Exculpation

They found the Governor waiting patiently in his office. He was staring out at the gathered crowds, but turned to face them when they came through the doors. Gareth, who had been the Foundry 2 foreman, swore up and down that he had seen a sneer of contempt. Edward, who had surveyed for the now-abandoned work, would later say that he had observed only sadness and regret. The exchange, however, was a matter of record.

"Gentlemen. I see that you have come for me at last."

"If you're reasonable, Governor, we think that we can be too. Come quietly, and we won't make a fuss of it."

He sighed, it coming out as a hiss on the much-used tape. When he chose to speak again, the recorder could barely pick it up over the chanting below.

"I want it to be known, gentlemen, that I did what I had to do. The lies, the discipline... the deaths. On my conscience they fall, God so help me, and heavy do they lie. But I will go to my fate saying to you - one and all - that they were necessary."