The expansion joint between Perseus and Sagittarius stretched farther than any bridge Austin had ever imagined.
Its two great plates met over a sliding surface. Flexible seals beneath them allowed the sectors to move apart without opening a crack between worlds. If the plates bound, the Big Bounce would tear both arms at the joint.
Tie Kuang directed the installation from the control deck. His injured shoulder kept him off the heavy rigging, so he used a laser pointer and a radio.
“North crane, stop. South crew, take up two feet. Chonker, your tail is inside the swing path.”
Chonker moved with an offended rumble.
Austin watched Tie balance twelve crews at once. He did not correct him.
On the lower platform, Yuan Shi and Situ Ming worked beside their old Tribunal engineers. For the first time, every control drawing lay open on a public table. Mortal technicians asked questions the ancient judges had never allowed.
“Why does this command stay secret after the gate closes?” one technician asked.
