The first stage of the support movement lasted longer than anyone wanted, but shorter than Aurelian feared.
For the next day, Larkspur Haven's orbit looked less like a frontier holding and more like a military migration hub.
Transports remained in ordered blocks, shuttles moved constantly between the starport and the surface, and every open docking arm seemed to be carrying either people, station modules, shield generators, medical equipment, or construction frames.
Astercourt did not sleep much.
Neris slept whenever she could and somehow still managed to keep the supply schedule from collapsing.
Eirenne was everywhere at once, appearing through projections, terminals, command channels, and maintenance systems as she coordinated the intake with a calmness that made some of the newly arrived administrators look embarrassed.
By the end of the second day, the first wave was stable enough for Cassian to call the next restricted meeting.
