Gunshots? Book pulled himself to his feet and hurried to see what was going on only to stop short, barely able to believe what he was seeing was real. Zoe and Jayne lying dead, the Captain sitting on the stairs looking lost. Something was very wrong with Jayne's arm…
As he approached Mal stood, turned and began climbing the stairs.
"What are we going to do?" Book asked reluctantly, troubled by the Captain's blank look.
"Ain't nothing left. We're all infected by this thing… whatever it is. Only one thing to do. We're going to die." Mal said with all the emotion of pointing out there was a star in the sky. Book followed as he went to the cockpit and altered their course to take them away from planets, aiming them at the black at the edge of the Verse. They would be going until they ran out of fuel and drifting from there far from anyone who might rescue them.
Once he finished Mal turned, looked at Book with tired, red eyes and walked past him. "I suggest you say your prayers and either get some sleep or pick up a gun. Whatever will set your conscience at ease."
Book stood in silence, his chest felt tight and the pain became near overwhelming. The man who never gave up had surrendered. There were only three of them left and no way to fight the demon. He winced as another shot echoed through the cargo bay.
He indulged in the pain of mourning for a while then went in search of River. He couldn't bring himself to commit suicide and dreaded facing the demon again but perhaps River had found an alternative. Perhaps she had an answer. All he could do was hope, it was getting so very difficult to keep his eyes open…