“Well, I guess it means designing something, like a automobile… by picking and integrating ready-made parts or components from existing catalogs, instead of creating everything from scratch. It’s like engineering by shopping smart.” He glanced up at Roma, something uncertain flickering behind his eyes… not understanding the trajectory, but sensing the rug could pull at any moment.

“Mr. Delaney,” Roma began, his tone carrying just the right note of practiced neutrality, “I’m certainly not one to judge - though deploying a Sass isn’t my particular cup of tea”, He shifted slightly, a subtle straightening of his shoulders betraying a hint of pride…

“I suppose I prefer the chase, the element of risk…” He paused, eyes lifting as if the word was somewhere above him. “…grappling with a toad, over getting bent by a fork… watching a darling bob for apples… But I’ll readily admit it’s done wonders for stabilizing society and the family court.”

He paused, allowing what he hoped sounded like genuine appreciation to color his words, before leaning in conspiratorially. “But would it be fair to say that your relationship with Ms. Roberts takes ‘catalog engineering’ to an entirely different level?”

The words hit like a tactical strike, detonating through the courtroom with the force of a grenade. The gallery erupted… some observers whooping like they were ringside at a prizefight, others surging forward with an almost feral intensity, their outrage turning the air electric. The dignity of the court shattered into a thousand glittering pieces, shards of decorum scattering as Judge Donahue’s gavel waged a desperate, losing battle against the rising tide of chaos. Chairs screeched against the floor, voices clashed in an indecipherable cacophony, and security officers plunged into the fray like soldiers entering a battlefield.

“ORDER!” The judge’s voice carried enough authority to momentarily freeze the pandemonium. “Order in this court!” His gesture toward the live broadcast cameras carried clear warning - they were making history, for better or worse…

“Mr. Roma,” Judge Donahue’s words could have etched steel. He tilted his head, eyes going wide and fixed… the look of a man deciding how much rope to give before pulling it taut. “I trust you have a point?”

“Indeed, Your Honor.” Roma’s smile never wavered.

“Then make it. Quickly.” The judge’s expression suggested his patience had worn thinner than a graphene sheet.

Delaney’s face had transformed from aged dignity to barely contained fury - a federal engineer pushed too far.

Roma noticed Juniper’s aborted objection and dismissed it with an almost lazy wave, his casual confidence more infuriating than any overt aggression.

“Mr. Delaney,” Roma continued smoothly, “you’re a pioneer of this world.. one that perhaps even I take for granted. But given your… unique insights into things like… tensors, or maps, and ummm… widgets…”