#70: The Ship Comes in

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Shortly afterwards the ‘fast mantas” arrived with food. The FM’s were definitely fast. Cody had re-engineered the Manta Wing tips so that they could fold over and under and form hydrofoils. He had re-engineered the long tail of the Manta to be similar to that of Thai Long Tail race boats. Unlike the ThaiBoats the Mantas were no louder than the breeze.

As soon as the first FM arrived it was unpacked and immediately returned for another load. Then, in rotation, one after the other, as quickly as possible, the fast manta drones left the slow moving Banana Slug, hissing quietly across the water at fifty knots to descend upon the Islands in the Flood. Everyone was provided with sufficient food to last for a while. No one would starve yet.

Weeks later, the Banana Slug itself crept into view. It defined the word slow. It moved barely faster a glacier. It was also damn near big as one.

Where Melton and Sherry’s farm and the other ‘islands in the flood’ were located, only the very tallest structures remained above the surface of the water. Other than grain elevators and radio towers everything else was submerged.

In the mean time the SSmoke Shortage had to be addressed. Shelby intended to recycle all of the SSmoke from the Banana Slug into it’s yet unnamed descendent. Even so, with the modifications he had in mind, there wouldn’t be enough. A huge amount of SSmoke would be required, that is Yuuuuge........ really Yuuge.. There wasn’t enough currently available....not even close.

Perhaps their new friends could help. They lived here maybe they knew where a hoard of CarbonFeedstock was stashed. Shelby had invited Weldon to the Banana Slug to discuss that very thing plus strategy and tactics. Not to mention they were Drinking Black Beer, Torpedo Juice and Smoking Cigars....in the RW. They could have met in Virtual Reality but it wouldn’t have been the same. Sometime one must press the flesh is person.

When Weldon arrived he felt that he already knew his way around the Banana Slug. He’d been there so many times in Virtual Reality that it felt familiar. This was the first time in meat though.

“Howdy Shelby” they shook hands. Then the ArchMage escorted him to the Wizard’s Keep. He enjoyed being able to fly while inside the Banana Slug and planned to incorporate that feature into his future operations.

“Glad you could drop by” Shelby handed Weldon a beer.

“Careful” Shelby warned him. “It’s called ‘Old Oil Change’. It’s made by a guy we picked up out here who makes it out of who knows what. In other words it’s pedigree is wildly uncertain.”

Weldon took a sip and almost choked “Thanks for the warning.”

He watched in amazement as Shelby took a big swig.

“It’s an acquired taste” Shelby said noting Weldon’s amazement then changed the subject.”You wouldn’t have any idea of were we can find some carbon feedstock would you? We’re running low on SSmoke. Anything carbon based will do. Even lawn clippings.”

Weldon almost choked. Shelby was puzzled because he’d not drank any more of the beer. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine. I have a question. Why don’t you want coal?” Weldon asked.

“I would LOVE some coal.” Shelby said “Do you have any idea where there might be some?”

Weldon looked at Shelby in amazement. “You really don’t know? I thought there might be some reason you couldn’t process coal.”

“Really don’t know what?” Shelby said then he mouth literally fell open. He smacked himself on the forehead with the palm of his hand, HARD. “Don’t tell me!!!!”

“Yup!” Weldon decided to enjoy the occasion. He doubted that he’d see Shelby in such a state very often. “The barges are full of coal. Most of them that is.”

“Duh me!” Shelby said “How could I have NOT looked? I don’t get out much as you can tell. This changes everything.”

“Where will everyone stay while you are rebuilding?” Weldon asked changing the subject again “I’d been wondering about that. As many as will fit can stay with me and my family. I can’t say for sure about the other farmers but I’m sure they’d be glad to help out too. If it wasn’t for you and yours, us and ours would have all starved after all.”

“I really appreciate the offer ” Shelby answered. “Until five minutes ago I would have accepted it, but you just solved the housing problem. In fact you solved a great many other problems. With all this feedstock, from the Coal we can make new SSmoke. We don’t have to recycle the old stuff so soon for rebuilding. We can continue to live in the Banana Slug until we get finished with what ever we decide to do. We won’t have to make any type of temporary housing. The time pressure is OFF! Thank GAWD!”

Shelby continued “You’ve shown us where there are materials for our rebuild, there’s enough to share ten times over. We have the Technology to offer you, do you think you might be interested in using it?”

Weldon grinned. His teeth shined bright against his black skin. “ Oh hell yeah. I certainly do, but I’m not real sure just how yet. As you said ‘this changes everything. We might just live in GranPa’s boat for a while until I decide what to do. I can’t begin to explain to you how helpless I felt knowing that barge had almost killed us all in our sleep. Until you got here it felt like a regular sword of Damocles, hanging over our head held up by a hair. It was much worse for Carlos when he was awake, and it troubled his sleep. That old barn is all that kept the Barge off us. We had no way to secure the barges so that they didn’t drift lose before you arrived. ”

“Good man. I certainly do get the idea.” Shelby and Weldon continued to talk for quiet a while. “You’re GrandPa’s boat is a good looker. They certainly knew how to build them in those days. Don’t worry about anymore barges getting away. If I see one I’m latching onto it. The one’s we have now aren’t moving. We’ve got them anchored real good.”

“Since we’ve been sitting here talking my plans have expanded exponentially. A hour ago, after you told me about the coal I thought we had an over abundance.” Shelby said “ Now I’m not so sure. I think that we may still be low.”

“You set your sights high don’t you?”Weldon asked.

“Sure do.” Shelby admitted.

“I like that” Weldon said.

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The Next Episode Is
#71: Grocery Tag…
The Previous Episode was
#69: InBriefing…
The First Episode was
# 1 : Prologue…
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Book One: SoulStone
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