The leash learned Pela's hand in thirty breaths.
Elara felt it before the monitor did.
Pela pulled the red ring to the dark mark.
Elara inhaled.
Pela eased half an inch.
Elara exhaled.
On breath thirty-one, Pela's wrist moved before Elara pushed pressure into the cable.
The black strip at Elara's throat tightened on the same count.
Four in.
One held.
Two out.
The old rehabilitation rhythm had entered the helper.
Elara struck Pela's boot with her left hand.
Pela released the ring.
Elara's airway closed.
Kikaru caught the cable at the floor mark.
"Transfer?"
Elara tapped once.
He pulled.
Air came back.
Pela stared at her own wrist.
"I thought I was helping."
"You were," Rina said. "Then the line saved your movement."
The hollow-center load had lost Kim's name as destination. It searched for smaller routes.
Every helper touching Elara's breathing line became a possible hand.
Kikaru lasted twenty-two breaths before his fingers began anticipating the count.
