The Will to Battle (Terra Ignota, #3)

by Ada Palmer

“‘The Code of Universal Laws, commonly known as Black Laws: “‘First Law: It is an intolerable crime to take an action likely to cause extensive or uncontrolled loss of human life or suffering of human beings. [Clarification by Senatorial Consult 2144–3: proselytizing outside Reservations violates this law.] “‘Second Law: It is an intolerable crime to do significant and measurable damage to Nature or the Produce of Civilization, or to take an action likely to result in extensive or uncontrolled destruction of the same. “‘Third Law: It is an intolerable crime to kill or seriously harm a Minor. [For the definition of a Minor see Senatorial Order 2144–8 ‘Minors’ Law’ and Senatorial Order 2144–33 ‘Rights of High-Functioning Non-Human Animals and Artificial Intelligences.’] “‘Fourth Law: It is an intolerable crime to deprive a human being [or nonhuman Minor] of the ability to call for help or otherwise successfully contact fellow human beings. [Clarification by Senatorial Consult 2191-21: destroying or removing a tracker or the means to access and use a tracker violates this law.] “‘Fifth Law: It is an intolerable crime to inflict torturous and unnecessary suffering upon a living animal which is not a human being and thus incapable of fully informed consent. “‘Sixth Law: It is an intolerable crime to interfere with or disregard reasonable directives issued by a police officer, firefighter, doctor, or other agent of an Authority carrying out a mandate to enforce these Universal L...