Rain pattered against the slanted tin roof of Hangar Three. Outside, wind gusted over the ridgelines of Port-Luthair, carrying the sharp scent of brine and engine oil. Inside, beneath humming lamps and the scent of burning solder, the future of aerial combat lay in pieces across a dozen workbenches.
The Echo Gear project had entered its final phase.
Hartwell stood over the disassembled engine of a Falcon Striker, sleeves rolled, face pale from a third sleepless night. His voice was hoarse as he addressed the small gathering of engineers and observers around him.
"We've corrected the lag. Reduced misfire error to less than one degree of rotation. The crankshaft and trigger cam now cycle at perfect half-timing. The Echo Gear is ready."
