INT. PALADIN - HANGAR

A ragged line of Alliance troops file down Serenity’s ramp, joking and shaking their heads. Two troops remain near Serenity, milling about in a loose perimeter, weapons down. The occasional hangar tech can be seen polishing a fighter or troop carrier, some with hatches open working on an engine.

INT. SERENITY - FORE HALL

River creeps silently down the hall, her gaze averted to the right. She descends the ladder into Zoe’s bunk and starts carefully sorting through her things.

INT. PALADIN - BRIG

The Brig door slides open to reveal Mal still being supported by the two troops. He is able to partially walk on his own. The crew all come forward in their cells to see their Captain.

The troops guide Mal to Cell Two. The door slides open and they walk him in, laying him down on the cot. The troops exit, the cell door closing immediately behind them.

The troops, Keeno and Barton, pause in front of Kayner and Jaxx.

JAXX: They get anything outta him?

KEENO: Bastard didn’t say a word. Had to pull it out of him.

Kayner shakes his head.

KAYNER: I just as soon rather have my nails pulled out, thanks.

BARTON: Nothing like havin’ your mind mixed up like home-made stir-fry.

KEENO: Fool-crazy part is, after he twists the man’s melon into mush, he orders us to treat the man with kid-gloves. Says we’ll regret it like nothin’ else if we don’t.

The two guards shrug.

Barton and Keeno nod at Jaxx and Kayner then exit the Brig.

Kaylee presses her face into the bars trying to get a look at Mal.

KAYLEE: Cap’n? Can ya hear me?

MAL (mumbling): Yeah.

KAYLEE: You okay?

MAL (groaning, mumbling): Feel like my brain’s been run through an engine.

ZOE: What do they know, sir?

MAL: Enough.

JAYNE: What the gui's that s'posed ta mean?

MAL (sitting up with a groan): I didn’t tell ‘em a thing, but they dug the contact’s name out o’ my skull.

INARA: Are you sure you’re all right?

MAL: I’ll live.

Jaxx and Kayner watch the interplay wit