CHAPTER 12 “Serenity to Bobs, slot for the S-loop,” Wash ordered. “Bob 1, acknowledged Serenity,” Jared answered Wash started pulling ahead for the slot formation, expecting Walker to echo the acknowledgement as well. Nothing came. He switched vid to a rear view … Walker was a bit wobbly, but fine. “Bob 2?” Wash tried. Nothing. “Bob 2, this is Serenity, please respond.” “Down!” River cried, then grabbed the yoke and sent Serenity into a nose dive. “River!” Wash panicked at the break of formation and checked the position of the other Bobs. Walker has zoomed into the front position and was now chasing them. “Bob squad, Immelman and regroup at 7000 feet,” Wash ordered. “Serenity what the tian xiao de!” Jared cried. “Jared have you heard anything from Walker?” Wash asked. Walker was hot on Serenity’s tail, swaying like a Reaver ship. “Negative, Serenity, but it sure looks like he’s kissing your pi gu.” “Serenity to Control Tower, Bob 2 is not responding.” Wash waited again. No response. Walker suddenly pulled up and leveled out at 7000 feet and Wash decided to pull above him, top to top, so he could look down into that cockpit and see what was going on. Walker was dead set on the path in front of him. Could his ship have malfunctioned? Wash hailed again. “Serenity, this is Bob 1,” Jared said. “If it’s okay with you, I’m going to set down and wait this one out.” “Acknowledged, Bob 1. I think we should give Walker his space.” Wash looked up again, his bones chilling as Walker met his eyes with a steely glare. River and Wash pulled the yoke together sending Serenity into a roll just as Walker pulled up into an intercept. “Bob 2, this is Serenity. Please confirm that you are trying to kill me.” “Jantis has requested to see your ship crash and burn,” Walker’s scratchy voice growled through the comm. Wash laughed nervously. “I know that trick, Bob 2. I don’t need the assist.” Wash dodged as Walker tried to ram them again. “Kamakazi,” River said. Wash was not amused. He dove down, buzzed the crowd, and circled the main building. “Wash, I thought we were conserving fuel,” Kaylee yelled over the comm. “Change of plan, Kaylee, go with it.” Wash switched comm channels. “Mal?” No response. He swore. “Why do we bother having radios?”

*~*

Amadi was reaching over the counter for the security alarm when Book stood and shouted his name. His former friend was nonplussed, pressing the alarm before turning to face Book. Book prayed that Bristles had already chewed through that particular bundle of wires. “I thought I chased you away.” Amadi came slowly to face off with Book in the middle of the lobby. “You wanted my Firefly.” “And you wanted an excuse to stay and find your whore.” “That is all I ask.” “Today it is. What will you ask tomorrow, or the next? I have worked too hard to build this empire to have you snatch it away like some birthright. She will not leave this planet.” Reason did not seem to be working. Book searched his memory for other leverage, came up blank, and decided to lie … improvise. “Don’t get in my way,” Book threatened. “I can expose you.” “And I can expose you,” Amadi returned easily. “I am not afraid you your tiny little voice. I can squash you like a bug.” “You have no idea how loudly I can speak.” “Did it ever occur to you that the only reason people hear you at all is because of me. Your power derives from mine. I am the government. It would take a nod of my head to cut you off and I can make that nod from the grave.” Time for a new tactic. “Brother –” “Oh, now we play the ‘brother’ card. But it’s too late for that… Brother.” Amadi added the last word like and afterthought and it caught Book so off guard that he immediately glanced around to see if anyone besides Jayne were watching them. Amadi took advantage of the distraction, attacking down the centerline and catching Book square in the jaw, knocking him down. With Book down, Jayne finally had a clear shot, and caught Amadi in the shoulder. Amadi in turn spun around, found a gun, and let off three shots towards Jayne before Book was able to kick the weapon from his hands. With all his might, the Shepherd sprang to his feet and began the attack, unsure if he was willing to strike a deadly blow, but determined to subdue his old friend just the same. His rusted joints protested the quick sharp movements required to defend himself. He could taste the blood in his mouth, felt the snap of his kneecaps when Amadi’s kick connected. His old friend had become a master and Book could not defend himself. He prayed fervently, when a blow connected unexpectedly to his neck and he fell. As the stars spun above him, beyond the blurry face of his former friend, he searched for Jayne, waited for the shot, but the help never came.

*~*

“Captain Reynolds, get up! We have to go!” a familiar voice called from the beyond. Mal could feel the cold, squishy, mold on the floor like a waterbed, threatening to drown his coat. He opened his eyes and the familiar voice was accompanied by a familiar face. “Ta-whubba-Whoa! Ain’t you supposed to be dead? Elle/Nia/Chelsea… “Misty will do,” the girl answered, pulling him to sitting. Mal held his head, trying to recall the electric current that had knocked him out to begin with. “Come on, the boss is coming!” “I mean it,” Mal continued, trying to sort dream from reality. “Dead. I saw your shuttle go down.” “Yes, well, that’s the last time I pilot by remote,” she answered dismissively. “But you didn’t call back. You just let us think you were dead.” “Death lends itself to a very convenient mobility,” she pointed out. Mal became incensed. “Do you know how hard it’s been living with Jayne since you died?!” “Enough chatter. Come on!” She ushered him to his feet and pulled him toward the stairwell at the end of the corridor. Mal yanked his arm free and protested. “I just came down these steps. I ain’t goin’ up without Inara.” “Another minute and we won’t be going up at all. I’ve been trying to track Inara all week. What makes you think she’s here?” “I got this map,” Mal said defensively, pulling out the device for Misty to see. She grabbed it out of his hands swiftly. “Where did you get this?” she mulled. “These tunnels … they shouldn’t exist.” Mal reached for the map again, but Misty turned away quickly, pulling out a comm. “Nia—” “What? Now you’re talking to yourself?” Mal jeered. “Mis, get out of there, now!” a strikingly similar voice responded. Startled, Mal’s jaw dropped. The voice on the other end of the line continued. “Your exit’s gone in two. Is Reynolds hurt?” “He won’t leave without Inara. I gotta get to the control room and open some doors.” “We’ve looked down there!” “Apparently we missed a false wall at level two.” “Jing chang mei yong de Arrgh! Never search tired! “I’ll be up in a mo,” Misty said, then closed the comm and turned to Mal. “Go halfway down this hallway, take the stairs down two levels. Your map picks up here!” “That door is locked,” Mal protested. “It won’t be,” she promised and darted off. “Where are you going?” “To open some doors!”

*~*

Book lay on the floor, feeling the sharp pain of repeated kicks to his rib cage. The stampede of wild horses trampled him and he prayed without hope of rescue. Only death could lift him from the circumstances, he knew. But the prayer could change him. “How can you say the Lord has not seen your troubles?” Book quoted, blood spilling from his mouth. Amadi circled him disdainfully, trying the security alarm again, then the phones. Nothing worked. “Seeking help from on High, brother?” he mocked. “He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak.” “Why do you work against me? Trying to take what is mine?” Amadi raved, kicking him again. Book groaned and rolled away slowly. The movement made him choke on his own blood. “Those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. The will fly high on wings like eagles.” “Bi zui!” Amadi shouted running up again to kick Book. This time, Book found his strength, rolled out of the way, caught Amadi’s foot, and tipped him over. Holding his bruised rib cage, Book attacked with one arm, fighting to maintain his balance, but fighting nonetheless. His strength kept coming. Amadi found his gun again and took aim, point blank. Suddenly, the room exploded with the sound of gunfire and the weapon flew out of Amadi’s hand. Book pounced, putting Amadi in an immediate choke-hold. “Out of the way Preacher!” Jayne hollered, scooting himself around the last bend of the spiral stair case. The merc laid on his side, bleeding from the arm, but his aim was sharp as ever. Amadi laughed mirthlessly. “Thou shalt not kill, brother.” With a quick head-butt, Book rendered Amadi unconscious and dropped him on the floor. “Do unto others, brother.” Book ran to Jayne’s side and used his belt as a tourniquet to still the bleeding from his arm. He noticed Jayne’s leg was also bleeding and that Jayne hadn’t sat up since the battle ended. “Can you walk?” “Like a seal,” Jayne answered. Book prayed for strength once again, and again it came to him. Despite his bruises, he pulled Jayne up, draping one arm over his shoulder, and they made their way like a three-legged race back to the shuttle. “We can’t leave him alive!” Jayne protested. “I can’t kill him.” “Dumbass, he’d kill you in a heartbeat, clear as day.” Book pressed on, telling Jayne as much as trying to convince himself, “If you can’t do something smart, do something right.”

*~*

True to her word, the door at mid-corridor was now open and Mal climbed down. As he skipped the last few steps he landed right in front of an unexpected person and drew his gun. “Gah!” Mal cried on recognizing Misty. “I thought you were going upstairs to open some doors.” “Of course,” she smiled pleasantly. “Where to next?” Mal consulted his map and began directing, his confusion mounting. He would be very disappointed if this entire rescue were a dream and he had to wake up and do it all again tomorrow. His confusion lifted momentarily when his companion radioed Misty about opening a door. “You weren’t on my ship were you?” Mal asked. “What makes you say that?” “You don’t have a scar on your neck.” “The medicine of the core is much more advanced than the rim. Scars are a thing of the past.” “You’re Nia. The one Misty was talking to,” Mal realized. “How many of you are there?” “That I know of? Six living.” Shocked, Mal’s feet stopped moving, causing Nia to walk into him. “A fertility clinic on Greenleaf was cutting corners,” she explained, righting herself and continuing down the corridor. “Got a little overzealous with this particular genetic mix. I tell ya, it’s great for crime. But there’s at least two of me that I haven’t made contact with yet… I figure I should at least warn them that they’re wanted dead on a few worlds.” “Are any of you Elle?” Nia furrowed her brow in surprised. “Elle is one of the few that isn’t real.” “So she is dead?” Mal clarified. “When the shuttle crashed.” “Elle was never living,” Nia clarified. “But Jayne’s partner—she is.” “Does she have a name?” Nia laughed mysteriously. “You know too many of my names already.” They entered a new level, somewhat dryer and better maintained than the one before. The last hallway actually appeared well used, and the doors strongly sealed. Lights flashed indicating that an electrical malfunction had compromised the locks and only mechanical was working. Nia grabbed the radio. “Mis, I see a door at the end of this corridor. Where are we?” “Ai ya!” Misty replied. “I think I’ve found our new exit strategy. You’re ten feet from the shuttle bay!” “I’ll clear it out for you,” a new voice cut in. Nia dropped the comm in surprise and had to pick it up again. “Jen? Is that you?” Misty asked. “Jen, what are you doing here? You’re not supposed to be planet-side!” Nia cut in. “Arjun called in sick.” Nia rolled her eyes. “That’s it. I’m taking away your minor poison privileges.” “Mis, which door is it?” Jen asked, ignoring Nia. “The utility closet in the southwest corner.” Mal stopped listening to the conversation and considered the line of doors in front of him. He smelled something strange and unclean, out of place in this well-kept corridor. Following the scent, he found a clear liquid leaking out from one of the doors. The door itself had fresh finger prints on the outside. This had to be where Inara was. He pressed on the outside of the door, hoping it would just give way. “How do we get in?” Mal groused. “You got an electronic key for mechanical locks?” “The old fashioned way,” Nia said, grabbing the gun. She let off two rounds at the top and bottom of the door, hitting the hinges exactly. The two levered their weight against the door and forced their way in. Mal did not see the various items strewn about the room nor the spilled liquid at his feet. He only saw Inara, collapsed on the floor, pale as death, her lips and fingers blue.

*~*

The engine pulsed so loudly, River could feel the vibrations inside herself, like her own heart beat. The conflict of ship’s gravity with the worlds turned her stomach as Wash corkscrewed trying to shake Walker. The force of Walker’s murderous intention raked her body. The smell of Zoë’s hair relaxer floated in from the hallway. Why wouldn’t she come inside? A new intention joined the others. “No more stalling,” River told Wash. He ignored her, but she expected it. The radio came to life. “Serenity this is Shuttle 2—” “Hold please,” Wash interrupted, dodging a particularly tall mountain and pulling into high atmo. “Everyone with you, Shuttle 2?” Wash asked. “Just myself and Jayne,” Book answered. “Go to the farside of the planet and wait for me there,” Wash ordered curtly, checking the landscape. Having fled the twin cities, Wash found himself crossing near a tall mountain range and decided to take the pursuit low. “He can’t do it,” River said, her hands gripping the arms of the chair, tensely. “He can’t do what you can.” Wash’s face glowed with excitement. For once, he understood what River was trying to tell him. Flipping a switch to adjust fine control on the wire, Wash dove into the nearest canyon and threaded Serenity through the formations. When Walker didn’t follow, he eased up the throttle and waited. Transport ships didn’t have weapons. If Walker wanted to kill him, he’d have to turn his ship into the wrecking ball. At reduced speed, Wash wove easily through the landscape, familiarizing himself with every escape route. Then he back-tracked a bit, wondering if simple distance would be enough to break atmo. He needed to hear from Shuttle 1 before he could run. Finally, Walker took the bait, diving into the canyon after Wash. It wasn’t hard after that, shifting close to the walls, sudden changes in direction… he knew that a standard Firefly didn’t have half the maneuverability of Serenity. It didn’t take long. Walker lost the first extender on a sharp curve, then spun, the nose bouncing off the canyon wall. Although the ship pulled up, control was lost and Walker skimmed to a halt on the dusty ridge of the canyon. Wasting no time, Wash broke atmo to meet the shuttle, releasing a few decoy navsats along the way. He figured they had less than two orbits before they were found. Reinforcements were sure to come. Two orbits before Mal and Inara got left. Where was Zoë? As first mate, this was her decision to make.

*~*

“Inara!” Mal choked, running to her side and checking for sounds of breath. His heart pounded so loudly in his own ears he couldn’t hear, but she felt cold and no part of her moved. “No, Inara!” “Nia, what’s going on down there?” “She’s blue,” Nia said into the comm, stepping carefully over the strewn crystals and syringes in the room. “Looks like she’s … Jen, did you happen to bring your poison kit?” “I thought you were revoking my privileges!” Jen yelled. “Start CPR, get some air in her.” Mal rolled Inara onto her back, hot tears streaming down his face. He began CPR, looking for Nia to second him, but she was already gone. He was alone in the room. How many beats? How many breaths? “No Inara, don’t,” he whispered as his lips touched hers and he forced air into her lungs. Nia ran in again. Or was it Jen. He noticed that this one had a scar. “What the hell?” he muttered through tears. “Keep her heart going. Oxygen deprivation will kill her,” Jen ordered, taking stock of the syringes, spilled crystals, and other items dumped about the room. “Which one?” she muttered, squinting at the side of the syringes. “Labels, people! You need to label your toxins!” Jen pushed Mal aside, touched Inara’s lips, felt the lack of pulse, and reached into a small, dark green bag she’d carried in. She tilted Inara’s neck to the side, inserted a needle, then set an IV drip on the bed, letting gravity do it’s work. “What is that?” “Methylene blue,” she answered, pulling out a portable defibrillator. “About how many pumps to get from the neck to the brain?” Mal looked at her blankly and she smiled, trying to lighten the situation. “Step back, let’s try this.” Abruptly, she ripped into Inara’s gown, placing the two paddles around the heart. Mal’s chest ached at the sight of Inara’s shriveled, pale skin. He reached out to touch her, but was held in check by Jen’s whispered command: “Clear.” Jen checked the heartbeat. Nothing. She tried again. “She’s breathing!” Mal cried, noticing immediately. “Heartbeat.” “Word to the wise,” Nia broke in over the comm, “The boss is on his way to meet you.” “She’s not stable!” Jen protested. “We don’t have a choice!” Mal wrapped Inara’s ripped dress around her chest, affording her as much dignity as time allowed, then scooped her up and began running for the door. “Wait! Take this!” Jen hollered, scribbling a note and putting it in Mal’s coat pocket. “You’re not coming?” Jen shook her head. “I’m already there. Now go!”

*~* Go to Chapter 13