Jingo

Jingo by Terry Pratchett. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780061050473.

Something new has come up between the Discworlds ancient rival cites of Ankh-Morpork and Al-Khali. Literally Its up island, rising out of Discworlds sea, uninhabited and claimed by both cities. Under International Law this situation clearly falls under the ancient doctrine of Acquiris Quodcumque Rapis ("You Get What You Grab"). And everyone wants to grab. Besides, the Al-Khalians may have invented algebra, astronomy and alcohol, but hey dont have a word for lawyer, and how can you talk to people like that? Since theres no basis for negotiation, its down to the long-suffering Commander Vimes of the City Watch to deal with a crime as awful that theres no law against it. Its called war. Ankh-Morpork has been at peace for a century, and so has Al-Khali. But now there are people on both sides who think its time to give was a chance, and will happily help it on its way with a few murders... Modern war needs modern weapons. Unfortunately, Ankh-Morpork got rich making and selling them to Al-Khali. But its just possible that salvation lies in the hands of the great inventive genius Leonard of Quirm, whose sketchbooks are filled with devices for killing people, flying through the air, and weighing cheese. Maybe its in his boat tat travels under water--Leonard calls it a "Going Under-The-Water-Safely Device", or "metal sinking fish thing" for short. (Just because hes an inventor doesnt mean hes good at naming stuff.) But this is carrying something else--a device that so powerful that it can finish any war. But dont be alarmed. Its fantasy. It all happens on Discworld, where greed and ignorance influence human behavior, politicians pursue was for selfish ends, and perfectly ordinary people occasionally act like raving idiots. A world, in short, totally unlike our own.