months since his "death", Dobson has carved out a new life for himself as a bandit leader, forming a gang and even building a hideout. He has made a deal with the Hands of Blue, who have been trying to recapture Simon and River Tam. Dobson, obsessed with killing Mal, claims he has the perfect plan, and needs only the support of the Alliance to make it easier. After returning to Persephone, Badger approaches Serenity with a handful of goons, saying he only wants to pitch a new job to the crew. Not taking any chances, Zoe stuns Badger's hired muscle with fire-retardant gas as they attempt to board Serenity, and shoots them all dead. Serenity then takes off with Badger on board. Badger explains to the crew that the Battle of Sturges (which he refers to as the bloodiest battle in the Unification War) was fought over a pile of money, which is supposedly still floating in the ruins of the battlefield, unclaimed, and that he recently came into possession of the exact coordinates. Mal says that he'll consider the job, telling Badger to get off his ship "before the stain sets". Badger is then left in the desert on Persephone to walk home. Mal gathers the crew, telling them that he's decided to take Badger's job. Inara asks him to take her to her "duties" first, and Mal refuses. Mal insists that the job is more important, and Book pushes Mal to reconsider. When Book reminds Mal that he gave Inara his word that he would not interfere with her work, Mal states that the crew should understand that his word means nothing. Mal then provokes Book by saying that his word was no different from the Shepherd's preaching, and that when push came to shove, Book didn't pray, but stole a vehicle and did "what needs to be done to survive". Book loses his temper and strikes Mal in the face. The crew travel to the coordinates given to them by Badger. Mal, Zoe, and Jayne board one of the wrecked ships to look for the money, but it soon becomes clear that there is no money and the whole thing was a set-up. Dobson and his henchmen ambush the three, demanding "an eye for an eye". Zoe and Jayne outdraw and kill all of Dobson's men, while Mal shoots out Dobson's other eye. Before leaving, Mal