The Mechanical Era



9th of Heims, 5018.

It was a slightly warmer morning in the city of Hoverdam. The people were all busy clearing out the snow that had landed on the loads, making it hard for them to conduct business. While the main roads were salted, a vast majority of the city was left to its own devices. 

Kant was found in his office typing away on his typewriter, busy with his work. He was finalizing a few documents for a presentation he has scheduled to be due in 3 days. Now that he had assembled most of the people he desired on his side, it was time that he presented his plans.

It was then that he heard a knock on his door. Kant keeps the typewriter apart and allowed whoever was on the other side to enter. Alan opened and walks inside the room. He bows down to greet Kant good morning. Kant, in return, greets good morning back to him. 

"Good morning, Minister. Is there something wrong?"

"Yes sir. They are here," Alan replied. On the 5th of Heimz, 5018, a message had arrived at the palace via carrier pigeon, informing them that a bunch of large wooden ships will arrive at their city, to buy a significant chunk from their storage. 

Over those past few days, Alan and Kant had to find a way to get a new source of food, to refill back the rations up for the winter. Thankfully, due to some past actions taken by Kant, he managed to save himself.

"Should I send them in, sir?" Alan asked.

"Yes. Send them in. You remember the plan, right Minister?" 

"Yes sir, I do," Alan replied.

"Good. Now go." Alan leaves the room and closes the door behind him. Kant cleans up his desk and prepares to meet up with the men Rose had sent to him. As soon as he finishes, cleaning, he hears the door being knocked on once again.

"Come in," Kant speaks up. The door opens, revealing two tall muscular men, wearing a blue uniform, underneath a coat. They place the coat on the coat rack and bow down to Kant.

"Good morning your majesty, I hope we are not interrupting you on something important?" one of the men asks. 

"No. You are not. Please, sit down." Kant replies. The two men obliged and take a seat on the wooden chairs. 

"Now, How can I help you, gentlemen? Do you perhaps like a cup of tea or coffee in these trying times?" 

"We appreciate your offer, your majesty, but no thank you. As you know, we have been sent here to buy off some of the city's rations from your kingdom. I am sure that you are fine with that?" he asks.

"I see. Well, I need you to be more elaborate with me. What specifically does Vallina request from us?" Kant asked.

The man nodded and pulled out a scroll from his bag. He unfurled it and began to read from it.

"Vallina requests 3,300 barrels of wheat, 1,650 barrels of barley, and 8,500 barrels of oats. We are willing to pay 67% above the market price for the goods if you accept this deal now." the man stated. Kant nodded thoughtfully.

"And what if I refuse?" Kant questions the two men.

"Well, then there will be trouble with your small kingdom and the military, your majesty. I am sure you don't want to start a conflict, already?" the man replies. Kant slightly chuckles.

"No... Not yet..." he jokes. The other two men chuckle in response, finding it rather funny. As if a small kingdom like his could take on half the continent. 

"When do you expect these large quantities of food should be delivered?" Kant continue to question the men further, wanting more information. 

"Tomorrow is fine, your majesty. You can prepare the food today, and deliver it to the port by tomorrow morning. Our men will load up the goods, and we will be on our way." they explain. 

"Is that so?" Kant thinks about the deal further, before finally agreeing to it.

"Alright then, I accept your deal. I will have it delivered to you by tomorrow." His answer put a smile on both their faces' getting exactly what they had wanted from him. 

"Good! It is a pleasure doing business with you, your majesty. I hope we shall meet again."

"Again?" Kant asks, hearing that last part from the man. 

"Yes. It is likely that we will meet again. His imperial majesty wants more food to feed her people," the man explained.

"I see. Well, I will make sure to prepare for when you both eventually return." Kant comments. 

"Let's hope. Goodbye, your majesty." 

With that, the two leave the room. Kant sits back down on his chair and waits for Alan to return. After waiting for a few hours into the day, Alan returns with the information. He comes over to his door, gives it a firm knock, and then enter. He had send a guy to the other side of the town, to ask the farmers how much they have made.

"My messenger had returned, your majesty. What does the Empire require?" Alan asks. 

"They wanted 3,300 barrels of wheat, 1,650 barrels of barley, and 825 500 barrels of oats. Have they managed to produce enough?" Kant answers while adding his own question at the end. The minister gives out a sigh of relief, appearing as if his worries have vanished into thin air. Kant takes this as a hint that they managed to produce enough.

"Yes, sir. We do. From what I learned, they had managed to produce 4,000 barrels of wheat, along with 1,500 barrels of barley, and 9,000 barrels of barley. We should be good to do. We would just need some barley from storage," Alan replied. Although, they are selling it at over 64% market price. Is that fine with you, sir?"

"Very much. That would mean we would be making a slight profit." Kant leans back in his chair.

"Well, that is a relief. Although, from what they told me, they said that they will come again. We would have to prepare for next year as well." 

"What are you thinking, sir?"

"I got some ideas. I will inform you at a later date." Kant replies. 

"For now, just get the food ready. They need it by tomorrow. Can I entrust you with that?" Kant questions.

"Of course, sir." With that, Alan leaves the room, leaving Kant all alone once more. He gets back into typing away on his typewriter.