Archangel – Chapter Thirty-Seven

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

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“Zoe, get up here!” Inara called over the com. The sensors had just erupted with activity. She heard feet pounding on the deck, and then Zoe was there.

“What is it?” Zoe asked.

“Look,” Inara pointed at the screen. Zoe took a moment to look at the scope, and Inara saw a faint smile appear.

“Monty’s goin’,” she breathed finally. “He’s scrambled everything he’s got.”

“Will it be in time?” Inara asked.

“Don’t know,” Zoe admitted. “But he’s goin’. If Jayne and his bunch can hold out, then it just might be.” Zoe took a seat at the controls.

“Time for us to go,” she declared.

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“Set course for Osiris,” Mal ordered, as the ship lifted.

“Sir?” the pilot replied. “I thought. . . .”

“We ain’t leavin’ them to die,” Mal said tersely. “We’ll detach a shuttle with the files, and send it on to the Monastery, but we’re going to Osiris.”

“Yes, sir,” the pilot grinned, and changed course.

“Hayes,” Mal called, walking back into the ship.

“Sir,” the big man stood.

“I want those files, any wounded, and enough men to keep them safe, loaded on the shuttle. We’ll pass close enough for the shuttle to make Londinium, and then we’re headed for Osiris as fast as this crate will go. Dong ma?”

“Excellent,” the big man smiled, and began snapping out orders.

'I won’t leave them to die', Mal thought to himself, watching the preparations. 'I won’t. We’ll all win, or none of us will.'

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The defensive plan was simple. Reavers loved violence. Even those who were apparently under control would leave a helpless victim in favor of a real fight.

The Archangels would provide that fight.

Thomas had selected an area four blocks square in the inner city in which to make a stand. Much work had been done in the few days they had. They were as ready as they could be.

As soon as the reaver vessels appeared in atmo, the plan had been put into moti