184 – Build Aeroplanes, Detonate Bombs
First, she stopped at the vineyard cottage on her way to the air force base. The students who were majoring in mechanical engineering at the University of Salantier were still residing there. The students, immersed in their research, and Professor Gustaf froze as they noticed Scarlett suddenly appearing. Gustaf gestured to Kirsten, who was the closest to Scarlett, and she stepped forward.
“Sorry. We’re caught by surprise!”
“Huh?”
“Since you’re not complaining… We’re still snowed in, so we haven’t been able to go inside. After spending a little time here, going back into that freezing hell seemed impossible…”
Scarlett chuckled as she realised why the students were all glancing at each other.
“I understand. Once the weather clears up a bit, you can go.”
“R, really?”
“Yeah.”
Scarlett
nodded and took a deep breath. Then she turned to Kirsten and asked, “Have you read the news?”
“What news?”
“I’m going to start building aeroplanes from now on.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
Scarlett nodded vigorously and continued, “There are many essential components that need to be created. First of all, according to my parents’ theories, we need to secure a runway for the aeroplane to take off. However, the air force base has an acute shortage of runways.”
Scarlett gestured with her hands as she spoke, “According to the people who’ve seen Vestina’s aeroplanes, they mentioned that there are wheels underneath, like a carriage. But since we don’t have runways, I think it needs to be a seaplane. To do that, we need floats under the aeroplane, like skis, so it can glide on the water’s surface. I have no idea how to design this shape. In the first place, I don’t even know how to build an aeroplane.”
“…”
“Anyway, that’s why the air force is in need of a maintenance warrant officer. If you’re interested, you can talk to the navy officers over there. They’ll give you a ride.”
“Building an aeroplane…?” Kirsten mumbled.
“Yes.”
Scarlett nodded and continued, “But everyone should be aware, right? After you build the aeroplane, you might face some religious repercussions.”
“What, what do you mean?”
“There will be a lot of drawbacks. It won’t be something that brings favour. Still… it might become something that prevents wars.”
The room fell silent at Scarlett’s words. After a while, she spoke again, “Oh, I’ve said enough. I’m going to head out now.”
“Y-You’re
leaving? Right now?”
“Yeah.”
“You should give us more information before making a decision!”
Scarlett laughed and replied, “I’m not trying to convince anyone since it’s too risky. Just come along if you’re curious. If you want to try building an aeroplane, come along. If you want to know, then let’s go. We’re engineers, after all.”
At her words, Professor Gustaf clenched his fists enthusiastically but quickly released them and cleared his throat awkwardly.
Scarlett said, “Well then, think it over carefully.”
After saying that, Scarlett immediately boarded the carriage.
As the carriage with Scarlett departed, Kirsten said, “No… I can’t not go when she says something like that. She’s my friend.”
Then Professor Gustaf added, “I can’t not go either, especially since I’m the responsible professor…”
“Professor, you’re scary…”
“I’m scared too. But I didn’t become a professor to avoid days like today…”
The two of them trembled and, as if resigned, returned to their respective spaces to start packing their things.
♔♔♔
Back at the airbase, Scarlett unpacked her belongings in the glider hangar next to the main building. The workshop inside the hangar was more sophisticated than she had expected. Pallin, who entered with her, spoke up, “Talented individuals here have been contributing little by little, so it’s finally completed.”
“It’s impressive…”
Scarlett exclaimed in admiration.
“But it’s too spacious for just me to use.”
“Could you rent it out? The faculty from the School of Engineering.”
“I’m not sure. If they don’t come, then I’ll have to handle the workload of three people on my own.”
Scarlett stated confidently, causing Pallin to chuckle beside her.
Meanwhile, Viktor entered the workshop after Pallin had left, greeted Scarlett, and then inquired, “Do you like it?”
“Yeah. It’s amazing.”
As they talked, Scarlett turned to Viktor and said, “I have something to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“When I build the aeroplane, I’m also going to include explosive devices in the engine.”
“…”
“If a war breaks out, I’ll detonate all the aeroplanes. So, it would be best if the peace agreement goes well.”
At Scarlett’s words, Viktor fell silent, absorbing the weight of her decision.
In response to her resolute words, Viktor looked at Scarlett with a determined expression, then nodded. “Sure. I promise. I’ll make sure the peace agreement goes well.”
“Good.”
Scarlett started hanging her blueprints on the wall one by one. In that short span, she had drawn an incredible number of blueprints. Some were brought from her parents’ memories, but most were newly created during her time at school.
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