“Even though revealing our activities would certainly result in far more harm? The economic and political disaster aside, in the current climate riot deaths would dwarf the lives we take, hundreds to one or more.”

The Chief Director shook his head. “I don’t think Tai-kun’s capable of that kind of choice. We aren’t discussing a normal… person here.” What word almost slipped out in that gap, I wonder? “Tai-kun is psychologically unique, without precedent even in the annals of Brill’s Institute. You cannot predict their actions or reactions, not if you don’t know them. Words, ethics, the decisions where we every day see gray and compromise are to Tai-kun as rigid and precise as mathematics.”

“Math is on our side. Fewer deaths against more.”

“No. If we made it an equation, death is infinity by Tai-kun’s moral mathematics, so both ends of the balance are negative infinity, and equally unacceptable. The question itself would be crippling.”

Concentration tightened Ockham’s black brows, as he attempted to imagine such a mind. “Crippling in a useful way for us?”

Andō shook his head. “Tai-kun is not capable of concealing the outward signs of wrestling with such a question. It would be instantly obvious to Martin, to Dominic, to many others, including MASON themself.”

Frowning Ockham still turned hopeful eyes on Ganymede. “What about your persuasive influence as a ba’sib, Member President?”

After a moment’s hesitation, the Duke switched to Spanish, leaning forward as he spoke now Humanist to Humanist. “Understand this, Ockham: your own bash’ has a strict hierarchy, for a vital reason. So does mine. Sniper, for all their fame and worldwide power base, does not for an instant supersede your judgment or command.” He waited for a nod from Ockham to confirm that his points were clear so far. “I do not supersede Their Highness Prince Mason.”

The sound of Spanish had relaxed Ockham, like breeze in summer, but these last words stiffened him again. “¿Then to say you have influence over Tribune Mason would be better reversed?”

“The influence is bidirectional, and strong, but not equal.” Ganymede made his syllables fast and deeply accented, to make extra certain Andō and Perry could not catch many words. “Yourself and Sniper are not poor comparisons. The titles ‘duke’ and ‘prince’ are real to us.”

“I see.” Ockham pursed his lips in thought. “You know my office does not recognize such titles. ‘Prince’ Mason is not a Humanist, and has no authority over O.S.”

“Nor have they authority over myself in matters of state. My oath of office as Humanist President trumps any ties of birth or aristocracy, just as when the King of Spain serves as Europe’s Prime Minister. I recognize that, as does Prince Mason, and rest of our bash’.”

“¿Then you believe your ability to act as President is not compromised?”

“Absolutely not, when I am acting in my office as President. But if I step outside my office and approach Their Highness ba’sib to ba’sib to persuade them to keep silent, there I would be a petitioner rather than an equal, and there lies hazard. I would avoid that if I can.”