The first convoy group crossed the narrow section without stopping. Its lead driver reported the far-side marker, then waited where the next vehicle could see him. Bram stood in the staging lane with the last group and watched the confirmation pass to the convoy leader. A road that had carried one light vehicle had answered one question. It had not answered for the heavier arrangement behind it or the people still missing from their seats.
The leader sent the next vehicle alone. Its driver took the debris side slowly, keeping the tire on the strip the scouts had marked. A loose stone rolled under the rear wheel and struck the broken curb. Everyone watching the near end heard it. The driver did not accelerate. She cleared the crossing and reported the stone’s new position so the next driver would not try to put a tire there.
Bram repeated that report to the last-group drivers, then went to the search contact. The team had found the basement entrance but not yet opened it. A collapsed rack lay against the door from inside. Someone was answering beyond it. The scout could hear two voices and a third person breathing with pain. They needed another pair of hands and a transfer board.
