Even before the neared the house they could see flames rises from the rooftops, the smell of burning flesh reached Mal’s nostrils almost making him gag, in all his years that smell was something a man just couldn’t get used too.

He signalled to Zoë to pull up close to the burning building behind some large rocks, before she had removed the key from the ignition the others were out of the mule and running towards the burning building.

Zoë watched in dismay as the first gun shot rang out and Mal stumbled as the bullet caught his shoulder, but she knew that he would never fall, he would keep on fighting for whatever, whoever he believed in. Zoë raised her gun and fired into what would have seemed to the untrained eye to be an empty window; however she was sure that the bullet had met its intended target.

Mal and the Jayne reached a bush the only cover between them and the house, Zoë joined them. “Now what Captain?” she demanded, as far as she could make out there were at least six more people which evitabley meant at least six more guns.

“Gorram moonbrained girl” Jayne swore as River stood up from there position and all hell broke loose. He watched River her head cocked slightly to one side as she listened to the sound of the bullets snake towards her through the smokey air, easily, gracefully she dodged each one giving the others time to slip around the back of the house and in through a broken, blackened window, they watched still amazed even after the events on Miranda as River drew her gun and in one fluid motion as if she were a prima ballerina fired six shots all of which met with there intended targets as even over the roaring of the fire on the floor above the others could hear the unmistakable sound of six bodies dropping lifelessly to the floor, she joined them presently, that is to say she bounded through the window and made her way up the burning staircase in the smoke filled house. This time it was Mal who swore as he staggered to his feet and prepared to cover her crazy arse. When they reached the top of the stairs Jayne reached for the closest door handle and yelled in pain as the white hot metal burnt the flesh on the pal m of his roughened hand. River shook her head, “Not that one”. She said almost as if she were a teacher scolding one of her pupils. River tried the handle of the next door along finding it locked she stood well back as Jayne used what was undoubtedly his best attribute other than his prowess with firearms, his strength, the door gave way almost instantly as he rammed his shoulder against it.

On the floor slumped next to the bed was the women, Mist’s aunt who they had met briefly earlier, Zoë knew by the blood seeping from the corners of the women’s mouth that she was already dead, she didn’t even have to checked from a pulse.

River signalled to a cupboard in the corner of the room, Mal reached out stopping Jayne from using his considerable strength to break the door down just in time. Checking the door he found it locked, he turned to find Zoë had read his mind and was riffling through the dead women’s pockets; eventually she located the key and handed it to Mal who opened the door.

As expected Mist lay unconscious in a crumpled heap on the cupboard floor, they had all learnt that it was usually the best and safest option to trust Rivers instincts. Jayne scooped her up. “We got what we came for, lets get out of here” He growled as like the others he choked on the smoke as he gasped for his each and every breathe of air. River was for once to slow to warn him as he swung round and a final shot rang out, the bullet hitting Jayne’s muscular thigh, for an instant he slumped against the door frame as Zoë and Mal sprang forward, Zoë’s gun aimed at the guy hiding half in the smokey shadows at the end of the corridor, swiftly Zoë pulled the trigger, the man fell backwards, his blood leaving what River thought was an exquisite pattern on the smoke stained wall as he slumped to the floor. “Jayne?” Mal yelled. “I got her, let’s go”. Jayne responded his teeth gritted with pain and determination.