Feb. 2507 Firebase Poker, Three Hills

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The Winter Campaign was in full swing. Mal understood the historical reference from Earth that was, but on Three Hills it was summer and it was hot.

He made his way into the camp. The patrol had been uneventful. “The heat must be taking a toll on the Alliance as well.”

After checking in, Mal made his way to the small wedge tent he shared with Morgan. He stripped off his shirt as he entered the tent. Morgan was gone. Something was brewing Mal thought as eased into his cot. Morgan had been in the command bunker, before he left on patrol. He had learned by now to rest when he had the chance and he laid back and closed his eyes. His thoughts drifted to Shadow. It would be spring there. New calves on the ground, horses to be broke and his Ma cracking a whip on the hands, to spring clean the bunk house.

“Wake up Mal.” Morgan said kicking the leg of the cot.

Mal swung his feet to the ground and rubbed his eyes.

“Must have been some dream. I came in here and you were grinning like a jack ass eating cactus.”

Mal snorted a laugh “Dreaming of home.”

“Oh, thought you might have been dreaming of that whore on Persephone.”

Mal let out a soft groan and placed his head in his hands. “Ain’t planning on letting me forget her are ya?”

“Forget her? Hell Mal, she had a face like a horse and the rest of her weren’t much better.”

“I was drunk, and near as I remember you was the one that brought her over to meet me.”

“I was testing, to see how you handled you liquor…. You failed.”

Mal shot him a dirty look. “Did you wake me up just to rub this in my face again?”

“No. We drew scout duty. Think there may be trouble brewing. Get the unit together and rally at the south gate.” Morgan pulled the flap to the tent open. “One other thing” He said “When you got her excited, did she neigh?”

Mal threw his boot in Morgan’s direction as he ducked out of the tent.

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They were only 15 minutes out of base when word of