Dyeawan is so entranced by the magnificent construction before her that ten minutes pass before she remembers her package. She looks across the model to the other side of the space, then along each side, seeing no one.

“Hello?” she calls out. “Is anyone in here?”

In answer, the section of the model comprising baker’s row and the fabric Division rattles and then splits apart completely, two huge panels containing a half dozen buildings apiece rising like cellar doors. The head that pops up between them belongs to a young woman with short dark hair whose every edge looks like a blade to Dyeawan. She’s wearing a sleeveless tunic with leather belts strapped in an X across the torso, every inch covered in pouches stuffed with tools.

“Oh, do you have my people-mover model?” she asks.

“Um… I hope so?” Dyeawan answers, holding up the wrapped bundle she was given.

“Great! Hold on!”

The woman disappears back down her hole, the two pieces of city slamming shut atop her. Dyeawan can hear the occasional crash and scuffle as she makes her way beneath the model. Thirty seconds later she emerges from under the North Walls, closest to Dyeawan.

“You’re Slider, yeah?” she asks. “I’ve heard about you. I’m Riko. I love this… this…”

“It’s called a tender,” Dyeawan says.

“It’s amazing! Edger’s design?”

“Yes. But Tahei built it. And fixed a few flaws. Don’t tell Edger, though.”

Riko laughs. “You learn quick. I’ve heard that too.”

Dyeawan doesn’t know what to say to that, so she reaches down and offers Riko her bundle.

The young woman takes it and unties it, excited. She unwraps a small, polished wooden box with a metal latch.

When Riko opens the lid, Dyeawan isn’t sure what they’re looking at. Riko removes a rectangular object that appears to be two strips of cloth wrapped side-by-side around a wooden block. There’s a barrier composed of steel posts and string between the two strips.

“What is it?” Dyeawan asks.

Riko grins. “I’ll show you!”

She disappears back under the model, object in-hand. When Riko emerges again she’s opened a panel right next to the Spectrum. As Dyeawan looks on, Riko opens the entire front of the building like a cabinet. Not only is the outside of the model a perfect rendering of the Capitol, the interiors appear to be identical in every detail too. Riko removes the first level of the Spectrum as one would a drawer.

“It’s an idea I had that Edger approved for a proper test,” Riko explains. “You see, the corridors in the Spectrum are the longest of any structure in the Capitol. It’s been reported this leads to a congestion of foot traffic and both officiates and petitioners being late to appointments.”