Once the Witnesses had gathered, the soft luminescence that filled the room grew dim.

“Case history 10017-JC, Bearer Chavez Initiating.”

The human and machine voices quieted immediately, as the Bearer reached into the images loading in the air before him.

“I understand that a model from the same line as the Deactivated is with us today?” he asked.

A small bot rose from the crowd, and moved within a border of lighted pathways formed in the translucent imagery before the Bearer.

With a series of simple gestures, the suspended images began to pulse and rearrange themselves, seemingly at random. Bearer Chavez closed his eyes, and touched several strands of color in the air.

“If you would ask your question now, Petitioner,” he said.

An older woman rose from those seated, hesitantly.

“What combination did you change the safe to?”

Chavez’s muscles spasmed as an infinite series of symbols splayed across the inside of his eyelids. Slowly, he opened his eyes, and replied.

Only thirty-six dockets to go.