Archangel-Chapter Twenty-Nine

Author owns no rights to Firefly, and no copyright infringement is intended. Fanfic only.

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Serenity made a stop on Ariel, of all places, to pick up eight transmitters for the Independent News Service. Mal had insisted that the buying be done by someone not connected with the ship, and then left for them at the docks. He didn’t want it so easy to trace back to them.

“Where, exactly, you want these transmitters put, Jazz?” he asked, as River prepared to lift off. They had taken on fuel, and some supplies while there, and the ship was ready to go.

“Here’s the list Hank sent me,” Jass handed over piece of paper. “There’s no particular order.”

“Well, I’ll have River figure a path for us,” Mal nodded. “Try and work it so’s we’re back near Persephone when the blockade around Hera is lifted. That’s where our cargo is.”

“I really appreciate this, Captain,” Jazz told him. “I mean, we’ll pay you for it, as well. But this way, we’ll be more secure. With things the way they are, people need someone to count on to get the news, the real news, out.”

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Jayne and Kaylee had enjoyed putting the first two transmitters outside. It was a chance for the two of them to be totally alone. And the fact that neither minded EVA work was just icing.

“It’s so peaceful out here,” Kaylee murmured dreamily, gazing out into the black.

“Sure is,” Jayne agreed with an unseen nod. “Always did kinda like it.”

“I wish. . . .”

“Jayne, Kaylee, you need to get back on board,” River’s voice cut Kaylee’s wish off abruptly. “Right now!”

“What’s wrong, mei mei?” Jayne asked, gathering his tools, and Kaylee doing the same.

“Reavers.”

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“What?” Mal almost screeched, running to the bridge after River’s frantic call.

“Reavers,” River whispered, pointing out the window. Mal looked, but saw nothing.

“‘Tross, I don’t see nothin’,” he said quietly.

“They’re there,” she told him. Suddenly the sensor alarm beeped, making Mal jump. After Miranda,