Over the week, the Mechanical Engineers at the SELT project had been hard at work, finding and fixing any issues regarding the steam engine locomotive. So far, they had managed to find and fix a lot of issues, such as a faulty throttle system, inaccurate gauges, loose bolts, and a broken fire door, all because they were either lousily put into place, a few components missing, or for some other reasons.
Regardless, once they find the points of mechanical failure, they fixed it up and tested it once again. On the 15th, they ran one final test, to see if there were any other problems with the machinery.
Afterward, they ran another series of tests, to see if the train was properly functioning. On the 15th, it was decided that the train was ready, and a demonstration in front of Kant can be conducted on the 20th of Procidens, 5018.
20th of Procidens, 5018.
It was a bright, sunny morning in the city of Hoverdam. Kant, sitting comfortably in his carriage, was riding down the smooth paved roads. It was the day that he gets to see the locomotive with his own two eyes.
Though it did not look like it, as Kant always kept a stoic persona, he was extremely excited to see the steam engine locomotive. Back in his world, it was one of the most important technological innovations of the 19th century and had a profound impact on transportation, manufacturing, and society as a whole.
It made it possible to transport large amounts of goods and people quickly and efficiently over long distances, which allowed expansion of trade, and commerce, along with increasing the size of urban areas.
It made it possible to transport raw materials to factories and finished products to markets, which greatly increased the efficiency of the manufacturing process and reduced costs. With the locomotive, Kant hoped to reconnect and conquer the northern markets and integrate them better with Hoverdam.
They soon arrive at the testing site. Kant got off his carriage and walked inside with a few of his DEF bodyguards. The charter for the Secret Service agency is still not complete. At the front door, the project managers were waiting for him.
"Good morning, your majesty. We are delighted to have you here." the project manager told Kant.
"I am glad to be here. So, can you show me the locomotive?" Kant asks.
"Of course, your majesty. Just follow me." The project manager led Kant to the steam engine locomotive. On the way, the manager described to him the specifications of the locomotive, its weight, the horsepower, and such.
They soon approach the locomotive, which was sitting on top of a long rail line, made of steel. The rail lines appear to go on a loop. Kant looked onward at the large steel behemoth, standing in front of him, analyzing each part of it.
"Here it is, your majesty. The locomotive that we have all been working for. What do you think?" the project manager asks. Kant stays silent and continues to look at the train. It looks almost exactly like one that came from the industrial revolution, back in Howard's old world.
Kant walks up to the train and hoped on, to examine each and every part of the cabin. With his hands, he touched and pressed on every aspect of the steam locomotive, to determine its build quality.
He pressed on the gauges, only to find it fixed in place, not willing to move. He then moves on to the levers and found them to be properly in place as well. As he continues to look around, he finds nothing that he would deem unacceptable.
"Hm... Build quality is good, at least," Kant remarked, before getting down. He then approached the project manager, who was holding a clipboard in his hand.
"When is the demonstration starting?" Kant questions the project manager."
"It will be starting when you want it to, sir! We have everything prepared!" the project manager claimed.
"I see. Alright then, start now." Kant replies.
"Right away, sir." the project manager then went away to fetch the train conductors. He then introduced themselves to the king before making their way to the cab. Kant was then led to a chair, where he can sit and watch it all unfold.
A few minutes pass before Kant noticed anything remarkable. In the distance, he can see bits of smoke, leaving out the smokestack. It appears that the engine had started, and was just getting ready.
The train then slowly starts to move, its wheels grinding against the rails. The train then starts to pick up speed and move around the loop. While Kant was smiling, seeing that the train had worked, his bodyguard's jaws drop in surprise, seeing such a large behemoth of a machine, move at such high speeds.
"Well, what do you think, sir? Are the results satisfactory?" the manager asks.
"Hm... I want to ride it." Kant replies.
"I beg your pardon, sir?"
"I would like to ride inside the cabin of the locomotive before I decide whether it is acceptable," Kant replied.
"Sir, are you sure about that? You could get hurt..." the agent advised him.
"It is fine. I will be safe." Kant assures the agents, before turning to the project managers.
"Tell him to stop." Under Kant's orders, the train comes to a full stop. He then hops on the train cab and gets the operators to start the train up again. The train soon starts to move, and Kant enjoys the view.
After about 20 minutes, the train stops once again. Kant jumps out of the cabin and walks up to the project manager.
"How was the ride, your majesty?" The project manager asks.
"Good. It was a little less wobbly than usual." Kant answers.
"I see. So, did it meet your expectations?"
"Certainly. It did. I consider this project a success." Kant replies. With that, Kant leaves the testing side, back to the palace. Over the next few days, he will have steam engine manufacturers start building him some locomotives.
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