Word Count:2851

Rating: R for Violence

Spoilers: Series.

Author's Note: Nearly the end. I’ve broken this into two more parts, so there’ll be a part D coming as soon as it’s finished, and then the final epilogue. I want this done by the end of October, so cross your fingers for me! Again, I have to give special, special thanks to anjulie for all her unending encouragement, and to homespunfic for reminding me of my responsibilities. Thank-you both!

Title: CHOICES – Part 13 C

Author: by 2x2

Jayne shifted on the ground, getting comfortable, wiggling his fingers to limber them up as he took hold of the rifle, bringing his eye to the scope. He found his first target and took aim, lining up the crosshairs with the security guard's head. He moved to the next man, gauging the distance between the two, then on to the third, and even a fourth before bringing the sights back to his original target.

"Ready when you are," he said into his ear mike, waiting for Zoë’s signal.

“Now,” came her voice a minute later, and there was a tiny 'fwip' of sound as the bullet left the silenced barrel. The first man went down, his head snapping back as the bullet entered through his forehead, shattering through bone and tissue to explode through the other side, a gruesome spray of red painting the wall as the body toppled.

Jayne pulled the trigger again before the first body hit the ground, and the second guard dropped lifelessly. The third guard tried to cry out in alarm, but Jayne's bullet took him through the mouth as neat as you please. The mercenary grunted in positive assessment of his own skill.

He swung the muzzle of his rifle in line with his fourth target but cut back up to take a bead on a guard who had leaned out over the edge of the wall to look at the fallen men below – the shot was too perfect to pass up – and he drew in and held his breath, finger squeezing the trigger just so… Jayne smirked as he watched the body fall from the wall to land awkwardly on the ground in front of his l