Disclaimer: Both BtVS and Firefly belong to Joss Whedon. The basic idea for this story came from Yahtzee's Phoenix Rising. The idea of mixing these two 'verses in this way is mine.
AN: I have an earlier story that started to explore the basic plot of this story (which I won't spoil for you), one that had ground to a halt, unfortunately. And then I found Firefly…
A Leaf on the Wind
Prologue
"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 new worlds—each one terra-formed, a process taking decades, to support human life, to be new worlds.
"The central planets formed the Alliance. Ruled by an inter-planetary parliament, the Alliance was a beacon of enlightenment. The savage outer planets were not so enlightened, and refused Alliance control. The war was devastating. But the Alliance's victory over the Independents insured a safer universe. And now, everyone can enjoy the comfort and enlightenment of true civilization."
At least, that's what everyone was taught…