The Tribe by D. B. Reynolds-Moreton

Author:D. B. Reynolds-Moreton [Reynolds-Moreton, D. B.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: science fictioin
Publisher: sci-fi-cafe.com
Published: 2011-08-11T23:00:00+00:00

FIVE:

Electricity

The next day seemed like an anticlimax to Kal, and he supposed it must have also affected the rest of the crew, although they seemed quite cheerful when he met then at the steam wagon.

He had not really taken a good look at the works of the new and improved steam wagon before, as everything had been a bit of a rush going out on the expedition, and their time was mostly taken up surviving the hazards along the way, or driving along recovering from the previous incident.

He was amazed at the simplicity of the whole thing, as it only consisted of a firebox and water boiler coupled to a steam regulator valve which sent the steam on to a pair of crude cylinders and pistons. These in turn, were linked up to a crank on the main drive shaft with a rather complicated system of levers and gears.

The main frame of the wagon was made from cast beams and riveted together, upon which the engine was mounted along with a water tank for the steam boiler and a fuel bin.

The steering mechanism would have won prizes for novelty if nothing else, but it worked, and had done them very good service indeed. His respect for the ingenuity of the little people went up several notches.

Accommodation was rather crude as it only consisted of benches of wood, placed wherever there was a space big enough to put them, and some were placed where Kal would not have liked to sleep.

Every nook and cranny was filled with a cupboard or storage space for the food and a simple collection of tools and weapons.

As they had been able to work out how to build the wagon based only on the very basic principles which he had demonstrated to them over the preceding months, what would they be capable of if they had access to a good scientific field of data and a fully equipped workshop.

‘Space travel in about six months’ Kal thought wryly.

As Kal moved about the compound looking at the new additions which had been made to the water wheel and foundry, he noticed that the workers, if it was possible, stopped work and stood respectfully by their equipment while he inspected it. He wondered what this new attitude of respect was all about, as they rarely did anything without a good reason. It was only just noticeable, but it was there, and he didn’t really like it, as something must be brewing and he wasn’t in on it, yet.

The glass makers had advanced their skills beyond anything he had ever seen, and as well as having taken the art of glass blowing to extreme heights, had now developed some beautiful glazes which were being used by the ceramics team.

As yet they had not gone in for building houses, but what they had done was to extend the cave system beyond all recognition, cutting back and up into the mountain.

The rooms were now on four levels, joined up by passageways such that each room looked out onto the compound and had top hung windows which opened.

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