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"Of course not," said Þorgerður, "and I know I want this resolved too. Budget shortfalls are no excuse for maltreatment of individuals in the TNG's custody, regardless of their crimes. As I said, I'll make sure the inspector general's office knows of the complaints, as they have independent oversight authority." As independent as possible in a fumbling system anyway. But at mention of Kendra Shaw, she tensed, looking to
Dvořák for help. This was his portfolio, not hers.

He raised a bushy eyebrow, adjusted his glasses, then spoke, reluctantly. "The TNG can't dismiss the criminal case, your highness. We know it's a difficult situation. Kendra has diplomatic immunity as a member of the imperial household. And we've always respected that immunity. But here on Terra, she's also a symbol of basically one of the worst things ever done to us in recent memory. We can't dismiss the case because it'll look laughably ridiculous to essentially everyone on Terra, and a government doesn't really tend to function that well if its people think it won't even stand up for them."