Aurelian sat across from Sovan inside one of the temporary council rooms at the starport. Astra stood quietly near the wall while Eirenne translated whenever she was needed, although it was becoming obvious that Sovan understood much more Alliance speech than he had originally admitted.
"No," Aurelian said. "Not without a review."
"They judged us without one."
"I know."
"Then your law protects them more than it protects us."
Aurelian did not answer right away.
That kind of anger deserved more than a quick response.
"Our law has to protect innocent people first," he finally said. "If we let revenge decide who is guilty, then the guilty will hide behind frightened families, and innocent people will die simply because they share the same name, the same uniform, or the same hometown. I won't build the March that way."
Sovan kept his pale eyes fixed on him.
"And those who are guilty?"
"They will stand trial."
"Trials take time."
"Yes."
"Pain also took time."
