On the planet Persephone the crew contact their old "friend" Badger the ruthless crimelord to transport some goods on behalf of a local lord. While at a ball to arrange a transport job with the lord, Mal defends Inara's honor when her current customer insults her. By local custom he unintentionally challenges her date, Atherton Wing, to a duel. Inara must teach Mal how to use a sword, while Badger takes the rest of the Serenity crew hostage so they don't interfere and mess up Badger's reputation. Thanks to a distraction by Inara, Mal manages to win, spares Atherton, and earns the job - hauling cows