The Mysterious World Under Steampunk

Lucas is a regional leader of the Iron Gang. Because he committed a crime in the urban area, he was sent to the Iron Gang dock in Lake Beruk as a manager, and he also took refuge.

The Iron Gang Dockyard was built in the central waters of Lake Beruk. It is called fish farming, but in fact it is a black market for smuggling. Some shady stolen goods or other contraband will be sent here for sale, and then go to Lake Beruk. The waterway network that connects the whole country is scattered all over the country, and even sent abroad.

As a new gang in Beiruk City, the reason why the Iron Gang was able to build this smuggling dock and win such a large profit is not to say that the Iron Gang is so powerful that it can suppress other old gangs in Beiruk City and let them It can't be stopped, but because although the interests of the trending dock are great, they are also dangerous. The old gang has other safer sources of interests, so there is no need to take this risk.

The entire Otter Federation cracks down on the crime of smuggling very severely, because it is directly related to taxation, and the importance of taxation in the Outer Federation is even written into the constitution. The government agencies of the entire Outer Federation, except the army, have woven armed forces. Other than that, only the IRS has a woven armed force.

Although the Iron Gang Shipyard is very secretive, it does not mean that outsiders know nothing about it. In fact, almost all the upper-level dignitaries in Beruk City know that there is such a Iron Gang Shipyard. Helping the shipyard is not because the iron gang is so clever and able to bribe the people of Beruk City and let the rich and powerful of Beruk City cover them, but because the rich and powerful of Beruk City need the Iron Gang Shipyard to trade for them Some contraband, or some shady things.

However, if the Iron Gang Shipyard is targeted by the Outer Federal Internal Revenue Service, then the rich and powerful in Beruk City will sell the Iron Gang Shipyard without hesitation. Security did not dare to take it with them at all, and formulated several patrol routes to guard from the inside to the outside. Once something happened, there would be enough time to transfer the valuables on the dock.

Lucas knew his current situation, and the management of the dock was his life-saving straw. If this matter messed up, even if there was someone behind him, he might be sunk in Lake Beruk.

Therefore, he has been conscientious since he took office, not only increasing the range of patrol routes, but also using some loyal men he left on the shore to keep an eye on the important ports around Lake Beruk and several important cities and counties The IRS building, as long as there is a sign of trouble, he is immediately ready to evacuate.

Although his approach caused a few oolong incidents, he also managed to avoid several raids by the National Taxation Bureau's anti-smuggling fleet, which made him once again recognized by the iron gang's top management. Recently, there have been rumors that The higher-ups have spent a lot of money to help him eliminate the case on his body, and in a few months, he will be transferred back to the shore and entrusted with important tasks.

Although Lucas was very excited about this incident, he was also more careful, because he had seen too many examples of the boat suddenly capsized just one step away from success, and he didn't want to be a counterexample that was often mentioned, so he He pays more attention to safety than usual, and any disturbance will attract his attention. For example, what is happening now has raised his vigilance to a few points.

Since yesterday, the outermost patrol boat has reported a news that a high-end sailing speedboat has entered the warning circle he set, and has been swimming back and forth within the outer warning circle, seemingly without any purpose. , just like ordinary urban dignitaries sailing in a boat.

However, Lucas did not take the news lightly. Instead, he attached great importance to it, and sent three patrol boats disguised as fishing boats to watch around the sailing speedboat, reporting any movement.

However, after more than ten hours passed, there was nothing unusual about the sailing speedboat, and the iron gang members on the dock were nervous and exhausted by Lucas' alert instructions. Finally, people couldn't bear this tense state all the time, so they recommended a few small bosses to find Lucas, hoping to relieve this tense state.

"Release the guard?" Lucas looked at his subordinates with displeasure, but he did not directly accuse these people, but was thinking about how to persuade them to do things according to his orders.

Although Lucas is in charge of the dock, Lucas does not have much real power, most of the power is in name, because the smuggling benefits of the dock are huge, and the big and small leaders inside the iron gang hope to get a share of it , and put his subordinates into the dock, so the only people in the entire dock who really obey Lucas's orders are those he brought from the shore. The command is not easy to use.

He can indeed use his current status to enforce his orders, and he can even directly punish the disobedient iron gang members in the dock. , the people in the dock will obey his orders for the time being and carry out his instructions on the surface, but there may be some sabotage in the dark. As long as something happens to the dock, he will be the first to be held accountable by the gang, while the people underneath will be fine. , because the law does not blame the public.

Therefore, he used to use lure or persuasion to get the gang members of the shipyard to carry out his orders intact, and he has always been very successful. Sometimes he couldn't help thinking that the shipyard he would be transferred to might be the gang member behind him. People think that his past personality was too reckless and too tough, so he used the special environment of the shipyard to change some of his past problems.

Lucas considered his words for a while and asked, "You think that sailing speedboat is not worthy of attention, and we shouldn't be so vigilant?"

Those little bosses looked at each other and nodded in unison.

"Don't you think the timing of this sailing speedboat is such a coincidence?" Lucas continued: "This month's goods have just entered the warehouse, and it will take a few days for inventory and allocation before they can be shipped out. This sailing boat The speedboat suddenly appeared in our outermost security circle, don’t you think it’s suspicious?”

Several small bosses looked at each other again, and one of the older ones stood up and said on their behalf: "This ship is indeed suspicious, but boss, this is not the first time you have said this. Over the past few months, Every boat that enters the outer perimeter gets your attention and orders up and down to stay on top alert, even a small fishing boat. It's okay to do this once or twice, but do it often, bros down there But I can’t bear it. Today, several brothers fell into the water because of poor spirits, but fortunately they were rescued. If the dock’s manpower is reduced because of this kind of thing, you may not be able to explain it to the higher-ups.”

Lucas showed a little embarrassment. He had heard about this incident before, but he didn't take it seriously at all. After all, when doing things on the dock, falling into the water often happens, and it is not worth it. Unexpectedly, this became one of the reasons why his subordinates opposed him.

So, after thinking about it for a while, he said, "Just hold on for a few more days. During this time, the wages of the brothers will be doubled..."

"Boss, you still owe the money you promised last time." Before Lucas could finish speaking, someone interrupted.

Another person also interjected: "And it's not about the money, it's about the brothers who really can't make it through."

Immediately, someone echoed: "That's right, don't talk about the brothers below, even those of us who are in charge have become nervous. A fish jumped out of the water just now, and I was so scared that I drew out my weapon. Mom! Yes, this is not how people live."

Seeing that someone started, others started to talk in a hurry. For a while, the dock supervisor's office became a complaint meeting, and Lucas' face became more and more gloomy with the words of the people around him. .

Perhaps someone saw that something was wrong with Lucas's face, and gradually stopped talking. Others also noticed it, stopped one after another, and the room became quiet again.

"Do you guys think I'm easy to talk to?" Lucas almost gritted his teeth.

The people around immediately became tense. Some people thought of Lucas's nickname and way of doing things when he was on the shore, and couldn't help but put them on their weapons.

Lucas also grabbed the weapon next to the chair, and a pair of fierce eyes swept over the little bosses in the room.

Just when everyone thought that Lucas would explode the anger that had accumulated for many years this time, and a big conflict would inevitably occur in this room, one of Lucas's men suddenly pushed the door in from the outside, and also Without seeing the atmosphere in the room clearly, he turned directly to Lucas and said, "Boss, the sailing speedboat you asked us to watch has now left the outer security circle,"

All the little bosses around showed expressions of "you can tell it was a false alarm" on their faces, and then they all looked at Lucas and waited for Lucas to admit his mistake and apologize.

However, the person who broke in later continued to say: "The ship has now entered the second security circle and is heading towards our dock. It only takes two hours to reach the dock."

"Two hours? So fast?" Someone exclaimed.

Someone explained: "That's the Boyana Clipper, the fastest sailing clipper in the Federation."

Some people said disdainfully: "It's just a sailing speedboat. If the cabin is full, only a dozen people will die. What's the use of coming to the dock?"

Someone immediately retorted: "That's not necessarily true. If the dozen or so people are holding federal military weapons, the guys in our hands can't compete with them."

At this moment, these people no longer think about things like lifting the alert, and they don't think about whether the sailing boat is from the IRS. They only think about how to solve the sailing boat approaching, even if they Still think that Lucas's previous order to maintain a state of alert is problematic.

As for Lucas, he would not pursue the actions of these people just now in such an untimely way. In his opinion, as long as he gets to the shore, there will be plenty of opportunities to deal with these people. Now he only thinks about one thing, and that is this sailing speedboat that suddenly appeared. .

"How long will it take for our goods to transfer?" Lucas asked immediately.

"If everyone is used to move the goods, it will take at least an hour and a half." Someone immediately gave an answer and added: "Although there is time, I don't recommend doing this because the cargo ship is too slow. The sailing speedboat can search our dock before chasing the cargo ship."

Someone immediately said: "However, we will be safe in this way. Even if they catch up with the cargo ship, they can't prove that it is our thing, and it is impossible to have any influence on us."

As soon as these remarks came out, everyone's eyes were focused on the past. Everyone looked at their companions like fools. Lucas's face turned ashen-blue, and he felt like grabbing things on the table and looking at them. The guy had the urge to smash it.

It’s true that the IRS cannot confirm that the shipment was delivered from the dock, but the problem is that such a large amount of cargo is lost, and the guild will hold it accountable. At that time, Lucas, the supervisor, will definitely bear the brunt. No one can escape.

Instead of mocking each other's stupidity, everyone turned their attention back to the main topic, but no one was able to come up with a useful and feasible solution.

"Damn it, it would be great if there wasn't that ship!" An anxious person couldn't help cursing.

However, his cursing gave Lucas a reminder. He slapped the table hard and said, "Yes! As long as there is no such ship."

Everyone didn't understand what Lucas meant, and looked at each other blankly.

However, Lucas did not have the idea of ​​explaining, but asked directly to the staff in charge of the warehouse: "I remember that this batch of goods in the warehouse contained a batch of the latest small naval guns manufactured by the Third Arsenal. Now install those in our How long will it take on the fastest speedboats?"

The warehouse manager immediately replied: "No installation is required, just put it on the deck and fix it a little bit."

"That's very good, you go and get the things out immediately and load them on our speedboat," Lucas immediately made arrangements, and said to the other people in charge of the fleet, "Choose the best from among your people." Good sailors, take those ships with guns to intercept the clipper, and sink it before it approaches the dock."

"You are crazy, if you do this, you will anger the entire IRS!" The person who understood Lucas's thoughts immediately yelled in shock.

However, Lucas looked extraordinarily calm, and said: "You don't have to worry about this, the wind and waves on Lake Beruk are so big, and there are hidden reefs and dark tides, no matter how good the ship is, no matter how experienced sailors are, accidents may happen, like this Injury caused by such a natural accident, no matter how angry the IRS may be, I am afraid it will not implicate us."