The game was progressing well. Each player had made move, counter move, feint and counter feint. Zoe, her usual face as inscrutable as ever, lifted a piece and jumped three others.

“Good move,” Freya nodded approvingly. She reached out, shook her arm slightly, then made her own move, ending up on the other side of the board, and the winner.

“How …?” Zoe stared at the board.

“She is very good,” Mal said. “Sometimes she even beats me.”

Freya lifted an eyebrow at him, but forbore to comment. Mal, a grin plastered across his face, stood up and straightened his brown coat, saying, “Right. Well, I'm going to do what a man’s gotta do.” He stepped behind Zoe then leaned down. “You two ladies play nicely, now.” He headed off towards a door in the corner.

Freya watched him, then looked around the bar before saying, “Does it ever seem to you that we spend all our lives in places like this?”

“Sometimes it does.” Zoe glanced towards where Mal had disappeared. "How are things between you two?" she asked.

Freya smiled a little. "Shiny. Good. They're improving." She laughed sadly. "Takes time, Zoe."

"I know." They looked at each other in total understanding before Freya felt somewhat embarrassed at the first mate’s frank gaze and looked away.

“Any idea why those fellers at the bar should be staring as us?” she asked. “Apart from the fact that we are two fine specimens of female womanhood, of course.”

“Apart from that,” Zoe agreed. “Well, do you know what day it is?”

Freya considered. “Tuesday?”

“I meant specifically.”

“Nope. No idea. Is it significant?”

“Did the captain ask you to wear that coat?”

“Wha …?” Freya was surprised at the apparent non-sequitur, but glanced down at her own brown coat. “No. Not really. But he seemed kinda pleased.”

“Then you won’t be surprised when there’s a brawl.”

Freya leaned forward. “Am I missing something here?”

“It’s Unification Day.”

Light dawned on Freya’s face. “And this is an Alliance moon. And we’re wearing