Fuel (Best Laid Plans Book 1) Read Free Page B

to dip heavily into the nation's fuel reserves in order to keep the economy running smoothly until we could set up our own fracking and drilling operations and make a deal with Canada for the plentiful shale oil they've begun producing. We'd been making good progress on that front, but a year of consuming more than we produce has dropped our reserves down to critical levels.
    “To put it bluntly, the nation has run out of gas. We were entirely dependent on what was produced from our refineries just to keep up day to day operations.” He paused for a moment to let that sink in. “Now let me stress that we are maximizing production in our remaining refineries, and massive construction projects have already begun to get more refineries up and running as quickly as possible. We estimate that in three months' time we'll be back up to 45% production.”
    He said that like it was good news. Trev had his doubts whether that timeline was accurate, but whether it was or not in three months winter would have set in and half the population could be dead from cold and hunger. And that was just assuming that further attacks or even riots didn't impede the efforts. By the time fuel production got up to speed the infrastructure that relied on it might not be around anymore.
    Or for that matter the government might not be around anymore as the nation descended into chaos.
    The President continued firmly. “We've got a lean winter ahead of us, my fellow Americans, but we will pull through. To aid with that I'm issuing an official crisis alert with the following mandates: First, all local and state governments and Federal agencies are authorized to purchase or requisition all remaining fuel from any private sources that may hold it, to be used for emergency and national defense purposes. I want to see it in public hands where it can do the most good.
    “Furthermore, it's time for us all to become more responsible about energy consumption. The nation's consumption barely decreased following the Middle East Crisis in spite of our reduced fuel production, forcing us to deplete our reserves. That option is no longer available to us so we have no choice but to tighten our belts. With the suggestion of my advisors and feedback from state governors we've decided to hold off on imposing martial law or calling this a state of emergency, but I am still calling for all citizens to reduce consumption to the bare minimum needed for survival.
    “That includes only using water for drinking or washing, only using electricity for lighting at night, reducing heating and air conditioning to the bare minimum and learning to live with more extreme temperatures, and being more prudent when it comes to waste and unnecessary usage of any goods or services. Beyond that, those with necessities to spare are strongly encouraged to donate to their local communities.”
    The President stood, planting his fists on his desk and fixing the camera with a piercing stare. “I do not say this lightly, citizens of this great nation. We will be facing harder times than we as a nation have ever faced before, but if we pull together we will pull through until the situation can be stabilized. Until then w e must all swim together to stay afloat.”
    Trev shook his head at that. He was all for encouraging words, but the President's sentiment sounded like a bad one. If half the people couldn't swim then all they'd manage is to drag those who could swim down with them. Thanks to Lewis and his forward thinking Trev had done quite a bit of preparing, and he didn't like the idea of being rewarded for that by giving away all the food he'd prepared, enough to last him for over two years if necessary, in order to feed hundreds of people for a few days.
    He'd made sure he was ready for something like this. It wasn't selfish to live when the alternative would barely help the unprepared and would just guarantee he'd starve to death too.
    The President had a few more words to say, mostly