“Can you, Lexi?” Stru asks, and if she didn’t know better she’d think he was as amused as Jochi by this turn of events.

“No, I cannot. And trust me, Senior Councilman…” Lexi glances at Taru, the two of them sharing the weights of five sleepless nights beneath their eyes. “…we looked.”

Councilman Jochi actually laughs. It’s brief and restrained, but it’s enough to draw daggers from Councilwoman Burr’s gaze.

Stru, meanwhile, is nodding thoughtfully and enough to jostle every inch of loose flesh hanging from his skull.

“Very well,” he proclaims, finally. “By the laws of Crache and the subsets of our own Gen Franchising doctrine, many of them laid forth by this very Council, I must overturn our previous decree. Gen Stalbraid’s franchise will remain in good standing until such time as the fate of Brio Alania can be invariably determined.”

Lexi bows at the waist, a most ancient custom rarely observed anymore save for the most formal of state functions, but one that feels right to her in that moment.

“My Gen thanks you, Councilmembers.”

Councilwoman Burr is already standing from her seat to adjourn. Steam is practically rising from her skin, and Jochi watches his fellow councilmember fume as she stomps off with unmasked pleasure.

Senior Councilman Stru remains focused on Lexi. “You should bear in mind, the Protectorate Ministry may see fit to resolve this matter by presenting new facts.”

“If they do so, it will have to be in open session, and in that case I look forward to sharing whatever information they feel is pertinent. And answering any charges to the best of my ability.”

Stru smiles, and in that moment Lexi regrets the harsh words she spoke of the man.

“I imagine you do,” he says, kindly. “I imagine you would.”

He rises with concerted effort, although he does so unaided.

“Good day, Te-Gen. This session stands closed.”

“Good day, Councilman.”

Lexi bows once more to Stru, and then to Jochi, who dips his round chin in return with a cattish grin.

“And please give Councilwoman Burr my deepest respects. She departed so abruptly.”

She turns and begins descending the steps that end just before the chamber doors, Taru taking smaller strides than they need in order to keep pace with their much slighter charge. The Aegins guarding those doors pull the heavy stone slabs open upon their approach.

“Congratulations, Te-Gen,” Taru says quietly, and only for Lexi’s ear as they exit into the Spectrum corridor.

She shakes her head. “It’s a minor victory, if at all. And temporary. We found holes in their laws. They’ll find or make new ones to circumvent those holes. That’s the point of the whole damn thing.”

Taru frowns. “I do not like words as weapons. They’re devious.”

“Yet you helped me wield them well in those Council chambers, my friend. Thank you.”

“It is all in service, Te-Gen.”