INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE

River tenses up as she watches Paul’s body go limp on the scope.

RIVER: No!

She pushes forward on the yoke, tipping Serenity’s nose down further. The flames licking Serenity’s windshield fade away.

River looks over her shoulder at Jayne. He meets her gaze a beat, then realization dawns on his face.

Mal sees the silent exchange, thinks a moment, then places a hand on Jayne’s shoulder.

MAL: Think you can pull it off?

JAYNE (grinning): Just like the train, ‘cept straight down-like. (beat, more quietly) Man wouldn’t hesitate if it were my ass droppin’.

MAL (nodding): Go. (turns) Simon, he’ll need a hand. Maybe even two.

Simon nods and follows Jayne from the Bridge.

Mal turns back to the console.

MAL: Go for it, little one. You got my permission to push this ol’ girl til she’s got nothin’ left.

EXT. SERENITY - VFX

Serenity screams by, her thrusters whining uncharacteristically loud.

INT. ESCAPE POD TWO

Powell is maneuvering his stick, keeping Paul's falling body in sight.

POWELL: What the hell do we do?

MADSEN (VO Radio): I'd punch out and grab him, but these 'chute's can't handle the stress of two people.

POWELL: Wait, something's showing up on my proximity sensor...

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY

Simon works the unit that lowers the winch cable, dropping it to chest level, opening the floor access doors at the same time. Jayne comes racing down the fore/starboard stairs, taking them two at a time and clearing the last five. He is dressed in his tan jumpsuit, his heavy hooded jacket cinched tight.

Jayne shoves a hand-held radio into Simon's hand as he grabs the cable, giving it a yank. He reaches into his hood and adjusts the earpiece beneath it.

JAYNE: You keep an ear to this thing every second I'm swingin', dong ma? And han