The review chamber was brighter than the archive wing and far less forgiving.
Fang realised that almost immediately, and not only because of the light. The room had been built for argument. Its tables were arranged in a wide semicircle, the walls lined with inset panels for recording and witness display, and the central floor left open as though the architecture itself expected disagreement to take shape in the middle and be observed from every side.
Dr Sane walked at the front of the procession, the witness copy tucked carefully beneath one arm. Fang followed just behind her, with Ren on his left, Pax carrying the mirrored log and audit export on his tablet, and Wolf at the rear like a quiet threat the room had no choice but to acknowledge. Senior Chair Voss took the central seat without ceremony. Aven Myre and two members of Oversight took positions slightly to one side, while two additional governance clerks entered at the rear carrying print plates and archive seals.
