Can't take the sky

Shiny

So this is where we are. Earth was used up, and we moved out into the galaxy, where we terraformed a whole bunch of planets. The central planets formed an Alliance and left the planets on the outer side to their own devices. The outer planets tried to form their own alliance, to gain stability, but this resulted in an ugly war. The Alliance crushed what little independence the outer planets had and continued to impose their rule on the planets.

Those that had fought against the Alliance drifted to the outer planets, where the Alliance had less control. But that also meant that there was less law enforcement and more danger. And a whole lot more freedom to try and make your own way in life. It is a tricky balance.

Malcolm Reynolds, he's a guy I know. He is lucky enough to captain a ship and to have found a crew. A mechanic, a fighter, even a preacher and a doctor. And a bona fide companion, too. He's still looking for a pilot though.

Serenity is his transport ship, with the crew hanging together for different reasons. Be it loyalty and friendship or necessity, they somehow make it work. They take on any job they can.

No. Seriously. Any job, as long as it pays.

For those unfamiliar with Firefly, here are the main characters:

Captain Malcolm 'Mal' Reynolds, who fought for the Independents and was the highest ranking Browncoat to participate in and survive the Battle of Serenity Valley.

Zoë  Alleyne Washburne, the first mate. She fought beside Mal in the war. She recently lost her husband, who was Serenity's pilot.

Jayne Cobb, a mercenary who did not fight on either side in the Unification War. Mal offered Jayne a job after he had tracked them down to rob him. Mal offered a larger share than he was making with the gang of robbers and a bunk of his own. Jayne shot his companion and joined up with Mal, asking:  "How big a room?"

Kaywinnet Lee "Kaylee" Frye is Serenity's mechanic. She keeps the ship running smoothly. She recently acknowledged that she is in fact in love with the ship's doctor, who is also in love with her. Kaylee is kind and trustworthy, and sees only the best in people.

The doctor, Simon Tam, gave up his life as a top trauma surgeon on one of the central planets. He is on the run with his sister, who had been locked up in an Alliance camp. They are both fugitives. Simon is in love with Kaylee.

River Tam is Simon's younger sister. She is a child prodigy, very intelligent and very athletic. She was subject to extreme experiments, and has been warped into some kind of psycich superweapon. She is unstable and both a potential asset as well as a potential danger to the crew.

Inara Serra is a Companion who travels with the crew and rents the shuttle of Serenity. A Companion is a high-society courtesan licensed by the Alliance. In Alliance society, Companions are part of the social elite. Their services extend beyong sex and companionship, and involve rituals and ceremonies to promote emotional well-being.