is ready to depart.”

“Copy Quest,” replied the controller on the screen, “Cleared to undock. The two ASREV's are standing by to come aboard as soon as you are clear.”

“Copy,” Sara replied as she cut the wave. She smiled at her awaiting husband, sitting behind the controls, “Take us out.”

With a slight thump, Quest separated from the space station's air lock. Jeff eased the vessel away from the massive construct using just the thrusters.

“One hundred meters,” Virgil called.

“Ahead one eighth,” Sara ordered.

At Quest's aft end, the fusion engines flared to life and the ship smoothly pulled away from the dockyard.

“Put us in synchronous orbit, Husband,” Sara grinned. Knowing how much it irked Jeff for her to call him that. She had to admit, she did sound like her mother when she used that term.

Virgil chuckled as Jeff eased the ship into their orbit.

“Quest, this is Raptor six-one. Requesting docking,” crackled a voice over the ship to ship com.

“Copy, Raptor,” Virgil replied, “Stand by.”

The port side bridge window turned opaque and sensor data and imagery of the two Alliance ASREV gunships appeared.

Sara keyed the internal com, “Owen, guests inbound for the port docking bay.”

“Copy, Cap'n,” the young man replied.

Quest was equipped with three docking bays amidships. The largest was on top of the hull and housed Sara Jane. On either side of the hull there were a pair of smaller bays. The starboard bay held two standard short range shuttles with room for a larger ship if necessary.

The port bay had been cleared to hold the two gunships. It would be tight but the bay was just big enough.

The two ASREV's held station two hundred yards away from the hull. After a few moments, the docking bay doors began to open, spilling light into the darkness as they had entered the night side of Londinium.

With practiced skill, the two small ships slipped into the bay. As soon as they had alighted on the deck, the door began to close. With the door secured, air rushed into the space to pressurize the area. After several moments, a warning light mounted on the bulkhead changed from red to green. Indicating that it was safe to exit the two fighters.

Sara and Jeff walked into the bay, trailed by Owen, Rachel and Becca. The deck plates felt cold through their boots due to the bay's recent exposure to space. After a moment, the hatches opened on the two Alliance ships.

First out was the commander of the detachment. A tall man with a shock of iron gray hair became visible as he removed his helmet. After removing his gloves, he stepped forward.

“I'm looking for Captain Reynolds.”

Sara stepped forward, “That would be me. Captain Sara Bryant-Reynolds.”

The officer was taken aback. This girl who looked barely older than his own daughter was the captain?

Sara saw the play of emotions on the man's face and growled slightly under her breath. The officer realized that this dark skinned young woman was staring daggers at him. Setting aside his own bias, he held out his hand.

“Commander Cordell Olson.”

Sara put on her plastic smile. The one she had used at social functions ever since she was ten, “Welcome aboard, Commander.”

A woman cleared her throat behind the commander.

“Excuse me,” the commander said, “Let me introduce my people. This is my XO, Lt. Commander Vicki Baxter and this is Lt. Luigi Coletti.”

Sara nodded to the two officers. Two more people stood further back. The Commander continued, “This is our maintenance staff. Chief Petty Officer, Alexandra Woodard and Petty Officer Hipolito Flores.”

“Welcome aboard,” Sara replied. “As I said, I'm Captain Sara Bryant-Reynolds. This is my XO and husband, Jefferson Reynolds. My Chief Engineer, Rebecca Tam, Our Science officer, Rachel Cobb and Mission Specialist, Owen Son.”

“Pleased to meet you,” said Lt. Commander Baxter with a genuine smile. Sara looked at her closely. Blonde hair, pretty face and a decent figure. Yep. Either Baxter was really good at her job or had slept her way to her rank. Sara figured that it was the former. If so, they would get along just fine.

“If you would all follow me? I'll introduce you to the rest of the crew. Then we can get your gear to your quarters,” Sara said as she turned

“Very well,” replied the Commander. His people filed behind Sara and her crew.

XXXXXXXXXX

After introductions in the galley the air hung quiet for a few moments before Commander Olson spoke, “Forgive me if this seems... awkward. But... your crew seems more like a university class than a crew.”

“Because of our ages,” Sara answered.

“Yes.”

“Out of the ten smartest, living people in the 'Verse. Four are sitting at this table,” Sara stated.

“Shenme?” asked Lt. Coletti.

“The highest recorded IQ of anyone currently living is Professor Shen Qui Tong from Shinon. The second is Rachel's mother. Number four is my father and number six is Becca's father.”

“Who's number three?” asked Lt. Commander Baxter.

“Me,” Sara replied, “And Rachel is number five.”

“You said four were at the table,” stated Chief Woodard.

“Like I said, Rachel is number five and Becca is seven. The fourth is Virgil over there, barely holding onto number ten. However if he keeps drinking the engine hooch Becca makes he'll kill enough brain cells to drop out of the top ten” Sara finished with a grin. Her navigator held up his coffee mug in salute to his captain, a matching grin on his face.

“Every member of this crew is a member of Mensa. Including Muscles over there,” Becca said smiling as she indicated Joe Park across the table..

“I...see,” replied Commander Olson.

“You're worried about our experience level,” Rachel said with a slight smile on her face.

“How...”

“Rachel is very insightful,” Sara replied quickly. “I've held a commercial pilot's license since the time I was sixteen Same for my husband. We both got our class two master's licenses when we turned eighteen. Becca has been a fully certified, ships engineer since she was fifteen. Virgil was flying orbital hops for his father on Greenleaf when he was seventeen.”

“Jeff, Sara, Rachel and I, grew up together as the kids of a freighter crew,” Becca stated, “We've spent half our lives in space.”

“Isn't your father the former CEO of Blue Sun?” asked Lt. Coletti, looking directly at Sara.

“Yes. But he was also the co-pilot on a Firefly captained by Jeff's father. My mother was First Mate,” Sara replied, “We know what we're doing when it comes to handling spacecraft.”

“Apparently so.” Commander Olsen replied.

Changing the subject, Sara looked at her guests, “Ground rules. You are all guests on this ship. You will have full use of all facilities on board. However, I will request that you stay out of the engineering spaces unless you are invited. Same for the bridge. First thing tomorrow morning, Dr. Lee will be examining you to establish a baseline medical profile. The FTL drive system is untested on this scale so we need to have before and after medical comparisons.”

The two enlisted mechanics and Lt. Coletti paled slightly. Lt. Commander Baxter smiled and Commander Olsen looked nonplussed.

“Sounds more than reasonable, Captain,” replied Olsen

“Another thing,” Sara said, “We're pretty much either family or good friends on this ship. It may sound fairly informal around here but I assure you. We are all professionals in our respective fields.”

“Point taken,” replied, Commander Olsen.

“Good,” Sara smiled, “Joe, Owen. Give our guests a hand getting settled into their quarters. The rest of you back to what you were doing before our meeting. Dinner's at 18:30.”

With that, the five Alliance people rose to their feet and followed Owen and Joe out of the galley. Sara looked at her husband, “Baby?”

“Seem like a decent lot. Commander seems to be a bit of a hard ass, but that comes with the rank, I reckon.”

“I agree, “Sara replied. She looked over at her sensor officer. Who was a walking sensor herself, “Rachel?”

“No duplicity,” The eighteen year old psychic replied, “There is unresolved sexual tension between Commander Olsen and Lt. Commander Baxter. Woodard and Flores are lovers but the Commander doesn't know this. Lt. Coletti thinks Sherry is cute.”

Meghan and Sherry snickered. The poor lieutenant didn't know the two women were sly and shared a cabin on the ship. Jeff just chuckled.

Sara did her best to hide her own smile, “Well if he comes on to Sherry, don't hurt him too bad Meghan,”

“Aye Captain,” she drawled in her Dyton accent.

“Coletti ain't too bad,” Roseanne remarked.

“He considered you his second choice of the women on board,” Rachel sighed.

“Buck up Mei-mei,” Sara said as she rose from the table, “There's gotta be a boy out there with the brains to keep up with you somewhere...”

“There is. Except Daddy doesn't like him.”

“Who? Derrick?”

Rachel nodded.

“As soon as the testing is over. We'll need more crew. Maybe we can work something out.”

The eighteen year old brightened. Across the table, Melissa just chuckled, “You carrying a torch for my baby brother, Rachel?”

“He's only your baby brother because Sylvia adopted you.”

“Doesn't matter, little one. He'd be a good match for you. Besides, he wants to be an engineer. Getting him an slot here on Quest, he can learn it from the best.”

Becca blushed and leaned on Clay's shoulder.

“Okay, enough with the 'lets get some trim for Rachel' club. We've got work to do. Let's be getting to it.

XXXXXXXXXX

“Are you about done, Husband?” Zoë asked as she stuck her head into the small bridge of Allan's latest toy.

“Five minutes,” he replied as he slid out from under the instrument panel.

Zoë stood with her hands on her hips, “This is what happens when I let you get your own ship again...”

Allan grinned at her, stood, pulled his wife close and kissed her. Zoë reacted favorably but still glared at him, “You like this little boat and you know it,” Allan said after he broke the kiss.

“Maybe...”

“I did promise to teach you how to fly one of these...”

“Twenty five years ago,” Zoë shot back. A slight grin appearing on her face.

“Not my fault the other one blew up.”

“Well. It took a while but you did keep the promise,” Zoë admitted.

“I always keep em'.”

“Then you better get cleaned up so we can meet Mal and Inara for dinner in town.”

“Yes, ma'am,” Allan replied as he began picking up his tools.

Five minutes later, Allan walked down the small ramp that led into his ship. It looked positively ancient on the outside due to the fact that it was a rivet for rivet replica of an early 22nd century Blue Sun aerospace orbital shuttle, dating back to Earth-that-was. On the inside, the small ship was as modern as they came.

As Allan walked away from the Serenity Acres landing pad, he had to turn and look back at the setting sunlight gleaming off the white paint. Allan grinned at the stylized bald eagle painted on the nose of the ship As well as the words underneath

Free Bird II.

XXXXXXXXXX

“That it?” Commander Olsen asked as Sherry removed the blood pressure cuff from the pilot's arm.

“That's it,” The doctor replied.

“Must be a little strange,” The commander mused, “Being one of the oldest people on the ship.”

“Not counting you and your people, Commander. I'm the second oldest. Melissa Forbes is the oldest. And actually, if you actually counted her real birth year, she's one of the oldest people in the 'Verse.”

“Shenme?”

“Melissa is a survivor of the Kansas.”

“You're kidding.”

“I'm not. Mel was born on Earth-that-was and spent over four hundred years in cryo.”

“That's amazing,” the officer replied.

“Physically, Mel is thirty seven. She actually baby sat Sara, Jeff and Rebecca when she was a teenager. Shortly after she and her adopted mother were rescued from the Kansas.”

“I guess the Captain was right. You are mostly a family.”

“We are,” Sherry replied, “And it will be more of a family after tomorrow. Sara's parents will be joining us for the other two test hops.”

“Are the rumors true about Dr. Bryant?”

“Which ones? The one where he singlehandedly overthrew the corrupt leadership at Blue Sun, or the one where he designed the exodus ships?”

“Exodus ships.”

“True. Physically, Allan is seventy seven years old. In actuality, he's nearly five hundred years old. Four hundred eighty to be precise. But to look at him you'd think he was in his sixties.”

“How old is the Captain? She can't be older than twenty five or six.”

“Sara is twenty four. Allan was nearly fifty five when she was born.”

“Damn. I've got a twenty year old in college and I'm almost forty six. I can't imagine changing diapers for the first time in my fifties.”

“Sara's dad is... unique.”

“I imagine so. He as smart as they say?”

“More so. Sara has him by a few IQ points. Got her PhD at an earlier age than Allan but he was running a company at the same time.”

“What about the captain's mother?”

“She's likely, not to take to you right off. She was a Browncoat.”

“Oh,” the Commander replied.

“Zoë's pretty decent. Became a cop after she and Allan married.”

“I thought the Captain said she grew up on a ship?”

“She did. Zoë was the first mate on an old Firefly after the war. After they settled on Boros, Jeff's father still owned the ship and used it to haul horses for his ranch. They spent school breaks flying around the black either hauling horses or Sara's dad to board meetings.”

“Interesting,” said the officer. “How did you get on this crew?”

“Like most... family tie. My father was the personal physician for Jeff's Uncle.”

“I see.”

“The rest of the crew are all college chums or friends of friends. One big happy family.”

“If it works...”

“It does. Everyone on this ship knows Sara is the boss. She takes care of her people and they know it.”

“Goes a little against my grain... the informality.”

“That's because you're career military. Meghan is retired Alliance fleet so I understand that part. Did a tour as a weapons officer on the Dortmunder. That's why she's Weps here on Quest.”

“So, is she is one of the friends of a friend?”

“More like the lover of one,” Sherry replied. “We're engaged.”

“Congratulations.”

“Thanks.”

“Need anything else from me Doctor?”

I'm good. Send Chief Woodard in when you leave. She's the last one I need to see from your people. Any more questions about the crew I can answer?”

“Like you said... I'm good.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“Sure you you two don't want to come along?” Allan asked the other couple.

Inara shook her head, “We can't. I have my first fashion show in three days and Mal has several mares in foal.” Mal nodded in agreement as he had his mouth full.

“Besides, Kaylee's got Serenity torn apart for overhaul down at the port. And Free Bird ain't hardly big enough for one couple, let alone two,” Mal said after swallowing

“It's not small. It's...cozy.” Allan replied. Zoë just smiled and rolled her eyes.

“It's an over sized shuttle,” Mal grinned.

“That's the point,” Allan said, grinning. “Besides, with the new engine, she's got more range than Serenity and a third more speed.”

“Like I said... an over sized shuttle.”

Despite the high class atmosphere of the restaurant, Allan threw a roll at Mal.

TBC