Archangel – Chapter Eleven

Author own no rights to Firefly, and is making no money for his efforts.

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Inara sprang forward as Jayne fell to the cargo bay floor. Mal yelled for Simon, and then directed three of the men sitting on the bay floor to help him get Jayne into the infirmary. Inara followed the struggling men into the ship’s hospital, carefully carrying the big man’s swords.

Simon rushed into the room, muttering softly in Chinese.

“Help me get this armor off him,” he ordered tersely. “I need to see where he’s injured.” Willing hands assisted in removing the armor, leaving Jayne clad in only a loincloth, decorated with ornate symbols that no one recognized. Simon spotted the problem almost at once.

“A sword or spear pierced him under his left arm,” the doctor noted. “Looks like it punctured his lung as well. I’ve got to get in there, and stop the blood flow before his lung fills up or he bleeds out.” His hands flew across the shelves, gathering the things he needed. Jayne gasped suddenly for air, pink foam flecking about his lips.

“I’ve got to get him intubated,” Simon stressed, running a tube into Jayne’s mouth and down his throat. Jayne’s breathing eased a little, and Simon attached the tube to a small ventilator. The machine would help him breathe while Simon worked to repair the damage.

“What can I do, Simon?” Inara asked. She owed her life to Jayne.

“Help me get some of the blood away so I can see the wound,” Simon ordered. “And try to keep it wiped away, as best you can. I’ve got to be able to see.”

Kaylee came running into the room, her face pale. When she saw Jayne lying on the table, she almost screamed, her hands flying to her face. Mal took her by the shoulders and tried to guide her out of the room.

“Is he gonna be okay?” she asked around her sobs.

“Simon’s got it under control, mei-mei,” Mal told her, sounding more confident than he felt. “C’mon, let’s you and me go out and wait in the lounge while he sees to Jayne.”

“Don’t you let him die, S