"...of the War! Mech markets are in panic! The asteroid Nysa has declared for the Ring Council! I repeat, the Nysa Cartel has abandoned the Mechanist Union! They have asked for admittance as a Ring Council Treaty State! The Council is meeting..." His words were drowned in the roar from the audience, the clatter of buckles as they unstrapped from their seats and rose in confusion. Vetterling struggled with the mike. Patches of his words broke the din. "...capitulation...through banks in Skimmers Union...industrial...new victory!"