The reservoir was full enough to make Vivienne suspicious of her own relief.
She checked the gauge, watched the operator take an independent reading, and compared both with the service history. The stored charge was there.
No hidden leak. No empty chamber behind a generous report. The ordinary maintenance record was tidy, including a recent correction to a troublesome access cover.
She had spent so long expecting the worst that competent work felt almost extravagant.
“Good,” she said.
The operator smiled.
Then Vivienne asked what the reserve was already promised to do.
The first ledger supplied the local floor, ordinary service, and a severe weather allowance. Above those figures sat the contribution proposed for coalition planning.
