TITLE: "CANNON FODDER"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: MAL/RIVER.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "REBELLION".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Zoe, Wash and Jayne discover the source of

Max's treasure. The Alliance move to close the trap. River

discovers something which terrifies her and Mal realises they

have run out of time."

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.

"CANNON FODDER"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Wash stared at his beautiful psychotic wife. And he thought the Captain was nuts? Fortunately they were out of earshot of the others. Zoe took a moment, watching Jayne talk to Max. Wash leaned close so he could hiss in her ear. "You think this is what?"

"Look closer, *zhangfu*." She urged quietly. "These are the possessions of the dead."

Her husband paled somewhat, eyes widening in a sickening kind of horror. "So basically you're sayin' these old friends of yours and the Captain are grave robbers?"

Their voices must have risen because instead of Zoe answering his question Max did. "We're not grave robbers but you're right. Everything you see here belonged to the fallen. Comrades every one."

Her eyes narrowed as if to surpress the fury of what she was thinking. "*Wo bu dong*."

He sighed, the sorrow in his eyes not feigned. "Every browncoat that died leavin' no kith or kin is represented here. What little of worth they still had gathered an' stored where the Alliance *tamade hundan* couldn't get their hands on it."

Zoe was frowning, her gaze leaving Max's as she turned to look at all the little treasures of lives cut short by war. The warehouse was not small and was crammed from floor to ceilin