Senior Clerk Aldous lunged for the pavilion pole as the comparison plaque started rattling against its pedestal.
Twelve tumblers spun behind the plaque's face while their light swept across the release papers spread over the long table. Hajin watched beside them with the supported chain over his shoulder, and the cleared inquiry raced through the national network.
"Is it supposed to do that?" he asked, jabbing a thumb at the shaking housing.
"No," Aldous squeaked, hugging the pole tighter.
Hans swung his spear away from the trembling pedestal before its haft could crack against the housing.
"Twenty years receiving frontier rankings," he grunted, squinting at the tumblers, "and I've never seen one make a senior clerk hold the tent upright."
Cassie slapped her palm over the nearest release sheets before the draft lifted them.
"Most finish before anyone finds a chair," she said, keeping her other hand over the inquiry seal.
