The gun fired.
Iven was already behind the stone service post.
A piece of its corner struck his cheek. He felt the cut as a brief hot line, then heard the round finish somewhere in the yard behind him.
The machine’s grip tightened on the gantry.
Its outer frame bent another inch.
“Rear route!” Mara shouted.
People moved.
Iven looked once toward them. Neri and Isel had the demonstration branch isolated. Lio stood at the furnace controls with Yessa, reducing the fire and protecting the working vessel rather than abandoning a hot machine. Kesh had reached the rear gate. Cora was keeping the service lane clear.
