Mr. Tam sat in a comfy armchair by the door, reading the local Osiris newspaper. Mrs. Tam sat across the room from him, nearer the fire. She was writing a letter back to Mr. and Mrs. So-and-so, thanking them dearly for the wonderful ball that they had gone to, hoping sincerly for them to come to their counter-ball, which of course would be far grander in scale, thank you very much. Outside, it was raining hard. A courier with a stragly beard ran to the house, sheilding the letter that he held. He went under the overhang by the door, and started ringing the doorbell vigorusly. The on-duty butler, named Winston, answered it in a timely manner. The courier averted his eyes and gave him the letter, which was mostly dry. Winston gave him a stiff nod, and the courier ran back to the waiting hover car. It sped off, so as to not get any of the systems mucked up. Winston walked with a measured pace back to the den, where the Tams were going about their chores. He handed the letter to Mr. Tam. He took it, and Winston walked off, obsorved in matters that led him to some planet where the Tams were all his servants. The letters back was plain, except for a small note, that read, "to the Tams." He checked the flip side, and was surprised to see the Tam family crest as the wax sealer. That meant that it was a family member, or that someone wanted their attention, badly. He opened it carefully. Inside, there was a letter, written on a scrap of parchment. It was written in long, flowing script. His sons writeing. It read thusly: Dear Mother and Father, It is me, Simon. I fear that we have run amiss of some disreputable types. River and I are held hostage by these brigands. They make these demands of you two: That you bring, in cash, the sum of two hundred thousand credits. If you do not concede to their wishes, we will be killed. If you contact any Feds or police forces, we will be killed. The courier with which this message was delivered was an agent of theirs, they will know when you get this. If you wish to comply to, you are to come to Buru'Bataan bar, in the city of Xianjin, on the planet Jiangyin, within seventy-two hours of recieving this message. Please, do not leave us to die here. They will show you where to go from there. You are to bring the money in two unmarked suitcases, which will be checked for any bugging devices. Please, don't try any deceptions, they have agents everywhere. Sincerly yours, Simon. *** Mrs. Tam came over, finished with her letter. "What is it, dear?" she asked. He handed over the letter. Her face paled as she read it. For all her shortcomings, she loved heer children dearly. They silently went to work getting their necessary things, knowing what to do by unspoken consent. *** Kaylee stood in the back room besides Simon. She silently fretted about their upcoming meeting. "Oh, why'd ya have to go an' send 'em that letter. Now, they'll hate me for sure!" Simon looked amused by her worry. "So what if they do? I will still love you, and I'll make them see that. Don't worry." Before she could reply, the Tams burst into the room, carrying the suitcases, followed by Jayne, stragly beard and all. "Hello, Mother, Father. I'd like you to meet Kaylee Frye, my fiancee." They gaped at him in both relief and disbelief.