The blanket dragged the carrier's face into the wash trench before Jade reached the rail.
Water pressed the cloth into the hidden mouth as one bare foot struck the trench wall and kicked again, stopping two inches short.
Across the storehouse, Nessa's marked crate rolled toward the east door. Its front wheels had already crossed the threshold.
"That crate holds all three West Four shoulder hinges. Without them, the next breach puts five defenders against one shared wall with separate cages."
Nessa ran after it with her right arm hanging at her side. The cutter strapped to her left forearm knocked against the rail at every step.
Jade put Ty's recovered phalanx between her teeth and caught the carrier rail with her living hand.
The crate moved faster.
Kestra kicked a floor lever. Both rails clattered through the same turn beneath the boards.
