Inside the Flying Ship heading north toward the Sonia Sea.
The passenger cabin was well insulated. They could not hear the roar of the steam engines, and the vessel flew smoothly. Only the high-altitude view outside the windows showed that they were speeding through the sky.
"All right, everyone, we've reached stable airspace. You can unfasten your seat belts and move around a little," said a junior officer who was also serving as an attendant. "Would anyone like a cocktail? Or something else to drink?"
"I'll have one."
"Blackland and King's Champagne, half and half," Daly said.
"Ma'am, are you sure about that combination?" The junior officer shook his head and offered his semi-professional opinion. "It'll taste rather strange."
"That's fine. I like unusual flavors."
Daly stood by her choice.
Since she had insisted, the officer could hardly refuse. He got up and went to the liquor cabinet to make it. To keep things from rolling around in flight, every piece of furniture aboard the Airship was welded to the floor, including the cabinet.
"Leonard, would you like anything?"
"I'll pass."
Leonard declined, then raised his voice slightly. "Your base is busy today. I noticed another Flying Ship took off too." "That one's headed for the Southern Continent, the opposite direction from us."
The officer answered casually as he mixed Daly's unusually flavored drink, then brought it over to them. "We're going to the Sonia Sea, exactly the other way."
Daly took the glass and sipped from it.
She still wore blue eyeshadow and blush, giving her an air of mystery and charm.
"You two are going to the Sonia Sea on official business, I take it."
The junior officer's tone grew a little more attentive as he spoke to the beautiful woman. "A pity about the timing. There isn't