The Mechanical Era

5th of Procidens, 5018

The once cloudy sky that covered the city of Hoverdam had finally vanished. A lot of the trees and greens have turned a reddish-brown, thanks to the autumn season kicking around. In just one more month, they will be heading towards winter.

Kant was in his office, sitting on his swivel chair, busy drawing a small comic that had just popped up in his mind. Considering that there was a rather lack of entertainment around here, he decided to take a short break, and do something that he loves; drawing.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, interrupting his small project. He decides to slide the paper and pencil into the drawer, before allowing the man on the other side to enter.  It turned out to be the minister himself, carrying a bunch of files.

"Come in," he said. Alan opens the door and walks right into the room. He bows his head and greets Kant good morning.

"Good Morning, your majesty."

"Good Morning Minister Alan. Have you brought the population report, like I have requested you to?" Kant asks.

"Yes sir, and I have some other reports I wanted to present to you as well. I think you will find them interesting."

"I see. Come, sit down." Kant points to the chair. Alan takes his seat and places the files on the table. Alan then picks up the first file and reads it out to Kant.

"According to this latest report, the city of Hoverdam had managed to grow once from 216,500 people last month, to 220,200 people this month. We have managed to add 3,700 people, and we are expected to reach at least 225,000 by the next month." Alan read out.

He then handed the file to Kant, which contained a lot more details. From what the report had said, there have said to have been about 5,000 people who had entered the city, while 450 people have left, with the other being the deaths that accrued in the last month.

This has been an increasing trend, where a lot of natives of the city have been leaving the city for other parts of the continent. Kant suspected it had something to do with the massive social changes that had occurred in a matter of months, but he couldn't be sure exactly what.

Once Kant had finished reading the population report, he placed it on the side of the table, before looking at Alan.

"Do you have anything else for me?"

"Yes sir. I have a report regarding the construction of the HISAR building."

"Oh? I see. Can you tell me what it says?"

"Certainly. From what the report says, they predict that the HISAR building would be finished around the 2nd or 4th of Heimz, next month." Alan replies.

"I see. Can I have the report?" Kant asks. Alan hands him the file, which contained further details of the project.

"Hm... I see. This will be manageable..." Kant remarked, before placing the file on the table.

"What else is there?" he asks next.

"There is the SELT project. I got the news that they had tested out their components for the first time on the 30th of Sunt. I believe that today is the last day of testing for them," Alan mentioned.

"That is good. So did they send any results? Any papers on whether the components or the mechanisms work or not?" Kant questions Alan.

"They have. Although, I have to inform your sir, that the data here is incomplete."

"I understand. Regardless, I would like to hear the current results, that we know of right now. Did the components match the performance metrics? Were there any mechanical failures?" Kant questioned Alan, who wanted to know further about this news.

"Well, sir... from what the report says, they have seen no mechanical failures thus far, and that the components themselves, such as the boiler and the cylinders, had exceeded expectations."

"I see. Can I have the report? I would like to read it for myself."

"Of course sir. Here." Alan handed Kant the file. Kant immediately skimmed through the pages, to find how much horsepower a cylinder produces. According to the report, each cylinder is able to produce 60 horsepower. Meaning, the train would be able to produce a total of 120 horsepower.

However, the report also mentions that this number could change, as there might be a number of factors present that might have meant that the cylinder had not produced the most amount of power it can handle, so they could expect the actual number to be slightly higher.

"120hp. Impressive. It should be good enough." Kant remarked, before placing it down on the table.

"When will they conduct an actual test, assuming things do plan out well?"

"Currently, they have scheduled a test on the 10th of this month, assuming nothing goes wrong. Though, the first test would be to see if the train fully functions properly." Alan replied.

"I see. What about that... position? Have you and Armstrong found an eligible candidate?" Kant asks.

"For the CIA Director's Position?" Alan asked Kant, wanting to make sure he got his question right.

"Yes. That. Have you found someone?"

"Well yes. We did. He is a man named Carl I. Anastasia. According to Armstong, he had worked with him during the 90s. Claims that he is a total genius, and is perfect for the job."

"Is that so? Well then, is he available? Is he looking for a job?" Kant asks.

"No sir. He had retired due to a... scandal. He was accused of raping a dozen women, and lost his job because of it." Alan explained.

"I see. Was he found guilty?" Kant asks.

"Uh... no sir. He has not. Is he alright with you? I can find someone else if you want to." Kant leans back in his chair and thinks about it.

"...No. He is good. I want you to contact this man. I would like to interview him and see for myself whether he is good for the job."

"As you wish, sir."