A Steampunk Story! Tales of the Steam. Chapter 1: Destiny's Cry

While waiting for the launch, why not sit down to a nice story? hmm?

Drops of warm rain hit the metal houses, making a soothing melody spread throughout the city. The Republic's industrial might, a normally monstrous, intimidating presence has been put aside by the soothing rain. People scurry through the streets, trying to flee nature's wet embrace. If one we're to look up towards the buildings of the town square, you can see a man standing on a balcony, staring to the sky. This is man is no ordinary sight, no no. He is rather well dressed then most people on the street, yet more so covered in soot and dirt than the typical street urchin. His head is covered with a hat ordained with fascinating instruments, like something only told in fairy tales. He clutches and glares at a pocket watch almost obsessively as if time itself were trying to sneak away.

He is an inventor. A glamorous profession with in the Republic that is often sought after, but never achieved. A person that is highly regarded as an architect to modern society and expected to keep the wheels of industry turning. It is this great man, staring into the rain like it was calling to him, soaking in the drops that hits his body. Suddenly, another inventor appears from the house. Gazing at the other with bewilderment and avoiding the weather like the plague.

"Don't you just love this weather Lucien? It's not everyday we get rain over here. It's so wonderful!" Said the excited inventor. "Are you kidding Gabriel? All the rain is good for causing rust." Lucien grunts. "Oh Lucien, you are such a pessimist. It's always gloom this and doom that with you. Why don't you loosen up once in while?" Shouts Gabriel. "Because it's the only thing that keeps on course Little Brother." Lucien replies. "Hahaha, alright, you have a good point. Let's get back to work shall we?"
The Galvatinni brothers are renown inventors far across the world. The amount of contributions towards the republic's might has been countless, any many rival inventors seek to match and surpass them. They are not very concerned with appearances however. The Galvatinni workshop is littered with gizmos and gadgets, Cogs and Sprockets, pistons and piping, as far as the eye can see. Remnants of their past genius is spread through the workshop, as well as they're numerous blunders, like the 3 chambered coffee pot, a device that brewed coffee at twice the speed and powered by steam. The compound pressure caused an mass explosion. Litigation is still being made.

But the attention of the brothers seem to be focused on one invention. An invention shrouded in mystery and only known by the leader of the republic. The workshop is guarded by republic soldiers and only people can enter by invitation only. The most curious however claim to have seen a giant metal arm from the street window.
"This is our greatest invention Lucien! Just a few more tweaks and we can finally turn this beauty on! Aren't you just filled with excitement?!" Shouted Gabriel. "I would be lying if i said i wasn't excited. I just think we should run a few more tests with the energy transfer system." Lucien replies. "Oh Pish posh. We already tested it twice! It works fine! Don't be so paranoid!" assures Gabriel "I just think that haphazardly messing with a new energy source is a bit foolish Gabriel. That is all."

The brothers are interrupted by a knock at the door. Gabriel opens the door to see a gaudy dressed man with a ledger in his hand. It is the appointed emissary from the Senate in charge of overseeing the project, joined side by side with Republican Guardsmen. "Hello gentlemen. I trust the project is ready for its first test run?" asked the emissary. "Ready as ever! All we need to do is pull this level here and we can start the test!" said the excited Gabriel. "No disrespect sir, but i think we need to do so more work on the energy transfer system before we start the initial test phase. The system seems a bit unstable and..."
"Now now, sir Lucien. The Senate expressed great interest in this project and any more delays will make him most displeased." interrupted the emissary. "I know, but the Senate would probably like it if..." "The Senate would like it if the project were finished on schedule. Your brother seems to think its ready and i trust his judgment. Unless you can show me physical evidence that more work on the energy system is needed, the test goes on as planned." Explains the emissary. "Yes...but..." Lucien cries. "Enough of this. Gabriel Galvatinni, please start the initial test phase by order of the Senate"
"Yes sir!" shouts Gabriel.
The lever is pulled. Suddenly the large blanketed object starts to glow a bright, incandescent blue. The object starts to shake, and the large metal hand starts to move. "Yes!" exclaims the emissary. "The Senate will be most pleased! Most pleased!" Suddenly darkness. Every inch of light is swallowed. Everything is quiet, until a great light encompasses the room. A great force whips the inventors across the room and ignites everything in a furious blaze. The greatest explosion the city has ever known rips through the city like a tidal wave and reduces the Great Galvatinni workshop into mere black cinders. The rumble could be felt across the land."OK Sir Lucien...your physical evidence is very...compelling. Please...repair the energy system and report to the head office for another test..." The Emissary collapses in a large pile of ash and the Guardsmen trying to collect him and themselves from the rubble. The rain continues to fall on the ruins of the workshop as if it were divine practical joke. "This is why i hate the rain Gabriel."

End of Chapter 1.

-AkirianaKojus