The clock struck 11.00 pm, and the polling booths across Jericho Wells shut down. Automatically all the results were fed into the main computer in the Election Offices, coincidentally the same one that River had accessed. This was the final entry, arranged so that while the rest of the planet had finished voting some time since, Jericho Wells as the major city was the collation point.

“Come on, people,” Mal murmured, the boredom of the last few hours being replaced by tension. “It’s time we got gone.”

“What if the rest of River’s little plan doesn’t work?” Hank wanted to know, keeping his own voice as low as possible.

“I don’t believe we want to be asking that question.”

“Wait,” Freya said, watching Zoe amongst the throng of people clustered in front of the stage, Mercy next to her. “I want to see who wins.”

Mal raised his eyebrows at her. “You sure, xin gan ?”

“Zoe’s not going anywhere until then, you know that. Just a few more minutes.”

He smiled, slid his arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek, not caring a jot for the looks he was getting for this very public display of affection.

Thomas Cromwell was conferring with his colleagues, each having to agree the results on the handheld terminal before they could be announced. In truth no-one had ever disagreed, not in the whole history of Jericho Wells. It was all checked by the computer first. Of course it would be right.

He nodded, then stepped up to the microphone, adjusting his jacket across his shoulders and clearing his throat. “Ladies and gentlemen ...” He smiled into the camera, somewhat oddly, as if his face wasn’t quite used to it. “Ladies and gentlemen, I am pleased to announce that we have the results of the Jericho elections.” There was a dull smattering of applause before he went on, “And I am also pleased to announce yet another year of 100 percent attendance.” He coughed again, this time his gaze falling on Mal and his crew.

“Is he giving me the eye?” the captain of Serenity asked.

“Probably,”