Episode 1x21:

“CHAINS”

Written by

Matt Engstrom

Story Consultant:

“giantevilhead”

Edited by

George W. Krubski and Shawn Morris

Producer: David Elmer

Head Writer: George W. Krubski

Art Director: Sean Young

Disclaimer: The crew of the Serenity, the ‘Verse in which they live, and their fellow inhabitants are the property of Joss Whedon, Universal Studios, and/or Fox Television. They are used in this work of fan fiction with love and respect, but without permission.

EXT. INDEPENDENCE – NIGHT – ESTABLISHING

The mining moon is dark and gray. A light rain falls. SERENITY sits at the MINE ENTRANCE, near a grouping of RUSTY BUILDINGS – barracks, warehouses, loading bays and offices. Banks of lights atop steel poles light the area from above.

INT. SERENITY CARGO BAY – CONTINUOUS

The cargo bay is filled by a few dozen LARGE SPOOLS OF CHAINS, massive enough that four people would be needed to roll them. The spools are strapped down, and JAYNE and BOOK are busy unfastening them. Kaylee stands on the UPPER catwalk, looking down.

KAYLEE

…pulleys and such. Big old pulleys for heftin’ minin’ equipment. That’s gotta be what they’re for, right?

JAYNE

I don’t know. That’s a lotta pulleys.

BOOK

Mines are deep, especially uranium ones. Some can go all the way to the core.

JAYNE

I know what I’d use chains for!

(lewd grin)

If you catch my meanin’.

KAYLEE

(giggling)

Jayne!

The sound of CLINKING CHAINS comes from the AIRLOCK RAMP, preceding two SECURITY GUARDS, followed by a group of sixteen RAGGED MEN, who are shackled about the ankles. The chain gang, looking wet and miserable, includes a TEENAGE BOY, and a MAN resting his hands on the boy’s shoulders protectively. Behind this apparent father-son pair, an OLDER MAN makes eye contact with Book. A CROSS ON A THIN CHAIN hangs around his neck.

Book and Jayne exchange a look.

JAYNE

Seems I weren’t too far off with the whole bondage-thing, Shepherd.

BOOK

Seems so.

INT. CHAVEZ’S OFFICE –