Cassian didn't lower head when Council's last word echoed like sentence, though felt deep in stomach clear understanding that meeting was no longer political debate but judgment disguised as protocol, and while maintaining firm chin he realized wasn't there anymore to negotiate, but to decide who he was when everything sustaining his name threatened crumbling.

"Do you understand what you're doing, Cassian?" oldest voice at table sounded controlled, yet loaded with calculated reproach. ...