“Where’s your CO?” the sergeant with the newly arrived group of men asked.

“She’s over there.”

The sergeant looked across at the woman standing a little way off. She was speaking to two of her own men.

“Take two and get up onto the ridge. I need to know what’s going on.”

“Frey? Is that you?” The sergeant stared at her.

“Mal? Mal Reynolds?” Freya Nordstrom laughed. “Ain’t you dead yet?”

“Too pretty to die,” Mal said, hugging the officer and getting some odd looks from her men. His just ignored it.

“Zoe with you?”

“Bringing up the rear.” He stepped back and studied her. “Hey, when did you cut your hair?”

“Coupla months ago. Got fed up with it. Kinda kept getting in the way.”

“I liked it long. But, hey, this looks good too. Makes you look …powerful.”

“I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“It’s meant that way.”

“Well, bring your men in. We have some food, but lots to drink.”

“So how do you reckon it’s fairing?” Mal asked, sitting next to Freya at the small fire.

“Badly. I think. But they don’t tell us anything.”

“Even high ups like you?”

“Even me.”

“Any other officers about?”

“No, I think it’s just me. A few sergeants around, like Mac. Like you.”

“Still don’t see how you got to be a lieutenant.”

“Luck. I think I was just the first in line when they said hey you.”

Their dugout rattled as a series of bombs exploded close by, dust filtering down. They waited for the blasts to subside. “This happen a lot?” Mal asked, brushing off his coat.

“They’ve been bombing us for three straight days. You get so you kinda don’t notice it. But they’re getting closer. And we’re getting to be a bigger target every day.”

“So what are your orders?”

“Haven’t had any for a while.”

“So do you have a plan?”

“Oh, I do. And I think it’s time.” She explained what she intended. Mal was shocked.

“Frey, that’s suicide!”

“Not really. Not if we work it right. Besides, who wants to live forever?”

“I do.”

“Well, yeah, me too.