~ DAVID ~
Leaving Stark in the hallway—against his better judgment—I swept past both guards outside Emory's suite. They bowed hurriedly when they saw me turning towards them, but I ignored them. Stark would explain to them that I needed an urgent meeting with my Elite. And given the events of the night, no one would find that odd—especially when I was escorted.
In the alcove, Ernst was seated in front of Emory's suit door, but leaped to his feet the moment I pushed the hallway door open.
"Leave us," I snapped at him. "Join my Captain outside in the hall. I require privacy." I didn't know if the man was also a Physicist, or just unlucky enough to be assigned to Emory, but I wasn't gambling anything valuable on the answer.
"I—yes, Sire—" Only half-dressed, he saluted as I passed through, stepping aside to make room for me, and dragging the chair with him.
