“Nay it is to this decision. The Way is to be kept open. Is it the decision of this Nexus to create an armed force with the express purpose of securing the Way for the benefit of the Infinite Hexamon and its pledged allies?”

The voices seemed to rise in volume. Lanier could not tell whether ayes or nays led now; the vote was very close, and some corpreps and senators had dropped out, bowing their heads or leaning back, faces strained.

“The decision is aye. Is it the decision of this Nexus to put the issue with our recommendations before a full vote of the Terrestrial Hexamon, including the mens publica and the corporeal voters of Earth?”

Again the voices spoke out in unison.

“Nay it is to this plan. Is it the decision of this Nexus to take a vote solely from the mens publica of the seven chambers of Thistledown and the two orbiting precincts?”

And again.

Lanier closed his eyes. It was happening. He might actually stare down the throat of the Corridor, the Way, again…. There might even be a chance, someday, of learning what had happened to Patricia Luisa Vasquez.

“Aye it is. The vote shall be taken solely before the mens publica of the three orbiting bodies. Ser Secretary, do these votes tally with the Nexus mens?”

“They do, Ser Presiding Minister.”

“Then the recommendations are set and the voting process will begin. A Nexus advisory will be issued to all citizens of the three orbiting bodies tomorrow at this time. There will be a week-long period of individual research and contemplation, with all information and testimony presented to the Nexus available to the voters. Within twenty-four hours of the end of that week, all citizens will inform their partials within the mens publica, and another period of twenty-four hours will pass before a vote is taken there. The decision of the citizens of the Hexamon will be ratified by the Nexus within one week, and the implementation of the new policy will be made binding upon the Nexus and the president and presiding minister. It is the law that the president may delay this entire process by as long as one month of twenty-eight days. The president has informed me that he does not wish to delay the process. This meeting is hereby adjourned. Thank you all.”

Uncharacteristic pandemonium broke out in the chamber. Lanier watched the corpreps and senators flashing bright picts at each other, some meeting to embrace, others standing in stunned silence. A contingent of conservatively dressed Orthodox Naderites came forward to meet with the president and presiding minister beneath the podium.

Mirsky pinched the bridge of his nose. “This is not good,” he said quietly. “I have opened the bag and the winds are escaping.”

“What will you do?” Lanier asked.

“Much thinking. How could I not have convinced them?”

“During your journey, you might have forgotten one thing about humans,” Lanier suggested.

“Obviously. What thing?”