Chapter 246 New Proposal



The Metro Station of New York started operating as soon as it opened. Thousands of passengers flooded the first station, making it the epicenter of bustling activity and excitement. Commuters from all walks of life descended into the underground depths, eager to experience the modern marvel that promised to revolutionize their daily journeys.

The air inside the station hummed with anticipation as the sound of trains approaching reverberated through the tunnels. The platform was a vibrant tapestry of diverse faces, reflecting the rich tapestry of New York City itself. People of different backgrounds, cultures, and aspirations stood side by side.

As the train doors slid open, a rush of cool air greeted the passengers, thanks to its air-conditioning The interior of the train gleamed with polished surfaces, adorned with intricate details and comfortable seating arrangements. Passengers found their places, settling into plush seats and holding onto the sleek handrails as the train embarked on its journey.

The subway train departed from the station, gliding smoothly along the tracks. The passengers marveled at the speed and efficiency with which the cityscape transformed outside their windows. Buildings, parks, and neighborhoods flashed by in a blur.

No longer do they have to deal with the black smoke emitted by the steam locomotive as the train used in the metro station is a new one, an electric locomotive. The absence of the black smoke emitted by steam locomotives was a breath of fresh air, both literally and figuratively. The electric locomotive powering the subway train propelled it forward silently, its clean and efficient operation leaving no trace of pollution in its wake. 

Not only that, they no longer have to bear the smell of the streets outside as the windows used in the electric locomotive were designed to be soundproof and tightly sealed, effectively isolating the passengers from the noise and odors of the bustling city streets outside.

In its five hours of operation, the metro station has accommodated almost twenty thousand passengers, a testament to the immediate impact and popularity of this new mode of transportation.

The ones who made it possible were now partying in the Astoria Hotel on Fifth Avenue. 

Inside the ballroom, the atmosphere was alive with celebration. Jonathan, Poul, Morgan, Caroline, and along with their dedicated team of engineers and visionaries, were surrounded by colleagues, city officials, and influential figures who had supported their endeavor from the beginning. The clinking of glasses and the joyous chatter filled the air as they toasted to the success of the Metro Station of New York.

"Congratulations on the success of your project, Mr. Nielsen," one woman in her mid-twenties approached Poul.

Poul recognized her immediately, it was Fiora Whitney, the one who was shunned due to his background and race. 

"Oh, Ms. Whitney, a pleasure to see you again. It's quite a surprise that I will find you here." 

"Well, Mr. Nielsen, I know that we have a bitter past, but please let us not dwell on it tonight," Fiora Whitney said, her voice laced with a hint of sincerity. You see, my father has quite taken an interest in the electric locomotive that you invented.  And he believed that it will be the future of urban transportation due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. He would like to explore the possibility of investing in your project and supporting its further development." 

Poul sipped his glass of wine before answering. "Well, Ms. Whitney, there's a lot of people who are expressing their interest in it so your father will have to line up like everyone else." 

"Are you still bitter because of that scene?" Fiora asked.

"Nope, it's just that there's someone who approached me first. In business, personal relationships should not cloud judgment," Poul replied, his tone polite yet firm. "I believe in fair opportunities, and I would be happy to discuss the potential investment with your father."

As they spoke, one of the attendants approached Poul and whispered to his ears.

"Oh, Ms. Whitneys, it seems like I have a meeting to attend. I'll leave you be, please enjoy the evening and feel free to mingle with our guests," Poul said with a polite smile. He excused himself from the conversation and followed the attendant to a secluded corner of the ballroom.

"Is everyone already present in the room?" Poul asked.

"Yes sir, you are the only one they are waiting for," the attendant replied respectfully.

Poul took a deep breath, preparing himself for the urgency of the situation. He entered a small meeting room where several high-ranking officials were gathered around a large conference table. 

"Thank you all for waiting," Poul said, taking his seat at the head of the table. "I apologize for the delay. As you can see, I have to welcome the guests. Mr. President, Mr. Secretary of the United States Navy, Mr. Morgan. We will now start the proposal." 

With a flick of the finger, a person entered the meeting room. They looked at the person who came inside and saw that it was Jonathan, pushing a cart with a model scale ship resting atop it.

The Secretary of the Navy and the President of the United States rose to their feet, their eyes widening. 

"Would you look at that!" The Secretary of the Navy exclaimed, his eyes widening with awe. "Is this what I think it is?"

Jonathan beamed with pride as he positioned the model scale ship in the center of the table. "Gentlemen, what you see before you are the future of naval warfare, battleships." 

The Secretary of the Navy looked closer at the scale model and caressed its intricate details with a sense of admiration. "This is truly remarkable, Jonathan," he remarked, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.

"Mr. President, Mr. Secretary. As you can see, the ships of foreign countries are constantly adapting, they are transitioning from ironclad to dreadnoughts. But this ship of ours takes naval warfare to an entirely new level. Powered by eight water-tube boilers, this battleship can achieve speeds of up to 33 knots, making it faster and more maneuverable than any other battleship in existence," Jonathan explained, his voice filled with pride.

He continued, pointing out the features of the model. "The ship's main armament consists of nine 16-inch guns, capable of launching devastating shells over incredible distances. These guns are housed in three turrets, each capable of firing independently

to maximize the ship's firepower. The armor protection of the battleship is also unparalleled, with thick layers of hardened steel covering vital areas, ensuring its survivability in combat situations."

"The fire control systems onboard this battleship are state-of-the-art," Jonathan continued, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "We have implemented advanced rangefinders, optical telescopes, and improved communication systems, allowing for precise target acquisition and coordination between different parts of the ship. Last but not least is an experimental device we call radar. It's a type of technology that uses radio waves to detect and track objects, including enemy ships." 

"Radar?" The Secretary of Navy tilted his head to the side, unfamiliar with the term. 

"Well, consider it the eye of the battleship," Jonathan explained. "Radar allows us to detect and track enemy ships even in low visibility conditions, such as fog or darkness. With this technology, our battleship will have a significant advantage in situational awareness and the ability to effectively engage and neutralize threats before they become a danger."

The President leaned forward, his gaze fixed on Jonathan. "This radar technology sounds groundbreaking, Jonathan. Can you provide more details on how it works?"

"I think Poul would be the one who could explain the workings of the radar in a simpler manner," Jonathan replied, giving Poul a nod of encouragement.

"Gentlemen, radar works by emitting radio waves and then receiving the reflections or echoes of those waves when they bounce off objects in their path. In the case of naval warfare, our battleship will have a radar system that sends out radio waves in all directions, continuously scanning the surrounding area. Speaking of radio, we are also planning on introducing a new type of prototype we are working on. Wireless communication. As you know everyone, our telegraphs still use cables, even in our telephones. If the enemy were to cut off the line, we are virtually cut off from communication. With wireless communication, we can establish a network of communication between our troops." 

"Do you have any working prototype that we can see?" The President asked.

"Well, we have one back in Pittsburgh, do you want us to demonstrate it?" 

"Yes, if you can, do it in the White House. Also, about the ship, it sounds too good to be true, can it be built though? Looking at the appearance, it seems that it is completely made of metal. What is the estimated weight of that thing once built?" 

Poul smiled. "The weight of this ship would be around 48,110 long tons." 

"48,110 long tons?!" The President and the Secretary of the Navy exclaimed in unison, their eyes widening with astonishment. The sheer magnitude of the weight was difficult to comprehend.

Poul nodded, understanding their surprise. "Yes, it is a massive vessel, but with advancements in shipbuilding technology and materials, we believe it is feasible to construct such a battleship." 

"Most warships built by other countries couldn't even reach 10,000 long tons. This is making me wonder how we could possibly compete with a battleship of this size," the Secretary of the Navy admitted his expression a mix of awe and concern.

Jonathan interjected. "Mr. Secretary, the size and capabilities of this battleship are precisely what will give us the upper hand. It will also be a good psychological weapon, instilling fear and respect in our adversaries. The sheer power and presence of this battleship will deter any potential threats and secure our naval superiority."

The President leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "I understand the significance of having a technologically advanced battleship, but we must also consider the cost implications. Building and maintaining such a vessel would require substantial financial resources. Can we afford it?"

Poul leaned forward, his gaze focused on the President. "Mr. President, I understand your concerns about the cost, and I assure you that we have carefully considered the financial aspects of this project. The initial investment may be substantial, but the long-term benefits and strategic advantages of having a technologically superior battleship outweigh the costs."

He continued, "Furthermore, we have devised a comprehensive plan that involves collaboration with various industries and government agencies to streamline the production process and minimize expenses. By leveraging our expertise in engineering and harnessing the potential of mass production techniques, we believe we can achieve significant cost reductions without compromising the quality and performance of the battleship."

The President went silent for a moment as he considered the cost. "How long will it take for you to build one if we the Congress were to allocate the necessary funds?" he finally asked.

Poul paused for a moment, thinking about the complexities of the project. He glanced at Jonathan, who nodded in encouragement. 

"Three years, Mr. President. In three years, you will have the strongest battleship on Earth. That I can assure." 

"Don't worry, Mr. President," Morgan finally interjected. "There will be private investors who would gladly support this project as well. The potential for technological advancement, national security, and economic growth that comes with building this battleship is immense. We have already received expressions of interest from various individuals and organizations who understand the significance of this endeavor."

The President leaned back in his chair, his expression contemplative. After a brief moment of silence, he nodded. 

"Very well, gentleman, I will speak to the congress and draft a bill to allocate the necessary funds for the construction of the battleship," the President declared.