[@Letter Bee]


SECONDARY QUEST-Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained



Dr. Ney looked at the young man-boy, really, to someone who was past their 40th birthday- with a new respect. "Damn me, son, you do know what you're talking about, don't you?" The doc shook his head in wonderment that such a young fellow was so specialised in his knowledge. The least he could do was satisfy the man's curiosity. 

"Photovoltaic technology in Orleans has been around since before the War. Since we've had a few generations of infrastructure and progress with the Order, photovoltaic power accounts for 23% of our output." The scientist spoke with years of experience behind him. "Are their any prohibitions on construction and research? Not really. Solar panels and the like are not used for any of the Order's essential defence needs, like turrets or force fields, so if some fellow can engineer a more efficient generator or something in a shack somewhere, why not? The Order can always take over the projects and use it themselves." A note of bitterness crept into his voice. "God knows, they've swooped in and taken enough if my work." 

He shook his head. "But I don't see how we can improve on anything you have already, to be honest. If you run a vessel on photovoltaic power, you might be able to teach us something yourself. Dr. O'Malley, for one, will want to know how you manage to maintain your equipment in the field. Our own photovoltaic power can be...fragile, which is why we don't use it more. A shame, really." the scientist shrugged. "Maybe I'd the world had used a little more we would never have had a Great War."