Liam ran.
Technically, strategically, and with enough dignity to argue the point in court if necessary.
The moment Marin's message appeared and Arik's comm channels began filling with words like scans, damage reports, Gabriel, Damian, and immediate, Liam had recognized the format of the evening collapsing around him.
Then Mezos appeared beside the car before the doors had fully opened.
Noah arrived three seconds later carrying three thick folders, visible irritation, and the expression of a man who had already accepted that his life would never contain normal working hours.
Liam had heard something about emergency relay stabilization, another sentence involving Gabriel personally requesting updates, and the deeply concerning phrase "if the Emperor is awake again—"
That had been enough.
He escaped.
Not emotionally, obviously.
