Valeria
The recovery indicator showed her faction's equipment mark.
Valeria hated recognizing it before she understood what it was doing.
A narrow line of light ran from the junction contact toward the core approach. The return line beneath it had faded. Beside the glass-faced arch, a metal tongue withdrew into the wall with a slow, grinding sound.
The core route was opening.
They were supposed to be leaving.
"Valeria," Aiden called from the service gate.
"One moment. Stay on the return side."
She bent over the contact housing without touching its active surface. The small sequence strip remained visible beneath the clear cover. Withdrawal request accepted locally. No receipt from the outer station. Recovery selection engaged from the auxiliary line.
The recovery command had entered before Nyx sent the withdrawal message.
