This is How We Make The Peace

Firefly. Deleted Scene #2

The Infirmary, aboard Serenity,

Night-watch — 

Night 1 :

Shepherd Book :

How is she…?

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

Touch and go —

Shepherd Book :

I might pray over her a bit 

if you don't mind…(?)

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

Of course.

Shepherd Book :

She's a special girl -- we kind of 

got to be friendly right away —

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

….that's A Talent 

I seem to lack. 

Shepherd Book :

If I can ask -- What made 

you pick this ship? 

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

It looked disreputable -- 

Shepherd Book :

Well, you're not without credible judgment —

Didn't happen to look at the name I suppose? 

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

What, Serenity, right?

That's a joke, I believe. 

Shepherd Book :

It's not. 

Simon, you want to get The Lay of 

The Land here; might be what you lack 

isn't psychological insight; 

might be its History.

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

‘Serenity’ — Read. 

History Book :

“In The War to Unite The Planets, 

The Battle of Serenity Valley was among 

the most devastating and decisive. 

Located on Hera, the valley was considered 

a key position by both sides and 

was bitterly fought over.

The Independent faction, 

with 16 brigades 

and 20 air tank squads 

held The Valley against 

The Alliance forces 

for almost two months 

until Superior numbers --” 

Zoe Washburn :

…what does it say under 

‘Blood-Bath’…? 

“-- flank strategy by General 

Richard Wilkins X….”

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

I was just trying -- 

Zoe Washburn :

Not in there — The Book, I mean. 

We're not Generals or Diplomats, we didn't 

turn The Tide of Glorious History 

or whatever that thing 

is supposed to spew.

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

Well, you know What They Say,

“History is programmed 

by The Winners.” --

Zoe Washburn :

Nearly half a million people lay dead on that field 

at Day-end -- about 

a third of them, 'Winners'. 

Can you imagine that smell...?
Can you imagine piling up the bodies of soldiers of friends to build a wall cuz you got no cover --

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

Mal was there with you..?

Zoe Washburn :

He was My Sergeant --
Commanded 30-odd grunts 

5 days in, there were 

so many officers dead, 

he commanded 2,000 -- 

Kept us together; 

kept us fighting; 

kept us sane --

By the time The Fighting 

was over, he had 

maybe 400 still intact 

that's a hell of it --

....I said The Fighting 

was over, but you see --
They left us there, 

wounded and sick 

and near to mad as can 

still walk and talk -- 

Both sides left us there, 

while They negotiated 

The Peace for a week, 

and we kept dying --

.....when They finally sent in Med-ships, 

he had about 150 left, and of
our original platoon, just Me. 

Mercy; Forgiveness; Trust --

Those are things he left back there;

What he has now, is The Ship;
The Ship, and Us, on it. 

You get Kayleigh through this, 

I think He'll Do right by you.

He won't kill, 

unless he's got 

no other option 

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

....what if he tells 

You to Kill Me...?

Zoe Washburn :

I Kill you. 

Dr. Simon Tam, 

Brother of River :

.....just getting the 

Lay of The Land --

....if that battle was so horrible, 

Why'd he name The Ship after it....?

Zoe Washburn :

Once you've been in Serenity, 

you never leave -- just, 

learn to Live there....