Earth that was could no longer sustain our numbers we were so many. We found a new solar system, with 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 enter planetary parliament, the alliance was a beacon of civilization. The savage outer planets were not so enlightened and refused alliance control. The war was devastating…
Scene 1 A Short Farewell
We are at the brown coat training camp. We see 2 people walking down a hallway.
"I still don't understand why I can't go with you." Jessica said gloomily. "You're only 15 you can't stay with me. You weren't even supposed to come. You have to stay here now." Mal said as sad as she was. She didn't know what she was getting herself into. But it was too late to go back. "I'm still mad at you. You know that right." She said in her grumpy voice. Mal smiled. "You need to get going now or you'll get in trouble." he said before she did something stupid. She sighed. "Fine" Before she could protest he hugged his little sister. Amazingly she hugged back. "I'm gonna miss you Mal." she said quietly in his ear. "I'm not going anywhere." he said. "I know. Just in case though." Jessica replied. Mal realized she did know. "Take care of yourself little one." "I will." and with that Jessica left.
Scene 2 Becoming Friends
About a year or more later. Jessica and some of her friends were working in the hospital wing. It was the middle of a major battle. Her friends Justin and Torrin stood beside her ready to help when called. Every minute more and more blood stained soldiers came in. "Ugh.I think I'm going to puke." Torrin moaned. "Just don't do it on me." Jessica said. Ready to help. The head doctor looked over at them. "You two, over there." he pointed at her two friends and then to a new patient. "They have names. Dumbo." Jessica said under her breath. They laughed as they walked away. "Someone get bandages!" someone yelled. No one else was doing it so Jessica walked to the cabinet. She opened the door blocking her from the rest of the room, except for her back. That's when the explosion happened. There were short screams then nothing. She was afraid to look. What would she see? The smell that reached her nose was awful. Her curiosity got the better of her and she turned. There was blood everywhere. She could have sworn the flesh was stuck to the walls. Jessica wasn't sure what to do. She ran to the door. "Help!" she yelled out the door. Not sure what good it would do. She knew that if anyone else had survived this they may not have time to wait for help. Jessica took a deep breath and walked into the room. She remembered her friends. And the last thing she had said to them. She felt like crying. But she wouldn't. She promised herself that. Then she heard it. It was a low whimper that caught her ears. She headed towards the sound. The sound came from non-other then her enemy Celia. All her hatred forgotten as she looked at the small wounded body of the girl who had made her life here hell. Celia was bleeding badly. "Can you move your toes?" Jessica asked kneeling beside the girl. She could see pain in the girls' eyes as she tried. Jessica didn't want to leave the girl alone but needed to get things. "I need to get something. I'll be right back. And while I'm gone I want you to think about things that make you happy." Jessica quickly stood and ran to the door. She saw some people walking around. "We need help in here. There's been an accident. Get help hurry!" she yelled. The men looked like they were about to laugh. They weren't going to be ordered around by some kid. But then they saw the blood. Jessica was covered in it. Both ran not wanting to stay much longer. Jessica grabbed some bandages and went back to Celia. "It's ok. Helps on the way." Jessica pulled Celia close. It might have hurt her but she needed someone with her right now. Jessica wrapped the wounds humming a relaxing tune. Celia cried silently. "I'm gonna miss my brother." Celia said suddenly. "He was so little when I left. I'll never get to see him grow up." She said crying more. "Don't talk like that." Jessica said. Tears flowing freely. She hadn't cried in so long. Not even when her parents were killed. "I'm... sorry. About... how...I've... treated you." she said. Her breath slowing. "It's ok. Just don't talk, save your breath." Jessica said. "Tell my dad I love him." she whispered barely audible. Jessica nodded and then she was gone. Jessica sat there holding the body. She didn't know what to do. Pain shot through her back, She hadn't noticed it before. That's when they finally showed up. A man came up to her and took her hand and slowly pulled her to her feet. And lead her from the room. "I would like to see my brother." She said. "Go find sergeant Reynolds." He said. She looked up at the man for the first time. It was Dean. Her friend Sam's older brother. He gave her a small smile. "I need to talk to Celia's father. Mr. Crane." She said looking down again. Dean nodded as another man left. Mal showed up. He pulled Jessica into his arms. "What happened?" Mal asked. "We must wait for Mr. Crane." Jessica said not wanting to talk yet. She held in her tears as an angry looking man came round the corner. "What is the meaning of this?" He shouted at Jessica. She held her ground tears gone. "We were working in the hospital wing." she started. "I went to get bandages. There was an explosion.
She wanted to cry, but refrained. "When I came back I didn't see anyone moving. I called for help." She turned to look into the eyes of Mr. Crane. "I found Celia." His face fell. She could see terror in his eyes. "She died in my arms. She wanted me to tell you... she loved you." Jessica said. Mr. Crane broke down crying. A single tear fell down her face. And brother pulled her into another hug.
Scene 3
It's been almost a year since that day. Jessica was in battle. One that would become somewhat famous. The battle of Serenity Valley. Jessica was searching for Sam. He was her only friend left. The others dropped like flies. She was sad but still she needed to survive. That was all that mattered now. "Sam!" Jessica shouted. Probably not the smartest thing.
But what could she say. She's related to Mal. That's when she was pulled down. Bullets flew where she had just been. She let out a sigh of relief. Then a voice spoke in her ear that sent shivers down her spine. "You're less likely to get shot if you stay quite." She rolled her eyes at Sam. "Thank you Captain Obvious." Jessica said. "You and my brother should never have met." They laughed and walked silently through the shadows. They were both covered in blood and dirt. Most of the blood wasn't theirs either. They reached a group of browncoats and sat beside them. "Jessica what have I told you about wandering off?" Mal said. If she didn't know better she would have sworn he was her father. "Zoë and I will be right back" "I know cover you guy." Mal smiled. "Be careful." She said as Mal and Zoë ran off. Jessica shot anyone who came close to them and watched as they dodged the plane they shot down. "Yes!" Sam shouted. She saw a bullet headed towards him. She pushed him down. As they hit the ground terrible pain filled her stomach. Sam sat beside her on the ground. "You've been shot." Sam said. "Really I hadn't noticed." she said sarcastically. Mal ran up beside her. "Seems your lucks run out Mei Mei." Mal said. Jessica chuckled sarcastically holding in the pain as good as she could. She had seen others die this way. And sat with them in their final moments. She accepted the truth. And waited to die. She smiled. She was going into shock. "What you smiling bout little one?" Mal asked trying to stay strong. "I see angels." She said. And then she blacked out.
Scene 6 Shocking News
Jessica woke up in a hospital bed. She saw Sam and Mal in seats beside her. "You owe me big time dude." She said her voice scratchy. "Good to have you back little one." Mal said. "What happened?" She asked. They looked at each other. "Oh tell me already?" "After you passed out. The angels past us. We were told top lay down arms." She nodded. Why had they lost? Was it her fault? Why was she sparred? Why was she saved and not the others? Maybe she still had something to do?
Scene 7 Drunks Are Stupid, But We Already Knew That
(About 6 years later Jessica was sitting in a bar. It was the Unification day. A man, clearly drunk walked over. "You gonna drink with me? Six years ago the Alliance sent those Independence scum running." He took a drink and looked at Jessica. "Your coat looks kinda brownish." He continued. "I bet it does." She said. "I bet you're one of them independence." He said. "Well you know I bet you're right." she said. "You chose the wrong side girlie.""It may have been the losing side but I'm still not convinced it was the wrong one." Jessica said. And with that she got up smiling. Finished her drink. And walked out back to her life, as a brown coat on the run.