The conversation drifted easily at first—old battles, old friends, and the years that had slipped by since they had last sat together.
Gradually, it turned to weightier matters.
Thrax set down his cup, his expression growing serious.
"I've made my decision," he said. "I'm returning to the frontline. It's been ten years. It's time I started contributing to the faction again."
Emery gave the matter careful thought.
The warning from his future self resurfaced in his mind. At the same time, the reports crossing his desk had grown grimmer with each passing year.
Beside him, however, Klea gave a slow, reassuring nod.
"I think it's the right move," she said before explaining.
"There's the matter of our merit debt. We have a little over five years remaining on our obligation. At first, we thought the upcoming Tartarus mission would be enough to clear the entire balance in a single operation."
She let out a quiet breath before turning to Emery.
