Rain of Tears Read Free

quickly as she could without seeming embarrassed, Reyan went out to stare at her rain. She swallowed as she realised that the gentle sprinkle had turned into a downpour in her moment of distraction. He was a very effective distraction, so she kept her back to him while he covered up. It gave her time to reduce the rain to a more helpful and less destructive method of irrigation.
     
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
    The new mayor took his seat at the desk and cleared his throat. “So, where is the water table in this schematic?”
    Now that he was dressed again, she could concentrate. She pointed out the markings near the dome. “The water table is here. This block is the pump, and here are the entryways.”
    He nodded. “This is a well-designed plan. How long have you been planning it?”
    “The initial plan began three hundred years ago, but the water table moved as the city drained their initial source, so it had to be adjusted to leave the city exposed to the elements. Are you prepared to break that to the population, Mayor Hobbs?”
    He absently nodded. “Interim Mayor. I will arrange an election as soon as this is set up and running.”
    “You will need to get the textiles sector up and running. They will need a weave designed in the southern reaches to repel the wind, because for the next few years, Jarko will be heaving a huge sigh and this area will take the hit.”
    “You are sure that the weather will respond so violently?”
    She raised one eyebrow at him. “Pretty sure. I have been doing this for a while.”
    Reyan was amazed to watch colour creep into his cheeks.
    “Right. I am sorry. I was unprepared to actually meet you.”
    “It’s fine. I am aware I don’t look my age. Well, if you are content with the plan, shall we call the ship?”
    He located the com and started punching codes until he saw her standing with her arms crossed. “Oh, right. Your call.”
    “You can go first but be brief. After being drowned today, I need to recharge a little.”
    Unrik blushed again and continued until he made his connection. “Hello, Relay? This is Unrik Hobbs on Jarko. I have control over Nekahar, and I have made contact with the third Ichadran.”
    “Rain is there?”
    The voice came clearly through the com unit.
    Unrik nodded for her to answer.
    Reyan stepped forward. “Yes, madam. I am here. I am ready to complete the agreement that I drafted with Soul Keeper.”
    “Excellent. I will send the notice to the Argon Tak. You will have everything on your list within the day.”
    Reyan was surprised. “They are that close?”
    “They are in orbit. We sent a shuttle down to check on you, and they told us you were on the way to Nekahar. It was only a matter of time. Do what you have to do. We will wait for you to reset Jarko to your satisfaction.”
    “Thank you, madam.”
    “Call me Relay.”
    “Thank you, Relay.” Reyan waved her hand to Unrik to indicate it was now his call.
    “Relay, Rain has presented me with a full plan to equip Nekahar with a domed farming community. I believe that it is executable, but we will need some seeds and special crops from the agricultural archive.”
    Relay’s voice was amused. “She has already requested several species that should fit the bill. They are coming down with the dome and the machinery.”
    “Excellent. I look forward to their arrival.” He smiled brightly. “Um, can they bring down some bodysuits? My clothing was destroyed.”
    “Of course. I am sure you will do fine. How long do you think it will take to implement the farming?”
    He closed his eyes for a moment. “Less than sixty days. We should have a harvest by then and be onto our second round.”
    “Good, the Argon Tak asks that you have the weather machine ready to move by tomorrow. Can you do it?”
    Reyan watched as Unrik’s eyes blinked rapidly.
    The second set of lids became apparent in his agitation. “Um. I don’t know.”
    Reyan smiled. “Yes, it will be ready to move in