TVSquad

Kaylee and Simon are looking at what turns out to be a mutated cow fetus but which the carnival barker outside is hawking as proof of alien life. Simon tries to compliment her on her looks and how special he is but manages to flub it. Mal meanwhile is having trouble fencing the gun he stole in the last episode. This is some sort of visitor's oasis and everyone checks in with the local post office for some mail. Jayne gets what turns out to be a fantastic wool knit hat from his mother and Mal and Zoe get a coffin with the body of old war buddy.

After the credits we flashback seven years to meet that now deceased individual fighting with them during the war. While he tries to get something to eat Zoe slits the throat of an Alliance troop about to shoot him. His name's Tracy and Mal helps him escape from an Alliance push. Back in the present neither Mal nor Zoe can figure out what's going on. They bring his body aboard and play a recording found in the coffin. Tracy explains that he's fallen in with bad folk and want his former commanders to bring him home. Wash goes to turn the ship around while some mean looking cops go question the post master who delivered the body to Mal.

Everyone on the ship is coping with seeing the dead body in their own way. Some are lost in their own thoughts, some philosophizing, and some drinking and telling war stories. The moment of reflection is cut short when the cops who harrassed the postman shoots at Serenity. The crew empties the crate Tracy was shipped in for anything the feds might be after. When Simon begins performing an autopsy Tracy wakes up, much to everyone's surprise.

Mal, understandably wants an the situation explained to him. Turns out Tracy voluteered to have his insides scooped out and replaced with home-grown organs. He double-crossed the people he was contracted by which is why he's on the run. While he's explaining the situation the feds start shooting at them again. Wash takes Serenity down planetside while Tracy flirts with Kaylee a bit.

While Wash pulls some evasive moves to lose them Book notices they haven't made contact with the local Alliance outpost, which he finds a bit curious. When the crew decides they've had enough of hiding they start to call the cops. There's a slight interruption when Tracy storms the bridge threatening to shoot Mal. When he backs away he takes Kaylee hostage. Mal tries to talk him down but winds up shooting him just as the feds board the ship. Book confronts them and exposes that he knows they're outside their jurisdiction, running an illegal operation on the side.

They leave but Tracy is dying from the gunshot wound Mal gave him. Despite all that's transpired the honor his initial request to be brought back home to his parents. Kaylee quitely slip her hand in Simon's as they and the rest of the crew present Tracy's body to his family.