Balance of Power Shifted (54 page)

Working through the early afternoon sun, which is not typically done around
there, Zayed and Abdul unfolded the contents of two of the boxes, which when laid out were 6 foot by 3 foot panels.  They were approximately ¾ inches thick and made of a heavy-duty plastic like material that appeared very durable to the touch.  Upon closer inspection, the mats appeared to be made of square cells and each cell filled with some kind of brown/green liquid, viewable through the clear surface material.  Using the camels as an impromptu ladder, they spread the 2-mats across the flat roof and interconnected them with the integrated stainless steel snaps.  Next, Zayed connected the two wiring harnesses to a special harness interconnect cable and let it hang to the ground.

Per the diagram, he took the harness cable from the roof and connected it to the connection module on the shelf labeled
’Source.’  Opening the box labeled ‘4 of 4’; Zayed removed the control panel and cable from the box and carried it inside of the house.  Placing the panel on the floor next to the window near the battery backup box, he uncoiled the 25-foot cable.  With one end permanently connected to the control box, he dropped the other end out window to the ground.  Returning outside to the rack, he grabbed the cable and plugged it into the rack connection identified as ’Output.’  Calling for Noora and Abduallah to go into the house, he headed for the last remaining crate.  The crate, although large, did not weigh very much.  Easily picking it up he carried it inside and immediately started to unpack it.  Inside was a small 2 cubic foot refrigerator.  Opening it up, he removed two items.  One item was a portable light that one might see at a construction site.  Inside a yellow plastic protective shield was a light bulb.  Using the hook built into the protective yellow shield, he placed it on the rope running across the room that held colorful blankets that helped segment the room for sleeping.  The other end of the cable he plugged into one of the electric outlets on the control panel.

Looking at Noora then his son, he nodded to Abdul and said, “Son, please honor us by pushing the Red button to the
’ON‘ position.  With a slight hesitation, he pressed the button to ON and immediately the incandescent light bulb began to glow.  With an excited clap of his hands, Zayed grabbed his wife by the hands and spun her around.  After steadying her, he returned the task at hand, picked up the power cord for the refrigerator, and plugged it into another power outlet on the panel.  An immediate hum filled the house as the little compressor kicked on. 

Opening the remaining package, Zayed removed a number of vials with the word
‘Insulin’ clearly displayed and placed them inside the refrigerator.  Zayed whispered a quick prayer and silently was thankful that this wonderful new technology was available that allowed Abduallah access to a long supply of insulin for his diabetes condition that could be kept for a long period of time in this heat due to the refrigerator.  Normally Zayed only made his trek to more populated areas every 6-months, which was too long to wait for a new supply of medicine.  He also smiled that the whole setup had only cost him a dozen sheep and 2 dozen beautiful woven blankets his wife had made.