Chapter 18 Chapter Four: Britain's Ultimatum
The last week of the year, Model Island is in the spirit of Christmas.Numerous invitations to dinners, galas, and official receptions were sent out during this period.The governor of the island held a banquet in honor of the principal figures of the city of billions.The invitations were all accepted by the dignitaries of both the port and starboard quarters, suggesting a degree of reconciliation between the two districts of the city.The Tanken and Coverly families sat at the same table.On the first day of the new year, New Year's cards were exchanged between the two mansions on 19th Avenue and 15th Avenue.Walter Tanken even received an invitation to a concert given by Mrs. Coverley.Judging by the hostess's welcome to him, it seems like a boon.However, there is still a long way to go to establish closer ties.And of course Callistus Membal, in his high spirits, would not cease to say to those who would listen:
"Here it goes, my friends, it goes!"
However, Machine Island continued to sail peacefully towards the Tonga-Tab Islands.It seems that there will be no harassment.On the night of December 30th, unexpected weather occurred.
At 2-3 o'clock in the morning, there was a rumble of thunder in a distant place.Since this phenomenon is extremely normal, it did not arouse the concern of the observers.People would never imagine that this might be a naval battle!Unless it is a fight between the warships of the Republic of South America.In short, Model Island, as an independent island, has always lived in harmony with the two world powers.Living on this island, what else is there to worry about?
In addition, thunder rumbled from the western Pacific Ocean until dawn.It is obviously different from the real and regular sound of gunfire on the distant battery.
After receiving the officer's report, Captain Sim Coyer came to the observatory tower and observed the distant horizon.There was no light on the sea in front of my eyes.However, the sky is not the same as usual.The red flames reflected the sky and extended to the top of the head.Although the weather was good, the atmosphere seemed to be covered with a thick layer of fog.The barometer did not drop suddenly, which meant that there was no change in the air flow in the air.
At dawn, the early risers in Billion City expressed their astonishment beyond words.Not only did the rumbling sound not stop, but a red-black mist appeared in the air.This raised dust began to rain down, like a downpour of soot.In a short while, the roofs of the main avenue and the roof of Yiwan City were covered with a layer.This fall is a mixture of magenta, madder and purple, mixed with black burnt stone.
All the inhabitants of the city came outside, except Athanaz Doremy.After he goes to bed at 8 o'clock in the evening, he never gets up before 11 o'clock. The Quartet jumped out of bed, of course, and they made their way to the observatory tower.There, the captain and his officers, astronomers and, of course, the newly recruited members of the Monarch, tried to figure out what was going on with this natural phenomenon.
"It's a pity," Pancina pointed out, "that the red substance is not liquid, it's not the rain of wine."
"Drunkard!" interjected Sebastian Zorno.
Really, what is the reason for this phenomenon?The list goes on and on for this phenomenon, this rain of red dust formed from silica, opal, chromium and iron oxides.At the beginning of this century, Karabul and Abruzzi were flooded by such red rains.Those superstitious residents who wanted to say they saw drops of blood in the rain were in fact similar to the rain that fell on Bransandbourg in 1819, except that it was a cobalt chloride.Likewise, soot and charcoal dust from distant fires can also drift. The silky rains at Fernandez in 1820, the yellow rains at Orléans in 1829, the pollen rains of cypresses in the lower Pyrenees in 1836, these phenomena have never even been seen, have they?
This kind of dust seems to permeate the entire atmosphere, falling on the model island one after another, and even the sea surface is dim red.What is the source of this phenomenon?
King Marekari believes that this material may come from a volcano in the western islands.His observations were supported by colleagues at the Observatory.Someone picked up handfuls of this dust and felt that it was hotter than the moving air.Apparently it wasn't cooled as it drifted through the air.This also explains the phenomenon of a strong volcanic eruption.Even then, the irregular rumble could still be heard.In this sea area, volcanoes abound; such as active volcanoes, extinct volcanoes, and other types of volcanoes that have not been mentioned; for example, there is sometimes a geological impulse at the bottom of Orleans, and its ejection force is usually astonishing.Besides, even extinct volcanoes can re-erupt due to chemical interactions at the bottom.
A few years ago, when Model Island was approaching the central area of Tonga Island, wasn’t the top of Mount Nadupua covering hundreds of square kilometers with volcanic material?In a period of several hours, isn't the rumble of the volcano also spread 200 kilometers away?
Didn't the eruption of Krakatu in August 1883 level the ground?These include Jawa, parts of Sumatra, and areas around the Sound Strait.It destroyed village after village, its victims were countless, it caused earthquakes, the ground was covered with a thick layer of dust, the sea raised terrible waves, the air was filled with sulfur, and ships sank...
One wonders if Machine Island is also facing such a dangerous threat...
Captain Sim Coyer also seemed uneasy, because this threatened normal navigation.He gave the order to slow down, and the prototype island drifted across the sea at an extremely slow speed.
A certain fear is gripping the inhabitants of Billion City.Sebastian Zorno's ominous predictions about this voyage are about to come true? ...
Around noon the sky grew darker.Residents rushed out of the house.If even this huge metal island is overturned by this hellish force, then their houses will not be able to resist.If the sea water crashes into the ship's side and rushes towards Tian Yuan like a gallop, then this kind of disaster will be worrying!
Cyrus Picktaff, the governor of the island, and Sim Coyer, the captain, came to the former battery, followed by some residents.They sent officers to both ports, with orders to keep watch.Mechanics are ready to make an immediate U-turn and flee for safety if need be.As the sky gradually darkened, the sailing became more and more difficult.
At about 3 o'clock, the visibility was less than ten paces away.Not a ray of light could be seen, and the volcanic ash swallowed the entire sunlight.What is particularly frightening is that the model island gradually sinks under the heavy load of dust, and there is no guarantee that the waterline will be exposed to the water.
This is not a ship that can be weighted by shedding cargo and lightening ballast...what else to do but sit back and hope for a strong hull?
It was already night, late at night to be precise.It is impossible to estimate the time without looking at the clock.It was pitch black all around.The rain of dust never stops. Since it is impossible to ignite the electric moon in the sky, it will be unloaded.As for the indoor and street lights, they have been on for a whole day.If this phenomenon continues, will this ever-burning light stay on?
It's late at night!This situation has not changed.However, the frequency of the rumbling sound seems to be decreasing, and it does not seem to be so violent.Fears of volcanic eruptions subsided, and the rain of volcanic ash moved southward under the strong sea breeze, gradually calming down.
Hundreds of millions of city residents felt a little relieved and decided to return home, hoping that the model island would return to normal tomorrow.At that time, a thorough and long cleaning of the machine island will solve the problem.
What can I do! The New Year's Day on the "Pearl of the Pacific" is so bleak!Billion City almost met the same fate!Although Machine Island is not at the foot of Mount Suwei, its voyage can encounter many volcanoes all over the bottom of the Pacific Ocean, isn't it?
The island's consul, his aides, and members of the Council of Notables remained at City Hall.Observers in the tower watched the changes in the horizon and overhead.In order to maintain a southwest course, the machine island is still traveling non-stop, but the speed is reduced to only 2-3 miles per hour.When the next day came, at least when the darkness had disappeared, she adjusted her course again, heading for the Quasi-Tonga Islands.There is no doubt that when we get there, we will be able to find out the exact location of the eruption.
In short, with the deepening of the night, this phenomenon obviously tends to ease.
At about 3:00 a.m., new incidents revived fear among the residents of Billion City.
The Model Island had just been bumped, and every part of the island felt it.Indeed, this kind of tremor is not very strong, neither will it affect the houses of the residents, nor will it affect the operation of the machinery.The push machine is still constantly producing push force.There is no doubt that the front end of the island body must have hit something.
What happened? ...Is the model island stranded? ...Impossible, because it can still move on... Will it hit the rocks? . . . In such dark weather, did a ship fail to spot the lights of the island and run into it? ... Will this collision cause serious damage?If its safety is not affected, at least it will cause it to undergo overhaul at the next berthing point! ...
Cyrus Picktaff and Captain Sim Coyer trudged through thick dust and volcanic ash to the forward battery.
There, the customs officer reported; a ship had literally been hit just now.The large-tonnage ship traveling from west to east hit the tip of the model island.This kind of collision is nothing to the machine island, but it is a disaster to that ship! ...Only when a collision occurred, did I vaguely see a dark mass...and there were bursts of screams, but the screams disappeared soon...When the duty officer brought people to chase When I got to the fort, I couldn't see or hear anything... Did the ship sink immediately? …Unfortunately, this assumption is very likely.
As for the model island, this collision did not cause any serious damage to it, because its size is too large, even if the speed of sailing is extremely slow, any ship, no matter how powerful the ship is, even if it brushes against it, Even a first-class cruiser can suffer disaster.
There is no doubt that it must be the same thing!
As to the nationality of the ship, the officer of duty believed that he had heard the hoarse voice of the command, which is peculiar to British admirals.However, such a thing has not been officially confirmed.
The situation is serious, and there may be serious consequences.How will the United Kingdom respond? . . . an English ship is a part of England.As we all know, Great Britain is by no means easy to bully... What kind of protests will the model island receive and what kind of responsibility will it bear? ...
This is how the new year begins!On this day, Captain Sim Coyer was unable to conduct a large-scale rescue search operation until 10 o'clock in the morning.The sky is still clouded with dust, although a fresh sea breeze has begun to disperse the ash.Finally, the sun broke through the thick fog on the horizon.
What do billions of cities, parks, fields, factories, and ports look like!It takes a lot of work to clean up!In any case, this is a matter for the street management department.It's just a waste of time and money, and both of these things are not lacking here.
Everyone mobilized urgently.The engineers first came to the front battery to inspect the side of the ship where the incident occurred.The damage was minimal, and the impact on the solid steel island was like a stone being hit by an egg.All around, the sunken ship has long since disappeared.
On the vast sea, there are no wrecks or drifting objects.From the observatory tower, nothing could be seen with the largest telescopes, although the model island had moved no more than 2 miles after the collision.
From a humanitarian perspective, it is best to keep looking.
After discussing with Captain Sim Coyer, the island governor ordered the mechanics to stop and ordered the electric boats in the two ports to rush to sea immediately.
The search was extended to 5-6 miles in vain.It is quite certain that the ship sank due to a ruptured hull, so that no trace was left.
At this time, Captain Sim Coyer ordered to sail at normal speed.At noon, observations showed that Model Island was still 150 miles southwest of Samoa.
During this period, the watchmen are required to be very small and carefully observe various things.
At 5 p.m., several dense clouds of smoke were noticed in the southeast.Is the smoke caused by the volcano's recent eruptions?It was indeed unexpected that its eruption should affect the sea so much.Because the map does not indicate that there will be large and small islands nearby.Are new volcanoes emerging from the sea?
No, apparently the cloud of fog was gradually approaching the Model Island.
An hour later, three ships appeared in formation, and came quickly, blowing thick smoke.
After half an hour, everyone recognized it as a warship.After another hour, everyone clearly identified their nationalities.It turned out to be the British Fleet, the same ships that had refused to salute the Colored Flag of the Model Island five weeks earlier.
As night fell, the ships were within four miles of the former battery.Are they still just passing by and continuing on their voyage?impossible.They had raised their parking lights, and it could be seen that the ship had stopped.
"There is no doubt that these ships are trying to communicate with us," Captain Sim Coyer told the island governor.
"Wait," replied Cyrus Picktaff.
If the commander of the fleet protested about the collision incident just now, how could the island governor answer?In fact, it may well have been their fate; had the crew of the distressed ship been rescued, or had they escaped in lifeboats?Besides, after knowing what they want to do, there is still time to respond.
Early the next morning, everyone knew about it.
As the sun rose, the ship ahead hoisted an admiral's standard on her mizzenmast, and she moved slowly to two miles to port.A small boat was lowered and headed for the port.
A quarter of an hour later, Captain Sim Coyer received this official document:
"Captain Herald Turner, Chief of Staff under Admiral Sir Edward Collinson, has requested an immediate meeting with the Governor of Model Island."
When Cyrus Picktaff was notified, he ordered the port officials to let him ashore, and replied that he was waiting for Captain Turner at the town hall.
Ten minutes later, the chief of staff got out of the car in front of the town hall building with a naval lieutenant.
The island governor immediately received them in the drawing room next to the office.
As usual, after a while of pleasantries, both sides seemed very indifferent.
Later, Captain Turner chewed the words word for word, as if reciting popular literature.His speech could be interpreted as a screed, a sentence that goes on and on.
"It is my honor to come here to note to His Excellency the Governor of Model Island Island: at 177 degrees 13' east longitude and 16 degrees 54' south latitude, on the alternate night of December 31 and January 1, a grid with a displacement of 3,500 tons The ship Lun, laden with wheat, indigo, rice and wine, was struck by the model island after leaving the port of Glasgow. The island is headquartered in Madeleine Bay, Lower California, United States of America. Before the accident, our ship was according to The white light on the foremast is routinely lit, the green light is on the starboard side, and the red light is on the port side, and the ship escaped at a distance of 35 miles from the accident site on the second day after the collision. At that time, the port stern was in danger of sinking at any time due to water leakage and it did sink afterward, before the captain and his officers and crew had the honor of being rescued aboard His Majesty's HMS Herald-class cruiser, commanded by Admiral Edward Sir Collinson. Sir Collinson now informs His Excellency the Consul of Cyrus Picktaff Island of the facts, and demands that he assume the responsibility of Standard Island Ltd., and in the name of all the inhabitants of Model Island, undertake to indemnify for all the loss of the Glen The total value of Glenn's hull, machinery and cargo is as high as 1.2 million pounds, equivalent to 6 million U.S. dollars. This compensation should be delivered to Admiral Sir Edward Collinson. If there is no compensation, the model will be Island resorts to force."
This lengthy tirade was spoken in one breath after only a few pauses!In one go, nothing is missed!Agree or not, will the Island Consul accept the request of Admiral Sir Edward Collinson?His requirements are: first, the company assumes full responsibility; second, bear the loss of 1.2 million pounds caused by the shipwreck of the Glenn.Can this be agreed?
Cyrus Picktaff gave the customary answer to the question of collision:
It was very dark because of a volcanic eruption somewhere in the western sea.If the Glenn lit its navigation lights, Model Island also lit its own lights.No matter which side is concerned, the other party has not been found.We are all in an uncontrollable situation.In other words, according to maritime practice, each party should have its own responsibilities, and there is no issue of compensation and liability at all.
Turner responded as follows:
If the two ships have the normal sailing conditions, His Majesty the Island Consul may be right.Obviously, the Glenn ship has these sailing conditions, but the model island does not have it at all.Because it is not a ship, but a giant that often poses a threat on the waterway.It should be an island, a small island, a moving reef.It has no fixed position on the map, and the British have always opposed this undeterminable obstacle.The model island is always responsible for the disaster it caused, etc.
Clearly, Captain Turner's arguments are not devoid of logic.Inwardly, Cyrus Picktaff felt that it had truth.However, he cannot make any decisions on his own.The cause of the accident was laid out, and the demands made by Admiral Edward Collinson could only be put on the table.Fortunately, no one was killed...
"Lucky indeed," said Captain Turner, "but there were also fatalities on board. Millions of money were lost because of Model Island's fault. Will the island consul agree to pay for the loss of the Glenn and send it to Where is Admiral Edward Collinson?"
How could the island governor agree to pay compensation? … After all, Model Island has enough money to back it up … If the court, after verification, decides that it is responsible for the cause of the accident and the loss, it can pay any compensation.
"Is this your Excellency's final answer?" asked Captain Turner.
"This is my personal final answer," replied Cyrus Picktaff, "because I have no authority to assume the responsibility of the corporation."
Afterwards, the Island Consul and the British captain exchanged indifferent greetings.They set off by car, disembarked from the port port, and returned to the cruiser Herald by boat.
To Cyrus Picktaff's reply, the Council of Notables, upon learning of it, fully endorsed it.After the meeting, it received unanimous support from the residents of the model island.You must not submit to the arrogant attitude of His Majesty's representative.
It was so decided.Captain Sim Coyer ordered Machine Island to advance at full speed.
If Admiral Collinson's fleet won't let it go, it could be pressing, isn't it?Can their ships keep up with the speed?If they use the Manning shells to claim compensation, can they be compensated?There is no doubt that the battery on the island is capable of repelling any form of artillery on the cruiser.But the model island is too big a target under British artillery fire... Women and children are in a situation where there is no cover, what should we do? ...Every shell of theirs can hit the target, but the firepower on the front and rear forts on the model island will be wasted by more than 50%, because the opponent's target is not big, and it is still drifting! ...
All that was left to do now was to wait and see what Admiral Edward Collinson's next move would be.
Didn't have long to wait.
At 9:45, the center battery of the cruiser Herald fired the first empty gun.At the same time, the flag of the United Kingdom was hoisted to the tall masts.
The Council of Notables meets in the Town Hall meeting room under the auspices of the Island's Governor and aides.This time, James Tanken and Nate Coverly are on the same page.These Americans were practical and did not think of any resistance.The resistance may cause casualties in personnel and property to the model island.
The second shell rang out again.This time the shell fell with a whistling sound to a mile from half anchor, and exploded violently in a huge column.
Under the orders of the island governor, Captain Sim Coyer had the flag lowered in response to the cruiser Herald.Captain Turner came to port port again.There he received a promissory note worth £1.2 million.The promissory note was signed by Cyrus Picktaff, and was drawn on by the dignitaries.
Three hours later, the last wisps of smoke from the fleet disappeared into the eastern sky.Model Island continues to drive towards the Tonga Islands.
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