Diego and the Rangers of the Vastlantic

“Full of impurities,” Siobhan said. “So, instead of flying, we’re going to spend all day draining the tanks and flushing the fuel lines. It’s affected most of the navy ships, too. Nearly every vehicle at the base is out of commission.”

“Sorry to hear it,” Santiago said. “That’s odd, though. The Calumet refinery is usually so reliable. Did they say how it happened?”

“Not in the report I got,” Siobhan said.

Santiago frowned. “I’ll give them a call later this morning. If there’s a problem with one of the pumps, the sooner I can send a team the better.” After a bite of eggs, he glanced at Diego. “I heard you call her ‘Captain.’ You’ll be a captain yourself this afternoon.”

Diego smiled nervously. “And what will I be captain of?” he asked, thinking, Say a gravity board, say a gravity board. . . .

“Hah.” Santiago chuckled and ate his bacon. “The loader, of course, driving the big blue Centauri bot. This Goliath steam converter is a big deal. I hope you’re still up for it.”

“Oh,” Diego said. “Right. That bot is kinda tricky.”

“I’ve seen you handle it like a pro,” Santiago said.

“I’m not that good at it,” Diego said. “I mean, I guess when we’re installing pressure valves or something, but . . . maybe you should have Stan Angelino do it. He’s the top robot driver at Arlington.”

“Come on,” Santiago said. “You are my son. How could you help but be one of the best, someday maybe even the best?” Santiago rubbed the top of Diego’s head, messing up his hair. “This converter came to us all the way from London. The queen’s top steam propulsion designer and his son are here to help us install it. Stan is very good, but I need my top man on the job.”

Diego felt his cheeks burn.

“And besides,” Santiago said, “you’ve got to see this thing. It’s massive!”

Dad always sounded like a kid when he talked about work. He liked to say that it kept him young, though lately Diego had noticed the gray hair at his father’s temples and the occasional white whisker in his broad mustache.

But instead of smiling back, Diego stared down at his plate.

“What is it, Diego?”

“Well, I just don’t understand why Magistrate Huston thinks that we need some old-fashioned steam technology. First, there was the engineer from France with his revolutionary gas lamp systems, then that awful crude oil expert from Texas. Now we have to put up with some stuffy British guy?” Diego flashed a glance at his father. “I mean, you’re ten times the engineer that he is.”

Santiago sipped his coffee. “Sharing our technology helps strengthen our alliances. It’s my duty to help them, and this converter is the queen’s way of doing the same.” Santiago smiled. “There’s more to being chief engineer than gears and pistons. There’s also the workings of people. And sometimes they’re more complicated. You’ll have to learn that if you are ever going to take my place.”

Diego wished he hadn’t said anything. “I don’t know, Dad. . . .” He didn’t think he could ever take Santiago’s place. He didn’t know if he had that kind of greatness in him, and he didn’t want to see the disappointment in his father’s eyes if he didn’t.

“Listen,” Dad said. “I realize it’s not as exciting as taking your pilot’s test. But I need you.”

“I know,” Diego said.

“And someday when you finally turn thirteen and take that test, you’ll still be the youngest pilot in New Chicago.”

“Dad . . . ,” Diego muttered. He shoved a whole piece of bacon into his mouth.

“What is it?” Santiago asked.

“Today is my birthday.”

“Wait . . . today? But . . .” Santiago started counting on his fingers. “It can’t be. Today is Tuesday, yesterday was Monday. Before that it was Sunday, so today must be . . .”

Santiago’s face cracked, and he started to laugh.

“Dad!” Diego said.

“You’re horrible,” Siobhan said, punching Santiago’s shoulder lightly.

“Sorry,” Santiago said, grinning. “But I had you going.” He pulled a small package from his satchel and held it out. “Don’t worry, I didn’t forget. Here.”

This was not the size of a gravity board, but Diego pulled off the brown paper, revealing a small box wrapped in white paper, with a blue bow. There was a card attached.

To our young adventurer and son, Diego

Through this, may you see

A world of wonders hidden from most.

Love, Mom & Dad

He unwrapped the package.

“What is it?” Diego asked, raising the tube to his eye. Through the lens, he saw tiny broken fragments. They formed a fractured pattern of beautiful colored shapes.

“Now turn the other end,” his father instructed. Diego rotated the cylindrical collar at the front. The image began to move and change, forming new patterns even more beautiful than the last, the colors tumbling and rearranging.

“Wow,” Diego said.

Santiago smiled. “It’s a kaleidoscope. It has mirrors and bits of different-colored glass inside. That’s what creates those patterns when you rotate it.”

“It’s amazing,” Diego replied. He turned the device over in his hand.

“Don’t you like it?” Siobhan asked.

“Yeah, I mean—it’s awesome.” He tried to sound thankful, and he was just . . . Was this it? “Thanks, guys.”

“Never discount the potential in all things, no matter how humble their appearance,” Santiago said.

“Okay,” Diego said, doing his best to smile.

But his parents were still grinning.

“Santi,” Siobhan said, nearly cracking up. “Isn’t there something else?”

“Maybe.” Santiago’s eyes glinted mischievously.

Diego jumped. “Is it—”

“Hold your horses,” Dad said. “It’s still down in the workshop. I have a few last touches to do, but it will be ready by tonight.” He saw Diego’s face fall. “I think you can survive. Besides, we have lots to distract us between now and then. I . . .”

Santiago paused and looked at Diego curiously.