Mal looked down worriedly at the map on the table before him, brow creasing. He placed another pin in the map, signifying another platoon. They were all uncomfortably close. Of course, them being close also meant that the Bugs were, too. A rather serious and not at all likeable turn of events.

It had been some two days since Book had informed Mal of him having a plan of some sort. He hadn’t actually told Mal the actual plan yet… still working out a few of the details. In the meantime, Mal had contacted Wash, to a ship prepped just in case… preferably not a military one, if he could find one.

As per what Book had told him, he had contacted all of those what he trusted most to not desert him. So far, he had Simon, Kaylee, Zoë, Wash, Tracey, Bendis, and he was in the process of getting in contact with Monty. Said bear of a man was currently the Lieutenant of the Fighting 76th, one of the most decorated platoons on Persephone. Much more so than the Roughnecks- the 76th were always at the front, so much so that the Alliance couldn’t deny them some leave now and again, as they’ve done the Lions Share of fighting and dieing for them.

Simon had been increasingly withdrawn these past two days- he was almost laconic now. It was getting on Mals’ nerves, truth to tell- Doc was annoying as it is, but a withdrawn, pensive Doc was just all kinds of creepifying. And, with him being as such, Kaylee was harping on him more’n usual- again, it wore on Mals’ nerves.

Mal rubbed his temples. Whatever was gonna happen, he was going to meet Book again tonight.

He placed another pin in the map.

***

The night swirled around him; both of them. They made their way slowly across the base. They had no clue whether this was a set up- another way to kill off the remnant Independents. That was why they were armed, even if only one of them could use the pistol all proper like. The shadows beckoned to them- a parody of Hope. Who knew what evils were held in the dark, the places where not even the sun tou