Dear Mal,

You don't know how much I've missed you these past weeks. It seems like you left Shadow so long ago, yet it's only been four weeks. I can't wait for this war to be over and you're home where you belong.

Wish I could send you a 'wave, but I'm not quite sure exactly where you are on Persephone, or if you could see it anyway. Shadow still has Cortex access but we're expectin' it to be cut off any day. Maybe the Alliance keeps it up to show all us Independents what we're supposedly missing out on. I try not to look at their lies except when I have to see what's goin' on.

Things keep goin' around the ranch. Janey had her foal 'bout two weeks ago. He's a big 'un and them black and white spots on him are sizable and loud enough for a body to see him a mile away. He looks a lot like his grandma, Lucy. His spots look just like a shadow. If he's inherited half her cow sense I'm thinkin' that he'll make a good stud for a cow pony breedin' herd you want to start when you get back. I'll start lookin' for some good mares. Of course, you'll have the last say on 'em.

Gave a milkin' cow to the Grays. It should keep them in milk for a couple of months if they're careful. Mrs. Gray just had another daughter two days ago. That'll make 3 boys and 2 girls and Joshua Gray is out of work again. You know, he works just long enough to pay some bills, then gets a fit of vapors and quits on ya. I don't know how Virginia Gray puts up with him, but she does.

I may end up hirein' him despite my misgivings. Only got 4 hands left, except of course for Chi Linn. The rest went and joined up during the recruitin' drive right after you left. Not sellin' any cattle to the Core and they still need to be looked after so I may sell a few head in New Johnstown just to thin the herd a bit. People need to eat somethin' and it might as well be steak.

The vegetable garden is producin' good. The squas is ready to pick and the corn will be comin' in soon. Needs weedin' mighty bad before harvest.

Thinkin' of t