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.

Thanks to my regular readers for making it worthwhile to continue the story and special thanks to my Proof-Reader Landry.

* * *

Colony Dome – Revelation – 2520AD

Book sat in the tower quietly praying, the Sniper Rifle lying ready next to him. He had not taken a life in many years but it looked like he was about to again. He knew he would do it well. He had a talent for it. He wasn’t praying for victory, he was praying not to revel in it as much as he once had.

Also lying beside him River’s portable computer made a warning noise. It was tied into both the colony central computer and through that it had a link via the main transmitter tower to the AI Warship somewhere out in the Black.

Book opened his eyes and picked up the computer. He pressed the touch screen to receive message and was rewarded with a text message which stated simply ‘Closing on final group of targets. If you are unsuccessful in your defence of the Dome notify and I will return immediately to cover any retreat. Shadow Out.’

The Shepherd sighed. He didn’t like the AI. He couldn’t stomach the idea that an intelligence so clearly lacking a soul could have such power of life or death over God’s creations. It slew mechanically, efficiently and without mercy and was so much better at it than a human could ever be.

Book relayed the message onto Mal via his radio headset then returned to his prayers. He added an extra one for the machine but wondered if he should.

* * *

The bunker was already filled to brimming when Inara led the Serenity Group down the stairs and the short corridor into the complex. It had been built in case of a severe meteor bombardment but made a functional bomb-shelter as well.

Not necessarily the best place to hold out against Reavers who could take a plasma-torch to