A long distance requires a fairly long journey...

The three steamships' several days of sailing south were indeed relatively calm.

Except for the large representatives of the local fauna, the sight of which inspired you with awe...

Ten-meter long spiny crocodiles, which attack large bison-like herbivores from under the water, a herd of which came to drink.

You had to watch this spectacle several times while you were walking along the deck of the ship during the sunny midday hours.

You also discussed with Eva the information that she managed to collect by analyzing the memory card of the drone-"laptop". Together with Eva, you studied this device and the conclusions were disappointing: the drone's energy batteries were close to discharge; and what you did with the mega-computer in the bunker clearly affected the efficiency of this equipment. Now that you have slowed down the mega-computer and blocked the entrance to that bunker, the effective functioning of most of the camouflaged reconnaissance drones has been disrupted. Many of them have simply been deactivated and fallen into the dust and dirt in random places of wastelands. Some of the "spy" drones continued to function (but more slowly) and collect information in different places of the world. The flow of information has become noticeably less. Of course, you were able to learn something by studying the old records in the memory card of this drone. But in the long run, the work of this "laptop" will probably not last long. After all, now the drone will not be able to return to the base bunker to recharge its energy batteries.

"So... Either I will soon have to accept the fact that this device will stop functioning - or I will have to somehow find the necessary devices among the ruins and wastelands to replenish the charge of the energy batteries of this drone ..." - you think.

You also tried to establish communication with the crew of the steamship you were traveling on.

Your attention was immediately drawn to the fact that the number of sailors was not very large...

It seems that the Republic of Florida is experiencing a shortage of recruits for the navy.

That is, a strong navy is to some extent "balanced" by the small population of this state.

Most of the sailors were extremely busy with their duties - and, therefore, they did not have much time to chat with you.

However, you were able to communicate with the local ship's doctor.

Mrs Sarah Laverien...

A grumpy, short, elderly mulatto woman, approximately 50 or 55 years old.

She was certainly not delighted with your sociability. At first, she barely restrained herself from telling you to fuck off. Probably, only your status as an ambassador made her refrain from cursing.

However, you were able to establish some kind of communication with her later – thanks to the fact that you began to help her operate on the wounds and injuries of the sailors.

As it turned out, the long expedition to the north resulted in casualties. Quite a few were wounded. There were also fatalities.

When the treatment of the patients' wounds was completed, you were able to talk to Sarah Laverien.

"It's not just the aftermath of the battle with the pirate bastards... You think sailing for three weeks was a cakewalk? No fucking way! There are many types of dangerous animals along the river... And when we first approached the Big Red Bridge, we got into a shootout... Local fanatics from opposing tribes were killing each other for the right to control the bridge... And some of our guys accidentally got hit by bullets... And then we had to pay the winning tribe that seized control of the Bridge... Montgomery Ratcliffe... All these casualties because of him and his idiotic policies!" - the grumbling groaning voice of the local deck doctor sounds dejected.

"Are you against his policies? I heard that Montgomery Ratcliffe recently became Director of the Republic of Florida..." - you say.

"I didn't vote for him! For many decades, our republic was ruled by supporters of a reasonable policy of isolationism! And then suddenly this bearded braggart starts talking about plans for expansion and distant geographical explorations... All this entails risks... Our guys will die far from their homeland. And for what? For the stupid ambitions of politicians?! We should have continued to develop settlements on our island and not waste resources on adventurous nonsense..." - the elderly woman's voice sounds with some conviction, illustrating that she has a stable worldview.

"You mentioned the Big Red Bridge... What is it?" - you ask.

"Soon our steamships will sail to this place... And you will see everything with your own eyes..." - she replies in a tired voice.

Indeed, a couple of hours later you go out on deck and you see that on the horizon (if you look in the southern direction) a huge structure of a drawbridge rises.

The bridge is half-destroyed and covered with rusty pieces of metal that have an orange-reddish tint.

However, it is obvious that this structure is somehow functional and can pass ships to the south.

You understand that this bridge is a strategically important point in this area. It is not only a convenient crossing over a large river. It is also a way to control ships that try to sail along the river.

Of course, there is a chance that the concentrated fire of many ship guns can give a chance to break through the obstacle of the bridge, destroying some structures.

However, as the ships approach the bridge, you notice fortified structures and towers at each end of the bridge (that is, on each bank of the river).

You strain your eyes, peering into the distance ...

In these structures, you see groups of armed people who are dressed in strange gray robes.

Therefore, some faction controls the bridge now - you clearly these armed people will attack any ship that tries to break through to the south by ****.

It seems that diplomacy in the current situation would be less dangerous than reckless ****...

Rear Admiral Lajos Buchanan, surrounded by a small group of guards, approaches the edge of the deck and looks ahead with a telescope.

You approach him and ask a question: "Mr. Buchanan, can you tell me who these armed men are who control the bridge?"

"The armed forces of the Tribal Union of Divine Mountain... They recently managed to push back the troops of their enemies, the Flamemakers tribe, to the west of the bridge... We have already paid for the passage of ships to the north. And now it looks like we will have to pay them again to get the right to sail to the south... I hope we will have enough valuables that our guys managed to capture after defeating the pirate flotilla..." - the Rear Admiral's voice sounds focused and tense.

"Your steamships look impressive..." - you begin to speak.

"Mr. Blake... The fleet of the Republic of Florida is its advantage. But I do not want to risk the lives of my subordinates! We are already short of people! And what will happen if we acquire new enemies? For example: what do you think will happen if dozens of small ships and boats with many cutthroats inside attempt to board at night? My duty as a commander is to act wisely and ensure the return of my people home..." - there is fatigue and suppressed anxiety in Lajos Buchanan's phrases (he was probably not at all happy about this risky and dangerous expedition, the necessity of which was insisted on by the government of the Republic of Florida).

"Can you give me any details about these... warriors of the Tribal Union of Divine Mountain?" - you ask.

"Several large tribes, united by a fanatical belief in some incomprehensible deity... I was not interested in detailed information about this... If you want, you can talk to one of the locals yourself, while our ships stop near the bridge to conduct negotiations and transfer the payment..." - says the Rear Admiral.

So soon three steamships sail closer to the huge drawbridge...