TITLE: "DESCENT INTO HELL"

AUTHOR: Alison M. DOBELL

FANDOM: "FIREFLY"

PAIRING: RIVER/MAL.

RATING: PG-13.

STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "REANIMATION".

ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.

FEEDBACK: Welcomed.

EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com

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

SUMMARY: "Inara faces up to the consequences of her actions. Pepper Rawlings discovers the true level of the Independents' betrayal. River finds a way to reconnect with Mal while his crew try to find a way to bring him home."

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.

"DESCENT INTO HELL"

A "Firefly" story

Written by Alison M. DOBELL

* * * * *

Inara Serra had dreaded this moment. This possibility lurking like the king of horrors in her mind. She did not want to do it. To be the one to cause that much pain to an innocent. They seemed to laugh at her, not openly but in the implaccable shadows of their dull unfeeling eyes. Blue hands made incongruously graceful movements as they spoke, first one then the other, reminding her of how they were bound. Of all she owed them and what this single act would accomplish.

"Consider it an act of compassion." Said one.

"It will end his misery." Said the other.

"And in turn, end ours."

So she had done as they asked. The hope that the Alliance ships could come in time to catch the rebels still on the ground had been partly realised but Malcolm Reynolds had obviously tried to cover that contingency, the ships taking off and breaking away from each other scattering in all directions. Forcing the Alliance net to fragment in a frantic bid to grab as many as it could within its' greedy maw.

"If we cannot annihilate them all in one stroke we will incapacite them. Cut off the head and they will flounder without direction. The threat will be neutralised."

The second one agreed