(Planet Juxta, The next day, Leo's POV)
Leo sat across from Charles and Veyr inside the dimly lit meeting chamber, the three of them gathered around a steel table as the story of yesterday's meeting was laid bare.
Together, he and Veyr walked Charles through every detail— Su Yang's desperation, the flimsy offer of two planets, and the ultimate rejection that followed.
Charles listened quietly, arms folded, his sharp eyes betraying nothing as he absorbed each word, as only when the tale was done did he lean back in his chair, exhaling slowly through his nose.
"Yeah… you made the right call here," he said at last, his tone decisive. "There's simply not enough benefit in tying ourselves to their sinking ship. Two planets? That's not payment, that's scraps. The risks outweigh the rewards by too wide a margin."
