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 jebbypal

* * *

Colony Dome – Revelation – 2520AD

Book looked through the scope on his Sniper-Rifle. There weren’t enough of the precious Night-Vision Goggles to go around, but Jayne had picked up an Infra-Red Scope sometime in his career and had given it and the Rifle to the Shepherd along with a request not to damage either one.

The Reavers were clearly more than a little distressed. The only light in the dome came from flashes of gunfire and the two pools of light streaming through the Airlocks from the Reaver Ships themselves. Otherwise it was practically pitch-black.

A limited number of the Reavers possessed night-vision gear, possibly goggles or weapon scopes. These exceptions were easily spotted from their movements and body language.

Book methodically eliminated them one by one.

Find a target, aim, fire, pull back the bolt to load another round, find another target. Over and over and over again until it became routine.

Another life ended at his hands, then another.

So many today, but the men he killed today were so few compared with before.

Book quietly wept as he reloaded.

* * *

River held up a hand to stop Zoe before looking around a corner. A moment later she held up four fingers.

Zoe looked at the young woman and nodded. Everything was shades of green, but it was as bright as day through the goggles. She pulled a stun grenade from her combat vest, quietly pulled the pin, and threw it around the corner.

In spite of the weapons fire echoing through the dome, the explosion was deafening. Zoe dived around the corner while River followed in an upright position.

A volley of shots rang out.

Zoe was pleased with