Station master Daro spread the Registry’s order across the command table. “The furnace runs through the night. The barrier lamps cannot dim.”
Sella put her gauge readings beside the page. The reserve cells were nearly empty, not charged as the report claimed.
Daro tapped the official figures. “These are the numbers I have.”
“These are the numbers the furnace has,” Sella said.
He looked at Han. “You will be reported for disobedience.”
“Then put that in your report.” Han did not raise her voice. “The crew will not return to a cracked regulator.”
Yan offered to power the furnace himself. One cycle would keep the lamps on while the workers rested. Qinghe shook her head. “The cracked joint can still fail. Then the next crew faces the same danger.”
Yan’s shoulders lowered. He had hoped the strength his art gave him could buy the station enough time to fix everything. “Could I run a brief test while Sella monitors the vent?”
