The route predator took its first step toward twelve hundred people.
Its six legs crossed Central Shelter in pairs. One foot crushed the bounded-address desks. Another entered the East Array trench and came out carrying black water uphill.
Caleb blocked the east doors with his right forearm.
The false body hit him shoulder first.
Nine thousand tons shifted through the silver beams still rooted in his back.
Central Shelter's roof moved with him.
"East slab down three inches," Soma reported.
"Evacuation corridor?"
"Twelve hundred moving in four groups. North lane, tram roof, produce stairs, canal walk."
Four routes.
Caleb locked his arm across the doors.
The body used his copied face.
"Move west," it told the evacuees. "I am holding it."
Rina answered on four local channels.
"Room before voice. Your local route leader speaks first."
Hana called the north lane.
Iseul called the tram roof.
Mira called produce stairs.
Pei called the canal walk after checking wind.
