The south marker waited beyond an unopened groove.
Pressure had already turned toward it. That was useful, but Jiang would not call attention a choice. The false exit had attracted an approach too. The north groove had carried thirty-one percent of the pressure beyond the slate before it returned.
Hessa reset the route table without moving the slate.
[FINAL VOLUNTARY RELEASE TEST]
[Anchor time00:20/00:30]
[Slate integrity84]
[Current pressure on slate1]
[North valid groove1/open1]
[South valid groove1/open0]
[Claimant exit closed1]
[Participant command prohibited1]
[Exterior stops available2/unused]
"Open south while north stays open," Jiang said.
Hessa looked at Aylin first. Aylin stood outside the south threshold with an ownerless glass marker and no weapon in either hand. Her earlier stop authority applied to contamination, not destination choice.
"Ready without preference," Aylin said.
