So here is the ability flow for Malice:

Ability:
Ability targets a single ship withing 8000 range

1st Buff:
Buff Targets 8/16/24 ships within 3000 range of the original target

2nd Buff:
Damage is recorded on the 8/16/24 ships for 10 seconds
30% of the recorded damage will be propagated
Weapon damage is propagated at buff finish (10 seconds) to the affected ships only (original 8/16/24) that are in 5000 range of the affected ship.

So for the best affect it's probably good to FF on an affected ship to make sure the 30% damage is as high as possible.

The Progen is likely to be your first capital ship and it's one of the better caps in the game.  If it's your first, then your most likely upgrade progression would be:

1. Colonize
2. Shields
3. Colonize
4. Shields
5. Colonize or Shields depending on whether you're going to be fighting or colonizing.
6. Colonize or Shields (depending on which you can level) or Resurrection (if you have other capital ships)
7. Colonize or Shields, whichever one you need to take to Level 3.  Otherwise Resurrection if you didn't take it at 6.  If you don't ever intend to get another capital ship, and you maxxed out Colonize and Shields, then go with Malice.
8. Malice
9. Malice
10. Malice

Malice isn't a bad ability, but it doesn't compare to the value of shield restoration nor a 45% discount on new planet upgrades or capital ship resurrection.

yay  for forums   thanks guys