* (or the man come to be known by that name)
Malcolm Reynolds is born on Shadow. His mother has a ranch there devoted mostly to running cattle, and she, along with about forty ranch hands, will raise him.
The central planets of the Core which form the Anglo-Sino Alliance decide that all of the settled planets have to join under their rule. Rim and border worlds dissent; politics behind the independence movement begins gathering steam.
takes place off of the moons of Athens: shortest & bloodiest battle of the Unification War
Considered by historians, politicians, and, most important, those who fought there (both sides) as the most devastating and decisive battles of the Unification War.
Mal hears tell that a couple of Browncoats who had disappeared wound up on Haven, and when he follows them to find out what happened...
...disobeying Mal's order to the contrary.
Their marriage ceremony does not call for Zoe to swear obedience to Wash.
Kaylee Frye is "whupped hard" by her father after an encounter with a 14 year old boy (who sure didn't look it!).
"...and the man they call Jayne turned 'round his plane. And that's when money hit sky..."
Unification Day, 3 years since Armistice and the surrender of the Independents
Mal goes to ask Bester about "yet another delay". Not the most conventional of interviews, but...
Inara Serra leaves Sihnon, reportedly because she wants to "see the universe," although she retains her status as a registered Companion.
Malcolm Reynolds shows one of Serenity's shuttles to Inara Serra, a registered Companion and potential renter. She is interested, but insists on a number of conditions...
Jayne Cobb; his boss, Marco Ferlinghetti; and another lackey are holding guns on Mal and Zoe. After a brief job offer, Jayne accepts...so to speak...
A carrier run by a skeleton crew blows out, killing all hands. The wreckage is left adrift, although the derelict transport has a cargo of at least three crates containing pure, genuine A-grade foodstuffs. Just ask Badger...
Simon is arrested for being in a blackout zone on Osiris, though he was only talking to someone who might be able to help River. His father, Gabriel, is not pleased...
Simon goes back to the blackout zone and accepts the offer from the underground movement. In turn, they are successful in getting River to him as promised...
Badger becomes aware of the derelict transport with a cargo of foodstuffs onboard, and he hires the crew of Serenity to pull this illegal salvage. What could go wrong?