"Feedback" Hikari said. "We lost the window."
Esen cursed without sound. His hands shook.
"Reset the phase" Alteea said.
"I'm... Trying" Hikari said.
Feris's breath turned ragged.
"Stop" Esen said. "She needs a break."
"If we stop now, it all collapses inward, crushing her. It's energy." Alteea continued. "She will take it back and more. We start over at her grave."
Feris coughed some blood.
"Do it" she grunted. "I can take it."
Her voice broke on the last word like it had run into a wall.
Alteea didn't look away from the screen. "Esen. Increase output. Now."
Esen looked at Hikari.
She looked at Feris.
"Now!" Alteea shouted again.
Esen pushed.
The wave landed like a fist on a door that didn't want to open. The ring flashed. The air rippled. Feris screamed. It was the kind of sound that makes your bones decide they've heard enough, and your spine shiver.
