She figured some of his obsessive-compulsiveness was to cover up the nasty scar across his forehead. It ran from one side to the other and was very noticeable.
Even so, she’d never asked about how he’d gotten so disfigured. That would be crossing the line, whether she was the man’s commander or not. Some things are best left in the past, especially if they are combat-related. He’d tell her if he wanted her to know the backstory.
Krista figured Wicks could chew glass and crap lightning if someone dared him to do it. That’s why he was at her side in most things mission-related. A leader must have strong underlings—both physically and mentally. He never questioned her orders, until now.
Krista gave him her most intense stare. “Rest assured, my joining the mission has nothing to do with your command abilities. It has everything to do with the missing Seeker.”
“Summer? Again?”
“Roger that. It’s time for me to get my hands dirty.”
“Pressure from above, ma’am?”
“More than I’d like. But it is what it is. We have a job to do.”
Krista pulled her AR-10 from the weapons rack and inspected the chamber. No round inside. She took a magazine from the stack on the table and shoved it into the lower receiver, then pulled the charging bolt back and released it with a snap.
She thought about the six mags in her chest rig, wondering if they’d come out again while on mission, meaning contact with hostiles. Either a herd of Scabs or some of Frost’s men.
If the mags did get deployed in action, then it would mean Summer’s tardiness would probably cost someone their life. Whether it was on her side or Frost’s, it would be Summer’s fault.
CHAPTER 11
Supply Chief Rod Zimmer entered Edison’s lab and held up a loose stack of paperwork. “We need to talk, Professor.”
“Well, hello to you too, Rod,” Edison said, standing near a two-foot wide pane of glass being held upright by a stand on a lab table. He waved a hand at Zimmer. “Come here. I want to show you something.
Zimmer didn’t have time for another one of Edison’s Show and Tells. He shook the paper in his hand as he walked to Edison’s position. “This can’t wait, sir.”
Edison ignored his request, pointing an index finger at the center of the mini-window. “Does anything look out of the ordinary to you? Anything at all?”
Zimmer pretended he was interested, scanning the object with a quick swipe of his eyes. “Nah. Looks like glass to me, except for those wires sticking out the side.”
“Exactly,” the professor said. “That’s the idea. Nothing but glass and electrical leads. But what you don’t see is that I’ve applied nano-layers of polymetric solar cells. It’s my own special blend of metallic hydrogen and liquid graphene. The layers are completely transparent, yet highly efficient at converting light into energy. And not just on one set of wavelengths, either. I call this invention HGS, or hydro-graphene solar. It’s a roll-on application that produces electricity at levels never before thought possible. Its quantum efficiency is off the charts, Rod. Off the charts.”
“I’m not sure what all that means, but it sounds amazing, Professor. But we do need to talk—”
Edison didn’t wait for Zimmer to finish his sentence. “This new technology can turn any glass surface into an electricity-producing super array, the likes of which the world has never seen.”
“What’s left of it,” Zimmer quipped, his interjection unplanned but perfectly timed in his mind. Sometimes, he couldn’t help himself, taking subtle shots at those with a singular vision. And Edison wasn’t the only one.
Edison let a smile loose before he continued. “Imagine what happens when we apply this to our surface mirrors that direct sunlight into the silo bay. Not only will they feed our hydroponics, but they would also convert a sizable portion of that light into power. The potential is endless.”
“Yes, sir, it is,” Zimmer answered, running through a number of scenarios in his mind. Edison wasn’t the only senior citizen who still planned for the future, though Zimmer’s version wasn’t anywhere close to what Edison had in mind.
“Especially if I can somehow trap more of the light and process it multiple times through some type of refractive prism technique. Ideally, I’d like to split the sunlight into at least eight different wavelengths, then create nano-layers that are specifically designed to convert each of those wavelengths into electricity.”
“Impressive. I’m sure it’ll help with our power requirements.”
“And then some. Our community needs to evolve in order to stay secure and survive, Rod. That means we need backups. You can never have enough backups. And by that I mean, multiple ways to generate power and store it.”
For the out-of-control population increase you are pushing, Zimmer wanted to say, but didn’t. “Of course, boss. Options are key. We all have to plan for the future.”
“It would be the Holy Grail of solar power, Rod. Right here. In Nirvana. This new process would pass on the specific wavelengths of light the plants need, but also convert the rest of the spectrum into electricity. We’d be looking at close to eighty percent efficiency. Possibly higher. It would lessen our dependency on the generators when the storms swell, and that means less dependency on Frost and his diesel.”
“Damn cool, sir. But can we talk? It’s urgent.”
“Right. Right,” Edison said, moving to a lab stool. He spun and planted his rear end on the seat. “I’m all ears.”
Zimmer gave the top sheet of paper to Edison. “Look at items four and eight. What do you see?”
Edison took the list and studied it. “Barbie dolls and a box of LEGOs.”
“Toys. On a department’s needs list. Those are not allowed.”
“Technically, no.”
Zimmer shuffled through three more sheets of paper, making his point visually by holding the paper up and pointing at it. “Plus, there’s more. I see art supplies. Mystery novels. And a bunch of other crap. This is getting out of control.”
“I understand your concern. But I don’t see why we can’t make an ex—”
“With all due respect, sir, the rules are the rules. Seekers need to focus their efforts on food and supplies. Items the community actually needs to stay alive. Not all this personal crap.”
“I hear what you’re saying, Rod. But some of our citizens are going to have special requests now and again. Especially the families with little ones.”
“I get that, but not toys for their damn kids. This is ridiculous. Can you imagine losing one of our Seekers because they went after a bunch of useless toys? First, there would be an uproar across the ranks, then everyone else would flood our lists with even more stuff that just takes up space and doesn’t help anyone stay alive.”
“Yes. Yes. Of course, you’re absolutely right. But a few toys here and there would help with morale. So would art supplies. Or books. I’m sure you’ve read the signs I’ve had you hang around the complex.”
Of course he had. He wasn’t blind. Or oblivious as to what was happening in the shadows. He could hear the whispers, like everyone else on The Committee. “Yes, sir. I have.”
“Well, there’s a reason. I’m sure you’ve heard your share of complaints from some of the newer residents.”
He could have agreed, but chose not to, not for any particular reason other than he felt like it. “Actually, I haven’t. But then again, I’m not out there chatting like you every day.”
“I mingle to get a pulse on morale. It’s an important aspect of life in our community. Happy members equal productive members.”
“But does that extend to their kids? With toys?” Zimmer asked, wondering why this man never focused on the more pressing needs, like food, security, or sanitation. His myopic view of the silo was going to be his downfall. And everyone else’s.