Kaylee was wrist deep in the power box when Mal ran down. Jayne threw Zoe guns from his store.
"how you going' there, Kaylee?" Mal asked.
"Doin' my best, Captain," Kaylee said shortly. Mal nodded. He turned to Shepherd.
"Help me get these things over, Preacher," he said. He bent down and gripped a crate. "On three!" The two managed to move it out of the corner.
"Wash is putting through our surrender now," Mal informed his crew before moving onto the next box, "so we're going to have to move fast if we want to be ready for them. Kaylee you got that locked down yet?"
"Almost."
"Good." Mal gripped another crate, catching Shepherd's eye.
"I'm trustin' that you're gonna be on our side when they come through?" he said so that only Shepherd could hear.
"Of course," Shepherd responded.
"I hope so," Mal said, "'cause I don't enjoy being made to look the fool."
"That should do it," Kaylee said. She pushed some hair out of her eyes. "Where's Simon and River?"
"In the infirmary with the girl," Mal said, "Doc knows what to do if they get past us."
"Is that likely?" Zoe asked.
"I honestly have no idea," Mal sighed.
"Very," Shepherd answered her. Zoe cast him a look. Their conversation was cut short as a loud metallic sound rang through the doors and the ship jolted.
"I think they're here," Jayne said.
Mal grabbed Kaylee and pulled her over to the stairs.
"Kaylee, you go up to Inara's shuttle," He said. "Tell her I said to take you and get away from this ship. I ain't havin' you two getting' killed on my watch."
"But captain-" Kaylee protested.
"That's an order!" Mal yelled.
"Well… well shouldn't we take Simon and the others too?"
"No, they'd shoot you down if they knew they was on board. You just get yourselves nice and out of the way."
"But what if-"
"Now, Kaylee!" Mal yelled, grabbing a gun and crouching behind the crates with Zoe. He swung the strap over his shoulder and mounted it, aiming for the door. It was glowing red and they could hear sparks flying from the other side.
"Just like old times, huh?" Mal whispered.
"Too much so, sir," Zoe said, without shifting her eye from the sight of her gun. Mal bit his lip.
"Yeah..."
The door groaned; all noise behind it stopped. Mal curled his finger around the trigger, readying to shoot. On the other side of the bay, Jayne held up his hand. There was a muffled impact, and then the door flew open with a loud bang. Mal stiffened, a large amount of steam spilled out. Jayne jerked his hand, signalling them to hold. Half a foot appeared. Jayne dropped his hand. Mal fired; so did Zoe. Jayne grabbed a grenade and lobbed it through the door.
"Get down!" He yelled. Mal threw himself to the floor.
The infirmary rocked; Simon held onto the bench. Madeline screamed as she fell off the bed, dragging the oxygen mask with her. River was pulling herself up, her forehead bleeding where it had made contact with the wall. She pulled Madeline into a corner and held her protectively. Simon stumbled as a second impact burst through the ship, covering his head and trying to avoid the medication falling from the cupboards. He knelt beside River and Madeline, quickly pulling the mask back over Madeline's mouth before the room swayed again. River was terrified, but she kept a hold on Madeline and refused to let it show. She hugged her little sister and told her it would be okay. For the first time she felt like she was lying.
The smoke cleared; Mal pulled himself back up and fired without hesitation. Zoe and Jayne were already pushing rounds through the door. Sounds and shots rang behind it. Mal stopped.
"Halt!" he yelled. The others continued to fire. Mal waved his arms to get their attention.
"Stop!" he yelled when they looked at him. Jayne pulled his gun back, giving Mal a questioning grimace.
"Look!" Mal hissed. Slabs of metal, dinted where bullets had hit them, were advancing through Serenity's door. Jayne ground his teeth.
"What now?" Shepherd yelled. Mal turned to Zoe.
"Quick; get up to the walkway while they're still hiding," He whispered to her, "When they peek their heads out of those shields you fire as hard you can. Take this; don't stop till you've got 'em out. They'll have no choice but to face us." He thrust an automatic into her hand. Zoe leapt up.
"Jayne, give us some cover fire!" Mal yelled. He lifted his gun and sent a barrage of bullets down on the approaching soldiers. Zoe leapt two stairs at a time, leaning over the railing as she sent shots raining down. The soldiers yelled; raising their shields above their heads.
"Now!" Mal called. He, Jayne and Shepherd leapt up. Barely a few seconds into their assault a smoke bomb flew through the open door. Five men stepped over their fallen comrades; four disbanded and ran at the crew. Mal found his arms secured behind him as he spluttered in the choking fog. He threw his elbow back; hearing as satisfying sound from his captor as he threw him off. Mal turned, his arms outstretched as he tried to navigate his way through the smoke. He hit something solid and a hand seized his neck. The smoke cleared; Mal saw a man in neat blue clothes looking satisfied as he held him.
"Captain Reynolds, I presume?" He said coolly, "tell me, where will I find River Tam and Madeline Brooke?"