The Great War of Rhodesia

34. Progress I

A few days later Aksa and Cornelius began to search for people to be given the task of making maps of the region. Because even though Aksa really wanted to do it himself, but the young man still had many other jobs waiting for him.

Eden, Lucia's youngest cousin, Alexander's sister, seemed to show interest in the drone when Aksa flew it in the North Garrison to make a map of the place. And it turned out that the 15-year-old was quite skilled at controlling the flying object when Aksa asked him to try.

So, in the end it was decided that Eden with a small group under the responsibility of Constantine, who will travel around the territory of Rhodesodia to do mapping.

Simultaneously Nata also began busy preparing plans to do a cruise to the east sea. Some shipbuilders were sent to Sekai beach on the east coast to start building a new Shipyard.

The construction of roads and infrastructure on the slopes of Sekai mountain also began almost at the same time. Fang took responsibility for the task. Worked by workers from the East Village and Yllgarians who were not doing the task of preparing materials to make medicines.

While the group led by Dirk, who is in charge of providing materials for drugs and also the Ration, has now begun to relax a little, after the production of drugs and rations has been running. The Trio of Hunters who were also part of the group, were now able to visit Aksa and Nata's tent. And try new equipment made by Aksa specifically for the three of them.

While other groups of workers under the responsibility of Amithy began to install Telephone communication tools in various places, while ensuring the network functions properly.

Not to forget, Nata also asked Fla to produce paper with a new composition of materials, which then Fla appointed his best friend James and Luke to do it. That's because they're far more experienced than anyone else in the region when it comes to papermaking.

And Aksa himself after that began to be busy with Val and Marco to introduce electrical equipment and new ways to make goods, to the craftsmen.

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One day later, the Water Electrolysis device at the edge of the Great Gorge finally had enough Hydrogen to conduct the experiment.

This time the experiment was only attended by Lucia, people of interest, and those who were not busy.

The plan Aksa will fill the hydrogen in a balloon that is smaller than the size to be installed on the Air Ship.

And to try the power of the balloon and measure the amount of gas pressure needed, Aksa installed a chariot without wheels that was no larger than a horse-drawn carriage, just below the balloon.

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"So you're going to get on that train and then fly with the help of the bolan?" Lucia asked as Aksa was busy connecting the pipe to a metal tube that had a large 'H' sign on its side, and Nata who was busy making sure the rope ties on a peg next to Lucia's train.

"really. But not flying. Just hovering up." Nata answered.

"The purpose of this experiment is to measure the hydrogen pressure and volume of the balloon against the load it can lift" Aksa said.

"Are you sure this isn't dangerous?" Lucia looks a little worried.

"Do you also want to ride with us, Queen?" said Aksa gave an offer when he was done with his job.

"Well, did I get on that train?" Lucia ensure. It appears he is weighing the offer Aksa.

"Rethink Your Majesty. This thing is still in testing. We don't know if it's really safe or not, Your Majesty." Jean interrupts immediately when there is an indication Lucia may accept the offer.

"Now it is nearing dusk. Not too hot, and the wind also does not blow very hard. So it will not be too risky" said Aksa gave an explanation to eliminate Jean's anxiety. "And again, we won't go too high either. One kilo might be enough?" added later.

"But still this is the first time this thing has been used. We won't know if this thing really works properly." Jean still maintains her opinion.

"What's with your doubtful nature, Jean? I'll just ride it. That means I'm sure that this whole thing is safe." Aksa looks a little irritated by Jean's harsh nature. "You think I want to die silly on a planet like this in the middle of nowhere?"

"It's okay, let us both go up." Nata immediately denied stopping the fight before it started.

Jean is seen staring cynically at Aksa after hearing his words.

"It's okay, Jean. I believe in them." Their queen had already made up her mind, and all those who disagreed over the decision could only fall silent anxiously.

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After making sure the rope bond from the train to the balloon and the stake pole that functioned as an anchor was tightly bound, the balloon on it began to be filled with Hydrogen.

Aksa was the first to enter the train when the balloon began to float in the air. Followed by Nata and then Lucia.

The anxious faces of Jean, Caspian, Orland, and some of the soldiers and men present when Lucia entered the carriage.

Soon the train began to drift, no longer touching the ground. Even if it is only half-snake. And that's a sign for workers to stop charging the hydrogen in the balloon.

"Okay, are you all ready?" exclaim Aksa after the pipe is removed from the balloon. "Let's get all these ballast out" he ordered later.

Aksa and Nata begin to throw the cloth-wrapped rocks that serve as the squeezers out of the carriage. And the less the ballast, the higher the balloon lifts the train.

And when the ballast was no longer left, the balloon train was already at a height of four times the height of Elbrasta fort walls. The rope tied to the peg that stuck on the ground, stiffened and held the balloon train to not go higher.

While people were worried and anxious looking at the balloon train from below, the three people inside were stunned by the sight of the horizon line from that height. Plus the sun that began to sink is clearly visible and very beautiful at the end of the west sea.

"It's so beautiful." Lucia was stunned by the sight before her. "We can barely see the entire kingdom from this position."

"True, what an amazing sight. I miss seeing the view from the Rooftop Academy building" said Nata who was also fascinated by what he was seeing.

"You often see this kind of high-altitude display in your world?" Lucia confirmed her conjecture.

"Yes, in our place are many buildings this tall," Nata replied later.

"really?"

"Yes, it's just that the scenery is incomparable to this one," he replied as he looked at Lucia who was smiling happily.

"Shall I go down? I feel like a mosquito repellent here" Aksa later said.

"Mosquito Repellent? What'sthat?"

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And then the balloon began to attract the attention of many people from Central City and those who accidentally saw it while on the way using the steam train. Because the balloon was deliberately colored with a red color that is quite striking. It looked unusual, hovering above the Great Gorge.

A few moments later, they came down with the help of the soldiers who pulled the stake down. Make the balloon train slowly lower the altitude.

Lucia looks very excited after getting out of the train. He proposed to use the balloon with the train as a replacement for the Guard Tower to be installed on the border of the kingdom.

Nata agrees to Lucia's proposal. But with the condition must prioritize the safety of people who will be on guard in the place. And that made Lucia even more happy.

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