The red water appeared in the wrong cup.
Neri saw it first.
She raised one hand. The pump stopped before anyone could decide the color was only a reflection. Across the isolated test frame, a narrow red thread moved through the lower receiving cup, where the clear water should have remained clear.
Both local stop handles were closed.
The Crown equalizer sat between them, doing exactly what its internal balance passage had been designed to do.
Iven looked at the water, then at the maker’s sheet.
“There.”
Neri nodded.
