Disclaimer – Everything either does belong to Joss or it should. I’m just borrowing his shiny ‘verse for a while.

The 21st Lancers belong to the British Army so I’m borrowing them too. I hope they don’t mind

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Qingdao Spaceport - Macau – 2520AD

Laying there on the concrete bound and gagged Zoe was as much embarrassed as relieved when River came bounding up pulled her new utility knife from her pocket and began cutting the plastic handcuffs off. Nobody had managed to get one over on Zoe like this since basic training, she had an amazing talent for both sneaking up on and sensing when she was being snuck up upon. This time however she’d been ambushed, stunned and tied up. The only consolation was that Jayne was in the same condition otherwise his mockery would have been unbearable.

As soon as the cuffs were cut loose Zoe pulled off the gag and River handed her the knife ‘I’ve got to tie somebody up myself before she gets her senses back’ she said and trotted back to the forklift where Steven was standing over someone.

Zoe cut off the other restraints on her legs and then did the same for Wash. He was nursing some bruised ribs from a kick received to stop him making so much noise earlier and was in a foul mood. Zoe was experienced enough not to have provoked the opposition whilst securely bound and had been instead hoping to exploit a mistake if one had arisen.

Jayne was bleeding slightly from a wound resulting from a sub-machinegun stock to the head. He had tried to bite off the fingers of the guy who gagged him. Jayne was experienced too but obstinate and pretty gorram mean into the bargain.

Zoe had cut them all free and they were retrieving arms from the fallen Special ‘Ops when a distant noise sent Zoe and Jayne diving for cover weapons up.

‘Hold your fire’ River called out ‘It’s the Captain’

Sure enough Mal appeared apparently dragging someone. As he got close Zoe ran to meet him and when she got close she saw who it was.

‘Glad to see you Captain. Run in