Really? Now? They have to run into surprise merc bullshit now, when they're trying to keep it a secret from York's 'delicate flame,' who's hopefully not as delicate as York says he is. But at this point, it's more important to keep everyone safe than keep a secret. Wash pulls on his helmet and draws a pistol from the inside of his jacket. He's always prepared, he has to be, but he wishes he had something a little bigger.

Under no circumstances is Wash going to let those goons get inside the shop. It's too small, the people inside are too easy targets. Wash moves toward the airlock, but his head is turned towards York and Sigma when he says, "I'm gonna go outside, hold 'em off, get them the fuck out of here. You coming? Or are you staying with Sigma?" Wash doesn't wait for an answer. There's no time.

He's out of the airlock now, and he can't believe who he sees.

"Tex? The fuck are you doing here?"