Page 128 of Pocket Wife

I refuse to give them the satisfaction of needing it.

“Field workers at lower tower,” I say. “Samuel supervises from the meeting hall. Jessa records. Torren monitors pressure. I go to east gate.”

Rethan’s face changes only in attention.

Sen sees it anyway. “Helix objects to Miss Hartwell leaving during active review.”

I look at Noll. “You asked for a supply plan. The plan has a gate.”

Noll studies me. “Can another panel member go?”

“Nara is clinic. Celia is burial and records. Jessa is relay. Torren is at the cylinder. Darin is remote. I am the one who can reach the gate fastest and knows the field path.”

Corvek speaks softly. “Or accept shelter.”

I smile at him then.

Not kindly.

“No.”

Salo confers with Noll. “Miss Hartwell may proceed under live record. Specialist Veyr remains restricted from advising or accompanying unless emergency physical danger is declared by tribunal authority.”

The words strike the hall harder than I expected.

Not accompanying.

Helix has separated us even on foot.

Rethan dips his head once.

I do not let myself look at him.

“Good,” I say. “Then we move.”

The room transforms again. Fear becomes motion. Jessa divides slates. Celia organizes elders and sends teenagers to collect sealed containers. Nara begins listing clinic priority by need, not status. Samuel argues with Eleanor about his shoulder and loses. Torren issues instructions so quickly Jessa has to tell him to breathe between insults.

I grab my jacket from the back of a chair.

Alden steps into my path. “Take two witnesses.”

“Three,” Celia calls. “One to watch the gate, one to watch Lucy, one to watch the watcher.”

I point at two field workers and a schoolteacher with steady hands. “With me.”

I reach the door before Rethan’s voice stops me.

Not private.

Not advice.

A tribunal question.

“Adjudicator Salo,” Rethan says, “request permission to submit one historical caution regarding east gate operation.”

Sen objects instantly.

Salo asks, “Is it relevant to physical safety?”