EXT. MULE - LANDSCAPE - NIGHT

The mule is cruising smoothly over the terrain, dodging the occasional growth popping up before it.

Simon is laughing while Mal is grinning and shaking his head.

SIMON:You're serious? A three story building.

MAL:(nodding emphatically)My hand to God, if He's up there listenin'. I swear, that man had more lives than a barnyard tabby.

SIMON: But to fall that far... flat on his back.

MAL: It was the damndest thing. We were gettin' strafed to shit by this skiff. I mean, the gorram thing was relentless. Started off with eighteen of us on that rooftop, an' they had us whittled down to six in a matter of minutes. Silk there picks up this BFG. Thing's twice as big as he is, mind you. An' he just goes to town, opening up on that damn skiff like it'd slapped his mama. He wings it good, sends it spinnin'. Well, Spade gets all excited. He stands up to get a better shot at it, takes a couple steps backward since it's headin' right for us, and boom. He's gone. Skiff crashes a few yards away so we're able to catch our breath. I look over the edge and there's Spade, lyin', I shit you not, on a gorram hot bun cart. (Simon laughs in surprise) He's out cold, but breathin'. Silk comes up next to me, still haulin' that cannon, an' he takes a peak. We look at each other and just lose it. Spade wakes up and yells, ”Did I get 'im?” Didn't have the heart to tell him he'd hit nothin' but sky. (Mal wipes his eyes)

SIMON: Saved by... hot buns?

Mal nods again emphatically, attempting to stifle another laugh. He can't help it and they both laugh again.

Simon POV - Serenity can be seen in the distance, partially lit.

INT. SERENITY - PAUL'S BUNK

Paul is alone, practicing a compact close-quarters form.

INT. SERENITY - JAYNE'S BUNK

Jayne sits on his bed, meticulously cleaning one of his pistols

INT. INARA'S SHUTTLE

Inara is brushing her hair with slow long strokes.

INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM

Kaylee is dozing in her hammock, a pleasant smile on her face.

INT. SERENITY - ZOE'S BUNK

Zoe is lighting two small candles that rest before a video capture of Wash being goofy.

INT. SERENITY BRIDGE

River sits in the pilot's seat, her hands dancing over the keyboard. Her head pops up suddenly, her eyes wide.

EXT. MULE - NIGHT

BOOM! A flash of light and fire explodes five feet from the starboard side of the mule sending it flipping over to port. Mal and Simon are held in by their seatbelts, but are tossed about roughly.

(Repeat previous six scenes in a flash with the blast echoing through each room, each person's head abruptly turning in that direction. Halt on River for a beat, then whip to see explosion in the distance through the windshield)

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY

Paul sprints through the cargo bay, down the ramp and toward the mule, the aftermath of the explosion still visible in the distance.

EXT. MULE - NIGHT

The mule is resting on its port side, teetering, Mal and Simon hanging from their seatbelts. They look confused and disoriented, but conscious as they cough and choke on the dust and smoke that permeates the air.

MAL: So much for the mule(cough) runnin' again. (looks at Simon) You all right?

Simon nods as he coughs, working to unbuckle his seat belt. He does so, which sends him crashing to the ground. Mal hangs on to the mule's side rail as he undoes his own. He dangles for a second, then drops next to Simon. He bumps the throttle lever as he does, causing a strange grinding/crunching sound to emit from the mule. Mal shakes his head, just barely sees the box Dr. Markus had given him lying on the ground a couple feet away. Mal stoops to pick it up, looking around as he does. Nothing is visible beyond a few feet. He places the box in his deepest pocket.

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY

View from fore airlock. Whip up to left to see Inara exiting her shuttle. Whip to rear door to see Kaylee dart through into the cargo bay. Whip up to fore/starboard stairs to see Zoe and Jayne clamoring down from the fore passage.

JAYNE: (carrying Vera, slapping in a magazine) What the gui was that?

KAYLEE:I don't know.

RIVER: (VO intercom) It's Simon and Mal. Four hundred yards out, dead ahead. They're okay. For now. Hurry. I'm prepping for takeoff.

ZOE: (loading her rifle) Let's go.

KAYLEE: (looking around desperately)Where's Paul?

Zoe is already down the ramp, Jayne flanking her. In the distance, the ploom of dust and smoke is visible against the starry night sky.

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