December 21st, 2016, A.D.
0800 Hours, Nouvelle Ville, Mexregional Mainland, United States of Mexregiona, Atlantia, Urth
Tretrid Plaza, Base of Operations
OPERATION SEDIMENT
Beartrot searched around, taking in his surroundings, thinking, breathing. "Hey! You there! Tie down that strap before the whole thing ends up on the east end of Infinite Loop!
The small man heard Beartrot, whimpered, and proceeded to tie a knot in the thick rope.
“There we go; now we’re talking!”
Operation Sediment is a naval assistance mission which will involve the transportation of the Mexregionan Urthen, a machine in which canals and other things can be dug up and moved to separate areas. It is headed by Beartrot, USM Serviceman, and is funded by the Mexregionan government, specifically Mister Leader II. The mission will include a relatively tiny force of USM military personnel and ships, and then a whole fleet of Staynish craft and soldiers. Quite a procession.
The Urthen Machine was assembled in less than a day, which puts it on the list of the most hastily prepared Mexregionan technology ever. However, even as the machine was built so fast, the contraption’s construction procedures have been checked hundreds of times; you gotta play it safe when you’re dealing with something that’s worth at least 3,000,000 KMu (at least three million dollars).
The city of Nouvelle Ville was pumped for the launch of the machine; much economic gain was possible for the settlement, not only for shipping implications, but also for tourism for the event. Lately, the city has been getting for more and more attention from the international community, leading to more and more vacations and more and more money. In fact, the population of NeVe (as it is called) is scheduled to reach three and a quarter million people by the end of 2017. The mayor and his company are very glad, indeed, for this Operation.
“Just remember, we gotta be ready for the Western Fleet by noon; if not, I’m gonna have to order them to fire at will. And don’t take that as an empty threat; I’ve got all the paperwork signed on and everything. They’ll take you to the pirates and take you out on the first line.”
That was an empty threat. No worries.
Probably.
The Western Fleet was planned to escort the machine at 1400 hours, Mexregionan Standard Time.