“As I said, Senior Arbiter, I have recently immersed myself in Crachian law and procedure. The Doctrine of Arbitration clearly states that a novice may substitute for a standing pleader in the event that pleader is unexpectedly detained or incapacitated, providing that novice has begun the process of training and has observed a standing pleader for at least twenty sessions. By submitting my request I have clearly begun the process, and I have observed Brio in countless sessions on this very floor.”

“That is a very loose interpretation of that particular provision, Te-Gen. It is meant as a temporary relief measure, for a single session at most, not to appoint a permanent replacement for a Division’s pleader of record.”

“You will forgive me, Senior Arbiter, but I don’t believe that is left to you alone to decide.”

“Of course not,” Tang admits readily and without any sign of ire. “This matter will be put to a vote by the Arbitration Council.”

“May I address the Council before that vote takes place?”

Tang pauses before answering, his expression changing just slightly as he looks across the well at Lexi. She can’t be sure how his perception of her is changed in that moment.

“Please, proceed,” he bids her.

Lexi is careful to meet the eyes of each member of the Council individually as she speaks.

“Te-Gens, De-Gens, I know you may view my request as some kind of stratagem born of a desperation, a gambit to keep my Gen thriving in dire times. I will not tell you that very thing does not at least in part motivate my every action. But I would also tell you that for generations Gen Stalbraid has been devoted to defending and giving voice to those who are born, live, and often die outside the grace and favor of the Capitol, even as they subsist in the shadow of this very Spectrum. Stalbraid took up the cause of the people in the Bottoms when no other pleading Gen would choose to represent them.

“I have spent my entire life serving that cause in whatever capacity I could. Today, this is what that cause demands of me, and I want only to meet that demand. Yes, I wish to hold my Gen together. However, there is a much larger concern involving a great many others who do not live in the high towers of well-kept cooperatives. A number of those people are in this room today because they have nowhere else to go. I would ask you to allow me to do this, not for the sake of Gen Stalbraid, but for the simple reason that it needs to be done.”