INT. PALADIN - HANGAR

The hangar access doors rumble closed. Serenity rests on the deck. The troops surrounding her slowly converge, weapons trained.

Serenity's ramp snaps open and begins to lower. The troops freeze. The ramp clangs on the deck and the airlock slides open. Paul stands before Zoe, Jayne, Kaylee, Inara, and Simon. Kaylee is shivering slightly, rubbing her arms.

Paul takes a step forward.

TROOP ONE: Freeze! Do not move!

Paul stops, holding his hands in the air. The others imitate him.

Another soldier steps up to Troop One, places a hand on his shoulder and speaks into his ear. He appears to relax a bit.

TROOP ONE: Come forward slowly and no sudden moves.

Paul walks forward, hands still in the air. The crew follows behind him. As soon as they’ve all touched the deck and walked a few steps forward, ten troops charge up the ramp, weapons ready.

Zoe glances over her shoulder, then back to Troop One.

ZOE: Awful lotta fuss for some lowly smugglers.

TROOP ONE: Quiet. Follow me.

Troop One takes the lead while ten more take up post behind and around the crew. The thirty troops still surrounding Serenity relax a bit, but keep their weapons in hand.

Troop One leads the group to a large double door that slides open upon approach. It is identical to another double sliding door on the opposite end of the hangar. It hisses when it closes behind them. Paul glances at the panel mounted next to the doors.

Troop One leads them down a long wide hallway and into a lift. The other troops’ weapons never leave the crew.

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY

The troops fan out, some climbing the stairs, some entering the Infirmary area. They open crates and cabinets, flinging the contents about.

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE

Two troops burst onto the Bridge, weapons ready. They charge forward into the fore storage area. Empty.They pop the tops off a couple of bins, note the contents, then exit.

Camera watches their exit, then slowly pans back to a stack of crat