Genevieve blocked River’s attack.

The youngest Tam, on the flip of a coin had become an angry, whirling mass of energy and martial arts. However it was more difficult than before. She couldn’t read, she couldn’t anticipate strikes, which was what she had been trained to do. Thus, her fighting style was less than perfect form as she struggled to perform without the aide of her most useful tool.

As she and Genevieve blocked strikes and served them, Virgil’s crew prepared to strike, yet Virgil signaled them to stop as he waved his gun to Serenity’s crew. “Back against the wall …. Roxy, Jovie bang ju-liu na nu-hai.”

River’s foot collided against Genevieve’s temple, sending her crashing to the ground.

The others wouldn’t step back.

Her head whipped around, sending a shower of dark hair spraying around the circumference of her head like a wild splash of dark water. River Tam’s eyes narrowed, and her mouth pulled back to bare her teeth while she panted and looked at the woman holding Kaylee. Taking three quick steps, she leapt in the air, her feet swinging into position for a flying kick.

The woman let go of the mechanic, throwing her into the wall as she whirled around. However, regardless of her speed the foot was going to strike her before she could jump up.

Before it did, the boy leapt off of the catwalk, in front of his mentor. Crouching, his hand gripped River’s foot as they landed at the same time. Effortlessly he twisted her foot, ankle and leg following, rotating her entire body and flipping her in the air and onto the grated floor.

Jayne bolted after the woman that had taken Kaylee. With all his might, he hit her like a freight train.

River got up as all hell broke loose. Suddenly more people surrounded Jayne and Simon and Mal, fighting them, clobbering them. She wasn’t focused on their plight though, for she rose and looked at the boy, no older than her. He was tall, with Shaolin trousers the color of light deerskin, the ends tucked into his long traditional stockings t