Season 2, Episode 1: "Roots"
Setting: government office on a Central Planet.
OPERATIVE (via video transmission)
The video has been released to the public. There's nothing you can do now.
Bigwig official looks at a different screen. The Reaver Video is playing.
OPERATIVE
The situation being what it is, I feel compelled to inform you that the Tams are no longer a threat to the Alliance. As well, you won't be seeing me again. Don't bother looking for me. Quite simply, if I don't exist, I can't be found.
FLUNKY
What do you want done, sir?
BIGWIG
Hunt them down and exterminate them. And when you're done with Serenity, I'll want to see that Operative.
Bigwig looks at the camera, as if for permission. The camera turns to reveal Blue Hand Dudes.
BHD #1
We want the girl.
BHD #2
Alive.
Bigwig nods.
BIGWIG
(To flunky)
Bring River Tam in alive. Kill the rest.
Cut to somewhere in space. Serenity is being chased by another ship.
Inside the ship, on the bridge. Mal is panicking.
MAL
(concentrating hard alternately at the controls, in front of the ship, and at the video screen showing the ship behind Serenity)(speaking into the intercom)
Kaylee, I need a boost, here. They're gaining on us!
KAYLEE
I'll try, Cap'n. But she's startin' to fall apart on the edges. We need to get her some new parts.
MAL
Now is not the time, Kaylee. Bring it up after we survive this.
KAYLEE
If.
MAL
(wryly) That's the attitude I want to hear.
(yelling back over his shoulder) River!
She appears in the doorway, serene amidst the panic on the ship. Jayne bursts past her, followed by Zoe. Simon follows, but stops behind River and puts his hands on her shoulders.
JAYNE
Speed it up, Mal. Them Alliance hunters'll be on us faster'n you can say 'independence'.
ZOE
Do you think it's the operative, sir?
SIMON
Again?
MAL
It's not the operative. River! We need you over here givin' this girl some speed.
SIMON
Mal, I don't think-
MAL
Damn right you don't. You follow orders. And when I want your opinion, I'll ask for it. Til then, you keep your mouth shut and make yourself useful.
Serenity lurches and speeds up.
KAYLEE
This better, Cap'n?
MAL
Keep workin' on it. We need her as fast as she can get.
KAYLEE
As fast as she can get won't be 'til she gets some new parts…
MAL
Kaylee!
KAYLEE
Just think about it.
An asteroid looms ahead of them.
ZOE
Feint left!
MAL
Don't be givin' me orders, Zoe, that's my job!
ZOE
Right side's her best. She'll turn a sharp right, easy.
Mal steers to the left of the asteroid, which is getting closer and closer. The Alliance ship doesn't follow.
MAL
They've caught on!
ZOE
Keep going.
JAYNE
What are you talking about, woman? We can't make it if we don't turn now!
ZOE
Keep going. Draw them away.
MAL
Stop giving me orders!
RIVER
Turn.
They look. The Alliance ship has turned to follow Serenity.
SIMON
For godssake, Mal, turn!
Mal steers the ship sharply to the right. It looks as if they won't make it.
JAYNE
Turn! Turn!
Tension mounts, people begin shouting at Mal, at each other, etc. They clear the asteroid, barely, scraping the side of Serenity on the way. Serenity comes to a halt. They all breathe a sigh of relief as they watch the Alliance ship his the asteroid and fly off in the other direction, smoking a little.
Mal turns to his crew to find them staring.
MAL (irritably)
Don't look at me like you expected brilliance. I ain't a pilot. Not like Wash was.
Silence.
MAL
You have things to do. Get us ready to move again. I'll plan a new route to Paquin. We can't waste any more time retracing our steps back to the old one.
They leave, one by one, except for River.
The intercom crackles on.
KAYLEE
Mal, what happened? Mal?