Andō had no patience. “What action do you propose?”

“I don’t have enough data to propose action yet.”

“What data do you need? You know the direction of the investigation.”

Ockham paused to think. “I need to understand the degree to which we can or cannot trust Tribune J.E.D.D. Mason.”

For three dead seconds no one even breathed.

“I have to ask, Excellencies,” Ockham pressed. “I know Martin Guildbreaker works for Tribune Mason. You yourselves arranged to put this investigation in the Tribune’s hands, I thought because they are personally close to you and can be trusted. But then you yourself, Member President, gave Cardigan a very intense if incomplete warning to keep the Tribune away from our ‘weaker’ bash’members. I’ve heeded the warning, but I remain deeply confused, and that confusion is compromising my ability to make decisions, especially about how to handle Guildbreaker. What is Tribune J.E.D.D. Mason to us? Friend or foe? I need to understand.”

What are these glances that they trade, Andō, Ganymede, and pursed-lipped Perry? So many labels—fear, doubt, optimism, affection, shame—both fit and fail.

“I… am… aware that I know Tribune Mason less well than my colleagues…” It was Perry who began, looking from Andō to Ganymede and gaining momentum as he found both willing to let him answer first. “But, as I understand, personal duty, family duty, is more important to them than any Hive. Or at least, personal duty is the Tribune’s tiebreaker, when they have multiple Hives tugging at them. And they have strong personal ties to both of you, yes?” His eyes flicked between Andō and pensive Ganymede.

“Tai-kun honors me as a father,” Andō answered, darkness clearing from his face as he put it into words. “And Ganymede is one of Tai-kun’s bash’parents.”

The Duke President frowned. “Bash’sibling is closer, despite our age difference, but yes, we rise from the same bash’. Great pains have been taken to give us some privacy, much as with you and Sniper.”

Ockham nodded his semiunderstanding. “If personal relationships are Tribune Mason’s tiebreakers, might it not be best to break the truth to them directly? The moral calculus is on our side. We have reams of evidence that our strikes have been beneficial to everyone, tipping the world back from crisis time after time, helping not only our three allied Hives but everyone. And we can easily show how disastrous it would be in the present climate if our system and its history was revealed.”

Andō frowned for some reflective moments before shaking his head. “I don’t believe Tai-kun is capable of that kind of ethical compromise.”

Ockham frowned. “I thought Tribune Mason often helped you and others conceal secrets. I keep being told that’s what their investigating team is for, sensitive cases that are threats to Hive stability.”

Andō, who has known Him so well, so long, could only sigh. “Normally, yes, Tai-kun does precisely that for us, and is brilliant at working with all seven Hives while hiding from each what would hurt the whole if it came out. But deaths are different, for Tai-kun, absolutely and infinitely different.”