Everyone’s ears were ringing from the explosion and Mal’s team barely heard one of the Alliance men screamed in extreme agony as River slashed his back open with the machete. More bullets plowed into two of the Alliance men from behind as Jayne and Zoe caught up to River and as the last one dropped his gun and raised his hands to surrender Jayne had to grab River from behind to keep her from cutting his head off. “Stop, gorramn it!” Jayne shouted as he gripped River tightly in a bear hug, the machete raised to strike, the Alliance soldier wide eyed in front of her, and then her rage subsided as the defending noise of battle was replaced by groans, screams, and curses.

-- The Return - Part 13 by cbsteve