Allen's eyes narrowed slightly.
The mandatory mission, stipulated in the investment agreement he had signed back in his apprentice days, had finally arrived.
Highest priority. Refusal to comply would result in a tribunal hearing.
He stared at the line of text for a moment before leaning back in his chair.
He hadn't taken any jobs from the Association for over a year to focus on his training. A mandatory mission now was terrible timing.
Allen didn't want to go at all, but the contract was there in black and white: unconditional summons, not to be refused.
He and Eleanor had argued about that very clause in this same room for half a day back then, and he hadn't won.
'I'll go over and see if I can get out of this.'
Allen stood up and pushed open the door to his study.
The sea breeze outside the Deep Blue Residence hit him with its salty, damp air. In the distance, the Floating Islands began to glitter with pinpricks of light in the twilight.
