As a person who was not interested in parading his body around, having a pain is this rather private place was more than a bit embarrassing. How it transpired that he hurt in this particular place was also rather embarrassing. It was the fault of a girl. A little, petite girl. A little, petite girl who was a better shot at long distance than he’d ever be.

Maisie had gotten him into trouble more than once growing up on the ranch on Shadow. If she weren’t the daughter of the Reynolds ranch foreman, Chi Linn, and his wife, Sophia, and his mei mei, in spirit if not in blood, he would have killed her long ago. Despite the sharp pain in his he chuckled at the thought. It was more than likely that Maisie would kill him first.

This whole thing had all started the last day of training on Persephone. Mal's squad, which included Maisie, was given leave to visit the city of Persephone itself on a eight hour pass in order to pick up sundries and let off a little steam. They were given the usual admonitions by the Shepherds not to drink or fight and to generally conduct themselves like admirable Independent soldiers. As usual with young soldiers granted freedom after a period of isolated training, this advice fell on deaf ears.

The transport had stopped in a commercial district just outside the boundary of the Eavesdown docks. The sergeant in charge of the transport came around to open the door and dispensed more last minute advice. Mal half listened as the sergeant launched into an impromptu sermon of his own. “I know you're gonna get drunk but don't get too drunk that you aren't here in eight hours. If you're not here we'll leave without you, and you'll be counted AWOL. You all know by now what that means.”

“Keep an eye on each other. You can have your fun. Some of the locals here are all patriotic and will buy you more liquor than you can drink in a week once they see you in a brown coat, but some of em’ll rob you blind in the space of a second.”

“There ain't no Companions round here, not that a