It was River that alerted them to the fact that something was wrong
It was River that alerted them to the fact that something was wrong. She woke up panicked and babbling, shouting about flying tools and Serenity's heart breaking. Try as he might, Simon couldn't calm her or keep her in her bed. He was halfway to the infirmary with her when she began screaming in earnest, wrenching away from him, bare feet pounding the metal flooring as she raced for the engine room, hair flying as wildly as her legs. Simon called her name, and their combined racket sent the rest of crew, with the exception of Jayne, nestled snuggly in his bunk, running to them.
Mal, always quick on his feet, realized that something was likely wrong in his engine room, and in turn, with Kaylee. He vaulted his way past River, shoving her back towards her brother, and barged into the room, shooting before he had time to fully process the scene.
He was terrified to see Kaylee's form as limp and as silent Early's; horrified that the ringing in the air was from his bullet.
He called her name gruffly as he leapt forward, ignoring the rest of the crew as they clustered at the door behind him, ignoring Inara's sob of terror and Simon's startled cry of outrage. River had stopped yelling at the blast from the gun, and was now standing quietly beside Zoe. When she heard the older woman cock her gun she turned her head towards her, eyes sad.
'Doesn't matter; dead now.'
Zoe just wasn't sure who.
Well, that's chapter two. A little shorter than I planned, but it felt right to end it there. Next one will be up soon, just have to proof it. Oh, and a thank you to Majesta Moniet for the review; they're always welcome and appreciated!
Ciao, Moksmol