**********WARNING - This story contains spoilers for the movie "Serenity," as well as for the episode "Objects in Space". You have been warned.*******

The Road to Heaven is Paved in Blood by Djinn

Since the time I was brought to the training center, I have served two masters: my teacher and the goal of a better world. I have studied and trained and suffered knowing that my role in creating the future would be a hidden but crucial one. I am a monster, but I am a monster in the service of Heaven. A monster whose every act will bring Paradise that much closer.

There is no room for one such as I in Paradise. I know this. My teacher knew this, too. My teacher taught me this.

Until my teacher ran away. Until he abandoned Paradise for his own path. Leaving me in charge of the others. Leaving me the strongest, the one most committed.

Leaving me to deal with Jubal.

Unlike Jubal, I gave up my name--if I ever had one. My teacher brought me to the training center as a baby, and I have gone so long without a name it is natural. It is natural also to not exist as far as the government is concerned. But I existed for my teacher. I was his favorite, because, even then, even when I was so young, I was special. As if to prove my existence, my teacher gave me many names depending on his mood and how he felt about me. Some days he called me Alexander or Achilles. Other days I was Lucifer or Loki. On days when I'd really pleased him, he would call me "son." I lived for those days.

I knew I was probably not the man's son. But I wanted to be. How I wanted to be.

My teacher's name was never known to me. The man who used to be my teacher is now known as Shepherd Book. I am not supposed to know this, but I tracked him down in between assignments. My Alliance masters probably knew I had done it, but those I answer to did not interfere with my personal quest.

They never interfere with me. I am their creature, but they also fear me. Everyone has always feared me. Everyone