
Yes, connection is guaranteed for all sizes, BUT...
Remember, data is fully analysed and understood in all IPF files (at least in the ones produced by the original analyser), therefore it is possible to know where gap can be safely extended or shrunk at runtime by the library. That's why it is possible to request 1, 8, or 16 bit aligned results - and the extremely complex mechanism mastering the gap

I'd like to draw your attention that it is possible to request 1 bitcell correctly alignment.
Data locked that way MUST be processed as bits, not bytes, e.g. take the returned stream size in bits seriously and wrap the buffer reading in your code at the exact bit position returned, otherwise you WILL get incorrect data.
2, You need to lock a track each time a "rotation" occurs in your emulation code. The library is guaranteed to alter any weak data - if at all - that is affected. Note, that the track had to be locked with the correct flags in the first place. For emulation you normally want this behaviour for other uses you normally don't want it

3, Not by heart...you probably want a Xelok protected game for data over index though; there should be tons of examples for tracks shorter than normal (larger bitcell width), and not so many examples for more dense tracks (smaller bitcell width).