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"In truth," Olmy interceded, "the pressures on the Hexamon to reopen would be strong even without you."

"Thank you for your guidance," Mirsky said quietly. "I lack perspective.

I must approach the Nexus carefully." He spread his arms and looked down at his body, still clad in hiking clothes. "To have limitations, to think in channels. It's exhilarating to be back in flesh again! A wild, haft-drunken blindness . . . a fleshy peace."

The Earth circled by a strand of DNA, the symbol of the Terrestrial Hexamon Nexus in session, appeared by the doors to the chamber. A partial of Presiding Minister Dris Sandys materialized beside the symbol.

"Full chamber," the partial said. "Please enter now and be sworn in."

Mirsky squared his shoulders and smiled, walking through the doors first. Lanier held back, entering the chamber behind Korzenowski and Olmy. Guided to his assigned seat in the lower circle, he was reminded of the time when he had testified before the Infinite Hexamon Nexus on the Axis City. Now, that time didn't seem so long ago. Earth's wounds had been raw and fresh then, nearly fatal.

Mirsky stood patiently in the armillary sphere of testimony before the presiding minister's dais. President Farren Siliom occupied the dais beside the P.M. Lanier faced the pictor near his seat, aware that the experience would drain him again, but eager to see what Mirsky would say this time, whether he would elaborate.

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An orthodox Naderite corprep seated beside him smiled politely, picting polite curiosity about Lanier's age.

"I'm from Earth," he answered.

"I see," the corprep said. "Do you know anything about this testimony?''

"No fair telling ahead of time," Lanier said conspiratorially. "Get set for the ride of your life.

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