It's not an altitude problem so much as I'm 99 percent sure 'used fire in war' means 'nuclear bullshit.' Even as far back as it likely was, the air's probably still fucked.

Also the Vale locals thinking the fourth element hasn't already betrayed them is morbidly hilarious, from that viewpoint. Not like they have any way of knowing it, though.

I'm less worried about us after the fact - Kanji's bro has done radiation antidotes for everyone before and he's sharp enough to see the need now - but for the locals, any way around it might help. Even if that's fewer of them going in.

Not even Nation-Eaters are going to keep Hypatia away, though.