"I'm not much inclined to socializing, so no need to worry about me running my mouth where I shouldn't," Mal assured her. "Can't imagine someone getting all worked up over some missing crew." Although, judging by his tone he not only could imagine such a thing, but he was pretty sure Trudy could too. "Not that we can really help them much if we all wind up dead."

Now that sounded very interesting indeed. Sure, the Doctor was more than capable of reattaching limbs, but procedures like regrowing skin could only be accomplished in the more advanced Alliance Hospitals, which were of course reserved only for the most well behaved, and wealthiest, Alliance citizens. "I know a doctor who, if he woke up, would be mighty interested in that sort of advanced tech. Sounds like the sort of thing the Core Worlds had back home." His eyes grew sharp as Trudy described the real mess her crew had found themselves in, and he gave the impression of a man filing away every detail for consideration.

"So basically, you jump the gun and launch a rescue where you don't need one, you risk not getting the medical supplies, and kick starting a war where you're badly out numbered. Am I reading this right?"