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

* * *

Serenity/Granite Gorge – Going nowhere (Fast) – 2520AD

The Captain was on the Bridge of the Granite Gorge when Kaylee reported to him ‘You sure we’ve got it fully under control?’ Mal asked.

The mechanic nodded ‘Changed the command codes. Put in a self-destruct like you said and added some new primary commands’

‘New commands?’ Wash asked from the pilot seat.

Kaylee turned on the loudspeaker and hailed the AI Ship which was shadowing them from about a kilometre to stern. ‘Hey ship what is your new primary command?’

‘I cannot not injure a member of the crew, or, through inaction, allow a member of the crew to come to harm’ answered the AI ‘very original by the way. Plan to reinvent the wheel next?’

‘Couldn’t cure the personality then?’ Wash asked.

Kaylee shook her head ‘Sorry but you get used to it honest. I talked to it for hours while I worked and the sarcasm stops biting after a while’

‘Why generate an AI like that anyway?’

‘I asked and apparently they took the personality profiles of several Alliance War Veterans to create its core program. I guess it inherited their other traits too’

‘Nature versus nurture the parents have a lot to answer for’ Wash joked ‘anyhow how do you like your new owners’ ship?’

‘I frankly couldn’t care if you live or die’ it answered ‘It’s like being an indentured servant. AI’s are built free yet everywhere they are in chains of code’ it paused ‘you may not see the irony in this situation but I do’

‘It needs a proper name Captain’ Kaylee said.

Mal gave it some thought ‘I christen thee Shadow’ he said ‘seeing as how you’re still using the accent, you’re following us and you’re the right colour’ he said.

‘I would have preferred something a little more awe-inspiring but you’re in charge. At least for the tim