Spartan's Quest - Chapter 15
Author owns no rights to Firefly, and writes only for his own amusement.
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On Londinium, Willie and Lucas were enjoying the good life. As guests of Lord Janos himself, the two were treated to any and everything they wanted. For Lucas, it wasn't too much different from the life he'd enjoyed as the engineer aboard Athena. Though life on Serenity was harder, he had never regretted his decision to work for Mal.
For Willie, however, the change was much more dramatic. She'd fought tooth and nail for nearly everything she'd ever had.
"I could definitely get used to this," she remarked to Lucas, as the two of them lounged near the pool near the manor.
"It's the life," Lucas agreed with a nod. "But it can get boring, after a while."
"That why you signed on with the Cap'n?" Willie asked. "Bored?"
"Well, partly," Lucas admitted. "And part of it was I just plain like Mal. And respect him. And it was a chance to see more of the 'verse than I've ever seen." Lucas wasn't sure if Willie knew about the attack on the Blue Sun facility, so he didn't mention it. He'd learned the value of silence.
"Still hard to believe that you gave up all this. . . ."
"Miss Willie?" her comment was broke off. She looked up at the speaker, seeing it was Hiram. He was the butler of the main house.
"Yes, Mister Hiram?" she asked. "Something wrong?"
"No, madam," Hiram smiled at the 'Mister' honorific. "There are some men here to look over Captain Reynolds' ship, however, and they would like the two of you to accompany them." Willie and Lucas were immediately on guard.
"What do you mean, 'look over'?" Willie asked, now on her feet, with Lucas right behind. Hiram sensed their suspicion, and raised a hand in a calming fashion.
"Nothing is amiss, I assure you," he spoke calmly. "Lord Janos has arranged for a complete refit of Serenity while she is still. The work will be carried out here, on the grounds, and the Security team will stand guard while the work is being done. Since the work is being done by one of Lord Janos' own companies, however, there should be no problem."
"Captain didn't say anything 'bout a refit," Willie replied.
"It is a gift, from Lord Janos," Hiram nodded. "One that the Captain is unaware of. Lord Janos would take it as a personal favor, as would the Lady River, if the two of you would oversee the refit personally. I was told to inform you to spare no expense. Anything and everything you request is to be honored. Lord Janos' exact words were, 'as close to new as possible'."
"Wow," Willie whistled. Lucas smiled knowingly.
"Like I said," he smirked. "It's the life. Come on!" he added, moving toward the ship. "Let's go see what we can get!"
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Jayne looked at Idlewild, growing larger by the minute outside the viewport. He had worn a frown for two days as his mind worked over possible problems.
"Still nagging you?" River asked, stepping softly to his side. He nodded.
"Yes. I can't shake the feeling. No idea why."
"If it makes you feel better," she told him quietly. "I feel it to. And I am no closer to figuring out why than you are."
"It doesn't make me feel better," Jayne told her. "But I'm glad you told me." He turned and started off the bridge.
"Get us on the ground, Harry," he ordered over his shoulder. "Quietly as possible."
"Aye, milord," Harry replied. "Actual or assumed?" she asked.
"Assumed," he ordered after a brief pause. "Let's don't broadcast our presence."
"Done."
"What did that mean?" River asked as she followed him off the bridge.
"Actual means we apply for landing as Athena," Jayne told her. "Assumed means we land as another ship entirely."
"You can do that?" River asked. "What about the transponder?"
"It's scrambled," Jayne assured her. "They'll call, asking for it to be rebroadcast in the clear. When they do, Harry'll send a fake of some kind. Comes in handy from time to time."
"I'll bet," River grinned impishly. Jayne shrugged.
"Sometimes you don't want anyone to know you're about. This is one of those times."
Minutes later, the ship was on the ground. Jayne and River, swords hidden under leather dusters, left the ship alone, heading for the terminal. The crew were all on duty, and stood the watch. Someone might get on board, but they'd have to work at it.
"What are we going to do?" River asked, scanning the area from behind her sunglasses.
"We're gonna look around for the families Mal is meetin' here," Jayne replied, his accent slipping into the old 'Jayne'. "We'll keep an eye on'em from a distance, just to make sure don't nothin' odd happen. If everything goes well, then we'll meet up with Mal in orbit, and move on together."
"Good idea," River nodded. "You think someone will attack the families?"
"I think it's possible," Jayne shrugged. "We laid this whole thing on pretty fast. We're bound to of left traces, somewhere. Someone looks hard enough, it'll lead'em here, eventually."
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Unaware that he already had friends on the ground, Mal was studying the growing ball of Idlewild from Artemis' bridge, much as Jayne had done less than an hour before.
"Last stop," Zoe said from his side. Mal nodded.
"Last chance for luck to run out," he added, grimacing.
"You know, sir," Zoe looked at him. "It's possible that we'll get this done without any trouble."
"And I'm a member o' Parliament," Mal snorted. "Just slummin'." Zoe couldn't help but laugh at Mal's deadpan delivery, and her laughter, in turn, forced a grin to Mal's face.
"Okay, sir," she agreed. "No one's like to be sloppy, anyway, after all we been through. No one wants to get this far, and then blow it."
"True," Mal nodded. "But we still need to be careful." He headed aft, and Zoe followed. The ground force was assembled in the galley, aware they were about to land. Mal drew up short at seeing everyone there, waiting on him.
"We're getting used to you," Jerl McCann snorted, and the others laughed. Mal had the grace to look a bit sheepish, but then turned serious.
"I don't like it," he said at once. "We ain't had a lick o' trouble since the Bellows' place. That ain't normal. And I got a powerful odd feelin' 'bout this. I know, it was my idea," he raised a hand at the coming comments. "That don't make me like it no better."
"No one gets sloppy," he warned. "We know what we're dealin' with, or may be dealin' with, so we can't afford no mistakes. We'll use the same plan as before. If the ship comes under attack, especially if any Brethren are involved, get the ship in the air, and go. We'll get off some other way."
"Sir," Jerl started to object, but Mal stopped him.
"It's better to lose some, than all," he said quietly, his voice firm. "I know how that sounds, but we got a passle o' folk on this ship already, and they're countin' on us to get them to safety. If you come under attack, Jerl, you're in charge. Get this ship into the black, and head straight to Nightside."
"We'll find some other way to get off, and take the others with us. Dong ma?" Jerl nodded, clearly not liking his orders, but seeing the truth in Mal's statement.
"Okay then," Mal smiled, feeling the ship touch down. "Let's get moving. Only three families to collect here. Let's see can we get'em, and get gone."
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Mal and Neera headed for the terminal, hand in hand, looking for all the world like two people going to meet visitors. Which is what they wanted everyone to think. Neera watched their right, and Mal their left.
"So far, so good," she smiled. Mal snorted.
"She said, just before the sky fell on them," his voice wasn't so much sarcastic as it was amused. Darkly amused, Neera thought, but humor, of a sort.
"Take it easy, Mal," she chided gently. "You're gonna die of worry 'fore anyone gets a chance to kill you."
Mal's look was sour.
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As it happened, Neera was mistaken. Mal wouldn't die of worry before at least one attempt on his life.
"I got Reynolds," a man spoke softly into a radio, watching the people coming and going from the terminal. "He's with a tall, dark skinned gal, likely his first mate."
"Keep an eye on them," Wilson's voice came back immediately. "I want to know who he's meeting."
"Roger that," the man replied, easing along after the two marks. He looked over the woman with Reynolds, and smirked a little. Since he'd been with Wilson, life had improved for him. He enjoyed women, especially if the woman didn't enjoy being with him. And this one was a real looker.
He'd ask Wilson if he could have her for a while, before they killed her. He could always space her before they got back to Ariel.
Smiling, he continued following, his mind drifting while he mulled over what he would do, once he had her.
He should have been watching his own back.
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"You see that?" Julio said softly. Zoe's arm was linked in his, and she felt him stiffen.
"What is it?" she asked, instantly on guard.
"That guy, right there," he nodded. "Blue hat, blue coat. He was standing there, minding his own business, until Mal and Neera walked by. The he raised his hand to his mouth for a minute. Now, he's fell in behind them." Zoe watched the man for a moment. Sure enough, he was ambling along, never gaining, never losing ground.
"Go se," Zoe murmured. Julio nodded, and raised his hand to his ear, touching his ear mike.
"Mal, Neera, don't let on, but you got a tail," he spoke carefully, while Zoe watched. "White male, blue hat and coat, right on your six. He was waiting for someone, then fell into trail when you went by."
"Okay," Mal replied, his voice muffled. "Any idea who he is?" Mal was trying to talk to Julio while smiling at Neera. It wasn't easy.
"None," Julio replied. "We've got him, but he's likely not alone. Orders?"
"Let's play it out, for now," Mal decided after a minute of calculation. "He may can lead us somewhere we'd like to go."
"Just take heed," Julio warned. "He's awfully confident. Like he ain't got a care or a fear in the world."
"Like he knows there's nothin' 'round here can hurt him?" Mal asked. Julio felt a chill at that, and he and Zoe exchanged a glance.
"Yeah," he answered. "Just like that, in fact."
"Great," Mal murmured. "Okay, let's see what happens. Make sure he ain't got any friends."
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"A trap," Mal said softly, and Neera nodded, still smiling.
"Wonder how they figured it out?" she mused aloud.
"Don't matter none, now," Mal shrugged. "We got two choices. We either make a run for it, and leave these folk to suffer, or we try and make it work. This is the last stop. If we can get these three families, and get into the black, we're done, all but the haulin'."
"I don't want to leave anyone to their 'mercy'," Neera almost shuddered. "Not if there's any way to prevent it."
"I don't aim to, darlin'," Mal gave her a lopsided grin. "It's about time we started hittin' these people back."
"He isn't people, Mal," Neera warned. "When the time comes, you leave him to me. Just grab the folks we're here to get, and head for the ship."
"Ain't too keen on losin' you, woman," Mal told her bluntly. "Not even by accident."
"You won't," Neera assured him. "Julio isn't far behind."
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"Zoe, when it hits the fan, you and Mal grab our marks, and head for the ship. Leave this to me and Neera. Got it?"
"I ain't gonna just run off and leave you to do the fightin'," Zoe growled. "I ain't exactly helpless, you know."
"Here, you will be," Julio said bluntly. "This ain't a discussion, Zoe," his voice turned hard. "That man's been turned, and he's probably not alone. You and Mal won't stand a chance against them. So you do like I said." Zoe glared at him, dander rising at his tone.
"Don't argue with me, Zoe," Julio looked her straight in the eye. "I won't see anything happen to you. This isn't your fight. Just make sure those kids, and their folks, is safe. We'll do the rest."
Zoe's objection died on her lips at that. She looked at Julio then, really looked at him, for the first time, it seemed. The happy go lucky 'nerd' was gone. In his place was a deadly warrior who knew his business. The look in his eyes seemed to soften as he returned her gaze, and Zoe felt a knot in her stomach.
"Fine," she grumped, to cover herself. She'd been startled by the depths of feeling she could see in Julio's eyes. "I'll go. But I don't have to like it."
"I'd be shocked if you did," he grinned.
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"I see Captain Daddy," River told Jayne, as the two walked along.
"Where?" Jayne asked, looking around.
"Here, dummy," River smirked, pointing to her temple. "He isn't far. I can sense him up at the terminal. He's with Neera," she added, giggling. She stopped suddenly, a frown creasing her features.
"What's it?" Jayne asked, hand slipping into his coat, looking around for a threat.
"He's in trouble," River sighed. "Someone behind him. We should hurry."
The two sped up slightly, balancing between the need to hurry, and their desire not to attract unwanted attention. To most people they just looked like a couple running late to meet someone.
"I can see him," River slowed, nodding ahead. Jayne slowed beside her, scanning ahead. Sure enough, Mal and Neera were walking, arm in arm, about thirty yards ahead of them.
"There comes Julio and Zoe," he said, pointing. River nodded, but was looking at a point between them. She stiffened slightly.
"Brethren," she breathed, where only Jayne could hear. Her hand was pointing to the man in the blue coat and hat. Jayne noted that he was exactly between their two sets of friends. And that Julio was watching him.
"They know he's there," Jayne told River, and she nodded. "Look for more," he ordered. River nodded again, absently. She was already letting her mind wander over the crowd.
Before her transformation, she would never have been able to so something like this, without seeming crazy. Now, she was in control, and able to use her talents as she wished. Her mind skirted along the surface thoughts of people in the area.
She frowned as her mind touched a dark presence.
"We're in trouble."
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Wilson was waiting. His man was behind Reynolds and his first mate, and they were coming straight to him. He almost laughed, it was so easy.
"'Don't underestimate them, Wilson'," he mimicked Brockman, a sneer on his face. "What a chump. Fool wouldn't know a real threat if it bit him in the ass."
And Wilson planned to do just that, at some point in the near future. He was content to wait, however, as Brockman played out his little game. No sense in having to work at grabbing all that power himself, he decided, when he could simply wait for Brockman to do it, and then take it from him.
In the meantime, he and his crew were having a high old time.
"We're almost on you, boss," he heard in his ear. Wilson left off his daydreaming, and started scanning the crowd.
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"How many?" Jayne asked. He was watching everyone around them, guarding River's back as she worked to find threats.
"At least five," she whispered. "So many minds, it's hard to find them, even when I know what to look for," she admitted.
"You're doin' fine," Jayne smiled. "Let's start. . . ." He broke off as he saw three men start to move.
"They're going after Mal," River told him, her voice strained. "They are. . .so evil, Jayne. So. . .wrong minded."
"Well, then," Jayne's smiled turned evil. "Let's see can we change that." Without waiting for her response, Jayne started forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. As he walked, Jayne touched his ear mike.
"Harry, we need a distraction. A big one."
"Comin' up, boss!" he heard the reply.
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Wilson was so intent on Reynolds, now just scant yards away, that the siren's piercing wail startled him. He jerked around, looking for the threat.
"May I have your attention, please," the loud speakers boomed. "All flights are temporarily on hold due to an. . .unspecified threat. We ask that all of you please proceed to the nearest shelter, as calmly as possible. We are monitoring the situa. . . ." The voice was cut off by another cry, somewhere behind the speaker it sounded like.
"Reavers! There's reaver vessels inbound! At least four. . .no fi. . . ." The loudspeakers clicked off at that, and then everything went to hell. People screamed, running in every direction at once. This far along the Rim, no one doubted the existence of Reavers.
"Son of a . . . ." Wilson snarled. He lost his view of Reynolds as people started running in front of him, behind him, all around him.
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"You wanted a big diversion," River reminded him, as Jayne cursed beside her.
"I didn't want all this runnin' around!" he almost snarled. The two of them started running as well, but not in blind panic. They were heading for their targets.
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Mal and Neera ground to a halt as the loudspeakers boomed.
"You have got to be kiddin' me!" Mal screeched. "As if we ain't got enough troubles!" He turned around, seeing the man who had been following them stop dead in his tracks. Mal's hand fell to his gun without the need for conscious thought. The man just smiled.
Yep, he's one of'em, Mal thought. The man raised a gun toward Mal, and pulled the trigger. Mal didn't have a chance to react.
Suddenly, Neera was in front of him. She had moved so fast that neither Mal nor the man shooting at him had time to fathom how she'd gotten there. The bullet, meant for Mal, struck her solidly in the rib cage, and she grunted as her armor absorbed the impact. Mal reached out to grab her, but she was already moving.
"Get clear!" she shouted, starting toward the man. Before she could get three steps however, the man stiffened. Even as she watched, the man's head seemed to tilt at an odd angle, then slowly slid from his shoulders.
Revealing Julio Givens standing behind him, sword in hand. His face was distorted, and Mal realized with a shock that Julio was. . .mad. Somehow he'd never imagined Julio being capable of anything other than his normal, happy go lucky, good natured self.
Wrong.
"We need to move," he shouted, as Zoe came to his side. "Look out!" he added, eyes going past Neera. She whirled, dropping into a crouch as she did so. Three men were making their way toward them. In a hurry.
"We need a plan!" Mal yelled.
"We got a plan!" Neera snarled, drawing her own sword. "You and Zoe get the kids. Me and Julio can deal with this." Mal was about to object When Zoe grabbed his arm.
"She's right!" Zoe yelled over the sirens. "We can't stand against them. Let's see can we still find our people!" Mal looked at her, wavering, then nodded.
"Watch yourself!" he ordered the other two, then he and Zoe were running for the terminal. Neera and Julio moved to place themselves between their friends and their attackers.
"Never a dull moment with you, Neera," Julio grinned.
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Jerl McCann jerked upright as the sirens began to wail.
"What the hell?" He stepped away from the ship, eyes scanning all around. He saw no reason for alarm.
"Reavers!" he heard the pilot call over the com. "Reavers inbound. Air Traffic plots four, make that five reaver vessels inbound for the terminal!"
"Get us in the air!" McCann ordered. "Get aboard, right now!" he called to his team members. "Man all weapons stations, and be prepared to repel boarders!" he ordered over the ship wide com. "All passengers to their quarters!"
Boots pounded throughout the ship as crew members raced to their stations. McCann was the last one aboard, eyes still looking skyward as the ramp closed.
"Lifting," the pilot's calm voice announced over the intercom. McCann raced to the bridge. He hated like hell to abandon the others, but Mal's orders had been clear.
And the Brethren had always tried to avoid reavers. If any of them ever managed to acquire the parasite. . . .
"We're clear," the pilot informed him, as McCann walked onto the bridge.
"Nothing on sensors," the young woman at the console assured him. "If they're there, they're out of range." McCann frowned at that. Artemis' sensor suite was top of the line, better than most military vessels. If her sensors weren't picking up anything. . . .
"Can we confirm the report?" he asked.
"Idlewild ATC is off the air," the pilot shook his head. "Probably heading for the shelters." McCann nodded.
"Get us clear, and set a course for Nightside," he ordered, hating himself for saying the words, but knowing he had no choice.
Artemis almost leaped forward as the pilot advanced his throttles to the stops, the ship clawing for altitude. McCann watched the ground grow distant.
I hope they can get out, he thought to himself as Artemis headed for the black.
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Wilson almost goggled as he saw Cates head slide from his body. How in the hell had they known to do that? He looked at the man who had killed Cates, and saw the man looking right back. No fear in his eyes. The woman had drawn a sword as well, and now the two were facing off against him and his two followers.
"Get Reynolds!" he ordered, and the two started forward, only to be cut off by the sword wielding couple.
"No you don't," the woman smiled ferally. "This is where you get off."
"We'll see about that," Wilson snarled, and raised his hand. "Everyone converge on my position. Now!" He smiled at Neera, though it wasn't a pleasant sight.
"There's more than just us," he told her triumphantly. "You've made a very big mistake, lady."
"Have I?" Neera taunted, her sword swinging deftly in her hand. "We'll see, I suppose. Meantime, talk won't get it done." She watched as four other men joined her attackers.
"Long odds," Julio mouthed softly. "We can't let them get by us. Mal and Zoe won't stand a chance."
"I know," Neera said calmly. "Looks like this might be where we get off, Julio."
"Been a good ride, Neera," Julio shrugged. "Can't complain." She grinned, never taking her eyes off their opponents.
"So it has." With that, she charged straight at them, Julio right beside her.