EXT. SPACE

Serenity approaches Haven, the brightest star in the distance.

INT. SERENITY – PASSENGER DORMS – MORNING

Isaac, Derek, Micah and Joshua stand in the hall in a circle, hands clasped.

ISAAC Serenity will deliver us into the hands of God and to the promised land, my children. I have foreseen it.

DEREK The captain won’t submit to God’s will, Isaac.

MICAH Derek may be right. We cannot rely on the captain. Perhaps we will find transport at this mining colony? ISAAC Don’t lose faith, Micah. Wait on the Lord. Wait on a sign…

EXT. SPACE ABOVE HAVEN – LATER

Serenity is moments away from entering orbit.

INT. SERENITY – PASSENGER DORM – MORNING

Isaac kneels in prayer in his room. The door opens and Book looks in.

BOOK We’re approaching Haven, Isaac.

ISAAC (opening his eyes) Thank you, Shepherd.

Isaac continues praying.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – SAME TIME

Kaylee, River and Joshua play jacks.

INT. SERENITY – INARA’S SHUTTLE – SAME TIME

Inara straightens her room. Pillows lay on the floor, and she breaks down a makeshift fort made from her tapestries. She shakes her head, smiling.

INT. SERENITY – GALLEY – SAME TIME

Micah, Simon, Jayne and Derek play cards at the kitchen table, Jayne with a large mug of steaming coffee. We continue on into

THE FOREDECK HALL

Where Zoe climbs out of her room and makes her way to

THE BRIDGE

Where Mal looks out at Haven, looming larger now, the sun disappearing behind it. Wash is at the controls, and both are drinking coffee with cupped hands.

WASH —have to disagree, Mal. She may be my wife, but Jayne’s is better. The man knows how to make a pot of— (sees Zoe enter the bridge) —gold! Hi, honey! (back to Mal) The man is a regular leprechaun. With a pituitary disorder, nonetheless…

ZOE Please. I know Jayne’s coffee is better. (takes Wash’s cup and drinks) Mornin’, sir.

MAL It’s evenin’ where we’re headed.

ZOE That’s a shame. Bernabe and Millie’s kids’ll be sleeping. Won’t get my fix. (to Wash) Wouldn’t need to hold other folk’s babies if someone would get on top of things…

Mal takes a drink of his coffee, averting his eyes.

WASH Right now? Again? You know I do like to be on top… (beat) Of things. Like flying the ship. Which I’ll get back to now.

Wash takes hold of the controls and presses a button. A grinding, thrumming noise sounds throughout the ship as Mal and Zoe rock forward, grabbing at the console for balance. Wash’s dinosaurs spill all over the deck as his chest presses into the controls.

INT. SERENITY – GALLEY – SAME TIME

The stack of cards fan out across the table, and Jayne spills his coffee on his hand.

JAYNE Ruttin’ hell!

INT. SERENITY – INARA’S SHUTTLE – SAME TIME

Inara is packing her things away in crates. They slide across the deck as she spills to the floor.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – SAME TIME

The ball and jacks roll quickly through the cargo bay towards the airlock door.

INT. SERENITY – PASSENGER DORM – SAME TIME

Isaac, kneeling in prayer, is thrown forward into his bed. He opens his eyes, and his cross rises with the inertia before his eyes, held fast to his neck by its chain.

ISAAC It is time.

INT. SERENITY – BRIDGE – SECONDS LATER

Mal steadies himself.

WASH (making adjustments) Whoa. Whoa, darlin’.

MAL What is that? Is that what I think it is? Because it better not be.

ZOE Didn’t we just replace the inertial dampener?

WASH (into comm) Kaylee? What’s goin’ on back there?

INT. SERENITY – AFT HALL – SAME TIME

Kaylee struggles up the stairs to the aft hall, stumbling into Book on the way.

KAYLEE Sorry, Shepherd.

BOOK Kaylee? What’s—

But Kaylee’s off down the hallway to

THE ENGINE ROOM

Where she makes straight for the shiny new parts. She inspects the INERTIAL DAMPENER.

KAYLEE {Can’t we ever catch a break!} Gorram it, work!

She bangs the part with her fist in frustration, pulling her hand back reflexively because the part is hot – shorted out. As she smacks it, smoke rises.

KAYLEE (into comm) It’s the inertial dampener again, Wash!

INT. SERENITY – BRIDGE – SAME TIME

Wash struggles with the controls. Haven is approaching too fast.

WASH But it’s brand new! (beat) Right?

MAL {No good chicken-rutting bureaucrat!} (to Zoe) It’s almost a shame Cariss is dead, ‘cause I’d like to kill him again!

WASH Cariss died? How did I miss that?

Mal and Zoe ignore the question.

WASH (cont’d) I’m going to have to slow her down a lot slower, Mal. Cargo we’re carrying’s too bulky to stay secure if I step on the brakes enough to enter atmo on the first pass.

MAL And on the second pass?

WASH There’s a lot of weight back there. No tellin’ what the g-forces will do.

MAL Wash, enter Haven’s orbit and tell ‘em I’m on the way. I’m gonna get us another gorram new part. Zoe, ship’s yours.

He rushes to the door, then pauses.

MAL (cont’d) Til, ya know, I get back.

INT. SERENITY – GALLEY – SECONDS LATER

Mal enters, finding Simon checking the burn on Jayne’s hand. Micah and Derek are standing, and Book has joined them.

BOOK What’s going on, Captain?

MAL (to Derek and Micah) Looks like you two’re on my boat for a little while longer. I’m going planet-side to pick up a part. Any of you start gettin’ motion sick, make sure you yak in a bucket.

SIMON Or just tell me. I’ve got pills for it.

MAL Or that.

As Mal heads toward the stairs to the cargo bay. Derek and Micah share a look.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – SAME TIME

Joshua and River look for the ball, peering beneath the swaying mining equipment. Joshua finally spots it, on the other side of the mining drill. He circles around and finds Isaac crouched there, the ball now in his hand.

ISAAC Found it, my son. Here…

Joshua comes close to get the ball and Isaac leans closer, whispering something in his ear. Joshua nods and runs off. Isaac turns around and sees River, looking right at him, smiling. He smiles in return and nods a greeting.

RIVER You found me, but you didn’t count in thousands. You cheated. (stops smiling, backing away) I should find a place to hide. Cover your eyes!

River runs away. Isaac watches her go.

INT. SERENITY – INARA’S SHUTTLE – DAY

Mal walks into the shuttle, failing to keep his balance, and tumbles onto Inara’s bed. Inara stops straightening her things sent into disarray by the g-forces, pressing her hands against one of her crates.

MAL (looking into the ceiling) Never thought I’d get the chance to stare into this ceiling!

INARA Mal!

Mal props himself up in the bed.

MAL What? Ain’t I fetchin’? (beat) Inertial dampener is on the fritz again.

He rolls off the bed to his feet and continues on into the cockpit.

MAL (cont’d) I’m going to have to borrow my shuttle. If that’s okay with you. Me usin’ my own shuttle.

INARA There’s no need to keep reminding me.

Mal sits down behind the controls.

MAL No remindin’ goin’ on here. (looks at the controls with confusion) Might just need a reminder myself, though. Did you make some modifications here?

INARA I did no such thing! (beat) Why don’t you use the other shuttle?

He doesn’t look up, looking over the control panel with confusion.

MAL Missed its last maintenance check– (counting silently) Its last four maintenance checks, with how busy Kaylee’s been with the main engine. Don’t want my dingy dead in the water, too. Now, where’s the pre-flight diagnostic switch, then? Is this the one?

Inara sighs and pushes at Mal.

INARA Let me do it. Go seal the hatch.

He stands up, letting her have the seat.

MAL But this is the last time! I better find all my switches and levers back where they’re supposed to be when you’re gone…

EXT. SERENITY – SECONDS LATER

Inara’s shuttle separates from Serenity and drops into Haven’s atmosphere. Serenity continues its orbit around Haven, disappearing behind the moon. We swing around and see the approaching SLAVER OUTRIDER in the distance.

INT. SLAVER OUTRIDER – BRIDGE – SAME TIME

Lachlan stares at the scanning console, then looks up and out the window at Haven.

LACHLAN Was that it? Don’t tell me that was it.

JESSE We got a partial scan before it disappeared behind the moon. Looks like a Firefly-class transport.

LACHLAN Gorram it, we’re too late! I ain’t goin’ to face that gun again!

JESSE Scanners indicate it wasn’t enterin’ atmo. It’s orbitin’.

LACHLAN Plot an intercept course. Get the grapplers ready.

INT. SERENITY – GALLEY – DAY

Joshua finds Micah and whispers something in his ear. Micah looks to Derek and they look to Jayne, who is at the sink running his hand under water as Simon and Book stand near.

JAYNE Ain’t nothin’, doc.

SIMON It’s blistering, Jayne.

JAYNE I’m fine. Go check on your sister. She already bounces off the walls most days, no tellin’ what she’s like when she’s actually bouncin’ off walls.

BOOK I’ll go with you. I should see if Isaac is all right.

Book and Simon leave. Jayne, as if to prove something, snatches up what remains of his coffee and takes a cautious sip. Serenity rocks and it spills on his face.

JAYNE (yelling toward the bridge) Keep her still, little man!

INT. SERENITY – BRIDGE – SAME TIME

Wash struggles with the controls. Zoe is right there with him.

WASH When the ship’s a rockin’, don’t come a knockin’. (looks at a gauge) We’re at 3.2 times descent speed. Coming around our first, outer orbit…

The proximity alarm sounds. Wash looks to the sensors, his eyes widen, and he looks out the window.

WASH (cont’d) And we’ve got an unidentifed ship, dead ahead!

Zoe looks out through the window. The slaver outrider approaches.

WASH Isn’t that—?

ZOE (nods) Slavers. Seems Chavez sent out a call. Make me proud, baby.

WASH We’re not, you know, dampened, remember?

ZOE I’m well aware. (into comm) Attention. We got incoming slavers. Strap yourselves in, because it’s gonna be a bumpy ride.

INT. SERENITY – GALLEY – SAME TIME

Jayne looks at Derek, Micah, and Joshua, and points to the sitting area.

JAYNE Go on in there, and belt yourselves in.

Jayne heads out toward the foredeck hall.

DEREK Where you goin’?

JAYNE Get me some assurance. Ain’t goin’ down without a fight.

Micah nudges Derek, who turns to see Isaac standing at the door to the aft hall, and, beyond, the engine room. Isaacs nods.

DEREK Blessed assurance… (turning back) Wait! Let me help!

Derek races after Jayne while Micah belts Joshua in.

MICAH Don’t worry, my son. We’ll be home soon.

INT. SERENITY – AFT HALL – SAME TIME

Isaac walks to the engine room door, through which Kaylee can be seen working on the inertial dampener.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – SAME TIME

Book and Simon have found River, hiding, pressed flat against the wall, behind mining equipment. The equipment rocks.

SIMON River? Come out from behind there…

RIVER (shaking her head) No. No…

BOOK Come, River, or you’ll get squashed.

RIVER We’ll all get squashed… He’ll squash all of us…

INT. SERENITY – ENGINE ROOM – SAME TIME

Isaac enters. Kaylee is surprised.

KAYLEE Isaac? It’s dangerous back here. Best you get belted in.

Isaac reaches down and picks up his shackles from the pile, holding them tight in both hands.

ISAAC Belts. Chains. I intend to never be at their mercy ever again.

KAYLEE Isaac, what’re you doin’?

ISAAC I need you to go to full burn.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – SAME TIME

Simon reaches forward. Book looks around, and retreats.

SIMON Take my hand, mei mei.

RIVER Can’t let him find me… Finders keepers…

INT. SERENITY – JAYNE’S ROOM – SAME TIME

Jayne uncovers his WALL OF WEAPONS and starts sorting through. He looks at the gun he’s wearing, Ana, and unholsters her, offering her to Derek.

JAYNE Since you was admirin’ her before.

DEREK What about you?

JAYNE Oh, I think Vera an’ me’s gonna have a dance.

Jayne smiles and reaches for VERA, the largest gun on the wall. As he does so, he notices a store of a dozen GRENADES. Derek does as well.

EXT. SPACE – ORBIT ABOVE HAVEN – SAME TIME

The slaver outrider closes in on Serenity.

INT. SLAVER OUTRIDER – BRIDGE –SAME TIME

Lachlan stands behind his PILOT. Jesse is nearby, behind the grappler controls.

LACHLAN This is a grab-and-drag job. Don’t puncture the hull. But if you do… (shrugs) Oh, well. Seeing them get sucked out into the black is worth the trip.

INT. SERENITY – BRIDGE – SAME TIME

Zoe lets go of the comlink.

WASH You get a wave through to the captain?

ZOE Hope so.

Wash adjusts his grip of the controls. Zoe is strapped into the co-pilot’s chair, holding its controls and looking a little on edge.

WASH Honey, keep a loose grip. Only help me when I start squealing like a little girl.

ZOE I’m here for you.

WASH I hope everyone is strapped in, because I like it rough…

EXT. SPACE – ORBIT ABOVE HAVEN – SAME TIME

The slaver outrider ship charges. Serenity dives beneath it at the last second.

INT. SERENITY – CARGO BAY – SAME TIME

The ship tilts and Simon pulls on River, a heavy PIECE OF MINING MACHINERY slamming into the hull where she stood.

RIVER Squashed. But not that way…

Serenity tilts again, and River and Simon fall to the side of the room in a jumble of limbs.

INT. SERENITY – ENGINE ROOM – SAME TIME

Kaylee looks at Isaac, a little nervous now.

KAYLEE What—?

ISAAC Go to full burn.

KAYLEE Full burn? That‘s insane! Without the inertial dampener—

The ship tilts to the side, sending them both flying.

INT. SERENITY – JAYNE’S ROOM – SAME TIME

Jayne hefts one of the grenades and grins.

JAYNE You know, I always forget I got these things…

The ship tilts to the side. As it does so, Derek slams into Jayne. Jayne drops both Vera and the grenade, grabbing the wall to keep his balance.

Derek flips the knife around and drives it THROUGH Jayne’s left hand, pinning him to the wall.

Jayne howls in pain and anger. Before Jayne can recover, Derek unsheathes the knife from Jayne’s belt and pins his right hand.

JAYNE (shocked, looking at his pinned hands) What in the hell’re you doin’?

Derek picks up the grenade and pockets it. He also holsters Ana in his waistband, and grabs Vera.

DEREK God’s will. (chambers the first round) Now you know how my Lord felt the day he saved our sinful souls.