rare-earth coating that had been cured over six months in a high-pressure kiln. They were designed to withstand temperatures that would turn standard steel into taffy. "It’s beautiful," Marcus whispered, the orange light dancing in his eyes. "It’s functional," Elena corrected, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "Watch the flow rate." As the internal temperature climbed, the gas inside the tubes began to swirl in hypnotic, iridescent ribbons. This was the "hot" phase—the moment where the matured catalysts within the glass reacted with the captured pollutants. The vibration was a low, guttural hum that felt like a heartbeat under their boots. Suddenly, a warning chime echoed. A hairline fracture appeared on the outermost tube of the secondary bank. "Stress fracture!" Marcus shouted, reaching for the emergency cutoff. "Wait!" Elena grabbed his wrist. She pointed at the digital readout. "The pressure is stabilizing. The matured coating is