“Thank you, Member Speaker. I have here a draft for an emergency agenda, which covers all the urgent motions, plus some elements of today’s original agenda, and has the consent of all the movers of all motions. We propose that the Senate take an expedited emergency vote on each motion in turn. Each motion will be presented by its mover for three minutes, then a single opposition spokesperson will have three minutes to speak against, and then we will take an electronic vote. Any motion passed by a two-thirds majority and not vetoed by a Tribune will be carried, any voted down by a two-thirds majority will be dismissed, and those where no two-thirds majority is achieved will be put on the formal agenda for the next session, which we recommend commence two days from now. The only exception is Minister Cook’s proposed new Black Law, which all agree is too grave a question for an emergency vote, so it will be deferred until the next session, without a vote today.”

As Jin Im-Jin skimmed the ceremonial papers, the network shared the pure text with the lenses of the millions watching. Grandpa frowned. “You included Cousin Podrova’s motion for the dissolution of the Humanist Hive among the questions to be voted on today. Do you not think that one, like the proposed new Black Law, is too grave for such a hasty hearing?” The Speaker looked less at Fracciterne’s gaggle than at the twenty-two Humanist Senators still on the benches.

“No, Member Speaker. We believe that can be resolved today.”

It was the Humanists’ nods, not Fracciterne’s words, that calmed the Speaker, their silence promising that, at some point in the basement negotiations, enough votes had been pledged to keep the Hive secure.

“Any objections to this proposal?” the Speaker invited.

The new agenda passed unopposed, one last gasp of unanimity.

“First on the new agenda, we have a modified version of Hiveless Fracciterne’s motion for a Senatorial Order to the Sensayer’s Conclave, commanding that they present, within forty-eight hours, a plan to facilitate safe global dialogue about the supposed resurrection of Tribune Mason. The modification calls for the Senate’s order to give no specifics as to what the Conclave’s plan should entail, just that they develop one, and that the Minor Senators be invited to the Conclave to participate in its development. Do the Minor Senators wish to exercise their reserved Minors’ Priority and speak to the matter?”

Young Xinxin Hopper rose again. “Member Speaker, so long as we are invited to the Conclave to participate in the plan’s development, we are content.”

Grandpa smiled. “Hiveless Fracciterne, you have three minutes.”