The Blueprint #
A full-page visual splash of the Steamboats design as interpreted by Marcus. It is an architectural drawing on parchment showing a Roman Corbita retrofitted for steam.
Marcus provides detailed build notes in Latin: "Oak ribs, pine planking, and lead lining for the boiler room. Leave a wide air gap between the firebox and the hull. Do not fill it. Air is the shield."
In the margins, his thoughts reflect the danger: "A fire inside a wooden belly—madness, unless it works. If it burns, the blame will be mine and the sea will swallow my lie. Neptune, forgive the smoke."