Central Mountain City, Kingdom Laboratory.
"Welcome Son of Heaven, what brings you to the lab?", a young man of about 14 asked excitedly.
"Good morning, Ubatas… I've come to see Faoa about the cannon improvements", I replied as we walked toward Faoa's office.
"I see… Internal combustion, explosive elements, and parabolic motion", he commented, his face thoughtful as he analyzed the main elements involved in cannons.
Ubatas was one of the few mega-geniuses I had encountered so far. Unlike Faoa, he focused on scientific research rather than invention and investigation. He was a man who sought theories and explanations for everything.
Faoa, on the other hand, had a general understanding of science and could learn many of the things we were advancing every day, but his focus and greatest skill was innovation. He has an incredible imagination; I've even seen sketches of airplanes made of paper or fabric, mechanisms driven by very complex gears and pulleys.
One of the other people of this type is my sister Chuquy. In addition to having a great memory, she was born with the ability to handle numbers and mathematical operations with great skill, even to the point of solving very complex problems that I remember from my knowledge of the future.
"It seems he's not here", I commented when we arrived at Faoa's office.
"Maybe he's in Lab 1", Ubatas said.
We walked through several buildings, observing how they worked in the different laboratories or other facilities. Many people greeted me and thanked me for whatever reason.
"Whoo-hoo!", Faoa exclaimed in a friendly tone when she saw me.
"Faoa, I hope you're getting the sleep I told you to", I commented seriously, noticing the dark circles under her eyes.
"Sure", Faoa said in a shifty tone, avoiding my gaze.
"I don't believe you", I said in an annoyed tone. "What were you working on that you didn't have time to sleep?", I asked, curious but still annoyed.
"I was thinking about the pressure differences in liquids and gases that Ubatas is researching. I'm thinking about some applications, but I don't know if they'll work or if I'm getting ahead of myself like a bird", Faoa replied.
"I see", I said, surprised. "But weren't you working on gears a few days ago?", I asked again.
"Yes, I've already made some interesting movement mechanisms, but I got stuck on an idea for measuring time… I don't know how to represent time", he commented, excited at first, but then discouraged by his lack of ability.
"Geniuses are like that; you can't understand them", I reflected, annoyed to realize that Faoa was on the verge of creating a mechanical clock.
"Try 60, 60, and 24, modify the gears to follow that cycle ratio. When 60 fast cycles are completed, increase by one slow cycle, and when the 60 slow cycles are completed, one period is completed. With 24 periods completed, you should have a full day. I suggest starting at noon guided by the sundial, and adjusting it depending on the result", I suggested in a wise tone, pretending to know the solution.
"That's it! He's a genius Son of Heaven!", Faoa exclaimed excitedly after thinking about my proposal. "Although I wouldn't know which cycle to adjust without personally seeing where the mechanism fails", he added with a disappointed tone.
"Create a display system based on 12 periods based on the 60th. You can anchor a needle to the movement of each cycle and to the period", I suggested, trying to maintain the image of a genius I didn't deserve. "Incredible! There's no doubt you were chosen by the gods!", Faoa exclaimed again.
"Yes, yes… It's just as you say", I said, sounding a little embarrassed.
"I'll go immediately to prepare the mechanism", he commented, quickly leaving only to stop a few meters ahead. "Young Chuta, since you invented this method of measurement, what should we call each cycle and the complete periods?", the man asked expectantly.
"Small cycles will be called seconds, large cycles minutes, and the complete periods of large cycles hours", I replied.
"I see, so 24 hours a day, each hour of 60 minutes, and each minute of 60 seconds… That would be a total of 1,440 minutes a day, or 86,400 seconds a day… If I use the 12-hour display system based on 60 minutes and seconds, I could…", Faoa commented as she walked slowly away.
Ubatas and I stared at each other, not knowing what to say. I had come to find him to inform him of something and arrange a meeting with the heads of each laboratory area, but Faoa, with an invention on his mind, got carried away by his impulses, and I couldn't even say anything to him.
"I don't know what to say", Ubatas said, dismayed.
"We both know him, there are no words to describe it. Although the last time you studied the movement of the stars, you were just as stubborn", I commented mockingly.
"I'm not like him; I have decorum", he commented, but he looked away so I wouldn't notice his embarrassment.
"Of course… By the way, I came to organize a meeting about new developments and other things. I need all the area managers to be ready with reports early tomorrow morning", I told him, changing the subject.
"I'll organize it myself", he replied in a serious tone.
"I'll come back tomorrow then", I said as I left, a little stunned by the interaction with Faoa.
The next day, Meeting room of the Kingdom Laboratory.
"Everyone, please be quiet", Ubatas said, silencing everyone presents as I stood next to him. "We'll start the meeting immediately", he added. "Good morning, everyone. I hope I haven't disturbed your research, but this will be the last meeting I'll have with you directly. Although I will visit the facilities regularly to monitor their progress", I said, surprising everyone.
Meetings at the research office, now called the Kingdom Laboratory, have been common in recent years. Every week I would visit the old or current facilities, monitoring the progress of key technologies for the kingdom.
Now, with the creation of new agencies and the diversification of power, this laboratory, along with several other agencies, would become independent or be included within the powers of each regional government. However, key technologies, such as those involved in the military, would continue to be developed exclusively in the kingdom laboratory.
"At this meeting, you will notify me, as before, of the progress by area and your ideas. Then I will indicate the next elements to research or improve… Is that clear?", I asked after explaining.
"We understand!", everyone responded.
"Let's begin, then", I said. The various heads of each area began to report on progress.
Regarding medicinal advances, they reported new plants that can be used as anti-inflammatories, combinations of plant extracts and sage for antiseptic treatments accompanied using alcohol. Also, work is being done on using a certain proportion of toad venom from the great forests as a sedative or soporific.
Regarding civil advances, new forms of drainage with clay pipes were implemented, along with more variations in the use of adobe bricks, mortar, wood, and iron for larger constructions. Reforms are also being implemented in the collection of human waste for agricultural purposes.
Regarding agricultural advances, new species of potatoes were introduced from the southern Inca kingdom, as well as the first tomato plants from the Aztec kingdom. Mixed-traction plows, both human and animal-drawn, were also improved for opening new fields and for varying planting methods. For industry, the glassmaking process was improved for civilian, military, and research uses. Windmills were also developed for areas without access to large amounts of water.
For navigation, the astrolabe was improved, and a primitive stargazing system was created that is still being updated. The single-lens telescope was also improved with improved glass making. Furthermore, tests are conducted with different materials to improve the lifespan of wood exposed to salt water.
For transportation, cart bearing systems were improved, and a new type of grease is being studied to increase their lifespan. Furthermore, mortar is being used on stone paths, as is the use of primitive cement to improve the kingdom's main routes.
For metallurgy, new dimensions and combinations for furnaces and their components are being studied. A furnace or stove for civilian use using bronze or iron is being developed.
For mining, work is being done to open mining areas using controlled gunpowder. At the same time, internal construction and material strength are being studied for underground mining.
For the military, the design of iron cannons continues to be optimized, while work continues to improve bronze cannons. Articulated plate armor is also being developed for the army.
A series of new elements have also been developed for different areas, such as water pumps, lenses and magnifying glasses, improved fishing nets, improvements to footwear, optimization of looms, suture threads, some musical instruments, mirrors, among other things.
"I'm impressed by how much you've accomplished this past year", I commented, a big smile spreading across my face. "If this is what you've accomplished with my guidance, I'm eager to hear your new ideas", I added, sounding expectant.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
Chuta, shows us how the kingdom's research works, and how it gives people the opportunity to think about their own ideas, without limiting natural progress.
Unnecessary fact of the day: most of the slaves brought from Africa ended up in Brazil. This is because the local human labor force was difficult to convince to work in the newly conquered lands.
Read my other novel called The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future.
You can find it on my profile.]