'The energy storage system is different from batteries as we understand them,' said Joe. 'The panels always kept it near maximum. I don't know how far we'll get without the panels working.'
'Could we fly over open ocean?' asked Rick.
'I wouldn't try it while it's dark.'
'Then we should head north, skirting the shore of the se-away until we can fly above land to the east coast of North America. If we travel north along the coast, we should reach some less damaged areas.'
'Why head north?' asked Joe. 'Won't we be heading into the cold?'
'It's the darkness that will make things cold, not the lati-tude. We can wait there until the sunlight returns, then fly to southern Africa.'
'If we want to end up in the southern hemisphere, why not fly to South America now?' asked Con.
'That would only work if we could make it all the way in one trip,' said Rick. 'We'd be flying right over the impact site, and there's open ocean between North and South Amer-ican in this period.' '
'So we go to Africa in two hops,' said Joe.
'That's safest,' said Rick. 'If we run out of power in the darkness, we'll be over someplace we can land. Someplace better than here.'
'It should work,' said Joe.
'As long as you can fly in the dark,' said Rick. 'You can do that, can't you?'
'Yes ... in principle,' said Joe. 'That holographic map also works as a night guidance system, though I can't say I've ever tried it.'
'Do you think it's safe?' asked Con.
'With vertical takeoffs and landings, it won't be too risky,' said Joe.
'Before you know it,' said Rick, 'we'll be sitting out the darkness in our snug little cabin.' Con imagined a cozy log cabin in the woods with a fire in the fireplace. Her full stomach gave her such a sense of well-being that the vision did not seem implausible. She yawned contentedly.
'We should bring back the rest of the meat,' said Rick.
'Yeah,' said Joe wearily. 'You're right. It's sitting in the river.' Con got up. 'Let's get it over with.'
'You need to stay here and keep the fire going,' said Joe. 'It's getting dark again, and we'll need it to guide us back.'
'I can pull my weight,' said Con. 'You don't have to coddle me.'
'I'm not,' said Joe. 'This is a job that needs to be done.' Con looked like she didn't quite believe him, but she agreed to Joe's plan. He left the gun for her to cut more wood, then headed to the river with Rick. Although they carried flashlights, they did not turn them on in order to con-serve the batteries. The fire on the far hills still provided enough dim light for them to make their way. They walked along the riverbank, which had been cleared by the fire.
'It's a ways up,' said Joe. 'We won't need to turn on a flashlight until we reach the bend.'
'Let's hurry. I don't like leaving Con alone.'
'She's got the gun,' said Joe, 'but I feel the same way.'
'Maybe she'd better come along,' said Rick. 'That fire should burn on its own.'
'I wanted her to stay behind because we have to talk... about her ... and come to an understanding'
'An understanding?' said Rick. 'What do you mean by that?'
'There are only three people in the world,' said Joe. 'Two men and one woman. We need to set things straight.'
Rick looked at Joe. In the dim light it was impossible to read his expression. 'What things?' he asked warily.
