00:36:02

The shuttle had docked at Sub-Level 3, Section 17a, Emergency Airlock 13, at least according to the sign on the wall.

“Thirteen?” Jayne shook his head. “Unlucky.”

“Well, not for us.” Mal headed for the door, quickly looking out and glancing in both directions. The corridor was empty. He looked back at River. “Hope you know where you’re going, albatross.”

She didn’t respond, just raised an eyebrow at him and she moved smoothly past, stepping delicately over the sill.

Mal couldn’t quite suppress the smile as he followed her, Jayne and Simon at his heels.

“Shit, but it’s cold in here,” Jayne complained.

“It will get colder,” River said, waiting at the stairs.

“Great.” He didn’t like the cold. Or getting wet. Or being too hot, for that matter. Oh, he could deal with it, ignoring it for the most part, but that didn’t mean he liked it.

Simon, in the meantime, was staring upwards. “Um, how many flights, River?”

“Ten. But after that it’s mostly all on one level.”

“Ten?” He glanced down at his leg. “I don’t know if I can –”

“Aw, hell.” Jayne sighed mightily. “Here. Hold Vera.” He handed his Callaghan to Mal, and in the same movement grabbed Simon by the waist and lifted.

“What the …” Suddenly the young doctor’s view was restricted to a close-up of Jayne’s back as he was slung over the big man’s shoulder.

“Don’t worry,” the ex-merc said. “If anyone sees us they’ll just think I’m rescuing you.”

Simon began to struggle. “Put me down.”

“Nope.”

“Jayne, so help me, if you don't put me down right now I –”

River ducked low enough to gaze into her brother’s eyes. “No. You won’t make it. And you have to.”

“Riv?” Jayne turned. “You seeing something?”

“Not sure.” She seemed distracted, but they knew better than to discount her warnings.

Mal, cradling Vera to his chest, attempted to take back charge. “Then we’ll be careful. Okay, I conjure we can save the niceties until later, but ‘til then, Simon – stop struggling. Jayne, you gonna b