"It's a good idea, Renko-san," Captain Minoru said. The three sat in the cockpit of Shota's boat, going over the plans.

"It could be made, I think," he said. "In steam boats, the fire boils the water and the steam provides pressure that is transferred by gears to the propeller, here." He indicated the place with a worn and ragged finger. "The propeller turns and that moves the boat through the water."

"We think we can use gears to drive power to the pedals," Renko said. ...