The Last One pt. 2

by

22 Claws

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Chapter Two

The Devil You Know

Zoe looks down across the valley with a warrior’s eyes. Alliance troops disembark in force from the landing craft. They mean business. They’re not here to arrest or fine. This looks shady. Like the rogue police force that came after Tracy, only bigger. They’re packing real weapons, not that stun crap they carry in the core. This looks like a hit.

A younger Zoe would be scared. Most people would be scared. This Zoe saw the threat, and the answers came automatic.

Quiet. Follow the ridge line. Take position. Watch. Maximize field of fire. Neutralize any enemy advantage. Protect Inara. Be prepared to kill them all.

Inara would only allow her to bring one gun on their vacation. Zoe brought the mare’s leg, of course. Down the sites of her trusted weapon, she watches the team deploy.

Twelve grunts. Inconsistant uniforms. One officer. And. One woman. One odd woman. The soldiers seem afraid of her. They give her plenty of space. She wears a uniform, but has no rank insignia. Maybe she’s an advisor. Maybe she’s like River. Maybe she’s an operative. Zoe’s intuition says she’s worse. Best be prepared.

Forty rounds. That’s all Zoe’s got. Then things get ugly.

Must.

Not.

Miss.

“Don’t you think we should find out first, why they’re here?” Inara asks.

“Negative. We do that we lose the element of surprise.” Zoe states flatly.

“If we’re assuming they’re here for us, then haven’t we already lost it? Inara argues.

Zoe chambers the first round, never breaking her focus down the sights of her weapon. “You’d be surprised.” She says sharply.

“You can’t do this.” Inara objects. “It’s insane. Can’t we just run away?”

“Negative.” Zoe answers. “Their resources to pursue far outmatch our resources to escape. Surprise, position, and my cold heart are our only hope.”

“Your heart is not cold, and we both know it.” Inara insists.

“Look Inara, We’re not exactly outlaws. I’m pretty sure those troops are working