they enter the biggest space on the ship. giant doors sit at the front, which will open upon landing to reveal a lowering ramp. catwalks surround the space, leading up at the front to the foredeck hall. we've come all the way through serenity.
the chains are hoisted back up into the ceiling of the ship. the mule floats just above the floor, jayne piling in next to river in the back:
simon moves next to the huge sliding doors at the front, hits a couple of buttons. the doors pull open, as the huge ramp beyond them opens down, letting in a rush of wind and light.
and only its forward momentum keeps it from being squashed as it flies backwards into the bay, narrowly missing simon and smashing back into the staircase, sparks and people flying --
a flaming portion of the top flies in, skids to the floor as small fires erupt from the mule as well -- simon pulls a lever and jets of c02 shoot out of the floor. simon hits the button to start the outer ramp closing, then runs to the mule. the c02 stops and he finds river sitting in her seat, completely unharmed. zoe is climbing painfully out of the other seat, mal and jayne both having been thrown.
inara tries to catch up to --
mal comes down the stairs to the catwalk. he hesitates, then steps into the shuttle. ¿½mo
mal stows the gear as zoe approaches.