The motor-cycle travels faster than a chocobo can ever dream to sprint, and for much longer.   Since it’s built for one, there’s no need to go to the most popular train station any longer: just speed along to your destination.   It’s exceptionally easy to fuel, as well: a few pounds of charcoal (or the fuel of your choice), and a canister of water, both of which fit conveniently under the seat.  The controls are so simple that a child could command it.   One might wonder, “why hasn’t this existed long since?”

“We’ve spent countless years on it.  It’s been the backup project,” claims Niles Ludwig, the company’s owner.  “We never really thought it would get anywhere.  We’re a steam company – we deal in steamworks for the local factories.  Pipes, boilers, gaskets, if you need it we’ve probably made it.”

“‘I’ve done most of the work on it, I think,” said Elyse [surname not given], a worker in the shop.  “It’s been my baby.  I didn’t come up with the idea, but I figured out how to make it work.”  Elyse was beaming at the contraption like a proud mother.   “But we all worked together on it, a little at a time, so it’s hard to really figure out who’s spent the most time with it.”

“She goes up to about 40kph, I think.  I haven’t personally tested it, but that seems to be the results we’re getting,” says Ludwig.  “If we can get all the kinks out of it, we’re going to try to market her by next year.”

Despite the awesome power of this speedy, convenient mode of transportation, potential problems exist.  The chocobo population has been increased to nearly 25,000 in Jotunn itself, or nearly one bird for every five people.  Where will these majestic creatures be sent if their usefulness as beasts of burden is lost?  In addition, there seems to be an inherent danger involved with these machines.  Not only does their boiler run up temperatures exeeding 100 degrees, but the speed they run at can most definitely cause human harm.

It wasn’t too long ago that the biggest railway disaster in history occurred outside of Nastrond, when two trains, accidentally running on the same track (due to a faulty switch track, sources say) collided with each other.  They were only going 16kph at the time, yet killed nearly seventy passengers on board.  As noted above, this new motor-cycle can go to 40 kph, and is meant to run on roads where countless men walk.  If it does make it past this probationary period, there will almost certainly need to be certain laws created to deal with the potential danger of this mechanical beast.

However, try to imagine a world where this transport works and works well.  Travel for pleasure could become a part of everyday life, as everyone can reach destinations in half the time as by train or chocobo.  Business transactions, too, could be completed more quickly, and even the mail system could be sped up by the new bikes.   Imagine mail reaching your target in a week!

It seems that motor-cycles are the harbingers of a new age, full of personal possibility and freedom.  Hopefully they will be available to the public soon.  You’ll know when they are – the loud roar of its engine is unmistakable.

The thick smogs that hang over cities like Vanaheim, Vigrior and Svart have failed to scare residents for many years, and many residents have long ago stopped caring about the smoke pouring from the factories.  The workers, whose time outside is generally limited to smoke breaks, tend to ignore it entirely.

So what is it about the smog that has doctors talking?

“Many residents over the years have complained of various symptoms, such as prolonged wheezing and coughs.  That’s to be expected in any lasting fog.  However, testing for childhood sickness is much more revealing of the potential destructive powers of such a smog – incidences of asthma are at an all time high, and last year nearly one hundred children around the Federation were infected with pneumonia,” says Dr. Leia Epsmith, of Jotunn.   “It’s obvious that something is causing it, and giving the proximity to the factories, we believe that the smog is the culprit.”

She theorized that when residents breathe in the smokey air, it weakens their lungs and makes them more susceptible to general weakness and sickness. Testing is underway in Vigrior, where a large populous will hopefully ensure accurate results.  Residents of Vigrior, however, seem skeptical of the doctors’ testing.

Heavy smog lays over Vigrior from the Shinra Steelworks Manufacturing Plant

“We work all day, and we come home to sleep,” explained on anonymous citizen.  “We don’t have time to relax.  Of course we’re not going to be in as good health as those [residents] over in Jotunn and Asbru.”  Many others interviewed had much the same to say on the matter. One resident, however, had this to say:

“It’s not killing us, so it must be making us stronger.”

Only the results of the test will tell who is right in this matter.

The towers, used to transmit radio and communications broadcasts within cities, have come under criticism from many locals, many claiming migraine symptoms from living close to the transmitters. Doctor Gerard Venkar from the Board of Electrocommunications is presenting a study to the Modeo government early next month. When asked why only the Modeoheim transmitters were the only one across the world causing these symptoms, Venkar replied “the towers each have their own specifications. The frequencies used in broadcasts can vary, and some can be lethal. This is something we must discover.”

Tower 6-6a in South Modeo

CEO of ModeoComms, Scott Calloy, has claimed that the towers built by his company in Modeoheim use the same specification as those in the Federation Cities, claiming that Venkar’s claims of brain damage are “absoloute non-fact”.

FNN's Technology column was given a 440a to review earlier this year

The eagerly-anticipated model uses the same binary punchcard dialling system used on the X-series models, and is 10% lighter than the X7, yet sacrifices battery life in favour of the improved signal range. Other features remain the same as previous models.

The PHS-440a retails for 500 Gil, and is available from all electronics stockists as of today.