Chapter 20

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Declan heard the first shout as River called for her husband, waking him from a light doze as he lay on his bed, and it had him reaching for his father’s shotgun even before the echoes had died away. Swinging his legs over the edge he sat quietly, listening intently, and sure enough within half a minute Jayne’s deep voice came over the comm., surprisingly unperturbed.

“We’re about to have visitors. A lot of ‘em. You know what to do.”

Declan was on his feet immediately, catching sight of his reflection in the mirror, his eyes straying to the green flannel shirt Cat had left on the drawer unit. “You picked a helluva time to leave us, Cat. Hope he's worth it.” He saw himself shake his head ruefully then hurried out into the corridor, hearing sounds from the children’s rooms that indicated they were hurrying to hide.

He ran through the common area into the cargo bay. Zoe was already there, getting more ammunition out of the armoury and sliding it home into her Mare’s Leg. She looked up.

“Are you with us?” she asked.

For a moment Declan couldn’t answer, seeing the dark-skinned warrior in all her splendour, as if she had just walked out of his father’s stories. Finally, his mouth speaking without his brain in gear, he said, “Sure as hell ain’t with them.” At her expression he added quickly, “Yes, Ma’am. I'm here.”

“Good. Take the high ground on the catwalk behind the mule. River says they’re going to get in.”

“How?” He glanced around, noting the absence of Cat's own hover mule from its space. “Can't you lock the ship down?”

“I don’t know. But I’ve learned she tends to be more right than not.”

He looked down at the shotgun nestled in his arms. “I need a rifle, then. Mathilda ain’t good close up – she’s liable to blow more holes in the hull than in people.”

Zoe cracked a small smile even as she reached into the armoury. “Mal won't like it if he finds out you made holes in his ship. He tends to be a mite protective.”

“Cat won't like it if I put holes in you all