Valeria
Her name had been printed beneath an agreement she hadn't accepted.
Valeria read the heading, then the first condition. Exclusive Embercrown credit for recovery of the core. Technical examination under faction supervision. Public statements coordinated through the delegation.
At the bottom waited a clean space for her signature.
The pen lay beside it with the cap already removed. She left it there and turned back to the heading.
Someone had arranged the meeting as if the difficult part were finished. Her task was apparently to read quickly, appreciate the effort and add the mark which made the wording hers.
Valeria drew the agreement closer, keeping the signature line away from her hand. The representative waited. If he wanted speed, he should have sent terms she had a reason to accept.
She checked the first condition once more before looking up.
"You've saved me the effort of writing my name," she said. "How considerate."
