The council sat around the table. Onryuji brought the assembled sanctuary heads to order. "Remember, our main task is to either find Dr. Magnus competent or incompetent and thus incapable of regaining her position as head. Secondary to that, we must determine if she is capable of consent, if there is coercion and abuse within her marriage, and what must be done to protect Dr. Magnus from it. Let us go over the testimony and discuss our impressions of the evidence. Pili, please tell us your conclusions first."

She adjusted her hijab nervously, then said, "I feel there are too many confounding factors in this case. We just saw that the prosecution has personal motivation for bringing the case forward to begin with, the testimony of the 'victim' is unreliable, and we all know Mr. Tesla's reputation…" She sighed, "Really, I have to go with the neurologist's prognosis. Dr. Magnus continues to have lapses in memory. She is not competent to head the Sanctuary." Onryuji prompted, "Can she consent to marital relations? Do you think there is abuse?" The dark-skinned woman shook her head slowly, "I think she may be being harmed and doesn't know it…but she said she feels no anxiety or fear of her husband, so…I'm not sure."

Declan broke in to say, "I remember reading about a similar court case that happened in the UK. A woman with the same type of brain injury was living in a long-term care facility. Her husband would visit her on a regular basis for marital relations. At some point, staff felt that he was abusive toward her and questioned her, but due to her memory lapses she could not remember any abuse. What she did say was that she felt anxious around him and was afraid that he would become upset with her and perhaps become aggressive. On that evidence, the court concluded she was incapable of consent and ruled that they were not allowed to have further marital relations."

Yusuf broke in, "You mean to say that the court forbid a man and wife from…ah, from having sex with each other?" The Liberian man seemed bewildered. "How can they have that kind of power?" Declan attempted to explain. "The wife cannot consent. She's mentally impaired, similar to a person that is intoxicated or unconscious." "But, he is her husband and she chose to marry him. I'm not sure how it can continue to be a marriage without marital rights-" The Scot shook his head, "We don't have the legal concept of marital rights in that sense."

Ark-Fong Li interjected, "Is it right to base our judgement on the legal standards of the current culture of the West? Dr. Zimmerman did raise the point that Dr. Magnus was raised during the Victorian era, when such a legal concept of marital rights was the norm." Onryuji replied, "As a network we are not bound by any one system of law, only by the charter, which has nothing to say about the issue of consent. If we deliberate and find that the concept of marital rights applies in this case there is no conflict." Ark-Fong Li asserted, "I think that it should apply. Especially, since Dr. Magnus was not impaired at the time of her wedding to Mr. Tesla. We can consider her consent to be valid at that time, and continuing thereafter if we accept the legal concept of marital rights. I really don't want us to decide their lives for them and forcefully deprive them of each other's affection."

Pili shook her head, "It would be more accurate to call marital rights the husband's rights. The idea that the wife must make herself sexually available to her husband on demand violates her rights to choose, to bodily integrity. Besides that, it originally referred to the husband's right to control the wife's operation of the household, which is exactly the point of conflict Dr. Zimmerman has with relinquishing power to Dr. Magnus." Yusuf nodded, "I have heard about this Mr. Tesla and his various conflicts with the Sanctuary. He even directly collaborated with our enemies. How on earth has he managed to get so close to a position of power in this way?" Declan sighed, annoyed at being the one in the know and thus required to inform the others. "I was told by Dr. Magnus, in a private conversation by the way, that the source blood gave him a mental illness along with vampirism. That apparently excused his previous behavior enough that she married the man. Personally, I have met him previous to the, uh, 'devamping' and after. He is a very different man, though still rather abrasive in manner."

Yusuf nodded slowly, "So, has he made himself an asset to the Sanctuary since?" The Scot nodded, "Oh yes, it has been wonderful being able to send him requests for ideas, especially for devices that could aid in the capture or rehabilitation of rare abnormals. We sent a schematic our scientists had drawn up for a submersible they were having trouble with. It was revised, corrected and even improved within 24 hours." Onryuji commented, "Recently he installed our new power system. The solar thermal array was giving our people trouble, there had been a small fire and we lacked confidence. Mr. Tesla installed it in three days, working nonstop. I could not believe that it could be done correctly in that time and made him stay an additional four days, in case of malfunction, but the system was flawless. He has truly become a valuable asset, not just for Dr. Magnus' Sanctuary, but for the entire network."

Ark-Fong Li huffed, "Yes, at the moment he is working on a breeding enclosure for our snow snakes. He certainly knows how to work, and it seems that Dr. Magnus was right to bring him into the fold, permanently as it were. She obviously sets great store by the man. I don't see why he shouldn't have some role to play in the direction of the Sanctuary. If he truly wished to sabotage it then he has already had ample opportunity." Pili objected, "The issue wasn't one of malice, it was of incompetence. Just because the man is a mechanical genius doesn't mean that he should have any influence over finances for instance. He is notoriously bad with money." Declan broke in, "He addressed that and it's just as he said. Dr. Magnus' assets are all in a trust and Dr. Zimmerman does have control over it." Yusuf huffed, "So what is the issue then? We've already determined that Dr. Magnus' memory impairment precludes the possibility of her regaining her former position and I think we agree on the points that Tesla likely has marital rights, Dr. Magnus shows no sign of being afraid of him, he's a valuable asset to the Sanctuary who has no access to Sanctuary funds, and further neither does Dr. Magnus herself to a large degree. Is there anything preventing us from ruling that things should just stay as they are?"

Onryuji sighed, "Yes, the ongoing social conflict between Dr. Zimmerman and Dr. Magnus and her husband is impeding the functioning of the Sanctuary. I think it was clear to all of us that Dr. Zimmerman feels he has some sort of claim to Dr. Magnus-" "He certainly acts like a scorned lover." Pili interrupted, resulting in nods all around the table. The Japanese man sighed, "It is regrettable to have to ask, but were you aware of any such relationship in the past Mr. MacRae?" Declan laughed nervously, "Uh, Will-I mean Dr. Zimmerman, did make eyes at her a lot. But a lot of men have, so I thought nothing of it." "Was there any evidence that it went any further than desire on his part?" Declan blushed, "I-well, one time they did share a room, but it was because there weren't enough at the hotel." Pili broke in, "Why didn't she share with you?" The Scot flushed an even deeper red and muttered, "I was sharing with Dr. Watson at the time." "Oh."

Onryuji cleared his throat, "So, they may have had an affair-" The Scot interrupted, "I doubt it, but there's no real way to know." The Japanese man continued, "-and he is now acting like a man intent on ridding himself of his rival. Dr. Magnus is caught in the middle of their fight, and is siding with her husband, as could be expected under the circumstances." Yusuf interjected, "There was all that business about Dr. Zimmerman's mishandling of a mission, is that so?" Onryuji pulled out a folder and read from an internal report. "The team assembled by Dr. Zimmerman went to Nepal to acquire Himalayan snow snakes for a breeding program, accompanied by Mr. Tesla and Dr. Magnus. Due to poor decisions made by the team captain, over the objections of Mr. Tesla who was experienced with local climactic conditions, members of the team were endangered during a blizzard and the mission ended in failure." "Has that team captain been replaced?" Pili asked. "No. There is a lack of personnel at the moment which prevents it. Dr. Magnus has made several independent requests to other sanctuaries, but has been turned down each time." Declan broke in, "Henry-Ah, Mr. Foss, he told me earlier today that Helen has been pushing for Mr. Tesla to lead the team." "What? But he has no experience in the field…" Pili shook her head bemusedly.

"Ah, this may be the real issue of contention at the Sanctuary. Who should take leadership during missions, not who is leading the Sanctuary itself." Ark-Fong Li declared, sharply raising a pointed finger. He then demanded, "What exactly happened during that mission?" Onryuji read the details of the report. "Mr. Tesla advised team captain Jim Ferguson to shelter in place during a blizzard. Mr. Ferguson disregarded this advice and moved the team upslope to a mountain cave. Team member Soon Li became lost in the blizzard and Mr. Tesla went to retrieve her. Ms. Li later made it to the cave on her own and Mr. Tesla was lost until the blizzard passed. Dr. Magnus attempted to organize a rescue party but met resistance from Mr. Ferguson. After some time had passed he informed her of the presence of an electronic tracking device with which they were able to find Mr. Tesla. Dr. Magnus directed Dr. Tanya Pinsky to treat him for hypothermia but Dr. Pinsky claimed to be unequipped. Dr. Magnus then directed Ms. Li to make some hot tea and administered it until Mr. Tesla was able to recover on his own."

Yusuf exclaimed, "Recover on his own?! From hypothermia?" Onryuji nodded, "Yes, it says here he used the technique of too-ah, tumm-" "He knows Tummo?! How did he ever-?" Pili interrupted. "What is that?" Ark-Fong Li inquired. "Oh, it is a meditation technique. He can control his body temperature." Pili replied. "I'm quite familiar with it, due to my work with the monastic community-"

Onryuji interrupted, "Back to the point. It seems clear from this report that Dr. Magnus' statement that Dr. Zimmerman did a poor job recruiting team members was valid. She also said that he requires her help to vet replacements. Certainly, she has the mental competence to continue in that capacity. This then raises the issue, how much weight should we give her opinion that Mr. Tesla is suited to leading teams in the future?" After several moments of silence Declan spoke up, "I think it's not a bad idea. Having seen what he is like now, after the vampiric mania has gone, he is actually a responsible person, good judgement, definitely cautious. Probably more so than Magnus herself was before all this happened." Ark Fong-Li chimed in, "The biggest problem I foresee is the possibility of losing him. What an asset to risk on anything dangerous…" Pili nodded, "But, it was really Magnus that drove the risk taking. She was so fearless, headstrong really." Onryuji murmured, "Mr. Tesla is much more likely to engage in long term plans that minimize all risk to himself while maximizing rewards-" Yusuf broke in, "You all make the man sound like a coward. Does he have the courage to lead a team? Especially now that he is not immortal?"

Onryuji pointed to the report, "He certainly had enough courage to try and find Ms. Li in the midst of a blizzard. Dr. Magnus does not come right out and say it, but it's clear she believes that Mr. Ferguson was cowardly, fleeing the storm then refusing to look for Mr. Tesla." The other heads nodded in agreement. "Given the personnel shortage, why not let him lead a team, see if he's up to it?" Yusuf said. Declan shook his head, "I don't know that Zimmerman will stand for it. He's definitely emotionally compromised by the situation."

He sighed and finally said what he really thought, "Frankly, Tesla had a point. Airing their dirty laundry like that instead of going through private channels to address his so-called concerns…it's was really, just brutal." The awkward silence that followed was finally broken by Pili. "I think he can't continue as head of the Sanctuary, or the network for that matter. Really, that sort of lack of judgement…" Ark Fong-Li broke in, "It was disloyal." Yusuf nodded and chimed in, "It put us in the position of being forced to violate Dr. Magnus' privacy."

Onryuji nodded slowly then interjected, "Are we agreed that Dr. Zimmerman must step down?" Looking around the table all the councilmembers were unanimous in their agreement. "Who do we nominate as head of network?" Pili said, "I nominate Declan." Yusuf seconded it. "Do you accept?" Onryuji asked the Scot. He nodded quickly and said, "I nominate Tesla to replace Zimmerman." Ark Fong-Li quickly seconded it and the council prepared to render their judgement.

…

Onryuji read the council's prepared statement, "In the matter of Dr. Magnus' mental competence in her marital relations, we find her capable of consent, however she is neither competent to head her Sanctuary nor the network. We also find Mr. Zimmerman incompetent due to emotional compromise and his future position will be decided by the new head." Will looked genuinely alarmed but restrained himself from interrupting.

"We decided that Declan McRae will take on the position of head of the network and train Mr. Zimmerman's replacement. As Mr. Foss does not wish to take on a position of leadership, this leaves us with only one candidate. Mr. Tesla, Dr. Magnus has already nominated you to be team leader. This council had decided to approve that appointment. Are you willing to take on that position as well as the additional responsibility of leading her Sanctuary?"

Nikola really couldn't believe what he was hearing. He shook his head slowly, "What? Really?" Onryuji sighed tiredly, "Yes, Mr. Tesla, really. The matter of your personal life has been resolved and has no bearing on your professional capacity. Will you take the position and are there any conditions?" Nikola sat back in his chair and thought deeply for several moments. "I-I want a new financial administrator. I'll take whoever…and, and I need Will-" "What?!" Will burst out, flummoxed by the turn of events.

Nikola turned to his sometime nemesis, "Yes, I need you to tell me all the day-to-day stuff Helen taught you. I need your advice because I've never done anything like this before. I want to take money out of the equation, get rid of this distrust and focus on accomplishing our common goals. Helen has always been my priority. Not her money, not seizing some kind of power…though that's really ridiculous. If I wanted real power or wealth I wouldn't be messing around here-" Will laughed exhausted, "What about the personal…" He waved a hand in a vague circular fashion, letting his rival fill in the blank himself. Nikola smiled ruefully, "Helen married me. She loves me and I'd say I've won, but it's not a contest. I don't deserve her, not yet. But I will or die trying. So, do you want to give up this animosity and get on with it?"

Will shook his head bemused, "I'll have to think it over."

Onryuji interrupted, "Well, on that note, I declare this council over. We will select and appropriate financial officer and send them within the next month. Please let us know if you need any more assistance Mr. Tesla." The man was already turning to his wife, taking her hand to lead her out of the room. "Sure thing." He muttered then got back to talking to Helen.

"So, I've been thinking about that suit, the one with the force field. Could be useful to keep one skinny Serb in one piece…but wouldn't it be even better if we all had one?" Helen laughed delighted, "Of course! And a teleporter too, right? I seem to remember something about you needing some platinum. It's too bad I don't remember where I left that dragon's hoard." Nikola sighed, "Well, I'm sure it will come back to you eventually…"

…

The End