Ezr Vinh attends a real Watch-manager meeting chaired by Tomas Nau, noting that the underground economy quietly tolerated by Nau has improved efficiency. Routine items pass: sanitized HUDs from Kal Omo, a new Focus roster from Anne Reynolt, and Watch adjustments from Gonle Fong. Ezr reflects on Qiwi Lisolet’s maturity and burdens as she rises to present.

Qiwi demonstrates the L1 rockpile’s stabilization: electric jets and a sensor/localizer grid must both keep the halo orbit and preserve shadow for volatiles, yet the loose rubble causes torque-induced slides. Pham Trinli interrupts, asserting the localizers are micro cores that can be microwave-powered and include simple sensors, implying far finer control. Nau uses ziphead-driven interfaces to expose a tiny embedded core, becomes keenly interested, and asks if a denser network would reduce human oversight.

Nau orders Qiwi to expand the localizer network and has Trinli and Reynolt coordinate, with Ritser Brughel to exploit “public safety” applications. He declines Trinli’s bid to take over stabilization. Trinli realizes he may have gifted stronger surveillance; Ezr is enraged at the apparent betrayal and contemplates fatal accidents.

Alone, Ezr turns to the Fleet Library via sanitized HUDs. He reviews how Park’s failure to destroy the Library empowers Reynolt’s zipheads, while he tries to steer their efforts. Searching for Trinli’s claims, Ezr finds no documentation or hidden features even at captain-level access. He concludes Trinli bluffed; Nau will discover the gap when details are demanded. Ezr’s fury subsides into relief that the touted manacles may not exist.