INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY

River is pressed against the wall of the short shuttle entrance wall, eyes averted. She appears calm.

Echo One is carefully navigating down the stairs of the center stair well, crossing the landing, and ascending the stairs opposite. He glances down at his fallen comrades. Echo Two is slowly standing, one hand on his lower back, shaking his head as if to clear it. He picks up his rifle, giving Echo One a thumbs-up. Echo One uses military hand signals to indicate River’s postion, and for Echo Two to cross the Cargo bay deck with his eyes locked on her.

Echo Two complies, slowly backing across the deck, rifle aimed at River’s hiding spot. Echo One reaches the port catwalk and slowly approaches the alcove.

CU River’s face. She closes her eyes and smiles. View pulls away and out of alcove.

River darts from the hall, jumps up onto the railing and leaps toward the lift cable still hanging over the cargo bay. In the middle of the leap, she fires straight down at Echo Two. He gets off a shot as well, just before the sonic round blasts straight down into his helmet and then his neck. Vertebrae can be heard cracking from the sudden compression. The man crumbles to the deck.

Echo One fires as River leaps, also missing. He fires again as she swings Tarzan style from the cable. She lands on the opposite catwalk, darting into the opposite shuttle access hall. She is almost impossible to see in the semi-lit bay.

Echo One moves along the port catwalk, rifle trained on the alcove. He reaches up and reactivates his night vision.

Echo One POV - Night vision of cargo bay.

Echo One pauses, not quite coming into view of the alcove. He nods his head, reaches up and removes his helmet.

A young man’s handsome face is revealed. He has a scar running from above his left eye down to the center of his cheek. His eyes are an icy blue, devoid of emotion. He lowers his rifle.

ECHO ONE: River?

River’s head peeks around the corner. Her eyes are curious.

RIVER: Hi, Jonathan.

EC