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“They chose to lose food.”

“They chose which loss they could live with.”

His eyes shifted toward her. For a moment Kesta thought he might argue. Instead he nodded once.

“I understand.”

She studied his face. “Do you?”

A faint hint of exasperation appeared. “Must every useful realization undergo examination?”

“Yes. I'm medical.”

That finally brought a reluctant smile. They went back down. Once the western intake closed, the temperature around the manifold began falling. Kesta and Ena mixed the alkaline wash while Dreven forced the first frozen valve open by putting both hands on the wheel and using enough strength that Kesta heard metal groan.

“Don't break it.”

He glanced over one shoulder. “I am aware.”

“You were also aware the treatment room table could not survive your hand.”

“That table was fragile.”

“It was steel.”

“Poor steel.”

Kesta laughed under her breath and returned to the mixture. They worked for hours.

Ena controlled the wash concentration while Kesta tested each seal after treatment. Dreven handled the heavy valves and braced pipes while Keth relayed pressure changes from above. Twice they stopped because the auxiliary intake failed to catch. The third time, Tavi sent instructions down through the speaking tube involving a wrench, a bypass pin, and what Kesta suspected was profanity translated as encourage vigorously.

Dreven followed the instructions. Something deep below them slammed into place. The auxiliary line shuddered. Then held. Kesta leaned against the wall and exhaled.

“Remind me to apologize for every unkind thing I've said about Tavi.”

Dreven looked toward the speaking tube. “That would consume several days.”

“Then remind me to apologize selectively.”

A sudden pressure surge hit the western line. The platform jerked beneath Kesta’s feet. She lost her balance. Dreven caught her before her shoulder struck the pipe housing. For one breath his arms closed fully around her, one across her waist and the other around her upper back.

Then he released her so quickly the absence of him felt almost startling.

“Are you hurt?”

“No.”

His hands remained open at his sides. The muscles through his arms were rigid with the effort not to reach for her again. Kesta rolled one shoulder. A dull ache answered. Dreven noticed.

“Your shoulder.”

“I landed against you.”

“That does not make you indestructible.”

She looked at him. His silver eyes moved from her shoulder to her ribs and back again, concern plainly visible now that she knew where to look for it.

“You may check.”