“I appreciate your time tonight, Kellum. We never would have imagined
these things from our little village,” Jon said, pointing out the electric
lights along the streets, and small electric transports similar to the earth
vehicles of the late 21st century. The city had grown by two fold in
the years since he’d left. Nothing
looked much the same. The streets were still paved with stone, the old
buildings still standing, most people still walking and socializing around open
fire rings.
“You see, with this
clean light, no soot or ash from the oils, no need to trim wicks or replace
mantles, people have found it superior and are willing to pay to receive it.”
“It must take a
considerable amount of refitting,” Ensign Samuels commented.
“Just more people
working, earning, supporting their families and being able to send their
children to schools.”
“If I may ask, where
did the idea for the electricity generator come from?” Archer asked, feigning
ignorance. “It seems to me the city was happy with oils. We still use them at
our home, of course.”
“It was developed at
the University of Orchises. Have you been there? Laskin, you must have studied
medicine there. Brooer‘s evening report indicated you have much more education
and experience than she first thought.”
“No, I’m afraid I
haven’t.” Laskin looked at the Admiral
and Ensign for a cue.
“We have a small
university in our…mother’s birth town,” Samuels offered.
“I’m sorry to say I’ve
not traveled out of Tammalynnia my whole life,” Kellam said. “But perhaps I
will take a transport soon,” he laughed, cuffing Archer on the shoulder again. “Where
are you all staying? You weren’t planning on commuting every day from the
countryside?”
“We haven’t selected a
place yet,” Jon answered, hoping Kellam might suggest something.
“Most of us stay in
the city for our 4 days, and then spend 4 at home. Tomorrow is my last day on
shift, but I can’t be sure of your first shifts in other departments. I’d take
you to my place but there’s not enough room.”
“Can you suggest
something?” Archer looked around at the crew and put up his hands in the air.
“There’s a single room
guesthouse a few streets over. It’s run by Reactor Two personnel for people who
– “
“Work at the energy
factory. Yes, I’m starting to understand how important this new technology is
to the whole community.”
“I will take my leave
of you, Jons. It has been a great pleasure getting to know you all. I have a
feeling we will become closer in the years to come,” Kellam boomed and clasped
Jon by both shoulders. The man shook Archer a bit and then walked off along an
intersecting flat stone road and disappeared.
“Jons?” Laurel
chuckled.
“I haven’t quite got
the name structure around here yet,” Laskin noted.
“So are you Russell or
Laskin? I’m Laurel, not Samuels”.
“Laskin.”
“Well it appears we’re
collectively Jons, so leave it at that.”
They walked together
in silence for half a kilometer in the direction of the guest house.
“Something’s missing,”
Archer muttered aloud. “There’s no mention of Tellarites, yet the Vulcans found
evidence of their technology here. What do you two make of it? I didn’t ask you
two about your new employment. Ensign?”
“Well, sir, the
geology is quite interesting. There are large deposits of Monazite sands, and
that’s where they are getting the Thorium. It’s right here on the planet. They
use electric motors, courtesy of the reactor, to dig out the Monazite. It’s a
pretty rich source. But, Thorium can’t be used alone. It needs a neutron to
fizzle. It’s radioactive, but hardly the first choice for large energy
production.”
“And?”
“The reactor is cooled
by molten salt, which is also abundant here. I can’t say the Tellarites are
bringing in any of the material. But I can guess they are responsible for the
technology.”
“Crewman?”
“Typical workplace injuries.
Falls, cuts, and as I expected, first and second degree burns.”
“Radiation sickness?”
“Not today, at least.”
They continued on in
silence.
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