Earth(21)

"A promise."

"What kind of promise?" I narrowed my eyes, taking Bee from Alex.

"I get to captain one of the new hybrid power stations. They are under construction just off the coast of California, and in the Gulf, and at the Great Lakes. After I drop you off, I'll be headed to California to take up my post."

We were just outside a large steel door now. Alex paused. "And you believe him?"

Captain Carl turned, crossing his arms. "Why? Is there a reason I shouldn't believe him?"

Hybrid power stations? I glanced at Alex. He looked just as lost as me, though I wasn't willing to call any of it into question. I just wanted Micah to pop out from behind the door.

Captain Carl pushed his glasses up on his nose. The frame was duct taped together. "I'm a Coast Guard vet, I'll have you know. Twenty years. Just because this boat has never been more than a mile from the dock, doesn't mean I'm not capable."

Alex held up one hand. "I'm sorry, I'm just confused."

"Well." The captain spun the dial on a padlock and opened the door. "Allow me to enlighten you."

My shoulders sagged; no Micah. Instead, three huge boilers took up the entire room.

"Cast iron and bronze. Thankfully we had these babies built before Daybreak. Basically, we boil water straight from the river inside, and the resulting steam powers the boat."

"How do you boil the water?" Alex asked, walking around one of the boilers.

"By burning trash, mostly. Oh – and office furniture. No one needs it anymore."

I stepped closer, and Bee reached out to touch the shiny cylinder.

"Don't touch!" I snatched her hand back. "It's hot!"

She looked at Captain Carl for confirmation.

"Nope," he said. "The outer shell stays cool to the touch." He leaned against it with one hand to demonstrate. "Although, they have been known to explode."

I looked at him, mouth open.

"No incidents with these particular boilers yet. Top of the line, they are!" He patted it.

"Okay. This room is officially off limits for anyone under the age of, well – me." I said.

"Ohhh," Bee let out a disappointed sigh, as if she knew what I meant.

"Come on." Captain Carl shut the door to the boiler room as we exited. "I'll show you the captain's bridge next."

Last time I was in one of those, I thought, I…well…I met Bee.

Alex was quizzing the captain about the hybrid power stations.

Captain Carl held open the door to the captain's bridge for us. "They've been building them since before Daybreak, preparing to run the country on renewable energy. A combination of solar, wind, and hydro-power; eventually there will be enough power to support the population."

"What about One Less?" Alex asked. "I thought they were shutting down any attempts at energy."

The Captain shrugged. "I guess not renewable energy. I've heard almost all of Germany is powered on solar and wind, and has been since Daybreak. They've had no issues with One Less."

A man, standing at the wheel inside the captain's bridge, perked up at our conversation, inserting his own two cents, "Hungary is powered by its nuclear reactors. They were at thirty-nine percent before Daybreak but almost the entire country has power now."

Captain Carl rubbed his temples. "Here we go again." He addressed my raised eyebrow. "This is Arnold, the First Mate."

Arnold looked at Carl with crossed arms, "You only prefer renewable because you've been promised one of those hybrid thingies."

"Hybrid power stations," Carl almost yelled. He threw his hands in the air. "I prefer renewables because there is no chance of nuclear meltdown!" He glanced at us. "Sorry – we've had this conversation more than once."

Arnold didn't notice. "Renewables are inconsistent – you know, those pesky clouds and all. And wind doesn't blow constantly. Besides, too much land needs clearing for wind and solar farms."

Carl rolled his eyes, then turned to us to explain. "And the hybrid power stations resolve all that. Wind farms do typically take up a lot of space, which is why they are being installed in the ocean. The stations are basically large floating vessels that patrol the wind farms. Plus, they are outfitted with solar panels and hydro-electricity pumps. The three renewable resources combined allow for more consistent power. Developments in energy storage let us store more power, accounting for dry spells."

Alex interrupted, "The Seven itself has had this debate for some years. Nuclear vs. renewables; which way does the world move forward?"

I rubbed my temples. "And the consensus?"

He shrugged. "Never came to one. Susan was all for hydro, of course. Cato seemed to be for nuclear."