Battle of Serenity Valley

Military action

Considered by historians, politicians, and, most important, those who fought there (both sides) as the most devastating and decisive battles of the Unification War.

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Late March

The Battle of Serenity Valley is fought on Hera. It is among the most devastating and decisive battles of the war, as the valley is considered a key position by both sides, and it is bitterly fought over. Highly confident of their win due to recent victories, the Alliance makes the public claim on the Cortex that they are going to "waltz through the valley. However, the Independent Faction "choked them with those words" and brings sixteen brigades and twenty air-tank squads—fighting hard and holding the valley for almost two months in stalemate.   Sergeant Malcolm Reynolds & Corporeal Zoe Alleyne

Mid-May

Superior numbers and a brilliant deep-flank strategy by General Richard Wilkins begin to turn the tide at Serenity Valley in the Alliance's favor. On the final day of battle, Independent ground troops across the valley still hold their position, but call with greater desperation for air support as their casualties mounted. However, Independent High Command fails to send the 82nd in time. As a result, the Alliance overwhelms the battleground with their firepower. Independent High Command determins the situation "too hot" to send any more air support and gives the official order for their ground troops to lay down arms and surrender.     Nearly half a million people lie dead on the field at the end of the battle, about a third of them on the side of the Alliance. Malcolm Reynolds Although the fighting is over, both sides leave their survivors there—wounded and sick and "near to mad as can still walk and talk"—while they negotiate the peace, and those soldiers keep dying.