Kwedolobhakalle, United Vanjanan Empire
"A name?"
Sigfrid and one of his closest advisers were meeting in the capital's square, which functioned as a community garden. As such, people from all walks of life ended up talking to each other. In fact, right next to the two was a man wearing the simplest clothes money could buy speaking to a woman wearing an elegant green dress, both of them holding potted plants. In most free market states this would never be seen, but Vanjana's history made it possible. Being a nation made up of of immigrants and refugees, all with differing views, tolerance was somewhat necessary to survive. Somehow, the Ancient Vanjanans figured that out and worked together despite their differences, resulting in the highest GDP in the known world. Probably where their 'Diversity equals stregnth' doctrine comes from.
"Yes, Jade. They're naming it." Said Sigfrid's adviser, clothed in formal wear in contrast to Sigfrid, whom was wearing what appeared to be an unfinished naval uniform.
"What names have been suggested so far?"
"New Germania and Vivayah, you know what the first one is and the latter seems to just sound pretty."
Sigfrid began to laugh in his own signature way that sounded like he was about to suffocate, and the others nearby also laughed.
"Oh, that's a good one my friend! Now, what are the actual names?" Sigfrid asked, misunderstanding his adviser's statement.
"Those are, Jade. They actually put those forwards."
The laughter in the square only got louder, especially Sigfrid's. The fact that they actually expected those names to win the bid deeply amused the crowd.
"HAH! Send in the name Ithembany (Ee-temban-ni,New Hope in Ancient Vanjanani), It'll be the only name with any meaning! They'll have to accept it! Give them a bid of ten billion Fryas, nobody could resist that!"
"Understood, Jade. But there is also our colonial expansion to worry about. One of our vessels was attacked for no logical reason in the area our colonists refer to as 'Nataljiah Bay'. The battle apparently stopped when both sides retreated and we solved the land dispute by moving our colony over a bit. Both sides sustained minor damage that can be repaired at the colony. The Representative House has granted the colonies full command over the ships sent with them. They have kept the damaged Brig and another Brig, and sent the rest of the ships back to pick up new colonists to be deposited in the same areas. They have requested 700 new Colonists, Ten Cows, ten Pigs, ten Chickens, new ploughs, twenty-five horses, a years supply of food (Rationed, preserved) new axes, new farming equipment, more Fryas, new Cloth, and the fleet will of course carry the belongings of the new colonists."
"Very well, they may have that. Prepare for their fleet's arrival. If you need me, I shall be writing a letter to Lord Finch."
"To Lord Finch? What could you possibly have to talk about with him?"
"Nothing you should concern yourself with."
Letter to Lord Finch of Numburg from Jade Sigfriv Halvar
Dear honorable Lord Finch, I have recieved your message regarding your recent scientific endeavors. I have wished such a thing were possible for many years now, as has a close friend of mine in the literary community. He has come up with multiple theories on the subject of flight, but neither of us was ever able to figure out exactly how to build a flying machine. Instead he took his ideas to pen and paper, he now writes novels in a genre he calls science fiction, about ships floating in the air using what he calls a 'burner drive'. He got the idea while starting a fire, the flames rose, so he decided to put a cloth bag just above them. It flew upwards, thus he got the idea of manned flight using such a device. As you seem to be quite interested in flight, you may have heard of his works before, the book is called 'VSS Pandora: The First Skyship'. Anyways, the United Vanjanan Empire is willing to assist in your research project. I have ordered posters to be put up asking for engineers and scientists to apply for the project, and I am willing to donate money to the project. I do hope we can accomplish flight, it would mark a great advancement for the human species.
-Jade Sigfrid Halvar, Vanjanan Royal Office
Outside of Kwedolobhakalleny (New Kwedolobhakalle), New World
It was a wonderful day, the sun was shining, birds were flying in a cloudless blue sky. Yes, they were birds never before cataloged by any Vanjanan in history, but they flew just like the birds on Edoniras. Close enough for the colonists to eat. Even the land animals seemed similar to those back on Edoniras, most of them having four legs. A clearing on the outskirts of the colony had been used as a place to build an outpost to allow for further exploration of the area, perhaps the explorers would even discover natives. Such an event could occur sooner or later than thought, but either way, the United Vanjanan Empire was determined to be the first.
A young soldier ran though the jungle, separated from his exploration partner. He looked behind him every few moments, incredibly frightened by the creature that separated him from his partner. Cutting through the jungle plants frantically with his detached bayonet, he eventually came to a clearing. Running through it, he realized his boots were leaving footprints beside others, left by bare feet. His mouth dropped open, but he kept running as his instincts demanded. The spotted orange creature grew closer to him, much better adapted and used to the jungle environment than the soldier. His musket was loaded, but he had to keep it inside its sheath-holster (Vanjanan soldiers carry their rifles like swords) to allow him to use the bayonet to cut through the plants.
He saw a clear path, and turned to use it, completely unaware of the fact that the path was covered in bare footprints and that the dirt had been packed in by heavy use. He looked behind him once more, and saw the face of the savage beast just feet away from him. He yelped loudly, and picked up his pace even more. At this point, his elegant uniform was torn and blood from his various small cuts contrasted the white coat worn by all soldiers. While his uniform was making him hot, he refused to take it off. Not only was his musket in a sheath-holster attached to his pants, but his upper uniform had his name written on the inside. If he died, he wanted to make sure everyone else knew who he was.
The path soon faded away, and he had to continue cutting the flora with his bayonet. He soon found that there was a reason for this, as he fell into an incredibly fast-moving river a few moments after he left the path. He was hitting rocks in the shallow river, but he couldn't feel any of it. All he could focus on was the orange, feline face stating at him. Unfortunately for him, this feline wasn't afraid of water like the ones back at home. It jumped in after him, growling menacingly as it swam closer and closer, expertly dodging the rocks. Having nothing else to do, the soldier took the musket out of its sheath-holster, and fired at the predator, creating a deafening noise that could undoubtedly be heard anywhere in the area. Being so close, the musket ball hit the savage creature right in the head. It became limp, but with the threat gone his mind returned to the sensations of its own body. The pain overtook him, and he blacked out.
My leg doesn't work
It was the only thought the soldier could muster, staring up at the blue sky. At least he was out of the river and alive. He used his other leg and his arms to roll himself onto his stomach. He was on the sand next to a huge lake, with multiple waterfalls and rivers entering into it, and one leaving it, undoubtedly towards the ocean. He curled up to look down at his leg to see what had happened, and that was his mistake. When he looked at it he saw it just within the lake, torn to shreds with blood streaming from it. His uniform was ripped and bloody as well, but the image of his leg overtook him. Vanjana hadn't fought in a war for decades, and he had never seen an actual injury, much less such a savage one. He let out a bloodcurdling scream as the sensation of pain came to him. He returned to his former position, looking up at the sky. He began to silently pray, no, it was more of him calling out to the universe in a desperate attempt to be saved. Besides, he had been agnostic all his life, so its not like he had any specific god he believed in.
If there's anyone out there, watching over us, don't let me die like this! I'm only twenty six years old, let me see the world! Let me accomplish my dreams! Don't let me die at the side of a lake seven thousand kilometers from home! I'll do anything you ask of me, just don't let me die here in this unknown and unnamed land!
The water around his leg became progressively more and more red with his blood, and he began to give up all hope of surviving. But perhaps he would, perhaps someone would find him and rescue him.
Or something would find him. At this point he would look welcome such an event.
