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“The western intake gauge has been reading above actual reserve.”

Pela stood. “Since when?”

“I confirmed it this morning.”

Dreven's expression turned dangerous.

“Why was I not told?”

“I was coming here when Rath arrived.”

Rath’s broken horn caught the light as his head tilted slightly. Kesta watched him.

“You knew.”

His smile returned. Not enough to confirm anything. Enough to make her suspicious.

“How?” she asked.

“Machines fail.”

“You said three days before Tavi told us the gauge was wrong.”

Rath rose.

“Every machine on this planet eventually tells the truth.”

“That isn't an answer.”

“No.”

He began pulling on his gloves. Nethra spoke from the far end of the table.

“If Red Basin is as secure as you claim, why do you need Kesta’s protection transferred at all?”

Rath paused. The older woman’s horn rings clicked softly as she lifted her chin.

“You came with medicine, water and promises of authority. Very generous. Yet Red Basin has healers.”

Rath’s expression cooled.

Nethra continued. “Your people have also begun asking an awkward question. Ash territory receives human transports. Red Basin receives machine parts.”

Kesta's pulse quickened. Dreven looked toward Rath. The entire council chamber seemed to contract around the observation. Rath turned slowly.

“Careful, Nethra.”

“Why?”

Her face remained serene.

“Will you offer me a better bed too?”

Tavi choked. Even Kesta nearly laughed. Rath did not. Nethra leaned forward.

“You do not want Kesta only because she is a healer. You want proof that imperial attention can be redirected.”

Kesta felt the removed memory crystal like a phantom against her wrist. The old courier collar. Horan’s recently serviced implant. Nara’s H-PRIME wafer. Someone was distributing different resources to different camps. People to one. Machines to another. Perhaps deliberately. Rath's gaze settled on Kesta.