The final scheduling notice arrived at 7:32 on Thursday morning.
Wren read it beside the kitchen service window while the first breakfast trays waited behind her.
DUSK ALLIANCE — FINAL COUNCIL VOTE
Thursday, 9:00 a.m.
Seven days from issuance.
The notice included attendance restrictions, security assignments, and the final sequence of presentations. Edric would introduce the strategic recommendation. The Dusk delegation would be permitted one formal statement. Caelum would speak before the council cast its votes.
Wren’s corrected operational projection appeared among the supporting documents.
Her name did not appear anywhere else.
Maren set a tray beside her.
“Seven days,” she said.
“Yes.”
“Long?”
“No.”
The honest answer required no calculation.
Eight days earlier, the allian
