Tanya studied the five Patrons, weighing their allegiances as best she could. Lison was, according to Hosokawa, conflicted. Senka had been her Elder for her entire vampire life. Gault was hard to read, but he had been hard on Chris during the Conclave that had selected Mausya as the next Elder. Chris had told her that he seemed to defer to Mausya during the questioning concerning the death of Elder Fedor. Tanya didn’t trust him.

Tan and Sun were from Asia, which was ruled by Tzao. Tan was Vietnamese, Sun from China. Both could therefore be considered firmly in Tzao’s camp. Tavian was Romanian and a child of Senka, so that was, on the face of it, good. Atta was unknown. She had been the registrar during the Conclave and was very much a politician. Where she sided, Tanya didn’t have a clue.

“The Tribunal will review the prepared exhibit of media content at this time,” Mausya said, holding up a leather portfolio wrapped with black lace.

All five patrons and both Elders opened their folios, while Galina opened a similar one and showed the contents to Tanya and Lydia. Senka stood still as a statue, staring straight at her fellow Elders.

“Please note that the articles range from panic-inducing headlines concerning the alien Vorsook, to coverage of political rallies calling for laws removing Darkkin rights to own property, to exposés on the dangers of the Omega computing machine,” Mausya said. “Note that these articles are from news organizations in countries all over the world.”

“Elder Mausya, permission to add a similar exhibit to the tribunal,” Galina said suddenly.

Mausya looked reluctant while Tzao exhibited no emotion whatsoever. It was standard procedure for both sides to enter simultaneous exhibits, according to Tanya’s mother, and the three had prepared accordingly.

Galina tapped Tanya’s leg under the table in their prearranged signal. Rising smoothly, Tanya took two expensive portfolios in red leather to the two Elders, while Lydia delivered five similar ones to the Patrons.

“Please note a counter-sample of articles praising the steps taken to destroy the alien invasions that occurred around the world, including Rome and China. Note the multiple essays reveling in the security provided by removing the global nuclear threat all at once. Read the enthusiastic medical articles detailing the benefits of Darkkin medical advances, and please take a moment to read the words of the US politicians praising the actions of Chris Gordon and Tatiana Demidova in defeating the demonic threat to Washington,” Galina said. “For every negative, there is at least one positive, and should we really drill down into world media, I am confident we will find that the preponderance of opinion is positive.”

The chamber was silent as Mausya considered Galina. The newest Elder spoke. “Bring forth the Seneschal.”