Section Nine did not explode.
It folded sideways.
A hidden seam in the shelf split under the combined pull of the wave and the jack groups. Six anchors tore free. The load jumped to their neighbors faster than the release valves could open. A mile of catwalk dropped into the fault, carrying tools, carts, and empty work shelters.
The safety divisions stopped the failure there. Sections Eight and Ten shuddered but held.
“Release Nine!” Austin ordered.
“Remote valve isn’t answering,” Wu Ji said.
Tie’s voice broke through static. “Manual release at the lower platform. We’ve got the survey team. Two hurt. I can reach the valve.”
“No,” Austin said. “Get your people to the tug.”
