Solomon glared daggers at Blythe after hearing her response.  He opened his mouth, about to say something offensive when a voice cut him off with the finality of a guillotine.

"Quantum." came the third reply to Solomon's question.  The answer came from Lieutenant Junior Grade Sion RHS, who had just arrived at the gate himself.  "It should be time to board soon," he continued, derailing the topic with brute force, "but we're missing someone."  He walked over to the gate attendant and said something to him.  The attendant pressed a button and moved his mouth closer to the microphone attached to his kiosk and made the following announcement, "Will Mr. Eihon, Israfil, please report to Gate B5?  Your shuttle is waiting for you to depart. I repeat, will Mr. Eihon, Israfil, please..."

---

Israfil's face lit up a bit against his better judgment, "Oh...I-it's a pleasure to meet you." His face suddenly darkened.  Someone introduced himself just to be friendly, and they'd have to part ways soon, never to each other again.  "W-well, I'm heading over to gate B5...I'm already late enough as it is.  I...I hope you have a safe trip, wherever you're going."