The first wet diaphragm settled into its seat without a wrinkle.
Iven did not trust it for that alone.
He ran a fingertip around the broad rim, feeling where the skin and reinforcing weave met the corrected metal face. The center plate stood at the beginning of its travel. A shallow fold surrounded it, room for movement that did not have to be stolen from the clamped edge.
Tollis held the opposite face ready.
“Again?”
“Last look before we close it.”
Pell stood beside the moulds with the second piece still wet. He had compared the two against the same profile and marked one thread that sat farther into the working bend. They would test that spare separately rather than call resemblance a guarantee.
Korl watched Iven fit the cover.
