The Grand Patriots' Gala (ATTN: VAPOR)

[North Antietam]

October 31st, 1898
Liberty Tower, North Antietam District
The Patriots' Feast, 1:32 p.m.

Mr. Francis Archer stood in the archway leading to the finished made restaurant, The Patriots' Feast. He watched as workmen put the last finishing touches on the establishment, the tables pushed away to make rows where hundreds of platters of food will serve the guests of the Grand Patriots' Gala. Turning, he made a 180 degree turn and faced the ballroom. It could fit almost 600 hundred people comfortably. A smiled crept up Mr. Archers face as he moved out of the way for a row of carts carrying the banners that will be hung from the walls of the ballroom.

The Grand Patriots' Gala was the brain child of President Abram Jameson. A true Patriot of Columbia, when he took office, his first acts were to limit the power of the government over the people and to broaden the freedoms they already enjoyed and even extended it to those willing to take it. Under the last six years under his presidency, immigration was up fifteen percent. Not only were people flocking to the United States of Columbia, so were investors from oversees, such as in the nation of Saradia. The Gala was to begin a hopefully long lasting tradition of celebrating the day that the last soldier left their soil. What luck that the Liberty Tower was completed in time for the first celebration where foreign dignitaries were invited!

Perhaps we'll see a visit from the Sultan himself tomorrow. Thought Francis to himself as he slid past the last cart and began making his way to the elevator. There was much paperwork to be done before guests began arriving tomorrow afternoon.

[North Antietam]

Sent two weeks earlier

Dear [Insert name of leader here]

It is with the greatest honor that I, President Abram Jamesson, invite you to the first Grand Patriots' Gala. It will be held in conjunction with the opening of the Liberty Tower, the tallest building on earth at 102 stories. In fact, the very top was specially made to dock Airships. You won't even need to go through the hustle and bustle of the streets! The United States of Columbia shall be celebrating its 150th year of independance November 1st, so please, do not be late!

Sincerely,
Abram Jamesson, President of the United States of Columbia

[Servoth]

Off the Coast of Columbia, Columbia, Oulen
October 31th, 1898
13:48 -5 Rothian Mean Time

The Kranz pulled into port. This ship was a pride of the Servothian State, one of the many wonders that the Greater Federal Empire of Servoth could create. This ship also carried the members of the Servothian party that was invited to the celebration the Columbian's had planned. Among those invited and those on board included Dr.Wilhelm Glocke, the inventor of the telephone; Rederich Eders, famous electric power company owner; Kaiser Heinz Kruass IX, Kaiser of the Servothian State; Archduke Anton Krauss, Crown Heir to the Servothian State, nephew of Kaiser Heinz; and the famous Servothian diplomat, General Adrian Brandt. All selected to be the representation of the Servothian Ideal at a party meant for the Columbian Ideal, again, it was another chance to make allies when tensions around the world slowly grew. And it would start now, as the Franz pulled up to the dock and weighed anchor. Kaiser Heinz was the first to step off, followed immediately be General Brandt and Archduke Anton. Behind them, Mr. Eders and Dr. Glocke.

They waited to be greeted by Columbian officials, no one was going to show the Servothians up this time.

[Rosswood]

Columbia, Oulen
October 31, 1898

The R.S.S. Rose pulled into port, as Petty Officer Rollin walked to the guest quarters on ship. President Alexander Anderson, newly elected in last month's elections, as well as Prime Minister Kennedy were on ship, in order to be present for The Grand Patriot's Gala. President Alexander woke up, and got dressed in his finest suit, the one with a Mjolnir pin on the lapel, while Minister Kennedy's had a lightning bolt pin, to represent Zeus's lightning. As they exited the ship, and walked up on deck, they strode past a fully equipped honour guard of sailors and marines. They all had medals representing their experience in raids in Desaltonia, and it showed in some, as they were bestowed with the marks of war, wether it be a missing eye, or horrible scars. As President Alexander walked along the deck, to the bow, he saw another warship in the bay, however, it was not a Columbian warship. It was Servothian. Figures, he thought to himself, they would get here before everyone else, knowing full well that he was trying the exact same thing.

----

The ship docked, and the group stepped off of the ship, onto Colombian ground for the first time.

Note:

The R.S.S. Rose

[Inoroth]

Airship I.S.V. Spirita Libera as it passes over Battleship I.S.V. Ciclope
Off the Coast of Columbia, Oulen
October 31st, 1898
18:24 -5 Rothian Mean Time

The main dining room was alive with the buzz of conversation, laughter, and quartet string music. Plush red-velvet chairs, fine white linen tablecloths, and recently installed blue curtains and carpeting tastefully complimented the festive atmosphere, as did the fabulous red, white, and blue centerpieces, each one a work of art, each one costing over $10,000 Roths to commission. This was the maiden voyage of the I.S.V. Spirita Libera, one of the most luxurious airships ever built to date -- by far the most luxurious ever manufactured in Inoroth. Constructed by the King's Airship Corporation (KAC) and patterned after King Vinchero's own personal specifications, she represented the cream of the crop of the Modern Inorothian Style -- the efficient fusion of aesthetics with functionality -- and the pinnacle of Inorothian high society. She was fast, sleek, and able to accommodate over one hundred passengers and crew. She was also in the middle of a high stakes race with the vessel below, one that might cost some of her more impulsive passengers millions of Roths.

---

Meanwhile, in the Navigation Room at the front of the Gondola of the I.S.V. Spirita Libera

"Engines are under heavy strain, captain. Advise we slow to 90%, sir."

"Push on, Ensign... we've been promised considerable gifts by over half of the passengers here if we beat out the Ciclope, and my wife's been after me for a mink coat."

Peels of laughter erupted in the crowded room, a confident laugh, but tainted with apprehension. An intense argument between the captains of the two vessels a few weeks before had resulted in a competition newspapers were already touting as the "Race of the Century" between airships and sailing vessels to determine which ruled the seas. The race was to start on pier No. 9 at the Rothian Central Docks and proceed to the 150th anniversary party being held in Columbia, a distance of over 3500 miles. The rich and powerful of Inoroth, many of whom already intended to attend the party, immediately booked passage on the Spirita Libera, betting on vessel they believed was going to win the race, some placing considerable money on the competition. In another two hours, they would know.

"Captain, the unidentified airship is still following us, no change in heading or speed... she's gained another two kilometers or so since last report. We should be able to heliograph her soon, sir, but at the moment, the sun's glare combined with a light haze is obstructing our signals and preventing our even identifying her name or the flag she flies under."

The confident atmosphere in the room quickly vanished into mist. What kind of ship could be both so large and yet so fast? The Spirita Libera was the fastest ship of her size in Inoroth, and she could beat or match, it was believed, any similarly sized ship. Yet there, not 16 kilometers off, was a ship that was not only matching their speed, but overshadowing it considerably.

" ' Ist un ghoster schip, dat's wat eet is, ser. No'uns gott dat kind'a speed, noot pirates ner no one elsen. Werr all doomed, ser, doomed."

"Nonsense," bellowed the captain. "There is one nation that could construct such a vessel, one nation which has a leg up on our own shipbuilding... that's a Fanaglian ship, or at least she was built there, and recently. It looks as though we're out to beat more than the Ciclope, gentlemen... Somebody else has a fancy to claim our glory!"

A solemn silence as the thought of loss sunk it began to settle, but it too vanished as the captain began speaking a mile a minute.

"1st Officer, I need you to ensure that the Libera is as light as she can possibly be. Throw anything we don't need overboard, at once -- extra foodstuffs, fuel, anything weighing us down that we can afford to be without for two hours. Mechanic's Supervisor, with me -- we're going down below to squeeze every last ounce of speed from the engines. We've got enough of a head start, and this race isn't over, lads! It'll be close, but with the full efforts of all aboard, and a pinch of luck, we'll win this, showing both the Ciclope and the mystery ship that the Libera is not to be trifled with!

DISMISSED TO YOUR DUTIES, MEN!"

[The Saradian Caliphate]

October 31st, 1898
Airship spire, Liberty Tower

The Spirit of Saradia was a magnificent airship indeed. Crafted by the brightest engineers in the Caliphate, the vessel's sleek, curved angles contrasted nicely with the elegant scrollwork carved into the hull, cutting a striking silhouette in the skies above Columbia.

Also, the hull was covered in a thin layer of gold, so there was that.

Sultan Mustafa al-Bahar rubbed his chin as he glanced out the window of his private chambers (a lavishly decorated room, filled with exquisitely carved furniture) aboard the Spirit of Saradia, examining the glittering, golden hull as the vessel approached the airship spire of Liberty Tower.

Hmmm....a little gaudy, he thought, chuckling to himself, I suppose next time I'll listen to the Caliph's opinion on airship design.

The Sultan grinned as he strolled over to the mirror, examining himself in it. He was a tall, strongly built man, with a youthful face trimmed with a powerful, bushy beard that practically demanded respect on its own. His eyes, however, had that merry twinkle to it, the kind of eyes that put people to ease with but a glance. He wore the simple, white thobe of his people, backed by a fancy, black bisht trimmed with gold (something he only brought out for fancy occasions like this one!). On his head rested a traditional headdress that flowed onto his shoulders.

Without the cloak, he would be dressed like any other citizen of his nation.

He smiled at that thought. Truly, he was a man of his people.

The Sultan glanced out the window at the glittering, gold hull of his airship.

Alright, so perhaps not entirely.

The airship rumbled and finally, after a long journey, came to a halt. The front end of the vessel slowly docked with Liberty Tower's spire, the complex system of gears, hooks, and other super technical stuff that the Sultan hadn't bothered to read about working their magic.

Mustafa shook his head and smiled some more as he stood up, hands grasping his pair of sunglasses and slipping them on before strolling out towards the exit hatch of the airship.

It was party time!

[North Antietam]

October 31st, 1898
Airship spire, Liberty Tower
(Note: The Sultan is arriving much earlier than the rest of you)

President Jamesson stood at the hatch to the Airship spire. He had his cleanest uniform on, having wiped the crumbs from his supper off of it (The President is a man of action and doesn't deem small things like clean clothes and proper grooming important. Of course his wife will make him do it all for the Gala tomorrow, he knows the Sultan won't care)

"My, I wouldn't mind getting my own golden airship." The President whistled as the Sultan's golden airship docked. The President and the Sultan had met on various occasions, as the Saradian Caliphate was one of the biggest investors in the United States. Almost all money that goes into the coffers of a rich Saradian goes through the bankers in Columbia. That being said, the President's adviser had "advised" him to do as much to make the Sultan's stays as comfortable as possible. The President, of course, took a completely different approach from what he called "Licking the sand from between his toes!" The results varied, but it was an overall success as the Sultan responded in a similar manner, and the two had hit it off. As the Sultan Mustafa al-Bahar stepped off of the threshold, the President smiled.

"What's with the solid gold airship, Bahar? Tear a hole in the carpet?"

October 31st, 1898
Antietam Docks, Antietam

The city police had sent their finest to greet the foreigners. Two whole days were spent getting ready. They polished their brass buttons and belt buckles. They polished their shoes. They cleaned and ironed their uniforms. They personally inspected the suites that have been set aside for the guests. They had been told by the Commissioner himself that if everything went smoothly, there'd be a promotion for every one of them.

The first arrivals were the Servothians, at least by ship anyway. Ten police officers stood at attention, waiting for the Servothians to disembark the ship, their Sergeant standing at the fore front to greet them. A short ways away, three motorcars idled, waiting to whisk their guests away to the Flag Plaza Hotel.

As the Rossians arrived, they found much of the same in terms of greeting party, although the faces of the officers were of course different.

[Novairia]

Dear Lord Chairman El'ad Nossral:

It is with the greatest honor that I, President Abram Jamesson, invite you to the first Grand Patriots' Gala. It will be held in conjunction with the opening of the Liberty Tower, the tallest building on earth at 102 stories. In fact, the very top was specially made to dock Airships. You won't even need to go through the hustle and bustle of the streets! The United States of Columbia shall be celebrating its 150th year of independance November 1st, so please, do not be late!

Sincerely,
Abram Jamesson, President of the United States of Columbia

Oct. 17^th, 1898
Deep Haven, Royal District
The Novarian Empire

"What.. 150 years already? I guess for a young nation that is an accomplishment..", El'ad Nossral slouched into his chair and looked squarely into the eyes of his father's portrait on the far wall, "Well dad, should I go?"

An eternity felt like it had passed before the answer came through the door.


Nov. 1^st, 1898
United States of Columbia, Oulen
NIN-TS: Foggy
4am local time

"Feel that morning breeze dear, the cool dew is impeccably delightful compared to the winter back home!" Ayt Nossral happily exclaimed as she led El'ad out onto the forward deck. Being cooped up in Deep Haven and then this ship through the winter storms of the Vitus Ocean had only fed her excitement for the warm seas and weather around Oulen.

"Yes, it is a pleasant change compared to home. Though I do miss our northern stars" El'ad replied while looking skyward. "Except some of those are not stars.." as he raised his hand and pointed to the lights of the approaching city, and the Liberty Tower that was without a doubt the crown jewel at it's heart.

"Sir", El'ad turned to see the face.. Or at least the eye's seeing as their armor covered the rest.. of Tarjus, Lt. General of the Novar Guard. "The kapitan has informed me that this tub will be berthed within the hour. With your permission, I'll have your things readied for landfall".

"Of course Tarjus, but we wont be needing much, its only for the day according to the invitation. We will probably be back aboard the ship by tomorrow night". El'ad stated, with a visible frown forming on Ayt's face, she was hoping they could have a day or two on the beach.
El'ad caught it, "Don't worry my dear, If this place turns out to be not to our liking, we will stop by Cyprum Xecuii and enjoy the sun there for a few days".
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Novairian Imperial Navy Troop Ship: Foggy

[Sri Tschow]

Skies near Columbia
Airship RAN Lucid Voice: King's Chambers
31 October, 1898

King Amano sat, idly eying the panel next to him that showed the ship's approximate speed, altitude, and tilt. The dials were ringed with gold, the cushions made of the finest silk. The entire room cost more than the average Tschowan citizen made in a month. The airship was the most luxurious mode of transport Sri Tschow had to offer. Even the Royal Palace was not as extravagant as this. It was necessary, though, in order to make a good impression. Four knocks rattled the mahogany door.

"Come in."

The door opened, and the Captain of the ship walked in, dressed in a stiff blue uniform adorned with medals. He saluted, and then spoke in a loud, commanding voice.

"Milord, the ship has arrived at Columbia. I recommend you return to the lounge and prepare for de-embarkment."

"Very well, Captain. You are dismissed."

The King quietly rose from his seat, and left the room. He strode through the long hallway leading from his private chambers to the lounge. All along the hall, floor-to-ceiling glass panels treated him to an amazing view of Columbia. He marveled at the sight of the Liberty Tower, its stone and steel spire reaching up to pierce the clouds. King Amano reached for the doorknob, and turned. He opened the door into the extravagantly decorated lounge. Large bookcases lined one wall, on the other huge windows brought light into the room. On the other end of the lounge, a small door opened into a main hall, at the end of which a large hatch was located. Seated at mahogany armchairs were the Prime Minister, Satomi Kanno, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mutsu Fujikawa. Perusing the library was a woman in a military uniform. Her name was Naomi Okano, and she was a Colonel in the 4th Royal Expeditionary Forces. She was a renowned anthropologist, and she had gained fame when she published her groundbreaking article on the Dauasi tribe of northern Desaltonia. She had lived among them for two years and during that time she had collected a wealth of information. She was coming to hopefully examine the native tribes living in the United States. Soon he felt a lurch, and heard a bumping noise as the airship moored at Liberty Tower. The delegates in the lounge filed out one by one, with the King going first. As the hatch opened, King Amano shielded his eyes from the glaring sun. The air in Columbia was cool and dry, unlike Tschowan air, which was very moist. He walked across the gangplank and entered the building.

[Inoroth]

Airship I.S.V. Spirita Libera racing Battleship I.S.V. Ciclope
Off the Coast of Columbia, Oulen
October 31st, 1898
20:18 -5 Rothian Mean Time

The coastline of Columbia was just coming into view, and passengers crowded the viewports to behold it's exotic outline... and the outline of the Ciclope directly below. Communications officers on both ships were doubtless requesting permissions to dock, and doubtless receiving them. One thing was certain; the race was going to be exciting and close. Another round of champagne was passed around compliments of the house as they crossed into Columbian National Waters. The voice of a young stewardess was soon heard over the ship's intercom system, only briefly interrupting the conversations of the passengers -

"Ladies and gentlemen, we will be arriving at Liberty Tower in approximately twenty minutes. Please begin gathering your belongings in preparation for the landing. Have a nice stay in Columbia and thank you for choosing KAC Luxury Lines -- from cargo to care-free travel, KAC is King."

Anticipation grew faster than the approaching coasts of Columbia and the d-Elegance speeding uncomfortably closer with each passing moment.

---

Meanwhile, in the Navigation Room at the front of the Gondola of the I.S.V. Spirita Libera

The heliographs were still outshone by the sun, but much had been learned through the spyglass; it was now known that the ship was, indeed, of Fanaglian origin and flying under a Fanaglian Flag, but no one had ever heard her name -- d'Elegance -- before.

"Probably a newer ship, just as we are."

Muttered the Captian.

"Continue trying the heliographs, repeating this message:

"Ahoy
d'Elegance,
This
Is
The
Inorothian
Luxury
Liner
Spirita
Libera
Requesting
A
Statement
Of
Your
Intentions
..."

"Even it we're not getting their message, maybe they are receiving ours."

---

V.I.P. Suit on the I.S.V. Spirita Libera
Off the Coast of Columbia, Oulen
October 31th, 1898
20:37 -5 Rothian Mean Time

Although normally accustomed to traveling aboard his own elaborate air-yacht, the I.S.V Dream II (which itself replaced the older I.S.V. Dream I only recently), King Vinchero had booked passage aboard the Spirita Libera in honor of her maiden voyage. She was, after all, the result of his money, his time, and his ideas. Vinchero had been with her from the design boards and through the production, so it was only fitting that he be there for her first real testing. And try as he might to stay above and aloof of the hype over the race, he just couldn't help feeling proud of her and her performance so far. He had even placed R50,000 on her winning; the sum wasn't much to him personally, but the principle of the matter was the important thing. Now, both he and her were minutes away from finding out the results. But there was a complication; a new ship had appeared on the horizon several hours ago, which had now been identified as a modern Fanaglian transport, and it was outpacing his beautiful creation at a frightening pace. The Spirita Libera was meant to be the most modern airship in existence, but she clearly never attained the title -- she was beaten before she even launched.

[Fanaglia]

Palace Evander
Kraftenberg Municipality, Fanaglia
18 October, 1898
11:13 a.m. RMT

"Oh, how charming!" Queen Autumn exclaimed upon reading the invitation. "Miss Alans, the Columbians are hosting a party to celebrate their 150th anniversary of their independance. By the sound of it, it should be absolutely splendid!"

Miss Alans looked up from her own mail and over the lenses of her reading glasses. "Columbia, you say?"

"Yes,"

"You should politely decline, dear. Piratical activity in the area has been on the rise and it is not safe."

"I've fought wars, Lucy. With these two hands." Autumn said with some disdain.

"With all due respect, Milady, it was one war when you were half the age you are now." The queen glared at her, but she continued. "Besides, you have a kingdom to run, now -- one that cannot afford to lose her queen. If attacked over land, the risks are far lesser; over open water, you would surely be captured by pirates if not killed. Let one of the nobles represent us there instead. It's just a party."

Autumn groaned. Being queen was at times absolutely maddening. "Yes, but it looks to be such a grand party..."

---

Later that day...

"Ooohhh!" Miss Alans groaned, clutching a rumpled telegram, as she entered the courtyard where Queen Autumn and Alice Dufresne were having tea.

"What's the matter, Miss Alans?" Autumn asked, already having forgiven her good friend for her earlier offenses.

"It's Tagan. Alonso Tagan has announced that he and several of his coterie shall be attending the Columbian gala." She paused to let that sink in. When she saw the queen's countenance darken as understanding manifested, she continued. "We cannot let that man be our primary representative to such a prestigious event."

"You are right," Autumn declared. Mr. Tagan was a well-respected and incredibly wealthy industrialist, responsible for giving the people of Fanaglia and the world Fanaglian Central Textiles and all of the hundreds of useful and quality products they often take for granted, most notably airships and clothing. The very dress she was wearing then was FCT haute couture. But, despite his legacy, Alonso Tagan was a pig. A charming pig, to be sure, but a pig nonetheless. For him to be in such a prestigious representative position was unacceptable. Someone else in a more "official" position would have to be sent to accompany him. "Is Captain Gonzalo back from his leave, yet?"

"He just arrived from Patisserie-Goulash yesterday." Captain Peter Gonzalo, Captain of the Queen's Guard, had married Autumn's friend, Empress Analise Verouche of Patisserie-Goulash some three years prior. His status as Captain of the Guard had been largely reduced to a symbolic figurehead as of late, with his need to share more time with his new wife, but he was still a closely trusted friend of the queen and still held a position of great honor and respect in her court.

"Excellent. I think we should send him." She turned from Miss Alans and pretended to be fiddling with an unruly fold of her skirt, but, in actuality, it was done to conceal the mischievous smile that had spread involuntarily across her face.

"Good idea, milady. I shall contact him at once."

---

Aboard the FAS d'Elegance
Off the Coast of Columbia, USC
31 October, 1898
10:49 RMT-4

Alonso Tagan stood on the bridge of the d'Elegance, puffing a cigar while looking over the shoulder of the nervous helmsman. Even had he not been smoking a cigar while in such close proximity to tens of thousands of cubic meters of flammable hydrogen gas ("Plenty safe," Tagan would grunt assuringly whenever someone mentioned his smoking aboard "It'd take a lot to burn through that insulation"), he still had a tendency to make people feel uncomfortable. In this case, it might have been that he was standing barefoot and in short trousers with a short-sleeved, silk shirt worn unbuttoned to show off his pot belly and coat of thick, curly, white chest hair. One hardly noticed his unkempt hair and sideburns or the spinach lodged between his central and lateral incisors, or his slightly lazy left eye. It may also have been the case that they had disobeyed a direct order from the queen herself and had broken from the Rosalind's escort, or it may have been that they were then engaged in pursuit of the Inorothian luxury liner, the Spirita Libera, in an attempt to overtake her and that the helmsman's and the captain's jobs may be dependent on their success.

The d'Elegance was a brand new ship. The largest and most lavish ship ever constructed by FCT, she was one of a kind and almost dwarfed the huge Rosalind trailing her. As the d'Elegance was to serve as a template for the next generation of large FCT airships, replacing the Mk. I of which the Rosalind was a representative, Tagan had good reason for wishing to prove that she was worth her salt. As they approached the mysterious Oulish continent, the Spirita Libera was sighted off the starboard bow. He had heard of the high-profile race between the aforementioned dirigible and the mighty steamer, the Ciclope, but the Inorothians had left at least a day earlier and he had had no intentions of catching up with them, especially after the queen's order that they stay with the slower Rosalind. He had been told it was for "security reasons," due to the pirates in the area, despite the fact that the d'Elegance was better-protected and better-armed than the Rosalind, not to mention faster than most pirate ships, anyway. But, once the Spirita Libera had been sighted, overtaking them became a real possibility -- and what an announcement to the world that would be!

"We're pretty much out of pirate skies and waters, Captain," Tagan had said an hour earlier, when the other ship was first sighted. "Catch up with them. The queen can kiss my ass!" This last bit was in response to the captain's protestations against disobeying her order. He knew he would get away with it. The queen couldn't touch him -- he was too important. And the captain obeyed for this same reason.

"I'm going to go and get changed," Tagan grunted as he left the bridge, ascending towards the cacophony of loud music and jubilant partiers dancing and drinking upstairs in the main cabin.

---

Aboard the HMY Rosalind
Off the Coast of Columbia, USC
31 October, 1898
19:25 RMT-4

Captain Gonzalo gritted his teeth as he glared out the windows at the ever-more-distant speck that was the FAS d'Elegance. He stood behind the helm himself, something he always did whenever under great stress, such as he was then. "What is the matter, Gonzalo?" Came a female voice from behind him.

"Captain Gon--" he began, before choking on his own words. "Autumn! What are you doing here!?" For before him stood Queen Autumn, dressed as a man in the uniform of an RAS midshipman, a sly grin on her face.

"Queen Autumn, Captain," she joked. "I wasn't about to miss what very well may be the party of the year, perhaps event the decade, no matter what Miss Alans has to say. I'm the queen, damn it, and I can do as I please. Besides, well-behaved ladies seldom enjoy themselves and are rarely interesting."

"I..." Gonzalo was speechless.

"So, I'll ask again. What's the matter?"

"That cock, Tagan, has pulled ahead. We heliographed for them to slow down, but, in response they said 'Pirates gone. Catch us if you can. Losers.'"

"We can't keep up?"

"We're already at 110% output and he gets farther by the minute."

"Well, as I understand it, it's not much farther to the Oulish coast. Increase output to 115% and do the best you can; we'll arrive shortly after him and I shall have some stern words with him."

"You understood correctly, m'Lady. We should be there shortly. I'll do the best I can; in the mean time, you should probably get changed, unless you wish to be called "John" for the remainder of your stay there."

She chuckled. "No, I've brought along some suitable attire. Thank you, Gonzalo. I shall see you later." Once she was gone, Gonzalo shuddered. Chauffeuring Her Majesty through pirate-infested skies was more responsibility than he had wanted; he had just learned that his wife, the empress, was with child, though he had not told any of his Fanaglian friends yet. His days of serving risky assignments, he knew, were over. Yet, there he was.

---

Aboard the FAS d'Elegance
Off the Coast of Columbia, USC
31 October, 1898
20:18 RMT-4

Captain Errol Churchill stood in the forward command gondola of the d'Elegance massaging his brow. "Send it again, then," he ordered to the heliographer beside him. They had been sending messages in reply to the Spirita Libera's for some time, but they must not have been receiving them, as the setting sun was behind them. He hoped that the Inorothian ship would receive them; in these pirate-infested skies, most travelers adopted a "shoot first, ask questions later" philosophy. He was unfamiliar with the Spirita's armament, but he would rather not find out. The message read as follows: "THIS. IS. FAS. D'ELEGANCE. JUST. LOOKING. FOR. A. JOLLY. GOOD. TIME. FANCY. A. RACE?" Of course, the race was on, whether the Inorothian captain consented or not; it was just a matter of it being cut short by the Spirita's guns.

[The Saradian Caliphate]

October 31st, 1898
Airship spire, Liberty Tower

The Sultan laughed heartily, his face easily breaking out in a friendly grin, as he stepped through the hatch of his ridiculously golden airship. One of his hands immediately darted forward, grasping that of President Jamesson in a handshake that only true friends could exchange, while his other clapped the same man on the back in a friendly manner.

"Ah, Mr. Jamesson, it is a pleasure to see you once more! As for the airship, well, I would have arrived by carpet, but, alas, your citizens' demand for our famous carpets was too much. I had to sell off even my own stock! This was the only thing left, I'm afraid: Just a single, golden airship."

The Sultan spoke perfect English with a slight, Saradian accent, its whispering tones lightly exaggerating his words in a strange, yet pleasing, manner. Mustafa let go of the President's hand, still grinning widely as his eyes darted up and down behind tinted glass, looking over his close friend.

"And how about yourself, my friend? You're dressed up quite well, more so than usual....."

The Sultan frowned, rubbing his beard, leaning forward to take a closer look at Jamesson. Suddenly, he let out an exaggerated gasp, leaning backwards slightly and throwing up his hands in mock surprise!

"No! It cannot be! You are....attending a formal event?!"

[North Antietam]

October 31st, 1898
Airship spire, Liberty Tower

"Oh believe me, I tried to get out of it, but the Mrs. wouldn't have any of it. She said it wouldn't be proper meeting foreign dignitaries late and dressed as I normally do." Replied Jamesson as he returned the embrace. "Though, I'll be late if I can help it. There's some legislation the senate is attempting to pass and I haven't read over it yet, or talked with any of the sponsoring senators." He let the Sultan go, stepping over to view his shining airship through the observation window, "How much did that thing cost anyway? I wouldn't ever imagine having enough money to buy myself an airship, much less a golden one."

[The Saradian Caliphate]

October 31st, 1898
Airship spire, Liberty Tower

"Oh, come now Mr. President, there will always be time for legislation," chastised Mustafa lightly, "But, by some miracle from Allah, your nation has managed to gather everyone together at once, on the same day. Why, this is historical, I tell you; If you had asked me just a few years ago if it were possible, I would have told you you might as have been trying to herd cats!"

The Sultan chuckled, looking at Jamesson in the eyes as he slipped off his sunglasses, folding the arms shut, before hooking it over the neck hole of his clothing.

"Don't tell me you don't want to see how things turn out, eh?"

Mustafa smiled as he turned around, matching Jamesson's view through the observation window at the Spirit of Saradia.

"Well, first of all it's not solid gold: It's just a thin layer! So technically speaking, it was only slightly more expensive than a normal airship. And by slightly, I do mean it was only an extra fourth of the base cost of the ship!"

The jovial leader of Saradia chuckled, clapping a hand on Jamesson's shoulder, sensing that the man was thinking about something else entirely in regards to his question.

"Bah, do not worry, my friend, I know you worry about extravagant spending that does not benefit the common man. I assure you, I made sure to send an equal amount of money towards several orphanages and schools to make up for this. Rest assured, our people live happy lives, well taken care of by their leaders, so as long as they work hard!"

[North Antietam]

October 31st, 1898
Airship spire, Liberty Tower

President Jamesson nodded at the Sultan's explanation. It was a well known fact that among his platform, politicians should not receive a higher pay than a brick layer. One of his first changes, in fact, was to put a cash limit on gifts that a politician could receive and how often they may receive a gift.

"A senator from Southern Antietam actually proposed to raise the salaries of public office workers!" Scoffed Jamesson as he ushered the Sultan towards the elevator guarded by two policemen. "The poor crumb is gonna have a damned devil's day when election season comes this next year." The two gentlemen stepped into the elevator, soft music began to play and tickle their ears. The elevator was interior was a sight, with the seal of the USC carved directly onto the back wall. The walnut walls were gilded in copper and shined like the buttons on the policemen's uniforms they passed.

"Now, would you like to see the ballroom? I believe they're finished setting it up for the gala tomorrow."

[The Saradian Caliphate]

October 31st, 1898
Fancy Elevator, Liberty Tower

The Sultan nodded, thinking about Columbia's dedication to its people, as he stepped into the elevator.

"Some politicians, eh? Thinking about themselves first over the people..."

The friendly man turned his head ever so slightly to smile at his friend, the President, the doors of the elevator slid shut with a satisfying swish.

"My friend, if your elevators alone are this marvelous, I'm not quite sure what to expect from the ballroom!"

[North Antietam]

October 31st, 1898
Fancy Elevator, Liberty Tower

Jamesson smiled at the Sultan, as there was no need to respond. The elevator had already begun slowing when they reached the ballroom. The doors slid open and the Sultan stepped out first. Before him, lay the entrance hall to a magnificent room. From the vaulted ceiling hung dazzling banners of the Columbian flag, the white star and stripes dazzling, as if they had been stitched by silver thread. The walls were adorned with murals of historical events, gilded in silver and gold. Meetings between various people, Tsalgi leaders and Foreign alike. Mighty battle scenes were also depicted, such as the battle of Button Bay and Upwind Valley. The grandest one, however, was the most immediately viewable. It depicted the first session of the Congress of Columbia, with President Anthony Bernard signing the first trade agreement with Tsalgi tribal leaders that will cement the alliance between Columbia and the Tsalgi tribe.

"Grand isn't it?" Exhaled Jamesson as he walked ahead of the Sultan into the empty ballroom. "Of course, I'd never have anything this fancy commissioned, but luckily we have good ol' Archer to thank for this wonder. That boy is going to make Columbia great, I swear it. We'll be regarded world wide, a bastion of freedom and liberty. If only those damned pirates could be taken care of, we'd be half way there already."

[Inoroth]

Navigation Room of the Airship I.S.V. Spirita Libera
Off the Coast of Columbia, Oulen
October 31st, 1898
20:40 -5 Rothian Mean Time

Framed against the reddening clouds which screened the waning sun, flickers of light were at last seen emanating from the pursuing vessel:

"This
Is
FAS
d'Elegance
Just
Looking
For
A
Jolly
Good
Time,
Fancy
A
Race?"

...

"...Captain, I..." began one of the sailors.

"Silence, Ensign!" roared the Captain, "This changes nothing! We are still in a race, and we still have the lead! All we must do is maintain it... this is still our race to lose."

The chided ensign stood for a moment, unsure of what to say... it was obvious that he was not about to make the comment the Captain thought he was. After another moment, he continued:

"Captain, the FAS d'Elegance has just passed the Ciclope. They are less than half a kilometer behind us."

All were quiet for what seemed like an eternity, before the Captain spoke again in a shaky voice:

"We must draw out every last ounce of speed from the Spirita, safety be damned! It's our only shot at success."

[Wirbel]

An Airfield in Mandelsberg

General von Kohlenstoffburg decided at the last second that he wanted to go to the Patriot's Gala, just to make an impression on the USC, who he had seldom dealt with in past. Because of this, his airship was hurriedly prepared for flight. The ship was scheduled to leave Luftschiffhalle Mandelsberg at seven in the morning. Kohlenstoffburg was still gathering some of his stuff, because it happened to be an hour and a half before seven. In his suitcase, Kohlenstoffburg packed his military uniform, his suit, a small semi-automatic pistol, and some paper to write down anything important while he stayed in the USC.

A person entered the room.

"Are you ready, General von Kohlenstoffburg?" she asked.

"Yes," said General von Kohlenstoffburg.

"Alright, so we have every one who was invited coming," she said. "You and your wife, Rudolf Oelberg and his wife, Yitzhak Wechsler and his wife, and Friedrich von Mädeldorf and his wife."

The eight who were coming to the party boarded the airship, which took off as scheduled, at seven o'clock. It was planned to land in Southern Servoth, refuel, and continue down to the USC.

[Novairia]

Nov. 1st, 1898
Antietam Docks
United States of Columbia, Oulen
NIN-TS: Foggy
5:12am local time

"Engines.. 1/4 reverse!", the Foggy's Kapitan called out, "Bring us to a stop along pier 4, portside please".

"My lord, please allow the Guard to accompany to this 'Liberty Tower' at least. This is a new nation that we have very few concrete relations with, their is no telling what filth could be in those avenues.."

"Tarjus, the United States of Columbia has invited practically the entire worlds elite to this tower, you don't think they would have cleaned this city of any 'filth' before they arrived?"

"But sir, this is a nation that is full of immigrants, not to mention newly and barely civilized Oulen natives, no matter how well they would try to cleanse them there will still be a few that slip through. And it would only take one to mistake you for a wealthy USC citizen and try to remove from you any coin.."

"*sigh*.. Very well Tarjus, while I believe it is not needed, you and three other Guards shall accompany Ayt and I to the Liberty Tower. BUT you will not follow us into the ball room. This is a peaceful gathering of nations leaders, I will not have the Novar Guard cause any tension between them and the empire".

".. Of course my lord", Tarjus gave a curd nod to El'ad and then turned to face his contingent, "You three, load up, you're coming with me. The rest of you, shield lines along the front deck. I do not want any would be assassin's getting a clear shot as we disembark!"

[Fanaglia]

OOC MATHS: Gaining at a rate of 6 kilometers per hour, it would take the d'Elegance about five minutes to catch up with the Spirita, or slightly longer than the time you estimated before the Spirita reached the shore (you said just over five minutes to the shore and just over ten to the tower).

Aboard the FAS d'Elegance
625 m above the outskirts of Columbia, USC, Oulen
31 October, 1898
20:45 Local Time

The crew was tense on the bridge of the d'Elegance. Alonso Tagan (cleaned up nicely with his hair and sideburns combed, dressed in a lavish burgundy suit and wearing a fine cologne) and several of the VIPs had come to join them. The round hulk of the massive Spirita Libera had grown larger and larger in the windows of the command gondola until they were so close that they could wave to the stunned crew aboard the latter ships (a keen-eyed observer could even see the pained expressions on their faces).

The city reached up from below them like a hundred fingers reaching up to catch a ball, the massive spire of the Liberty Tower, with one unidentified airship already moored to her mast, the greatest of them all by far. Cheers and whoops erupted from those on the bridge when the call came through the speaker tube from the lookout up in the bow of the envelope: "We are ahead of the Spirita Libera, Captain!" It was over. The Inorothian ship had tried valiantly with all she had to maintain her lead, but it was all over. The d'Elegance had won.

The flight controller on the tower was already heliographing them. They would be moored in five minutes and ready to disembark in fifteen. Everyone aboard the d'Elegance, not least among them Alonso Tagan, was aware that they had just made history.

---

Aboard the HMY Rosalind
600 m above the outskirts of Columbia, USC, Oulen
31 October, 1898
22:10 Local Time

Gonzalo's blood was boiling as the Rosalind approached Columbia's Liberty Tower, where he saw the d'Elegance hovering gracefully above the city beside the Inorothian Spirita Libera (the Spirit of Saradia had departed for Columbia's municipal airfield shortly after the arrival of the two aforementioned ships). He was visibly shaking until he felt the calming hand of Queen Autumn on his shoulder. He turned to see her changed out of her airman's uniform and into a stunning, gold-and-orange-trimmed green dress topped with a huge hat topped with a large black feather.

"Relax, Gonzalo. Let me handle Tagan. You enjoy yourself. That's an order." She winked at him and smiled.

Gonzalo, as artfully as always, made the difficult maneuver necessary to cast mooring lines out to the tower from between the other two massive ships. Mooring in the city was always a dangerous task, as was mooring three ships to one mast; together was suicidal unless there was very nearly zero wind, and even then only in the hands of the most skilled pilots. Fortunately, Gonzalo was counted amongst them.

[Inoroth]

Navigation Room of the Airship I.S.V. Spirita Libera
Off the Coast of Columbia, Oulen
October 31st, 1898
20:43 -5 Rothian Mean Time

Men scurried about in ever direction; some worriedly reading gauges, others frantically tightening and loosening valves or desperately pulling levers, and a few anxiously shouting orders. At the helm, a grave-looking captain watched in dismay as the d-Elegance inched forward -- their lead on them would only last a few more seconds -- when an unexpected figure solemnly approached the wheel.

"King Vinchero!?!?!" exclaimed an astonished captain, "...I ... um... I did not expect to see you until we docked... your highness."

Vinchero cracked a half-hearted smile,

"I am not your normal passenger, and I have never been satisfied to simply sit and wait for things to happen; you ought to know by now, captain. This ship is a pet-project of mine, the fastest in Inoroth... but that ship over there is overtaking her... I came down to watch the defeat of my creation side by side with the men who so valiantly raced her. We must accept defeat with grace, captain... and it could be worse, for we did beat our the Ciclope, and that was what we set out to do. You cannot win them all, and that's all there is to it."

Both men watched stoically as the d'Elegance lumbered past them towards the great shining spire of Liberty Tower, the sun setting behind it causing the clouds all about to light up in a glorious pink and golden aura.

[The Saradian Caliphate]

October 31st, 1898
Ballroom, Liberty Tower

The Sultan grinned and spread his hands, “My friend, perhaps we should discuss having your cargo carried aboard Saradian flagged vessels! Our caravansary guards, the Qapu Kalqi, have an excellent track record against pirates. But there will be time enough for that later.” the Sultan declared, sweeping his gaze across the innumerable tables set up in the ballroom. “Tell me about these guests of yours! I am still quite unfamiliar with many of the nations that you have invited, despite my intelligence briefings, and I would appreciate if you could describe at least the important ones.” The sultan raised one eyebrow inquisitively.

[North Antietam]

October 31st, 1898
Ballroom, Liberty Tower

Jamesson grinned at the sultan widely, "Of course my friend! Of course..." The president turned with the Sultan, gearing him towards the elevator. I'd put more in this, but we've beat around the bush for too long on this thread and its time to Rez it. Continue arriving my friends!

[Inoroth]

Navigation Room of the Airship I.S.V. Spirita Libera
Docking Spire, Liberty Tower, Columbia, Oulen
October 31st, 1898
20:54 -5 Rothian Mean Time

Though still stinging from their loss to the d'Elegance, the passengers and crew aboard the Spirita Libera put a brave face on as they approached the Liberty Spire and prepared to dock, knowing that the consolidation prize was still theirs: namely, a lovely weekend in the capitol of the mysterious and legendary country of Columbia. After the Fanaglian champions had passed by the unfortunate hulk of the Inorothian contender and on into the sunset, King Vinchero returned to his luxurious suite as quietly as he had entered the bridge. A dull, reddish light poured in through the portholes and onto the plush velvet carpets and decorated molding covering the walls of the hallway connecting the two rooms, and every few steps the aging monarch would pause and peer out at the coastline, watching as the sun melted into the earth amid the shroud of clouds.

The twilight had fully established itself by the time the Spirita entered Columbian territory. King Vinchero arrived at his luxurious suite soon after. He sat for a few moments in the gathering darkness before finally turning on the newfangled 'electric lights'. Before he changed into more formal clothes for their arrival, he poured a small glass of sparkling spumante and sipped it occasionally, his eyes glazed and with a far away look about them. Soon, the glass was empty, and Vinchero went about dressing to look as any dignitary ought. Before he had quite finished, he felt his ship decelerating and preparing to dock. Slinging his dinner coat over his shoulders and finishing his bow tie with haste, Vinchero briskly made for the main viewing area of the ship, where specially designed 'sky planks' would connect to the top of Liberty Tower, enabling passengers to walk across with ease. Soon, the king joined the other excited passengers who were waiting to disembark, and they all waited for the Spirita to be received by their Ouleanic hosts.