Rama, Sekar, and Nakamura gathered on the observatory deck that evening, the same familiar space that had witnessed every significant reflection across their documented years together, processing what Solthai's public acknowledgment had genuinely meant beyond its evident, professional validation.
"I want to name something I'm still working through," Rama said, settling into the deck's quiet privacy with genuine, evident consideration. "Hearing her thank us directly, in front of her entire civilization — something about that moment felt considerably more significant than simple appreciation for successful methodology."
