Disclaimer: Joss, Fox, Universal Own em’. (Except for Maxine and the rest of my OC's. they're mine) I’m just playing. No money being made.

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A new story line to recharge my Muse. Set outside my “Allanverse.” Just to see what happens. Set about a year and a half post Serenity. Story line has the standard pairings of Mal/Inara, Simon/Kaylee. Also has River/Jayne. Zoë/Maxine

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Warning: This story line from here on out will include 'gasp' fem slash (Like you didn't see it coming). It won't be graphic but I know some are offended by any depiction of homosexuality. If you don't like this kind of thing... stop reading right now.

AN: Ugh... The real world keeps getting in the way of my writing....

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New Blood

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Chapter Twenty Five

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“Down!” yelled Gunny Williams as a hail of bullets peppered the corridor above her head.

Beside the Marine, Maxine began returning fire, spraying lead from her assault rifle. On the opposite side of the corridor, Zoë meticulously picked off individual targets with her mares leg.

The balance of Williams' squad added their own volume of fire. Suddenly a pair of grenades bounced down the hallway from the corner where the federal troops were firing.

“Grenade!” screamed Zoë and ducked back around the corner, Maxine and Williams on her heels. The hallway shook as the grenades detonated.

Max shook her head to try and get her hearing back and shake off the concussion in the tight space.

“Zoë!” the redhead cried out as she saw her Ai-ren laying on the floor, blood visible on her arm.

“I'm okay, Baby. Just a graze from some shrapnel,” Zoë replied to a relived Maxine.

“Corpsman!” called out one of the Marines. Two men were down and not moving one was obviously dead. Gunny Williams was also injured but was still on her feet.

“Gorramit!” Williams swore as she swung her rifle over her shoulder. The woman's left arm was was bleeding severely. Biting back the pain, she pulled her pistol.

“Take it easy, Gunny,” The Corpsman said as he examined t