The Senate has a grim future. After Marissa's death, the Senate began losing privileges and power. Emperor Stephen ordered the arrest of several Senators who opposed him, and also undermined the Senate's right to legislate for Senatorial worlds by shifting the Imperial government to a system of secret orders and decrees instead of laws. Under Empress Sophia Senatorial immunity from arrest disappeared completely, and she abolished the right of the Senate to tax and budget for the Senatorial worlds, citing "inefficiency" and the need to maintain order. Emperor Vincent tried to respect some of the Senate's old authority, but Sandor and his handlers abolished the old privileges and persecuted all Senators who aspired to anything beyond rubberstamp status. Sigismund closed down the Senate completely.