A Greater Union, Part 2
The Internal Combustion Engine
This is Part 2 of my less-than-serious Alternate History story where Austria-Hungary lives on to conquer big chunks of the world. You can see the origin story for this series here:
And if you missed it, you can check out Part 1 here:
Part 2
Franz grasped Lieutenant Bednarz's hand and the aide heaved the Austrian noble from the boat onto the pier with little effort. Herr Daimler joined him a moment later by the same conveyance, looking rather startled by the experience.
Franz's military aide was frequently mistaken for a professional boxer. And with good reason. At just over six feet tall and nearly as broad, he had been known to regularly win ‘friendly’ matches with a single blow.
"Thank you, Bednarz." The Pole nodded mutely at the praise and took up his customary position trailing the Austrian noble as he strode from the dock. Sometimes looks could be deceiving, but in this case Bednarz' unusual height, broad shoulders, and mass approximately that of a fully grown ox practically shouted 'bodyguard.'
"Herr Daimler, Herr Maybach, quite extraordinary indeed. How did you develop this 'engine' of yours?"
"Well, Your Highness," Daimler paused to wipe perspiration from his forehead with a kerchief, "this engine is of our own design. Both Maybach and I have been working with this type of engine for some time. We have a small workshop here where we build them and fit them to different forms of vehicles."
"Different forms? Do you mean these horseless carriages I have been hearing about?"
"Yes! Exactly, your highness. We have made several. As you just experienced, we have started to experiment with other vehicles like small boats, carts, and even bicycles."
Franz stopped on the grassy shore to turn and stare at the boat. It wasn't much to look at, but he found himself oddly fascinated.
"Could you make a larger boat propelled by your engines?" He asked.
"Well, yes, Your Highness." Daimler looked at Maybach, who took up the reins of the answer.
"We have discussed this extensively, Your Highness, but have yet to try it. The engine you see here is small, but we believe we can make larger engines with more cylinders. And possibly larger cylinders. But yes, we think we can build larger engines for small ships."
An idea struck him, sparked by something he'd read in a newspaper at breakfast this morning. "What about something the size of a warship? Could you power that?"
The two men looked startled. The younger Maybach's eyebrows drew together and he turned to the older Daimler. They seemed to communicate without words for a moment, solely through a subtle lift of the eyebrow here, a mouth turned downward in a frown there. But communicate they did.
"Something thousands of tons, Your Highness? Theoretically it could be done. But we would have to experiment with many things. No one has tried to build an internal combustion engine that size. For small launches? Yes, that can be done. But a warship? Much more difficult." Daimler crossed his arms as his eyes drifted out of focus.
"As Herr Daimler says, it is theoretically possible, Your Highness. But yes, very challenging. And we do not have expertise in designing boats. We build engines and work with a shipyard for designing the boat itself. We would have to find a shipyard willing to work on something completely new with us. Few are willing to take such a risk."
"Are there many shipbuilders who make small boats suitable for use with your engine, Herr Maybach?"
"There are a number, Your Highness. The basic craft is very similar to small sail craft and similar craft can be fitted with small steam engines. This one was made by Herr Lurssen of Bremen. He is very skilled at his trade, yet it took a great deal of work to develop this design. Larger craft would require even more design work, I believe. But," he said with a wide smile, "you are a young man still and I am sure you will see wonders even greater than this in your long life."
Franz laughed in response. "I am sure you have a great deal of wonders to see yourself, Herr Maybach. Besides, I…"
"Electrical firing of the distillate fraction." Herr Daimler blurted out. "That would solve the problems with unreliable ignition. Maybach, this would make a four-stroke engine practical and allow us to incorporate more power."
Franz stared, nonplussed, as Maybach's eyes drifted off into the distance to match Daimler's earlier gaze.
"Electrical ignition… Via a spark of some sort? Very interesting possibilities."
The two men stared at each other once again, their minds seeming to work furiously before Maybach shook his head.
"My most sincere apologies, Your Highness. When Herr Daimler and I begin thinking through something new we sometimes get quite distracted."
"Ah, I understand being intrigued by a challenging problem." Franz stroked his thin beard and studied the boat again. "Nevertheless, I am very intrigued by what you have accomplished. I am grateful to Count Chocula for telling me of your accomplishments and arranging this visit. Unfortunately, my time here in Stuttgart is at an end. I must take the train to Berlin later today. Would it be acceptable to you for my aide to keep in correspondence with you?" Franz motioned at the towering form of Bednarz. "I would like to stay informed of your developments."
"Of course, Your Highness, it would be our pleasure." Daimler, awoken from his fugue, gave a bow, aped by Maybach.
Franz shook the men's hands, and turned to meet his carriage. In a few short hours, he would be on the way to Berlin, for days of dreadfully boring meetings with the German Foreign Ministry and endless receptions.
He would have to endure through two weeks of obligatory duty as a representative of his Uncle's government. But while he would be there in person, his mind would be speeding across the Neckar at eleven knots with the wind whipping across his face.
I hope you’ve enjoyed Part 2! I’m planning on putting out scenes like this one on a monthly basis, so stay tuned for Part 3 coming up in September. Until then, thanks for reading and take care!