AN: Let me just say that it was really, REALLY hard to make this my own, since the wonderful Serenity movie novelization has the same scene in it. I hope I managed to do it without making it too similar to Keith R.A. DeCandido's version. Thankfully the rest of it really isn't in the movie novelization.

Oh, yeah, and I don't own none of it. Firefly and its characters belong to Joss (who is my master) and always will.

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PROLOGUE

The Battle Of Serenity Valley

Sergeant Malcolm Reynolds never did like running. He found it troublesome, and tiring. He supposed it was just because he couldn’t run, not very well. He got tired too quickly. And yet, here he was, his legs pumping one after another with surges of adrenaline along the uneven ground of Serenity Valley. An Alliance skiff soared above, shooting at any target it found. Mal could hear gunshots, people yelling, as he averted his eyes from his fallen comrades and the fallen soldiers of the Alliance, silently praying that they all – even the Alliance – found their place in heaven.

He didn’t dwell on those thoughts for long, though, as another explosion sounded off nearby, followed by the pained screams of soldiers. Mal sprinted, leaping over rocks and objects towards the safety of their makeshift base. He swerved around the rocks at the entrance of the cave, getting down low to avoid any stray (or aimed) shots that might enter. He approached his men, waiting for news. One man moved toward him – Mal couldn’t remember his name. With the thousands of people he recently found under his command, he found it hard to remember many.

“Sergeant,” his voice was serious and hard, “Command says they’re holding until they can assess our status.”

Mal was incredulous. Our status? Bitterly, he countered, “Our status is we need some gorram air support.” Really, how blind could these people be? “Now, get back online, and tell them to get in here!” The man nodded, and went back to his radio.

More footsteps were approaching, light and silent on the