Nothing like a stink-bomb to start the meeting off, but I was right, and they knew it. I wasn't about to let an all-male panel decide these things. After a few minutes of active discussion, Leland Carver finally gave up. "Call your mates to you, or have them call into the teleconference. We will take a five-minute break to allow them to join."

"Nice job, keep them off-balance," Adrienne said.

"Oh, I will."

The Chairman gaveled the meeting back to order and restated the purpose. As soon as he finished, I raised my objection. "Really?"

"Mr. Chairman, I challenge the right of this body to render decisions on personal and...