EXT. SERENITY - UNDERSIDE

Jayne struggles to hang on to Paul against the centrifugal force. He looks up and sees the cable fraying against the rear of the hatch. There’s little of it left holding them. He looks back down at Paul.

Jayne POV - sees the rip-cord on Paul's harness. He grins.

JAYNE: Change o' plan!

He reaches around and pulls the rip-cord, shoving Paul away from himself the next instant.

JAYNE: Pull me in!

Jayne watches as Paul's parachute unfurls into a beautiful blue and white cloud beneath him.

He looks up, sees the cable center itself in the hatch opening as it hauls him up.

INT. MADSEN’S POD

Madsen maneuvers the stick as he watches out the port side of the canopy.

MADSEN: Hadn’t thought of that...

INT. SERENITY - CARGO BAY

Jayne comes into view. As soon as he clears the doors, Simon hits the button to close them.

He runs up to Jayne.

SIMON (unhooking Jayne's cable): Where's Paul? What happened?

Jayne slaps Simon on the shoulder, nearly knocking him over, then runs to the fore/starboard stairs.

JAYNE (running up stairs two at a time): I opened his 'chute. Maybe we can get under 'im 'fore he splashes down. (turns his head and spits over the hand rail) Swallowed a ruttin’ bug.

INT. SERENITY - BRIDGE

River maneuvers the yoke, pushing forward on the throttle. She takes Serenity in a long loop, diving back down toward the ground.

RIVER: Captain, would you mind...?

MAL: Pokin' my head outta the topside airlock and gettin' some air? Love to.

Mal darts from the Bridge.

Follow Mal down the stairs and through the fore hall. Round the corner just past his bunk to the airlock ladder. He reaches it at the same time as Jayne.

JAYNE: I had 'im, Mal. Gorram cable almost gave... If he hits the water, he’ll sink like a stone.

MAL (places a hand on Jayne's shoulder): I know. No worries.

Mal climbs the ladder and activates the airlock.

EXT. SERENITY - TOPSIDE

Mal's head appears through the