“I am overriding the inherited-use restriction for this emergency,” Eli said.
Tessa wrote the words before asking him to continue. The dedicated hardline carried them to Juno and Ilyan at the junction. The local recorder retained the operational statement. The private ledger stayed at the receiving station, its earlier losses closed beneath Tessa’s hand.
“I have not accepted the caretaker’s capacity offer. I will use Sight, Anchor, and Quiet Field, the three already equipped. No fourth channel. No rotation. The purpose is to interrupt the involuntary draw at the cradle return.”
“And your release?” Tessa asked.
“When the fitting is held out and the return breaks, I release. If you call stop before that, I release and withdraw. If I can’t answer the signal, pull me back from the marked point without waiting for me to explain.”
She read the plan back. She did not call it medically safe. She recorded an emergency breach of an ongoing restriction and named the expected risks, including further permanent loss. He answered that he understood. The sensation through his bonds tightened while they spoke, giving the decision urgency without making it clean.
The caretaker offered control once more.
“No,” Eli said. “Stop asking that as though this is agreement.”
