Disclaimer thingy: Firefly/Serenity are owned by other folks and not by me, though I appreciate being able to write some stuff purely for fun inspired by the Firefly 'Verse.

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First episode in a three-part prequel to Hard Times. It’s definitely not light and fluffy stuff, folks… But feedback, as ever, much appreciated!

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For the want of a nail the shoe was lost,

For the want of a shoe the horse was lost,

For the want of a horse the rider was lost,

For the want of a rider the battle was lost.

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The ship Mawu lay dead in the black. Around it the stars were bright points of light, but no lights showed from the craft which drifted as lifelessly in space as a piece of debris. If some cargo carrier or passenger ship passed by in this out-of-the-way part of the Rim, they would probably take it for just another piece of wreckage floating around in the ‘Verse. They might not give it a second look.

So far, so good.

Inside the ship, sprawled on his side in a darkened bunk, a figure lay heavily asleep. There was a soft sound and the cabin door slid open: a tall, dark-skinned man with close-cropped hair appeared in the doorway. For a moment the man stood motionless, then leaning over he reached out with one hand and took hold of the figure’s shoulder, giving it a shake. “Hey… Wake up, Leon. Wake up. Need your help.”

Leon twitched, then let out a muttered groan. “Uhhh… Wha…” Slowly he hauled himself up onto both elbows, struggling to open his eyes.

“Sorry to wake you.” The man spoke quietly.

“Uh… Thass okay…” Leon blinked into the darkness, and rubbed a hand across his face. “What… What time’s’it?...”

“Little after oh-three-hundred.”

“Guay…” muttered Leon, rubbing his face again. “I only been asleep a couple of hours, Jake...”

“I know.” Jake reached up and switched on the cabin light, flooding the cabin with its bright glow. The lig