The Slavers Ch.7
Title: The Slavers (7/?)
Series: First Love
Author: Romanceguru
Disclaimer: Joss is boss, I am but a lowly subservient.
Rating: R (More violence, death and carnage)
Summary: The rest of the crew joins in the fight.
Notes:Couldn't have done this without
elsibet34
Those that came before
Inara glanced at her father and then resumed maneuvering the low flying shuttle full speed over the terrain. “You sure you want to do this? I have seen way too many of these things go down and it never ends well.”
“I’ve spent just about my whole life doin’ the wrong sort of thing. It’s ‘bout time I fight a cause more grand. The only thing I ever did that was fruitful was bring you in to this world and I couldn’t even do that right.” Olin smiled dejectedly at his daughter.
“Hush, some circumstances are beyond our control.” Inara tried to abate the direction the conversation was going.
“I did love her, your mother. Was ready to settle down and give up my ways when I found out she were bearin’ .” Olin confessed.
“I know.” Inara empathized. “It is easy to be carried away by a life that has the promise of substance. To be blinded by fool's paradise.” Inara seemed to be speaking less about her mother. “Living out in the black, on Serenity, I have found something no companion hand guide could illustrate. We all have our own paths. It just takes some longer to find their way.” Inara smiled up hopefully at her father, and couldn’t help but notice how much the man reminded her of Mal.
“You’re somthin’ else lil’ girl. I take it that man I met earlier has won your heart then?”
Inara chuckled at her father’s brazenness. “Well, let us just say he’s still fighting the battle.”
“Is he winnin’ ”?
“He is on the winning side. I think a man should have to earn his stripes before he can claim victory.”
"So you’re playin’ hard to get then?"
“Ha!” Inara laughed. “It is a very long and complicated relationship.” She couldn’t believe how comfortable she felt with the exchange.
“Well, I’d like to hear about it sometime. And any other interesting tales you have to tell.”
“Oh, we have plenty of those. Might take several…” Inara’s speech trailed off when she was overcome with an idea. “Perhaps you could hear more if you were to reside with us.”
“I’m sure your Captain wouldn’t want the trouble.” Olin worried.
“He likes you. You two are from the same cloth. Leave it up to me, that is, if this is something you’d want?”
“You kiddin’ me? I ain’t sure how much time I have left in this old ticker. I couldn’t think of a better way to let it wind down.”
“It’s settled then.” Affirmed Inara.
Trepidation soon replaced any warm feelings floating around in the shuttle when they spied the view that loomed ahead. A full on war raged ahead and the numbers were greatly unbalanced.
---
Nolan had arrived back promptly with five raggedy looking men in tow. The well-armed group looked as if they might get a little trigger happy if you as much as glanced at them sideways.
Good thing they’re on our side, thought Mal, as he looked the men over. Simon stood half hiding behind the Captain, sending an occasional nervous nod in the roughnecks’ direction.
Standing in the cargo bay, Mal went over some brief tactics using a rough sketch map of the valley beyond. “They landed here, right by the bunker not five minutes ago. Wash and Kaylee managed to jam the ships controls, so any high-powered weaponry is down for now. We can use the valley and surrounding rock to our advantage. Spread out in pairs, and we’ll flank them in on all sides…”
Before Mal could finish, a huge explosion rocked the ship and sent the men sprawling. After Mal recovered from the reverberation, he looked out the open cargo bay, deep into the valley beyond, where he beheld a huge plume of smoke rising from the hillside where the bunker had been located.
“Alright, lets move!”
---
“Back!” Jayne yelled to the hostages as gunfire erupted into the gaping hole. River and Jayne immediately returned fire, moving back for cover behind broken cement and dark shadows.
Time slowed in River’s mind as she calculated and quickly resolved the situation. She stepped out ready to remedy the threat when from the corner of her eye she watched helpless as Jayne was struck with a single bullet.
Without hesitation, she swung her weapon to her back and crossed the space between her and the falling mercenary. He hit the ground hard as she skidded to his side. His eyes were drawn shut and his face was still.
“Jayne?’ River managed to get out as she hung over his body shaking his shoulders. Her heart felt as if it had dropped out beneath her and she was unable to control the panic that gripped her insides.
“Jayne!” She tried again shaking more forcefully. “Jayne, can you speak?” She raised her hand and slapped it forcibly against his cheek, anything to warrant a reaction.
Jayne’s eyes fluttered and rolled a bit before they focused on the girl who was kneeling close to him, cheeks glistening. Letting out a groan, he spoke. “ Whatcha have ta go and hit me fer? Weren’t it enough I’m all shot up?”
River exhaled and a smile of relief reclaimed her sullen expression. He’s back, she thought. Turning her attention to Jayne’s abdomen, she inquired, “Where is the penetration?” Her hand moved up his side exploring and then stopping over a sticky wet spot. “Is it fatal?” Rivers voice was weak with concern.
Jayne carefully propped himself up. “Nah, just a ‘squito bite. Ya go do yer crazy killer girl thing. I can hold ‘em off here.” He managed a feeble smile to reassure the girl.
River turned to see several colossal men edging their way dangerously close to the breach. Returning her face back to Jayne’s, she nodded in accession. She looked heavily into his eyes before she stood. The light silhouetted her dainty physique and she dissolved into the day.
The bright light blinded his eyes for a moment and then his vision adjusted. “Well?” Jayne turned to look at the hostages huddled behind the façade to his left. “Don’t just stand there watchin’ me bleed. Ain’t a one of ya that can work one of these?” Jayne dangled two extra pistols, shaking them for emphasis.
Two of the older women in the group stepped forward, cautiously taking the weapons. “Good. Now you all just watch, and do what Jayne does.” Jayne aimed his weapon, pulled back the slide lock and started picking off the oncoming slavers.
---
Simon and Mal remained crouched behind a massive rock, occasionally peeking their guns out to get a shot off. Gunfire whizzed past, clanging against the crag behind them.
“Why is it that the bad guys always look like a genetic experiment gone wrong?” Simon questioned between shots.
“Oh, I don’t know, suppose they couldn’t get there pretty mugs hired on as the new face of Fruity Oaty bar.” Mal entertained.
A shot sparked against the rock next to Mal’s hand, causing him to jump back. “Ai yā cào!” What we could use about now is a gorram feint!”
“Um, haven’t brushed up on my military vocabulary lately. Care to elaborate?”
“It’s a diversion, to draw the …enemy…in…” Mal trailed off, looking transfixed at something in the distance. “That would be a fine example.” He finished as he pointed a finger toward the open valley ahead.
Noticing the projectiles coming their way had all but stopped. Simon poked his head over the rock taking in the scene before him and whispered almost hypnotically, “River.”
“Huh. That’s new. Don’t think I’ve ever seen a person dodge bullets before.” Mal said, still entranced as he bent his body down and he twisted his head up at an awkward angle as he followed Rivers movement. “How can a person bend like that?”
Mal was snapped back to reality when gunfire burst to his right. Instantaneously picking up his weapon, he put a bullet between the opponent’s eyes. Mal turned back to Simon triumphantly. “Ha! That was a close shave, almost…” Trailing off for a second time as he spied Simon slumped down against the jagged earth.
---
“Wash! They’ve overridden the port controls, they have full accesses to their guns!” Kaylee alarmed.
Wash peered out the deck window and squinted his eyes, watching as the enormous gunner on the ship rotated towards Serenity.
“Um, baby, you just about ready up there?” Wash radioed up to Zoë, who was perched at the cannon mount on the top of the ship. Aligning the huge gun with the massive slaver ship in the distance, she locked on. “Right and ready husband, just give me the when.”
“That would be when!” Wash exclaimed.
“Let’s shock and awe ‘em.” Zoë declared as she pulled back the trigger, launching a barrage of fire at the target. The ship combusted into a huge fire ball, spending chunks of material high into the air.
Hooting and hollering occurred in unison from the three.
“Exceptional job, my sexy combatant!” Wash congratulated his wife.
“Nice shootin’ Zoë, was just in the nick of time too.” Kaylee added.
Their congratulatory praise would last only the moment as the captain’s voice crackled over the radio. Mal’s tone sounded grim. “ I’m gonna need some help here! Bring a stretcher, Simon has been hit!"
---
Moving shadows, masses, and glinting metal swirled in her cognizance. River’s mind clicked to a shade of blue as it moved three steps ahead of her limbs. Reaching her right arm behind her body, she fired off a blind shot while concurrently striking a target charging at her front, both bodies dropping cumbrously to the dry earth.
Guns now empty, she let them fall from her hands, their contents having found home in at least two-dozen Slavers minutes before.
She swiftly dropped down to one knee, the other leg extended out to a point as bullets crossed above her head, each hitting an unintended target.
Taking a dagger from her bootstrap, she gracefully swung her body around, letting the blade fly from her fingers and into the neck of a ready attacker.
Before she could stand, an axe came wheeling down from behind. Reaching up, she caught the handle in both hands, the polished blade stopping inches from her face. Using the momentum from the strike, she flung the enemy easily over her head sending him skidding across the dirt. Readjusting her grip on the handle, she swung the blade upward and then down into his skull.
Un-sticking the blade immediately, she twisted around and sent it slicing through another who was charging full speed at her, knife raised high ready to strike.
They kept coming at her in waves, pounding at the surface, trying to weaken her drive but she never faltered.
She twisted and angled her body to avoid the hail of gunfire that blew past as steady as the wind.
Soon, they slowed their advance as bodies of angry men piled around her feet. Fear dawned on those left remaining, and they turned tail fleeing back to their ship.
Standing ever so still, she guardedly watched them retreat to ensure that the havoc had ceased.
Before her eyes, the prison ship exploded, sending humans and chunks of steal vaulting up into the clear sky. A deafening boom echoed through the valley. The orange flames reflected in her eyes as she dropped her weapon, running full speed back to Jayne.
---
After landing her shuttle near the cliff that loomed over the battle zone, Inara and Olin took up their positions. Spreading their bodies out on the hot earth, they adjusted their sniper-rifles and aligned their sights on the fury of men below.
“Are you sure ya know how to work one of these things? Ain’t really a woman’s callin’.” Olin had turned from his gun to look over at his daughter.
“Just wait until you meet River and Zoe. It will change your whole archaic view on women in combat.” Inara placed a bullet in the top barrel of the weapon and pulled back the cocking valve. Lowing her hand to the trigger, she set her sights on a slaver who was firing at an unseen mark towards cliff side below. Holding her breath, she squeezed the trigger gently and hit her objective.
Olin watched the interaction play out with astonishment. “Okay, Okay! Point taken. I will never again question a woman’s facility.” Relented the chuckling man.
Inara smiled back at her father. “Companions are trained in all the arts, even those of maiming and killing. We are just expected to do it with a little more class.”
“Well then girly, lets get to it, can’t leave your crew high and dry!”
Olin and Inara continued to take out a dozen or so men, primarily those advancing upon Serenity. A huge explosion halted their assault and their eyes locked on to the spectacular scene in the distance.
The momentary distraction proved disastrous when an unobserved Slaver made his way up behind the pair. He aimed and ruthlessly discharged his weapon into Olin’s backside.
Inara swiftly rolled onto her side just as the oaf was aiming his machine pistol towards her. Instinctively, she swung up her rifle winning the shot first. The killer fell dead were he stood.
Inara crawled over to her father and rolled the lethargic man to her lap. Blood and earth matted her dress and drenched her skin. She shakily brought her hand up to her father’s brow, cautiously stroking his hair as if she were afraid any further touch might cause harm. She looked down into the weary face of her father as tears pooled in her eyes. “I should have never asked you to come.” she murmured regretfully.
Olin strained to speak, his words coming out tenuously. “Nonsense. I couldn’t have picked a better way to go.”
Inara leaned down close to her father as his words became gradually inaudible. “We were just beginning to know one another.” She whimpered as the wetness slipped down her cheeks.
“You know me. I’m in here.” Her father mustered all his strength as he brought the back of his hand up to his daughter’s heart. She firmly clutched his fingers holding them to her chest. His hand went limp and his head fell to its side. Inara hung her head, letting the sobs flow freely, and her tears fall like rain.
TBC.
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Next Ch: Prickles and Thorns
Ai yā -Damn; Ah; My God
Cào -fu*k