The following morning in Manhattan, Edmund Hensley's assistant brought Eclipse's reply to his breakfast table.
He put down his spoon before she had finished crossing the room.
"Well?"
"They've reviewed your application."
Her hesitation irritated him. He held out a hand for the tablet, expecting to find conditions she considered unfavorable, perhaps a request for proof that he could provide the funding he had offered.
The letter occupied very little of the screen.
"Following review of the information submitted, Eclipse will not be proceeding with your application for Dungeon-Born admission. We will not be arranging an assessment visit or the requested private meeting. Thank you for your interest."
Edmund read it again.
"Where's the rest?"
"That's the entire reply, sir."
He dragged a finger down the screen anyway. Beneath the signature was the message his assistant had sent, including the offer to finance housing and infrastructure for the settlement.
