Time Remaining: 37 Days, 05 Hours, 55 Minutes. (Status: Critical. The storm is 2 minutes away. Speed is essential.) Location: The Rust Wastes (Approaching the Serpent's Throat).
Arthur pulled the lever.
He didn't slide it with the grace of a pilot. He grabbed the iron handle with both hands, braced his boot against the dashboard, and yanked it back until the metal locking-pin snapped.
[System Warning: Boiler Pressure Exceeded.]
[System Warning: Mana Injectors Open.]
[Consultant Note: I hope you tightened the bolts.]
The reaction wasn't instantaneous. For a split second, there was a vacuum of sound—a moment where the engine seemed to inhale, sucking all the air out of the cabin. The pistons hesitated. The heavy steel wheels stuttered on the tracks.
"Did it stall?" Zack squeaked, his hands white-knuckled on the grab-bar.
"No," Arthur gritted his teeth, gripping the steering wheel so hard the leather creaked. "It's mixing."
