Barentsburg, Your new home (IC)

[Aurora Confederacy]

(OOC: You asked me to fill in a bit in between, so I'll do that and then reply the old man.)

Before the old man spoke, Lars then switched to another photo of the vessel, already commissioned into service. It was a Triumvirate Enterprises Karzelek-Class destroyer, produced at Sturmhåll through a domestic production agreement. And it was advanced. Armed with batteries of missiles and powerful guns, the class was the main service vessel class of the Imperial Realm of Romberg naval component. The one Lars worked on was the fifteenth of its class, and even now, it was still in active IAFR service. As was the norm, it was continuously upgraded so that it still possessed extremely advanced and new equipment. Indeed, it would be unwise for an enemy ship to try to pick a one-to-one fight with these Rombergian destroyers. And then he switched to another photo. This was even bigger, and belonged to IAFR Rombergia, a Halcyon Arms Noble-class carrier, the flagship of the IAFR and one of the largest vessels in Rombergian service. It used to be of an older class, but was recently refurbished and upgraded to Noble-class standard. Lars himself took part in it as a Rombergian consultant to the shipyards where they were being refitted.

And then Lars smiled. "Not quite what you're used to, but I think it seems like we have much more in common than we think. I personally admire your naval service too. Perhaps you could tell me more of your naval experience?"

---

After the old man recommended the fishing club, Lars thanked him, then made a small personal offer. "You know, if you have free time, maybe we should get together and do a bit of fishing?"

"Most of my service was with one of the eighteen inch guns, it was just after the thirty nine to fourty five war, though as a neutral party we didn't see much action. ANS Zagreb was new at the time, spent most of its time chasing down border raiders and keeping them off our shore, you see we are not a territorialistic power, having no overseas dependencies except Khayr Var. Thats a few days sailing from here and a tropical island paradise. Some say it looks like a ladies torso when viewed at from sea level, but if that is the case the island is a b-cup!" says the old man, "After leaving the Zagreb, I was posted on a smaller vessel, that saw more action, chasing down drug runners trying to get to Khayr Var, fast and armed with a pair of fifty cals up front for ranging, and a forty mil rapid fire cannon. A lot of the stuff seemed to come from Terra Azure, though now its migrants coming over in rickety old boats. Still they have to be picked up, then processed and sometimes deported back to Terra Azure for entering illegally. Oh how about friday evening, say two thirty by the power station?" he asks

[Calizorinstan]

Johann smiled as they got ready to close up the shop for the day and he asked "I had a question Michelle, what kind of a permit would I need to buy say, a M1 Garand rifle here for recreational usage?"

[Aurora Confederacy]

Johann smiled as they got ready to close up the shop for the day and he asked "I had a question Michelle, what kind of a permit would I need to buy say, a M1 Garand rifle here for recreational usage?"

"so long as its a bolt action, has ten rounds or less non removable box magazine, ie a top loader, you don't need a permit, just to be over eighteen, they are classed as tools essential for survival. Want to use a self loading rifle semi automatic, you need a gun licence and a CRB check, Want an auto, join the army and if you want a pistol, hell will freeze over first!" says Michelle

[Romberg]

"Most of my service was with one of the eighteen inch guns, it was just after the thirty nine to fourty five war, though as a neutral party we didn't see much action. ANS Zagreb was new at the time, spent most of its time chasing down border raiders and keeping them off our shore, you see we are not a territorialistic power, having no overseas dependencies except Khayr Var. Thats a few days sailing from here and a tropical island paradise. Some say it looks like a ladies torso when viewed at from sea level, but if that is the case the island is a b-cup!" says the old man, "After leaving the Zagreb, I was posted on a smaller vessel, that saw more action, chasing down drug runners trying to get to Khayr Var, fast and armed with a pair of fifty cals up front for ranging, and a forty mil rapid fire cannon. A lot of the stuff seemed to come from Terra Azure, though now its migrants coming over in rickety old boats. Still they have to be picked up, then processed and sometimes deported back to Terra Azure for entering illegally. Oh how about friday evening, say two thirty by the power station?" he asks

"Ah yes. The great war of '39-'45. Others often call it the Second World War, but we prefer to call it the Great War. Very few foreigners know of the war in Romberg, since it was just so far away. But we took it hard. Even worse than the Poles. In '39, Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union divided our nation at the Ålberg range just as they did to Poland, with the South going to the Germans and the North going to the Russians. But unlike them, we never gained independence or liberation, or even nominal versions of such. Indeed, after Berlin in '45, the Nazi government moved to Romberg entirely, with Hitler himself living in the Grandpalatz in Königsberg. And then it was down to the resistance. Regardless of ideology, culture or religion, we just had to work together for a common goal. To fight for the liberation and freedom of our homeland. Romberg. At first, the occupiers cracked down hard. But by 1948, open rebellion had begun. What followed was thirty years of continuous war, leading to over a million Rombergian deaths alone. Among the war years though, one major event was in 1975, in the closing years of war, was the fall of Königsberg to the resistance. There, in the Grandpalatz, the Spetsnaz had the honour of executing Hitler, finally ending the events which have precipitated since the start of the occupation in '39. But it was three more years of colonial guerilla operations before they finally capitulated, and Romberg was finally free. And that's why we celebrate the 15th of March, 1978 as our Independence Day. I was born after that, of course (OOC: He's 35, and was born just after independence), but from my father and other members of the generation, I've heard much about the war. Even now, among my generation or even the younger ones, the memories of the war are still there, and deeply ingrained in our collective consciousness.

So about this war, I hope that anything remotely comparable in size to this will never happen again, yet it is greatly humbling and honoured for me to be able to be in direct communication with someone who's actually lived during and after those year. Our nations certainly have similar bouts of history in the past. And I hope that through this common heritage our relations could continue to prosper and grow." Lars was getting immersed into the conversation, and he kind of liked talking to the old man. Snapping up the offer he then replied and answered "Hmm... two thirty as in after midnight? It's a bit late, but I suppose it's fine for me then. I've got a few days to spare after all."

[Aurora Confederacy]

"nah, two thirty in the afternoon, as in fourteen thirty, bring plenty of beer and bbq stuff, I will bring a bbq down as well, we'll fish into the small hours" replies the old man, "the place is where the out-flow from the condeners is, park up there and walk down the small path to the waters edge. water may steam a little because its warm but its quite safe"

[Romberg]

"Right. Sure. Meet you there then." Lars smiled, as he left the shop and loaded his newly-bought equipment into his Range Rover. He then drove over to the nuclear power plant outskirts as recommended by the old man. He parked his car at a non-regulated spot, then took out everything he bought and recalling what he was used to doing those years back, prepared himself to spend the afternoon by the sea.

[Calizorinstan]

Johann smiled as they got ready to close up the shop for the day and he asked "I had a question Michelle, what kind of a permit would I need to buy say, a M1 Garand rifle here for recreational usage?"

"so long as its a bolt action, has ten rounds or less non removable box magazine, ie a top loader, you don't need a permit, just to be over eighteen, they are classed as tools essential for survival. Want to use a self loading rifle semi automatic, you need a gun licence and a CRB check, Want an auto, join the army and if you want a pistol, hell will freeze over first!" says Michelle

"I would love to purchase something like a Garand, so I think I will apply for the gun license. That's really weird that I can't own a pistol of any kind.." Johann said sighing. "Well I will get started on the paperwork for the new students I guess."

[Aurora Confederacy]

"Right. Sure. Meet you there then." Lars smiled, as he left the shop and loaded his newly-bought equipment into his Range Rover. He then drove over to the nuclear power plant outskirts as recommended by the old man. He parked his car at a non-regulated spot, then took out everything he bought and recalling what he was used to doing those years back, prepared himself to spend the afternoon by the sea.

"yup" says the old man, "fourteen Hundred, Saturday. Im a member of the power station angling club, My daughter works at the power station as a chef and a member of the club"

dive shop
"yeah, the reason is quite simple when ya look at it, its to prevent mass shoot outs and people pulling guns, however there are some criminals who get pistols in, but really most gun owners here have a bolt action rifle. Military reservists however are the only ones permitted to have automatics" says Michelle, "oh and to own a bolt action, you don't need a licence as they are classed as a defencive tool to protect against bears"

[Aurora Confederacy]

The coast by the power station
Looming large over the surroundings, the power station complex with its Magnox-A type reactors looms large over the area, each of the reactors 6 boilers are located outside the main reactor building with the gas ducts that feed the boilers coming out of the building then going into the large vertical boilers giving the reactors a crab-like appearance when viewed from above. From the turbine hall there is a feint humm coming from within though that is to be expected. The water itself gently laps against the rocky shore and the legs of a small jetty that goes about 20 meters out into the water.

The Jetty, around 6 meters wide and 20 meters long is well built from galvanised steel and concrete and has two ladders located on the sides to allow people to get down to small workboats from the pier. A glance around shows some steam escaping from a vent atop the power station, the steam coming from the galley area of the power station and not in fact the nuclear reactors. In the distance, mostly obscured from view is the nuclear fuel handling block and some apartments just beyond, so close in fact are those apartments, they are heated (for free) by the power plant, this however does not detract from the fact that they really do look like 1960s flat pack apartments, aka Commie Blocks, though like everything else around here, the brutalist bland architecture of this part of town is in fact well built, insanely well built!!

The water below the jetty has some sea weed in it, but it is clear and currently flat calm, though just up the coast from the pier is the outflow from the two reactors, it actually runs underneath the carpark, then slowly drifts down past the pier. In the far distance out in the fjord, a ferry boat ambles by, heading the southern part of the Aurora Confederacy, a voyage of a few days. So time for Lars to get the bait in the water!

[Neu Engollon]

Having gotten the ball rolling on the Barentsburg Beer Festival and checked in one last time with his accounts, Ludwig Reltz had heeded the call of the home office in Burgunden and hopped on a plane to maintain some other accounts. He packed up and checked out of the Midnight Rendezvous.
His first stop would be Maltropia, to check on retail accounts and their contract with Maltropian Grain, then on from there, he had stops in Woodstead, Nouvel Ecosse, Vizion and Stretta. He had been tempted to just leave a voicemail or text, but then thought better of it and left a note for Nebo, dropping it off with Ryan at the Northern Cross, before her shift started:

Nebo ~
Hey darlin', I'm very sorry I couldn't say goodbye in person. I very much want to catch that movie or hit those slopes with you, and hopefully, we can get to one of these festivals. The home office wanted me out of the Burg quick to get to some other accounts in need of extra help. I will get back as soon as I can so we catch up to where we left off. Take care and I will see you soon. I will call you when I get a chance.
Big hugs.

~ Luddie

[Romberg]

Lars parked his black SUV on the jetty, and though he shut down the engine, he left the radio running, playing music to accompany him for the afternoon. He then took out the rod he bought, attached some bait on it, then took a seat and waited for something to take a bite. Meanwhile, his icebox was by his side in case he did get a bite while the net and hook remover was within an arm's length too.

[Aurora Confederacy]

Northern Cross bar
Ryan seeing Ludwig enter moved quickly over to him, when handed the note he placed it under the counter to give to Nebo when she comes in. "Where y'goin?" he asks in a polite but curious manner as he wipes one of the brass pumps down.

The bar itself is busy but not overly busy with around half the seats taken up by punters, most of who were more interested in the Knights v Tigers rugby match, currently the Valeric Knights were loosing 15-0 to the Tigers, however its almost half time, however isn't live but was recorded at the weekend to be played during the week by the local sports TV chanel to cover air time slots during the day when there isn't much in the way of sport going on.

The jetty
With the line in the water, radio playing, Lars was in quite pleasant surroundings, for it wasn't too cold either, about half an hour after the line was put in the water a bite is had and quickly the line starts to run and the rod starts to twitch at its tip as the fish takes the bait. The fish had been cruising the area below the jetty for a while, for it looks to be a modest 8lb fish, however it was now on Lars's line.

[Stretta]

A quick stop off at a petrol station was in order en route, as car salesman wouldn't dare waste money on petrol, but with light traffic, John arrived back in the centre of town pretty quickly. He decided to stop off quickly for some lunch before heading to the estate agents. He couldn't remember for the life of him if the Black Star... No, North Star. He shook his head. Then he remembered the address that Lars had kindly written down. Pulling it out of his planner, he had only the address. Shrugging, he pulled out a map and found his way to the pub, albeit down a couple of narrow backstreets, verging on alleyways, that he probably shouldn't have driven down. A sat-nav might be in order, as well, he noted.

Finding a parking space, he stepped out of the vehicle, ensuring it was locked. About to step away, some new-car nerves hit him. He went around and double checked all of the doors just in case the central locking wasn't working. Despite everything being locked, he still couldn't help but feel uneasy. Or maybe that was just his empty stomach?

Walking into the bar, he realised that he still didn't notice the name of the place. He would just have to ask the staff inside. "Hello there. Are you doing food?"

[Neu Engollon]

He stood at the bar of the Northern Cross in the early afternoon.

"Where y'goin?" Ryan asked him.

Luddie snugged up his coat, looking to the door and then back at Ryan,
"Well, I gotta get back to work. Beyond here. I've kinda let my other accounts slip a bit. Home Office ain't happy. Headin' ta Maltropia first, then...Anyway, just make sure Nebo gets that, eh Ryan? I appreciate it, man. I'll be back, just might not be for a bit. Take care, paisami, you and Aleks and...her."

Luddie sighed and walked out of the bar, heading towards his car, parked just down the block. It was already loaded and ready for the start of his long journey, a long drive down to Valeria Port Aurora International.

[Romberg]

The jetty
With the line in the water, radio playing, Lars was in quite pleasant surroundings, for it wasn't too cold either, about half an hour after the line was put in the water a bite is had and quickly the line starts to run and the rod starts to twitch at its tip as the fish takes the bait. The fish had been cruising the area below the jetty for a while, for it looks to be a modest 8lb fish, however it was now on Lars's line.

Lars had resetted his bait one by the time he had gotten his first bite. But the water was clear, and visibility was good. When he finally got a catch, he liked what he saw. It was not too big, but still a rather respectable find for a first-time catch in a place so far from home. Remembering his old skills, he deftly controlled the reel and finally got it out of the water. Holding it in the net, he then removed the hook and took a photo of it before clubbing it in the head to kill it, then placed it in the ice box. He then continued, hoping that he might be able to have enough to treat the whole embassy to a good meal.

[Aurora Confederacy]

Down by the power station
Cruising the clear waters is a large sea bass, this fish is probably 10 to 15 lb in weight, looks quite a healthy specimen unlike the one that has now been clubbed, That fish did look healthy and put up a struggle, taking up 15 minutes of Lars's time as it tugged on the line desperate to get away, however it was all to vein and now that fish is lunch at the embassy bbq. The fish cruising the area by the jetty initially seemed reluctant to take the bait, simply cruising the jetty patrolling its territory as fish do, though after a while its curiosity does turn to the shiny lure and bait hanging in the water.

As it bit down on the baitfish, the barb pierces the fish's cheek giving it a momentary pain and now it is on Lars's line, feeling it is in danger it begins to swim hard away from Lars causing the rod to bend and the reel to run making a high pitch whine as the line comes off the drum. The fish however tries to swim deep, thrashing its tail hard to get away quickly despite having a large hook embedded in the side of its cheek.

The Northern Cross
"Take care Luddie, I will pass the note on to Nebo" says Ryan.

The drive to Valeria Port Aurora certainly seemed a drive DOWN to VPA, especially as the motorway is a pair of 3-lane tunnels, leaving Barentsburg surface roads, the on-ramp went down, veering off to the right as it did so then merged with the traffic, just like Neu Engollon, the traffic flow is on the right so merging is not a problem, especially as at 3pm the traffic is moderate and there are no major hold ups showing on the overhead signs or being broadcast on the local news station. Thats how it is for the next 2 hours, just white lines on the road, fans over head along with lights and yellow cameras keeping a watch over the traffic, making sure you do not go over the 100km/h speed limit.

Sitting in lane 1 and 2 are a mixture of trucks, some with one trailer, some with two, very much like an American Turnpike double with two 13.6m trailers in tow, though a couple of them are turnpike triples, hauling three 13.6m trailers. CB radio chatter is random and pretty boring for the bulk of the trip. This being Terra Link 1 is also not that winding, pretty much straight, having at least 45km without so much as a slight curve or rise in the tunnel, it is pretty much a boring run.

Airport, Valeria Port Aurora
Emerging from the Terralink motorway into a late evening sunset, the sun casting a shadow over the icy plains to the west, there is at this point just a few hours of daylight left as the sun begins to get low in the horizon though soon it won't be coming up at all. Valeria's traffic is manic just like any capital city and Ludwig has just entered RUSH HOUR, well Aurora's excuse for a rush hour, as drivers in a mix of cars and 4x4s, though mainly the latter, try to get to where they want to be. Through Valeria its just a 30 minute drive down to the airport where the rental car, in this case a Diamond Star Caltara Synchrotec, can be of hired where it will then be cleaned out ready foe the next person to hire it out.

[Romberg]

Down by the power station
Cruising the clear waters is a large sea bass, this fish is probably 10 to 15 lb in weight, looks quite a healthy specimen unlike the one that has now been clubbed, That fish did look healthy and put up a struggle, taking up 15 minutes of Lars's time as it tugged on the line desperate to get away, however it was all to vein and now that fish is lunch at the embassy bbq. The fish cruising the area by the jetty initially seemed reluctant to take the bait, simply cruising the jetty patrolling its territory as fish do, though after a while its curiosity does turn to the shiny lure and bait hanging in the water.

As it bit down on the baitfish, the barb pierces the fish's cheek giving it a momentary pain and now it is on Lars's line, feeling it is in danger it begins to swim hard away from Lars causing the rod to bend and the reel to run making a high pitch whine as the line comes off the drum. The fish however tries to swim deep, thrashing its tail hard to get away quickly despite having a large hook embedded in the side of its cheek.

Lars was rather pleased at himself now, seeing that his skills were not too rusty even after quite some years without practise, and being in a foreign place. He looked at the two fish that now rested in his ice box. They were meaty, but ever since the order by the Kaiser to expand relations with nations in Astyria, the number of staff in Rombergian embassies in Astyria had increased. There was no way these two could be able to feed everyone. He needed at least one more decent-sized catch.

And then the third one bit. It was a difficult fight. And as the old saying goes, you win some, you lose some. This time, Lars was not on the winning end. In the thrashing, the hook somehow miraculously got detached from the fish, leaving a large puncture wound in it. Otherwise though, it escaped mostly unscathed. Fortunately for Lars, the hook was not bent and still in good condition. He hence had no choice but to reel it back in, replace the bait, then throw it out into the sea again to wait for the next bite.

[Aurora Confederacy]

As Lars cast out for the third fourth time there was a beautiful swish sound as the baited line flew through the air, the hook hitting the water with a notable *ploop* as it hit the water, from there it began to slowly sink down about 100 feet away from Lars. It didn't take long for a bite to come, the fish grabbing the bait and injesting it deep into its throat, however as the fish then began to back off away from the line, the barb caught the lower part of the fish's mouth, this one was well and truly hooked, the 6 inch long barb embedded in the fish some 4 inches down. The fish put up some struggle but not a lot, it is however when landed around 5lbs in weight, not a big one but still going to provide some sizable fillets at the embassy barby!

The bulk of the catches so far have been more or less in the warm zone where warm water from the cooling system for the power station mixes with the cold Fjordic water. Further up the fjord the power station condensers for the steam circuit take in water at the ambient temperature, from here it then flows through the condensers, taking heat from the water in the turbine loop that has been heated into steam from the CO2 in the boilers that surround the reactor building, and now by the jetty area it flows out and mixes with the cold water in the fjord, sometimes creating a low fog when the air is particularly cold.

Around the roads near the Power station the traffic has built up to one of its peaks as workers come to start their shift, this is confirmed later on when a claxxon sounds a long wail informing workers of the shift change, this gives a 15 minute lull before the people coming off shift start to go home, a couple of workers come onto the Jetty and catch sight of Lars quietly relaxing with his catch.

"hey there, had a good session?" asks one of the workers who was dressed in a pair of jeans, trainers and a high visibility jacket

[Romberg]

(OOC: The traditional Rombergian way to prepare fish is actually more towards frying (searing), not barbecuing. Smoking is preferred, but there isn't time for it.)

Lars now saw the three fish he had caught, probably enough for everyone. However, he still had an hour or two to spend, and he didn't want it to all go to waste. He cast his line one more time before meeting the worker.

"Yeah, the catch here's good. Fresh, rather large, and of varied species. It's a well-maintained stock. Makes me feel just like home." As he said this, Lars opened up his icebox to reveal the contents.

[Aurora Confederacy]

"not a bad catch, how long you been on the jetty?" he asks before continuing "Most of the fish caught here are of a good size. its the warm outflow they like as the water here doesn't truly freeze over in winter thanks to the nuclear reactors, if it does its usually to just a mush as the water, which for a fish is much more comfortable compared to the frigid waters out there. Occasionally one goes through the condensers though the engineers put grates over the front. fry still get sucked through though. Further up stream in the Fjord, past the harbour we have a salmon spawning grounds" says the engineer as he decides to make his way to his car.

About 15 mins later he returns with a rod and line, he spends a few minutes threading the spinner lure before spooling some line off. Having spooled off some line, he works the line, sweeping the rod 4 times to send some line off, then on the 4th sweep he gives it a full swing, sending the lure flying through the air, dragging off line as it did so with a feint buzz from the spool. As the worker applied tension on the line the lure began to slow its outward direction and fall to the water, landing with a destinctive *ploop* like a stone that had been thrown in.

"By the way sir, My names Sven Larsen, member of the Barentsburg Nuclear Power Station Angling club, So You work here in the berg?" he asks as he gently winds in with the spinner lure, the tension on the line as it is slowly pulled through the water causing it to spin and so flash in the lights.

[Romberg]

"Well, I've been here for a couple of hours now, I think. Fishing really lets you loose all sense of time" Lars smiled, as he continued. "But you're right, the conditions here are perfect, and they really remind me of home."

---

15 minutes later

"Nice to meet you, I'm Lars Pyanichev, official trade envoy of the Imperial Realm of Romberg in the Aurora Confederacy. Yes, I work here, and I have for a few months now. It's a nice place. A bit quieter and slower in pace compared to where I'm from, but it really reminds me of home, and I like it. Maybe when I retire I'll buy a summer home here... So you're the member of the Angling Club? I've just stopped by the shop before coming here, and the guy there instructed me to look for members of your club..."

[Aurora Confederacy]

"Well, I've been here for a couple of hours now, I think. Fishing really lets you loose all sense of time" Lars smiled, as he continued. "But you're right, the conditions here are perfect, and they really remind me of home."

---

15 minutes later

"Nice to meet you, I'm Lars Pyanichev, official trade envoy of the Imperial Realm of Romberg in the Aurora Confederacy. Yes, I work here, and I have for a few months now. It's a nice place. A bit quieter and slower in pace compared to where I'm from, but it really reminds me of home, and I like it. Maybe when I retire I'll buy a summer home here... So you're the member of the Angling Club? I've just stopped by the shop before coming here, and the guy there instructed me to look for members of your club..."

"Please to meet you Lars" says Sven Larsen, "there's a lot of summer homes here, however down towards South Sands we get nicer winters, not quite so frozen, so you go to Sean's angling cabin then, run by old Sean?"

As Sven chats, the line twitches and straight away he goes into action whipping the rod back causing it to bend like a question mark and sending his line taught
"Jesus tittyfucking!" he says as he starts to fight the fish, winding the line in as he lowers the rod, then pulling it back before winding more line in, and this is how it is for the next 15 minutes, the fish is about 10lbs in weight and has no intention of coming out of the water

"If you want to join the club, the secretary is here on saturdays, he works sundays at the power plant in the turbine hall, we meet in one of the buildings inside the site, though when this station closes in a few years when they open the new one to the north of the city, we will be moving there. This place has been part of Barentsburg since the sixties, we're de rated now so not running at full output, it will be a shame to see this place shut down but, the new site will be our new home here" says Sven as he continues to battle the fish, eventually the fish is at the side of the jetty, so Sven hauls it out of the water revealing the sea bass. "not a bad one, thats for the pot tonight" he says as he smacks the fish against the jetty to dispense it of its life.

[Romberg]

"Oh, so his name is Sean... Wow I spent over an hour at his shop without even so much as asking for his name." Lars said, mildly face-palming. "I suppose so, he sure seems like a nice guy, and certainly very experienced."

"Thank you for the offer, Sven. I'll certainly remember it and I suppose you can expect me to come over on Saturday then. So which building would it be then?"

The previous cast had obviously come up empty, and thus Lars reeled the hook in again, before casting it out and hopefully making another catch.

[Aurora Confederacy]

Sven leant back on the barrier, "we meet at the social club at the power station, close to reactor one and the spent fuel storage building, during the winter months this jetty however does go quiet, however we as a club don't own it, its municipal so anyone can fish here" he replies as Lars's hook goes flying through the air bound for the water.

As the hook lands in the water it begins to sink down with the float at the surface marking out where it hangs, however it doesn't stay on the surface for long as a fish takes a bite pulling it down and bending the rod.

Sven watches Lars do battle with the fish
"four times a year we have competitions with other angling clubs, sometimes hiring a boat during the summer months to do sea fishing. Old Sean caught a whopper, only for a shark to bite it in half as he brought the fish out of water. He had it on the line for a good half an hour then a mako shark swipes it, oh he was gutted"

[Romberg]

"Right... I remember back home, I was fishing in a lake once. Back then, I didn't buy these fancy polymer rods, and just used an old one I found at a yard sale... Was a big fish, about fifteen pounds I suppose. Broke my whole rod in half. That's what made me switch to polymer and carbon fiber from then on." Lars smiled. Instead of work, he certainly would rather talk about his own interests and experiences.

"Well I don't think I can make it to the competitions, since I'm technically only here due to work, so I'll have to return home every now and then. Although I'd wish your club luck. So Saturday, right? I'll be coming over then."

As he spoke, Lars' rod bent down sharply. It was only due to the construction and flexibility of the rod that prevented it from snapping. Indeed, the price he paid was worth it. He began to struggle with the fish as he started reeling in the line.