A Kingdom's Offer
The room remained silent for several seconds after Edwin Falkner finished speaking.
The Kingdom of Altford wished to establish formal relations with Atlas.
Simple words.
But the implications behind them were enormous.
Outside, rain continued tapping softly against the windows while the floodlights of Atlas Base illuminated the wet compound beyond. Somewhere in the distance, a Black Hawk mechanic tested an auxiliary power unit, creating a low mechanical hum that vibrated faintly through the building.
Nobody spoke immediately.
Not Marcus.
Not Elaina.
Not Tomas.
Not even Rolf.
Because all of them understood the weight behind what Falkner had just said.
A kingdom.
Not a merchant house.
Not a noble.
Not a guild.
An actual kingdom.
Falkner patiently waited.
He seemed accustomed to people needing time after hearing important news.
Eventually, Rolf broke first.
"...Well."
Everyone looked at him.
Rolf shrugged.
"What? Somebody had to say something."
