The supporter had reached the words already solved White Crown when Lyra interrupted.
“Helped with a specific repair,” she said. “With the local crews.”
He lowered his paper.
“Do you want the audience frightened?”
“I want them judging the apparatus we’re actually showing.”
Beyond him, the demonstration yard held officials, neighborhood representatives, operators, and people whose lost work remained on the claims list. Some had come to see success. Others had come to find out how much longer success intended to take.
The compulsory method remained an option, requiring current dispatch terms and disclosure of its human costs.
Liking the visitors wasn’t enough to keep it off the table.
