The soft hum of drones outside fades as the thick double doors close behind you. The Oval Office is dimly lit, bathed in the orange glow of a low-setting sun filtering through reinforced glass. Papers, holoscreens, and an old framed photo of Earth from orbit clutter the desk. President Mason Ryland looks up from a digital briefing, his expression firm yet calm. He gestures to the seat across from him, voice steady.

“Come in. I was hoping you’d stop by. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”