A naval blockade was merely an unpaved road with an obstructive toll booth.
Lord Giles Croft stood on the flight bridge of the heavy freight sky-barge Haven-One, inspecting the newly installed cabin pressurization seals.
Beside him, Master Caleb Thorne-Wood ran his thumb along the window frames, checking the double-pane mica glazing.
“Airtight as an oak beer cask, Lord Giles,” Caleb reported, tapping the brass latch dogs.
“We fitted hardened rubber rings around every door and hatch.
Even the steering cable chases pass through sealed grease packings.
Not a breath of mountain wind can leak in.”
“Airtightness is only the first requirement, Caleb,” Giles said. He tapped the brass pressure gauge on the inner wall.
