Much as the thought of smooth runnings appealed to Mal in theory, when it was the way things were he couldn't help but find it unsettling. Not too much, but enough that the whole way back to the ship he swore he felt some unfriendly attention right down on the back of his neck. Didn't like it, people being all reasonable and straightforward; left him wondering what there was to be said wasn't being said.<br/><br/>That was Zoe's job, of course. He just had to deal with folk and make things stay square when all the corners were getting shaved off this and thataway. Things got too hot, she'd say as much when he was thinking it. Now all he had was thinking it, and that wears at a man's mind.<br/><br/>Everything was just a touch too convenient. Job sounded simple: light payload, some exotic plants from here to there, minimal attention need be paid to keep'em healthy in their mighty fine little tank compartment what-have-you cases, neither world core nor even all too near anything Alliance might find of interest enough to haul out and look at it close. Man even paid half in advance; they<em>never</em>pay anything in advance, much less volunteer it without being asked. And he hadn't seemed worried none about the prospect of smugglers doing his business for him. Maybe that was really what put him off. Mal didn't think himself a bad person but he'd come to expect it from others most times. Didn't get that at all this time. Just folk talking to folk over two rounds, then off on his way.<br/><br/>So what wasn't being said?<br/><br/>It's all the fine landscape, sir, he told himself, imagining (poorly) his first mate's stiff posture at his side. You're just not used to working around this much pretty.<br/><br/>Sure you're right, barbarian that I am, not suited to such a world.<br/><br/>Shall I shoot and pillage someone?<br/><br/>No, no, I think we're fine without that. Besides, he added on his way through the open cargo bay, seems there's other things to think about already - "Biao-tze de er-tze, how's it my crew up and disappears the moment I step off my ship?" He slapped his hand onto the intercom button at the exit ramp. "Jayne, I find out you hanged my crew while I was finding us work, I'll be mighty disappointed." Didn't wait for a reply on that one - should get the message across - turned and walked right back out with a sun-induced scowl. These ta ma duh markets on the friendly-lookin' worlds, safe and tempting on the surface and figures they'd all get pulled out to look at shiny plates or wrenches or whatnot. He aimed himself center of the marketplace and off he went. Sooner they were back in the air the better, far as he was concerned.