Election day dawned, as days planetside will, to a fanfare of birdsong and the sound of people complaining as they made themselves ready for whatever was likely to come their way during the next twenty-four hours or so.

Up early, the crew of Serenity had a comparatively leisurely breakfast before congregating in the cargo bay, the sun still low enough that it threw long shadows behind them.

“Now, you be good,” Kaylee said to Bethie, pushing her hair back behind her ears.

“Yes, Momma.”

“’Cause I’m leaving you in charge, just while we’re gone.”

“Yes, Momma.”

“But that don’t mean you can wander off and do whatever you want.”

“No, Momma.”

“We won’t be long.”

“We’ll be good, Momma.” Bethie beamed at her, her hands behind her back, her fingers all crossed and knotted together.

“Mmn.” Kaylee looked up at Simon. “Maybe I should stay. ‘Til everyone gets back.”

He put his hand in the small of her back. “Sweetheart, the sooner we get this over with, the better. And Serenity will be locked up tight. No-one will be able to get in.”

“I know that, but after yesterday …” Kaylee gave her daughter a look that could only be described as piercing, and Bethie managed to look apologetic. Simon had, after all, filled them in on what had happened, since Zoe and Hank were bound to notice the bruising on Ben’s face. “Maybehaps we ought to take ‘em all with us.”

“Not happening,” Mal said, walking down the stairs from the top catwalk. “If something goes wrong, we can’t be having the kids to be thinking about rescuing too.”

“Then I’ll stay. Vote later.”

“That ain't gonna work either. We need you on the end of the line while we relieve Jericho Wells of their hard-earned cash.” He stepped down onto the deck. “’Sides, we might need all hands if things don’t go well,” he added.

River leaned on the railing outside her shuttle. “ Things are going to go fine,” she said, an icy tone in her voice.

Mal looked up at her. “You keep saying that, albatross, but until we’re done and