TITLE: "BATTLE LINES"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: No specific pairing.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "DIVIDED".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Ty gets help from an unexpected quarter while

Mal gets no help at all. Meanwhile the crew of Serenity make

a surprising discovery."

The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Firefly'

are the property and gift of Joss Whedon and Mutant Enemy.

No infringement of copyright is intended.

"BATTLE LINES"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Sheriff Martin Bowman stared. He couldn't help it. What he had just heard had to be the most preposterous thing he could imagine and yet the boy's words had the ring of truth to them. Not to mention the injuries he had sustained which the Sheriff's wife was carefully and systematically tending. The warm ambient light from the fire flickered like silent punctuation across the boy's open and anguished face. He looked as if he wanted to cry but was beyond tears. It tore at the lawman's heart and more than anything convinced him this boy's story was true. "What in *diyu* is this Phoenix?"

"A sign, a concept, a rallying call to arms."

The Sheriff's eyebrows rose slowly. "Call to arms?"

Mary's busy hands paused just a fraction then continued, her eyes fixed on the task of her hands but her ears twice as busy. No sound passed her lips.

"Yeah," Tyrone Garvin paused and sucked in a quick breath. Mary flicked him a quick look of apology and was more careful with the next stitch. "After the Valley those that survived the surrender were scattered. You know the why of it."

The Sheriff nodded. "Alliance didn't want any of the Independents able to take up their old positions, form new places of power. Wanted them kept isolated."

"That's why none of 'em was