The Last Spartan – Chapter Fifteen

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and makes no money for his efforts

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“Doc!” Jayne’s roar nearly shook the ship. He entered the infirmary, placing her gently on the table. Simon and Kaylee ran in right behind him.

“What. . .River!” Simon wailed, rushing to her side. Kaylee stood by the door, crying at the sight of her friend lying there, so bloody.

“Doc, snap outta that,” Jayne snarled. “You gotta think, here, so push that emotion aside, and tell me what you need.”

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After the shooting had stopped, Zoe led Mal and Inara back to the ship. The carnage was pretty rough, and Inara looked a little green when they reached the three Jayne had killed.

“Nothing says ‘Jayne was here’ like carnage,” Zoe chuckled, unfazed by what she saw.

“I think I’ll just wait in my shuttle,” Inara mumbled, and walked up the stairs, careful to keep her head forward.

“We need to find River, and get off this planet,” Mal said, watching Inara go. “We need some black between here and us, pretty quick like.”

“We can dump these in the black, to,” Zoe nodded. “I’ll find River.”

Mal nodded, still looking at the mess in the cargo bay.

“I ain’t cleanin’ this up,” he said firmly, though no one was around.

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Zoe found River all right. She gasped in surprise when she reached the infirmary.

“Doc, talk to me!” Jayne was saying.

“Jayne, I’m trying!” Simon was near panic, working over River’s still form. “It’s. . .there’s so much damage!” he almost wailed. Jayne looked up to see Zoe standing there.

“What happened?” Zoe asked.

“She stood her ground,” Jayne said, and despite his anguish, there was pride in his voice. “Protected the ship. And Kaylee and the Doc.”

“Is she gonna be all right?” Zoe asked, unable to tear her eyes from the still little form on the table.

“I don’t know!” Simon was in tears, working as fast as he knew how.

“Zoe, why don’t you take Kaylee outside,” Jayne suggested, catching the first m