While Parliament descended into chaos, Pan Long had returned to the Suppression Bureau. He waited in a corner of the telegraph hall for Dr. Natalia Long to finish work.
He had not forgotten his plan to visit her today. He wanted a proper talk with this woman who was so devoted to studying the Histories, and a chance to exchange information.
The Suppression Bureau adviser still had to undergo a psychological review, but he was sure she would pass easily. It would not affect her.
Just then, a telegraph machine began to clatter. The employee in charge read the strip of paper it produced, and a strange look crossed her face.
Shock, excitement, fear... So many emotions tangled across her face that her youthful, pretty features looked almost distorted.
She drew a deep breath, then said as calmly as she could, "Everyone, something terrible has happened!"
"What happened?" Doctoral Researcher Natalia Long asked absently.
She was busy working out how to bluff her way through the psychological review and had little interest in anything else.
"Four members of the House of Lords have just been assassinated in Parliament!" The employee could barely contain her excitement. "Right inside a meeting room in the Parliament building, next door to the Suppression Bureau!"
For an instant, everyone froze. Even Dr. Natalia Long was no exception.
Britain's House of Lords was made up of descendants of the royal family, hereditary peers, life peers, appellate judges, and Church archbishops and bishops. These people were unquestionably the upper class of British society. One could even say they monopolized it. Without their approval, no matter how rich or powerful someone became, they would remain an uncouth outsider with no place in "high society."
...In fact, without their approval, becoming "rich and powerful" was impossible in the first