Crossing Savage by Dave Edlund Page A

to cars, trucks, and airplanes. And with this transformation came our reliance on oil. You could argue that electrical generation plants would have developed to their present state even without oil and gas—hell, a major portion of the electrical generation capacity world-wide is still based on coal. But transportation is unique. We would never have evolved our societies, governments, militaries, and standard of living to their present state without oil.
    â€œHitler lost the Battle of the Bulge—and with it his last opportunity to win the war—in part because he ran out of fuel for his tanks and aircraft. Our military might is based on a smaller, leaner, rapid-response force. We cannot project military might without oil—there would be no fuel for aircraft, so no air superiority. No fuel for ships, so no battle groups to be moved like chessmen to the regional hot spot of the month.”
    â€œWe have nuclear-powered naval ships,” Peter countered.
    â€œThat’s true for our aircraft carriers and some submarines, but the high cost of nuclear propulsion precludes using it in most of our naval vessels.
    â€œOf course, the United States is not unique in this respect. All armies, navies, and air forces face the same reality. No oil, no capability to fight—or to defend your homeland through traditional warfare. We have long distance missiles and such, but they have no use in modern conflicts where there is seldom a front line and the enemy refuses to wear a uniform.”
    â€œSure, I understand your point,” Peter replied. “But if there was no oil, everyone would be in the same boat. Your argument suggests that some countries would be at peril if oil was not made available to them, while other countries would have access to it. But that isn’t realistic—that’s not what we’re dealing with. Petroleum is traded as a global commodity. And Dad’s work isn’t even directly aimed at synthetic oil production.”
    â€œThat’s right. But if your father’s work is successful, others will build on his breakthrough. If there is any chance that oil can be synthesized economically, you know a lot of people will try to do it, and they damn well should!”
    â€œOkay. I can’t argue with that.”
    â€œBut,” added Jim quickly, “what if not everyone embraces the idea that cheap energy should be available to all?”
    â€œYou’re suggesting that there’s a global conspiracy to deprive mankind of the knowledge to make oil. Really?”
    â€œI don’t know yet if it’s global—but sure, it’s not as crazy as you may think. Take nuclear weapons technology. Only a small number of countries have managed to control that knowledge for the past 70 years. And the number would be even smaller if the Chinese hadn’t deliberately leaked nuclear weapons technology in the fifties and early sixties.”
    Peter remained silent. He was still struggling to absorb the enormity of the concept. His mind was spinning, and he felt a whopper of a headache coming on. He realized that he was so wrapped up in trying to make sense of all this that he was on autopilot. The road was moving past at 55 miles per hour, and he didn’t have any conscious recollection of being in control of the truck. It’s time to focus on driving .
    They were east of Corvallis now, driving through the farm country of the middle Willamette Valley. Peter found it most beautiful in the spring and early fall; it was still very green and often sunny but without the haze that forms in the summer months. The colors of green were almost indescribable—brilliant and vibrant, with so many different hues and shades that Peter thought it impossible nature could offer such a rich palette.
    The H3T passed through Lebanon and Sweet Home and then began the ascent up the west slope of the Cascade Mountains. Jim hadn’t said a word for a while; mostly he was