Serenity

Earth-That-Was...

...could no longer sustain

our numbers, we were so many.

We found a new solar system.

Dozens of planets

and hundreds of moons.

Each one terraformed,

a process taking decades...

...to support human life.

To be new Earths.

The central planets

formed the Alliance.

Ruled by an interplanetary

parliament...

...the Alliance was

a beacon of civilization.

The savage outer planets

were not so enlightened...

...and refused Alliance control.

The war was devastating.

But the Alliance's victory

over the Independents...

...ensured a safer universe.

And now, everyone

can enjoy the comfort...

...and enlightenment

of true civilization.

Why were the Independents

even fighting us?

Why wouldn't they look

to be more civilized?

- hear they're cannibals.

- That's only Reavers.

- Reavers aren't real.

- Full well they are.

I heard they attack settlers

from space...

...and kill them,

and wear their skins...

...and rape them

for hours and hours...

It's true that there are

dangers on the outer planets.

So with so many social

and medical advancements...

...we can bring

to the Independents...

...why would they fight

so hard against us?

We meddle.

River?

People don't like

to be meddled with.

We tell them what to do,

what to think.

Don't run, don't walk.

We're in their homes and in their heads

and we haven't the right.

We're meddlesome.

River, we're not telling

people what to think...

...we're just trying

to show them how.

She's dreaming. Got that?

Off the charts.

Scary monsters.

Let's amp it up.

Delcium, eight drop.

See, most of our best work

is done when they're asleep.

We can monitor and direct

their subconscious...

...implant suggestions.

It's a little startling to see at first,

but results are spectacular.

Especially in this case.

River Tam is our star pupil.

I've heard that.

She'll be ideal

for defense deployment...

...even with the side effects.

Tell me about them.

Well, obviously, she's unstable.

The neural stripping

does tend to fragment...

...their own reality matrix.

- t manifests as borderline...

- What use do we have...

...for a psychic if she's insane?

She's not just a psychic.

Given the right trigger,

this girl is a living weapon.

She has her lucid periods. We're hoping

to improve upon the...

I'm sorry, sir, but I have to ask.

Is there a reason

for this inspection?

Am I making you nervous?

Key members of Parliament have

personally observed this subject.

I was told that the Alliance's support...

...for the project was unanimous.

- The demonstration of her power...

- How is she physically?

Like nothing we've seen.

All our subjects are conditioned for combat,

but River...

...she's a creature

of extraordinary grace.

Yes.

She always

did love to dance.

River, it's Simon.

Please, it's Simon.

It's your brother.

Simon.

They know you've come.

We can't make it

to the surface from inside.

Find out.

A subject is loose,

security breach. Shaft 7.

Stop.

Backtrack. Stop.

Excuse me...

...no one is allowed

in the records room...

...without my express permission.

Forgive me, but I prefer to

see the event alone, without...

...bias.

- I need to see your clearance.

- And you are right to insist.

Parliamentary override.

Full access.

Apologies.

An operative of

the Parliament...

...will, of course,

have full cooperation.

I'm not sure what...

- I see no listing of rank or name.

- I have neither.

Like this facility,

I don't exist.

Let's talk about the Tams.

I assume you've

scanned the status logs...

River was your greatest

success. A prodigy.

A phenomenon.

Until her brother walked in

here and took her from you.

- It's not quite so simple.

- I'm well aware of that.

- There was no way that I could...

- No. No. Of course.

The boy spent his entire

fortune developing...

...the contacts

to infiltrate this place.

Gave up a brilliant future

in medicine as well.

- It's madness.

- Madness?

Have you looked at this

scan carefully, Doctor?

At his face?

It's love, in point of fact.

Something a good deal

more dangerous.

Why are you here?

Because the situation is even

less simple than you think.

Do you know what your sin is,

Doctor?

- I wonder if...

- It's pride.

Key members of Parliament have

personally observed this subject.

I was told that

the Alliance's support...

"Key members of Parliament".

Key.

The minds behind

every military...

...diplomatic,

and covert operation...

...in the galaxy,

and you put them...

...in a room with a psychic.

If there was some classified

information that she...

She never spoke of it.

I don't know what it is.

Nor do I.

And judging by her

deteriorating mental state...

...I'd say we're both

better off.

Secrets are not my concern.

Keeping them is.

Whatever secrets she might

have accidentally gleaned...

...it's probable she doesn't

even know she knows them.

That they're buried

beneath layers of psychosis.

You know, in certain

older civilized cultures...

...when men failed as entirely...

...as you have,

they would throw themselves...

...on their swords.

Well, unfortunately,

I forgot to bring a sword.

I would put that down

right now, if I were you.

Would you be killed in your

sleep like an ailing pet?

Young miss...

Young miss, I'll need all the logs

on behavioral modification triggers.

We'll have to reach out

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