WHAT IS FIREFLY?

Anakin and the Operative - two men searching for a common goal. Both achieved that goal, but only one suffered a terrible loss.

The Operative: working for the Alliance with one simple goal in mind - to make the world a better place. This means that he must hunt down and kill River Tam, the one person who had secret knowledge of many high-level, top secret Alliance information.

The Operative will stop at nothing in getting his goal accomplished, including murder. Anyone else would ask themselves if they're doing the right thing. You have your orders, but do you question them? Do you stand back and look at the atrocity that you're about to commit? The Operative didn't, why? That simple answer can be found in one word that describes his very nature - loyalty.

Loyalty.

Anakin Skywalker - a Jedi Knight - was full of it. Loyal to the Force. Loyal to the Jedi Order. Loyal to his friends. Loyal to Padmé. And ultimately, loyal to his children.

Anakin was also working towards one goal - to bring peace and justice, and to make the galaxy a better place. This meant that he was bound by loyalty to protect these very things. To protect the innocent, and to protect peace and justice wherever they were needed (wait, he's Superman?!?!?!?). Unfortunately, Anakin wanted too much power. He knew it, he knew it was wrong. He knew that absolute power would corrupt absolutely. That didn't stop him. He used whatever means were presented to get that power. Ultimately it cost him everything.

The Operative destroyed an entire settlement just to send a message to those he hunted and he admits to being a monster all for a sinless world. Just as the Operative, Anakin slaughtered an entire camp. However, it wasn't done for anything other than furious rage, revenge, and everything in between. Or, could it have been a message? Could it have been Anakin's twisted and evil way of telling everyone that if someone is taken from him, they will pay the ultimate price?

Both men believed in what they were doing, and what they both believed to be true, was the right thing to do, no questions asked. Or not. Of course all good things must come to an end. The Operative was defeated as was Anakin Skywalker. Both were finally revealed the truth, or rather horror, that was the Alliance and the Empire, respectively. Only the Operative saw the error of his ways before it was too late. The Operative had his doubts, and he held back from ordering the destruction of the crew of Serenity as they lay there, beaten to a pulp by the Reavers. Only the Operative was able to walk away, from the Alliance and his loyalty.

Skywalker...well, you know his story all too well, don't you? Loyalty got him hurt...bad. Loyalty, love and fear of loss, blinded him. Anakin couldn't walk away. He welcomed the power, embraced it in a way he knew was forbidden. He destroyed everyone and everything he loved for his loyalty. Loyalty got him a new body, a life that dominated his destiny, and finally death.

But who's the winner? Who's the loser? Walking away from the Alliance after seeing what they are...or saving your child and redeeming yourself for the last time. Like trying to figure out how many licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Pop - the world may never know.