The Song of Metal

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based on the world of Firefly by Joss Whedon

Silver flashed as the light reflected across the shadowy bulkheads, invading the darkness as it retreated for a second, only to return when the light had disappeared. Hums announced the song of metal as it filled the cargo bay with the sound of battle, but the only battle here was one of sheer will.

Cat, her body cleaned from a shower and a fresh change of tank top and mid-thigh shorts, moved with the rhythm of the two swinging blades gripped deep in her slender hands. Each was around two feet long, the lamps catching the razor sharp edge. The swords were nothing special, no perfect balance or ornate handles, just common weapons used for an uncommon purpose.

Her long legs carried her across the floor in the oddest and deadliest dance anyone on the ship had ever seen. Graceful did not even touch what Cat was, her lithe body stretching to its fullest as she drew the blades around and over her head. Green eyes closed as her other senses took over, the touch of the cold metal, the hum of the ship's engines, and the smell of oil and grease. Like a dancer who knew each step of her routine, Cat twisted, stretched, and spun as silent music seduced her to its own song.

Jayne looked on, his eyes opened wide at the now quite hot woman playing sensual in the middle of the bay. He had been cleaning Vera, the large gun he had used to help save Mal and this Cat from the purple bellies, but had stopped when he had seen her.

"Likin' what you see?" 'Ski, above on the catwalk to the bridge, called down.

"Aren't you? I thought she was summin' when I seen her fighin, but I wouldn't mind seeing what kind of beast she is in..."

"That's enough, Jayne." Mal spoke, emerging slowly from the infirmary, his hand holding the bandage near his stomach.

Jayne jumped up and almost lost Vera in his shuffle. "Mal, I didn't see ya there."

"Didn't reckon ya did." His eyes looked tired, b