Colonization (The Seamus Chronicles Book 3) by K. D. McAdams

a can. We just have to be patient and wait for a chance to go back to the C-5.” I want to be calm, but it’s not my responsibility to solve every problem.
    “I think what she’s wondering is if your reactor is really a priority?” Mom articulates the issue she and my sister are concerned with.
    “Henry and Liam are working on a shade system so someone can wait with the rafts and not literally burn to death. Dad is playing with fire and seeing if he can find combustibles. What do you want me to do?” I ask.
    Sofie is trying to entertain Remmie, but she is listless and not as engaged as I am used to seeing her. She glances over at our conversation but expresses no interest in the argument. I wonder what she thinks about my use of time? Hopefully she would support me working on my reactor.
    “We didn’t even save anything that uses electricity! Your reactor can’t help us here. I know it’s your life’s work, but get over it.” Grace is more animated than usual, even at her most angry.
    Her blisters are getting worse and I can see that she has popped some of them. Every movement results in a grimace. Topping extreme discomfort with epic hunger is not a calming mix.
    I get her point, sort of. We didn’t save any electronics on the first trip. Reactor work could probably wait until we’ve salvaged something that uses the power it can generate. But there is still the feeling inside of me that we will really need this. Much in the way it evolved into a warp unit and a solar sail I believe it will become something more once again.
    This thinking brings me back to the seed of an idea from earlier. Sails and shade go together. Instead of converting this unit back to electricity generation I should keep it as the solar sail. I can configure it to block the harmful radiation but let through the wavelengths of light that we are used to.
    Fortunately there are a few tools still in my pocket. There are at least four connections that need to be reseated, but that seems to be the only issue. It won’t be super sturdy with what I have but I can get it done. The next trip to the C-5 will have to include some tools. There will be another argument about my priorities, but I have to believe I’m right.
    “Seamus, come help me. I want to see if we can break a piece off of one of these plants.” Dad does not care what I’m working on; he needs me for his project.
    “Hold on.” I know he hates it when I don’t give details, but I need to know if this will work.
    About fifteen minutes later I have all the connections reseated. In theory the reactor should be ready to function so I connect it to my laptop, which still has some battery left. I’m a little surprised when the interface shows a mass of electrons on one of the registers.
    Remembering the specific wavelengths of light that reached the Earths surface isn’t too hard. I may have left out one or two, but I think the ones that are most noticeable are a good place to start. I kind of wish that Cassandra was here, she would probably know them all. It only takes a minute or two to configure the containment field to pass only good light.
    The next challenge will be getting the reactor started. At Ames we needed the power from the electric grid, and not just a wall socket. The rest of the reactors were started from the original. We have no grid and no original reactor here; I’ll need to be really creative.
    “Seamus, let’s go. I’m done waiting for you.” Dad is scolding me like I’m a child.
    “One more minute, I think this is going to be big.” I answer quickly.
    The electrons! If I dump the electrons it should kick start the reaction and project the containment field. A few more keystrokes is all it takes. The reactor is glowing and blue, and I have found yet another use for my invention. Now I have to go help my dad. I can explain it to them while we work.
    When I get to my feet a shiver runs down my spine. A few of my blisters have burst, but I notice the cold.