INT. SERENITY BRIDGE

RIVER TAM in the pilot's seat, both hands on the yoke, gazing intently out the windshield.

MALCOLM REYNOLDS watches her every move from the co-pilot's seat.

River's hands maneuver the yoke slightly, her eyes glancing occasionally at the instruments before her.

Mal's eyebrows rise with a measure of impressment.

EXT. OPEN VALLEY

Serenity touches down, her landing skids barely sinking into the hard, dry earth.

INT. SERENITY BRIDGE

Mal looks over at River and unbuckles his safety restraint.

MAL: Child, you all but made the earth meet you halfways. I can't conjure a time when Wa....

ZOE WASHBURN climbs the metal steps to enter the bridge. Her eyes are locked on Mal.

MAL: ...wa... water kissed the shore with so gentle a touch.

Zoe smiles. Mal's uncomfortability is apparent.

ZOE: I won't kill you for paying the girl a complement, sir. And for all my baby's skill, his landings could get a little... wearisome

Mal visibly relaxes. He hops to his feet and approaches River who is finishing the lockdown sequence.

MAL: My one remaining curiosity is, do you love this old girl yet?

River looks whimsically about the room, not meeting Mal's gaze.

RIVER: Like the sister I could never have.

MAL:(smiling) Well, this sister needs to gain some poundage. Zoe?

Zoe exits the bridge, Mal directly behind her.

River remains for several seconds, pondering her surroundings.

RIVER: I know you won't let me down.

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY

JAYNE COBB stands at the ready by the main forward hatch, a large rifle in hand. The hatch is open, revealing the barren valley outside.

SIMON TAM is standing on the starboard catwalk talking with KAYLEE FRYE. They are laughing.

KAYLEE: Ain't no way in this unholy 'verse you haven't tried one.

SIMON: I swear on everything I hold dear. I simply couldn't... bear the thought.

KAYLEE:(poking Simon's chest)Well, you're gonna have to bear the thought today,'cause you ain't leavin' this spherical heap til ya do.

Mal and Zoe appear at the top of the fore/starboard stairs.

MAL: Bear the thought of what?

KAYLEE: Oh, nothin', cap. I'm just tryin' to... expand my sweety's limited horizons.

MAL: Well, you'll have to expand 'em later. We got us a job, and you know how I hate bein' late...

KAYLEE: But, cap, you're almost always...

MAL: Okay, our contact hates folk bein' late. I could do without the commentary on my punctuality.

Mal turns and descends the remaining stairs to the cargo bay. He approaches Jayne, who looks unhappy, as usual.

MAL: This job pays as it should, maybe we can afford to get the Mule kickin' again.

JAYNE: Said that two jobs ago... sir.

Mal smirks.

MAL: Did I? Tend to lose count, what with work bein' so plentiful, and all...(eyes Jayne's weapon) Do you have to be packin' the most imposin' lead thrower?

Jayne hefts his weapon.

JAYNE: Tends to make folk take us more seriously. Besides, I don't hear ya complainin' when my particular brand of negotiatin' 'comes necessary.

Mal mulls over the statement for a moment, then seems to acquiesce. He turns away and looks around the cargo bay.

MAL: Sorry we had to put down so far away from the meetin' point, what with the Mule still lame and all. Hope you got your walkin' shoes on.

INARA SERRA appears from her shuttle's entry way.

INARA: I still don't see why you can't simply take a shuttle.

MAL: We're goin' for subtle, here. I ain't met with this contact in quite some time. He wasn't too honest then, and I doubt time on this rock has made him see the error of his ways. That's why Kaylee, River, and Simon are holdin' down the fort, so to speak. If we get into an uncomfortable way, ya'll can swoop in and be our saviors from on high. Kaylee knows this boat like she knows her own... well, she knows her well. River's proven herself an ace at the helm, not to mention her other qualifications. (off Simon's look) And doc, well, we won't be requirin' any particular level of respectability on this run, so you hang tight and see after your sister. Inara, of course, will see after everyone.

Mal gestures for Jayne and Zoe to follow him down the lowered hatch.

MAL: And please keep your eyes peeled, 'specially the ones in the back of your head.

Mal, Zoe, and Jayne stride off into the distance, slipping between the rolling hills that create the valley.

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