Disclaimer: I don't own Firefly, Serenity, or TSCC.
River listened as best she could to the confused and frightened voices as she and Cameron paraded down the middle of the street. Many of the minds she heard recognized danger when they saw it and thought of ways to protect themselves, to hide from the coming wave of death.
A few, and River noted where they were, thought about the pleasures the bodies of the two young women would bring. Tension filled her body as River felt herself slipping into the mindset the Academy had forced upon her mind. The killer was emerging.
Cameron had no such thoughts. Focusing solely on the plan and finding those who had threatened her John's life occupied Cameron's CPU. Unlike River, Cameron had no qualms about the killing that would soon take place. The lone exception came when Cameron glanced at River's face and recognized the conflict for what it was; making Cameron thankful she was not cursed with the reader's ability to hear the thoughts of others. To hear their screaming in terror, the pleading before River finished them.
It would be soon. The pair approached the warehouse the bounty hunters operated from. There was no doubt the bounty hunters by now were aware of the girls approach.
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Settling into his prone position, Jayne decided he was glad he'd brought the tarp to lie on. The rooftop was covered with old, black tar with tiny bits of gravel. With loving care he checked Vera, making certain everything was ready including his ammunition supply. Satisfied, Jayne watched Cameron and River as the pair slowly approached the entrance to a large warehouse. Most of the bystanders who'd occupied the streets and sidewalks vanished, well aware a gunfight was about to start.
Many was the time Jayne had lain in wait in just as he did now. Sometimes he was nervous because of the danger. Other times Jayne felt excited about the prospect of gain after the shooting was done. He was calmest when the plan was good, simple to execute and his target had no idea of what was coming.
Glancing at his trigger hand, Jayne focused to steady the tremors. "Won't do to miss," he muttered, disgusted with himself. "Ain't no Reavers down there, Cobb. Nothin' to be a fearin'."
A greater prize than money or revenge weighed on Jayne's mind. He'd promised himself to keep Sarah safe. It surprised Jayne that promise had changed to include John and Cameron. Possibly Derek but Jayne was pretty sure Reese could take care of himself. Jayne didn't like the sick feeling inside. He'd only ever felt that way before about his Ma and the young'uns at home that he'd left behind. The one's Jayne sent money home for.
Rumblings in his stomach caused Jayne to reach for the small bag Sarah had made up for him. He pulled out the first of the two sandwiches and began to eat. It wouldn't do to miss a shot because he was hungry.
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"Are you sure?"
"Boss, they just standin' there. Plain as day, right there in the middle of the street."
"I don't like it," the leader of the bounty hunters said.
"Boss, we just gotta grab'em and then get our reward," one of the underlings exclaimed.
"They armed?"
"Sure, Boss. They armed," the bounty hunter who'd reported the news.
"How so?"
"Shot gun of some sort I ain't never seen," the gun replied. "Other one is carryin' a sidearm. Nothin' we can't handle."
"You weren't there when we tussled with 'em," a fourth voice exclaimed. "Dem twins is plum sweet on the eyes and Reavers when it comes to fightin'."
The boss man sighed. This was not how he'd planned to grab the twins. "Well, sometimes things just fall into your lap. Guess this is one of them."
"Yeah, that's what I say, Boss," the first bounty hunter said, grinning at the prospect of a payday.
"Well, let's see what things look like," the Boss ordered. "Remember, we want 'em alive. Alliance won't pay for 'em if they're dead."
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Dust blew up in a large cloud, enveloping the shuttle as it settled on the open field. Inara throttled the engines down and allowed them to idle. John opened the door and carefully stepped out and climbed down. Walking the short distance to the crest of the ridge Inara had landed behind, John pulled his binoculars out and lay down on the ground. Scanning the area below revealed the warehouse. The path to the building was open, devoid of any obstacles.
Flipping through the spectrums, John looked for signs of mines or booby traps. Finding none, John returned to the shuttle and retrieved one of the two Claymore mines.
"No you don't John Connor," Inara threatened. "You haven't healed yet. If you hurt yourself carrying that thing, Cameron will kill me and I'll never hear the end of it from Sarah and Simon."
"Inara, I have to set them to cover the retreat. It's part of the plan. Everyone will expect the mines to be set."
Shooting John an angry glare, the companion hiked up her skirt, exposing her legs to mid-thigh, causing John to swallow nervously at the sight. To his surprise, there were two short strips of cloth Inara used to hold her skirt up.
"Sometimes, Companions have to do things that are less than graceful," Inara explained. "This appears to be one of those times."
Together the pair struggled to carry the two mines to the crest of the ridge. John slipped down the reverse slope and planned where to put the devices. Minutes were all that were required to dig the shallow groves to hide the mines. Inara helped John plant the mines and camouflage them. The pair returned to the shuttle to wait.
Retrieving some protein bars, Inara sat down next to John on the lip of the entrance to the shuttle. Offering John two of the bars, Inara glanced out at the surrounding terrain. She turned to watch John peel the wrapper off one of the bars and take a small bite.
"Do you like how you life now?"
Taking another small nibble, John looked out at the open field. "Compared to what?"
"Compared to before. Before Serenity."
"It's not bad at all," John answered. "I can think of plenty of times in my life where things have been so much worse."
He looked at Inara, studying the beautiful woman's face, noting her expression. "You aren't so sure you want us to stay, are you?"
"What makes you say that?"
"My mom."
Inara looked away suddenly, studying the ridge. "We have an understanding."
"No, Mom decided she preferred Jayne."
"And just what do you mean by that?" Inara snapped.
John grinned. "Mom's the most competitive human being I know. But it doesn't matter anymore. I think she likes the challenge of training Jayne."
"Training Jayne?"
"There's no changing him," John laughed. "He is who he is. Mom just wants some of the edges to be smoother."
"More power to Sarah then," Inara said in disgust. "Jayne Cobb is the most boorish man I have ever known."
"I've known a couple who can top Jayne," John answered grinning. His expression becoming serious, he spoke again. "But I've never met a man who made Mom feel safe. You have no idea what that means to her."
The wind blew, raising dust from the dry ground in the field, covering the shuttle with a fine coating and causing Inara and John to cough and cover their faces till the breeze settled.
"My question still stands," Inara reminded John.
"I've never lived a life where I wasn't hunted," John answered. "Skynet, Terminators, the Alliance, it doesn't make a difference. I know we butted into your lives on Serenity, but I hope it hasn't been too bad."
Sitting in silence, Inara stared past John, considering his words.
"Change is hard. Especially change you didn't count on. My Mom can tell you all about that. So can I. But sometimes, change is good. Like when Cameron came into my life. I'd be dead or worse, alone and bitter."
"Change is hard, I know. Like when Wash and Sheppard Book died. But Cameron has been good for River and that's been good for Simon and Kaylee."
John grinned at Inara again. "It's been good for me too. I love Cameron, but it's nice for her to have a friend to think about, to spend time with. Give me a little space and me time."
"What do you think of Derek and River?"
"It's good for my uncle. He's suffered so much loss, seen so many horrible things. Derek's had to carry the burden of too much responsibility. He lives in the shadow of my father. River let's Derek have a fresh start. As fresh a start as somebody like him can have."
"What about River? If Derek is so damaged as you say, how can he be good for River?"
"He won't judge her. Derek has a past he wants to put behind him as well. River needs to be protected and that will be good for Derek. Not protected physically, emotionally. I'll go one further; Derek needs River's attention, her affection. The way she pursues him. It's innocent. Cameron says it makes River happy. Shouldn't a relationship be about being happy?"
"I suppose," Inara answered. "Everyone on Serenity seems to be broken in one way or another."
"Your turn," John said, surprising Inara.
"My turn?"
"Yeah. You like living on Serenity?"
Inara took a moment before answering. "Yes, but things can't go on like they are."
"You mean you and Mal?"
"I mean me and Mal."
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Mal hoped the mule was completely hidden from sight and some passerby with a mind for thievin' didn't stumble upon the vehicle. He reckoned their departure would be sudden and high speed.
Simon had gone first and vanished into a small restaurant just down from the warehouse. Fanned out on either side of the street in the intersection facing the warehouse was Sarah and Derek. From Mal's vantage point, they were waiting for the arrival of Albatross and Cameron.
If the fun didn't start as soon as the pair arrived, they would see to it themselves.
Shoppers, passersby and folk in general were suddenly vanishing or hurrying down the street. Braver, or foolish, individuals were looking for cover to watch from behind. Mal tensed, sweat forming on his forehead as he waited.
The wait wasn't long. River and Cameron appeared in the intersection of the roads and stopped. Seconds passed and the door to the warehouse opened and several bounty hunters stepped out, weapons drawn and at the ready. One of the bounty hunters, dressed in an old Alliance military tunic started talking.
Mal noticed Cameron tilted her head, clearly listening to the man's statement. River's right hand drifted slowly to the side arm on her hip as she raised her left behind her back, reaching for the axe hidden beneath the cover-up she wore.
Cameron's voice drifted ever so faintly towards Mal. He was unable to understand her response, but the sound of Cameron working the pump action of the Bennelli was unmistakable. A shot rang out and Cameron took a step back upon the bullet's impact. River rolled away from Cameron to the right, axe in one hand and side arm in the other.
A loud crack rang out from the rooftop as Vera sounded, ending the culprit who'd shot Cameron. Cameron fired, dropping the bounty hunter to the left of the leader. A quick pump and she downed another of the Alliance scum. River entered the fray, charging forward and firing her pistol into the remaining bounty hunters who had foolishly bunched together by the entrance.
Mal watched in horror as River tore into the bounty hunters, wielding her axe as she had against the Reavers on Miranda. With Cameron hot on River's tail, the pair forced their way into the warehouse. Random gunfire came from the windows on the second floor of the warehouse, forcing Sarah and Derek to take cover behind mules on the street. Vera made her presence felt a second time as Jayne silenced the opposing snipers, allowing Sarah and Derek to make the rush across the street.
Mal watched from his position, hoping Simon had the good sense to remain where he was until the Doc was needed. One final shot from Vera and Mal rushed from his observation point and crossed the street to the entrance. Inside he could hear the raging gun battle accompanied by horrific screams. Screams Mal was certain caused by River and Cameron as the pair did their worst.
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"I hate this waitin', I really do. What if somethin' bad happens? Zoe' what are we gonna do?"
"We're gonna do what we have to, Kaylee. We wait and make certain Serenity is ready to break atmo as soon as the Captain gives the order."
Kaylee paced back and forth in the bridge, irritating Zoe' as the First Officer kept watch through the viewport.
"Girl, sit down," Zoe' commanded. "You're just makin' things worse for both of us."
The ships engineer sat down in the co-pilot's seat and fidgeted. "If Simon gets killed, I'm gonna kill him. Just kill him. Same goes for anyone else."
Hoping to calm the stressed engineer, Zoe' replied in her measured, even tone. "I understand. Just kill 'em."
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The blast from her Bennelli left the ears of the bounty hunters hiding atop the star case ringing. Cameron paused just long enough to quickly reload the weapon before continuing up the stairs. Behind the terminatress, River finished off the last of the bounty hunters who'd dared to impede their progress. Following her twin, River hurried up the stars while Sarah and Derek went door to door and cleaned out the remaining rooms downstairs in the office complex in the converted warehouse.
Blood ran from Cameron's facial wounds and the impact wounds in her upper torso. Moving forward with a relentless, steady march in her perfectly measured strides, Cameron shielded River while blasting away at targets, human and doors, obliterating both. Reading the minds of the hiding thugs, River moved gracefully down the corridor, shooting through walls and doors, ending one bounty hunter after another while Cameron patiently waited.
"Finished?"
"Yes, Twin. You should reload," River answered.
Cameron moved to the stairs and waited, looking to see if Sarah and Derek were coming. Voices below indicated Mal had joined the rest of the Connor family and additional firepower would be available shortly. A single glance at River followed by a nod and Cameron moved up the stairs to the third floor, knowing support would be directly behind her.
"Non-lethal fire now. We have terminated five of the eleven responsible for attacking us and wounding John. The plan calls for a limited number prisoners for interrogation purposes."
River followed Cameron who again opened fire, blasting away at human targets foolish enough to show themselves. For others she used her infrared vision to scan for targets, firing the double ought buckshot through the walls. Using her psychic skills, River followed suit, leaving behind wounded, broken bodies in her wake.
Following close behind, the older humans cautiously made their way down the corridor of the third floor, cringing at the smells of blood, feces, and death. Silence fell as Cameron and River stopped firing, leaving only the cries of the wounded and dying.
"The leader is in this room," River announced. Cameron pumped her shotgun and aimed at the wall, lining up the shot.
"You have three seconds to surrender. If you don't, you will be…"
"Cameron!" Sarah shouted, holding a single finger up to her mouth, warning Cameron not to speak. Puzzled, Cameron tilted her head, considering what Sarah wanted. Realizing survivors might giveaway her unique vocabulary, Cameron nodded.
"You will be ended," Cameron finished. River started the count in her identical voice, allowing Cameron to move to a better firing position. "One, two, …"
"Okay, don't shoot," came a booming, frightened voice."
"Drop your weapons," Mal shouted, moving forward to allow Cameron and River to fall back. In less than a minute six survivors were disarmed and bound. Outside the sound of the mule starting could be heard as Jayne drove the vehicle up to the freight entrance of the warehouse.
"River, get your brother," Mal ordered. "He's got some work to do. Oh, and leave that bloody axe behind. Wouldn't look good, you carryin' that about where folk can see."
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Kaylee had left for the engine room to begin the start up sequence to warm Serenity's engines up for breaking atmo. Zoe' finished feeding and burping Emma and began rocking her daughter to sleep.
The message from Inara that everyone had survived the assault had come as a relief. Things could still go wrong, and often did, but it was a relief still that everyone was alive. Even more telling, Simon had not sent a message telling Kaylee to prepare specific items in the infirmary.
"Don't be a hero, Captain," Zoe' whispered to Emma. "Just bring everyone home."
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John was getting frustrated. Time was limited before they would need to withdraw and make good their escape on Serenity. Alliance police were sure to arrive soon. Two of the prisoners had bled out and died, leaving the boss and three others.
"My girlfriend is busy at the moment," John informed the boss. "There will be no evidence we were ever here when we leave."
"No evidence," the leader laughed, incredulous at the impossibility of the statement. "Have you stopped and looked at your handiwork?"
"I said no evidence that we were here. I didn't say no evidence somebody took care of business."
John stared at the man for a minute before sighing.
"Cameron? You finished yet?"
"Yes," came the monotone answer.
"I need you to hurt some people for me."
"Yes, dear," came a happy response.
The thud of Cameron's boots announced her approach. Upon entering the room she sat down the boxes of surveillance equipment she had stripped.
"I want to hurt him," Cameron announced, pointing at the leader.
Sarah and Derek watched as the blood drained from the man's face. Mal looked back and forth between Cameron and the prisoners. River had bandaged Cameron's facial wounds, hiding her steel cheekbones and jaw. The blood on her bandages and clothes told a tale of a wounded animal, one eager to inflict pain on its tormentors. There was no doubt the men were aware Cameron would hurt them.
"Last chance." John said firmly. "She really wants to hurt you. Has for awhile."
Without warning, Cameron took two strides forward and struck the leader in the face, shattering his left eye-socket.
"Answer my question or she gets to hit you again. You won't last long."
"Okay, okay," the leader gasped, his eye a bloody mess.
"Who put the bounty on our heads?"
"It came from Alliance Central Command."
"Who?"
"I don't know," the leader pleaded. "Just came out over the cortex."
"How'd you know where to find us?"
"We got a tip."
Thanks for reading the story this far! I will be taking a break but will pick the story up in a Part II version. Sorry to disappoint, but work and life have been a bit too hectic of late. I am a school teacher and author (you might like my Inspector Thomas Sullivan Thriller novels - available from Amazon) and just don't have the time.
Cameron is staring at me as she cleans her new pistol and River is pacing in her bare feet sharpening her axe with a whet stone. Neither is happy about the decision to pause the story. Needless to say, I will be forced to continue the story in the future. Or else.
Author's Note: I grew tired of Cameron staring at me in silence, making me wonder what was going on in that CPU of hers. It also didn't help that River was constantly talking in riddles about killing me with her brain. So out of a sense of self-preservation, I have continued the story under the title of River's Match Pt. II. It won't be updated as quickly but it will be on going.
Thanks for reading the story!
