Federal marshal was a rank or classification of Federal agents of the Union of Allied Planets. One whole car of the train traveling on Regina (from Hancock to Paradiso) contained a regiment of federal marshals. One of the marshals attempted to stop Malcolm Reynolds and two of his crew from stealing a large shipment of Pescaline D, but was knocked out. The local sheriff, Bourne, requested the assistance of these marshals; his plea was rejected by an Alliance colonel countless miles away in deep space who had ultimate jurisdiction.