[U-War AU. You know you love me.]

[badinlatin]

It's perhaps surprising to some folk that the church is the only thing left standing in the northern red-zone, where most of the action is taking place.

Not to Mal, and he smiles at the small victory he's attained at reaching the structure more or less unharmed. Zoe's doing recon around the property, even though she's had more success picking off the bodies for cans of food than bringing down any lone snipers still in the area.

It doesn't matter -- he's safe here, for a little while.

Comments

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

Boots crack the already broken glass that lines the ground as they move nearer to Mal. They move with purpose but also the sound of inexperience (a real soldier wouldn't be heard).

The scent of dried and fresh blood is in the air and it grows heavier as the boots move closer still.

[badinlatin]

A very little while.

The only sound is the cocking back of the pistol hammer, and Mal spins in the direction of the footfalls, finding a pale junior officer made all too bright by the deep red of his hair.

"Are you just an idiot? I mean, seriously - I could've shot you."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

The young man--a boy really, no more than 19 or 20--starts, his eyes widen and he lowers his own weapon.

"I-I," he stammers. "Sorry." He doesn't move, instead looking everywhere but into Mal's eyes. He's clearly ashamed of his actions.

[badinlatin]

"Should be, son. Come here -- have you eaten." Beat. "Not like I've got anythin' to offer you, but -- "

Mal pulls up a fraction of a destroyed pew, still managing to support weight though it's been blown apart from the rest of the seats in the row.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

He hesitates for a moment before accepting the seat. It's another moment or so before he answers; during this time he takes in Mal's uniform.

"No, sir. Well, I mean--I ate some rations I found, but they made me sick." He shrugs. "I don't eat much anyway."

[badinlatin]

"Probably the reek."

Already some of the bodies are rotting, even here -- the church does a lot to keep out the smell, but the gaping hole in the east wall hampers efforts.

Mal shrugs it off. "What unit are you with?"

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

Another shrug. "Rot don't really get to me anymore." Red's eyes wander around the church now, taking in the surroundings. "It's amazing the things one adjusts to in war," he says mainly to himself.

He adds, as if he's just remembered the question, "25th. From Boros, sir."

[badinlatin]

Mal's never heard of the man's unit - a fact that doesn't mean too much, considering the 50-50 chance that it doesn't exist anymore.

"Least we may have a roof over our heads tonight," Mal grins, pointing at the church ceiling. "Two best places to hide are churches and cemetaries. Another thing you get used to here."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

Red looks at the high ceilings. "Why's that?"

[badinlatin]

Following the gaze up to the one stained-glass window that remains unbroken, "Any building meant to be someplace to gather's going to be stronger than regular homes. Better material, stronger carpentry and everythin'."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

He grins. "Oh good. Here I thought you were going to get all religious on me."

[badinlatin]

It's the first serious look Mal's given to the new arrival, and it's one of questioning as well.

"Got to say, you'd be the first person I've found so far who'd have a problem with that."

The cross around his neck is still visible, peeking through a torn shirt.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Sorry, sir, didn't mean to offend I just find the whole thing... pointless." Red's avoiding Mal's eyes again.

[badinlatin]

"A man's entitled to his own opinion; just surprised is all."

All this rattled off while Mal checks and reloads his guns he still has ammunition for.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Why surprised? Too cynical for someone so young?" Red watches Mal reload, curious.

[badinlatin]

"Thought you'd at least turn away from bullets 'fore God, anyhow, shi a."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Bullets are a lot more reliable than God. At least I know they exist and work." His voice is not bitter, just honest; the voice of someone who's probably seen a whole helluva lot more than someone their age should.

[badinlatin]

Mal turns thoughtful at this, but faint footsteps cause him to rise, motioning for the other man to stay low. He unholsters his gun, moving for the nearest hole in the wall and taking up a sentry position.

A few short semi-automatic pops later, and Mal turns back. "Bullets are nice too."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

The boy looks up at him from his spot on the ground. "I'm guessing that wasn't God coming to check on his house guests?"

[badinlatin]

"That's goin' to be a lot of Hail Marys to recite if it were."

Mal doesn't come back from his sentry duty at the 'window'.

"Not that there's a priest for Confession in my future for awhile."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"I may not have a shiny white collar, but like a priest I've got ears and don't judge." Red stands and takes up sentry duty with Mal, looking a bit more confident and capable now. "Well, not too much anyway." He grins.

[badinlatin]

A cocked eyebrow, even though his main focus is still out the window. "You absolve folk in your spare time, then?"

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"Among other things." Beat. "I make a helluva tomato soup, too."

[badinlatin]

"Think I'd take the tomato soup over the absolution at the moment," Mal replies, finally casting an eye at the other man.

"What's your name?"

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

Red snorts a little to himself. "I hadn't noticed we'd skipped that part." He stands up straight and salutes. "They call me Red, sir. 'Cause of the hair." He tilts his head and eyes toward his closely shaved red head. "And you?"

[badinlatin]

"Mal Reynolds. Sergeant." Grin. "Mal's good enough, 'less I'm supposed to be ordering you around."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

"I'm just a Lieutenant, but I'll call you anything you want long as it keeps us alive."

[badinlatin]

"Titles don't keep you safe. Not around here."

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

He looks at Mal, curious. In a low, unsure voice, he asks, "What does?"

[badinlatin]

"Bullets."

An irony there causes Mal to snort.

Not God.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

Red smiles; it's innocent, betraying his youth. Before he can respond a part of the stone pillar next to his head blows out as a bullet just misses him. He instantly drops down to a crouch and moves back inside the church for cover.

"So much for keeping us safe, huh?"

[badinlatin]

More to himself than the young man, "...The church is crumblin'. Not sure how much longer we can stay here."

When Mal checks the ammunition in his gun, it's more a nervous tic than a precautionary measure.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

Red checks his own ammo before quickly poking out his head (and gun) and shooting the enemy soldier in the head--through the left eye, to be exact. He moves back to his cover position.

"That should buy us a few minutes." He grins, proud of the work he just did.

[badinlatin]

Mal doesn't grin so much as grunt in acknowledgement.

He's chipper about it though, in a way he doesn't quite recognize that he shouldn't be.

"Can't see as there's any place to go 'cept uphill." Mal and Red are within a mile of North Cliff, and the land slopes upward no matter where you are, here.

[redhorserider.livejournal.com]

He nods at Mal. "Lead the way, Sarge."