The west roof stayed standing because the quarry battery was gone.
Iven knew that with a hard clarity when the eastern shot struck the receiving bay instead. The blast tore through the outer screen, broke the new bank’s service pipe and threw a white sheet of water across the working aisle. Metal screamed against stone.
Then Leth called the stop.
The shared member withdrew onto its safe seats. The input reduced. The remaining motion found the brake path.
The mechanism kept its promise.
The second shot destroyed the housing around it.
“People out,” Iven shouted.
Neri’s inspection crew were already moving along the retreat lane they had checked two days earlier. Rask caught the record case from the wall hook and sent it through the inner door. Tull held the last ordinary control until the local indicator reached its safe mark, then left the exposed place.
