ALONG CAME A ZHI-ZHU -Chapter EIGHT (finale)

By BlueHandTwoByTwo (LarryL)

The Alliance cruiser, Dortmunder, loomed in Serenity’s port window as big as an asteroid; its steel and titanium exoskeleton growing larger and larger as the ship drew closer to the small Firefly. Its uppermost spires already rose up far beyond the point of being seen in their entirety.

“Well, if there was ever a picture for ‘bad news’, I’d say we’re looking at it,” Mal said, his arms crossed, as he and the others quietly stared out the window at the approaching ship.

“Do you think they’re still pissed at us for mooning them that one time?” Wash asked.

“I’d say that’s a safe bet,” Zoe nodded and walked over to where Wash was sitting and rested her hands on his shoulders.

“Can always do it again,” Wash shrugged.

“Why are we just sitting here? Shouldn’t we be getting the hell out of Dodge?” Jayne wanted to know.

Mal shook his head. “Engine room’s a wreck. Kaylee was in the middle of taking it apart when she got infected. We don’t have full power yet, so we’re just gonna sit here and buy ourselves a little bit of time. Kaylee, how are those booster belts coming along?” Mal asked the inboard com. “Are we ready to go yet?”

“Almost done, Cap’n,” she answered. “Gimme ten more minutes.”

“How about I give ya five? After that, I’m gonna start getting a little panicky.”

“I’ll do my best,” she replied over the speaker.

“Wash, I want you to start plotting some escape routes so we got options if we need ‘em in a hurry.”

“On it,” Wash nodded and typed at his keyboard. The screen changed to a star field and he began charting various courses through the surrounding stars.

“Anything I can do, Captain?” Zoe asked.

Mal nodded. “Why don’t you and Jayne go put an arsenal together? I don’t know how many’s coming but I don’t think they’ll be traveling light. We don’t want to be out-gunned.”

“I couldn’t agree more with you,” she said and left the bridge, Jayne following right behind her.

“Sim