The next day, at the headquarters of the navy of the Solomon Viscounty, the formal presentation of Simón Bruce was carried out. Captain General of the navy is the highest position in the viscounty's navy, and for his presentation a general meeting of all the members was organized, in addition to a small welcome ceremony.
After Simón's presentation, at midday the launching of the medium ships of the Napoléon series was officially carried out: a total of 12 warships. The 36 cannons of the Napoléon were distributed in the following way: 30 cannons on the main deck and 6 cannons on the upper deck. These cannons were of 30-pound caliber, which means they fired projectiles of approximately 13.6 kg (30 pounds) in weight.
With the ships in the water, the familiarization tasks began at once. Simón's crew also joined the navy. As experienced sailors, André put no obstacles for them to integrate; instead, he was very happy, for it was estimated that they would soon rise in the navy's chain of command.
A month passed very quickly and André had already been more than half a year away from Solomon City. A short time ago he received a letter from Alicia urging him to hurry back, for there were many subjects that needed his presence to decide.
Barely two weeks ago the railway was officially inaugurated in Sun City. This project was very advanced: the first route to be completed was from Solomon City toward the mines. It took only three months to be ready and operating. André personally trained a group of drivers that was sent by Alicia from Solomon City.
Once the route was ready, the first locomotive was also already prepared. It should be known that in Solomon City the industrial system was very advanced. For this locomotive, André designed the Rocket.
Designed by Robert Stephenson and built by the company Robert Stephenson and Company in Newcastle upon Tyne, it was the fastest locomotive of its time and a symbol that marked a spectacular advance in the railway world.
Created in the year 1829 and presented in a competition, it was capable of reaching 47 km/h, a speed that no other locomotive was capable of surpassing. Although the Rocket was not the first steam locomotive, it was the first to gather several innovations, becoming the most advanced of its era.
It is the most famous example of the evolution of Stephenson's locomotive design and became the reference model for the majority of steam engines in the following 150 years.
The Rocket locomotive was the design of André's first locomotive. Being able to transport 100 tons, the Rocket made three daily trips.
The projects accelerated to a great extent, having as priority the route from Solomon City toward Sun City. They took only three months to complete it. The station was already ready when the railway line arrived at Sun City.
André was happy, since it meant that the works there could accelerate. It was estimated that in three months the maritime port of Sun City would be ready for its inauguration and André could return to Solomon City.
Today was a day of great importance for the Solomon Viscounty: the expedition toward the other side of the ocean was ready to begin. A great ceremony was carried out in the morning and, at this moment, it was André's speech on the podium.
"Greetings, gentlemen."
When André stood on the podium he was received with a great military salute. What surprised him was their great coordination and discipline.
"Gentlemen, what you are about to begin is not a historical event for the Solomon Viscounty. No, let me tell you that your names will remain engraved in the history of the entire world."
What André said at the beginning almost frightened Gregorio, who was in the back. Luckily, André immediately clarified his point.
"Here are the bad news: perhaps many of you will die on the way."
This did cause a little disorder among those present.
"You do not have to worry; that is only in the worst of cases. If everything goes well, you will be received as heroes on your return. Your families will receive the greatest treatment, so do not worry. From now on you will only be the envy of your friends and acquaintances."
Even so, many could not calm themselves.
"Everyone imagine if you find another continent: large quantities of land free to be claimed by you, who are the pioneers. Of course everything will not be free. Everything that you produce or find in this expedition, half will be delivered to me as a tax for financing."
This time the people completely forgot André's previous words. They saw the real benefit only now. As a popular saying went in his previous life: When the benefits are great, people would move mountains and cross oceans.
André smiled upon seeing this. He knew that now, even in the face of death, they would persevere. And most likely this expedition would succeed, no matter what they encountered.
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