Page 103 of Pocket Wife

Adjudicator Salo’s voice cuts through the swell before it can become disorder. “All parties will remain silent.”

The hall obeys, but does not sit.

Advocate Sen smiles as if the rising has given her exactly what she needed. “Adjudicator, this demonstrates the problem. Sentiment is not standing. Collective outrage cannot replace lawful civic authority.”

I feel Lucy’s anger through the bond. Controlled. Hot. Ready.

I cannot go to her.

Sen turns her attention to me. “Helix also renews its objection to Specialist Veyr advising any resident response to this challenge. His personal bond with Miss Hartwell and prior advocacy make his involvement procedurally defective.”

Lucy’s head turns slightly.

Not enough for the tribunal to call it consultation.

Enough to feel the restraint it costs her.

Salo considers the point. “Specialist Veyr may continue as tribunal historical analyst. He may answer direct tribunal questions regarding law, history, translation, and evidence. He may not draft, direct, or privately confer on the resident standing response during this proceeding.”

A small victory for Helix.

A necessary wound.

I dip my head. “Understood.”

Lucy keeps her eyes off me now.

Good.

She understands too.

Salo faces the hall. “Solaris Valley has been challenged. If residents intend to answer through civic continuity, the tribunal requires formal proof. Recognized council authority, resident quorum, guardian appointment, or documented emergency procedure. Volume alone will not suffice.”

Mayor Alden Reeve rises from the second row.

He looks older than he did at the festival. His jacket is buttoned wrong, and his hands shake before he folds them behind his back. “Solaris Valley has a sitting council.”

Sen answers immediately. “A municipal council established under later administrative convenience. It cannot automatically claim authority over a founding covenant registry bearing interstellar signatory marks.”

Alden swallows. “The council maintains household rolls.”

“Modern household rolls,” Sen says. “Not founding authority.”

Lucy turns to Alden. “Do we have emergency appointment minutes?”

Alden’s face tightens with shame. “Not recent ones.”

Sen’s smile sharpens.

My hands remain at my sides.

I know three ways to answer the argument.

I can speak none of them unless asked.

Lucy looks across the room. “Jessa.”

Jessa straightens beside the board. “Yes.”