Project Pumpkin

On arrival, Admiral Lewis was quickly handed the papers who then rushed to his ship to read through it as he headed back to the Association. As he got through the proposals he got more and more excited and started drawing with wax implements doodles of designs based on already existing sheenish ones, though none of his initial ideas for modifications to the Sadaler design quite solved the foundational weakness of such an explosive implement. As such once he arrived in his office, he rounded up his best men and got them, and himself, to work;

"Gentlemen, I have just been handed this from Hehr Gruber of the Sadaler Empire. I am certain that this is the breakthrough that will keep the Association safe from any future threat, we just need to get a solution that will stick. Here's my ideas so far, what are you guys thinking?"

Looking over the initial test results, it became somewhat apparent that the Sheenish were actually rather canny engineers. The new Hebiðdräkh af Kreg, Hugo Martinez, was now starting to settle into his job after his surprise appointment. In his new office he found files on all sorts of projects, from a recent acquisition of colour crosses from the Sheenish, to secret military development projects with both the Sheenish and the Imperium, to an entire fleet being built in secret in Sheen, to proposals for a new Sheenish thermos design which automatically sealed if tipped without one holding down a button.

Besides the various ongoing projects though, there was one which caught his attention. The Fliogingþingkaljndsfonarms was not one gun, but several competing ideas for a gun which would be designed to shoot down airships. Some were really just special chassis for cannons and new ammunition types while others were rather well developed small calibre dual cannon designs. The one which caught his attention the most though, was a proposal to start developing a conversion kit for trucks that would allow the Raikhsharjis to mount quad heavy machine guns on them and use them for anti-air purposes.

Seeing the pile of things already sent to the Sheenish and not wanting to break from tradition, he sent a letter requesting such an idea be looked into by the Sheenish.

Admiral Lewis,

We hope this finds you well,

We have found that your perfume is quite pleasant and good for making men swoon. The scent is quite distinct, but that is not an issue. Its otherwise wonderful nature has been deemed eminently fashionable.

It is because of this, that we are hoping you might have a solution to one of our problems. In its current state, it is quite difficult to transport safely. One crate of it nearly broke in transport and that would have been a disaster, givens it pricey nature. We require a more stable form for transportation and sale, as well as a means to advertise it. While we are a tad hesitant about this new Sheenish airship line, we feel that a service could be in order should we find that the vessels are capable of carry sufficient weights and doing so safely over Tholish lands.

Finally, we have heard tales of woe from our colonies about the issues presented to tourists there. If a bridge does not exist, then it can be quite the tricky task getting luggage and servants across a river in a timely and safe manner. We would like you to look into the issue if you are able.

Hopefully these are not insurmountable requests, as we find this relationship to be quite fortunate for us.

Best wishes,

Hugo Martinez

P.S. - Please send us replacement themoses. We need more of them as quite a few have been lost. A list of other items which we want should arrive shortly.

Hugo Martinez had arrived in Sheen aboard a Sheenish trawler disguised as a Thole and pretending to be a Sheenish national of Magdali extraction. His ingenious disguise had sadly not been challenged, as his vessel had not been stopped by the blockade. Now in Sheen, he was quick to meet up with his men in the city and was in turn shuffled into a car so he could be taken to a remote and secret location.

Despite his general excitement, the car ride was long and he soon fell asleep. Arriving a few hours later in a non-descript field, he was met by some Sheenishmen in odd suits. Shifting his coif and his mail to be more comfortable, he stepped out and greeted his hosts.

'Afternoon! I take it I did not keep you waiting?'

Observing the metal mammoth, Hugo Martinez was rather tempted to take a few shots at it to see how well its boiler was armoured. It trundled at a respectable speed and was imposing in appearance, but he had seen the results of a train's boiler blowing. He knew how deadly it could be to those on the vehicle and around it.

'Has it been rated to withstand small arms fire? It's certainly impressive, but I can't help but notice the steam it gives off.'

It certainly looked good though, with its burgundy hull and golden highlights. If it turned out to not be a death trap, its striking appearance would definitely help with morale. How could it not?

After having inspected the vehicle for holes, he was thoroughly impressed. It would serve well in transporting men safely to and fro. Not wishing to be overly eagre and accidentally drive up the price, he did his best to seem unimpressed.

'Would it be possible for us to enter the vehicle and experience it in operation?'

His hosts naturally obliged, guiding him in through the top. The Amphimotor Cruisebus was an impressive beast, capable of cruising at a brisk eleven knots in the water and doing so stylishly in a turbulent freshwater river. This alone being a rather great feat, was still only the first of its capabilities... With its treads beneath the hull and water line, it could be run aground and driven on land, at a respectable but slightly slower six miles an hour, a speed sure to allow for quick getaways. Capable of hauling sixty men in comfort and their equipment and being armed with a forward mounted machine-gun and armoured plates, the vehicle was possibly the most dangerous transport on land or at sea.

Its interior having two by two seating with full backrests and the most fashionable and modern moquette for upholstery, it was by far the last word in luxury. Its engine's boiler providing hot water and warmth as needed, tea services were guaranteed and without the worry of having to wear layers even in the coldest of environments. Thanks to having top-entry, the vessel's water tight nature is greatly improved whilst also providing fantastic views of the sky in all weathers. For those worried about escape in case of an emergency, the design allowed for its coal bunker to be used as an emergency exit.

While the experience of going into the water was not the best, it was not overly arduous and Martinez was able to avoid retching. 

From: Sa Hebiðdräkh af Kreg, Hugo Martinez

To: Simion Scris, Designer for the Scris Family


Well met,

We would be happy to share what information we have on aeroplanes, armoured fighting vehicles, and such with you through the establishment of a mutually owned research company and a treaty. In order for this to occur though, we would like to make a few stipulations:

We would like 75% ownership of the things we produce together (designs, variations, derived technologies and designs, and other forms of intellectual property) for the next ten years. After ten years, we can enter into negotiations to see if the percentage can be changed to 50%. We would also like to ask for the initial contracts to produce the equipment for you to be given to our companies.

Should this be agreeable, we can begin at once. 

Yours,

Sa Hebiðdräkh af Kreg, Hugo Martinez

As part of a join research agreement with the Associated Cities of Sheen, the Raikh had brought over some key industrial and military figures to the Army-Navy Proving Complex in Niujisland. For months, engineers from both countries had been put to work designing a new heavier than air flying machine design. Its role was that of an airborne scout and fighter, meant to wrest control of the air from hostile forces and pave the way for bombing campaigns from other heavier designs or from aerostats. To accomplish this, it had been equipped with two wing mounted machine guns, so as to allow it to fire at targets ahead of it without destroying its propellers; its wings were also put on hinges, so that it could be stored more compactly aboard ships or in smaller protected hangers; and finally, the second seat was removed from it in order to lighten the craft and shorten its take-off. To assist in landings, it was decided that hook needed to be placed at the rear of the fuselage, which had in turn necessitated a rope-pull system to allow the pilot to deploy the hook only when needed (though once deployed, it would remain such until ground crews replaced it).

With all of these features, the Leather-Wing was born. As part of the flight test, small boxes filled with radium were attached to under-wing mounts and large metal antennae were put in strategic locations to try and see if they could track the flight. The hope was, that the radiation given off by the boxes would be detectable by R.D.F. stations even if some of the more experimental emitter style detection systems failed to detect the aeroplane. As the guests came in to observe the test flight and were settled, the signal was given and aeroplane began taking off.

The field had been marked big green, yellow, and red blocks to represent ideal take-off points for different things and it was seen that the fighter was able to become aloft shortly before passing the yellow marker, proving it suitable for carrier operations with the proposed designs on the books. This received a polite clap from the observers, but was otherwise considered mandatory and not worth praising. Once the aeroplane had gotten up to speed and gained some altitude, it began carrying out some aerial manoeuvres to show off its ability to turn and pivot, culminating in it unleashing some very impressive looking streams of bullets at balloons. This time, a fair bit more enthusiasm was mustered as it was the first time any of the men had seen such a sight. Now, with the basic tests done, it began a long three hour flight away from the testing field to a marker and back. It would need to manage the trip within the time allotted and do so within the expected fuel consumption rates, but this did not interest the observers, as they instead were brought out a very nice dinner and some entertainment while they waited.

Three quarters through the distance test, the pilot felt something become loose and then a momentary violent shudder, but after a quick tipping of the wings and some basic control checks, found that the aeroplane handled fine and had nothing obviously wrong with it. Unbeknownst to him, his airspeed had increased as his vehicle now had less drag. As he began his approach to the airfield, he pulled on the rope to bring the landing hook out and began his approach. Purposefully, he reduced throttle and glided towards his destination, so as to increase the chances of a short landing as much as possible. With a sudden lurch he was pulled forwards in his seat and his aeroplane made contact with the ground, but unfortunately it was missing a wheel. It quickly listed to larboard and only avoided spinning out and tumbling thanks to the strength of the landing rope keeping it relatively straight. Despite this, the larboard wing was completely wrecked by the landing and the propellers likewise were destroyed when they made contact with the ground.

Emergency crews rushed out but were happy to find that besides some scrapes, bruises, and a concussion, no serious harm had come to the pilot and wreck had not caught fire. Overall, the test was deemed a technical success, though some angry words were given over the shoddy landing, with the pilot receiving a dressing down from several of the generals gathered despite it not being his fault. The researchers though were ecstatic, as their Radio Emitting Detection System (R.E.D.S.) had successfully picked up the small crafts general existence and direction from a distance of forty to sixty miles away, proving the possibility of such a system being used for air raid detection in future.

Dear Mr Martinez,

We are currently looking to develop a lovely boat for the purposes of patrolling the Ringsea to protect trade from any privateer who is acting too cocky, as well as other larger vessels that may threaten our interests. Given our long history of technology sharing, if you believe you have a technology that could help with finding unscrupulous individuals at sea in difficult visibility conditions, we will graciously give you access to some classified files on the technology on use in this Boat.

Yours faithfully,

Admiral Lewis