The crew of the Serenity is getting desperate. They have lain lower and lower to protect their doctor, Simon Tam and his telepathic traumatized little sister, River from the alliance, whom he rescued her from a year earlier. This has made getting jobs harder and now they are desperate. When they take River on a robbery during which Reavers attack, Simon decides that its time to leave the crew of the Serenity for his and River's safety.