As Line Editor at Crimson Leaf Publishing, I have evaluated **Chapter 13: The Tax Drone**. This chapter excels in sensory-technical blending, particularly the contrast between sterile drone mechanics and the "thick, humid wool" of the Florida evening.

### 1. STRENGTHS TO PRESERVE
*   **The "Double-Duty" Opening:** The description of the drone’s sound as a "clean, synthetic needle threading through the thick, humid wool" perfectly establishes the encroaching digital threat upon the analog environment.
*   **Tactile Grounding:** The use of the "stagnant puddle of diesel and rainwater" as a mirror for telemetry avoidance is a brilliant, character-specific way for Elena to interact with her environment.
*   **Voice Differentiation:** (YES)
    *   **Elena:** Tactical, imperative, and grounded. Her refusal to "admin-solve" (Marcus's instinct) shows her reliance on physical obfuscation.
    *   **Marcus:** Heavy use of "Diagnostic:" and "True-false logic check." His dialogue feels like a terminal readout.
    *   **David:** Dropped 'g's ("Clearin’", "shuttin’") and heavy, earthy metaphors ("heavy stones").
    *   **Sarah:** Uses status codes ("Error 403") to express emotional paralysis, consistent with her profile.

### 2. MUST-FIX — CONTINUITY
*   **Server Shed vs. The Barn:** The text mentions Elena walking toward "the barn," and then says "inside, the server shed was humming." While these are likely the same structure, the terminology should be consistent if the "Server Shed" is a specific unit within the barn. 
    *   *Correction:* Ensure "server shed" refers to the enclosed rack space inside the barn.
*   **Thermal Logic:** Elena commands Marcus to "vent the exhaust toward the creek" to create a target "three hundred yards West," but then she watches the drone turn toward the creek. 
    *   *Correction:* Confirm the spatial relationship. If the creek is the heat sink, ensure the drone's movements consistently reflect that cardinal direction.

### 3. MUST-FIX — CLARITY
*   **The "Clutter" Logic Point:** 
    *   *Passage:* "She needed it to decide that the data wasn't Worth the Throughput."
    *   *Issue:* The capitalization of "Worth the Throughput" feels like it should be an internal AQ system term, but it isn't established. 
    *   *Fix:* ORIGINAL: "Worth the Throughput" $\rightarrow$ SUGGESTED: "worth the throughput." Keep it lowercase to avoid making it look like a Proper Noun unless it's a specific Julian-ism used earlier.
*   **The "Ghost" Metaphor Overlap:** 
    *   *Passage:* Both Marcus’s thumb-tapping and Sarah’s pen-clicking are described as a "ghost" or "haunting" in the final paragraphs. 
    *   *Fix:* Use distinct descriptors for each to avoid rhythmic redundancy. Use "echo" for Sarah and "rhythmic haunting" for Marcus.

### 4. OPTIONAL SUGGESTIONS
*   **Verb Strength:** (Clause 3 of Mandate) 
    *   *Original:* "The drone *was descending*." $\rightarrow$ *Suggested:* "The drone *dropped*." (Rationale: Increases tension and removes the passive 'was').
*   **Adverb Audit:** 
    *   *Original:* "Elena *murmured*." $\rightarrow$ *Suggested:* Delete "murmured" and use a physical action. "Elena watched the drone waver. 'It's confused.'" (Rationale: The "murmur" is implied by the tension; let the dialogue stand).
*   **Tighten the Smoke Sequence:** 
    *   *Original:* "Wait on the smoke," Elena commanded. "It’s hunting the iron." $\rightarrow$ *Suggested:* "Hold the smoke. It's on the iron." (Rationale: Elena's voice should be as clipped as a comms-line during tactical maneuvers).

### 5. FORBIDDEN CHANGES / NON-GOALS
*   **Do NOT "fix" David’s 'g' dropping.** It is a core part of his "imperfection signature" and anchors his character to the land.
*   **Do NOT remove Marcus's "True-false logic check" or "Diagnostic:" prefixes.** These are not "clunky" dialogue; they are essential voice signifiers of a man who has vitrified his personality into code.
*   **Do NOT smooth out Sarah's use of "Error 403."** This is her specific coping mechanism for trauma (the "Domestic Siege" mentality).

### 6. VERDICT

**POLISH NEEDED.**
The voice work is exceptional and the tension is high. Minor adjustments to the "Must-Fix Clarity" section regarding capitalization and the "Must-Fix Continuity" regarding the barn/shed terminology will elevate this to a Pass.