THE emergency hearing opened inside the screen Elara had shot.
It should have been dead glass.
The bullet hole sat in the upper corner, black at the edges, and Councilor Livia Sant appeared underneath it with the chamber alarm flashing behind her.
Continuity put the crop up first.
The foundation witness, large and chipped, standing over Orren Kai's body.
No Elara.
No order band.
No lift seam.
No five officers walking under active compliance.
Just a dead Defense Force officer and the unregistered body near him.
Sovereign Safety mirrors took the crop before Sant finished drawing breath.
UNREGISTERED FOUNDATION BODY INVOLVED IN FIELD OFFICER DEATH.
EMERGENCY REGISTRATION NECESSARY.
Davi Sorn's full frame hit the local mirrors half a line later.
Elara with the pistol three inches low.
The order band at her throat.
Orren Kai walking after his own hands.
Caleb holding the lift seam open.
Rina dragging Lio Brant out by his armor strap.
