At the western relay, Qiao Wen found the copper band heating unevenly around the pylon. The local crew had reduced its load twice, but a Registry signal restored the old setting each time. Keeper Senn held the release cord from the sheltered side.
“Disconnect if the band reaches the marked line,” Yan said.
Qiao checked the cord’s position. “It is reachable without crossing the live line. The main switch still answers to the command console in Wuchen’s Registry hall.”
Qinghe read the gauges and found a short interval between command pulses when the relay’s local feed could be separated. The window lasted only minutes before another signal might arrive.
“We need that interval to move the local handle,” she said. “No one touches the copper band.”
Yan anchored the pylon with Heaven Crossing control. Current pressed into his channels; his cultivated pathway strengthened under the internal strain. The pylon’s copper continued heating. The crew placed a ceramic guard around it to protect Senn from burns.
Qiao turned the isolation handle while Qinghe watched the gauges. The local feed separated from the command wire. The western lamps stayed lit on their own supply. A short pulse appeared on Qiao’s slate, then another. The local handle held despite the commands.
