TEOTWAWKI

in #fiction7 years ago (edited)



#72: Grain Elevator

..............................................................................................................................................

Carl’s Dragon Drone snatched a handful of off-status surveillance drones, including ‘no-see-ems’, on the way ‘out the door’. The other day, when he’d been operating the Bug Surveillance System he’d noticed a thing. Several things actually. They were close enough that he figured he could check it out himself without much problem.

He tele-operated his dragon drone across the still water, using the already in place marker drones for guidance in the dense fog, to the closest of the commercial grain storage facilities. He was surprised that no one else had seen the Grain Elevators except him. He’d been idly scanning the area around the Banana Slug using the Surveillance Bugz and BINGO there is was.

It, and all the others, was beside the river. The closest was only a few miles away. On a clear day they would have been easily visible. There hadn’t been any clear days lately, the fog made them impossible to see from more than a few yards away.Weldon and the other Islanders were likely to be aware of their existence but who had asked them?

Upon reaching it’s destination the Dragon Drone began to explore. It could open simple doors and hatches. Carl’s dragon dropped aquatic drones in likely places and did the same thing with the tiny no-see-ems.

Then it flew home on auto-control. While it was returning Carl explored using the bugz and fishez that the dragon had left behind.

“This is interesting” he muttered. “All of the ventilation ports have been sealed. You know, the grain on the inside might not be ruined.”

“Then you better hurry if you want to get to it before it does ruin you idiot.” Karl said “The water is still rising. It may not be wet yet but how long will it stay dry?”

“Good point” Carl replied.

He gave Shelby a call.

Even though Carl was a small boy, no older than Cody, Carl, like Cody had proved himself seven fold. Shelby dispatched a dragon drone carrying a swarm of specialized drones. In no time Grown Ups were investigating the Grain Elevator closely.

“Not that I don’t trust you to do a good job boy.” Shelby said “But I’ve been sneaking around for more decades than you have years. I’ve learned some tricks. Very good work by the way. You done good.”

It turned out that not all of the bins were dry. A few were full of soggy grain, a LOT of soggy grain. They’d make a lot of SSmoke, and the dry grain could be used as food to supplement their supplies. He got to work.

SSmoke is an interesting thing. It can be made from a great many different feedstocks. The TIME it takes to make from each feedstock varies considerably, and the quantity. Oil or gasoline provide the best performance ratio. It takes a medium amount of time to make it and it makes a medium amount of SSmoke Following that is food. If a person can eat it then it can be made into SSmoke fairly quickly. Unfortunately the the feedstocks that can be used to make SSmoke quickly don’t provide high volume. Food is fast, but not much of it.

COAL, on the other hand, produces a LOT of SSmoke, but to do so takes a lot longer. Shelby needed SSmoke NOW. The Coal Transformation wasn’t keeping up with demand.

Shelby gave Weldon a call.

“Have you talked to your Buddies?” Shelby asked “What do you think and what do they think?”

“We all think it’s just fine.” Weldon replied. “Excellent use of resources. I can’t wait”

“You won’t have to.” Shelby said “They’re moving right now. I was waiting on your OK. This IS your land isn’t it, and theirs?”

“Well, “ Weldon grinned “not ‘land’ actually anymore. I guess you could call it ‘claimed territory.”

“That’ll work” Shelby said “We’ll respect your claim. You’re not claiming the Grain Elevator are you? Are any of you?”

“No.” Weldon admitted. “The Co-op Elevator is the other way. It would be the only one you could say we have any claim to. The one you’re taking over is owned by a huge multi-national MegaCorp.”

Weldon said that last as if he’d tasted something bad.

“Didn’t like ‘em much?” Shelby asked

“They were bastards” Weldon replied.

“So you have no objection then?” Shelby made sure.

“Not one tiny bit” Weldon replied.

........................
The Next Episode Is
#73: Last move…
The Previous Episode was
#71: Grocery Tag…
The First Episode was
# 1 : Prologue…
..............
Book One: SoulStone
..................................................
I'm

@everittdmickey
.
I write
SPECULATIVE FICTION
My books on Amazon.
I engage in political commentary
and
generally talk about anything that strikes my fancy
on
Steemit
and
Sola

When watching the LameStream FakeNews Media

it's hard to tell what’s true or when they are lying isn’t it? It seems that they are more interested in influencing public opinion than they are reporting the facts.
SteemPunk Snail Image from Pixabay

Sort:  

Ssmoke on the rise, the multinational won't even know its gone and they can claim the loss on their taxes.;-}

As usual my friend you have my attention and ears.
Thanks.

During this type of tragedy everything that can help reduce the suffering of the people must be used by The authorities; I believe that this should be a universal law, and then it would be seen if it repays the help in some way ... Shelby continues to make timely and accurate decisions in the leadership or direction that has been univocally assigned ... I detect a lot concern in Shelby, it's as if apart from the need for food, something else was pressing him.

Has anyone told you that u look like the guys of duck dinasty?

NO!
You would be the FIRST!

Hahaha well, you do! Everytime i see ur photo on my feed i think about that

Coin Marketplace

STEEM 0.21
TRX 0.25
JST 0.039
BTC 95882.33
ETH 3347.19
USDT 1.00
SBD 3.21