"Shawn is dead," I reminded him, my voice cold. David was becoming annoying. He protested when I began using the aurora borealis to transfer nuclear energy to population centers, even though the underwater transfer cables had years’ worth of development to go until they were safe.
Alex and Susan were hard at work on one of the hybrid power stations, dubbed Advanced Hybrid Industrial Units. AHI Units, named for all of the sacrifices made in the fight over power. But AHI Units also had years' worth of development ahead of them before they could support the new world. In the meantime, the Chakra Centers set up by governments around the world would help sustain our populations.
"Let me ask you, David, how do the carbon dioxide levels look?" I glanced at him, my finger tracing the spiral of life on the tabletop. It was our new symbol, plastered on almost everything the organization owned.
He opened his notebook. "Almost down to the preindustrial level."
I crossed my arms. "And Earth's temperature?"
"Also down – almost by .5 degrees Celsius." His cheeks went crimson.
"The Earth is fixing itself, David – thanks to Akasha."
Shawn had been right about one thing; nuclear was the most ready. But unlike him, I knew it wasn't the long-term option. Powerful, dangerous, convenient, necessary. Easter Island had already volunteered to serve as a site for a second nuclear station, and floating Russian nuclear reactors were being brought back online. All three would exist on sinkable islands, in case of emergency. All three wouldn't be activated until Gaias were found, and volunteered, to run them.
Coming to Shawn's plant in McMurdo Power Station on Ross Island in Antarctica was really my only option. It was almost exactly halfway around the world from Bee. Hopefully, whatever energy we each were manipulating would balance out. Besides, cold numbed the constant feeling of pain in my stomach, in my head, and in my heart.
"One Less doesn't—"
"And I've changed the name," I interrupted David. "To One More."
Both Erika and David arched their eyebrows.
"As in one more plant. We're going to plant things. Tell the Chakra Centers to get their shovels ready."
Erika did a fist pump.
David's other eyebrow went up. "Ma'am?"
I sighed. "I'll be in my room – do not disturb for an hour." My hand brushed the lump in my side cargo pocket, ensuring the Chalice was still there. "And David? Don't call me ‘ma'am’."
Chapter 76
Our Solstice
I landed on the platform. My toes tingled as they touched down on glowing, not-so-solid ground. I looked up. The two men I had left last time were there: Cato and Ted.
"It is done then?" Cato asked.
I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat.
"And not without its sacrifices…" Cato drifted off.
I looked up at him. The men glanced at each other, then slowly stepped aside. From behind them, two green eyes looked back at me.
A smile opened up my face as I walked toward Micah. I paused in front of him, stretching out my hand. He did the same. My solid to his translucent. He made an effort, and was able to solidify his extended limb. Our fingers intertwined.
I looked up into those deep pools of jade, sucking me in just as they always did.
"Hey," I said.
He smiled. "Hey, yourself."
"Shall we begin?" Cato interrupted the moment.
Micah moved to stand next to me as Cato began, "Dearly Beloved, as we gather here today…"