One year later —
Sector 101 Mid — Planet Shazar, capital of the Crumbled Dreams Millennial Empire
"...until today?"
On a towering throne, Hedrik muttered in a voice that was low yet carried through the hall like thunder muffled by distance. A restrained fury pulsed in his ruby like eyes, as though he was forcing himself not to erupt. Then his tone sharpened, rising like the crack of a whip.
"I granted you decades... Decades to search freely, to use every resource you wished. And yet, here we stand, and you still bring me nothing of worth?"
With a sharp motion, his palm struck the carved armrest of his throne. The sound echoed like a hammer against stone, reverberating through the vast chamber. He leaned forward, his eyes narrowing, and pointed his finger at the figure trembling below him.
"What kind of intelligence service dares are you? Why should I continue to feed you, clothe you, and fund your existence, if this mediocrity is the culmination of your labor?!"
"...."
