INT. THE CAROUSEL – THE HUB – SAME TIME

The claxons sound and the crowd begins to panic.

MAL

(into his comm)

What’s going on?

WASH

(via the comm)

Um… You better get—

Any additional response is drowned out.

LOUDSPEAKER

ALLIANCE RAID!

Like a call-to-arms, the two words spur the crowd to action. Folks run in every direction, grabbing goods (sometimes even their own). In the midst of the chaos, Mal rushes forward, grabs Inara by the arm and pulls her toward the hover-mule. He helps her into the passenger seat, then looks at Jayne, indicating he should get in the back.

JAYNE

Come on, Mal!

KAYLEE (OS)

Captain!

Mal and Jayne stop arguing and turn to see Kaylee a few meters away, looking scared, being pushed away from them by the throng.

EXT. SPACE – THE CAROUSEL – SAME TIME

The exterior of the Carousel is almost as chaotic. The patrol boats block the outlaw ships trying to escape, while the gunships fire disabling shots at some of those still docked at the space station.

One of the troop transports has already docked with the Carousel, and two more are close behind.

INT. SERENITY – COCKPIT – SAME TIME

Wash taps the comm and looks up at Zoe, shaking his head.

ZOE

They’ll be here.

INT. THE CAROUSEL – THE HUB – SAME TIME

Mal takes a few steps toward Kaylee. Jayne hops off the hover-mule to follow.

MAL

Kaylee!

She gets knocked down by someone in the crowd. Folks are dropping goods, escaping on mules, horses, and the like. In the background, some of the slaves seem to have taken the opportunity to try to fight their way free.

KAYLEE

Captain! Jayne!

Jayne starts punching his way to Kaylee. A FIGHTING COCK rushes up to him and he jumps back.

JAYNE

Gorram chicken!

In the rush, Mal loses sight of Kaylee.

MAL

Kaylee!

Suddenly, Parker bursts out of the crowd, pulling a somewhat-battered Kaylee by the hand.

PARKER

Lose something, Mal?

He pushes Kaylee into Mal’s arms. Mal swings her around and puts