“I’m just saying,” Errol hollered over the clangs and hisses, “It’s bloody inefficient.”

Denton blinked from behind his goggles and adjusted his grip on the wheel. He made no response but gave a brass outlet valve a slight twist.

Errol continued as he ran through a dozen gauges, tapping each to make sure the needled wasn’t hung up, “There’s a better way, you know. This’ll be obsolete bef…mind the commercial airship at 4 o’clock, man!”

Denton shrugged but gave the wheel a slight turn to port all the same. He nudged a toggle a little higher giving them a few more meters of lift. Satisfied, he shifted his heavy coat and went back to peering out over a sooty, smoke shrouded city.

“You’ll see, Dents,” Errol shouted as he straightened his dusty bowler back into place, “Once Minister Flenz hears my proposal, things’ll be different. My ideas will change the world.”

Denton gave his friend a wary look and shook his head.

The gleam in his eye untarnished, Errol grinned, “Fusion, baby. Way of the future.”