How to explain what gunpowder smells like? Benedict has never properly seen the sea, only fresh water lakes and streams, and those only on his time on the Surface. For all he knows, the sea may very well smell like cordite.

"Like charcoal, and steam, and ammonia. A little bit like fireworks. The mercury fulminate leaves a distinct metallic taste in the back of your throat. The crystal mechanism for firing it smells of ozone, like the smell after a lightning strike."

Another thing he's only discovered since his time in this habble.

"Is that what the sea smells like?"