Room Nine gave the forty travelers one hour to decide which half stayed collateral.
Night Ground's clock reset every thirty-six minutes.
The venue's hour did not.
Its countdown continued through the sky fold while every local clock repeated 03:41.
Pavi asked who owned the hour.
```
PRIVATE VENUE STANDARD TIME.
```
"Then the deadline is yours, not ours."
The countdown remained.
The team refused to choose twenty holders.
Continuity proposed medical priority for release. Bera rejected being placed above a healthy resident merely because her breathing wash made a better public case.
Restoration proposed children and guardians first. One hotel child wanted release. The other wanted his current window and refused to make his guardian a permanent holder for it.
Sovereign Safety offered to buy five holder positions through corporate guarantees. Room Nine accepted the financial backing and still required living collateral holders.
