Free The Energy Crusades by Valerie Noble Page A

ground. There was a crisp quality in the morning air and a hint of frost as the promise of winter lingered around the corner. My breath was visible in the chill of the morning. The solar roofs sprang to life, expanding to meet each precious ray as it hit the Earth.
    With the rising sun, I was grateful for my solar glasses. As I made my way to the track alone, they provided something to hide behind. The campus was nearly deserted, and I began walking briskly, warming my legs in preparation for a run. I picked up my pace as the track came into view, hitting my stride as the football players trickled onto the field from the Athletics Building. While I circled the track, I let the steady beat of my footfalls calm my nerves. Cool air rushed past my face and my mind wandered with no particular focus except the rhythm of the run and the feel of the breeze on my cheeks. I could hear the players warming up but didn ' t let their calls distract me while I pounded out my course in an elliptical pattern.
    After a while, I heard the steady beat of feet behind me. The runner quickened his pace until he fell into step beside me, matching my stride. I glanced over, recognizing the strawberry haired football player Ajax had pointed out yesterday. His eyes were green with hints of gray, reminding me of moss upon a stone. We ran in companionable silence a few more times around, before slowing and coming to a stop at a small set of bleachers.
    "Hello," he spoke up, once he finally caught his breath. He bowed his head and introduced himself. "I ' m Caden Rua."
    "I ' m Kaia Robi," I answered, dipping my head slightly in return. I regarded him with suspicion, thinking it bold of him to join me on my run, but when he smiled, the gesture transformed his features in the friendliest of ways and I found myself smiling back. We sat down together on the benches.
    "Where are you from?" I asked, and listened while he spoke. Caden described his life in the Fornax Grid, about two hundred kilometers to the southeast of the University. An only child, he didn ' t try out for the football leagues, though he was a decent player, because he didn ' t have the heart to leave his parents, even if it meant he could generate stores of energy for them. His face was tender when he spoke of home, and I found myself liking him immensely. Being an only child meant his family probably did not have stores of energy, yet he carried himself in a way that suggested he felt inferior to no one. When he spoke, he looked me directly in the eyes and didn ' t appear fazed by my status as an Athlete. He was only a few centimeters taller than me, but he was broad and fit, and I already knew he was quick on his feet.
    "How did you catch the eye of Professor Baal?" I wondered, after hearing a bit of his history.
    "Actually, it was her husband who found me, the solar engineer, Caius Baal. My father is also a solar engineer, and I often work with him. Mr. Baal headed an emergency visit to our grid last year after a solar breakdown in our system. All of the cells malfunctioned. He was impressed with the way I handled the emergency and could manipulate the cells despite having no formal training. We worked together many long hours, and he said he admired the way I continued to work until the job was done. He submitted my name to his wife and she accepted me." I was impressed. He must have done some amazing things to get recognized in such a way. "Professor Baal accepted me as a solar engineer, and if I can pass her physical requirements, I ' ll remain on the team," he finished, and then he focused his attention squarely on my face. "Tell me about Kaia now," he prompted.
    I looked toward the football fields. "I ' m sure you already know about me," I murmured. In response, he tilted his head to the side and considered what I said. He didn ' t speak until I looked at him again.
    "I know you ' re a tennis player. I know you left the tour even though you were number one in the world. I know