INT. SERENITY BRIDGE

Mal and Zoe enter the Bridge. River rises from the pilot’s seat to allow Zoe to sit down.

ZOE: (clicking some keys) Everybody pray to your favorite god... (presses one last key) Comm. Center Nine, this is Firefly- class transport Serendipity, come in.

Beat. A stern young face wearing a thin headset appears on the screen. Call him Smith.

SMITH: Serendipity, we show you on our screen. Please state the reason for your wave.

ZOE: (smiling graciously) Well, sir, we have a very grateful official on board who crashed a few klicks from your facility. Thought we’d give him a lift in your direction, that being his original destination.

SMITH: (politely, still stern) Please put him on.

Zoe moves aside and Mal steps into the screen’s view. Simon hands him an ice pack and he places it against his head.

MAL: (miserably) Sir.

SMITH: Please stand by for ident scan.

Smith looks down for a moment, his movements indicating he is typing. Mal glances furtively at Zoe, then back to the screen. Smith looks up, his eyes widening only slightly.

SMITH: Sir, my sincerest apologies for your misfortune. We saw a brief distress signal on our screen and were about to dispatch a unit. Are you injured?

MAL: Only my pride. My approach vector was a bit too steep. Sheered off my stabilizers. I’m rather banged up, but I’ll live.

SMITH: I’m sending you landing coordinates as we speak. Your... transport will be required to depart immediately after you’ve disembarked.

MAL: I understand. However, I would like to compensate them first.

SMITH: Yes, sir. Let us know what you require.

MAL: Will do. Out.

Mal kills the wave while Zoe crosses her arms with an amused look.

ZOE: That was a rosie reception.

RIVER: Diplomatic courier.

MAL: Thought that would give me some extra maneuverability.

RIVER: They command a fair amount of respect, and they’re protected by Diplomatic Law. The most sensitive of packages are sent via courier. Everyone wants to stay in their good graces to