“Next, Mitsubishi Zhao’s motion for a Senatorial Order for the Commissioner General to assemble a Special Task Force to investigate the so-called O.S. conspiracy and report to the Senate before any trial is considered.”

The face to watch during these minutes was Deputy Commissioner Bo Chowdhury’s, scowling as Zhao presented what we all knew was really a delaying tactic, Papadelias and this Commission set up as time-wasters to slow the gears of Law. Report everything to the Senate for interminable discussion? All before even beginning to prepare for the first of what must be many long trials? What blessed breathing space such a move would offer to the guilty, especially to the Mitsubishi Directors, and the fox-crafty lawyers their great fortunes could buy. If this passed, months would drag on before brave Ockham Prospero Saneer could stand before a bench and say terra ignota. Judging by Chowdhury’s knit brow, had this been a bar he would have started the discussion by punching Zhao in the face.

“Thirty-one for, one hundred and sixty-nine against. The motion fails.”

The Senate could see through this transparent ploy. Well done.

“Next, Tribune Natekari’s motion for a Senatorial Consult declaring Ojiro Cardigan Sniper a traitor and enemy of the Alliance, no longer protected by any law, and granting license that those with the legal liberty to take a human life may kill Sniper on sight. Tribune Natekari?”

Natekari does not usually let herself finger her empty scabbard while she speaks, but did today. “By attacking the secularsanct person of a Romanovan Tribune on the Rostra, Sniper made a direct assault on the sovereignty and authority of the Universal Free Alliance, and on human liberty itself. Extending legal protection to such a traitor would amount to a declaration that Romanova will not guarantee the safety and liberty of a Tribune to speak, or to use our veto as we are charged to, to protect the universal liberty of the Hiveless and all humankind. Either Sniper is an enemy of the Alliance and has no protection under it, in which case those who have the right to kill must have the right to kill Sniper, or this Alliance must admit that it cares more about the conscience of the majority and the partisan desires of the Hives than it does about fulfilling the mandate of its charter.”

“Thank you, Tribune Natekari. Minister Luo has volunteered to speak in opposition.”

I wondered briefly which quick-thinking genius had nominated the Minister of Public Safety to oppose the motion, with her spotless Whitelaw sash, her maternal, Venus-round build, and her voice of universal trusted calm. This tamer of floods and earthquakes tames crowds as easily.