For years and years, our only form of personal transport was beasts of burden and the heavy, lumbering trains that cross the country and stop only at “popular” destinations, sometimes leaving you days from your final destination. Until now, there’s been no alternative. But in the foggy town of Vigrior, a new competitor has entered the field. Its creators, Ludwig and Co., call it the “motor-cycle,” short for motorized bicycle.
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.
