AN- OH, and, yes, for those folks who want to know, me mentioning the 76th (and Monty) was intentional. Cheers, mates, and expect the next 'un in a few days!

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Day drew into dusk, the distant rumble of thunder and artillery created a soothing, if deadly, lullaby to the still slumbering soldiers. Three cloaked and hooded figures made their way towards the distant maw of the facility that hid their bane. They drew them up closer, as if to ward off the chill, but, in reality, they were more to ward away prying eyes.

As they drew closer, they noticed the conspicuous lack of the customary two guards that were susposed to be guarding the entrance to the facility. This was rapidly attributed to the figure that came out of the shadows at them, a rather huge gun jockeying between. “Hold fast, folks. ‘Less somebody here got clearance, I can’t let ye pass.” The gun focused on the figure in the middle as it moved closer.

The hood fell away, revealing the face of one Lt. Malcolm Reynolds. “Wait, friend. I believe that you’re working for an associate of mine. Mind proving me right.”

“Only if ya’ll will prove to me that you is who you should be.” The gun never faltered.

Mal handed him a slip of paper and an Ident Card from where he had been holding them in his hand. “Book gave me these; mind showin’ me yours?”

The man handed him a similar card, showing him to be one Jayne Cobb, a Mercenary for Hire. Mal handed it back to Jayne, smiling slightly. “I guess we’re really doing this, then?”

“Looks like,” said Jayne. Zoë and Tracey pulled back their hoods and cloaks, revealing a sawed-off and an SMG, respectively. Mal had dual pistols, for a faster reload time (or lack of one).

“Shiny,” said Jayne. “Let’s go be bad guys.”

***

The night shift guards were dozing, a subtle nerve agent being released into the air systems before hand, and it had a good time to circulate. It was non-lethal, although it had about