diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/ObservatoryStage.svelte b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/ObservatoryStage.svelte
index 1c8881d..0693e34 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/ObservatoryStage.svelte
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/ObservatoryStage.svelte
@@ -96,6 +96,11 @@
 	let projectionDays = $state(0);
 	let liveBridge: LiveBridge | null = null;
 	let liveDecayReady = $state(false);
+	// Live contradiction-firewall verdict — set when a real MemorySuppressed /
+	// contradiction event quarantines a memory on camera. Held ~7s then fades.
+	let liveFirewallLabel = $state('');
+	let liveFirewallAt = $state(0);
+	let liveFirewallVisible = $derived(liveFirewallLabel !== '' && liveFirewallAt > 0);
 
 	// GPU picking — screen px → NDC → NodeRenderer.pickAt (one readback/click).
 	let canvasLayerEl: HTMLDivElement | null = $state(null);
@@ -297,7 +302,12 @@
 					engine,
 					renderer,
 					graph: renderer.graph,
-					projectionDays: () => projectionDays
+					seed,
+					projectionDays: () => projectionDays,
+					onFirewall: (info) => {
+						liveFirewallLabel = info.intruderLabel;
+						liveFirewallAt = Date.now();
+					}
 				});
 				liveDecayReady = liveBridge.liveDecayAvailable;
 				engine.setPreFrameHook((simFrame) => liveBridge?.drain(simFrame));
@@ -324,6 +334,17 @@
 		liveBridge?.refreshDecay();
 	});
 
+	// Auto-clear the live firewall verdict ~7s after it fires (matches the
+	// quarantine choreography length so the card leaves with the crimson ring).
+	$effect(() => {
+		if (!liveFirewallAt) return;
+		const t = setTimeout(() => {
+			liveFirewallLabel = '';
+			liveFirewallAt = 0;
+		}, 7000);
+		return () => clearTimeout(t);
+	});
+
 	onMount(() => {
 		loadGraph();
 	});
@@ -359,6 +380,28 @@
 	     chrome='none' leaves only loading/error (host page owns the chrome). -->
 	{#if showHud}
 	<div class="absolute inset-0 z-10 pointer-events-none">
+		<!-- v2.3 living field — LIVE contradiction firewall verdict. Fires only
+		     when a real MemorySuppressed / contradiction event quarantines a
+		     memory on camera; the crimson quarantine ring plays on the field
+		     itself (firewall.wgsl live path). Crimson tone = the immune response. -->
+		{#if live && liveFirewallVisible}
+			<div
+				class="absolute top-20 left-1/2 -translate-x-1/2 pointer-events-none
+					flex flex-col items-center gap-1 px-5 py-3 rounded-xl border border-[#ff2d55]/40
+					bg-[#1a0508]/85 backdrop-blur-sm text-center enter"
+			>
+				<div class="font-mono text-[11px] tracking-[0.2em] text-[#ff5c78] uppercase">
+					⬤ threat quarantined
+				</div>
+				<div class="font-mono text-[13px] text-[#ffd0d8] max-w-sm truncate">
+					{liveFirewallLabel}
+				</div>
+				<div class="font-mono text-[10px] tracking-wide text-[#ff5c78]/70">
+					memory held in review · Memory PR opened
+				</div>
+			</div>
+		{/if}
+
 		<!-- v2.3 living field — forward-projection scrubber. Real per-memory FSRS
 		     decay drifts too slowly to watch in one session, so this projects the
 		     field N days forward on the SAME true forgetting curve (honest, not
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-plan.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-plan.ts
index c47e327..25e8507 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-plan.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-plan.ts
@@ -252,6 +252,11 @@ export function firewallEnvelopes(
 
 const UINTS_PER_STEP = 4;
 
+/** An idle (viable:false) firewall plan — the field breathes, nothing fires. */
+export function emptyFirewallPlan(nodeCount: number): FirewallPlan {
+	return emptyPlan(nodeCount);
+}
+
 function emptyPlan(nodeCount: number): FirewallPlan {
 	return {
 		viable: false,
@@ -276,8 +281,36 @@ function emptyPlan(nodeCount: number): FirewallPlan {
  * viable:false — the field breathes, nothing pretends to be a threat.
  */
 export function buildFirewallPlan(graph: ObservatoryGraph, seed: string): FirewallPlan {
+	return buildFirewallPlanFor(graph, seed, pickIntruderIndex(graph));
+}
+
+/**
+ * v2.3 living field — build a firewall plan for a SPECIFIC intruder (a real
+ * MemorySuppressed target, or a real contradiction-pair member) instead of the
+ * deterministic demo pick. Everything downstream (shock delays from the real
+ * layout, severed real neighbors, spine beats, verdict) is identical — only the
+ * intruder is supplied by the live event. The neighbors are the intruder's REAL
+ * graph edges (pickSeveredNeighbors), so the quarantine ring severs true
+ * connections, never invented ones. Returns viable:false if the intruder isn't
+ * in the field (nothing pretends).
+ */
+export function buildLiveFirewallPlan(
+	graph: ObservatoryGraph,
+	seed: string,
+	intruderIndex: number
+): FirewallPlan {
+	if (intruderIndex < 0 || intruderIndex >= graph.nodes.length) {
+		return emptyPlan(graph.nodes.length);
+	}
+	return buildFirewallPlanFor(graph, seed, intruderIndex);
+}
+
+function buildFirewallPlanFor(
+	graph: ObservatoryGraph,
+	seed: string,
+	intruderIndex: number
+): FirewallPlan {
 	const n = graph.nodes.length;
-	const intruderIndex = pickIntruderIndex(graph);
 	if (n === 0 || intruderIndex < 0) return emptyPlan(n);
 
 	// Shock delays come from the REAL layout (rescue-plan.layoutPositions —
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-renderer.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-renderer.ts
index 2a484a2..2fec94f 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-renderer.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/firewall-renderer.ts
@@ -91,9 +91,37 @@ export class FirewallRenderer implements FramePass {
 		});
 	}
 
+	/**
+	 * v2.3 living field — re-arm the firewall for a LIVE event with a fresh plan
+	 * (a real MemorySuppressed / contradiction target + its real neighbors).
+	 * Rebuilds the fire buffer + bind group so the choreography quarantines the
+	 * true intruder. Safe to call any time after upload(); a non-viable plan
+	 * disarms (the pass becomes a no-op until the next real event).
+	 */
+	rearm(plan: FirewallPlan): void {
+		this.plan = plan;
+		const device = this.engine.gpuDevice;
+		if (!device) return;
+		if (!plan.viable) {
+			this.pipeline = null;
+			this.bindGroup = null;
+			return;
+		}
+		this.upload();
+	}
+
+	/** Whether a viable plan is currently armed (live or demo). */
+	get armed(): boolean {
+		return this.plan.viable && !!this.pipeline && !!this.bindGroup;
+	}
+
 	/** FramePass — overwrite the four demo lanes for this frame (pure of frame). */
 	compute(encoder: GPUCommandEncoder): void {
-		if (this.engine.params[9] !== FIREWALL_DEMO_ID) return;
+		// Fire for the deterministic demo (demo index 4) OR a live firewall event
+		// (live_kind lane == LIVE_KIND.firewall == 1). Both drive the same shader.
+		const isDemo = this.engine.params[9] === FIREWALL_DEMO_ID;
+		const isLive = this.engine.params[12] === 1;
+		if (!isDemo && !isLive) return;
 		if (!this.pipeline || !this.bindGroup) return;
 		const n = this.nodeRenderer.nodeCountValue;
 		if (n === 0) return;
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/live-bridge.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/live-bridge.ts
index 40491f0..4a088ba 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/live-bridge.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/live-bridge.ts
@@ -25,6 +25,8 @@ import type { NodeRenderer } from './node-renderer';
 import type { VestigeEvent } from '$types';
 import { LIVE_KIND, PARAM_IDX, type ObservatoryGraph } from './types';
 import { liveRetrievability } from './fsrs';
+import { FirewallRenderer } from './firewall-renderer';
+import { buildLiveFirewallPlan, emptyFirewallPlan } from './firewall-plan';
 
 /** A decoded live event, normalized off the wire's { type, data } envelope. */
 interface DecodedEvent {
@@ -52,6 +54,9 @@ export interface LiveBridgeDeps {
 	engine: ObservatoryEngine;
 	renderer: NodeRenderer;
 	graph: ObservatoryGraph;
+	/** Layout seed (matches NodeRenderer.upload) — the firewall shock delays
+	 *  come from the REAL layout, so this must be the same seed the field used. */
+	seed: string;
 	/**
 	 * Forward-projection scrubber (Phase 1). Days added to every node's real
 	 * FSRS elapsed so decay is legible in one viewing session. A getter so the
@@ -60,14 +65,22 @@ export interface LiveBridgeDeps {
 	projectionDays?: () => number;
 	/** Dev/verification: mirror what the bridge applied, for assertions. */
 	onApply?: (info: { simFrame: number; activeKind: number; eventsSeen: number }) => void;
+	/** Fired when a live firewall arms — the host can surface a verdict card. */
+	onFirewall?: (info: { intruderLabel: string; startFrame: number }) => void;
 }
 
 export class LiveBridge {
 	private engine: ObservatoryEngine;
 	private renderer: NodeRenderer;
 	private graph: ObservatoryGraph;
+	private seed: string;
 	private projectionDays: () => number;
 	private onApply?: LiveBridgeDeps['onApply'];
+	private onFirewall?: LiveBridgeDeps['onFirewall'];
+
+	/** Live firewall pass — constructed lazily on the first firewall event so a
+	 *  field that never sees a suppression pays nothing. */
+	private firewall: FirewallRenderer | null = null;
 
 	/** id → stable buffer index (from the ObservatoryGraph). */
 	private indexById: Map<string, number>;
@@ -90,8 +103,10 @@ export class LiveBridge {
 		this.engine = deps.engine;
 		this.renderer = deps.renderer;
 		this.graph = deps.graph;
+		this.seed = deps.seed;
 		this.projectionDays = deps.projectionDays ?? (() => 0);
 		this.onApply = deps.onApply;
+		this.onFirewall = deps.onFirewall;
 		this.indexById = deps.graph.indexById;
 
 		const n = deps.graph.nodes.length;
@@ -105,7 +120,7 @@ export class LiveBridge {
 		// Seed the live lanes to a calm resting state.
 		const p = this.engine.params;
 		p[PARAM_IDX.liveKind] = LIVE_KIND.none;
-		p[PARAM_IDX.liveStartFrame] = 0;
+		p[PARAM_IDX.liveFrame] = 0;
 		p[PARAM_IDX.liveEnergy] = 0;
 		p[PARAM_IDX.projectionDays] = 0;
 	}
@@ -248,6 +263,27 @@ export class LiveBridge {
 	private arm(ev: DecodedEvent): void {
 		this.active = ev;
 		this.eventsSeen++;
+
+		// Firewall: build a live plan for the REAL intruder + its real neighbors
+		// and (re)arm the quarantine pass. Lazily construct the renderer on first
+		// use so a field that never sees a suppression pays nothing. Pass order is
+		// safe: the bridge (and thus this renderer) is created AFTER the
+		// NodeRenderer, so firewall_choreo encodes after recall_sim.
+		if (ev.kind === LIVE_KIND.firewall) {
+			const intruderIndex = this.indexById.get(ev.targetId);
+			if (intruderIndex === undefined) return;
+			const plan = buildLiveFirewallPlan(this.graph, this.seed, intruderIndex);
+			if (!plan.viable) return;
+			if (!this.firewall) {
+				this.firewall = new FirewallRenderer({
+					engine: this.engine,
+					nodeRenderer: this.renderer,
+					plan: emptyFirewallPlan(this.graph.nodes.length)
+				});
+			}
+			this.firewall.rearm(plan);
+			this.onFirewall?.({ intruderLabel: plan.verdict.intruderLabel, startFrame: ev.startFrame });
+		}
 	}
 
 	/** Real graph neighbors of a node id (for the firewall quarantine ring). */
@@ -293,7 +329,9 @@ export class LiveBridge {
 				p[PARAM_IDX.liveEnergy] = 0;
 			} else {
 				p[PARAM_IDX.liveKind] = this.active.kind;
-				p[PARAM_IDX.liveStartFrame] = this.active.startFrame;
+				// Event-relative frame: the live shader branches replay the
+				// choreography once from here, never riding the wrapped loop.
+				p[PARAM_IDX.liveFrame] = Math.max(0, elapsed);
 				p[PARAM_IDX.liveEnergy] = this.energyEnvelope(this.active, elapsed, openEnded);
 			}
 		} else {
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/birth-particles.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/birth-particles.wgsl.ts
index aaed94f..1d496c5 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/birth-particles.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/birth-particles.wgsl.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/firewall.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/firewall.wgsl.ts
index 9b79cfc..da5113a 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/firewall.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/firewall.wgsl.ts
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
@@ -79,8 +79,13 @@ fn firewall_choreo(@builtin(global_invocation_id) id: vec3<u32>) {
 	if (i >= arrayLength(&fire)) {
 		return;
 	}
-	// Belt-and-braces atop the TS gate: firewall is demo index 4.
-	if (params.demo_id != 4.0) {
+	// Fire in TWO modes: the deterministic demo (demo_id == 4, wrapped loop
+	// frame) OR a LIVE event (live_kind == 1, driven by live_frame = frames
+	// since a real MemorySuppressed / contradiction fired). Anything else →
+	// no-op, and other grammars own the lanes.
+	let is_demo = params.demo_id == 4.0;
+	let is_live = params.live_kind == 1.0;
+	if (!is_demo && !is_live) {
 		return;
 	}
 
@@ -90,7 +95,15 @@ fn firewall_choreo(@builtin(global_invocation_id) id: vec3<u32>) {
 	let is_sever = (packed & 0x200u) != 0u;
 	let k = f32((packed >> 10u) & 0xfu);
 
-	let f = params.frame;
+	// Live mode replays the SAME 720-frame beat map from the event: f =
+	// live_frame (clamped to the loop window), loop_phase derived from it so the
+	// integer-cycle sines still resolve. Demo mode reads the wrapped loop clock.
+	var f = params.frame;
+	var lp = params.loop_phase;
+	if (is_live) {
+		f = clamp(params.live_frame, 0.0, 719.0);
+		lp = f / 720.0;
+	}
 
 	var fy = 0.0;
 	var fw = 0.0;
@@ -100,10 +113,10 @@ fn firewall_choreo(@builtin(global_invocation_id) id: vec3<u32>) {
 		// C¹ handoff into the membrane over 330-332 (the rise sweeps the flare
 		// band exactly once — the condensation read is intentional).
 		fy = env(f, 90.0, 96.0, 310.0, 332.0)
-			* (0.55 + 0.45 * sin(TAU * 36.0 * params.loop_phase));
+			* (0.55 + 0.45 * sin(TAU * 36.0 * lp));
 		// Membrane: sustained ring band [2.60..2.90], 12 integer cycles/loop.
 		fy = fy + env(f, 330.0, 352.0, 620.0, 680.0)
-			* (2.75 + 0.15 * sin(TAU * 12.0 * params.loop_phase));
+			* (2.75 + 0.15 * sin(TAU * 12.0 * lp));
 		// Source detonation as the front leaves.
 		fw = env(f, 148.0, 153.0, 162.0, 196.0);
 	} else {
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/forgetting.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/forgetting.wgsl.ts
index b6b4ed4..a4cc4bd 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/forgetting.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/forgetting.wgsl.ts
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-edges.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-edges.wgsl.ts
index 244b0ef..8f7a5bc 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-edges.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-edges.wgsl.ts
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-nodes.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-nodes.wgsl.ts
index 0daaac3..55cddc9 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-nodes.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-nodes.wgsl.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
@@ -125,11 +125,15 @@ fn vs_main(
 	let dy = node.demo.y;
 	let dz = node.demo.z;
 	let dw = node.demo.w;
+	// The firewall grammar fires for the deterministic demo (demo_id==4) AND for
+	// a LIVE contradiction/suppression event (live_kind==1). Both write the same
+	// demo lanes (firewall.wgsl), so the visual reads identically either way.
+	let firewall_active = params.demo_id == 4.0 || params.live_kind == 1.0;
 	var lane_swell = 0.0;
 	if (params.demo_id == 2.0) {
 		// salience-rescue: searchlight pop, wave shiver, shock bloom.
 		lane_swell = 0.5 * dy + 0.25 * dz + 0.9 * dw;
-	} else if (params.demo_id == 4.0) {
+	} else if (firewall_active) {
 		// firewall: intrusion flare pop (band (0..1]), membrane presence
 		// (band [2.6..2.9] via the range gate), crimson shock bloom.
 		lane_swell = 0.35 * min(dy, 1.0) + 0.3 * smoothstep(1.5, 2.2, dy) + 0.55 * dw;
@@ -233,7 +237,7 @@ fn fs_main(in: VSOut) -> @location(0) vec4<f32> {
 			color = color + vec3<f32>(1.00, 0.16, 0.10) * in.demo_yzw.z * (core * 1.9 + halo * 1.1)
 				+ vec3<f32>(1.0, 0.85, 0.8) * core * in.demo_yzw.z * 0.4;
 		}
-	} else if (params.demo_id == 4.0) {
+	} else if (params.demo_id == 4.0 || params.live_kind == 1.0) {
 		// firewall: demo.y carries TWO value bands — intrusion flare (0..1]
 		// and membrane [2.6..2.9] — separated by range, one lane. demo.w is
 		// the crimson shock rim / sever blink. (demo_yzw = y/z/w lanes.)
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-path.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-path.wgsl.ts
index b13204c..98b7a98 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-path.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/render-path.wgsl.ts
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/rescue.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/rescue.wgsl.ts
index 2ee1fc5..2eef1aa 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/rescue.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/rescue.wgsl.ts
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/simulate.wgsl.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/simulate.wgsl.ts
index 1477d47..53099cf 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/simulate.wgsl.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/shaders/simulate.wgsl.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ struct Params {
 	time: f32,
 	capture_mode: f32,
 	live_kind: f32,
-	live_start_frame: f32,
+	live_frame: f32,
 	live_energy: f32,
 	projection_days: f32,
 };
diff --git a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/types.ts b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/types.ts
index 2cacb81..759d328 100644
--- a/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/types.ts
+++ b/apps/dashboard/src/lib/observatory/types.ts
@@ -112,9 +112,10 @@ export const PATH_KIND = {
 // DemoClock. All are 0.0 at rest (a calm field), so a build with no live
 // bridge is pixel-identical to before.
 //   [12] liveKind         (LiveKind index — 0 none, see LIVE_KIND below)
-//   [13] liveStartFrame   (absolute sim frame the live event fired — its
-//                          animation envelope anchor; NOT the wrapped loop
-//                          frame, so live events never pop at the 720 seam)
+//   [13] liveFrame        (frames SINCE the active live event fired — the
+//                          event-relative animation frame the live shader
+//                          branches read, so the choreography plays once from
+//                          the event instead of riding the wrapped loop clock)
 //   [14] liveEnergy       (0..1+ global agitation — dream storm loosens the
 //                          sim, firewall shock rings the field, etc.)
 //   [15] projectionDays   (Phase 1 forward-scrub: added to every node's real
@@ -151,7 +152,7 @@ export const PARAM_IDX = {
 	time: 10,
 	captureMode: 11,
 	liveKind: 12,
-	liveStartFrame: 13,
+	liveFrame: 13,
 	liveEnergy: 14,
 	projectionDays: 15
 } as const;