Mal stood at ease before his new General. He looked like someone who expected you to take a bullet for him. He was smoking a large cigar, leaning back in his chair with an oversized uniform to showcase his many, many, many medals. Mal saluted quickly before putting his hands behind his back. This all reminded him of boot camp; if it could be called that. “General Marx, Lieutenant Reynolds reporting, Sir.”

Marx took a long drag of his cigar before answering. “No need, Lieutenant. I was told of your actions today by your so-called “Reinforcements”. You realize that you had no right to commandeer those soldiers?”

“Yes, Sir. But, we had taken losses earlier, and the nearest company to us was ten miles distant. If I hadn’t ‘Picked them up’, they’d still be runnin’.”

Marx snorted. “Tchah, seems that you Independents have a lack of discipline among the ranks.” He took another drag, heaving out a smoke ring when he was done.

Mal had to fight the urge to shoot the man. “With all due respect, sir, we ain’t the ones who ran.”

“It was a calculated retreat, Lieutenant . Now, I have a new mission for your troop, ASAP. Urgent, high ranked, top-secret.”

“Sir, my men-“

“Will fight and die as they are told,” Marx cut him off coldly. “The wounded will be transferred and new recruits placed on the line. Now, we have a situation that could very well win or lose us this war. You see, a carrier was shot down over bug country.”

Mal’s interest was piqued. “Friendly fire?” That was always a problem in any war.

“Unknown, presumed hostile. We’re in a whole new ball park here.” Mal groaned. The one thing they had always had over the bugs was airpower. If they had evolved- again - to combat the air forces, than they were royally screwed.

“Fine… sir. Target?”

“Classified. She’ll make herself known to you.”

“ She ? Sir, if’n your talkin’ about what I think, then-“

He cut Mal off. “What you think doesn’t matter much at the moment, Lieutenant Reynolds. This is your j