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Raid
Written By
Ben Bohlin
Firefly
FIREFLY
"RAID"
TEASER
1 INT. DINGY BAR 1
This bar is dusty, musty and dark, lacking anything that
could even remotely pertain to class. The clientele are a
brooding, sneering lot. MAL is sitting at a table with JAYNE
and SIMON. SIMON is looking increasingly nervous, while the
other two simply sit and drink quietly.
MAL:
Stop your trembling, Doc. It’ll be
mighty hard to persuade our contact
we’re legit if you’re lookin’ like
someone’s after you.
SIMON:
Captain, the whole Allaince is
after me.
JAYNE:
(hissing angrily)
Say it a little pissin’ louder, why
don’t ya, doc? I’m pretty sure them
drunks in the corner din’t hear
you.
MAL:
Relax, both of you. This bar ain’t
exactly friendly-like to the law in
the best of times.
Off in one corner, a couple men start getting into a fight.
MAL: (cont’d)
Good spot to do things under the
Alliance’s nose. Doc, I brought you
here because you know what we have
and what we don’t. Not to scare off
our contact.
SIMON:
So what’re we wai-
A SHADY MAN sits down across from them, dressed in a large
and poorly-fit black coat.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 2.
SHADY MAN:
Captain Reynolds. I hear you have
medicine for sale.
MAL:
You’d hear right. What are you
looking for?
The SHADY MAN passes reaches into his coat, causing SIMON to
tense. MAL gives him a look as the SHADY MAN pulls out a
folded piece of paper and slides it across. MAL picks it up
and hands it to SIMON.
SIMON:
Isoprovaline... Hydrozepam...
Byphodine? Why would you need a
paralytic?
SHADY MAN:
I do not care to know why my
clients require what they do. I
only care to know what they need,
and how much they will pay to get
it.
MAL:
Wise. Can we accommodate, doc?
SIMON:
Yes, easily, but-
MAL:
Doc, I’d get drink if I were you.
SIMON:
Captain, this is-
MAL:
Now.
SIMON gapes, then shoves himself out of the chair and heads
towards the bar.
MAL: (cont’d)
He’s new to the idea of being a
procurement specialist.
The SHADY MAN seems puzzled.
SHADY MAN:
Do you mean a smuggler?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 3.
MAL:
Isn’t that what I said?
Down at the bar, SIMON attempts to move around the minor
barfight taking place on the floor. He get to the bar and
sits down in time to get shoved to the side by an errant
elbow from the melee, knocking over another man’s drink. The
THUG growls at SIMON, who backs away slowly.
Back at their table, MAL shakes hands with the SHADY MAN,
slipping him a small pouch.
MAL: (cont’d)
Thanks kindly. Tell them we’ll give
them a wave as to when we’ll be
along.
The SHADY MAN nods and walks off. A commotion is rising down
towards the bar. JAYNE looks out towards the bar.
JAYNE:
(grinning)
Cap’n.
JAYNE motions towards the bar. MAL turns to look and his
face hardens.
MAL:
(annoyed)
That boy has a talent for
aggravatin’ folks.
At the bar- WHAM! SIMON slams against the wall, staggering,
with a black eye. He’s rammed back against the wall by a
THUG with a GOON behind him.
THUG:
Not a smart move, pretty boy.
SIMON:
(croaking)
I swear... I didn’t-
THUG:
Oh you did, pretty boy. Din’t your
mama tell you to treat strangers
nice?
GOON:
Bet not, boss.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (4) 4.
THUG:
We don’t like your kind here,
looking down their nose at the
likes of us hard-workin’-
GOON:
Uh, boss?
THUG:
Not now, I’m doing some educational
work.
GOON:
Boss, I think you might want to
talk to this guy.
THUG:
I’m busy!
GOON:
He’s got a gun, boss.
THUG looks left to see MAL pointing his pistol at the group.
MAL:
Beggin’ your pardon, but I believe
you’re holdin’ something of mine.
THUG:
(sneers)
You’ll get ’im back when I’m
through! He’s got a lesson to
learn!
The THUG pulls back a fist and stops when MAL cocks the
pistol.
MAL:
Ah-ah. I realize that our man here
is plumb lacking in social grace,
but that ain’t no reason to
rearrange his teeth. Why don’t you
just let him down gentle-like?
THUG:
(unnerved for a moment, but
rallies)
You don’t scare me, spacer.
MAL cocks his head as if considering the THUG’s statement.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (5) 5.
MAL:
You know, you’re right. Why should
you be? I reckon even with a gun
pointed at your face, I just ain’t
all that scary.
(smirks)
Now as for him...
A shadow crosses over the THUG as he turns to the right to
see JAYNE looming over him, glaring.
MAL: (cont’d)
I reckon he’s plenty scary.
JAYNE growls at the THUG, obviously itching to fight. The
THUG looks at JAYNE, then at MAL, then gingerly sets SIMON
on the ground and hurriedly walks away with his goons.
JAYNE:
Hrmph. Pissin’ cowards. I coulda
taken em.
SIMON:
He probably would’ve decked me if
you had.
JAYNE:
Not seein’ a downside here.
SIMON:
Thanks, Captain.
MAL:
What did you learn from this, Doc?
SIMON:
Um...
MAL:
I hope it was somethin’ along the
lines of ’When the captain says sit
and don’t talk, gorram listen to
the captain.’
SIMON:
(dejectedly)
Yes, Captain.
6.
2 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 2
MAL, SIMON and JAYNE come in through the bay doors. KAYLEE
is working on the Mule.
KAYLEE:
Hey Cap’n! Any luck?
MAL:
We’ve got a buyer. Saved Simon’s
hide too. (walks up stairs toward
bridge)
KAYLEE:
Awww. Who’d he annoy?
JAYNE:
Three yokels bigger’n he was.
SIMON:
Can we not talk about my diplomatic
failings?
JAYNE:
Should we talk ’bout how ya can’t
fight for shit either?
KAYLEE:
Leave him alone, Jayne.
JAYNE snorts and walks off.
SIMON:
I get the feeling that I’m not
making a good impression.INT.
3 SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 3
MAL, ZOE, INARA, JAYNE and WASH are sitting around the
table. WASH and INARA are playing CHINESE CHECKERS.
MAL:
Okay, we’re headin’ to Autark,
small moon out on the Rim.
(to Wash)
Planet below is a junkyard. Get us
locked in and check with Kaylee,
see if we need parts.
(pauses)
Wash, did you hear me?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 7.
WASH:
(engrossed in his game)
Hm? Oh, yeah, don’t worry Mal.
MAL:
(rolls eyes)
Okay, Zoe, Jayne, get down to the
cargo bay and get us prepped. We’re
out on the Rim, but that just means
people are a mite tetchy when it
comes to dealin’ fair. Let’s get in
and out quick as able.
ZOE:
Yes sir.
ZOE and JAYNE walk out, meeting SIMON in the doorway. ZOE
slides past while JAYNE grins and shoulders SIMON bodily to
the side. SIMON glares after him and approaches MAL.
SIMON:
Something in the works, Captain?
MAL:
Got another buyer for some meds. Be
headin’ out soon as my pilot finds
himself able to tear away.
(to Wash, sarcastic)
I’m sorry, am I interrupting?
WASH looks up at MAL, about to speak, as INARA jumps a piece
across the board and smiles winningly at MAL.
INARA:
No, you aren’t.
WASH stares in disbelief at the board, then rises from his
chair.
WASH:
You are a vicious and despicable
woman.
(to Mal)
I’ll get us moving.
WASH moves toward the bridge, exiting the room.
MAL:
Something you need, Doc?
SIMON:
I want to help on this job.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 8.
MAL stares for a moment, then bursts out laughing. SIMON
looks at INARA, his expression pleading. INARA gives MAL a
glare.
INARA:
(warning tones)
Mal...
MAL:
(settling down)
Hehe... okay, sorry.
(seriously, but still smiling)
Doc, you have a tendency to make
people want to teach you manners in
an awful direct way. I ain’t about
to let you mess up what’s likely to
be a tense bit of negotiatin’.
SIMON:
Captain... while I’ve been on this
ship, I’ve been shot at, kidnapped,
and nearly killed so many times I
lost count around the twenties.
And, unfortunately, sometimes it
happens because I bring trouble
here.
MAL:
Trouble does tend to follow you
around like stray dog.
INARA:
Mal!
SIMON:
No, it’s alright. In fact it’s
accurate. I’ve brought a lot of
trouble down on your crew, captain.
MAL:
(dead serious)
That you have.
SIMON:
So... I want to show I mean to earn
my place. As a crew member, not a
passenger.
MAL looks at SIMON critically for a moment. INARA looks
between them, obviously intrigued.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (4) 9.
MAL:
I’d figured you’d be more worried
about your sister.
SIMON:
(hesitant)
Much as it pains me to say... it’s
slow going. Curing her, that is.
Even with the mapping of her neural
paths it’s taking longer than I’d
like. We’re going to be here a
while. This is going to be our
home.
(forcing a smile)
And she’s comfortable here, in a
way.
INARA:
(to Mal)
It could hardly hurt to have
another member in your gang of
petty thieves.
MAL gives her a sidelong glare, before turning to SIMON.
MAL:
Okay. There is something I reckon
you could help with.
4 EXT. PLANET PELIC - SPACEPORT 4
SIMON walks out of the cargo bay carrying several obviously
heavy bags, looking peevish.
SIMON:
This isn’t what I had in mind.
MAL walks up behind him.
MAL:
Well, in this crew you take the
jobs you get.
(at Simon’s annoyed look)
Now don’t get ornery on me, you
asked for this. Just help Kaylee
get the parts she needs to keep us
flyin’.
(turns away, then turns back)
And I’d very much appreciate it if
you didn’t start a barfight this
time. Tends to leave a bad
impression with some folks.
(claps Simon on the back)
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 10.
MAL: (cont’d)
We’ll be back after we close the
deal on that moon there, three
hours or so.
MAL heads up the ramp to the CARGO BAY, where Kaylee is
rolling down on the MULE. He leans over to Kaylee.
MAL: (cont’d)
Funny though it may be, try to keep
him from gettin’ his face mussed up
again.
KAYLEE:
(smirking salute)
Yessir, Cap’n!
KAYLEE drives down the ramp as MAL climbs aboard.
MAL:
(into wave radio)
Alright, Wash, we’ve got a schedule
to keep.
SIMON and KAYLEE watch from the MULE as Serenity lifts off
and heads toward the nearby moon, AUTARK.
KAYLEE:
Alrighty, then! Let’s get moving!
SIMON:
Alright, I gue-agh!
SIMON barely manages to keep his seat as KAYLEE speeds off
towards the TOWN and the MARKETPLACE.
BLACK OUT
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
5 EXT. PLANET PELIC - TOWN MARKETPLACE 5
KAYLEE and SIMON are slowly rolling along, looking at the
various dusty displays and scrap-ridden storefronts.
KAYLEE:
So why’d you want to come down
here, Simon? Feeling stir crazy?
Wanted to feel dirt on your feet?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 11.
SIMON:
(deadpan)
That sounds unsanitary. I just
wanted to...
(beat)
I guess I want to help.
KAYLEE:
(curious)
Ain’tcha helpin’ just being all
medical and such? Why’d you need to
come down here?
SIMON:
Well, yes, but-
SIMON is interrupted as KAYLEE slams the mule to a stop,
nearly falling out of his seat again.
KAYLEE:
Oooo! A pneumatic porcelain drive
shaft!
(hops out of vehicle)
Wait out here, okay? I’ll be right
back!
SIMON just stares after KAYLEE in exasperation and gingerly
lowers himself from the mule. He looks around and sits on
the mule’s edge.
6 INT. PLANET PELIC - SCRAP SHOP 6
KAYLEE is shopping round the store, picking up random pieces
of scrap and tech as, out the window, we can see Simon
sitting on the mule. Eventually a LARGE MAN comes up to him,
asking him something. Simon brushes him off. The large man
asks again, and Simon says something. The large man moves
threateningly toward Simon, who raises his hands in
placation and starts talking rapidly. They talk for a
moment, KAYLEE turning to see Simon seemingly talking
peacefully with the man. She turns back to her scrounging,
smiling, as out the window the large man lunges for Simon
who squirms out of the way and runs, the man chasing after
him.
KAYLEE walks up to the counter to buy her selections.
KAYLEE:
I reckon this is everything. How-
Kaylee looks out the window to see Simon getting hauled off
by the MARSHALL.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 12.
KAYLEE: (cont’d)
Oh, you idiot!
7 EXT. MOON AUTARK - CLEARING 7
MAL is negotiating with a few SETTLERS as ZOE and JAYNE move
a medium sized crate out of Serenity’s cargo bay. MAL is
haggling with a SPOKESMAN.
MAL:
The deal was you’d give us three
thousand.
SPOKESMAN:
(looking smug)
Well, now it’s two. Y’all took too
long. Depreciation, you know.
MAL:
(Smiling darkly)
Look, if you don’t want it, there
are a hundred moons that’ll give us
three.
(To Zoe)
Didn’t Koan offer us four?
ZOE:
(setting down the crate)
Four and a half.
MAL:
(feigning puzzlement)
Why didn’t we go to them?
ZOE:
(shrugs)
It’s a week’s travel. This was
closer.
MAL:
Ah, right.
(To settlers)
Now, on the one hand, we got you
and your two thousand. On the other
hand, we got a week’s travel and
four and half. Don’t ask me to draw
you a picture, because my hands are
just mighty full of possibilities
right now. Chief of em’ bein’ us
leavin’ you with nothin’.
The SPOKESMAN glares and pulls back to discuss with the
SETTLERS. MAL walks back to the cargo. JAYNE walks forward.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 13.
JAYNE:
Ain’t we got enough left for both?
MAL:
I reckon, but they don’t need to
know that.
ZOE:
Sir, Koan isn’t a real place.
MAL:
They don’t need to know that
either.
The SPOKESMAN comes forward.
SPOKESMAN:
We can give you two and a half.
MAL:
(To Zoe)
Pack it up, Zoe.
ZOE:
Yes sir.
ZOE and JAYNE begin packing up the crate and moving back
toward the ship. MAL turns toward Serenity as if to leave.
SPOKESMAN:
Wait! We’ll give you-
MAL:
(turning around quickly,
glaring)
Unless the next words out of your
mouth sound awful similar to
’three’ you ain’t gonna be seein’
anything but our backs.
SPOKESMAN:
(defeated)
Three.
MAL:
(smiling)
Excellent. Zoe, settle up with the
man, will you?
(whispers to Zoe)
Count it, he seems liable to
cheatin’.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 14.
ZOE:
Yes sir.
MAL walks away, leaving ZOE and JAYNE to look after the
transaction. He pulls out a wave radio.
MAL:
Wash, we’re shiny here.
8 INT. SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 8
WASH is playing CHINESE CHECKERS with BOOK. INARA sits
nearby, reading a book. WASH grimaces at the call.
MAL (V.O.):
Get her ready, we’re leaving in
ten.
WASH:
(sighing)
Aye aye, O fearless captain.
BOOK:
(smiling slightly)
Does this mean you forfeit?
WASH:
(smiling cockily)
Not a chance, preacher man. Lemme
go get Serenity purring and then
I’ll come back and lead my people
in a glorious...
BOOK jumps three pieces, and WASH’s face falls. INARA
laughs.
WASH: (cont’d)
...retreat. Gorram it.
WASH moves off toward the bridge, grumbling. BOOK chuckles
to himself and moves to the kitchen, pouring some coffee.
INARA:
Another outstanding victory.
BOOK:
Ah, would that all wars were so
simple.
RIVER wanders in towards the table, head moving this way and
that, like she’s trying to listen to something. BOOK and
INARA notice.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 15.
INARA:
Are you alright, River?
RIVER:
Hm? Oh. I was trying to hear the
birds, but a big one’s chased them
all off.
BOOK:
Ah... well... would you like to
play a game?
RIVER snaps her head around to BOOK, then looks over at the
table with the game board.
RIVER:
Oh, the Monk’s game. Simplified of
course.
(turns to Book)
You were playing?
BOOK:
Hm? Oh, yes, with Wash. I’ll clear
the board-
BOOK reaches out to reset the board, but RIVER grabs his
wrist quickly. INARA jumps in her seat a bit.
RIVER:
No, this is fine. More fun.
RIVER sits in WASH’s vacated seat, looking at the pieces
intently. BOOK and INARA share a puzzled glance.
BOOK:
(Confused)
Are you sure? Wash wasn’t exactly-
RIVER rapidly moves a marble one space.
RIVER:
Your move.
BOOK sits down, intrigued. INARA puts her book down to
watch. He picks up a marble.
BOOK:
Oh, very well. Perhaps I should go
easy on you.
BOOK sets the marble down. Lightning fast, RIVER jumps a
marble in rapid succession from her side of the board to
his. BOOK gapes in astonishment and INARA’s face lights up
in a surprised laugh.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 16.
RIVER:
(smiling)
Not a chance, preacher man.
9 INT. PLANET PELIC - MARSHALL’S OFFICE 9
KAYLEE enters through the front door. The MARSHALL is
talking to the angry LARGE MAN from earlier. SIMON is
sulking in a corner nursing a bruised eye.
MARSHALL:
Gorramit, James! I know what those
spacer a few years back did but
that don’t give the right to-
(notices Kaylee)
Oh, excuse me, miss, we’re kind of
in the middle of something.
KAYLEE:
Yeah, um... I’m actually looking
for someone you dragged in with...
him.
(she points to JAMES, a.k.a.
the LARGE MAN)
MARSHALL:
Oh! My apologies, miss.
(He turns to the back)
Hey spacer! Your woman’s here!
KAYLEE:
(flustered)
Oh, I’m not-
SIMON:
(equally flustered)
She’s not my-
MARSHALL:
(ignoring their protests)
Now, Miss...?
KAYLEE:
Um, Frye. Kaylee Frye.
MARSHALL:
Miss Frye, there was a bit of a
ruckus involving these two-
SIMON:
I was just sitting on the mule when
he came up and-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 17.
MARSHALL:
So help me I will throw you in
lockup!
SIMON trails off, scowling.
MARSHALL: (cont’d)
Now, it ain’t no problem, just a
friendly scrap. Right?
JAMES and SIMON glare at each other, but nod.
MARSHALL: (cont’d)
(nods in satisfaction, turning
back to Kaylee)
Just runnin’ his prints though the
Comnet. If he don’t have any
outstanding warrants he’ll be free
to go.
SIMON has a momentary look of horror on his face, as does
KAYLEE.
KAYLEE:
Uh, Marshall, our ship is leaving
in ten and it took me eight minutes
to get here, do ya think we might
be able-
MARSHALL:
Sorry miss but your man here is
stayin’ put till he’s processed.
Alliance regulation, you understa-
BOOM! A loud explosion from outside rattles the building.
10 INT. SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 10
RIVER and BOOK are still playing their game, with BOOK
looking increasingly frustrated. RIVER is smiling, but her
expression suddenly turns to one of agony and she starts
screaming.
BOOK:
(astonished)
River! What’s wrong, child?
RIVER:
No! No, nonono NO! Bloody wings!
Bloody wings and bloody seeds!
RIVER pushes away from the table, falling out of the chair
and huddling against the wall, clutching her head.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 18.
RIVER: (cont’d)
The birds are dead! Simon! Simon,
they’re hunting!
BOOK:
River? River, there are no birds.
Simon’s not here, he’s with Kaylee.
RIVER:
(crying)
Not a bird, a dragon. It’s burning,
hunting...
11 INT. PLANET PELIC - MARSHALL’S OFFICE 11
There are screams from outside. Everyone shares a moment of
panic. The MARSHALL pulls out his radio.
MARSHALL:
Jack, what the hell is going on out
there? Did some dumbass do a hard
burn in atmo again?
DEPUTY JACK (V.O.):
No sir! Four ships just came down
hot and set down in the middle of
the market place! It’s...
(panicked)
Oh my god!
The MARSHALL is red in the face now.
MARSHALL:
What’s happening, damn it!?
DEPUTY JACK (V.O):
It’s covered in bones, sir! There
are spikes and- it’s opening! The
crowd is running, can’t see- oh no.
MARSHALL:
What? WHAT!?
DEPUTY JACK (V.O.):
(terrified)
No! NO! Oh god, get back!
(gunfire sounds over the radio
and out in the street)
Get AAAAA-
The radio cuts off. The MARSHALL stands shocked for a
moment, then motions to everyone in the room.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 19.
MARSHALL:
Alright, y’all get out of here!
Find someplace safe and keep low
until we get... whatever this is
sorted!
JAMES rushes out the door, and KAYLEE helps SIMON up. They
reach the door just as the MARSHALL steps outside, and is
run through by a harpoon. KAYLEE screams and SIMON stares in
shock. The MARSHALL stands, wide-eyed, then falls over,
badly wounded.
SIMON rushes to the MARSHALL’S side. It’s obvious that
there’s little he can do.
SIMON:
(panicking)
Wo Di Tian A! Kaylee? What’s the
hell is happening?!
KAYLEE is standing in shock. She looks down the street,
where the sounds of screams can be heard and the orange glow
of fire is starting to become noticeable even in the light
of day.
KAYLEE:
(utterly terrified)
...Reavers.
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
12 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARSHALL’S OFFICE 12
SIMON is kneeling next to the MARSHALL, who is bleeding out
on the ground. KAYLEE rushes out of the building and looks
down the street to the burning settlement.
KAYLEE:
Simon!
SIMON:
Hold on, I’ve got to-
KAYLEE:
Simon, we have to go!
SIMON:
(hesitant)
But I can save-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 20.
KAYLEE:
Now, Simon! There’s no time! You
can’t save him!
SIMON looks at the MARSHALL, who’s now in shock.
SIMON:
(obviously conflicted)
...T¯a m¯a de! I’m sorry, officer
SIMON and KAYLEE rush off as the sounds of screams and fire
grow closer.
13 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 13
SERENITY is lifting off. MAL and JAYNE duck into the bridge,
where ZOE and WASH are sitting. WASH is flicking switches.
WASH:
We’re heading out of atmo.
MAL:
Alright, what’s so gorram
important?
ZOE:
(moves aside)
Look at this.
MAL:
A distress call?
ZOE:
From the settlement, sir.
WASH:
Picking up some awful concerning
readings, Cap’n.
MAL:
Go Neong Yung Duh. Reavers. The
colony’s being hit by Reavers.
JAYNE:
Reavers!? Here?
ZOE:
What’s the plan, sir?
JAYNE:
Plan? The plan is we turn around
and run like hell for the Core!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 21.
MAL:
Wash, how many?
WASH:
Can’t tell from here. At least two
ships.
MAL:
Full raid. They’re getting terrible
bold.
(Points to the screen)
Set us down outside town,
quiet-like. Close as you can.
JAYNE:
(panicking)
Cap’n those-
MAL:
(with finality)
-are my crew. When we get down
there we’ll try and pick them up on
the wave. In the meantime, they’ll
have to try and stay alive.
14 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARKETPLACE 14
Townsfolk are everywhere, running in a blind panic. Reavers
are cutting this way and that, dragging screaming townsfolk
down and tearing them apart or dragging them off. SIMON and
KAYLEE run toward the mule, but stop when a screaming WOMAN
runs towards it, a REAVER on her heels, screeching.
WOMAN:
Help! Help, ple-
She is cut off as the Reavers catch her and drag her to the
ground. SIMON moves to help her but KAYLEE pulls on his arm.
KAYLEE:
This way!
SIMON:
They’ll kill her-
KAYLEE:
Now ain’t the time to play hero!
They begin to turn away but are surprised when the REAVER is
blown away by JAMES, rounding the corner, shotgun primed.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 22.
JAMES:
Lizzie! Are you alright?
The WOMAN, now identified as LIZZIE, dazedly rises, her
clothes tattered, and stumbles towards JAMES. Up the street,
several REAVERS spot the couple.
KAYLEE pulls open a nearby doorway.
KAYLEE:
Come on!
JAMES and LIZZIE hobble towards the building while SIMON
runs towards the mule.
KAYLEE: (cont’d)
Simon, leave it!
SIMON:
My medkit-
KAYLEE:
Won’t help if you’re dead! Come on!
SIMON hesitates, but runs back to KAYLEE, who closes the
door as he enters.
15 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 15
The interior of the store is dark and dingy. Three SETTLERS
are huddled in fear in the aisles, desperate to escape the
Reavers’ notice. KAYLEE and SIMON lean against the door,
listening intently to the screams outside. The gibbering of
REAVERS comes close... but moves off again. KAYLEE slumps to
the floor in relief. SIMON notices that LIZZIE has a
terrible gash in her belly and is sweating profusely.
SIMON:
(approaching)
Excuse me, are you-
He is immediately pushed to the ground by JAMES.
JAMES:
Get your hands off my wife you
filthy spacer!
SIMON:
(angrily, standing up)
She’s injured! I’m trying help!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 23.
JAMES:
(angrily)
We don’t need your kind of ’help’,
spacer.
He spits at SIMON’S feet. Behind him, LIZZIE groans,
obviously in pain.
SIMON:
(coldly)
That wound is abdominal. If it’s
not closed up fast it’s possible
her colon will spill onto the rest
of her organs, and that’s when
she’ll get really sick. You think
it’s hard to run from Reavers now,
imagine trying when your own blood
is poisoning you.
SIMON and JAMES glare at each other. One of the survivors
pokes their head up.
SURVIVOR:
W-we have a first aid kit.
SIMON:
Bring it here.
JAMES:
(furious)
Now look here, spacer-
SIMON:
(angrily)
Bi jweh! You can yell at me all you
want after I save her life!
The SETTLER hands SIMON the first aid kit, and he shoulders
past a blustering JAMES to look at the wounds of LIZZIE.
LIZZIE starts to breathe rapidly and shuffle in her spot.
SIMON: (cont’d)
(looking at the wound)
Kaylee, I need your help.
KAYLEE:
(stunned)
W-what?
SIMON:
I need you to keep her calm.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 24.
KAYLEE:
(stammering)
I-I don’t... I don’t think I-
SIMON:
(looks at Kaylee)
Kaylee, she’s scared and just about
ready to go into shock from trauma
alone. You need to keep her calm
while I make sure she’s alright.
KAYLEE:
(obviously scared, but nods)
Okay...
KAYLEE moves next to LIZZIE, who’s eyes try to focus on her.
KAYLEE: (cont’d)
(unnerved, but soothingly)
Hi. I’m Kaylee.
LIZZIE:
(quietly)
Hi... I... I’m Elizalee. Everyone
calls... me Lizzie.
KAYLEE:
It’s nice to meet you Lizzie.
SIMON quickly gets to work on the wound, dabbing away the
blood. JAMES stands behind him, watching with a scowl on his
face.
16 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE - AFTERNOON 16
We see Serenity touching down behind a rocky outcrop. WASH
sets the steering column back and wipes his brow.
WASH:
Slipped right by, Mal. There’s four
ships scattered round town. The
place is crawling with
cannibalistic space scum.
MAL:
Town gate’s open, and we’re near
the market. If they can get out
they’ll have a clear run.
WASH:
We’ll need to check the engine,
make sure it’s up to a hard burn in
atmo if we need to hoof.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 25.
MAL:
I’ll check, you make sure we’re
shiny here. We’ll give em a call on
the wave when we’re all green.
MAL walks out to the corridor.
17 17. INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 17
MAL walks in, and is shocked to find RIVER hanging upside
down from the ceiling, pulling a few wires apart.
MAL:
Hey! HEY! Juh Shi Suh Mo Go Dohng
Shee? What are you doing to my
ship, you moonbrained twerp?
RIVER:
(unperturbed)
Shhhh... not enough wind.
RIVER sticks a few wires together and they erupt in a shower
of sparks.
MAL:
Little girl, my day’s been all-fire
difficult without your aimin’ to
blow us to the Black.
RIVER ignores MAL and swings a leg down to kick a panel on
the wall. The entire engine room lights up.
WASH (V.O.):
Mal? I don’t know what you did but
Serenity likes it.
MAL stares at the engine, then at a delighted RIVER, before
answering the comm.
MAL:
Weren’t my doing. Seems Miss Tam’s
taken it in her head to be our
mechanic for a time being.
WASH:
(long pause)
I’m sorry, I thought you said River
was working in the engine room.
MAL:
That’s right.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 26.
WASH:
(another pause)
Right. If you need me, call really
loud, since I’ll be hiding under
the console.
MAL looks at RIVER, who regards him from her perch, sticking
her tongue out at him.
RIVER:
Leaves need wind to soar.
MAL:
Okay, if you’re gonna be fillin’
in... and that’s ALL this is,
you’re gonna need to listen to
Wash, alright?
RIVER:
(turning back to her work)
Need wind to clip the dragon’s
wings...
MAL:
(thoroughly unnerved)
...Right. So we’re understood then.
MAL back out of the room. RIVER picks up a welding torch,
smiling brightly as it flicks on.
18 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE - AFTERNOON 18
KAYLEE:
(looks at Simon, who’s slowly
treating the wound)
Looks like you ran into some
trouble, huh?
LIZZIE:
(scared)
He... no, it was a she. She was
all... she was wrong. Her eyes...
(becoming more agitated)
Her eyes were like holes! And she
was laughing, but it was just a
gurgle-
SIMON:
(hastily)
Kaylee, keep her calm!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 27.
KAYLEE:
(quickly)
Don’t worry about it, Lizzie. You
got hurt, but this here’s the best
doctor on the Rim. He even attended
one of them fancy schools in the
Core, knows all about medicine and
fixin’ folks. He’ll fix you.
LIZZIE’s eyes are wide, but she seems a bit calmer. SIMON
nods to her and opens the first aid kit.
KAYLEE: (cont’d)
So... do you have a fella? Some
lucky guy who follows you around
like a puppy dog?
LIZZIE:
(chuckles, wincing. Speaks
painfully)
More... like a bulldog. Or... an
alligator... with a toothache. My
James...
KAYLEE looks up curiously at the muscular and angry JAMES,
who turns away. SIMON takes a deep breath when he looks at
the wound.
KAYLEE:
He’s... awful nice.
LIZZIE:
(chuckles again)
He’s... a stubborn... jackass.
But... he means well. Just... needs
a... firm hand...
She dozes off, leaving KAYLEE rather concerned.
KAYLEE:
(worried)
Simon? Simon, she’s asleep.
SIMON:
(sighing)
I’m not sure if that’s good or not.
She’s in a bad way.
KAYLEE:
(looking around to the wound)
What’s so ba-
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 28.
She stops as she sees what appears to be a large metal
sliver sticking out of LIZZIE’s abdomen. The wound around it
is ragged, like it was torn open.
SIMON:
I don’t know what they used, but it
had rough edges. It’ll scar.
SIMON gingerly dabs away the blood around the wound. JAMES
glares but does nothing.
SIMON: (cont’d)
I can’t do much more for her right
now. This needs surgery.
JAMES:
(leaning in)
Well let’s get that spike outta
her-
He reaches towards the metal sliver but SIMON slaps his had
away.
SIMON:
(smacks his hand away)
If you pull that out now, her colon
will leak into her bloodstream and
she’ll go into septic shock. Until
I can get her on a surgery table,
it stays in.
JAMES looks like he wants to argue, but is interrupted by a
crackling from the radio on KAYLEE’s belt.
MAL (V.O):
Kaylee? Kaylee, are you there?
KAYLEE grabs the radio from her belt, standing upright.
KAYLEE:
Yes! Yes, Mal, I’m here! We both
are, Simon and me are alright.
MAL (V.O):
(relieved)
Best news I’ve had today.
KAYLEE:
Cap’n, they’re all over the town,
an’ we can’t get to the mule...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (4) 29.
MAL(V.O):
We’re sittin’ tight out the east
gate. Wait till’ nightfall and make
a run for it, we’ll be ready for
you.
SIMON:
(grabs radio from KAYLEE)
Captain, we’ve got some wounded
settlers here. One’s hurt bad, we
can’t move her. Can you get to us?
MAL (V.O.):
Doc, there’re no less’n four ships
in that colony, an’ all the Reavers
they can fit. We come in and
they’ll strip Serenity to parts.
And us to bones.
SIMON:
Now, wait, there has to be some way
we can-
MAL (V.O.):
Doc, unless you’re feelin’ awful
shiny about your chances for divine
intervention you’d best try to roll
outta there at nightfall. Bring who
you can, but this ain’t time to be
a hero.
The radio clicks off, leaving SIMON gaping angrily.
SIMON:
This day is not going well.
KAYLEE:
Simon, the Cap’n’s just worried
’bout us-
SIMON:
And that’s an excuse?
KAYLEE:
No... but it’s a reason.
SIMON looks like he wants to argue, but he sighs and walks
over to where the SETTLERS sit and starts dressing their
wounds.
30.
19 INT. SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 19
JAYNE, ZOE, INARA and BOOK are sitting around the room,
anxiously awaiting news. JAYNE is disassembling and cleaning
several guns on the main table, as is ZOE on a smaller table
in the corner. BOOK is sitting, reading, and INARA is making
coffee in the kitchen. Everyone is tense and on edge.
JAYNE:
Buhn dan doc oughta’ know better’n
need rescuin’ twice in a gorram
day.
BOOK:
It is hardly the fault of a farmer
if locusts descend.
JAYNE:
Rather be killin’ locusts than
sittin’ this close to a Reaver
raid.
ZOE:
(not looking up)
Jayne, you’re scarin’ the women
again.
JAYNE:
In case you haven’t noticed we’ve
got our ass to the wind in front of
a gorram colony fulla Reavers.
MAL:
(walking in)
Then let’s hope they’re awful
appreciative of the view.
Everyone turns to look at MAL. INARA comes out of the
kitchen, concern on her face.
INARA:
Are they...?
MAL:
They’re fine. They’ve holed up with
some settlers. Told em’ to sit
tight and make a run for it come
dark.
BOOK:
Thank God...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 31.
MAL:
(annoyed)
Preacher, what about this situation
makes you think the Almighty has
anythin’ to do with it?
INARA:
(reproachfully)
Mal.
ZOE:
What’s the plan, sir?
MAL:
We can’t fly to them, not without
kickin’ the whole hornet’s nest. So
we get ready to grab em and we make
tracks to the Core. Be ready.
Reavers tend to try’n hold what
they catch.
(to INARA)
You any good at medicine?
INARA:
(surprised)
Well... companions learn basic aid-
MAL:
Good. Get down to the Infirmary and
get settled in. Whatever happens
we’ll likely be seein’ blood
tonight.
(He turns to BOOK)
You get to the engine room and make
sure little River ain’t lookin’ to
fry our bacon. Help her if you can.
BOOK nods and sets off down the corridor with INARA. MAL
turns back towards the bridge but ZOE stops him.
ZOE:
(quietly)
Captain, even if they get out the
gate they won’t get twenty yards.
MAL:
We can’t get closer without risking
the Reavers’ sensors picking us up,
and then none of us are getting out
of this. If you’ve got a better
plan, I’m all ears.
ZOE is silent.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 32.
MAL: (cont’d)
Don’t like it much myself, but it’s
the best we’ve-
The intercom crackles to life.
WASH (V.O.):
MAL? You’d better get up here.
MAL and ZOE exchange looks and move toward the bridge.
20 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 20
WASH is looking at the radar screen as MAL and ZOE enter.
MAL:
What’s up?
WASH:
We’ve got company.
ZOE:
More Reavers?
WASH:
Not exactly.
A message crackles over the comm.
MALE VOICE (V.O.):
This is the Adamant, Alliance
Tohoku-class cruiser. Firefly-class
transport, we are responding to the
distress call of the colony below.
Please respond and identify
yourselves.
ZOE:
They’ve seen us.
WASH:
Should we hoof?
MAL:
Now now, they haven’t gone to
mention arrestin’ or shootin’ us,
no need to skitter away just yet.
Open a channel.
WASH gets out of his seat and flicks a switch as MAL sits
down.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 33.
MAL: (cont’d)
(cheery)
This is Captain Malcolm Reynolds of
Serenity. Glad to see you fellas.
There’s a pause on the line. Finally, the vid-screen
flickers on and COMMANDER HARKEN appears.
HARKEN:
Strange, Captain Reynolds. That
wasn’t your reaction the last time
we met.
MAL’s face loses emotion as he stares at the screen.
MAL:
Commander Harken.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
21 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 21
MAL is sitting at the pilot’s seat, talking to HARKEN over
the vidcom. WASH and ZOE are standing nearby looking
nervous.
MAL:
Commander Harken. Been a while.
HARKEN:
That it has, Captain, and while
there is little I would enjoy more
than throwing you in the brig for
old times sake and on general
principle, it seems that there is a
more pressing situation at hand.
MAL:
Reavers hit the colony.
HARKEN:
Yes. We know. What baffles me,
however, is why you are still here.
You said as much when we last met
that Reavers are hardly something
you would wish to deal with.
MAL:
I ain’t in the habit of leavin’ two
good crewmen to die.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 34.
HARKEN:
I see.
MAL:
And you are to...?
HARKEN:
Drive the Reavers back and retake
the colony.
Everyone on the bridge exchanges surprised glances.
MAL:
Didn’t reckon the Alliance’d much
care for a Rim colony.
HARKEN:
(narrows eyes, speaks curtly)
Nor would I suspect former
Independents of risking themselves
in a suicidal rescue operation.
Looks like we’ve both learned
something today.
(turns away from the camera)
You will maintain position and give
us the names and descriptions of
your crew. When we liberate the
colony, should they still live,
they will be debriefed and returned
to your...
(dubiously)
ship.
MAL:
One you’ve met. Kaylee Frye.
HARKEN:
Ah yes. Miss Frye was somewhat
dissatisfied with how I addressed
your ship the last time we spoke. I
believe she called me a... ’purple
belly’.
MAL:
She’s sure’n got a way of makin’
folks feel welcome.
HARKEN:
And the other?
MAL:
(hesitates)
More’ve a passenger than a crewman.
Travelin’ doc. Name of, uh...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 35.
MAL turns to WASH and ZOE, who shrug.
MAL: (cont’d)
Name of Felix Badger.
WASH and ZOE gape.
HARKEN:
(skeptical)
...I see. We’ll contact you when
we’ve discovered anyth-
MAL:
(hurriedly)
Uh, Commander... I, ah... I reckon
that we could help each other on
this one.
HARKEN:
Excuse me?
MAL:
Well, you and yours can fight and
reclaim the town for the glory of
the Alliance and while you do that,
my ship’ll slip in an’ try to do
some rescuin’.
HARKEN:
...A generous offer, Captain.
MAL:
Well, we’re glad to-
HARKEN:
But unnecessary. The Alliance will
complete this operation. I will not
risk the lives of civilians, even
one with... dubious history. Nor
will I sanction an action that will
interfere with the smooth running
of an Alliance-coordinated assault.
MAL:
(angrily)
Commander-
HARKEN:
You will maintain your position.
Any attempt to enter the colony
will be seen as hostile action.
Your people, if alive, will be
found and returned to you after
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (4) 36.
HARKEN: (cont’d)
their debriefing. You’ve done well
in keeping under the radar,
Captain. I suggest you exercise
that talent.
He cuts the feed. MAL, ZOE and WASH stare at the console for
a moment. Then MAL slams his fist down.
MAL:
Gˇou t¯a m¯a de zhˇı tu¯ı!
WASH:
Easy Mal, don’t take it out on my
incredibly finicky controls.
ZOE:
Sir, if they find Simon and
Kaylee...
MAL:
They’ll process ’em and we’ll be
gˇou shˇı hé méiyˇou jiˇang. Seems like
we need to be doin’ some mighty
fast rescuin’.
(Turns to WASH)
Do we know where they are?
WASH:
With all the rads leakin’ from the
Reaver ships we can’t pin the wave
signal down to more than a click
across. Like trying to find a
cotton ball in a blizzard.
MAL:
We’ll need a visual then...
(ponders for a moment)
Get Kaylee back on the wave.
22 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 22
KAYLEE is listlessly looking through the scrap for anything
useful. SIMON is finishing doing his doctoring on the
SETTLERS. He stands up and walks over to KAYLEE.
SIMON:
Okay, I think that’s it. If we need
to we can run... or at least limp.
KAYLEE:
Shiny...
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 37.
SIMON:
What’s wrong?
KAYLEE:
(with an ’are you serious’
look)
What’s wrong? Simon, we’re in the
middle of a Reaver raid with no
tools, three guns, and folks are
bleeding out onto the floor!
SIMON:
(taken aback)
I-I’ve stopped the bleeding I
think-
KAYLEE:
And now we’ve gotta make a run
through a town of dead people with
Reavers crawlin’ after us and...
and...
(slumps down in the corner)
...We’re gonna die, aren’t we?
SIMON gapes for a moment and opens his mouth to say
something, but there’s a scream of pain from over where
LIZZIE was lying. SIMON rushes over to find JAMES holding
the metal spike that was in her belly, and LIZZIE’s wound is
bleeding again and she’s groaning in pain. SIMON grabs the
spike and glares at JAMES.
SIMON:
Why the HELL would you do that!?
JAMES:
She was in pain! I ain’t lettin’ no
prissy spacer doc-
SIMON:
(pointing the bloody spike at
him)
I have no idea what your problem
with me is, but if you’re going to
be killing my patients then I think
we should-!
KAYLEE:
(panicked)
Simon!
SIMON drops the spike and kneels down next to a convulsing
LIZZIE.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 38.
SIMON:
Oh nonononono! No, gorram it, NO!
KAYLEE:
Simon, what’s happening to her?
SIMON:
Her colon is leaking into her
bloodstream, she’s going into
septic shock!
(stands)
I can’t stop it. We need
anti-bacterials and I used all the
ones in the aid kit...
KAYLEE:
Simon?
SIMON:
I need to get to the mule.
KAYLEE:
(eyes wide in fear)
But-
SIMON:
I know.
KAYLEE:
Simon they’ll-
SIMON:
I know!
(turns to JAMES)
Get your gun.
JAMES:
(indignant)
I ain’t leavin’ her to-
SIMON:
Your Lizzie’s life depends on me
getting to my bag and back in one
piece! You did this, so shut up and
help me!
JAMES looks ready to punch SIMON, but LIZZIE lets out a
scream. He growls and muscles past SIMON to the door.
SIMON: (cont’d)
(To KAYLEE)
Keep her steady if you can. If she
thrashes around it’ll... well, it’d
be bad.
39.
KAYLEE nods timidly as SIMON steps out after JAMES into...
23 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARKETPLACE STREETS - TWILIGHT 23
The streets are gore-soaked, with bodies everywhere. Reavers
lurk and prowl through the alleys, occasionally stopping to
feast on the dead. SIMON and JAMES carefully skirt around
the edges, keeping close to shadows and walls. Screams are
still heard in the distance and the air is thick with smoke
from burning pyres in the street. What the pyres are made of
is... best not to speculate.
SIMON and JAMES skirt through alleys, keeping low and hiding
behind barrels and rubble.
JAMES:
She’d best pull through, spacer, or
I’ll take you to task for it.
SIMON:
What is your problem with...
’spacers’?
JAMES:
(spits)
All you spacers care about is your
precious freedom. Never mind
treatin’ folk decent, or helpin’
your fellows, you just come and do
as you please, thinkin’ you can
just run on back to the Black when
you get inta trouble! Thinkin’ you
can cheat people outta their lives
and take what’s theirs and run for
your tin-can spaceships, burnin’
outta our sky and laughin’ while
you do it!
SIMON:
So I’m guilty without committing a
crime. Nice to see the trend
continued.
JAMES:
(spits)
You and yours always do crime,
spacer. And you don’t care none who
it hurts.
SIMON:
(sarcastic)
Oh yes, it was so very wrong of me
to run into hiding and try to save
(MORE)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 40.
SIMON: (cont’d)
your wife’s life, what was I
thinking?
JAMES:
(angrily)
You’re on bad soil, spacer-
SIMON:
There it is- oh...
From the alleyway, SIMON and JAMES can see the mule. There’s
a body on it, cut open. No Reavers seem to be around.
JAMES:
Well? What’re we waiting for?!
SIMON:
Um, yeah. Right.
The pair approach the mule, James swinging around with his
shotgun, covering the ends of the street. Up close, the body
is revealed to be a woman’s, clothing torn and very, very
dead, eyes wide in terror.
JAMES:
Well, spacer?
SIMON:
One minute, I have to move... her.
SIMON shoves the body off the mule, and notices a pistol on
the woman’s hip. He removes it and places it in his empty
holster before rooting around the mule.
SIMON: (cont’d)
Found it!
JAMES:
’Bout time. Let’s-
JAMES is interrupted by a loud CRACK as a harpoon splinters
through the wall next to him. From the alley they came from,
three REAVERS appear, one reloading what looks like a crude
speargun. The other two slowly inch forward, moving jerkily.
JAMES: (cont’d)
(raising gun)
Come and get it you-
SIMON:
No! We need to get back!
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 41.
JAMES:
(snarls)
Piss off, spacer!
JAMES fires, the hot echoing in the empty streets. The two
advancing REAVERS each get hit by buckshot, but shrug it off
and move forward, picking up speed and screeching.
SIMON:
James, think of Lizzie!
JAMES:
(falters, then snarls.)
How the hell-
SIMON:
Get on!
SIMON frantically turns the key as JAMES hops on and the
REAVERS close in. The REAVERS are close enough to grab at
the mule as it purrs to life and SIMON revs it up, sending
the two closing in sprawling as they miss. They dart away,
but the REAVER in the alley shoots the now-reloaded speargun
and pierces a tire, sending the mule into a careening path.
SIMON: (cont’d)
Nonononono!
SIMON struggles to keep the mule under control, but he’s
obviously inexperienced. As he and JAMES round the corner,
they both leap from the mule as it swerves to the side into
a market stall with an almighty CRASH! SIMON lands hard and
is dazed for a moment before JAMES hauls him up.
JAMES:
C’mon spacer! They’ll likely be
comin’ for that bang. Store’s just
ahead.
SIMON nods, shakily gets to his feet and follows JAMES out
of frame.
24 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 24
SIMON and JAMES rush in, slamming the door behind them.
SIMON:
Kaylee, we’re back, how’s she-
SIMON sees KAYLEE sitting next to LIZZIE... who is not
moving. KAYLEE, tears in her eyes, shakes her head.
SIMON rushes forward as JAMES staggers.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 42.
JAMES:
(disbelieving)
Naw, naw that ain’t right.
SIMON is looking over the body, checking for pulse and
breathing.
JAMES: (cont’d)
She... she was alive! She’s fine,
right? You, you’ve just gotta give
her that anti-whatsit thing and-and
she’ll be...
SIMON looks at JAMES, his face downcast and sorry.
JAMES: (cont’d)
be o-okay...
SIMON:
I... she’s...
JAMES:
No! No, you said that she was gonna
be alright! You said that-
SIMON:
(angrily)
She would’ve been fine if you
hadn’t removed the spike!
JAMES:
(angrily)
She was in pain! That how you get
your kicks, spacer? Leavin’ people
in pain?
SIMON:
(indignant)
I didn’t give her septic shock or a
spike in the abdomen! You’re the
one who ki-
KAYLEE:
(grabs SIMON’s shoulder)
Simon!
SIMON calms down a bit and follows KAYLEE. JAMES unsteadily
walks over to LIZZIE’s corpse and holds it, staring in
shock.
KAYLEE: (cont’d)
He’s grievin’, Simon.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 43.
SIMON:
It’s his own-
KAYLEE:
He didn’t put the spike in.
They stand in silence for a while as JAMES starts a low,
wheezing sob. This continues until the radio at KAYLEE’s hip
starts squawking.
MAL (V.O.):
Kaylee? Simon? You two ain’t kicked
off yet, have you?
KAYLEE:
No... no we’re here, Cap’n...
SIMON:
(into radio)
Cap’n, I... crashed the mule. We
can’t use it to-
MAL(V.O.):
Not the best of news but not the
pressin’ trouble at the moment. Got
some good news. Alliance is gonna
swoop in an’ try to reclaim the
colony.
The SURVIVORS perk up and become more animated, as do KAYLEE
and SIMON.
KAYLEE:
That’s- that’s great! We can just
wait-
MAL(V.O.):
Hold on now. You’re still in the
middle of a Reaver-infested colony
that’s about to turn into a
warzone. But since the Alliance is
bein’ kind enough to be loud and
distractin’, we’ll be getting’ in
an’ pulling you all out.
SIMON:
Isn’t that... somewhat risky?
MAL(V.O.):
Risky as gettin’ rescued and
debriefed by Alliance?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (4) 44.
SIMON:
(pause)
Noted.
MAL(V.O.):
Bit of trouble, though. We can’t
pin your location within a klick.
We need something to home in on.
KAYLEE:
No sweat, Cap’n, I’ll get somethin’
shiny up for you.
MAL(V.O.):
Good. We’ll be headin’ out soon, be
ready to hoof. We’ll land close as
we can and cover you.
The radio clicks off, and KAYLEE hands it to SIMON.
KAYLEE:
I’m gonna find some flares.
SIMON:
I’ll make sure everyone’s set to
move.
They start moving. SIMON stops to look at JAMES, still
holding LIZZIE. He starts to say something.
JAMES:
Keep walkin’, spacer.
SIMON hesitates, then moves to help the SURVIVORS.
25 INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 25
RIVER is hopping all over the room, flicking switches and
switching wires, with BOOK watching in amazement.
BOOK:
I must say, River, I didn’t know
you were capable of such feats.
RIVER:
It’s just wires. Like arteries and
veins. In here-
(twists two wires together
with a shower of sparks)
-and out here.
(pulls a toggle and the engine
spins a bit faster.)
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 45.
BOOK:
Nevertheless, it is impressive.
RIVER:
(absently)
Impressionism is a useless art.
Just a lot of dots.
BOOK:
(humoring)
Perhaps it contains hidden value.
RIVER:
Like Henry Evans?
BOOK:
(stunned, shocked, reeling)
W-what!?
RIVER:
(offhandedly)
Ran with blood on your back, song
in your head. Picked up the brown,
took a Book from the dead.
BOOK:
(shocked)
River, how- what-
MAL ducks into the doorway.
MAL:
Good, we ain’t dead yet. Something
spook you Shepherd?
BOOK:
(struggling to keep calm)
Ah, a... burst of sparks caught me
unexpectedly.
MAL:
Well, what we’re expectin’ is
trouble. Gonna be settin’ down
soon, and needin’ every
trigger-finger we have. Yours any
good?
BOOK:
I... I suppose so. It’s been some
time.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 46.
RIVER:
(muttering)
Four years in purple and grey.
MAL:
(glances at RIVER, then back
to BOOK)
Get yourself together and meet up
in the cargo bay. Zoe’s sure to
have a spare if’n you don’t have
one.
BOOK:
Ah... yes, I’ll go ask her...
BOOK leaves the room, looking anxious.
MAL:
(to RIVER)
You all set for our big entrance?
RIVER:
(smiling)
Dug in and ready for the charge,
Cap’n.
MAL:
(smiles)
Then get to it, Miss Tam.
MAL walks out. RIVER turns back to her work, no longer
smiling.
RIVER:
(low and serious)
Talons are grasping. Won’t let go
easy.
26 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE - NIGHT 26
KAYLEE is working on something, with SIMON leaning over her
shoulder.
SIMON:
Is it ready?
KAYLEE:
(focused)
Mmn.
SIMON:
(pause)
What?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 47.
KAYLEE:
Oh, sorry. Just about. Couldn’t
find a flare gun though, we need to
get this on the roof somehow.
SIMON:
I think I can get it up there.
KAYLEE:
Are you sure? If you want... I
could probably-
SIMON:
It’s fine. Besides, I’ve already
crashed the mule. It’d be nice if I
could keep Serenity from doing the
same.
KAYLEE:
...Fine, but keep quiet and be
careful!
SIMON:
When have I ever-
(catches KAYLEE’s glare)
...Okay, fine.
KAYLEE:
I’ll call the captain and tell him
the plan, just get back in fast.
SIMON:
Okay...
(he turns towards the door,
hesitates, then turns back)
Kaylee, what should I say to Ja-
KAYLEE:
Nothin’.
SIMON:
But he’s-
KAYLEE:
Simon... there ain’t nothin’ you
could jabber at him that’d bring
him to trust you. So just... don’t.
Leave him be.
SIMON looks like he wants to argue, then strides away
angrily. He approaches the door and stops to look at JAMES,
who is pulling a blanket over LIZZIE as a makeshift shroud.
He starts to say something, then keeps walking out into...
48.
27 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARKET STREET 27
SIMON comes out of the building quietly, looking for
Reavers. When none are found he starts looking around the
side of the building for a way up. HE finds a ladder, which
he attempts to prop against the wall, but it splinters and
cracks into two pieces.
SIMON:
(deadpan)
...Of course.
He starts arranging crates in a makeshift manner to get onto
the roof.
28 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 28
KAYLEE messes with the radio, smiling when she get through.
KAYLEE:
Hey Wash! I cobbled together
something, should be easy to see.
WASH(V.O.):
Great! What is it?
KAYLEE:
Didn’t have much time for
fanciness. Just stuck a buncha
flares together. Simon’s setting it
up on the roof. No launcher, so
keep your eye low.
WASH(V.O.):
I’ll tell Mal, don’t worry we’ll be
there soon.
KAYLEE:
(relieved)
Roger that.
KAYLEE sets the radio down as she rouses the SURVIVORS and
they gather their things.
29 INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY 29
MAL, ZOE, JAYNE and BOOK are all loading weapons and
strapping on armor, preparing for a push in.
ZOE:
Any plans for when we’re on the
ground, sir?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 49.
MAL:
Shoot anything that’s aimin’ to
kill us.
ZOE:
(deadpan)
Brilliant, sir. Never would’ve
thought of that.
JAYNE:
(priming a rifle)
Still could make tracks for
Persephone. Be getting’ laid
instead’a getting’ shot.
BOOK:
(sternly)
And leave our comrades in danger?
JAYNE:
(huffs)
Little Kaylee may’n be right good
’round an engine but the doc’s no
friend’a mine.
MAL:
(with a dangerous tone)
Jayne. Jaw again ’bout leavin’ crew
behind and we’ll be more’n happy to
oblige you.
JAYNE opens his mouth, to which MAL cocks his head slightly
and glares. JAYNE wavers and breaks eye contact, grumbling
to himself in Chinese.
WASH(V.O.):
Hey Mal, Kaylee’s got a signal set.
MAL:
Good. What’re we looking for?
WASH:
Said she didn’t have much on hand
so she just tied a bunch of flare
together and they’re settin’ up on
the roof-
MAL lunges for the comm as ZOEY and JAYNE look on in shock.
MAL:
What’re they doin’!?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 50.
WASH(V.O.):
They’re putting some flares up-
MAL:
S¯ısh¯engzˇı de hòudài méidú xìng
luòtuó! What are they thinking?!
30 EXT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE ROOFTOP 30
SIMON, grunting from exertion, leaps up, catching the edge
of the roof as the crates stacked below tumble down in
disarray. SIMON winces at the sound but pulls himself up.
31 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 31
ZOEY:
(quickly)
Sir, we need to move now.
MAL:
(to intercom)
Wash! Get us in the air!
WASH(V.O.):
(confused)
But the Alliance isn’t attacking-
MAL:
The Reavers will be! We need to get
in fast!
(To the assembled fighters)
Load up, now. We’re ’bout to have a
lot of unwelcome boarders.
32 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 32
WASH hits a bunch of switches, pulling the ship up out of
the rocky outcrop.
33 EXT. PLANET PELIC - ROCKY OUTCROP 33
SERENITY rises from its hidden position, turning quickly and
speeding off towards the colony.
34 EXT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE ROOF 34
SIMON pulls the flares from his coat and sets them up on the
roof, making sure they’re steady. He fumbles with the
igniting agent but manages to light its fuse, scrambling
away to safety as the flares erupt in brilliant red light.
SIMON looks at the flares in surprise, stunned that they
worked. He smiles slowly, and sees SERENITY closing in off
in the distance. He laughs in exultation and relief.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 51.
SIMON:
(joyous and relieved)
Hahaha! Yes! YES! We’re over here,
you magnificent-
Just then, a great howl rises in the colony streets. SIMON
looks down to see REAVERS starting to edge out of the
shadows and alleyways, all staring towards the light of the
flare. SIMON’s exultant face turns to one of dread.
SIMON: (cont’d)
Uh...
The REAVERS keep appearing, until a veritable swarm are
visible, with many still slowly prowling out of the shadows.
They begin to edge towards the flares, obviously seeing the
flare.
SIMON: (cont’d)
...Son of a bitch!
BLACK OUT
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
35 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 35
SIMON careens through the front door, slamming it shut
behind him. The light of the flares flicker through the
windows, illuminating disturbing shadows as the screeches
outside draw closer.
KAYLEE:
Simon! What happened?
SIMON:
(panicked)
We have to go! Now!
KAYLEE:
What d’you me-
She is interrupted by the breaking of the front window as a
harpoon rockets through, embedding in the back wall above
the huddled SURVIVORS.
SIMON:
Everyone, out the back!
The door shudders as something heavy slams into it, cracking
the edges. KAYLEE gathers the survivors and they flee out
the back. SIMON follows, grabbing JAMES by the shoulder.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 52.
SIMON: (cont’d)
Come on!
JAMES:
Get offa me you-
SIMON:
(exasperated)
Dirty filthy spacer, yes, I get it,
now RUN!
They dart out the back just as the door splinters and
REAVERS pour into the building.
36 EXT. PLANET PELIC - BACK ALLEY 36
SIMON and JAMES emerge to see KAYLEE and the survivors
cowering as REAVERS at one end of the alley start to close
in. There are four SURVIVORS, one man on makeshift crutch,
one woman supporting another limping man, and one
able-bodied woman. All are terrified.
SIMON:
Keep moving!
KAYLEE:
(panicking)
Where? Serenity-
SIMON:
Is on its way! I saw it flying
towards us, the captain-
SIMON is interrupted by a loud WOOSH as Serenity passes
overhead, heading east.
SIMON: (cont’d)
There! Follow that ship! Go!
Everyone rushes off, though JAMES gives SIMON a glare before
moving to the fore with his shotgun.
37 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 37
WASH has spotted the flare and is looking for the closest
place to land, settling on a nearby square.
WASH:
(into comms)
Hey Mal, we’re setting down.
They’ll be west of us,
quarter-click. Try not to die, it’d
ruin my day.
53.
38 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 38
MAL leans on the comm.
MAL:
Shiny. Make sure we’re ready for a
quick exit.
MAL turns to BOOK, ZOE and JAYNE, all of whom are making
final preparations.
MAL: (cont’d)
We play it safe. No time for
fanciness. Gonna take Zoe to find
em, you all keep us clear. They’re
gonna be lookin’ for noise and
lights, so don’t oblige ’em.
MAL turns to the cargo bay door. Wordlessly, he pounds on
the button, beginning its opening sequence.
39 EXT. PLANET PELIC - BACK ALLEY 39
SIMON, KAYLEE, JAMES and the SURVIVORS are all pushing
towards SERENITY in the direction they saw it land. They
move wordlessly, emitting stifled gasps and grunts as they
try to quietly and quickly move past the REAVERS.
This tactic proves to have failed, however, as a REAVER
leaps out of the shadows to gut the able-bodied SURVIVOR
woman. She screams in pain and slumps to the ground. The
REAVER turns to attack the group but is felled by JAMES’
shotgun.
JAMES:
Damn it!
SIMON tries to move to the downed woman but JAMES pushes him
back.
JAMES: (cont’d)
I ain’t lettin’ you slow us down
with the dead, spacer! Move!
SIMON looks like he wants to argue, but a howl comes from
down the alley. SIMON hesitates, looking at the woman, who
is obviously beyond help. He groans in frustration and
follows JAMES down the alley.
The group continues to run as REAVERS start to emerge behind
them. One comes out in a rush to grab the SURVIVOR on a
crutch.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 54.
SURVIVOR:
Aaaaaah! No! Get off!
The REAVER knocks away the crutch and starts dragging the
SURVIVOR back down the alley. The SURVIVOR screams
horrifically, but the rest of the group continues, though
everyone but JAMES looks shaken.
The group emerges between two buildings, and SERENITY can be
seen over the top of the buildings.
SIMON:
There! We’re almost there!
They attempt to skirt around the side of the building, and
hear the opening sounds of gunfire.
KAYLEE:
Tzao gao...
SIMON:
Okay...
(he glaces at the SURVIVORS)
You two go on with KAYLEE. The
people on that ship know we’re
coming so they’ll keep you safe.
The SURVIVORS look uncertain, as does KAYLEE.
KAYLEE:
(worried)
Simon, are you-
SIMON:
I’m just going to cover you, don’t
worry. No stupid heroics.
KAYLEE is still uncertain, but nods and ushers the last two
survivors out of the alley.
SIMON: (cont’d)
(turning to face the back of
the alley)
Okay... I guess we just-
He is interrupted as JAMES punches him across the face with
a snarl. SIMON lands hard, dazed, and unable to dodge as
JAMES sticks a knife in his gut. SIMON screams.
55.
40 INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 40
RIVER stops working on the engine, looking out the door in
rage.
RIVER:
Simon!
She rushes out of the room, leaving wires dangling.
41 EXT. PLANET PELIC - BACK ALLEY 41
SIMON continues to scream in pain. Down the alley, the
gibbering of REAVERS can be heard. JAMES presses down on top
of SIMON, keeping him pinned.
JAMES:
(fiercely)
Hear that, spacer? They’re comin’
now. They’ll kill us both, and
it’ll hurt. I hope they skin you
alive.
SIMON:
(groaning in pain)
W-why? We c-could’ve gotten away!
JAMES:
(snarls)
What, to the Black? There’s nothin’
there, spacer! You can’t make your
life on anywhere but solid ground,
and you took mine when you let my
wife die! And if she ain’t leavin’
this planet, neither am I, and
neither are y-
JAMES is interrupted by a length of wood striking the side
of his face, rolling him off SIMON and a few feet down the
alley, dazed. He struggles to his feet to see KAYLEE helping
SIMON up, discarding a broken plank. JAMES snarls and raises
his shotgun.
JAMES: (cont’d)
(enraged)
None... of you... are leavin’!
He is about to fire when a REAVER jumps on his back. He
throws it off, but is borne to the ground by another, then
another, until he is pinned and screaming under the weight
of the REAVERS charging out of the back alley.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 56.
KAYLEE:
(in shock)
I... I didn’t mean to...
SIMON:
(struggling to his feet)
You... didn’t.
KAYLEE:
But...
They are interrupted as MAL and ZOE round the corner.
MAL:
There yo- woah!
(seeing the REAVERS at the end
of the alley)
SIMON:
(coughing)
Captain! Am I gl-
ZOE:
Doc, may I suggest we save the
tearful reunion for when we aren’t
in danger of skin-flaying?
Without another word, they all run out of the alley, leaving
the now-dead JAMES to be devoured.
42 EXT. PLANET PELIC - TOWN SQUARE 42
SERENITY squats in the middle of the square, cargo doors
open. REAVERS are approaching the ship, but are being held
off by JAYNE and BOOK.
MAL, ZOE, SIMON and KAYLEE are all running (or limping)
toward the ship, fending off REAVERS, who are coming in with
increasing numbers.
SIMON:
I’m slowing you down.
MAL:
No, you’re not.
SIMON:
You should just get to safety-
MAL:
No, really?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 57.
SIMON:
Just leave me be-
KAYLEE slaps SIMON. SIMON, MAL and ZOE look at her
incredulously.
KAYLEE:
(angrily)
Shut up! We’re all gettin’ outta
here!
SIMON gapes, then nods. At that moment, the REAVERS thicken,
slowing their progress. On the cargo ramp, JAYNE and BOOK
look on while the two SURVIVORS from before huddle in fear.
BOOK:
Their numbers are increasing!
JAYNE:
Gorramit, we should pull out we
have skins of our own!
BOOK:
We cannot leave our friends in
danger!
JAYNE:
You can’t, but I ain’t-
As JAYNE and BOOK argue, RIVER runs into the cargo bay,
scooping up a rifle and spinning it into a ready position in
a graceful, fluid motion. JAYNE and BOOK notice and dive out
of her line of fire just as she begins to shoot the REAVERS
surrounding the fleeing group with impeccable accuracy.
MAL and the group seize the advantage, running back to the
ship. MAL glares at RIVER as he comes up the ramp, seeing
the gun.
MAL:
What the hell do you think you’re
doin’?
RIVER:
(brightly as SIMON and KAYLEE
get aboard)
Dragonslaying!
MAL shakes his head and hammers the control panel on the
door, retracting the ramp. A REAVER leaps onto the lip but
MAL shoots it. He turns to the comm.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 58.
MAL:
Wash! Burn that fuel like it’s
hellfire and get us outta here!
43 EXT. PLANET PELIC - COLONY OVERVIEW 43
SERENITY slowly lifts off and starts flying out of the city.
In the streets, four points of light appear, marking where
the REAVER SHIPS are landed as they power on.
44 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 44
SIMON tries to limp toward the back of the bay, but falls
over, utterly exhausted and bleeding.
ZOE:
Doc? Doc!
KAYLEE:
He got stabbed back in the alley...
MAL:
Zoe, Book, get him to the infir-
RIVER:
I’ll do it.
MAL gives RIVER a look, then turns to BOOK.
MAL:
Help her.
(to KAYLEE)
I know you’ve gone through a lot,
but we need you on the engine.
KAYLEE:
(nods)
Okay, Cap’n.
MAL:
Alright, now-
WASH (V.O.):
Uh, Mal? I think our host are
taking offense to our hasty
departure.
MAL:
On my way.
59.
45 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 45
MAL rushes in as WASH is flipping controls.
MAL:
How far?
WASH:
We’ve got a good start, but they’re
picking up speed fast.
MAL:
Well, can we-
The vidcom crackles to life, revealing a very angry
COMMANDER HARKEN.
HARKEN:
Captain Reynolds, you are in direct
opposition to an Alliance
operation, putting the liberation
of the Pelic colony at risk-
MAL:
Commander, now ain’t a good time.
HARKEN:
And why is that?
MAL:
’Cause we rescued our people and
two other colonists and are goin’
hell for leather out of atmo with
three Reaver ships on our hindlegs.
HARKEN:
(surprised, looks off screen
to confirm)
...Maintain course, Captain.
MAL:
Are you moonbrained, Harken?
They’ll be on us.
HARKEN:
Captain, I could blow you out of
the sky with a word. But for the
sake of your crew and your ship, I
ask that you trust us.
MAL:
...Fine.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 60.
WASH:
So, what, do we try to-
MAL:
Keep course.
WASH:
(shocked)
What? The Reaver’ll-
MAL:
Can’t outrun ’em, and the chances
of us pullin’ an Ivan on one aren’t
great. On four? Slim to none. We
don’t have many other options.
WASH wants to argue, but can’t find a rebuke, so sullenly
continues course. A moment later, there’s a green flash as
six ALLIANCE GUNSHIPS swoop past SERENITY, engaging the
REAVER SHIPS.
MAL: (cont’d)
Huh. Never thought I’d be glad to
see Alliance birds swoopin’ in.
WASH:
Breaking atmo in ten seconds.
MAL:
Alright then. Let’s moon ’em.
SERENITY drifts up out of atmo. Below, flashes can be seen
where the ALLIANCE GUNSHIPS are attacking the REAVER SHIPS.
The Tohoku-class cruiser can be seen in the distance, as
well as the moon AUTARK. SERENITY turns towards deep space,
lights its tail, and blasts off into the Black.
46 INT. SERENITY - INFIRMARY 46
SIMON is on the operating area. He slowly comes to, muzzily
at first, then eyes widening quickly as he tries to sit up,
catching the attention of INARA, washing her hands in the
sink.
INARA:
Easy! Easy Simon, you’re safe now.
SIMON:
(groggily)
We’re... we’re safe?
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 61.
INARA:
(nods)
We got away, and the colony is well
behind us. The Alliance actually
took care of the Reavers that tried
to follow.
SIMON:
Huh... Never figured I’d be
thankful for the Alliance’s help
again...
MAL:
(entering)
I found myself thinking much the
same.
SIMON:
Captain.
(pauses)
Did the others make it?
MAL:
They did. They were banged up, but
I reckon once our doc’s recovered,
they’ll be receivin’ some top-shelf
care.
SIMON:
(smiles thinly)
Yeah.
(looks down at wound, neatly
stitched over)
Good work. Has someone on the crew
been holding out on me?
MAL:
Often, yes. But in that case, your
sister s4tepped up and did your
fixin’.
SIMON bolts upright, groaning in pain but eyes wide in
shock.
SIMON:
(shocked)
River!?
INARA:
She was amazing, Simon. She pulled
you in with Book and started on
your wounds right away. I just
played nurse to her surgeon.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (3) 62.
MAL:
Ain’t the first time, I’d wager.
(holds up his hands in
placation as INARA glares,
then turns back to SIMON)
She also filled for Kaylee in
engineerin’. Must say, we were all
mighty impressed. When’d your
sister learn herself how be fixin’
ships and people?
SIMON:
(stunned)
I... I never knew she did.
MAL:
Hm. Well, glad to have you back on,
doc.
INARA:
I’m going to go check on Kaylee and
the others. Call if you need
anything, all right?
SIMON:
(nods)
Yeah, thanks.
INARA walks out, leaving MAL and SIMON.
MAL:
Kaylee told me bout’ some of your
heroics.
SIMON:
(shakes his head)
I’m no hero, Captain. Only two of
the colonists made it.
MAL:
Two more than would’ve if you
hadn’t been there.
SIMON:
But I couldn’t save-
MAL:
Doc, you can’t save everyone.
Believe me, I’ve tried. End of the
day, if you’re still flyin’ and
your crew’s alright, it’s a good
day.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (4) 63.
SIMON:
But-
MAL:
I ain’t hearin’ it. You got off
this mornin’ lookin’ to prove
useful. I’d say you proved you can
do just fine. May be that you
didn’t save everyone, but you have
the right to think of the ones you
did save. You rescued who you could
and you pulled your crewmate
through a tight spot, worse’n most
ever see. Take the win, doc.
SIMON:
(realizing)
Kaylee! Is she alright? Was she
hurt?
MAL:
She’s... well, she ain’t wounded in
body. Think that it got to her,
though. She ain’t talkin’ about it.
Now rest up. Lotta people need
tendin’ to, so you’d best get
better and get to your work.
(gives SIMON an approving nod)
Later, Simon.
MAL walks out, leaving a SIMON slightly surprised at hearing
MAL call him by his name rather than ’doc’. He relaxes,
looking up at the ceiling in thought.
47 INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 47
KAYLEE is wandering around the engine room, working
efficiently but without her normal, chipper energy. She
finishes everything to her satisfaction. She sits down in
the corner near the door, looking at the engine blankly,
trying to settle back into the comfort of Serenity.
The day catches up with her though, and she starts crying,
huddling in the corner, head between her knees. After a
moment, she looks up to see RIVER standing quietly in the
doorway. RIVER looks at KAYLEE sadly, and then gets down on
her knees next to her, wrapping her arms around her in a
tight hug, to KAYLEE’s surprise.
RIVER:
Thank you. For bringing him back.
(CONTINUED)
CONTINUED: (2) 64.
KAYLEE is stunned, and RIVER holds the hug for a moment,
then rises and softly exits. KAYLEE stares after her, before
moving across to her hammock, out of frame.
The shot slowly draws out into the corridor, where we see
RIVER walking. She stops and cocks her head, listening.
After a moment, music sounds from KAYLEE’s record player,
and RIVER smiles and moves off frame.
BLACK OUT
END OF SHOW

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Firefly - Raid

  • 2. FIREFLY "RAID" TEASER 1 INT. DINGY BAR 1 This bar is dusty, musty and dark, lacking anything that could even remotely pertain to class. The clientele are a brooding, sneering lot. MAL is sitting at a table with JAYNE and SIMON. SIMON is looking increasingly nervous, while the other two simply sit and drink quietly. MAL: Stop your trembling, Doc. It’ll be mighty hard to persuade our contact we’re legit if you’re lookin’ like someone’s after you. SIMON: Captain, the whole Allaince is after me. JAYNE: (hissing angrily) Say it a little pissin’ louder, why don’t ya, doc? I’m pretty sure them drunks in the corner din’t hear you. MAL: Relax, both of you. This bar ain’t exactly friendly-like to the law in the best of times. Off in one corner, a couple men start getting into a fight. MAL: (cont’d) Good spot to do things under the Alliance’s nose. Doc, I brought you here because you know what we have and what we don’t. Not to scare off our contact. SIMON: So what’re we wai- A SHADY MAN sits down across from them, dressed in a large and poorly-fit black coat. (CONTINUED)
  • 3. CONTINUED: (2) 2. SHADY MAN: Captain Reynolds. I hear you have medicine for sale. MAL: You’d hear right. What are you looking for? The SHADY MAN passes reaches into his coat, causing SIMON to tense. MAL gives him a look as the SHADY MAN pulls out a folded piece of paper and slides it across. MAL picks it up and hands it to SIMON. SIMON: Isoprovaline... Hydrozepam... Byphodine? Why would you need a paralytic? SHADY MAN: I do not care to know why my clients require what they do. I only care to know what they need, and how much they will pay to get it. MAL: Wise. Can we accommodate, doc? SIMON: Yes, easily, but- MAL: Doc, I’d get drink if I were you. SIMON: Captain, this is- MAL: Now. SIMON gapes, then shoves himself out of the chair and heads towards the bar. MAL: (cont’d) He’s new to the idea of being a procurement specialist. The SHADY MAN seems puzzled. SHADY MAN: Do you mean a smuggler? (CONTINUED)
  • 4. CONTINUED: (3) 3. MAL: Isn’t that what I said? Down at the bar, SIMON attempts to move around the minor barfight taking place on the floor. He get to the bar and sits down in time to get shoved to the side by an errant elbow from the melee, knocking over another man’s drink. The THUG growls at SIMON, who backs away slowly. Back at their table, MAL shakes hands with the SHADY MAN, slipping him a small pouch. MAL: (cont’d) Thanks kindly. Tell them we’ll give them a wave as to when we’ll be along. The SHADY MAN nods and walks off. A commotion is rising down towards the bar. JAYNE looks out towards the bar. JAYNE: (grinning) Cap’n. JAYNE motions towards the bar. MAL turns to look and his face hardens. MAL: (annoyed) That boy has a talent for aggravatin’ folks. At the bar- WHAM! SIMON slams against the wall, staggering, with a black eye. He’s rammed back against the wall by a THUG with a GOON behind him. THUG: Not a smart move, pretty boy. SIMON: (croaking) I swear... I didn’t- THUG: Oh you did, pretty boy. Din’t your mama tell you to treat strangers nice? GOON: Bet not, boss. (CONTINUED)
  • 5. CONTINUED: (4) 4. THUG: We don’t like your kind here, looking down their nose at the likes of us hard-workin’- GOON: Uh, boss? THUG: Not now, I’m doing some educational work. GOON: Boss, I think you might want to talk to this guy. THUG: I’m busy! GOON: He’s got a gun, boss. THUG looks left to see MAL pointing his pistol at the group. MAL: Beggin’ your pardon, but I believe you’re holdin’ something of mine. THUG: (sneers) You’ll get ’im back when I’m through! He’s got a lesson to learn! The THUG pulls back a fist and stops when MAL cocks the pistol. MAL: Ah-ah. I realize that our man here is plumb lacking in social grace, but that ain’t no reason to rearrange his teeth. Why don’t you just let him down gentle-like? THUG: (unnerved for a moment, but rallies) You don’t scare me, spacer. MAL cocks his head as if considering the THUG’s statement. (CONTINUED)
  • 6. CONTINUED: (5) 5. MAL: You know, you’re right. Why should you be? I reckon even with a gun pointed at your face, I just ain’t all that scary. (smirks) Now as for him... A shadow crosses over the THUG as he turns to the right to see JAYNE looming over him, glaring. MAL: (cont’d) I reckon he’s plenty scary. JAYNE growls at the THUG, obviously itching to fight. The THUG looks at JAYNE, then at MAL, then gingerly sets SIMON on the ground and hurriedly walks away with his goons. JAYNE: Hrmph. Pissin’ cowards. I coulda taken em. SIMON: He probably would’ve decked me if you had. JAYNE: Not seein’ a downside here. SIMON: Thanks, Captain. MAL: What did you learn from this, Doc? SIMON: Um... MAL: I hope it was somethin’ along the lines of ’When the captain says sit and don’t talk, gorram listen to the captain.’ SIMON: (dejectedly) Yes, Captain.
  • 7. 6. 2 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 2 MAL, SIMON and JAYNE come in through the bay doors. KAYLEE is working on the Mule. KAYLEE: Hey Cap’n! Any luck? MAL: We’ve got a buyer. Saved Simon’s hide too. (walks up stairs toward bridge) KAYLEE: Awww. Who’d he annoy? JAYNE: Three yokels bigger’n he was. SIMON: Can we not talk about my diplomatic failings? JAYNE: Should we talk ’bout how ya can’t fight for shit either? KAYLEE: Leave him alone, Jayne. JAYNE snorts and walks off. SIMON: I get the feeling that I’m not making a good impression.INT. 3 SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 3 MAL, ZOE, INARA, JAYNE and WASH are sitting around the table. WASH and INARA are playing CHINESE CHECKERS. MAL: Okay, we’re headin’ to Autark, small moon out on the Rim. (to Wash) Planet below is a junkyard. Get us locked in and check with Kaylee, see if we need parts. (pauses) Wash, did you hear me? (CONTINUED)
  • 8. CONTINUED: (2) 7. WASH: (engrossed in his game) Hm? Oh, yeah, don’t worry Mal. MAL: (rolls eyes) Okay, Zoe, Jayne, get down to the cargo bay and get us prepped. We’re out on the Rim, but that just means people are a mite tetchy when it comes to dealin’ fair. Let’s get in and out quick as able. ZOE: Yes sir. ZOE and JAYNE walk out, meeting SIMON in the doorway. ZOE slides past while JAYNE grins and shoulders SIMON bodily to the side. SIMON glares after him and approaches MAL. SIMON: Something in the works, Captain? MAL: Got another buyer for some meds. Be headin’ out soon as my pilot finds himself able to tear away. (to Wash, sarcastic) I’m sorry, am I interrupting? WASH looks up at MAL, about to speak, as INARA jumps a piece across the board and smiles winningly at MAL. INARA: No, you aren’t. WASH stares in disbelief at the board, then rises from his chair. WASH: You are a vicious and despicable woman. (to Mal) I’ll get us moving. WASH moves toward the bridge, exiting the room. MAL: Something you need, Doc? SIMON: I want to help on this job. (CONTINUED)
  • 9. CONTINUED: (3) 8. MAL stares for a moment, then bursts out laughing. SIMON looks at INARA, his expression pleading. INARA gives MAL a glare. INARA: (warning tones) Mal... MAL: (settling down) Hehe... okay, sorry. (seriously, but still smiling) Doc, you have a tendency to make people want to teach you manners in an awful direct way. I ain’t about to let you mess up what’s likely to be a tense bit of negotiatin’. SIMON: Captain... while I’ve been on this ship, I’ve been shot at, kidnapped, and nearly killed so many times I lost count around the twenties. And, unfortunately, sometimes it happens because I bring trouble here. MAL: Trouble does tend to follow you around like stray dog. INARA: Mal! SIMON: No, it’s alright. In fact it’s accurate. I’ve brought a lot of trouble down on your crew, captain. MAL: (dead serious) That you have. SIMON: So... I want to show I mean to earn my place. As a crew member, not a passenger. MAL looks at SIMON critically for a moment. INARA looks between them, obviously intrigued. (CONTINUED)
  • 10. CONTINUED: (4) 9. MAL: I’d figured you’d be more worried about your sister. SIMON: (hesitant) Much as it pains me to say... it’s slow going. Curing her, that is. Even with the mapping of her neural paths it’s taking longer than I’d like. We’re going to be here a while. This is going to be our home. (forcing a smile) And she’s comfortable here, in a way. INARA: (to Mal) It could hardly hurt to have another member in your gang of petty thieves. MAL gives her a sidelong glare, before turning to SIMON. MAL: Okay. There is something I reckon you could help with. 4 EXT. PLANET PELIC - SPACEPORT 4 SIMON walks out of the cargo bay carrying several obviously heavy bags, looking peevish. SIMON: This isn’t what I had in mind. MAL walks up behind him. MAL: Well, in this crew you take the jobs you get. (at Simon’s annoyed look) Now don’t get ornery on me, you asked for this. Just help Kaylee get the parts she needs to keep us flyin’. (turns away, then turns back) And I’d very much appreciate it if you didn’t start a barfight this time. Tends to leave a bad impression with some folks. (claps Simon on the back) (MORE) (CONTINUED)
  • 11. CONTINUED: (2) 10. MAL: (cont’d) We’ll be back after we close the deal on that moon there, three hours or so. MAL heads up the ramp to the CARGO BAY, where Kaylee is rolling down on the MULE. He leans over to Kaylee. MAL: (cont’d) Funny though it may be, try to keep him from gettin’ his face mussed up again. KAYLEE: (smirking salute) Yessir, Cap’n! KAYLEE drives down the ramp as MAL climbs aboard. MAL: (into wave radio) Alright, Wash, we’ve got a schedule to keep. SIMON and KAYLEE watch from the MULE as Serenity lifts off and heads toward the nearby moon, AUTARK. KAYLEE: Alrighty, then! Let’s get moving! SIMON: Alright, I gue-agh! SIMON barely manages to keep his seat as KAYLEE speeds off towards the TOWN and the MARKETPLACE. BLACK OUT END OF TEASER ACT ONE 5 EXT. PLANET PELIC - TOWN MARKETPLACE 5 KAYLEE and SIMON are slowly rolling along, looking at the various dusty displays and scrap-ridden storefronts. KAYLEE: So why’d you want to come down here, Simon? Feeling stir crazy? Wanted to feel dirt on your feet? (CONTINUED)
  • 12. CONTINUED: (2) 11. SIMON: (deadpan) That sounds unsanitary. I just wanted to... (beat) I guess I want to help. KAYLEE: (curious) Ain’tcha helpin’ just being all medical and such? Why’d you need to come down here? SIMON: Well, yes, but- SIMON is interrupted as KAYLEE slams the mule to a stop, nearly falling out of his seat again. KAYLEE: Oooo! A pneumatic porcelain drive shaft! (hops out of vehicle) Wait out here, okay? I’ll be right back! SIMON just stares after KAYLEE in exasperation and gingerly lowers himself from the mule. He looks around and sits on the mule’s edge. 6 INT. PLANET PELIC - SCRAP SHOP 6 KAYLEE is shopping round the store, picking up random pieces of scrap and tech as, out the window, we can see Simon sitting on the mule. Eventually a LARGE MAN comes up to him, asking him something. Simon brushes him off. The large man asks again, and Simon says something. The large man moves threateningly toward Simon, who raises his hands in placation and starts talking rapidly. They talk for a moment, KAYLEE turning to see Simon seemingly talking peacefully with the man. She turns back to her scrounging, smiling, as out the window the large man lunges for Simon who squirms out of the way and runs, the man chasing after him. KAYLEE walks up to the counter to buy her selections. KAYLEE: I reckon this is everything. How- Kaylee looks out the window to see Simon getting hauled off by the MARSHALL. (CONTINUED)
  • 13. CONTINUED: (2) 12. KAYLEE: (cont’d) Oh, you idiot! 7 EXT. MOON AUTARK - CLEARING 7 MAL is negotiating with a few SETTLERS as ZOE and JAYNE move a medium sized crate out of Serenity’s cargo bay. MAL is haggling with a SPOKESMAN. MAL: The deal was you’d give us three thousand. SPOKESMAN: (looking smug) Well, now it’s two. Y’all took too long. Depreciation, you know. MAL: (Smiling darkly) Look, if you don’t want it, there are a hundred moons that’ll give us three. (To Zoe) Didn’t Koan offer us four? ZOE: (setting down the crate) Four and a half. MAL: (feigning puzzlement) Why didn’t we go to them? ZOE: (shrugs) It’s a week’s travel. This was closer. MAL: Ah, right. (To settlers) Now, on the one hand, we got you and your two thousand. On the other hand, we got a week’s travel and four and half. Don’t ask me to draw you a picture, because my hands are just mighty full of possibilities right now. Chief of em’ bein’ us leavin’ you with nothin’. The SPOKESMAN glares and pulls back to discuss with the SETTLERS. MAL walks back to the cargo. JAYNE walks forward. (CONTINUED)
  • 14. CONTINUED: (2) 13. JAYNE: Ain’t we got enough left for both? MAL: I reckon, but they don’t need to know that. ZOE: Sir, Koan isn’t a real place. MAL: They don’t need to know that either. The SPOKESMAN comes forward. SPOKESMAN: We can give you two and a half. MAL: (To Zoe) Pack it up, Zoe. ZOE: Yes sir. ZOE and JAYNE begin packing up the crate and moving back toward the ship. MAL turns toward Serenity as if to leave. SPOKESMAN: Wait! We’ll give you- MAL: (turning around quickly, glaring) Unless the next words out of your mouth sound awful similar to ’three’ you ain’t gonna be seein’ anything but our backs. SPOKESMAN: (defeated) Three. MAL: (smiling) Excellent. Zoe, settle up with the man, will you? (whispers to Zoe) Count it, he seems liable to cheatin’. (CONTINUED)
  • 15. CONTINUED: (3) 14. ZOE: Yes sir. MAL walks away, leaving ZOE and JAYNE to look after the transaction. He pulls out a wave radio. MAL: Wash, we’re shiny here. 8 INT. SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 8 WASH is playing CHINESE CHECKERS with BOOK. INARA sits nearby, reading a book. WASH grimaces at the call. MAL (V.O.): Get her ready, we’re leaving in ten. WASH: (sighing) Aye aye, O fearless captain. BOOK: (smiling slightly) Does this mean you forfeit? WASH: (smiling cockily) Not a chance, preacher man. Lemme go get Serenity purring and then I’ll come back and lead my people in a glorious... BOOK jumps three pieces, and WASH’s face falls. INARA laughs. WASH: (cont’d) ...retreat. Gorram it. WASH moves off toward the bridge, grumbling. BOOK chuckles to himself and moves to the kitchen, pouring some coffee. INARA: Another outstanding victory. BOOK: Ah, would that all wars were so simple. RIVER wanders in towards the table, head moving this way and that, like she’s trying to listen to something. BOOK and INARA notice. (CONTINUED)
  • 16. CONTINUED: (2) 15. INARA: Are you alright, River? RIVER: Hm? Oh. I was trying to hear the birds, but a big one’s chased them all off. BOOK: Ah... well... would you like to play a game? RIVER snaps her head around to BOOK, then looks over at the table with the game board. RIVER: Oh, the Monk’s game. Simplified of course. (turns to Book) You were playing? BOOK: Hm? Oh, yes, with Wash. I’ll clear the board- BOOK reaches out to reset the board, but RIVER grabs his wrist quickly. INARA jumps in her seat a bit. RIVER: No, this is fine. More fun. RIVER sits in WASH’s vacated seat, looking at the pieces intently. BOOK and INARA share a puzzled glance. BOOK: (Confused) Are you sure? Wash wasn’t exactly- RIVER rapidly moves a marble one space. RIVER: Your move. BOOK sits down, intrigued. INARA puts her book down to watch. He picks up a marble. BOOK: Oh, very well. Perhaps I should go easy on you. BOOK sets the marble down. Lightning fast, RIVER jumps a marble in rapid succession from her side of the board to his. BOOK gapes in astonishment and INARA’s face lights up in a surprised laugh. (CONTINUED)
  • 17. CONTINUED: (3) 16. RIVER: (smiling) Not a chance, preacher man. 9 INT. PLANET PELIC - MARSHALL’S OFFICE 9 KAYLEE enters through the front door. The MARSHALL is talking to the angry LARGE MAN from earlier. SIMON is sulking in a corner nursing a bruised eye. MARSHALL: Gorramit, James! I know what those spacer a few years back did but that don’t give the right to- (notices Kaylee) Oh, excuse me, miss, we’re kind of in the middle of something. KAYLEE: Yeah, um... I’m actually looking for someone you dragged in with... him. (she points to JAMES, a.k.a. the LARGE MAN) MARSHALL: Oh! My apologies, miss. (He turns to the back) Hey spacer! Your woman’s here! KAYLEE: (flustered) Oh, I’m not- SIMON: (equally flustered) She’s not my- MARSHALL: (ignoring their protests) Now, Miss...? KAYLEE: Um, Frye. Kaylee Frye. MARSHALL: Miss Frye, there was a bit of a ruckus involving these two- SIMON: I was just sitting on the mule when he came up and- (CONTINUED)
  • 18. CONTINUED: (2) 17. MARSHALL: So help me I will throw you in lockup! SIMON trails off, scowling. MARSHALL: (cont’d) Now, it ain’t no problem, just a friendly scrap. Right? JAMES and SIMON glare at each other, but nod. MARSHALL: (cont’d) (nods in satisfaction, turning back to Kaylee) Just runnin’ his prints though the Comnet. If he don’t have any outstanding warrants he’ll be free to go. SIMON has a momentary look of horror on his face, as does KAYLEE. KAYLEE: Uh, Marshall, our ship is leaving in ten and it took me eight minutes to get here, do ya think we might be able- MARSHALL: Sorry miss but your man here is stayin’ put till he’s processed. Alliance regulation, you understa- BOOM! A loud explosion from outside rattles the building. 10 INT. SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 10 RIVER and BOOK are still playing their game, with BOOK looking increasingly frustrated. RIVER is smiling, but her expression suddenly turns to one of agony and she starts screaming. BOOK: (astonished) River! What’s wrong, child? RIVER: No! No, nonono NO! Bloody wings! Bloody wings and bloody seeds! RIVER pushes away from the table, falling out of the chair and huddling against the wall, clutching her head. (CONTINUED)
  • 19. CONTINUED: (2) 18. RIVER: (cont’d) The birds are dead! Simon! Simon, they’re hunting! BOOK: River? River, there are no birds. Simon’s not here, he’s with Kaylee. RIVER: (crying) Not a bird, a dragon. It’s burning, hunting... 11 INT. PLANET PELIC - MARSHALL’S OFFICE 11 There are screams from outside. Everyone shares a moment of panic. The MARSHALL pulls out his radio. MARSHALL: Jack, what the hell is going on out there? Did some dumbass do a hard burn in atmo again? DEPUTY JACK (V.O.): No sir! Four ships just came down hot and set down in the middle of the market place! It’s... (panicked) Oh my god! The MARSHALL is red in the face now. MARSHALL: What’s happening, damn it!? DEPUTY JACK (V.O): It’s covered in bones, sir! There are spikes and- it’s opening! The crowd is running, can’t see- oh no. MARSHALL: What? WHAT!? DEPUTY JACK (V.O.): (terrified) No! NO! Oh god, get back! (gunfire sounds over the radio and out in the street) Get AAAAA- The radio cuts off. The MARSHALL stands shocked for a moment, then motions to everyone in the room. (CONTINUED)
  • 20. CONTINUED: (2) 19. MARSHALL: Alright, y’all get out of here! Find someplace safe and keep low until we get... whatever this is sorted! JAMES rushes out the door, and KAYLEE helps SIMON up. They reach the door just as the MARSHALL steps outside, and is run through by a harpoon. KAYLEE screams and SIMON stares in shock. The MARSHALL stands, wide-eyed, then falls over, badly wounded. SIMON rushes to the MARSHALL’S side. It’s obvious that there’s little he can do. SIMON: (panicking) Wo Di Tian A! Kaylee? What’s the hell is happening?! KAYLEE is standing in shock. She looks down the street, where the sounds of screams can be heard and the orange glow of fire is starting to become noticeable even in the light of day. KAYLEE: (utterly terrified) ...Reavers. BLACK OUT END OF ACT ONE ACT TWO 12 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARSHALL’S OFFICE 12 SIMON is kneeling next to the MARSHALL, who is bleeding out on the ground. KAYLEE rushes out of the building and looks down the street to the burning settlement. KAYLEE: Simon! SIMON: Hold on, I’ve got to- KAYLEE: Simon, we have to go! SIMON: (hesitant) But I can save- (CONTINUED)
  • 21. CONTINUED: (2) 20. KAYLEE: Now, Simon! There’s no time! You can’t save him! SIMON looks at the MARSHALL, who’s now in shock. SIMON: (obviously conflicted) ...T¯a m¯a de! I’m sorry, officer SIMON and KAYLEE rush off as the sounds of screams and fire grow closer. 13 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 13 SERENITY is lifting off. MAL and JAYNE duck into the bridge, where ZOE and WASH are sitting. WASH is flicking switches. WASH: We’re heading out of atmo. MAL: Alright, what’s so gorram important? ZOE: (moves aside) Look at this. MAL: A distress call? ZOE: From the settlement, sir. WASH: Picking up some awful concerning readings, Cap’n. MAL: Go Neong Yung Duh. Reavers. The colony’s being hit by Reavers. JAYNE: Reavers!? Here? ZOE: What’s the plan, sir? JAYNE: Plan? The plan is we turn around and run like hell for the Core! (CONTINUED)
  • 22. CONTINUED: (2) 21. MAL: Wash, how many? WASH: Can’t tell from here. At least two ships. MAL: Full raid. They’re getting terrible bold. (Points to the screen) Set us down outside town, quiet-like. Close as you can. JAYNE: (panicking) Cap’n those- MAL: (with finality) -are my crew. When we get down there we’ll try and pick them up on the wave. In the meantime, they’ll have to try and stay alive. 14 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARKETPLACE 14 Townsfolk are everywhere, running in a blind panic. Reavers are cutting this way and that, dragging screaming townsfolk down and tearing them apart or dragging them off. SIMON and KAYLEE run toward the mule, but stop when a screaming WOMAN runs towards it, a REAVER on her heels, screeching. WOMAN: Help! Help, ple- She is cut off as the Reavers catch her and drag her to the ground. SIMON moves to help her but KAYLEE pulls on his arm. KAYLEE: This way! SIMON: They’ll kill her- KAYLEE: Now ain’t the time to play hero! They begin to turn away but are surprised when the REAVER is blown away by JAMES, rounding the corner, shotgun primed. (CONTINUED)
  • 23. CONTINUED: (2) 22. JAMES: Lizzie! Are you alright? The WOMAN, now identified as LIZZIE, dazedly rises, her clothes tattered, and stumbles towards JAMES. Up the street, several REAVERS spot the couple. KAYLEE pulls open a nearby doorway. KAYLEE: Come on! JAMES and LIZZIE hobble towards the building while SIMON runs towards the mule. KAYLEE: (cont’d) Simon, leave it! SIMON: My medkit- KAYLEE: Won’t help if you’re dead! Come on! SIMON hesitates, but runs back to KAYLEE, who closes the door as he enters. 15 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 15 The interior of the store is dark and dingy. Three SETTLERS are huddled in fear in the aisles, desperate to escape the Reavers’ notice. KAYLEE and SIMON lean against the door, listening intently to the screams outside. The gibbering of REAVERS comes close... but moves off again. KAYLEE slumps to the floor in relief. SIMON notices that LIZZIE has a terrible gash in her belly and is sweating profusely. SIMON: (approaching) Excuse me, are you- He is immediately pushed to the ground by JAMES. JAMES: Get your hands off my wife you filthy spacer! SIMON: (angrily, standing up) She’s injured! I’m trying help! (CONTINUED)
  • 24. CONTINUED: (2) 23. JAMES: (angrily) We don’t need your kind of ’help’, spacer. He spits at SIMON’S feet. Behind him, LIZZIE groans, obviously in pain. SIMON: (coldly) That wound is abdominal. If it’s not closed up fast it’s possible her colon will spill onto the rest of her organs, and that’s when she’ll get really sick. You think it’s hard to run from Reavers now, imagine trying when your own blood is poisoning you. SIMON and JAMES glare at each other. One of the survivors pokes their head up. SURVIVOR: W-we have a first aid kit. SIMON: Bring it here. JAMES: (furious) Now look here, spacer- SIMON: (angrily) Bi jweh! You can yell at me all you want after I save her life! The SETTLER hands SIMON the first aid kit, and he shoulders past a blustering JAMES to look at the wounds of LIZZIE. LIZZIE starts to breathe rapidly and shuffle in her spot. SIMON: (cont’d) (looking at the wound) Kaylee, I need your help. KAYLEE: (stunned) W-what? SIMON: I need you to keep her calm. (CONTINUED)
  • 25. CONTINUED: (3) 24. KAYLEE: (stammering) I-I don’t... I don’t think I- SIMON: (looks at Kaylee) Kaylee, she’s scared and just about ready to go into shock from trauma alone. You need to keep her calm while I make sure she’s alright. KAYLEE: (obviously scared, but nods) Okay... KAYLEE moves next to LIZZIE, who’s eyes try to focus on her. KAYLEE: (cont’d) (unnerved, but soothingly) Hi. I’m Kaylee. LIZZIE: (quietly) Hi... I... I’m Elizalee. Everyone calls... me Lizzie. KAYLEE: It’s nice to meet you Lizzie. SIMON quickly gets to work on the wound, dabbing away the blood. JAMES stands behind him, watching with a scowl on his face. 16 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE - AFTERNOON 16 We see Serenity touching down behind a rocky outcrop. WASH sets the steering column back and wipes his brow. WASH: Slipped right by, Mal. There’s four ships scattered round town. The place is crawling with cannibalistic space scum. MAL: Town gate’s open, and we’re near the market. If they can get out they’ll have a clear run. WASH: We’ll need to check the engine, make sure it’s up to a hard burn in atmo if we need to hoof. (CONTINUED)
  • 26. CONTINUED: (2) 25. MAL: I’ll check, you make sure we’re shiny here. We’ll give em a call on the wave when we’re all green. MAL walks out to the corridor. 17 17. INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 17 MAL walks in, and is shocked to find RIVER hanging upside down from the ceiling, pulling a few wires apart. MAL: Hey! HEY! Juh Shi Suh Mo Go Dohng Shee? What are you doing to my ship, you moonbrained twerp? RIVER: (unperturbed) Shhhh... not enough wind. RIVER sticks a few wires together and they erupt in a shower of sparks. MAL: Little girl, my day’s been all-fire difficult without your aimin’ to blow us to the Black. RIVER ignores MAL and swings a leg down to kick a panel on the wall. The entire engine room lights up. WASH (V.O.): Mal? I don’t know what you did but Serenity likes it. MAL stares at the engine, then at a delighted RIVER, before answering the comm. MAL: Weren’t my doing. Seems Miss Tam’s taken it in her head to be our mechanic for a time being. WASH: (long pause) I’m sorry, I thought you said River was working in the engine room. MAL: That’s right. (CONTINUED)
  • 27. CONTINUED: (2) 26. WASH: (another pause) Right. If you need me, call really loud, since I’ll be hiding under the console. MAL looks at RIVER, who regards him from her perch, sticking her tongue out at him. RIVER: Leaves need wind to soar. MAL: Okay, if you’re gonna be fillin’ in... and that’s ALL this is, you’re gonna need to listen to Wash, alright? RIVER: (turning back to her work) Need wind to clip the dragon’s wings... MAL: (thoroughly unnerved) ...Right. So we’re understood then. MAL back out of the room. RIVER picks up a welding torch, smiling brightly as it flicks on. 18 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE - AFTERNOON 18 KAYLEE: (looks at Simon, who’s slowly treating the wound) Looks like you ran into some trouble, huh? LIZZIE: (scared) He... no, it was a she. She was all... she was wrong. Her eyes... (becoming more agitated) Her eyes were like holes! And she was laughing, but it was just a gurgle- SIMON: (hastily) Kaylee, keep her calm! (CONTINUED)
  • 28. CONTINUED: (2) 27. KAYLEE: (quickly) Don’t worry about it, Lizzie. You got hurt, but this here’s the best doctor on the Rim. He even attended one of them fancy schools in the Core, knows all about medicine and fixin’ folks. He’ll fix you. LIZZIE’s eyes are wide, but she seems a bit calmer. SIMON nods to her and opens the first aid kit. KAYLEE: (cont’d) So... do you have a fella? Some lucky guy who follows you around like a puppy dog? LIZZIE: (chuckles, wincing. Speaks painfully) More... like a bulldog. Or... an alligator... with a toothache. My James... KAYLEE looks up curiously at the muscular and angry JAMES, who turns away. SIMON takes a deep breath when he looks at the wound. KAYLEE: He’s... awful nice. LIZZIE: (chuckles again) He’s... a stubborn... jackass. But... he means well. Just... needs a... firm hand... She dozes off, leaving KAYLEE rather concerned. KAYLEE: (worried) Simon? Simon, she’s asleep. SIMON: (sighing) I’m not sure if that’s good or not. She’s in a bad way. KAYLEE: (looking around to the wound) What’s so ba- (CONTINUED)
  • 29. CONTINUED: (3) 28. She stops as she sees what appears to be a large metal sliver sticking out of LIZZIE’s abdomen. The wound around it is ragged, like it was torn open. SIMON: I don’t know what they used, but it had rough edges. It’ll scar. SIMON gingerly dabs away the blood around the wound. JAMES glares but does nothing. SIMON: (cont’d) I can’t do much more for her right now. This needs surgery. JAMES: (leaning in) Well let’s get that spike outta her- He reaches towards the metal sliver but SIMON slaps his had away. SIMON: (smacks his hand away) If you pull that out now, her colon will leak into her bloodstream and she’ll go into septic shock. Until I can get her on a surgery table, it stays in. JAMES looks like he wants to argue, but is interrupted by a crackling from the radio on KAYLEE’s belt. MAL (V.O): Kaylee? Kaylee, are you there? KAYLEE grabs the radio from her belt, standing upright. KAYLEE: Yes! Yes, Mal, I’m here! We both are, Simon and me are alright. MAL (V.O): (relieved) Best news I’ve had today. KAYLEE: Cap’n, they’re all over the town, an’ we can’t get to the mule... (CONTINUED)
  • 30. CONTINUED: (4) 29. MAL(V.O): We’re sittin’ tight out the east gate. Wait till’ nightfall and make a run for it, we’ll be ready for you. SIMON: (grabs radio from KAYLEE) Captain, we’ve got some wounded settlers here. One’s hurt bad, we can’t move her. Can you get to us? MAL (V.O.): Doc, there’re no less’n four ships in that colony, an’ all the Reavers they can fit. We come in and they’ll strip Serenity to parts. And us to bones. SIMON: Now, wait, there has to be some way we can- MAL (V.O.): Doc, unless you’re feelin’ awful shiny about your chances for divine intervention you’d best try to roll outta there at nightfall. Bring who you can, but this ain’t time to be a hero. The radio clicks off, leaving SIMON gaping angrily. SIMON: This day is not going well. KAYLEE: Simon, the Cap’n’s just worried ’bout us- SIMON: And that’s an excuse? KAYLEE: No... but it’s a reason. SIMON looks like he wants to argue, but he sighs and walks over to where the SETTLERS sit and starts dressing their wounds.
  • 31. 30. 19 INT. SERENITY - COMMON ROOM 19 JAYNE, ZOE, INARA and BOOK are sitting around the room, anxiously awaiting news. JAYNE is disassembling and cleaning several guns on the main table, as is ZOE on a smaller table in the corner. BOOK is sitting, reading, and INARA is making coffee in the kitchen. Everyone is tense and on edge. JAYNE: Buhn dan doc oughta’ know better’n need rescuin’ twice in a gorram day. BOOK: It is hardly the fault of a farmer if locusts descend. JAYNE: Rather be killin’ locusts than sittin’ this close to a Reaver raid. ZOE: (not looking up) Jayne, you’re scarin’ the women again. JAYNE: In case you haven’t noticed we’ve got our ass to the wind in front of a gorram colony fulla Reavers. MAL: (walking in) Then let’s hope they’re awful appreciative of the view. Everyone turns to look at MAL. INARA comes out of the kitchen, concern on her face. INARA: Are they...? MAL: They’re fine. They’ve holed up with some settlers. Told em’ to sit tight and make a run for it come dark. BOOK: Thank God... (CONTINUED)
  • 32. CONTINUED: (2) 31. MAL: (annoyed) Preacher, what about this situation makes you think the Almighty has anythin’ to do with it? INARA: (reproachfully) Mal. ZOE: What’s the plan, sir? MAL: We can’t fly to them, not without kickin’ the whole hornet’s nest. So we get ready to grab em and we make tracks to the Core. Be ready. Reavers tend to try’n hold what they catch. (to INARA) You any good at medicine? INARA: (surprised) Well... companions learn basic aid- MAL: Good. Get down to the Infirmary and get settled in. Whatever happens we’ll likely be seein’ blood tonight. (He turns to BOOK) You get to the engine room and make sure little River ain’t lookin’ to fry our bacon. Help her if you can. BOOK nods and sets off down the corridor with INARA. MAL turns back towards the bridge but ZOE stops him. ZOE: (quietly) Captain, even if they get out the gate they won’t get twenty yards. MAL: We can’t get closer without risking the Reavers’ sensors picking us up, and then none of us are getting out of this. If you’ve got a better plan, I’m all ears. ZOE is silent. (CONTINUED)
  • 33. CONTINUED: (3) 32. MAL: (cont’d) Don’t like it much myself, but it’s the best we’ve- The intercom crackles to life. WASH (V.O.): MAL? You’d better get up here. MAL and ZOE exchange looks and move toward the bridge. 20 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 20 WASH is looking at the radar screen as MAL and ZOE enter. MAL: What’s up? WASH: We’ve got company. ZOE: More Reavers? WASH: Not exactly. A message crackles over the comm. MALE VOICE (V.O.): This is the Adamant, Alliance Tohoku-class cruiser. Firefly-class transport, we are responding to the distress call of the colony below. Please respond and identify yourselves. ZOE: They’ve seen us. WASH: Should we hoof? MAL: Now now, they haven’t gone to mention arrestin’ or shootin’ us, no need to skitter away just yet. Open a channel. WASH gets out of his seat and flicks a switch as MAL sits down. (CONTINUED)
  • 34. CONTINUED: (2) 33. MAL: (cont’d) (cheery) This is Captain Malcolm Reynolds of Serenity. Glad to see you fellas. There’s a pause on the line. Finally, the vid-screen flickers on and COMMANDER HARKEN appears. HARKEN: Strange, Captain Reynolds. That wasn’t your reaction the last time we met. MAL’s face loses emotion as he stares at the screen. MAL: Commander Harken. END OF ACT TWO ACT THREE 21 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 21 MAL is sitting at the pilot’s seat, talking to HARKEN over the vidcom. WASH and ZOE are standing nearby looking nervous. MAL: Commander Harken. Been a while. HARKEN: That it has, Captain, and while there is little I would enjoy more than throwing you in the brig for old times sake and on general principle, it seems that there is a more pressing situation at hand. MAL: Reavers hit the colony. HARKEN: Yes. We know. What baffles me, however, is why you are still here. You said as much when we last met that Reavers are hardly something you would wish to deal with. MAL: I ain’t in the habit of leavin’ two good crewmen to die. (CONTINUED)
  • 35. CONTINUED: (2) 34. HARKEN: I see. MAL: And you are to...? HARKEN: Drive the Reavers back and retake the colony. Everyone on the bridge exchanges surprised glances. MAL: Didn’t reckon the Alliance’d much care for a Rim colony. HARKEN: (narrows eyes, speaks curtly) Nor would I suspect former Independents of risking themselves in a suicidal rescue operation. Looks like we’ve both learned something today. (turns away from the camera) You will maintain position and give us the names and descriptions of your crew. When we liberate the colony, should they still live, they will be debriefed and returned to your... (dubiously) ship. MAL: One you’ve met. Kaylee Frye. HARKEN: Ah yes. Miss Frye was somewhat dissatisfied with how I addressed your ship the last time we spoke. I believe she called me a... ’purple belly’. MAL: She’s sure’n got a way of makin’ folks feel welcome. HARKEN: And the other? MAL: (hesitates) More’ve a passenger than a crewman. Travelin’ doc. Name of, uh... (CONTINUED)
  • 36. CONTINUED: (3) 35. MAL turns to WASH and ZOE, who shrug. MAL: (cont’d) Name of Felix Badger. WASH and ZOE gape. HARKEN: (skeptical) ...I see. We’ll contact you when we’ve discovered anyth- MAL: (hurriedly) Uh, Commander... I, ah... I reckon that we could help each other on this one. HARKEN: Excuse me? MAL: Well, you and yours can fight and reclaim the town for the glory of the Alliance and while you do that, my ship’ll slip in an’ try to do some rescuin’. HARKEN: ...A generous offer, Captain. MAL: Well, we’re glad to- HARKEN: But unnecessary. The Alliance will complete this operation. I will not risk the lives of civilians, even one with... dubious history. Nor will I sanction an action that will interfere with the smooth running of an Alliance-coordinated assault. MAL: (angrily) Commander- HARKEN: You will maintain your position. Any attempt to enter the colony will be seen as hostile action. Your people, if alive, will be found and returned to you after (MORE) (CONTINUED)
  • 37. CONTINUED: (4) 36. HARKEN: (cont’d) their debriefing. You’ve done well in keeping under the radar, Captain. I suggest you exercise that talent. He cuts the feed. MAL, ZOE and WASH stare at the console for a moment. Then MAL slams his fist down. MAL: Gˇou t¯a m¯a de zhˇı tu¯ı! WASH: Easy Mal, don’t take it out on my incredibly finicky controls. ZOE: Sir, if they find Simon and Kaylee... MAL: They’ll process ’em and we’ll be gˇou shˇı hé méiyˇou jiˇang. Seems like we need to be doin’ some mighty fast rescuin’. (Turns to WASH) Do we know where they are? WASH: With all the rads leakin’ from the Reaver ships we can’t pin the wave signal down to more than a click across. Like trying to find a cotton ball in a blizzard. MAL: We’ll need a visual then... (ponders for a moment) Get Kaylee back on the wave. 22 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 22 KAYLEE is listlessly looking through the scrap for anything useful. SIMON is finishing doing his doctoring on the SETTLERS. He stands up and walks over to KAYLEE. SIMON: Okay, I think that’s it. If we need to we can run... or at least limp. KAYLEE: Shiny... (CONTINUED)
  • 38. CONTINUED: (2) 37. SIMON: What’s wrong? KAYLEE: (with an ’are you serious’ look) What’s wrong? Simon, we’re in the middle of a Reaver raid with no tools, three guns, and folks are bleeding out onto the floor! SIMON: (taken aback) I-I’ve stopped the bleeding I think- KAYLEE: And now we’ve gotta make a run through a town of dead people with Reavers crawlin’ after us and... and... (slumps down in the corner) ...We’re gonna die, aren’t we? SIMON gapes for a moment and opens his mouth to say something, but there’s a scream of pain from over where LIZZIE was lying. SIMON rushes over to find JAMES holding the metal spike that was in her belly, and LIZZIE’s wound is bleeding again and she’s groaning in pain. SIMON grabs the spike and glares at JAMES. SIMON: Why the HELL would you do that!? JAMES: She was in pain! I ain’t lettin’ no prissy spacer doc- SIMON: (pointing the bloody spike at him) I have no idea what your problem with me is, but if you’re going to be killing my patients then I think we should-! KAYLEE: (panicked) Simon! SIMON drops the spike and kneels down next to a convulsing LIZZIE. (CONTINUED)
  • 39. CONTINUED: (3) 38. SIMON: Oh nonononono! No, gorram it, NO! KAYLEE: Simon, what’s happening to her? SIMON: Her colon is leaking into her bloodstream, she’s going into septic shock! (stands) I can’t stop it. We need anti-bacterials and I used all the ones in the aid kit... KAYLEE: Simon? SIMON: I need to get to the mule. KAYLEE: (eyes wide in fear) But- SIMON: I know. KAYLEE: Simon they’ll- SIMON: I know! (turns to JAMES) Get your gun. JAMES: (indignant) I ain’t leavin’ her to- SIMON: Your Lizzie’s life depends on me getting to my bag and back in one piece! You did this, so shut up and help me! JAMES looks ready to punch SIMON, but LIZZIE lets out a scream. He growls and muscles past SIMON to the door. SIMON: (cont’d) (To KAYLEE) Keep her steady if you can. If she thrashes around it’ll... well, it’d be bad.
  • 40. 39. KAYLEE nods timidly as SIMON steps out after JAMES into... 23 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARKETPLACE STREETS - TWILIGHT 23 The streets are gore-soaked, with bodies everywhere. Reavers lurk and prowl through the alleys, occasionally stopping to feast on the dead. SIMON and JAMES carefully skirt around the edges, keeping close to shadows and walls. Screams are still heard in the distance and the air is thick with smoke from burning pyres in the street. What the pyres are made of is... best not to speculate. SIMON and JAMES skirt through alleys, keeping low and hiding behind barrels and rubble. JAMES: She’d best pull through, spacer, or I’ll take you to task for it. SIMON: What is your problem with... ’spacers’? JAMES: (spits) All you spacers care about is your precious freedom. Never mind treatin’ folk decent, or helpin’ your fellows, you just come and do as you please, thinkin’ you can just run on back to the Black when you get inta trouble! Thinkin’ you can cheat people outta their lives and take what’s theirs and run for your tin-can spaceships, burnin’ outta our sky and laughin’ while you do it! SIMON: So I’m guilty without committing a crime. Nice to see the trend continued. JAMES: (spits) You and yours always do crime, spacer. And you don’t care none who it hurts. SIMON: (sarcastic) Oh yes, it was so very wrong of me to run into hiding and try to save (MORE) (CONTINUED)
  • 41. CONTINUED: (2) 40. SIMON: (cont’d) your wife’s life, what was I thinking? JAMES: (angrily) You’re on bad soil, spacer- SIMON: There it is- oh... From the alleyway, SIMON and JAMES can see the mule. There’s a body on it, cut open. No Reavers seem to be around. JAMES: Well? What’re we waiting for?! SIMON: Um, yeah. Right. The pair approach the mule, James swinging around with his shotgun, covering the ends of the street. Up close, the body is revealed to be a woman’s, clothing torn and very, very dead, eyes wide in terror. JAMES: Well, spacer? SIMON: One minute, I have to move... her. SIMON shoves the body off the mule, and notices a pistol on the woman’s hip. He removes it and places it in his empty holster before rooting around the mule. SIMON: (cont’d) Found it! JAMES: ’Bout time. Let’s- JAMES is interrupted by a loud CRACK as a harpoon splinters through the wall next to him. From the alley they came from, three REAVERS appear, one reloading what looks like a crude speargun. The other two slowly inch forward, moving jerkily. JAMES: (cont’d) (raising gun) Come and get it you- SIMON: No! We need to get back! (CONTINUED)
  • 42. CONTINUED: (3) 41. JAMES: (snarls) Piss off, spacer! JAMES fires, the hot echoing in the empty streets. The two advancing REAVERS each get hit by buckshot, but shrug it off and move forward, picking up speed and screeching. SIMON: James, think of Lizzie! JAMES: (falters, then snarls.) How the hell- SIMON: Get on! SIMON frantically turns the key as JAMES hops on and the REAVERS close in. The REAVERS are close enough to grab at the mule as it purrs to life and SIMON revs it up, sending the two closing in sprawling as they miss. They dart away, but the REAVER in the alley shoots the now-reloaded speargun and pierces a tire, sending the mule into a careening path. SIMON: (cont’d) Nonononono! SIMON struggles to keep the mule under control, but he’s obviously inexperienced. As he and JAMES round the corner, they both leap from the mule as it swerves to the side into a market stall with an almighty CRASH! SIMON lands hard and is dazed for a moment before JAMES hauls him up. JAMES: C’mon spacer! They’ll likely be comin’ for that bang. Store’s just ahead. SIMON nods, shakily gets to his feet and follows JAMES out of frame. 24 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 24 SIMON and JAMES rush in, slamming the door behind them. SIMON: Kaylee, we’re back, how’s she- SIMON sees KAYLEE sitting next to LIZZIE... who is not moving. KAYLEE, tears in her eyes, shakes her head. SIMON rushes forward as JAMES staggers. (CONTINUED)
  • 43. CONTINUED: (2) 42. JAMES: (disbelieving) Naw, naw that ain’t right. SIMON is looking over the body, checking for pulse and breathing. JAMES: (cont’d) She... she was alive! She’s fine, right? You, you’ve just gotta give her that anti-whatsit thing and-and she’ll be... SIMON looks at JAMES, his face downcast and sorry. JAMES: (cont’d) be o-okay... SIMON: I... she’s... JAMES: No! No, you said that she was gonna be alright! You said that- SIMON: (angrily) She would’ve been fine if you hadn’t removed the spike! JAMES: (angrily) She was in pain! That how you get your kicks, spacer? Leavin’ people in pain? SIMON: (indignant) I didn’t give her septic shock or a spike in the abdomen! You’re the one who ki- KAYLEE: (grabs SIMON’s shoulder) Simon! SIMON calms down a bit and follows KAYLEE. JAMES unsteadily walks over to LIZZIE’s corpse and holds it, staring in shock. KAYLEE: (cont’d) He’s grievin’, Simon. (CONTINUED)
  • 44. CONTINUED: (3) 43. SIMON: It’s his own- KAYLEE: He didn’t put the spike in. They stand in silence for a while as JAMES starts a low, wheezing sob. This continues until the radio at KAYLEE’s hip starts squawking. MAL (V.O.): Kaylee? Simon? You two ain’t kicked off yet, have you? KAYLEE: No... no we’re here, Cap’n... SIMON: (into radio) Cap’n, I... crashed the mule. We can’t use it to- MAL(V.O.): Not the best of news but not the pressin’ trouble at the moment. Got some good news. Alliance is gonna swoop in an’ try to reclaim the colony. The SURVIVORS perk up and become more animated, as do KAYLEE and SIMON. KAYLEE: That’s- that’s great! We can just wait- MAL(V.O.): Hold on now. You’re still in the middle of a Reaver-infested colony that’s about to turn into a warzone. But since the Alliance is bein’ kind enough to be loud and distractin’, we’ll be getting’ in an’ pulling you all out. SIMON: Isn’t that... somewhat risky? MAL(V.O.): Risky as gettin’ rescued and debriefed by Alliance? (CONTINUED)
  • 45. CONTINUED: (4) 44. SIMON: (pause) Noted. MAL(V.O.): Bit of trouble, though. We can’t pin your location within a klick. We need something to home in on. KAYLEE: No sweat, Cap’n, I’ll get somethin’ shiny up for you. MAL(V.O.): Good. We’ll be headin’ out soon, be ready to hoof. We’ll land close as we can and cover you. The radio clicks off, and KAYLEE hands it to SIMON. KAYLEE: I’m gonna find some flares. SIMON: I’ll make sure everyone’s set to move. They start moving. SIMON stops to look at JAMES, still holding LIZZIE. He starts to say something. JAMES: Keep walkin’, spacer. SIMON hesitates, then moves to help the SURVIVORS. 25 INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 25 RIVER is hopping all over the room, flicking switches and switching wires, with BOOK watching in amazement. BOOK: I must say, River, I didn’t know you were capable of such feats. RIVER: It’s just wires. Like arteries and veins. In here- (twists two wires together with a shower of sparks) -and out here. (pulls a toggle and the engine spins a bit faster.) (CONTINUED)
  • 46. CONTINUED: (2) 45. BOOK: Nevertheless, it is impressive. RIVER: (absently) Impressionism is a useless art. Just a lot of dots. BOOK: (humoring) Perhaps it contains hidden value. RIVER: Like Henry Evans? BOOK: (stunned, shocked, reeling) W-what!? RIVER: (offhandedly) Ran with blood on your back, song in your head. Picked up the brown, took a Book from the dead. BOOK: (shocked) River, how- what- MAL ducks into the doorway. MAL: Good, we ain’t dead yet. Something spook you Shepherd? BOOK: (struggling to keep calm) Ah, a... burst of sparks caught me unexpectedly. MAL: Well, what we’re expectin’ is trouble. Gonna be settin’ down soon, and needin’ every trigger-finger we have. Yours any good? BOOK: I... I suppose so. It’s been some time. (CONTINUED)
  • 47. CONTINUED: (3) 46. RIVER: (muttering) Four years in purple and grey. MAL: (glances at RIVER, then back to BOOK) Get yourself together and meet up in the cargo bay. Zoe’s sure to have a spare if’n you don’t have one. BOOK: Ah... yes, I’ll go ask her... BOOK leaves the room, looking anxious. MAL: (to RIVER) You all set for our big entrance? RIVER: (smiling) Dug in and ready for the charge, Cap’n. MAL: (smiles) Then get to it, Miss Tam. MAL walks out. RIVER turns back to her work, no longer smiling. RIVER: (low and serious) Talons are grasping. Won’t let go easy. 26 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE - NIGHT 26 KAYLEE is working on something, with SIMON leaning over her shoulder. SIMON: Is it ready? KAYLEE: (focused) Mmn. SIMON: (pause) What? (CONTINUED)
  • 48. CONTINUED: (2) 47. KAYLEE: Oh, sorry. Just about. Couldn’t find a flare gun though, we need to get this on the roof somehow. SIMON: I think I can get it up there. KAYLEE: Are you sure? If you want... I could probably- SIMON: It’s fine. Besides, I’ve already crashed the mule. It’d be nice if I could keep Serenity from doing the same. KAYLEE: ...Fine, but keep quiet and be careful! SIMON: When have I ever- (catches KAYLEE’s glare) ...Okay, fine. KAYLEE: I’ll call the captain and tell him the plan, just get back in fast. SIMON: Okay... (he turns towards the door, hesitates, then turns back) Kaylee, what should I say to Ja- KAYLEE: Nothin’. SIMON: But he’s- KAYLEE: Simon... there ain’t nothin’ you could jabber at him that’d bring him to trust you. So just... don’t. Leave him be. SIMON looks like he wants to argue, then strides away angrily. He approaches the door and stops to look at JAMES, who is pulling a blanket over LIZZIE as a makeshift shroud. He starts to say something, then keeps walking out into...
  • 49. 48. 27 EXT. PLANET PELIC - MARKET STREET 27 SIMON comes out of the building quietly, looking for Reavers. When none are found he starts looking around the side of the building for a way up. HE finds a ladder, which he attempts to prop against the wall, but it splinters and cracks into two pieces. SIMON: (deadpan) ...Of course. He starts arranging crates in a makeshift manner to get onto the roof. 28 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 28 KAYLEE messes with the radio, smiling when she get through. KAYLEE: Hey Wash! I cobbled together something, should be easy to see. WASH(V.O.): Great! What is it? KAYLEE: Didn’t have much time for fanciness. Just stuck a buncha flares together. Simon’s setting it up on the roof. No launcher, so keep your eye low. WASH(V.O.): I’ll tell Mal, don’t worry we’ll be there soon. KAYLEE: (relieved) Roger that. KAYLEE sets the radio down as she rouses the SURVIVORS and they gather their things. 29 INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY 29 MAL, ZOE, JAYNE and BOOK are all loading weapons and strapping on armor, preparing for a push in. ZOE: Any plans for when we’re on the ground, sir? (CONTINUED)
  • 50. CONTINUED: (2) 49. MAL: Shoot anything that’s aimin’ to kill us. ZOE: (deadpan) Brilliant, sir. Never would’ve thought of that. JAYNE: (priming a rifle) Still could make tracks for Persephone. Be getting’ laid instead’a getting’ shot. BOOK: (sternly) And leave our comrades in danger? JAYNE: (huffs) Little Kaylee may’n be right good ’round an engine but the doc’s no friend’a mine. MAL: (with a dangerous tone) Jayne. Jaw again ’bout leavin’ crew behind and we’ll be more’n happy to oblige you. JAYNE opens his mouth, to which MAL cocks his head slightly and glares. JAYNE wavers and breaks eye contact, grumbling to himself in Chinese. WASH(V.O.): Hey Mal, Kaylee’s got a signal set. MAL: Good. What’re we looking for? WASH: Said she didn’t have much on hand so she just tied a bunch of flare together and they’re settin’ up on the roof- MAL lunges for the comm as ZOEY and JAYNE look on in shock. MAL: What’re they doin’!? (CONTINUED)
  • 51. CONTINUED: (3) 50. WASH(V.O.): They’re putting some flares up- MAL: S¯ısh¯engzˇı de hòudài méidú xìng luòtuó! What are they thinking?! 30 EXT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE ROOFTOP 30 SIMON, grunting from exertion, leaps up, catching the edge of the roof as the crates stacked below tumble down in disarray. SIMON winces at the sound but pulls himself up. 31 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 31 ZOEY: (quickly) Sir, we need to move now. MAL: (to intercom) Wash! Get us in the air! WASH(V.O.): (confused) But the Alliance isn’t attacking- MAL: The Reavers will be! We need to get in fast! (To the assembled fighters) Load up, now. We’re ’bout to have a lot of unwelcome boarders. 32 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 32 WASH hits a bunch of switches, pulling the ship up out of the rocky outcrop. 33 EXT. PLANET PELIC - ROCKY OUTCROP 33 SERENITY rises from its hidden position, turning quickly and speeding off towards the colony. 34 EXT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE ROOF 34 SIMON pulls the flares from his coat and sets them up on the roof, making sure they’re steady. He fumbles with the igniting agent but manages to light its fuse, scrambling away to safety as the flares erupt in brilliant red light. SIMON looks at the flares in surprise, stunned that they worked. He smiles slowly, and sees SERENITY closing in off in the distance. He laughs in exultation and relief. (CONTINUED)
  • 52. CONTINUED: (2) 51. SIMON: (joyous and relieved) Hahaha! Yes! YES! We’re over here, you magnificent- Just then, a great howl rises in the colony streets. SIMON looks down to see REAVERS starting to edge out of the shadows and alleyways, all staring towards the light of the flare. SIMON’s exultant face turns to one of dread. SIMON: (cont’d) Uh... The REAVERS keep appearing, until a veritable swarm are visible, with many still slowly prowling out of the shadows. They begin to edge towards the flares, obviously seeing the flare. SIMON: (cont’d) ...Son of a bitch! BLACK OUT END OF ACT THREE ACT FOUR 35 INT. PLANET PELIC - GENERAL STORE 35 SIMON careens through the front door, slamming it shut behind him. The light of the flares flicker through the windows, illuminating disturbing shadows as the screeches outside draw closer. KAYLEE: Simon! What happened? SIMON: (panicked) We have to go! Now! KAYLEE: What d’you me- She is interrupted by the breaking of the front window as a harpoon rockets through, embedding in the back wall above the huddled SURVIVORS. SIMON: Everyone, out the back! The door shudders as something heavy slams into it, cracking the edges. KAYLEE gathers the survivors and they flee out the back. SIMON follows, grabbing JAMES by the shoulder. (CONTINUED)
  • 53. CONTINUED: (2) 52. SIMON: (cont’d) Come on! JAMES: Get offa me you- SIMON: (exasperated) Dirty filthy spacer, yes, I get it, now RUN! They dart out the back just as the door splinters and REAVERS pour into the building. 36 EXT. PLANET PELIC - BACK ALLEY 36 SIMON and JAMES emerge to see KAYLEE and the survivors cowering as REAVERS at one end of the alley start to close in. There are four SURVIVORS, one man on makeshift crutch, one woman supporting another limping man, and one able-bodied woman. All are terrified. SIMON: Keep moving! KAYLEE: (panicking) Where? Serenity- SIMON: Is on its way! I saw it flying towards us, the captain- SIMON is interrupted by a loud WOOSH as Serenity passes overhead, heading east. SIMON: (cont’d) There! Follow that ship! Go! Everyone rushes off, though JAMES gives SIMON a glare before moving to the fore with his shotgun. 37 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 37 WASH has spotted the flare and is looking for the closest place to land, settling on a nearby square. WASH: (into comms) Hey Mal, we’re setting down. They’ll be west of us, quarter-click. Try not to die, it’d ruin my day.
  • 54. 53. 38 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 38 MAL leans on the comm. MAL: Shiny. Make sure we’re ready for a quick exit. MAL turns to BOOK, ZOE and JAYNE, all of whom are making final preparations. MAL: (cont’d) We play it safe. No time for fanciness. Gonna take Zoe to find em, you all keep us clear. They’re gonna be lookin’ for noise and lights, so don’t oblige ’em. MAL turns to the cargo bay door. Wordlessly, he pounds on the button, beginning its opening sequence. 39 EXT. PLANET PELIC - BACK ALLEY 39 SIMON, KAYLEE, JAMES and the SURVIVORS are all pushing towards SERENITY in the direction they saw it land. They move wordlessly, emitting stifled gasps and grunts as they try to quietly and quickly move past the REAVERS. This tactic proves to have failed, however, as a REAVER leaps out of the shadows to gut the able-bodied SURVIVOR woman. She screams in pain and slumps to the ground. The REAVER turns to attack the group but is felled by JAMES’ shotgun. JAMES: Damn it! SIMON tries to move to the downed woman but JAMES pushes him back. JAMES: (cont’d) I ain’t lettin’ you slow us down with the dead, spacer! Move! SIMON looks like he wants to argue, but a howl comes from down the alley. SIMON hesitates, looking at the woman, who is obviously beyond help. He groans in frustration and follows JAMES down the alley. The group continues to run as REAVERS start to emerge behind them. One comes out in a rush to grab the SURVIVOR on a crutch. (CONTINUED)
  • 55. CONTINUED: (2) 54. SURVIVOR: Aaaaaah! No! Get off! The REAVER knocks away the crutch and starts dragging the SURVIVOR back down the alley. The SURVIVOR screams horrifically, but the rest of the group continues, though everyone but JAMES looks shaken. The group emerges between two buildings, and SERENITY can be seen over the top of the buildings. SIMON: There! We’re almost there! They attempt to skirt around the side of the building, and hear the opening sounds of gunfire. KAYLEE: Tzao gao... SIMON: Okay... (he glaces at the SURVIVORS) You two go on with KAYLEE. The people on that ship know we’re coming so they’ll keep you safe. The SURVIVORS look uncertain, as does KAYLEE. KAYLEE: (worried) Simon, are you- SIMON: I’m just going to cover you, don’t worry. No stupid heroics. KAYLEE is still uncertain, but nods and ushers the last two survivors out of the alley. SIMON: (cont’d) (turning to face the back of the alley) Okay... I guess we just- He is interrupted as JAMES punches him across the face with a snarl. SIMON lands hard, dazed, and unable to dodge as JAMES sticks a knife in his gut. SIMON screams.
  • 56. 55. 40 INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 40 RIVER stops working on the engine, looking out the door in rage. RIVER: Simon! She rushes out of the room, leaving wires dangling. 41 EXT. PLANET PELIC - BACK ALLEY 41 SIMON continues to scream in pain. Down the alley, the gibbering of REAVERS can be heard. JAMES presses down on top of SIMON, keeping him pinned. JAMES: (fiercely) Hear that, spacer? They’re comin’ now. They’ll kill us both, and it’ll hurt. I hope they skin you alive. SIMON: (groaning in pain) W-why? We c-could’ve gotten away! JAMES: (snarls) What, to the Black? There’s nothin’ there, spacer! You can’t make your life on anywhere but solid ground, and you took mine when you let my wife die! And if she ain’t leavin’ this planet, neither am I, and neither are y- JAMES is interrupted by a length of wood striking the side of his face, rolling him off SIMON and a few feet down the alley, dazed. He struggles to his feet to see KAYLEE helping SIMON up, discarding a broken plank. JAMES snarls and raises his shotgun. JAMES: (cont’d) (enraged) None... of you... are leavin’! He is about to fire when a REAVER jumps on his back. He throws it off, but is borne to the ground by another, then another, until he is pinned and screaming under the weight of the REAVERS charging out of the back alley. (CONTINUED)
  • 57. CONTINUED: (2) 56. KAYLEE: (in shock) I... I didn’t mean to... SIMON: (struggling to his feet) You... didn’t. KAYLEE: But... They are interrupted as MAL and ZOE round the corner. MAL: There yo- woah! (seeing the REAVERS at the end of the alley) SIMON: (coughing) Captain! Am I gl- ZOE: Doc, may I suggest we save the tearful reunion for when we aren’t in danger of skin-flaying? Without another word, they all run out of the alley, leaving the now-dead JAMES to be devoured. 42 EXT. PLANET PELIC - TOWN SQUARE 42 SERENITY squats in the middle of the square, cargo doors open. REAVERS are approaching the ship, but are being held off by JAYNE and BOOK. MAL, ZOE, SIMON and KAYLEE are all running (or limping) toward the ship, fending off REAVERS, who are coming in with increasing numbers. SIMON: I’m slowing you down. MAL: No, you’re not. SIMON: You should just get to safety- MAL: No, really? (CONTINUED)
  • 58. CONTINUED: (2) 57. SIMON: Just leave me be- KAYLEE slaps SIMON. SIMON, MAL and ZOE look at her incredulously. KAYLEE: (angrily) Shut up! We’re all gettin’ outta here! SIMON gapes, then nods. At that moment, the REAVERS thicken, slowing their progress. On the cargo ramp, JAYNE and BOOK look on while the two SURVIVORS from before huddle in fear. BOOK: Their numbers are increasing! JAYNE: Gorramit, we should pull out we have skins of our own! BOOK: We cannot leave our friends in danger! JAYNE: You can’t, but I ain’t- As JAYNE and BOOK argue, RIVER runs into the cargo bay, scooping up a rifle and spinning it into a ready position in a graceful, fluid motion. JAYNE and BOOK notice and dive out of her line of fire just as she begins to shoot the REAVERS surrounding the fleeing group with impeccable accuracy. MAL and the group seize the advantage, running back to the ship. MAL glares at RIVER as he comes up the ramp, seeing the gun. MAL: What the hell do you think you’re doin’? RIVER: (brightly as SIMON and KAYLEE get aboard) Dragonslaying! MAL shakes his head and hammers the control panel on the door, retracting the ramp. A REAVER leaps onto the lip but MAL shoots it. He turns to the comm. (CONTINUED)
  • 59. CONTINUED: (3) 58. MAL: Wash! Burn that fuel like it’s hellfire and get us outta here! 43 EXT. PLANET PELIC - COLONY OVERVIEW 43 SERENITY slowly lifts off and starts flying out of the city. In the streets, four points of light appear, marking where the REAVER SHIPS are landed as they power on. 44 INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY 44 SIMON tries to limp toward the back of the bay, but falls over, utterly exhausted and bleeding. ZOE: Doc? Doc! KAYLEE: He got stabbed back in the alley... MAL: Zoe, Book, get him to the infir- RIVER: I’ll do it. MAL gives RIVER a look, then turns to BOOK. MAL: Help her. (to KAYLEE) I know you’ve gone through a lot, but we need you on the engine. KAYLEE: (nods) Okay, Cap’n. MAL: Alright, now- WASH (V.O.): Uh, Mal? I think our host are taking offense to our hasty departure. MAL: On my way.
  • 60. 59. 45 INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE 45 MAL rushes in as WASH is flipping controls. MAL: How far? WASH: We’ve got a good start, but they’re picking up speed fast. MAL: Well, can we- The vidcom crackles to life, revealing a very angry COMMANDER HARKEN. HARKEN: Captain Reynolds, you are in direct opposition to an Alliance operation, putting the liberation of the Pelic colony at risk- MAL: Commander, now ain’t a good time. HARKEN: And why is that? MAL: ’Cause we rescued our people and two other colonists and are goin’ hell for leather out of atmo with three Reaver ships on our hindlegs. HARKEN: (surprised, looks off screen to confirm) ...Maintain course, Captain. MAL: Are you moonbrained, Harken? They’ll be on us. HARKEN: Captain, I could blow you out of the sky with a word. But for the sake of your crew and your ship, I ask that you trust us. MAL: ...Fine. (CONTINUED)
  • 61. CONTINUED: (2) 60. WASH: So, what, do we try to- MAL: Keep course. WASH: (shocked) What? The Reaver’ll- MAL: Can’t outrun ’em, and the chances of us pullin’ an Ivan on one aren’t great. On four? Slim to none. We don’t have many other options. WASH wants to argue, but can’t find a rebuke, so sullenly continues course. A moment later, there’s a green flash as six ALLIANCE GUNSHIPS swoop past SERENITY, engaging the REAVER SHIPS. MAL: (cont’d) Huh. Never thought I’d be glad to see Alliance birds swoopin’ in. WASH: Breaking atmo in ten seconds. MAL: Alright then. Let’s moon ’em. SERENITY drifts up out of atmo. Below, flashes can be seen where the ALLIANCE GUNSHIPS are attacking the REAVER SHIPS. The Tohoku-class cruiser can be seen in the distance, as well as the moon AUTARK. SERENITY turns towards deep space, lights its tail, and blasts off into the Black. 46 INT. SERENITY - INFIRMARY 46 SIMON is on the operating area. He slowly comes to, muzzily at first, then eyes widening quickly as he tries to sit up, catching the attention of INARA, washing her hands in the sink. INARA: Easy! Easy Simon, you’re safe now. SIMON: (groggily) We’re... we’re safe? (CONTINUED)
  • 62. CONTINUED: (2) 61. INARA: (nods) We got away, and the colony is well behind us. The Alliance actually took care of the Reavers that tried to follow. SIMON: Huh... Never figured I’d be thankful for the Alliance’s help again... MAL: (entering) I found myself thinking much the same. SIMON: Captain. (pauses) Did the others make it? MAL: They did. They were banged up, but I reckon once our doc’s recovered, they’ll be receivin’ some top-shelf care. SIMON: (smiles thinly) Yeah. (looks down at wound, neatly stitched over) Good work. Has someone on the crew been holding out on me? MAL: Often, yes. But in that case, your sister s4tepped up and did your fixin’. SIMON bolts upright, groaning in pain but eyes wide in shock. SIMON: (shocked) River!? INARA: She was amazing, Simon. She pulled you in with Book and started on your wounds right away. I just played nurse to her surgeon. (CONTINUED)
  • 63. CONTINUED: (3) 62. MAL: Ain’t the first time, I’d wager. (holds up his hands in placation as INARA glares, then turns back to SIMON) She also filled for Kaylee in engineerin’. Must say, we were all mighty impressed. When’d your sister learn herself how be fixin’ ships and people? SIMON: (stunned) I... I never knew she did. MAL: Hm. Well, glad to have you back on, doc. INARA: I’m going to go check on Kaylee and the others. Call if you need anything, all right? SIMON: (nods) Yeah, thanks. INARA walks out, leaving MAL and SIMON. MAL: Kaylee told me bout’ some of your heroics. SIMON: (shakes his head) I’m no hero, Captain. Only two of the colonists made it. MAL: Two more than would’ve if you hadn’t been there. SIMON: But I couldn’t save- MAL: Doc, you can’t save everyone. Believe me, I’ve tried. End of the day, if you’re still flyin’ and your crew’s alright, it’s a good day. (CONTINUED)
  • 64. CONTINUED: (4) 63. SIMON: But- MAL: I ain’t hearin’ it. You got off this mornin’ lookin’ to prove useful. I’d say you proved you can do just fine. May be that you didn’t save everyone, but you have the right to think of the ones you did save. You rescued who you could and you pulled your crewmate through a tight spot, worse’n most ever see. Take the win, doc. SIMON: (realizing) Kaylee! Is she alright? Was she hurt? MAL: She’s... well, she ain’t wounded in body. Think that it got to her, though. She ain’t talkin’ about it. Now rest up. Lotta people need tendin’ to, so you’d best get better and get to your work. (gives SIMON an approving nod) Later, Simon. MAL walks out, leaving a SIMON slightly surprised at hearing MAL call him by his name rather than ’doc’. He relaxes, looking up at the ceiling in thought. 47 INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM 47 KAYLEE is wandering around the engine room, working efficiently but without her normal, chipper energy. She finishes everything to her satisfaction. She sits down in the corner near the door, looking at the engine blankly, trying to settle back into the comfort of Serenity. The day catches up with her though, and she starts crying, huddling in the corner, head between her knees. After a moment, she looks up to see RIVER standing quietly in the doorway. RIVER looks at KAYLEE sadly, and then gets down on her knees next to her, wrapping her arms around her in a tight hug, to KAYLEE’s surprise. RIVER: Thank you. For bringing him back. (CONTINUED)
  • 65. CONTINUED: (2) 64. KAYLEE is stunned, and RIVER holds the hug for a moment, then rises and softly exits. KAYLEE stares after her, before moving across to her hammock, out of frame. The shot slowly draws out into the corridor, where we see RIVER walking. She stops and cocks her head, listening. After a moment, music sounds from KAYLEE’s record player, and RIVER smiles and moves off frame. BLACK OUT END OF SHOW