Bad Intent

At the spiral towers in the center of the city, one of its parliamentary floors was rife with subdued activity. Thousands had come from all over the Imperium to listen to senators argue their side, and ultimately cast their votes on one of the more critical issues of their lifetimes.

Even as one of its senatorial members spoke to the entire floor on behalf of the Empire’s border territories, many others held hushed conversations with each other. Their aides rushed from table to table and helped extend their spheres of influence. Hundreds of promises and compromises were made or refused or negotiated as the cycle drew on.

Everyone still tried to influence the vote one way or another, even as the vote itself drew more and more imminent.

Every table in the grand hall was seated by multiple senators from all over the Imperium. Most had come in person, but some were only able to attend via drone intermediaries. Their holographic bodies shimmered amidst the crowds around.