Serenity Cargo Bay
Mal, Jayne, Zoë, and Andrew have returned to the ship.
Mal: Welcome to your new home, Mr. Jameson. May not look like much…
Andrew: Well, if you want to put it lightly.
Jayne suddenly takes Andrew by the throat.
Andrew: (Raspy.) Do you think you could call off your goon?
Zoë: I don't know. We've known you for all of 20 minutes and probably half the things that you've said have been insubordinate and derogatory. When you said that you were clear on this subject, we probably should have told you that if you were to continue with your bad behavior, we would throw you out of the ship.
Andrew: (Raspy.) Not the worst fate one could face.
Zoë: In the middle of space.
Andrew: (Raspy.) Oh. You'd do that?
Mal: Anything's possible.
Andrew: (Raspy.) Well in that case, it's a beautiful ship.
Jayne releases Andrew. Meanwhile, Kaylee and Wash enter the Cargo Bay.
Kaylee: You're damn right it is. Serenity; she'll always get you where you're going without any trouble at all.
Andrew only half hears Kaylee; he is mesmerized by her looks.
Andrew: Morning, beautiful. (To Mal.) Who's she?
Mal: Our mechanic.
Andrew: This ship keeps getting better every second.
Kaylee is unsure of how to handle the comment. She also finds Andrew attractive, and she is still angry with Simon, but she is wary of Andrew because of his status as an arms dealer.
Kaylee: You, you think I'm pretty?
Andrew: I believe that that is the understatement of the year. You are… gorgeous.
Andrew looks at Wash. Unlike with most of the other crew, he seems to take an immediate liking to him.
Andrew: Nice Hawaiian shirt, man. Is it authentic?
Wash: Huh?
Andrew: Did it really come from the Earth That Was?
Wash: What the hell is a Hawaii?
Mal: It was a place on the Earth That Was. Tropical paradise, if memory serves me right.
Andrew: Darn right it was. I mean, yeah, I think you're right.
Mal: Andrew Jameson, meet Wash, our pilot.
Andrew: Wash.
Wash: Andrew.
Andrew: I hate to cut the welcoming party short, but do you think that we can leave soon?
Mal: Yeah. I'll have Jayne show you to your shuttle.
Jayne slowly flashes a smile at Andrew. A look of terror comes across Andrew's face. He then looks over at Kaylee, then points to her.
Andrew: Actually, do you think that she can give me the tour?
Mal: Kaylee, it's up to…
Kaylee: Whatever you say, Captain.
Kaylee and Andrew run off to the shuttles.
Wash: I like him.
Zoë: Funny. I don't.
Wash: Oh, you've said that about half the people on this ship.
Zoë: Yeah, but you only met Andrew the "charmer". You should have been here for his cynical version.
Jayne: I still say we shouldn't trust him. There's something about him, you know?
Mal: Jayne, we barely trust you. Don't mean to hurt your feelings, but you're judgment isn't one that I'm going to put too much weight on.
Zoë: But Captain, you have to admit that there is something strange about him.
Mal: Yes, there is something a little off, but I don't think he's a danger to us. Least he hasn't yet given me a reason to. Anyway, Wash, get this boat ready for takeoff.
Wash: Sure thing, Captain.
Wash and Zoë head to the Bridge.
Jayne: I'm going to make sure that Kaylee's alright.
Mal: Jayne, if you try to turn this one in too, I can guarantee you that some of his contraband is used against you.
Jayne leaves to go to the shuttles. As Mal is about to close the hatch, Wash calls him on the intercom.
Wash: Um, Captain, you may want to come see this.
Mal walks away and forgets to close the hatch. After he is gone, Inara runs in. She leaves her luggage in the outer part of the airlock, then runs toward the shuttle. After she is gone, Book comes to the Cargo Bay and closes the hatch.
Book: (Into intercom.) Captain, I closed the hatch. I hope that's alright.
Mal: (From Bridge.) Oh yeah. Thanks. Must've forgot to. Is it locked?
Book: Yes.
The Bridge
Mal: What's the problem, Wash?
Wash: Someone must've known we were coming. We've been landlocked.
Mal: By who?
Zoë: The Alliance. The local Sheriff Station has issued a landlock order on any Firefly in the docks.
Mal: Dammit. (Picks up intercom.) Attention all crew; we've been landlocked by the Alliance. We will do everything possible to override it but just in case, I want Jameson and the Tams to find a place to hide in case of trouble. (Puts down intercom.) Okay Wash, can you break the lock?
Wash: It's unlikely. This isn't some crappy little planet; this is Zeus. You can't get much more central than this, and the closer to the center you get, the more powerful the police are.
Andrew steps into the Bridge holding a computer.
Andrew: Maybe I can help.
Mal: Dammit, I told you to hide.
Andrew: Not really one for hiding.
Zoë: Then why don't you get off the ship so that we can leave. You won't have to hide here.
Andrew: Hey, I said hiding, not running. There is a difference. Anyway, I may be able to hack into the Zeus Central Server and remove the landlock.
Mal, Wash, and Zoë all look at each other, then they break out in a fit of laughter.
Andrew: You think it's funny? Just watch.
Outside the ship, about 20 Alliance Police Officers arrive at the docks, and the immediately determine that the Firefly they want is Serenity. They are soon followed by the two Blue Sun Agents.
Outside the Ship
Police Captain: (Has a voice amplifier.) Andrew Jameson, Simon Tam, and River Tam, come out with your hands up. You are under arrest for the production and distribution of contraband arms. Simon Tam, you are under arrest for the kidnapping of River Tam from the Blue Sun Academy for Gifted Children.
The Bridge
Andrew is frantically working at his computer.
Andrew: Production and distribution of arms. Pfft. That's a good one.
Mal: What?
Andrew: Nothing.
Wash: Do you almost have the lock done?
Andrew: Yeah, give me a few more minutes.
Outside the Ship
Police Captain: Jameson, Tam, and Tam; this is your last chance. If you do not exit from the Firefly, we will be forced to enter through force and personally retrieve you.
The Blue Sun Agents approach the Captain.
Agent 1: Have you made any progress?
Police Captain: I doubt it. These people know what's in store for them once we acquire them. It's not likely that they're going to turn themselves in.
Agent 2: How long will it take to get into the ship?
Police Captain: That depends. If the Captain has a locking system on his doors, which he most likely does, it could take up to three quarters of an hour.
Agent 1: And if he doesn't have a locking system?
Police Captain: It'll still take at least 15 minutes.
Agent 2: We don't have the time for that.
Police Captain: Don't worry; we have them landlocked, just like you said.
Agent 1: You have no idea what these fugitives are capable of.
The agents pull out their strange rod device and activate it. Within minutes, all the policemen are lying dead in pools of their own blood. They then go up to the airlock doors of Serenity and pull out another strange device. It resembles a blowtorch, but the two Agents don't even put on goggles. They begin to cut through the doors of the ship.
The Bridge
The ship's computer warns the crew of the attempted breach of the ship. Andrew is still working on hacking the server.
Computer: Warning: Hull breach in progress.
Mal: You see why I told you to hide?
Wash: I don't know, I'd say that some of his illegal weapons could come in real handy right about now.
Andrew: Illegal weapons? Please. You actually believe that crap?
Zoë: Well, if you don't make illegal weapons, why does the government want you?
Andrew: Sorry, can't talk. I'm almost there.
Outside the Ship
The Agents are almost through the outer doors.
The Bridge
Computer: Warning: Hull Breach Imminent.
Mal: Jameson!
Andrew: Almost there… I got it!
Computer: Landlock disengaged.
Mal: Okay, Wash, get us out of here.
Wash: Way ahead of you, Mal.
Serenity flies off, leaving the Agents standing at the Docks. The Cargo Bay doors have almost been completely cut.
Mal: Looks like we'll need to get the Bay doors repaired. I think I know someone who can fix us up real nice.
Zoë: Well Mr. Jameson, now that the ordeal is over, I would like to know… Andrew? Where'd he go?
Inara quietly walks onto the Bridge.
Inara: If you mean that new guy, I saw him running back to my, I mean his shuttle.
Wash: Nara?
Mal: Well, well. Looks like we have a stowaway.
Inara: Save it Mal.
Mal: Why'd you come back?
Inara: I left some luggage behind. Anyway, if you could just drop me off at the nearest core planet, I would appreciate it very much.
Mal: Sorry, no can do.
Inara: (Annoyed.) What?
Mal: Well, after what happened today, we may need to lie low for a while. We're not going to return to the core for a while now.
Inara: You're impossible, you know that?
Inara begins walking away, and Mal has to yell for her to hear him.
Mal: Not my fault!
Kaylee's Cabin
Kaylee is on her bed as Inara enters. Kaylee jumps up to greet her.
Kaylee: Nara! I thought you were leaving.
Inara: So did I. Unfortunately, I left some belongings behind, and when I came back for them, the Feds came, and we had to take off. I probably won't be leaving anytime soon. Captain says we won't be returning to the core for a while.
Kaylee: Oh Nara, I'm sorry. Hey, but look on the bright side.
Inara: How did I know you would say that?
Kaylee: We get to hang out some more. And we can talk about Andrew, that new guy.
Inara: Now why would we ever want to do that?
Kaylee: He likes me. And I think I may be feeling a little something for him too.
Inara: Forgetting about Simon so soon?
Kaylee: What's to forget? Nothing happened. Besides, it's not like I've made up my mind about either yet. We'll just see what happens. With the exception of the weapons thing, he seems like a pretty good guy.
Inara: That's a big exception, you know.
Andrew's Shuttle
Andrew is unpacking his suitcases and dufflebags. So far, he has only removed clothes. Not a single weapon is even visible. Mal enters.
Mal: I must say; that was pretty impressive, back there.
Andrew: Told you I could do it.
Mal: That you did. You seem like a good guy.
Andrew: Thanks. I think.
Mal: So how 'bout you tell me why you're really running.
Andrew: (Somewhat sarcastically.) But you already know, don't you? Illegal weapon production and distribution, right? Sounds bad, doesn't it?
Mal: Jeez, you're so, strange. I talked to you, what, three weeks ago? You didn't have this attitude at all.
Andrew: Yeah, sorry but I really needed a ship. Look, I'm not as bad as you think. Just, there are some parts of my life that are better left in the dark. For your safety, you know?
Mal: Right. Well, attitude aside, I was right when I told my crew about you.
Andrew: What do you mean?
Mal: You can imagine that, with your record, my crew wasn't too happy to have you onboard. But I told them that you seemed respectable, and I'm sticking with that theory. For now, anyway.
Andrew: Thank you, Captain Reynolds.
Mal: You're welcome. But understand that if you ever double cross me or my crew, I won't hesitate to kill you myself.
Andrew: Got it.
Mal: Okay, I'll see you at dinner.
Mal leaves. Andrew resumes unpacking. He goes to his duffle bags. When he opens them, they are full of artifacts from the Earth That Was, ranging from posters to books to CD's. Andrew gives them a longing look, and then closes the bags. He continues to put his clothes away.