The Last Spartan – Chapter Fourteen

Author owns no rights to Firefly or any related characters, and receives no money or compensation for his work.

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Jayne watched the six men approaching, and looked to Zoe. She nodded, and Jayne lifted Vera. He took a breath, let half of it out, and opened fire.

Zoe had let him shoot first, since he could see better. As soon as he opened fire, she hit the torch, and light flooded the narrow passageway.

Sure enough, the men all threw up their hands as the sudden bright light blinded them. Zoe shot two of them dead, while Jayne finished the rest. They advanced cautiously, checking for live ones. There were none.

“Let’s move,” Zoe ordered.

“I think not,” Atherton Wing’s voice floated down the tunnel. Both turned to see Wing, pointing a pistol at them. “Please, lower your weapons. When you do, I’ll carry you to your friends.” Jayne looked at Zoe for orders. He could take Wing right now, but would wait for her nod.

Zoe considered that. She knew Jayne could take Wing, had seen it in the alley way. Jayne could get to him and tear his throat out before Wing saw him move. But they still had to find Mal and Inara. And Wing knew where they were.

“I can make him show us,” Jayne said softly, where only Zoe could hear, and Zoe wondered for a second it Jayne could read, like River did.

“Are you sure?” she asked, wanting to make the right decision.

“There’s always his blood,” Jayne’s grin was ugly, and Zoe shivered. But he was right.

“Take him,” she ordered, and Jayne was gone before the words were out of her mouth. Zoe hit the floor, hoping to avoid being shot.

Wing started as the big merc, Cobb, seemed to vanish. He had an even bigger start an instant later when Cobb was standing before him, hand to his throat. The gun he held was crushed in the grip of the mercenary’s other hand.

“Hello, Wing,” Jayne snarled, his fangs gleaming in the narrow light.

Atherton Wing fancied himself a brave man. But the sight of the. . .thing before h