LOST CONVERSATION VIII

1. WHERE THE WAR ENDS AND MAL AND ZOE PLAN THEIR FUTURE FROM WAY BEFORE “SERENITY”

EXT. DUSTY COURTYARD, PRISON CAMP, HERA - DAY

Many dozens of Browncoats are lined up here, in parade formation, with barracks behind them, surround by electric fences and guard towers with guns. Several armed Alliance soldiers stand around the prisoners.

Zoe and Mal stand together in the front rank. Their uniforms, like the others, are the worse for wear, scuffed and torn, with all insignia and badges of rank removed. They are thin and weary, as are the others.

An Alliance OFFICER walks in front, holding a piece of paper. He is old, limps and has a battle scarred face.

MAL

ATTENTION!

The Browncoats ranks come to a semblance of attention, their hearts not really in it.

OFFICER

Sargent Reynolds, front and center!

Mal looks at Zoe and she has a look of concern on her face. Mal breaks ranks and approaches the Officer. He stops before him and salutes. The Officer returns the salute and hands Mal the paper.

OFFICER (CONT’D)

You may address your men.

MAL

Sir? What’s going on?

OFFICER

(weary)

The war is over. You’re going home, son.

He walks away as Mal stands gape mouthed looking at the paper, scanning it quickly, unbelieving. A mist comes before his eyes, which he quickly shakes off, he sets his face hard, turns and looks at the Browncoats, all with a look of expectation on their faces.

MAL

At ease!

They move to an ease position.

MAL (CONT’D)

Best you hear this from me, rather than them. Seems our generals and politicians have thrown in the towel. Peace treaty was signed yesterday. War’s over.

A long, silence, the air heavy with shocked disappointment, and then a little sob, and then a few more, a few soldiers cross themselves, one falls to his knees, and his comrades pick him up. Mal gives them a moment to collect themselves. He looks at Zoe and she is nothing but steel and hatred in her eyes.

MAL (CONT’D)

We ain’t losers. No one fought with me in Serenity Valley or a dozen other places