As wine leaks from a wineskin, leaving the once-taut structure soft and empty, so the strength had drained from former Censor Vivien Ancelet’s dark cheeks during Jehovah’s speech. Now life surged in him again, as if he had come around the farther side of terror and achieved anger. He brushed past the other Committee members and charged toward the speaker’s spot.

Jehovah’s hand and black glance bade him pause.

“But war must wait,” the Addressee continued, that phrase alone granting the Humanist President some calm. “In ancient times when the Olympics came, all wars would pause as enemies watched side by side the sacred proofs of human excellence. Upon their modern resurrection, the Games were four times canceled and once delayed for the World Wars. Not again. On behalf of President Ancelet, My colleagues on the Olympic Committee, and of Myself, I hereby invite Ojiro Cardigan Sniper to join us in Esperanza City on August the twenty-second to light the torch at the Opening Ceremony for the Games of the One Hundred and Fortieth Modern Olympiad. I ask that there be no violence or interference, from anyone or any side, during these Games, or during their preparation. I believe that, if the human race proves capable of honoring this ancient custom, that will prove you are also capable of peace without O.S. When the Closing Ceremony concludes, one hundred and twenty-eight days from now, I shall return here to the Forum to personally open the Gates of the Temple of Janus, and declare the world to be at war.”