DISCLAIMER: go to chapter 1
So far the plan was working out very well. Mal, O'Neill, and Mitchell were successful in distracting Mingo and Fanty's protégés.
River and the Operative had found out Vala's location and were heading there right now. The girl felt very comfortable fighting the guards to Vala's cell. It was easy.
"They don't make them like they used to." The Operative commented, helping the unconscious guard to the ground.
"They're weak. She's down that way." River said running.
When they got to the cell, Vala was just sitting there. She looked up however when she heard their footsteps.
"Vala?" River whispered.
"River? What are you doing here?" Vala responded.
"To rescue you of course." River said as the Operative opened the door.
"You shouldn't have come. There's a man who's been guarding me." Vala said exiting the cell.
"They shouldn't have but they wanted to." A voice came from behind them. River turned to see Jubal Early standing there in the dim light of the tunnel. Instinctively, River attempted to high kick his face but it didn't work. He blocked with his hands and instantly turned her, so that his hand was tightly around her neck and the other was holding a gun to Vala and the Operative.
"The Operative may leave. But Mountjoy must stay. Let's go."
Mitchell noticed that the club's attendance was thinning out until they were the only ones left. Mal seemed to notice because he asked what was going on.
His question was answered by the sounds of footsteps. They turned to see Vala being led by a guard and Jubal Early's hand around River's neck and his gun against her head.
"Captain Reynolds. It's been a long time. You see I have my bounty. Actually both of them." He looked at Vala with a sadistic smile. "You should also tell the good doctor that his sister is a fighter."
O'Neill seemed to be the only one thinking clearly, "Why do you need both of them? Why not only one? Or maybe even none."
"Who are you to ask such a question?" Early looked at him curiously. He didn't know that Captain Reynolds had hired a new person.
"Take me." River choked out.
"Now why is that?" Early's full attention had turned to the girl he was slowly killing.
"If you mess up the timeline then none of this happens. None of this may exist. It's horrible to think of what may happen." River seemed to be affected by what she was thinking of.
"That might be a nice place to live in." Early said.
"If you stop it." River took his wrist and twisted the gun out of it. She elbowed him in the stomach and stomped on his foot. He seemed to lose his grip and fall. With extra force, she kicked him in the nose and heard a crunch.
While this happened, Vala overtook her guard and he was instantly on the ground.
River knelt down with Early's weapon to his head, "If you wish to remain alive, don't ever follow us." She backed up slowly with the weapon still trained to is head. Mal went up behind and wrapped his arm around her waist to guide her up the steps to the club.
Once they were outside, Mitchell looked around, "Is this what you guys do for fun around here?"
