Just as that news had ceased to roll, and Stygian's grim face appeared to have gotten stuck on his muzzle, Rockhoof spoke up again. "Well, I get the impression that we are here, and they are there. But we must do all that we can to help keep things operational, not to mention keep this place safe. The Native Guard, fierce as they may be, can only do so much."
"Indeed," Meadowbrook replied, putting a hoof to her chin (attached to the end of her muzzle), and sighing as she tried to think of an answer to the question. "Perhaps you could teach them some new tricks and get them ready fer battle?"
"The Mighty Helm didn't fight with firearms, or objects that shoot fire," Rockhoof noted, trying to think of his own solution in response. "But I'm certain that something could be tried, if nothing else. Our defences could also be reinforced with walls. I know the bayou isn't the easiest of places to navigate-"
"I should know," Stygian interrupted. "I've gotten lost more than once, and I only found Hayseed Swamp itself by chance. I think it was when I chanced upon Meadowbrook in a clearing, and then-"
"We already know what happened next," Meadowbrook interrupted, interrupting an interruption. "Rockhoof, you were sayin'?"
"Our defences could also be reinforced with walls. I know the bayou isn't the easiest of places to navigate, but satellite imaging and tracking of objects allows for enemies to navigate more easily. That's something we don't have."
Outside, there was a loud and sudden crash, and then some cursing in some tongue that Rockhoof didn't understand. Meadowbrook darted outside and said something to them.
"What's goin' on, Bubba?" she asked.
"The portable generator's gone down again!" an Earth pony replied, looking very cross. "Now Ah'll need ta sneak inta New Orleans and get a spare part!"
Meadowbrook popped back in, and shut the door. "Bubba's havin' problems with his generator again."
"Is that how you get electricity?" Rockhoof asked. A plan was forming in his mind to fix this very problem.
"Yeah? The only place we can get spares is N'awlins," Meadowbrook continued. "That means disguisin ourselves as humans and hopin' the potion don't wear off." She shuddered. "That's happened more than once in inconvenient places."
Rockhoof then finished formulating his plan. "Of course! I've got it!"
"Got what?" Stygian asked.
"The answer to the puzzle we're all trying to solve! I can construct a hydroelectric dam across the water flow into Hayseed Swamp, which will allow us to regulate water flow and purify the water streams in the area. This will also have a secondary benefit. If we can get the water flow under our control, the water can be used to generate electricity and reduce, or potentially eliminate, our dependence on generators. And diesel fuel, no less. Why not also have a transport system across the lake?"
"We'll still need ta get AC units. but yeah, this could work!" Meadowbrook exclaimed, smiling.
Rockhoof was nothing if not an engineer, so had a good idea of what he would be doing when he built this system. The principal on which dams worked was incredibly simple. The water was rerouted whilst the processing systems and water tracking plants were built, alongside turbines that could be used to produce electrical power. Once the process was finished, the water was sent back through the turbines and fed into the system, producing electricity and keeping the system flowing properly. This meant that they would get clean water and environmentally friendly electricity, thereby reducing the amount of diesel fuel that they needed to use and therefore what they would need to produce their power. So he got to work, digging out a trench and building space for the neccesary bits. He dropped in the parts required as he continued work, and put into place a multitude of safeguards to prevent the systems from overheating. Then, water was flowed into the turbines, and all was good. Water flowed into the small, basic dam (developed from a levee, which wasn't dry at this point), and soon power was being generated.
"Yes!" Rockhoof said. "We have power! Now let's link everybody up."
Before long, every building was linked up correctly, and even town speakers. To test them, Rockhoof encouraged a band to play, and soon song was spreading through the town.
"Of all the money that e'er I had;
I spent it in good company.
And all the harm I've ever done;
Alas it was to none but me.
And all I've done for want of wit
To mem'ry now I can't recall;
So fill to me the parting glass
Good night and joy be to you all!"
"So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befall,
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all!"
"Of all the comrades that e'er I had;
They're sorry for my going away!
And all the sweethearts that e'er I had;
They'd wish me one more day to stay!
But since it falls unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not;
I gently rise and softly call-
Good night and joy be to you all!"
"So fill to me the parting glass
And drink a health whate’er befall,
And gently rise and softly call
Good night and joy be to you all!"
Rockhoof was certainly pleased with his work, having just cut everybody's fuel bills by a lot, as very little fuel was now needed to keep the system running. Furthermore, ponies had economy, and he could be proud of that.
"Excellent work!" said Stygian. "Creating a dam out of a retired flood defence was a brilliant move, not to mention cheap."
"Indeed," Rockhoof smiled. "What comes next is to paper over the current structure in concrete and steel to give the dam increased strength and heavy support. This will allow it to hold in position and stay for many generations to come."