Forty civilians plus fourteen fighters stood beside the open Citadel exit before midnight. Each carried contribution supplies, current contract records, plus a checkpoint notice showing what government processing promised outside. No barrier mark pulled anyone backward when the route became active outside there.
Nox kept the silver route open without placing fighters beside the threshold. Cameras recorded every departure, though public names remained hidden unless somebody chose to speak.
"Crossing suspends your Citadel status after the government line, not while you inspect the checkpoint," Chloe said.
"Can we return if their processing terms change?" a civilian asked.
"The safe route remains open until midnight unless their checkpoint declares you detained," she replied.
"Then your barrier cannot bring us back," he said.
"Correct, because outside detention is not mine to overrule from here," Nox replied.
