Sudden Storm [Tales of the Cidatel 21] by Viola Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

into his lap. “Easy, Vexa. I am here to help.”
    She shivered and buried her head against his neck, inhaling the scent of him. She didn’t sleep but she rested against him, his body acting as a touchstone to the rest of the universe.
    Three jumps later, they were on their way down to Weeker.
    The people of the city were in full evacuation, but the glacier looming above them was a definite threat. Vexa frowned at the wall of ice as they landed and tried to work out a plan of attack.
    The mayor of Yuseth City met them, and he explained the situation. “We have been watching the encroaching glacier for years, but suddenly, the shift in temperature has caused a rapid escalation in its progress. One year from now, this city will be under a casing of ice or scraped from the surface. We need a few more weeks without our power supply being cut off. The plant is about seven days from being overtaken. How soon can you start?”
    Burn inclined his head. “I am Burn, this is Elemental, and we will begin as soon as we have quarters to rest in and a hot meal. After that, we are at your disposal.”
    Vexa was staring at the wall of ice and frowning.
    The mayor asked her, “Why do you look upset?”
    “I am trying to figure out where the water will go. The amount of energy to turn the water to vapour is prohibitive. I need to make sure that there is drainage before we start.”
    The mayor blinked. “Can’t you just make the ice go away?”
    Novice Storic snorted.
    Burn shook his head. “Ice turns to water, and water can turn to vapour. Vapour goes into the atmosphere and changes your weather patterns.”
    Vexa suddenly had an image in her head. “That’s it! Hot air.”
    The mayor was the one who now looked confused. “I beg your pardon?”
    Burn grinned. “Show us our quarters, and she and I will discuss a battle plan.”
    They were shown to a small apartment on the edge of the city where they could come and go without difficulty. Food was provided in the form of compressed ration packs with a heater.
    When they were alone, Burn sat her down. “Now, what were you thinking?”
    “If you provide a portion of the heat and I can anchor to the ground, I can produce a hot and melting storm with dirt particles in it that will rapidly chew away at the glacier. The particles will carry heat and attract light to continue the degradation after we are gone.”
    Burn grinned. “That will work?”
    She shrugged. “It should. If not, I can take sand and heat it before blowing it over the glacier then keep the heat going until there is a huge puddle where the rock used to be.”
    “We will start with the dirt and go from there.”
    This was exactly what they did. The first blankets of red earth coated the area around the power plant, and slowly, ever so slowly, the wall began to melt.
    Once there were rocks exposed, Vexa heated them as well, and soon, the glacier was retreating back, inch by inch.
    Burn called a halt to their activities after a few hours. “Time to rest so that we can attack fresh in the morning.”
    In one day they had bought two months for the power plant.
    The mayor had been watching, and he was delighted with the early results. He thanked them profusely, and Burn had to delicately extricate his hands before he and Vexa could leave.
    She was chortling. There was a no-contact rule out on her participation, and at a time like this she didn’t mind at all. Burn was going to take the brunt of the handshaking, and she got to enjoy the smiles and words of gratitude.
    They took the small skimmer back to their apartment. Burn was looking extra exhausted. “Are you all right?”
    He coughed slightly. “Fine, tired, I think. A quick dinner and some rest are on the agenda.”
    She agreed and was very concerned. Unless she drained him too much, he had a natural energy that seemed to be missing at the moment.
    “Of course. Quick dinner and then rest.” She tried not to worry. Everyone had their downtimes now and