Some Time Ago

June 4th, 2052, Pearland, Texas - Marius stood outside the electronics store, glancing at the TVs located behind the glass. He had recently turned 18 and had just moved out of his parents' home. It was an exciting time.

The TVs (and most computers and handheld electronics) relied solely on glass to display graphics, along with two small grey metal bars to hold all necessary electronic components. They only came in grey, but the manufacturers such as Pear, Samsony and Dockia were working to add more colors to their lineups. He was paying attention to the news currently playing:

“Well, looks like another hot day in the mid 100 degrees. The ever-accelerating climate crisis has governments scrambling to find new solutions, including building massive nuclear power plants and shrinking nuclear reactors down to power automobiles. Despite the introduction of electrically powered vehicles and massive pollution reducing measures, it appears to be that the world is in an irreversible state of accelerating climate change.”

“Global temperatures are rising alarmingly fast at a rate of 2.5 degrees Celsius per year, causing panic within the scientific community. Scientists believe that if nothing is done to solve this problem, the world could face ecological collapse within the next 30 – 50 years. Well, all we can advise you to do is to keep cool for as long as you can as summers get hotter and winters get shorter. Go outside less and drink plenty of water. Keep all pets in the house and be careful with any heat sensitive property.”

Marius began to walk away, feeling somewhat sweaty as the hot sun came down. The streets were relatively empty in this heat season, with many more heat seasons to come. Well, empty in regards to people walking. People still traveled in vehicles, normally.

Pearland was once a small town of around 140,000 people, but since has grown to over 750,000, becoming a minor economic player in the region. He walked down the sidewalk. Unlike others, he himself didn’t have the car, nor could he afford to use public transit. He walked through the city center, tall grey, red, black and silver buildings stretching up high.

Many cars still used gasoline, as there were not enough of the necessary materials to introduce more advanced electric vehicles. That was something that was causing great tension within the teams of politics. He then pulled out his phone, and opened up the Y social media platform, owned by Elon Musk.

“Let’s see here.” He scrolled through the numerous posts, “Ah here we go,”

“Tensions between NATO, PATO and Russia and China rising over rare earth minerals, which are needed to produce things such as batteries. China has a great supply of them but refuses to share them with other countries to gain political leverage.”

*Wonder how that will turn out in a couple of years. Maybe war. But I don’t think humanity is that dumb. We won’t go to war over trying to save the planet.* By now, Marius had sweated so much, it was visible through his clothes. “Need to get something cold.”

He then checked his phone again. “Look at that. Many Texans taking shelter at OceaGalaxy’s park in San Antonio. seeking to use their pools and tanks to escape the heat. Haven’t been able to operate normally for the 5th week in a row. Wow-y.”

He then decided to enter a store to purchase some ice cream and an energy drink. “Well, wherever life takes us now… hopefully it’s something good. Hopefully we can avoid disaster.” He pulled out his semitransparent “everything card,” `and sighed before entering the convenience store.

The bell rang as he opened the door and went in.

“Hello.” Waved the store clerk, greeting him as he entered.

“Oh hi.” He responded.

“Hot day today, isn’t it?”

“As always.”

“Yup. Soon enough, winter won’t even be a thing. Surprising, ain’t it? We’ve known about for a long time, but we’ve failed to act. Sadly, I’m just the store clerk. Not like I’ve I got much power.”

“Wish I could do something too.”

“Uh-huh. You don’t know how many folk come here looking to cool off. It’s been reported that people are constantly just sitting in lying inside buildings, just to to beat the heat. I’ve heard, there there is a shortage of rare earth minerals.”

“Hmm?”

“Yeah. You know, in this day and age, you’d expect cities like this to be all futuristic which large electronic billboards and holograms and things like that. But with the shortage of rare earth minerals, just ain’t possible. That’s why this city looks like a city from the 1980s or 1970s.”

“Damn. Where have you heard this?”

“All over the news mate! It’s that climate change isn’t it? Getting the bigger focus. Well, that’s why electronics are getting so expensive. That’s why you don’t see electric cars as much as you should. That’s why you don’t see as many of those flying taxis that were supposedly put into operation years ago. It’s why governments are so invested into nuclear power.”

“Damn. Heard of it on the news at an electronics store just a couple of blocks down. But never thought it was so bad.”

“You’re not the only one. Many people like you, especially the younger folks spending their time at electronics stores, schools or libraries just to use their computers. That’s why so many satellite-based phones, like the older landline pay phones are being put into operation.”

“What? I thought everyone carried a cell phone!”

“Many people do. But the younger generations just can’t. They’re getting somewhat expensive. And with inflation only increasing, oh my, not sure if I even want to talk about it.”

“Wait, but I’ve heard that the major electronics manufacturers are still making products like nothing. How?”

“Ah companies. Always trying to hide the bad things. Truth be told, companies like Pear, Samsony, Dockia and Macrohard are struggling to keep products coming off the assembly line.”

“Really? You're kidding, right?”

“Oh I’m not kidding. It’s getting so dire, that it’s been thought of to just mine the oceans for these rare earth minerals, but environmental groups are stopping that. You know Fallout?”

“Fallout?”

“Yeah, the game.”

“Oh that game! Yeah, I’ve heard of it.”

“Well, we could be heading into a future like that. I mean, trying to put nuclear reactors inside of cars? Now that’s pure science fiction. Not possible. At least not yet. And not in a safe manner either. I wouldn’t be surprised if we nuked ourselves to death.”

“That’s… dark.”

“It is. But hey, it’s the world!”

“Yeah, anyways, I’ll get something.” He went to go browse the store. He looked at various frozen products, before settling on a small tub of ice cream. “That’ll do.” He murmured to himself. He then proceeded to walk up to the counter. He took out his “everything card,” and handed it to the clerk.

“Alrighty.” The clerk swiped it across the card reader. “Ok then, here you go sir.”

“Think you.” Marius then took a look at the door. “I’m going to eat it in here because of how hot it is outside.”

“Aight. Any frozen thing would melt within minutes out in that heat. Anyways.” The clerk decided to turn on a radio he had on the counter. The Wander by Dion began playing as the radio station proceeded to play the next song. “Very fitting for this moment.”

“Yeah. So, how are politics?” Marius asked, taking another spoonful of ice cream.

“Tense, to say the least.”

“How tense?”

“Very much. Chairman of the CCP, Xian Déng is meeting with Russian President Radymir Saladov, North Korean supreme leader Kim Jone Yung and other leaders from Cuba, Venezuela, Iran, Iraq and numerous African countries to start this, ‘Alliance.”

“Oh, I’ve heard of it. The ‘New Axis’ people were calling it?”

“Very much. Of course, it won’t be called the ‘New Axis,’ but that is the popular term used in NATO and PATO countries. And it makes sense. They are like the ‘old’ Axis nations.”

“Wow. How’s the United Nations looking? Heard there were some big things going down in New York.”

“There are. Leaders are meeting on a daily basis to discuss the big ecological and political problems. Their discussing the formation of the New Axis.”

“You have an idea what the alliance will be called?”

“Nope. Well, I have an idea. Something with ‘Union’ in it.”

Then suddenly, the radio switched to an advertisement for OceaGalaxy, using the Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In from the 5th Dimension.

“They’re still playing ads when they can’t even operate because of how crowded their parks are?”

“Guess so. Doesn’t make sense, but their probably finding other ways to make money. You know, we can credit places like OceaGalaxy.”

“For what? I’ve heard those types of places were full of problems.”

“They were, and they are. But, well, how do I say it? Well, killer whales, or well, the southern killer whales nearly went extinct sometime in the late 2030s. Some still roam in the wild thanks to to conservation efforts. But a majority of them are in places like OceaGalaxy. Grim, isn’t it?”

He just stared, slightly wide eyes. “Wait, do you have a computer?”

“Oh me? Naw. With the pay I earn, can’t even afford a netbook or a phone.”

“What do you do then?”

“Just listen to radio. At times, I go out to the electronic stores just to watch TV. I have neighbors who actually own a TV and a Bell 2x Net-top. They don’t have a computer monitor, rather connecting their pc to their TV. Not the best thing, but it works. I hang out with them at times. When I feel like it, I go and watch a movie.”

They then both stopped as they heard loud sounds coming from outside.

“What is that?” Marius asked.

“Don’t know. Wanna go check it out?”

“Sure.” He shrugged.

They then both walked outside, seeing a large traffic jam. Cars were all around, beeping their horns.

“Dear god. What could be causing this?”

“Hand on a minute.” The clerk then pulled out an MP3 player, he plugged in the extender, then the headphones and then switched it on. “Give me a minute.” After a couple of minutes, the clerk then spoke, “Looks like a couple of electric cars, including a semi have broken down a couple of miles up ahead on I-55 north. Tow Trucks are unable to reach them.”

“I am speechless. I need to go see. And oh, my goodness…” The exhaust from all of the vehicles was causing the temperatures to feel much higher. “I’m gonna go run to see what’s down.”

“Suggest you get a bike or something. With you running like that, you’re gonna pass out in this heat.”

“Right. Well, I’m gonna leave now.”

“Have a safe trip.”

“See you around.”

He ran to his apartment, which was located in a building not too far from here. He had a bike. He never thought of using it, since he wouldn’t be going far that much. But well, now was the time.

He fetched his bike, then quickly made his way down the sidewalks. People were getting out of their cars they were wondering what was causing the buildup.

“Well, well. This is a lot.” He had to be careful to avoid hitting people. After several miles, he reached the main buildup site. Several thoughts ran through his head. Pretty soon people would get rowdy, fights and even a riot could break out as nobody wanted to be in this heat. Hopefully, that wouldn’t occur, but he could only pray.

“Dear goodness.” A semi along with several vehicles were stuck on the road. They were in an area that vehicles couldn’t reach. “Now how in the world do we solve this?” He walked over. He knocked on the doors of vehicles, then, people came out.

“Hey guys.”

“Yeah?” One of them answered.

“Why are you in the middle of the road?”

“Well, why are we? Because we ran out of battery. There aren’t any areas to charge our vehicles in!”

“Then why use electric vehicles?”

“Because of the climate crisis. Don’t you know what’s going on?”

“I know what’s going on with the climate, but you guys are causing a pretty big traffic jam and we’ll, better get moving, people will get rowdy soon and we don’t want that.”

“What do you suggest we do? These cars are heavy!” A female asked.

“Push them. With all of our efforts, we can move your vehicles out of the way.”

“Ya sure about this?”

“Of course. Either that, or have a riot break out. Either or, what do you choose?”

“Suppose the guy’s right.”