The figures were right. The recommendation was not.
I knew both things before I opened my notebook. Knowing hadn't stopped the recommendation from finding an unpleasantly familiar place in my thoughts.
[ THE VILLAIN'S LEDGER - REGISTRY ]
ORIGINAL FATALITY SLOTS: 47
CLEARED: 16
OPEN: 31
NDI: 23.0%
COMMENTARY: Binding service is advised to preserve favorable outcomes.
I looked at the final sentence longer than I wanted to admit.
After losing Rolan's equipment, it would be easy to decide the mistake had been depending on people who could withdraw. Find firmer terms. Buy longer service. Make refusal more expensive.
I knew where that thought had taken me with Nyx before.
The Ledger didn't need to lie about a single number to encourage it.
The canceled practice notice was still on the desk. I had moved it twice while looking for the notebook and put it back in the same place each time.
