Disclaimer: Raitings bump to R/NC-17 for violence and other things Reavers do

The entire crew had gathered in the cockpit as soon as Sarah had given word that the Reavers had returned. She herself was out of breath from running the entire distance from the bridge of the Compass Rose back to the Shire. They were all staring out the front windows of the ship, trying to spot the as yet invisible threat that that was descending on them out of the black.

It was Rick who finally spoke. "Maybe they won't see us, keep going."

"I hope so," replied Linda.

"I doubt it," said Jason, voicing everyone’s worst fears. "This was a trap. I think they'd notice that it's been sprung."

"There," whispered Matt, his young eyes the first to detect the small movement against the background of stars. Everyone looked where he was pointing. Indeed, there it was. Everyone was silent as they watched the small ship that was drawing closer, ever so slowly. It was like a panther circling its prey in a darkened jungle.

As Jason watched the Reaver ship, he was surprised to find that the thought of speaking actually required conscious effort. They all knew what Reavers could do, and would do if or when they found them. Every instinct and fiber of his being was telling Jason to be quit, to find a corner to hide in, to cower until the threat passed. It was fear; fear borne of primal instinct when faced with an unstoppable predator. There had been over fifty living people on the Compass Rose, and now there where none. His small crew only numbered at five, what chance could they possibly have? He opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. Now was not the time to indulge mindless panic. Pushing back the fear, he spoke.

"You know anything about fighting these things?" Jason asked Linda.

There was a pause, during which Linda herself seemed hesitant to speak. "Not a thing sir," she said finally.

"Well, I think we're all about to learn." Everyone in the cockpit stared at Jason with a mixture of fear