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Before Maldonado could respond, Fred spoke up. “That isn’t the reason, Velisa, mainly because Aligar no longer being a trading partner is not a loss. That trade arrangement was long overdue for cessation. And as for Trinni/ek, that’s just a fortuitous side effect.”

“Yes,” Gelemingar said, “but I’m sure this president will hammer that point home.”

“It’s what we do,” Fred said with another sweet smile.

“You’re certainly doing it now. What’s next, declaring war on Aligar?”

Before Fred could reply, Velisa said, “Councillor, you have gone on record as opposing President Bacco’s just-completed goodwill tour.”

“Yes. It was an unconscionable waste of time, forcing her to be absent from several important council sessions. The president needs to be present at the seat of government, or she risks losing all touch with the process.”

“I can’t agree,” Maldonado said. “President Bacco’s tour is a continuation of something she did while she was governor of Cestus III.”

The entire pub cheered, drowning out the rest of Maldonado’s statement, but from what Tim could hear over the noise, she was just explaining about Bacco’s town meetings.

“What possible use,” Gelemingar asked, “could that be?”

Fred chuckled. “Call me crazy, but it seems to me that a government that doesn’t listen to the people isn’t much of a government.”

“Very well then, I shall call you crazy,” Gelemingar said, prompting more boos from the pub. “The people spoke when they elected me councillor. If they decide they dislike the job I’m doing, they can vote for someone else when my term expires. If they like it, they will reelect me. That is how the process works.”

Leaning back in his chair and putting his hand to his chin, Fred said, “I find it interesting, Councillor, that you say that it’s so unconscionable, considering that just five minutes ago you revealed that you missed an entire council session in which the vote to unseal the record of a session you participated in took place. The only person in this discussion that’s lost all touch with the process is you.”

“All right,” Gordon said over the cheers that followed that statement. “He gets a Homebrew, too.”

Tim said, “He’s local, you know-been on Bacco’s staff since she was a representative.”

“Really?” Gordon sounded surprised.

Fred was still talking. “Meanwhile, President Bacco has talked with the people of Ventax II, of Lembatta Prime, of Taurus III, of New Paris, of Kessik IV, and, yes, of Cestus III about their concerns.”

A few whoops at the mention of the homeworld.

“Did you know, Councillor, that the New Parisians have been trying to get a new medical treatment approved? It’s a treatment for Irumodic Syndrome that they’ve had excellent results with. Unfortunately, they haven’t been able to get the attention of anyone in the FMA.” To Velisa, Fred added, “The president intends to talk with the head of the FMA and Starfleet Medical and see what- “

Gelemingar interrupted. “Incredible. Mr. MacDougan, neither the FMA nor Starfleet Medical nor the Federation government has time for such nonsense, and I’m amazed that the president would create an agenda based on a conversation in a large hall.”

It was Maldonado who said, “Actually, that wasn’t what she based it on. I was part of the press tour that accompanied the president, and she went after the meeting to a local hospital and saw the results. It’s definitely worth pursuing if it means the possibility of a cure for all the humans over the age of eighty who suffer from the disease.”

“If it works.” Gelemingar now sounded sulky.

Rixx laughed again. “And how is that to be determined if it isn’t tried, Councillor?”

At that, Gelemingar was finally silenced. “Take that!” one of the crowd cried. After a second, Tim realized that it was Natalia.

“Can we please turn this crap off?” someone else asked. “If I wanna be put to sleep, I’ll watch a Cubs game.”

Tim and Natalia and several others laughed. The New Chicago Cubs were the only franchise who, due to their city name, were allowed to use a team