`CONDUIT TEN // THE BEDROCK ARTERY`
`SURVEYED & CONSTRUCTED BY CWO ARTHUR MERCER SENIOR`
`& ADMIRAL DAVID MERCER // USN // 1944`
`”BUILT PLUMB. HELD TRUE.”`
Admiral Mercer looked at Ethan, Olivia, and Garrett, tears glistening in his flint-gray eyes:
“Your grandfather stood right here eighty years ago, Olivia,” Uncle David said softly:
“He had his surveying level in his hand and the brass foundation die in his pocket. He looked at me and said, ‘David, men will come in silk suits with grand titles and billions in paper promises. They will try to mock our families, ruin our brides’ dresses, and demand we surrender our dignity to feed their vanity. But the bedrock belongs to the woman who holds her ground without flinching, defends an honest name without fear, and balances the ledger on solid ground.’”
Olivia and Ethan stepped to the cylinder.
The digital countdown above the console read: `23:59:52 EST`.
Eight seconds remaining.
