49 Vol 1. pt. 49 Patch 9.0: Preparing for the Tournamen (1/2)
”This big enough?” Fenrir asks, setting the hook down on The Shoebill's deck.
Tabitha comes running up to check on it. ”Perfect! That'll definitely be big enough to hook that baby right out of the water,” she explains, arms crossed over her chest as she nods. ”Now for the rest of the crew to bring back the stuff I need.”
”What are you going to make with all of this anyways?”
”You'll see! It'll be revealed at the right time for dramatic effect! By the way, I installed a prototype engine of mine that I had in my backpack. It runs on combustion crystals and will speed this baby up faster than any ships relyin' only on the wind!”
”An engine? Like, you mean like the kind in real life?”
Tabitha nods.
”How'd you manage to get it working? Doesn't the overseer stop things that are too modern from working?”
”Well, ya see, the secret is in the fuel. Naturally, somethin' that's runnin' on diesel ain't ever goin' to work, and not even coal will be allowed to work as a fuel, but these crystals,” she takes one of the crystals out from her pocket to toss over to Fenrir, ”make it work! It's all about how ya go about it. If ya do it in a fantasy-styled way, it works!”
Fenrir's hands feel warm as he holds the crystal. It looks as if there are red and yellow gases swirling around within it, trying their best to avoid touching one another. ”How's it work?” he asks.
”Try smackin' it with your other hand.”
Fenrir does as she says, smacking the crystal with his free hand.
Constant, miniature explosions erupt within the crystal! Each explosion sends energy outward that burns his hands which makes him toss it between his two hands as if it's a hot potato before eventually throwing it overboard. Even as it sinks into the water, he and everybody nearby on the docks can hear its explosions.
”Shit, I threw it overboard. Sorry,” he says, watching it as it sinks. The bright light its emitting thanks to the pulsating explosions shows exactly where it is as it sinks. ”How long is it going to be doing that for?”
”It's alright, and not too long! That one was runnin' on empty, and I haven't figured out a way to recharge them yet, so it's okay to toss that one. Just don't go losin' one of the full ones I've got,” Tabitha explains.
”How many do you have?”
She pulls out three more from her pockets. ”And I've got another dozen or so in my backpack somewhere.”
”Are you sure having a dozen of exploding crystals somewhere in your backpack is a safe idea?”
”Of course it ain't! Don't mean that it isn't a fun one, though.”
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”Can't argue with that. So, how do the crystals power the engine?”
Tabitha leads him below deck.
Built into the back of the ship is what appears to be a furnace with a small container for a fuel source with some mechanical gears and belts that Fenrir assumes are powered by the fuel source and causes the rotor to spin. Fenrir has only ever seen old pictures of combustion engines before, and this reminds him of a more fantasy-esque version of one. Though, calling it steampunk might be fairer.
It looks pretty cool, actually. He wishes cars still had engines like this instead of everything being fully electric.
”Did you make this yourself?” Fenrir asks.
”I did! Had it in my backpack! It's the latest model of the Strism Engine. Strism Engine Mk. 7.2!” Tabitha proudly answers.
”What happened to all the previous models?”
”They're scattered underneath the water here. Remember what I said about those other ships not being able to keep up? Well, my engines are to thank for that! Look, an average ship this size can maybe sail at abooouuuutttt… eight to twelve knots depending on wind speed, the hull, and so on. With my baby here,” she pats on the engine, ”I'll have ya goin' at least 15 knots without any help from the wind! Ya better hope for some smooth waters or it's gonna be one heckuva bumpy ride!”
Fenrir is getting excited. However, before he can fangirl with her over her engine's potential, he hears footsteps above them. ”Sounds like the others are back. I'll go check on them,” he says, going back above deck.
Serra, Rock, Oleander, and Corwin are the first to come back after him. Serra has a telescope in her hands, and the two boyfriends have a spool of thick bowstring. ”You didn't see Cassiel on your way back, did you?” Fenrir asks them.
”Nope! Hope she doesn't spend too long looking around for this still. I told the guy we bought this from to refuse her if she happens to go in the same shop as us,” Oleander explains.