Serenity cleared the debris field of shattered satellites and Wash set a course for Earth’s single moon. No one had protested when Mal made the decision to head for the moon because it became clear that the only possible chance they had of returning to their home quadrant of the verse was on that moon. There were few signs of life on Earth and the ones they saw showed that the survivors of the nuclear holocaust were living a meager existence in the most remote areas. The scientific skills and know how to help them would not be found there. The moon, however, offered some hope as an electrical presence had been picked up by Serenity’s sensors. As Wash plotted the course River turned all sensors toward the moon.

“How long till we arrive?” Mal asked Wash.

“At top speed, about one hour,” Wash replied after a quick calculation.

“Make it slower,” Mal said. “I want a chance to examine things and think about them and give everyone a chance to have a rest before we set down and explore whatever it is that’s on that moon. Kaylee, back to 25% power.”

“On the way,” Kaylee said as she left the bridge and made her way to the engine room. She didn’t totally agree with the Capt’n’s decision to leave the Earth so soon. Maybe someone down there could tell them want had happened. But she knew that getting home had to be their top priority and the moon seemed the only place that might offer any chance of that.

River stayed on the bridge with Wash while the rest of the crew returned to the tasks Mal had assigned them. More than one took a last look at the moon before they departed the bridge. Questions lay heavy on every mind. What was happening on the Earth? How long ago was the war? Why was the radiation still lethal? Could they get food and water from the Earth if necessary? What or who was on the moon? And above all, could they get home?

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Zoe and Mal stood on the catwalk overlooking the cargo bay, talking over their future plans as Jayne co