The next day they’re back in the ‘Verse, and Kaylee switches the engines. It’s time to see what’s happened in the 20 years they’ve been away. Kaylee turns on their Cortex terminal...

And the first thing she sees is a screen with instructions telling how to access UniWiki! “Zhe shi shen me? (What is this?) Cap’n, we’ve just skidded into a puzzle!”

Mal takes a look; “That IS a whole manner of strange. I guess we'd better be steppin' light through our revolution until we figure this out.”

Diana confirms that yes, UniWiki is available through the Cortex, and it seems that it’s being used throughout the ‘Verse, and has been for some time – at least a year. Everyone finds a terminal, and starts looking for answers… Simon finds the next clue; “Has anyone else noticed that there’s no Blue Sun ads? I can’t recall ever using the Cortex without being bombarded with their ads.”

And then it’s Jayne’s turn; “And there’s a whole buncha gorram ads from companies I ain’t never heard of before!”

Inara adds one more piece to the puzzle: “I’ve just checked a news site from the core, and Blue Sun buildings on every planet are up for sale. As best as I can tell, there is NO Blue Sun operating anywhere in the ‘Verse!”

Their search is interrupted when as a small cargo ship suddenly appears off their port side; “Ahoy Firefly! My name is Adam Chan, and I’ve noticed you coming in from the Rim. You look like you’ve been away for a while, and I think I have a deal you just can’t afford to pass up.”

Mal has been a revolutionary occasionally, but he’s always been a trader. “Always looking for deals, Adam. What do you have in mind?”

“The most wonderful invention ever – it will change your life!”

Jan may be new to the ‘Verse, but salesmen are the same throughout the galaxy. “Mal, I think I met this guy’s brother back on Earth.”

Mal has a few suspicions himself. “I’m pretty happy with my life the way it is, Adam. What do you have that would make me want to change?”

Adam is not to be put off that easily; “Captain, have you ever heard of a Replicator? It can keep your ship supplied with parts forever, and you can build almost anything a planet needs – all for free!”

Kaylee is stunned! “They’re selling magic boxes like Diana’s in the ‘Verse?”

Mal has heard enough; “Yes Adam, we have heard of ‘em. Matter of fact, we already have one.”

“You mean, they’re already out on the Rim? Damn, I knew this business couldn’t last. Well, nice talking to you Captain. I guess I’ll have to find a customer somewhere else.” The little ship turns, and is soon out of sight.

The entire crew sits stunned. Finally Zoë breaks out in peals of laughter. When she finally recovers enough to talk, she says, “UniWiki is already connected to the Cortex, Blue Sun is gone, and everybody in the ‘Verse already has a Replicator.”

“Some kinda Big Damn Heroes we are!”

One by one, the crew understands – there’ll be no revolution. The job is finished. All their worry and preparations have been for nothing. Laughter, stemming from the situation and borne of relief, rings throughout the ship!

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

But there’s still one more question – What the H*ll happened? Why is everything they planned on doing already done?

As many times before, Zoë is the practical one. “Has anyone thought to check our messages? We’ve been away over twenty years. Most of them will be badly out of date, but maybe we can get some ideas as to what happened while we were away.”

Jayne grumbles; “I don’t never get nothing but scam offers.” But they all check…

It’s Diana who comes up with the answer, although it’s not a normal Cortex message. “I’ve just got a communication from River on my Book circuitry. I don’t know how she did it but… It just says ‘UniWiki footnote RiverTam’. I guess we should look it up.”

A few seconds search, and a very short message appears on the screen: “Oasis investment withdrawal causing Blue Sun probable collapse. UniWiki jamming removed. Many companies enroute ‘Verse. Work here no longer necessary, returning.”

Fifteen words describing both the end of Blue Sun rule and the ‘Verse’s Reunion with the rest of the Galaxy. Six more to say their last crewmember is on her way home.

Awed silence rules Serenity.

For an hour or so. Then the Cortex terminal springs to life: “Firefly ship, this is Mayor Kinder of Salisbury. Nice to see you. Don’t get many trade ships out our way since Replicators got so common. But we’ve got some cargo too big to replicate, and we need to get it to Osiris, and they’ve got some equipment for us. You got room, and time for a round trip?”

Mal stares in amazement at the screen for a moment, then turns to face the crew.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we’re back in business.”