HARLEN
The Director's office was on the building's second level, east-facing, with a window that looked out over the survey academy's outer courtyard and, beyond it, the formation's upper ridge. Kai had been in it twice before — once when the team was assembled, four years ago, and once when the anomalous readings from the convergence point had first crossed a threshold that required formal documentation. Both times, Harlen had been standing at the window when Kai arrived. Both times, he had not turned immediately.
He did not turn immediately now.
"I've been watching the eastern ridge since before third bell," Harlen said. "The light is different up there."
