Progress

An explosion ruptured in the distance. Wind shooting out of the ground like a hose that broke free.

"Well that was an expensive waste."

"Ai but we've got the aim down."

It had been three days since Shiro awoke in the infirmary. Now he was once again back to work with Geraltavin. Testing the improved rail cannon outside the city walls.

"Yeah I guess. The cooling system is good. Ceramics, capacitors, and rails are holding up well... But the enchanted bolts are causing mixed results."

"Well copying them one to one from arrows was bound to have problems. Moving forward, yer should look at taking advantage of bolt being pure feather steel. Outside of more mana, we can add more complex runes and spells."

"Yeah..."

'Seeking winds' a wind spell that allows arrows to lock onto a target and fly towards them. It's a guidance system without computers!

"With bows, you're holding the arrow as it launches, can't find really do that for a rail cannon."

"Not to mention speed, or the lack of fletchlings. For all yer know, the spell is working but doesn't have the power to curve the bolt."

Gris chimed into the conversion. Today was his day to watch Shiro.

"Why the recent obsession with this spell."

"It's a lot to explain."

"I won't question further then."

Gris stepped back, professionally.

"...Damn. poor guys have been neutered."

Geraltavin striked his elbow into Shiro's gut.

"Ouch! I'm still recovering, you know. I had to bother Azura all day yesterday to get out here."

"You know she didn't leave yer side once while you were out."

"You say that but she denies it."

"Either way, yer should be more sensitive around these things."

"What? About the possible traitor? Eh, I can't do anything about it. Besides, I got you here."

"And what do yer think I'm going to do?"

"Use that new hammer of yours. I gave you the design yesterday and look at that, it's done."

Shiro gestured towards Geraltavin's massive two handed weapon. A war hammer pile bunker design that Shiro had thought up during his battle with the Ssarok.

A steel frame with aluminum capacitors acting as spikes on the back in place of a traditional claw. A gap sat in the middle of the hammer's head, an opening for replacing the inner components of the rail cannon mechanism.

"You even pulled out the steel and copper."

"I had it laying around... the steel is much stronger as a weapon and as a framework. Copper is also better than feather steel for lightning runes. Last longer as rails too."

"You've been testing it too? How much sleep have you gotten? I remember the last time we were out here and you were complaining about not getting enough sleep!"

"Argh, enough already."

"... Well as far as the material problems go, we knew that aluminum isn't best for this. It's good you used proper materials for your own weapon. The aluminum rail cannon is just to bank roll the airships."

"Yeah. But we're already building the castle wall towers for the feather steel ones."

"So? We're just swapping to better material, keep the size and enjoy the range and durability benefits....HEY! can we test a 'seeking winds' bolt in your pile bunker?"

Shiro leaned in to take a closer look at the weapon prototype.

"It uses the same size as the light cannon, but we didn't make any arcane bolts of that size for today."

"Well I didn't know you were going to make that...It's fine for now. Getting the large rail cannon up to spec is more important. The city's defense and inverted battleships come first."

"Yeah. I have a few bolts engraved with the spell 'Wall of Lightning'. Not sure how much control over the direction of the length we'll have."

Gris stepped into the conversion to stop Shiro and Geraltavin from loading another shell.

"Sorry to interrupt, but you'll have to hold, my scouts are reporting a carriage on route."

"You have scouts that far out?"

"Yes."

"Damn... When am I going to get one of those 'whispers in the wind' stones? You get to keep one but I swear you're in trouble about the incident."

Geraltavin shot another elbow strike into Shiro's gut.

"Those are expensive. I could make yer one without any gems but it'd be easier for ya to yell."

"Even with the extra funding that'll be coming in, somehow we're still broke."

"As is life. Not to mention you're still not fully trusted."

Shiro flicked the collar around his neck.

"I know, I know."

"If it helps I trust yer. Still vote to get rid of ya every time it comes up. The heavens know I need time off."

"I'd vote to get rid of me."

The two shared a laugh as the carriage slowly came into view.

"Wait... That's a pretty big cart. You don't think those are the sails?!"

"If Johnaquil hired multiple carriers to travel day and night, it'd be possible."

Shiro waited with baited breath for the carriage to get closer.

Gris and his men were the first to intercept and inspect it before eventually letting the carriage pass.

"It's all clear. Also, it is the sails he ordered."

"Let's go! Johnaquil coming through!"

Shiro looked back to Geraltavin and the rest of the guards helping with the rail cannon.

"Alright, pack everything up! The large rail cannon is good enough to begin installing them."

"Oi? That's it? What about getting it up to spec?"

"We'll run further tests later. Once they are installed on the castle wall we can perform more meaningful optimizations."

"Fair enough. I could use a few drinks and some rest."

"Oh well, not for you. I'm going to need you and all your engravers carving wind runes to make the sails lighter. As well as fire runes to make them heat resistant. And, that's before we start actual construction."

"I hate yer. Go help pack while I get what little rest I can."

"Alright, alright."

Geraltavin looked to Gris as Shiro left to help pack all the equipment up.

"Gris, yer should get rid of him, he's the traitor. Not a doubt about it."

Gris looked at the large rail cannon. Then at Geraltavin's pile bunker before he turned his head back to Geraltavin.

"Has Johnaquil given you his little speech about chess pieces."

"Aye, I've heard enough of it. Don't need a ya to give me a summary. I'll be napping in the carriage while they wrap up."

Geraltavin turned around and made his way back towards the carriage.

"Vermelionne, thanks you for your work!"

"Bite me."