The new platform was darker than the last and a far less patient audience.
Figures in armor stood in a wide arc, their plates marked with denser, slower script. The weight in the air over the central dais was enough to make one's steps intentionally heavy. These were not the same functionaries that had reviewed absences and anomalies. They knew what the nine represented, even before any discussion had taken place. All that remained was disposition.
Zeus and Athena were the first to sense the shift, closely followed by the rest of the group.
They were directed to pre-marked positions with little further elaboration. The lead figure on this tier observed them for a considerably lengthy period before speaking.
"Unlogged cluster," it intoned. "Prior tiers have failed to resolve origin pathway, authorizing claim or extraction source. You will answer tertiary inquiry. Incomplete response will accelerate your final referral."
