Birthright

“But lawscan be practical or impractical, can they not?” said Khalinov. “For example, a law that

required me to argue before you without a T-pack would be impractical, wouldn't it? Or a law demanding that I not wear an outfit incorporating life-support systems?” “Agreed,” said the Atrian. “But we have no such laws.” “Please allow me to continue, since you've disallowed every other line of defense,” said Khalinov. “You may continue,” said the judge.

“Thank you. May I ask you for a legal opinion, your honor?” “Yes.”

“Why would a law requiring that I appear here without life-support systems be impractical?” “Because you would die, obviously,” was the answer. “Would a native of Atria XVI die were he to appear before you without life-support systems?” “Of course not,” said the judge.

“Would a law requiring a native of Atria XVI to wear my particular life-support system be impractical?” “Naturally. The Atrian would die.”

“Would you then admit, your honor, that there are at least some instances where a law cannot be applied practically to both Atrian and non-Atrian alike?” “I so admit,” said the judge, “and I can appreciate your line of reasoning. However, this was merely a hypothetical case. In the case of Man Krantz, he destroyed fifty-seven sentient beings.” “I'm coming to that,” said Khalinov. “Let me hypothesize further. If, in the next instant, my life-support system should fail, due to a malfunction that is clearly the fault of the manufacturer, a tremendous amount of heat would shortly escape my protective suit, enough heat to destroy every Atrian in the room. Who would be responsible for this: myself, the manufacturer of the suit, the salesman I purchased it from, the quality-control expert who didn't catch the flaw, or perhaps the company that manufactures the machines upon which such suits are constructed?”

“I cannot answer that without further data,” said the Atrian. “I agree,” said Khalinov. “Would you go so far as to say, however, that I was not guilty of the deaths that would occur?”

“Tentatively, I would agree that you were not guilty,” said the judge slowly. “However, may I caution you once again that this is merely a hypothesis? Man Krantz's T-pack was examined and found to be in perfect working order.”

“All right,” said Khalinov, stalking back and forth before the judge, his hands clasped behind his back. “Let's get on to the case of Heinrich Krantz. And let us also keep in mind that you have found—hypothetically, to be sure—that a law can be impractical, and that the death of an Atrian is not