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I stand.
My knees only threaten betrayal once.
“Thank you,” I say, and my voice comes out steadier than I feel. “This initiative will not exist to protect comforting myths from challenge. It will also not exist to rip meaning out of civilizations for the thrill of proving ourselves brave. We will study dangerous truths with rigor, humility, and oversight. We will disclose gradually when disclosure is warranted. We will seal temporarily when harm is immediate. We will revisit every silence, because permanent secrecy is how fear becomes architecture.”
Ghar’s gaze warms from the wall.
I breathe in and let the next words be less official.
“We are not here to decide that people are too fragile for truth forever,” I say. “We are here to help make sure truth arrives with enough context that people are not abandoned inside it.”
Sira’s eyes shine.
Even Brakk stops fidgeting.
Halvek nods once. “Then begin.”
The hearing adjourns into the rustle of formal relief, private anxiety, and immediate political calculation. Officials stand. Projections flicker out. Merrow leaves without congratulating me, which I accept as one of the day’s small blessings. The security fields around the shard case remain active, but for the first time they feel less like a cage and more like a promise under construction.
When the room empties, my body remembers exhaustion with enthusiasm.
I sit hard.
Brakk loosens his vest collar. “Well, that was horrible. I accept.”
I turn toward him. “You accept?”
“The job. For the pay.”
“The pay we haven’t finalized?”
“Exactly. I am preserving negotiating leverage.”
Sira smiles faintly. “You also care about the work.”
“I care about not letting idiots touch ancient death machines without proper supervision.”
“That is the work.”
He considers that, then scowls. “Damn it.”
I laugh, and the sound surprises me because it is not hysterical. It is tired, yes. A little ragged. But real.
Sira rises and bows her head slightly toward me. “I will serve as philosophical and linguistic advisor, if you will have me.”
My chest tightens. “Sira, I would not know how to do this without you.”
“That is not true.”
“It is emotionally true, and I am told those count now.”
Her smile deepens. “Then yes. I am with you.”
Brakk points between us. “No glowing speeches. I have vest trauma.”
Ghar finally steps away from the wall and comes to my side. His movement is careful. Too careful. I give him a look.
“You are supposed to sit when in pain.”
