Chapter Seven: Reaver Country
Per Simon's instructions, Mal had to stay in the passenger dorms for at least one to two nights before strenuous activities such as climbing stairs or ladders. He said a bunch of medical terms, basically stating that he could pull his sloppy stitches or possibly cause internal bleeding again, but Mal was convinced that he just wanted control over his stubborn patient. That, or River put him up to it.
She didn't. Well, not exactly. Maybe she dramatized what could happen to the captain if Simon didn't keep him in the passenger dorms. Maybe she even pointed out that she could keep a medial eye on him for Simon if Mal were close by. And, maybe—just maybe—she said that she had a bad feeling about Mal returning to his bunk. That wasn't a lie. She did have a bad feeling if he left her, but for a completely different reason.
Mal went to Simon's old room that night. He had enough painkillers in his system to pacify a herd of stampeding cattle or his old pal Monty after someone made fun of his soup-catcher. However, he woke in the middle of the night with a growling stomach. He'd hardly eaten all day, so he decided to wander up to the kitchen for a late snack. Yet, he forgot that there was a reader in the room across the way.
He wasn't even halfway up the steps when River's voice chided, "Stay. Down."
"I'm hungry," he responded while swaying from side to side. Gorram, those were strong pills.
"Down. Sit."
Frowning, he clumsily went down the steps and sat on the couch. "I ain't your puppy dog."
"Incorrect data, Captain. Puppy dog eyes. Obedient. Follows. Fluffy," as soon as she spoke the last word, her fingers ruffled his hair. "Now, stay. I'll get your snack."
Sure enough, River returned with exactly what Mal would have gotten for himself. They both drank warm tea while he chomped on a protein sandwich. More like protein on a week old, half eaten dinner roll. But, he couldn't complain. River waited quietly until he was done and instructed him to "roll over" onto her lap. Confused, he didn't move. She plopped him down with his head in her lap, ordering him to sleep. He drifted into a peaceful sleep only minutes later.
"How long do you reckon they've been that way?" Jayne gruffly whispered to Zoe from the top of the steps.
She sighed. "Since they met."
"What? They been sleepin' since they met?"
"Sometimes, I wonder if you were dropped on your head as a child. They've been sleepin' since last night. They've been…close…since the beginning. Captain won't admit it. Don't know if he ever will. We gotta get moving. Wake them gently while I get the mule ready."
Just as she turned to leave, Jayne shouted, "Mal! You awake yet?"
Mal opened one eye and River glared. She helped him sit upright and he rubbed his aching head. "No, Jayne. I'm sleepin' so come back later."
"Ha-ha. Zo and the rest of us are goin' to town for parts and ammunition. Our stores are kind of low, and there's a gorram war out there. I figured we need a good defense. Zoe is gonna help me and Simon is gonna help Kaylee. You two will be stayin' here."
"Last I checked, I'm the captain. I say what happens."
Jayne smirked. "Zoe said that you'd say that. What do you want then?"
"Well…fine. Just do that. I don't mind stayin' with River. The doc would have heart failure if I went out anyhow."
Thus, Jayne left and Mal glanced at River curiously. She smiled. "Yes, Captain. Not a dream."
His eyes fell to the empty mugs and crumb covered plate. In his mind, he was sure it wasn't real. He couldn't have really slept that well on his pilot's lap. She stood with a bright grin and trailed her fingers across his shoulder. "I'll be in the shower, Captain. Alert me if you require assistance with a bath later today."
She giggled when his ears turned pink. They each got cleaned up and into fresh clothes, Mal only needed help with buttoning his shirt properly, and he finally convinced River to help him to the top level. His bunk was off limits, but he was allowed to use the stairs with assistance and supervision. They made their way to the bridge and sat in their chairs to watch the clouds go by their eyes.
"That one looks like…a cloud?" Mal attempted.
River howled with laughter. "Imagination, Captain. Creativity. Hides in the mind. Utilize it. Example: that one looks like a ballerina dancing with a dragon."
"Huh," he mumbled, turning his head for a better angle. "Maybehaps it does. But, the one next to it…that looks like a horse…with a bird on its back."
"Excellent analysis, Captain. I concur with your theorem."
He knew at this point that her fancy words meant that he had done a good job. It was more fun that he'd like to admit. "That one looks like a wagon."
"Pulled by gigantic poodles."
They chuckled together, but the instant was broken by River's horrific gasp. Mal ran, as much as he could, to her side and steadied her with his hand. "River? Sweetheart, what's wrong?"
"The sky. Monster lurking in the clouds. Shark fin creeping across oceans to taste foolish children. Filled with horror within. Unleash the fury. Destruction with gnarled teeth. Chomp away until it's digested. Until it's gone."
"Someone's coming in a ship," he gathered. "When?"
Her finger pointed out the window. He spun to see an Alliance ship sinking into the canyon near them. Zoe had landed the ship neatly within a row of tree to remain hidden, so they shouldn't be spotted. When Mal assumed that it was an Alliance gunship coming to finish what they started, River suddenly snatched his hand and dragged him to the nose of the ship.
"Not what it seems to be. Wait."
The ship landed and the ramp in the rear opened. Gradually, troops marched in formation to a spot on the open ground. At least, that's what Mal thought they were at first. As they all turned to face forward, Mal studied them again. Messy hair. Disgusting, mismatched clothing. Axes, swords, knifes, maces, and many other blades. These were no soldiers. These were Reavers. Wait. No, that couldn't be right. Nothing about this could be right.
"What the hell is this?" Mal whispered to River as if they'd hear them.
"Call everyone back. Now."
He did as he was told, though Kaylee protested. "Ain't like we can go noplace, Captain. She's not gonna budge unless I get the parts."
"No time for that, Kaylee. We'll use the shuttles if we need to."
"…they was damaged too, Cap'in."
"Just get back here! They're gorram Reavers! I think. I don't know. Hurry up!"
That was motivation enough. They started back for the ship while River and Mal continued to watch. In unison, the…whatever they were…moved one hand to their ears. It was like they were listening to someone in an earpiece. Reavers wouldn't listen to anyone, let alone be organized in such a way. Together, they all shouted the same thing: "Yes, sir!"
They talked? They ruttin' talked?
For a second, they held their formation. Then, they let out a war cry and charged towards the nearest town in disarray. Luckily, the early warning allowed the rest of the crew to get back in time. Mal filled them in on the situation, but they all turned to River to see if she could tell them anything or at least have an idea.
"Reavers," she murmured as she leaned against Mal for support. "Different Reavers. Not from Miranda."
"The Alliance is making more? They were right on the cortex?" Simon questioned.
River shook her head with bleary eyes. "Not an Alliance ship. They don't use beetle class xv1920 sniper battle cruisers. Ship is painted to appear Alliance."
"Beetle class?" Zoe echoed. "Sir, didn't we use those in the war?"
He thought back and snapped his fingers. "Yeah, we did. For that one attack on the Feds during our first run. Those ships are old. They don't make them anymore. Hell, we hardly used them. They're loud and heavy. We got too noticed."
"Setup," River announced.
"Gorram," Jayne muttered. "You're sayin' the rebellion is tryin' to frame the Alliance for making these new Reavers?"
"Yes," River confirmed. "Did it wrong. Not going to work."
Kaylee's brow knit. "The setup ain't gonna work?"
"No. The Reavers. Compliant now. Do as they're told. Just enough damage to scare. To make headlines. Scientists engineered them. Made them unique. Smarter. Stronger. Too smart and strong. Won't listen forever."
"How many?" Mal wondered.
She shut her eyes and flew back open. "Twenty thousand. Just waiting for battle. One hundred here now. Another hundred on the way. Orders to destroy the entire town."
"We can't run. I already told Cap'in that we need the parts 'fore we can get away…" Kaylee nervously interjected.
"So, we'll get the parts," Mal decided. "If we're quick enough before the other Reavers get here, we can get out. If we don't, we're as good as dead."
"Sure, Mal. Let's go for a walk in new Reaver territory. Hell, why don't we just leave our guns here too. Then we can get nice and acquainted with 'em. Maybe bake them some 'Welcome to the party' cookies. I ain't goin' out there. I don't think anybody will," Jayne sarcastically commented.
River stepped forward. "I will."
"You won't," Simon and Mal said at the same time.
"Logical choice. Best fighter. Already experienced in Reaver combat. Can get the correct parts without placing Kaylee in danger. Only sensible."
Zoe shrugged. "River's right. She's our best choice. I can go with her as reinforcement."
"You ain't goin' out there," Jayne argued. He quickly cleared his throat. "Mal's hurt as it is. We need somebody in charge that isn't gonna keel over on this ship in case somethin' goes wrong."
"Jayne's…actually right. Zoe, you stay put. I'll go," Mal announced.
Simon rubbed his temples. "Captain, I do not want to stitch you up again, and I do not want you to put my little sister in danger."
"Believe me, doc. I don't want your stitchin' again neither. But, I swear on all that's fluffy and dear that will keep River safe."
"Wrong, I'll keep him safe," River smiled. "Have to go now. They're spreading. Best chance for survival."
Mal breathed slowly. "Then, it's decided. We're goin' into Reaver country."