Ravok sits at my elbow, watching me open a browser, his lambent eyes gleaming curiously.
We wile away the next couple of hours, heads bent over the screen as we trawl through countless pages and reviews of power sources. Resting my chin in one hand, I hunch over the screen, scrolling with the other. My gaze blurs over strings of numbers and acronyms, my mind buzzing alongside it. I’ve spent the last few hours engrossed in a world of technical jargon far beyond my comprehension, reading over specifications and battery types as Ravok diligently processes information. Ravok’s translator only works on the spoken word, so I have to read everything to him.
We’re currently comparing different types of batteries and their pros and cons.
“In theory, the lithium-ion process involves shuttling lithium ions between the battery’s two electrodes,” I read off the website. At first, I felt like I was stumbling around in the dark, bungling words I barely comprehended, but as time goes on, something interesting starts to happen – I start learning. I never thought there would be a day when I understood what lithium-ion batteries or nickel-metal hydride meant, but I’m getting it a little bit. It helps that Ravok is good at explaining things back to me in understandable language.
My nursing credentials have hardly prepared me for this crash course in electrical engineering. I wouldn’t be surprised if a quiz on battery specifications supplants my nightmares about oversized spiders. Still, I can’t help but chuckle to myself, the warm glow of the laptop illuminating the mirth in my tired eyes. “You know, Ravok, I swear, I’m going to become an honorary engineer by the time your ship is fixed.”
He navigates the technicalities far better than I do, his knowledge of energy systems outlandish, yet he explains everything patiently.
I nibble on the edge of my lower lip, my eyes skimming across a plethora of battery types: lithium, alkaline, nickel-cadmium, and sealed lead acid.
“Okay, so lithium,” I mutter, “higher voltage, more power but less durability, right?” Ravok stares at the screen as if he can burn the battery with his gaze alone.
“Yes, lithium-ion batteries have the highest energy density.”
“And energy density is how much energy a battery can store, right?”
Ravok gives me a look that makes pride surge in my gut. “Yes, that’s right. I’m starting to think that our best option is using sodium-ion batteries since sodium is abundant throughout the universe. Plus, these batteries appear to be less prone to certain types of thermal runaway reactions. That report you read stated that lithium-ion batteries, while safe under normal conditions, have been known to catch fire or explode if damaged or subjected to extreme conditions. And I like the rechargeable options I’m seeing. I think we can agree that lead-acid batteries are the least viable option.”
I have no idea if that’s true, but I’m just going to go with it.
I pull up a webpage where we can buy a bulk order of sodium-ion batteries. I hide my sticker shock from Ravok. The price doesn’t truly matter because he needs them no matter what. I mentally recalculate my monthly budget, tightening my usual spending habits to make room for this unexpected expense. I’m generally pretty frugal, so hopefully, this won’t set me back much. Not that it matters, I’m helping him no matter what.
“Damn, the shipping is almost the same price as the batteries. And it will take weeks to get here. I don’t think we can wait that long. There must be something we can find that can get here faster. What about car batteries?” I suggest. “There is a mechanic in town that we could probably get some easily.”
Ravok looks intrigued at the idea of car batteries. After doing some research, that option appears promising due to their strength and longevity but the cumbersome bulk of them is going to cause problems. Ravok doesn’t have the room for all the batteries he would need for his ship. Plus, it might raise some eyebrows if I show up in town and purchase almost a dozen car batteries. I imagine that would land me on a federal watchlist or something.
Mango hops onto the table and tries to plop his butt on the laptop’s keyboard. I guess that he’s decided that we’ve spent enough time not paying attention to him. The ‘neglect’ needs to be rectified.
“Mango, I can’t see the screen, you chonker,” I mutter, moving him to the side of the computer and stroking his head. He lets me give him three strokes before deciding to take up residence on Ravok’s lap. “Traitor,” I playfully murmur to the brat, reaching over and stroking his back to bely my words.
However, I’m starting to worry. I thought finding batteries would be easy but it’s turning out to be more difficult than expected. A dawning realization settles itself. If we can’t find him what he needs, Ravok could get stuck here. I can’t help but feel out of my depth. But, looking into Ravok’s focused gaze, there is a sense of shared hope and determination.
I sigh, smiling at Ravok as he pets Mango. I’m so happy that my mercurial feline likes him. Mango has an ingrained asshole detection system.
I roll my stiff shoulders and push the laptop away. “How about a break? Coffee? Or some food?” I stand up, needing to stretch the muscles of my back and neck that are tight from worry and being hunched over a screen for too long.
Ravok shakes his head but pushes back from the table, setting Mango gently on the floor.
I contemplate the situation as I reheat a cup of coffee in the microwave. Where can we get the batteries we need? As I take a sip of the now-bitter brew, a thought occurs to me.
“We should call the local hardware store, Ravok,” I begin, sliding my arm around his waist as he joins me in the kitchen. I rest my head against his pec, enjoying the beat of his heart under my ear. “There’s a local hardware store in town, loads of tools and stuff. We can call them and see if they have anything in stock. Even if they don’t, they might know where we can get what we need without having to wait forever for it to ship from China.”
I look up from his chest and meet his gaze. His eyes study me with an intensity that sends tingles down my spine. I can’t tell what he’s thinking. His only response is a slight tilt of his head as if he’s mulling over my suggestion.
Shrugging, I continue, “If we do call them, we should do it soon. I have no idea if they close early in a small town like this.”
“It doesn’t sound like there’s a downside to calling them to see what they have in stock,” Ravok agrees.
I grin in triumph. It feels good to have a plan – even a partial one. “Okay, let’s give them a call. Do you need anything else, like tools or supplies to fix your ship? I can ask them while I have them on the phone.”
Ravok turns his eyes to the ceiling, trying to think of anything he needs, but he shakes his head.
My coffee is left forgotten on the counter as I return to my laptop and look up the number for the local hardware store.
When I pick up my phone I have a text message waiting for me. “Your car is ready to be picked up. The garage will be open until six tonight. This is Svarog, the mechanic.”
I type a quick thank you and let him know that I should be able to pick up the car later today. Then, I quickly dial the number for the hardware store and put it on speaker so Ravok can listen in.
“Harbor Home Tools. This is Anton. How can I help you?” a voice asks.
“Oh, um, hi. I’m looking for large-capacity batteries. I prefer sodium-ion if you’ve got them, but I’m pretty flexible. Do you have anything like that in stock?” I give Ravok a hopeful look as I talk.
“Actually… you might be in luck. Koko ordered a bunch of batteries last month but ended up not needing them. They’re collecting dust on my shelf. Do you know how much voltage you need?”
I tell the man the basic specs we’re looking for and then hold my breath.
“I think I might have what you need. Let me double-check my computer and see if these batteries fit your needs.” The line goes quiet for a moment and all I can hear is the soft clicking of a computer keyboard over the line. A moment later, Anton hums into my ear. “Hmm. I think it might be your lucky day. If you’d like to come take a look at them, I’ll make sure to hold them for you. Not that I’m worried about anyone coming in to grab eight 210 amp-hour rechargeable batteries. These are usually used in solar applications, just to warn you.”
“Oh, that sounds like they might work for what I need. I need to come into town to get my car from the mechanics anyway. So I can stop by after I do that. I’d like to come look at them before I commit to buying, if that’s okay.”
“Of course. The store is open for two more hours. However, I should warn you that parking might be a pain. Today is the seafood festival and it’s a big draw.”
I’d forgotten entirely about the food festival that Koko had invited me to.
“Thank you so much for your help. I’ll be coming by soon.”
