Part III New Babel — Chapter Fourteen

At dawn on the escape day, Thomas Senlin readies himself by over-dressing to avoid carrying a bag and reveals a booby-trapped decoy crate for delivery to Edith on the Stone Cloud, along with his last eight mina for Captain Billy Lee. He refuses to reveal the true location of Ogier’s painting to Adam, citing the lethal danger of that knowledge, but urges Adam to protect Voleta and to launch without him if necessary.

Iren arrives unexpectedly, cold and official, and orders Senlin to come immediately, forbidding his aerorod and making him empty his pockets. She allows him to keep the jailor’s key, but his carefully chosen books remain behind. Senlin wears his coat with the real painting secretly sewn into the lining.

They ride in Finn Goll’s carriage through New Babel. To steady himself, Senlin explains his theory: the Basement, Parlor, and Baths form a massive engine that turns human labor into steam, then electricity in New Babel, power that serves unseen beneficiaries rather than the workers. Iren listens skeptically and tells him to keep that theory from Goll.

Iren admits she murdered the previous Port Master after a similar ride, and warns Goll will accuse Senlin of stealing money. She doubts he can escape but encourages him to fight well if it comes to that, offering practical advice from their training.

The carriage stops in darkness outside the city’s bustle. With only a dim lantern, Iren leads Senlin on a short walk to face Goll, the outcome uncertain and the escape plan hanging in the balance.