Roma nodded solemnly. “Would you say these infrastructure burdens inform government deployment decisions?”

“Objection! Calls for speculation!” But even as the words left her lips, Juniper knew they were too late. The jury was already nodding along, their expressions showing clear understanding of the resource challenges being described.

“I’ll rephrase,” Roma said smoothly. “In your expert opinion, what factors should be considered in large-scale deployment decisions?”

Trentons straightened, his weathered hands folding precisely in his lap. “Any responsible deployment must consider power grid stability, resource availability, and environmental impact. These aren’t just technical issues - they’re fundamental sustainability challenges.”

The gallery buzzed with murmurs as Roma’s strategy crystallized in their minds. He wasn’t just attacking their discrimination claims - he was reframing the entire debate around infrastructure and sustainability. Several jurors were taking notes, their expressions thoughtful as they absorbed Trentons’ expert testimony.

Juniper felt Daniel shift beside her, his shoulder pressing slightly against hers as he leaned forward. The subtle contact carried silent support, but did nothing to calm the storm raging in her mind. Their carefully constructed case was being systematically dismantled by Roma’s masterful presentation of technical limitations as legitimate government interests.

“Mr. Trentons,” Roma’s voice went low, intimate… slicing through pretense like a scalpel, “could you explain the specific power load characteristics of the 432 hertz resonator?”