00013

Sunday afternoon.

The McCleers discussed that morning's sermon in their suite at the Governor's mansion as George McCleer waited for Security Leader Clyden to return. The Security Leader had dropped them off at the large Governor's House after church and said he would be back in two hours to pick up George McCleer and take him to meet Gov. Bright at one of the environment generator stations.

(The Enviro-Gens worked nonstop. They were spaced at various strategic locations around the planet, manufacturing and maintaining habitable, Earth-type zones.)

Immediately after church, Xavier Bright had left for a meeting with his Information Bureau (propaganda department), so Sec. Ldr. Clyden took the McCleers back to the mansion, promising to fetch George for the tour of the climate factory at the scheduled time, about 2 o'clock.

Gov. Xavier Bright had once again said at that time that he wanted George to see with his own eyes how the Earth's constant short-changing of the World of Hope kept life very difficult for all people here. He wanted George to get an idea how much the Governor and his people had to struggle to keep their world functioning. Despite all their hardships, they managed, though, the Governor boasted. An example- Despite being sent proper equipment, the environment engines continued changing the landscape for the inhabitants, although the Enviro-Gens were not nearly as efficient as they could be, with proper supplies from Earth, according to Xavier Bright.

George McCleer checked his watch. "Sec. Ldr. Clyden's man must be almost outside by now. See you later, love."

"Okay, then, have a good time. George." She kissed him as he headed out the door. "Don't worry, Hon, I won't be bored. I have X-9 here to keep me company. Right, X-9?"

"Yes, Ma’m," the robot affirmed, not understanding the true nature of her remarks.

George McCleer promised, "Okay, when Xavier wants to show me the college, you can come with to Sparkle U. It'll make us feel nostalgic, for sure. But for the record, visiting the Enviro-Gen's not any more exciting than being here waiting for me is, I am sure."

"Take care. You know the rumors about loose Eaters in the wildlands.”

By the time George got outside, his ride was pulling up. Security Agent Samm drove. Samm stopped and George got in the car. While he drove George McCleer, Samm offered very little conversation, except to inform that this particular Enviro-Gen operated on the fringe of the city, but past the farming acres, toward the Sea of Fun. 

George tried to find out what Agent Samm thought of Gov. Bright, how Samm liked his Security job, anything that might give George McCleer more insight into his old "friend" Xavier, but Agent Samm was not much of a conversationalist.

The trip took little time, since any speed limits that might be posted on the highway did not apply to the  Governor nor the Security Agency.

When they arrived, Gov. Xavier Bright already was standing there at the entrance to the Enviro-Gen waiting for George McCleer. Security Leader Clyden stood by the Governor’s side.

The Governor politely welcomed George, but George noted that now Xavier lacked the warmth which he always displayed when around Nina.

George thought the Enviro-Gen resembled a mini-nuclear energy plant in appearance, with a small-scale version of those massive plume-spewing smoke stacks of the power plants. These stacks vented gases to enhance the harvests on the farms, and to increase the growth of oxygen-producing plants in the parks and at the rocketport. 

A pair of robots guarded the entrance to the factory.

Xavier Bright commented, "I hope you don't find as much fault here as you did at church, especially considering what we do here is very important work."

George McCleer replied, "Probably I won't, unless I have to sit through another sermon like the one delivered this morning."

Xavier Bright didn't crack a smile. He stepped aside and motioned for George to enter first. "After you, George.”

George McCleer proceeded inward, with the Governor and the Security Leader following. Agent Samm stayed outside with the vehicle.

Inside, several technicians worked various posts, reading gauges, recording data, pressing buttons, pulling levers, etc. In the circular main chamber, instrument banks crowded the walls from floor to ceiling.

A supervisor greeted the visitors. "Good afternoon. It is always an honor to see you, Gov. Bright.”

Xavier Bright returned polite greetings and introduced George. "Earth sent Mr. McCleer, because the Leaders want to know exactly what we are doing on our world with all the abundance they send us. If you will be so kind as to detail to Mr. McCleer what exactly is the task of the Enviro-Gen, and all it entails, it will be most enlightening for Mr. McCleer and Earth- I hope."

"Of course, Sir." He turned to George McCleer and escorted him about the environment factory and into adjacent rooms, explaining and showing him robots doing routine work with hazardous chemicals safely behind Martin Glass.

Meanwhile the Governor kept several paces behind the supervisor and George McCleer, talking with Sec. Ldr. Clyden in subdued tones.

"And the robots didn't even protest?"

"No, Gov. Xavier, and it’s because Sheila is your charge, so to them it is almost as if it is you giving the order."

The Governor shook his bewildered head. "And so they just let her hunt them. I appreciate the robot's loyalty and obedience, but I cannot believe a thinking creature, even a robot, can be so stupid.”

Sec. Ldr. Clyden pressed the matter. "We- our world- is critically short on resources, and Sheila is wasting them! That Osmo Martin is a terrible influence. I know she is undisciplined enough on her own, but now, with him around, she is even worse. Send him back to Earth is what I think!"

"I only met him at the rocketport, but I do know of his reputation for trouble on Earth. Hmm. Maybe I should get to know him better. He is, after all, a companion of my niece. I can find out just who is badly influencing whom.”

The Governor looked over to see what George McCleer and the supervisor were doing. The technician was saying, "We need more so that we can increase the range of our human habitable zones. If we can stretch out the friendlier environments more and more across the world, we can alleviate the awful crowding in Sparkle city. We have a few resorts outside the city, but they are based on a less pleasant climate, such as winter and skiing. But most citizens do not want to live like that year round. We have the forest, but in the forest it can get very hot and humid, like a tropical jungle on Earth, and the vegetation grows thick very quickly. We hope one day to make our friendly climates larger and self-sustaining."

"So you think one day the Enviro-Gens will change the climate so much that the climate will reach a point where the Enviro-Gens are not even needed?"

"It is feasible. But, like always, our problem is: not enough of what we need!"

"Hmm. Do you use a lot of Trilo at this place?”

“Trilos?” The technician supervisor appeared bewildered. “Isn’t that used in processing power fuel ore?”

“Oh, is it? Say, can you show me your logbooks and the records of what chemicals you use here?” George McCleer asked.

"Of course. Right this way, Mr. McCleer-" Only too late did the man notice the glare from the Governor. 

Oops, he almost volunteered confidential information without approval from the proper authorities. Bad mistake for his career. "Oh, that's right. I am afraid we are doing archival maintenance and updating, so, unfortunately, those records aren't available at the moment."

"Really? Too bad. When will they be available?" George inquired.

"Um, ah-"

Gov. Xavier Bright interrupted them. "George, we know what we are doing with the supplies we have. The stuff that we don't have is the problem. We need more chemicals, more circuit parts, more everything. Is that so hard to understand?"

"Oh, okay. I thought maybe you missed something that I could catch,” said George McCleer. “After all, it is all fresh to me. Sometimes it helps to get an outsider to objectively view the problem."

Very annoyed, Xavier Bright refused to offer any books for George to see. "Can't be done, George, and this is the reason why. Since we lack the proper equipment, we are unable to do our archiving the proper procedural way. It may take a lot longer than normal. There's no telling when I can comply with your request."

"Oh?”

"Yes, George, you’ll need to be patient until the records are ready. Very patient.”

"Okay. Well, you will let me know as soon as the books are available, right?"

"As soon as they are available," promised Xavier Bright.

The supervisor next guided George McCleer over to some upright gas canisters.

“These feed important gases into the engine, but look how rusty some of them are and how they needed replacing.

Meanwhile, the Governor fell behind again with his right hand man by his side.

Out of earshot, Gov. Bright whispered, "That McCleer is becoming a problem, as I knew he would."

"Yes, Sir,” agreed Sec. Ldr. Clyden. "Do you want me to do something about him?"

"Not yet. I think, though, in time we shall have to deal with him.”

(c) 2011 drk