Big Blue Chapter 11

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Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Allan. He's mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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This story takes place almost three years after Serenity (BDM) and has the established couples of Simon/Kaylee, Mal/Inara, Zoë/Allan and Jayne/River. Follows immediately after Out to the Blue.

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A/N:

Thanks again Chris for the Beta.

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Big Blue

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Chapter Eleven – Big Bang Theory

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“Have we heard anything from the team on Deadwood?” the General asked his aide.

“Nothing as yet, Sir. They will not be overdue for some hours.”

“Very well, Captain. Carry on.”

The officer nodded and left the office. The General scowled at the young officer's back. If they didn't hear anything soon, it might all be over. The vaunted Academy's students were not living up to their reputations. Supposedly, they were the perfect assassins. So far, the only three who survived the training had either been captured or were now almost overdue to check in. If only those fools at Blue Sun hadn't let River Tam escape, then perhaps he might have been able to salvage something from the mess now facing him.

Now, Tam was under the protection of the Prime Minister and untouchable as far as a new Academy project was concerned. Now all he could do was kill her and the damn fool Bryant who took over Blue Sun. If this didn't work, he'd do it himself. It might take time but it could be done. He did have an inside man, so to speak.

XXXXXXXXXX

“What the hell possessed you two goin' out and dealin' with a pair o' assassins by your lonesome last nigh?.” Mal fumed.

“We weren't alone, we had Oso for backup,” Allan replied.

“Baby...” Zoë tried to temporize, “Could have at let let one o' us know.”

Allan sighed. He knew he was in the doghouse with Mal. He just didn't want to be sleeping on the sofa if he ticked off Zoë as well.

“Everyone had quite a bit to drink last night. You two in particular.” Allan winced.

Mal turned several colors. Zoë looked upset as well for a moment. Then her features softened.

“He's right, Sir.”

“Don't be takin his side jus cause you two are sleepin together.”

Thats when Zoë got mad.

“We were well and sloshed last night, Sir. Jayne too. The only members o' the crew who could have done anything about things were Allan and River anyway. Reggie was off duty and was pretty tipsy his'self. Oso was the only one that could back em' up.”

“Could've still told me...” Mal mumbled.

“You were out cold in Inara's lap, Mal. By the time I could have woken you up, someone would have been dead.”

“Fine, I don't seem ta' be in charge round here anyway,” Mal muttered as he stomped off.

Allan leaned back against the outside wall of the infirmary and rubbed his hand over his face. He looked at Zoë.

“You mad at me too?”

“I was...” she replied, “But after you explained it. You made the right decision.”

“Thanks honey,” Allan said tiredly, rubbing his temples.

“You okay?”

“No sleep. Been watching our prisoners with River all night.”

Zoë looked through the infirmary window to where the teens were strapped to the two med beds. River to one side, watching closely.

“How long they gonna be out, you reckon?”

“The other girl that attacked me was out for about six hours. According to Simon, the safe word only puts River out for two or three. Who knows with these two.”

Zoë's features softened, “Poor kids. Can't imagine what they've been through.”

“I know. Can't really blame them for what they tried to do. It's all what's been programed in them by the Academy and Blue Sun.”

“They're readers like River?” Zoë asked.

“Not quite. Since their twins, they can only read each other. I ran that new scanner I got for Simon over them. Their amyigdula's haven't been stripped like River's. Most likely they're sane but horribly brain washed. They had suicide capsules in their mouths.”

“Tah mah de,” Zoë swore.

“Yeah.”

“What are we gonna do with them?”

“Reggie called for an Alliance cruiser to pick them up. Get em' back to Londonium as quick as possible. Soon as they wake up, River's going to try and read them and see who might be behind all this... If they even know. I'm going to go over the database I downloaded from Lassiter's computer. Might have something I can use.”

Zoë sighed, “Soon as you know anything, get some sleep baby. I'll watch em' with Jayne soon as you talk to em.”

“Soon as we know anything, I'll have Simon sedate them. Safer that way.”

“Good plan.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Audrea Baer awoke first. Panic flooded her when she couldn't feel her brother's mind. She realized she was restrained. Her programming took over and she bit down on the capsule in her mouth...

Nothing happened.

Panic really set in then as her eyes shot open and she began to fight against the restraints on her hands and feet. Her breath came in short gasps.

Audrea felt a gentle hand on her shoulder. Looking up she came eye to eye with her primary target... River Tam.

“Audrea, Calm down. You are safe,” River said softly. The younger girl struggled more.

“Must... Complete... Mission,” she gasped out between clenched teeth.

“Try to fight it, Audrea,” Allan said, moving next to River.

“Secondary target acquired,” she said almost mechanically, looking at Allan.

“Who is the primary?” Allan asked the wild eyed girl.

“River Tam.”

“Who sent you?”

“I...cannot...”

“Need to finish your mission,” River said quietly.

“Yes,” the girl hissed.

“Here then,” River replied, undoing the strap holding down the girls right hand. As soon as her hand was free she tried to undo the other, Allan blocked her.

“Here Audrea, complete your mission,” River said stoically as she handed the girl a gun...

Four shot's echoed in the tiny infirmary in quick succession. Two at River and Two at Allan. Red splattered on their chests but they did not fall. Audrea fired the remaining two shots in the revolver at Allan's chest. Red paint splattered again.

Spent, the teenager collapsed back on the bed. Her eyes blank.

“Audrea?” River asked softly.

“River?” the girl asked, tears in her eyes.

“It's me, mei-mei, it's time to go home.”

XXXXXXXXXX

The same charade was played out with Andy with the same results.

“So they're cured?” Jayne asked.

“Far from it Jayne,” Allan replied. The crew had gathered in the common area outside the infirmary where the twins were now sedated.

“I found the programming used on them in the database I copied from Lassiter's computer. These two kids were not quite the varsity team at the Academy. They didn't have the psychic ability's of River or the other girl. They were subjected to fairly straight forward brain washing. Their rules of engagement were fairly rigid and unimaginative.”

“How's about sayin that in 'Captain-Dummy' talk,” Mal grumbled.

“Their mission was the driving force. The second was to commit suicide if captured. That parameter was fulfilled when they bit down on the capsules. I replaced the poison with saline. Since they didn't die. That short circuited some of the programming. The mission became foremost in their minds. By letting them act it out, their minds... reset for the lack of a better word.”

“They are far from being normal, but with help and a bit of time. They should be able to return to their family.”

“Quite a risk,” Inara commented.

“Couldn't have done it without those paintball rounds that Jayne had. Still hurt like the dickens, though,” Allan chuckled while rubbing his chest.

“Did they know who sent em?” Mal asked.

Allan shook his head, “All we could find out was they receive a trigger wave with the information needed for the mission. Not where it comes from. Soon as they are gone, Kaylee and I will take their ship apart and see if we can figure out anything.”

“When will they be picked up?” Simon asked.

“The Magellan is about six hours out,” Reggie replied, “Once they are in orbit, a shuttle will be sent down to retrieve the kids.”

“Be glad to have em' off my boat,” Mal said.

“Amen to that,” Allan agreed.

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan headed for his bunk and collapsed across it. He was asleep in seconds. A few hours later, Zoë entered the bunk to find Allan face down on the bed and snoring lightly. A smile on her face, Zoë slipped off her gunbelt and boots and spooned up next to Allan. She was asleep herself in minutes.

A page on the com system woke the couple, “Allan, Zoë! Feds are ten out. Need you two topside.”

“Be right there Mal,” Allan groaned in reply.

Quickly, Zoë and Allan headed for the bay. Jayne and Oso were standing guard over the twins in the infirmary while awaiting the Alliance shuttle.

“Who are we expecting, Reg?” Mal asked.

“Supposed to be a senior officer and probably four or five grunts. A med tech as well to keep the kids under for the transfer.”

“Can't help feelin sorry fer em',” Mal muttered.

“I agree, cap,” Allan replied, “Now just think of what River might have been like.”

“Chills the blood,” Zoë remarked.

“It does at that,” Reggie replied.

Soon, the sound of an approaching shuttle could be heard. A minute after the engines shut down, a squad of Alliance troops entered the bay, led by a Lt. Commander.

“Major Michaels?”

“That would be me,” Reggie replied.

The officer looked disparagingly at the redhead, “You are out of uniform.”

Reggie roiled his eyes, “I am attached to the executive protection division. I do not wear a uniform.”

“The officer was unimpressed, “Identification?”

Reggie handed across his ident card. He wasn't sure if it was the old Army/Fleet rivalry or if the Lt. Commander was just a hundan on a regular basis.

“Who are these... people?” the commander sneered.

“Friends of the Prime Minister,” Reggie replied, starting to get a bit miffed.

“Indeed. I find that hard to believe. I'll need to see their ident cards as well.”

Allan stepped forward, “Lt. Commander...”

“Rogers.”

“Commander Rogers,” Allan continued, “You are here to pick up two prisoners. Both of whom are to be handled with kid gloves. You are not to speak with them other then to ascertain their needs for food, medical care or the use of hygienic facilities. Outside of that, no one is to speak to them. Is that understood?”

“And if I don't do as you suggest?”

Allan's blood was up now, “If you don't, you'll be lucky to command a shuttle hauling rubber dog shit outta Dayton,” Allan growled.

Mal and Zoë tried to hide their grins. Reggie had an amused look on his face.

“And you are?” The commander asked, more than a little put out by this... civilian giving him orders.

“Read it and weep,” Allan snarled as he handed across his ident card.

Inserting the card into his reader, the commander's eyes shot open and his skin turned as gray as his uniform.

“I... I'm terribly sorry Mr. Bryant. Your wishes will be followed to the letter. You four, follow me. Major? If you would lead the way?”

“This way,” Reggie said as he led the officer and four grunts towards the infirmary.

The medic left behind waited until the commander was out of earshot before starting to laugh. Soon Allan, Zoë and Mal joined him.

“Always was an arrogant qingwa cao de liumang,” the medic said while trying to compose himself.

Mal couldn't agree more.

In short order the twins were transferred to the Alliance shuttle. In a blast of dust, the small craft climbed for the sky.

“When you gonna go check out their ship, Allan?” Mal asked.

“Soon as I grab a bite to eat. Been a long day.”

“I hear ya there. Take Reggie an Kaylee when ya go.”

“No problem, Mal.”

“Let me know what you find.”

XXXXXXXXXX

“General... The twins are overdue.”

“As I feared, captain.”

“I also have a report that the cruiser Magellan was dispatched to pick up two prisoners on Deadwood. Priority orders from the Prime Minister.”

“Liou coe shway duh biao-tze huh hoe-tze fuh ur-tze!”

“Shall I send the destruct signal for their ship?”

“Yes... send it now. Time is of the essence if we are to survive this.”

“Yes, Sir.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan pulled the new ATV mule to a stop about 150 yards from the ship. Kaylee and Reggie sitting on the rear cargo rack.

“What do you think, Reg?” Allan asked.

“Manchester class heavy shuttle with extended tanks. It could make it here from the core with only a fuel stop. Don't usually find them in civilian hands. But the registration numbers look civilian.”

“What about a security system?” asked Kaylee.

“Could be anything. Standard is an encrypted lock and a scramble of the computer if the door is forced.”

“Then I won't force the door,” Kaylee smiled.

In a flash of light and a wall of force, the small ship detonated. The fuel burning into the sky while bits and pieces of the ship rained down for hundreds of yards in every direction. All the remained of the ship was a one hundred foot wide crater.

All was silent except for the faint echo of the blast bouncing back from the distant hills.

Shaking his head, Allan tried to stop the ringing in his ears. He felt blood running down his face.

“Kaylee! Reggie!” Allan called out. His voice seemed muffled to his own ears.

“Over here Allan!” came Kaylee's voice.

With a groan, Allan pulled himself to his feet and ran to where the mule lay upside down in the sand. At least thirty feet from where it had been. Kaylee slowly got to her feet from where she lay beside it., a few minor cuts were visible on her arms.

“Reg!” Allan called. The Major was pinned under the mule, clearly unconscious.

“Allan?” Kaylee said, her eyes wide.

“He's breathing, help me try and get the mule off of him.”

The pair tried to roll the heavy vehicle off Reggie but to no avail. Allan's com crackled.

“Baby? You okay? We just heard an explosion.” Zoë's voice said.

“Ship blew, Reggie's hurt and pinned under the mule. Need Simon, Oso and Jayne.”

“On the way.”

“Kaylee, you okay?” Allan asked.

“Little banged up but I'm okay. You?”

“Same,” Allan replied as he started to dig sand from around Reggie's body. Kaylee dropped to her knees and began to help. Maybe they could dig him out.

Ten minutes later, the hover truck arrived with Zoë, Simon, Oso and Jayne. The two big men hopped off the back of the truck and ran to Kaylee and Allan. Oso and Jayne were able to flip the mule off Reggie with Allan's help. Simon began to assess Reggie's injuries.

“Sweetie?” Kaylee asked.

“Broken leg, concussion, ribs. That's what I have so far. Lets get him back to the infirmary ma-shong.”

Gently, Jayne, Allan and Oso picked Reggie up and laid him in the bed of the truck. Allan boosted Kaylee in next to him.

“Mule serviceable?” Zoë asked.

“Think so,” Allan replied.

“Jayne, head back with the doc. I'll take the mule back with Allan.”

“Got it Zoë,” Jayne replied as he climbed into the cab and pulled the vehicle away.

“Are you okay baby?” Zoë asked.

“Just a bit banged up,” Allan said, “I'll live.”

Zoë pulled Allan into a hug and gave him a quick kiss, “Scared me.”

“Ain't the only one, hon,” Allan replied, “Near thing. Stopped short of the ship to get the lay of the land and... Boom.”

“Remote?”

“My guess. No one around. Probably a cortex signal,” Allan sighed.

“You know what that means, don't you?”

“Yep, someone in the military or government.”

XXXXXXXXXX

Allan nursed the damaged mule back into the cargo bay. Zoë quickly headed for the infirmary to fetch some first aid supplies. Allan was still bleeding from several small cuts caused by flying debris. Allan painfully climbed off the mule and sat on a crate. Everything hurt now that the adrenalin had worn off. He imagined he would be one big bruise by morning. Allan had been flung over twenty feet by the blast. Kaylee even further. Miraculously, Kaylee was the least injured of the three. Reggie had been struck and pinned by the overturned mule.

Zoë returned with a basin of warm water, gauze and a few weaves.

“How's Reggie doing... Ow!”

“Sorry, dear,” Zoë apologized as she cleaned out the cut on Allan's forehead, “Reggie's doing okay. He's awake. A little groggy but awake. Got two busted ribs and his left leg is broke.”

“Kaylee?”

“Bumps and bruises, River saw to her.”

“We were damn lucky.”

“Can't agree more, Allan,” Mal said as he walked up, “What the hell happened?”

“I stopped about a hundred and fifty yards away. Reggie started to describe what it might have for security and bang.”

“How did anyone know we were on Deadwood?”

“Another leak in the PM's office, maybe? I don't know.”

“Looks to still be some bad apples somewhere high up in the Alliance. The kind to have the pull to find out where we were, send a pair of Academy graduates and then blow their damn ship up from half a system away,” Zoë said.

“Got a point, Zoë... Any ideas, Allan?”

“Not at the moment,” Allan replied, “But I'm too damn tired and sore to think straight right now. I'm gonna see if Vera will let me borrow her tub so I can soak these old bones for a bit. Might be able to think better after.”

“Take a break Allan,” Mal said, “You been going pretty much straight for the last twenty four hours or so.”

“Thanks, Mal.”

“Head for the house baby, I'll bring your stuff in a minute,” Zoë said after planting a quick kiss on Allan's cheek.

“Thanks, hon,” Allan said as he got to his feet and stiffly began to walk in the direction of the Cobb house. As soon as Allan was out of earshot, Mal turned to his first mate.

“Is he okay, Zoë?”

“Just banged up sir,”Zoë replied.

“Make sure he takes it easy. Been a right rough couple o' weeks for im'.”

“I will, Sir... I will.”

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TBC