diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/forge_merge_bus_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/forge_merge_bus_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..df56c4e9
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/forge_merge_bus_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+//go:build integration
+
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
+	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
+)
+
+// sayForgeMerge is the forge bridge saying a merge on its stream FORGE, which it makes when missing.
+func sayForgeMerge(ctx context.Context, t *testing.T, js *broker.JetStream, repo string, number int, head, merge string) {
+	t.Helper()
+	api, err := jetstream.New(js.Conn())
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if _, err := api.CreateOrUpdateStream(ctx, jetstream.StreamConfig{Name: forgeStream,
+		Subjects: []string{process.ModuleStreamSubject(sdkdelivery.ForgeBridgeModule, "forge.>")}}); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	subject, body := forgeMerged(t, repo, number, head, merge)
+	if _, err := api.Publish(ctx, subject, body); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/forge_merge_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/forge_merge_test.go
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..0c9bf437
--- /dev/null
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/forge_merge_test.go
@@ -0,0 +1,91 @@
+package main
+
+import (
+	"context"
+	"encoding/json"
+	"strings"
+	"testing"
+
+	"github.com/nats-io/nats.go/jetstream"
+
+	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
+)
+
+// fakeForge is the forge bridge's stream as forgeMergeAt reads it: messages by sequence, each on a subject.
+type fakeForge struct {
+	subjects []string
+	data     [][]byte
+}
+
+func (f fakeForge) last(_ context.Context, subject string) (uint64, []byte, error) {
+	for i := len(f.subjects) - 1; i >= 0; i-- {
+		if f.subjects[i] == subject {
+			return uint64(i + 1), f.data[i], nil
+		}
+	}
+	return 0, nil, jetstream.ErrMsgNotFound
+}
+
+func (f fakeForge) next(_ context.Context, subject string, from uint64) (uint64, []byte, error) {
+	for i := int(from) - 1; i < len(f.subjects); i++ {
+		if i >= 0 && f.subjects[i] == subject {
+			return uint64(i + 1), f.data[i], nil
+		}
+	}
+	return 0, nil, jetstream.ErrMsgNotFound
+}
+
+func forgeMerged(t *testing.T, repo string, number int, head, merge string) (string, []byte) {
+	t.Helper()
+	owner, name, _ := strings.Cut(repo, "/")
+	subject, err := forgeMergeSubject(owner, name)
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	body, err := json.Marshal(sdkdelivery.Forge{V: 1, Kind: sdkdelivery.ForgeMerged, Repository: repo, Branch: "main",
+		Number: number, Head: head, Merge: merge, Root: "t0", Trees: map[string]string{".": "t1"}})
+	if err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	return subject, body
+}
+
+// **A moved module's merge is read from the forge bridge's stream** (sweep 2026-10-30, issue 774): the controller keeps
+// no copy of the forge's merges, so its registration finds the pull request and head of a merge commit on FORGE, the
+// newest first and then every merge the stream keeps; a merge of another repository or commit is never taken for it.
+func TestAMergeIsFoundOnTheForgeBridgesStream(t *testing.T) {
+	var f fakeForge
+	add := func(repo string, number int, head, merge string) {
+		s, b := forgeMerged(t, repo, number, head, merge)
+		f.subjects, f.data = append(f.subjects, s), append(f.data, b)
+	}
+	add("novox/mesh-host", 6, "h6", "c6c6c6c6c6")
+	add("novox/mesh-catalog", 9, "h9", "c7c7c7c7c7")
+	add("novox/mesh-host", 7, "h7", "c7c7c7c7c7")
+	f.subjects, f.data = append(f.subjects, f.subjects[0]), append(f.data, []byte("not a forge message"))
+	add("novox/mesh-host", 8, "h8", "c8c8c8c8c8")
+
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		repo, commit string
+		number       int
+		found        bool
+	}{
+		"the newest merge":                  {"novox/mesh-host", "c8c8c8c8c8", 8, true},
+		"an older merge, found by scanning": {"novox/mesh-host", "c6c6c6c6c6", 6, true},
+		"a short commit":                    {"novox/mesh-host", "c7c7c7c", 7, true},
+		"a commit of another repository":    {"novox/mesh-catalog", "c6c6c6c6c6", 0, false},
+		"a repository with no merge":        {"novox/hq", "c6c6c6c6c6", 0, false},
+	} {
+		owner, name2, _ := strings.Cut(c.repo, "/")
+		k, found, err := forgeMergeAt(t.Context(), f, owner, name2, c.commit)
+		if err != nil {
+			t.Fatalf("%s: %v", name, err)
+		}
+		if found != c.found || k.Number != c.number {
+			t.Errorf("%s: found %v #%d, want %v #%d", name, found, k.Number, c.found, c.number)
+		}
+		if found && (k.Owner != owner || k.Repo != name2 || k.HeadSHA == "") {
+			t.Errorf("%s: the merge reads as %+v", name, k.SourceMoved)
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/loop_own_consumers_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/loop_own_consumers_test.go
index d8f5ae9f..20a7d7b4 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/loop_own_consumers_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/loop_own_consumers_test.go
@@ -21,8 +21,13 @@ func holdingOne(names ...string) func(broker.Consumer) (uint64, error) {
 }
 
 func deafObservations(now time.Time, held func(broker.Consumer) (uint64, error)) (string, int) {
+	return deafHeld(now, time.Time{}, held)
+}
+
+// deafHeld is deafObservations with the loop's last hold due at due.
+func deafHeld(now, due time.Time, held func(broker.Consumer) (uint64, error)) (string, int) {
 	f := calm(now)
-	loop, err := readLoop(now.Add(-loopDeafAfter-time.Minute), loopConsumers(), held)
+	loop, err := readLoop(now.Add(-loopDeafAfter-time.Minute), due, loopConsumers(), held)
 	if err != nil {
 		panic(err)
 	}
@@ -65,3 +70,51 @@ func TestDeafLookReadsExactlyTheControllersOwnConsumers(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
+
+// Sweep 2026-10-30 (issue 774): a message the loop held back with a delay longer than the deaf bound is not a deaf
+// controller until it is due and still not taken; the merges consumer's five-minute holds flapped the alarm this way.
+func TestAMessageHeldBackIsNotDeafUntilItIsDue(t *testing.T) {
+	now := time.Now()
+	held := holdingOne("CONTROL/" + broker.ControllerName)
+	for name, c := range map[string]struct {
+		due  time.Time
+		deaf int
+	}{
+		"nothing held":                          {time.Time{}, 1},
+		"held, due in three minutes":            {now.Add(3 * time.Minute), 0},
+		"held, due a moment ago":                {now.Add(-time.Second), 0},
+		"held, due past the deaf bound, unsent": {now.Add(-loopDeafAfter - time.Second), 1},
+	} {
+		if _, n := deafHeld(now, c.due, held); n != c.deaf {
+			t.Errorf("%s: %d deaf observation(s), want %d", name, n, c.deaf)
+		}
+	}
+}
+
+// Sweep 2026-10-30 (issue 774): the controller holds no consumer of the forge's merges any more, and removes the one
+// it held at every assertion.
+func TestTheMergesConsumerIsRetired(t *testing.T) {
+	for _, c := range broker.MeshConsumers() {
+		if c.Name == broker.MergesConsumerName {
+			t.Fatalf("the controller still holds %s on %s", c.Name, c.Stream)
+		}
+	}
+	r := &removed{}
+	if err := broker.AssertMeshConsumers(r); err != nil {
+		t.Fatal(err)
+	}
+	if !r.gone[broker.EventsStream+"/"+broker.MergesConsumerName] {
+		t.Fatalf("the retired merges consumer is not removed: removed %v", r.gone)
+	}
+}
+
+type removed struct{ gone map[string]bool }
+
+func (*removed) EnsureConsumer(broker.Consumer) error { return nil }
+func (r *removed) RemoveConsumer(stream, name string) error {
+	if r.gone == nil {
+		r.gone = map[string]bool{}
+	}
+	r.gone[stream+"/"+name] = true
+	return nil
+}
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/moved.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/moved.go
index d9c57391..ca5c03e9 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/moved.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/moved.go
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@ import (
 	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
+	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/process"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/broker"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
@@ -343,64 +344,113 @@ func claimantsOf(entries []inventory.Entry, seat string) []string {
 	return out
 }
 
-// forgeMergeKey is where the forge's announcement of a merge is kept, by the merge commit: the one thing a build of a merge
-// names, from which the pull request and its head are found (novox/hq ADR 0420 §7).
-func forgeMergeKey(owner, repo, commit string) string {
-	return fmt.Sprintf("merge/%s/%s/%s", owner, repo, commit)
-}
-
-// keepForgeMerge keeps the forge's announcement of a merge in the bucket of the merges, a week at most as that bucket
-// keeps them. The controller plans nothing from a merge any more (ADR 0539 §17); this is all it keeps of one.
-var keepForgeMerge = func(ctx context.Context, m link.SourceMoved) error {
-	serving := servingBus.Load()
-	if serving == nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%w: the bus is not held", link.ErrTryAgain)
-	}
-	api, err := jetstream.New(serving.Conn())
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", link.ErrTryAgain, err)
-	}
-	kv, err := api.KeyValue(ctx, broker.DeliveryMergesBucket)
-	if err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%w: the bucket of the merges: %w", link.ErrTryAgain, err)
-	}
-	body, err := json.Marshal(keptMerge{SourceMoved: m})
-	if err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
-	if _, err := kv.Put(ctx, forgeMergeKey(m.Owner, m.Repo, m.Commit), body); err != nil {
-		return fmt.Errorf("%w: %w", link.ErrTryAgain, err)
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-// keptForgeMerge is the forge's announcement of a merge, by its commit; false when none was kept. A variable so a test can
-// hand it one.
+// keptForgeMerge is the forge's word on the merge of a repository at a commit: the pull request and the head it merged,
+// read from the forge bridge's own stream, FORGE, where mesh-delivery-forge-bridge says every merge as
+// `forge.<owner>.<name>.merged` and keeps it a week (novox/hq ADR 0437). False when the stream holds no merge at that
+// commit. A variable so a test can hand it one.
+//
+// **The controller keeps no copy of the forge's merges any more** (sweep 2026-10-30, issue 774). It once kept each in
+// its bucket of merges off a consumer of its own on EVENTS that never gave up a message; one announcement over the
+// bucket's value size held that consumer for a day and queued every merge behind it, and the deaf watchdog read the
+// queue as a deaf controller. The forge bridge's stream is the record of the merges (research 072, 03-domains: the
+// delivery parts own what a merge is); the controller reads it where it needs one, at a moved module's registration.
 var keptForgeMerge = func(ctx context.Context, owner, repo, commit string) (keptMerge, bool, error) {
 	serving := servingBus.Load()
 	if serving == nil {
-		return keptMerge{}, false, errors.New("only the serving controller keeps what the forge announced")
+		return keptMerge{}, false, errors.New("only the serving controller reads the forge's merges")
 	}
 	api, err := jetstream.New(serving.Conn())
 	if err != nil {
 		return keptMerge{}, false, err
 	}
-	kv, err := api.KeyValue(ctx, broker.DeliveryMergesBucket)
+	stream, err := api.Stream(ctx, forgeStream)
+	if err != nil {
+		return keptMerge{}, false, fmt.Errorf("the forge bridge's stream %s cannot be read: %w", forgeStream, err)
+	}
+	return forgeMergeAt(ctx, streamMerges{stream}, owner, repo, commit)
+}
+
+// forgeStream is the forge bridge's stream as the bus names it (its declared name, forge, in capitals).
+var forgeStream = catalogue.StreamBusName(sdkdelivery.ForgeStream)
+
+// forgeMergeSubject is the subject of the forge bridge's merged message for a repository.
+func forgeMergeSubject(owner, repo string) (string, error) {
+	event, err := sdkdelivery.ForgeEvent(owner+"/"+repo, sdkdelivery.ForgeMerged)
+	if err != nil {
+		return "", err
+	}
+	return process.ModuleStreamSubject(sdkdelivery.ForgeBridgeModule, event), nil
+}
+
+// mergeMessages is what forgeMergeAt reads of a stream: the last message on a subject, and the first at or after a
+// sequence. Each answers jetstream.ErrMsgNotFound when there is none.
+type mergeMessages interface {
+	last(ctx context.Context, subject string) (uint64, []byte, error)
+	next(ctx context.Context, subject string, from uint64) (uint64, []byte, error)
+}
+
+type streamMerges struct{ s jetstream.Stream }
+
+func (m streamMerges) last(ctx context.Context, subject string) (uint64, []byte, error) {
+	msg, err := m.s.GetLastMsgForSubject(ctx, subject)
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, err
+	}
+	return msg.Sequence, msg.Data, nil
+}
+
+func (m streamMerges) next(ctx context.Context, subject string, from uint64) (uint64, []byte, error) {
+	msg, err := m.s.GetMsg(ctx, from, jetstream.WithGetMsgSubject(subject))
+	if err != nil {
+		return 0, nil, err
+	}
+	return msg.Sequence, msg.Data, nil
+}
+
+// forgeMergeAt finds the merged message of owner/repo at commit: the newest first, which is the merge a take-in
+// follows nearly always, then every one the stream keeps, oldest first. A message that does not read as a forge
+// message is passed over.
+func forgeMergeAt(ctx context.Context, msgs mergeMessages, owner, repo, commit string) (keptMerge, bool, error) {
+	subject, err := forgeMergeSubject(owner, repo)
 	if err != nil {
 		return keptMerge{}, false, err
 	}
-	e, err := kv.Get(ctx, forgeMergeKey(owner, repo, commit))
-	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrKeyNotFound) {
+	// Read for the four fields a registration needs, not checked whole (sdkdelivery.DecodeForge): a merged message a
+	// newer bridge writes, or one the SDK's check refuses for a part the controller never reads, still names its pull
+	// request, head and commit.
+	match := func(data []byte) (keptMerge, bool) {
+		var f sdkdelivery.Forge
+		if json.Unmarshal(data, &f) != nil || f.Kind != sdkdelivery.ForgeMerged || f.Number <= 0 || f.Head == "" ||
+			!sameCommitID(f.Merge, commit) {
+			return keptMerge{}, false
+		}
+		return keptMerge{SourceMoved: link.SourceMoved{Owner: owner, Repo: repo, Base: f.Branch, Number: f.Number,
+			HeadSHA: f.Head, Commit: f.Merge}}, true
+	}
+	lastSeq, data, err := msgs.last(ctx, subject)
+	if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrMsgNotFound) {
 		return keptMerge{}, false, nil
 	}
 	if err != nil {
 		return keptMerge{}, false, err
 	}
-	var k keptMerge
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(e.Value(), &k); err != nil {
-		return keptMerge{}, false, err
+	if k, ok := match(data); ok {
+		return k, true, nil
 	}
-	return k, true, nil
+	for from := uint64(1); from < lastSeq; {
+		seq, data, err := msgs.next(ctx, subject, from)
+		if errors.Is(err, jetstream.ErrMsgNotFound) || (err == nil && seq >= lastSeq) {
+			return keptMerge{}, false, nil
+		}
+		if err != nil {
+			return keptMerge{}, false, err
+		}
+		if k, ok := match(data); ok {
+			return k, true, nil
+		}
+		from = seq + 1
+	}
+	return keptMerge{}, false, nil
 }
 
 // keptMerge is a merge as the record keeps it: the forge's announcement.
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/moved_bus_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/moved_bus_test.go
index 26e99fb8..819b5dcf 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/moved_bus_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/moved_bus_test.go
@@ -99,17 +99,9 @@ func TestAModuleBuiltFromANewRepositoryIsRegisteredOnlyOnTheOperatorsApproveOnTh
 				return err == nil && kept
 			})
 
-			// The forge's merge of that pull request, as the controller heard it, and the build it asked for.
+			// The forge bridge's merge of that pull request on its stream, and the build it asked for.
 			const commit = "c0ffee0123456789"
-			event, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"owner": "novox", "repo": "mesh-host", "base": "main", "number": 7,
-				"head_sha": a.merge.HeadSHA, "merge_commit_sha": commit})
-			var forgeMerge link.SourceMoved
-			if err := json.Unmarshal(event, &forgeMerge); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			if err := keepForgeMerge(ctx, forgeMerge); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
+			sayForgeMerge(ctx, t, js, "novox/mesh-host", 7, a.merge.HeadSHA, commit)
 			id := fmt.Sprintf("build-%d", time.Now().Add(time.Hour).UnixNano())
 			if err := inv.RecordBuildRequest(ctx, inventory.BuildRequest{ID: id, Repository: "novox/mesh-host", Seat: "git",
 				Path: "modules/sudo", Ref: "main", Commit: commit, For: "merge"}); err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_bus_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_bus_test.go
index 2300c0a3..89c24f61 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_bus_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_bus_test.go
@@ -100,17 +100,9 @@ func TestANewModuleFromANewRepositoryIsRegisteredOnlyOnTheOperatorsApproveOnTheB
 				return err == nil && kept
 			})
 
-			// The forge's merge of that pull request, as the controller heard it, and the build it asked for.
+			// The forge bridge's merge of that pull request on its stream, and the build it asked for.
 			const commit = "c0ffee0123456789"
-			event, _ := json.Marshal(map[string]any{"owner": "novox", "repo": "mesh-delivery", "base": "main", "number": 7,
-				"head_sha": a.merge.HeadSHA, "merge_commit_sha": commit})
-			var forgeMerge link.SourceMoved
-			if err := json.Unmarshal(event, &forgeMerge); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
-			if err := keepForgeMerge(ctx, forgeMerge); err != nil {
-				t.Fatal(err)
-			}
+			sayForgeMerge(ctx, t, js, "novox/mesh-delivery", 7, a.merge.HeadSHA, commit)
 			id := fmt.Sprintf("build-%d", time.Now().Add(time.Hour).UnixNano())
 			if err := inv.RecordBuildRequest(ctx, inventory.BuildRequest{ID: id, Repository: "novox/mesh-delivery", Seat: "git",
 				Path: "modules/mesh-delivery-view", Ref: "main", Commit: commit, For: "merge"}); err != nil {
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_on_merge_test.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_on_merge_test.go
index 73db2ae5..7b7a46d8 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_on_merge_test.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/new_module_on_merge_test.go
@@ -11,7 +11,6 @@ import (
 	"git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/catalogue"
 	sdkdelivery "git.novox.be/novox/mesh-sdk/go/delivery"
 	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/inventory"
-	"github.com/novox/mesh-controller/internal/link"
 )
 
 // ADR 0501 §6 (issue 1851, A5): the live case of 2026-10-07 (novox/hq issue 300), on keys. A merge of the catalogue adds
@@ -33,12 +32,6 @@ func TestAMergeAddingAModuleEndsRegisteredFromItsKeyAndAsksNoBuild(t *testing.T)
 	watchNewModules(watching, open)
 
 	const commit = "3da80a4b00000000"
-	m := link.SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog", Base: "main", Commit: commit,
-		Paths:      []string{"modules/systemd-resolved/module.json", "modules/systemd-resolved/cmd/main.go"},
-		ModuleDirs: []string{"modules/systemd-resolved"}, ModuleDirsSaid: true}
-	if err := (following{open: open}).SourceMoved(ctx, m); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
 	// The indexer writes the module's trunk value; the builder builds it, then its key is done.
 	fp := fpOf('7')
 	manifest := b.indexed(t, "systemd-resolved", "1", "novox/mesh-catalog", "modules/systemd-resolved", commit, fp)
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go
index 3af94c2d..75de1c16 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/signals.go
@@ -284,13 +284,17 @@ func watchLoop(f *signalFacts) []conditions.Observation {
 	if since.IsZero() {
 		since = f.started
 	}
+	// A message the loop held back waits by the loop's own choice until it is due: deafness is counted from then.
+	if f.loop.due.After(since) {
+		since = f.loop.due
+	}
 	if f.now.Sub(since) <= loopDeafAfter {
 		return nil
 	}
 	return []conditions.Observation{{Scope: conditions.ScopeCore, ID: "controller", Kind: "controller-deaf",
 		Token: "deaf", Machine: f.host, Severity: conditions.Urgent,
 		Summary: fmt.Sprintf("the controller's event loop has taken nothing for %s while its consumers hold %d "+
-			"message(s): reports, builds and merges are not being acted on", ago(f.now.Sub(since)), f.loop.pending),
+			"message(s): reports and events are not being acted on", ago(f.now.Sub(since)), f.loop.pending),
 		Said: fmt.Sprintf("%d pending (%s), last taken %s", f.loop.pending, f.loop.where, since.UTC().Format(time.RFC3339))}}
 }
 
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go
index f17c80be..73b46fcc 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/upgrades.go
@@ -93,15 +93,6 @@ func (f following) Announceable(ctx context.Context) ([]link.Announcement, error
 	return out, nil
 }
 
-// SourceMoved is the forge announcing a merge. It is put into the open batch (novox/hq ADR 0276), which
-// becomes one walk when its merge window closes: hearMerge, and cutBatchesHeld in batches.go.
-func (f following) SourceMoved(ctx context.Context, m link.SourceMoved) error {
-	// A merge plans nothing here any more: mesh-delivery merges on the Approve, the indexer writes the fingerprints and
-	// the builder builds them (ADR 0539 §5, §17). The controller keeps the announcement, for the build of a merge that
-	// moves a module between repositories to be shown the operator's Approve (ADR 0420 §7).
-	return keepForgeMerge(ctx, m)
-}
-
 // actingOnMerges keeps one merge acted on at a time (novox/hq issue 266).
 var actingOnMerges sync.Mutex
 
diff --git a/cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go b/cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go
index 062b5b9f..c2207c16 100644
--- a/cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go
+++ b/cmd/mesh-controller/watchdogs.go
@@ -147,7 +147,9 @@ type machineFacts struct {
 func (m machineFacts) asleep() bool { return m.power.Away() }
 
 type loopFacts struct {
-	took    time.Time
+	took time.Time
+	// due is when a message the loop held back is handed over again (link.Loop.Due): the loop is not deaf before it.
+	due     time.Time
 	pending uint64
 	where   string
 }
@@ -458,7 +460,7 @@ func (w *watchdogs) gatherLoop() (loopFacts, error) {
 	if w.js == nil {
 		return loopFacts{took: link.Loop.Last()}, errors.New("this controller is not on the bus")
 	}
-	return readLoop(link.Loop.Last(), loopConsumers(), func(c broker.Consumer) (uint64, error) {
+	return readLoop(link.Loop.Last(), link.Loop.Due(), loopConsumers(), func(c broker.Consumer) (uint64, error) {
 		info, err := w.js.Context().ConsumerInfo(c.Stream, c.Name)
 		if err != nil {
 			return 0, err
@@ -468,8 +470,8 @@ func (w *watchdogs) gatherLoop() (loopFacts, error) {
 }
 
 // readLoop sums what the given consumers hold, as held reads each.
-func readLoop(took time.Time, consumers []broker.Consumer, held func(broker.Consumer) (uint64, error)) (loopFacts, error) {
-	f := loopFacts{took: took}
+func readLoop(took, due time.Time, consumers []broker.Consumer, held func(broker.Consumer) (uint64, error)) (loopFacts, error) {
+	f := loopFacts{took: took, due: due}
 	var where []string
 	for _, c := range consumers {
 		n, err := held(c)
diff --git a/internal/broker/streams.go b/internal/broker/streams.go
index 052d47a8..6045431b 100644
--- a/internal/broker/streams.go
+++ b/internal/broker/streams.go
@@ -339,13 +339,36 @@ func Overlaps() []string {
 // ack subject is derived from (nats.go: `$JS.ACK.<stream>.controller.>`).
 const ControllerName = "controller"
 
-// MergesConsumerName is the controller's durable consumer of the forge's merged event on EVENTS, apart from the
-// events consumer (novox/hq ADR 0407 decision 3, issue 973). A merge is never dropped, so this consumer has no
-// max-deliver, which would send a merge held five times to DEAD_LETTERS to wait for a person, and no healer
-// resets it, which would drop the merges it holds. A consumer of its own because both of those are properties of
-// a consumer, not of a subject.
+// MergesConsumerName was the controller's durable consumer of the forge's merged event on EVENTS (novox/hq ADR 0407
+// decision 3, issue 973), with no max-deliver and one message at a time. **Retired** (sweep 2026-10-30, issue 774):
+// the forge bridge's stream FORGE is the record of the merges, and the controller reads it where it needs a merge. On
+// 2026-10-29 one announcement too large for the controller's bucket of merges was held on it for over a day, with
+// 163 merges queued behind it, and the deaf watchdog read the queue as a deaf controller. RetiredConsumers removes it.
 const MergesConsumerName = "controller-merges"
 
+// RetiredConsumers are durable consumers the controller once held and holds no more: each assertion removes them,
+// so a retired consumer cannot keep a queue nobody takes from (research 072, 03-domains: the controller shrinks).
+var RetiredConsumers = []Consumer{{Name: MergesConsumerName, Stream: EventsStream}}
+
+// Remover is the part of a JetStream connection that removes a retired consumer.
+type Remover interface {
+	RemoveConsumer(stream, name string) error
+}
+
+// removeRetired removes every retired consumer, when the connection can.
+func removeRetired(e Ensurer) error {
+	r, ok := e.(Remover)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+	for _, c := range RetiredConsumers {
+		if err := r.RemoveConsumer(c.Stream, c.Name); err != nil {
+			return fmt.Errorf("removing the retired consumer %s on %s: %w", c.Name, c.Stream, err)
+		}
+	}
+	return nil
+}
+
 // ControllerSeat is the role the control plane holds, and ControllerStates are the facts it states
 // under it (novox/hq ADR 0134).
 //
@@ -513,23 +536,6 @@ func ControllerConsumers() []Consumer {
 			Why: "the controller is the single consumer of what nodes say; explicit ack and no " +
 				"max-deliver, because the store window's bound is the controller's own",
 		},
-		// The forge's merges (novox/hq ADR 0407 decision 3, issue 973): never dropped, so no max-deliver and no
-		// reset; a merge the controller cannot record yet is held with a growing delay until it can. **Asserted before
-		// the events consumer**, which stops filtering merges: the order of this list is the order of assertion.
-		{
-			Name:   MergesConsumerName,
-			Stream: "EVENTS",
-			// Within what the controller may subscribe already (`_DELIVER.controller.>`).
-			DeliverSubject: "_DELIVER." + ControllerName + ".merges",
-			Filters:        []string{ControllerFollows[3]},
-			Push:           true,
-			AckWaitSeconds: 30,
-			MaxAckPending:  1,
-			FromNow:        true,
-			TakesOverFrom:  ControllerName,
-			Why: "the forge's merges, one at a time; no max-deliver and never reset, because a merge is never " +
-				"dropped and no person releases one",
-		},
 		{
 			Name:           ControllerName,
 			Stream:         "EVENTS",
@@ -581,6 +587,9 @@ func NoticesConsumer() Consumer {
 // one on DEAD_LETTER_NOTICES, which the keeper of dead letters asserts and retries by itself, so a fault
 // there never stops the controller serving (novox/hq issue 330).
 func AssertServingConsumers(e Ensurer) error {
+	if err := removeRetired(e); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	for _, c := range MeshConsumers() {
 		if c.Stream == DeadLetterNoticesStream {
 			continue
@@ -603,6 +612,9 @@ type Ensurer interface {
 // After the streams, necessarily: a consumer on a stream that does not exist is refused, and the
 // refusal names the stream rather than the order.
 func AssertMeshConsumers(e Ensurer) error {
+	if err := removeRetired(e); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
 	for _, c := range MeshConsumers() {
 		if err := e.EnsureConsumer(c); err != nil {
 			return fmt.Errorf("asserting consumer %s on %s: %w", c.Name, c.Stream, err)
diff --git a/internal/link/contracts.go b/internal/link/contracts.go
index 20f3a9f2..60703291 100644
--- a/internal/link/contracts.go
+++ b/internal/link/contracts.go
@@ -30,9 +30,8 @@ var Contracts = map[string]Contract{
 	KindBuilt: {Unordered: "a build's outcome on the retired build seat's subjects: dropped, nothing takes a build in " +
 		"from the bus any more (R4g, ADR 0501 §1); the subjects stay followed while the installer's carried user list " +
 		"names them"},
-	KindSourceMoved: {Ordered: "by the merge's commit against what was built from it: a merge already acted on " +
-		"or older than the last look is history, not a second plan (issues 250, 266)",
-		Tests: []string{"TestAMergeOlderThanTheLastLookIsHistory", "TestAMergeMatchesTheSourcesBuiltFromIt"}},
+	KindSourceMoved: {Unordered: "the forge's merge on EVENTS: no longer followed, dropped if one arrives; the forge " +
+		"bridge's stream FORGE is the record of the merges, read at a moved module's registration (sweep 2026-10-30)"},
 	KindToolsHeartbeat: {Unordered: "a word that the node tools are there, as a machine's heartbeat"},
 	KindHealth: {Ordered: "by the time the node-engine looked (`at`, on the machine's clock): a statement older " +
 		"than the one kept for that machine is refused, so an event arriving after a newer report does not undo it " +
diff --git a/internal/link/receive_nats.go b/internal/link/receive_nats.go
index 7fbecbc8..5b60dbb5 100644
--- a/internal/link/receive_nats.go
+++ b/internal/link/receive_nats.go
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ func Nats(js *broker.JetStream) Inbound {
 // whatever was asked for — and not at all when nothing was.
 func (n *natsInbound) Also(kind string) error {
 	switch kind {
-	case KindModuleMoved, KindCatchUp, KindSourceMoved, KindProvisioner, KindPullUpdated, KindDecided,
+	case KindModuleMoved, KindCatchUp, KindProvisioner, KindPullUpdated, KindDecided,
 		KindDeliveryMerged:
 		n.follows[kind] = true
 		return nil
@@ -145,24 +145,6 @@ func (n *natsInbound) Receive(ctx context.Context, act func(context.Context, Con
 		defer func() { _ = followed.Unsubscribe() }()
 	}
 
-	// And the forge's merges, off a consumer of their own: no max-deliver and no reset, so a merge held for the
-	// plans waits for them however long (novox/hq ADR 0407 decision 3). Bound to the same channel: one loop.
-	if n.follows[KindSourceMoved] {
-		if events == nil {
-			events = make(chan *nats.Msg, Prefetch)
-		}
-		merges, err := standingBy(ctx, log.Default(), "EVENTS", func() (*nats.Subscription, error) {
-			return js.ChanSubscribe(MergedSubject, events, nats.Bind("EVENTS", broker.MergesConsumerName))
-		})
-		if err != nil {
-			return fmt.Errorf("subscribing to the forge's merges: %w", err)
-		}
-		if merges == nil {
-			return nil
-		}
-		defer func() { _ = merges.Unsubscribe() }()
-	}
-
 	// A connection that dropped is said, not discovered. A controller whose bus connection is gone
 	// is a mesh where nothing can be told anything.
 	gone := make(chan error, 1)
@@ -423,7 +405,11 @@ func (m *natsControl) Hold(after time.Duration) error {
 	if _, already := m.on.since[m.seq]; !already {
 		m.on.since[m.seq] = time.Now()
 	}
-	return m.msg.NakWithDelay(after)
+	if err := m.msg.NakWithDelay(after); err != nil {
+		return err
+	}
+	Loop.HeldUntil(time.Now().Add(after))
+	return nil
 }
 
 func (m *natsControl) forget() {
diff --git a/internal/link/receive_nats_integration_test.go b/internal/link/receive_nats_integration_test.go
index b2ee6f5a..b49bf280 100644
--- a/internal/link/receive_nats_integration_test.go
+++ b/internal/link/receive_nats_integration_test.go
@@ -394,35 +394,3 @@ func TestNatsAReportThatIsNotNewsIsNotStated(t *testing.T) {
 	case <-time.After(3 * time.Second):
 	}
 }
-
-func TestNatsAMergeHeldMoreThanFiveTimesIsStillHandedOverAndRecorded(t *testing.T) {
-	first, most := MergeHeldFirst, MergeHeldMost
-	MergeHeldFirst, MergeHeldMost = 5*time.Millisecond, 40*time.Millisecond
-	t.Cleanup(func() { MergeHeldFirst, MergeHeldMost = first, most })
-	js := aBus(t)
-	up := &manyTimesBusy{busy: 8}
-	s := &Server{inbound: Nats(js), bus: OverNATS{Conn: js.Conn(), JS: js.Context()}, log: quiet()}
-	if err := s.Follows(up); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	ctx, stop := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	defer stop()
-	go func() { _ = s.Serve(ctx) }()
-	eventually(t, "the merges consumer being made", func() bool {
-		_, err := js.Context().ConsumerInfo("EVENTS", broker.MergesConsumerName)
-		return err == nil
-	})
-
-	body, _ := json.Marshal(SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "one", Base: "main", Commit: "abcdef0123"})
-	if _, err := js.Context().Publish(MergedSubject, body); err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	eventually(t, "the ninth hand-over recording the merge", func() bool { return up.called() == 9 })
-	eventually(t, "the merge being acknowledged", func() bool {
-		info, err := js.Context().ConsumerInfo("EVENTS", broker.MergesConsumerName)
-		return err == nil && info.NumAckPending == 0 && info.NumPending == 0
-	})
-	if info, err := js.Context().StreamInfo(broker.DeadLettersStream); err == nil && info.State.Msgs != 0 {
-		t.Fatalf("%d message(s) in dead letters: a merge was given up on", info.State.Msgs)
-	}
-}
diff --git a/internal/link/receive_nats_test.go b/internal/link/receive_nats_test.go
index 0f7d9ce3..fcd71630 100644
--- a/internal/link/receive_nats_test.go
+++ b/internal/link/receive_nats_test.go
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@ package link
 
 import (
 	"context"
-	"errors"
 	"io"
 	"log"
 	"sync"
@@ -199,46 +198,3 @@ func (s slowly) Heard(context.Context, Report) (bool, error) { s.work(); return
 type sameAgain struct{}
 
 func (sameAgain) Heard(context.Context, Report) (bool, error) { return false, nil }
-
-// manyTimesBusy is an upgrader whose plans are busy for its first merges, as another controller's hold is.
-type manyTimesBusy struct {
-	toldAbout
-	busy  int
-	calls int
-}
-
-func (u *manyTimesBusy) SourceMoved(context.Context, SourceMoved) error {
-	u.mu.Lock()
-	defer u.mu.Unlock()
-	u.calls++
-	if u.calls <= u.busy {
-		return errors.Join(ErrTryAgain, errors.New("another controller is working the plans"))
-	}
-	return nil
-}
-
-func (u *manyTimesBusy) called() int {
-	u.mu.Lock()
-	defer u.mu.Unlock()
-	return u.calls
-}
-
-// **A merge held more than five times is still handed over and recorded** (issue 973, novox/hq ADR 0407 decision
-// 3): the merges have a durable consumer of their own with no max-deliver, so they never go to DEAD_LETTERS to wait
-// for a person; the delay grows, and is capped.
-
-// The delay a held merge waits grows from the first to the most and stays there.
-func TestAHeldMergesDelayGrowsAndIsCapped(t *testing.T) {
-	var got []time.Duration
-	for _, held := range []time.Duration{0, 4 * time.Second, 10 * time.Second, 25 * time.Second, 70 * time.Second,
-		200 * time.Second, 20 * time.Minute} {
-		got = append(got, MergeRedeliverAfter(held))
-	}
-	want := []time.Duration{5 * time.Second, 5 * time.Second, 10 * time.Second, 25 * time.Second, 70 * time.Second,
-		200 * time.Second, 5 * time.Minute}
-	for i := range want {
-		if got[i] != want[i] {
-			t.Errorf("held %d: waits %v; want %v", i, got[i], want[i])
-		}
-	}
-}
diff --git a/internal/link/serve.go b/internal/link/serve.go
index 3e0ccf42..ea46276e 100644
--- a/internal/link/serve.go
+++ b/internal/link/serve.go
@@ -49,8 +49,6 @@ type Upgrader interface {
 	// stop every upgrade behind it — except the store unreachable for the moment, which is asked
 	// again for a bounded time (novox/hq issue 083).
 	Upgraded(ctx context.Context, u Upgraded) error
-	// SourceMoved is a merge on the forge: build what that source produces, bases first.
-	SourceMoved(ctx context.Context, m SourceMoved) error
 }
 
 // Checker is what the controller does when the forge says a pull request's head moved: ask for it to be
@@ -105,9 +103,6 @@ const GiveUpAfter = 2 * time.Minute
 
 // Follows says what to do about upgrades, and asks for them to be delivered.
 func (s *Server) Follows(u Upgrader) error {
-	if err := s.inbound.Also(KindSourceMoved); err != nil {
-		return err
-	}
 	if err := s.inbound.Also(KindModuleMoved); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
@@ -225,7 +220,9 @@ func (s *Server) act(ctx context.Context, m Control) {
 	case KindModuleMoved:
 		s.moved(ctx, m)
 	case KindSourceMoved:
-		s.sourceMoved(ctx, m)
+		// The forge's merges are no longer followed (sweep 2026-10-30): the forge bridge's stream is their record, read
+		// where a merge is needed (keptForgeMerge). One that arrives on an old consumer is let go of.
+		_ = m.Drop()
 	case KindCatchUp:
 		s.catchingUp(ctx, m)
 	case KindProvisioner:
@@ -521,61 +518,6 @@ func short(commit string) string {
 	return commit
 }
 
-// MergeHeldFirst is how long a merge the controller could not record yet waits before the bus hands it over
-// again, and MergeHeldMost the longest it ever waits: the delay grows with how long the merge has been held, from
-// the first to the most (novox/hq ADR 0407 decision 3). Variables so a test need not wait.
-var (
-	MergeHeldFirst = 5 * time.Second
-	MergeHeldMost  = 5 * time.Minute
-)
-
-// MergeRedeliverAfter is the delay for a merge held for the time given: that time, so the delay about doubles
-// with each hold, between MergeHeldFirst and MergeHeldMost.
-func MergeRedeliverAfter(heldFor time.Duration) time.Duration {
-	return min(max(heldFor, MergeHeldFirst), MergeHeldMost)
-}
-
-// sourceMoved acts on the forge's announcement of a merge. **A merge is never dropped** (issue 921, novox/hq ADR
-// 0407 decision 3): one the controller could not record for now (the plans held by another controller, the store
-// away: ErrTryAgain) is held and handed over again until it is recorded; the controller giving up on it would
-// lose a change for good. Anything else is an answer and is taken: a build that fails is reported by the build
-// itself, and re-delivering the merge would only re-fail it.
-func (s *Server) sourceMoved(ctx context.Context, m Control) {
-	var moved SourceMoved
-	if err := json.Unmarshal(m.Body(), &moved); err != nil {
-		s.log.Printf("a merge announcement could not be read: %v", err)
-		_ = m.Took()
-		return
-	}
-	if moved.Commit == "" || moved.Repo == "" {
-		s.log.Printf("a merge announcement named no repository or no commit; ignored")
-		_ = m.Took()
-		return
-	}
-	err := s.upgrader.SourceMoved(ctx, moved)
-	// Left unsettled when the controller is ending, whatever error that gave (the plans' hold returns a bare
-	// context.Canceled): the bus hands it to whatever consumes next, and taking it would lose the merge.
-	if err != nil && ctx.Err() != nil {
-		return
-	}
-	if err != nil && errors.Is(err, ErrTryAgain) {
-		// Also left unsettled when the bus will not hold it.
-		delay := MergeRedeliverAfter(m.HeldFor())
-		if held := m.Hold(delay); held != nil {
-			s.log.Printf("%s/%s moved to %.8s and could not be held (%v): %v; left for the bus to hand over again",
-				moved.Owner, moved.Repo, moved.Commit, held, err)
-			return
-		}
-		s.log.Printf("%s/%s moved to %.8s and is held: %v; handed over again in %s", moved.Owner, moved.Repo,
-			moved.Commit, err, delay)
-		return
-	}
-	if err != nil {
-		s.log.Printf("%s/%s moved to %.8s and the mesh could not act on it: %v", moved.Owner, moved.Repo, moved.Commit, err)
-	}
-	_ = m.Took()
-}
-
 // pullUpdated asks for a pull request's merge check. Taken whatever happens: a check that could not be
 // asked is said here, and the next push to the pull request asks again.
 func (s *Server) pullUpdated(ctx context.Context, m Control) {
diff --git a/internal/link/source_moved_held_test.go b/internal/link/source_moved_held_test.go
deleted file mode 100644
index 198e6682..00000000
--- a/internal/link/source_moved_held_test.go
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,60 +0,0 @@
-package link
-
-import (
-	"context"
-	"encoding/json"
-	"errors"
-	"io"
-	"log"
-	"testing"
-	"time"
-)
-
-// heldControl is a merge announcement that records how it was settled.
-type heldControl struct {
-	body              []byte
-	took, held, drops int
-}
-
-func (c *heldControl) Kind() string                         { return "source-moved" }
-func (c *heldControl) Body() []byte                         { return c.body }
-func (c *heldControl) Subject() string                      { return "" }
-func (c *heldControl) Redelivered() bool                    { return false }
-func (c *heldControl) HeldFor() time.Duration               { return 0 }
-func (c *heldControl) Answer(context.Context, []byte) error { return nil }
-func (c *heldControl) Took() error                          { c.took++; return nil }
-func (c *heldControl) Hold(time.Duration) error             { c.held++; return nil }
-func (c *heldControl) Drop() error                          { c.drops++; return nil }
-
-type sourceMover struct {
-	Upgrader
-	answer error
-}
-
-func (s sourceMover) SourceMoved(context.Context, SourceMoved) error { return s.answer }
-
-// **A merge is acknowledged only after the controller recorded it** (novox/hq ADR 0407 decision 3, issue 1092): an
-// answer of "not now" — the plan it belongs to could not be saved, the bus away, the lease lost — leaves the announcement
-// unacknowledged, held to be handed over again; only an answer that is not "not now" settles it.
-func TestAMergeTheControllerCouldNotRecordIsHeldAndNotAcknowledged(t *testing.T) {
-	body, err := json.Marshal(SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "mesh-catalog", Base: "main", Commit: "c1"})
-	if err != nil {
-		t.Fatal(err)
-	}
-	s := &Server{log: log.New(io.Discard, "", 0)}
-	for name, tc := range map[string]struct {
-		answer     error
-		took, held int
-	}{
-		"recorded":              {nil, 1, 0},
-		"not now":               {errors.Join(ErrTryAgain, errors.New("the plan is not saved")), 0, 1},
-		"an answer, not a wait": {errors.New("the mesh could not act on it"), 1, 0},
-	} {
-		s.upgrader = sourceMover{answer: tc.answer}
-		m := &heldControl{body: body}
-		s.sourceMoved(context.Background(), m)
-		if m.took != tc.took || m.held != tc.held || m.drops != 0 {
-			t.Errorf("%s: acknowledged %d times and held %d times, want %d and %d", name, m.took, m.held, tc.took, tc.held)
-		}
-	}
-}
diff --git a/internal/link/store_window_test.go b/internal/link/store_window_test.go
index f55ddfea..4ea2545d 100644
--- a/internal/link/store_window_test.go
+++ b/internal/link/store_window_test.go
@@ -17,8 +17,7 @@ func (r recordsWith) Built(context.Context, BuildResult) error { return r.err }
 
 type upgradesWith struct{ err error }
 
-func (u upgradesWith) Upgraded(context.Context, Upgraded) error       { return u.err }
-func (u upgradesWith) SourceMoved(context.Context, SourceMoved) error { return u.err }
+func (u upgradesWith) Upgraded(context.Context, Upgraded) error { return u.err }
 
 type replaysWith struct{ err error }
 
@@ -69,61 +68,3 @@ func TestACatchUpWaitsOutARestartingStore(t *testing.T) {
 		}
 	}
 }
-
-// A merge the controller could not record for now (the plans held by another controller, the store away) is held
-// and handed over again, never taken: the bus keeps it until it is recorded (issue 921). Any other failure is an
-// answer and is taken, as before.
-func TestAMergeThatCouldNotBeRecordedNowIsHeldNotDropped(t *testing.T) {
-	merged := SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "one", Base: "main", Commit: "abcdef0123"}
-	for _, c := range []struct {
-		what string
-		err  error
-		want func(*settled) bool
-	}{
-		{"the plans held by another controller", errors.Join(ErrTryAgain, errors.New("another controller is working the plans")),
-			func(s *settled) bool { return s.unsettled() }},
-		{"the store away", errors.Join(ErrTryAgain, restarting), func(s *settled) bool { return s.unsettled() }},
-		{"cannot act", errors.New("no such module"), func(s *settled) bool { return s.acked && !s.nacked }},
-		{"kept", nil, func(s *settled) bool { return s.acked && !s.nacked }},
-	} {
-		s, in := serving()
-		s.upgrader = upgradesWith{err: c.err}
-		to := &settled{}
-		held := in.sends(t, to, KindSourceMoved, merged).(*fakeControl)
-		s.act(context.Background(), held)
-		if !c.want(to) {
-			t.Errorf("%s: a merge was settled as %+v", c.what, *to)
-		}
-		if c.err != nil && errors.Is(c.err, ErrTryAgain) && len(in.held) != 1 {
-			t.Errorf("%s: the merge was not held to be handed over again", c.what)
-		}
-	}
-}
-
-// A merge being held when the controller is replaced (its context ended) or when the bus will not hold it is left
-// unsettled, never taken: the bus hands it to whatever consumes next (review of issue 921).
-func TestAMergeIsLeftUnsettledWhenTheControllerEndsOrTheHoldFails(t *testing.T) {
-	merged := SourceMoved{Owner: "novox", Repo: "one", Base: "main", Commit: "abcdef0123"}
-	try := errors.Join(ErrTryAgain, errors.New("another controller is working the plans"))
-
-	// The plans' hold returns a bare context.Canceled when the controller is replaced, not ErrTryAgain.
-	s, in := serving()
-	s.upgrader = upgradesWith{err: context.Canceled}
-	to := &settled{}
-	ended, end := context.WithCancel(context.Background())
-	end()
-	s.act(ended, in.sends(t, to, KindSourceMoved, merged))
-	if !to.unsettled() {
-		t.Errorf("a merge was settled as %+v when the controller's context ended", *to)
-	}
-
-	s, in = serving()
-	s.upgrader = upgradesWith{err: try}
-	to = &settled{}
-	m := in.sends(t, to, KindSourceMoved, merged).(*fakeControl)
-	m.holdFails = errors.New("the bus will not hold it")
-	s.act(context.Background(), m)
-	if !to.unsettled() {
-		t.Errorf("a merge was settled as %+v when it could not be held", *to)
-	}
-}
diff --git a/internal/link/watched.go b/internal/link/watched.go
index 2a7c3003..7d885efd 100644
--- a/internal/link/watched.go
+++ b/internal/link/watched.go
@@ -85,6 +85,26 @@ func nodeOfToolsAlive(subject string) (string, bool) {
 type LoopActivity struct {
 	mu   sync.Mutex
 	took time.Time
+	// due is when the latest message the loop held back with a delay is handed over again: until then the loop waits
+	// by its own choice, which is not deafness (sweep 2026-10-30: a merge held five minutes at a time read as a deaf
+	// controller every time its delay outran the deaf bound).
+	due time.Time
+}
+
+// HeldUntil records that the loop handed a message back to be delivered again at due.
+func (l *LoopActivity) HeldUntil(due time.Time) {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	if due.After(l.due) {
+		l.due = due
+	}
+}
+
+// Due is when the latest message the loop held is handed over again; zero when it held none.
+func (l *LoopActivity) Due() time.Time {
+	l.mu.Lock()
+	defer l.mu.Unlock()
+	return l.due
 }
 
 // Loop is this process's event loop.