The Last Spartan – Chapter Thirty-Three Yet another disclaimer. There’s more disclaimers around here than Carter has peanuts, ain’t they? I don’t own Firefly. I know it comes as a shock, but I swear it’s true. _____________________ River entered the study to find Janos sitting at his desk. It was just after sunset, and she noted at once that he was dressed for battle. Black uniform, body armor, all the accessories that a soldier needed for war. “What are you doing, Janos?” she asked at once. He looked up sharply, smiling when he saw her. “A few last minute details before I go,” he told her truthfully, sealing an envelope and placing in his coat pocket. “What are you doing, My Lady?” “I am wondering why you have walled yourself away from me,” River told him plainly, a trace of fear in her eyes. “I cannot feel you at all.” “I didn’t know I had,” Janos told her, though he did. It was better this way, or at least he hoped so. “Where are you going?” she asked quietly, seeing his gear lying beside his desk. “I’m taking a little business trip,” he smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “I know who is responsible for all this misery, and where he is. I intend to call upon him this evening, and explain my displeasure in person.” “Take me with you,” she said at once. He shook his head. “No, meus rosea, not this time. You are not yet fully adjusted. You will be a danger not only to yourself, but others. And I would not have that.” “I should be with you,” River objected, eyes blinking back tears. “And so you shall be,” Janos smiled, and this time the smile did light his eyes. “Right here,” he tapped his chest, over his heart. She heard the knocking of body armor beneath his sweater. “You know what I mean!” she retorted. “This is all because of me! I should not be left here, while you and others fight my battles!” “Your battles?” Janos looked at her, puzzled. “My home, our home,” he amended, “was attacked. Our friend shot. Our celebration disrupted. I’d say it’s no longer just your battle, River, if it ever was your’s alone.” “I intend to make sure that the people who hurt you, hurt Inara, can never do so again. Ever. It is my battle because I have made it mine. You are to be my wife, River. My Lady. I will not, cannot, stand idly by and allow this kind of attack on you, or our home, without there being some repercussion.” River gave up, then. She knew she wasn’t going to win, and didn’t want to spend the time they had left arguing. Instead she walked to him, and hugged him as tightly as she could. He returned the embrace, though much more careful than she. “Promise me you’ll be careful, my love,” she whispered through her tears. “Promise me you’ll come back.” “I shall,” he whispered back. “I shall.” ____________________________ Mal and Zoe stood in a small underground hangar dug into a cliff overlooking the sea. They were standing before Janos’ ‘small ship’, which they would use to transport their former mercenary and his men to their rendevous with destiny. “Wow,” Zoe finally said, unable to find another, more suitable word. “Yeah,” Mal agreed. The ‘little ship’ was an Asgard class corvette, something rarely seen in space. Designed as an armed escort or transport vessel, the Asgard’s were able to stand off just about anything short of a cruiser. Speed, weapons, sensors, everything on the ship was high grade military. Top of the line. A fast ship to go in harm’s way. “Man travels in style,” Zoe finally managed with a grin. “Let’s get aboard, sir, and see what she’s like.” Mal followed Zoe up the walkway. “You Captain Reynolds?” a young man at the hatch asked. When Mal nodded the young man extended his hand. “Lucas Miles, sir, ship’s engineer,” he smiled. “I’ve heard of you, sir, and look forward to serving under your command.” “Thanks,” Mal replied, unsure what else to say. Fortunately, Miles wasn’t waiting for Mal to speak. “If you’ll follow me forward, sir, I’ll show you to the bridge. Harry, she’s the pilot, is already there, sir.” “Harry?” Zoe asked, eyebrows arching. “Short for Harriette,” a new voice said, and a freckled red head popped into view. She looked about sixteen. “You’re the pilot?” Mal asked, and the redhead nodded. “That’s me, sir. You are Captain Reynolds, right?” Mal nodded, and she beamed. “Pleased to meet you, sir. I think you’ll find the Athena to your liking. She’s fast, maneuverable, and armed to the teeth.” “I like her already,” Mal smiled, and the girl beamed again. Mal couldn’t help but like both of them. Might be a good gig after all, he thought, but immediately remembered where they were headed. Then again. . . ____________________________ “Everyone’s task is clear?” Neera eyed the assembled group. Eighteen heads nodded. “Remember, this is a Black Flag op,” she reminded them again. “No quarter. No prisoners. No survivors.” The heads nodded again, accompanied by growls of approval. They all knew where they were going, and why. An outsider would have wondered why there were so few. Janos’ security force numbered well over one hundred, all totaled. But there few, they were very special. The eighteen men and women assembled here were all. . .different. All owed their lives, their new and improved, very long lives, to Janos. They were beyond loyal, and capable of great violence. Frighteningly capable. “We’re ready, My Lord,” Neera spoke softly into her mike. ________________________ “I’m on my way,” Janos answered. He kissed River gently, passionately, before stepping away from her. “Keep the house safe,” he smiled. “Prim is somewhat occupied, at the moment. Your charge is to keep safe those who remain.” “I shall not fail,” River intoned, knowing that it was more than just busy work. There was always a chance that another attempt would be made to take her. But the security force was now working twelve hour shifts, effectively doubling the number of personnel available at any one time. “I know,” Janos nodded. “I shall see you soon, my love.” Without another word, Janos picked up his gear and walked out of the study. River sat heavily into the chair, feeling where he had been. She remained there for a very long time. ____________________ Mal was stunned when the assembled team walked into the hangar bay. “Ai ya,” he muttered, drawing Zoe’s attention. Eighteen men and women, plus Jayne, and his. . .whatever she was, walking slowly toward the ship. They were all dressed in identical uniforms, right down to the mid-calf length leather dusters. All black, nothing shiny, nothing rattling. Coats are a nice fashion touch, Mal thought to himself. “Man looks serious,” she said, nodding in approval. She eyed the woman next to Jayne carefully. Neera Trivett was slightly taller than Zoe. Heavily muscled, yet still rather shapely, her skin was a shade lighter than Zoe’s, her features Latin in origin. Long black hair flowed out behind her as the hangar doors opened to the night air, framing her striking face in an ethereal halo. Neera looked every inch the Amazon she had once been, right down to the cross-bow she carried across her back. Despite the spattering of ancient weapons among Janos’ team, modern weaponry was abundant. And heavy. Mal spotted at least two sniper rifles, and a grenade launcher that he’d never seen before. Everyone was wearing body armor, and carried various hand weapons, ranging from pistols to knives. Janos’ own coat billowed slightly, revealing a sword hanging inside. Guess the coats ain’t just a fashion statement, he decided. “Quite an outfit, Jayne,” Mal said with a smile as the big man ascended the ramp. “They’ll do, for light work,” Janos quipped slyly, and Mal couldn’t stop the laugh that escaped him. The others filed by as if Mal were simply part of the ship, going to their places quietly and without fuss. The way they moved, without comment, or instruction, spoke of long experience together. “Get us in the air,” Janos ordered as the ramp closed. He handed Mal a scrap of paper. “This is our destination. Tell Harry to keep us NOE.” Mal started at that, but nodded, and handed the paper to Zoe. She nodded, cast a quick grin at Jayne, and was off. In seconds, Athena was airborne. The hunt was on. _______________________ “Jon, how long have you been awake?” River asked as Dixon struggled to stay awake. “I don’t know, exactly, My Lady,” Dixon jerked to attention. “I apologize.” “Don’t be silly,” she smiled. “Go and rest. Both of you,” she added, with a glance at Harwood. “My Lady. . .” she began, but River cut her off. “I can manage, here in the house,” River assured her. “And I’ve ordered rooms prepared for you, here in the mansion. Use them,” she ordered, and there was no question it was an order. “I’ll call for a relief, first, My Lady,” Harwood conceded, after a glance at Dixon, who nodded. “That is agreeable,” River nodded. “Meantime, I will go to the hospital, and sit with Prim for a while. I’m sure I’ll be safe with him.” “Absolutely, My Lady,” Harwood nodded. ______________________ Prim woke instantly when the door outside Inara’s room opened. He looked first to Inara, and, seeing that she was still asleep, went to the door to see who was there. “Hello, Prim,” River smiled sweetly. “I didn’t mean to wake you.” “Not at all, My Lady,” Prim smiled, and River was glad to see it was a real smile, not forced. “I take it that you and Inara have spoken?” she asked with a grin. Prim nodded. “We have,” he told her. “We will talk more when she is stronger, but. . .thank you, My Lady, for telling me. . .just thank you.” “You’re welcome, Prim,” River smiled again. “She’s a very special woman.” “As are you, Lady River,” Prim assured her. “I’ve come to keep you company,” River told him. “And to place myself in your protection while my erstwhile guards sleep for a bit. They have been with me constantly since last night, and are exhausted.” “I would be glad for the company,” Prim told her. “Though if you wish, I can arrange for replacement. . .” “Already seen to,” River raised a hand to forestall Prim’s offer. “But I would rather wait here, with you, until Janos returns.” “Returns?” Prim frowned. “Where has he gone?” “I assumed you were aware,” River frowned as well. “He and his. . .team, have gone to pay a visit to Mister Nettles’ employer.” “Ah,” Prim nodded in understanding. “I was asleep, I fear. I suspect that Janos did not wish to disturb me. But I should be with him,” he added. “I said the same thing,” River grumped, a hint of sulk in her voice which made Prim smile. “So we can wait together, yes?” “Indeed, My Lady. I would enjoy that very much.” Together the two sat down just outside the door to Inara’s room, talking quietly. Waiting. ______________________ “ETA?” Mal asked, once Harry had set the course and they were enroute. “At this speed, almost five hours,” Harry told him, eyes never leaving the screen before her. Nap Of the Earth flying was far too dangerous to leave to an auto-pilot, no matter how sophisticated. “Very well,” Mal nodded. “I’ll be around. Call me if anything pops up.” “Will do, sir,” Harry nodded absently, concentrating on the terrain in front of her. As Mal walked back through the main passageway, he encountered Janos. “I’d like a word with you, Mal,” he said quietly. “In private.” He motioned toward the door to his small cabin, and Mal stepped inside. Janos followed him in, and closed the hatch. “Take a seat,” Janos ordered. When both men were seated, Janos seemed at a loss as to how he should begin. “Something wrong, Jayne?” Mal asked finally, concerned at the big man’s hesitation. “Not wrong, exactly,” Janos told him finally. “Normally, this would have been given to Prim to handle, but he was. . .I didn’t wish to disturb him.” Mal hid a grimace at that. He knew that Prim had went to Inara not long after the rest had left her. And that he was still there hours later when they’d departed from the estate. It seemed that Inara was moving on. In spite of his discomfort at the thought, he forced himself to be happy for her, and hoped she would be happy. “Okay, so what is it that you need me to do?” he asked. Janos handed him a thick envelope, the kind often used by couriers. Mal took it hesitantly. “This contains instructions for the handling of my affairs, in the event I do not return,” Janos told him bluntly. “There is also a letter for River, which I wish for you to deliver personally, should I fail to survive.” Mal’s surprise was too great to hide. “What do you mean, should you fail to survive?” Mal demanded. “Hell, I shot you, point blank, three times! And you stayed on your feet. How the hell can you not survive?” “Do you believe in destiny, Mal?” Janos asked quietly. “Or in Fate?” “No,” Mal answered at once. “Ever man makes his own way in the world, Jayne. Even such as you,” he added, but without the scorn or hatred that had once accompanied such words. “I do,” Janos said simply. “And I trust my instincts. Those instincts tell me that this will not be so easy as I’d like to believe. There is always the chance that I will fall. We are not immortal, you know,” he smiled. “We can be killed.” “True, such is not an easy task, but it can be done. I am not such a fool as to believe that I am beyond that.” Mal was sobered by that. He’d sort of assumed that Jayne couldn’t die, since his encounter with him in the cargo bay. Discovering that he could came as a shock. “Fine, I’ll hold this till you get back,” Mal took the envelope, tucking it inside his jacket. “Thank you,” Janos breathed in relief. “I know that our relationship has been strained of late, Mal, but I meant what I said before. You have great potential, and a great destiny awaits you, if you will but reach out and grasp it.” “I don’t need no destiny to make my own way,” Mal said stubbornly. “It isn’t always about you, Mal,” Janos said patiently. “Sometimes it’s about others that can benefit from what you can accomplish.” “What can I accomplish, Jayne?” Mal scoffed at the idea. “Change,” Janos replied simply. “You are a well known figure, Malcolm Reynolds. Hero of the war, hero of the Miranda Wave. There is much such notoriety can achieve. Elected office, for example.” Mal snorted. “Me? A politician?” “Yes,” Janos nodded. “That is the way to effect true change, Mal. Not with the sword, or the gun, but from within. It is also a way to keep the embers of rebellion hot, even while no war is being fought. It gives people hope. For their children if not for themselves.” “I can’t give nobody hope, Jayne,” Mal said softly. “Ain’t even got any myself.” “Just think on it, is all that I ask,” Janos said. “I will support you in every way, should you decided to try. Money will not be an issue. I will provide you with the very best security available, as well. Just in case you start making the people in power sweat a little.” “Why don’t you do it?” Mal asked. “I do not age, Mal,” Janos pointed out. “I cannot explain that away. There is a reason that I flit about the ‘verse as I do. Like when I was on your crew. In order to maintain my own security, there must be a new Lord Janos every generation. I can alter my looks enough for that, but not to be constantly on the cortex making speeches and kissing babies.” “They don’t kiss babies,” Mal objected. “Do they?” he asked after a pause. “It’s from long ago, Mal,” Janos chuckled. “On Earth-that-was, yes, politicians kissed babies.” “Huh,” Mal grunted. “Fine. I’ll think on it. But if you die, then forget it.” “If I die, it becomes that much more important,” Janos surprised him. “I have fought a long time against aggression like this, Mal. I am one of the few, it seems, who remain. Others of my kind have either died, or simply grown tired of trying. And not all of us are willing to fight tyranny. Many, far too many, are inclined to become tyrants, themselves.” “Can’t beat’em, join’em?” Mal quipped, and Janos nodded. “Unfortunately.” “Well, I will think on it, Jayne,” Mal agreed finally. “Can’t say I like it any better than I did when I came in here, but I admit you made some strong points in favor of.” “Good,” Janos nodded, rising to his feet. “Guard that envelope well, Malcolm Reynolds. Do not fail me, I beg you.” “I won’t Jayne,” Mal promised, rising as well. “Whatever happens, I’ll make sure things get done.”