Chapter 16 - The Legal Counter-Strike In Austin
While Victoria attempted to intimidate Richard in Kerrville, Emily was executing a high-stakes legal maneuver inside the Texas State Capitol.
She stood before a joint legislative committee on rural property rights, flanked by three constitutional attorneys from the University of Texas.
On the projection screen behind her were satellite images of Titan Global's proposed data center complex alongside environmental impact reports.
"Titan Global is attempting to misuse federal defense acquisition laws to bypass Texas water conservation statutes," Emily testified clearly.
"They are attempting to drain three billion gallons of water annually from the Edwards Aquifer to cool private server farms."
The legislative committee members leaned forward, reviewing the financial ledgers Emily's team had uncovered linking Titan Global to offshore tax shelters.
The chairman of the committee, a veteran state senator from West Texas, slammed his gavel onto the bench.
"If these environmental reports are accurate, Miss Vance," the senator declared, "this committee will issue an immediate state injunction."
"We will block any federal contractor from touching a drop of groundwater in Kerr County until a full legislative inquiry is complete."
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Emily smiled quietly, sending a quick text message to her father's satellite phone on the ranch.
The state legal shield had been activated, but both Emily and Richard knew that corporate defense contractors did not play by state rules.
