Chapter One: Combes Plenary

The distinguished Delegate-Senator was standing from the last row of the Planetary Co-Op's seats, her voice echoing both concern and persuasion. She was a respected orator within the Combes Plenary, and has done a lot of speeches in her life that supported enough legislation of national bills of importance in this hall, where debates are sometimes delivered with passion.

Her political stand for this Bill is no different.

"It is within the powers of the Presidency of this august body to welcome propositions that challenge past policies that can derail the future, especially if the past was made in complete secret, away from the scrutiny of representations of our planetary systems. Our Stellar Sector in particular was gravely affected by this self-imposed secrecy, and I am pretty sure that the Chancellor of the Constitution and the distinguished Republicists are willing to testify to this same condition in support of this legislation."

The President of the Planetary Co-Op, and sitting beside him the Chancellor of the Constitution, who is the Speaker of the High Deputies, are presiding a joint session of the Bicameral Conference Committee to consider the differences of the differing versions to the Freedom of Information Bill that is set to be passed into law, after the conflicting provisions has been reconciled by this crucial joint sitting.

"Mr. Chancellor," a Republicist by the name of High Deputy Geroby Winooku interrupted the speech. "I am pretty sure that the distinguished Lady from Planet Quai is well aware of the issue under consideration that the ban on unnecessary access to the Lore of Commons should prevail, while an Existential Library be constituted in its place, for the sake of respect for traditions that has been handed down by generations of legislators of this Cooperation before us, which we simply cannot disregard and violate under the guise of any exigency in the needed measures for these issues at hand, be it pertaining to the most important commercial routes affected by uncontrollable circumstances."

There was a unanimous murmuring in the Central Pods where the High Chamber of the Republics is sitting, all twenty-four of them. The Chancellor of the Constitution seem to agree with the sentiments of the High Deputies, and clearly nodded his assent.

"Mr. President," Delegate-Senator Lilly Bowezah of Planet Quai persisted after being interrupted. "Without authorization in opening the Lore of Commons and uncover what it holds, including an exhaustive search for any important matters regarding the secrets of our existence within its walls, this Bill will be of no use. I implore the High Chamber to heed the call of the Delegation's commitment to open this knowledge, share it to the public, and use them for the common good in order for us to create more suitable Unitary Ships for the Spacecraft Yard's own use, be it as a matter of research and for the sake of the truth."

The Delegates began heckling after hearing this important point, most of them are sick and tired of debating this Bill to eternity as the High Deputies remain firm in opposing the measure.

The Republicist who spoke continued with his reply. "We have no intent to oppose this Bill any further, other than our permanent desire in preserving the tradition of the Planetary Co-Op, which at this time is uncompromisable. This is a sacred space that the Presidency is trying to violate with complete disrespect. The Twenty-Four Republics have a solemn duty to protect the interests of the Constitution of this Cooperation, be it an important concern in governing the world of Fantasy notwithstanding. The Lore of Commons must be left untouched as it is!"

All of the Republicists are now joining in the booing, while the Delegation's heckling continues.

"Order! Order!"

The President of the Planetary Co-Op is trying to persuade the Central Pods to listen to reason by the delivery of this sponsorship of adopting the Delegates' version of the Bill, but the more they attempt to diplomatically proceed with the current subject matter, the firmly they seem to be opposed by the High Chamber to insist in opening the secrets of the Lore of Commons.

"Order! The Bicameral Conference Committee will hear the honorable Lady from Planet Quai!" The President of the Cooperation was direct and harsh as he is imposing parliamentary authority in preserving decorum to the debates.

"We have heard enough. I move for a vote to strike Section 3 of this Bill pertaining to the Lore of Commons, Mr. Chancellor!"

The Chancellor of the Constitution can no longer contain the discontent from the Combes, anymore. He attempted to speak in a manner that his voice will be heard from all the noise that refuses to subside. Fair and authoritative.

"Unless the side of the Delegation is willing to delete this provision, the Central Pods will vote to oppose this legislation. The Lore of Commons is a sacred place instituted by our founding fathers for it to be respected."

x--------x

This Chapter is sponsored by Rimowa x Dior.