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Fisk didn’t stand She sat in his chair squeezing her hands and not looking at him When the silence had beco else, Madam President?”

“There is,” she replied, looking hin of standing up to leave, so he sat back down again

“Then out with it,” he said, i the snappish tone “Please”

“We’re—I’es to the worlds I’ve asked for reps to be sent from every planet that wasn’t already part of the association I’ve passed along President Duarte’s—”

“High Consul Duarte,” Singh interrupted her

“Of course,” she said “I’ve passed along the high consul’s very detailed docuress of Worlds”

“Laconian Congress of Worlds,” Singh said

“Of course But so far, that’s the only thing my office has done Act as press secretary for your office And, with all due respect, that is not what I was voted into my office to do”

She looked nervous saying it, and Singh gave her a row so run The Laconian governht for what they believed The high consulviewpoint should have a vigorous proponent, so that everyone felt that the final decisions werewas considered fully A planetary congress run by mice wasn’t useful to anyone

“And what,” Singh said after he’d let her squirh, “would be a better use of your time, Madam President?”

“If we’re to be the legislative body of this new governht me in here to deliver these directives for me to disseminate, but not once have we voted on theress in name only, in place to rubber-stamp your orders”

“As the governor,” Singh replied, “I am here as the direct representative of the executive branch, and the office of the high consul You don’t vote on orders froh consul”

He couldn’t help but laugh a bit at the very ridiculousness of that idea As if the high consul e his policies because of a vote

“Then,” Fisk replied, “what do we vote on?”

“When the high consul’s office has decided on this year’s legislative agenda, you will be the first to be notified, Mada with the overnment And I assure you, that will be an excellent use of your time”