Chapter Six
“This is a booster tank,” Qi announced as he walked round the water tank. “A water generator should work indefinitely, though, so I surmise that this only being the booster is why it is starting to fail.”
The valve on the water tank controlled the flow of water into the oasis, or at least it should.
“It’s rusted,” Mi-an said. “What was Yan thinking?”
“Probably just about the money, rather than the build quality,” Mercy replied, shaking her head. “You got any grease?”
Between them, the two builders were able to repair it and add washers to prevent future issues.
“We still need to figure where the water is coming from though,” Mi-an pointed out.
“Well, if my research is correct - and it usually is,” Qi stated, leading to eye rolls all round, “and this is from Project Olympia, then that means there should be a full atmospheric water generator nearby.”
“A what?”
“An atmospheric water generator. If they were heading to the stars, they needed a reliable source of water. Think of the hydrogel that takes moisture from the air to water the plants, then amp it up by several magnitudes. It’s not the same thing at all but it’s as close as I can explain to you.”
Mercy and Mi-an rolled their eyes at each other again.
“So where is this likely to be, then?” Mercy asked, but Qi had taken off towards the tank.
“There’s a ladder here, leads underneath,” he said, climbing over the fence around the tank and heading down.
“Better go after him,” Logan said.
“Want me to stay up here in case you need back up?” Mi-an offered.
“Might not be a bad idea. If you don’t hear from us in an hour, go get Justice and Grace.”
“No problems. I’ll keep tinkering with this valve, look for any further improvements.”
Mercy and Logan followed Qi down the step ladder, and along a narrow corridor. Mercy found herself mentally cataloguing the various ores and resources she could see, and resolved to come back with her pickhammer later.
They found Qi in what looked like an old office. He was lost in paperwork, while some old AIs limped around behind him. Mercy and Logan took them out easily, before going to find out what had Qi so enraptured.
“Oh, you’re here,” he said, almost surprised to see them. “This documentation confirms the existence of the Atmospheric Water Generator. There’s no real technical details, this is merely a tourist leaflet, but it appears to be rated for 100 tonnes a day, which should be more than enough to supply the town. We just need to find the maintenance notes. Oh, and the generator itself, which should be in this direction.”
He took off down another corridor. Mercy and Logan looked at each other and followed.
“Does he have any sense of self preservation?” Logan asked as they ran.
“Nope, at least not once he get his head into his work.”
They came out in a large room, which appeared to be an old workshop. Tool shelves lined the walls down one side, with file cabinets along the opposite wall, and a power console sat in the middle.
“Have a look around,” Qi ordered, “there must be notes somewhere.”
Mercy found a few files tucked under one of the shelves. “Is this it?”
Qi flicked through the notes. “Yes, this confirms it. It’s been set to sleep in between routine maintenance, and this power console there should put it back online. Mercy, do you want to do the honours?”
Mercy walked over, checked round the console for any obvious traps, and pushed the button. After a moment of silence, there came the sound of running water in the background. The three of them looked round, trying to find the source of the sound.
“Here!” Logan called, pushing a button to open a door.
They walked through and the door swung closed behind them. Mercy and Logan looked at each other in concern, but Qi was oblivious. He walked over to the thick glass wall, and gazed upon the source of the water.
“That’s it, it’s working! We did it!”
“Great, now we need to get out of here.”
They searched round and found another door, hidden between two bookshelves. The panel opened the door, leading them onwards.
“Wait a minute,” said Mercy, “I know where we are!”
Logan and Qi looked at her.
“We’re in the Breach, level 5 or 6, I think. We just need to get through the AIs here to get to the exit. Qi, I’m not joking, stay out of the way, leave this to me’n Logan.”
Thankfully, they were fairly near the exit, and got there easily. As they left the ruin, and were heading onto Main Street, they ran into Mi-an running to the civil corps.
“Oh thank goodness, you guys, I was starting to get really worried! You weren’t back, then the water level started rising in the tank. Did you find it?”
“Yep,” Mercy replied. “And you know that door on level 5 we could never open? I found out where it leads! We need to get to City Hall and update them.”
As they walked into city hall, Matilda and Trudy were in the midst of a heated discussion, but as soon as they walked in, both women turned to them, all smiles.
“Well, the builders, the director and the bandit,” said Matilda, “what brings y’all here today?”
“We’ve solved your water problem!” Qi announced.
“What! That’s fantastic news!” cried Trudy. Matilda, however, looked less than enthusiastic before schooling her face and smiling.
“That’s wonderful. How have y’all achieved that?” she asked.
Between them, they explained how they’d spent the morning.
“And this is an ongoing supply?” Trudy asked. “We will no longer be reliant on imported water?”
“Exactly, Mayor,” Qi replied. Again, Mercy noted a grimace flit across Matilda’s face.
“Well, this is good news. And just what the town needs after discovering this terrible plot within our very heart.”
“Yes, Trudy,” Matilda said, shaking her head. “I’ve been in touch with Meidi, Pen and Miguel will be dealt with severely.”
“Yes, they will. By the Ataran council, Matilda. They’re sending people out as soon as possible. If Pen and Miguel were working for Duvos, I’m afraid this goes well beyond what the Church can deal with.”
Trudy turned to the builders. “Mercy, Mi-an, thank you. You too, Director. Do you think you can get the supplying running fully by tomorrow? I know it’s short notice, but…”
“Not a problem, Mayor,” Mercy replied, enjoying the wince from Matilda.
“Logan, I need to talk to you and Haru. Technically, you’re still wanted men, but since you appear to have been instrumental in foiling the plot, and saving the town, I think we can work with that.”
“Now, Trudes, I don’t need letting off. I still did some things I ain’t proud of.”
“And we can work with you on those. But the big things we thought you did? Destroying the church, blowing up the water tower? It’s clear you were framed. Some community service round town, help restore everything, something like that? We can work it out.”
“If’n you say so, Mayor.”
They wandered down to the saloon, where Owen and Grace joined them.
“So, the water is sorted?” Grace asked.
“Yep,” replied Mercy. “And from what the Director says, it’s a limitless supply. However, I want to get some sort of security sorted out. There’s access from both the storage and the Breach, if you know where to look.”
“Yeah, I saw those looks from Matilda an’ all,” Logan added. “I don’t trust her one bit.”
“Nor do I,” replied Mercy, as the others at the table muttered their agreement.
“We’ll keep an eye on her,” said Grace.
The following day, the town gathered on the boardwalk next to the oasis.
“I’m sure you’ve all heard the rumours,” Trudy announced, “so I’m going to clarify everything before things get too out of hand.
“There has been a Duvos plot foiled that was trying to dry up our water supply, and destroy the town. Why, we don’t know, but we’re working on that. It’s true that Pen and Miguel from the church were involved, along with Yan from the commerce guild. They are currently under arrest in the civil corps cells, and will be dealt with by the proper authorities.”
She paused as the murmurs flooded the crowd.
“Now, the main reason we are here today. While investigating this, our builders and director Qi located an old world relic, a water generator. This has always been the source of Sandrock’s water it appears, but the work the criminal element had carried out had impacted its effectiveness. I am pleased to report that the builders were able to get it working again, and from today onwards, we no longer rely on imported water.”
The crowd cheered. Well, most of them, there were few gasps that the water came from a relic. Mostly from Burgess, who didn’t know whether to be relieved the water problem was solved, or upset about the source.
“Finally, as part of the investigations, it has become clear that Logan and Haru, while still guilty of minor infractions while on the run, are not guilty of blowing up either the temple or the water tower. As such, we have agreed that they will complete community service over the next month, but are otherwise free to resume their lives.”
There were cheers from the crowd, most of whom knew both men of old.
“Now, I would like to ask our builders to come forward and push the button to refill the oasis.”
Mercy and Mi-an looked at each other, and walked up to the button they’d set up earlier in the day. It was more for show than function, but they agreed with Trudy that the visibility of the thing was important.
“Ready?” Mi-an asked. Mercy nodded. Together they pushed and immediately the water level in the oasis rose, and poured out the overflow, filling the creek down to the canyon.
The entire town headed towards the Blue Moon to celebrate. While Mercy normally tried to blend into the background or even avoid big parties like this one, there was no luck on this occasion. Everyone wanted to talk to her about what had happened. She kept her answers bland, sticking to the official line that Trudy had publicised in her speech.
Finally, she managed to find her way to a corner next to Logan.
“So, you’re a free man now, huh? What’s your plans?” she asked.
Logan sighed. “I have no idea. I was so focussed on avengin’ my pa, I gave no thought to what would happen after.”
Grace wandered over, interrupting them.
“Well done, guys!” she said brightly.
“Well, you did…” Mercy began, but Grace shushed her.
“I did nothing. Only a few trusted people know, so I can still keep my cover. I don’t think it’s all over.”
“Matilda?” Mercy asked.
“Maybe. But, yeah, I did nothing, know nothing. So, well done!”
With that, she headed back to work.
Mercy and Logan looked at each other. “This isn’t over, it is?” she asked.
“Don't sounds like it,” Logan replied.
“C’mon, let’s sneak out while it’s quiet. Spend the night at mine, we can figure it out tomorrow?”
“Now, that’s the best idea I’ve heard for a while.”
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