Iven returned at dusk with a narrow decision from the council. A repair crew could enter under city supervision, but only to stabilize the western casing and restore the disconnected line if the engineers approved. Coalition soldiers would remain outside. The council would choose the method and could stop the work at any time.
Yan heard the decision in the gate yard. He had expected a larger opening, and he felt the urge to hurry. Another Registry column was still near the roads. If the barrier failed during a storm, thousands of people could be exposed. He kept his hands at his sides while Iven spoke.
“The work will begin after Liang Sen reviews the measurements,” Iven said. “Your crew brings only the tools we request. The city keeps the original readings.”
“Understood,” Wei replied.
Liang Sen stepped forward with a short list. It named two lifting hooks, a stone brace, a coil of copper wire, and three insulated clamps. The quartermaster prepared each item outside the gate. No command banners went with them. Every worker signed the tool list, and Liang Sen checked the marks against the city inventory.
“The hooks are ours,” he said. “The brace and clamps belong to you. The council will inspect them when the work is done.”
