Fantasy

One week later,

Central Calendar Year 1639, Month 2, Day 3,

Clemens,

The sky above Clemens was a bright cerulean canvas, with clouds drifting elegantly across the vast expanse. A gentle breeze, refreshing and cool, swept through the port, carrying with it the scent of the sea.

In front of the Ministries Harbour office, the diplomatic mission had convened around the pier as a rather dark-skinned man in a suit conversed with them warmly, "Greetings ladies and Gentlemen of the delegation, I am John Moore and it is my utmost pleasure to be guiding you to our World, beside me is Mr Tanaka whom some of you might already know."

Tanaka stepped forward with a polite bow. "It's a pleasure to meet all of you. Should you have any needs or concerns during our journey, please do not hesitate to inform me."

The New Worlders, unaccustomed to such courteous treatment, exchanged surprised glances since they were usually treated as dirt by any of the major nations. 

While some seemed pleasantly taken aback, others, like General Hanki, appeared less enthused.

General Hanki, his face etched with irritation, muttered under his breath, "A boat trip… why must it be by boat?"

Yagou, noticing Hanki's displeasure, approached him. "General Hanki, you seem troubled. Is something the matter?"

Hanki waved a hand dismissively. "Please, Yagou, there's no need for formalities now. Just Hanki is fine."

Yagou nodded, his tone laced with concern. "Ah! Alright, what's bothering you then?"

Hanki's gaze was drawn to the undulating waves of the ocean. "It's the journey at sea," he admitted with a heavy sigh. 

"The confinement within the belly of a ship, the perpetual dampness, the risk of tumultuous storms… and the food, always overly salted for preservation. It makes for a dispiriting experience. I'm just hoping this voyage proves different from the ones I've endured before since the last one had left me gasping for water in a place with water as far as the eye can see."

Yagou shared a sympathetic look with Hanki. His experiences with sea voyages had been less than favourable, and he wasn't looking forward to repeating them.

Hanki, with a hint of scepticism in his voice, added, "They claimed our journey would only take four days, but that seems implausible. Not even the fastest Parpaldian airships can cross the ocean so swiftly."

Yagou nodded, his curiosity piqued. "True. But considering the steel dragon they possess, they might have means beyond our understanding for such rapid travel."

Both men stood in contemplative silence, their eyes fixed on the distant horizon. The unknowns of the journey lay heavily on their minds.

Soon, the call for departure echoed through the harbour, signalling the start of an unprecedented voyage that might just redefine their understanding of the world.

They made their way to the end of the pier, where ships usually docked for boarding. As they peered into the horizon, a shape emerged from the dense morning fog, slowly revealing a colossal white hull that dwarfed everything in its vicinity.

Yagou's jaw dropped in disbelief, his eyes wide with astonishment. "Wha... What is that beast?" he stammered, barely able to grasp the scale of what he was seeing.

Beside him, Hanki shared his bewilderment. "It has no sails... How does it move?" he wondered aloud, his voice tinged with disbelief.

The ship drew closer, its massive form casting a looming shadow over the pier, dwarfing the gathered crowd. At that moment, John approached the delegates, a hint of pride in his voice.

"That, my fellow delegates," he announced, gesturing towards the ship, "is our vessel for the first leg of our journey to the icy Northern Port. Unfortunately, due to its size, we cannot dock directly here. We'll board a smaller craft to get aboard."

Soon, three smaller vessels sliced through the water towards the port, their speed astonishing. They covered the kilometre gap between the colossal cruise liner and the archaic wooden pier with a swiftness that defied Yagou and Hanki's understanding of naval travel. 

Like the larger leviathan they had just beheld, these boats, too, were devoid of sails, cutting through the water as if propelled by invisible forces.

The scene unfurled like a tapestry of the impossible before their eyes. Yagou and Hanki stood side by side, rooted to the spot, their minds racing with a torrent of unanswerable questions. The technology they witnessed was beyond anything they had ever imagined - it was as if the laws of nature they knew were being rewritten before them.

Hanki, overwhelmed with curiosity, quickly approached Tanaka. His hands landed on Tanaka's shoulders with an urgency that bordered on panic. "Mr. Tanaka, Mr. Tanaka!" he exclaimed, his voice rising in excitement. 

"Those ships, they have no sails! How are they moving? I see neither oars nor any other visible means of propulsion. Are they akin to the magical ships of the First Civilization?"

Tanaka, slightly taken aback by Hanki's intense demeanour, gently eased himself out of the grasp. "I'm not particularly versed in the machines of the First Civilization, but a diesel engine powers these ships," he explained with a hint of patience.

Hanki's brow furrowed in confusion at the unfamiliar term. " Die..sell Enjine, What is that?" he queried, his head tilting inquisitively.

It was John who stepped in to clarify. "Diesel engines burn oil," he began, his voice steady and explanatory. "They use the combustion to drive a piston, which generates energy. This energy moves turbines located beneath the boat through a series of complex gears and shafts."

"I don't quite understand but that sounds marvellous", he replied, still quite baffled at the rather magical things these newcomers used as his gaze drifted back to the sleek vessels with renewed awe.

The smaller vessels, sleek and swift, docked smoothly at the pier. The Qua-tonian delegation stepped aboard, their eyes widening as they approached the massive white ship, its hull proudly bearing the name 'Silver Muse'.

A cool, refreshing breeze greeted them as they ascended the ramp onto the ship. The moment they set foot inside, the grandeur of the ship's interior struck them with full force. Their jaws dropped in unison, eyes scanning the luxurious surroundings. Grand staircases swept elegantly upwards, flanked by art pieces of such quality and clarity that they seemed almost otherworldly. The opulence was unlike anything they had ever encountered, surpassing even the richest treasures of their world.

Hanki, momentarily rooted to the spot, reached out to touch the wall of the ship, feeling the cool, smooth metal under his fingers. "This... It's made of metal," he exclaimed, his voice a mixture of wonder and disbelief. "How does it float?"

Yagou, equally amazed, added, "It's bright inside as if they've trapped a sun under a roof." He looked around in awe, his mind struggling to comprehend the scale and sophistication of the engineering marvel they were aboard.

As they were escorted to their rooms, the opulence only seemed to grow, with each corridor and chamber more lavish than the last. The realization dawned on them with increasing clarity - these newcomers were not barbarians as some might have presumed. They might be more advanced than even the HME who were touted as the most advanced in the world.

…

As evening descended, their ship ventured further away from the port, now lost to the encroaching darkness. Only the lights from the massive warships escorting them pierced through the night, guiding their path through the treacherous waters that lay between the icy expanse of the Russian Federation and their warmer homeland.

Yagou, seated at a desk in his cabin, gazed out the window at the churning sea waves. He opened his diary and began to write, his thoughts flowing onto the paper,

|| 

2nd Day of the Third Month of 1639,

My Life aboard the Silver Muse,

Today marks a day of unprecedented change in my life. The people here are disarmingly simple in their demeanour, yet they indulge in luxuries that surpass the wildest bounds of my imagination. I have encountered air cooled as if by enchantment, and tiny devices enabling communication over vast distances without the need for a messenger – a marvel in itself.

Never in my life, despite having witnessed the steam wonders of the Parapladians and the Muan Trade vessels, have I seen such defiance of logic and nature as with these people. What we once perceived as a nascent, barbaric land might, in fact, be burgeoning superpowers, redefining the very fabric of our understanding.

The day's revelations weigh heavily upon my mind, almost too much to process in a single sitting. Perhaps, clarity will come with a night's rest.

Another notable aspect is their cuisine. It bespeaks a civilisation born from abundance, never have I seen food so fresh and delectable, served even to the sailors, who in most parts of our world are but indentured servants. This alone speaks volumes of their society and values.

For now, I shall conclude. May the goddess watch over us on this voyage into the unknown.

||

As Yagou closed his diary, he lay down, enveloped in the gentle hum of the ship's engines, a sound subtly blended with the rhythmic lapping of the sea. In the quiet of his cabin, he knew sleep would be elusive tonight. No dreams could offer solace or escape from the reality of their journey. Where they were heading had the weight of destiny behind it, a path that could irrevocably alter the fate of their nation.

…

A few days later,

Central Calendar Year 1639, Month 2, Day 7,

AD 20xx August 14th,

Near Murmansk,

The Silver Muse sliced through the frigid waters, steadily approaching the port of Murmansk. Yagou, standing on the deck, felt the cold wind carry echoes of a realm vastly different from his own. Through the fading mist, modern structures loomed, their silhouettes etching a world where magic gave way to machinery, and mystique to mechanics.

Suddenly, a voice from the speaker pierced the air, "Murmansk port in sight, prepare for docking!"

Prompted by the announcement, Hanki joined Yagou on the deck. He gazed out in awe, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief, "Yagou, look at this... It's incredible. The lights are so bright, and the ships..." He gestured towards the distant oil tankers, "I've never seen anything like them before!"

Yagou nodded, his expression grave. "Indeed, General. We might have underestimated the scale of our commitment to these people. Just look at the sheer size of what they call a Port city."

A collective sigh escaped them, as they saw John and Tanaka approaching, accompanied by a tall, blonde woman. She extended her hand with a warm smile. "Dobriy vyecher," she greeted, her voice conveying genuine hospitality. "Welcome to the motherland, our new allies. We hope your stay here will be pleasant."

Yagou observed the subtle contrast between her stern appearance and her cheerful words. He decided to embrace the local custom, extending his hand in return. 

"It's an honour to meet you," he replied with a courteous smile. "We anticipate fruitful discussions with your people. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name, madam?"

"It's Irina Gobulev, my comrade, come now, we shall depart to the station, there isn't very much to do in Murmansk after all," she said and walked down the ramp into the port.

Her remark, though light-hearted, drew a few suppressed sneers from the nearby sailors and dockworkers. They quickly stifled their reactions, however, wary of showing disrespect to an official of her standing.

Hanki and Yagou, eager to continue their journey, hastened their steps to keep up with Irina's brisk pace. Stepping onto the solid ground of the port, they both shared a moment of relief. The luxury of the Silver Muse had been unparalleled, but after four days at sea, the firmness of the earth under their feet was a welcome change.

Shortly thereafter, the group was ushered towards a fleet of sleek, black vehicles. The sight of these carriages, conspicuously devoid of horses, instantly captured the intrigue of the New Worlders. 

Yagou and Hanki, their curiosity piqued, climbed into one of the vehicles, taking seats opposite the three diplomats. As they settled in, the diplomats offered them friendly smiles, a rarity in any negotiations they have done before.

Beneath the diplomats' cordial smiles, there lurked subtleties and nuances that only a native of Earth might fully understand. 

But before Yagou or Hanki could ponder this further, the vehicle's engine roared to life. 

The unfamiliar, rumbling sound caught Hanki off guard, and his instincts as a soldier kicked in. He sprang to his feet, alarm etched on his face. "What is that noise? Is a beast attacking?" he exclaimed, ready to confront an unseen threat.

Tanaka, quick to reassure, stood up and placed a calming hand on Hanki's shoulder. "Please, calm down, Sir," he urged gently. "There's no cause for alarm. It's just the vehicle starting up, much like the ship's engines. It's completely normal. Please, have a seat."

Observing the commotion, Yagou, unable to curb his curiosity, turned to Irina. "Milady, what are these metal beasts?" he inquired, his eyes gleaming like a child's.

Irina, slightly taken aback by his formal address, but impressed nonetheless replied, "These are what we call automobiles. The sound you heard was the engine starting – it's quite normal. And rest assured, they are completely safe to use." She paused for a moment before adding with a hint of curiosity, tapping her fingers on the side of her face, "If I may ask, why do you address me so formally?"

Both Yagou and Hanki shared a glance, their confusion evident. To them, Irina's commanding presence and dignified demeanour had all the hallmarks of royalty. "Could she be a princess, or perhaps a high-ranking noble?" they silently wondered.

Yagou, now anxious that he might have overstepped a boundary, felt a nervous sweat bead on his forehead. Taking a deep breath to steady his voice, he cautiously ventured, "Mi...Milady, if I may be so bold, are you not of noble birth?"

The question seemed to catch Irina and the other diplomats off guard, and to Yagou's surprise, they burst into laughter. 

Irina, after composing herself wiped a tear from her eye and smiled warmly. "No, not at all. I'm merely a public servant, albeit in a senior position. I serve as the Minister of Foreign Affairs. I see how our different cultures might have led to a misunderstanding," she explained with an amused chuckle.

Yagou, realising his error, joined in the laughter, albeit with a hint of nervousness. "Ah, I see," he chuckled, a sheepish smile crossing his face. "Thank you for clarifying, and please forgive my mistake."

Irina waved her hand dismissively, her expression still warm and friendly. "Oh, there's no need to apologise," she reassured him cheerfully. "We completely understand that our culture might be unfamiliar to you, comrade. It's all part of the learning experience."

As the conversation lightened, Yagou turned his attention to the window, gazing out at the unfolding cityscape as they made their way towards the station.

The evening streets were lit up as the populace went about their daily lives weaving an elegant tapestry of life, they see in any land, making it feel less alien and more human.

The city, now bathed in the soft glow of twilight, presented a stark contrast to their lush, warm homeland. Nestled within the Arctic Circle, Murmansk's air was brisk and tinged with the salt of the Barents Sea. The setting sun, barely dipping below the horizon, cast a perpetual twilight over the city, lending a surreal quality to the surroundings.

As Hanki looked back towards the port, the darkness creeping in slowly, the port remained a hub of activity even as the day waned. Cranes silhouetted against the evening sky continued their industrial activity of unloading cargo. 

The cries of seagulls mingled with the distant sound of fishing vessels, while the smell of fresh fish blended subtly with the diesel fumes, creating an ambience that was distinctly industrial yet undeniably maritime.

As their vehicle glided through the streets of Murmansk, they soon found themselves in the shadow of the imposing Alyosha Monument. This towering figure stood as a solemn guardian over the city, a poignant reminder of Murmansk's wartime history. It symbolised the sacrifices of countless brave souls who had fallen in battles long past, a tribute to their enduring legacy.

To Yagou and Hanki, however, the monument's significance was an enigma, its historical context shrouded in the unfamiliar past of the Old World. They observed it with a sense of respectful curiosity, aware of its importance but unable to fully grasp its meaning.

Their journey through the city culminated at the station, a gateway to the heart of Earth's mightiest civilisations. As they stepped out of the vehicle, the realisation of the monumental journey ahead settled upon them. 

This station was not just a physical location but a symbolic threshold, marking the start of a transformation which only the likes of the Ancient Sorcerer's Empire could ever fathom to imagine.

Taking a nervous step forward, Yagou embarked on a leap of faith, heralding the onset of a new epoch, the 'Pax Hominidae'.

…

TBC