Empress of Eternity by L. E. Modesitt Page B

time exceeds half unity. Currently project Category 7, two days at full intensity, four days from now.
    Report appreciated. Request updates.
    Will comply.
    Eltyn took another quick scan of the already fully developed northeastern storm. He shook his head. The sandstorm-to-come would be nothing compared to what was already happening across the northern midsection of the continent.
    As if to punctuate his assessment, a white priority pulse seared across the command level. URGENT NOTICE. Intense regional tornadoes across NRS have resulted in destruction of more than 28.5% of mid-continental atmospheric turbine stations. Cyclone Betar has disrupted Primia continental tidal bore stations. Nonessential energy usage is hereby declared an offense against the Ruche…
    Emergency energy curtailment? That made sense in Hururia and other more populated areas, but except for comm-links, MCC MetStation (W) had no connections with any population centers either in Primia or, through the undersea links, to Secundia, and no links at all to the power grids. So how could the station’s failure to reduce energy usage be declared an offense? The local solar grids and tidal pump couldn’t be connected to anything else, and what was the point of cutting down monitoring when better observations might help?
    All stations must certify compliance with RucheCom directive to appropriate authority…and list steps to eliminate nonessential uses…
    Idiots 6 , pulsed Faelyna, irritated at being interrupted, since command-level links overrode all privacy barriers.
    Frightened/worried idiots 6 , returned Eltyn.
    Idiots, nonetheless.
    Definition of nonessential??? [dry humor] To what, The Fifty’s sense of propriety and equalization?
    Don’t even inquire , replied Faelyna. Especially on RucheNet.
    She was right about that, too, although he was anything but that foolhardy.
    MCC MetStation (W) certifying reductions , Eltyn pulsed to Met-Control. No power downloads from grid this time. None required in immediate future.
    Report and certification received, MCC MetStation (W).
    Eltyn waited for any further reply. There was none.
    After several moments, he returned his attention to the meteorology screens. The station was still receiving satellite feeds. That made obvious sense, since shutting down orbital solar collectors wouldn’t help the planetary power grids in the slightest. At least someone in Meteorology had some intelligence and understanding of reality. So far.
    He leaned back, for only for a moment.
    Pulse anomaly detected and blocked , the local system announced.
    Supply specifics , Eltyn immediately shifted full attention to the local-net defenses.
    Pulse on GeoMet tertiary…
    The single pulse had been a probe, not a snake or a full-spectrum assault, and it had not been followed by any other activity. Who even cared about an isolated MetStation system…unless they knew the true reason why Eltyn and Faelyna had been assigned? Only TechOversight knew that, or so Eltyn hoped.
    Or had the pulse been one of many triggered by the announcement of power reductions across the RucheNet?
    Eltyn pulsed Faelyna. Local net intrusion probe… He flashed the details to her and waited for her response.
    Possible RF snoop?
    Why would the fanatical and secretive RucheFirst want to probe an isolated MetStation? You think they’ve infiltrated TechOversight?
    Negative. They wouldn’t need a probe then , she pointed out.
    They must have found out something. Or RF is using power-down as opportunity.
    [affirmation…regret/sadness] Shows fear level within commonality. Negative on reporting attempted intrusion.
    Eltyn appreciated her quick understanding, both technically and politically. He did enjoy being with her, but in pulse-linked situation, the barriers against mental closeness were all too necessary. Lowering them…He pushed that thought aside. [agreement…affirm regret…apprehension] Interrogative system tests for approach(9)?
    Complete by 1540. All green so