My Own Kind of Freedom, page 39

My Own Kind of Freedom, page 39 by Steven Brust

inst the bulkhead, and closed his eyes. "Wo taoyan fuza," he said, and headed up to the bridge. Zoë fell into step beside him.

"For someone who hates complications, sir, you do seem to go out of your way to create them."

"You should be used to it."

"Oh, I am."

"Well then. I'd like to get paid."

"Paid would be good, sir. What about the fed?"

"What about him?"

"We're not going to do anything?"

"What would you suggest we do, Zoë?"

"I'm not sure, sir."

"Well, if you get any ideas, let me know."

"I have a question, though."

"Hmmm?"

"If that was a fed, who was trying to kill him?"

"Lot of folk on this world got no reason to love the Alliance."

"Yes, sir. But not loving them is one thing, killing a fed is another. And that wasn't just killing a fed, that was planned."

"There's something to that."

"So, what do you think, sir?"

"I think I want to get paid."

"Yes, sir."

Wash turned his head. "Paid? But I thought this job was legal. Are we supposed to get paid for legal jobs, too?"

"Did you find the source?"

"It came from about two miles away from us, Mal. I can bring up a map of town and show you the place."

"Okay, take us out of the world."

"What about being paid?"

"Don't give up yet."

"What course should I set?"

"None. Synchronous orbit; keep us right here."

"Okay."

"Sir?" said Zoë. "Why--?"

"I'm taking the shuttle down. If something goes wrong, I want Serenity to be able to get away clean so we don't lose River and Simon."

"And you?"

"I'm in no danger."

"Of course not, sir. You're going to find that Alliance agent, aren't you?"

"Alliance agent?" said Wash. "What--?"

"Zoë," said Mal. "Why would I go seek out a fed?"

"Because you're curious, sir, and can't leave anything alone."

"What fed?" said Wash.

"I'll tell you all about it, de