“People are saying we have to move slowly on this,” DeLupa continued, “that we don’t have enough proof yet, but we can’t afford to move slowly when those accused are precisely those with the political and financial power necessary to make an investigation drag on for eternity. Korhonen’s description of the system is clear: back when the King of Spain was still Prime Minister this so-called Special Means Committee worked in secret, or semisecret since it seems most of Parliament knew about it, but ever since Perry’s coalition drove the King out of office, this committee of murderers has reported, not just to them, but directly to the European Parliament, and Parliament approved the assassinations, every single member! They’re all responsible! Some knew the truth from Perry’s mouth, some only from rumor, but they all knew, or were willfully blind! Yes, maybe some PMs didn’t like it, maybe some voted against it every time, but they all concealed it, or pretended it wasn’t true, them and all their aides and secretaries, they’re all accessories if not murderers themselves. When someone is an accessory to murder we arrest them, no matter who they are. It sounds absurd arresting more than a hundred people, but this is two thousand murders! Two thousand human lives! And if due process says we don’t have enough evidence to bring them in yet, surely due process breaks down when it’s the very powers that designed due process who need to be taken down. We have to act now, or Parliament will hide behind due process forever. As for the other Hives, with the Mitsubishi, the only question is whether Chief Director Andō is solely responsible or whether all nine Directors knew. President Ganymede’s involvement is, of course, a great personal blow to me, both as Vice President and as a Humanist. I’ve long considered Ganymede a friend, but as the voice of the Anonymous I cannot defend their complicity in this. Korhonen made it clear, the Humanist President had veto to stop any hit at any time. Ganymede’s name should be right at the top of the list of guilty, above even Ockham Saneer!”

“Crap,” was Sniper’s only answer. “They really did spill everything.”

Lesley shook her head. “Everything but your name. No one’s outed you as part of this bash’ yet. You’re still the innocent hero who risked life and limb to rescue the President from falling out that window. You’ll need to make a statement.”

“Yeah.” Sniper started to slump against her, but pain made it choose the sofa over her warm but lumpy shoulder. “I don’t have long, ¿do I? Perry’s fleeing cronies don’t know I’m with this bash’, but the police do.”

“None of us has long.” Ockham lifted Lesley’s hand in his, exploring again the feel of her ink-stained fingers. “Lesley and I have been talking,” he began softly.

“¿Yes?”

“We think it’s time to pass things to you, Ojiro.”

“¡Ockham!” Sniper’s throat cracked.

“I do not intend to be the last O.S.,” Ockham continued. “The Humanists need us more than ever now. The millions who put names on the Wish List do not think we are wrong to solve some problems with death.”