ment figures we'll get.
What's the chance for more quakes?"

Plumber shrugged. "Seismology says we can expect settling tremblors
for as long as four more weeks and possibly even another sharp jolt. I
wish those guys were a little more scientific in their predictions."

Troy hid a grin. "Want us to get ready to head back to the hills,
Boss?"

"No," Plumber said, "you two stay put for the moment. You just got
back and unless I really need you, I want you here for the moment.
I'll get a couple of other teams together to take care of the
replacements. For the time being, see what you can come up with in
some equations for the Pullman-Moscow potential east of the aqueducts.
Break it down, stream by stream for me. I can't tell you which systems
are going to be functioning or how we'll be able to divert if needed,
so keep the equations at gate-head pressures and flow."

The two engineers nodded and headed back to their offices. Alec
punched his home number on the vidiphone and Carol's face appeared on
the second ring. "Oh, Alec, I'm so glad you called, honey," she said.
"I've been worried sick since I heard the broadcast."

"You get that job done that I told you to do before I left," Alec
asked.

"All filled," Carol replied with a smile. "What do we do now,
darling?"

"You and Jimmy just stay put," Alec warned. "You've got a pretty good
supply of food in the apartment right now. In the morning, go down to
the store in the building and see what you can buy in the way of
staples and long-storage foods. And get all the juices you can. Don't
worry about the money end of it now. Spend it like it was going out of
style."

"That bad, Alec?"

"Nothing that can't be handled," he replied, "but it may take a while
and it may get awfully dry before it gets wetter. And listen Carol,
you and Jimmy are to stay in the apartment and don't let anyone else
in. You understand?"

She nodded.

"I don't want you or the boy out on the street under any
circumstances. I'll probable be here at the office for at least
another day, but if I'm not, then we won't be away for very long. I
don't know when I can get home, but I'll call you every chance I get."

"All right Alec," Carol said. "I love you, darling. Do be careful."

Alec smiled and blew her a kiss and then snapped off the connection.

* * * * *

Troy had picked up the latest revised ten-, thirty and sixty-day
meteorology predictions and was begin