“Perhaps as important, we have a signed agreement with the Chinese as well,” Loren said. “They have promised to build seventy-five plants over the next eight years.”
“My, that is good news, since the Chinese are now the largest emitters of greenhouse gases. It’s a fortunate thing that the technology is easily replicated,” the minister said.
“And that we have an abundant supply of the catalyst to make the process work,” Lisa added. “If Mr. Pitt’s NUMA organization hadn’t made the discovery of ruthenium off the coast of Alaska, none of this would be possible.”
“A lucky break,” Pitt acknowledged. “Our undersea mining operation is now up and running, and the yield is very encouraging so far. We hope to mine enough of the mineral to supply thousands of plants like this around the world.”
“Then we can look forward to a possible end to global warming in our lifetime. A remarkable accomplishment,” the minister said, before being pulled aside by an aide.
“It looks like your days of scientific anonymity are over,” Loren quipped to Lisa.
“It is all exciting, but the truth is I’d rather be back in the lab. There are plenty of refinements that can be made, and we still haven’t perfected the efficient conversion to hydrogen yet. Thankfully, I’ve got a new and even better lab at the university. Now I just need to find a new lab assistant.”
“Bob has been officially charged?” Loren asked.
“Yes. He had over two hundred thousand dollars in various places that were traced back to Goyette. I can’t believe that my own friend sold me out.”
“As Goyette proved, unmitigated greed will catch up to you in the end.”
A horde of reporters suddenly appeared, surrounding Lisa and barraging her with questions about the facility and her scientific discovery. Pitt and Loren slipped off to the side, then strolled across the grounds. Pitt had recovered fully from his injuries and enjoyed stretching his legs outdoors.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Loren remarked. “We should stay a few extra days.”
“You forget your congressional panel hearings next week. Besides, I need to get back to Washington and ride roughshod over Al and Jack. We have a new submersible to test in the Mediterranean next month that we need to prepare for.”
“Already on to the next project, I see.”
Pitt simply nodded, a twinkle in his green eyes. “As somebody once said, it’s in my blood.”
They walked past the facility until reaching the shoreline.
“You know, there is a potential downside to this technology,” she noted. “If global warming can one day be reversed, the Northwest Passage is liable to permanently freeze over again.”
Pitt stared out at the nearby channel.
“I think Franklin would agree with me; that’s as it should be.”
Across the compound, a white boat motored up to the channel front dock and tied up behind a rented press boat. Trevor Miller stepped onto the pier and studied the large crowd spread across the grounds before spotting a tall woman with flowing red hair. Snatching a beer along the way, he walked up to Dirk and Summer, who stood laughing near the former security hut.
“Mind if I steal your sister?” he said to Dirk.
Summer turned to him with a look of relief, then quickly kissed him.
“You’re late,” she said.
“I had to put gas in my new boat,” he tried to explain.
Dirk looked at him with a grin. “Go ahead and take my sister. Keep her for as long as you like.”
Trevor walked Summer back to the boat and released the dock line. Gunning the throttle, he shot off the dock and was soon racing down Douglas Channel. He ran the boat all the way to Hecate Strait before cutting the motor and letting the boat drift as the sky overhead began to darken. Slipping an arm around Summer, he moved to the stern with her at his side and looked out toward Gil Island. They stood together, staring across the calm waters for a long while.
“The best and worst things in my life seem to happen out here,” he finally whispered in her ear.
She slipped an arm around his waist and held him tight as they watched the crimson sun sink slowly beneath the horizon.
