[center][img]https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/old-voc-sailing-ship-halve-maen-at-the-river-ijssel-during-the-2018-picture-id1083643906?k=20&m=1083643906&s=612x612&w=0&h=ADkxDal3Gt5uitpUVsllhkzzksNwkH2LcuQ7MYzJGWs=[/img]

[h3]Hong Kong, Dutch East Indies[/h3][/center]

Sunlight kissed the summit of Mount Austin, or The Peak as it was known locally, bathing the recently logged area where new homes were slated to be built in a gentle pink glow. Despite the onset of mid-winter, the temperature still hovered above 15 degrees centigrade and any white man who could be seen was clad in short sleeves.

One of those men, his biceps straining against the sleeves of his khaki shirt, was Governor Daniël Verlaan. Originally born in Rotterdam, he had been hand picked to oversee the Dutch arrival in Hong Kong and subsequently ensure the flow of goods back to Europe. 

Signs of his success and continued work could be seen everywhere on the island as Steel glinted along the slopes of the mountain to show where a tram line was being pushed up the side to replace the ole donkey track that served the higher elevations of the island. Two other rail lines left Victoria Harbour, eventually wrapping around the island to connect on the far side, providing access to a series of fortifications, gun batteries, and various agricultural operations.

Victoria Harbour itself was alive with swarms of small Junks and other craft that raced back and forth between the long harbour quays and the fleet that had dropped anchor the night before. Four ships of the line, beautiful and sleek lined, towered above everything else but every eye was turned to the steamship in the midst of the fleet. The vessels were still rare in this part of the world, China having recently bought a single vessel of the original Dutch paddlewheel build some years before. This one was different, slightly larger, and driven by a steam powered screw instead of paddles on either side. Though few in Victoria Harbour understood it, they were looking at the first propeller-driven steam frigate in the world.

Some twenty Dutch flagged merchant ships had arrived with their escorts and now mixed with ships bearing flags of several other nations. The Dutch might dominate ocean going trade but it was not unheard of for private individuals from other countries to launch their own economic ventures. The Dutch did nothing to dissuade this practice, indeed most foreign trading vessels had a Dutch silent partner investing in their operation. 

Verlaan was standing on a quay, sipping coffee, while four burly sailors provided him some privacy from the heaving mass of humanity. Unlike the British before him, he kept a low profile and his garrison even more so. Only a fool would miss the strength of the defences, but he wad determined no one would have an easy time gauging the strength of the garrison.

"Verlaan, morning."

There was an definitive American twang to the voice that address him and he nodded cordially at the gregarious Yank approaching him. James "Jimmy" Breslin represented American interests in the city and managed a thriving trade company that operated largely on mainland China.

"Jimmy," He jerked his head a t the nearby coffee pot, the closet he would get to offering a cup. "How're you this morning?"

"Mighty kind of you," The American said as he poured himself a mug. "I'm well thank you. Damn fine boat you've got out there." He gestured with his free hand toward the steam-frigate.

"Wish it were mine, but it won't be staying with the garrison." Verlaan grimaced as he tasted gritty coffee bean, spitting it into the water when he could. "How are you numbers this month?"

"Damn fine, thankee." Breslin said, offering a toast with his coffee. "With the asians trying to modernize there are plenty of opportunities to make some hefty dollars out here."

Breslin sipped the coffee, eyeing the huge Dutchman over the rim of the priceless blue china. The man was unusual, in fact most of the recent Dutch leadership in the last ten years was a far cry from what many Americans assumed Europeans were like. Everyone knew the King was technically in charge of the country, but the real power lay in the Elector Council, which in turn was made up of savvy businessmen and military leaders. The practice of promoting people based on their family connections had quietly gone the way of the British Empire, and instead jobs fell to those who had the merit to see them through.

"Yes, also a bit worrisome. There are a lot of people over there, and in Japan. If we give them modern weapons, we might be in for a world of hurt."

"That's why you sold them that paddle-steamer, right?" Breslin couldn't resist the jab.

The Dutchman shrugged. "It was old. It will suit them to flex some might on their neighbours but it is only one ship and we have to pay for the new navy somehow."

The American pondered on that for a moment. The Dutch ran the worlds Navy and maritime trade enterprise, dwarfing even that of the British before them. They had chosen to do it differently though and he admired their use of local partners rather than out right conquest. The return of many colonies to local populaces had actually served them well in securing trade routes and goods.

"Still, I would hate to seem start building their own."

Another shrug. "Easier said than done. The parts needed are hard to make, not impossible, but certainly very difficult."

The two men fell into a companionable silence as they continued to watch the lively activities before them. Breslin was grateful the Dutch had allowed him to purchase a small piece of the harbour front; Hong Kong was the only port not closed off to foreigners in China and that made it extremely valuable. His rent alone was staggering, as were the costs for shipping his goods on Dutch ships, but it meant they were protected and got to their destination. 

Even the insurers these days were largely Dutch, the Amsterdam branch of Lloyds of London among the largest. The name was largely a throwback to better days but it was trusted everywhere and the Dutch had not bothered to change the name.

"Where are they bound next?" Breslin asked after some time, eyes still taking in the strange lines of the steam-frigate. The lack of a paddlewheel was odd.

"Amsterdam. The Japanese trade ships should be here in the next day or two. Transfer everything to the clippers and they will be on their way."

The clippers were things of beauty. Towering piles of sail that could outrun even a steamship on a good day, they were making the trip home in less than a month and fetching fantastic sums for luxury goods. Europe had not lost its taste for the finer things in life.

"I wonder if you might be able to find some cargo space for a few things of mine..." Breslin said, casting a sidelong glance at the Dutchman and saw his lips twitch in an approximation of a smile.

"Bound for where?"

"New York. Faster than trying to ship it to California and then overland."

"I might be able to find you some space. I have my personal allotment yet to be used up..." The Governor had a reserved five precent of cargo space on every ship for his own goods, it made the position very lucrative indeed.  

"Forty precent share?" Breslin asked hopefully.

"Done." Verlaan replied. He could have haggled, but a time would come when he would need wealthy friends in America and Breslin was looking to be one of them. The two sealed their agreement with a clink of china and turned their gazes back to the harbour.