Page 149 of Zenith Tower

“The folio was taken from me at transfer,” Kieran said. “It was already listed as an exhibit.”

Walkin kept one hand on the open pages. “Restricted medical records remain in Council custody during review.”

“It is my record. I wrote it.”

The administrator addressed the clerk. “Note that the exhibit was removed from Kieran Marsh’s possession after he objected.”

The clerk entered the objection.

Caspian opened the copied annex in front of him. “This filing is already lodged with other Council seats. Whatever is entered today will not exist only in this room.”

Walkin looked at the registry seal. “External distribution does not alter my authority.”

“The other seats will still receive the record of how you use it.”

“This hearing concerns the post-threshold capability of an Untethered Mark with three completed bonds,” Walkin said. “It will determine whether that capability can be managed under Council observation or requires permanent containment.”

“Delphine Moreau requested what I did to her Mark. Her consent and the administrator’s witness statement are already entered.”

“Moreau’s condition is evidence. It is not the purpose of this hearing.”

Delphine stood behind the rail.

The clerk beside her caught at her sleeve. Delphine pulled free and raised her uncovered hand.

Silver lines crossed her palm and wrist, pale against skin still swollen from the repair. The pattern held steady in the water-light.

“If my condition is evidence, you can use my name while you discuss it,” she said.

Walkin looked at the Mark rather than her face. “Your statement was taken before the alteration.”

“My consent was taken before it. My statement continued afterward.”

“Your memory is compromised.”

“The Tower compromised it before Astra ever touched me.”

The clerk’s pen moved again. Walkin heard it and turned.

“That exchange is outside the defined question.”

“No,” the administrator said. “Whether the change was consensual and whether it relieved an injury created during review are part of the capability you convened this hearing to judge.”

“You are not presiding.”

“I am an entered witness with direct knowledge of the procedure.”

The black wax over the control plate shone between them.

Walkin closed Delphine’s statement and drew another file from the stack. “Then we will establish the capability first.”

They looked toward Kieran.

“Remove your shirt.”

Kieran did not move. “You have my measurements.”

“We have measurements recorded by a resident without Council certification.”