Chapter 109: A Suggestion of Gunshots and Whispers

Here, at last, they could take off the masks that had covered their faces for so long: Marie, the crafty mechanic, and John, the disillusioned heir. Here, they may just be John and Marie, a couple bound by affection and a common goal. John turned on a dusty torch, casting a shadow over a jumble of abandoned tools: partially dismantled machinery, stacks of empty canisters, the remains of a dashed dream. John said, "Looks like someone picked up where I left off," his tone somewhat resentful. "Except they weren't interested in clean energy." He touched a dirty control panel, causing a shower of dust particles to shoot upward. It served as a concrete reminder of the struggle they were engaged in against strong forces vying for control over the direction of energy. A feeling of resolve descended over them despite the bleak truth. They would not allow the coalition to prevail. They refused to let more dust cover their hopes. Looking around the large room, Marie's eyes fell on a solid