NationStates Jolt Archive

Hafiv peered out his windshield. A steady torrent of rain obscured his vision as he drove his M1114 HMMWV at twenty miles-per-hour up the freshly cut road. He could hardly make out the muddy trail as it curved upwards. Instead, there was only the endless, watery green of the jungle.

He hit a large rock and the car learched to the left. Beside him, Samson, fresh from the capitol, grabbed the cuff above his window, as to not knock into Hafiv. Both men were sweating profusely in the 96-degree weather, and the AC had failed two days ago as they forded a stream that had swelled and covered the road.

Another jolt, this one hard enough to rattle the carriage. Hafiv eased up on the gas. He knew by now not to break in the soft mud or the vehicle would swerve into the forest. The car bounced twice more then seemed to hit something. The safety belt cut across Hafiv's chest as he was tossed forward.

Hafiv steadied himself and sucked in a deep breath of the muggy air. His foot was now on the break, though he didn't recall putting it there.

"What happened?" asked Samson.

"No clue," Hafiv said with a shrug. He tapped the gas and was rewarded with the growl of the engine as the HMMWV inched forward sluggishly.

"Stop," Samson said, as he unbuckled. He was out the door in a second, leaving it open. The rushing of wind joined the steady beating of rain on the roof. Hafiv saw only a smudge of khaki colors against the dark green as Samson checked out the car.

"You're deep in the mud," Samson said as he clambered back into the car. He was soaked thoroughly. "Try backing up."

Hafiv shifted to reverse and tapped the gas again. For a moment, the vehicle eased backwards, then it shook and stopped again.

"Try twisting the wheel and going forward," offered Samson. Again, they moved a few inches then stopped. Trying to move backwards also proved ineffective.

"Do you know what this means?" asked Samson.
"Are far are we from the monastery?" replied Hafiv.
"Miles. I'll crank the radio but we're going to have to load up these supplies and --" Samson paused as Hafiv raised his hand.
"Do you feel that?"
"I don't feel anything."

Hafiv opened his door, blinking as hard drops of water hit his broad face. He starred at the muck-covered tire in front of him for a minute, then sighed.

"We're sinking. This fucking thing is sinking."

The nation of Kesshite is currently seeking automobile designers and manufacturers for a series of 200-500 military-grade vehicles appropriate for rigorous use in undeveloped, tropical jungle territory. These vehicles must be fuel efficient, run on ethanol, ford small streams without electronic malfunction, function off-road in mountainous or swampy areas, and be (comparatively) lightweight.

While Kesshite is not a wealthy country, these vehicles are important for rapid response to disaster and other government use. As such, we are willing to finance designing, prototyping, and testing, as well as manufacturing of these vehicles.

Interested parties should contact Naasum, Minister of Trade.

[ I could hop on Jeuna for this, but nothing in Jeuna runs on ethanol.

Still, great introductory post. ]

(OOC: I'm currently developing a HMMWV (well, my troops don't have Humvees, but you get the point) for myself, I'm only waiting on the drawings before I'll present it. Although it has a Diesel engine, mounting another engine could solve those problems)

OOC:

[ I could hop on Jeuna for this, but nothing in Jeuna runs on ethanol.

Still, great introductory post. ]

Thank you!

Kesshite has an abundance of sugar cane, and few known oil reserves. Hence, the ethanol fuel.

(OOC: I'm currently developing a HMMWV (well, my troops don't have Humvees, but you get the point) for myself, I'm only waiting on the drawings before I'll present it. Although it has a Diesel engine, mounting another engine could solve those problems)

Interesting. Could you post to this thread or TG me when you're finished developing it?

(OOC: Will do.)