A wonderful addition to your first segment moptop as you keep the reader captivated and hanging. I loved it!
The description of The machine...for me needed concentration, but when reading I have to reread quite a few times anyway. As one reads on, the picture takes place and completes itself at first I thought in different pieces.
(ie tapering of the pillars to a graceful arc...joining)
You did a magnificant job with your imagination and placed yourself in a readers mind state to do this. Oh the focus and concentration this needs to pull it off, and how you did just this magnificantly!
Thank you hon...part 3?