More than anyone else Shepherd Derria Book is somewhat a mystery. Obviously a work in progress from show runner Joss Whedon, Book is NOT just a Preacher or Shepherd. From what we are shown Book (and that might not be his real name) could be anything from an Alliance big shot to a high military big shot who has had a revelation and turned preacher for a real reason or just to hide out or maybe he's a very high ranking Preacher in the order. With Book it's hard to say. He can be what you see maybe something else... There is no telling with Book, based on what we know. What you see it not entirely what you get.Book comes from the Southgate Abbey and boarded Serenity on the planet Persephone and is now out to see the universe a little (before eventually settling down for a spell at Haven near the outer rim).Book has an Identification card that gets him into an Alliance medical center with expedience and gets Serenity out of there with just as much expedience.Both Captain Mal Reynolds and his mercenary Jayne wonder about Book's past and history and knowledge.Book knows what an Alliance Operative is all about.Book knows what a electrostatic capture net is all about.He's admitted he was not born a Shepherd, but won't fess to much else than that.Book knows how to handle a weapon and isn't afraid to shoot one, at people, hitting them, even if it's just in the leg.Book also knows his Bible and has a code of morality. He will admonish you about a special hell reserved for people who molest children and talk in theaters.Book, also, has vices: He smokes Cigars, enjoys a good meal and can tell a joke or story that is humorous. He can also tell tall tales when it comes to his shortcomings.He throws dirt over the dead, cries when he faces certain death, orders Alliance officials about and shoots henchmen of criminals. He stands up to Captain Mal Reynolds and Jayne without flinching. He has a garden and brings aboard fresh salad makings. He never married and has no kids.Who is he? James Bond? M? Director of the CIA? Hit man? Master Criminal? Pope? Maybe he was Mal or even Jayne in a past life (or at least something like them)!We know he's well educated and refined to a degree, but he can point a gun or stop you from shooting someone with equal skills.He's not a terrific fighter, but he will try, even though he's gotten knocked out more than once in a tussle.That means he's probably an Administrator, not a field agent.He's more than likely a desk jockey or cat burglar turned preacher(?)There is far more to Book than meets the eye, but we'll never know unless Joss Whedon makes a feature about him as he did for River. Whedon did give us a small glimmer in one of Book's sayings and maybe that says it all about Book: If you can't do something smart, do something right! We know he's a good friend to Mal and has feelings for River, just like Mal and Simon does.We also know he can shoot down an Alliance ship that is attacking his people without hesitation.Book is a quandary. Of that, there can be no doubt.<Addition> In Episode Objects in Space the bounty hunter Jubal Early knocked out Book, Simon asks the bounty hunter In which part of your plan dictated the necessity of beating up a Shepherd? Early responded, That ain't a Shepherd. Show less «