"Mal leaned on the dining table in the galley, gathering his thoughts. It only took him a moment.
"They have tried subtle." Mal started. "For whatever reason, they wanted to get rid of us quietly."
Mal looked over the faces of his crew as he leaned on the galley table. Everyone was there except River, who was on the bridge talking to ghosts. Those that were there looked at him with trust in their eyes, faith that he would lead them out of this mess that was just now beginning to make sense to him. He wasn't sure that he deserved it.
"I don't expect they will hold back this time and I don't aim to go quietly. Jayne, set up a firing line in the cargo hold. Take down all access to the upper deck. Only way up here will be from the Infirmary." Mal stayed completely calm as he described the plan. "and Jayne, I'll be needing that Video you made."
"You got it."
"Zoe. Secure the top lock. Weld it shut if you think it needs. Only two ways in, the way we're situated in this dock, front and the top. I don't want no one at the back door."
"Yes sir."
"Doc. Get what you need up here to the galley. Not likely we can hold the lower deck if the cargo hold is lost."
Simon nodded. He wanted to keep River out of this, but he knew if thing didn't go well that would be impossible. She would revert into the weapon she was trained to be rather than lose her home. He didn't want to be a fugitive again, but she wouldn't abandon the crew now and neither would he
"Inara. Get both shuttles prepared to run if we have to. You, Kaylee and Zoe in one. Jayne Doc and River, take the other. If you have to 'Rabbit' don't run long. Ditch and scatter. Find a safe place and lay low. The Guild jumps to mind or the Abby."
"Mal?" Inara's look said more than she wanted. "What about you?"
"There's someone out there willin to listen to reason. Believe I have an appointment to go over some books with him in the morning. But a gunfight is coming and we should be prepared to lose it." Mal looked directly into Inara's eyes. "This one ain't worth dyin for." Then he looked at Kaylee. "We'll come back for Serenity. She'll be fine."
"Cap'n? I…" Kaylee looked to Mal for direction. She looked lost and scared. They both knew that she was no good in a gunfight, but this was her home. She had no place else to go.
"You keep helping River with that port lock. If she can get that lifted, I want you the get Serenity off this rock. No hesitation. Just go. Don't wait for me. You got it?
"Yes Cap'n."
"If I don't make it back in time…" Mal turned from the table and called up the hall to the bridge. "...you leave without me. Understand!"
"Yes captain." River replied on the intercom.
"Sir, will you be alright out there?" Zoe asked, half offering to come with him. "There's a full strike unit out there. How are you planning to get through?"
"I need you here, with Inara and Kaylee." Mal ordered. "Just give River the time she needs. Anyway, you know how careful I am."
"That's why I asked, Sir."
"Mal." Inara touched him on the shoulder. "You don't have to go out there."
"I surely do." He replied holding up Jayne's scope. "Someone has to get this to the right folk or Serenity ain't going nowhere."
"Then come with me." She said, her tone resigned. "Come with me before you get yourself killed."
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