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"Quite so, they do indeed. But there are certain times when the navy must rely on most irregular methods," Mr. Marreston said. "After all, we all live at the leisure of Her Majesty."

"What my intrigue loving companion means is that the navy is going about some sensitive business, and they need a dynamo of most powerful capacity," said Mr. Whortlesby. "They need two dynamos who have the ability to each power of one of their submersibles, working two shifts."

"There are regulations in the military against overtaxing their dynamo recruits," said Mr. Marreston. "Such compunctions do not protect civilians."

Jonas was even more confused than before. "I'm needed to power a submersible for the military?"

"Yes, but it's not what you think," said Mr. Whortlesby. "It is not a military operation at all. Rather, it is a scientific expedition. The ship you will be staffing, the Gloriana, is going to be sailing from the royal shipyards. The actual naval crew will be working on a skeletal capacity. Most of the individuals on board will be scientists from the Queen's University. They are going to be exploring the celestial body that crashed into the ocean, causing the coastal flooding."

"Why would they want to do that?" Jonas asked.

Mr. Whortlesby shrugged. "They apparently believed that this rock or whatever it is could improve our knowledge of the heavens."

That made sense to Jonas. When at the University, he had always enjoyed the astronomy classes, despite the late hours. This thing could be a wealth of knowledge, he thought.

"The Gloriana will be leaving port in two days," said Mr. Whittier. "Here is your train ticket to Garrison. You will be expected to be out of your current housing before you leave."

Jonas took the proffered train ticket. "If it please the board, I would like to make a request."

Mr. Whortlesby lifted his eyebrows. "Proceed."

"My mother and sister were both in Clayville when the flood occurred. Since then, they have been living with me in my quarters. Would it all right if they stayed there during my absence," Jonas asked. It was something of a long shot for him to even ask. The members of the Assignment Board was not known for their tender hearts. Jonas had heard many a dynamo in a similar situation complain of how the Assignment Board had left their family destitute.

The three men exchanged glances before Mr. Whortlesby replied. "Given the extraordinary nature of their circumstances, we will allow your relatives to remain at your current quarters."

"Thank you, sirs," said Jonas. Waves of relief rolled off of his mind.

"Now, Mr. Cuthbert, we are almost done here," said  Mr. Whittier. "We must inform you that, upon completion of this assignment, you will have worked off your family's debt to the state."

This news flabbergasted Jonas. He had expected to work off the debt for the rest of his life. He had to cut off the electricity he was unconsciously releasing into the discharge rail because it had turned a cherry red at contact.

"Are you sure? I mean...far be it from me to question, but the amount owed was quite large," he said.

"It was indeed," said Mr. Whortlesby. "But the sheer volume of what you have generated, in addition to the amount it will take to power the ship, will be worth all the joules your father owed at his death."

"Now, until our final meeting, have a nice day," said Mr. Marreston.

#

Jonas left the Assignment Board in a state of ecstatic bliss. I'll be free! The thought was a new and intriguing one. What shall I do with myself now? There was no way that he would ever be able to rejoin the ranks of the aristocracy. His family's estates and holdings had been parceled out to other members of the High House. And he would be damned if anyone thought they could get him as a free man to work in the power plants that had been carved out of the earth underneath the major cities of the Loop'd Empire.

There were several other options available, though. He could go into the merchant marine. A dynamo always had opportunity there. Welders who did not