The mercenaries approached the cell. Their leader stepped forward and took out his gun; his followers did the same. River got to her feet and moved up to the metal bars of the cell. She stared at the leader as if looking into his very soul.
"You still hear them, the voices: scattered, broken. The blood ran thick through the streets; they begged and cried for mercy. You showed them none."
"Shut up!" The Mercenary leader yelled with his eyes tearing up.
"Neither will he." River said as she closed her eyes tight.
"River, No!" Simon screamed.
He pulled the trigger but heard no response from his gun. His weapon had jammed leaving him defenseless.
The three men beside him suddenly fell to the ground after three loud bangs echoed through the prison. The leader looked up to see Jayne cocking his gun.
"Looks like I got my gun back." Jayne said as he ran up to the last remaining mercenary knocking him into the wall with his gun.
"We gotta get back to the ship and find the captain. I think Badger's working with Niska." Jayne said as he opened up the cell.
A few minutes later they were out of the prison heading into the forest. Simon stopped them all so he could look at Jayne's wound to clean it up as much as he could.
"Without my supplies there is not much I can do for you now. You'll have to wait till we get back to the ship."
"Good we can't stop anyway with Niska and Badger about." Zoe stated.
"Does anybody remember the way back to the ship?" Kaylee asked as her friends turned around to realize they had no idea where they were going.
"She's this way." River said as she started walking further into the jungle.
About an hour later they arrived at the tail end section of Serenity. Zoe punched the button for the cargo door to drop down and open. They all walked in stood still not sure of what to do next. Zoe then took charge of the situation.
"Simon, stitch Jayne up. Wash, prep the ship to launch."
"Honey what about you?" Wash asked.
"I'm going after the captain." Zoe looked at her husband who was staring outside the ship.
Mal was stumbling towards the ship with his dead mother in his arms. He walked up the ramp, into the ship and fell to his knees. Simon ran to Lo's body but the Captain pushed him back.
"She's dead." Mal said in a low voice.
"Captain there's something you should know. Badger was working with Niska but now I think he just wants the jewels for himself." Zoe said as Mal turned his head up to look at her.
"That all?" Mal asked.
"No, he's standing right behind you."
"Well, well, seems you have had quite a bit of fun. Where's Niska?" Badger asked pointing a gun at Mal.
"Dead, like you'll be in a few seconds." Mal said with pain in his eyes.
An alarm sounded around the ship and Wash came over the speaker.
"We've got three reaver ships coming in above us." Wash said with fear in his voice.
"Take us out of here Wash." Zoe said into the intercom.
"Damn." Badger said as he started to run away.
Mal shot him in the leg and began to run towards him but Zoe stopped him.
"Captain we need to get out of here!"
"He's the reason she's dead." Mal screamed.
"He is as good as dead out there with the Reavers coming." Zoe said as the Captain relented and pressed the button to close the hanger door.
Serenity lifted up into the sky and cut through the clouds. Soon they were out in open space. A reaver ship followed them and closed in for an attack.
Wash cursed in Chinese as he saw the ship coming for them.
"Kaylee lets go for a hard burn."
"Right." Kaylee said as she began to fiddle with some wires and knobs on the base of the engine.
Serenity then rocketed deeper into space leaving the Reavers far behind.
"Probably best to lay low for awhile stay out of trouble." Zoe said to the Captain.
Mal didn't say a word but Book did approach them.
"I think I might know a place." Book said.