The Registry courier came to the courtyard while the town square meeting was still in progress. He carried the same overdrive order and a second page bearing the seal of the regional office.
“Captain Han Yue,” he said, “you will order your soldiers to clear the square. The furnace is to be moved into overdrive before the next pulse.”
Han stood near the courtyard gate with Sergeant Pell and two watch officers. “My soldiers will protect the meeting.”
The courier lowered his voice. “You can’t put the whole station against the Registry.”
“I am not asking the station to oppose anything. I’m telling my unit to keep a civilian meeting safe.”
Pell stepped forward. “You heard the captain. Protect the square. Keep the road open for the families.”
The order traveled through the courtyard. A guard at the gate repeated it to the pair on the wall. They lowered their crossbows from the ready position and turned their attention toward the square, where the crowd was still arguing over the loading list. Another soldier moved to the road mouth to keep carts from being blocked. No one pointed a weapon at the courier. Han watched each post change assignments before answering him again.
