PREVIOUSLY
["Prepare the approach sails!" Columbus commanded, his voice regaining a youthful energy that left his officers stunned. "Quihicha, signal the flagship! We want a landing formation by dawn! Clear the decks, sharpen the steel, and ready the diplomatic gifts! Today we are not merely navigators; we are ambassadors of Heaven and Castile!"
Luis and Quihicha looked at each other and, for the first time in weeks, both truly smiled. The exhaustion of the long voyage, the weight of the storms, and the diet of dry rations seemed to evaporate before the vision of that green and promising land. The Sunset Ocean had finally surrendered.]
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Year 12 of the SuaChie Calendar, Seventh Month.
Coast of an unknown island (currently the Philippine Sea region), Sunset Ocean (Pacific).
Two hours after the lookout's first cry, the air no longer tasted only of brine and despair. Now, the wind carried the heavy perfume of damp earth, the scent of exotic woods baked by the sun, and a floral fragrance that Columbus could not identify, yet which filled his lungs with a promise of glory.
The Admiral sat in a large landing boat, feeling the rhythmic sway of the oars dipping into the crystalline coastal waters. Beside him, Quihicha kept a serene watch, while Rodrigo de Escobedo, the royal scribe, adjusted his papers with hands that still bore a trace of trembling.
Escobedo had returned to the Spanish Tequendama I as soon as the storm abated. Before the gale, he had requested an audience with General Umzye to discuss matters of diplomatic record, and fortune—or Providence—had willed him to be aboard the flagship during the hours of chaos.
"It was a vision I shall never forget, Admiral," Escobedo remarked with an animated voice upon his return to the ship after the storm. "While you, it seems, fought for every plank on the Tequendama I, a sepulchral calm reigned upon General Umzye's vessel. Every sailor, every officer, even the galley staff, knew exactly what to do. There were no cries of panic, only precise orders from Umzye and an execution that felt like a finely tuned orchestra. Teamwork worthy of envy, sir."
Columbus glanced at Escobedo out of the corner of his eye, feeling a sting of wounded pride mixed with insatiable curiosity as he recalled that conversation.
"The discipline of the Suaza is the fruit of their faith in the Young Leader, Rodrigo. We have the courage, but they have the method."
He turned his attention back to the shore.
Umzye, wielding his authority as leader of the expedition, had communicated with all ships through the complex Suaza flag system. The order was clear: establish a secure waypoint and attempt communication with the locals, whose figures could already be glimpsed as small shadows moving through the dense vegetation of the shore.
Columbus's face was a map of emotions; his eyes shone with the light of one who knows he stands at the gates of Cipango or the mythical Spice Islands.
The landing was a massive operation. Seventeen boats in total cut through the waters: four from each Tequendama II (English and Suaza) and three from each Tequendama I (Spanish, Portuguese, and the other Suaza vessel). Upon touching land, the crunch of sand beneath the keels marked the beginning of a new era.
Columbus jumped into the knee-deep water and waded toward the white sand. Reaching it, he paused to observe his fellow travelers. The contrast was devastating.
The Suaza, despite the months of travel, appeared in peak condition. It was not merely the diet or the water; it was their rigid internal regulations that kept them at a hundred percent of their capabilities. Even so, a noble exhaustion could be read in their eyes—the weariness of those who have crossed the world by their sovereign's command.
The Spaniards, under Columbus's lead, held an honorable second place. They looked tired, their skin weathered and clothes worn, but their energy was solid. They had adapted to the Suaza hygiene and dietary standards, and that had saved their lives.
In contrast, James Norrington's Englishmen appeared haggard. The pride of high birth had served as no shield against the seasickness and fatigue of the Sunset Ocean. But the worst were the Portuguese.
Juan Cortizos, now demoted to co-captain under the watchful shadow of Umzye, stepped off the boat with skin the color of ash. His gaze, once haughty, now dragged across the ground, burdened by a shame shared by his officers. His sailors showed a conflicting mix of feelings: resentment toward the Suaza for stripping them of command, but a silent gratitude for keeping them afloat after their own negligence.
Umzye wasted no time. He summoned the captains—Juan, James, and Columbus—beneath the shade of gigantic palm trees.
"Listen well," said the Suaza General, whose light armor gleamed under the Asian sun. "First, we shall establish emergency settlements. Security and alert measures across three perimeters. Once the camp is secured, we will gather resources and seek contact with the natives."
Columbus, eager to be the first to engage in dialogue with those he believed to be subjects of the Great Khan, stepped forward. "General, allow my men to handle the initial contact. We have experience in dealing with new peoples."
Umzye looked at him with an expression that was both wise and stern. He remembered the reports from the previous islands all too well. "Your methods, Admiral, are... blunt. I have seen how your men draw steel at the first unfamiliar gesture. On this voyage, the Suaza Kingdom prefers the word over the harquebus. We shall lead the contact."
The European captains lowered their heads in shame. Columbus recalled, with a bitter taste in his mouth, an incident from weeks prior. Upon landing on a small island, the Spaniards, frightened by the shouts of the natives, had readied their swords and lit the matches of their harquebuses, poised for a defensive slaughter. Umzye had stopped them dead in their tracks.
He remembered how a group of Suaza soldiers, priests, and civilians stepped forward without fear. They were met with a rain of arrows, rudimentary darts, and other thrown objects. The Suaza warriors simply raised their reinforced wooden shields, remaining motionless, without counterattacking. The civilians merely left crates of gifts—fine cotton fabrics, mirrors, food, and metal tools—on the sand and retreated with gestures of peace.
Hours later, those same priests and civilians were already exchanging words and smiles with the locals, learning their tongue with startling ease.
Emerging from his reverie, Columbus bowed his head slightly to Umzye. "I appreciate your prudence, General. We shall participate according to your orders, mindful of our... past errors."
The meeting concluded, and Columbus took charge of his group to oversee the construction of warehouses and the defense of the southern flank, which had been assigned to him. Despite the diplomatic reprimand, his excitement did not wane. He knew that among his crew he carried an interpreter of Chaldean and Hebrew tongues brought from Castile, convinced they would serve to speak with the sages of the East.
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Seven days later, the landscape had changed completely.
What began as a cluster of tents had been transformed—thanks to Suaza construction efficiency and European labor—into an organized small settlement they named Discovery Town.
Three main streets intersected at right angles, featuring elevated storehouses to protect grain from moisture and reinforced palisades. Even some locals—people of short stature, bronzed skin, and simple silk clothing—assisted in the tasks in exchange for metal tools.
The contact had been an absolute success. Thanks to the patience of the Suaza mediators and the strategic use of Columbus's interpreter, the pieces of the geographical puzzle finally clicked into place.
Columbus was in the command tent, surrounded by maps freshly drawn on amate paper. Luis and Quihicha were present when the interpreter delivered the final news.
"Gentlemen," the man said, grinning from ear to ear. "According to the leaders of the neighboring village, we are on a large island south of the Kingdom of the Hundred Sons... what we call the Chinese Empire. Cipango lies to the northeast, a few weeks' sail away, and Great India extends to the west, across the strait."
Columbus felt the ground vanish beneath his feet, not from fear, but from a supernatural jubilee. Unable to help himself, the Admiral of the Ocean Sea gave a leap of pure happiness, letting out a laugh that echoed throughout the tent. He was immediately embarrassed by Quihicha's stoic gaze, but the joy was irrepressible.
"We did it!" Columbus exclaimed, slamming his hand on the wooden table. "A direct route to the Indies via the west! The Suaza Kingdom and Castile have opened the gates of the world!"
Luis and Quihicha exchanged a tired but satisfied smile. The voyage had been a torture of just over three months, but there they were, on the threshold of the lands of silk and spices. Columbus looked back toward the coast, where the sun rose over the sea. He had fulfilled his goal. He had found the key to the Indies, and with it, a power that neither the Catholic Monarchs nor the Young Leader Chuta could ignore. History, at last, belonged to him.
Three weeks later.
Year 12 of the SuaChie Calendar, Eighth Month.
Island of Unity (an island northeast of the great island of Mindanao).
Christopher Columbus now found himself on a smaller island, a jewel of emerald vegetation and dazzling white sands barely an hour's sail from the original landing site. This island, partially abandoned and discovered by Umzye's vanguard explorations, had become the first experiment in shared sovereignty in the history of the known world.
General Umzye, with that geopolitical vision characteristic of the Young Leader Chuta's administration, had declared this territory a joint enclave. It would belong to the four kingdoms: Suaza, England, Spain, and Portugal. It would serve as a foothold, a port of refuge, and a commercial embassy for all.
At first, Columbus had harbored a secret fear that the Suaza—with their pacifist attitude and clear advantages in exploring this route—would thwart any European attempt to establish themselves. He imagined prohibitions, leonine taxes, or total exclusion from the benefits. However, the reality was more complex and, to him, more surprising.
"We do not seek to be jailers of your ambitions, Admiral," Umzye had explained during one of their beach meetings. "We Suaza have no divine right over lands that are not ours, nor sovereignty over your monarchs. You are free kingdoms. Our only red line is clear: attacks on Suaza vessels or citizens, and indiscriminate massacres of the local population. Beyond that, the world is as wide for you as it is for us."
The agreement stipulated that the island would be joint territory for ten years. After that time, because the Suaza Kingdom provided ninety percent of the materials—the cement, the steel, and the technical personnel—it would become Suaza territory by full right. Columbus accepted without hesitation. It had been agreed upon before departure, but the feeling of lost opportunity left a sour taste in his mouth.
As he walked toward the solid stone house that served as Umzye's headquarters, Columbus observed the port. The Suaza had utilized materials brought from the Quyca (America): cement and primitive steel beams that allowed for the construction of houses, warehouses, and solid piers that made any European attempt at settlement look like child's play by comparison. The rest of the town, christened "Unity Town," was built of wood but followed an urban plan that included basic sewage and leveled streets.
Columbus bitterly lamented the lack of vision of the Catholic Monarchs. If they had sent essential personnel—masons, carpenters, families of settlers—Spain could be claiming entire islands at this very moment. Now, he would have to wait for a future voyage to establish a "New Castile." At least the Suaza's willingness to provide ships and secure routes guaranteed that such a voyage would soon be possible.
He entered Umzye's office. The General was hunched over a table, reviewing blueprints and supply logs. The air in the room was cool thanks to the cross-ventilation design, smelling of fresh paper and linseed oil.
"General Umzye," Columbus greeted, with a courtesy that was no longer forced but born of respect.
"Admiral Columbus," Umzye replied, looking up. "I see your energy has not waned with rest on dry land."
Columbus went straight to the point, knowing Umzye valued time above flattery. "I wish to know if my request for northward exploration will be approved. My men need the sea, and I need to chart these coasts before the season turns."
Umzye nodded slowly, appreciating the frankness of one he now considered a veteran ally after nearly two years of dealings since that first encounter in 1492.
"I have decided to approve your departure. The Spanish and the English may explore independently. However," Umzye's voice grew graver, "due to the shameful conduct of the Portuguese and their lack of discipline, your vessels must be escorted by a Suaza Tequendama I... We cannot afford further losses due to negligence."
Columbus felt a burst of restrained joy. They had spent nearly a month building houses and trading with the locals for spices and fruit, but he was, above all else, an explorer. He didn't care about the escort for the Portuguese ship; what he wanted was to see the horizon again.
"And what of you, General?" Columbus asked. "Will the flagship accompany us in this stage?"
"No," Umzye replied, returning his attention to the blueprints. "Our mission here is not yet finished. We must leave Unity Town and this port in optimal condition. My instruction is clear: establish a base that can sustain itself before we depart for Cipango—the final destination before initiating the return via the Northern Sunset route."
Columbus was surprised. For the Europeans, exploring meant moving forward, planting a flag, and pressing on. For the Suaza, it seemed exploration was merely the prelude to a perfect technical and logistical occupation.
"It seems you hardly explore at all, General," Columbus remarked with a hint of irony. "It seems you are only confirming something you had already planned on paper. Why such haste to stabilize this point?"
Umzye smiled enigmatically. "The difference, Admiral, is the approach. When we return to the Suaza Kingdom, we shall undertake another voyage immediately with ships already readied and supplies prepared. You, on the other hand, must travel to the other side of the world, report to your sovereigns, beg for funds, convince skeptical courtiers, and then—perhaps after months or even years—assemble a new expedition. We do not explore to see what is there; we establish the path for what will come tomorrow."
Columbus heard the response not as a direct critique, nor as a mockery or taunt; rather, he was detailing facts, and Columbus knew Umzye well enough to know his words bore no ill intent.
Columbus left the office with mixed feelings. Umzye's logic was crushing and reminded him of the abysmal difference in resources. The Suaza had the machinery of a kingdom with a different focus behind them, as well as a proximity they lacked; he had only his promises and the hope that gold and spices would buy the favor of Isabella and Ferdinand.
Two days later.
The Spanish Tequendama I, cut through the waters to the west.
Crew morale was at its peak. Sleeping in beds that did not move, eating fresh meat from local markets, and exchanging stories with the inhabitants of Mai (actually Ma-i)—as the locals called these islands—had brought the sparkle back to their eyes. The sun shone with tropical intensity, and the sea was a sapphire blue so transparent that coral reefs could be seen several meters deep.
They had left behind the large island of the original landing, skirting a cluster of islets separated by narrow but navigable channels. According to the maps Quihicha and Luis were helping to draft, they were in the northern zone of Mai. The wind was favorable, and the current pushed them gently westward, allowing them to circle the archipelago to determine the best site for the future Spanish settlement.
"We could call it 'Juana,'" Luis suggested, pointing to a bay sheltered by green cliffs. "In honor of Her Highness. It would be a strong name for the first Spanish city in these lands."
Columbus was about to respond when a sharp cry from the crow's nest of the central mast halted all conversation. The lookout was not shouting "Land"; his tone was one of pure alarm.
"SHIPS! FOUR SAILS TO THE STERN! THEY ARE APPROACHING FAST!"
Columbus, Luis, and Quihicha ran to the stern, unfurling their spyglasses in unison. Through the lens, Columbus spotted three small, fast, shallow-draft vessels, and a fourth of medium size with dark sails and an aggressive silhouette. They moved with a coordination that denoted perfect knowledge of the local currents, yet their advance was chaotic, zigzagging like wolves circling a larger prey.
Quihicha looked confused, observing those ships that bore no flags of any known kingdom. "Who are they? An official delegation from the lords of Mai?"
Columbus and Luis looked at each other. In their years in the Mediterranean and the nearby Atlantic, they had seen that manner of sailing too many times. It was a universal silhouette.
"Pirates!" they both exclaimed at the same time.
"Pirates?" Quihicha asked, arching an eyebrow. "Ships that rob other ships? Without law or sovereign?"
"Exactly," Columbus replied, snapping his spyglass shut with a sharp click. "And they seem to think we are a slow whale laden with treasure."
Tension seized the deck. Spanish sailors began to draw swords and ready their harquebuses, while the Suaza prepared methodically as they had practiced in previous combat simulations.
Columbus knew they were in a dangerous position. They did not know these waters for a quick retreat to the south, and if they attempted to flee north, they would face head-on the four ships gaining ground with every passing minute. The pirates of Mai sought no diplomacy; they sought the steel, the wood, and the lives carried by the Tequendama I. The first battle in the Sunset Ocean was about to begin.
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[A/N: CHAPTER COMPLETED
Hello everyone.
I hope you're all well and had a wonderful holiday season, and of course, I wish you all a successful 2026.
On to the chapter.
First, we continue where we left off, and we also address some issues that will be taken for granted later on, and as usual, they will be covered in reports, comments, or conversations between the characters.
We discussed foreign settlements, especially those that would soon compete with other European kingdoms. We also saw a bit of what happened on the voyage without going into too much detail, and we'll also see what was common during this period in our history: foreign colonies and conflicts with the locals.
By the way, as mentioned there, they are on a large island in the south, part of what is now the Philippines. This area corresponds to Mindanao; you can look it up and find more information there (there will be an Unnecessary Fact of the Day anyway).
Second, they will settle in this area first because it is one of the direct points when following the main ocean currents, and also because culturally it is easier for me to settle them there without getting into local cultural disputes. Although let's say it was a coincidence.
Just so you know, in those years (1490-1550) there were great cultures, although not on the level of their continental Asian counterparts or even Japan, but they were quite diverse. And the location where they arrived (northeast coast of Mindanao) is right in an area not heavily influenced by the major Asian powers.
UFD: The Philippines, divided into north, central, and south, were influenced in different ways by nearby powers. China, India, and Japan mainly influenced the northern islands, forming important kingdoms such as Tondo and Maynila. In the central region, a mix of the aforementioned factors was evident: the local cultures without Spanish influence (local Barangays), and the growing Islam in the south. The south was influenced by the sultanates that emerged after the formation of the Brunei Empire, which even conquered parts of the central and southern islands of the Philippines. However, what truly transformed the islands was the arrival of the Spanish a few decades later.
A curious fact: the islands that make up the central Philippines were the only ones not actually colonized by Spain. I've forgotten which culture was present there, but I'll share it as an extra tidbit in the next UFD.
PS: In the next chapter, we return to Chuta.
PS2: I added a map in case the town and island names are confusing. Remember, I'm terrible with names, hahaha.
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Read my other novels.
#The Walking Dead: Vision of the Future (Chapter 91)
#The Walking Dead: Emily's Metamorphosis (Chapter 34) (INTERMITTENT)
#The Walking Dead: Patient 0 - Lyra File (Chapter 14) (INTERMITTENT)
You can find them on my profile.]