Firefly 1AGE02 - Bushwhacked

8/12/2019 Firefly 1AGE02 - Bushwhacked

1/57

Episode #: 1AGE02

Story #: E01726

Firefly

Bushwhacked

Written by:

Tim Minear

Directed by:

Tim Minear

SHOOTING SCRIPT: July 18, 2002


2/57

FIREFLY *

Bushwhacked

TEASER

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY1 1

BANG! MAL lands hard against a wall. Ouch. He's sweaty, out ofbreath. We're in the middle of some violence. Now a winded Zoeappears, coming to his aid.

MALWe're dead.

ZOEI believe we still have a shot,sir.

MALHaven't really learned a terriblelot about losing -- have you, Zoe?

ZOEOnly since I've been under yourcommand, Sir.

MALFair.

She pulls him back into the fray of a BASKETBALL GAME. Or someraucous, post-modern version of one, anyway. Book joins themas they head back into it --

BOOKI think we've got 'em on the runnow!

MALOur cunning strategy of gettingour asses plainly whooped must bestarting to confound 'em.

The teams are: MAL, ZOE, BOOK versus JAYNE, KAYLEE, WASH. It'sa messy free-for-all, with everyone pretty much all over theplace. Kaylee has the ball, gets past Mal, passes over toWash. Wash shoots to a sideways hoop which hangs high,connected to the hoist chain. Scores!

Mal goes after the ball, but Jayne barrels through, steals it,drives past Book, past Zoe, passes the ball back to Wash. Washdribbles, looks for an opening.

(CONTINUED)


3/57

WASHSomebody cover my wife.

JAYNE(has appeared at his side)

Everytime you ain't lookin'.

Jayne moves off. Wash to Kaylee:

WASHHe's dampening my team spirit.

Kaylee has noticed --

-- SIMON appears on the uppermost catwalk level with RIVER.Here to watch. Kaylee sees him, grins. Simon smiles.

KAYLEEGimme the ball.

He does. She drives forward, Mal tries to intercept, but shesidesteps him. He goes sprawling. Kaylee, intensely aware ofthe handsome doctor watching, shoots -- scores!

MAL(aside to Zoe)

Don't s'pose I could threaten toput her off the boat, she doesthat again?

ZOE

You could, Sir. But she's the onlyone who knows how anything works.

MALThere's a point.

The bash and crash of the game resumes. Jayne gets the ball,passes it, but Zoe intercepts. It's keep-away time.

INARA emerges from her shuttle. Smiles at the camaraderie.

Wash scoops up the ball. Zoe is hot on him. Kaylee clatters toan upper level. Wash passes over Zoe's head, Kaylee catches

the ball. Mal tears off after her, coming up the steps, gonnaget her from behind.

KAYLEEAh! Jayne!

Jayne runs up, gets under Kaylee and she climbs up on hisshoulders. She just escapes Mal. As she rides Jayne toward thehoop, she sees --

FIREFLY Bushwhacked (SHOOTING SCRIPT) 7/18/2002 2.

CONTINUED:1 1

(CONTINUED)


4/57

-- Inara is moving along the catwalk, over to:

SIMONHello.

Kaylee shoots. Misses. Badly. The rest of the players dive in.

The chaos is on again, as above... Inara stands next to Simon.They both watch the game.

INARAWho's winning?

SIMONI can't really tell... they don'tseem to be playing by anycivilized rules that I know.

INARAWell, this far out, you kind ofmake your own.

She glances over at River who seems delighted with the gameunfolding below her, but we can just see that her mouth ismoving, muttering to herself...

INARA (contd)How is she?

SIMONShe's... good. Better. She has herdays.

INARADon't we all.

SIMONThere're even moments when sheseems like the little sister Iused to know... but then itpasses. She still won't talk aboutwhat it was they did to her at theAcademy.

INARA

Perhaps she's not sure herself.

SIMONShe dreams about it. I know thatmuch. Nightmares. I can't begin toimagine what the government...

(then)You know I supported Unification?


CONTINUED: (2)1 1

(CONTINUED)


5/57

INARASo did I.

SIMONI believed everything they toldus. How The Alliance would solve

our problems. Right the wrongs. Iwanted to be a part of that.

INARAThings are better for a greatmany.

SIMONIt would have been unthinkable,three years ago, that I'd be on aship like this, with people likethat.

INARAThey're good people.

SIMONYes. And I'm grateful. Verygrateful that Captain Reynolds hasallowed us to remain on board. Ijust... I don't know if I'll beable to help her here. And I needto help her.

INARA

Simon. You are. I think yoursister understands what you riskedto rescue her from that place...leaving your whole world behind.That was incredibly selfless.

SIMONI "selflessly" turned us both intowanted fugitives.

INARA(a wistful smile)

Well. We're all running from

something, I suppose.

He looks at her, curious. She doesn't expound. But her wisesmile hints at something. The moment is interrupted by anELECTRONIC BEEPING, an alert.

The game is halted as everyone reacts to the BEEPING.


CONTINUED: (3)1 1

(CONTINUED)


6/57

ZOEProximity alert. Must be comin' upon somethin'...

WASHOh, gawd! What could it beee?

We're dooomed! Who's flyin' thisthing?

(then, deadpan)Oh. Right. That'd be me. Back towork.

He tosses the ball to the others, heads off.

KAYLEEHey, guess that leaves us a manshort, don't it?

JAYNELittle Kaylee's always a "manshort."

Kaylee slugs Jayne in the arm as she calls up to:

KAYLEESay, Doc? Why don't you come ondown, play for our side. Inarawon't mind.

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE2 2

Wash arrives on the bridge, the proximity alert still beeping.Through the cockpit window --

A DERELICT SHIP

A vessel about the size of Serenity, eerily rolling in place.

Wash slides into the pilot's seat, absently switches off thealert, leans forward peering through the window to get abetter look at the... DEAD BODY that lolls into view, directlyin front of him. Eyes just black staring sockets in a pruned-up purple face, mouth stretched back in a grimace. Wash

recoils with a start, instinctively grabs the controls andbanks the ship hard.


Simon is coming down the metal steps as the ship lurches.Simon grabs hold of the rail, manages not to take a tumble.Everyone reacts to the sudden shift --


CONTINUED: (4)1 1


7/57


The entire gang, Mal leading, appears.

MAL

Wash, you have a stroke orsomething?

WASHNear enough.

ZOEWhat happened...?

She trails off as they all now see the Derelict Ship.

JAYNE(in Chinese)

Mother of god. [Wuh de ma.]

MALAnyone home?

WASHBeen hailing her. But if whoever'sthere's as healthy as the guy wejust ran over, can't imaginethey'll be pickin' up.

MAL

Bring us in a little closer.WASH

Get you close enough to ring thedoorbell.

SIMONWhat is it?

Everyone craning to get a good look now at the dead ship justrolling, rolling... We move past this discussion to find...

...River who has pressed herself tight against the wall in the

foredeck hall, just outside the cockpit. From where she is shecan't see the ship, and still she says to herself:

RIVERGhosts.

Off that --

BLACK OUT.END OF TEASER



8/57

ACT ONE


Where we left off. Everyone eyeing the DERELICT SHIP silently

spinning in the distance.

MALSo what do we figure? Transportship?

WASH(nods)

Converted cargo hauler or shortrange scow, maybe.

KAYLEEYou can see she don't wanna beparked like that. Port thrust'sgone, which is makin' her spinlike she is.

SIMONA short range vessel? This far outinto space?

WASHRetrofitted to carry passengers.

ZOE

Travellers pick 'em up cheap atgovernment auction. A fewmodifications and they serve wellenough for a one-way push to theouter planets.

BOOK(realizing)

Settlers.

WASHProbably squeeze fifteen, maybetwenty families on a boat that

size, you pack 'em tight enough.

INARAFamilies...


(CONTINUED)


9/57

JAYNETell you what I think. I figurethat fella we ran into dideveryone on board, killed 'em all,then decided to go for a swim, seehow fast his blood'd boil out his

ears.

WASHYou're a very "up" person.

BOOKShouldn't we report this?

MALTo who? Alliance? Right, 'causethey're gonna run right out herelickety-split, make sure thesetaxpayers are okay.

BOOKThen we'll have to.

JAYNERudderless boat this far out,probably canned fish by now.

KAYLEEYou can't know that for sure.

JAYNE

If there's folks in need of help,why ain't they beaming no distresscall?

ZOE(to Mal)

It's true. There's no beacon.

MAL(taking her meaning)

Which means it's likely nobody'slooking to find 'er.

BOOKAll the more reason for us to dothe right thing.

JAYNEHow 'bout you just say a prayerwhile we slide on by? That oughtado it.


CONTINUED:5 5

(CONTINUED)


10/57

BOOKShall I remind you of the story ofthe Good Samaritan?

MALRather you didn't.

(then)But we will check it out.

JAYNESo we a search and rescue tug now?

MALNo. But the Shepherd's not wrong.Could be survivors. And if not,well -- then no one's gonna mindif we take a look around, see ifthere's not something of valuethey might've left behind.

JAYNE(hadn't thought of that)

Right. Yeah... No. Someone couldbe hurt.

MAL(as he goes)

Wash, hook us up.

EXT. SPACE6 6

Serenity is piloted in close, locks into the spin-cycle of thederelict ship. Ka-chunk -- Serenity's airlock latches onto theother ship's standard matching bulkhead.

As it does, WE SEE a web of insect like electronic tentaclesattach themselves at the seam. RED LIGHTS within this weirdnetwork start blinking...


Simon appears, entering. He's carrying his portable med-kit.

He slows and stops as he sees --

SIMON'S POV

Over near the airlock, Mal and Zoe suiting up (there areseveral spacesuits hanging there), going through the checklistas they prepare to board the derelict.

JAYNE (O.S.)Where you think you're headed?


CONTINUED: (2)5 5

(CONTINUED)


11/57

Jayne is there, stepping up behind Simon. We see he's loadingZoe's shotgun, prepping weapons.

SIMONI thought I'd offer my services,in case anyone on board required

medical attention.

JAYNEYeah, well, Cap and Zoe are goingin first. We'll holler if we needya.

Simon's not looking at Jayne, a bit spellbound, watching asMal and Zoe pull on their helmets. Jayne reads Simon'sdiscomfort at the suits, smiles.

JAYNE (contd)Somethin' wrong?

SIMONHmmm? Oh. No. I... I suppose it'sjust the thought of a little mylarand glass being the only thingseparating a person from...nothing.

JAYNEImpressive what "nothing" can doto a man. Like that feller webumped into. Yeah. He's likely

stuck up under our belly aboutnow. That's what space trash does,ya know. Kinda latches onto thefirst big somethin' stops longenough. Hey -- now that'd be a bitlike you and your sister, wouldn'tit?

Jayne works the pump action on the shotgun. Cha-chunk. Hecrosses off, toward Mal and Zoe. Off Simon --

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY/AIRLOCK8 8

Mal's gloved hand hits the airlock control button. WHOOSH. Thedoor opens. Mal and Zoe, fully suited and armed, step into theairlock. The door closes behind them.

INT. SERENITY - AIRLOCK9 9

Mal speaks to Wash through the com-link in his suit.


CONTINUED:7 7

(CONTINUED)


12/57

MALOkay, Wash. Ask Serenity to knockfor us.

WASH (O.S.)Just as nice as you please...

A light on the derelict's airlock door goes from RED to GREEN.WHOOSH. It opens. A beat. Mal and Zoe fire up theirflashlights, enter into --

INT. DERELICT10 10

They take a few steps and -- THUNK. The airlock door shutsautomatically behind them. The ship is running on emergencypower only. Footlights marking the way. Mal and Zoe move withcaution, their weapons at the ready. As they go:

MALEmergency power's up. Dashboardlight.

We move with them as they step carefully down the darkpassageways. They pass an abandoned child's TRICYCLE. Share alook, keep moving, to

INT. DERELICT - MESS HALL11 11

Mal and Zoe enter. They both stop, look to --

-- cafeteria style. Several tables set up. A high chair hereand there. Slop counter with sneeze guard. And here's what'sweird -- plates of food in various states of being consumed.Big ladles still buried in (gnarly old looking) grub in thetins behind the slop counter. Evidence that folks were in linewith trays.

MALWhatever happened here happenedquick.

Zoe nods. Mal starts moving again. Zoe follows, to --

INT. DERELICT - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS12 12

They enter the bridge -- more of the same, basically: a bookis open, coffee cup, some board game in mid-play, etc. Morepersonal detail which suggests habitation. But no people. Zoelooks at the controls, computers, etc.


CONTINUED:9 9

(CONTINUED)


13/57

ZOEEverything was left on... Shippowered down on its own.

(continues looking)No sign of struggle. Just --

MAL-- gone.

As Zoe moves to the control panels:

ZOE(seeing something)

Sir.

He moves to her.

ZOE (contd)Personal log. Someone was in themiddle of an entry --

Her look says "shall I?" Mal nods. Zoe hits the log button --and the screen BURSTS with EAR PIERCING STATIC.

INT. SERENITY - RIVER'S QUARTERS13 13

River sits up INTO FRAME, sweaty and freaked -- GASPS.

Simon pushes into her room, never far from her. He moves toher bed, kneels down.

SIMONShhh. It's okay. I'm here. Baddreams again?

RIVER(shakes her head "no")

No. Can't sleep. Too muchscreaming.

He looks at her, his sadness for her state right there on hisface. Gently:

SIMONRiver. There is no screaming.

She looks at him, utterly lucid, and says, darkly:

RIVERThere was.

He holds her look for a beat. He starts a bit at --


CONTINUED:12 12

(CONTINUED)


14/57

JAYNEGrab your medkit and let's hoofit. Mal wants us both over thereon the double.

Jayne is at the door, loading (yet another) weapon.

SIMONThey've found survivors?

JAYNE(shrugs)

Didn't say.

SIMONRight.

(torn)I'll ask Inara to look in onRiver.

JAYNEYeah, whatever. I ain't waiting.

(as he goes)Meet you over there. But don'ttake forever. Still gotta getsuited up.

And he exits. Off Simon --

INT. DERELICT14 14

The airlock door opens revealing... SIMON. All packed into oneof the suits. He loathes this. He looks into the dark, creepyderelict. Hesitates. Finally he steps across the threshold.

WHOMP. The door shuts behind him. His breathing becomes morerapid.

As he moves, we play a lot of this from his point of view...through the face plate of the helmet... that thin, transparentsliver of life. The building rhythm of his BREATHINGpractically scoring this sequence.


As Simon continues his tense passage.

INT. DERELICT - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS16 16

Simon comes around a corner, sees -- Mal, Zoe, Jayne andKaylee.


CONTINUED:13 13

(CONTINUED)


15/57

All of them space-suit-and-helmet-less, having a conversationhe can't hear. Simon reacts. So do the others. Bemused, Simonclutches at his helmet. It's not coming off. Kaylee runs tohim, helps him with it. He's gasping for breath. Before Simoncan ask anything --

MAL

What are you doing here?(also)

And what's with the suit?

Simon glances over to Jayne who's trying to stifle his galesof laughter. Simon's furious, humiliated.

SIMON(glaring at Jayne)

Oh, you're hilarious. Sadist.

MAL(forces back his ownsmile)

Alright. That's enough. We ain'tgot time for games.

(to Simon)Long as you're here, you might aswell lend a hand. You can run withKaylee.

He tosses Simon a canvas loot bag. (Mal and the others alsohave their portable salvage kits with them now.)

MAL (contd)

Let's do this quick, people.Coupla loads each. No need to begreedy.

SIMONWhere are all the people?

MALShip says the lifeboat launchedmore'n a week ago. We're gonnaassume everyone got off okay.Anyway, we're just here to pickthe bones. You two start in the

engine room. Jayne, take thegalley.

They head off. As they go:

KAYLEE(re: helmet)

You had this on wrong.


CONTINUED:16 16

(CONTINUED)


16/57

That's kind of a horrible thought. Simon blanches. Makes Jaynelaugh all the harder. Once Mal and Zoe are alone:

ZOESir... I count sixteen familiessigned on. Lifeboat wouldn't hold

a third of that.

MALI know.

(into transmitter)Wash? Any luck?

INTERCUT WITH:

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE - CONTINUOUS17 17

Up on the screen, ship schematics. Wash scrolls through.

WASHThink I found something prettywell matches that class. Layoutlooks about right. Seems to me anyvaluables, if there are any,likely be stored somewhere in C-deck, aft.

MAL (O.S.)Good work. Keep the motor running.

Won't be long.Wash signs off, leans back/swivels in his chair. Sees Bookstanding in the doorway behind him.

BOOKCan't say I much care for thisbusiness.

WASHIt's abandoned, Shepherd.

BOOK

And if that's the result of someviolence? What if that ship's acrime scene?

WASHWell -- if it wasn't before, itcertainly is now.

Book smiles unhappily at the attitude.


CONTINUED: (2)16 16


17/57

INT. SERENITY - PASSAGEWAYS18 18

Inara approaches River's quarters with a tray of food. Knocks.No answer.

INARARiver? It's Inara. Are you hungry,sweetie?

She pushes the door open...

INARA (contd)I brought you a little...

Inara reacts. The room is empty.

INARA (contd)River?

Off the empty room --

INT. DERELICT - AIRLOCK19 19

The door opens with a WHOOSH, revealing River. The gust fromthe door gently blowing her hair. She seems to be in an almosttrance-like state. Barefoot, she pads onto the derelict ship.

INT. DERELICT - PASSAGEWAYS20 20

Mal and Zoe arrive at a storage door.

MALThis'd be it.

ZOE(tries it)

Locked.

MALWell -- now I'd say that's like tobe a very good sign.

He brings up a mini-blow torch. Sparks it.

INT. DERELICT - ENGINE ROOM21 21

Kaylee and Simon going through the engine room. Kayleeexamines the machinery.


(CONTINUED)


18/57

SIMONAren't you the least bit curious?

KAYLEE'bout what?

SIMONWell -- what happened here. Whywould anyone abandon their ship inthe middle of nowhere like this?

KAYLEEOh, all sorts of reasons...

(as she realizes)Just... not mechanical...

SIMONWhat?

KAYLEE(a little surprised)

Well.. there ain't nothing wrongwith this. Not that I can see,anyhow. Some of this's like new.

SIMONWell, that makes it even more...

KAYLEE(brightening)

Oooh, here's a good'n!

(as she pries away)Hold the bag open.

She starts tossing pieces in, as --


Jayne tears the place apart, loading up, and snacking. Hepauses, thinks he senses something. Takes out his gun... movesto the door. Nothing. He resumes his work, as --


River haunts this place like a ghost herself, drifting along,drawn by something --

INT. DERELICT - STORAGE ROOM24 24

THUNK. The blow-torched door falls forward. Mal and Zoe enter.Very dim light in here. They use their flashlights.


CONTINUED:21 21

(CONTINUED)


19/57

Zoe whips a tarp off some crates, cracks one open. Within,family photo albums, heirlooms, like that. She runs her lightalong the front of the other crates -- various FAMILY NAMESemblazoned there. All personal stuff.

MAL

Here --

Zoe joins him. Their FLASHLIGHT BEAMS illuminate stacks ofgovernment issue terraforming supplement materials. They areemblazoned with the AngloSino insignia of the Alliance.

MAL (contd)Gen-seed, protein, cropsupplements. Everything a growingfamily needs for a fresh start ona new world.

ZOEHard subsidies for fourteen plusfamilies... that's...

MAL...about a fortune.

(rising)We forget the rest and just takethis stuff. We'll need a handhauling it out of here.

ZOESir... even on a lifeboat. You'd

think those who escaped would havefound room for some of this.

MAL(looking past her)

No one escaped...

ZOESir?

MALI'm feelin' like nobody left thisboat. Nobody...

She turns to see what he's looking at... Standing in thestorage room doorway is...

RIVER. She seems to not even notice the two of them, herattention is directed above them. Mal turns, aims hisflashlight upward, way up, into an overhead shaft. Zoe reactswith disgust...

THE BODIES


CONTINUED:24 24

(CONTINUED)


20/57

are strung up from the ceiling. Three clumps of twisted flesh.The skin pale, almost luminescent (the bits of it we do see.)

ZOEThere's no blood. Not a dropanywhere...

MALJust our luck! [Jen dao mei!]

(pulls transmitter)I know what did this.

River starts to wander in.

MAL (contd)(re: River)

Keep her out of here.

Zoe moves to do that, as --

MAL (contd)(into transmitter)

Jayne --


Jayne gorges and gathers -- Mal's voice from his transmitter.

MAL (O.S.)Jayne -- drop what you're doing

and get to the engine room. I wantyou to take Kaylee and the doctoroff this boat.

Jayne reaches for it, his mouth is full. He swallows, puts thetransmitter to his mouth -- but that's when the attack comes.The THING that ATTACKS him from behind is a BLUR. It comes sofast, so violently, he never had a chance to respond at all.Off his fallen transmitter and Mal's voice:

MAL (O.S.)(contd)Jayne? Jayne, do you read? Jayne?!

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT ONE


CONTINUED: (2)24 24


21/57

ACT TWO

EXT. SPACE26 26

Serenity still attached to the rotating derelict, as --


Wash sits up straight in his chair as he hears MUFFLED GUNFIREover the two-way. He pounds on the mic --

WASHCaptain? Captain?

(then)Zoe?

More GUNFIRE.


Mal and Zoe, who is steering River by the shoulders, emerge.Mal has his gun out. So does Zoe.

ZOECame from above, Sir.

MALGalley --

They start to move but nearly collide with --

SIMON AND KAYLEE

coming around the corner, reacting to the gunfire. Kayleegasps, realizes it's Mal.

KAYLEEWe heard shootin' --

SIMONRiver...? What are you...

RIVERI followed the voices.

SIMON(moves to her)

Don't ever leave the ship. Notever.


(CONTINUED)


22/57

MAL(on the alert, to Simon,re: River)

Handle her, will you, son?

WASH (O.S.)

What the [tyen shiao duh] is goingon in there?!

ZOE(into transmitter, quicklyand professionally)

Not now, dear.

She clicks him off. Nods to Mal that she's ready to roll.Together they move off, guns leading the way...


Tense beat as Mal enters the mess hall, his gun leading.Evidence of violence, upturned table, gross food on the floor.A noise -- Mal whips around with his gun... and finds himselfdrawing down on...

JAYNEwho has his gun pointed right backat Mal. They both relax. Jayne isa bit mussed, but not really hurt.

MAL

What'd you see?JAYNE

Didn't. Came at me from behind.Big, though. Strong. Think Imighta hit him.

Simon has entered with Kaylee and River.

SIMONYou did...

Simon points to tell-tale blood droplets. Mal moves to him,

notes that the blood droplets lead to a grate in the wall. Maleases Simon out of the way. Indicates to Zoe to hand him hershotgun. He pushes the grate up with the nose of it.

WALL GRATE

Mal's face appears. He squints at --

A YOUNG MAN


CONTINUED:28 28

(CONTINUED)


23/57

Cowering in the shadows. He's feral, fearful, drawing himselfas small as he can.

SURVIVOR(muttering)

Mercy... mercy... no. Mercy.

MALEasy, now. Nobody's gonna hurtyou.

(noticing gunshot wound inarm)

Anymore than we already did...

SURVIVORNo mercy...

MALOh, we got mercy. We got lots andlots of --

WHAM!, suddenly Mal comes up and gives the poor bastard thebutt of the shotgun right in the kisser.

MESS HALL

As Mal pulls the unconscious guy out through the hole and letshim drop to the floor, a heap. Not big at all, just average.Practically a kid.

SIMON

(to Jayne)Oh, yes. He's a real beast. It's awonder you're still alive.

JAYNE(confounded)

Looked bigger when I couldn't seehim.

MAL(grim)

Let's get him out of here.

INT. SERENITY - OUTSIDE INFIRMARY30 30

In the common area are Inara, Kaylee, Jayne, Zoe, Wash. Bookis there, too, sitting, clutching his Bible. Kaylee and Inaraare watching as inside the infirmary Simon can be seen tendingto the Survivor, Mal over his shoulder.


CONTINUED:29 29

(CONTINUED)


24/57

INARAI wonder how long he'd been livinglike that?

KAYLEEDunno. Must be real brave, though.

Surviving like that when no oneelse did.

JAYNEYeah, a real hero. Killin' allthem people.

KAYLEEWhat? No. We don't believe that.

(turns toward Zoe)We don't, do we?

ZOECaptain wouldn't have brought himon board were that the case.

But she doesn't sound as convinced as she might.

INT. SERENITY - INFIRMARY31 31

Simon has patched up the arm wound. The patient mutters in hisdelirium.

SIMON

Pulse is rapid, blood pressure'shigh side of normal. To beexpected.

SURVIVORWeak. They were all weak.

SIMONOther than the bullet wound, theredoesn't appear to be any exteriortrauma. Though that crack to thehead you gave him probably didn'tdo him any good.

The patient rises up a bit, tries to focus on the facesoutside the glass. This isn't lost on Mal.

SURVIVORCattle. Cattle for the slaughter.

MALDope him.


CONTINUED:30 30

(CONTINUED)


25/57

SIMONI don't think that's --

MALJust do it.

Simon moves to load a syringe. Mal eyes the muttery patient.

SURVIVORNo mercy... No resistance...

Simon leans over him. The man's hand grabs Simon's wrist.

SURVIVOR (contd)Open up. See what's inside.

Simon gives him a shot. Pulls away from the man's weak grip.

MALLet's chat.

Mal moves to the door. Simon glances at his patient, who isslipping into semi-consciousness. He follows to --

OUTSIDE INFIRMARY DOOR

As Simon appears here, he looks to Inara.

SIMONRiver?

INARAResting in my shuttle. Not todisparage the other accommodationson this ship, but I think she'llfind it more comfortable. And thedoor locks.

SIMONThank you.

KAYLEESo? How's our patient?

SIMONAside from borderlinemalnutrition, he's in remarkablygood health.

BOOK(some relief)

So he'll live, then?


CONTINUED:31 31

(CONTINUED)


26/57

SIMONYes.

MALWhich, to my mind, is unfortunate.

The others react, surprised.

BOOKNot a very charitable attitude,Captain.

MALCharity'd be putting a bullet inhis brainpan.

INARAMal!

MALOnly save him the suffering.

Mal shuts the infirmary door, bolts it from the outside.

MAL (contd)Nobody goes in there. Nothing morewe can do for him now. Not afterwhat he's seen.

SIMONWhat do you mean?

MALThat ship was hit by Reavers.

Mal turns, heads off. The others don't follow right away asthe horror hits them.

JAYNE(fear)

Reavers...

Wash looks to Zoe who doesn't deny it -- she knows it, too.

WASHCrap. [Tzao gao.]

Inara glances back into the infirmary, where the man iswrithing in his delirium. She knows what this means.

INT. SERENITY - DINING ROOM - CONTINUOUS32 32

Mal's pouring himself some coffee as the others follow him in.


CONTINUED: (2)31 31

(CONTINUED)


27/57

INARAMal, how can you know?

JAYNEHe don't, that's how. No way.

Mal sips his coffee. Whatever you say.

JAYNE (contd)It was that other fella. The onewe run into. It's like I saidbefore -- he went stir crazy,killed the rest, took a walk intospace.

KAYLEEA second ago you were saying --

JAYNEDon't matter what I said.

MALOne of 'em was just lucky enoughto get out, that's all.

WASHHe was the lucky one?

MALLuckier'n the rest.

JAYNECouldn't be Reavers. Wasn'tReavers. Reavers don't leave nosurvivors.

MALStrictly speaking -- wouldn't saythey did.

BOOKWhat are you suggesting?

MAL

Don't matter we took him off thatboat, Shepherd. It's the placehe's gonna live from now on.

BOOKI don't accept that. Whateverhorror he witnessed, whatever actsof barbarism, it was done by men.Nothing more.


CONTINUED:32 32

(CONTINUED)


28/57

JAYNEReavers ain't men.

BOOKOf course they are. Too longremoved from civilization, perhaps

-- but men. And I believe there'sa power greater than men. A powerthat heals.

MALReavers might take issue with thatphilosophy. If they had aphilosophy. And if they weren'ttoo busy gnawing on your insides.

(then)Jayne's right. Reavers ain't men.Or they forgot how to be. Nowthey're just... nothing. They gotout to the place of nothing. Andthat's what they became.

JAYNEWhy we still sittin' here? If itwas Reavers, shouldn't we be gone?

WASHHave to say I was kinda wonderingthat myself.

MAL

Work ain't done. Substantial moneyvalue still sitting over there.

JAYNEPffft. I ain't going back in therewith them bodies. No rutting way.Not if Reavers messed with 'em.

ZOE(stop your blubbering)

Jayne. You'll scare the women.

SIMON

I'll go.

They all look at him.

SIMON (contd)I've dealt with bodies. They don'tworry me.


CONTINUED: (2)32 32

(CONTINUED)


29/57


30/57

KAYLEEThat was real pretty, Captain.What you said.

WASHDidn't think you were one for

rituals and such.

MALI'm not. But I figure it'll keepthe others busy for awhile. Noreason to concern them with what'sto be done.

ZOESir?

CUT TO:


Mal pulls a visual up on a screen. The tendril like booby trapconnected where the two airlocks joined.

MALIt's a real burden being right sooften.

Wash, Zoe and Kaylee at his side, looking at the screen.

WASHWhat is it?

MALBooby trap. Reavers sometimesleave 'em behind for the rescueships. We triggered it when welatched on.

WASHAnd when we detach --

MAL-- it blows.

WASHOkay -- so we don't detach. Wejust, I don't know, sit tightuntil...

ZOEWhat? Reavers come back?


CONTINUED: (4)32 32

(CONTINUED)


31/57

Kaylee's been studying the image on the vid screen.

KAYLEELooks like they've jerry-rigged itwith a pressure catch. Only thingthat'd work with all these spare

parts. Could pro'lly bypass thateasy, we get to the DC line.

MALYou tell me now, little Kaylee --you really think you can do this?

KAYLEESure. Yeah. Think so. 'sides, if Imess up, it's not like you'll beable to yell at me.

EXT. SPACE34 34

Serenity and the derelict, locked together in a death grip.And under the soundlessness of space, MUSIC, carrying usthrough...

INT. DERELICT - STORAGE35 35

Simon, Jayne and Book all have paper dust masks on as theylower down the bodies. This is done in an elliptical way, morea suggestion of the carnage than a strict depiction.


The bombay doors are pulled open by Mal. Kaylee climbs infirst, then Wash. Mal and Zoe stand topside, nervous.


The tortured delirium of the survivor in his fever sleep.Somehow his distress seems to be affecting...

INT. SERENITY - INARA'S SHUTTLE38 38

River, who is sleeping in Inara's bed. Her sleep becomes moreand more fitful. Nearby, Inara reads a book, not yet noticingRiver's sleep become more and agitated, as...


CONTINUED:33 33


32/57


33/57


A drawer of SURGICAL TOOLS hits the floor, and with it returnsthe SYNCH SOUND. A HAND reaches in, picks up one of the moremore evocative and lethal looking surgical tools.


WHOOSH -- the airlock door opens and Jayne rolls in the dollywith the cargo. He reacts as he sees -- -- CLANG. As thebombay doors are dropped shut. Mal, Kaylee, Wash and Zoe lookover at him.

JAYNEWhat's going on?

MALNot a thing.

(looks to Kaylee)Right?

She nods her little greased smudged face.

KAYLEENot a gorram thing.

Mal looks to Wash. Nods. Wash nods back, heads off.

JAYNE

Looks like a thing to me.Book and Simon enter from the airlock. Mal hits the controls,closing it behind them:

MALThought we might have had asituation, but it looks to betaken care of. Let's get thatstuff stored.

Jayne, still not convinced, moves to the smugglingcompartments, pops a panel.

MAL (contd)(into transmitter)

Everybody's home, Wash. Let's go.

We HEAR the start of the detaching process.



34/57

EXT. SERENITY47 47

As the two ships come apart, harmless remnants of the boobytrap tearing away.


Mal looks to Zoe and Kaylee. Now they can really breathe. Inthe b.g., Simon and Book move to Jayne.

Suddenly -- that familiar PROXIMITY WARNING BEEPING. Everyonewho was on pins and needles before is right back there -- andJayne freaks:

JAYNENo, no. Do not say that -- it'sthe Reavers! Gorram Reavers comeback!

MAL(already on the move)

Get that stuff stored.

JAYNELike it's gonna matter.

MALJust do it!

He's running, now. Zoe right behind him.


Wash just sits staring straight ahead, hasn't switched off thealert. Mal and Zoe come running up the foredeck hall.

MALReavers?

Wash absently shakes his head "no." A GREEN GLOW starts toovertake the cockpit. They all react as they see --

THROUGH THE COCKPIT WINDOW -- outer space pretty well blottedout by the green glow of an enormous ALLIANCE CRUISER... Overthe radio:

MALE VOICE (V.O.)Firefly class transport, you areordered to release control of yourhelm. Prepare to dock and beboarded.


(CONTINUED)


35/57


36/57

ACT THREE

INT. ALLIANCE CRUISER51 51

COMMANDER HARKEN watches from the bridge as Serenity moves

toward us. An ENSIGN approaches. Harken points to Serenity.

HARKENNo mandatory registration markingson the bow. Make sure we cite themfor that. What is it, ensign?

ENSIGNSir, we've identified thetransport ship they were attachedto. It was licensed to a group offamilies out of Bernadette. Theywere due to touch down in Newhallthree weeks ago. Never made it.We've been hailing the vessel, getno response. It appears to bederelict.

HARKENContinue hailing. Once we securethese vultures, we'll send a teamover. Check it out.

A RADIO OPERATOR sits at a communications station speaks:

RADIO OPERATORDidn't we have a flag a while backon a Firefly?

HARKENCheck.

RADIO OPERATORHere it is. Alert issued forunidentified Firefly Class,believed to be carrying twofugitives. A brother and sister.

HARKENWhat are they wanted for?

RADIO OPERATORNot available. It's classified.

HARKENForty thousand of these old wrecksin the air and that's all theygive us?


(MORE)(CONTINUED)


37/57

Well, I won't have any surpriseson a routine stop. We run intothese two, we shoot first. Brasscan sort it out later.


Simon helps Jayne and Book finish loading the cargo into thesmuggling hold. Mal appears, walking fast, entering the cargobay. The three look over --

JAYNEWhat was it? Was it Reavers?

MALOpen the stash, pull out thegoods.

JAYNEWhat? Just got done putting it allin --

MALYeah, and now I'm telling you totake it all out again.

JAYNEWhy for?

MALI got no notion to argue this. In

about two minutes time this boat'sgonna be crawling with Alliance.

SIMONNo...

Inara emerges from her shuttle. Moves toward Zoe, Wash andKaylee, who have appeared. Kaylee hangs back, Zoe and Washhead further in, toward the others.

INARAWhat's happening?

KAYLEEAlliance. We're being boarded.

INARAOh, no.

Zoe and Wash help Book and Jayne with the goods. Simon's in abit of shock.


CONTINUED:51 51HARKEN (cont'd)

(CONTINUED)


38/57


39/57

EXT. SPACE53 53

As Serenity attaches to the bottom of the Alliance Cruiser,just a little bump now on the big ship.


WHOOSH -- the airlock doors open and a compliment of ALLIANCESOLDIERS streams on to Serenity, their boots clicking on thehard cargo bay floor. Harken appears, looks at --

-- Mal, Zoe, Jayne, Wash, Kaylee, Inara, Book, lined up. Nosign of Simon or River. (we may or may not notice thesmuggling compartments have been closed up again.)

Harken gives the signal to his lead man. Soldiers move in,start relieving our gang of any weapons.

MALWell now, ain't this a whole lottafuss. I didn't know better, mightthink we were dangerous.

HARKENIs this your vessel?

MALIt is. Bought and paid for. I'mCaptain Malcolm Reynolds.

HARKENAnd is this everyone, captain?

MALBy way of crew, it is. Thoughyou're gonna find in our infirmarya fella we rescued from thatderelict. Saved him, guess youcould say.

Harken nods to a couple of his guys, they head off.

MAL (contd)(calling back)Straight back, next to the commonarea.

HARKEN(re: the goods)

And these items -- I take it you"rescued" them as well?



40/57


41/57

Now the two Alliance Soldiers return. The not-nauseated oneapproaches Harken. Whispers something to him. Harken eyes Mal,Mal looks back, wondering what's happened.

HARKEN (contd)We'll continue this conversation

in a more official capacity.

Harken motions to one of his men. Instantly some of theAlliance Men start to hustle our guys toward the door. Harkencontinues with the order-giving:

HARKEN (contd)Every inch of this junker getstossed.

KAYLEE(as they go)

Junker?!

MALSettle down, Kaylee.

KAYLEEBut, Cap'n! You hear what thatpurple belly called Serenity?

MALShut up.

INT. SERENITY - PASSAGEWAYS/VARIOUS57 57A MED TEAM wheels a gurney out with the survivor on it. Wedon't really get a good look at his current state, under anoxygen mask and sheet and the Med Team members mostlyconcealing him from us. They're moving fast, we follow them,passing SEARCHING SOLDIERS, and they take us to...


...MUCH ACTIVITY. DOZENS of SOLDIERS searching Serenity --tossing it. We PICK UP a particular SOLDIER who moves into...

INT. SERENITY - INARA'S SHUTTLE59 59

...Inara's shuttle. Reacting to the lavish difference.

HARKEN (O.S.)You're a Companion.


CONTINUED:56 56

(CONTINUED)


42/57

INARA (O.S.)Yes.

INT. ALLIANCE CRUISER - INTERROGATION ROOM60 60

Inara sits in the sterile surroundings. Harken will be doingthe grilling. (We'll be INTERCUTTING between INTERROGATIONSand THE SEARCH quite liberally throughout the following)

HARKENYou were based for several yearson Sihnon. It's only been in thelast year that you've beenshipping out with the crew of TheSerenity.

INARAIt's just "Serenity," and that'scorrect. In a few weeks it will bea year. Why is this important?

HARKENJust trying to put the piecestogether. It's a curiosity. Awoman of stature such as yourselffalling in with these... types.

INARANot in the least. It's a mutuallybeneficial business arrangement. I

rent the shuttle from CaptainReynolds, which allows me toexpand my client base, and theCaptain finds that having aCompanion on board opens certaindoors that might otherwise beclosed to him.

HARKENAnd do you love him?

TIME CUT TO:


Zoe sitting rigidly in the interrogation room.

ZOEI don't see how that's relevant.


CONTINUED:59 59

(CONTINUED)


43/57

HARKENWell, he is your husband.

ZOEYes.

INT. SERENITY - ZOE AND WASH'S ROOM62 62

SOLDIERS moving in here, examining the evidence of Wash andZoe's private life together...

HARKEN (V.O.)You two met through CaptainReynolds?

ZOE (V.O.)Captain was looking for a pilot, Ifound a husband. Seemed to workout.


HARKENYou fought with Captain Reynoldsin the war.

ZOEFought with a lot of people in thewar.

HARKENAnd your husband?

ZOEFight with him sometimes, too.

HARKENIs there any particular reason youdon't wish to discuss yourmarriage?

ZOE

Don't see that it's any of yourbusiness, is all. We're veryprivate people.

TIME CUT TO:


CONTINUED:61 61


44/57


Wash looking much more relaxed in the interrogation.

WASH

The legs. Oh, yeah. Definitelyhave to say it was her legs. Youcan put that down.

INT. SERENITY - VARIOUS65 65

The search continues, moving into the engine room...


Still indignant.

KAYLEE...six Gurstler's crammed rightunder every cooling drive so thatyou strain your primary arteryfunction and end up having torecycle secondary exhaust througha bypass system just so's youdon't end up pumping it into themain atmo feed and asphyxiatingyour crew. What < genius > thoughtup that lame design? Now that's

"junk."

TIME CUT TO:


JAYNE just sits there, closed mouthed. Arms crossed. We playthe silence for a moment, then --

INT. SERENITY - JAYNE'S ROOM68 68

Knives. Guns. Girly magazine (with Chinese markings.) Anotherknife.


Jayne sits silently. Not a word. More shifting. More silence.



45/57


KAYLEEShe ain't "junk."

INT. SERENITY - BOOK'S ROOM71 71

As the Soldiers toss Book's room: Bible, a cross, etc.

HARKEN (V.O.)Pirates with their own Chaplain.There's an oddity.


BOOKNot the only oddity this end ofspace, Commander. Way of thingsnot always so plain as on thecentral planets. Rules can be amite fuzzier.

HARKENNot for me. Our rules are writtendown. In books.

BOOKI take my rules from a book, too.

But just the one.HARKEN

(smiles)Southdown Abbey. Home to a fairlypious order. How long were you inresidence there, Shepherd?

BOOKDon't right recall. Didn't tend tokeep track of the days there.Seemed like long enough, though.

HARKENYou met up with Captain Reynoldsand his crew on Persephone.

BOOKThat's true.


(CONTINUED)


46/57

HARKENThese fugitives we're looking for,the brother and sister... theywere last seen on Persephone.

INT. SERENITY - VARIOUS73 73

The swarm of the search team continues. One of the Soldierslooks at the panels of the stash. Moves to it...

BOOK (V.O.)That a fact?

HARKEN (V.O.)They also left port aboard aFirefly class transport. Justabout the time you shipped outwith Serenity.

He presses -- a panel opens. He calls some others over. Theyrip the panels up -- empty.


BOOKWell, Persephone's a big place.

HARKENYes. But that Firefly isn't. And

if there is anyone hiding anywhereon it -- we will find them.

INT. SERENITY - DINING ROOM75 75

The Soldiers are starting to pack up, file out. As the swarmbegins to disperse... CAMERA pulls back and up, out past theoverhead windows, moving to --

EXT. SERENITY76 76

-- the outside of the ship. Where WE FIND SIMON and RIVER bothin space suits, clinging to the side of the ship.

Simon is just freaking out, his gloved hands the only thingkeeping his sweaty palms from losing purchase on the side ofthe ship. He touches the seam of his helmet, making sure it'sconnected properly. He looks to River, worried. But he reacts --


CONTINUED:72 72

(CONTINUED)


47/57

River stares off into the limitless void of space, seeminglytaking a kind of deep comfort from the vastness of it. She'sdoing something that we haven't really seen her do... she'ssmiling. Off Simon, continually amazed by his sister...


Mal sits alone in the room. Presently, the door opens. Harkenenters, carrying a thick folder. Harken moves to the chairopposite Mal. Harken studies his documents. Won't look at Mal.A calculated move to put Mal on edge. Mal breaks the silence:

MALI figure by now you been over tothat derelict. Seen for yourself.

HARKENYes. Terrible thing.

MALYou want my advice, you won't towit back. Just fire the wholegorram thing from space. Be donewith it.

HARKENThat ship is evidence. I'm not inthe habit of destroying evidence.

MAL

'course not. Be against the rules.I'm gonna make a leap and figurethis is your first tour out hereon the border.

Harken finally looks at Mal.

HARKENThat's a very loyal crew you havethere. But then I see by yourrecord you tend to inspire thatquality in people -- Sergeant.

MALIt's not "sergeant." Not no more.War's over.

HARKENFor some the war'll never be over.I notice your ship's called"Serenity." You were stationed onHera at the end of the war.


CONTINUED:76 76

(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


48/57


49/57

MAL(realizing)

Dear god in heaven. [Wuh de tyen,ah.]

HARKEN

I haven't seen that kind oftorture since... well, since thewar.

Mal's stunned into silence for a beat, going internal as thefull weight of his realization hits him.

MAL(to himself)

Shoulda known... shoulda seen thiscomin'...

HARKENYou and your crew will be bound bylaw. Formal charges will betransmitted to central authority --

MALCommander, I am not what you needto be concerning yourself withright now. Things go the way theyare -- there's gonna be blood.

Off that --

INT. ALLIANCE SHIP - INFIRMARY78 78

Again, we're only seeing bits and pieces of what's become ofthe survivor. Think Hannibal Lector being worked on in theambulance. His body lurches and convulses. Team of Alliancemedics working to save him.

So involved in their good work are they, that they don't seehis hand slip off the side of the operating table, danglingthere, clutching the sharp, shining surgical tool that comesup now -- slashing.

BLACK OUT.

END OF ACT THREE


CONTINUED: (2)77 77


50/57

ACT FOUR


Harken stares at Mal. Harken's unimpressed as he says:

HARKENReavers?

MALThat's what I said.

HARKENCan't imagine how many times menin my position hear that excuse."Reavers did it."

MALIt's the truth.

HARKENYou saw them, did you?

MALWouldn't be sitting here talkingto you if I had.

HARKENNo. Of course not.

MALBut I'll tell you who did -- thatpoor bastard you took off my ship.He looked right into the face ofit. Was made to stare.

HARKEN"It?"

MALThe darkness. Kinda darkness youcan't even imagine. Blacker thanthe space it moves in.

HARKENVery poetic.

MALThey made him watch. He probablytried to turn away -- theywouldn't let him. You call him a"survivor?" He's not.


(MORE)

(CONTINUED)


51/57

A man comes up against that kindof will, only way to deal with it,I suspect... is to become it. He'sfollowing the only course that'sleft to him. First he'll try tomake himself look like one... cuton himself, desecrate his own

flesh... then he'll start actinglike one.

Harken seems to be considering that for a moment, hits abutton on the table. The door opens and a SOLDIER appears.

HARKENLet's have two M.P.s up here toescort Sergeant Reynolds to thebrig.

MALLock me up. I'll thank you for it.But me and my crew're gonna be theonly ones on this ship that's safeyou don't move to act.

HARKENAnd let's not put him in with hiscompatriots. In fact, let's see toit they're all separated.

Off Mal's frustration...

INT. SERENITY - FOREDECK HALL80 80A HATCH OPENS and SIMON, still in his spacesuit, climbs down aladder. He rips off his helmet as River descends down theladder. He helps her off with her helmet.

RIVERLet's go again.

SIMONLater. Maybe. Captain said oncethe coast was clear we should laylow in the shuttle.

RIVER(sensing something)

He's coming back.

SIMONYes. Yes, of course he is. Theyall are. Captain Reynolds is usedto these sorts of situations. Wejust have to be patient. Come on.


CONTINUED:79 79MAL (cont'd)

(CONTINUED)


52/57

They move off. Simon never saw the BLOODY FOOTPRINT nearby.They're not alone.


The interrogation is over. Harken is off to the side with anM.P. Two more M.P.s are pulling Mal out of his chair, cuffinghis hands behind his back.

HARKENYour ship and its contents will beauctioned. The proceeds of thesale will be applied to the costof your defense.

The Ensign now enters, looking a little pale. He moves closeto Harken, whispers his report. Harken reacts. We can guesswhat's being reported to Harken. So can Mal.

HARKEN (contd)(re: Mal)

Get him out of here.(to Ensign)

Go to full lock down. I wantguards on the nursery --

As Mal's hustled toward the door:

MALIt won't matter. You won't find

him.Harken meets Mal's gaze, a little lost.

MAL (contd)But I know where he'll go.

CUT TO:

INT. SERENITY - PASSAGEWAYS - CONTINUOUS82 82

Simon tries to steer River into the dining room/kitchen area.She whimpers. Will go no further.

SIMONRiver. It's okay. They've gone.Come on.

But she won't.


CONTINUED:80 80

(CONTINUED)


53/57

SIMON (contd)We don't know how long it's goingto be. Once we're settled, I don'tthink we should move around much.I'll just grab some some foodand...

He tries to disengage from her, she's holding him back. Helists away, toward the dining room... CAMERA PULLS back...

...past scattered KITCHEN CUTLERY...

...finally REVEALING the FIGURE just two feet from theoblivious Simon who's trying to back yet closer, as...

INT. ALLIANCE SHIP - AIRLOCK/DOOR TO SERENITY83 83

A DEAD GUARD marks the way of the killer. Mal is there withHarken and armed M.P.s

HARKENWhy would he come back here?

MALLooking for familiar ground. He'son the hunt.

HARKENAlright.

Harken nods to his men. They ready themselves to enter. Beforethey can:

HARKEN (contd)(to an M.P.)

Get him to the brig.

MALYou should let me go with you.

HARKENOut of the question.

MALHow many more men you feel likelosing today, Commander? Nobodyknows Serenity like I do. I canhelp you.

Harken considers that for a beat, then --

HARKENWe'll let him go first.


CONTINUED:82 82

(CONTINUED)


54/57

MAL(oh, good)

Great.

Harken is getting set again, Mal makes him pause with:

MAL (contd)Uh -- ?

Mal indicates his hands still cuffed behind his back. Harkentakes the key from one of his men, undoes the cuffs himself --but just as quick pulls Mal's hands around front, recuffs himwith his hands now in front of him.

MAL (contd)Thanks. Now I'll really have theadvantage.

HARKEN(to his men)

Open it.

As his men move to do that --

INT. SERENITY - PASSAGEWAYS - CONTINUOUS84 84

SIMON AND RIVER

She tries to hold him back as he backs close to the unseen (tohim) Killer. He absently reaches behind himself, sets his

helmet on the dining room table, as --Simon stops suddenly at the SOUND of the AIRLOCK OPENING inthe distance.

SIMONSomeone's coming...

The Killer also hears the approach of footsteps... feints outof frame...

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY - CONTINUOUS85 85

Mal leads Harken and his men into the cargo bay.

HARKEN(hushed)

We'll split up --


CONTINUED:83 83

(CONTINUED)


55/57

MALBest if we stick together. Unlessyou're in the mood to get pickedoff.

Harken considers, nods. Sighs. Fine.

HARKEN(to his men)

Keene, Escobar, you two stay here.Watch the door. Don't need thisthing back on my ship.

Harken indicates for Mal to lead on. He does.

INT. SERENITY - OUTSIDE INFIRMARY86 86

MOVING WITH MAL

Schmuck bait as he leads the team past the wrecked infirmary.Through the common area, coming up to the steep stairs whichlead to the upper levels.

INT. SERENITY - ENGINE ROOM87 87

Mal leads Harken and his men through the engine room, downinto the dining area. Mal notes a space suit helmet sitting onthe table. Knows what that means. He steels himself. Musheson.

Mal sees the spilled cutlery. He and Harken share a look.

They continue on...

Mal steps up into the foredeck hall. Tries not to react as hecomes nearly face-to-face with --

SIMON AND RIVER

Pressed tight up against a wall just around the corner, hiddenby the lip of the passageway.

Harken's right on Mal's ass now, a step down in the diningroom. Mal turns to him as --

THE KILLER

Leaps from out of frame, attacking one of the men just behindHarken. Harken turns. THE KILLER slashes Harken's man. Thereis blood, splashing across Harken's surprised face.


CONTINUED:85 85

(CONTINUED)


56/57

Harken fumbles for his gun, the Killer knocks it away, lungesat Harken, as --

Mal leaps at the guy's back, brings his cuffed hands over hishead and around his throat --

HARKEN'S POV

Of the HIDEOUS MUTILATED FACE, flesh peeled back, mouth pinnedinto a grimace by bits of metal. It SNARLS and SNAPS atHarken, trying to get at him. Right the fuck up in his face.Being held at bay only by Mal's strength. It is terrifying.Mal pulls hard. There is a crack.

Mal lets the body drop at their feet.

ANGLE: THE SURVIVOR

Mal uses the tip of his boot to turn the dead man's headslightly... Mutilated flesh. The skin of his mouth remainspulled back and pinned into that hideous grimace. Scarcelyhuman.

MAL AND HARKEN

As they share a look. Harken's face sullied with blood. Abaptism of sorts. There are no words. Off this --

EXT. SPACE88 88

Serenity detaches from the Alliance Cruiser, floats down.


Mal, Wash, Zoe and Jayne. They watch as the big ship getssmaller.

JAYNEYou save his gorram life. And hestill takes the cargo. Jerk.[Hwoon dahn.]

MALHad to. Couldn't let us profit.

Mal doesn't stick around. He turns for the door.

MAL (contd)Wouldn't be civilized.

Through the cockpit window, WE SEE the Alliance Ship send outwhat look like torpedoes.


CONTINUED:87 87

(CONTINUED)


57/57

They connect with the spinning Derelict, sending a series ofSOUNDLESS EXPLOSIONS through its hull. As the Derelict cavesin on itself, glows to embers...

BLACK OUT.

END OF SHOW


CONTINUED:89 89

Firefly 1AGE02 - Bushwhacked

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