Walking through the streets of Sun City, Simón could not help but be surprised. Sun City was a commercial and fishing center in the Solomon Viscounty, but it was far from what he was seeing now.
"What happened during the six months I was absent? This prosperity and bustle I have only seen in Green City." Simón was looking at a new city.
The large number of job openings that were created with André's two great projects, and the large-scale recruitment for the navy, had provoked a massive displacement toward Sun City, causing the population to increase to nearly half a million.
With the increase in population, André decided to approve the city reconstruction project. In addition to solving the housing problem, the work problem that was beginning to proliferate was also solved. The entire new city would be made of concrete. Taking advantage of this opportunity, André designed the sewage system for Sun City. Upon finishing this project, it would be the most advanced city in the world.
Simón passed near the recently constructed zone and was surprised; he could not imagine what the houses were made of.
After walking for half an hour, Simón arrived at the shipyard. Looking at the guards, he approached and said:
"Hello, I am a friend of Roberto. Could you tell him that Simón is looking for him, please?"
"Wait a moment." A guard hurried inside the shipyard.
"From what organization are these uniforms?" Simón asked the guard who remained.
"You look like you're new in Sun City. Otherwise, it's not possible that you don't know that this is the uniform of the viscounty's navy," the guard said proudly.
"So the viscount actually formed a navy…" Simón said this to himself.
After a while the guard returned, this time accompanied by an old man with a robust constitution whom Simón recognized immediately: it was Roberto.
"Simón, boy! You don't know how much I was waiting for your arrival. I have great news for you." Roberto said with a big smile and then hugged Simón.
"Hahaha, Roberto, I also have great news. You know that I believe the time has come, so I need you to give my ship a complete repair. We will leave as soon as it is ready." Simón immediately declared his purpose.
"Don't rush, boy. First I will introduce you to someone and then you will decide what to do next." Roberto's words left Simón stunned; it seemed he wanted to stop him from making his journey.
"Roberto, you know that nothing is going to stop me from going on this journey," Simón warned.
"Don't worry, I don't plan to stop you or convince you. I only want you to meet someone who is in line with your plans. I believe this will benefit you a great deal. Come, follow me."
Simón was surprised: it was the first time Roberto did not try to convince him.
"Where are we going?" Simón asked while following him.
"To the city lord's mansion."
Sitting in his office, André was thinking about a problem that had recently arisen: the exploration mission lacked adequate commanders. The crew of the Demologos I and II was ready, but he had not found who would direct the mission.
He needed someone who had long experience in navigation and who was not afraid of the "death" regularly mentioned by the navigators of this world. In the previous recruitment there were many people who fulfilled the first requirement, but with the second absolutely none. It was not that there was no one who fulfilled the second condition, but that they lacked the first.
In fact, the three thousand sailors selected for this mission fulfilled that condition surprisingly. André realized that this was due to ignorance: you cannot fear something you do not know exists.
The Napoléon warship series was expected to be sailing these waters by the middle of next year. The two Demologos cargo ships would be in the water next month, and officially André planned to begin the ocean exploration mission. André had thought about it and would send the first of the Napoléon series together with a dozen medium ships of the same series for this mission, so the construction of the Napoléon series was accelerated and would be ready at the same time as the Demologos series.
Roberto had told him that he had a candidate to command the mission: his name was Simón Bruce. Only he did not know when that person would return to Sun City.
André investigated Simón's background and was surprised: this fellow was a genius. When the entire world was afraid of navigation in the depths of the ocean, he used to stroll on the high seas once or twice a year and without advanced navigation techniques, only trusting in the guidance of the stars. He wanted to cross the ocean to the other side. It should be known that in the time of Christopher Columbus the compass already existed, the predecessor of the compass.
In addition, he even invented his own ship, a mixed type of oar with sail. Showing his loyalty to the viscounty, he did not sell the blueprints of said ship—which was said to be the fastest in the ocean—to merchants who offered astronomical amounts. He made it clear that when the viscounty created its own navy, he would deliver the blueprints completely free.
André believed that this was a brave but very sensible type. He did not throw himself onto the high seas the same as his father; instead, he studied navigation techniques and, when he felt ready, would set sail. The unknown was that it was not known when he would return.
While he was thinking, André was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Come in."
"Excuse me, my lord. I want to introduce you to Simón. This is the man I spoke to you about; he is also my recommendation. I promise he will be up to your expectations." The one who entered was Roberto, followed by a white man with tanned skin, thick beard, and somewhat tattered clothes. He reminded him a little of Jack (everyone should know which Jack I mean), only more muscular.
"My name is Simón Bruce, my lord. I am at your service." Simón greeted with education.