A/N: Our crew’s Plan keeps unfolding. I hope you like it.

They were all on edge as the cargo bay doors were forced open.

“Everyone have their comms on?” Zoe asked as she visually checked with each of the remaining crew. They all nodded. “Good.”

They all waited as an eerie silence filled the cargo bay. Zoe thought it was the quietest she had ever heard in on Serenity, save for the night cycle. Then she saw the first of the soldiers come through. She knew she had to hide as long as she could. She needed to be the eyes of the crew. She adjusted the comm in her ear.

“Jayne, they’re coming through,” she said quietly.

“I see ‘em. Waitin’ for a few more to come out ‘fore shooting,” He answered. He looked down at Zoe. “You stay put long as you can. Don’t let them see you. We need you there as long as possible.”

She nodded and tightened her grip on her rifle.

The next few seconds were as if they were in slow motion. The Alliance soldiers creeped in a little at a time. The narrow airlock door didn’t allow them to rush in as a large group. It effectively served to bottle neck their entry. Once Jayne saw enough soldiers, he open fired. At least four soldiers were killed and another three gravely injured. The soldiers in the rear fell back through the airlock, dragging many of their fallen comrades with them.

“Rutting hún dàns (bastards),” she heard Jayne mutter.

After a couple of minutes, the soldiers cautiously started to come back through the airlock.

“They’re coming back, Jayne,” Zoe warned. She turned and looked up at Simon. “If they get past Jayne, it’s your turn.”

“I’m ready,” Simon said, sounding less than sure.

Zoe smiled a bit. Simon reminded her of some of the new recruits during the war. All brave on the surface but shaking like a leaf underneath. That was a good thing though. Over confident recruits were usually prone to getting dead.

The soldiers inched forward. They were well aware of Jayne’s general position so they were taki