“War Stories”

1AGE09
Writer: Cheryl Cain
Director: Jim Contner
Airdate: 12/6/02

In the infirmary, Book is talking to Simon as Simon looks at a brain scan of River. Book wonders if the people that did this to River were fans of the dark war poetry of the psychotic dictator Shan Yu. Book wonders if they did this just to see how much she could take in order to truly know her, as Shan Yu suggested. Simon thinks their purpose was much more specific.

The crew sits around enjoying fresh apples, the fruit of their newfound wealth from their previous drug heist from an Alliance hospital. Mal says the ship is about twenty minutes from their last drop, then they can think about spending some more of their new money. Wash thinks they could've made even more, but Mal says he heard about his plan and thinks it's best not to cut out middle men from the deal and make any more enemies.

Floating in space, we see Niska's Skyplex. Inside, a man is being whipped as Niska looks on. He wants to know why the man being tortured skimmed off the top and lied to him. Just as Niska is about to go to work with a bad-looking knife, an aide interrupts and says they've picked up a read from the other side of the world. Could be Serenity. This greatly excites Niska, who wants Mal brought to him. Niska gets back to work on his victim, asking if he's familiar with the works of Shan Yu.

Serenity touches down on Ezra. Wash asks Zoe why she didn't tell him that Mal shot down his plan to sell the drugs directly to local doctors, even though they could've made more money and ensured that the drugs got to the right people. Zoe agreed with Mal that the plan was too risky and could've gotten back to the wrong people. Wash tells Zoe he shouldn't hide behind Mal, she should tell him herself she doesn't like the plan. Zoe says their marriage doesn't need another shouting match, and Wash says that the marriage needs one less husband.

The crew is excited about Inara bringing a client onboard, since she never does. They all want to see who it is. It's a…woman. Her bodyguard and fine robes give away her importance. Jayne quickly retreats to his bunk for some privacy.

Zoe is preparing a shuttle to launch from Serenity. Mal loads the stolen booty into the shuttle. For some reason, Zoe can't initiate the launch sequence. The reason would be that Wash has changed the sequences. He says he's going on the mission with Mal, instead of Zoe. Mal just wants to get out of there, so he tells Wash to just get her started.

During the flight, Mal upbraids Wash for his stunt and say he needs Zoe around in case something goes wrong. Wash says he can learn on the job. Mal and Wash walk through barren land with Wash carrying the large crate of contraband until they meet up with three rogues. The goods are inspected and money is exchanged when Mal notices a red laser dot on the leader's forehead and dives aside, tackling Wash. The rogues are shot down by snipers and military forces jump out from their hiding posts.

Back on the ship, Zoe tells Jayne to get his weapon. Mal and Wash are late. Book wants to go along too. The group comes across the rogues' bodies. No sign of Mal or Wash, although they see some burn marks that indicate a shuttle from a space station. Zoe knows who has our boys.

Wash and Mal, blindfolded, are dragged into a holding cell on Niska's Skyplex. Wash begins panicking and talking about how Zoe follows every one of Mal's orders, but never listens to him. Mal says that's not true. He ordered Zoe not to marry Wash, but she did anyway. Niska comes in and takes off Mal's blindfold. Mal isn't happy to see him, to put it mildly.

On Serenity, the crew begins assembling money to give Zoe to turn over as ransom. She's heading to the Skyplex. Deep inside said Skyplex, Mal and Wash are being tortured by electricity. In the midst of their torture, Mal and Wash argue over Zoe and Wash says that he wishes Mal had slept with her in the past so she'd be over him.

Zoe's shuttle docks on the Skyplex. Armed guards greet her. She tells them that she's unarmed and wants to speak to Niska. An aide relays the message to him, and Zoe is brought into the torture chamber. Niska tells Zoe that she doesn't have enough money for both. Maybe just one. He relishes the quandary he's put her in, but Zoe chooses Wash before Niska even has time to finish his proposition.

Wash is cut loose and begins walking away with Zoe. Before they leave, Niska says the money is too much. Perhaps they should have a small refund. A henchman cuts off Mal's left ear and Niska gives it to Zoe, saying they're even. She takes it and drags Wash away as Mal screams in pain.

Wash can't believe how strong Mal was. He wouldn't break, which saved Wash. He's devastated that Niska is going to kill Mal, but Zoe says he's going to make it last as long as possible. Days, if he can. Wash instantly resolves that he's not going to give Niska the chance. He pilots the shuttle back to Serenity.

In the Skyplex, Mal's torture continues. Niska has a special machine for Mal. One end attaches to his chest by digging mental tendrils into his flesh. That's attached to a black cord, which begins electrocuting Mal.

On Serenity, Wash and Zoe load up with artillery. Jayne thinks they're insane. Wash says they leave no man behind, which inspires the rest to arm up and join them. Even Book loads up, figuring he can blast kneecaps and still be on the good side of The Bible.

They may be too late. Niska's aide shoves Mal's lifeless body and proclaims him dead. They bring him back to life in order to torture him some more. Niska says a lesson needs to be taught about people who cross him.

Serenity cruises toward the Skyplex. The crew prepares for their rescue invasion. Serenity docks and alarms sound on the Skyplex. The crew runs off Serenity and the shooting begins. Hearing the attack, Niska uses an intercom to ask what's going on. When nobody is looking, Mal pulls the electric device out of his chest and attaches it to a bodyguard's back, knocking him out. He then drills Niska with a punch, dropping him.

The Serenity crew continues fighting their way through the Skyplex. At the same time, Mal slowly moves in on Niska when his bodyguard comes to and jumps Mal from behind, choking him. Jayne, Zoe and Wash come in and blast the bodyguard, saving Mal.

Back on Serenity, Mal's ear has been reattached, but Niska hasn't been killed, a fact that bothers Mal.

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