Disclaimer: As per usual.

Author's note: Apologies for the delay, my hard drive went phutz (wail!). This has been done on borrowed PC’s, and has to take a back seat to the work that pays. Good thing I have learnt to back up most of my files. I have used Afrikaans for the Reaver’s language because that’s the only other language I can reproduce with any degree of accuracy. I still sound like a child’s primer to a first-language speaker.

Things Fall Apart - Chapter 6

The shuttle door opened and Zoe ducked out onto Serenity's deck, saying, "Move it, people! I want everyone off this shuttle as soon as, we're not keepin' the Cap'n waitin'." As the field medic went past she touched his arm, "Tran, I want you back with us in case we need you."

Simon was trying to flag her attention and saw two of Xuan's men step out of the shuttle carrying a stretcher. He glanced at the soldier on it, then at another who was leaning on the door frame behind them being helped over by a man in only slightly better shape than he was. Simon's mind automatically began cataloging the injuries and running through what he needed to do, but he was torn between duty and the need to know. He grabbed Zoe's arm and made her face him. She frowned, looked at his hand, and he quickly let go.

"Is River on one of the shuttles?" he asked, struggling to keep his voice down.

Zoe's eyes widened. "No," she said softly, "Isn't she here?"

Simon closed his eyes, feeling light-headed. "Wu de tyen."

"She's not here? You're sure?" Zoe asked insistently.

Duvenage stepped out of the shuttle behind her and looked at them, puzzled.

Simon felt sick. He shook his head, "No. We've looked everywhere. The shuttles were the last place left." He turned away from her and stood staring blankly into space, struggling against despair. Zoe put a hand on his shoulder.

"She can't have been with us, we would've seen her. There were six of us on each shuttle and we left men behind when we went on board. She must be on Serenity."

"Are you